bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chinese College Students' Cognitive Biases Toward Suicide Prevention and Associated Strategies to Improve Life Education
Authors: Chen Jiaxin
Published: January 2025

Life education is an essential element of suicide prevention in colleges. However, the existing practice of life education in China may be insufficient to match the new spectrum of students' knowledge needs. The study exemplified the participants' responses to common suicide myths with a 3‐year follow‐up investigation (Study 1), and the optimal strategies individuals chose to manage the people in crisis in a hypothetical scenario (Study 2). The results revealed that generally, college students in China have mature cognitive attitudes toward suicide‐related issues, and have systematic structural representations of crisis intervention. However, there are some prominent cognitive biases, mainly focusing on concerns in the process of communication and evaluation, difficulty in considering suicide as a complex moral phenomenon, and insufficient awareness of problem orientation in crisis interventions. To match the students' new cognitive changes and modern education's higher moral requirements, the optimization direction should focus on the response to students' personalized cognitive reality by adding meta‐suicidology reflection, learning ethical reduction in case analysis, and cultivating problem‐solving skills.
Disentanglement–Induced Bistability in a Magnetic Resonator
Authors: Buks Eyal
Published: January 2025

Multi–stability in the response of a ferrimagnetic spin resonator to an externally applied driving is experimentally studied. The observed multi–stability cannot be derived from any master equation that linearly depends on the spins' reduced density operator. Traditionally, the nonlinearity that is required in order to theoretically account for the observed multi–stability is introduced by implementing the method of Bosonization. Here, an alternative explanation, which is based on the hypothesis that disentanglement spontaneously occurs in quantum systems is explored. According to this hypothesis, time evolution is governed by a master equation having an added nonlinear term, which deterministically generates disentanglement. Experimental results are compared with predictions derived from both competing theoretical models. It is found that better agreement with data is obtained from the disentanglement–based model. This finding, together with a difficulty to justify the Bosonization–based model, indirectly support the spontaneous disentanglement hypothesis.
Nonreciprocal Strong Mechanical Squeezing Based on the Kerr Effect in Cavity‐Magnon Optomechanical System
Authors: Tong Jia‐Le , Hao Yue , Wu Shao‐Xiong , Bai Cheng‐Hua , Bai Suying
Published: January 2025

In this study, a scheme is proposed to generate nonreciprocal strong mechanical squeezing in a cavity‐magnon optomechanical system based on the Kerr nonlinearity of the yttrium‐iron garnet (YIG) sphere. It is found that the magnon squeezing can be directly produced by the Kerr effect and it can induce strong mechanical squeezing through the squeezing transfer achieved by the cavity‐magnon interaction and the optomechanical interaction. The results further show that the mechanical mode coupled to the cavity can achieve squeezing effect in the selected magnetic field direction, but not in the opposite one. Moreover, by properly adjusting the magnon effective detuning and the Kerr effect strength, the degree of squeezing of the mechanical mode can even beyond the 3‐dB limit, and the optimal conditions for generating stronger squeezing are obtained. This work has important applications in the nonreciprocal quantum devices, quantum information processing, and quantum precision measurement.
Evidence‐Based Recommendations for Dietary Supplementation During Pregnancy: Is It Time for a Product Recall?
Authors: Cilar Budler Leona , Spevan Marija , Ivanisevic Kata , Budler Marko
Published: January 2025

Background

Micronutrient deficiencies in pregnant women are linked to serious health issues, including conception difficulties, spontaneous abortions, preterm births, low birth weight, birth defects and long‐term metabolic disorders. Despite the recognized importance of dietary supplementation during pregnancy, rigorous research and supplementation monitoring remain limited.

Objective

This study aimed to review the evidence on the impact of dietary supplementation on maternal and infant outcomes and to provide evidence‐based recommendations for dietary supplementation during pregnancy.

Methods

A systematic search, analysis, and synthesis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted between October and January 2022. Databases searched included PubMed, CINAHL with Full Text, Google Scholar and CrossRef. The study adhered to PRISMA guidelines and applied inclusion and exclusion criteria to identify relevant studies. A total of 51 RCTs were included and assessed for quality, categorizing articles as moderate or high quality.

Results

Of the 51 RCTs analyzed, 47 (92.16%) were of moderate quality, and 4 (7.84%) were of high quality. Findings revealed that recommended dietary supplementation doses for pregnant women are often set well below safety thresholds. Evidence supporting the efficacy of certain vitamins and minerals in pregnancy remains inconclusive. The study highlighted a dose–response conundrum, with an emphasis on identifying effective and safe doses.

Conclusion

Micronutrient deficiencies in pregnant women pose significant risks to maternal and infant health. Current dietary supplementation recommendations require enhancement and alignment with the latest and most robust evidence. This study provides a comprehensive overview of state‐of‐the‐art evidence and underscores the importance of bridging gaps in supplementation guidelines to optimize maternal and infant health outcomes.
Protic Ionic Liquid Based Potentiometric Sensors: High Selectivity Detection of Silver(I) Ions
Authors: Akyasan Abdulkadir , Özbek Oğuz , Akbaş Hüseyin , Işıldak Ömer
Published: January 2025

Protic ionic liquids or protic molten salts (PILs or PMOSs) consist entirely of ions and can undergo almost unlimited structural changes. ILs have been extensively used in the field of electroanalysis due to their high electrochemical stability and ionic conductivity. In this study, the usability of a PMOS as an ionophore was investigated. Firstly, 2‐phenylethylammonium benzoate (2PEAB) was synthesized, and then polymer membrane sensors containing this ionophore were prepared. The prepared sensors exhibited very high selectivity towards silver(I) ions. The novel silver(I)‐selective potentiometric sensor had a wide linear working range over the concentration range of 1.0 × 10−1–1.0 × 10−5 M, a low detection limit of 7.14 × 10−6 M, and Nernstian response of 59.3 ± 3.7 mV/decade. The prepared sensors had a relatively fast response time of <7 s, good reproducibility and a wide pH working range (4.0–10.0). The newly developed silver(I)–selective sensors were used as indicator electrodes for the potentiometric titration of silver(I) ions with sodium chloride and were successfully applied for the determination of silver(I) ion content in various water samples.
Recent Advancements of Niobium and Tantalum‐Based Materials: From Design Engineering to Energy Storage Applications
Authors: Worku Yared S. , Sikeyi Ludwe L. , Olaleru Akin S. , Dolla Tarekegn H. , Palaniyandy Nithyadharseni , Mathe Mkhulu M.
Published: January 2025

Niobium (Nb) and tantalum (Ta), transition metals with distinct physical and chemical properties, are highly attractive for applications in electrochemical energy storage (EES) devices. Their oxides, dichalcogenides, and MXenes demonstrate significant potential due to effective ion‐diffusion channels and high theoretical capacity. Particularly, Nb‐based dichalcogenides and MXenes offer enhanced electrochemical performance for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) and supercapacitors (SCs) applications because of their layered structure. However, the tendency of Nb chalcogenides and Nb‐MXene layers to aggregate or restack impedes electrolyte penetration, diminishing coulombic efficiency and capacity. Moreover, Nb‐ and Ta‐based oxides have intrinsically low electrical conductivity and a slow Li intercalation rate, challenging their application in energy storage devices. To address these issues, strategies such as hierarchical structuring, heteroatom doping, and the development of porous or nanoscale forms, as well as composites incorporating carbon or conductive polymers, have been explored. This review summarizes the impacts of various synthesis techniques, crystal structures, and morphological tunings on the electrochemical properties of Nb and Ta materials in LIBs and SCs and outlines the future directions for enhancing their performance in EES applications.
Phosphine‐Catalyzed (3 + 2) Annulation of δ‐Hydroxyl Allenylic Alcohols with Pyrazolinone‐Derived Ketimines
Authors: Chen Xi , Duan Zeqing , Liu Min , Zheng Bing , Zhang Qi , Guo Hongchao
Published: January 2025

The phosphine‐catalyzed (3 + 2) annulation reaction of δ‐hydroxyl‐substituted allenylic alcohols with pyrazolinone‐derived ketimines has been developed, giving a variety of spiro dihydropyrrole‐dihydropyrazolone derivatives in high yields with good diastereoselectivities. Various unsaturated pyrazolinone‐derived ketimines and diverse allenylic alcohols worked well under mild reaction conditions, 31 examples were provided with up to 97% of yield and >20:1 diastereoselectivity. The scale‐up reaction and further transformations of the product were successfully acheived, three derivation experiments showed the feasibility of the annulation product. These results revealed that the current reaction could be a useful tool for the synthesis of spiro dihydropyrrole‐dihydropyrazolone derivatives. In addition, we also investigated the asymmetric version of this (3 + 2) annulation of allenylic alcohols with pyrazolinone‐derived ketimines, up to 86% ee of chiral product was obtained with the use of chiral bifunctional phosphine catalyst.
Numerical investigation of the shear capacity of reinforced concrete continuous deep beams
Authors: Ismail Kamaran S. , Mawlood Barzan O. , Mohammad Ahmed H. , Guadagnini Maurizio
Published: January 2025

This paper presents a numerical investigation on the behavior and shear capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) continuous deep beams with and without openings. The numerical model is validated against the experimental results of 10 RC continuous deep beams from the literature. The validated model is then used to conduct an extensive parametric study to investigate the effect of critical design parameters on the behavior and shear capacity of RC continuous deep beams. The examined parameters include concrete compressive strength, shear span to depth ratio, member depth, vertical and skin reinforcement ratio. The numerical results confirm that shear span to depth ratio is the most critical parameter also for continuous deep elements. Furthermore, the strut‐and‐tie provisions of ACI 318‐19 and EC2 are shown to be conservative and provide a non‐uniform margin of safety in predicting the shear capacity of RC continuous deep beams.
GridapTopOpt.jl: a scalable Julia toolbox for level set-based topology optimisation
Authors: Wegert Zachary J. , Manyer Jordi , Mallon Connor N. , Badia Santiago , Challis Vivien J.
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we present GridapTopOpt, an extendable framework for level set-based topology optimisation that can be readily distributed across a personal computer or high-performance computing cluster. The package is written in Julia and uses the Gridap package ecosystem for parallel finite element assembly from arbitrary weak formulations of partial differential equations (PDEs) along with the scalable solvers from the Portable and Extendable Toolkit for Scientific Computing (PETSc). The resulting user interface is intuitive and easy-to-use, allowing for the implementation of a wide range of topology optimisation problems with a syntax that is near one-to-one with the mathematical notation. Furthermore, we implement automatic differentiation to help mitigate the bottleneck associated with the analytic derivation of sensitivities for complex problems. GridapTopOpt is capable of solving a range of benchmark and research topology optimisation problems with large numbers of degrees of freedom. This educational article demonstrates the usability and versatility of the package by describing the formulation and step-by-step implementation of several distinct topology optimisation problems. The driver scripts for these problems are provided and the package source code is available at https://github.com/zjwegert/GridapTopOpt.jl.
Dynamic performance by mathematical modeling and trajectory tracking control in an FPGA-based architecture for an XYZ Cartesian system
Authors: García-López Margarita Carmina , Vargas-Treviño María Aurora , López-Gómez Jesús , Vergara-Limón Sergio , Palomino-Merino Amparo Dora , Pintor-Michiman Juan Francisco , Carreón-Díaz-de-León Carlos Leopoldo
Published: January 2025

This paper presents a novel methodology for analyzing, modeling, and experimental validating a dynamical model for a three-degree-of-freedom (3DoF) cartesian robot. The mathematical model is developed from a lumped parameter analysis of this study’s XYZ Cartesian system design. The Lagrangian equation of motion is applied to represent the dynamic behavior of the variables of the complete system. The control law improves performance by improving the dynamical model and the position error. Control algorithms for the Cartesian system are studied, with the best-fit controller consisting of a hyperbolic tangent, which is analyzed and simulated using MATLAB to study the system response. The controller is also implemented in a FPGA architecture to control the mechanism, and the results are compared with the simulation of the dynamical model with the control to verify performance, giving an 88% similitude between both the experimental and the simulated data. The error between the desired position and the real position is also obtained, giving the error in a rank between 1 and

$$-$$

-

2 mm in the position of each axis. The comparison of the experimental and simulated results demonstrates a diminished position error and a higher precision performance, which validated the method used to obtain the equations.
The Influence of Heterogeneous Processes on the Physicochemical Properties of Atmospheric Aerosols
Authors: Ge Maofa , Tong Shengrui , Du Lin , Wu Lingyan , Lei Ting , Li Kun , Xu Minglan , Tsona Narcisse T. , Zhang Wenqian , Zhang Hailiang
Published: January 2025

With the rapid development of the world economy, complex air pollution has increasingly become a serious threat; for example, with haze events occurring frequently in various regions of the globe. Recent evidence has indicated that secondary aerosols play an important role in haze formation, and that heterogeneous processes are among the main forces driving their explosive growth. In this regard, this paper reviews recent advances in the understanding of the impact of heterogeneous processes on haze chemistry, including the impact on NO2 chemistry, marine aerosols, and the hygroscopicity and optical properties of atmospheric aerosols. It is distinguished from past reviews on this topic by focusing mainly on new insights from the past five years. We summarize the main findings of the impacts of heterogeneous processes on NO2 chemistry, marine aerosols, and the physicochemical properties of atmospheric aerosols, and propose several future research directions.
Isolated metastasis of the bowel from undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma. A case report and a literature review
Authors: Cartillone Mariacristina , Sarvà Iacopo , Mazzone Chiara , Litrico Giorgia , Picardo Maria Carolina , Latteri Francesco Saverio , La Greca Gaetano
Published: January 2025

In this article, we aim to demonstrate that thyroid carcinoma can metastasize to the small bowel. This case report involves a 66-year-old woman who underwent total thyroidectomy surgery in 2019, with histopathology revealing a 3A undifferentiated thyroid cancer. She presented with symptoms of bowel obstruction, including abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Thyroid carcinoma accounts for less than 4% of all malignant neoplasms, making it the most common endocrine malignancy. The predominant type is papillary carcinoma, which generally has a favorable prognosis. In contrast, poorly differentiated thyroid cancers have a poor prognosis, with a 5-year postoperative survival rate of 66%. Common metastatic sites include the lungs, brain, and bones, with rare occurrences in organs such as the kidneys, spleen, adrenal glands, and ovaries. Intestinal metastases are extremely rare, with fewer than 15 cases of gastrointestinal localization documented in the literature. This case highlights the rare possibility of thyroid carcinoma metastasizing to the small bowel, emphasizing the need for clinicians to consider metastatic spread in patients with a history of thyroid cancer who present with gastrointestinal symptoms.
Traumatic brain injury causes early aggregation of beta-amyloid peptides and NOTCH3 reduction in vascular smooth muscle cells of leptomeningeal arteries
Authors: Özen Ilknur , Hamdeh Sami Abu , Ruscher Karsten , Marklund Niklas
Published: January 2025

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often leads to impaired regulation of cerebral blood flow, which may be caused by pathological changes of the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in the arterial wall. Moreover, these cerebrovascular changes may contribute to the development of various neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s-like pathologies that include amyloid beta aggregation. Despite its importance, the pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for VSMC dysfunction after TBI have rarely been evaluated. Here, we show that acute human TBI resulted in early pathological changes in leptomeningeal arteries, closely associated with a decrease in VSMC markers such as NOTCH3 and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA).These changes coincided with increased aggregation of variable-length amyloid peptides including Aβ1-40/42, Aβ1-16, and β-secretase-derived fragment (βCTF) (C99) caused by altered processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in VSMCs. The aggregation of Aβ1-40/42 peptides were also observed in the leptomeningeal arteries of young TBI patients. These pathological changes also included higher β-secretase (BACE1) when compared to α-secretase A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease 10 (ADAM10) expression in the leptomeningeal arteries, plausibly caused by hypoxia and oxidative stress as shown using human VSMCs in vitro. Importantly, BACE1 inhibition not only restored NOTCH3 signalling but also normalized ADAM10 levels in vitro. Furthermore, we found reduced ADAM10 activity and decreased NOTCH3, along with increased βCTF (C99) levels in mice subjected to an experimental model of TBI. This study provides evidence of early post-injury changes in VSMCs of leptomeningeal arteries that can contribute to vascular dysfunction and exacerbate secondary injury mechanisms following TBI.
Grounded cognition and the representation of momentum: abstract concepts modulate mislocalization
Authors: Friedrich Jannis , Raab Markus , Voigt Laura
Published: January 2025

Literature on grounded cognition argues that mental representations of concepts, even abstract concepts, involve modal simulations. These modalities are typically assumed to reside within the body, such as in the sensorimotor system. A recent proposal argues that physical invariants, such as momentum or gravity, can also be substrates in which concepts can be grounded, expanding the assumed limits of grounding beyond the body. We here experimentally assessed this proposal by exploiting the representational momentum effect and the abstract concept of success. If success is grounded in the physical invariant momentum, the representational momentum effect should be larger for successful targets. We tested this hypothesis across four experiments (three pre-registered). In a surprising finding, we find hints that large trial numbers may hinder being able to find a representational momentum effect, which should be further investigated in future research. Regarding the central hypothesis, although only one experiment found statistically significant support, the effect tended toward the same direction in the three others as well. In order to draw robust conclusions about the results, we performed a mini meta, which aggregates the effects and inference statistics across the N = 271 participants. Across the four experiments, this effect was statistically significant, suggesting evidence in favor of the central hypothesis. These results should be interpreted with caution as there was inconsistency across experiments, suggesting the magnitude of the effect is small, and when asked who they believe moved faster, participants did not reliably indicate the successful target.
The spectral $$\zeta $$-function for quasi-regular Sturm–Liouville operators
Authors: Fucci Guglielmo , Piorkowski Mateusz , Stanfill Jonathan
Published: January 2025

In this work, we analyze the spectral

$$\zeta $$

ζ

-function associated with the self-adjoint extensions,

$$T_{A,B}$$

T

A
,
B

, of quasi-regular Sturm–Liouville operators that are bounded from below. By utilizing the Green’s function formalism, we find the characteristic function, which implicitly provides the eigenvalues associated with a given self-adjoint extension

$$T_{A,B}$$

T

A
,
B

. The characteristic function is then employed to construct a contour integral representation for the spectral

$$\zeta $$

ζ

-function of

$$T_{A,B}$$

T

A
,
B

. By assuming a general form for the asymptotic expansion of the characteristic function, we describe the analytic continuation of the

$$\zeta $$

ζ

-function to a larger region of the complex plane. We also present a method for computing the value of the spectral

$$\zeta $$

ζ

-function of

$$T_{A,B}$$

T

A
,
B

at all positive integers. We provide two examples to illustrate the methods developed in the paper: the generalized Bessel and Legendre operators. We show that in the case of the generalized Bessel operator, the spectral

$$\zeta $$

ζ

-function develops a branch point at the origin, while in the case of the Legendre operator it presents, more remarkably, branch points at every nonpositive integer value of s.
Does the 15-minute City Promote Sustainable Travel? Quantifying the 15-minute City and Assessing its Impact on Individual Motorized Travel, Active Travel, Public Transit Ridership and CO2 Emissions
Authors: Colaço Rui , de Abreu e Silva João
Published: January 2025

Promoting higher density and implementing mixed land use have long been acknowledged as potentially effective land use based solutions to transportation problems. However, the policy has leaned toward mobility-based solutions, favouring rapid travel instead of high proximity. This tendency seems now to be reversing with the increasing popularity of the 15-minute city. This paper assesses the effectiveness of the 15-minute city in promoting sustainable travel in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. Our research shows that the 15-minute city increases non-motorized travel among its residents by facilitating engagement with amenities such as supermarkets or green urban areas. Nevertheless, central and dense areas that are not necessarily 15-minute cities also contribute towards more sustainable travel, being more effective at reducing car travel due to increased public transit use. The 15-minute city impact on CO2 emissions per household is higher than that of central and dense areas since non-motorized travel is presented as a direct alternative to car and transit, while central and dense areas also rely on transit as an alternative to car. Hence, policies combining proximity and density may eventually maximize the benefits of implementing land use based solutions by increasing non-motorized travel and the use of transit and reducing car travel and CO2 emissions.
Intergenerational grounding of women’s environmental non-migration
Authors: Mallick Bishawjit , van den Berg Julia
Published: January 2025

This study examines the impact of intergenerational learning and intellectual capital on women’s voluntary decisions to remain in place despite environmental risks. By investigating how women experience the decision to stay through intergenerational knowledge transfer, we analyze the adaptability of communities facing climate-driven livelihood challenges and the intricate socio-ecological factors that tie individuals to their homes. Through life-story interviews with 70 women from 25 households in five environmental hazard-prone sites in Bangladesh, the study reveals nuanced patterns of traditional gender roles that both support and limit women’s autonomy in making mobility choices. Although mobility decisions vary across site and scale, systemic issues such as arranged child marriage, financial instability, (traditional) home-bound duties, male authority over mobility decisions, and gendered expectations consistently emerged as barriers to women’s (non-)migration, even when they aspired to leave. Thus, this research offers insights into gendered (non-)migration and its intergenerationality, which is inevitable in developing sustainable adaptation pathways.
Empathy in leadership: a systematic literature review on the effects of empathetic leaders in organizations
Authors: Muss Caroline , Tüxen Dana , Fürstenau Bärbel
Published: January 2025

Numerous studies have examined the impact of empathetic leaders in organizations. However, the systematic consolidation and categorization of these effects have not yet been conducted. This article presents a systematic literature review of 42 academic studies, carefully selected from 5 databases using a rigorous search process, with the aim of developing a concise category system that synthesizes the effects of empathetic leaders in organizations. After discussing theoretical lenses and our methodological approach, we outline the various understandings of empathy and the measuring instruments used in the analyzed articles. As our main contribution, we then describe nine categories that summarize the effects of empathetic leaders in organizations. These categories consider affect, attitudes, empathy, equity, interpersonal relationships, leadership practice, perception, performance, and well-being. We further outline the individuals or groups affected by these effects. Finally, we discuss our results and offer future research avenues for the scientific community as well as practical recommendations for three different stakeholders who can shape empathetic leadership in organizations: leaders, human resources (HR) managers, and board members.
Noninvasive Assessment of the Severity of Liver Fibrosis in MASLD Patients with Long-Standing Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Khan Farooq , Dsouza Stafny , Khamis Amar Hassan , Abdul Fatima , Farooqi Muhammad Hamed , Sulaiman Fatima , Mulla Fahad , Al Awadi Fatheya , Hassanein Mohammed , Bayoumi Riad
Published: January 2025

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which have a reciprocal relationship compounded by obesity, are highly prevalent in the Middle East affecting morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the severity of MASLD and liver fibrosis among adult Emirati patients with long-standing T2DM.

Design and Participants

This cross-sectional study used noninvasive methods to assess the severity of MASLD and fibrosis progression in an adult cohort of Emirati patients (N = 546) with a mean T2DM duration of 16 years.

Main Measures

Fatty liver infiltration was assessed by hepatic steatosis index (HSI), while fibrosis was assessed by the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index and aspartate aminotransferase/platelet ratio index (APRI). Of those, 108 patients were randomly subjected to ultrasound-based FibroScan® to assess controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM).

Key Results

All patients had fatty liver with ~ 83% being categorized as having severe steatosis. Serum-based fibrosis biomarker panels detected significant liver fibrosis in ~ 2.5% of these patients. The APRI appeared to be more restrictive in detecting moderate fibrosis (1.5%) than the FIB-4 index (25.5%). CAP significantly correlated with the LSM, indicating that the two methods contributed to the same underlying pathophysiology. Liver steatosis was more severe in female patients, who were older and had a higher body mass index (BMI) than those with moderate or no significant fibrosis. They also had higher serum liver enzymes and were more likely to have age-related changes in kidney function. Interestingly, severity of both steatosis and fibrosis remained unaffected by age and duration of T2D except for fibrosis severity detected by FibroScan®.

Conclusions

This study highlights the critical need for routine screening of MASLD among Emirati patients with long-standing T2DM, given the high point prevalence of severe steatosis (~ 83%), predominantly among women in this population.
From physics to fish: 50 Years of research at Great Meteor Seamount, NE Atlantic
Authors: Tojeira Inês , Souto Miguel , Kaufmann Manfred , Ramos Manuela , Carreiro-Silva Marina , Fock Heino O. , George Kai Horst , Gerkema Theo , Morato Telmo , Mouriño Beatriz , van Haren Hans , White Martin , Xavier Joana R. , Rafael Teresa , Martin Bettina , Cabral Henrique , Costa José Lino , Mohn Christian
Published: January 2025

Seamounts are among the most common physiographic systems in the global deep ocean, defining habitat for a hugely diverse biome. Great Meteor Seamount is located in the subtropical Northeast Atlantic and is considered one of the largest seamounts worldwide. Despite its remoteness, it remains one of the few seamounts globally with a long research history dating back more than 50 years. In this study, we aim to review the recent history of scientific research at Great Meteor Seamount, integrating multidisciplinary datasets of the entire seamount ecosystem, including data on plankton, benthos, fishes, and physical oceanography. The interaction of the seamount topography with background low-frequency and tidal currents creates a unique dynamical response due to its location at the critical latitude for seamount trapped diurnal waves, and the high amplitudes of semidiurnal tides. Biological observations show elevated patchiness on horizontal scales smaller than the seamount, which compares well to other seamounts with shallow summits. Regardless of ecosystem pressures associated with geographic isolation and the nutrient and organic matter deprivation inside the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre, Great Meteor Seamount hosts a diverse species composition including megafaunal taxa such as sponges and corals, as well as species rich fish populations and meiofaunal groups of copepods and nematodes. Due to the ecological vulnerability of seamount habitats to unsustainable exploitation and their important role as open ocean hotspots of marine life, the Portuguese government plans to designate Great Meteor Seamount as a Marine Protected Area (MPA) under the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Here, we summarize and recount important results from the long history of research at Great Meteor Seamount in the context of present-day challenges and the initiatives to protect vulnerable ecosystems.
Impacts of Along-Strait Winds on Sea Level, Sea Surface Temperature, and Current in the Jeju Strait During Summer 2022
Authors: Shin Chang-Woong , Min Hong Sik , Lee Seok , Oh Kyung-Hee , Kim Yong Sun , Kang Hyoun-Woo , Choi Byoung-Ju
Published: January 2025

The along-strait wind in the Jeju Strait (JS) significantly impacts the sea level, surface temperature, and currents on its northern and southern coasts. During the summer of 2022, the winds in the JS were characterized by strong easterly winds that occurred before the approach of several typhoons. A strong correlation of 0.61 was found between the along-strait wind and the difference in sea level anomaly between the strait’s south and north coasts. A more robust correlation of 0.71 was estimated between the along-strait wind and the difference in sea surface temperature anomaly. When the positive (eastward) wind blows along the strait, it causes upwelling along the north coast, resulting in cold anomalies there and warm anomalies along the south coast, and vice versa. In addition, a positive correlation (r = 0.39–0.50) was estimated between the along-strait wind and along-strait surface current, with a negative correlation (r = −0.68 to −0.44) for the cross-strait current in most observation stations of the JS, except near the coast of Jeju Island. The positive along-strait wind causes the sea level to fall on the north coast and strengthens the eastward surface current. In contrast, the negative (westward) along-strait wind has the opposite effect, causing the sea level to rise near Wando, then slowing down or reversing the eastward surface current. Overall, these findings show that Ekman dynamics can explain wind-induced coastal upwelling and downwelling on both coasts of the JS, providing valuable insights into the environmental conditions surrounding marine organisms in this coastal region.
The reversed river and the poet on the bridge: Mário de Andrade’s “A meditação sobre o Tietê” (1922)
Authors: Terpe Henriette
Published: January 2025

“A meditação sobre o Tietê” is the last long poem of Brazilian modernist poet Mário de Andrade (1893–1945). Taking the particular geographic and historic situation of the river Tietê as a starting point, this article analyzes the role of the river in the poem as well as the special position of the poet standing on a bridge above the river. The fact that the Tietê river flows inland instead of leading directly to the ocean allows the poet to construct quite a singular poetic image of the river that contradicts traditional literary characteristics of rivers such as (creative) fertility and the irreversible linear passing of time. By adding a comparative reading of poems by Guillaume Apollinaire, Hart Crane, and Ingeborg Bachmann, to our analysis, we can show the close connection between the image of the poet on the bridge, and the poetic principles that underly each of these lyric texts.
Authentic Versus Simulated Patient Videos: Effect on Mental Status Examination—An Educational Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Mikkelsen Nicolaj , Larsen Esben Blaabjerg , Arnfred Sidse Marie
Published: January 2025

Objective

This study evaluated the impact of adding authentic patient video training to a base e-module featuring simulated patient videos, aimed at improving the mental status examination (MSE) skills of fifth-year medical students during their psychiatric rotation.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with 290 students, assigned to either an experimental group, the full e-learning group (Full), or an active comparator group, the limited e-learning group (Limited). The Limited group received a base e-module on MSE, while the Full group received both the base e-module and an additional module with 23 authentic patient videos. MSE accuracy was assessed digitally 1 week after each rotation through multiple-choice tests based on unseen video cases. Self-reported engagement with the modules was also analyzed.

Results

Of the 290 enrolled students, 190 completed at least one MSE test. No significant improvement in MSE accuracy was observed in the Full group compared to the Limited group (10.1 vs. 9.9; F
1,188, 0.152; p = 0.7). Increased engagement with the videos, both within and across groups, did not lead to better MSE outcomes.

Conclusion

The addition of authentic patient videos did not significantly enhance MSE skills compared to simulated videos within the digital-only format of the study. Engagement with the video library did not influence the outcomes. The study adds to the ongoing conversation about the efficacy of e-learning in medical education, emphasizing the need for caution when adopting e-learning approaches without integrating blended learning strategies.
Frontiers in integrative structural modeling of macromolecular assemblies
Authors: Majila Kartik , Arvindekar Shreyas , Jindal Muskaan , Viswanath Shruthi
Published: January 2025

Integrative modeling enables structure determination for large macromolecular assemblies by combining data from multiple experiments with theoretical and computational predictions. Recent advancements in AI-based structure prediction and cryo electron-microscopy have sparked renewed enthusiasm for integrative modeling; structures from AI-based methods can be integrated with in situ maps to characterize large assemblies. This approach previously allowed us and others to determine the architectures of diverse macromolecular assemblies, such as nuclear pore complexes, chromatin remodelers, and cell–cell junctions. Experimental data spanning several scales was used in these studies, ranging from high-resolution data, such as X-ray crystallography and AlphaFold structure, to low-resolution data, such as cryo-electron tomography maps and data from co-immunoprecipitation experiments. Two recurrent modeling challenges emerged across a range of studies. First, these assemblies contained significant fractions of disordered regions, necessitating the development of new methods for modeling disordered regions in the context of ordered regions. Second, methods needed to be developed to utilize the information from cryo-electron tomography, a timely challenge as structural biology is increasingly moving towards in situ characterization. Here, we recapitulate recent developments in the modeling of disordered proteins and the analysis of cryo-electron tomography data and highlight other opportunities for method development in the context of integrative modeling.
Selection and evaluation of black short grain breeding lines associated with yield, cooking quality, high nutrition and antioxidant potential derived from indica black rice x japonica white rice
Authors: Malumpong Chanate , Narumon Possawat , Saichompoo Uthomphon , Tongyos Peeranut , Nanta Aekchupong , Tippunya Patompong , Chompoo Jamnian , Itthisoponkul Teerarat , Cheabu Sulaiman
Published: January 2025

The combination of the trend of Japanese food consumption with the health benefits of black rice is in high demand for rice consumers in Thailand. For this challenge, incorporation of desirable traits from tropical indica black rice, Riceberry and temperate japonica white rice, Akitakomachi was performed by pedigree selection with maker-assisted selection (MAS). The three candidate lines showed highly favourable agronomic characteristics and a high grain yield, with short grains and good cooking quality, similar to japonica rice, in a tropical climate. In addition, these lines showed black coloration of the pericarp, indicating high nutritional value and phytochemical, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities, similar to those of the Riceberry parent. In terms of the sensory testing of unpolished rice, two breeding lines; 69-1-1 and 72-4-3 showed higher scores than their parents. However, only 69-1-1 was identified as japonica type according to its genetic background. Therefore, this breeding programme can create black short grain rice variety adapted to a tropical environment, similar to japonica-type rice.
Irish Case Law Research
Authors: Brodigan Susan
Published: January 2025

This article by Susan Brodigan at McCann FitzGerald LLP provides an overview of Irish case law, outlining the methods used for researching Irish cases while also giving tips to those new to the profession, or to the Irish jurisdiction.
Probing and manipulating the Mexican hat-shaped valence band of In2Se3
Authors: Felton James , Harknett Jordan , Page Joe , Yang Zhuo , Alghofaili Nada , O’Shea James N. , Eaves Laurence , Kohama Yoshimitsu , Greenaway Mark T. , Patanè Amalia
Published: January 2025

Ferroelectrics based on van der Waals semiconductors represent an emergent class of materials for disruptive technologies ranging from neuromorphic computing to low-power electronics. However, many theoretical predictions of their electronic properties have yet to be confirmed experimentally and exploited. Here, we use nanoscale angle-resolved photoemission electron spectroscopy and optical transmission in high magnetic fields to reveal the electronic band structure of the van der Waals ferroelectric indium selenide (α-In2Se3). This indirect bandgap semiconductor features a weakly dispersed valence band, which is shaped like an inverted Mexican hat. Its form changes following an irreversible structural phase transition of α-In2Se3 into β-In2Se3 via a thermal annealing in ultra-high vacuum. Density functional theory supports the experiments and reveals the critical contribution of spin orbit coupling to the form of the valence band. The measured band structure and its in situ manipulation offer opportunities for precise engineering of ferroelectrics and their functional properties beyond traditional semiconducting systems.
Recombinant production platform for Group A Streptococcus glycoconjugate vaccines
Authors: Ajay Castro Sowmya , Passmore Ian J. , Ndeh Didier , Shaw Helen Alexandra , Ruda Alessandro , Burns Keira , Thomson Sarah , Nagar Rupa , Alagesan Kathirvel , Reglinski Mark , Lucas Kieron , Abouelhadid Sherif , Schwarz-Linek Ulrich , Mawas Fatme , Widmalm Göran , Wren Brendan W. , Dorfmueller Helge C.
Published: January 2025

Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) is a human-exclusive bacterial pathogen killing annually more than 500,000 patients, and no current licensed vaccine exists. Strep A bacteria are highly diverse, but all produce an essential, abundant, and conserved surface carbohydrate, the Group A Carbohydrate, which contains a rhamnose polysaccharide (RhaPS) backbone. RhaPS is a validated universal vaccine candidate in a glycoconjugate prepared by chemical conjugation of the native carbohydrate to a carrier protein. We engineered the Group A Carbohydrate biosynthesis pathway to enable recombinant production using the industry standard route to couple RhaPS to selected carrier proteins within Escherichia coli cells. The structural integrity of the produced recombinant glycoconjugate vaccines was confirmed by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Purified RhaPS glycoconjugates elicited carbohydrate-specific antibodies in mice and rabbits and bound to the surface of multiple Strep A strains of diverse M-types, confirming the recombinantly produced RhaPS glycoconjugates as valuable vaccine candidates.
Multiscale footprints reveal the organization of cis-regulatory elements
Authors: Hu Yan , Horlbeck Max A. , Zhang Ruochi , Ma Sai , Shrestha Rojesh , Kartha Vinay K. , Duarte Fabiana M. , Hock Conrad , Savage Rachel E. , Labade Ajay , Kletzien Heidi , Meliki Alia , Castillo Andrew , Durand Neva C. , Mattei Eugenio , Anderson Lauren J. , Tay Tristan , Earl Andrew S. , Shoresh Noam , Epstein Charles B. , Wagers Amy J. , Buenrostro Jason D.
Published: January 2025

Cis-regulatory elements (CREs) control gene expression and are dynamic in their structure and function, reflecting changes in the composition of diverse effector proteins over time1. However, methods for measuring the organization of effector proteins at CREs across the genome are limited, hampering efforts to connect CRE structure to their function in cell fate and disease. Here we developed PRINT, a computational method that identifies footprints of DNA–protein interactions from bulk and single-cell chromatin accessibility data across multiple scales of protein size. Using these multiscale footprints, we created the seq2PRINT framework, which uses deep learning to allow precise inference of transcription factor and nucleosome binding and interprets regulatory logic at CREs. Applying seq2PRINT to single-cell chromatin accessibility data from human bone marrow, we observe sequential establishment and widening of CREs centred on pioneer factors across haematopoiesis. We further discover age-associated alterations in the structure of CREs in murine haematopoietic stem cells, including widespread reduction of nucleosome footprints and gain of de novo identified Ets composite motifs. Collectively, we establish a method for obtaining rich insights into DNA-binding protein dynamics from chromatin accessibility data, and reveal the architecture of regulatory elements across differentiation and ageing.
Tissue-resident memory CD8 T cell diversity is spatiotemporally imprinted
Authors: Reina-Campos Miguel , Monell Alexander , Ferry Amir , Luna Vida , Cheung Kitty P. , Galletti Giovanni , Scharping Nicole E. , Takehara Kennidy K. , Quon Sara , Challita Peter P. , Boland Brigid , Lin Yun Hsuan , Wong William H. , Indralingam Cynthia S. , Neadeau Hayley , Alarcón Suzie , Yeo Gene W. , Chang John T. , Heeg Maximilian , Goldrath Ananda W.
Published: January 2025

Tissue-resident memory CD8 T (TRM) cells provide protection from infection at barrier sites. In the small intestine, TRM cells are found in at least two distinct subpopulations: one with higher expression of effector molecules and another with greater memory potential1. However, the origins of this diversity remain unknown. Here we proposed that distinct tissue niches drive the phenotypic heterogeneity of TRM cells. To test this, we leveraged spatial transcriptomics of human samples, a mouse model of acute systemic viral infection and a newly established strategy for pooled optically encoded gene perturbations to profile the locations, interactions and transcriptomes of pathogen-specific TRM cell differentiation at single-transcript resolution. We developed computational approaches to capture cellular locations along three anatomical axes of the small intestine and to visualize the spatiotemporal distribution of cell types and gene expression. Our study reveals that the regionalized signalling of the intestinal architecture supports two distinct TRM cell states: differentiated TRM cells and progenitor-like TRM cells, located in the upper villus and lower villus, respectively. This diversity is mediated by distinct ligand–receptor activities, cytokine gradients and specialized cellular contacts. Blocking TGFβ or CXCL9 and CXCL10 sensing by antigen-specific CD8 T cells revealed a model consistent with anatomically delineated, early fate specification. Ultimately, our framework for the study of tissue immune networks reveals that T cell location and functional state are fundamentally intertwined.
An updated reference genome of Barbatula barbatula (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Laczkó Levente , Nagy Nikoletta Andrea , Nagy Ágnes , Maroda Ágnes , Sály Péter
Published: January 2025

The stone loach Barbatula barbatula is a benthic fish species widely distributed throughout Europe, primarily inhabiting stony upper sections of stream networks. This study presents an updated genome assembly of B. barbatula, contributing to the species’ available genomic resources for downstream applications such as conservation genetics. The draft assembly was 550 Mbp in size, with an N50 of 11.21 Mbp. We used the species’ available chromosome scaffolds to finish the genome. The final assembly had a BUSCO score of 96.7%. We identified 23270 protein-coding genes, and the proteome exhibited high completeness with BUSCO (93.1%) and OMArk (90.81%). Despite using multiple approaches to reduce duplicate contigs, we observed a relatively high duplicate ratio of 6.1% (BUSCO) and 8.52% (OMArk) in the annotations. We aimed to find microsatellite loci present in both the species’ publicly available genome and the new assembly to aid marker development for downstream analyses. This dataset serves as a reference for genomic analysis and is useful for developing markers to study the species’ biodiversity and support conservation efforts.