bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CLIMATE CHANGE PROFESSIONALS’ PERSPECTIVES ON THE COMPETENCIES FOR ONE HEALTH GRADUATES
Authors: McMullen Carrie K.M. , Clow Katie M. , Aenishaenslin Cécile , Lackeyram Dale , Gandhi Radhika K. , Parmley E. Jane
Published: February 2025

There is a pressing need for novel approaches to help address climate change and for a workforce that is equipped with a combination of new and different types of knowledges. The One Health (OH) core competencies perhaps offer the new knowledges, skills, and attitudes that will be needed in a future generation of practitioners that does not shy away from complexity. The objective of this research was to identify overlapping and transferable OH-climate change competencies that are needed of professionals working to address climate change. Using focus groups and qualitative content analysis, 23 professionals from across Canada whose employment positions had a key focus on climate change were brought together across five sessions. Participants agreed that the OH competencies were applicable to their employment roles and responsibilities, but they identified four key missing areas that are important for graduates: evaluative and reflective practice, personal resilience, turning knowledge into action, and having an openness to other knowledges (particularly Indigenous and non-Western viewpoints). This work also provided a first iteration of a process that should be continually used to bridge the gap between theory and practice, as employer needs are a key consideration during the development of educational programs.
Long-term spin-down and low luminosity regime in the Be/X-ray binary pulsar GX 304-1
Authors: Chandra Amar Deo
Published: February 2025

We carry out timing and spectral studies of the Be/X-ray binary pulsar GX 304-1 using NuStar and XMM-Newton observations. We construct the long-term spin period evolution of the pulsar which changes from a long-term spin-up (∼ 1.3 × 10−13 Hz s−1) to a long-term spin-down (∼ −3.4 × 10−14 Hz s−1) trend during a low luminosity state (∼ 1034–35 erg s−1). A prolonged low luminosity regime (L
X
∼ 1034–35 erg s−1) was detected during 2005-2010 and spanning nearly five years since 2018 December. The XMM-Newton and NuStar spectra can be described with a power law plus blackbody model having an estimated luminosity of ∼ 2.5 × 1033 erg s−1 and ∼ 3.6 × 1033 erg s−1 respectively. The inferred radius of the blackbody emission is about 100-110 m which suggests a polar-cap origin of this component. From long-term ultraviolet observations of the companion star, an increase in the ultraviolet signatures is detected preceding the X-ray outbursts. The spectral energy distribution of the companion star is constructed which provides a clue of possible UV excess when X-ray outbursts were detected from the neutron star compared to the quiescent phase. We explore plausible mechanisms to explain the long-term spin-down and extended low luminosity manifestation in this pulsar. We find that sustained accretion from a cold disc may explain the prolonged low luminosity state of the pulsar since December 2018 but the pulsar was undergoing normal accretion during the low luminosity period spanning 2005-2010.
WALLABY Pilot Survey: HI source-finding with a machine learning framework
Authors: Wang Li , Wong O. Ivy , Westmeier Tobias , Murugeshan Chandrashekar , Lee-Waddell Karen , Cai Yuanzhi , Liu Xiu , Shen Austin Xiaofan , Rhee Jonghwan , Dénes Helga , Deg Nathan , Kamphuis Peter , Catinella Barbara
Published: February 2025

The data volumes generated by theWALLABY atomic Hydrogen (HI) survey using the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) necessitate greater automation and reliable automation in the task of source-finding and cataloguing. To this end, we introduce and explore a novel deep learning framework for detecting low Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) HI sources in an automated fashion. Specifically, our proposed method provides an automated process for separating true HI detections from false positives when used in combination with the Source Finding Application (SoFiA) output candidate catalogues. Leveraging the spatial and depth capabilities of 3D ConvolutionalNeuralNetworks (CNNs), our method is specifically designed to recognize patterns and features in three-dimensional space, making it uniquely suited for rejecting false positive sources in low SNR scenarios generated by conventional linear methods. As a result, our approach is significantly more accurate in source detection and results in considerably fewer false detections compared to previous linear statistics-based source finding algorithms. Performance tests using mock galaxies injected into real ASKAP data cubes reveal our method’s capability to achieve near-100% completeness and reliability at a relatively low integrated SNR ∼ 3 – 5. An at-scale version of this tool will greatly maximise the science output from the upcoming widefield HI surveys.
Preliminary paleoenvironmental analysis and luminescence dating of upper Middle Pleistocene permafrost deposits of the Ulakhan Sular Formation, Adycha River, east Siberia
Authors: Murton Julian B. , Opel Thomas , Toms Phillip , Wood Jamie , Boxleitner Kseniia , Savvinov Grigoriy , Danilov Petr , Boeskorov Vasily , Goslar Tomasz , Rogers Gareth , Lupachev Aleksei , Tikhonravova Yana
Published: February 2025

Ulakhan Sular provides one of the largest natural stratigraphic sections through ancient permafrost deposits in the Batagay–Betenkes region of the Yana Uplands of western Beringia, but their depositional environment, age, and paleoenvironmental significance are uncertain. To address these uncertainties, we report the results of reconnaissance observations of the stratigraphy, sedimentology, paleosols and soil-like bodies, plant and insect macrofossils, and geochronology of the permafrost deposits at the stratotype section of the Ulakhan Sular Formation. Sedimentologically, this formation is dominated by well-sorted, fine to very fine sand that contains fluvial, aeolian, and permafrost sedimentary structures consistent with deposition near the paleo-Adycha River. The fluvio-aeolian deposits have similarities and differences to periglacial fluvio-aeolian and aeolian deposits in modern arctic regions of Canada and Greenland, and Pleistocene deposits in Alaska, China, and northwest Europe. The remarkable thickness of aeolian deposits (~50 m) at Ulakhan Sular is attributed to abundant local sand sources, ample accommodation space, and intensive aeolian transport and deposition. Optically stimulated luminescence dating of quartz sand and post-infrared–infrared dating of K-feldspar sand suggests deposition of the Ulakhan Sular Formation during late Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage (MIS) 6 or MIS 5. The aeolian sand-sheet deposits are correlated with other cold-climate aeolian sand and silt (loess) deposits in Beringia and southern Siberia, indicating a regional episode of aeolian sand transport and deposition at a similar time to glaciation by the Eastern Siberian Ice Sheet.
AN UPPER BOUND ON THE LENGTH OF AN ALGEBRA AND ITS APPLICATION TO THE GROUP ALGEBRA OF THE DIHEDRAL GROUP
Authors: KHRYSTIK M. A.
Published: February 2025

Let

${\mathcal {A}}$

be a unital

${\mathbb {F}}$

-algebra and let

${\mathcal {S}}$

be a generating set of

${\mathcal {A}}$

. The length of

${\mathcal {S}}$

is the smallest number k such that

${\mathcal {A}}$

equals the

${\mathbb {F}}$

-linear span of all products of length at most k of elements from

${\mathcal {S}}$

. The length of

${\mathcal {A}}$

, denoted by

$l({\mathcal {A}})$

, is defined to be the maximal length of its generating sets. We show that

$l({\mathcal {A}})$

does not exceed the maximum of

$\dim {\mathcal {A}} / 2$

and

$m({\mathcal {A}})-1$

, where

$m({\mathcal {A}})$

is the largest degree of the minimal polynomial among all elements of the algebra

${\mathcal {A}}$

. As an application, we show that for arbitrary odd n, the length of the group algebra of the dihedral group of order

$2n$

equals n.
IRRATIONALITY OF ZEROS OF POLYGAMMA FUNCTIONS
Authors: GOYAT PREETI
Published: February 2025

Our work owes its origin to a recent note of Ram Murty [‘Irrationality of zeros of the digamma function’, Number Theory in Memory of Eduard Wirsing (eds. H. Maier, R. Steuding and J. Steuding) (Springer, Cham, 2023), 237–243], in which he proves that all the zeros of the digamma function are irrational with at most one possible exception. We extend this investigation to higher-order polygamma functions.
ON MARCH’S CRITERION FOR TRANSIENCE ON ROTATIONALLY SYMMETRIC MANIFOLDS
Authors: BRAVO JOHN E. , CORTISSOZ JEAN C.
Published: February 2025

We show that March’s criterion for the existence of a bounded nonconstant harmonic function on a weak model (that is,

$\mathbb {R}^n$

with a rotationally symmetric metric) is also a necessary and sufficient condition for the solvability of the Dirichlet problem at infinity on a family of metrics that generalise metrics with rotational symmetry on

$\mathbb {R}^n$

. When the Dirichlet problem at infinity is not solvable, we prove some quantitative estimates on how fast a nonconstant harmonic function must grow.
Fecampiid flatworms parasitic in a tanaidacean crustacean
Authors: Kakui K. , Shiraki S. , Hookabe N.
Published: February 2025

We report the first record of fecampiidan platyhelminths parasitic in tanaidacean crustaceans. Two fecampiidans (0.75 mm and 1.10 mm in length) were found in a female of Pseudotanais sp. (Pseudotanaidae; 1.75 mm in length) collected at 794 m depth off the southern coast of Japan, northwestern Pacific. Fresh individuals were yellow or light yellow, but completely faded in ethanol. In a maximum likelihood tree based on 28S rRNA sequences, the parasite was placed in a moderately-supported Fecampiidae clade, suggesting it is a member of Fecampiidae. The 28S sequence from the parasite was 25.0%, 32.6%, and 35.5% divergent in Kimura 2-parameter (K2P) distance from Fecampia cf. abyssicola, Kronborgia cf. amphipodicola, and Kronborgia isopodicola sequences, respectively.
Characterization of admissible quasisymmetries
Authors: Burby J.W. , Kallinikos N. , MacKay R.S. , Perrella D. , Pfefferlé D.
Published: February 2025

We solve ‘half’ the problem of finding three-dimensional quasisymmetric magnetic fields that do not necessarily satisfy magnetohydrostatic force balance. This involves determining which hidden symmetries are admissible as quasisymmetries, and then showing explicitly how to construct quasisymmetric magnetic fields given an admissible symmetry. The admissibility conditions take the form of a system of overdetermined nonlinear partial differential equations involving second derivatives of the symmetry's infinitesimal generator.
MagNetUS: a magnetized plasma research ecosystem
Authors: Hurst N.C. , Abler M. , Brown M.R. , Juno J. , Kostadinova E.G. , Murphy N.A. , Olson J. , Orlov D.M. , Schaeffer D.B. , Schaffner D.A. , Scime E.E. , Tenbarge J.M. , Thakur S.C.
Published: February 2025

MagNetUS is a network of scientists and research groups that coordinates and advocates for fundamental magnetized plasma research in the USA. Its primary goal is to bring together a broad community of researchers and the experimental and numerical tools they use in order to facilitate the sharing of ideas, resources and common tasks. Discussed here are the motivation and goals for this network and details of its formation, history and structure. An overview of associated experimental facilities and numerical projects is provided, along with examples of scientific topics investigated therein. Finally, a vision for the future of the organization is given.
Study on occurrence of Ophiothrix savignyi (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea) in the Iranian water of the Persian Gulf
Authors: Pourvali Naser , Salari Aliabadi Mohammad-Ali , Salamat Negin , Askari Hesni Majid , Sharif Ranjbar Mohammad
Published: February 2025

This study on distribution of Ophiothrix savignyi was carried out from 2017 to 2022 in the Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf. Nineteen locations were sampled from coastal waters, including 16 newly reported areas. O. savignyi was epizoic, associated mostly with sponges, sea urchins, and soft corals. This survey shows O. savignyi as the most common and widespread brittle star in the northern and eastern Persian Gulf. In this study, O. savignyi, has been described again from the Persian Gulf.
Panic disorder and suicide
Authors: Tsai Shih-Jen , Cheng Chih-Ming , Chang Wen-Han , Bai Ya-Mei , Su Tung-Ping , Chen Tzeng-Ji , Chen Mu-Hong
Published: February 2025

Background

Panic disorder (PD) may increase the likelihood of suicidal ideation and behaviors because of psychiatric comorbidities such as major depressive disorder (MDD). However, research has yet to demonstrate a direct relationship between PD and suicide mortality.

Method

Using data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified 171,737 individuals with PD and 686,948 age- and sex-matched individuals without PD during 2003–2017. We assessed the risk of suicide within the same period. Psychiatric comorbidities such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, MDD, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), autism, alcohol use disorder (AUD), and substance use disorder (SUD) were also evaluated. Time-dependent Cox regression models were used to compare the risk of suicide in different groups after adjustment for demographic data and psychiatric comorbidities.

Results

Our Cox regression model revealed that PD was an independent risk factor for suicide (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.59–2.14), regardless of psychiatric comorbidities. Among all comorbidities, MDD with PD was associated with the highest risk of suicide (HR = 6.08, 95% CI = 5.48–6.74), followed by autism (HR = 4.52, 95% CI = 1.66–12.29), schizophrenia (HR = 3.34, 95% CI = 2.7–4.13), bipolar disorder (HR = 3.20, 95% CI = 2.71–3.79), AUD (HR = 2.99, 95% CI = 2.41–3.72), SUD (HR = 2.82, 95% CI = 2.28–3.47), and OCD (HR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.64–2.67).

Discussion

PD is an independent risk factor for suicide. Psychiatric comorbidities (i.e. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, MDD, OCD, AUD, SUD, and autism) with PD increase the risk of suicide.
Does God know our future sins?
Authors: Mehrez Ameni , Machery Edouard
Published: February 2025

In this article, we examine the extent to which Christians and Muslims endorse divine foreknowledge for neutral, good, and bad actions. If they do, the problem of theological fatalism is not a mere (albeit important) philosophical difficulty, but a problem rooted in lay believers’ intuitive understanding of God.
Internal Migration and the Continuity of Local Elites in North China, 1949–1965
Authors: Noellert Matthew , Li Xiangning
Published: February 2025

We present findings from historical microdata that suggest former rural elites effectively preserved their socio-economic advantages into the early People's Republic of China (PRC, circa 1949–1965) by exploiting urban–rural differences in government policies. In particular, former rural elites were three to four times more likely than poor peasants to move to a nearby town, and this urbanization was highly associated with socio-economic privileges in a rapidly developing economy, including both income and educational opportunities. We also find evidence that after 1949, former rural elites who did urbanize were more likely than their poor peasant counterparts to find industrial jobs.
An autonomous localisation method of wall-climbing robots on large steel components with IMU and fixed RGB-D camera
Authors: Zhang Wen , Huang Tianzhi , Sun Zhenguo
Published: February 2025

Wall-climbing robots work on large steel components with magnets, which limits the use of wireless sensors and magnetometers. This study aims to propose a novel autonomous localisation method (RGBD-IMU-AL) with an inertial measurement unit and a fixed RGB-D camera to improve the localisation performance of wall-climbing robots. The method contains five modules: calibration, tracking, three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction, location and attitude estimation. The calibration module is used to obtain the initial attitude angle. The tracking and 3D reconstruction module are used jointly to obtain the rough position and normal vector of the robot chassis. For the location module, a normal vector projection method is established to screen out the top point on the robot shell. An extended Kalman filter (EKF) is used to estimate the heading angle in the attitude estimation module. Experimental results show that the positioning error is within 0⋅02 m, and the positioning performance is better than that of the MS3D method. The heading angle error remains within 3⋅1°. The obtained results prove its applicability for the autonomous localisation in low-texture and magnetically disturbed environments.
Structure of internalizing and externalizing symptoms in early adolescence: A comparison of a bifactor and a two-factor model over time and across reporters
Authors: Scalco Matthew D. , Kotelnikova Yuliya , Evans Miranda , Harshaw Chris , Webre Nicole M. , Lengua Lilliana J. , Colder Craig R.
Published: February 2025

Psychopathology assessed across the lifespan often can be summarized with a few broad dimensions: internalizing, externalizing, and psychosis/thought disorder. Extensive overlap between internalizing and externalizing symptoms has garnered interest in bifactor models comprised of a general co-occurring factor and specific internalizing and externalizing factors. We focus on internalizing and externalizing symptoms and compare a bifactor model to a correlated two-factor model of psychopathology at three timepoints in a large adolescent community sample (N = 387; 55 % female; 83% Caucasian; M age = 12.1 at wave 1) using self- and parent-reports. Each model was tested within each time-point with 25–28 validators. The bifactor models demonstrated better fit to the data. Child report had stronger invariance across time. Parent report had stronger reliability over time. Cross-informant correlations between the factors at each wave indicated that the bifactor model had slightly poorer convergent validity but stronger discriminant validity than the two-factor model. With notable exceptions, this pattern of results replicated across informants and waves. The overlap between internalizing and externalizing pathology is systematically and, sometimes, non-linearly related to risk factors and maladaptive outcomes. Strengths and weaknesses to modeling psychopathology as two or three factors and clinical and developmental design implications are discussed.
Why we Must Change the Bioethical Terminology around So-Called “Lives Not Worth Living,” and “Worthwhile” and “Unworthwhile” Lives
Authors: Bennett Rebecca
Published: February 2025

The terminology of “lives not worth living,” “worthwhile lives,” and “unworthwhile lives,” used by John Harris and many others, has become an accepted linguistic convention in bioethical discussions. These terms are used to distinguish lives of overwhelming negative experience from lives that are or are expected to be of overall positive value. As such, this terminology seems helpful in discussions around resource allocation, end-of-life decision making and questions of when it might be acceptable (and unacceptable) to reproduce. This paper argues that there is, however, a problematic ambiguity inherent in these general terms that is particularly evident when it comes to discussing reproductive choices. It is suggested that in this context, this ambiguity can conceal authoritarian eugenic motivations that are difficult to justify and that many using these terms would not adhere to. As a result, it is argued that we should replace these terms with the terms “intrinsically valuable” and “intrinsically harmful.” This would make it more explicit what exactly is meant and would allow these matters to be debated with greater clarity.
Neurorights versus Externalism about Mental Content: Characterizing the ‘Harm’ of Neurotechnological Mind Reading
Authors: Rainey Stephen
Published: February 2025

Neurorights are widely discussed as a means of protecting phenomena like cognitive liberty and freedom of thought. This article is especially interested in example cases where these protections are sought in light of fast-paced developments in neurotechnologies that appear capable of reading the mind in some significant sense. While it is prudent to take care and seek to protect the mind from prying, questions remain over the kinds of claims that prompt concerns over mind reading. The nature of these claims should influence how exactly rights may or may not offer justifiable solutions. Overall, the exploration of neurotechnological mind reading questions here will come in terms of philosophical accounts of mental content and neuroreductionism. The contribution will be to present a contextualization of questions arising from ‘mind-reading’ neurotechnology, and appraisal of if or how neurorights respond to them.
At the Museum
Authors: Burton Robert
Published: February 2025

In leaning forward to better see the details of a Breughel wedding scene, an elderly man with thick glasses bumped his head on the wooden frame. He saw stars. “Careful, that painting is irreplaceable,” the guard said. “Please stand back a few feet.”
An aneurysm originating from Abbott’s Artery in coarctation of the aorta: a case report
Authors: Xia Yuting , Wang Bo , An Qi
Published: February 2025

Coarctation of the aorta is a rare congenital cardiovascular anomaly. In some patients, one particular vessel in collateral circulation has achieved recognition as the artery of Hamilton and Abbott. This aberrant pathway can create local turbulence, elevating the risk of aneurysm formation. We report the clinical treatment of a 35-year-old patient with coarctation of the aorta combined with an aneurysm originating from the artery of Hamilton and Abbott to highlight the need for attention to the presence of this artery.
Semantic processing of iconic signs is not automatic: Neural evidence from hearing non-signers
Authors: Akers Emily M. , Midgley Katherine J. , Holcomb Phillip J. , Emmorey Karen
Published: February 2025

Iconicity facilitates learning signs, but it is unknown whether recognition of meaning from the sign form occurs automatically. We recorded ERPs to highly iconic (transparent) and non-iconic ASL signs presented to one group who knew they would be taught signs (learners) and another group with no such expectations (non-learners). Participants watched sign videos and detected an occasional grooming gesture (no semantic processing required). Before sign onset, learners showed a greater frontal negativity compared to non-learners for both sign types, possibly due to greater motivation to attend to signs. During the N400 window, learners showed greater negativity to iconic than non-iconic signs, indicating more semantic processing for iconic signs. The non-learners showed a later and much weaker iconicity effect. The groups did not differ in task performance or in P3 amplitude. We conclude that comprehending the form-meaning mapping of highly iconic signs is not automatic and requires motivation and attention.
Ultra-processed food intake, genetic polymorphisms, and the risk of dyslipidemia in the adult Korean population
Authors: Cho Minsu , Lee Heejin , Lee Jung Eun
Published: February 2025

Objective:

This study aimed to examine the association between ultra-processed food intake and dyslipidemia risk, and whether this association varied by the polygenic score for dyslipidemia in the adult Korean population.

Design:

Prospective cohort study

Setting:

Ultra-processed foods were identified under the NOVA classification. Participants were categorized into <5, 5 to <10, 10 to <15, 15 to <20, and ≥20%E/d of ultra-processed food intake. The polygenic scores for dyslipidemia were calculated from 53,950 single nucleotide polymorphisms. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multivariate logistic regression models.

Participants:

20,044 Korean adults aged ≥40 years in the Health Examinees (HEXA) study, the Cardiovascular Disease Association Study (CAVAS), and the Korea Association Resource (KARE) study

Results:

During median follow-ups of 4.09, 8.67, and 15.67 years in the HEXA, CAVAS, and KARE studies, respectively, there were a total of 7,331, 786, and 1,732 incident dyslipidemia events. Ultra-processed food intake was not significantly associated with dyslipidemia risk. Compared with <5%E/d, the pooled OR (95% CI) of ≥20%E/d of ultra-processed food intake for dyslipidemia incidence was 1.01 (0.90, 1.13; p for trend=0.83). There was no interaction by dyslipidemia-related genetic variations; ORs (95% CIs) were 1.04 (0.89, 1.22; p for trend=0.91) and 0.98 (0.84, 1.15; p for trend=0.72) for individuals with high and low polygenic scores, respectively (p for interaction=0.90).

Conclusions:

No significant association was observed between ultra-processed food intake and the overall risk of dyslipidemia, nor in subgroups of polygenic scores for dyslipidemia among Korean adults with low ultra-processed food intake.
Analysis of interference effects on CaCS-based radar systems
Authors: Alabd Mohamad Basim , Giroto de Oliveira Lucas , Nuss Benjamin , Zwick Thomas
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of interference events in automotive scenarios based on radar systems equipped with communication-assisted chirp sequence (CaCS). First, it examines the impact of interference on radar and communication functionalities in CaCS systems according to the orientation of the investigated nodes. For this purpose, a graph-based approach is employed with MATLAB simulations to illustrate the potential occurrence of interference on the graph for communication functionality compared with their counterparts on radar. Second, the paper delves into the impact of interference on the synchronization between two communicating CaCS nodes. It extends a previous study to match the frequency of current radar sensors, where chirp estimation, an adjusted version of the Schmidl & Cox algorithm, and correlation are adopted to synchronize the transmitter and receiver of two CaCS communicating nodes in the time-frequency plane. The proposed synchronization method is finally verified by measurements at

${79}\,\mathrm{GHz}$

with a system-on-chip, where the resulting correlation metric and mean square error are illustrated as validation factors.
Indonesia’s New Partial Multialignment Strategy: A Conceptual and Empirical Analysis
Authors: Wicaksana I Gede Wahyu , Yakti Probo Darono
Published: February 2025

The nature of Indonesia’s foreign policy has long been understood as non-aligned. It has been associated with the basic tenet of bebas aktif (being independent and active) and the evolving international relations of the state, which demonstrated continuity in its non-side-taking position in the Cold War. However, recently, new trends in Indonesia’s regional and global conduct have emerged, including the diversification of multilateral engagements beyond ASEAN, the strengthening of various forms of strategic partnerships with major Indo-Pacific powers, and the adoption of normative hedging policies in response to sensitive international issues. What explains these developments? The conception of Indonesian foreign policy as being defined by non-alignment is no longer appropriate. This article argues that Indonesia now employs a partial multi-alignment strategy. Nevertheless, limited national power and persistent threat perceptions prevent the state from pursuing a fully multi-aligned strategy.
Global potential of sustainable single-cell protein based on variable renewable electricity
Authors: Fasihi Mahdi , Jouzi Fatemeh , Tervasmäki Petri , Vainikka Pasi , Breyer Christian
Published: February 2025

The environmental impacts of the food system exceed several planetary boundaries, with protein production being a major contributor. Single-Cell Protein (SCP) is a protein-rich microbial biomass that offers a sustainable alternative when derived from renewable energy and sustainable feedstocks. We evaluate the global potential for SCP production utilising electrolytic hydrogen and oxygen, atmospheric carbon dioxide and nitrogen, and hourly-optimised hybrid PV-wind power plants at a 0.45° × 0.45° spatial resolution. We outline a roadmap for industrial-scale production, commencing in 2028, targeting an annual capacity of 30 million tonnes of protein by 2050. Here we show that the cost of renewable electricity-based protein (e-protein) could decline at optimal sites from 5.5–6.1 € kg−1 in 2028 to 4.0–4.5 € kg−1 by 2030, and further to 2.1–2.3 € kg−1 by 2050. Consequently, e-protein production can mostly decouple protein supply from water and arable land constraints, substantially mitigating the environmental impacts of food production.
Cryo-EM structures of the BAF-Lamin A/C complex bound to nucleosomes
Authors: Horikoshi Naoki , Miyake Ryosuke , Sogawa-Fujiwara Chizuru , Ogasawara Mitsuo , Takizawa Yoshimasa , Kurumizaka Hitoshi
Published: February 2025

Barrier-to-autointegration factor (BAF) associates with mitotic chromosomes and promotes nuclear envelope assembly by recruiting proteins, such as Lamins, required for the reconstruction of the nuclear envelope and lamina. BAF also mediates chromatin anchoring to the nuclear lamina via Lamin A/C. However, the mechanism by which BAF and Lamin A/C bind chromatin and affect the chromatin organization remains elusive. Here we report the cryo-electron microscopy structures of BAF-Lamin A/C-nucleosome complexes. We find that the BAF dimer complexed with the Lamin A/C IgF domain occupies the nucleosomal dyad position, forming a tripartite nucleosomal DNA binding structure. We also show that the Lamin A/C Lys486 and His506 residues, which are reportedly mutated in lipodystrophy patients, directly contact the DNA at the nucleosomal dyad. Excess BAF-Lamin A/C complexes symmetrically bind other nucleosomal DNA sites and connect two BAF-Lamin A/C-nucleosome complexes. Although the linker histone H1 competes with BAF-Lamin A/C binding at the nucleosomal dyad region, the two BAF-Lamin A/C molecules still bridge two nucleosomes. These findings provide insights into the mechanism by which BAF, Lamin A/C, and/or histone H1 bind nucleosomes and influence chromatin organization within the nucleus.
Multidimensional terahertz probes of quantum materials
Authors: Liu Albert
Published: February 2025

Multidimensional spectroscopy has a long history originating from nuclear magnetic resonance, and has now found widespread application at infrared and optical frequencies as well. However, the energy scales of traditional multidimensional probes have been ill-suited for studying quantum materials. Recent technological advancements have now enabled extension of these multidimensional techniques to the terahertz frequency range, in which collective excitations of quantum materials are typically found. This Perspective introduces the technique of two-dimensional terahertz spectroscopy (2DTS) and the unique physics of quantum materials revealed by 2DTS spectra, accompanied by a selection of the rapidly expanding experimental and theoretical literature. While 2DTS has so far been primarily applied to quantum materials at equilibrium, we provide an outlook for its application towards understanding their dynamical non-equilibrium states and beyond.
Gut microbiota-derived hexa-acylated lipopolysaccharides enhance cancer immunotherapy responses
Authors: Sardar Puspendu , Beresford-Jones Benjamin S. , Xia Wangmingyu , Shabana Omar , Suyama Satoshi , Ramos Ruben J. F. , Soderholm Amelia T. , Tourlomousis Panagiotis , Kuo Paula , Evans Alexander C. , Imianowski Charlotte J. , Conti Alberto G. , Wesolowski Alexander J. , Baker Natalie M. , McCord Emily A. L. , Okkenhaug Klaus , Whiteside Sarah K. , Roychoudhuri Rahul , Bryant Clare E. , Cross Justin R. , Pedicord Virginia A.
Published: February 2025

The gut microbiome modulates immunotherapy treatment responses, and this may explain why immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-PD-1, are only effective in some patients. Previous studies correlated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-producing gut microbes with poorer prognosis; however, LPS from diverse bacterial species can range from immunostimulatory to inhibitory. Here, by functionally analysing faecal metagenomes from 112 patients with melanoma, we found that a subset of LPS-producing bacteria encoding immunostimulatory hexa-acylated LPS was enriched in microbiomes of clinical responders. In an implanted tumour mouse model of anti-PD-1 treatment, microbiota-derived hexa-acylated LPS was required for effective anti-tumour immune responses, and LPS-binding antibiotics and a small-molecule TLR4 antagonist abolished anti-PD-1 efficacy. Conversely, oral administration of hexa-acylated LPS to mice significantly augmented anti-PD-1-mediated anti-tumour immunity. Penta-acylated LPS did not improve anti-PD-1 efficacy in vivo and inhibited hexa-acylated LPS-induced immune activation in vitro. Microbiome hexa-acylated LPS therefore represents an accessible predictor and potential enhancer of immunotherapy responses.
Effect of broccoli sprout extract and baseline gut microbiota on fasting blood glucose in prediabetes: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Dwibedi Chinmay , Axelsson Annika S. , Abrahamsson Birgitta , Fahey Jed W. , Asplund Olof , Hansson Ola , Ahlqvist Emma , Tremaroli Valentina , Bäckhed Fredrik , Rosengren Anders H.
Published: February 2025

More effective treatments are needed for impaired fasting glucose or glucose intolerance, known as prediabetes. Sulforaphane is an isothiocyanate that reduces hepatic gluconeogenesis in individuals with type 2 diabetes and is well tolerated when provided as a broccoli sprout extract (BSE). Here we report a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which drug-naive individuals with prediabetes were treated with BSE (n = 35) or placebo (n = 39) once daily for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was a 0.3 mmol l−1 reduction in fasting blood glucose compared with placebo from baseline to week 12. Gastro-intestinal side effects but no severe adverse events were observed in response to treatment. BSE did not meet the prespecified primary outcome, and the overall effect in individuals with prediabetes was a 0.2 mmol l−1 reduction in fasting blood glucose (95% confidence interval −0.44 to −0.01; P = 0.04). Exploratory analyses to identify subgroups revealed that individuals with mild obesity, low insulin resistance and reduced insulin secretion had a pronounced response (0.4 mmol l−1 reduction) and were consequently referred to as responders. Gut microbiota analysis further revealed an association between baseline gut microbiota and pathophysiology and that responders had a different gut microbiota composition. Genomic analyses confirmed that responders had a higher abundance of a Bacteroides-encoded transcriptional regulator required for the conversion of the inactive precursor to bioactive sulforaphane. The abundance of this gene operon correlated with sulforaphane serum concentration. These findings suggest a combined influence of host pathophysiology and gut microbiota on metabolic treatment response, and exploratory analyses need to be confirmed in future trials. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT03763240.
Latent circuit inference from heterogeneous neural responses during cognitive tasks
Authors: Langdon Christopher , Engel Tatiana A.
Published: February 2025

Higher cortical areas carry a wide range of sensory, cognitive and motor signals mixed in heterogeneous responses of single neurons tuned to multiple task variables. Dimensionality reduction methods that rely on correlations between neural activity and task variables leave unknown how heterogeneous responses arise from connectivity to drive behavior. We develop the latent circuit model, a dimensionality reduction approach in which task variables interact via low-dimensional recurrent connectivity to produce behavioral output. We apply the latent circuit inference to recurrent neural networks trained to perform a context-dependent decision-making task and find a suppression mechanism in which contextual representations inhibit irrelevant sensory responses. We validate this mechanism by confirming the behavioral effects of patterned connectivity perturbations predicted by the latent circuit model. We find similar suppression of irrelevant sensory responses in the prefrontal cortex of monkeys performing the same task. We show that incorporating causal interactions among task variables is critical for identifying behaviorally relevant computations from neural response data.
Uncovering protein glycosylation dynamics and heterogeneity using deep quantitative glycoprofiling (DQGlyco)
Authors: Potel Clément M. , Burtscher Mira Lea , Garrido-Rodriguez Martin , Brauer-Nikonow Amber , Becher Isabelle , Le Sueur Cecile , Typas Athanasios , Zimmermann Michael , Savitski Mikhail M.
Published: February 2025

Protein glycosylation regulates essential cellular processes such as signaling, adhesion and cell–cell interactions; however, dysregulated glycosylation is associated with diseases such as cancer. Here we introduce deep quantitative glycoprofiling (DQGlyco), a robust method that integrates high-throughput sample preparation, highly sensitive detection and precise multiplexed quantification to investigate protein glycosylation dynamics at an unprecedented depth. Using DQGlyco, we profiled the mouse brain glycoproteome, identifying 177,198 unique N-glycopeptides—25 times more than previous studies. We quantified glycopeptide changes in human cells treated with a fucosylation inhibitor and characterized surface-exposed glycoforms. Furthermore, we analyzed tissue-specific glycosylation patterns in mice and demonstrated that a defined gut microbiota substantially remodels the mouse brain glycoproteome, shedding light on the link between the gut microbiome and brain protein functions. Additionally, we developed a novel strategy to evaluate glycoform solubility, offering new insights into their biophysical properties. Overall, the in-depth profiling offered by DQGlyco uncovered extensive complexity in glycosylation regulation.
Investigation on morphological and molecular fingerprints of penguin brain using label-free optical imaging and spectroscopic techniques
Authors: Bhatt Sunil , Verma Ashwani Kumar , Dastidar Prabir G. , Kumar Punit , Thapa Pramila , Jacob Tony George , Roy Tara Sankar , Iyengar Soumya , Kumaran Senthil , Ahluwalia Balpreet Singh , Mehta Dalip Singh
Published: February 2025

The morphology and molecular study of the penguin brain are crucial to define its survival in the extreme conditions of Antarctica. The present study focusses on extracting different optical parameters of the penguin brain using label-free optical imaging and spectroscopic techniques. In label-free optical imaging, we have used quantitative phase imaging, which provides morphological information about the neurons in brain tissue, giving the quantitative phase value of 5 to 20 radians corresponding to the 8 µm tissue section. In label-free spectroscopic techniques, we have used autofluorescence and Raman spectroscopy. Autofluorescence spectroscopy provides molecular information about nicotinamide dinucleotide, flavins, lipofuscins, and porphyrins in the brain’s spectral range of 420 nm to 700 nm. Raman spectroscopy provides multiple peaks associated with different molecules in the brain; among them, few signals are observed at approximately 1305 cm−1, 1448 cm−1, and 1661 cm−1, which correspond to vibrational modes indicative of vibrational features within lipids and protein structures, as well as the presence of amide groups within brain tissue constituents. All these techniques provide the microscopic and molecular fingerprint of the penguin brain, which can be useful for understanding penguin’s anatomical, physiological, and social behavior.
Global sensitivity analysis of roof hazard factors based on information entropy and the surrogate model
Authors: Zhang Guowei , Ren Ting , Han Jun
Published: February 2025

The prevention and management of coal mine roof accidents remain challenging issues because it is difficult to evaluate and quantify the interaction effects of the disaster hazard factors objectively. This paper proposes a novel approach: combining information entropy and the surrogate model—and applies Sobol’s method, aiming to solve it and to obtain the hazard factors’ 1th and the global sensitivity value without human intervention. The results show that: (1) The complex logical relationships and interactions of roof hazard factors can be transformed into quantifiable numerical values by building a co-occurrence matrix of disaster factors and calculating its information entropy. (2) The sensitivity levels of roof hazard factors can be successfully distinguished and categorized into priority management and prevention or general management and prevention using the surrogate model and Sobol’s sensitivity method. The novel sensitivity analysis approach suggested in this study considers both the individual impacts of hazard factors and their interactions, offering a more thorough framework for risk assessment as well as a fresh perspective and tool for coal mine safety research.
Smooth muscle contractility of laser-enucleated prostate tissues and impacts of preoperative α1-blocker treatment in patients with and without catheterization
Authors: Keller Patrick , Hu Sheng , Berger Laurenz , Nicola Philip , Schierholz Felix , Tamalunas Alexander , Kale Oluwafemi E. , Weinhold Philipp , Waidelich Raphaela , Stief Christian G. , Hennenberg Martin
Published: February 2025

Prostate smooth muscle contraction is central in treatment of voiding symptoms in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Tissues from transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer are widely used to study contractions. However, findings are limited by traumatization in TURP, and uncertain relationship to BPH in RP tissues. This study aims to examine contractions of laser-enucleated tissues. Tissues from holmium/thulium laser enucleation (HoLEP/ThuLEP) and TURP were contracted by KCl, noradrenaline and electric field stimulation (EFS) in an organ bath. Contractions were compared to RP tissues in previous studies. KCl-induced contractions averaged 2.5 mN, 0.7 mN and 3.3 mN in tissues from HoLEP/ThuLEP, TURP and RP, with non-responsive tissues included (2.4% HoLEP/ThuLEP, 37% TURP). Maximum EFS-induced contractions (Emax) averaged 47% of KCl in HoLEP/ThuLEP tissues, 27% in TURP tissues, and 68–235% in 21 previous studies with RP tissues. Emax values for noradrenaline averaged 99.7% in HoLEP/ThuLEP tissues, 56% in TURP tissues, and ranged from 92 to 260% in RP tissues. Preoperative α1-blocker treatment reduced EFS- and noradrenaline-induced contractions, and increased EC50 values for noradrenaline in laser-enucleated, catheterized patients, but not in patients without catheterization. Also, the ex vivo application of α1-blockers increased the EC50 values for noradrenaline and reduced Emax for EFS. Laser-enucleated tissues allow investigation of prostate smooth muscle contraction in medication-refractory voiding symptoms. Different impacts of preoperative α1-blocker treatment on ex vivo contractility in tissues from patients with and without catheterization point to clinically relevant heterogeneity of patients undergoing surgery for BPH.
Population attributable fraction of dietary risk factors for cancer mortality with a focus on gastrointestinal cancers in a population based cohort study
Authors: Moallemian Isfahani Marjan , Dalvand Sahar , Raei Dehaghi Nahid , Sharafkhah Maryam , Sepanlou Sadaf G. , Hashemian Maryam , Poustchi Hossein , Sadjadi Alireza , Roshandel Gholamreza , Khoshnia Masoud , Delavari Alireza , Rezaei Negar
Published: February 2025

Diet and nutrition are critical factors influencing cancer, the second leading cause of death worldwide. This study evaluated dietary risk factors and cancer mortality. 49,773 participants aged 40–75 years from the Golestan Cohort Study (GCS) were followed for a median of 15 years. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Cox proportional hazard models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), while population attributable fractions (PAFs) quantified the impact of reducing dietary risk factors. Low fruit intake accounted for 4.7% (95% CI: 0.5-8.7%) of all cancer deaths and 4.91% (95% CI: 0-9.85%) of male cancer deaths. It contributed to 23.5% (95% CI: 4.7-38.59%) of pancreatic cancer mortality in both sexes and 29.36% (95% CI: 5.15-47.38%) of male pancreatic cancer deaths. Low omega-3 intake increased esophageal and gastric cancer mortality risks, with PAFs of 21.65% (95% CI: 1.14-37.9%) and 21.46% (95% CI: 2.81-36.53%), respectively. In females, low omega-3 intake accounted for 38.68% (95% CI: 4.05-60.81%) of gastric cancer deaths. Low fruit and omega-3 consumption elevated cancer mortality risk. Community- and individual-level interventions are essential to enhance nutrient intake and reduce cancer mortality.
Evaluation of methylene blue restaining versus conventional hydrogen peroxide decolorization in immunohistochemical diagnosis of melanoma
Authors: Wan Weisong , Wang Le , Zeng Yuye , Hu Yuchang , Liu Yufei
Published: February 2025

This study seeks to address the challenge of melanoma identification in immunohistochemical (IHC) diagnosis, which is complicated by the similar coloration of melanin and DAB (Diaminobenzidine) staining, by introducing methylene blue counterstaining as an innovative solution. We compared the effectiveness of methylene blue counterstaining with that of the traditional hydrogen peroxide bleaching method in the diagnosis of melanoma. The study included 46 paraffin-embedded melanoma samples, and the staining efficacy for markers such as Melan A, HMB-45, PRAME, and Ki-67 was assessed via both methods. The results demonstrated that methylene blue counterstaining effectively converted the brownish-yellow melanin granules to a deep green color, significantly enhancing contrast and clarity with DAB staining. The average contrast and clarity scores for the methylene blue counterstaining method were 1.96 ± 0.21 and 1.91 ± 0.28, respectively, which were significantly greater than those of the conventional IHC group and the hydrogen peroxide bleaching group (P < 0.01). Furthermore, methylene blue counterstaining did not cause noticeable tissue damage or cellular morphology distortion, with tissue integrity scores comparable to those of the conventional IHC group (P > 0.05). Although the contrast and clarity also improved in the hydrogen peroxide bleaching group, it resulted in a significant decrease in tissue integrity (P < 0.01). This study is the first to apply methylene blue counterstaining in melanoma IHC analysis, demonstrating its advantages in enhancing staining quality, simplifying procedural workflows, and preserving antigenicity. This method provides a novel and effective tool for the pathological diagnosis of melanoma, potentially improving diagnostic accuracy and reliability.