bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining Voting Spillover Effects of Text Message Reminders
Authors: Lindgren Karl-Oskar , Nyman Pär , Oskarsson Sven
Published: February 2025

We present results from a pre-registered, well-powered

$(N \gt 3,000,000)$

text message get-out-the-vote (GOTV) experiment, conducted during the 2019 European Parliament election in Sweden. Our findings suggest that a simple text message increases the likelihood of voting by 0.3 percentage points. Half of this effect spills over to untreated household members while workplace spillovers are near zero. Subsequent analysis reveals that the direct treatment effect is noticeably stronger among individuals with below-average voting propensities. Interestingly, within this same group, the household spillovers are significantly negative. We speculate and provide some indirect evidence, that these negative spillover effects may stem from the text message reminder influencing the behaviour of voters already motivated to vote. Above all, we propose that an increase in early voting, as opposed to voting on Election Day, among treated individuals may weaken the mechanisms thought to explain spillover effects since voters are less likely to bring their family members with them when voting early.
Mortality Salience and the Treatment of the Dead in Messenia, from the Middle Helladic to the Late Helladic Period
Authors: Zikidi Claire
Published: February 2025

Behavioural studies suggest that awareness of one's mortality, known as mortality salience, enhances the inclination to respond positively to prevailing societal values, fostering an adherence to social practices, for example, the treatment of the dead. Nevertheless, when acceptance of these societal values wanes, there is an increased motivation for their modification. This results in a series of subtle changes that eventually reshape the entire set of practices that define a community's social identity. This paper delves into the impact of mortality salience on the emergence, maintenance, and evolution of mortuary practices in south and west Messenia during the Middle Helladic and Late Helladic periods (c. 2050/2000 bce to 1200/1190 bce). This analysis explores how individuals addressed their mortality salience by adjusting their proximal (e.g. practices) and distal (e.g. ideology) defences. Moreover, it incorporates the notion of the ‘taming of the terror’, suggesting that individuals may adopt new practices as a strategy to manage or alleviate the fear associated with mortality. The analysis explores the introduction of new practices, providing valuable insights into how people navigate and comprehend the existential challenges brought about by the recognition of their mortality.
Lithosphere‐Asthenosphere Interaction Beneath the Southeastern Tibetan Plateau From Joint Rayleigh and S Wave Tomography
Authors: Yang Xiaozhou , Jiang Chengxin , Luo Yinhe , Chu Risheng , Yang Yingjie
Published: February 2025

The ongoing convergence between the Indian and the Eurasian plates has caused significant lithospheric shortening and eastward expansion of the Tibetan Plateau. The Southeastern Tibetan Plateau (SETP), bordered by the Yangtze craton to the east and the subduction of the Indian plate beneath Myanmar to the southwest, plays a crucial role in accommodating this lateral growth. In this study, we construct a new upper mantle S‐wave velocity model beneath SETP by jointly inverting broadband (5–140 s) surface wave dispersion curves and teleseismic S‐wave traveltimes. Our model reveals two prominent high‐velocity anomalies in the upper mantle, differing from previous models' vertical extent. One anomaly beneath the Yangtze craton exhibits a separated two‐layered feature; while the other, beneath the South Chuan‐Dian Block (SCDB), extends continuously from the uppermost mantle to 300 km depth. These two deep‐rooted high‐velocity anomalies likely represent mechanically strong blocks modulating the plateau's asthenospheric flow. Two low‐velocity features that might be related to such mantle flow are imaged. One is identified at 100–200 km depth near the northwestern Sichuan basin, suggesting potential intrusion of asthenospheric material into the margins of the cratonic lithosphere. The other, a north‐south low‐velocity channel, is observed at 200–350 km depth beneath the western margin of the SCDB, indicating the southeastward mantle flow may be deflected by plume‐enhanced lithosphere beneath the SCDB, or suggesting a component of toroidal flow around the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis. Our new model has significant implications for understanding the lithosphere‐asthenosphere interactions in the Tibetan Plateau and adjacent blocks.
Editorial Handover at AGU Advances
Authors: Trumbore Susan , Montanari Alberto
Published: February 2025

The outgoing and incoming Editors-in-Chief of AGU Advances reflect on recent years of growth and expansion in the journal while they plan for the challenges ahead.
State-behaviour feedbacks between boldness and food intake shape escape responses in fish (Gasterosteus aculeatus)
Authors: Planas-Sitjà Isaac , Ioannou Christos. C.
Published: February 2025

Consistent differences in intrinsic state, amplified through state-dependent behaviour, could explain the ubiquity of animal personality variation. Boldness is often positively associated with a high metabolism and food intake. Even though a high food consumption is known to compromise oxygen-demanding activities, the influence of food intake on anti-predator escape responses has rarely been considered. By conducting experiments with three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) in a setup with real-time tracking and a decoy heron predator, we show that bolder fish benefited from a higher food intake than shy fish, and reacted faster to a predator attack when food intake was the same before being attacked. However, a higher food intake slowed down the escape responses. These results shine light on how the fitness of shy and bold tactics could be balanced in the wild: the faster reaction of bold fish is impaired by their higher food consumption.
Time-on-task-related decrements in performance in the rodent continuous performance test are not caused by physical disengagement from the task
Authors: Li Ye , van Kralingen Thomas , Masi Megan , Villanueva Sanchez Brandon , Mitchell Beyonca , Johnson Joshua , Miranda-Barrientos Jorge , Rehg Jason , Martinowich Keri , Carr Gregory V.
Published: February 2025

Attention deficits, a hallmark of many neuropsychiatric disorders, significantly impair quality of life and functional outcome for patients. Continuous Performance Tests (CPTs) are widely used to assess attentional function in clinical settings and have been adapted for mice as the rodent Continuous Performance Test (rCPT). In this study, we combined traditional analyses of rCPT performance with markerless pose estimation using DeepLabCut and visual field analysis (VFA) to objectively measure the orientation of mice toward stimuli during rCPT sessions. Additionally, we extended the session length to assess performance decrements over time. Our findings show that extending rCPT sessions from 45–90 min results in a significant decline in performance in male mice, which aligns with performance decrements observed in clinical research. Importantly, physical engagement with the task remained relatively stable throughout the session, even as performance deteriorated. This suggests that the performance decline specifically reflects a time-on-task (TOT)-dependent vigilance decrement rather than physical disengagement. We also investigated the effects of amphetamine, an FDA-approved treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), on rCPT performance. Amphetamine significantly reduced false alarms without affecting orientation or physical engagement with task stimuli in both male and female mice. This improved rCPT performance in males, but not in females because hit rate also declined following amphetamine administration in females. Collectively, these findings validate a behavioral tracking platform for objectively measuring physical engagement in the rCPT and a task modification that accentuates TOT-dependent performance decrements, enhancing the translational value of the rCPT for studies related to human neuropsychiatric disorders.
Growth, anisotropy, and spectroscopy of Tm3+ and Yb3+ doped MgWO4 crystals
Authors: Zin Elabedine Ghassen , Solé Rosa Maria , Slimi Sami , Aguiló Magdalena , Díaz Francesc , Chen Weidong , Petrov Valentin , Mateos Xavier
Published: February 2025

High-quality crystals of MgWO4 with a significantly reduced growth time and a revision of the principal optical axes orientation which differs substantially from previous reports are presented.
Formation of HCHO, CO and H2 by methane oxidation with O2 over Cu catalysts stabilized in silicoaluminophosphates
Authors: Shimakawa Mana , Nagase Rieko , Kugo Ryoya , Ohyama Junya , Takenaka Sakae
Published: February 2025

The catalytic performance of Cu catalysts supported on SAPO34 (denoted as Cu/SAPO) for methane oxidation with O2 has been investigated in detail.
Stepwise alkyne insertion in Au(i) acetylides: influence of the nuclearity
Authors: Cayuela-Castillo Juan , Fernández-de-Córdova Francisco J. , See Matthew S. , Fernández Israel , Ríos Pablo
Published: February 2025

The influence of the second metal atom in neutral σ,σ bimetallic gold(i) acetylides is studied in detail in the context of the migratory insertion of a number of substrates, where the reaction conditions depend dramatically on the nuclearity.
Insight into the starburst nature of Galaxy GN-z11 with JWST MIRI spectroscopy
Authors: Alvarez-Marquez J. , Crespo Gomez A. , Colina L. , Langeroodi D. , Marques-Chaves R. , Prieto-Jimenez C. , Bik A. , Alonso-Herrero A. , Boogaard L. , Costantin L. , Garc'ia-Mar'in M. , Gillman S. , Hjorth J. , Iani E. , Jermann I. , Labiano A. , Melinder J. , Meyer R. , Ostlin G. , Pérez-Gonzalez P.G. , Rinaldi P. , Walter F. , van der Werf P. , Wright G.
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a deep MIRI/JWST medium-resolution spectroscopy (MRS) covering the rest-frame optical spectrum of the GN-z11 galaxy. The O,III 5008Å and Hα emission lines are detected and spectroscopically resolved. The line profiles are well modeled by a narrow Gaussian component with intrinsic full widths at half maximum of 189,±,25 and 231,±,52,km,s^-1, respectively. We do not find any evidence of a dominant broad Hα emission line component tracing a broad-line region in a type 1 active galactic nucleus (AGN). The existence of an accreting black hole dominating the optical continuum and emission lines of GN-z11 is not compatible with the measured Hα and O,III 5008Å luminosities. If the well-established relations for low-z AGNs apply in GN-z11, the O,III 5008Å and Hα luminosities would imply extremely high super-Eddington ratios E $>$,290), and bolometric luminosities ∼,20 times those derived from the UV/optical continuum. However, a broad (∼,430-470,km,s^-1) and weak ($<$,20-30%) Hα line component, tracing a minor AGN contribution in the optical, cannot be completely ruled out with the sensitivity of the current data. The physical and excitation properties of the ionized gas are consistent with a low-metallicity starburst with a star formation rate of 24,±,3,M_⊙,yr^-1. The electron temperature of the ionized gas is e (O^++),$=$,14000,±,2100,K, while the e gas-phase metallicity is 12,$+$,log(O/H),$=$,7.91,±,0.07 (Z,=,0.17,±,0.03,Z_⊙). The optical line ratios locate GN-z11 in the starburst or AGN region, but they are more consistent with those of local low-metallicity starbursts and high-z luminous galaxies detected at redshifts similar to GN-z11. We conclude that the MRS optical spectrum of GN-z11 is consistent with that of a massive, compact, and low-metallicity starburst galaxy. Its high star formation and stellar mass surface densities are close to those of the densest stellar clusters, and we therefore speculate that GN-z11 might undergo a feedback-free, highly efficient starburst phase. Additional JWST data are needed to validate this scenario and other recently proposed alternatives to explain the existence of bright compact galaxies in the early Universe.
Give to Ursa Minor what is Ursa Minor's: An updated census of the RR Lyrae population in the Ursa Minor dwarf galaxy based on Gaia DR3
Authors: Garofalo A. , Clementini G. , Cusano F. , Muraveva T. , Monti L.
Published: February 2025

We used RR Lyrae stars identified by the Gaia third data release (DR3) to explore the outskirts of the Ursa Minor (UMi) dwarf spheroidal galaxy (dSph) and update the census of its variable star population. We adopted different tools based on the Gaia DR3 astrometric and photometric data (proper motions, Period-Wesenheit-Metallicity relations, spatial distribution, colour-magnitude diagram and stellar isochrone fitting) to discriminate between different types of variable stars, and to identify UMi members . We found a total of 129 RR Lyrae stars and 10 Anomalous Cepheids (ACs) that belong to UMi. In this paper we report 47 new RR Lyrae stars (46 bona fide and 1 candidate) and 5 new ACs (4 bona fide and 1 candidate), including new possible members in the extreme periphery of the galaxy at a distance of ∼ 12 half-light radii. We reclassified 13 RR Lyrae stars identified by the Gaia DR3 Specific Object Study pipeline for Cepheids and RR Lyrae stars (SOS Cep&RRL), using data from the literature and Gaia astrometry and photometry. Specifically, we assigned these 13 DR3 RR Lyrae stars to ten Anomalous Cepheids and three double-mode RR Lyrae (RRd) , respectively. From the average luminosity of the RR Lyrae stars we derive for UMi a distance modulus of $(m-M)_ =$ 19.23 ± 0.11 mag, in excellent agreement with the literature. Finally, we investigated whether some of UMi's variable stars might be members of the ultra-faint stellar cluster Mu n oz 1 that lies at a projected distance of 45arcmin from UMi's centre. Based on the properties of the variable stars (distances, colours, and metallicities), we find it unlikely that they belong to the cluster.
Hierarchical accretion flow from the G351 infrared dark filament to its central cores
Authors: Beuther H. , A Olguin F. , Sanhueza P. , Cunningham N. , Ginsburg A.
Published: February 2025

Quantifying the accretion flow from large cloud scales down to individual protostars is a central ingredient to the understanding of (high-mass) star formation. We characterize and quantify this multi-scale flow for a prototypical high-mass star-forming region. In a multi-scale analysis from parsec to ∼50,au scales, we combined multiple single-dish and interferometric observations to study the gas flow from large-scale sizes of several parsec (Mopra) via intermediate-scale filamentary gas flows (ALMA-IMF) to the central cores (ALMA DIHCA and configuration 10 data). The highest-resolution multi-configuration ALMA dataset achieved a spatial resolution of $0.027'' 0.022''$ or 50,au. This multi-scale study allows us to follow the gas from the environment of the high-mass star-forming region (∼2,pc) via intermediate-scale (∼0.25,pc) filamentary gas flows down to the innermost cores within the central few 1000,au. The intermediate-scale filaments connect spatially and kinematically to the larger-scale cloud as well as the innermost cores. We estimate a filamentary mass inflow rate around 10^-3,M_⊙,yr^-1, feeding into the central region that hosts at least a dozen mm cores. While the flow from the cloud via the filaments down to 10^4,au appears relatively ordered, within the central 10^4,au the kinematic structures become much more complicated and disordered. We speculate that this is caused by the interplay of the converging infalling gas with feedback processes from the forming central protostars. This multi-scale study characterises and quantifies the hierarchical gas flow from clouds down to the central protostars for a prototypical infrared dark cloud with several embedded cores at an unprecedented detail. While comparatively ordered gas flows are found over a broad range of scales, the innermost area exhibits more disordered structures, likely caused by the combination of inflow, outflow and cluster dynamical processes.
First Doppler image and starspot-corrected orbit for λ Andromedae. A multifaceted activity analysis
Authors: Adebali O. , Strassmeier K.G. , Ilyin I.V. , Weber M. , Gruner D. , Kővari Zs.
Published: February 2025

Starspots on a rotating stellar surface impact the measured radial velocities and thereby limit the determination of precise orbital elements as well as astrophysical stellar parameters and even jeopardize the detection and characterization of (exo)planets. We quantify the effect of starspots for the orbital elements of the spotted RS,CVn binary and present an empirical correction. The aim is to obtain a more precise orbital solution that can be used to better study the system's severe orbital-rotational asynchronism. Phase-resolved high-resolution optical spectra were recorded over the course of 522 days in 2021-2022. We employed two facilities with medium and high resolution spectroscopy for the multiple activity analyses. Doppler imaging is used to reconstruct starspots with a high resolution (R=,250,000) and high signal-to-noise ratio spectra. Optimized cross-correlation functions were used to measure precise radial velocities at a level of a few ten's of m/s. The spot-corrected radial velocities enable, on average, a threefold increase in precision of the individual orbital elements. The residual velocity jitter with a full range of 500 is modulated by the rotation period of of 54.4±0.3,d. Our logarithmic gravity from spectrum synthesis of 2.8±0.2 together with the interferometrically determined stellar radius suggest a most-likely mass of the primary of ≈1.4,M_ The small orbital mass function then implies a secondary mass of just ≈0.1,M_ which is appropriate for an L-class brown dwarf. The Doppler image reconstructs a dominating cool spot with an umbral temperature difference of ≈1000,K with respect to the photosphere of 4660,K and is likely surrounded by a moat-like velocity field. Three more weaker spots add to the total surface spottedness, which is up to 25% of the visible surface. Seven optical chromospheric tracers show rotational modulation of their emission line fluxes in phase with the cool spots. This surface configuration appears to have been stable for the 522 days of our observations. We also redetermined the carbon isotope ratio to C C =30±5 and measured a contemporaneous disk-integrated mean longitudinal magnetic field of polarity Plus/Minus up to $2.70±0.35$,G from Stokes-V line profiles.
Quantile estimates of entropy uncertainty for distributions supported on bounded interval
Authors: Polosin Vitaly G
Published: February 2025

Formulas for calculating the Shannon information entropy and the entropy uncertainty interval are obtained, which are based on calculating quantile estimates of random variable distributions and are set over a limited range of random variable values supported both on a semi-infinite interval and on the entire real line. In this paper, using the example of a generalized beta distribution of the first kind, the possibility of determining quantiles for the entire variety of possible shapes of a given distribution subfamily is illustrated. To assess the quality of the approximation construction, a study was conducted, the purpose of which was to compare estimates of the uncertainty of a complex system using analytically specified information entropy for the Kumaraswamy distribution and information entropy obtained on the basis of an approximating formula using quantile estimates of the Kumaraswamy distribution. Based on the study, it is shown that when choosing the sampling intervals specified by the percentiles of the distribution, the approximation error did not exceed 1% for the range of the most used parameters of the power and shape of the Kumaraswamy distribution.
Stability and dynamic characteristics of hydrogen nanobubble
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zhang Bowei , Wang Junying , Zhang Tongjia , Jiang Kun , Jin Hui
Published: February 2025

Compared to macroscopic bubbles, nanobubbles have unique physicochemical properties that make them highly promising for scientific research. Hydrogen nanobubbles (HNBs), in particular, combine hydrogen's properties with nanobubble-specific effects, offering significant applications in energy, water treatment, and medicine. This study systematically investigated the stability and dynamics of HNBs using molecular dynamics simulations. The results show that the sustained formation of HNBs requires hydrogen in water to reach supersaturation. Bubbles with diameters between 1.1 and 2.8 nm exhibit pressures ranging from 969.5 to 406.6 atm. Theoretical solubility, calculated using Henry's law based on pressure, remains valid at the nanoscale. An electrical double layer was observed at the gas–liquid interface, resulting from the reorientation of water molecules. The electrostatic force generated by the double layer counteracts the ultra-high Laplace pressure, aiding in the stability of nanobubbles. The dynamic properties, such as the diffusion coefficients of hydrogen and water, decrease as HNB size increases. The viscosity of solution containing nanobubbles of different sizes decreases by 6.64%, 8.14%, 14.16%, 19.29%, and 27.08%, respectively. These findings provide valuable insights for advancing the research and application of HNBs.
Photopic flicker optoretinography captures the light-driven length modulation of photoreceptors during phototransduction
Authors: Tomczewski Sławomir , Curatolo Andrea , Foik Andrzej , Węgrzyn Piotr , Bałamut Bartłomiej , Wielgo Maciej , Kulesza Wiktor , Galińska Anna , Kordecka Katarzyna , Gulati Sahil , Fernandes Humberto , Palczewski Krzysztof , Wojtkowski Maciej
Published: February 2025

In this study, we used an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6) to examine the impact of changes in the conformation of the PDE6 protein on the light-induced process responsible for altering the length of the outer segments of photoreceptor cells in both human and rodent eyes. We employed a imaging method called spatiotemporal optical coherence tomography, which ensures high contrast and phase stability within the strongly scattering photoreceptor– Retinal Pigment Epithelium complex. Using this approach, we recorded nanometer-scale changes in human cones and rods in response to photopic flicker stimulation and observed length changes in rodent rods under scotopic conditions following a single pulse of light, in the absence or presence of sildenafil, which inhibits the catalytic activity of PDE6. Our findings are consistent with the interpretation that during phototransduction conformational changes in PDE6 structure, which occur on an angstrom scale, are amplified to the nanometer scale due to the unique structure of the photoreceptor outer segments and sequential stimulation. This finding opens up possibilities for the informed use of photopic flicker optoretinography measurements as a diagnostic tool, as the observed nanometer-scale changes in rod and cone dimensions as a function of light stimulus can now be directly linked to molecular events involved in the phototransduction pathway.
Propagation dynamics of cline and gap states for spatially-periodic Lotka–Volterra competition systems in shifting media
Authors: Wang Hongyong , Ou Chunhua
Published: February 2025

We study the propagation dynamics of a Lotka–Volterra competition system in which one growth rate behaves like a monotonically decreasing wave profile that shifts with a given speed and is also periodic in the first spatial variable, while the other growth rate behaves similarly, except that its profile is monotonically increasing with respect to the shifting variable. Furthermore, both growth functions are assumed to be sign-changed, which implies that the environments in which the species live switch spatially from ‘good’ regions (suitable for survival) to ‘bad’ regions (not suitable for survival) and vice versa. We reveal that the model admits a forced pulsating wave only when the forced speed lies within a finite interval

(

c
∗

,

c
∗

)

that contains zero. Biologically, this corresponds to the formation of a shifting cline. Moreover, we find that

c
∗

<
0

and

c
∗

>
0

can be calculated in terms of the Fisher-KPP speeds related to the linearized equations of each species. By applying a sliding technique, we show that the forced pulsating wave is unique. We also prove that the forced pulsating wave is Lyapunov-stable. Finally, the spreading dynamics of spatial gap formation in the two species are also investigated when the forced wave speed is either less than

c
∗

or greater that

c
∗

. We employ a novel approach to demonstrate how the species invade in response to a shifting environment.
Design of minor glide vehicle adaptive three-loop autopilot
Authors: Liao Chenzhong
Published: February 2025

The equations of motion of the glide vehicle under different aerodynamic conditions are established. Combined with the design method of the three-loop autopilot, the feedback parameters of the autopilot are designed from the open-loop performance indexes of the control system. The feedback parameters of the autopilot are designed with the optimization objective of the closed-loop performance parameters. A series of parameter matrices are obtained to realize the function of self-adaptation. The simulation results show that the design method proposed in this paper can make the three-loop autopilot obtain good open-loop performance and closed-loop performance, which has certain engineering application value.
Research on high-precision and high-speed filtration methods for synthetic cutting fluid
Authors: Yuan Shihua , Xu Qiang , Dai Bing , Li Yonggao , Wang Penghui
Published: February 2025

During the mechanical processing of large aluminum alloy parts, deterioration of synthetic cutting fluid accelerated by foreign impurities can easily lead to the surface corrosion phenomenon of aluminum alloy parts, affecting the surface quality of the parts. This work analyzed the improvement of synthetic cutting fluid performance under high-precision filtration by using a silicon carbide filter with 100 nm precision. After high-precision filtration, the residual rate of solid impurities in the synthetic cutting fluid was 0.09%, the residual rate of oil impurities was 4%, and the residual rate of microbial impurities was less than 1%. Besides, the main ingredients of synthetic cutting fluid were retained, and the corrosion inhibition performance of synthetic cutting fluid was restored from level D to level B, which satisfied the mechanical processing requirements of large aluminum alloy parts. Based on this, a filtration system that simultaneously achieved high precision and high speed was designed, with a filtration precision of 100 nm and a filtration speed of 5 t/h. This work provides theoretical support and design guidance for high-precision and high-speed purification methods and the reuse of fully synthetic cutting fluid.
The Abuse of Philosophy
Authors: Dyck Corey W.
Published: February 2025

This chapter traces the development of the Pietistic system of thought and outline the principal contours of the metaphysics defended by Joachim Lange. The key figures in the development of Halle Pietism are introduced—Philipp Jakob Spener and August Hermann Francke—and their principal contributions to Pietist thought are considered, as also are their instructive responses to early accusations of a hostility towards philosophy. Joachim Lange would go on to become the primary belligerent on the Pietist side in the controversy with Wolff, and his early philosophical work is then taken up, which predated Wolff’s own full-dress presentation of his logic and metaphysics. Finally, the chapter shows how Lange’s subsequent engagement with Wolff had the wholly salutary effect of organically refining and expanding Lange’s philosophical views into a highly original, robust, and influential metaphysical system, one that takes the freedom of the human being, appropriately understood, as its principal foundation.
Chemotherapy-Associated Pseudocellulitis: A Case Series of Four Patients
Authors: Oscherwitz Max E , Read Madison , Pelia Josh , Edminister John R , Strowd Lindsay
Published: February 2025

Pseudocellulitis is an umbrella term used to describe non-necrotizing inflammation of the dermis and hypodermis from a noninfectious etiology.1 As with other mimickers of cellulitis, it may lead to misdiagnosis, unnecessary workup, and unneeded antibiotic use.2,3 This case series describes four unique chemotherapy-associated pseudocellulitis (CAP) cases from an academic tertiary care institution and discusses ways to identify CAP.
Syntopy promotes song divergence in a Neotropical avian radiation
Authors: García-Navas Vicente , Martín del Campo Alba , Rodríguez-Rey Marta , Laiolo Paola
Published: February 2025

Theory predicts that selection against maladaptive hybridization leads to divergence of sexual characters in co-occurring closely related species. Consequently, signal disparity should be greater between sympatric versus allopatric lineage pairs. However, this pattern may also result from species sorting or the greater evolutionary age of sympatric pairs. We used species pairs comparisons to examine the existence of acoustic divergence in a Neotropical montane radiation, the Rhinocryptidae, whose members tend to occupy different elevational ranges. Most rhinocryptids exhibit conservative morphology and are only differentiated by song attributes. Our results show that sympatric species pairs that overlap in elevation exhibited overall greater song divergence compared to allopatric species pairs after controlling for morphological differences, age and phylogenetic effects. Song divergence decreased when excluding sympatric pairs that do not overlap in elevation, suggesting that selection for improved species identification between co-occurring (syntopic) species accentuates signal differentiation. Comparative evolutionary models of signal differentiation over time revealed a similar pattern which suggests that sexual selection in syntopy might have driven reproductive character displacement in this radiation. We conclude that selection against the production of unfit hybrids could favor acoustic traits that reliably signal species identity in tropical environments where many taxa are poorly differentiated by visual attributes.
Genetic and anatomical determinants of olfaction in dogs and wild canids
Authors: Mouton Alice , Bird Deborah , Li Gang , Craven Brent A , Levine Jonathan M , Morselli Marco , Pellegrini Matteo , Van Valkenburgh Blaire , Wayne Robert K , Murphy William J
Published: February 2025

Understanding the anatomical and genetic basis of complex phenotypic traits has long been a challenge for biological research. Domestic dogs offer a compelling model as they demonstrate more phenotypic variation than any other vertebrate species. Dogs have been intensely selected for specific traits and abilities, directly or indirectly, over the past 15,000 years since their initial domestication from the gray wolf. Because olfaction plays a central role in critical tasks, such as the detection of drugs, diseases, and explosives, as well as human rescue, we compared relative olfactory capacity across dog breeds and assessed changes to the canine olfactory system to their direct ancestors, wolves and coyotes. We conducted a cross-disciplinary survey of olfactory anatomy, olfactory receptor (OR) gene variation, and OR gene expression in domestic dogs. Through comparisons to their closest wild canid relatives, the gray wolf and coyote, we show that domestic dogs might have lost functional OR genes commensurate with a documented reduction in nasal morphology as an outcome of the domestication process prior to breed formation. Critically, within domestic dogs alone, we found no genetic or morphological profile shared among functional or genealogical breed groupings, such as scent hounds, that might indicate evidence of any human-directed selection for enhanced olfaction. Instead, our results suggest that superior scent detection dogs likely owe their success to advantageous behavioral traits and training rather than an “olfactory edge” provided by morphology or genes.
Granulosa cell expression of Fos is critical for regulating ovulatory gene expressions in the mouse ovary
Authors: Southall Jacqueline , Park Shawn , Choi Yohan , Jeon Hayce , Ko Chemyong , Jo Misung
Published: February 2025

A previous study showed that female Fos null mice fail to ovulate even when given gonadotropins, suggesting that ovarian expression of Fos is critical for successful ovulation. However, the expression of FOS and function of FOS have not been determined in the mouse ovary. FOS, a member of the Fos family (Fos, Fosb, Fosl1, and Fosl2), functions as a transcription factor by forming a heterodimer complex with a member of Jun family (Jun, Junb, and Jund). This study demonstrated rapid increases in Fos, along with other Fos and Jun family members, after hCG administration in the ovary of immature PMSG‐primed mice and after the LH surge in naturally cycling animals. ChIP‐seq analysis identified 1965 FOS‐binding genes in granulosa cells collected at 3 h post‐hCG, including Pgr, Ptgs2, Tnfiap6, and Edn2, genes known to be involved in the ovulatory process. When super‐ovulation was induced, the number of oocytes released was significantly reduced in Esr2cre/+‐driven granulosa cell‐specific Fos knockout (gcFosKO) mice. This reduction was accompanied by lower expressions of Pgr, Ptgs2, Ptgs1, and Edn2 in preovulatory follicles of gcFosKO mice compared to those in control littermates. In addition, gcFosKO mice showed a trend toward a decreased average litter size. Together, the present study indicates that the preovulatory induction of Fos expression is crucial for increasing the expression of key ovulatory genes, yet the role of FOS may be partially substituted by other Fos and Jun family members induced in the preovulatory follicle in the gcFosKO mouse ovary.
Current opinion: an overview of sickle cell disease and chronic pain and perioperative considerations
Authors: Akintunde Dolapo , Ezihe-Ejiofor Ada , Ogbah Janefrances , Oso Tolulope
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This review aims to provide the practicing anesthesiologist with information on the pathophysiology, physiology, and management of patients with sickle cell disease. This includes the evaluation of common intraoperative management issues as well as perioperative concerns related to the disease. This review will also discuss the outpatient care of sickle cell patients concerning disease-modifying agents and chronic pain management.

Recent findings

There has been less funding for research on sickle cell disease and a relative deficit in treatment options for patients and their vaso-occlusive crises (VOC). In the chronic pain setting, adjuvants to therapy have been utilized, such as anti-inflammatories, neuropathic agents, and antihistamines; however, the mainstay of therapy for pain crises is the use of opioids. New medications for the treatment of VOCs include crinaluzimab and L-glutamine. In terms of intraoperative management, it is imperative to maintain homeostasis for the patients, and research does not show a benefit in preoperative blood transfusions when not clinically indicated.

The sociopolitical context and pathophysiology of sickle cell disease make it a unique disease to manage for the practicing anesthesiologist. Tailoring management via developing a patient-specific approach to maintain homeostasis and minimize the perioperative prevalence of VOCs.
Exploring Suitability of Low-Severity Rating Hospital Incident Reports for Machine Learning
Authors: Jedwab Rebecca Miriam , Hoon Leonard , Luu Caroline , Redley Bernice
Published: February 2025

Electronic incident reporting is a key quality and a safety process for healthcare organizations that assists in evaluating performance and informing quality improvement initiatives. Although it is mandatory for high-severity incident reports to be investigated, the majority, classified as low severity, are seldom examined due to the large volume of reports, constraints of human cognitive capacity to process such large amounts of data, and the limited resources available in healthcare organizations. The purpose of this study was to investigate low-severity incident reports for suitability of future machine learning to identify actionable interventions for harm prevention. This qualitative descriptive study used a yearlong dataset of low incident severity rating reports to model the incident reporting documentation workflow and explored findings with five nursing and healthcare quality and safety experts. Incident severity reports were reported to have multiple conflicting issues including information duplication, subjective data, too many selection options, and absence of contextual information resulting in a lack of usefulness of information for machine learning. Next steps include analysis of a dataset for machine learning suitability. Recommendations include end-user involvement in system redesign to ensure hospital incident reports are comprised of meaningful data.
Parity, Age at Childbirth, and Later-Life Maternal Cardiovascular Disease in Postmenopausal Women in the Women's Health Initiative Study
Authors: Xing Zailing , Kirby Russell S. , Chen Henian , Cain Mary Ashley , Alman Amy C.
Published: February 2025

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the associations of parity and age at childbirth with maternal cardiovascular disease (CVD).

METHODS:

The data were from the Women's Health Initiative (1993–2022), involving postmenopausal women aged 49–81 years without existing CVD. The exposures were parity, age at first childbirth, and age at last childbirth, all referring to pregnancy lasting at least 6 months. The outcome was incident CVD events, defined as the initial occurrence of coronary heart disease, heart failure, ischemic stroke, or death due to these conditions. We employed propensity score matching to generate matched samples, aligning each exposure group with a reference group according to their propensity scores. We used multilevel Cox proportional hazard models to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs to estimate the associations among parity, age at childbirth, and CVD. We performed multiple mediation analyses to assess the effect of potential mediators on the associations.

RESULTS:

Compared with parity of two, there was no significant association between other parity levels and later-life maternal CVD. Compared with age at first childbirth of 25–29 years, the HRs (95% CIs) for the association between CVD and age at first childbirth was 1.32 (1.22–1.44) for individuals younger than age 20 years, 1.11 (1.05–1.17) for those aged 20–24 years, 1.03 (0.93–1.13) for those aged 30–34 years, and 0.93 (0.79–1.11) for those aged 35 years or older. When age at last childbirth was younger than 25 years, 30–34 years, 35–39 years, and 40 years or older, the HRs (95% CIs) for CVD were 1.02 (0.94–1.10), 1.05 (0.99–1.10), 1.10 (1.03–1.18), and 1.09 (0.96–1.24), respectively. In multiple mediation analyses, we identified the potential mediation pathway of age at first childbirth younger than 25 years→premature menopause→hypertension→CVD.

CONCLUSION:

Young age at first childbirth was associated with increased maternal CVD risk. Preventing premature menopause and hypertension may be important ways to lower the risk for postmenopausal women.
Diagnostic Stewardship of Endotracheal Aspirate Cultures in Hospitalized Children With Artificial Airways: Expert Consensus Statements From the BrighT STAR (Testing STewardship for Antibiotic Reduction) Respiratory Collaborative
Authors: Sick-Samuels Anna C. , Kelly Daniel P. , Woods-Hill Charlotte Z. , Arthur Abigail , Kumar Urmi , Koontz Danielle W. , Marsteller Jill A. , Milstone Aaron M. ,   and the BrighT STAR (Testing STewardship for Antibiotic Reduction) Respiratory Consensus Authorship group
Published: February 2025

Objective:

To develop consensus statements that clinicians can apply to standardize and optimize endotracheal aspirate culture (EAC) practices in hospitalized children with artificial airways who are being evaluated for a bacterial lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI).

Design:

A modified Delphi consensus process with expert panelists. Panelists conducted a “pre-survey” to itemize respiratory signs of bacterial LRTI. Round 1 included a literature summary and electronic survey of 50 potential statements sent to all panelists. We surveyed panelist opinions using a 5-point Likert scale. We grouped the responses “agree” and “strongly agree” as agreement. Consensus was defined as statements reaching greater than 75% agreement. Round 2 was moderated by an independent expert in consensus methodology. Panelists convened in person in November 2023, discussed any statements not reaching consensus or statements with disagreement, were resurveyed, and finalized statements in real time.

Setting:

Electronic surveys and in-person meetings in Baltimore, MD.

Subjects:

The BrighT STAR (Testing STewardship for Antibiotic Reduction) collaborative along with U.S.-based pediatric experts in critical care, cardiac critical care, infectious diseases, hospital medicine, otolaryngology, pulmonology, and clinical microbiology.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

Thirty-eight of 40 invited panelists completed round 1. Of 50 initial statements, 28 reached greater than 90% agreement, 16 had 75–89% agreement, and 6 had less than 75% agreement. Twenty-eight statements were finalized. Round 2 involved 37 panelists: 23 statements were discussed, of which 17 reached an agreement and 6 did not reach consensus. We concluded with 30 statements and 15 sub-statements, 37 of which had greater than 90% agreement. Final statements informed a clinical decision support algorithm.

Conclusions:

The BrighT STAR collaborative group achieved consensus for 45 clinical practice statements that can standardize EAC practices, including indications to consider for testing, reasons to defer, optimal specimen collection, and result interpretation. These statements offer a starting point for clinical decision support tools and diagnostic stewardship programs for EAC practices in patients with artificial airways.
Long-Term Cytoreduction Outcomes With or Without Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) For Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases
Authors: White Michael G , Smith Paula Marincola , Bhutiani Neal , Helmink Beth , Galbraith Norman , Kopetz Scott , Overman Michael , Mansfield Paul , Fournier Keith , Uppal Abhineet
Published: February 2025

Background:

Patients with peritoneal metastases (PM) from colorectal adenocarcinoma(CRC) benefit from cytoreductive surgery(CRS). The role of HIPEC, however, remains unclear. We studied associations between HIPEC, peritoneal disease-free survival (PDFS), and overall survival(OS) in CRC patients undergoing CRS.

Study Design:

All CRC patients undergoing CRS between 2008 and 2023 were retrospectively identified at our center. Patient clinicodemographic factors were determined by chart review. OS and PDFS were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Associations between clinical factors and survival were determined using Cox proportional hazard models.

Results:

One hundred forty-seven patients were identified with 24.5-month median follow-up. Most patients (111,75.5%) had a low PCI (<11), while 36 patients (24.5%) had high PCI(≥11). Eighty-three (55.8%) patients had CRS alone. Sixty-four patients underwent CRS with HIPEC (42(66%) MMC, 19(30%) OX, 3(4.7%) CIS). Median OS was 59.8 (95%CI:41.7-83.0) months. Median PDFS was 13.3 (95%CI:10.4-18.5) months. OS was equivalent comparing HIPEC with MMC, HIPEC with OX (HR 0.49, 95%CI: 0.22-1.09, p=0.08), and CRS alone (HR 0.74, 95%CI:0.41-1.32, p=0.31). Multivariable analysis showed only PCI was associated with OS (HR 1.08, 95%CI:1.03-1.14, p=0.003). Low PCI patients had similar PDFS after CRS/HIPEC (HR 1.07, 95%CI:0.61-1.87, p=0.814) compared to CRS alone. High PCI patients had improved OS comparing CRS/HIPEC to CRS (MMC: HR 0.17, 95%CI:0.04-0.76, p=0.02; OX: HR 0.048, 95%CI:0.006-0.37, p=0.004).

Conclusion:

HIPEC was not associated with OS or PDFS in patients with PCI≤10 but was associated with improved OS and PDFS in patients with PCI≥11. Use of HIPEC for high PCI may be warranted, though randomized prospective data is needed to confirm this.
Geometric Protein Optimization
Authors: Wirtz Dario , Horn Claus
Published: February 2025

The vastness of the space of possible protein variations is often regarded an insurmountable challenge for effective optimization. Traditional approaches focus primarily on substitutions near the binding pocket but are frequently hindered by epistatic effects and non-convex optimization landscapes. Current AI-aided methods can accelerate laboratory procedures but largely target the same substitutions. Here, we propose a complementary approach, Geometric Protein Optimization (GPO), an AI-native framework that fine-tunes the global geometry of the protein by combining a large number of substitutions from diverse locations along the sequence. GPO leverages the strong inverse power-law dependence of electrostatic forces where small adjustments can have large effects on binding affinity. We make the surprising discovery that the inclusion of distal substitutions leads to a smoother and approximately separable optimization landscape. Our empirical investigations reveal three stylized facts about this landscape that we use as a guide to develop BuildUp, a baseline algorithm for GPO. Results show that it is able to navigate this landscape much more effectively and achieve significant improvements in in silico binding affinity (Kd) across diverse protein-ligand complexes. Evaluations of the derived variants through protein-ligand interaction profiling, docking simulations, and molecular dynamics simulations confirm that GPO can achieve beneficial effects even with a sequence-based scoring function.
Impact of Dexmedetomidine on the Prognosis of Patients with Sepsis-Induced Myocardial Injury: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Xinyi Zhang , Xiaoyan Guo , Zhongxing Zhao , Wei Li , Huaiyu Chen , Hongyan Li , Jiandong Lin , Mingrui Lin
Published: February 2025

Background

Sepsis-Induced Myocardial Injury (SIMI) is a serious complication with high in-hospital and 28-day mortality. Dexmedetomidine (DEX), a selective α2-adrenergic receptor agonist, has shown anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects, but its impact on SIMI prognosis is unclear.

Methods

This retrospective study used the MIMIC-IV database, including SIMI patients diagnosed per Sepsis-3 criteria. Propensity score matching (PSM) balanced baseline characteristics, and Cox regression analyzed the association between DEX use and mortality outcomes. External validation was performed using the MIMIC-III database.

Results

Among 3,921 SIMI patients (375 DEX, 3,546 non-DEX), DEX use showed a trend toward lower 28-day mortality (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.23–1.05, p = 0.068) and in-hospital mortality (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.20–1.02, p = 0.055). After PSM, mortality remained lower in the DEX group. ICU and hospital stays were longer in the DEX group, but CRRT use showed no significant differences. External validation confirmed these findings.

Conclusion

DEX use may reduce 28-day and in-hospital mortality in SIMI patients, providing preliminary evidence for its potential benefits. Further large-scale studies are needed to confirm these results.