bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Memoryscapes of Martyrdom: Nineteenth-Century Poetry and the Death of Emily Wilding Davison in the Suffragette (1913)
Authors: Van Remoortel Marianne
Published: February 2025

This article examines the reuse of nineteenth-century poetry in the Suffragette (1912–15), the official paper of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) edited by Christabel Pankhurst, as part of the reportage on the death and funeral of suffragette Emily Wilding Davison (1872–1913). Davison was fatally injured when she stepped in front of the King’s horse during a protest at the Epsom Derby on 4 June 1913, and was hailed by the WSPU as a martyr to the cause of women’s suffrage. Previous scholarship has argued that Davison’s martyrdom was grounded in religion, with the WSPU portraying her as a female Christ or modern Joan of Arc. This article presents a more complex picture by drawing attention to the many instances of both secular and religious martyr poetry – often quoted from nineteenth-century poets – published in the Suffragette in the two weeks following Davison’s death. Considering the Suffragette’s coverage of the Derby event and its aftermath as activist memoryscape, it brings recent scholarship in memory studies into conversation with insights from the field of periodical studies. In doing so, the article aims to demonstrate that the image of Davison that the WSPU sought to project into the future was constructed from a wide range of martyr traditions and was particularly intertwined with the memories of martyrdom preserved in poetry by two major nineteenth-century social movements: socialism and abolitionism.
Gas accretion at high redshift: cold flows all the way
Authors: Waterval Stefan , Cannarozzo Carlo , Macciò Andrea V
Published: February 2025

We study in detail how massive galaxies accrete gas through cosmic time using cosmological hydrodynamical simulations from the High-z Evolution of Large and Luminous Objects (HELLO) and the Numerical Investigation of a Hundred Astrophysical Objects (NIHAO) projects. We find that accretion through cold filaments at high z ($z\approx 2$–4) is a key factor in maintaining the high star-formation rates ($\gtrsim 100\, {\mathrm{M}}_{\odot }\, \mathrm{yr}^{-1}$) observed in these galaxies, and that more than 75 per cent of the total gas participating in the star formation process is accreted via this channel at high z even in haloes well above $10^{12}$ ${\mathrm{M}}_{\odot }$. The low volume occupancy of the filaments allows plenty of space for massive gas outflows generated by the vigorous star formation and AGN activity, with the cold incoming gas and the hot outflowing gas barely interacting. We present a model based on Bayesian hierarchical formalism able to accurately describe the evolution of the cold fraction accretion with redshift and halo mass. Our model predicts a relatively constant critical mass ($M_{\mathrm{c}}$) for cold-to-hot transition up to $z\sim 1.3$ and an evolving critical mass $\log (M_{\mathrm{c}}) \propto \log (1+z)^{1.7}$ at higher redshift. Overall, our findings provide deeper insight into the cosmic evolution of gas accretion modes and offer a robust framework for understanding how cold accretion contributes to galaxy growth across different epochs.
Survey of radiative, two-temperature magnetically arrested simulations of the black hole M87* I: turbulent electron heating
Authors: Chael Andrew
Published: February 2025

We present a set of 11 two-temperature, radiative, general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the black hole M87* in the magnetically arrested state, surveying different values of the black hole spin $a_*$. Our 3-D simulations self-consistently evolve the temperatures of separate electron and ion populations under the effects of adiabatic compression/expansion, viscous heating, Coulomb coupling, and synchrotron, bremsstrahlung, and inverse Compton radiation. We adopt a subgrid heating prescription from gyrokinetic simulations of plasma turbulence. Our simulations have accretion rates $\dot{M}=(0.5-1.5)\times 10^{-6}\dot{M}_{\rm Edd}$ and radiative efficiencies $\epsilon _{\rm rad}=$ 3–35 per cent. We compare our simulations to a fiducial set of otherwise identical single-fluid general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) simulations and find no significant changes in the outflow efficiency or black hole spin-down parameter. Our simulations produce an effective adiabatic index for the two-temperature plasma of $\Gamma _{\rm gas}\approx 1.55$, larger than the $\Gamma _{\rm gas}=13/9$ value often adopted in single-fluid GRMHD simulations. We find moderate ion-to-electron temperature ratios in the 230 GHz emitting region of $R=T_{\rm i}/T_{\rm e}\,{\approx }\,5$. While total intensity 230 GHz images from our simulations are consistent with Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) results, our images have significantly more beam-scale linear polarization ($\langle |m|\rangle \approx 30~{{\rm per\ cent}}$) than is observed in EHT images of M87* ($\langle |m|\rangle \lt 10~{{\rm per\ cent}}$). We find a trend of the average linear polarization pitch angle $\angle \beta _2$ with black hole spin consistent with what is seen in single-fluid GRMHD simulations, and we provide a simple fitting function for $\angle \beta _2(a_*)$ motivated by the wind-up of magnetic field lines by black hole spin in the Blandford–Znajek mechanism.
V498 Hya, a new candidate for a period bouncer cataclysmic variable
Authors: Tovmassian Gagik , Inight Keith , Pala Anna Francesca , Gänsicke Boris T , Chandra Vedant , Green Matthew , Toloza Odette , Schreiber Matthias R
Published: February 2025

V498 Hya (SDSS J084555.07+033929.2) was identified as a short-period cataclysmic variable (CV) by the Catalina Real-Time Transient Survey (CRTS) in 2008. The superhump period was measured during the detected single superoutburst of V498 Hya. The quiescent spectrum subsequently taken by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey-V Milky Way Mapper survey suggested that the CV donor may be a brown dwarf. We present time-resolved follow-up spectroscopy of V498 Hya in quiescence, obtained with the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) Optical System for Imaging and low-intermediate-resolution Integrated Spectroscopy (OSIRIS) spectrograph, from which we derived the 86.053 min spectroscopic period, systemic radial velocity, and the gravitational redshift of the Mg ii line. We also modelled the spectral energy distribution to constrain the system parameters, including the ≥0.82 $\mathrm{ M}_\odot$ mass of the white dwarf and the best-fitting value $0.043\pm 0.004\ \mathrm{M}_\odot$ of the donor star mass. This combination of parameters implies that V498 Hya has evolved past the period minimum and is a relatively rare ‘period bouncer’.
Structure of gaps induced by retrograde satellites embedded in accretion discs
Authors: Sánchez-Salcedo F J , Santillán A
Published: February 2025

Using 2D simulations, we investigate how a non-accreting satellite on a fixed retrograde circular orbit affects the structure of the accretion disc in which it is embedded. We vary the satellite-to-primary mass ratio q, the disc viscosity $\nu$, and the inner boundary conditions. A viscous criterion for gap opening is derived, which is broadly consistent with the simulations. We find a scaling relation of the gap depth with q and $\nu$. Unlike the prograde case, the satellite is located at the gap’s inner edge, resulting in a surface density at the satellite’s orbital radius up to 20 times higher than at the gap’s minimum. As the viscosity decreases, the gap depth increases, while the radial shift of the gap and the satellite’s orbital radius decreases. Gap-opening satellites may drive radial motions in the disc, producing eccentric gaps. Positioned at the gap edge, satellites experience a rapidly fluctuating environment. Migrating satellites can develop orbital eccentricities comparable to the disc’s aspect ratio. In a 3D simulation with $q=0.01$, the flow velocity exhibits a notorious vertical component in the gap’s inner edge. A comparison between 2D and 3D simulations reveals a slight radial offset in gap position, resulting in a lower surface density at the perturber’s orbital radius in the 3D simulation.
Large serine integrases utilise scavenged phage proteins as directionality cofactors
Authors: Alsaleh Abdulrazak , Holland Alexandria , Shin Heewhan , Reyes Tania Pena , Baksh Aron , Taiwo-Aiyerin Oluwateniola T , Pigli Ying , Rice Phoebe A , Olorunniji Femi J
Published: February 2025

Recombination directionality factors (RDFs) for large serine integrases (LSIs) are cofactor proteins that control the directionality of recombination to favour excision over insertion. Although RDFs are predicted to bind their cognate LSIs in similar ways, there is no overall common structural theme across LSI RDFs, leading to the suggestion that some of them may be moonlighting proteins with other primary functions. To test this hypothesis, we searched for characterized proteins with structures similar to the predicted structures of known RDFs. Our search shows that the RDFs for two LSIs, TG1 integrase and Bxb1 integrase, show high similarities to a single-stranded DNA binding (SSB) protein and an editing exonuclease, respectively. We present experimental data to show that Bxb1 RDF is probably an exonuclease and TG1 RDF is a functional SSB protein. We used mutational analysis to validate the integrase-RDF interface predicted by AlphaFold2 multimer for TG1 integrase and its RDF, and establish that control of recombination directionality is mediated via protein–protein interaction at the junction of recombinase’s second DNA binding domain and the base of the coiled-coil domain.
A gate-clamp mechanism for ssDNA translocation by DdmD in Vibrio cholerae plasmid defense
Authors: Li Ruoyu , Liu Yusong , Gao Haishan , Lin Zhonghui
Published: February 2025

The DdmDE antiplasmid system, consisting of the helicase-nuclease DdmD and the prokaryotic Argonaute (pAgo) protein DdmE, plays a crucial role in defending Vibrio cholerae against plasmids. Guided by DNA, DdmE specifically targets plasmids, disassembles the DdmD dimer, and forms a DdmD–DdmE handover complex to facilitate plasmid degradation. However, the precise ATP-dependent DNA translocation mechanism of DdmD has remained unclear. Here, we present cryo-EM structures of DdmD bound to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) in nucleotide-free, ATPγS-bound, and ADP-bound states. These structures, combined with biochemical analysis, reveal a unique “gate-clamp” mechanism for ssDNA translocation by DdmD. Upon ATP binding, arginine finger residues R855 and R858 reorient to interact with the γ-phosphate, triggering HD2 domain movement. This shift repositions the gate residue Q781, causing a flip of the 3′ flank base, which is then clamped by residue F639. After ATP hydrolysis, the arginine finger releases the nucleotide, inducing HD2 to return to its open state. This conformational change enables DdmD to translocate along ssDNA by one nucleotide in the 5′ to 3′ direction. This study provides new insights into the ATP-dependent translocation of DdmD and contributes to understanding the mechanistic diversity within SF2 helicases.
Greater income and financial well-being are associated with higher prosocial preferences and behaviors across 76 countries
Authors: Vanags Paul , Cutler Jo , Kosse Fabian , Lockwood Patricia L
Published: February 2025

Prosocial preferences and behaviors—defined as those that benefit others—are essential for health, well-being, and a society that can effectively respond to global challenges. Identifying factors that may increase or decrease them is therefore critical. Wealth, in the form of income or subjective financial well-being (FWB), may be crucial in determining prosociality. In addition, individuals’ experience of precarity (inability to meet basic needs) or country-specific factors could change how wealth correlates with prosociality, yet this impact is unknown. Here, we tested how self-reported household income (HHI) and FWB were associated with seven measures of prosociality in a global, representative sample of 80,337 people across 76 countries. We show a consistent positive association between wealth and prosociality, across both measures and for both financial and nonfinancial prosocial preferences and behaviors. HHI was positively associated with altruism, positive reciprocity, donating money, volunteering, and helping a stranger, but negatively associated with trust. FWB was positively associated with all aspects of prosociality, including trust. Individuals’ experience of precarity reduced the strength of wealth associations for prosocial preferences but increased them for prosocial behaviors. Positive associations between wealth and prosociality were found around the world and across country-level wealth and cultural factors. These findings could have important implications for enhancing prosociality, critical for a healthy and adaptive society.
Isotope geolocation and population genomics in Vanessa cardui: Short- and long-distance migrants are genetically undifferentiated
Authors: Reich Megan S , Shipilina Daria , Talla Venkat , Bahleman Farid , Kébé Khadim , Berger Johanna L , Backström Niclas , Talavera Gerard , Bataille Clément P
Published: February 2025

The painted lady butterfly Vanessa cardui is renowned for its virtually cosmopolitan distribution and the remarkable long-distance migrations as part of its annual, multigenerational migratory cycle. In winter, V. cardui individuals inhabit breeding grounds north and south of the Sahara, suggesting distinct migratory behaviors within the species as individuals migrate southward from Europe in the autumn. However, the evolutionary and ecological factors shaping these differences in migratory behavior remain largely unexplored. Here, we performed whole-genome resequencing and analyzed the hydrogen and strontium isotopes of 40 V. cardui individuals simultaneously collected in the autumn from regions both north and south of the Sahara. Our investigation revealed two main migratory groups: (i) short-distance migrants, journeying from temperate Europe to the circum-Mediterranean region and (ii) long-distance migrants, originating from Europe, crossing the Mediterranean Sea and Sahara, and reaching West Africa, covering up to over 4,000 km. Despite these stark differences in migration distance, a genome-wide analysis revealed that short- and long-distance migrants belong to a single intercontinental panmictic population extending from northern Europe to sub-Saharan Africa. Contrary to common biogeographic patterns, the Sahara is not a catalyst for population structuring in this species. No significant genetic differentiation or signs of adaptation and selection were observed between the two migratory phenotypes. Nonetheless, two individuals, who were early arrivals to West Africa covering longer migration distances, exhibited some genetic differentiation. The lack of genetic structure between short- and long-distance migrants suggests that migration distance in V. cardui is a plastic response to environmental conditions.
Classical Continuum Limit of the String Field Theory Dual to Lattice Gauge Theory
Authors: Kawana Kiyoharu
Published: February 2025

We discuss the classical continuum limit of the string field theory dual to the SU(N) lattice gauge theory and investigate various fundamental phenomena in the continuum theory at the mean-field level. Our construction of the continuum theory is based on the concept of area derivative, which can be regarded as a generalization of the ordinary derivative ∂/∂xμ to operators acting on functional fields φ[C] on the loop space. The resultant continuum theory has a $\mathbb {Z}_N^{}$ 1-form global symmetry, which originates in the $\mathbb {Z}_N^{}$ center symmetry in the gauge theory. We find that the confined and deconfined phases of the gauge theory are identified by the unbroken and broken phases of the $\mathbb {Z}_N^{}$ symmetry respectively by showing the Area/Perimeter law of the classical solution. In the broken phase, the low-energy effective theory is described by a BF-type topological field theory and has a emergent $\mathbb {Z}_N^{}$ (D − 2)-form global symmetry. The existence of the emergent symmetry is deeply related to (D − 2)-dimensional topological configurations (i.e. center vortex for D = 4), and we explicitly construct such a topological defect in the continuum theory. Finally, we also comment on the upper and lower critical dimensions of the gauge theory/string field theory.
First report of Brugmansia latent virus on Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia sp.) in Florida, USA
Authors: Soria Patricia , Fryman Melanie , McVay John , Dey Kishore
Published: February 2025

Angel’s trumpet (Brugmansia sp.) is a perennial shrub that is widely propagated as an ornamental and landscape plant around the world. In November 2022, Brugmansia sp. leaves with severe mosaic symptoms were collected from a nursery in Duval County, Florida, USA and sent to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry for pathogen identification. Based on serology, reverse-transcription PCR, and sequencing, the virus was identified as Brugmansia latent virus (BrLV). To our knowledge, this is the first report of BrLV in Florida from any host.
Combined protein and transcriptomics identifies DCTPP1 as a putative biomarkers for predicting immunotherapy responsiveness in gastric cancer patients
Authors: Wei Jun , Qin Yuexuan , Zhang Luwen , Gong Xiaobing
Published: February 2025

This study aimed to screen the changes after overexpression of dCTP pyrophosphatase 1 (DCTPP1) in human gastric adenocarcinoma cells (AGS) cells by proteome and transcriptome sequencing. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis were performed to explore the functional significance of the differentially expressed DCTPP1 in gastric cancer (GC). Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect the proliferation of cells. Western blot was used to detect the expression of proteins. A total of 28 genes that were significantly associated with DCTPP1 overexpression and had prognostic value were screened by Cox regression analysis. The results of gene set enrichment analysis showed that the genomes of patients with subtype A exhibited significant enrichment in pathways such as DNA repair, pyrimidine synthesis, and glucose metabolism. The tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion and The Cancer Immunome Atlas databases showed that patients with type A GC were better candidates for immunotherapy than patients with type B GC. Furthermore, the CCK-8 assay indicated significantly enhanced proliferative activity after overexpressing DCTPP1 in AGS cells, corroborating the findings from the bioinformatic analysis. The data suggest a potential association between DCTPP1 expression and both the prognosis of GC patients and the efficacy of immunotherapy. These findings offer valuable insights for the potential optimization of therapeutic strategies in gastric cancer.
The effect of culture on the benefits of awake prone positioning for adults with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Karanth Sowmyashree Kota , Azhar Saajid Z. , Corrales-Martinez Maria J. , Krishnamoorthy Vijay , Wongsripuemtet Pattrapun T. , Cobert Julien , Hashemaghaie Mona , Raghunathan Karthik
Published: February 2025

BACKGROUND

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) conducted early during the pandemic showed that awake prone positioning (APP) significantly reduced the risk of intubation among adults with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), but more recent studies have questioned this benefit. We hypothesise that the effects of APP may vary with the national Power Distance Index (PDI), a measure of hierarchy in local culture.

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a meta-analysis examining the effects of APP in adults with COVID-19 ARDS and examine whether effects differ between nations with a PDI less than 80 versus at least 80 (low versus high deference to authority).

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs.

DATA SOURCES

Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), the Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline and Scopus were searched to November 2024.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

All RCTs that compared APP with standard care in adults with COVID-19-related ARDS or Acute Hypoxaemic Respiratory Failure (AHRF) were included.

RESULTS

Twenty-two RCTs were identified with 3615 patients having valid data. APP reduced the risk of intubation [relative risk (RR) 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.72 to 0.90]. Effects were greater in nations with a PDI at least 80 (RR 0.67, 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.82), and there was equipoise in nations with a PDI less than 80 (RR 0.89, 95% CI, 0.75 to 1.05). Intubation rates in the high PDI nations decreased from 32.3% (n = 512) with standard care to 21.2% (n = 508) with APP. The reduction in intubations with APP was less pronounced in nations with low PDI, from 20.1% (n = 1012) with standard care to 17.1% (n = 1084). The risk of mortality reduced with APP (RR 0.86, 95% CI, 0.74 to 0.99). Fidelity of APP, specifically, adherence to the recommended duration, was higher in nations with PDI at least 80 (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

APP reduces the risk of intubation and mortality, but the significance of this benefit varies with the cultural context. Effects are strong in nations with a higher PDI, where intubation rates are lower and adherence to APP higher.
Multicenter, retrospective GUIDANCE001 study comparing transarterial chemoembolization with or without tyrosine kinase and immune checkpoint inhibitors as conversion therapy to treat unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: Survival benefit in intermediate or advanced, but not early, stages
Authors: Yang Da-Long , Ye Lin , Zeng Fan-Jian , Liu Jie , Yao Hong-Bing , Nong Jun-Liang , Liu Shao-Ping , Peng Ning , Li Wen-Feng , Wu Pei-Sheng , Qin Chuang , Su Ze , Ou Jun-Jie , Dong Xiao-Feng , Yan Yi-He , Zhong Teng-Meng , Mao Xian-Shuang , Wu Ming-Song , Chen Yao-Zhi , Wang Guo-Dong , Li Mian-Jing , Wang Xue-Yao , Yang Fu-Quan , Liang Yong-Rong , Chen Shu-Chang , Yang Yong-Yu , Chen Kang , Li Fu-Xin , Lai Yong-Cheng , Pang Qing-Qing , Liang Xiu-Mei , You Xue-Mei , Xiang Bang-De , Yu Ya-Qun , Ma Liang , Zhong Jian-Hong ,   on behalf of the GUIDANCE investigators
Published: February 2025

Background and Aims:

Various conversion therapy options have become available to patients with unresectable HCC, but which conversion therapy is optimal for which type of patient is controversial. This study compared the efficacy and safety of TACE alone or combined with immune checkpoint and tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Approach and Results:

Data were retrospectively compared for patients with initially unresectable HCC who underwent conversion therapy consisting of TACE alone (n=459) or combined with immune checkpoint and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (n=343). Compared to the group that received TACE alone, the group that received triple conversion therapy showed significantly higher rates of overall survival (HR 0.43, 95%CI 0.35–0.53). In addition, triple therapy was associated with significantly longer median progression-free survival (15.9 vs. 8.0 mo, p<0.001). These results were confirmed in matched subsets of patients from each group. However, subgroup analysis confirmed the results only for patients with HCC in intermediate or advanced stages, not in an early stage. Those who received triple conversion therapy had a significantly higher rate of hepatectomy after conversion therapy (36.4 vs. 23.5%, p<0.001). Among those who underwent hepatectomy after conversion therapy, triple therapy was associated with a significantly higher rate of complete tumor response (32.1 vs. 11.1%, p<0.001). However, it was also associated with a significantly higher frequency of serious adverse events (35.6 vs. 27.0%, p=0.009).

Conclusions:

Combining TACE with immune checkpoint and tyrosine kinase inhibitors was associated with significantly better survival and conversion efficacy than TACE alone among patients with intermediate or advanced unresectable HCC.
Shamil technique 3.0: a novel approach for extraocular scleral fixation of intraocular lenses
Authors: Louaya Shamil , Frarchi Mohammed , Houti Sarah
Published: February 2025

Cataract surgery is a prevalent ophthalmic procedure, typically involving the phacoemulsification of the lens and implantation of an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). In cases where standard implantation is not feasible, alternative techniques such as scleral fixation become necessary. This article introduces the “Shamil technique 3.0,” a novel scleral implantation method characterized by external manipulation through a microincision, which reduces intraoperative complications. The surgical protocol consists of 2 main phases: preparation of the implant injection system and the implantation of IOL. The technique uses a foldable 4-eyelet IOL. Our approach allows for quick, secure IOL positioning while minimizing risks associated with traditional methods. In a series of 10 eyes, we achieved an average postoperative visual acuity of 7/10 (decimal notation), with no complication. The Shamil technique 3.0 offers an accessible, effective, and reproducible solution for managing aphakia in complex cases.
Conditioned pain modulation: controlling for the order of baseline and conditioning
Authors: Lautenbacher Stefan , Horn-Hofmann Claudia , Kunz Miriam
Published: February 2025

Conditioned pain modulation (CPM) is assumed to capture endogenous pain modulation. In standard CPM designs, the evaluation of a painful test stimulus (TS) (baseline) is followed by a second evaluation of the TS during/after application of a painful conditioning stimulus (CS) (treatment). However, these standard CPM within designs (baseline always preceding treatment) do not control for order effects, which might help to distinguish specific CPM inhibition from general habituation. To tackle this issue, we conducted 2 separate studies where we controlled for order effects to investigate whether CPM effects depend on the order of baseline and treatment. In both studies, a sample of 60 participants underwent 2 CPM test blocks: one standard order block (baseline before treatment) and one reversed order block (treatment before baseline), separated by a 20-minute break (randomized order across participants). Pain thresholds and pain ratings of phasic heat stimuli served as measures of TS. Cold water (study 1) and cuff pressure algometry (study 2) served as CS. We found significant CPM order effects in both studies and for both measures of TS (pain threshold and ratings). Only the standard CPM order (baseline before treatment) yielded robust pain inhibition effects, whereas the reversed order (treatment before baseline) led to no modulation or seeming pain facilitation. Because control for order effects is otherwise mandatory in within designs, it is surprising that it has been neglected in standard CPM protocols. Finding pain inhibition only in the standard CPM order suggests that CPM inhibition is at least partially confounded with habituation.
Standardizing research methods for opioid dose comparison: the NIH HEAL morphine milligram equivalent calculator
Authors: Adams Meredith C. B. , Sward Katherine A. , Perkins Matthew L. , Hurley Robert W.
Published: February 2025

We developed the National Institutes of Health helping to end addiction long-term initiative morphine milligram equivalent (MME) calculator to standardize MME calculations across pain research studies, addressing a critical barrier to effective research synthesis and meta-analysis. The tool provides evidence-based mapping factors for 29 opioids through a research electronic data capture-based calculator and companion Web site (research-mme.wakehealth.edu). Development involved systematic evidence evaluation of literature from 1949 to March 2024, following PRISMA guidelines. From an initial screening of over 170,050 articles, we identified 24 studies providing evidence for conversion factors. The calculator incorporates 4 standardized time-window calculation methods aligned with current research approaches and includes traditional full agonists, partial agonists, and mixed-mechanism agents. Using modified GRADE methodology, we evaluated evidence quality for each conversion factor, documenting levels from high-quality randomized controlled trials to pharmacokinetic extrapolation. Our tool replicates most existing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conversion factors while expanding coverage to 7 additional opioids and 6 formulations not included in the 2022 CDC conversion table. The calculator features options to analyze results with or without buprenorphine, accommodating its emerging role in pain research. This standardized framework enables researchers to map opioid doses using consistent, evidence-based ratios and harmonize data collection across research networks. While the tool represents a significant advance in standardizing MME calculations for research, limitations in the underlying evidence base highlight the need for continued validation through clinical research.
The impact of lifestyle factors across the life course on sarcopenia and physical frailty
Authors: Yang Daphne Zihui , Kua Joanne , Lim Wee Shiong
Published: February 2025

Purpose of review

Muscle health helps maintain locomotor capacity, a key component of intrinsic capacity, which is required for healthy ageing. Sarcopenia is characterized by the age-related decline in muscle mass and strength leading to impaired physical performance, and has been described as a biological substrate of physical frailty. Both sarcopenia and physical frailty share phenotypic features of weakness and slowness, lead to common adverse outcomes, and have potential for reversal through early identification and intervention. The purpose of this review is to present recent evidence for the impact of lifestyle interventions across the life course on sarcopenia and physical frailty.

Recent findings

Resistance exercise alone or combined with balance and aerobic training as part of a multicomponent exercise program and high-quality diets incorporating adequate protein remain the mainstay of treatment for sarcopenia and physical frailty. Reducing sedentary time and increasing physical activity, adherence to Mediterranean diet, increasing vegetable and caffeinated beverage intake, cardiovascular risk factor modification, improving sleep hygiene and depressive symptoms may also contribute to slowing down age-related decline in muscle health.

Lifestyle interventions such as physical activity, diet, sleep and mental health are effective against sarcopenia and physical frailty. Targeting lifestyle modifications in early to midlife may retard further decline in locomotor capacity and optimize intrinsic capacity of older persons, reducing the risk of sarcopenia, physical frailty and their attendant negative health outcomes.
Liquid biopsies for early detection and monitoring of cancer: advances, challenges, and future directions
Authors: Qureshi Zaheer , Altaf Faryal , Khanzada Mikail , Safi Adnan , Asghar Zoha , Warraich Daniyal , Shah Shivendra
Published: February 2025

The article offers an extensive survey of the progressions, problems, and future trends of liquid biopsies in the early discovery and surveillance of cancer. Liquid biopsies can detect signals associated with cancer by looking at biological fluids like cerebrospinal fluid, blood, or urine, making them a less invasive alternative to traditional tissue biopsies.

Methods:

The review explores the molecular biology and techniques behind liquid biopsy, including circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulatory tumor cells (CTCs), and exosomes. It evaluates clinical applications of liquid biopsy across different cancer types, showing their potential for early diagnosis, monitoring disease progression, and therapy response prediction.

Results:

The article identifies several critical issues with liquid biopsies, including achieving a balance between high sensitivity and specificity, standardizing protocols, addressing technological heterogeneity, and ensuring cost-effectiveness and accessibility. Also, ethical issues about informed consent, data privacy, incidental findings management, and equal testing access have been examined in this context.

Conclusion:

Finally, this article sheds light on future developments in liquid biopsies, such as enhanced specificity, sensitivity, and integration with artificial intelligence methods.
Investigating the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on the sperm parameters
Authors: Maleki Hadi , Bazrafkan Mahshid , Fatahi Behrouz , Moradi Mohsen
Published: February 2025

Background:

COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, may impact male reproduction by affecting spermatogenesis and testicular function. This study analyzes semen parameters, including volume, total count, motility, viability, morphology, and concentration, before and after the pandemic over a 3- to 12-month period postinfection.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted at infertility and urology clinics. Demographic and medical history data, including age, BMI, number of children, underlying diseases, smoking, and alcohol consumption, were extracted from medical records. Parameters analyzed include semen volume, total sperm count, progressive motility, vitality, sperm morphology, and sperm concentration. The timeframe for sperm analysis ranges from three months to one-year postinfection.

Results:

A study of 150 men (mean age: 36.4 ± 6.6) compared semen parameters before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Semen volume showed no significant change (P = 0.73). Sperm concentration and total sperm count significantly decreased (P < 0.000). Sperm morphology also declined significantly (P = 0.043). However, sperm motility and motility percentage showed no significant changes (P = 0.427 and P = 0.306, respectively).

Conclusion:

SARS-CoV-2 infection can adversely affect male reproductive health, emphasizing the need for targeted treatment strategies to mitigate these effects. Understanding the virus’s impact on semen parameters will help in developing effective therapies, thereby reducing disease-related costs and improving fertility rates.
Trauma center proliferation in the United States: concerns and potential solutions
Authors: Dehghan Niloofar , Cannada Lisa K. , El Naga Ashraf N. , Miller Anna , Schlatterer Dan ,   on behalf of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association Health Policy Committee
Published: February 2025

There has been an increase in the number of Level I and II trauma centers across the United States in the past few decades. However, data suggest that access to trauma care remains poor in rural areas of the country, while in many urban areas, trauma center density may be too high. Excessive trauma center proliferation in urban areas has the potential for negative effects on patient care and increased trauma system costs. The efficiency and competency of each trauma center may be decreased by having less access to patients, with research, surgeon experience, and training programs for residents, fellows, medical students, and other allied health providers all affected. Because of these concerns, the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) Health Policy Committee reviewed trauma center trends and trauma system needs and considered the potential effect of the increase in the number of centers on patient care as well as surgeon experience and training. This article reviews the different types of trauma centers and their designation process, as well as the growth in trauma centers during the past few decades. The committee identified and explored each of these issues and provides suggestions for improvement. Potential solutions identified include developing and applying strict criteria for determining the number of trauma centers needed within a given region, considering the needs of the local population, cost containment, and impact on adjacent trauma centers and their educational and research missions. There is opportunity for the OTA to work even more collaboratively with the American College of Surgeons to develop such criteria and to be involved with the orthopaedic accreditation and orthopaedic requirements. Collaboration between professional medical societies such as the OTA and American College of Surgeons and state and federal agencies is needed to help optimize the distribution of trauma centers.
Selection for tameness alters play-like behaviour in red junglefowl in line with effects of domestication
Authors: Oscarsson Rebecca , Gjøen Johanna , Jensen Per
Published: February 2025

The phenotypic alterations brought by domestication have been hypothesized to be driven by selection for tameness. To explore this, we selected red junglefowl (RJF) for high (HF) and low (LF) fear of humans for 14 generations. We previously found that domesticated chickens performed more play-like behaviours during early ontogeny, and therefore, in this study, we explored potential effects of tameness. Groups of three to four chicks were randomly created from each selection line, and each group was moved to an enriched play arena twice per week, from day 6 until day 53 post-hatch. The frequency of 14 different play-like behaviours, categorized as locomotor, social and object play-like behaviour were recorded for 30 min at every observation instance. Every group of three or four birds constituted the independent statistical replicates and measures were averaged within the groups. The frequency of total play-like behaviour as well as object, and locomotor play-like behaviour was significantly higher in LF, while social play-like behaviour was significantly more common in HF. This largely mirrors previous observations of differences between domesticated and ancestral chickens. Hence, our results support the important role of tameness for the evolution of domesticated behaviour.
Reciprocating thermochemical mediator of pre-biotic polymer decomposition on mineral surfaces
Authors: Ball Rowena , Brindley John
Published: February 2025

A continuing frustration for origin of life scientists is that abiotic and, by extension, pre-biotic attempts to develop self-sustaining, evolving molecular systems tend to produce more dead-end substances than macromolecular products with the necessary potential for biostructure and function — the so-called ‘tar problem’. Nevertheless primordial life somehow emerged despite that presumed handicap. A resolution of this problem is important in emergence-of-life science because it would provide valuable guidance in choosing subsequent paths of investigation, such as identifying pre-biotic patterns on Mars. To study the problem we set up a simple non-equilibrium flow dynamical model for the coupled temperature and mass dynamics of the decomposition of a polymeric carbohydrate adsorbed on a mineral surface, with incident stochastic thermal fluctuations. Results show that the model system behaves as a reciprocating thermochemical oscillator. The output fluctuation distribution is bimodal, with a right-weighted component that guarantees a bias towards detachment and desorption of monomeric species such as ribose, even while tar is formed concomitantly. This fluctuating thermochemical reciprocator may ensure that non-performing polymers can be fractionated into a refractory carbon reservoir and active monomers which may be reincorporated into better-performing polymers with less vulnerability towards adsorptive tarring.
Evolution under intensive industrial breeding: skull size and shape comparison between historic and modern pig lineages
Authors: Haruda A. , Evin A. , Steinheimer F. , Schafberg R.
Published: February 2025

Domestication and subsequent human-induced selection has enhanced profound changes in animal morphology. On modern domestic pigs, those transformations encompass not only overall increases in body size but also modifications in skull morphology. While skull morphological differences between modern domestic pigs and wild boar are relatively well-documented, less understood is the variation and underlying mechanisms associated with intensive breeding. In this study, we investigated the rate and direction of phenotypic change of skull morphology using a unique dataset that includes two lineages of German domestic pig that were subjected to similar intensive industrial selection pressures throughout the twentieth century, alongside contemporaneous populations of German wild boar. Size and shape variation of 135 specimens was quantified through geometric morphometrics, with 82 three-dimensional landmarks. We find expected differences in skull shape between wild and domestic pigs, but also convergence between the two domestic lineages through the century of directed breeding, despite population segregation. Our results suggest that cranial morphologies have rapidly responded to selection pressure that is independent of genetic isolation. This also suggests that pig morphotypes quickly reflect human agency and impact upon domestic animal phenotypes, revealing a pathway to investigate early human breeding activity in ancient and historical contexts.
Modelling transmission and control of
Toxoplasma gondii
in New Zealand farmland
Authors: Binny Rachelle N. , Hickling Graham J. , James Alex , Niebuhr Chris N.
Published: February 2025

Toxoplasma gondii
is one of the world’s most prevalent parasites and has significant impacts on the health of humans, domestic animals and wildlife. In New Zealand’s rural environments,
T. gondii
creates economic losses for the farming industry and threatens vulnerable native avifauna and marine mammals. Predator control of rodents and feral cats has potential to reduce or even eliminate transmission of
T. gondii
on farms; however, the efficacy of such management is uncertain. We apply a mathematical model of
T. gondii
transmission dynamics in feral cat and rodent populations in New Zealand farmland and simulate varying intensities of predator control to predict changes in
T. gondii
prevalence and environmental contamination levels over time. The model predicts that predator control is relatively ineffective for reducing transmission in areas with high environmental contamination rates. However, assuming low rates of environmental contamination, local elimination of
T. gondii
could be achievable, for example, by control that sustains large reductions of 88%, 69% and 59% in feral cat, house mouse and ship rat populations, respectively, over 56 weeks. Predator control is, therefore, a potentially viable approach for managing
T. gondii
in some rural environments, but only if high levels of population control are sustained.
Unraveling the physical meaning behind Elko’s dual structure
Authors: Gracia Gabriel Brandão de , Bueno Rogerio Rodolfo José , Fabbri Luca
Published: February 2025

In this work, we shall analyse the necessity of a proper definition of the dual structure for Elko spinors and singular spinors in general. We examine in detail why the Dirac dual structure fails, and it is not functional for these cases, highlighting all the physical consequences of this misdirection. The approach considered here is different from the one usually taken in current literature. We pinpoint the shortcomings that this dual structure brings to particle interpretation and propagator structure, as well as the implications in non-locality and the existence of negative energy levels. This investigation furnishes a background for the successful achievements in the field associated with such proper dual formulation.
Parasite spillover rather than niche expansion explains infection of host brain by diplostomid eye flukes
Authors: Diaz-Suarez Alfonso , Kisand Veljo , Kahar Siim , Gross Riho , Vasemägi Anti , Noreikiene Kristina
Published: February 2025

Parasites often occupy specific sites within their host, which has important implications for host performance and parasite transmission. Nonetheless, parasitic infections can occur beyond their typical location within a host, significantly altering host–parasite interactions. Yet, the causes behind the atypical tissue tropism are poorly understood. Here, we focus on a ubiquitous group of diplostomid parasites that form diverse communities in fish eyes. We used targeted DNA metabarcoding (cytochrome c oxydase subunit 1, COX1, 250 bp) to evaluate potential mechanisms underlying eye parasite atypical tissue tropism to the brain of two widespread fish species (Eurasian perch and common roach). We found that the most common eye-infecting species (
Tylodelphys clavata
,
Diplostomum baeri
) are present in the brains of perch but not in roach. The bipartite network comprising 5 species and 24 mitochondrial haplotypes revealed no brain-specific haplotypes, indicating an apparent lack of genetic divergence between brain- and eye-infecting parasites. Instead, the prevalence, intensity and diversity of eye infections were positively correlated with brain infections. Thus, our results suggest that the most parsimonious mechanism underlying brain infection is density-dependent spillover rather than parasite divergence-driven niche expansion. We anticipate that ‘off-target’ infections are likely to be severely underestimated in nature with important ecological, evolutionary and medical implications.
Do you remember? Within-generation and transgenerational heat stress memory of recurring marine heatwaves in threespine stickleback
Authors: Spence-Jones Helen C. , Scheibl Cassandra , Pein Carla M. , Ionita Monica , Shama Lisa N. S.
Published: February 2025

Marine heatwaves can have major and lasting effects on organism physiology and species persistence. Such temperature extremes are increasing in frequency, with consecutive heatwave events already occurring within the lifetime of many organisms. Heat stress memory (thermal priming) by individuals is a potential within-generation response to cope with recurring marine heatwaves. However, whether this form of biological memory can be inherited across generations is not well known. We used a three-generation experiment to investigate individual and transgenerational effects of single and recurring marine heatwaves on fitness-related traits using stickleback (
Gasterosteus aculeatus
) as a model species. We exposed adults (both sexes) to heatwaves and assessed female reproductive output in both the parent and offspring generation, and offspring (both sexes) survival, growth and behaviour to establish a holistic picture of potential heatwave effects on ectothermic fish. Exposure to single, extreme heatwaves lowered reproductive output, decreased offspring exploratory behaviour, impeded capacity to respond to further thermal stress and reduced long-term survival. However, prior experience of heatwaves (heat stress memory) mitigated some of these effects at both an individual (growth) and transgenerational (fecundity) level, indicating that species experiencing increasing heatwave frequency as part of ongoing climate change may cope better than previously thought.
Short-term management of kelp forests for marine heatwaves requires pre-emptive action
Authors: Hopf Jess K. , Giraldo-Ospina Anita , Caselle Jennifer E. , Kroeker Kristy J. , Carr Mark H. , Botsford Louis W. , Hastings Alan , White J. Wilson
Published: February 2025

Heatwaves are now pervasive stressors to marine ecosystems globally and it is urgent to consider mitigation tools that support ecosystem resilience and persistence in the immediate future. We modeled a system of kelp, herbivorous urchin, and predatory fish to compare how potential management mitigation actions (kelp seeding, urchin removal, and fishery closures) could reduce the likelihood of a heatwave shifting a kelp forest into a degraded urchin barren state. We found that those interventions must commence at or before the start of a heatwave to be effective. Closing the predatory fish fishery was more effective when done earlier and for longer while urchin removal and kelp seeding needed to be undertaken immediately before, and continue throughout the heatwave. Our results suggest the need for improved heatwave forecasting and nimble management protocols to enact mitigation actions quickly if a heatwave is forecasted or occurs.