bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Switching to Right Unilateral From Bilateral Stimulation in Patients With Inadequate Seizures During Acute Electroconvulsive Therapy
Authors: Wada Ken , Masuda Yoshikazu , Itagaki Kei , Fujii Atsuto , Ishikawa Ryo , Sangawa Hisato , Nagao Tatsunori
Published: February 2025

Aim

To determine the effectiveness of switching to right unilateral (RUL) from bilateral (BL) stimulation in patients with inadequate seizures during acute electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Methods

A retrospective review of medical records was conducted of patients admitted to the Department of Psychiatry, Hiroshima Citizens Hospital, who received acute ECT from January 2019 to December 2021. Clinical characteristics including ECT procedures and adverse events were examined in patients who switched to RUL from BL.

Results

Thirteen patients (7 male and 6 female patients, 66–89 years old) underwent switching to RUL from BL. The total number of ECT sessions including those for seizure titration per patient ranged from 10 to 31, whereas after switching, the number of RUL ECT sessions ranged from 2 to 18. Adequate seizure stimulation was observed from 0 to 11 sessions in patients who underwent RUL. The titrated seizure threshold for RUL was 25.2 mC in 3, 50.4 mC in 8, 75.6 mC, and 100.8 mC in 1. Clinical improvement, assessed by Clinical Global Impressions—Improvement score, was noted in all patients after switching. At the end of the acute ECT course, which included concurrent oral theophylline augmentation in 4 and shortened pulse width in 1 patient, the Clinical Global Impressions—Improvement score was very much improved in 9 and much improved in 3. All 13 patients finished the scheduled ECT course.

Conclusion

Switching to RUL from BL can be considered as an effective treatment option for patients undergoing ECT with inadequate seizures.
Effect of laboratory manual layout: Does experiential learning benefit from authentic context?
Authors: Easton Victoria Alice Kate
Published: February 2025

2. Abstract

Experiential learning is the pedagogic foundation of practical laboratory education. This process of learning though experience enables students to develop a deeper understanding of the theoretical material as well as valuable real-world skills. However, there is often a disconnect between the authentic, real-world context of performing laboratory skills; and the method of instruction within higher education. This study developed two student laboratory manuals; one which followed a traditionally linear “week by week” format, and another which took inspiration from a publication format and listed the protocols in a distinct “methods” section. The effect the change of layout had on student learning was assessed through analysis of student summative assessment and interaction with the online learning environment. Additionally, the effect student confidence and perceived technical skills development was assessed through a student survey. The differences in layout resulted in no significant differences in student assessment performance but did result in higher levels of engagement with the online learning environment. The student survey reported an increase in technical confidence (21%) and skill (31%) with the authentic “methods” section layout changes compared to the traditional format. The increase in student engagement, confidence, and perceived skill shows that experiential learning does benefit from placing the information in an authentic context.
Generating Correlated Data for Omics Simulation
Authors: Yang Jianing , Grant Gregory R. , Brooks Thomas G.
Published: February 2025

Simulation of realistic omics data is a key input for benchmarking studies that help users obtain optimal computational pipelines. Omics data involves large numbers of measured features on each samples and these measures are generally correlated with each other. However, simulation too often ignores these correlations, perhaps due to the inconvenience and computational hurdles of doing so. To alleviate this, we describe in detail three approaches for quickly generating omics-scale data with correlated measures which mimic real data sets. These approaches all are based on a Gaussian copula approach with a covariance matrix that decomposes into a diagonal part and a low-rank part. We use these approaches to demonstrate the importance of including correlation in two benchmarking applications. First, we show that variance of results from the popular DESeq2 method increases when dependence is included. Second, we demonstrate that CYCLOPS, a method for inferring circadian time of collection from transcriptomics, improves in performance when given gene-gene dependencies in some circumstances. We provide an R package, dependentsimr, that has efficient implementations of these methods and can generate dependent data with arbitrary distributions, including discrete (binary, ordered categorical, Poisson, negative binomial), continuous (normal), or with an empirical distribution.
Complete mitochondrial genome assembly of two searobin species (genusPrionotus) and their phylogenetic relationships (Triglidae: Prionotinae)
Authors: Marín Alan , Alfaro Ruben , Zelada-Mázmela Eliana
Published: February 2025

Background

The genusPrionotus“searobins” are marine ray-finned fish of the subfamily Prionotinae that have evolved distinctive morphological features and specialized behavior for walking over the seafloor detecting buried preys, making them excellent candidates for biological models in evolutionary genetics studies. Despite that, their phylogenetic relationships are still not well understood. Here, we assembled the first complete mitochondrial genomes of two searobin species namelyPrionotus alatusandP. stephanophrysand performed a comparative mitogenome examination including the first phylogenetic analysis of Prionotinae based on complete mitogenomic information.

Methods and results

Both mitogenomes were assembled using Illumina genomic reads mined from the GenBank database. Single circular contigs of 16,602 and 16,896 bp were obtained forP. alatusandP. stephanophrysrespectively. Both mitogenomes displayed a standard vertebrate organization (13 PCGs, 2 rRNAs, 22 tRNAs, and a putative control region) except for a third tRNA-Leu and an extra non-coding region detected inP. stephanophrys. A Bayesian phylogenetic analysis recovered allPrionotusspecies into a monophyletic clade within Prionotinae, including the sister taxonBellatorgrouped in a discrete subclade. Species of the subfamily Triglinae were resolved in a basal monophyletic group within Triglidae.

Conclusion

The results presented herein represent an important step into a deeper understanding of the phylogenetic relationships and evolution ofPrionotus. Taxonomic clarification may also support future management and conservation efforts of these economically valuable species.
Exposure to trauma in pregnant women and its association with previous perinatal complications, IPV and antenatal service satisfaction in rural Ethiopia: a cross-sectional facility-based study
Authors: Catalao Raquel , Kebede Lelina , Mulushoa Adiyam , Eshetu Tigist , Medhin Girmay , Abdella Ahmed , Alem Atalay , Keynejad Roxanne C. , Sandall Jane , Howard Louise M , Prince Martin , Hanlon Charlotte
Published: February 2025

Background

We aimed to describe the prevalence of exposure to traumatic events and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) in rural Ethiopia. We hypothesised that antenatal PTSD symptoms would be associated with previous obstetric complications and intimate partner violence (IPV) and impact negatively on womeńs satisfaction with ANC.

Methods

The design was a facility-based cross-sectional study in primary health centres providing ANC in southern Ethiopia. Trauma events were assessed using the Life Events Checklist (LEC) and PTSD checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Previous obstetric complications were extracted from clinical records. IPV was measured using the ‘Non-Graphic Language’ screening test and ANC satisfaction was measured using a locally validated adapted version of the Mental Health Service Satisfaction Scale. Generalized linear mixed-effects regression models were used to calculate prevalence ratios between PTSD, IPV and ANC satisfaction.

Results

Out of 2079 interviewed women, 52.3% (n=1,087) reported one or more traumatic life events on the LEC. Physical assault was the most common traumatic event experienced (n=485; 23.3%) and witnessed (n=1,176; 56.6%) but only 289 (13.9%) screened positive for IPV. One hundred and six women (5.1%) met DSM-5 criteria for PTSD. Women meeting diagnostic criteria for PTSD had five times increased prevalence of IPV in their current pregnancy [prevalence ratio (PR) 4.34 95%CI 3.01-6.30; p<0.001]. Only twenty-six women had a record of previous obstetric complications (0.01%). Overall, women with PTSD reported less satisfaction with antenatal care.

Conclusions

Despite high exposure to traumatic life events, particularly physical violence, among pregnant women attending ANC in Southern Ethiopia, the prevalence of PTSD is relatively low. Previous obstetric complications and IPV were under-reported, relative to known prevalence estimates. Our study highlights the challenges of detection of psychosocial needs in the ANC setting and the need for targeted interventions to support women’s disclosure of difficulties in maternity care settings.
Cryo-EM structures reveal the PP2A-B55α and Eya3 interaction that can be disrupted by a peptide inhibitor
Authors: Shi Shasha , Li Xueni , Alderman Christopher , Huang Wei , Wick Lars , Foulon North , Rossi John , Hu Wenxin , Cui Shouqing , Zheng Hongjin , Taylor Derek J. , Ford Heide L. , Zhao Rui
Published: February 2025

We have previously shown that Eya3 recruits PP2A-B55α to dephosphorylate pT58 on Myc, increasing Myc stability and enhancing primary tumor growth of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the molecular details of how Eya3 recruits PP2A-B55α remain unclear. Here we determined the cryo-EM structures of PP2A-B55α bound with Eya3, with an inhibitory peptide B55i, and in its unbound state. These studies demonstrate that Eya3 binds B55α through an extended peptide in the NTD of Eya3. The Eya3 peptide and other PP2A-B55α substrates and protein/peptide inhibitors including B55i bind to a similar area on the B55α surface but the molecular details of the binding differ. We further demonstrated that the B55i peptide inhibits the B55α and Eya3 interaction in vitro. B55i peptide expressed on a plasmid increases pT58 and decreases Myc protein level in TNBC cells, suggesting the potential of B55i or similar peptides as therapies for TNBC.
Two-step voltage-sensor activation of the human KV7.4 channel and effect of a deafness-associated mutation
Authors: Nappi Mario , Frampton Damon J. A. , Kusay Ali S. , Wang Kaiqian , Miceli Francesco , Liin Sara I. , Taglialatela Maurizio , Pantazis Antonios
Published: February 2025

Voltage-gated, potassium-selective KV7.4 channels are expressed in the inner ear and are crucial for hair-cell function and survival. Loss-of-function variants ofKCNQ4, the gene encoding KV7.4-channel subunits, cause non-syndromic progressive hearing loss (DFNA2). KV7.4 opening requires a voltage-dependent conformational change (activation) of the charged voltage-sensor domains (VSDs), and its transduction to the pore. Previously, fast charge displacement was reported during VSD activation at negative potentials, but it is unclear how this is coupled to slow channel opening occurring at more depolarized potentials. Here, we optically tracked KV7.4 VSD activation with voltage-clamp fluorometry, leveraging two different fluorophores and pulsed excitation, to thoroughly characterize VSD movements. We found that VSD activation comprises several voltage-dependent transitions, some of which had kinetics and voltage-dependence matching those of channel opening and closing. The deafness-associated mutation R216H, which substitutes a charged amino-acid in the VSD, impaired both VSD movements and channel opening, shifting them towards more depolarized potentials. This suggested that R216H impaired KV7.4 function by destabilizing VSD activation. Using molecular dynamics, we found that H216 reduced intramolecular interactions, thus decreasing the stability of an active VSD conformation. We propose that the KV7.4 VSD activates in two steps: a fast movement at negative voltages that represents a first transition to an intermediate state of activation; and this is followed by slower, depolarized component that represents subsequent full VSD activation, which drives channel opening.
Advancing Microbial Comparative Genomics Through Tumor-Normal Inspired Framework
Authors: Yang Junjie , Yang Sheng
Published: February 2025

Comparative genomics has emerged as a pivotal methodology for elucidating genetic variations in microbial studies. However, conventional analytical approaches for diploid and polyploid microorganisms have demonstrated limited efficacy in discriminating new mutations from background heterozygosity.

This study presents an innovative microbial comparative genomics framework adapted from tumor-normal sequencing methodology. Our approach establishes the original strain as the “normal sample” and the derived strain as the “tumor sample”, enabling precise identification of new mutations (“somatic variants”) while filtering pre-existing heterozygous sites (“germline variations”). The analytical pipeline also includes assessment of loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH) events and genome-wide detection of copy number variations (CNVs) with resolution to identify both regional CNV and whole-chromosome aneuploidy through integrated CNV and variant allele frequency analysis. We validated this framework using diploidSaccharomyces cerevisiaestrains before successfully extending its application toKluyveromyces marxianus,Candidaspp., andHortaea werneckii, encompassing haploid, diploid, polyploid, and aneuploid states. The methodology revealed previously undetected variations across experimental evolution studies, demonstrating superior resolution compared to conventional approaches. This adaptable platform establishes a new paradigm for microbial genome studies, particularly for organisms with diploid or polyploid states where traditional comparative genomics methods prove inadequate.
Transverse voltage in anisotropic hydrodynamic conductors
Authors: Wang Kaize , Guo Chunyu , Moll Philip J. W. , Holder Tobias
Published: February 2025

Weak momentum dissipation in ultraclean metals gives rise to novel non-Ohmic current flow, including ballistic and hydrodynamic regimes. Recently, hydrodynamic flow has attracted intense interest because it presents a valuable window into the electronic correlations and the longest lived collective modes of quantum materials. However, diagnosing viscous flow is difficult as the macroscopic observables of ballistic and hydrodynamic transport such as the average current distribution can be deceptively similar, even if their respective microscopics deviate notably. Based on kinetic Boltzmann theory, here we propose to address this issue via the transverse channel voltage at zero magnetic field, which can efficiently detect hydrodynamic flow in a number of materials. To this end, we show that the transverse voltage is sensitive to the interplay between anisotropic fermiology and boundary scattering, resulting in a nontrivial behavior in narrow channels along crystalline low-symmetry directions. We discuss several materials where the channel-size dependent stress of the quantum fluid leads to a characteristic sign change of the transverse voltage as a new hallmark of the crossover from the ballistic to the hydrodynamic regime.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Bridging hadronic and vacuum structure by heavy quarkonia
Authors: Miesch Nicholas , Shuryak Edward , Zahed Ismail
Published: February 2025

We discuss the central and, mostly, spin-dependent potentials in heavy quarkonia b¯b,c¯c, with two goals in mind. The first is phenomenological: using the splitting between the 1S and 2S pairs, as well as the 1P and 2P quartet masses, we obtain pertinent matrix elements of all these potentials. The second is theoretical: using standard wave functions, we compute these matrix elements, quantifying the perturbative, nonperturbative and “string” contributions. The model for nonperturbative effects is a “dense instanton liquid model,” in which the QCD vacuum is made mostly of (strongly color correlated) instanton-anti-instanton pairs or “molecules.” Their contributions are calculated via standard Wilson lines, with or without extra powers of gauge fields. We find a reasonable description of all central, spin-spin, and spin-orbit forces at distances r=0–0.7  fm, relevant for b¯b and c¯c quarkonia.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Probing axionlike particles through the gamma-ray production from cosmic-ray scattering in the Milky Way dark matter halo
Authors: Goncalves Victor P. , Moulin Emmanuel , Reis Igor , Viana Aion
Published: February 2025

Axionlike particles (ALPs) are promising candidates to comprise all the dark matter in the Universe. We investigate the ALP couplings to photons and electrons via astrophysical measurements through the search for very-high-energy gamma rays arising from high-energy cosmic-ray scattering off ALP populating the halo of the Milky Way. We show that gamma-ray signals from ALP couplings to photons and electrons via inverse Primakoff and Compton processes, respectively, can be probed by very-high-energy (≳100  GeV) gamma-ray ground-based observatories, providing an alternative and complementary avenue to probe ALP couplings in the eV mass range. Sensitivities of current and near-future ground-based gamma-ray observatories improves upon 1 order of magnitude the current constraints from gamma-ray satellite experiments for the ALP-photon couplings in the region of masses below 10−9  GeV. Their sensitivities reached on the ALP-electron couplings allow probing masses below 10−8  GeV, which are lower than the masses probed in gamma-ray satellite experiments.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Holographic complexity in string and M theory
Authors: Frey Andrew R.
Published: February 2025

Thus far, the literature regarding holographic complexity almost entirely focuses on the context of (d+1)-dimensional anti–de Sitter spacetime rather than the full higher-dimensional gauge/gravity duality in string or M theory. We provide a framework to study holographic complexity in the full duality, explaining the relation of complexity functionals in the higher-dimensional theory to those in anti–de Sitter spacetime and when complexity functionals can apply universally to gauge/gravity dualities rather than a specific dual pair. We also show that gauge invariance constrains boundary terms for complexity functionals, using the 10- and 11-dimensional supergravity actions as key examples. Finally, we propose new universal complexity functionals following these considerations, including a revised gauge-invariant action complexity.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Swirling Instability Mediated by Elastic and Hydrodynamic Couplings in Cytoplasmic Streaming
Authors: Ishikawa Takuji , Torisawa Takayuki , Wada Hirofumi , Kimura Akatsuki
Published: February 2025

Cytoplasmic streaming is driven by molecular motors that move along the cytoskeleton and entrain the surrounding fluid. In certain cell types, the direction of cytoplasmic streaming is not predefined but rather stochastic. For example, in meiotic cytoplasmic streaming of zygotes, the direction of the swirl reverses over time [Kimura , ]. While a mean-field theory explained the reversal, the structure of flows in three-dimensional space and the mechanical role of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) remains unknown. To test the hypothesis that the elastic ER bonds and hydrodynamic interactions between microtubules mediate the orientational order of microtubules, leading to directional cytoplasmic streaming, we computationally investigated fluid-structure interactions in cytoplasmic flow, ER networks, and microtubule structures in the presence of microtubule dynamic instability. The results indicate that the occasionally reversing swirls emerge within a certain range of ER elasticity, and our experimental measurements of the ER elasticity agree with the numerical predictions. Mass transport analysis further demonstrates that the reversing swirls are suitable for intracellular particle mixing. These findings illustrate the delicate balance of meiotic cytoplasmic streaming and provide insights into the physiology of the embryogenesis.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Nonequilibrium Dynamics of Charged Dual-Unitary Circuits
Authors: Foligno Alessandro , Calabrese Pasquale , Bertini Bruno
Published: February 2025

The interplay between symmetries and entanglement in out-of-equilibrium quantum systems is currently at the center of an intense multidisciplinary research effort. Here we introduce a setting where these questions can be characterized exactly by considering dual-unitary circuits with an arbitrary number of U(1) charges. After providing a complete characterization of these systems we show that one can introduce a class of solvable states, which extends that of generic dual-unitary circuits, for which the nonequilibrium dynamics can be solved exactly. In contrast to the known class of solvable states, which relax to the infinite-temperature state, these states relax to a family of nontrivial generalized Gibbs ensembles. The relaxation process of these states can be simply described by a linear growth of the entanglement entropy followed by saturation to a nonmaximal value but with maximal entanglement velocity. We then move on to consider the dynamics from nonsolvable states, combining the exact results with the entanglement membrane picture we argue that the entanglement dynamics from these states is qualitatively different from that of the solvable ones. It shows two different growth regimes characterized by two distinct slopes, both corresponding to submaximal entanglement velocities. Moreover, we show that nonsolvable initial states can give rise to the quantum Mpemba effect, where less symmetric initial states restore the symmetry faster than more symmetric ones.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Enhancing accounting students’ competence in integrated case study analysis: a structured guidance approach
Authors: Md Daud Seri Ayu Masuri , Tuan Mat Tuan Zainun , Mohamad Kamal Mohamad Ezrien , Nurhanifah Afifa
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Integrated Case Study (ICS) is a capstone course for accounting undergraduates in Malaysia. It emphasizes the holistic and multifaceted problem-solving skills needed in the accounting profession. Yet, students often find ICS challenging. This paper addresses these challenges from both student and educator perspectives by introducing the Structured Template for Enhanced Proficiency (STEP) framework, an innovative structured guidance model that breaks down case analysis into manageable stages. This framework promotes self-directed, deep and collaborative learning and strengthens students’ analytical skills. This study examines the implementation and effectiveness of the framework at a Malaysian public university.

Design/methodology/approach

The STEP framework’s effectiveness is assessed through the case study performance of experiment and control student groups, alongside feedback from students and educators collected via surveys and written testimonials.

Findings

The study demonstrates a remarkable average improvement of 8.4% in the performance of the experimental student group. Further, positive feedback from both students and lecturers underscores its effectiveness in guiding case analysis and fostering deep and collaborative learning. Challenges faced by students while using the framework include its newness and a lack of flexibility. However, slight improvements such as additional guidance and examples and enhanced flexibility may overcome the identified shortcomings.

Originality/value

The findings of this paper signify the potential of the STEP framework as a cost-effective intervention tool in facilitating students in their ICS analyses and refining their cognitive, critical thinking, decision-making and interpersonal proficiencies.
Retheorising ‘Risky’ Play in a Global Context: Addressing the Safety Needs of Refugee and Displaced Families
Authors: Bauer Michelle E. E. , Al‐Hajj Samar , Presser Elise , Zahwe Amin , Faraj Sary , Pike Ian
Published: February 2025

A wealth of scholarship demonstrates the developmental benefits of risky play for children. However, this scholarship has overwhelmingly focused on the experiences of children and their caregivers from Euro‐Western nations. It is imperative to explore child and caregiver perspectives on child risk, injury and play in communities where children experience a disproportionate burden of injuries resulting from play such as in refugee communities. For this research, we focused on Syrian refugee camps (n = 3) and villages (n = 4) across Lebanon and conducted semi‐structured interviews with children (n = 79) and caregivers (n = 56) to explore perspectives on child risk, injury and play. Our approach was informed through tenets of post‐structural feminist theory, and a critical discourse analysis was conducted. Two major discourses were identified: (1) children engage in dangerous and injurious play; and (2) environmental and social barriers limit play opportunities. Findings suggest that the children often experienced discrimination and severe injuries as a result of engagement in play which resulted in long‐term financial and physical burdens. These findings challenge Euro‐Western risky play paradigms and inform injury prevention and play scholarship with the voices of families from equity‐deserving communities.
Post‐Mortem Imaging to Investigate the Causes of Stillbirth in Australia: Views of Parents, Midwives and Obstetricians
Authors: Loughnan Siobhan A. , Wojcieszek Aleena M. , Singline Laura , Griffin Alison , Boyle Frances M. , Ellwood David , Flenady Vicki , Goergen Stacy
Published: February 2025

Introduction

There is increasing interest regarding the role and value of post‐mortem imaging in identifying the causes of stillbirth. We sought to understand the experiences of parents and the perceptions and practices of midwives and obstetricians regarding post‐mortem imaging (computed tomography [CT], magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], ultrasound and X‐rays of the baby), in the investigation of stillbirths, and how its use and perceived value compares to that of other stillbirth investigations.

Methods

Cross‐sectional, web‐based surveys of parents who experienced stillbirth in Australia from 2018 to 2022 and midwives and obstetricians involved in the care of parents who experienced stillbirth in the same 5 years. Data were analysed descriptively.

Results

Data from 68 parents and 94 midwives and obstetricians were included. According to parents, post‐mortem imaging (CT, MRI, ultrasound and X‐ray) were the least discussed (1%–16%) and performed (0%–13%) stillbirth investigations. Twenty‐eight percent of midwives and obstetricians had recommended the option of post‐mortem imaging to parents, while 45% felt that doing so was beyond their scope of practice. Relative to autopsy, midwives and obstetricians were often unsure of the value of MRI across a range of clinical scenarios, and CT, MRI, ultrasound and X‐ray were the investigations least often discussed (17%–47%) with parents.

Conclusions

Post‐mortem imaging is currently underutilised in the investigation of stillbirths. Education and training are needed to enhance maternity care professionals' awareness of the role and value of imaging for identifying the causes of stillbirths, and how best to discuss these investigations with families.
Optimal Incentive Contracts With Bonus Caps
Authors: Chi Chang Koo , Olsen Trond E.
Published: February 2025

This article investigates contracts between two risk‐neutral parties with bounded bonus payments. If the available signal about the agent's behavior satisfies a novel condition, the monotone likelihood ratio transformation property, the optimal contract takes a simple form irrespective of whether the first‐order approach (FOA) is valid or not. The contract rewards the agent the maximum bonus if the signal's likelihood ratio exceeds a threshold, which in contrast to the FOA contract is not necessarily zero. We next derive a condition for a signal to enhance the efficiency of a contract. Applications in relational contracting and law enforcement illustrate our findings.
Increased Nutrient Levels Enhance Bacterial Exopolysaccharides Production in the Context of Algae
Authors: Lipsman Valeria , Segev Einat
Published: February 2025

Microbial aggregation is central in environmental processes, such as marine snow and harmful marine mucilage events. Nutrient enrichment positively correlates with microbial aggregation. This correlation is largely attributed to the overgrowth of microalgae and the overproduction of agglomerating exopolysaccharides. However, recent studies highlight the significant contribution of bacterial exopolysaccharides to algal‐bacterial aggregation. Here, using controlled laboratory experiments and environmental metatranscriptomic analysis, we investigate the impact of nutrient enrichment on bacterial exopolysaccharides production, while bacteria are in the context of their algal hosts. Our findings demonstrate a marked increase in bacterial exopolysaccharides production in response to a relative increase of inorganic phosphorus and nitrogen levels, both in the lab and in the environment. These results highlight the interplay between nutrient regimes, bacterial physiology and microbial aggregation in marine ecosystems and emphasise gaps in our understanding regarding the bacterial role in environmental processes that involve microbial aggregation.
Civil society as a quasi‐regulator: Coordination in financial regulation on climate change
Authors: Charnock Robert J.
Published: February 2025

As early as 2015, financial regulators were developing disclosure frameworks aimed at enabling capital markets to price climate risks. Yet the literature on sustainability disclosure offers little insight into how regulatory agendas change, instead focusing on how nongovernmental organizations drive voluntary disclosure. To address this deficiency, this paper charts how financial regulators came to embrace climate risk, analyzing how an array of non‐state initiatives became coordinated in highlighting climate‐related impairment risks. This coordination is conceptualized via scholarship on decentered regulation, allowing a first, theoretical, contribution by constructing and demonstrating one analytical approach to studying substantive change on sustainability. This paper draws on a 25‐month participant observation of a United Nations standard‐setting project, supported by semi‐structured interviews. This allows a second, empirical, contribution by mapping how an accounting device, the so‐called “carbon budget” (the maximum amount of cumulative greenhouse gas emissions that limits the probability of exceeding 2°C of warming to 20%), coordinated this array of non‐state action toward resolving a core trade‐off: if we burn our current fossil fuel reserves, we will exceed our warming targets. The paper then shows how these coordinated efforts pressured regulatory authorities to intervene on how finance affects and is affected by climate change.
Enhancing the quality of life of older people in rural Türkiye: A randomised controlled appraisal of solution‐focused case management
Authors: Cerrah Lokman , Oral Meltem , Umar Esra Karakuş , Pak Melike
Published: February 2025

Objective

With a rapidly growing older population in rural Türkiye, it is crucial to identify their unmet needs and develop targeted intervention programs to enhance their quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a solution‐focused case management program, that incorporated an ecosystemic framework, on the QoL of Turkish older adults living in rural areas whose family caregivers were receiving a home care allowance.

Methods

A randomised controlled experimental design was employed. Sixty older adults participated, with the experimental group receiving a solution‐focused case management program in addition to the home care allowance provided to their family caregivers. The control group only received the home care allowance. The intervention lasted 8 months and involved contact every 3 weeks. The QoL of older adults in both groups was measured using the WHOQOL‐OLD scale.

Results

The intervention significantly improved the overall QoL, autonomy, past, present and future activities, and social participation domains in the experimental group. There was no significant impact on the death and dying or intimacy domains. In the control group, there was a significant reduction in the overall QoL, past, present and future activities, and death and dying domain scores, with no changes observed in sensory abilities, autonomy, social participation or intimacy domain scores.

Conclusions

The findings indicate that the solution‐focused case management program effectively enhances the QoL of Turkish rural older adults. Home care allowance alone did not impact the QoL, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions in this population.
A Decrease of Antibodies Against SARS‐CoV‐2 Antigens Does Not Reflect a Decrease of Neutralization Rate: A Prospective Study to Evaluate Kinetic and Dynamic Humoral Immune Response After Vaccination During Pregnancy
Authors: Coelho Gabriela Mattoso , Geremias dos Santos Hellen , Cataneo Allan Henrique Depieri , Zancanaro Yara , Lunardelli Gabriela , Cesca Taciane Elisabete , Makiyama Jaqueline , Francisco Jean Alexandre Furtado Correa , Skare Thelma , Tuon Felipe Francisco , Zanluca Camila , Telles João Paulo , Duarte dos Santos Claudia Nunes
Published: February 2025

Problem

Despite being at increased risk for severe COVID‐19, pregnant women were initially excluded from vaccine clinical trials, which limited data regarding vaccine effectiveness and protection in this group. Aiming to better understand the immune response to vaccination during pregnancy, we compared the kinetics and titers of neutralizing and IgG antibodies generated against SARS‐CoV‐2 during vaccination with BNT162b2 (Pfizer‐BioNTech) or CoronaVac (Sinovac Biotech) in a cohort of pregnant women.

Methods of Study

We evaluated participants before vaccination and 30 days after each vaccine dose, using a multiplex bead assay to measure IgG antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 antigens (total spike, spike‐1, spike‐2, receptor binding domain, and nucleocapsid) and a live virus fluorescence reduction neutralization assay (FRNA) to quantify neutralizing antibodies.

Results

Our data showed that vaccination resulted in a robust humoral response, with a considerable increase in the levels of IgG and neutralizing antibodies after the first vaccine dose and a sustained neutralizing response after the vaccine boost. In addition, antispike IgG assays presented a slight decrease after the second dose, while the neutralization rate remained stable.

Conclusions

Immune response to the SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine in pregnant women demonstrated an important increase in neutralizing antibodies.
Correlation Between N‐Glycan GnGnXF3 and the Allergic Immune Response Against Juniperus ashei Pollen
Authors: Álvarez Javier , Parody Nuria , Calzada David , Aranda Tamara , Renshaw Ana , Serna Sonia , Reichardt Niels , Beitia Juan María , González‐de‐Olano David , Dominguez‐Ortega Javier , Carnés Jerónimo
Published: February 2025

Background

Cupressaceae pollen increasingly causes respiratory allergies worldwide. Carbohydrates are abundant in extracts of these pollens, and the associated allergens are highly glycosylated. However, the contribution of saccharides to the allergenicity of these species remains unknown.

Methods

Juniperus ashei pollen extract was deglycosylated and characterised using SDS‐PAGE and immunoblotting. Additionally, N‐ and O‐glycans were purified from the extract, identified, used as inhibitors in IgE‐immunoblotting and further analysed via basophil activation tests. The interactions between IgE and J. ashei glycans were analysed using a glycan array. Purified Jun a 1 was treated with β‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase S and analysed using immunoblotting. The native pollen extract was used to immunise rabbits, and the IgG response was analysed using ELISA and glycan array.

Results

Deglycosylation of J. ashei proteins abolished the interaction between IgE and allergens. This effect primarily depends on N‐glycans. Purified N‐glycans triggered basophil activation in some patients. A biantennary N‐glycan with terminal GlcNAc, β‐1,2 xylose and core α‐1,3 fucose (GnGnXF3) was the most abundant glycan identified. The glycan array confirmed its interaction with IgE. The contribution of terminal N‐acetylglucosamines (GlcNAc) to IgE–Jun a 1 interaction was validated. Moreover, effective immunisation of rabbits with the native extract confirmed the immunogenicity of their N‐glycans.

Conclusions

The IgE–J. ashei allergen interaction is broadly controlled through N‐glycans different from MUXF3. GnGnXF3 exerts an immunogenic effect in humans and rabbits; terminal GlcNAc residues influence its recognition by IgE. These discoveries reinforce the role of N‐glycans in the allergic response to J. ashei.
Subfoveal choroidal thickness in pregnancy: A systematic review with meta‐analyses
Authors: Larsen Maria Prehn , Iqbal Hunan , Grauslund Jakob , Klefter Oliver Niels , Krogh Nielsen Marie , Petersen Line , Yanik Özge , Subhi Yousif
Published: February 2025

Pregnancy induces a variety of changes in the eye. Mapping these changes provides a pathophysiological basis for understanding pregnancy‐associated ocular disorders. In this systematic review and meta‐analysis, our aim was to determine how pregnancy affects subfoveal choroidal thickness and to explore temporal changes in subfoveal choroidal thickness during pregnancy and postpartum. On April 7, 2024, we searched eight literature databases for studies which used macular optical coherence tomography to evaluate subfoveal choroidal thickness in healthy pregnant women. We identified 26 studies summarizing data from 1935 healthy women, of which 1096 were pregnant and 839 non‐pregnant. We found that pregnant women had a subfoveal choroidal thickness which was 31.1 μm (95% CI: 19.4–42.7 μm) thicker than non‐pregnant women. No statistically significant changes were observed throughout trimesters. From the 3rd trimester to postpartum, we found a reduction in the subfoveal choroidal thickness at −41.9 μm (95% CI: −68.5 to −15.2 μm). In conclusion, in healthy women without ocular disease, pregnancy is associated with a thicker subfoveal choroid indicating a higher choroidal perfusion. Choroidal thickness remains stable across trimesters and is reduced postpartum, indicating a temporary physiological adaptation during pregnancy.
Applying social cognition to feedback chatbots: Enhancing trustworthiness through politeness
Authors: Brummernhenrich Benjamin , Paulus Christian L. , Jucks Regina
Published: February 2025

Generative AI systems like chatbots are increasingly being introduced into learning, teaching and assessment scenarios at universities. While previous research suggests that users treat chatbots like humans, computer systems are still often perceived as less trustworthy, potentially impairing their usefulness in learning contexts. How are processes of social cognition applied to chatbots compared to humans? Our study focuses on the role of politeness in communication. We hypothesise that polite communication improves the perception of trustworthiness of chatbots. University students read a feedback dialogue between a student and a feedback provider. In a 2 × 2 between‐subjects experimental design, we manipulated the feedback's author (chatbot vs. human teacher) and the feedback formulation (polite vs. direct). Participants evaluated the feedback giver on measures of epistemic trustworthiness (expertise, benevolence and integrity) and on two basic dimensions of social cognition, namely agency and communion. Results showed that a polite feedback giver was rated higher on benevolence and communion, whereas a direct feedback giver was rated higher on agency. Unexpectedly, the chatbot was rated lower on benevolence than the human. This suggests that social cognition does apply to interactions with chatbots, with caveats. We discuss the findings regarding the design of feedback chatbots and their use in higher education.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Technology users tend to treat computer systems like humans, but computers are usually trusted less.

Polite communication, that is mitigation of face threats is expected to enhance the evaluation of a chatbot as trustworthy.

The research is relevant for the use and acceptance of chatbots as feedback providers in educational contexts.

What this paper adds

We test the assumption that polite language reduces the gap in epistemic trustworthiness between chatbots and human teachers as feedback givers.

We describe an empirical study with 284 university student participants who report their perceptions of a feedback dialogue between a student and either a human teacher or a chatbot.

We analyse the impact of feedback source as well as politeness on trustworthiness perceptions and social cognition.

Implications for practice and/or policy

The study confirms that users are receptive to politeness in communication. They treat chatbots in a similar manner to human interaction partners.

The results highlight the significance of politeness of chatbots' language in learning contexts.

Feedback chatbots need to be equipped with suitable linguistic strategies, such as politeness, for communicating in a socially appropriate manner at critical points in the instructional dialogue.
Sowing seeds for the future: Future time perspective and climate adaptation among farmers
Authors: Shaffer‐Morrison C. Dale , Dillman‐Hasso Naseem H. , Wilson Robyn S.
Published: February 2025

A future time perspective is critical to domains where outcomes of choices are delayed and potentially catastrophic: such as with agriculture where management decisions today are critical to the viability of multiple outcomes in the future. Farmers are on the front lines of climate change where shifts in rainfall and temperature threaten the viability of crop production. This reality is compounded for some farmers who lack the resources needed to adapt. Prior work has shown that farmers with strong injunctive norms towards conservation, and sufficient resources, are more likely to implement adaptation practices, but little research has explored the role of future time perspectives relative to these factors. We test whether future time perspective may lead US Midwestern farmers to develop injunctive norms towards conservation, and in turn, implement adaptation practices. We find support for this mechanism through both a correlational analysis (Study 1), and a manipulation of the salience of future impacts through a vignette experiment (Study 2). In addition, we see that some socioeconomic resources constrain adaptation. These results are relevant to regions where greater adaptation practices are needed to protect against climate impacts on operations that produce row crops like corn, soy and wheat.
‘I Did Not Know We Could Exercise This Small Premature Baby’: Challenges Experienced by Parents While Implementing Early Intervention for Their Preterm Infants—A Qualitative Perspective
Authors: Raghupathy Manasa Kolibylu , Jahangir Selim , Khurana Sonia , Lewis Leslie Edward S. , Rao Bhamini Krishna
Published: February 2025

Background

Preterm birth is a highly stressful experience for both parents and infants. Parental participation in care enhances developmental outcomes, fosters parent–infant interactions and builds parental confidence. However, low parental adherence has always been a challenge in the successful implementation of intervention programs both in the NICU and at home. It is imperative to understand parents' perspectives and view the challenges that they experience through their lens while providing early intervention to their infants born preterm. This study is aimed at identifying new parents' challenges when implementing early intervention programs for their infants during the transition from hospital to home.

Methods

Ten parents of preterm infants trained to administer early intervention programs in the NICU and at home were recruited during their infants' 3‐month follow‐up. Semistructured in‐depth interviews were conducted until data saturation. The audio recordings of the interviews were transcribed and translated into English. Thematic analysis, using ATLAS.ti Version 8.0 software, identified overarching challenges through deductive and inductive coding.

Results

Data analysis identified five recurring themes: (1) navigating early days of parenthood, (2) nurturing resilience in infant care, (3) supporting infants through informed caregiving, (4) maximizing efficiency in infant care through time mastery and (5) balancing equity and flexibility in caregiving. Parents expressed fear of handling their infants born preterm because of their low birth weight and small size. Time constraints, changing sleep patterns and daily routines make it difficult for mothers to adhere to exercise programs. Parents also face challenges when infants exhibit stressful behaviour. Furthermore, gender differences were observed, with fathers often not continuing the program at home.

Conclusions

The study highlights parents' main challenges when providing early intervention for infants born preterm at home. It emphasizes issues related to maternal roles, family support and difficulties in infant handling, exercise and time management.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: CTRI/2020/09/027994.
Investigation of host plant contact with Diaphorina citri by detecting D. citri‐derived environmental DNA
Authors: Fujikawa Takashi , Fujiwara Kazuki , Inoue Hiromitsu , Hatomi Hiroe , Hayashikawa Shuji
Published: February 2025

Citrus greening (Huanglongbing) disease has serious impacts on citrus production. Field monitoring of the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), a vector of citrus greening disease, is essential to prevent the invasion and spread of this disease. This study reports a new method for determining the presence of D. citri and traces of contact with host plants by collecting leaves of host plants from the survey area and detecting the environmental DNA (eDNA) derived from D. citri. The results show that with the applied method the presence of D. citri can be determined. As D. citri‐derived eDNA is contained in DNA solutions of plants with a history of contact with D. citri, we succeeded in detecting not only genes conserved in D. citri mitochondria but also genes of D. citri symbiont organisms consisting of Wolbachia, Wolbachia phage, Candidatus Carsonella sp., and Candidatus Profftella sp. Diaphorina citri‐derived eDNA could be detected in host plants even after only 10 min of contact with D. citri and could still be detected 6 months after contact. This technology has the potential to trace D. citri from their traces without individual detection and is expected to greatly contribute to the early detection and invasion warning of citrus greening disease in the future.