bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prior overt hepatic encephalopathy and hyponatremia are more strongly linked to recent driving accidents than measures of minimal hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: Roy Akash , Bhattad Utkarsh , Ranjan Vivek , Chakraborty Shardhya , Tewari Awanish , Sonthalia Nikhil , Ghoshal Uday Chand , Goenka Mahesh K.
Published: February 2025

Background

Cognitive impairment in cirrhosis is driven by multiple influencers. Those with cognitive impairment have greater traffic accidents and violations. While the presence of minimal hepatic encephalopathy has been associated with poor driving skills, studies show conflicting results and variable associations with regard to accidents.

Methods

In a prospective study of stable outpatients with cirrhosis without a recent history of overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) (<3 months), we assessed, the overall practice of driving, recent (<1 month) self-reported accidents, and factors associated with driving accidents.

Results

Of 433 patients, 147 (33.9%) [age, 55 (46–61) years, 97.9% males, 29.9% alcohol-related, 13.6% prior OHE, MELD 11 (10–16), lactulose use 45.5%, rifaximin use 23.1%] reported recent driving (≤1 month), of whom 22 (14.9%) had recent driving accidents. Those with reported accidents had a higher history of prior OHE (31.8 vs. 10.5%, P < 0.05) and lower sodium [131 (129–134) vs. 134 (132–138), P < 0.05]. Psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) [−5.5 (−4 to −9), vs. −4 (−3 to −7), P = 0.10], alcohol as an etiology (22.7 vs. 31.2%, P = 0.68), MELD [12.5 (10–17) vs. 11 (9.7–16), P = 0.36], animal naming test [18 (16–23) vs. 18 (15–22), P = 0.35], outpatient fasting ammonia [93 (63.7–121.5) vs. 81 (67.2–96.2), P = 0.43] were similar. On univariate analysis, prior OHE, sodium levels and PHES [odds ratio (OR): 0.87 (0.75–1.0), P = 0.09], and animal naming test [OR: 0.89 (0.76–1.04), P = 0.10)] showed a trend of association, while on multivariable analysis only prior OHE [adjusted OR: 3.48 (1.07–10.74), P = 0.03] and sodium levels [adjusted OR: 0.89 (0.79–0.99), P = 0.03] were associated with recent driving accidents [model AUC (prior OHE + Na≤130), 0.70 (0.62–0.77)].

Conclusion

In stable outpatients with cirrhosis, a remote history of OHE and hyponatremia are most strongly associated with recent driving accidents.
Gastrointestinal bleeding in long-distance runners: a systematic review
Authors: Vujasinovic Miroslav , Omae Masami , Panic Nikola , Fjellgren Eva , Bloch Nina , Kikec Zdenko , Grasselli Marko , Lindberg Greger , Löhr Johannes-Matthias , Baldaque-Silva Francisco
Published: February 2025

Objective

Long-distance running has become increasingly popular in recent decades all over the world. Besides musculoskeletal injuries, gastrointestinal (GI) complaints are also very common in athletes.

Methods

A systematic search limited to articles in the English language was performed to identify studies on GI bleeding in long-distance runners. The primary outcomes were the incidence and outcome of overt and occult GI bleeding in long-distance runners.

Results

A total of 51 articles were included in the final analysis. We found 22 articles reporting 36 cases of overt GI bleeding in long-distance runners. GI bleeding has been reported as a cause of death in one patient. Conservative treatment was used in most of the cases, and surgery was performed on four patients. We found 22 articles (759 runners included) related to occult GI bleeding and seven articles (6671 runners included) related to occult GI bleeding, based on questionnaire-based surveys.

Conclusion

Gastrointestinal bleeding may occur in long-distance runners, highlighting the need for further investigation into this issue. It is essential to conduct well-designed prospective studies on this topic, preferably using noninvasive diagnostic methods, such as capsule panendoscopy, to improve our understanding and management of this condition.
Global trends and disparities in gallbladder and biliary tract cancers: insights from the global burden of disease study 2021
Authors: Zhao Zhifeng , Wu Haoyu , Han Jun , Jiang Kai
Published: February 2025

Background

Gallbladder and biliary tract cancers (GBC and BTC) are highly malignant, with poor prognoses and substantial regional variability in the disease burden. Although advances in medical science have improved outcomes in high-income regions, low- and middle-income regions continue to face rising incidence and mortality rates owing to delayed detection and treatment. Understanding the global trends and risk factors of GBC and BTC is essential for targeted interventions to reduce disease burden.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of GBC and BTC was conducted using the 2021 Global Burden of Disease study. Data from 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2021 were analyzed for incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years stratified by age, sex, and sociodemographic index (SDI). Trends were quantified using age-standardized rates and estimated annual percentage changes.

Results

In 2021, 216,768 new cases and 171,961 deaths were reported globally, with age-standardized incidence and mortality rates of 2.6 and 2.0 per 100,000, respectively. The high-income Asia-Pacific and Latin American regions exhibited the highest disease burdens. While global age-standardized rates declined estimated annual percentage changes for incidence: −0.44; mortality: −0.97), low-SDI regions experienced increases. High BMI emerged as the leading risk factor, contributing to 12% of the disability-adjusted life years. Projections indicate a stable incidence but rising mortality by 2036.

Conclusion

Although the global age-standardized rates of GBC and BTC are decreasing, disparities persist, with low-SDI regions experiencing increasing burdens. Targeted interventions addressing modifiable risk factors such as obesity, along with improved healthcare infrastructure and early detection, are critical for mitigating this global health challenge.
Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in adult coeliac disease at diagnosis and during follow-up: a 20-year retrospective study
Authors: Maimaris Stiliano , Mangili Lorenza , Minerba Paolo , Massetti Giulio , Scarcella Chiara , Schiepatti Annalisa , Biagi Federico
Published: February 2025

Objective

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is commonly reported in coeliac disease (CD). However, long-term data on GORD in coeliac patients on a gluten-free diet (GFD) are lacking. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of GORD and endoscopic lesions in coeliac patients at diagnosis and throughout follow-up.

Methods

Adult patients directly diagnosed with CD from January 2000 to October 2021 who underwent follow-up duodenal biopsy were enrolled. Clinical data were retrospectively collected and analysed.

Results

A total of 197 patients (141 F, mean age at diagnosis 36 ± 13 years) were studied. At diagnosis, 33/197 (16.8%) had reflux symptoms and 12/197 (6.1%) had oesophagitis. Only 7/33 (21.9%) still had reflux symptoms at follow-up duodenal biopsy (median 16 months, interquartile range: 13–20). Conversely, 7/164 (4.3%) patients without GORD at diagnosis developed reflux symptoms after starting a GFD. Overall, GORD was significantly more common at diagnosis of CD than at follow-up duodenal biopsy (P < 0.01), where only five had oesophagitis. GFD adherence was good in 90.4% and duodenal biopsy showed recovery of villous atrophy in 83.8% of patients. Neither GFD adherence (P = 1.00) nor mucosal recovery (P = 0.13) were related to GORD at follow-up biopsy. During follow-up (median 111 months), 41/197 patients (20.8%) reported ongoing reflux symptoms, more commonly in those with GORD at CD diagnosis (42.4% vs. 16.5%, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

GORD is common in coeliac patients at diagnosis and improves in the large majority of patients after starting a GFD. However, a minority of patients develop GORD after starting a GFD, and ongoing reflux symptoms are common during long-term follow-up in coeliac patients.
Risk of breast cancer in assisted reproduction technology: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Guo Zijie , Zhu Ziyu , Luo Mingpeng , Lin Xixi , Wu Qingliang , Wang Linbo , Zhou Jichun
Published: February 2025

Introduction:

Presently, there is a growing popularity of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Nevertheless, due to the significant fluctuations in reproductive hormone levels observed in patients receiving this novel technology, concerns have been raised regarding the potential increased risk of breast cancer associated with this treatment. The outcomes of pertinent clinical investigations exhibit significant disparities, leading to a lack of consensus regarding the association between ART and susceptibility to breast cancer. The primary objective of this study is to systematically evaluate the impact of ART on the risk of breast cancer.

Method and Analysis:

The study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis and Meta-analysis Guidelines for Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. Researchers conducted an extensive electronic search across databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, encompassing all articles published over the last two decades (from January 2003 to December 2023). Two independent researchers meticulously examined the titles and abstracts of the literature based on predetermined inclusion criteria and research qualifications. Through collaborative deliberation, they identified the literature to be incorporated in the following analysis. Researchers will extract data in accordance with predetermined tables and perform quality assessments and implement bias control measures for each literature. Researchers will conduct a meta-analysis based on the extracted data to assess the overall risk and subgroup risks. The analysis will employ the odds ratio as the summary statistic and will use fixed or random effects models for estimation.

Ethics and Dissemination:

The findings of this systematic review will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentation at international medical conferences, with the aim of reaching both medical professionals and the general public. As this study constitutes a systematic review, ethical approval is not required.
Comparison of outcomes of arterial end-to-side versus end-to-end anastomosis in autologous deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction: DIEP-ES study protocol
Authors: Didzun Oliver , Panayi Adriana C. , Ghanad Iman , Osenegg Sophie , Siegwart Laura , Gazyakan Emre , Vollbach Felix , Kneser Ulrich , Bigdeli Amir K.
Published: February 2025

Background:

End-to-end anastomosis to the internal mammary artery (IMA) is the current standard anastomosis technique for women undergoing autologous breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap. This approach fails to preserve the length of the IMA, compromising its availability for cardiac surgery use in women who develop coronary heart disease. A viable alternative may be end-to-side anastomosis, but data on its feasibility is currently lacking.

Methods:

This pilot study will involve 60 patients at a single-center institute over approximately 24 months. Inclusion criteria are female sex, age >18 years, history of breast cancer, and eligibility for unilateral autologous DIEP breast reconstruction. Exclusion criteria include patients with a legal guardian, inability to consent, and history of blood clotting disorders or hypercoagulability. Data will be collected at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1-year post-surgery. The primary outcome is “major complication” of the recipient site, including anastomotic insufficiency, arterial thrombosis, hematoma, reoperation, or flap loss. Secondary outcomes are abdominal perfusion and major donor site complications, such as wound healing disorders. Patient satisfaction will be assessed using the SF-36 and BREAST-Q (reconstructive module) questionnaires.

Study status:

The DIEP-ES study has begun enrolment in February 2023. As this is an ongoing trial, no results have been gathered yet. The results will be reported upon completion of the study. We anticipate that the primary and secondary outcomes of the end-to-side approach will be comparable to the accepted standard of care, i.e., end-to-end anastomoses.

Conclusions:

End-to-side anastomosis may be a safe alternative for DIEP breast reconstruction, especially for patients at risk for coronary heart disease. This pilot study aims to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the end-to-side anastomosis technique in DIEP-flap breast reconstruction. The preliminary findings will inform the design of future multicentric trials to confirm the efficacy of this approach.
Electroacupuncture preconditioning alleviates cortical neuronal injury in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion by rebalancing HES1 and NF-κB expression
Authors: Zhang Yegui , Wang Jisheng , Huang Shi , Liu Min , Zhao Yingdi , Xu Zhiliang , Zhu Xiuling
Published: February 2025

The roles of Hairy Enhancer of Split 1 (HES1) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in neuronal injury following cerebral ischemia have been well established. However, the relationship between electroacupuncture preconditioning-induced neuroprotection and these signaling pathways remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of electroacupuncture pretreatment on the expression of HES1 and NF-κB in the cortex of rats subjected to cerebral ischemia/reperfusion and to explore the underlying mechanisms. A total of 36 male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized into three groups: sham, model, and electroacupuncture pretreatment (n = 12 per group). Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion was induced using the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) method. Rats in the electroacupuncture group received daily electroacupuncture stimulation at ‘Baihui’ and ‘Dazhui’ acupoints 1 week prior to MCAO. Neurological function scores, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining for cerebral infarction, Nissl staining for neuronal cell survival, and immunohistochemical detection of HES1 and NF-κB expression in the cerebral cortex were assessed. Compared to the sham group, the model group exhibited significant neurological deficits, extensive cerebral infarction, decreased neuronal survival, and increased expression of HES1 and NF-κB (P < 0.01). In contrast, electroacupuncture pretreatment significantly improved neurological function scores (P < 0.01), reduced cerebral infarction (P < 0.01), increased neuronal survival (P < 0.05), and decreased the expression of HES1 and NF-κB (P < 0.01). These findings suggest that electroacupuncture preconditioning may mitigate brain injury in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion rats by downregulating the expression of HES1 and NF-κB, thereby reducing inflammatory damage and enhancing cerebral ischemia tolerance.
The effects of test on associative memory depend on semantic relevancy levels: evidence of event-related potentials
Authors: Geng Wenting , Wang Yan , Liu Xintong , Yan Chunping , Zhang Yunbing , Gao Tian
Published: February 2025

This study aims to investigate how the level of semantic relevance influences the effects of test on associative memory through bottom-up cognitive processes. This study manipulated the levels of semantic relevancy using synonym and nonsynonym pairs in a three-phase testing effect paradigm (an initial encoding phase, a cued-recall test as retrieval practice, and a final test phase) to explore the effects of testing effect and semantic relevancy on associative recognition by bottom-up processes using the event-related potential (ERP). The behavioral results suggested that the test practice (relative to the restudy) significantly facilitated memory retrieval in high semantic relevancy pairs during the final test phase. The ERP results showed that the testing effect tended toward right laterality over time in the retrieval practice phase. Moreover, test practice (relative to the restudy) significantly enhanced FN400 for high semantic relevancy and intact pairs and significantly enhanced FN400 and late positive complex for high semantic relevancy and rearranged pairs in the final test phase. These results suggest that the test practice provided a greater boost in memory encoding and retrieval for high semantic relevancy items. Specifically, the effects of test on associative memory is modulated by the level of semantic relevancy.
Electroacupuncture regulates FTO/Nrf2/NLRP3 axis-mediated pyroptosis in cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury
Authors: Li Chenglong , Ji Haisheng , Mao Wei , Zhang Lida , Tong Tingting , Wang Junli , Cai Liyuan , Wang Hai , Sun Tingting , Yi Hu , Li Shijun , Tu Ying , Zhang Junyu , Wang Haitao , Wu Haiyang , Han Wei , Wang Ying
Published: February 2025

Electroacupuncture (EA) demonstrates neuroprotective in cerebral ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is found to contribute to the pathogenesis of neurological conditions recently. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of EA on m6A and related mechanism in cerebral I/R injury. After the middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) operation was used to establish rat models with cerebral I/R injury, EA was applied to Baihui (GV20) and Dazhui (GV14) once daily for 7 consecutive days. Subsequently, the modified Neurological Severity Score, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, and hematoxylin and eosin staining were performed to assess the neurological damage. To investigate the potential target, the total RNA m6A level and relevant regulators (METTL3, METTL14, WTAP, FTO, and ALKBH5) were examined. In the next step, FTO, Nrf2, NLRP3, IL-18, IL-1β, and TUNEL-positive rates were detected, while the shRNA-FTO was administered to suppress FTO expression. EA improved neurobehavioral disorders, infarct volume, and pathological damage induced by cerebral I/R injury. Mechanically, EA reduced the total RNA m6A level by selectively regulating FTO, but not METTL3, METTL14, WTAP, and ALKBH5. Furthermore, EA could enhance Nrf2 and suppress NLRP3, IL-18, IL-1β, and TUNEL-positive rates, which was reversed by the shRNA-FTO injection. Our findings indicate that EA may alleviate FTO/Nrf2/NLRP3 axis-mediated pyroptosis in cerebral I/R injury, providing a more unified understanding of the neuroprotective effects of EA. Specifically, EA intervention appears to promote the expression of FTO, leading to a reduction of m6A level, which activates Nrf2 and subsequently suppresses NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis.
Reading Yule in light of the history and present of macroevolution
Authors: Pennell Matt , MacPherson Ailene
Published: February 2025

Yule’s 1925 paper introducing the branching model that bears his name was a landmark contribution to the biodiversity sciences. In his paper, Yule developed stochastic models to explain the observed distribution of species across genera and to test hypotheses about the relationship between clade age, diversity and geographic range. Here, we discuss the intellectual context in which Yule produced this work, highlight Yule’s key mathematical and conceptual contributions using both his and more modern derivations and critically examine some of the assumptions of his work through a modern lens. We then document the strange trajectory of his work through the history of macroevolutionary thought and discuss how the fundamental challenges he grappled with—such as defining higher taxa, linking microevolutionary population dynamics to macroevolutionary rates, and accounting for inconsistent taxonomic practices—remain with us a century later.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘"A mathematical theory of evolution": phylogenetic models dating back 100 years’.
Ages, sizes and (trees within) trees of taxa and of urns, from Yule to today
Authors: Lambert Amaury
Published: February 2025

The paper written in 1925 by G. Udny Yule that we celebrate in this special issue introduces several novelties and results that we recall in detail. First, we discuss Yule’s (1925)main legacies over the past century, focusing on empirical frequency distributions with heavy tails and random tree models for phylogenies. We estimate the year when Yule’s work was re-discovered by scientists interested in stochastic processes of population growth (1948) and the year from which it began to be cited (1951, Yule’s death). We highlight overlooked aspects of Yule’s work (e.g. the Yule process of Yule processes) and correct some common misattributions (e.g. the Yule tree). Second, we generalize Yule’s results on the average frequency of genera of a given age and size (number of species). We show that his formula also applies to the age

A

and size

S

of any randomly chosen genus and that the pairs

(

A
i

,

S
i

)

are equally distributed and independent across genera. This property extends to triples

(

H
i

,

A
i

,

S
i

)

, where

(

H
i

)

are the coalescence times of the genus phylogeny, even when species diversification within genera follows any integer-valued process, including species extinctions. Studying

(
A
,
S
)

in this broader context allows us to identify cases where

S

has a power-law tail distribution, with new applications to urn schemes.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘“A mathematical theory of evolution”: phylogenetic models dating back 100 years’.
Labelled histories with multifurcation and simultaneity
Authors: Dickey Emily H. , Rosenberg Noah A.
Published: February 2025

In mathematical models of phylogenetic trees evolving in time, a labelled history for a rooted labelled bifurcating tree is a temporal sequence of the branchings that give rise to the tree. That is, given a leaf-labelled tree with

n

leaves and

n
−

1

internal nodes, a labelled history is an identification between the internal nodes and the set

{
1
,
2
,
…
,
n
−
1
}

, such that the label assigned to a given node is strictly greater than the labels assigned to its descendants. We generalize the concept of labelled histories to

r

-furcating trees. Consider a rooted labelled tree in which each internal node has exactly

r

children,

r
≥

2

. We first generalize the enumeration of labelled histories for a bifurcating tree (

r
=

2

) to enumerate labelled histories for an

r

-furcating tree with arbitrary

r
≥

2

. We formulate a conjecture for the rooted unlabelled

r

-furcating tree shape on

n

internal nodes whose labelled topologies have the most labelled histories. Finally, we enumerate labelled histories for

r

-furcating trees in a setting that allows for simultaneous branchings. These results advance mathematical phylogenetic modelling by extending computations concerning fundamental features of bifurcating phylogenetic trees to a more general class of multifurcating trees.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘“A mathematical theory of evolution”: phylogenetic models dating back 100 years’.
Neutral phylogenetic models and their role in tree-based biodiversity measures
Authors: Steel Mike
Published: February 2025

A wide variety of stochastic models of cladogenesis (based on speciation and extinction) lead to an identical distribution on phylogenetic tree shapes once the edge lengths are ignored. By contrast, the distribution of the tree’s edge lengths is generally quite sensitive to the underlying model. In this paper, we review the impact of different model choices on tree shape and edge length distribution, and its impact for studying the properties of phylogenetic diversity (PD) as a measure of biodiversity, and the loss of PD as species become extinct at the present. We also compare PD with a stochastic model of feature diversity, and investigate some mathematical links and inequalities between these two measures plus their predictions concerning the loss of biodiversity under extinction at the present.

This article is part of the theme issue “‘A mathematical theory of evolution”: phylogenetic models dating back 100 years’.
Fossils improve extinction-rate estimates under state-dependent diversification models
Authors: do Rosario Petrucci Bruno , May Michael R. , Heath Tracy A.
Published: February 2025

The effect of traits on diversification rates is a major topic of study in the fields of evolutionary biology and palaeontology. Many researchers investigating these macroevolutionary questions currently make use of the extensive suite of state-dependent speciation and extinction (SSE) models. These models were developed for, and are almost exclusively used with, phylogenetic trees of extant species. However, analyses considering only extant taxa are limited in their power to estimate extinction rates. Furthermore, SSE models can erroneously detect associations between neutral traits and diversification rates when the true associated trait is not observed. In this study, we examined the impact of including fossil data on the accuracy of parameter estimates under the binary-state speciation and extinction (BiSSE) model. This was achieved by combining SSE models with the fossilized birth–death process. We show that the inclusion of fossils improves the accuracy of extinction-rate estimates for analyses applying the BiSSE model in a Bayesian inference framework, with no negative impact on speciation-rate and state transition-rate estimates when compared with estimates from trees of only extant taxa. However, even with the addition of fossil data, analyses under the BiSSE model continued to incorrectly identify correlations between diversification rates and neutral traits.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘“A mathematical theory of evolution”: phylogenetic models dating back 100 years’.
Genomic and transcriptomic insights into the virulence and adaptation of shock syndrome-causing Streptococcus anginosus
Authors: Lin Yu-Juan , Chen Chih-Ho , Chang Ian Yi-Feng , Chiang Ruei-Lin , Wang Hsing-Yi , Chiu Cheng-Hsun , Chen Yi-Ywan M.
Published: February 2025

Streptococcus anginosus is a common isolate of the oral cavity and an opportunistic pathogen for systemic infections. Although the pyogenic infections caused by S. anginosus are similar to those caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, S. anginosus lacks most of the well-characterized virulence factors of S. pyogenes. To investigate the pathogenicity of S. anginosus, we analysed the genome of a newly identified S. anginosus strain, KH1, which was associated with toxic shock-like syndrome in an immunocompetent adolescent. The genome of KH1 contains nine genomic islands, two Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated systems and many phage-related proteins, indicating that the genome is influenced by prophages and horizontal gene transfer. Comparative genome analysis of 355 S. anginosus strains revealed a significant difference between the sizes of the pan genome and core genome, reflecting notable strain variations. We further analysed the transcriptomes of KH1 under conditions mimicking either the oral cavity or the bloodstream. We found that in an artificial saliva medium, the expression of a putative quorum quenching system and pyruvate oxidase for H2O2 production was upregulated, which could optimize the competitiveness of S. anginosus in the oral ecosystem. Conversely, in a modified serum medium, purine and glucan biosynthesis, competence and bacteriocin production were significantly upregulated, likely facilitating the survival of KH1 in the bloodstream. These findings indicate that S. anginosus can utilize diverse mechanisms to adapt to different environmental niches and establish infection, despite its lack of toxin production.
Amoebic gill disease (AGD) in Atlantic salmon investigated through a holo-omic lens
Authors: Thormar Eiríkur Andri , Fraslin Clémence , Limborg Morten T. , Robledo Diego
Published: February 2025

Interactions between host genetics and the resident microbiota are complex. Understanding these interactions offers interesting alternatives for addressing gill health and disease resistance in salmonids. Amoebic gill disease (AGD), caused byNeoparamoeba perurans,remains a threat to Atlantic salmon, particularly in aquaculture settings where prevention and treatment options are scant. Selective breeding or genetic engineering towards increased AGD resilience present viable prevention strategies. While a number of studies have addressed AGD resistance in Atlantic salmon using transcriptomic and quantitative genetic approaches, the role of the Atlantic salmon gill microbiota in influencing AGD resilience and susceptibility needs further investigation. Addressing this, we leveraged a holo-omic approach using 16S rRNA bacterial profiling, and quantitative genetics, by considering the microbiota as an extended resistance trait of the salmon. We investigated the microbiota of AGD challenged Atlantic salmon in terms of two common resistance indicator traits: gill score and amoebic load. Subsequently we performed a GWAS using both the traditional indicator traits and traits of the microbiota. We found that the gill microbiota of the AGD affected salmon in this study was dominated by two bacterial familiesSimkaniaceaeandArcobacteracea. We found that microbial diversity and the relative abundance ofSimkaniaceae,potentially derived from the amoeba, varied moderately with indicator traits. Additionally we identified several genomic regions that showed suggestive association with gill score and traits of the microbiota, and explored potential candidate genes for AGD resistance. Although much is still unclear regarding gill microbiota dynamics in gill disease, this study highlights the potential of addressing AGD through an integrative approach that considers the interplay between host genetics, the microbiota, and their roles in disease resistance.
Measurement Quality Metrics to Improve Absolute Microbial Cell Counting
Authors: Parratt K. , Newton D. , Dunkers J. , Dootz J. , Hunter M. , Logan-Jackson A. , Pierce L. , Sarkar S. , Servetas S. , Lin NJ.
Published: February 2025

Total and viable microbial cell counts are increasingly important for applications including live biotherapeutic products, food safety, and probiotics. In microbiology, cells are quantified using methods such as colony forming unit (CFU), flow cytometry, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), but different methods measure different aspects of the cells (measurands), and results may not be directly comparable across methods. In the absence of a ground-truth reference material for cell count, one cannot quantify the accuracy of any cell counting method, which limits method performance assessments and comparisons. Herein, a modified analysis of cell counting methods based on the ISO 20391-2:2019 standard was developed and demonstrated for microbial cell samples diluted over a log-scale range of concentrations.Escherichia colisamples ranging in concentration from approximately 5 × 105cells/mL to 2 × 107cells/mL were quantified using CFU, Coulter principle, fluorescence flow cytometry, and impedance flow cytometry. Quality metrics modified from the ISO standard were calculated for each method and shown to be repeatable across replicate experiments. The quality metrics illustrate large differences in proportionality and variability across methods, with total cell counts in good agreement and viable cell count having more variability. As the ISO standard is meant to guide fit-for-purpose method selection, interpretation of the results and quality metrics can drive method choice and optimization. The framework introduced here will help researchers select fit-for-purpose counting methods for quantification of microbial total and viable cells across a range of applications.
Human newborns form musical predictions based on rhythmic but not melodic structure
Authors: Bianco R. , Tóth B. , Bigand F. , Nguyen T. , Sziller I. , Háden G.P. , Winkler I. , Novembre G.
Published: February 2025

The ability to anticipate rhythmic and melodic structures in music is considered a fundamental human trait, present across all cultures and predating linguistic comprehension in human development. Yet, it remains unclear the extent to which this ability is already developed at birth.

Here, we used temporal response functions to assess rhythmic and melodic neural encoding in newborns (N = 49) exposed to classical monophonic musical pieces (real condition) and control stimuli with shuffled tones and inter-onset intervals (shuffled condition). We computationally quantified context-based rhythmic and melodic expectations and dissociated these high-level processes from low-level acoustic tracking, such as local changes in timing and pitch.

We observed encoding of probabilisticrhythmicexpectations only in response to real but not shuffled music. This proves newborns’ ability to rely on rhythmic statistical regularities to generate musical expectations. We found no evidence for the tracking ofmelodicinformation demonstrating a downweighing of this dimension compared to the rhythmic one.

This study provides neurophysiological evidence that the capacity to track statistical regularities in music is present at birth and driven by rhythm. Melodic tracking, in contrast, may receive more weight through development with exposure to signals relevant to communication, such as speech and music.

Significance

Perception and appreciation of music stem from humans’ universal ability to track sequential pitch and timing variations, forming musical melodies and rhythms. To investigate the neurobiological origins of this capacity, we measured neural encoding of rhythm and melody in newborns listening to naturalistic music. We demonstrate a precocious ability to track high-level rhythmic statistical regularities beyond low-level acoustic features. Conversely, melodic tracking is virtually absent at birth, likely emerging with later exposure to pitch-varying signals such as speech and music. This reveals that newborns gradually rely on different sound dimensions to start making sense of the auditory environment. While rhythm and melody are both universal components of music, they do not emerge in parallel but instead develop along distinct timelines.
Helicity amplitudes in massless QED to higher orders in the dimensional regulator
Authors: Dave Thomas , Torres Bobadilla William J.
Published: February 2025

We analytically calculate one- and two-loop helicity amplitudes in massless QED, by adopting a four-dimensional tensor decomposition. We draw our attention to four-fermion and Compton scattering processes to higher orders in the dimensional regulator, as required for theoretical predictions at N3LO. We organize loop amplitudes by proposing an efficient algorithm at integrand level to group Feynman graphs into integral families. We study the singular structure of these amplitudes and discuss the correspondence between QED and QCD processes. We present our results in terms of generalized polylogarithms up to transcendental weight six.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Black holes and naked singularities in four dimensional dS and AdS Chamseddine gravity
Authors: Cvetković B. , Simić D.
Published: February 2025

We analyze solutions of Chamseddine’s topological gravity in four-dimensional spacetime and discover various black hole solutions, with and without torsion, as well as solutions that describe naked singularities. Since all the solutions belong to the sector with vanishing scalar fields, they share the peculiar trait that all conserved charges are zero.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Lattice QCD Calculation of the Subtraction Function in Forward Compton Amplitude
Authors: Fu Yang , Feng Xu , Jin Lu-Chang , Liu Chuan , Wen Shi-Da
Published: February 2025

The subtraction function plays a pivotal role in calculations involving the forward Compton amplitude, which is crucial for predicting the Lamb shift in muonic atoms, as well as the proton-neutron mass difference. In this Letter, we present a lattice QCD calculation of the subtraction function using two domain wall fermion gauge ensembles near the physical pion mass. We utilize a recently proposed subtraction point, demonstrating its advantage in mitigating statistical and systematic uncertainties by eliminating the need for ground-state subtraction. Our results reveal significant contributions from Nπ intermediate states to the subtraction function. Incorporating these contributions, we compute the proton, neutron, and nucleon isovector subtraction functions at photon momentum transfer Q2∈[0,2]  GeV2. For the proton subtraction function, we compare our lattice results with chiral perturbation theory prediction at low Q2 and with the results from the perturbative operator-product expansion at high Q2. Finally, using these subtraction functions as input, we determine their contribution to two-photon exchange effects in the Lamb shift and isovector nucleon electromagnetic self-energy.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Layer-Dependent Charge-State Lifetime of Single Se Vacancies in
WSe2
Authors: Bobzien Laric , Allerbeck Jonas , Krane Nils , Ortega-Guerrero Andres , Wang Zihao , Figueroa Daniel E. Cintron , Dong Chengye , Pignedoli Carlo A. , Robinson Joshua A. , Schuler Bruno
Published: February 2025

Defect engineering in two-dimensional semiconductors has been exploited to tune the optoelectronic properties and introduce new quantum states in the band gap. Chalcogen vacancies in transition metal dichalcogenides in particular have been found to strongly impact charge carrier concentration and mobility in 2D transistors as well as feature subgap emission and single-photon response. In this Letter, we investigate the layer-dependent charge-state lifetime of Se vacancies in WSe2. In one monolayer WSe2, we observe ultrafast charge transfer from the lowest unoccupied orbital of the top Se vacancy to the graphene substrate within (1±0.2)  ps measured via the current saturation in scanning tunneling approach curves. For Se vacancies decoupled by transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) multilayers, we find a subexponential increase of the charge lifetime from (62±14)  ps in bilayer to a few nanoseconds in four-layer WSe2, alongside a reduction of the defect state binding energy. Additionally, we attribute the continuous suppression and energy shift of the dI/dV in-gap defect state resonances at very close tip-sample distances to a current saturation effect. Our results provide a key measure of the layer-dependent charge transfer rate of chalcogen vacancies in TMDs.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Superballistic Conduction in Hydrodynamic Antidot Graphene Superlattices
Authors: Estrada-Álvarez Jorge , Salvador-Sánchez Juan , Pérez-Rodríguez Ana , Sánchez-Sánchez Carlos , Clericò Vito , Vaquero Daniel , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Diez Enrique , Domínguez-Adame Francisco , Amado Mario , Díaz Elena
Published: February 2025

Viscous electron flow exhibits exotic signatures such as superballistic conduction. In order to observe hydrodynamics effects, a 2D device where the current flow is as inhomogeneous as possible is desirable. To this end, we build three antidot graphene superlattices with different hole diameters. We measure their electrical properties at various temperatures and under the effect of a perpendicular magnetic field. We find an enhanced superballistic effect, suggesting the effectiveness of the geometry at bending the electron flow. In addition, superballistic conduction, which is related to a transition from a noncollective to a collective regime of transport, behaves nonmonotonically with the magnetic field. We also analyze the device resistance as a function of the size of the antidot superlattice to find characteristic scaling laws describing the different transport regimes. We prove that the antidot superlattice is a convenient geometry for realizing hydrodynamic flow and provide valuable explanations for the technologically relevant effects of superballistic conduction and scaling laws.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Repairing subsequent entrepreneurship legitimacy for new ventures: impression management of entrepreneurial-failure stigma
Authors: Xiong Zhuang , Yang HuiMin , Zhang Chenyi , Yang Shiqi , Wang Pengju
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Addressing the adverse effects of entrepreneurial failure stigma and establishing the subsequent entrepreneurship legitimacy of new ventures are crucial for reinvigorating entrepreneurial endeavors. This paper investigated the implementation of impression-management strategies for mitigating the adverse effects of the stigma associated with entrepreneurial failure on the legitimacy of subsequent entrepreneurial activities.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on impression-management theory and legitimacy theory, we conducted three experimental studies to explore the impact of impression-management strategies of entrepreneurial-failure stigma on the legitimacy of subsequent entrepreneurship. Additionally, the role of stakeholders’ forgiveness as a mediating factor and how the specific type of entrepreneurial failure stigma (attributable vs non-attributable) moderates these effects were analyzed.

Findings

The results from Studies 1 and 2 show that implementing impression-management strategies positively contributes to sustaining the legitimacy of subsequent entrepreneurial endeavors in failed new ventures. Assertive strategies demonstrate a more effective impact on enhancing the legitimacy of subsequent entrepreneurship than defensive impression management strategies. In addition, stakeholders’ forgiveness plays a mediating role in the relationship between impression-management strategies and subsequent entrepreneurship legitimacy. The results of Study 3 demonstrate that the type of stigma associated with entrepreneurial failure moderates the impact of impression-management strategies on the legitimacy of subsequent entrepreneurship. In situations where the stigma is attributable, implementing only assertive strategies is adequate to yield favorable results. However, in situations where the stigma is non-attributable, it is essential to implement both defensive and assertive strategies to effectively strengthen subsequent entrepreneurship legitimacy.

Originality/value

The findings make a valuable contribution to the existing literature on the recovery from entrepreneurial failure, and they also offer practical strategies for new ventures to adeptly handle the stigma of failure and resume their entrepreneurial endeavors.
HR analytics and AI adoption in IT sector: reflections from practitioners
Authors: Sharma Pooja , Bhattacharya Sonali , Bhattacharya Sanjay
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This research paper explores the adoption and impact of Human Resource (HR) Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Information Technology (IT) sector. The study involves interviews with HR experts in the IT industry to understand their perceptions and experiences with these technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, in which fifteen HR managers were interviewed.

Findings

The findings reveal that HR Analytics and AI significantly impact HR functions, capabilities, and decision-making in the IT sector. To successfully adopt HR analytics and AI, HR professionals must possess technical skills such as data analysis, coding, analytical thinking, design thinking, and domain knowledge. The interviewees also highlighted the importance of connecting HR initiatives with financial outcomes, creating strategies, contributing to decision-making processes, and aligning activities with organizational objectives.

Originality/value

This paper incorporates insights on challenges in adopting analytics and AI in the HR domain along with strategies to overcome.
The influence of global value chain governance on supply network resilience
Authors: Statsenko Larissa , Scholten Kirstin , Stevenson Mark
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Diversity – or having a range of different options – is an important part of being resilient. Yet research has not considered how diversity in terms of the governance relationship types that exist within a supply base or across a supply network relates to resilience. By drawing on a well-established global value chain (GVC) governance framework, this paper aims to investigate how different relationship governance types influence resilience at the dyadic and supply network level.

Design/methodology/approach

This research draws on 27 embedded cases of buyer-supplier relationships within a network, studied through 20 interviews in 11 organizations across four tiers of the Australian Defence Force supply network, including the end customer perspective, during and after a large-scale supply chain (SC) disruption. Analysis is conducted at the individual dyad and aggregated network levels.

Findings

At the dyadic buyer-supplier level, a variety of different resilience strategies and practices are used across the relationship governance types. Consequently, at the network level, relationships characterized by market and relational governance created more vulnerabilities during COVID-19 than hierarchical and modular governance relationships.

Originality/value

The GVC framework is extended to the SC domain, providing a deeper understanding of how GVC governance types in SC relationships relate to resilience strategies at the dyadic and network levels. Given that different governance relationships draw on different resilience strategies, diversity in governance relationships helps enhance overall resilience. Meanwhile, the findings show that resilience requires relational aspects to be considered alongside economic aspects of the GVC.
Environmentally responsible tourist behavior in socially responsible urban destinations
Authors: García-Maroto Inmaculada , Higueras-Castillo Elena , Muñoz-Leiva Francisco , Liebana-Cabanillas Francisco
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze environmentally responsible tourist behavior in a socially responsible destination. Specifically, this study explores the relationship between destination social responsibility and environmentally responsible behavior (ERB) using the stimulus–organism–response model as a theoretical framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The research sample is composed of Spanish tourists over 18 years of age who have visited one of the selected urban tourist destinations: Malaga, Barcelona, Madrid, Palma de Mallorca and Bilbao; therefore, all participants confirmed having visited one or more of the above destinations and coming from a different place, thus confirming that in no case were they residents. Data collection used a non-probabilistic sampling method with quotas reflecting the demographic makeup of the Spanish population. Information was gathered in July 2023 through an online survey using a structured questionnaire. Before the main study, a pilot investigation ensured the reliability and clarity of the measurement scales.

Findings

It is concluded that the proposed behavior model is satisfactory and allows for explaining the ERB of tourists, whose main determinants are place attachment, perception of the destination’s social responsibility, environmental concern and perceived effectiveness.

Originality/value

The main contribution expected from this study is the proposal of a conceptual model, in the environment of socially responsible destinations, that allows for the completion of the proposals made in the specific literature on ERB in the context of urban tourism.