bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence and Clinic Attendance Over Time Among People in Argentina Living with HIV and Lost to Care
Authors: Sued Omar , Rodriguez Violeta J. , Weiss Stephen M. , Alcaide Maria Luisa , Cecchini Diego , Cahn Pedro , Cassetti Isabel , Kaminsky Chloe J. , Jones Deborah L. ,   The COPA Study Group
Published: February 2025

Background

Although Argentina provides access to no cost HIV care, treatment adherence and retention in care remain suboptimal. This study aimed to explore factors associated with self-reported adherence and appointment attendance over time.

Method

Participants (N = 360) were people living with HIV (PLWH) that were lost to care (i.e., three missed pharmacy pickups in the last 6 months, or had not attended a physician visit in the last 12 months). Participants were recruited from seven HIV clinics in four urban centers in Argentina and re-engaged in care. Demographic variables, predictors, i.e., alcohol use, self-efficacy, motivation, patient-provider communication, insurance type (private/public), and outcomes, i.e., missed infectious disease (ID) specialist appointments, other missed clinic and lab appointments, and self-reported adherence were assessed over 2 years. A logistic regression and Poisson regression model within a generalized linear mixed model framework was used to analyze the association between predictors, treatment adherence outcomes, and interactions with time.

Results

Following re-engagement in care, increased alcohol use was associated with lower odds of antiretroviral therapy adherence over time, increased odds of missing ID specialist appointments, and missed clinic/lab appointments. Self-efficacy was associated with better medication adherence and fewer missed ID specialist appointments over time. Similarly, both motivation and patient/provider communication were associated with fewer missed ID specialist and clinic/lab appointments over time. Having private health insurance was also associated with less missed clinic/lab appointments.

Conclusion

Findings suggest alcohol use reduction interventions could improve treatment outcomes in this population. Additionally, interventions targeting patient-provider communication and patient self-efficacy and motivation may enhance retention following re-engagement in care.
Evaluation of Combined Use of Protein and Postbiotics Feed Supplements in Honey Beehives in Autumn and Spring
Authors: García-Vicente Eduardo J. , Benito-Murcia María , Martín María , Pérez Ana , Hermosilla Noelia , Alonso Juan Manuel , Risco David
Published: February 2025

Feed supplementation in beehives is a commonly necessary practice in beekeeping today, to address the many risks the honey bees face, mainly the climate change and times of food scarcity, agricultural pesticides, or pathogens such as Varroa destructor or Nosema ceranae. Protein supplements and postbiotics products have been evaluated in beehives feed, obtaining improvements of the strength and sanitary status, but they have not been tested in combination. In this study, two experiences have been carried out in autumn and spring to check the potential beneficial effect of this combination in the beehives. Two monitoring were carried out, before and after 1 month of the application of products, in order to assess the strength (number of bees, amount of brood, brood survival, and pollen/honey reserves) and sanitary status (V. destructor and N. ceranae infestation levels) of the colonies. Firstly, the results obtained in autumn experience showed a reduction of both pathogens in supplemented group. On the other hand, in spring, the combination of protein and postbiotics enhanced the brood survival and honey yield, and decreased the V. destructor infestation. Thus, the combined use of protein and postbiotics as feed supplements could be an important tool to improve the sanitary status after the cold season, and to increase the strength and production of beehives in spring, unifying the benefits of both supplements.
The Green Soft and Hard Talent Management and Social Sustainability: a Moderated Serial Mediation Model
Authors: Fasih Syeda Tayyaba , Zia Muhammad Qamar , Ellahi Rizwan Matloob , Mahmood Amir
Published: February 2025

The research meticulously explores the intricate dynamics of green talent management (GTM), social sustainability (SS), and the complex serial mediating roles of green competencies (GC) and employee engagement (EE). It also examines the moderation effects of a sustainable learning organization (SLO) and self-leadership (SL) within the context of the oil and gas industry in Pakistan, aiming to augment the conceptual and pragmatic comprehension of green talent management. Data were collected through time lagged and from multiple sources by HR professionals, environmental health and safety (EHS) managers, and directors or teams from HR departments and ESG departments in the oil and gas industry. Meanwhile, 314 participants completed the questionnaires. To validate the model suggesting the tested model has the relationship between green soft and hard talent management practices (GSHTM), green competencies (GC), and employee engagement, as well as the impact on social sustainability. Research evidence shows that green competencies make substantial contributions to the levels of engagement of the employees, which affects social sustainability. As has been asserted, sustainable learning organizations boost the linkage between green competencies and employee engagement, whereas self-leadership does not moderate. This research is the first empirical analysis that incorporates green competencies, EE, and social sustainability into the context of GTM practices in the oil and gas industry. Based on the social exchange theory, it provides a systematic investigation into the relationship between GTM and positive employee-related outcomes. Implementation issues as well as the theoretical, managerial, and policy implications of effective talent management for social sustainability in organizations are considered.
Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Prostate Cancer Survivorship and Advocacy Among Ethnically Diverse Black Men Through Community Town Halls
Authors: Ogunsanya Motolani E. , Kaninjing Ernest , DeForge Sara M. , Morton Daniel J. , Cole Perry , Beckford Patrick , Reese Donald , Mitchell Thomas , Montgomery Everett , Odeleye Roland , Miró-Rivera Erick Y. , Roberts Kaitlin , Neil Jordan M. , Alexander Adam C. , Funk-Lawler Rachel K. , Azizoddin Desiree , Roach Mack , Washington Samuel L. , Dwyer Kathleen , Young Mary Ellen , Odedina Folakemi T. , Kendzor Darla E.
Published: February 2025

We present findings from town hall meetings held with ethnically diverse Black prostate cancer (CaP) survivors in 2022 and 2023. Four town halls (total participants, N = 265) focused on diagnosis, treatment, psychosocial support, and overall survivorship. Moderated by a long-term CaP survivor, each session featured a panel that included medical providers (urologic oncologists and clinical psychologists), as well as CaP survivors of American, Caribbean, and African origin and their spouses. Surveys captured demographic data, clinical information, CaP-specific details (for survivors only), and perceptions of the town halls. The meetings highlighted three interrelated themesinfluencing decision-making: access to comprehensive information, the strength of support networks, and the availability of culturally competent care. These town halls revealed important educational and support opportunities for ethnically diverse Black men with CaP, promoting informed decision-making throughout the cancer journey and improving quality of life while reducing decisional regret during survivorship.
The Influence of the Collective Effect of Tooth–tooth Interaction on the Feeding Efficiency of Gastropods: A Biomimetic Approach
Authors: Krings Wencke , Riesel Tamina , Kaiser Thomas M. , Daasch Alexander , Schulz-Kornas Ellen , Gorb Stanislav N.
Published: February 2025

The radula is a crucial adaptation for food-processing in molluscs. A deeper understanding of the interaction between the radula and the preferred food is lacking, complicating the inference of the precise ecological roles of radular structures. This study presents the first experimental set-up that allows to study the influence of the radular morphology, specifically the degree of tooth-tooth interlocking (so-called collective effect), on the feeding efficiency. For this purpose, physical 3D models of the teeth were designed using CAD software and 3D printing technique. The feeding efficiencies with models of different degree of interlocking were determined by tensile tests, pulling the models trough agar gels with different viscosities. The forces generated by the models and the masses of the removed gel fragments were determined. We found, that radular models with a high degree of tooth–tooth interlocking performed best as they were able to remove most agar. We additionally broke the teeth and determined, that the teeth with the highest degree of interlocking could resist to highest force. Overall, the study highlights the complex interplay between radular morphology and its ecological function, suggesting that even minor morphological alterations can significantly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of food gathering. Understanding these interactions cannot only shed light on the ecological adaptations of molluscs, but provide further insights into development of more effective grinding, scraping, and cleaning technical devices.
The significance of foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade openness: evidence from nine European economies
Authors: Yeboah Evans , Baffour Alexander Amo , Chibalamula Haggai Chibale , Atiso Francis
Published: February 2025

This study examines the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade openness on economic growth in nine European countries using World Bank data (1995–2021). The analysis employs the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to capture both short- and long-run dynamics. The findings indicate that FDI has a positive short-term effect but a negative long-term impact on economic growth. Similarly, trade openness stimulates growth in the short run but exerts a negative influence in the long run. Gross fixed capital formation has no immediate effect on GDP per capita but contributes positively in the long term. Granger causality tests reveal a unidirectional relationship from GDP per capita to both trade openness and gross fixed capital formation, while a bidirectional relationship exists between gross fixed capital formation and trade openness. These findings suggest the need for balanced policy measures to maximize the benefits of FDI and trade openness while mitigating long-term risks. Policymakers should focus on strengthening domestic industries, enhancing economic resilience, and implementing strategies to improve the absorptive capacity of FDI to optimize its long-run contributions to growth.
The rise of synthetic ecosystems in agriculture: artificial intelligence as the future of urban food systems
Authors: Rad J.
Published: February 2025

As urbanization increases and climate challenges intensify, the future of food production may lie in AI-driven synthetic ecosystems. This comment explores the potential of creating fully autonomous, closed-loop agricultural systems within urban settings—powered by AI and robotics—to produce food with minimal human intervention, addressing food security, sustainability, and labour shortages.
The Effect of Glucosuria Induced by SGLT2 Inhibitors on Thiamine Levels in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Ozcetin Merve , Bicer Irem , Dizdar Oguzhan Sıtkı
Published: February 2025

Objetives

We aimed to examine the effects of newly started SGLT2 inhibitors on thiamine levels.

Background

High glucose in the renal tubular epithelium causes increased renal clearance of thiamine. Therefore, we hypothesized that glucosuria induced by SGLT2 inhibitors may result in thiamine deficiency.

Methods

The SGLT2 inhibitors group included patients who were added to their treatment with an SGLT2 inhibitor and who did not have glucosuria. The control group comprised patients who were taking medications other than SGLT2 inhibitors. Patients in both groups were followed for three months.

Results

The study was completed by 27 patients in each group, with a mean age of 53.2 ± 9.6 years. At baseline, the SGLT2 inhibitors group had worse glycemic control compared to the control group (p < 0.001), but no difference for thiamine. In the SGLT2 inhibitors group, but not in the control group, there were significant decreases in glucose, HbA1c, and creatinine values at the end of the 3-month follow-up, accompanied by a significant increase in thiamine levels.

Conclusion

Glucosuria induced by SGLT2 inhibitors did not lead to a decrease in whole-blood thiamine levels. Whole-blood thiamine levels increased with improved glycemic control. SGLT2 inhibitors demonstrated favourable effects on both glycemic control and creatinine levels.
Early Detection of Anastomotic Leak in Intraperitoneal Fluid After Colorectal Surgery
Authors: Lakyová Lucia Sukovská , Radoňak Jozef , Chandoga Ján , Tomečková Vladimíra , Sukovský Lukáš
Published: February 2025

Background

Anastomotic leak (AL) represents serious complications of colorectal surgery and significantly influences patients’ morbidity and mortality. We investigated whether the analysis of lactate and pyruvate in the peritoneal fluid can help detect AL earlier than the current non-specific biochemical examination.

Methods

Fifty-four adult patients (median age: 52 years) with colorectal carcinoma were enrolled in this prospective study. Patients were divided into the following three groups: group B – patients without AL after resection, group D – patients with AL after resection, and control group C – patients after palliative surgery without resection. We measured the concentration of lactate and pyruvate and calculated the lactate/pyruvate ratio in the peritoneal fluid of patients for the first 7 days after surgery.

Results

The most significant difference was recorded between groups D and C (P < 0.001). Statistically significant differences were observed in the concentration of lactate between group B and group D over 7 days, except on the first postoperative day (P < 0.001). Upon comparison of groups B and D and groups C and D, the lactate/pyruvate ratio showed the most significant difference on the second postoperative day (P = 0.002).

Conclusion

High levels of lactate and lactate/pyruvate ratio allows early identification of AL as early as 2 days after surgery.
Clostridioides difficile surveillance: 9-year comparison between automated surveillance and conventional surveillance in acute care hospitals
Authors: Stanciu Jean , Dolcé Patrick , Frenette Charles , Roy Marie-Claude , Kouider Lina , Longtin Yves
Published: February 2025

Objective:

To develop and validate an automated surveillance system for healthcare-associated Clostridioides difficile infections (HA-CDI).

Design:

Multicenter cohort study.

Setting:

16 acute care hospitals.

Patients:

Patients admitted to participating hospitals between 2013 and 2022.

Methods:

An automated surveillance system was developed with retrospective extraction from admission/discharge/transfer and laboratory databases and compared with conventional surveillance based on clinical definitions collected prospectively by infection control professionals. Comparison of HA-CDI incidence rates calculated by automated vs conventional surveillances were performed with χ2, incidence rate ratios, and linear regression. A subset of discordant cases was further investigated by reviewing medical records.

Results:

Overall, conventional surveillance reported 3,211 cases of HA-CDI for an incidence rate of 4.94 per 10,000 patient-days. Automated surveillance detected 4,708 cases, for an incidence rate of 7.24 per 10,000 patient-days (incidence rate ratio, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.40–1.53). Full concordance between both surveillance methods was observed in 62% of cases, while 34% of cases were detected only by automated surveillance, and 4% were detected by conventional surveillance only. Between 2013 and 2022, an identical declining trend in HA-CDI incidence rates of –0.54 cases per 10,000 patient-days was observed with both surveillance methods. A subset of 49 cases detected only by automated surveillance were reviewed; the main reasons for discrepancy were delayed testing (39%), colonization (24%), misclassifications (14%), and interinstitutional transfers (12%).

Conclusions:

HA-CDI incidence rates calculated by automated surveillance were higher than those of conventional surveillance, but the overestimation was consistent over time, suggesting that a correction factor could improve precision.
Behind the Books: Global Insights from Law Librarians
Authors: McArthur Michael , Wooldridge Julie M.
Published: February 2025

This column was born out of curiosity and community. Inspired by the many conversations and shared experiences of colleagues and friends at gatherings of the International Association of Law Libraries (IALL) and other law library organizations around the world, it seeks to explore the ever-evolving roles we play in the legal community.
Dynamic ethical capabilities in place and in time
Authors: Knapp Joshua R. , Namada Juliana M. , Dougan William
Published: February 2025

Extant theory proposes that stakeholders reward organizations that behave ethically and punish those that don’t. Taken at face value, this dynamic implies that organizations prioritizing ethical concerns should have competitive advantages augmenting performance. Unfortunately, hoped-for advantages often fail to materialize. Examining this difficult reality, we explore how pluralistic ethical standards manifest in ways that are not obvious because they are often locally and temporally attached to stakeholder groups. Further, we adopt a resource-based view of organizations and draw on literature related to dynamic capabilities and stakeholder theories to argue that ethics-related organization-level behavior can only lead to sustainable competitive advantages when there is continued competence across present and future-oriented systems. As a whole, our work provides a useful theoretical framework for addressing the pragmatic difficulties associated with enacting universal ethical principles in unique situations.
Family child care home providers’ perceived difficulty in serving vegetables to children: findings from a multi-method study
Authors: Hasnin Saima , Dev Dipti A. , Hillburn Carly , Sisson Susan B. , Tovar Alison
Published: February 2025

The study aims to identify family child care home (FCCH) setting- and environment-level predictors related to providers’ perceived difficulty in implementing the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) recommendations for serving vegetables to children. This was a cross-sectional study, which used a validated paper-based survey with a multi-method data analysis approach. Participants were licenced FCCH providers (N = 943) in Nebraska, who were predominantly White (94%), non-Hispanic (97%), CACFP-participants (89%), and in urban areas (64%). Reflective latent variable modelling was conducted in Mplus to explore associations between dependent variable and predictors. Dependent variable was providers’ perceived difficulty to implement CACFP recommendations for serving vegetables. Predictors were providers’ mealtime practices, perceived barriers to serve healthy foods, CACFP participation, geographic location, food access, food insecurity, and child poverty. Qualitative comments (n=122) from the survey were analysed using direct content analysis approach. Providers’ perceived lack of time to prepare foods and perceived children’s taste preferences increased their perceived difficulty; and CACFP-participation decreased their perceived difficulty to implement CACFP recommendations for serving vegetables. Qualitative comments highlighted that providers felt discouraged to serve vegetables knowing that vegetables would likely be wasted because of children’s preferences. More tailored professional development is required to address FCCH providers’ perceived difficulty and build providers’ skills on preparing time saving, CACFP-reimbursable and appealing vegetable recipes, and on strategies to promote vegetable consumption in children.
EIGENPERIODS AND THE MODULI OF POINTS IN THE LINE
Authors: DENG HAOHUA , GALLARDO PATRICIO
Published: February 2025

We study the period map of configurations of n points on the projective line constructed via a cyclic cover branching along these points. By considering the decomposition of its Hodge structure into eigenspaces, we establish the codimension of the locus where the eigenperiod map is still pure. Furthermore, we show that the period map extends to the divisors of a specific moduli space of weighted stable rational curves, and that this extension satisfies a local Torelli map along its fibers.
Parental income moderates the influence of genetic dispositions on political interest in adolescents
Authors: Jungkunz Sebastian , Marx Paul
Published: February 2025

The political involvement of adolescents is characterized by a substantial socioeconomic gradient already at a young age with enduring effects into adulthood. This study investigates whether high parental income creates an enhancing environment that increases the influence of genetic dispositions on political interest using the German TwinLife study (2014–2020, age 10–29, n = 6,174, 54% female, 19% migration background). While 30–40% of the total variance in political interest of twin adolescents (age 10–18) can be attributed to genetic influences, a gene–environment interaction model shows that this share is much lower among poor compared to rich families. Family fixed-effects models among early adults further show no significant effect of income differences on political interest after controlling for family background and genetic influences. This study suggests that the income gap in political participation cannot be fully understood without accounting for life cycle processes and genetic background.
Microseismicity in the Large‐N Swath‐D Network: Revealing Seismic Sequences and Active Faults in the Eastern Alps
Authors: Petersen Gesa M. , Hofman Laurens J. , Kummerow Jörn , Cesca Simone
Published: February 2025

Uniformly spaced large‐N seismic networks like the Swath‐D (2017–2019), a densified part of the AlpArray initiative, provide unmatched opportunities to study microseismic activity and fault structures. Here, we show how the combined analysis of spatially and temporally clustered seismicity, precise relocations, waveform‐based clustering, and moment tensor solutions for 67 earthquakes (1.13.3) help to characterize the heterogeneous study region in the south‐eastern Alps. We observe a strong zonation, with clustered microseismicity predominantly in the SE and NW parts of the study area. The identified sequences indicate a dominance of swarms in the NW compared to more mainshock‐aftershock sequences in the SE, while both sequence types can occur in both regions. We identify multiple short faults in the NW with lengths of a few hundred meters, and distinguish two close fault structures activated in one sequence based on waveform similarity and focal mechanisms. Compared to predominant thrust faulting in the SE, normal and strike‐slip faulting in the NW points to high regional complexity, with local stresses deviating from simple expectations of thrust faulting resulting from the Europe‐Adria convergence. We find that zones of increased microseismic activity match zones of high P wave attenuation from a recent Qp model developed in the AlpArray initiative (Jozi Najafabadi et al., 2023, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40623‐023‐01942‐0), supporting our interpretations of spatiotemporal patterns concerning crustal properties and tectonic activity. Our findings agree well with the occurrence of large historical earthquakes while simultaneously shedding light on much smaller seismogenic features.
Using an Explainable Machine Learning Approach to Produce High‐Resolution Hourly Precipitation Estimates for a Typical Data‐Deficiency Basin
Authors: Lyu Yi , Yong Bin
Published: February 2025

High‐resolution hourly precipitation estimates are of vital importance to the hydrological forecast at the basin scale. However, it is still a substantial challenge for data‐deficiency regions to obtain high‐quality precipitation estimates owing to limited ground observations and spatial distributions. In this study, we combined the machine learning technique and an improved side‐scaling algorithm to produce a high‐resolution (1/30°) hourly precipitation data set for a typical lack‐data basin. The proposed approach merges multi‐source information from FY‐4A satellite retrievals, rain gauges, and some precipitation‐related auxiliary variables including temperature, dew point temperature, surface pressure, and soil moisture. Compared to existing mainstream precipitation products, the new merging product DDP‐HAYR demonstrates a distinct advantage in improving detection skills and estimation accuracy of precipitation, particularly in capturing extreme rainfall events, at the hourly scale. Additionally, an explainable Artificial Intelligence (AI) model was employed to quantitatively assess the contributions of input variables to the final precipitation estimates. The integration of both causal and resultant variables (i.e., atmospheric and surface conditions), as demonstrated by the explainable AI model, effectively compensated for the limitations of infrared satellite precipitation products in retrieving extreme precipitation. This novel perspective shows the ability of the machine‐learning model to grasp the mechanisms of precipitation generation and dissipation by training multiple physically constrained variables. In summary, this study offers a typical case study for the hydrological community, which is an example to produce high‐resolution hourly precipitation estimates, which will substantially benefit the operational hydrological modeling, flood forecasting, and water resources monitoring with limited observation data.
A Curvature‐Based Framework for Automated Classification of Meander Bends
Authors: Lopez Dubon Sergio , Sgarabotto Alessandro , Lanzoni Stefano
Published: February 2025

River meanders are one of the most recurrent and varied patterns in fluvial systems. Multiple attempts have been made to detect and categorize patterns in meandering rivers to understand their shape and evolution. A novel data‐driven approach was used to classify single‐bend meanders. A data set containing approximately 10 million single‐lobe meander bends was generated using the Kinoshita curve. A neural network autoencoder was trained over the curvature energy spectra of Kinoshita‐generated meanders. Then, the trained network was tested on 7521 real meander bends extracted from satellite images, and the energy spectrum in the meander curvature was reconstructed accurately thanks to the autoencoder architecture. The meander spectrum reconstruction was clustered, and three main bend shapes were found associated with the meander data sets, namely symmetric, upstream‐skewed, and downstream‐skewed. The autoencoder‐based classification framework allowed bend shape detection along rivers, finding the dominant pattern with implications on migration trends. The classification framework proposed in this study was used to analyze the morphological evolution of the Ucayali river over 32 years. The shift from prevalent downstream‐skewed to prevalent upstream‐skewed bends (or vice versa) after big cutoffs suggests a plausible transition from super‐resonant dominated to sub‐resonant dominated behavior (or the reverse). Overall, the method proposed opens the venue to data‐driven classifications to understand and manage meandering rivers. Bend shape classification can thus inform restoration and flood control practices and contribute to predicting meander evolution from satellite images or sedimentary records.
Ultra-low extracorporeal volume microfluidic leukapheresis is safe and effective in a rat model
Authors: Iqbal Mubasher , McLennan Alexandra L. , Mukhamedshin Anton , Dinh Mai T. P. , Liu Qisheng , Junco Jacob J. , Mohan Arvind , Srivaths Poyyapakkam R. , Rabin Karen R. , Fogarty Thomas P. , Gifford Sean C. , Shevkoplyas Sergey S. , Lam Fong W.
Published: February 2025

Leukapheresis is a potentially life-saving therapy for children with symptomatic hyperleukocytosis. However, the standard centrifugation-based approach exposes pediatric patients to significant complications due to its large extracorporeal volume, high flow rates, and considerable platelet loss. Here, we tested whether performing cell separation with a high-throughput microfluidic technology could alleviate these limitations. In vitro, our microfluidic devices removed ~85% of large leukocytes and ~90% of spiked leukemic blasts from undiluted human whole blood, while minimizing platelet losses. Multiplexed devices connected in parallel allowed for faster, clinically relevant flow rates in vitro with no difference in leukocyte collection efficiency. When connected to Sprague-Dawley rats, the devices removed large leukocytes with ~80% collection efficiency, reducing the leukocyte count in recirculating blood by nearly half after a 3-hour procedure. Evaluation of plasma biomarkers and end-organ histology revealed no adverse effects compared to sham control. Overall, our study suggests that microfluidics-based leukapheresis is safe and effective at selectively removing leukocytes from circulation, with separation performance sufficiently high to ultimately enable low extracorporeal volume leukapheresis in children.
Dissecting the properties of circulating IgG against streptococcal pathogens through a combined systems antigenomics-serology workflow
Authors: Gomez Toledo Alejandro , Chowdhury Sounak , Hjortswang Elisabeth , Sorrentino James T. , Lewis Nathan E. , Bläckberg Anna , Ekström Simon , Kjellström Sven , Izadi Arman , Olofsson Berit , Nordenfelt Pontus , Malmström Lars , Rasmussen Magnus , Malmström Johan
Published: February 2025

This study showcases an integrative mass spectrometry-based strategy combining systems antigenomics and systems serology to characterize human antibodies in clinical samples. This strategy involves using antibodies circulating in plasma to affinity-enrich antigenic proteins in biochemically fractionated pools of bacterial proteins, followed by their identification and quantification using mass spectrometry. A selected subset of the identified antigens is then expressed recombinantly to isolate antigen-specific IgG, followed by characterization of the structural and functional properties of these antibodies. We focused on Group A streptococcus (GAS), a major human pathogen lacking an approved vaccine. The data shows that both healthy and GAS-infected individuals have circulating IgG against conserved streptococcal proteins, including toxins and virulence factors. The antigenic breadth of these antibodies remains relatively constant across healthy individuals but changes considerably in GAS bacteremia. Moreover, antigen-specific IgG analysis reveals individual variation in titers, subclass distributions, and Fc-signaling capacity, despite similar epitope and Fc-glycosylation patterns. Finally, we show that GAS antibodies may cross-react with Streptococcus dysgalactiae (SD), a bacterial pathogen that occupies similar niches and causes comparable infections. Collectively, our results highlight the complexity of GAS-specific antibody responses and the versatility of our methodology to characterize immune responses to bacterial pathogens.
Viral and immune profiles during the first wave of SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalized patients in Sardinia, Italy
Authors: Venturi Giulietta , Gallinaro Alessandra , Fortuna Claudia , Pirillo Maria Franca , Scoglio Arianna , Di Carlo Beatrice , Marsili Giulia , Michelini Zuleika , Amendola Antonello , Carocci Alberto , Dispinseri Stefania , Borghi Martina , Canitano Andrea , Falce Chiara , Zappitelli Alice , Scarlatti Gabriella , Lixi Maria Luisa , Aste Alessandra , Masala Laura , Baroncelli Silvia , Cara Andrea , Negri Donatella
Published: February 2025

We performed a retrospective immunological analysis of the antibody response in serum and in nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) obtained from 46 individuals infected with ancestral SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan-Hu-1 strain during the first COVID-19 wave in Cagliari (Sardinia, Italy), with a 4-month follow-up after the hospital admission. We implemented a comprehensive antibody response in serum and in mucosal samples using assays established in our laboratories. In NPS we evaluated the viral load by real time PCR, presence and kinetics of anti-Spike IgG and IgA by ELISA as well as their anti-Wuhan neutralization activity, showing induction and persistence of anti-viral immunity at the mucosal level. Neutralizing antibodies were measured in serum and NPS using a safe pseudovirus-based assay validated after comparison with a standard neutralization test using live SARS-CoV-2. We evaluated cross-neutralizing antibodies against all the major early variants of concerns (VoC) in sera. Of note, we detected a remarkable reduction of neutralizing activity against BA.1 compared to BA.2 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants, which was confirmed in sera from an analogous cohort of patients at the San Raffaele hospital in Milan, a geographically distant region of Italy, infected with the ancestral virus during the same period of time.
How adaptive social robots influence cognitive, emotional, and self-regulated learning
Authors: Ackermann Helene , Lange Anna L. , Hafner Verena V. , Lazarides Rebecca
Published: February 2025

As educational environments become more diverse, adaptive technologies like social robots hold promise for providing individual support to learners. This study investigated the role of adaptive teaching of a robot on students’ learning outcomes, emotions, and self-regulated learning (SRL). A total of 120 participants (aged 18–60 years, M
age = 30.25, SD
age = 10.06, 64.3% female) engaged in an interactive vocabulary learning task with varying guidance levels by the robot. Control conditions included fixed guidance, offering either simple guidance with no hints (condition 1) or enhanced guidance, constantly adding hints (condition 2). In the adaptive conditions, the robot adjusted the number of hints based on learners’ recent performance and enjoyment (condition 3) or additionally personalized hints to specific mistakes (condition 4). The results showed no direct or indirect effects of adaptive guidance on task performance or cognitive learning compared to fixed guidance. Instead, adaptive guidance significantly reduced on-task enjoyment compared to enhanced guidance, suggesting that unexpected variability in robot behavior may negatively affect emotional learning experience. However, personalized adaptive guidance increased certain SRL behaviors, indirectly benefiting learning outcomes. These findings highlight the need for further refinement of adaptive social robots to better meet individual learner needs and optimize outcomes.
Circadian clock features define novel subtypes among breast cancer cells and shape drug sensitivity
Authors: Ector Carolin , Didier Jeff , De Landtsheer Sébastien , Nordentoft Malthe S , Schmal Christoph , Keilholz Ulrich , Herzel Hanspeter , Kramer Achim , Sauter Thomas , Granada Adrián E
Published: February 2025

The circadian clock regulates key physiological processes, including cellular responses to DNA damage. Circadian-based therapeutic strategies optimize treatment timing to enhance drug efficacy and minimize side effects, offering potential for precision cancer treatment. However, applying these strategies in cancer remains limited due to a lack of understanding of the clock’s function across cancer types and incomplete insights into how the circadian clock affects drug responses. To address this, we conducted deep circadian phenotyping across a panel of breast cancer cell lines. Observing diverse circadian dynamics, we characterized metrics to assess circadian rhythm strength and stability in vitro. This led to the identification of four distinct circadian-based phenotypes among 14 breast cancer cell models: functional, weak, unstable, and dysfunctional clocks. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the circadian clock plays a critical role in shaping pharmacological responses to various anti-cancer drugs and we identify circadian features descriptive of drug sensitivity. Collectively, our findings establish a foundation for implementing circadian-based treatment strategies in breast cancer, leveraging clock phenotypes and drug sensitivity patterns to optimize therapeutic outcomes.
Effects of Lewis acidity and size of lanthanide salts for ring-opening copolymerization
Authors: Wood Zachary A. , Giri Mrityunjay , Min Harrison , Ohanyan Aren , Guerrero Adrian , Assefa Mikiyas K. , Fieser Megan E.
Published: February 2025

Lanthanide chloride salts, with a cocatalyst, are used as a near “one-size-fits-all” catalyst system to perform the ring-opening copolymerization of diverse epoxides and cyclic anhydrides.
Molecular Mechanism behind Cholinium-Taurate Ionic Liquid in Stabilisation of HDAC2 for Alcohol Use Disorders: Insights from DFT and MD Simulations
Authors: Prakash Muthuramalingam , Hema Gopal , Esther Rubavathy S. M.
Published: February 2025

The current study explores how an active pharmaceutical ingredient-ionic liquid (API-IL) Cholinium Taurate ([Cho]+[Tau]-) IL, may alter the structural and functional stability of Histone Deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), a crucial enzyme...
Biomass-derived magnetic amorphous carbon as an efficient catalyst in the conversion of fructose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural
Authors: Dang Tuan Minh , Nguyen Trinh Hao , Nguyen Ha Khanh , Phan Ha Bich , Nguyen Hai Truong , Tran Phuong Hoang
Published: February 2025

We developed a magnetic solid acid derived from rice husk as an efficient catalyst for 5-HMF production. The catalyst was easily recovered using an external magnet without significant loss in the catalytic activity.
An integratible acoustic micropump based on the resonance of on-substrate sharp-edge micropillar arrays
Authors: Zhang Yu , Wang Zeyi , Zhao Yang , Wei Qinran , Zheng Haixiang , Zhang Dong , Guo Xiasheng
Published: February 2025

An acoustic micropump based on the resonance of sharp-edge micropillars works as feed units for downstream microfludics, exhibiting high pumping pressure, fast response time, and high reliability.
Identification and molecular mechanism study of a novel small molecule inhibitor targeting solute carrier family 7 member 11 for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Xiaomeng , Yang Yan , Fu Qiao , Luo Jing , Wang Juan
Published: February 2025

Ferroptosis plays an extremely significant role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and targeting tumor cells to induce ferroptosis has emerged as a new approach for the treatment of cancer.
Deep eutectic solvent-based extraction of rosemary leaves: optimization using central composite design and evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities
Authors: Hashempur Mohammad Hashem , Zareshahrabadi Zahra , Shenavari Sara , Zomorodian Kamiar , Rastegari Banafsheh , Karami Forough
Published: February 2025

(I) Preparation of deep eutectic solvent. (II) Extraction process.
Significant reduction of cell invasiveness in nanoneedle insertion into a living cell with an electron-beam-deposited probe: impacts of probe geometry, speed and vibration
Authors: Alam Mohammad Shahidul , Penedo Marcos , Ichikawa Takehiko , Hosain Mohammad Mubarak , Matsumoto Kyosuke , Miyazawa Keisuke , Fukuma Takeshi
Published: February 2025

This study highlights the importance of probe geometry, speed and vibration in minimizing cellular disturbance during the insertion of an electron-beam-deposited nanoprobe into living cells.
Synthesis and isolation of metalloprotein on a super water-repellent umbrella-shaped pillar array with double re-entrant structure
Authors: Tanaka Daiki , Kobayashi Masashi , Fujita Risa , Yoon Dong Hyun , Sekiguchi Tetsushi , Akitsu Takashiro , Shoji Shuichi , Tanii Takashi , Furuya Masahiro
Published: February 2025

This paper reports the generation of microdroplets on a water-repellent device equipped with an array of tiny umbrella-shaped pillar structures.
A torrent intercepts the ionic flow in a polyelectrolyte solution
Authors: Watanabe Kaito , Naya Sayaka , Yamagata Yoshifumi , Miyamoto Keisuke , Kawai Mika , Mitsumata Tetsu
Published: February 2025

An anomalous flow response of electric properties was observed in 0.01 wt% aqueous solutions of polyacrylic acid sodium salt (NaPAA) by electric measurements under shear flow using a newly developed apparatus.
Bias-free Si-based photocathode for efficient photoelectrochemical ammonia synthesis and HMF oxidation
Authors: Cao Yuxi , Luo Xinyi , Ren Xiaoliang , Chen Junru , Liang Hao , Wang Kang , Jiang Feng
Published: February 2025

In this work, leveraging the energy-saving characteristic of furfural with its low oxidation potential and high-performance Si–TiO2 photocathode, we constructed a Si-based tandem bias-free ammonia production device.
Synthesis of Dynamic N-acylhydrazone-Based Macrocycles
Authors: Sandu Nicoleta , Hanganu Anamaria , Popescu Codruta Constanta , Demeter Alexandra Mihaela , Mirea Anca G. , Kuncser Andrei Cristian , Tablet Cristina , Hadade Niculina Daniela , Florea Mihaela , Funeriu Daniel P. , Matache Mihaela
Published: February 2025

We present herein synthesis of novel [2+2] and [3+3] N-acylhydrazone-based macrocycles using a pool of dialdehydes and dihydrazides, under thermodynamic control. The resulted macrocycles, which were assigned triangular and rectangular...
Computational Design to Experimental Validation: Molecular Dynamics-assisted Development of Polycaprolactone Micelles for Drug Delivery†
Authors: Stefan Mihaela C. , Grabowski Gerik , Shah Tejas , Polara Himanshu , Babanyinah Godwin , Bhadran Abhi , Wang Hanghang , Cu Castillo Cristina , Biewer Michael C , Torabifard Hedieh
Published: February 2025

Amphiphilic diblock copolymers are used in drug delivery systems for cancer treatments. However, these carriers suffer from lower drug loading capacity, poor water solubility, and non-targeted drug release. Here, we...
TiO2/ZnO nanocomposites with a metal-free dye and a polymer gel electrolyte: optimizing photovoltaic efficiency and assessing stability via time series analysis
Authors: Pawar Prakash S. , Koyale Pramod A. , Patil Satyajeet S. , Patil Swapnil R. , Bae Jinho , Chodankar Nilesh R. , Kapdi Yash G. , Soni Saurabh S. , Patil Pramod S. , Delekar Sagar D.
Published: February 2025

The study highlights a 1.8-fold efficiency improvement in metal-free SK3 dye-sensitized solar cells using a TiO2/ZnO nanocomposite and polymer gel electrolyte, attributing to enhanced charge transport, reduced resistance, and improved surface area.
The universal vibrational dynamics of water bound to tertiary amines: more than just Fermi resonance
Authors: Lwin Eaindra , Lüttschwager Nils O. B. , Suhm Martin A.
Published: February 2025

Infrared spectra of jet-cooled microhydrated amines with fishy odours reveal anharmonic water vibrational dynamics.
The brightest GRB ever detected: GRB,221009A as a highly luminous event at z=0.151
Authors: Malesani D.B. , Levan A.J. , Izzo L. , de Ugarte Postigo A. , Ghirlanda G. , Heintz K.E. , Kann D.A. , Lamb G.P. , Palmerio J. , Salafia O.S. , Salvaterra R. , Tanvir N.R. , Ag"u'i Fern'andez J.F. , Campana S. , Chrimes A. , D'Avanzo P. , D'Elia V. , Della Valle M. , De Pasquale M. , Fynbo J.P.U. , Gaspari N. , Gompertz B.P. , Hartmann D.H. , Hjorth J. , Jakobsson P. , Palazzi E. , Pian E. , Pugliese G. , Ravasio M.E. , Rossi A. , Saccardi A. , Schady P. , Schneider B. , Sollerman J. , Starling R.L.C. , Th"one C. , van der Horst A.J. , Vergani S.D. , Watson D. , Wiersema K. , Xu D. , Zafar T. , Zheng S.Y.
Published: February 2025

The extreme luminosity of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) makes them powerful beacons, thus effective probes of the distant Universe. The most luminous bursts are typically detected at moderate and high redshift, where the volume for seeing such rare events is maximized and the star-formation activity is greater than at z=0. For distant events, not all observations are feasible, such as those at TeV energies. Here we present a spectroscopic redshift measurement for the exceptional GRB,221009A, the brightest GRB observed to date, with emission extending well into the TeV regime. We used the X-shooter spectrograph at the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT) to obtain simultaneous optical to near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy of the burst afterglow 0.5 days after the explosion. The spectra exhibit both absorption and emission lines from material in a host galaxy at Thus, GRB,221009A was a relatively nearby burst with a luminosity distance of d_L = 745 Mpc. Its host galaxy properties (star-formation rate and metallicity) are consistent with those of long GRB hosts at low redshift. This redshift measurement yields information on the energy of the burst. The inferred isotropic energy release iso erg, lies at the high end of the distribution, making GRB,221009A one of the nearest and also most energetic GRBs observed to date. We estimate that such a combination (nearby as well as intrinsically bright) occurs between once every few decades and once per millennium.
Comparison of Herschel and ArTéMiS observations of massive filaments
Authors: Mannfors E. , Juvela M. , Liu T. , Pelkonen V.-M.
Published: February 2025

Filaments are a fundamental part of the interstellar medium (ISM). Their morphology and fragmentation can offer crucial information on the nature of the ISM and star formation. OMC-3 in the Orion A Cloud is a nearby, high-mass, star-forming region, which offers an ideal opportunity to study massive filaments in detail. We analyze how the inclusion of higher resolution data affects estimates of the filament properties, including their widths and fragmentation properties. We also test the robustness of filament fitting routines. We combined the ArTéMiS, and Herschel data to create high-resolution images. The column densities and temperatures were estimated via a modified blackbody fitting. We compared the nearby OMC-3 cloud ( d = 400,pc) to the more distant G202 and G17 clouds ( d = 760 and 1850,pc, respectively). We further compared the appearance of the OMC-3 cloud at the Herschel and ArTéMiS, resolution. Column densities of dense clumps in OMC-3 are higher in the combined ArTéMiS and Herschel data (FWHM∼8.5 when compared to Herschel -only data (FWHM∼20 The estimated filament widths are smaller in the combined maps and also show signs of further fragmentation when observed with the ArTéMiS resolution. In this analysis of Herschel data, the estimated filament widths are correlated with the distance of the field. The median filament full width at half maximum (FWHM) in OMC-3 at the higher resolution is 0.05,pc, whereas it is 0.1,pc with the Herschel resolution, and then 0.3,pc in G202 and 1.0,pc in G17, also at the Herschel resolution. It is unclear what causes the steep relation between the distance and filament FWHM values, however, likely reasons include the effect of the limited telescope resolution combined with existing hierarchical structure, along with the convolution of large-scale background structures within the ISM. Estimates of the asymptotic power-law index of the filament profile function p are high. When fit with the Plummer function, the individual parameters of the profile function are degenerate, while the FWHM is better constrained. OMC-3 displays negative kurtosis, while all structures but OMC-3 at the Herschel resolution reveal some asymmetry.