bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on the Fitting Method for P‐S‐N Curves With Extremely Small Sample Experiment Data: Improved Backwards Statistical Inference Method
Authors: Mu Tong , Zhao Bingfeng , Xie Liyang , Gao Dongwu , Wang Xin , Song Jiaxin
Published: February 2025

This study focuses on an improved statistical processing method for extremely small sample probabilistic S‐N (P‐S‐N) curve test data and proposes an improved backwards statistical inference method. By employing a quantile consistency principle, an equivalent large sample of fatigue lives can be obtained by congregating all test data, which enables high‐precision estimation of distribution parameters with limited data at each stress level. The logarithmic life standard deviation is assumed to have a logarithmic linear relationship with the stress levels. A method for revealing the relationship is proposed, and all of the fatigue life data can be equivalently congregated to determine the P‐S‐N curve. The test results demonstrate that this improved method delivers superior fitting results compared to other methods in scenarios with extremely small sample sizes. Additionally, this method imposes no constraints on sample format and allows for flexible setting of stress levels and sample sizes.
Feminist Lens on Gender Roles in Entrepreneurial Intention and Implementation
Authors: Golik Jakub , Wasilczuk Julita E.
Published: February 2025

Based on social feminist theory, post‐structural feminism and gender‐role orientation (GRO) (masculinity, femininity and androgyny), the aim of this research is to study the entrepreneurial process through the lenses of both biological sex and socially constructed gender, in order to disentangle their effects and to shed new light on the process. Secondly, we aim to push forward the research on the early‐stage entrepreneurial process by going beyond entrepreneurial intention. We achieve this by including the entrepreneurial implementation intention construct as an important intermediate step between intention and actual action, thus filling the intention–action gap. We propose a model of the entrepreneurial process consisting of four ordered elements, namely: general risk propensity, entrepreneurial self‐efficacy, entrepreneurial intention, and entrepreneurial implementation intention. In order to verify the model and to investigate the influence of gender‐role orientations on each of the model's constituents, we employ structural equation modeling. Additionally, we use multigroup analysis to compare males and females. This is done on a group of more than 670 students from Polish and Latvian technical universities. Our research empirically confirms the proposed model of the entrepreneurial process. Biological sex influences risk propensity and entrepreneurial intention while having no impact on entrepreneurial self‐efficacy and entrepreneurial implementation intention. Using GRO provides more insight as we observe that among all individuals masculine GRO reinforces all elements of the entrepreneurial process, whereas feminine GRO does not, with the exception of perceived risk propensity, but only among females. Finally, androgynous GRO has the most varied effect out of all three GROs. Both theoretical approaches explain the lower entrepreneurial intentions of women, which are due to early socialization and experiences shaping social gender, as well as the attribution of entrepreneurship to the male sphere of activity. Finally, our study shows that using both biological sex and social gender concurrently provides more insights.
Managing the Unwanted: An Application of Dispositional Analysis on the Athena SWAN Initiative in UK Business Schools
Authors: Haque Shamima , de Aguiar Thereza Raquel Sales , Bender Keith A.
Published: February 2025

The Athena SWAN initiative proposes to address gender equality and diversity (E&D) in higher education settings. This research examines how Athena SWAN is organized as a means of controlling gender E&D in the context of UK Business Schools. It involves deductive thematic analysis of secondary (Athena SWAN applications) and primary data (semi‐structured interviews). Through the lens of dispositional analysis, we explore the interplay between Foucault's dispositive modalities of law, discipline and dispositives of security involved in the Athena SWAN initiative. We find significant problems in the way these modalities interact with Athena SWAN. There is often a disconnection between the individual, departmental and institutional motivations that affect disciplinary mechanisms, such as the self‐evaluation conducted by the self‐assessment team (SAT). Strategic decisions are typically centralized at the university level, emphasizing achieving optimal levels of inequality comparable with the sector which is in line with accreditations, rankings and funding requirements. This often leads to problems related to a lack of control and clear accountability procedures. The results of this study suggest that Athena SWAN creates a space for self‐governing and visibility of gender E&D practices. However, without legal structures there has been limited progress in advancing this agenda because discipline and security take over by establishing a new “normative” level based on optimization. Legal structures can destabilize the “normative” optimum level of current E&D practices, opening new possibilities for discipline to prevent the unwanted.
Geniposide Protects Against Myocardial Infarction Injury via the Restoration in Gut Microbiota and Gut–Brain Axis
Authors: Chen Jie , Zhu Tong , Yang Jinbao , Shen Mengqing , Wang Danmei , Gu Boyuan , Xu Jin , Zhang Mingxia , Hao Xiuli , Tang Zheng , Tong Jie , Du Yan , Zhang Bao , Li Hongbao , Xu MengLu
Published: February 2025

Improving gut dysbiosis and impaired gut–brain axis has been a potent therapeutic strategy for treating myocardial infarction (MI). Geniposide (GEN), a traditional Chinese medicine extract, has demonstrated substantial cardioprotective properties post‐MI. Nevertheless, the effect of GEN on gut microbial, gut–brain communication, and its potential mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we initially found that GEN significantly alleviated MI‐induced cardiac dysfunction from echocardiographic data and decreased myocardial fibrosis, inflammation, apoptosis and hypertrophy post‐MI. Additionally, we investigated the effects of GEN on gut pathology, and observed that GEN led to a remarkable change in gut microbiota as evidenced by altering β‐diversity and short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels, and alleviated intestinal damage indicated by reduced inflammation and barrier permeability post‐MI. Finally, our investigation into brain pathology revealed that GEN induced a remarkable inhibition in PVN inflammation and sympathetic activity following MI. Collectively, these findings imply that the cardioprotective effects of GEN against MI were mediated possibly via an improvement in the impaired gut–brain axis. Mechanically, GEN‐induced increase of microbiota‐derived SCFAs might be the critical factor linking gut microbiota and reduced neuroinflammation with PVN, which leads to the suppression of sympathetic activation, therefore protecting the myocardium against MI‐induced damage.
Single‐Cell Sequencing Reveals Heterogeneity and Interactions Between Epithelial Cells and Fibroblasts in Post‐ESD Oesophageal Stricture
Authors: Tao Lulong , Xia Junjun , Hu Die , Zhang Guoxin , Gong Yaoyao , Yan Jin
Published: February 2025

Oesophageal stricture, especially circumferential lesions, is a common complication of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). However, the exact mechanisms underlying its development remain unclear. Consequently, understanding tissue microenvironment changes is crucial for identifying therapeutic targets. To address this, single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) was performed on oesophageal stricture samples and normal controls. Alterations in cellular composition were observed, particularly in epithelial, endothelial, fibroblast and immune cells. A notable increase was observed in the number of differentiating suprabasal cell_2 (DFSC_2), which displayed pro‐keratinizing traits. Detailed investigations revealed augmentation in a subset of these cells, characterised by elevated FTH1 and ECM1 expression, indicating their role in epithelial remodelling. Furthermore, fibroblast heterogeneity was demonstrated, with significant activation of myofibroblasts within stricture tissues. MDK–NCL, CXCL5/6‐CXCR2, and TGFA–EGFR ligand–receptor pairs were enhanced in stricture tissues, mediating epithelial–stromal interactions. This study dissected the transcriptional landscape of postoperative oesophageal stricture tissues, providing valuable insights into stricture mechanisms and potential preventive strategies.
Monosodium glutamate: A hidden risk factor for obesity?
Authors: Kahe Ka , Laferrère Blandine , Castellanos Francisco X. , Zhang Yijia , Mozaffarian Dariush
Published: February 2025

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) has become one of the most widely used food additives in the global food supply. Although it has been classified for decades as a food ingredient that is generally recognized as safe, concerns about the health impacts of chronic MSG use, especially its potential effect on weight, are still ongoing. This comprehensive review summarizes the available human and animal evidence, highlighting potential mechanisms linking MSG use to weight gain or obesity, and discusses challenges and future research directions. Because of MSG intake worldwide as well as hidden MSG in food labeling, there is a pressing need for a mechanistic understanding of the health impacts of MSG use especially on weight. To generate robust scientific evidence and to clarify public concerns, rigorous mechanistic studies and randomized controlled clinical trials are warranted.
The Effect of Environmental Factors on the Nitrate and Nitrite Metabolism of Oral Actinomyces and Schaalia Species
Authors: Otake Tomona , Washio Jumpei , Ezoe Kazuko , Sato Satoko , Abiko Yuki , Igarashi Kaoru , Takahashi Nobuhiro
Published: February 2025

Actinomyces naeslundii and Schaalia odontolytica belong to the most predominant nitrite‐producing bacteria in the oral microbiome. Nitrite has antibacterial and vasodilatory effects that may contribute to maintaining oral and systemic health. We have previously elucidated the metabolic characteristics of the nitrite‐producing activity of oral Veillonella species and the effects of oral environmental factors. However, this is still unknown for Actinomyces and Schaalia species. Furthermore, these bacteria are thought to degrade nitrite. Therefore, this study aimed to comprehensively elucidate the effects of environmental factors (pH, oxygen concentration, glucose, lactate, and the presence of nitrate/nitrite during growth) on nitrate and nitrite metabolism of these bacterial species using the type strains. Nitrite was quantified by Griess reagent, and final metabolites were analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The nitrite‐producing activity of A. naeslundii and S. odontolytica was affected variously by environmental factors. Especially in A. naeslundii, under anaerobic conditions, the activity increased in a concentration‐dependent manner with the addition of glucose or lactate and was higher at lower pH when lactate was added. The nitrite‐degrading activity of both bacteria was lower than the nitrite‐producing activity and was less affected by environmental factors. Metabolites from glucose by A. naeslundii were different with and without nitrate, suggesting that nitrate altered metabolic pathways. The growth was inhibited under anaerobic conditions but promoted under aerobic conditions. These results indicate that the nitrite‐producing capacity of the oral microflora must take into account not only the composition and abundance of bacteria but also the variation in metabolic activity due to various environmental factors.
Advanced Atrioventricular Block in a Young Patient: Pacemaker Implantation Is No Longer the Only Choice
Authors: May Bruna Miers , Bartholomay Eduardo , Kochi Adriano Nunes , de Andrade Karina , Nicola Thaís Coutinho , Reichert Giulia Bonatto
Published: February 2025

A 40‐year‐old woman with symptomatic advanced atrioventricular (AV) block underwent cardioneuroablation (CNA) for the treatment of functional bradyarrhythmia, following the exclusion of reversible causes and intrinsic disease of the conduction system. Selective ablation of ganglia related to the AV node, performed exclusively in the left atrium, restored AV conduction, which has remained unchanged with 2 years of follow‐up. CNA is a viable and effective option with low risk for the treatment of functional bradyarrhythmias, regardless of their severity.
Progressed Atrioventricular Block in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Induced Myocarditis: A Case Report
Authors: Xie Dongmei , Yan Ting , Zhang Xin , Liu Xingbin
Published: February 2025

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) has demonstrated promising results in treating various cancers, but its associated cardiotoxicity, especially ICI‐associated myocarditis, presents a serious concern. We reported a case of a 63‐year‐old male who complained of progressive dyspnea after tislelizumab, a novel humanized anti‐PD‐1 monoclonal antibody, for hepatocellular carcinoma. Upon diagnosing ICI‐related myocarditis, corticosteroid therapy was initiated immediately. The elevated biomarkers quickly decreased, but the atrioventricular block progressed from first‐degree to third‐degree, necessitating pacemaker implantation. This is the first report of complete AVB consecutive to tislelizumab‐induced myocarditis, highlighting the importance of early corticosteroid therapy and continuous electrocardiography monitoring.
Modeling renewable energy market performance under climate policy uncertainty: A novel multivariate quantile causality analysis
Authors: Sinha Avik , Murshed Muntasir , Das Narasingha , Saha Tanaya
Published: February 2025

The renewable energy market in the United States of America (USA) has experienced several crests and troughs owing to the changes in the climate policies. These changes in the climate policies have impacted the climate risk management scenario in the USA. This impact has changed the behavioral pattern of the renewable energy drivers, and a supply‐side analysis of this aspect is largely ignored in the literature. In this pursuit, the present study aims at analyzing the moderating role of climate policy uncertainty in shaping the behavior of renewable energy drivers in the USA. Given the risk analysis perspective, a novel multivariate quantile‐on‐quantile causality test is introduced in the present study to address five aspects of risk analysis, i.e., tail dependence, co‐movement, predictability, multivariate, and asymmetric impact. Moreover, this test also addresses the omitted variable bias and absence of ortho‐partiality distribution, which were inherent to Granger causality test. Along with the analysis at the national level, a firm‐level analysis is also done by taking the top‐5 renewable energy generation firms of the USA. The results show that the climate policy uncertainty has a dampening effect on the renewable energy drivers, and this effect differs at the firm level. These impacts show a significant policy dimension for addressing the climatic risk management concerns in the USA, while achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 objectives.
Market Integration in Nordic Online Retail Markets: Do Cross‐Border Transaction Costs Still Matter?
Authors: Carling Kenneth , Lindgren Charlie , Rudholm Niklas
Published: February 2025

If online retail markets are integrated, in that cost shocks in one country also affect pricing in other countries, asymmetric shocks to any one country in the region will spill over to neighboring countries as well. Using web‐scraped product‐level prices from a group of retail firms selling identical products in at least two of the four Nordic markets under study, we investigate if national markets are segmented at the borders. Contrary to previous studies, we use differences in product characteristics to divide the data into products that are easily transported across borders and those that are not. At the extreme end of the transportability spectrum, we investigate market integration for four types of games for computers or game consoles that are delivered via downloads, where the cross‐border transaction costs should be close to zero. Our results show that markets for product categories where cross‐border transaction costs are high are also segmented at the border, while markets for product categories that can easily be traded and transported between countries are not. As such, cross‐border transaction costs still matter for market segmentation, but only for the subset of products where such costs are high.
Neuromuscular Fatigue Induced by Cycling at a Fixed Level of Perceived Effort: Effects of Different Purported Hypoxic Methods
Authors: Beaume Jean‐Baptiste , Di Domenico Hervé , Bowen Maximilien , Hintzy Frédérique , Millet Guillaume Y. , Pageaux Benjamin , Debevec Tadej , Rupp Thomas
Published: February 2025

We compared neuromuscular fatigue induced by cycling at a fixed perceived effort in normoxic condition (NOR) and three purported hypoxia modalities: systemic hypoxia (SyH, FiO2 = 0.13), blood flow restriction (BFR, 50% arterial occlusion pressure) and airflow restriction mask (ARM, calibrated to ~3500 m). Seventeen healthy young participants cycled for 20 min at a self‐selected power output corresponding to a hard effort (15/20, Borg scale) on an innovative cycle ergometer allowing immediate neuromuscular evaluation. Isometric maximum voluntary contraction of the knee extensors (IMVC), central (voluntary activation, VA) and peripheral fatigue were measured before and every 5 min during cycling. Power output, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), quadriceps oxygenation (near‐infrared spectroscopy, TSI) and pain were assessed throughout cycling. Power output was lower in BFR and SyH compared to NOR and ARM and was lower in BFR compared to SyH. SpO2 was reduced only in SyH (mean 77% ± 4%). In all conditions, IMVC decreased from minute 5 and subsequently plateaued (~−10% to −20%), except in BFR, wherein it further declined to −40% ± 14% at minute 20 in the presence of lowered VA and exacerbated muscle pain compared to other conditions. Muscle TSI was further decreased in SyH compared to other conditions. Our results confirm the inability of ARM to induce hypoxia. Compared to other conditions, BFR showed a greater reduction in IMVC and VA, in the presence of a higher quadriceps pain and no greater muscle deoxygenation. These results underline the psychophysiological impact of quadriceps pain on both maximal and submaximal motor output.
Characterisation of the Novel HLA‐A*29:200N Allele by Sequencing‐Based Typing
Authors: Pajot Thibault , Elsermans Vincent , Top Isabelle , Labalette Myriam
Published: February 2025

HLA‐A*29:200N differs from HLA‐A*29:02:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution in codon 255 in exon 4.
Proteomic reprogramming underlying anatomical and physiological characteristics of poplar wood in acclimation to changing light and nitrogen availabilities
Authors: Lu Yan , Deng Shurong , Wu Jiangting , Li Hong , Zhou Jing , Shi Wenguang , Fayyaz Payam , Luo Zhi‐Bin
Published: February 2025

To explore the proteomic regulation that underlies the physiological, anatomical, and chemical characteristics of wood in acclimation to changing light and nitrogen (N), saplings of Populus × canescens were treated with control or high irradiance in combination with low, control or high N for 4 months. High irradiance led to elevated levels of starch, sucrose, glucose, and fructose, decreased concentrations of ammonium, nitrate, most amino acids and total N, wider xylem, more xylem cell layers, narrower vessel lumina, longer fiber cells, greater fiber wall thickness, and more cellulose and hemicellulose but less lignin deposition in poplar wood. Limiting N resulted in increased levels of starch and sucrose, reduced levels of glucose, fructose, ammonium, nitrate, amino acids and total N, narrower xylem, fewer xylem cell layers, reduced vessel lumen diameter, thicker fiber walls, and less cellulose and more hemicellulose and lignin accumulation, whereas high N had the opposite effects on poplar wood. Correspondingly, numerous differentially abundant proteins, which are related mainly to the metabolism of carbohydrates and amino acids, cell division and expansion, and deposition of secondary cell walls, such as sucrose synthase 6 (SUS6), cell division cycle protein 48 (CDC48) and laccases (LACs), were identified in poplar cambiums in response to changes in light intensity and N availability. These results suggest that proteomic relays play essential roles in regulating the physiological characteristics and anatomical and chemical properties of poplar wood in acclimation to changing light and N availabilities.
Phosphate deficiency inducible OsGDPD5 affects root growth by regulating sugar‐auxin crosstalk
Authors: Verma Lokesh , Pandey Mandavi , Bhatia Chitra , Mehra Poonam , Singh Bhagat , Giri Jitender
Published: February 2025

Glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterases (GDPDs) enzymes are known to be involved in phospholipids degradation pathways, where glycerophosphodiesters are hydrolyzed to glycerol‐3‐phosphate (G3P) and corresponding alcohol. In plants, GDPDs are involved in phosphate deficiency adaptive responses and have been shown to impact root length, but the precise mechanism remains unclear. This study focuses on the rice GDPD5 gene and its role in regulating primary root growth. Our research demonstrates that OsGDPD5 encodes a functional GDPD enzyme and could hydrolyze glycerophosphocholine and glycerophosphorylethanolamine. At transcriptional levels, OsGDPD5 is preferentially expressed in the root tip and regulated by transcription factor OsPHR2. We have used CRISPR/Cas9 to generate OsGDPD5 knock‐out lines, allowing us to explore its role in root growth. Our findings show that osgdpd5 mutants had a shorter primary root, which could be restored to a normal level by the exogenous application of sugar or G3P. Further, knocking out OsGDPD5 alters endogenous levels of G3P and sugars, affecting auxin biosynthesis in the root and, ultimately, primary root growth. In this manner, OsGDPD5 has a crucial role in regulating physiological processes, specifically sugar and auxin signaling, which are known to be involved in root growth regulation in rice. Our research thus unraveled a link between rice phosphate deficiency‐responsive lipid remodeling and root growth via sugar‐hormone signaling.
Conformal classes of Lorentzian surfaces with Killing fields
Authors: Mounoud Pierre
Published: February 2025

We study the conformal classes of two‐dimensional Lorentzian tori with (nonzero) Killing fields. We define a map that associate to such a class a vector field on the circle (up to a scalar factor). This map is not injective but has finite‐dimensional fiber. It allows us to characterize the conformal classes of tori with Killing field satisfying a condition related to the existence of conjugate points given by Mehidi.
A Study on Dynamic Response and Stability of Conductor Pipe in Shallow-Water Field
Authors: Yang Jin , Abimbola Fatai Akorede , Adetowubo Adenike Yeside
Published: February 2025

Maintaining the vertical position of the conductor pipe during drilling and nondrilling operations remains a challenge in shallow-water fields. In Tianjin’s shallow-water field, a conductor pipe left for evacuation was found displaced on resumption for drilling operation. This prompts the need to address the problem by investigating the stability of the conductor pipe and to prevent its future occurrence. In this work, a governing equation is presented to study the mechanical behavior of a conductor pipe in a shallow-water field under the combined effect of soil, waves, current, and wind. The displacement response equation of the conductor pipe was solved numerically from which other responses were obtained. Various influencing factors such as internal fluid, top weight, and wall thickness are analyzed for the conductor pipe. Modal analysis carried out shows that the part of the conductor pipe in soil tends to vibrate for higher modes, thus threatening the stability of the conductor. Results show that significant displacement occurs for the conductor part in water, which indicates that the combination of waves and current on the conductor prevails over the top free-boundary condition effect. Analysis results also show that drilling mud of higher density in a conductor with applied top weight on it improves the stability of the conductor. The results have been validated using abaqus simulation.
Who Are We Excluding From Physical Activity Research? Examining the Potential for Exclusion Bias in Pedometer Data Processing
Authors: Smith Melody , Cavadino Alana , Narayanan Anantha
Published: February 2025

Background: Pedometers are a useful measure of physical activity (PA) but whether systematic bias exists when using differing inclusion criterion for pedometer-derived PA data is unknown. We undertake an exploration of previously published criteria for pedometer data cleaning and examine the impact of different inclusion criteria on sample size retention and participant exclusion by key sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: Data were drawn from a community survey in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Sociodemographic information and self-reported PA were collected via face-to-face surveys; participants were asked to wear a Yamax CW300 pedometer for 7 days. Analyses involved removing extreme outliers and determining minimum steps per day for inclusion, determining whether day 1 removal was required, examining risk of bias using different inclusion criteria, and examining convergent and concurrent validity of criteria with the lowest bias potential. Results: Pedometer data were available for 895 participants. A threshold of 100 steps/day was deemed appropriate to define a valid day. All days were correlated with each other; intraclass correlation coefficients were low and did not change meaningfully with removal of the first day of data. Participant retention reduced, and bias in participant inclusion increased, with increasing stringency of data inclusion criterion applied. Evidence for convergent and concurrent validity in the 2 models with the lowest risk of exclusion bias was demonstrated. Conclusion: Increasing stringency in pedometer data inclusion criteria can result in significant and biased loss of sample size. Clear reporting of data cleaning methods and rationale (including consideration of potential for bias) is needed in pedometer-based PA research.
Protein codes promote selective subcellular compartmentalization
Authors: Kilgore Henry R. , Chinn Itamar , Mikhael Peter G. , Mitnikov Ilan , Van Dongen Catherine , Zylberberg Guy , Afeyan Lena , Banani Salman F. , Wilson-Hawken Susana , Lee Tong Ihn , Barzilay Regina , Young Richard A.
Published: February 2025

Cells have evolved mechanisms to distribute ~10 billion protein molecules to subcellular compartments where diverse proteins involved in shared functions must assemble. Here, we demonstrate that proteins with shared functions share amino acid sequence codes that guide them to compartment destinations. A protein language model, ProtGPS, was developed that predicts with high performance the compartment localization of human proteins excluded from the training set. ProtGPS successfully guided generation of novel protein sequences that selectively assemble in the nucleolus. ProtGPS identified pathological mutations that change this code and lead to altered subcellular localization of proteins. Our results indicate that protein sequences contain not only a folding code, but also a previously unrecognized code governing their distribution to diverse subcellular compartments.
Disappearing landscapes: The Arctic at +2.7°C global warming
Authors: Stroeve Julienne C. , Notz Dirk , Dawson Jackie , Schuur Edward A. G. , Dahl-Jensen Dorthe , Giesse Céline
Published: February 2025

Under current nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, global warming is projected to reach 2.7°C above preindustrial levels. In this review, we show that at such a level of warming, the Arctic would be transformed beyond contemporary recognition: Virtually every day of the year would have air temperatures higher than preindustrial extremes, the Arctic Ocean would be essentially ice free for several months in summer, the area of Greenland that reaches melting temperatures for at least a month would roughly quadruple, and the area of permafrost would be roughly half of what it was in preindustrial times. These geophysical changes go along with widespread ecosystem disruptions and infrastructure damage, which, as we show here, could be substantially reduced by increased efforts to limit global warming.
Moisture-responsive root-branching pathways identified in diverse maize breeding germplasm
Authors: Scharwies Johannes D. , Clarke Taylor , Zheng Zihao , Dinneny Andrea , Birkeland Siri , Veltman Margaretha A. , Sturrock Craig J. , Banda Jason , Torres-Martínez Héctor H. , Viana Willian G. , Khare Ria , Kieber Joseph , Pandey Bipin K. , Bennett Malcolm , Schnable Patrick S. , Dinneny José R.
Published: February 2025

Plants grow complex root systems to extract unevenly distributed resources from soils. Spatial differences in soil moisture are perceived by root tips, leading to the patterning of new root branches toward available water in a process called hydropatterning. Little is known about hydropatterning behavior and its genetic basis in crop plants. Here, we developed an assay to measure hydropatterning in maize and revealed substantial differences between tropical/subtropical and temperate maize breeding germplasm that likely resulted from divergent selection. Genetic analysis of hydropatterning confirmed the regulatory role of auxin and revealed that the gaseous hormone ethylene locally inhibits root branching from air-exposed tissues. Our results demonstrate how distinct signaling pathways translate spatial patterns of water availability to developmental programs that determine root architecture.
Four-dimensional conserved topological charge vectors in plasmonic quasicrystals
Authors: Tsesses Shai , Dreher Pascal , Janoschka David , Neuhaus Alexander , Cohen Kobi , Meiler Tim C. , Bucher Tomer , Sapir Shay , Frank Bettina , Davis Timothy J. , Meyer zu Heringdorf Frank , Giessen Harald , Bartal Guy
Published: February 2025

According to Noether’s theorem, symmetries in a physical system are intertwined with conserved quantities. These symmetries often determine the system topology, which is made ever more complex with increased dimensionality. Quasicrystals have neither translational nor global rotational symmetry, yet they intrinsically inhabit a higher-dimensional space in which symmetry resurfaces. Here, we discovered topological charge vectors in four dimensions (4D) that govern the real-space topology of 2D quasicrystals and reveal their inherent conservation laws. We demonstrate control over the topology in pentagonal plasmonic quasilattices, mapped by both phase-resolved and time-domain near-field microscopy, showing that their temporal evolution continuously tunes the 2D projections of their distinct 4D topologies. Our work provides a route to experimentally probe the thermodynamic properties of quasicrystals and topological physics in 4D and above.
In Science Journals
Authors: Osborne Ian S. , Seale Madeleine , Simonti Corinne , Stern Peter , Nusinovich Yevgeniya , VanHook Annalisa M. , Isles Hannah M. , Ross Sarah H. , Jiang Di , Ash Caroline , Vignieri Sacha , Lavine Marc S. , Norton Melissa L.
Published: February 2025

Highlights from the
Science
family of journals
Indonesia’s new capital poses public health risks
Authors: Rochmyaningsih Dyna
Published: February 2025

Scientists worry about potential rise in malaria and insect-borne viral diseases
mSphere of Influence: Lighting up organellar communication in protozoan parasites
Authors: Huet Diego
Published: February 2025

Diego Huet works in molecular parasitology, focusing on the organellar biology of
Toxoplasma gondii
. In this mSphere of Influence article, he reflects on how the article “Efficient proximity labeling in living cells and organisms with turboID” (Branon et al., 2018) impacted his research and the strategies used to dissect inter-organellar interactions in
T. gondii
.
SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in lions, tigers, and hyenas at Denver Zoo
Authors: Gallichotte Emily N. , Bashor Laura , Erbeck Katelyn , Croft Lara , Stache Katelyn , Long Jessica , VandeWoude Sue , Johnson James C. , Pabilonia Kristy L. , Ebel Gregory D.
Published: February 2025

In late 2019, SARS-CoV-2 spilled over from an animal host into humans, where it efficiently spread, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. Through both natural and experimental infections, we learned that many animal species are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. Importantly, animals in close proximity to humans, including companion, farmed, and those at zoos and aquariums, became infected, and many studies demonstrated transmission to/from humans in these settings. In this study, we first review the literature of SARS-CoV-2 infections in tigers and lions and compare species, sex, age, virus and antibody detection assay, and types, frequency, and length of clinical signs, demonstrating broad heterogeneity among infections. We then describe a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in lions, tigers, and hyenas at Denver Zoo in late 2021. Animals were tested for viral RNA (vRNA) for 4 months. Lions had significantly more vRNA in nasal swabs than both tigers and hyenas, and many individual lions experienced viral recrudescence after weeks of undetectable vRNA. Infectious virus was correlated with high levels of vRNA and was more likely to be detected earlier during infection. Four months post-infection, all tested animals generated robust neutralizing antibody titers. Animals were infected with Delta lineage AY.20 identical to a variant circulating at less than 1% in Colorado humans at that time, suggesting a single spillover event from an infected human spread within and between species housed at the zoo. Better understanding of epidemiology and susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals is critical to limit the current and future spread and protect animal and human health.

IMPORTANCE

Surveillance and experimental testing have shown many animal species, including companion, wildlife, and conservatory, are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, big cats at zoological institutions were among the first documented cases of naturally infected animals; however, challenges in the ability to collect longitudinal samples in zoo animals have limited our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 kinetics and clearance in these settings. We measured SARS-CoV-2 infections over 4 months in lions, tigers, and hyenas at Denver Zoo and detected viral RNA, infectious virus, neutralizing antibodies, and recrudescence after initial clearance. We found lions had longer and higher levels of virus compared to the other species. All animals were infected by a rare viral lineage circulating in the human population, suggesting a single spillover followed by interspecies transmission. These data are important in better understanding natural SARS-CoV-2 spillover, spread, and infection kinetics within multiple species of zoo animals.
Understanding experiences of neglected tropical diseases of the skin: a mixed-methods study to inform intervention development in Ethiopia
Authors: Kaba Mirgissa , Hailemichael Yohannes , Alemu Abebaw Yeshambel , Cherkose Teklu , Kebebew Getachew , Kassa Fikregabrail Aberra , Ayana Galana Mamo , Nigusse Tedros , Engedawork Kibur , Begna Zenebu , Waday Abay , Mtuy Tara B , Lambert Saba , Halliday Katherine Elizabeth , Zuurmond Maria , Pullan Rachel L , Walker Stephen L , Pitt Catherine , Gadisa Endalamaw , Marks Michael , Palmer Jennifer
Published: February 2025

Background

The WHO and Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health have developed strategies to expand and integrate services for co-endemic neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) which manifest in the skin. To inform these strategies, we aimed to understand the social, economic and health system context of skin NTD care in Kalu woreda, Amhara region, Ethiopia, where cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and leprosy are endemic.

Methods

Between October 2020 and May 2022, we surveyed and reviewed records of 41 primary healthcare facilities and explored common disease experiences in focus group discussions (n=40) and interviews with people affected by leprosy (n=37) and CL (n=33), health workers (n=23), kebele authorities and opinion leaders (n=33) and traditional healers (n=7). Opportunities for integrated skin NTD service provision were explored through policy document review, interviews with health officials (n=25), and stakeholder meetings.

Results

Availability of diagnostic supplies and health worker competence to provide skin care was very limited across primary healthcare facilities, particularly for CL. People with leprosy commonly sought care from healthcare facilities, while people with CL administered self-care or sought help from traditional healers. Travel and costs of care at specialised facilities outside the district inhibited timely care-seeking for both diseases. Transmission discourses shaped different understandings of who was affected by leprosy and CL and expectations of behaviour during and after treatment. Many policy actors felt that existing supply chain interventions, decentralised treatment approaches and community engagement initiatives for leprosy could also benefit CL, but others also warned against increasing care-seeking unless CL treatment could be provided on a scale commensurate with the large burden they perceived.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate significant gaps in the provision of care for skin NTDs within primary healthcare, very different health-seeking patterns for leprosy and CL, and a need to develop new models of care, especially for CL.
Hepatic and renal functions of paediatric patients with thalassaemia: a cross-sectional study from two large thalassaemia centres in Sri Lanka
Authors: Wijenayake Wasana , Thennakoon Raveen , Pathiraja Hashan , Bandara Dayananda , De Silva Roshitha , Premawardhena Anuja , Fernando Meranthi , Mettananda Sachith
Published: February 2025

Objectives

Thalassaemia is a genetic disorder of haemoglobin synthesis characterised by life-long chronic anaemia. Although the endocrine and cardiac complications of thalassaemia are well-studied, hepatic and renal complications are understudied. This study aims to describe the hepatic and renal functions and to understand their determinants among paediatric patients with β-thalassaemia.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Two largest thalassaemia centres in Sri Lanka.

Participants

All haematologically confirmed patients with β-thalassaemia aged 1–16 years attending the study sites were recruited between 1 January and 31 March 2023. Data were collected by interviewing parents and patients, performing physical examinations and perusing clinical records.

Results

72 children (girls 52.8%) were recruited. The mean age was 7.3 years (SD 3.8). A majority (44 (61.1%)) had β-thalassaemia major, while 22 (30.6%) had haemoglobin E β-thalassaemia. 55 children (76.4%) were transfusion dependent. Hepatomegaly was found in 47 (65.3%), while 28 (38.9%) had elevations of both alanine and aspartate transaminases. Haemoglobin E β-thalassaemia type (OR 13.6, 95% CI 2.0 to 92, p=0.008) and high ferritin above 1000 ng/mL (OR 6.2, 95% CI 1.0 to 38, p=0.047) were independent factors associated with high transaminases. 11 (15.5%) patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) below 90 mL/min. The proportion of children with low eGFR was higher in β-thalassaemia major (23.3%), transfusion-dependent (18.5%) and deferasirox treatment (18.5%) groups.

Conclusions

Elevation of hepatic transaminases is common among children with thalassaemia, especially among the subset of patients with haemoglobin E β-thalassaemia and those with high ferritin. Milder reductions in eGFR are noted in some patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia major.
YEARS clinical decision rule for diagnosing pulmonary embolism: a prospective diagnostic cohort follow-up study in primary care
Authors: van Maanen Rosanne , la Roi-Teeuw Hannah M , Rutten Frans H , Nierman Melchior , Klok Frederikus A , Huisman Menno V , Egbers Tuur , Blom Jeanet , Moons Karel , Geersing Geert-Jan
Published: February 2025

Objectives

The Wells rule is often used in primary care to rule out pulmonary embolism (PE), but its efficiency is low as many referred patients do not have PE. In this study, we evaluated in primary care an alternative and potentially more efficient diagnostic strategy—the YEARS algorithm; a simplified three-item version of the Wells rule combined with a pretest probability adjusted D-dimer interpretation.

Design

In this comprehensive prospective diagnostic validation study, primary care patients suspected of PE were enrolled by their general practitioner. All three YEARS items were collected in addition to D-dimer results, and patients were followed for 3 months to establish the final diagnosis.

Setting

Primary care in the Netherlands.

Participants

753 patients with suspected acute PE were included. Five patients (0.7%) were lost to follow-up.

Main outcome measures

Failure rate (number of PE cases among patients classified by the algorithm as ‘PE ruled-out’) and efficiency (fraction of patients classified as ‘PE probable/further imaging needed’).

Results

Prevalence of PE was 5.5% (41/748 patients). In total, 603 patients were classified as ‘PE ruled-out’ by the YEARS algorithm (532 with zero YEARS items and a D-dimer<1000 ng/mL and 71 with≥1 positive YEARS item and a D-dimer<500 ng/mL), resulting in an efficiency of 80.6% (603/748 patients, 95% CI 77.6% to 83.4%). Of these patients, three patients had a diagnosis of non-fatal PE during 3 months follow-up, all three with zero YEARS items and D-dimer between 500 and 1000 ng/mL, resulting in an overall diagnostic failure rate of 0.50% (3/603 patients, 95% CI 0.13% to 1.57%). In the patients categorised as ‘imaging needed’ (n=145), a total of 38 (26.2%) were indeed diagnosed with PE.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that acute PE can be safely ruled out in 80% of patients by the YEARS algorithm in a primary care setting, while only 20% of patients required referral to hospital care for imaging tests. In those classified as ‘imaging needed’, PE was present in about one in every four patients, demonstrating a high detection proportion.
Effect of prenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation on birth weight in Ethiopia: protocol for a pragmatic cluster-randomised trial
Authors: Marchant Tanya , Alemayehu Senait , Asfaw Elias , Daba Alemneh Kabeta , Defar Atkure , Opondo Charles , Persson Lars Ake , Schellenberg Joanna , Taye Girum , Tesfa Anene , Tessema Bedasa , Zenebe Kalkidan , Tessema Masresha
Published: February 2025

Introduction

This programme effectiveness study responds to the need for evidence of the effect on birth weight of switching from iron-folic acid supplementation to multiple micronutrient supplementation as part of routine antenatal care in Ethiopia. A 2019 meta-analysis reported a mean increase of 35 g in birth weight among newborns of women who took multiple micronutrient supplements in pregnancy compared with those who took iron-folic acid. Responding to that evidence, the government of Ethiopia decided to implement a 21 district pilot of the use of multiple micronutrient supplementation in routine antenatal care and requested an evaluation of implementation outcomes, including on birth weight.

Methods and analysis

A pragmatic, facility-based, randomised trial is being conducted in 42 districts over five regions of Ethiopia between January 2023 and December 2024. Districts have been randomised to one of the two arms, either to retain iron-folic acid supplementation as part of routine antenatal care or switch to multiple micronutrient supplementation. During the study period, the birth weights of all eligible babies born in enrolled health facilities in these 42 districts are continuously recorded alongside data on maternal receipt and use of either multiple micronutrient or iron-folic acid supplementation. We hypothesise that newborns of women resident in the 21 multiple micronutrient supplementation districts will have higher mean birth weight than newborns of women resident in the 21 iron-folic acid supplementation districts. Facility surveys involving pregnant women and healthcare workers at baseline, midline and endline contribute to a process evaluation and cost and cost-effectiveness evaluation.

Ethics and dissemination

The study received ethical approval from the review boards at the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI-IRB-455-2022) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM ref 28021). Results from this pragmatic trial will be used by the government of Ethiopia in assessing success of the multiple-micronutrient supplements pilot and for decision making about subsequent scale-up. Dissemination of findings will also inform global decision making, particularly in settings where a transition from iron-folic acid to multiple micronutrient supplementation is being contemplated at scale.

Trial registration number

NCT05708183.
The REpeated ASSEssment of SurvivorS in intracerebral haemorrhage: protocol for a multicentre, prospective observational study
Authors: Ziai Wendy , Woo Daniel , Sansing Lauren , Hanley Daniel , Ostapkovich Noeleen , Triene Kevin , Gilkerson Lee A , Thompson Richard , Walborn Nathan , Lane Karen , McBee Nichol , Langefeld Carl D , Howard Timothy David , Vagal Achala , Flaherty Matthew L
Published: February 2025

Background

The REpeated ASSEssment of SurvivorS (REASSESS) study will conduct long-term cognitive, functional and neuropsychiatric performance assessments to determine whether evacuation of spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) reduces the risk of later cognitive decline in the ageing brain.

Methods and analysis

This study will compare rates of cognitive decline under two treatment strategies for ICH. The first strategy is the use of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) with similar techniques as performed in (1) the Minimally Invasive Surgery plus rt-PA in the Treatment of Intracerebral haemorrhage Evacuation phase III (MISTIE III) trial, (2) the Early MiNimally-invasive Removal of IntraCerebral Haemorrhage (ENRICH) trial and (3) a single-centre cohort of consecutively treated patients with MIS. The second strategy is the current non-surgical standard of care using data from controls in MISTIE III and ENRICH and comparative data from The Ethnic/Racial Variations of ICH (ERICH) studyextended into the ERICH-Longitudinal study, which followed over 900 of ERICH cases with serial cognitive examinations. If successful, the REASSESS study could demonstrate that reduction of ICH volume is a critical target to reduce the risk of progressive cognitive decline, establish targets for residual haematoma volume reduction and determine if greater residual haematoma volume leads to a long-term inflammatory state.

Ethics and dissemination

Approval of this study was obtained from the Johns Hopkins University Institutional Review Board (IRB00311985). The findings of the study will be published in academic peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT05611918; ClinicalTrials.gov; registered on 23 May 2023.