bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Interactive Role of Climatic Transfer Distance and Overstory Retention on Douglas‐Fir Seedling Survival and Height Growth in Interior British Columbia
Authors: Harris Thomson C. , Roach W. Jean , Miller Erin M. , Simard Suzanne W.
Published: January 2025

The future climatic niche of interior Douglas‐fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca [Mirb.] Franco) is expected to have little spatial overlap with its current range due to climate change. The resulting misalignment of the climatic niche and species distribution is expected to result in many forests becoming maladapted in their current location, thus increasing vulnerability to disturbance and reducing productivity. This novel study examined the individual and interactive effects of climatic transfer distance and silviculture systems on planted 3‐year‐old Douglas‐fir seedlings across the natural range of interior Douglas‐fir in British Columbia. Several climatic transfer distance variables were considered, and the silviculture systems tested comprised the following gradients of tree retention: 0% retention (clearcut), 10% dispersed retention (seed‐tree), 30% aggregate retention, and 60% aggregate retention with thinning from below. Using linear mixed effect models, we found that survival and height were positively correlated with movements of seedlings to warmer, wetter, and more humid climates. Moisture availability had a stronger influence than temperature, indicating that seedlings transferred to warmer but more arid climates would experience decreased survival and height. Where seedlings were transferred to climates with greater frost frequency or decreased humidity, greater retention of overstory trees improved survival and height. Conversely, movements to more favorable climatic conditions (warmer and wetter) resulted in improved survival and height where overstory retention was low. Our findings suggest that genetic reshuffling of populations through assisted migration could benefit from overstory retention where stressful climatic conditions due to aridity or increased frost frequency occur.
Persistent Effects of Landscape Context on Recruitment Dynamics During Secondary Succession of Tropical Forests
Authors: van Breugel Michiel , Hall Jefferson S. , Bailon Mario , Craven Dylan
Published: January 2025

Large‐scale reforestation is promoted as an important strategy to mitigate climate change and biodiversity loss. A persistent challenge for efforts to restore ecosystems at scale is how to accelerate ecological processes, particularly natural regeneration. Yet, despite being recognized as an important barrier to the recovery of diverse plant communities in tropical agricultural landscapes, the impacts of dispersal limitation on natural regeneration in secondary forests—and especially how this changes as these forests grow older—are still poorly studied. In a region where animals have been shown to be the dominant seed dispersers, we evaluate the impacts of proximity to a connected network of narrow streamside strips of forest (SSF) on recruitment in 1–40‐year‐old secondary forests. We used 8 years of annual census data from 45 sites with paired plots, one directly adjoining an SSF and the other further uphill (henceforth “landscape context”), and a null model approach to test the effects of proximity to SSFs and basal area, while accounting for variation in soil, topography, and distance between plots and stand structure. In general, we found that landscape context affects multiple aspects of recruitment, including species diversity and the proportion of rarer and less‐widely distributed species among the recruits. Unexpectedly, this effect did not weaken over time, despite a fast increase in stand basal area and diversity. This suggests that forest development over the first decades of succession may not be sufficient to attract the animals that disperse rarer tree species. Our results provide empirical evidence to guide restoration initiatives in agricultural landscapes in tropical regions, principally prioritizing the restoration of forest corridor networks along streams, while also highlighting the knowledge gap about restoring animal dispersers in secondary forests.
Inclusive Education for University Students With and Without Intellectual Disabilities: Effectiveness of an Anti‐Stigma Intervention
Authors: Moraleda Ruano Álvaro , Ruiz Vicente Diana , Mampaso Desbrow Joanne , Galán‐Casado Diego
Published: January 2025

Background

This study examines stigma and self‐stigma towards individuals with intellectual disabilities among university students, focusing on cognitive, emotional and behavioural dimensions. It highlights the negative impact on social inclusion and the importance of educational interventions.

Methods

A quantitative pre‐/post‐test design with a control group assessed stigma towards intellectual disabilities. Differences based on the presence of intellectual disabilities and the effectiveness of an anti‐stigma intervention was evaluated using the Goratu questionnaire.

Results

No significant gender differences in stigma levels were found. Students with intellectual disabilities showed significantly higher stigma levels compared to their peers without disabilities. The anti‐stigma intervention improved attitudes in the experimental group versus the control group.

Conclusions

Findings support the efficacy of educational interventions in reducing stigma and promoting inclusive attitudes. Despite limitations like potential social desirability bias, this research offers valuable insights for policymakers and educators to enhance social inclusion and reduce stigma.
Very High‐Power Short‐Duration Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Lengauer Sarah , Erhard Nico , Popa Miruna A. , Telishevska Marta , Krafft Hannah , Bahlke Fabian , Englert Florian , Bourier Felix , Reents Tilko , Deisenhofer Isabel , Hessling Gabriele
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Data regarding safety and long‐term outcome of very high‐power‐short duration (vHPSD) ablation in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) are lacking.

Methods

Retrospective observational single‐center study. The data of 66 consecutive ACHD patients (mean age 60 ± 12.8 years, 46% male) with mild (69.7%), moderate (22.7%), or complex (7.6%) congenital heart disease (CHD) who underwent ablation for paroxysmal (40.9%) or persistent AF (59.1%) were analyzed. Circumferential PVI was performed in all patients and additional substrate ablation in 79,4% of persistent AF patients using irrigated RF energy with vHPSD settings of 70 W/5–7 s or 60 W/7–10 s.

Results

Mean procedure time was 123.6 ± 42 min with a mean RF time of 18.19 ± 10 min. No technique related adverse events occurred. Vascular access complications were detected in seven patients (10.6%) requiring intervention in four patients (6%). A median follow‐up time of 491 days (IQR: 194–1054 days). Freedom from any atrial arrhythmia off antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD) at 1 year was present in 58% of patients (77.8% with paroxysmal AF, 43.6% with persistent AF).

Conclusion

vHPSD for ablation of paroxysmal or persistent AF in ACHD patients is safe and effective. Regardless of CHD complexity, no vHPSD ablation modality related complications occurred. Long‐term outcome for paroxysmal AF after one ablation was excellent whereas results for persistent AF were limited.
PSC1, a basic/helix–loop–helix transcription factor controlling the purplish‐red testa trait in peanut
Authors: Zhao Kunkun , Zhang Jingjing , Fan Yi , Du Xufa , Zhu Shuliang , Li Zhongfeng , Qiu Ding , Cao Zenghui , Ma Qian , Li Yaoyao , Cao Di , Hu Sasa , Zhao Kai , Gong Fangping , Ren Rui , Ma Xingli , Zhang Xingguo , Yin Dongmei
Published: January 2025

Seed color is a key agronomic trait in crops such as peanut, where it is a vital indicator of both nutritional and commercial value. In recent years, peanuts with darker seed coats have gained market attention due to their high anthocyanin content. Here, we used bulk segregant analysis to identify the gene associated with the purplish‐red coat trait and identified a novel gene encoding a basic/helix–loop–helix transcription factor, PURPLE RED SEED COAT1 (PSC1), which regulates the accumulation of anthocyanins in the seed coat. Specifically, we found that a 35‐bp insertion in the PSC1 promoter increased the abundance of PSC1 mRNA. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses indicated that the purplish‐red color of the seed coat was the result of decreased expression of anthocyanidin reductase (ANR), leading to increased accumulation of delphinidin, cyanidin, and pelargonidin derivatives. Further analysis revealed that PSC1 interacts with AhMYB7 to form a complex that specifically binds to the ANR promoter to suppress its expression, resulting in increased anthocyanin accumulation. Moreover, overexpression of PSC1 increased anthocyanin content in Arabidopsis thaliana and peanut callus. Our study reveals a new gene that controls seed coat color by regulating anthocyanin metabolism and provides a valuable genetic resource for breeding peanuts with a purplish‐red seed coat.
ApoNecV: A macro for cell death type differentiation
Authors: Kolarikova Marketa , Hosikova Barbora , Tesarik Jiri , Langova Katerina , Kolarova Hana
Published: January 2025

The evaluation of large experimental datasets is a fundamental aspect of research in every scientific field. Streamlining this process can improve the reliability of results while making data analysis more efficient and faster to execute. In biomedical research it is often very important to determine the type of cell death after various treatments. Thus, differentiating between viable, apoptotic, and necrotic cells provide critical insights into the treatment efficacy, a key aspect in the field of drug development. Fluorescent microscopy is perceived as a widely used technique for cell metabolism assessment and can therefore be used to investigate treatment outcomes after staining samples with cell death detection kit. However, accurate evaluation of therapeutic results requires quantitative analysis, often necessitating extensive postprocessing of imaging data. In this study, we introduce a complementary tool designed as a macro for the Fiji platform, enabling the automated postprocessing of fluorescent microscopy images to accurately distinguish and quantify viable, apoptotic, and necrotic cells.
Partial Sums of Almost Overdifferenced, Near‐Stationary Processes With Time‐Varying Properties
Authors: Demetrescu Matei , Hosseinkouchack Mehdi
Published: January 2025

This note analyzes the limiting behavior of suitably normalized partial sums of processes with an ARMA(1,1) structure when the AR and MA roots are in various types of neighborhoods of 1 and , respectively. In doing so, we allow for time‐varying volatility and persistence. Our results show how the radii of neighborhoods in the MA and AR filters interact and affect the corresponding invariance principles.
Changes in marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) heart rates suggest reduced metabolism during El Niño events
Authors: Dubiner S. , Pérez J. P. Muñoz , Alarcón‐Ruales D. , Cohen E. , Deresienski D. , Hirschfeld M. , Levin E. , Lohmann K. J. , Meiri S. , Lewbart G.
Published: January 2025

Marine iguanas occasionally face severe food shortages because of algal dieback during El Niño events. Research on their adaptations to these periods has highlighted their unique ability to shrink in body length, which reduces their energetic needs. Additional mechanisms, like sustaining lower body temperatures and metabolic rates, could potentially also lower energy consumption, but have never been examined. We measured 665 iguanas over an 11‐year period including three El Niño events, and examined how heart rates (a proxy for metabolic rates) and body temperatures change with sea‐surface temperature oscillations (Oceanic Niño Index, ONI). Heart rate (adjusting for body size, temperature, season, and study site) was negatively correlated with ONI and lower during El Niño, whereas the adjusted body temperature did not correlate with ONI or differ between El Niño and other periods. We therefore hypothesize that marine iguanas can depress their metabolic rates in response to the harsh conditions, an adaptation that is complementary to shrinking and may further enhance their survival through periods of limited food. Direct metabolic measurements are needed to test this hypothesis.
Insights on the volcanic and impact histories of the lunar nearside from the petrology, geochemistry, and geochronology of the Calcalong Creek lunar regolith breccia meteorite
Authors: Oliveira B. H. , Snape J. F. , Tartèse R. , Pernet‐Fisher J. F. , van Acken D. , Whitehouse M. J. , Joy K. H.
Published: January 2025

The Calcalong Creek lunar meteorite is a regolith breccia with a lithologically diverse array of clasts set in a glassy, highly vesicular matrix. Here, we present a comprehensive new analysis of the meteorite. Comparisons to remote sensing data, lunar sample lithologies, and lunar sample ages indicate that it was likely sourced from regolith surrounding the Moon's nearside Procellarum KREEP Terrane, as opposed to the farside South Pole‐Aitken basin as has been previously suggested. Partial and complete reset dates of ~3.9 Ga suggest a disturbance at this time, which aligns with that of the Imbrium basin‐forming event, and to a lesser degree we see evidence of a ~4.2 Ga impact, which may be related to the formation of the Serenitatis basin. Analysis of Calcalong Creek clasts, thus, provide insights not only on the timing of major impact basin formation but also on the volcanic history of the Moon. The meteorite also samples some ancient ~4.3 Ga evolved magmatism, manifested in the presence of granophyre clasts, which may have originated from a high‐μ, KREEP‐like source, as well as younger, ~3.7 Ga low‐Ti basaltic magmatism.
VDAC1 Cleavage Promotes Autophagy in Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells With Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury
Authors: Chuan'ai Chen , Haolong Li , Pengpeng An , Yang Yu , Chunyan Liu , Yumiao Yang
Published: January 2025

Aim

To study the effect and elucidate the underlying mechanisms of VDAC1‐ΔC on autophagy in renal tubular epithelial cells injured by hypoxia/reoxygenation.

Methods

C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into groups: sham operation group, IRI 1d group and IRI 2d group. The inner canthal blood of mice was collected to detect the levels of serum creatinine and urea nitrogen and kidney tissues were sampled, and sections were stained with Periodic acid‐Schiff for morphological evaluation. The expression of VDAC1 in kidney tissue was detected by Western blot. An immortalised human proximal tubular epithelial cell line, HK‐2 cells, were subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation treatment. HK‐2 cells were incubated under hypoxia for 6 h, followed by 6 and 24 h of reoxygenation, cells were divided into four groups: H6/R0 group, H6/R6 group, H6/R24 group and control group. The release of LDH and cytosolic ROS were assessed, the expression of autophagy‐related proteins LC3 and p62 was detected by Western blot, autophagy flux was monitored by transfecting mRFP‐GFP‐LC3 lentivirus in HK2 cells, and cells were pretreated with bafilomycin A1 to further monitor the autophagy flux. VDAC1‐cleavage‐defective mutant in HK‐2 cells silencing VDAC1 was established to examine the effect of VDAC1 cleavage on autophagy and hypoxia/reoxygenation injury.

Results

In vivo, IRI 1d/2d promoted the disorder of renal tubular structure and the cleavage of VDAC1 in kidney tissue; in vitro, hypoxia/reoxygenation promoted cytosolic ROS accumulation, LDH release, VDAC1 cleavage and induced autophagy and autophagic flux; reduced VDAC1 cleavage inhibited autophagy; and decreased cytosolic ROS accumulation and LDH release, thus alleviated cell injury.

Conclusion

In renal tubular epithelial cells injured by H/R, VDAC1 cleavage was increased, triggering an autophagic response, and VDAC1 cleavage promoted autophagy to regulate cell injury.
Vegetation–climate feedbacks across scales
Authors: Miralles Diego G. , Vilà‐Guerau de Arellano Jordi , McVicar Tim R. , Mahecha Miguel D.
Published: January 2025

Vegetation is often viewed as a consequence of long‐term climate conditions. However, vegetation itself plays a fundamental role in shaping Earth's climate by regulating the energy, water, and biogeochemical cycles across terrestrial landscapes. It exerts influence by consuming water resources through transpiration and interception, lowering atmospheric CO2 concentration, altering surface roughness, and controlling net radiation and its partitioning into sensible and latent heat fluxes. This influence propagates through the atmosphere, from microclimate scales to the entire atmospheric boundary layer, subsequently impacting large‐scale circulation and the global transport of heat and moisture. Understanding the feedbacks between vegetation and atmosphere across multiple scales is crucial for predicting the influence of land use and land cover changes, and for accurately representing these processes in climate models. This review discusses the biophysical and biogeochemical mechanisms through which vegetation modulates climate across spatial and temporal scales. Particularly, we evaluate the influence of vegetation on circulation patterns, precipitation, and temperature, considering both long‐term trends and extreme events, such as droughts and heatwaves. Our goal is to highlight the state of science and review recent studies that may help advance our collective understanding of vegetation feedbacks and the role they play in climate.
Individualised Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: Predictive Models and Anatomical Phenotyping of Mandibular Advancement Devices Responses
Authors: Camañes‐Gonzalvo Sara , Montiel‐Company José María , García‐Selva Marina , Plaza‐Espín Andrés , Pérez‐Carbonell Tomàs , Paredes‐Gallardo Vanessa , Bellot‐Arcís Carlos , Marco‐Pitarch Rocío
Published: January 2025

Objectives

This non‐randomised clinical study aimed to identify the phenotypic characteristics that distinguish responders from non‐responders. Additionally, it sought to establish a predictive model for treatment response to obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) using mandibular advancement devices (MAD), based on the analysed phenotypic characteristics.

Material and Methods

This study, registered under identifier NCT05596825, prospectively analysed MAD treatment over 6 years using two‐piece adjustable appliances according to a standardised protocol. Two response definitions aligned with the latest International Consensus Statement on OSA severity were established. Logistic regression and CHAID models integrated baseline clinical, anthropometric, cephalometric anatomical, soft tissue characteristics and physiological upper airway variables.

Results

A total of 112 patients completed the study: 64 responders and 48 non‐responders according to response definition 1, and 81 responders and 31 non‐responders according to response definition 2. Responders to MAD treatment had lower body mass index (BMI), neck and waist circumference, Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores, apnoea–hypopnea index (AHI), snoring intensity on the Visual Analog Scale, CPAP pressure, and higher T90% and minSaO2. Patients exhibiting greater anatomical imbalance, smaller airway volume, smaller minimum cross‐sectional area (CSAmin) and longer airway length demonstrated a poorer response to treatment.

Conclusions

Airway length, initial T90% and anterior facial height collectively formed a highly predictive logistic regression model for response definition 1. Jarabak's ratio, gonial angle, CSAmin, airway length, initial BMI and baseline AHI constituted a highly predictive model for the second response definition. Furthermore, the CHAID regression tree established cutoff values for the variables that form the predictive models.
Cockroach pollination ensures sexual reproduction in the non‐photosynthetic plant Balanophora tobiracola
Authors: Suetsugu K.
Published: January 2025

While Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera have traditionally been recognized as key pollinators, recent studies suggest that other insect groups, such as Blattodea (cockroaches), may also play a significant role. However, direct evidence of fruit set resulting from cockroach pollination remains limited, even in plants presumed to rely on this mode of pollination.

This study investigated the breeding system of the non‐photosynthetic plant Balanophora tobiracola on Yakushima Island, Japan, with a particular focus on the potential occurrence of agamospermy. Additionally, the research rigorously evaluates the pollination effectiveness of cockroaches and ants in B. tobiracola by assessing reproductive success exclusively through their visits.

Pollination experiments revealed high fruit set even under emasculation, indicating that agamospermy ensures seed production. However, B. tobiracola still relies heavily on pollinator activity for sexual reproduction. Ants and cockroaches were identified as effective pollinators, whereas contributions of pyralid moths, crane flies, and nitidulid beetles—whose larvae consume B. tobiracola infructescences—were negligible. Notably, a single visit from certain cockroach species significantly enhanced pollination.

The above findings demonstrate that B. tobiracola is effectively pollinated by cockroaches and ants. Combining unusual pollinators with agamospermy likely facilitates the reproductive success of B. tobiracola in dense forest understories where typical pollinators, like bees, are scarce. Our results underscore the need to reassess the role of agamospermy as reproductive assurance and the significance of cockroaches and ants as pollinators, particularly for plants in shaded understory habitats.
A Chromosome‐Level Genome Sequence Reveals Regulation of Salt Stress Response in Mesembryanthemum crystallinum
Authors: Toyokura Koichi , Naito Ken , Makabe Koyuki , Nampei Mami , Natsume Hiroki , Fukazawa Jutarou , Kusaba Makoto , Ueda Akihiro
Published: January 2025

Salt stress disturbs plant growth and photosynthesis due to its toxicity. The ice plant Mesembryanthemum crystallinum is a highly salt‐tolerant facultative crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plant. However, the genetic basis of the salt tolerance mechanisms in ice plants remains unclear. In this study, we constructed a chromosome‐level whole‐genome sequence of the ice plant and performed transcriptome analysis of the effects of salt treatment on the leaves. After 24‐hour 500 mM NaCl treatment to the roots, 1100 and 1394 genes, including CAM pathway, glycolysis, and inositol metabolism, were up‐ and down‐regulated in the leaves, respectively. Salt treatment also influenced the abscisic acid (ABA) signaling components, including genes from the PYRABACTIN RESISTANCE1 (PYR1) family and the PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE 2CA (PP2CA) family. We detected the induction of the genes encoding various ion transporters after salt treatment. The expression of most v‐ATPase subunits is induced, leading to vacuolar acidification, which facilitates sodium ion sequestration in the vacuoles. Additionally, some genes encoding metal ion transporters, including the genes from the ZIP family and NRAMP family, were induced by salt treatment, accompanied by the accumulation of iron, zinc, and copper ions in the leaves. Cis‐motif enrichment analysis revealed that ABRE‐like motifs and MYB‐binding‐like motifs were enriched in the upstream sequences of genes that were either up‐regulated or down‐regulated by salt. In conclusion, this study highlights how salt treatment induces drastic and rapid transcriptomic changes and unveils the ice plant's genomic foundation. Our resources provide further insights into the regulation of salt tolerance in the ice plants.
Contrasts in hydraulics underlie the divergent performances of Populus and native tree species in water‐limited sandy land environments
Authors: Khan Attaullah , Gong Xue‐Wei , Zhang Chi , Liu Shen‐Si , Hao Guang‐You
Published: January 2025

Populus tree species are commonly used for creating shelter forests in vast areas of northern China, at least partially due to their fast growth. However, they are facing severe problems of decline and mortality caused by drought. In contrast, tree species native to water‐limited environments usually have slow growth and are currently not commonly used in afforestation, while these species are gaining more attention in forestry for their greater resilience to drought. In Horqin Sandy Land, we conducted a comparative analysis of xylem hydraulics and associated physiological traits between six Populus tree species and six tree species native to drought‐prone areas. Compared to the native species, the Populus species exhibited significantly higher stem hydraulic conductivity but lower resistance to drought‐induced xylem embolism than the native tree species. The observed interspecific variations and contrasts in xylem hydraulics between the two species groups were predominantly attributed to xylem anatomical characteristics at the pit level rather than at the tissue level. In line with the divergences in hydraulics, we found significantly lower intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi) in Populus than in the native species, suggesting that the two groups adopted relatively acquisitive and conservative water use strategies, respectively. The trade‐off between hydraulic efficiency and safety, as well as that between hydraulic efficiency and WUEi, underlies the contrasts in performance between Populus species and the native tree species, that is, fast growth of Populus species but high risk of hydraulic dysfunction when facing drought, and vice versa.
Medium and Message by Mail: A Field Experiment to Promote Low‐Income Assistance Programs
Authors: Teodoro Manuel P. , Smith Jean
Published: January 2025

Limited awareness impedes take‐up in low‐income utility assistance programs, which often suffer from low uptake. This study uses a field experiment to evaluate direct mail as a means of reducing learning burdens and thereby increasing participation in financial assistance programs offered by a large American sewer utility. Employing a conjoint design, we sent customers mailings that varied by medium (postcard vs. letter), frequency, color, sender (government vs. nonprofit), message framing (percentage discount vs. dollar savings), and language (English vs. English‐Spanish). Compared to the control group receiving no mail, direct mail significantly increased program inquiries. Notably, postcards were as effective as letters, and sending even one mailing yielded a substantial response increase; additional mailings provided minimal benefit. Sender and message framing had no significant effect. Surprisingly, bilingual mailings resulted in slightly lower response rates. Our findings suggest that direct mailings, particularly postcards, can help improve take‐up of income‐qualified public assistance programs.
The new J‐curve testing methodology on the US–UK bilateral trade balance under the Brexit
Authors: Ongan Serdar , Karamelikli Huseyin , Gocer Ismet
Published: January 2025

This study reexamines the J‐curve hypothesis using a new methodology outside traditional practices. The increasing complexity of global bilateral trade and trade policy changes have made new methodologies inevitable. In response to this need, we create and use new forms of bilateral trade balances (BTB) rather than the traditional BTB ratio (exports/imports) constructed exclusively on total export data; this is because countries (e.g., the United States) also re‐export to other countries (e.g., the United Kingdom) some previously imported goods, besides their domestic goods. These new forms of BTBs are created based on this difference and named re‐export‐based BTB and domestic‐export‐based BTB. Hence, these newly created BTBs may also allow us to perform new J‐curve testing approaches, namely, domestic‐exports‐BTB‐based J‐curve hypothesis testing and re‐exports‐BTB‐based J‐curve hypothesis testing, separately. The main empirical finding suggests that J‐curve hypothesis testing for the USA should be performed with the methodology proposed in this study; this is because, while we supported the long‐run asymmetric J‐curve hypothesis by US domestic‐exports‐BTB‐based J‐curve hypothesis for 10 goods, the same was supported by US re‐exports‐BTB‐based J‐curve hypothesis for only 3. Additionally, the depreciated USD improves, and the Brexit process worsens the export of US domestically produced goods more than re‐exported goods.
Understanding Compliance Rates in Suicide Research During the Post‐Discharge Period
Authors: Schatten Heather T. , Wallace Gemma T. , Kimble Sara K. , Bozzay Melanie L.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

The period following discharge from psychiatric hospitalization is one of particularly elevated suicide risk. It is essential to better understand risk factors for suicide during this period; however, retention and compliance in longitudinal research can be a challenge with high‐risk populations.

Methods

We examined compliance rates in the six‐month period following psychiatric hospital discharge among 174 adults (149 psychiatric patients and 25 healthy controls) across three data collection methods: ecological momentary assessment (EMA), weekly clinical assessment phone calls, and clinical follow‐up assessments at two‐ and six‐months post‐discharge. We examined whether clinical and demographic characteristics influenced compliance rates.

Results

Results suggested low rates of EMA compliance, but strong rates of completion of weekly phone calls and follow‐up assessments. Compared to psychiatric patients, healthy controls completed more EMA and weekly phone calls, but not follow‐up assessments. Participants who met current diagnostic criteria for a major depressive episode and who scored above the clinical threshold for borderline personality disorder symptoms had lower EMA compliance rates.

Conclusions

These findings have important implications for strategies to improve patient engagement in research during this high‐risk period.
Soil‐mediated effects of cover crops on weed‐crop competition
Authors: Rouge Alicia , Wallace John M. , Cordeau Stéphane , Moreau Delphine , Guillemin Jean‐Philippe , Lowry Carolyn J.
Published: January 2025

According to the Resource Pool Diversity Hypothesis (RPDH), increasing cropping system diversity (e.g., crop rotation, fertility sources, and weed management) should increase soil resource pool diversity, and mitigate weed‐crop competition intensity. Despite the growing interest in cover crop mixtures to provide weed control, our study is the first to test the effect of cover crop species and functional diversity on weed‐crop competition intensity. We hypothesised that according to the RPDH, increasing cover crop species and functional diversity will mitigate weed‐crop competition intensity. Using soils collected from a long‐term field experiment comparing diverse cover crop mixtures to their mono‐species counterparts, we investigated in a greenhouse whether the legacy of cover crops in the soil would alter the intensity of competition that two competitive weeds can exert on maize. No relationship between the relative weed‐maize competition intensity and cover crop diversity was found, which failed to support our hypothesis. Nevertheless, the cover crop treatments varied in their effects on weed‐crop competition intensity, with the cover crop mixture consisting of triticale, Austrian winter pea and crimson clover resulting in the lowest weed‐crop competition intensity and highest maize biomass, regardless of the weed species competitor. Therefore, while cover crop legacies in the soil may affect weed‐crop competition, increasing diversity alone is not sufficient to reduce competition intensity. Future research should investigate potential mechanisms driving cover crop legacy effects on weed‐crop competition, especially in a field, where diversity in soil resources is likely to be greater compared to pots in a greenhouse.
African Women’s Histories in European Narratives
Authors: Aixelà-Cabré Yolanda
Published: January 2025

Little is known about the African women who came to Europe from the 1870s onwards, nor do we dare to imagine them as wealthy, elegantly dressed individuals with refined tastes and fluent in several languages. The Krio Fernandino represented a multisited, multilocal, transnational, transcontinental and Afropolitan community that lived between Africa and Europe from the late 19th century onwards. This book explains how the Krio Fernandino, and particularly their women, transcended the barriers of race and gender in colonial Africa and in Spain. Aixelà-Cabré highlights a fascinating journey across cultures and continents, unearthing a compelling narrative of African women’s empowerment in their home continent and in Catalonia. This research highlights a women’s history that resonates on regional, national and transcontinental levels; a genuine Euro-African and Afro-European legacy to be preserved for future generations.
Job Recommender System for the Unique Framework of Classification of Occupations in Colombia (CUOC) using collaborative filtering
Authors: Caro Cortés Claudia Marcela , Ospina López Juan Pablo
Published: January 2025

Objective: The objective of this research is to improve the matching between labor supply and demand in Colombia by using machine learning techniques and the unique framework of classification of occupations for Colombia (CUOC). This framework allows us to enhance the alignment between resumes and job offers, helping job seekers obtain personalized job recommendations according to their profiles. Methods: This proposal uses a combination of clustering, classification, and collaborative filtering algorithms to obtain the ten best available vacancies for a particular resume. Standardization of resumes and job offers was performed during the preprocessing stage. We utilized natural language algorithms to extract attributes from the CUOC framework. For the training process, we initially employed the K-Means algorithm to group the attributes of the CUOC framework. Afterward, we use KNN, DNN, and AdaBoost as classification algorithms to develop a model that best correlates a resume with the group of vacancies. Finally, a web application was developed using the Django framework, providing a user-friendly interface for job seekers to receive recommendations based on the model outcomes. Results: The best model was selected based on accuracy and processing time. The results indicate that the highest accuracy and recommendation performance are achieved using the CUOC framework, generating a recommendation of the top 10 vacancies based on their similarity level.
Chromosome-scale genome dynamics reveal signatures of independent haplotype evolution in the ancient asexual mite
Platynothrus peltifer
Authors: Öztoprak Hüsna , Gao Shan , Guiglielmoni Nadège , Brandt Alexander , Zheng Yichen , Errbii Mohammed , Bednarski Viktoria , Becker Christian , Becker Kerstin , Borgschulte Lea , Burak Katharina Atsuko , Dion-Côté Anne-Marie , Leonov Vladislav , Opherden Linda , Shimano Satoshi , Bast Jens
Published: January 2025

Some unique asexual species persist over time and contradict the consensus that sex is a prerequisite for long-term evolutionary survival. How they escape the dead-end fate remains enigmatic. Here, we generated a haplotype-resolved genome assembly on the basis of a single individual and collected genomic data from worldwide populations of the parthenogenetic diploid oribatid mite
Platynothrus peltifer
to identify signatures of persistence without sex. We found that haplotypes diverge independently since the transition to asexuality at least 20 million years ago in European lineages, contrasting Japanese and Canadian lineages. Multiple lines of evidence indicate conservation of one haplotype copy and relaxed selection in the other for the ancient asexual lineages. These findings highlight the evolutionary genomic singularities of ancient asexual oribatid mites that may have contributed to escaping the early demise typically associated with asexuality.
Ecological interactions amplify cumulative effects in marine ecosystems
Authors: Beauchesne David , Cazelles Kevin , Daigle Rémi M. , Gravel Dominique , Archambault Philippe
Published: January 2025

Biodiversity encompasses not only species diversity but also the complex interactions that drive ecological dynamics and ecosystem functioning. Still, these critical interactions remain overwhelmingly overlooked in environmental management. In this study, we introduce an ecosystem-based approach that assesses the cumulative effects of climate change and human activities on species in the St. Lawrence marine ecosystem, eastern Canada, by explicitly accounting for the effects arising from species interactions within a multiple stressors framework. Our findings reveal previously unrecognized threats to exploited and endangered fishes and marine mammals, exposing noteworthy gaps in existing management and recovery strategies. By integrating the less obvious yet no less substantial effects arising from species interactions into cumulative effects assessments, our approach provides a robust tool to guide more comprehensive and effective management and conservation efforts for marine species.
An ancient apical patterning system sets the position of the forebrain in chordates
Authors: Gattoni Giacomo , Keitley Daniel , Sawle Ashley , Benito-Gutiérrez Elia
Published: January 2025

The evolutionary origin of the vertebrate brain remains a major subject of debate, as its development from a dorsal tubular neuroepithelium is unique to chordates. To shed light on the evolutionary emergence of the vertebrate brain, we compared anterior neuroectoderm development across deuterostome species, using available single-cell datasets from sea urchin, amphioxus, and zebrafish embryos. We identified a conserved gene co-expression module, comparable to the anterior gene regulatory network (aGRN) controlling apical organ development in ambulacrarians, and spatially mapped it by multiplexed in situ hybridization to the developing retina and hypothalamus of chordates. Using functional approaches, we show Wnt signaling regulating this co-expression module in amphioxus, like the aGRN in echinoderms, and that its overactivation suppresses forebrain identity. This suggests a previously undescribed role for Wnt signaling in amphioxus in determining the position of the forebrain. We propose this Wnt-regulated gene co-expression module as a possible mechanism by which the brain set antero-dorsally early in chordate evolution.
Plant diversity across dimensions: Coupling biodiversity measures from the ground and the sky
Authors: Pinto-Ledezma Jesús N. , Schweiger Anna K. , Guzmán Q. J. Antonio , Cavender-Bares Jeannine
Published: January 2025

Tracking biodiversity across biomes over space and time has emerged as an imperative in unified global efforts to manage our living planet for a sustainable future for humanity. We harness the National Ecological Observatory Network to develop routines using airborne spectroscopic imagery to predict multiple dimensions of plant biodiversity at continental scale across biomes in the US. Our findings show strong and positive associations between diversity metrics based on spectral species and ground-based plant species richness and other dimensions of plant diversity, whereas metrics based on distance matrices did not. We found that spectral diversity consistently predicts analogous metrics of plant taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic dimensions of biodiversity across biomes. The approach demonstrates promise for monitoring dimensions of biodiversity globally by integrating ground-based measures of biodiversity with imaging spectroscopy and advances capacity toward a Global Biodiversity Observing System.
Nontarget screening of a Siberian ice core reveals changes in the pre-industrial to industrial organic aerosol composition
Authors: Burgay François , Salionov Daniil , Singer Thomas , Eichler Anja , Brütsch Sabina , Jenk Theo M. , Vogel Alexander L. , Papina Tatyana , Bjelić Saša , Schwikowski Margit
Published: January 2025

Glaciers serve as natural archives for reconstructing past changes of atmospheric aerosol concentration and composition. While most ice-core studies have focused on inorganic species, organic compounds, which can constitute up to 90% of the submicrometer aerosol mass, have been largely overlooked. To our knowledge, this study presents the first nontarget screening record of secondary organic aerosol species preserved in a Belukha ice core (Siberia, Russian Federation), ranging from the pre-industrial to the industrial period (1800–1980 CE). We identified a total of 398 molecules, primarily polar and low-volatile compounds. Since the 1950s, the atmospheric aerosol composition has changed, with the appearance of organic molecules, including nitrogen-containing compounds, deriving from enhanced atmospheric reactions with anthropogenic NO

x

, or direct emissions. In addition, there was a significant increase in the oxygen-to-carbon ratio (+3%) and the average carbon oxidation state (+18%) of the detected molecules compared to the pre-industrial period, suggesting an increased oxidative capacity of the atmosphere.
Synthesis and preclinical evaluation of tigilanol tiglate analogs as latency-reversing agents for the eradication of HIV
Authors: Gentry Zachary O. , McAteer Owen D. , Hamad Jennifer L. , Moran Jose A. , Kim Jocelyn T. , Marsden Matthew D. , Zack Jerome A. , Wender Paul A.
Published: January 2025

Tigilanol tiglate (EBC-46) is a selective modulator of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms that is Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for the treatment of mast cell tumors in canines with up to an 88% cure rate. Recently, it has been FDA approved for the treatment of soft tissue sarcomas in humans. The role of EBC-46 and, especially, its analogs in efforts to eradicate HIV, treat neurological and cardiovascular disorders, or enhance antigen density in antigen-targeted chimeric antigen receptor–T cell and chimeric antigen receptor–natural killer cell immunotherapies has not been reported. Enabled by our previously reported scalable synthesis of EBC-46, we report herein the systematic design, synthesis, and evaluation of EBC-46 analogs, including those inaccessible from the natural source and their PKC affinities, ability to translocate PKC, nuclear factor κB activity, and efficacy in reversing HIV latency in Jurkat-Latency cells. Leading analogs show exceptional PKC affinities, isoform selectivities, and functional activities, serving as promising candidates for therapeutic applications.
Cryo-EM structure and regulation of human NAD kinase
Authors: Praharaj Prakash P. , Li Yang , Mary Charline , Soflaee Mona H. , Ryu Kevin , Kim Dohun , Tran Diem H. , Dey Trishna , Tom Harrison J. , Rion Halie , Gelin Muriel , Lemoff Andrew , Zacharias Lauren G. , Patricio João S. , Mathews Thomas P. , Chen Zhe , Lionne Corinne , Hoxhaj Gerta , Labesse Gilles
Published: January 2025

Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) is a crucial reducing cofactor for reductive biosynthesis and protection from oxidative stress. To fulfill their heightened anabolic and reductive power demands, cancer cells must boost their NADPH production. Progrowth and mitogenic protein kinases promote the activity of cytosolic NAD kinase (NADK), which produces NADP
+
, a limiting NADPH precursor. However, the molecular architecture and mechanistic regulation of human NADK remain undescribed. Here, we report the cryo–electron microscopy structure of human NADK, both in its apo-form and in complex with its substrate NAD
+
(nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), revealing a tetrameric organization with distinct structural features. We discover that the amino (N)- and carboxyl (C)-terminal tails of NADK have opposing effects on its enzymatic activity and cellular NADP(H) levels. Specifically, the C-terminal region is critical for NADK activity, whereas the N-terminal region exhibits an inhibitory role. This study highlights molecular insights into the regulation of a vital enzyme governing NADP(H) production.
Low oxygen but dynamic marine redox conditions permitted the Cambrian Radiation
Authors: Alexander Ruaridh D. , Zhuravlev Andrey Yu. , Bowyer Fred T. , Pichevin Laetitia , Poulton Simon W. , Kouchinsky Artem , Wood Rachel
Published: January 2025

Whether metazoan diversification during the Cambrian Radiation was driven by increased marine oxygenation remains highly debated. Repeated global oceanic oxygenation events have been inferred during this interval, but the degree of shallow marine oxygenation and its relationship to biodiversification and clade appearance remain uncertain. To resolve this, we interrogate an interval from ~527 to 519 Ma, encompassing multiple proposed global oceanic oxygenation events. We integrate the spatial and temporal distribution of shallow water, in situ reef metazoans, and trilobites, with high-resolution multi-proxy redox data through the highly biodiverse Siberian Platform. We document primarily dysoxic water column conditions, suggesting that early Cambrian metazoans, including motile skeletal benthos, had low oxygen demands. We further document oxygenation events coincident with positive carbon isotope excursions that led to modestly elevated oxygen levels. These events correspond to regional increases in species richness and habitat expansion of mainly endemic species, offering a potentially globally applicable model for biodiversification during the Cambrian Radiation.
Quantum-enhanced time-domain spectroscopy
Authors: Adamou Dionysis , Hirsch Lennart , Shields Taylor , Yoon Seungjin , Dada Adetunmise C. , Weaver Jonathan M. R. , Faccio Daniele , Peccianti Marco , Caspani Lucia , Clerici Matteo
Published: January 2025

The time-resolved detection of mid- to far-infrared electric fields absorbed and emitted by molecules is among the most sensitive spectroscopic approaches and has the potential to transform sensing in fields such as security screening, quality control, and medical diagnostics. However, the sensitivity of the standard detection approach, which relies on encoding the far-infrared electric field into amplitude modulation of a visible or near-infrared probe laser pulse, is limited by the shot noise of the latter. This constraint cannot be overcome without using a quantum resource. Here, we show that this constraint can be overcome using a two-mode squeezed state. Quantum-correlated ultrashort pulses, generated by parametric down-conversion, enhance the sensitivity of far-infrared detection beyond the classical limit, achieving a twofold reduction in measured noise. This advancement paves the way for further development of ultrafast quantum metrology, moving toward quantum-enhanced time-resolved electric field spectroscopy with sensitivities beyond the standard quantum limit.