bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flexible and stretchable bioelectronics for organoids
Authors: Lee Jaeyong , Liu Jia
Published: February 2025

Organoids have gained significant interest due to their ability to recapitulate the structural, molecular, and functional complexity of corresponding organs. While methods have been developed to characterize and benchmark organoid structural and molecular properties, capturing the functional development and maturation of organoids remains challenging. To address this, the development of multifunctional bioelectronics for interfacing with organoids has been actively pursued. However, conventional electronics face limitations in achieving multifunctional recording and control across the entire three-dimensional (3D) volume of organoids in a long-term stable manner due to the large morphological and cellular composition changes during development. In this review, we first discuss the application of conventional electronics for organoid interfacing. We then focus on the development of flexible and stretchable electronics designed to create organoid/electronics hybrids for chronically stable interfaces. We also review recent advancements in flexible multifunctional electronics for charting multimodal cell activities throughout development. Furthermore, we explore the integration of flexible bioelectronics with other characterization modalities for comprehensive multimodal charting of cells within 3D tissues. Finally, we discuss the potential of integrating artificial intelligence into the organoid system through embedded electronics, harnessing organoid intelligence for biosymbiotic computational systems. These advancements could provide valuable tools for characterizing organoid functional development and maturation, establishing patient-specific models, developing therapeutic opportunities, and exploring novel computational strategies.

Graphical abstract
Impact of Reduced Anthropogenic Emissions Associated With COVID‐19 Lockdown on PM2.5 Concentration and Canopy Urban Heat Island in Canada
Authors: Ashraf Samaneh , Pausata Francesco S. R. , Leroyer Sylvie , Stevens Robin , Munoz‐Alpizar Rodrigo
Published: February 2025

Extensive lockdowns during the COVID‐19 pandemic caused a remarkable decline in human activities that have influenced urban climate, especially air quality and urban heat islands. However, the impact of such changes on local climate based on long term ground‐level observations has hitherto not been investigated. Using air pollution measurements for the four major Canadian metropolitan areas (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary), we find that PM2.5 markedly decreased during and after lockdowns with peak reduction ranging between 42% and 53% relative to the 2000–2019 reference period. Moreover, we show a substantial decline in canopy urban heat island intensity during lockdown and in the post lockdowns periods with peak reduction ranging between 0.7°C and 1.6°C in comparison with the 20‐year preceding period. The results of this study may provide insights for local policymakers to define the regulation strategies to facilitate air quality improvement in urban areas.
Greenland Ice Sheet Wide Supraglacial Lake Evolution and Dynamics: Insights From the 2018 and 2019 Melt Seasons
Authors: Dunmire Devon , Subramanian Aneesh C. , Hossain Emam , Gani Md Osman , Banwell Alison F. , Younas Hammad , Myers Brendan
Published: February 2025

Supraglacial lakes on the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) can impact both the ice sheet surface mass balance and ice dynamics. Thus, understanding the evolution and dynamics of supraglacial lakes is important to provide improved parameterizations for ice sheet models to enable better projections of future GrIS changes. In this study, we utilize the growing inventory of optical and microwave satellite imagery to automatically determine the fate of Greenland‐wide supraglacial lakes during 2018 and 2019; low and high melt seasons respectively. We develop a novel time series classification method to categorize lakes into four classes: (a) Refreezing, (b) rapidly draining, (c) slowly draining, and (d) buried. Our findings reveal significant interannual variability between the two melt seasons, with a notable increase in the proportion of draining lakes, and a particular dominance of slowly draining lakes, in 2019. We also find that as mean lake depth increases, so does the percentage of lakes that drain, indicating that lake depth may influence hydrofracture potential. We further observe rapidly draining lakes at higher elevations than the previously hypothesized upper‐elevation hydrofracture limit (1,600 m), and that non‐draining lakes are generally deeper during the lower melt 2018 season. Our automatic classification approach and the resulting 2‐year ice‐sheet‐wide data set provide new insights into GrIS supraglacial lake dynamics and evolution, offering a valuable resource for future research.
Rainfall and Seasonality Drive Pyrogenic Carbon Stocks in Coarse‐Textured Mineral Soils
Authors: Haig Jordahna , Das Sourav , Sanderman Jonathan , Bird Michael I.
Published: February 2025

Pyrogenic carbon (PyC) from biomass burning is a large, but poorly quantified, slow‐cycling component of the soil organic carbon pool. Modeling of soil carbon dynamics can be improved by including the processes governing the input and cycling of PyC in the soil. The carbon isotope composition of PyC (δ13CPyC) provides a tracer for the partitioning of PyC into the soil from biomass. We report the stocks and δ13C values for PyC and organic carbon (OC) for 41 regions dominated by savannas and seasonally wet to arid regions of Australia and Africa. Stocks of PyC in the 0–5 cm interval ranged from 0 to 1.17 MgC ha−1 (mean 0.43 ± 0.25 MgC ha−1) and in the 0–30 cm interval ranged from 0.25 to 3.89 MgC ha−1 (mean 1.65 ± 0.77 MgC ha−1). PyC stocks averaged 8% (but were up to 25%) of total organic carbon (TOC) stocks. Stocks tended to highest in relatively wet, but seasonally dry, regions such as tropical savannas. PyC abundance could be predicted (r = 0.8 to 0.95) from environmental variables only. δ13CPyC values varied widely between regions, but with no systematic differences within regions related to current vegetation or sample depth, likely due to the long residence time of PyC in the soil. δ13CPyC values were strongly correlated with δ13COC values but were systematically 1–2‰ higher even in C3 only regions.
Atmospheric Advection and Precipitation Control Fog's Occurrence Over the Southern Ocean in Summer
Authors: Jiang Keyue , Liu Changwei , Yang Qinghua , Vihma Timo , Chen Dake , Han Bo
Published: February 2025

Sea fog strongly affects human activities in the Southern Ocean (SO), but little is known about the factors controlling its occurrence and properties. Using multi‐year ship‐based observations and state‐of‐the‐art atmospheric reanalysis data, we summarize two methods to identify sea fog episodes on a climatologic scale and estimate the sea fog occurrence in SO from 1979 to 2019. The first method considers the sea‐air temperature difference and atmospheric humidity, while the second explores the similarity between fog and low‐level clouds. Both methods revealed three centers of sea fog occurrence in the SO. Further analysis shows that the downward surface sensible heat flux due to the southward heat advection in the lower troposphere determines the monthly climatology and linear trends of sea fog occurrence. Precipitation suppresses summer sea fog over the entire SO and partly determines the latter's response to the Southern Annular Mode on an interannual scale.
Numerical Investigation Into Mechanical Behavior of Metastable Olivine During Phase Transformation: Implications for Deep‐Focus Earthquakes
Authors: Sindhusuta S. , Chi Sheng‐Wei , Foster Craig , Officer Timothy , Wang Yanbin
Published: February 2025

One hypothesized mechanism that triggers deep‐focus earthquakes in oceanic subducting slabs below ∼300 km depth is transformational faulting due to the olivine‐to‐spinel phase transition. This study uses finite element modeling to investigate phase transformation‐induced stress redistribution and material weakening in olivine. A thermodynamically consistent constitutive model is developed to capture the evolution of phase transformation in olivine under different pressure and temperature conditions. The overall numerical model enables considering multiscale material features, including the polycrystalline structure, mesoscale heterogeneity, and various phases or variants of phases at the microscopic level, and accounts for viscoplastic behaviors with thermo‐mechanical coupling effects. The model is validated with several benchmarks, including a phase diagram of phase transformation from olivine to spinel. The validated model is used to study the interactive behaviors between defects (heterogeneity) and phase transformation. The simulation results reveal that spinel formation under pressure initiates near inclusions and along the grain boundaries, consistent with experimental observations. At lower temperatures, the transformation leads to the formation of thin conjugate bands of spinel diagonal to the compression loading direction. Local stress analysis along these bands also suggests the initiation of faulting. In contrast, the numerical results at higher transformation rates show that significant spinel formation occurs over a larger area at elevated temperatures, leading to ductile behavior, which agrees with experimental findings. Numerical simulation of multiple inclusions under confined pressure also shows the formation of a network of spinel bands resembling phase‐transformation patterns observed in the laboratory experiments. Additionally, stress softening patterns due to phase transformation are similar to experimental observations.
Leaf Spectroscopy Reveals Drought Response Variation in Fagus sylvatica Saplings From Across the Species' Range
Authors: Kurath Dave , van Moorsel Sofia J. , Klaver Jolanda , Voortman Tis , Siegfried Barbara , Brügger Yves‐Alain , Moradi Aboubakr , Czyż Ewa A. , de La Harpe Marylaure , Wiesenberg Guido L. , Schaepman Michael E. , Schuman Meredith C.
Published: February 2025

The common European beech (Fagus sylvatica), sensitive to prolonged drought, is expected to shift its distribution with climate change. To persist in novel environments, young trees rely on the capacity to express diverse response phenotypes. Several methods exist to study drought effects on trees and their diverse adaptive mechanisms, but these are usually destructive and challenging for the large sample numbers needed to investigate biological variation. We conducted a common garden experiment outdoors, but under controlled watering conditions, with 180 potted 2‐year‐old saplings from 16 beech provenances across the species' range, representing three distinct genetic clusters. Drought stress was simulated by interrupting irrigation and stomatal conductance and soil moisture were used to assess drought severity. We measured leaf reflectance of visible to short‐wave infrared electromagnetic radiation to determine drought‐induced changes in biochemical and structural traits derived from spectral indices and a model of leaf optical properties. We quantified changes in pigmentation, water balance, nitrogen, lignin, epicuticular wax, and leaf mass per area in drought‐treated saplings, revealing differences in likely adaptive responses to drought. F. sylvatica saplings from the Iberian Peninsula showed signatures of greater drought resistance, that is, the least drought‐induced change in spectrally derived traits related to leaf pigments and leaf water content. We demonstrate that high‐resolution leaf spectroscopy is an effective and non‐destructive tool to assess individual drought responses that can characterize functional intraspecific variation among young beech trees. Next, this approach should be scaled up to canopy‐level or airborne spectroscopy to support drought response assessments of forests.
Opportunities in the translational pipeline for pediatric brain cancer therapies
Authors: Rumberger Rivera Lindsay , Springer Nora L. , Bailey Katherine , Patel Jenny , Brett Christopher , Barker Elizabeth
Published: February 2025

Primary malignant central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the pediatric population. Moreover, survivors often experience significant long-term treatment-related morbidity. Challenges unique to drug delivery to the central nervous system have hampered therapeutic progress. In the past decade, significant advancements in our understanding of molecular biology, genetic alterations, and the tumor microenvironment have allowed us to improve our in vitro and laboratory animal models to better replicate diseases seen in the pediatric population. Recently, a comparative approach using naturally-occurring CNS malignancies in dogs with similar disease progression, histologic presentation, and treatment response has been proposed as an enticing model system. Given these improvements in the translational pipeline, there is an opportunity to identify and implement effective therapies more efficiently to pediatric CNS malignancy populations.

Impact

Relevant and translational pre-clinical studies are needed to find chemotherapeutics and targeted agents that can reach therapeutic doses within tumors in children without causing systemic adverse effects.

A discussion of comparative oncology is provided with the intent to foster veterinary/human oncology collaboration.

While the traditional pipeline for translating medications from bench to bedside has been evolving and improving over the last decade, the advances and remaining roadblocks of this pipeline are reviewed and discussed in this article.
Long noncoding RNA GDIL acts as a scaffold for CHAC1 and XRN2 to promote platinum resistance of colorectal cancer through inhibition of glutathione degradation
Authors: Deng Xuan , Chang Lu , Tang Lingyu , Jiang Haoqin , Xu Xiao , Zhang Xinju , Chen Jian , Dong Liu , Xu Qianqian , Cao Ruoshui , Xiang Jianbin , Guan Ming
Published: February 2025

Acquired resistance poses a significant obstacle to the effectiveness of platinum-based treatment for cancers. As the most abundant antioxidant, glutathione (GSH) enables cancer cell survival and chemoresistance, by scavenging excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by platinum. Therapeutic strategy targeting GSH synthesis has been developed, however, failed to produce desirable effects in preventing cancer progression. Thus, uncovering mechanisms of rewired GSH metabolism may aid in the development of additional therapeutic strategies to overcome or delay resistance. Here, we identify upregulation of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) GDIL (GSH Degradation Inhibiting LncRNA) in platinum resistant colorectal cancer (CRC) and ovarian cancer cells compared with parental ones. High expression of GDIL in resistant CRC is associated with poor survival and hyposensitivity to chemotherapy. We demonstrate that GDIL boosted GSH levels and enhances clearance of ROS induced by platinum. Metabolomic and metabolic flux analysis further reveals that GDIL promotes GSH accumulation by inhibiting GSH degradation. This is attributed by downregulation of CHAC1, an enzyme that specifically degrades intracellular GSH. Mechanistically, GDIL binds and re-localizes the nuclear protein XRN2 to the cytoplasm, where GDIL further serve as a scaffold for XRN2 to identify and degrade CHAC1 mRNA. Suppression of GDIL with selective antisense oligonucleotide, restored drug sensitivity in platinum resistant cell lines and delayed drug resistance in cell line- and patient-derived xenografts. Thus, lncRNA GDIL is a novel target to promote GSH degradation and augment platinum therapy.
GTPase GPN3 facilitates cell proliferation and migration in non-small cell lung cancer by impeding clathrin-mediated endocytosis of EGFR
Authors: Xu Linlin , Guo Jiankun , Xie Xinsheng , Wang Hailong , Jiang Alan , Huang Changhua , Yang Hua , Luo Shiwen , Chen Limin
Published: February 2025

Small GTPases play a critical role as regulatory molecules in signaling transduction and various cellular processes, contributing to the development of human diseases, including cancers. GPN3, an evolutionarily conserved member of the GPN-loop GTPase subfamily classified in 2007 according to its structure, has limited knowledge regarding its cellular functions and molecular mechanisms. In this study, we demonstrate that GPN3 interacts with clathrin light chain A (CLTA), a vesicle coat protein, as well as clathrin-mediated endocytosis associated modulators AP2B1 and AP2S1. Upregulation of GPN3 leads to the inhibition of clathrin-coated pit invagination. Furthermore, we discovered that GPN3 interacts with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and regulates the co-localization of EGFR and CLTA, as well as the localization of EGFR in early endosomes upon EGF stimulation. As a result, this leads to a decrease in endocytic levels of EGFR and an increase in the accumulation of EGFR on the cell membrane surface, thereby prolonging activation of EGFR signaling. The functional effects exerted by GPN3 are dependent on cellular levels of GTP abundance. Furthermore, our findings indicate that aberrant overexpression of GPN3 is observed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues, and high expression levels of GPN3 are associated with poor prognosis for NSCLC patients. Collectively, these findings reveal that GPN3 acts as an oncogene promoting cell proliferation and migration in NSCLC through regulation of clathrin-dependent EGFR endocytosis. These results suggest that targeting GPN3 could serve as a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic strategy for NSCLC treatment.
Visual and patient-reported outcomes of an enhanced versus monofocal intraocular lenses in cataract surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fernández Joaquín , Ribeiro Filomena , Burguera Noemí , Rodríguez-Calvo-de-Mora Marina , Rodríguez-Vallejo Manuel
Published: February 2025

Understanding the functional outcomes achieved with new enhanced monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) is crucial for adequately managing patient expectations. This study evaluated visual and patient-reported outcomes of an enhanced range of field IOL versus other monofocal IOLs in cataract patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis, pre-registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024561611), included studies from Medline (PubMed), Embase (Ovid), and trial registries (2019-2024) focused on binocular cataract surgeries with various IOL models. Primary outcomes assessed were monocular distance-corrected visual acuities (CDVA, DCIVA, DCNVA), defocus curves, and contrast sensitivity; secondary measures included binocular visual acuities and patient-reported outcomes such as spectacle independence and photic phenomena. Out of 31 studies (8 randomized clinical trials, 23 case series), high-certainty evidence indicated no significant difference in CDVA between enhanced and conventional IOLs. However, enhanced IOLs demonstrated better intermediate (DCIVA: −0.11 logMAR, CI 95%: −0.13 to −0.10) and near (DCNVA: −0.12 logMAR, CI 95%: −0.17 to −0.07) visual acuities, supported by defocus curves, though with lower-certainty evidence. No significant differences were observed in contrast sensitivity or photic phenomena, and evidence for positive dysphotopsia was moderate to low. Enhanced IOLs significantly favored intermediate-distance spectacle independence, with an odds ratio of 7.85 (CI 95%: 4.08–15.09), though no differences were observed for distance spectacle independence. Near-distance spectacle independence also favored enhanced IOLs, though with low-certainty evidence. In summary, enhanced IOLs provide improved intermediate and near visual acuities compared to conventional monofocal IOLs, though further studies are needed to confirm outcomes in contrast sensitivity and patient-reported outcomes across various enhanced monofocal IOLs.
Adherence to american urological association (AUA) vasectomy guidelines: a systematic review of current practice among healthcare providers
Authors: Mahdi Mohammed , Hammad Muhammed A. M. , Abou Chawareb Elia , Almuhaideb Mana , Yafi Faysal A.
Published: February 2025

Vasectomy, a common male sterilization procedure, has seen a surge in popularity following the 2022 reversal of Roe v. Wade. The American Urological Association (AUA) vasectomy guidelines provide essential guidance for providers, outlining best practices for the procedure. We reviewed studies that examined adherence to the AUA vasectomy guidelines with regard to pre-procedure counseling, surgical technique, and post vasectomy semen analysis (PVSA) practice, as well as studies evaluating the impact of these guidelines on urology and non-urology practices. A total of five studies were identified that assessed adherence to the guidelines. Only one of these studies evaluated adherence to all three aspects of the guidelines. The remaining four studies focused solely on the practice of PVSA. Overall, urologists exhibited greater adherence to the guidelines compared to other healthcare providers. However, the adherence rates were still suboptimal. Five additional studies were included that evaluated the use of home-based PVSA, which is not part of the AUA guidelines. Conflicting results were found regarding the test compliance. While the studies evaluating home-based PVSA may raise the question of including this approach in the guidelines panel discussion, it is important to consider the potential benefits and drawbacks before incorporating it as an option in future guidelines.
Rapid learning with phase-change memory-based in-memory computing through learning-to-learn
Authors: Ortner Thomas , Petschenig Horst , Vasilopoulos Athanasios , Renner Roland , Brglez Špela , Limbacher Thomas , Piñero Enrique , Linares-Barranco Alejandro , Pantazi Angeliki , Legenstein Robert
Published: February 2025

There is a growing demand for low-power, autonomously learning artificial intelligence (AI) systems that can be applied at the edge and rapidly adapt to the specific situation at deployment site. However, current AI models struggle in such scenarios, often requiring extensive fine-tuning, computational resources, and data. In contrast, humans can effortlessly adjust to new tasks by transferring knowledge from related ones. The concept of learning-to-learn (L2L) mimics this process and enables AI models to rapidly adapt with only little computational effort and data. In-memory computing neuromorphic hardware (NMHW) is inspired by the brain’s operating principles and mimics its physical co-location of memory and compute. In this work, we pair L2L with in-memory computing NMHW based on phase-change memory devices to build efficient AI models that can rapidly adapt to new tasks. We demonstrate the versatility of our approach in two scenarios: a convolutional neural network performing image classification and a biologically-inspired spiking neural network generating motor commands for a real robotic arm. Both models rapidly learn with few parameter updates. Deployed on the NMHW, they perform on-par with their software equivalents. Moreover, meta-training of these models can be performed in software with high-precision, alleviating the need for accurate hardware models.
Effective in vivo binding energy landscape illustrates kinetic stability of RBPJ-DNA binding
Authors: Huynh Duyen , Hoffmeister Philipp , Friedrich Tobias , Zhang Kefan , Bartkuhn Marek , Ferrante Francesca , Giaimo Benedetto Daniele , Kovall Rhett A. , Borggrefe Tilman , Oswald Franz , Gebhardt J. Christof M.
Published: February 2025

Transcription factors (TFs) such as RBPJ in Notch signaling bind to specific DNA sequences to regulate transcription. How TF-DNA binding kinetics and cofactor interactions modulate gene regulation is mostly unknown. We determine the binding kinetics, transcriptional activity, and genome-wide chromatin occupation of RBPJ and mutant variants by live-cell single-molecule tracking, reporter assays, and ChIP-Seq. Importantly, the search time of RBPJ exceeds its residence time, indicating kinetic rather than thermodynamic binding stability. Impaired RBPJ-DNA binding as in Adams-Oliver-Syndrome affect both target site association and dissociation, while impaired cofactor binding mainly alters association and unspecific binding. Moreover, our data point to the possibility that cofactor binding contributes to target site specificity. Findings for other TFs comparable to RBPJ indicate that kinetic rather than thermodynamic DNA binding stability might prevail in vivo. We propose an effective in vivo binding energy landscape of TF-DNA interactions as instructive visualization of binding kinetics and mutation-induced changes.
Transcriptome size matters for single-cell RNA-seq normalization and bulk deconvolution
Authors: Lu Songjian , Yang Jiyuan , Yan Lei , Liu Jingjing , Wang Judy Jiaru , Jain Rhea , Yu Jiyang
Published: February 2025

The variation of transcriptome size across cell types significantly impacts single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data normalization and bulk RNA-seq cellular deconvolution, yet this intrinsic feature is often overlooked. Here we introduce ReDeconv, a computational algorithm that incorporates transcriptome size into scRNA-seq normalization and bulk deconvolution. ReDeconv introduces a scRNA-seq normalization approach, Count based on Linearized Transcriptome Size (CLTS), which corrects differential expressed genes typically misidentified by standard count per 10 K normalization, as confirmed by orthogonal validations. By maintaining transcriptome size variation, CLTS-normalized scRNA-seq enhances the accuracy of bulk deconvolution. Additionally, ReDeconv mitigates gene length effects and models expression variances, thereby improving deconvolution outcomes, particularly for rare cell types. Evaluated with both synthetic and real datasets, ReDeconv surpasses existing methods in precision. ReDeconv alters the practice and provides a new standard for scRNA-seq analyses and bulk deconvolution. The software packages and a user-friendly web portal are available.
Cyclic di AMP phosphodiesterase nanovaccine elicits protective immunity against Burkholderia cenocepacia infection in mice
Authors: Gawad Wesam E. , Nagy Yosra I. , Samir Tamer M. , Mansour Ahmed Mohamed Ibrahim , Helmy Omneya M.
Published: February 2025

Burkholderia cenocepacia causes life-threatening infections in immunocompromised patients. Treatment is challenging due to intrinsic antibiotic multiresistance, so vaccination provides an alternative approach. We aimed to identify vaccine candidates using reverse vaccinology and evaluate their efficacy as protein-loaded chitosan: pectin nanoparticles (C:P NPs) in a vaccine model. Applying strict subtractive channels, three proteins were shortlisted: WP_006481710.1 (LY), WP_012493605.1 (KT), and WP_006492970.1 (BD). Proteins were cloned, purified as His-tagged proteins, and loaded onto C:P NPs. Vaccinated mice had significantly higher systemic IgG and mucosal IgA antibody responses and induced IL-6 and IL-17A. 6x-His-LY-CS:P NPs and 6x-His-KT-CS:P NPs vaccines induced TNF-α. Vaccines conferred significant protection against B. cenocepacia intranasal infections. In conclusion, cyclic-di-AMP phosphodiesterase (WP_012493605.1) is a promising vaccine candidate that elicited IgG and IgA antibodies, Th1, Th2, and Th17 cellular immunity in BALB/c mice and protected against B. cenocepacia infection. This provides hope for saving lives of people at high risk of infection.
Federated and reusable processing of Earth observation data
Authors: Mohr Matthias , Pebesma Edzer , Dries Jeroen , Lippens Stefaan , Janssen Bram , Thiex Daniel , Milcinski Grega , Schumacher Benjamin , Briese Christian , Claus Michele , Jacob Alexander , Sacramento Paulo , Griffiths Patrick
Published: February 2025

The unprecedented and continuously growing volume of Earth Observation (EO) and geospatial data has necessitated a paradigm change where compute is collocated with the data archives in public clouds. However, as no single cloud platform can host all of this data, federated processing solutions that work across multiple cloud platforms are becoming increasingly relevant. A community-based approach to federated processing has started using openEO, a common Application Programming Interface (API) and set of well-defined processes that simplifies reuse and provides a valuable level of abstraction when handling large EO data volumes. We present key concepts for federated processing and related interoperability aspects based on openEO Platform, a federated public cloud platform.
The expanded genome of Hexamita inflata, a free-living diplomonad
Authors: Akdeniz Zeynep , Havelka Michal , Stoklasa Michal , Jiménez-González Alejandro , Žárský Vojtěch , Xu Feifei , Stairs Courtney W. , Jerlström-Hultqvist Jon , Kolísko Martin , Provazník Jan , Svärd Staffan , Andersson Jan O. , Tachezy Jan
Published: February 2025

Diplomonads are anaerobic, flagellated protists, being part of the Metamonada group of Eukaryotes. Diplomonads either live as endobionts (parasites and commensals) of animals or free-living in low-oxygen environments. Genomic information is available for parasitic diplomonads like Giardia intestinalis and Spironucleus salmonicida, while little is known about the genomic arrangements of free-living diplomonads. We have generated the first reference genome of a free-living diplomonad, Hexamita inflata. The final version of the genome assembly is fragmented (1241 contigs) but substantially larger (142 Mbp) than the parasitic diplomonad genomes (9.8–14.7 Mbp). It encodes 79,341 proteins; 29,874 have functional annotations and 49,467 are hypothetical proteins. Interspersed repeats comprise 34% of the genome (9617 Retroelements, 2676 DNA transposons). The large expansion of protein-encoding capacity and the interspersed repeats are the major reasons for the large genome size. This genome from a free-living diplomonad will be the basis for further studies of the Diplomonadida lineage and the evolution of parasitism-free living style transitions.
Synergistic effect of defocus incorporated multiple segment glasses and repeated low level red light therapy against myopia progression
Authors: Yang Yan , Liu Shenghong , Gao Wenwen , Wang Lei , Liu Na , Zhang Shiying , Yang Lianjing , Cheng Lingyun
Published: February 2025

Defocus incorporated multiple segment (DIMS) lenses and repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) are used to retard myopia progression. However, it is currently unknown if there is a synergistic effect of the two interventions. In the current study, 190 school-aged children with myopia (380 eyes) were studied for the change in axial length (AL) over nearly one year of follow-up. Of 380 eyes, 170 eyes wore DIMS lenses, 80 eyes had RLRL therapy, and 130 eyes had both interventions (DIMS_RLRL) for myopia control. AL changes were calculated at each follow-up visit by subtracting the baseline measurements and normalized to yearly changes in mm. AL changes as a primary outcome were analyzed in a generalized linear mixed model to compare effect sizes of myopia control among three interventions while adjusting for age, sex, baseline axial length, and follow-up length. Participants had a mean age of 9.84 ± 2.63 years old, mean AL of 24.49 ± 1.20 mm, mean SER of -2.90 ± 2.08 diopters, and mean follow-up time of 301 ± 91 days. By the end of the study, the adjusted mean yearly axial change with combination therapy was − 0.13 mm, -0.04 mm for the eyes with RLRL alone, and 0.16 mm for the eyes with DIMS lenses alone (p < 0.0001). Combination therapy of DIMS and RLRL has significantly greater effect size in controlling myopia progression than either RLRL alone (p = 0.0009) or DIMS alone (p < 0.0001).
Me vs. the machine? Subjective evaluations of human- and AI-generated advice
Authors: Osborne Merrick R. , Bailey Erica R.
Published: February 2025

Artificial intelligence (“AI”) has the potential to vastly improve human decision-making. In line with this, researchers have increasingly sought to understand how people view AI, often documenting skepticism and even outright aversion to these tools. In the present research, we complement these findings by documenting the performance of LLMs in the personal advice domain. In addition, we shift the focus in a new direction—exploring how interacting with AI tools, specifically large language models, impacts the user’s view of themselves. In five preregistered experiments (N = 1,722), we explore evaluations of human- and ChatGPT-generated advice along three dimensions: quality, effectiveness, and authenticity. We find that ChatGPT produces superior advice relative to the average online participant even in a domain in which people strongly prefer human-generated advice (dating and relationships). We also document a bias against ChatGPT-generated advice which is present only when participants are aware the advice was generated by ChatGPT. Novel to the present investigation, we then explore how interacting with these tools impacts self-evaluations. We manipulate the order in which people interact with these tools relative to self-generation and find that generating advice before interacting with ChatGPT advice boosts the quality ratings of the ChatGPT advice. At the same time, interacting with ChatGPT-generated advice before self-generating advice decreases self-ratings of authenticity. Taken together, we document a bias towards AI in the context of personal advice. Further, we identify an important externality in the use of these tools—they can invoke social comparisons of me vs. the machine.
Global decline in net primary production underestimated by climate models
Authors: Ryan-Keogh Thomas J. , Tagliabue Alessandro , Thomalla Sandy J.
Published: February 2025

Marine net primary production supports critical ecosystem services and the carbon cycle. However, the lack of consensus in the direction and magnitude of projected change in net primary production from models undermines efforts to assess climate impacts on marine ecosystems with confidence. Here we use contemporary remote sensing net primary production trends (1998–2023) from six remote sensing algorithms to discriminate amongst fifteen divergent model projections. A model ranking scheme, based on the similarity of linear responses of net primary production to changes in sea surface temperature, chlorophyll-a and the mixed layer, finds that future declines in net primary production are more likely than presently predicted. Even the best ranking models still underestimate the sensitivity of declines in net primary production to ocean warming, suggesting shortcomings remain. Reproducing this greater temperature sensitivity may lead to even larger declines in future net primary production than presently considered for impact assessment.
Near-infrared responsive three-component supramolecular hydrogels of peptide, agarose and upconversion nanoparticles
Authors: Rosenbusch Ivo , Mählmann Dominik , Ravoo Bart Jan
Published: February 2025

Self-assembled, low molecular weight hydrogels are of particular interest for the development of responsive materials because they exhibit tunable viscoelasticity, high water content, and shear-thinning behavior, which make them suitable...
The interaction between various food components and intestinal microbiota improves human health through the gut–X axis: independently or synergistically
Authors: Li Fenfa , Peng Xichun , Li Wenzhi
Published: February 2025

Food contains various components that improve health by affecting the gut microbiota, primarily by modulating its abundance or altering its diversity.
Temperature-responsive properties of pH-sensitive poly(methacrylic acid)-grafted brush coatings with controlled wettability for cell culture
Authors: Lishchynskyi Ostap , Tymetska Svitlana , Shymborska Yana , Raczkowska Joanna , Awsiuk Kamil , Skirtach Andre G. , Korolko Sergiy , Chebotar Anastasiia , Budkowski Andrzej , Stetsyshyn Yurij
Published: February 2025

The underexplored temperature-responsive properties of PMAA were determined for grafted PMAA brushes, with distinct properties when polymerized (via SI-ATRP) from NaMAA (more hydrophilic and antifouling) and MAA (more hydrophobic and biocompatible).
Enhanced breakdown strength and polarization behavior in relaxor ferroelectric films via bidirectional design of defect engineering and heterogeneous interface construction
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Hao Hua , Huang Rui , Cao Minghe , Yao Zhonghua , Liu Hanxing
Published: February 2025

Through bidirectional design of heterogeneous interface construction and defect engineering, a high Wrec of 83.6 J cm−3 and efficiency of 74.1% are achieved for the 2 mol% Fe-doped 0.8NBT–0.2BLT film.
Density functional theory and EXAFS spectroscopy studies of formamidoxime-intercalated molybdenum disulfide for the removal of Eu(iii) and U(vi)
Authors: Wang Jian , Liu Wangyang , Li Yan
Published: February 2025

Controlling radioactive pollution is crucial for the sustainable development of nuclear energy.
Assessing urban security and safety smartness: A systematic review of key performance indicators
Authors: Gallardo‐Amores Francisco J. , Del‐Real Cristina , Díaz‐Fernández Antonio M.
Published: February 2025

The smart city framework has become a key approach to addressing urbanisation challenges over the last 2 decades. While KPIs have been developed for various smart city dimensions, security and safety remain underexplored. This paper addresses this gap through a systematic review of KPIs. The study examines how urban security and safety smartness is assessed, focusing on three questions: (RQ1) What indicators measure urban security and safety smartness? (RQ2) In which smart city dimensions are these KPIs located? (RQ3) How are these KPIs defined and quantified? Using PRISMA guidelines, databases including Web of Science, Scopus, and IEEE Xplore were searched, yielding 2369 sources. After screening, 38 studies were analysed. A total of 182 unique KPIs were identified and categorised into crime prevention and control (53), perceptions of safety (11), emergency and disaster management (50), and cybersecurity (68). Most KPIs focus on city outcomes, with fewer addressing smart technology functionalities. Definitions and measurement approaches lack consensus. This review identifies gaps in defining and measuring smart urban security and safety. Standardising KPIs and incorporating technology‐specific metrics are key directions for future research.
The Skincubator: A Novel Incubator for Skin-to-Skin Care (SSC) of Premature Neonates, Enables SSC within Humidified Environment and may Improve Thermoregulation during SSC
Authors: Nitzan Itamar , Kasirer Yair , Mimouni Francis B. , Kagan Tehilla , Bin Nun Alona , Weiss Tali B. , White Robert D. , Hammerman Cathy
Published: February 2025

Objective This study aimed to assess thermoregulation and humidity within the Skincubator—a novel, wearable skin-to-skin incubator designed to attach to the caregiver.

Study Design Preterm neonates (PN; born between 24 and 33 weeks gestational age [GA]) received skin-to-skin care (SSC) either via the Skincubator or traditional SSC (t-SSC) with continuous axillary temperature monitoring.

Results Twenty PN were enrolled in the study and treated in the Skincubator. One couple who consented to Skincubator care during delivery subsequently revoked their consent and the baby was excluded from further analysis. Fifty-four paired sessions of Skincubator and t-SCC were performed and compared for 19 babies. The average GA was 29 weeks (range: 26–32), the average weight was −1,296 ± 271 g, and the average day of life was 5 ± 2. The temperature drop after transfer to Skincubator care was smaller than in t-SSC (0.2°C [0.2–0.3] vs. 0.4°C [0.3–0.6]; Wilcoxon's signed rank test [WSRT], p < 0.001). The average hypothermia time per session was a median (25th–75th%) of 8.2 minutes (0–9) for Skincubator, compared to 27.8 minutes (0–56) for t-SSC, respectively (WSRT, p = 0.002). No baby had moderate hypothermia (35.5–35.9°C) during Skincubator care as compared with eight babies who experienced moderate hypothermia during t-SSC (Fisher's exact test p = 0.003). The average Skincubator humidity was 85 ± 7% and was above 70% during 93% of the time.

Conclusion Skincubator SSC was superior to t-SSC in maintaining PN temperature while also maintaining an optimally humidified environment. The Skincubator may promote early SSC in very and extremely PN. (Trial registration number MOH_2021–12–13_010470 registration date 24/10/21.)

Key Points
No Development (Economics or Studies) Without Decolonisation
Authors: Dutt Devika
Published: February 2025

The decolonisation of development studies and knowledge in general has become a very popular conversation. However, the idea of decolonisation is rather ill-defined in academia, with a variety of arguably unrelated initiatives being pursued in the interest of decolonising development studies. This paper defines what decolonising development studies entails by arguing that development studies is characterized by eurocentrism. Specifically, I argue that the idea of development in development studies is that of the development of capitalism, which is seen to have developed in Europe due to largely intrinsic European characteristics related to resource availability, labour productivity, and institutions. Therefore, much of the discourse of development is based on this implicit idea that the periphery can and should follow this path of progress. However, this is a path of development is mythical, and ignores the role played by colonialism and the slave trade, and the transformation of social relations. And since the Eurocentric understanding of the development of capitalism in the capitalist centre is the epistemological norm for development, the periphery can only be understood as aberrant from the ideal developmental norm. This compromises our understanding of the process of development. This article argues that decolonising development studies means dismantling the dominance of Eurocentric theories, methodologies, and approaches in development studies and to challenge the structural exclusions in development studies that supports and legitimizes Eurocentrism, and in turn, imperialism.
Elasticity, strength, and fracture of HTS YBa2Cu3O7–δ ceramics with varying density in the temperature range 4.2-293 K
Authors: Kovaleva V. N. , Moskalenko V. A. , Natsik V. D. , Smirnov S. N. , Zagoskin V. T. , Litvinenko Yu. G.
Published: February 2025

Systematic measurements of the ultimate strength and static Young’s modulus of superconducting yttrium ceramics with varying density (3.6–5.9 g/cm3) are carried out in experiments on quasistatic compression in the temperature interval 4.2-293 K. The effect of porosity as the main structural factor of ceramic materials on mechanical properties and type of fracture is investigated. For ceramics with a low density, a peculiarity in the temperature dependence of strength correlating with anomalies in their acoustic parameters is detected in the temperature range 60–200 K. Physical mechanisms of low-temperature fracture are analyzed as well as their relation with the observed regularities of strength variation.
Relation between peculiarities in the electron structure and optical properties of rare-earth metals
Authors: Sandratskii L. M.
Published: February 2025

The electron structure of spiral magnetic configurations of rare-earth metals is calculated directly for the first time by using the Korringa–Kohn–Rostoker method generalized to the case of noncollinear magnetic structures. In accordance with low-temperature optical experiments, a peak corresponding to the splitting of valence states in the exchange field of the 4f-shell is detected on the curves describing the interband density of states both for ferromagnetic and for spiral magnetic configurations. The position of the peak is found to be stable relative to a change in the magnetic structure for a certain interval of angles between the magnetic moments of neighboring atoms. A relation between the peak parameters and peculiarities of the electron structure is established.
Anisotropy of Zeeman splitting in electron spectra of ruthenium and osmium
Authors: Savchenko N. V.
Published: February 2025

The g-factors of conduction electrons in the hcp transition metals ruthenium and osmium are investigated theoretically. It is found that the behavior of orbital g-factors on the LM7 sheet of the Fermi surface is anisotropic. A comparison of the results of calculations with the data on the de Haas–van Alphen effect makes it possible to determine the enhancement factor for a number of orbits.
Magnon spectrum in strongly anisotropic magnets with domain walls
Authors: Gaponov A. I. , Ivanov B. A. , Kichizhiev A. N. , Mitsai Yu. N.
Published: February 2025

Correlation functions are determined and the spin wave spectrum is obtained in the case of a linear domain wall in strongly anisotropic ferro- and antiferromagnets with an “easy-plane” type anisotropy.
On the dynamics of two-band superconductors
Authors: Poluéktov Yu. M.
Published: February 2025

Phenomenological equations describing the dynamics of two-band superconductors are proposed on the basis of the Hamilton approach. The evolution of small perturbations is studied. A typical feature of two-band superconductors is the presence of a vibrational mode in which the phase difference and the number density of superconducting electrons in bands oscillate.
Phase transition in solid solutions of Dy1–xYxBa2Cu3O7–δ (δ ∼1)
Authors: D’yakonov V. P. , Zubov E. E. , Levchenko G. G. , Markovich V. I. , Fita I. M.
Published: February 2025

The effect of magnetic dilution of the Néel temperature of the system Dy1−x Yx Ba2Cu3O7−δ (δ ∼ 1.0<x<0.5) has been studied. The magnetic susceptibility measurement data show that the dependence of TN on x has an ascending region for 0<x<0.1, while the Néel temperature TN decreases almost linearly with decreasing concentration of Dy3+ ions in the interval 0.2<x<0.5. A mechanism is proposed for explaining the experimental dependence TN(x) and taking into consideration the short-range order in the arrangement of Dy3+ ions. The dependence of the extent of short-range order on the concentration of Dy3+ ions is established.
Magnetic properties of perovskites A0.6Pb0.4MnO3 (A=Nd, Sm, Gd)
Authors: Derkachenko V. N. , Troyanchuk I. O. , Pastushonok S. N.
Published: February 2025

The crystal structure and magnetic properties of perovskites A0.6Pb0.4MnO3 (A = Nd, Sm, Gd) are investigated. It is found that neodymium perovskite is a ferromagnet (Tc = 180 K). The unit cell of the compound is rhombohedrically distorted. The samarium perovskite is characterized by O1-orthorhombic distortions of the unit cell and is a nonuniform ferromagnet below 90 K. The unit cell of Gd0.6Pb0.4MnO3 is O1-orthorhombically distorted. Below 40 K, the magnetic properties are characteristic of spin glasses. A transition to the “frozen” state is accomplished by a gradual blocking of magnetic moments of ferromagnetic clusters. A decrease in the radius of rare-earth ion causes a distortion of the perovskite crystal structure due to a disparity in the radii of rare earth and manganese ions. The dynamic Jahn–Teller effect becomes static, and this results in a change in the mechanism of exchange interactions.
The influence of quantum interference of electrons on the electromagnetic generation of sound in a metal under conditions for the anomalous skin effect
Authors: Ustinov V. V. , Bebenin N. G. , Yartseva N. S.
Published: February 2025

The influence of interference of electron waves at the metal surface on the electromagnetic generation of ultrasound is considered. Calculations are carried out by using the free electron model. It is shown that the amplitude of a generated acoustic wave changes as compared to the classical case, firstly, due to a change in the surface impedance, and secondly, due to the emergence of an additional force concentrated near the surface as a result of quantum interference effects.