bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishing Reference Values in the Neuromuscular Ultrasound Laboratory Using the e‐Norms Method: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Błaż Michał , Kułaga Agnieszka , Ostrowska Monika , Maludzińska Ewa , Michalski Michał , Jabre Joe F.
Published: January 2025

Introduction/Aims

The standard procedure to establish reference values in a neuromuscular laboratory involves examining healthy controls, as nerve size varies with the population and muscle echo intensity (EI) is device‐specific. We aimed to derive these reference values by extrapolation from a studied sample (the e‐norms method), compare them with published reference values, and determine their diagnostic accuracy.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from consecutive patients who underwent nerve and/or muscle ultrasound in our ultrasound laboratory, which is a tertiary referral center for neuromuscular diseases in Southern Poland in the years 2018–2023. We plotted the cross‐sectional area (CSA) of the nerve segments and EI of the individual muscles and derived descriptive statistics from the plateau of the e‐norms curve. We compared the mean difference of the nerve size to other studies and determined the ability of the muscle EI to discriminate myopathic versus healthy subjects using receiver operator characteristics curves.

Results

We analyzed 1124 nerves and 1154 muscles from 109 and 99 subjects, respectively. The derived reference values for nerve CSA were mostly concordant with other studies, including all nerve segments in the legs and with the exception of compression sites and the most proximal nerve segments in the arms. Using the reference values for muscle EI established with the e‐norms method, we were able to discriminate myopathic from healthy subjects with 85% sensitivity and 92% specificity.

Discussion

The e‐norms is a feasible method to establish reference values in the neuromuscular ultrasound laboratory.
Advanced Fine Line Printing With Glass Stencils: Achieving Metal Contact Fingers Below 10 μm
Authors: Schweigstill T. , Mielich N. , Vogt A. , Schulz‐Ruhtenberg M. , Clement F. , Huyeng J. D. , Lorenz A.
Published: January 2025

For high‐efficiency solar cells, such as Si‐III‐V tandem solar cells, implementing narrow contact fingers is essential for achieving optimal conversion efficiencies. By achieving narrower contact fingers without compromising electrical performance, more sunlight reaches the active areas of the cell, thus reducing front‐side shading and enhancing overall energy conversion efficiency. In this work, we demonstrate a proof of principle for a novel low‐temperature metallization process using glass stencils to print ultra‐fine line contacts. The narrowest contacts achieved have a width of  = 8.4 ± 1.3 with an aspect ratio of  = 0.19 ± 0.05. Through optimization described in this work, contact fingers with  = 9.7 ± 0.6 μm and a substantially greater aspect ratio of  = 0.45 ± 0.1 could be achieved. To realize these ultra‐fine line fingers, glass stencils with tailored aperture channels were realized using a two‐step laser induced deep etching (LIDE) process that enables complex three‐dimensional aperture channel geometries.
Combined first‐trimester screening for preterm small‐for‐gestational‐age infants: Australian multicenter clinical feasibility study
Authors: Selvaratnam R. J. , Rolnik D. L. , Setterfield M. , Wallace E. M. , Hyett J. A. , da Silva Costa F. , McLennan A. C.
Published: January 2025

Objective

To assess the performance of the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) first‐trimester competing‐risks screening model for small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) fetuses requiring delivery at < 37 weeks' gestation, in a large cohort of women receiving maternity care in Australia.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from a cohort of women attending one of two private multicenter fetal medicine practices for first‐trimester screening for preterm pre‐eclampsia (PE), defined as PE requiring delivery before 37 weeks' gestation. Risk for preterm SGA, defined as SGA requiring delivery before 37 weeks, was calculated but was not disclosed to the patient or referring physician. Screening data were matched to obstetric outcomes. The primary outcome was the efficacy of the FMF screening model in assessing the risk of preterm SGA. The potential effect on identifying other adverse pregnancy outcomes was also assessed.

Results

During the study period, 22 841 women with a singleton pregnancy underwent combined first‐trimester screening for preterm PE. These data were compared with those of 301 721 women in the state of Victoria with a singleton pregnancy who did not undergo screening during the study period. Calculation of the risk for preterm SGA identified 3030 (13.3%) pregnancies as high risk. The sensitivity of the model was 48.6% (95% CI, 41.0–56.2%), specificity was 87.0% (95% CI, 86.6–87.5%) and positive and negative predictive values were 2.9% (95% CI, 2.7–3.1%) and 99.5% (95% CI, 99.4–99.6%), respectively. Pregnancies at high risk for preterm SGA were also more likely to have preterm PE (risk ratio (RR), 2.28 (95% CI, 1.72–3.03)) and preterm birth (RR, 1.46 (95% CI, 1.32–1.63)), compared with unscreened pregnancies. Pregnancies at low risk for preterm SGA were less likely to result in a stillbirth (RR, 0.64 (95% CI, 0.47–0.86)) compared with unscreened pregnancies.

Conclusion

Combined first‐trimester screening for preterm SGA shows moderate screening efficacy and therefore could help to inform pregnancy management and improve antenatal resource allocation. © 2025 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Conclusions
Authors: Spallazzo Davide , Sciannamè Martina , Ceconello Mauro
Published: January 2025

The conclusive chapter summarises the main takeaways of the book, highlighting the primary contribution of the Meet-AI research project to the design field. It further highlights the limitations of the study and suggests future research paths.
A Self-Adaptive Explicit Iterative Algorithm for Solving the Split Common Solution Problem
Authors: Reich Simeon , Tuyen Truong Minh , Trang Nguyen Thi
Published: January 2025

This paper aims to introduce a novel self-adaptive explicit iterative algorithm for solving the split common solution problem with monotone operator equations in real Hilbert spaces. This new approach does not employ resolvent operators nor does it use the norms of the bounded linear operators (transfer mappings) from the source space to the image spaces.
Interventions supporting meaningful connections for people with serious mental illness: a concept-framed systematic narrative review
Authors: Patmisari Emi , Huang Yunong , Orr Mark , Govindasamy Sumathi , Hielscher Emily , McLaren Helen
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Meaningful connections, encompassing relationships providing emotional support, understanding, acceptance, and a sense of belonging, are vital for social inclusion and well-being of Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI). The mixed methods review critically explored multifaceted approaches supporting people with SMI to foster meaningful (non-intimate) social relationships or connections.

Methods

Searches of eight electronic databases returned 4882 records. Duplicate removal, title abstract, then full-text, screening and hand searching resulted in 23 records for inclusion. Studies were integrated using the CIVIC Framework emphasising the importance of Closeness, Identity, Valued relationships, Involvement, feeling Cared for and accepted.

Results

The review identified emotional and physical challenges, societal stigma, and other environmental factors to hinder making meaningful connections. Studies highlighted the necessity for interventions being adaptable, personalised, and encompassing of structured activities, peer and professional supports, and technology-assisted platforms.

Conclusion

The complexity of social interactions for those with SMI call for comprehensive, holistic strategies to nurture social relationships within their communities.
Life after loss: the causal effect of parental death on daughters’ fertility
Authors: Glaser Felix , Wiesinger Rene
Published: January 2025

Using Austrian administrative data, this study examines the causal effect of parental death on daughters’ fertility through a difference-in-differences approach. The findings indicate that parental death leads to quantitatively insignificant changes in the number of children and the probability of childlessness. Complementary analyses show no substantial effects on labor market participation, residential mobility, or long-term mental health. The evidence suggests that fertility decisions remain largely unaffected by the logistical and emotional challenges of parental loss, highlighting the resilience of reproductive choices to external life shocks.
Educational and Resource Needs of Pelvic Health Physiotherapists: Context Matters
Authors: Brandt Corlia
Published: January 2025

Introduction and Hypothesis

Evidence on health system challenges mostly relate to high-income countries. Lack of context-specific knowledge, educational opportunities, and access to resources among pelvic health care providers could be barriers to effective implementation of pelvic health services in South Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the patient and therapist profile, and the educational and resource needs of pelvic health physiotherapists in South Africa.

Methods

Ninety-five pelvic health physiotherapists, recruited over 6 months, participated in a cross-sectional study during 2022–2023. Participants completed a REDCap survey covering the stipulated domains. Frequencies, percentages, and Chi-squared tests were used for data analysis.

Results

The majority were employed in the private sector (n = 72; 75.8%) and had undergraduate training in pelvic health (n = 86; 89.5%); mostly in pre- and postnatal care (n = 69; 72.6%). Urinary incontinence was the most frequently seen condition (n = 81; 85.3%). Conditions were seen very seldom (n = 46; 48.4%) and most participants treated < 5 patients per month (n = 75; 78.9%), did not have patient educational material available (n = 58; 61.1%), preferred hard-copy formats (63.8%, n = 60), whereas 94.7% (n = 90) felt that there is a lack of patient resources. Participants (n = 66; 69.5%) indicated a need for educational opportunities for clinicians.

Conclusions

This study highlights the contextualising of educational and resource needs in mid- to low-income countries, such as South Africa, which might be contrary to common beliefs and practices.
A remark on crystalline cohomology
Authors: Kerz Moritz , Tamme Georg
Published: January 2025

We propose a new approach to crystalline cohomology based on the observation that one can lift smooth algebras uniquely “up to coherent homotopy.”
From Decay of Correlations to Locality and Stability of the Gibbs State
Authors: Capel Ángela , Moscolari Massimo , Teufel Stefan , Wessel Tom
Published: January 2025

We show that whenever the Gibbs state of a quantum spin system satisfies decay of correlations, then it is stable, in the sense that local perturbations affect the Gibbs state only locally, and it satisfies local indistinguishability, i.e. it exhibits local insensitivity to system size. These implications hold in any dimension, require only locality of the Hamiltonian, and are based on Lieb–Robinson bounds and on a detailed analysis of the locality properties of the quantum belief propagation for Gibbs states. To demonstrate the versatility of our approach, we explicitly apply our results to several physically relevant models in which the decay of correlations is either known to hold or is proved by us. These include Gibbs states of one-dimensional spin chains with polynomially decaying interactions at any temperature, and high-temperature Gibbs states of quantum spin systems with finite-range interactions in any dimension. We also prove exponential decay of correlations above a threshold temperature for Gibbs states of one-dimensional finite spin chains with translation-invariant and exponentially decaying interactions, and then apply our general results.
Estimation of PHA concentrations from cell density data in Cupriavidus necator
Authors: Kranert Lena , Kok Rudolph , Neumann Anna-Sophie , Kienle Achim , Duvigneau Stefanie
Published: January 2025

The production of biodegradable and biobased polymers is one way to overcome the present plastic pollution while using cheap and abundant feedstocks. Polyhydroxyalkanoates are a promising class of biopolymers that can be produced by various microorganisms. Within the production process, batch-to-batch variation occurs due to changing feedstock composition when using waste streams, slightly different starting conditions, or biological variance of the microorganisms. Therefore, reliable and online-capable measurement methods of the product concentration are required to monitor and eventually react to those fluctuations. In this work, we present a flexible approach to determine polyhydroxyalkanoate concentrations based on a simple mathematical model. The data-driven model correlates polyhydroxyalkanoate concentrations with optical densities measured at 600 nm, a widespread, fast, and cheap lab measurement. We found that with different cultivation conditions, the correlation needs to be updated for a reasonable PHA determination during the process. We test this approach for the production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) in Cupriavidus necator using fructose and propionic acid as carbon sources. This flexible approach allows a simple estimation of PHA concentrations and offers the possibility to further enhance biopolymer production when combined with advanced control strategies.

Key points

$$\bullet $$

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Development of a simple mathematical model to estimate polyhydroxyalkanoate concentrations.

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Optical density measurement is used to determine polyhydroxyalkanoate concentration.

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The approach is tested for the production of PHB and PHBV with C. necator.
Performance of MR fusion biopsy, systematic biopsy and combined biopsy on prostate cancer detection rate in 1229 patients stratified by PI-RADSv2 score on 3T multi-parametric MRI
Authors: Riskin-Jones Hannah H. , Raman Alex G. , Kulkarni Rushikesh , Arnold Corey W. , Sisk Anthony , Felker Ely , Lu David S. , Marks Leonard S. , Raman Steven S.
Published: January 2025

Purpose

We analyzed the additional value of systematic biopsy (SB) to MR-Ultrasound fusion biopsy (MRgFbx) for detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa), as increased sampling may cause increased morbidity.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study cohort was comprised of 1229 biopsy sessions between July 2016 and May 2020 in men who had a Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADSv2) category ≥ 3 lesion on 3 Tesla multiparametric MRI (3TmpMRI) and subsequent combined biopsy (CB; MRgFbx and SB) for suspected prostate cancer (PCa). Cancer detection rates (CDR) were calculated for CB, MRgFbx and SB in the study cohort and sub-cohorts stratified by biopsy history and PI-RADSv2 category. For 927 men with unilateral MR-visible lesions, SB CDR was additionally calculated for contralateral (SBc) and ipsilateral (SBi) subcohorts.

Results

On CB, the CDR for csPCa was 54.8% (673/1229). CDR for csPCa was significantly higher for MRgFbx (50.0%, CI 47.1–52.8%) compared to SB (35.3%, CI 32.6–38.1%) for all PI-RADSv2 ≥ 3 categories (p < .05). The MRgFbx CDR for PI-RADSv2 categories 3, 4, and 5 were 81.5%, 88.5%, and 95.6% respectively. For unilateral lesion cases, significantly more csPCa was detected in the SBi compared to the SBc subcohort (30.1% (279/927) vs. 10.4%, (96/927), p < 0.001). The combination of MRgFbx and SBi detected csPCa in 97.0% (480) of the 495 csPCa detected by CB.

Conclusion

MRgFbx had a higher CDR for csPCa than SB. While CB detected more csPCa than either method alone, in patients with a PI-RADSv2 category of 5, MRgFbx approximated the performance of CB. In unilateral lesion cases, SBc provided minimal added benefit.
Correlation analysis of global sagittal alignment of the spine in cases of low-grade degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis
Authors: Khasawneh Ramada , Almahasneh Fatima , Abu-El-Rub Ejlal , Alzoubi Ayman , Mustafa Ayman
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Disruptions in global sagittal spinal alignment can lead to changes in global sagittal spinal alignment, often manifesting as sagittal malalignment, where the trunk shifts forward. We proposed that these alignment changes are linked to degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DS). The objective was to assess global spinal alignment in low-grade DS using sagittal vertical axis (SVA) classification.

Methods

The patients with DS were categorized into three groups based on the adult spinal deformity classification: type I, defined by a SVA of less than 40 mm; type II, with an SVA ranging from 40 mm to 95 mm; and type III, where the SVA is 95 mm or greater. The study compared age and various sagittal parameters among these groups, including thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), and pelvic incidence (PI).

Results

Notable differences were observed between type I and type II, as well as between type I and type III, whereas no substantial variation was detected between type II and type III. Additionally, PI increased with advancing type classification, with a distinct contrast observed between type I and type III.

Conclusion

A high PI is a key risk factor for worsening SVA in DS, and it may contribute to the initiation and progression of the condition.
Return smoothing in pooled annuity products
Authors: Kabuche Doreen , Sherris Michael , Villegas Andrés M. , Ziveyi Jonathan
Published: January 2025

While trends in human longevity and volatile capital markets have verified the need for guaranteed income in retirement, existing literature on guaranteed contracts shows that such product designs can be costly. Pooled annuity products, where participants share mortality and investment risks and returns, offer a promising alternative to standard guaranteed products. However, challenges remain for pooled schemes, including highly volatile incomes, especially with significant equity investments. We introduce a pooled annuity product to provide pensioners with a lifetime income characterized by smooth investment returns. Our proposed design builds on the advantages of sharing mortality risk while incorporating equity investments with return smoothing mechanisms. Based on Australian data, we establish transparent and costless minimum guarantees on market returns using a zero-cost collar option which sets upper and lower bounds on market returns and constrains the fund value at any moment. The pension savings are divided into group-self annuitization (GSA) and smoothing accounts. The GSA account provides life-long retirement benefits, while the smoothing account adjusts the GSA benefits within specified bounds. Our method uses the smoothing account as part of the pooled savings, not backed up by the insurer, which helps to minimize guarantee costs through a zero-cost collar option. Results show that retirees face a trade-off regarding their annuity payouts: while smoothing can lead to more stable payments and reduced equity risk, it also means giving up upside gains to buy downside protection.
The Role of Social Deficits in the Link Between Social Gambling Motives and Problem Gambling
Authors: Floyd Christopher G. , Connolly Alexander J. , Tahk Regina K. , Stall Lindsay M. , Kraus Shane W. , Grubbs Joshua B.
Published: January 2025

In comparison to other motives for gambling, social motives (e.g., gambling for social interaction) are often suggested to be the least problematic and, in some cases, even a protective factor for problem gambling. This view is consistent with historical distinctions between ‘social’ versus ‘problem’ gambling. As a result, little research has attempted to identify the circumstances in which social motives are more likely to be associated with risk of problems. Consistent with self-determination theory, the present study examined whether the relationship between social motives and problem gambling varies based on social deficits, such as loneliness and a lack of social connectedness, in a weighted, census matched sample of adults in the U.S. (N = 2,835). Findings demonstrate support for the moderating influence of social deficits (i.e., loneliness and relatedness frustration) on the relationship between social gambling motives and problem gambling and provide unique insights into the circumstances in which social motives are more likely associated with gambling problems.
Assessment of Four Artificial Methods for Aging Plastic Mulch Films According to Efficiency, Rate, and Similarity to Natural Field-Aged Plastics
Authors: Graf Martine , Reay Michaela K. , Dimitriou Athanasios , Chadwick David R. , Jones Davey L.
Published: January 2025

Artificial degradation is often used to recreate and accelerate the natural aging of plastic for small-scaled simulation experiments assessing their environmental impact. However, current artificial aging methods are rarely compared against reference materials or validated using field-aged samples, creating uncertainties when extrapolating results to naturally aged plastics, making it difficult to place findings in an environmentally applicable context. Therefore, here we compared four accessible, cost-effective, and easily replicable methods (heat, UVA, and UVC irradiance at two intensities) to produce artificially degraded materials. The artificial aging methods were assessed over a duration of 5 months against degradation rate, efficiency, and similarity to field-aged samples of conventional and biodegradable plastic mulch film over a 6-month field exposure period. We utilised attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to calculate the carbonyl index and measure chemical changes of the mulch film surface, as well as differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Physical changes were assessed by thickness and surface roughness measurements. We found that UVA was the most suitable and realistic artificial degradation method at a medium rate, whilst UVC is recommended for rapid degradation without the need to simulate realistic changes, and heat for processing large volumes of samples without a requirement for realistic degradation over a prolonged time period. However, the methods compared in this study yielded differential results depending on polymer type and parameter of interest. We therefore recommend establishing the degradation aim, identifying the spectral region of interest, and accounting for different polymer types to select the most appropriate method.
DNA methylation clocks struggle to distinguish inflammaging from healthy aging, but feature rectification improves coherence and enhances detection of inflammaging
Authors: Skinner Colin M. , Conboy Michael J. , Conboy Irina M.
Published: January 2025

Biological age estimation from DNA methylation and determination of relevant biomarkers is an active research problem which has predominantly been tackled with black-box penalized regression. Machine learning is used to select a small subset of features from hundreds of thousands of CpG probes and to increase generalizability typically lacking with ordinary least-squares regression. Here, we show that such feature selection lacks biological interpretability and relevance in the clocks of the first and next generations and clarify the logic by which these clocks systematically exclude biomarkers of aging and age-related disease. Moreover, in contrast to the assumption that regularized linear regression is needed to prevent overfitting, we demonstrate that hypothesis-driven selection of biologically relevant features in conjunction with ordinary least squares regression yields accurate, well-calibrated, generalizable clocks with high interpretability. We further demonstrate that the interplay of inflammaging-related shifts of predictor values and their corresponding weights, which we term feature shifts, contributes to the lack of resolution between health and inflammaging in conventional linear models. Lastly, we introduce a method of feature rectification, which aligns these shifts to improve the distinction of age predictions for healthy people vs. patients with various chronic inflammation diseases.
Food safety certification in urban food markets: the willingness to pay for safer meat in Peru
Authors: Ebata Ayako , Espinoza Mauricio , Ton Giel
Published: January 2025

This paper estimates consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for meat certified to be safe for human consumption in Peru. Citizens in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are increasingly concerned about the safety of food they consume. Across LMICs, urban markets remain the most important source of fresh and nutritious produce and therefore policymakers need to ensure food safety in urban markets. Much focus has been put on providing producers and supply chain actors with economic incentives to improve food safety. However, such effort has had limited effect without addressing the overall market and food safety governance. In this paper, based on an innovative policy experience from Peru, we explore if and how much consumers are willing to pay for meat sold at market stalls that are certified to provide safe meat. Peru has employed a series of economic packages to incentivise market vendors to improve their practices, and in turn increase their revenue. Our analysis based on a consumer survey across three cities in Peru reveal that consumers are willing to pay 7.1%, 5.8% and 5.3% of the average retail prices of chicken, pork and beef, respectively. This amounts to an average of about 216USD/month of extra revenue for vendors.
Clinical Communication
Authors: Salmon Peter
Published: January 2025

Good communication is necessary for good clinical care, but defining good communication has been surprisingly difficult and controversial. Many current ideas that identify good communication with certain communication behaviours, or 'skills', were ethically inspired to help doctors see beyond disease to the whole patient. However, promoting specific behaviours is problematic because communication is contextually dependent. In recent decades, observational research into practitioner-patient relationships has begun to provide a scientific basis for the field, identifying patients' vulnerability and practitioners' authority as defining features of fundamentally asymmetric clinical relationships. Future educators can learn from research that explores the judgments that experienced practitioners make when they manage communication dilemmas arising from this asymmetry. In future, instead of the current emphasis on teaching communication behaviours, educators could provide practitioners with knowledge about relationships to inform those judgments, while addressing the attitudes and values that motivate and guide their communication.
Bloodlines
Authors: Huh Jinny
Published: January 2025

This study explores the relationship between crime fiction and adoption. A primary goal of this study is to investigate how the adoption trope reveals current cultural fears and fascination with kinship formations and essentialist notions of belonging, DNA and ancestry searches, and the controversial practice of adoption. Popular fiction, namely crime/detective fiction and the subgenre of adoption crime fiction, reflect scholarly debates within the field of Critical Adoption Studies, including but not limited to the ethics behind the adoption industrial complex and calls for its demise, struggles for reproductive justice, and redefinitions of parenting and kinship formations evidenced by LGBTQ and racialized identities. Another goal of this study is to highlight adoptee and birthparent voices and perspectives, illustrating how genre fiction can help to agitate for more inclusive representation. By intersecting elements of crime into the adoption story, these narratives illuminate the human cost and condition of current adoption practices.
The New Israelis
Authors: Weingrod Alex
Published: January 2025

Following successive immigration waves, the military occupation of the West Bank and the emergence of a high-tech based economy, Israeli society has become increasingly complex and divided. In this timely study, Alex Weingrod utilizes ground-breaking ethnographic research to unpack Israel's diverse communities and cultures, arguing that there are several different versions of “being Israeli” that influence and contest with one another. Covering a fascinating range of topics from shifting ethnic group identities to the reinvented Hebrew language and Israeli popular music, Weingrod discusses minority groups including Ethiopian Israelis, the LGBTQ community, migrant workers and the growing, changing Ultra-Orthodox haredi communities alongside Israeli Palestinians who are marginalized and yet resilient. Culminating in an analysis of the unprecedented 2023 political-cultural schism that divided the society between supporters and protesting opponents of government legislation, Weingrod brings the discussion of Israeli divisions, discontents, and paradoxes up to date.
Aqueous Alteration as an Origin of Martian Magnetization
Authors: Bultel B. , Wieczorek M. , Mittelholz Anna , Johnson Catherine L. , Gattacceca Jérôme , Fortier Valentin , Langlais Benoit
Published: January 2025

Strong magnetic fields have been measured from orbit around Mars over parts of the ancient southern highlands crust and on the surface at the InSight landing site. The geological processes that are responsible for generating strong magnetization within the crust remain poorly understood. One possibility is that intense aqueous alteration of crustal materials, through the process of serpentinization, could have produced magnetite that was magnetized in the presence of a global core‐generated magnetic field. Here, we test this idea with geophysical and geochemical models. We first determine the magnetizations required to account for the observed magnetic field strengths and then estimate the amount of magnetite necessary to account for these magnetizations. For the strongest orbital magnetic field strengths, about 7 wt% magnetite is required if the magnetic layer is 10 km thick. For the surface field strength observed at the InSight landing site, 0.4–1.1 wt% magnetite is required if the magnetic layer corresponds to one or more of the three crustal layers observed in the InSight seismic data (with thicknesses from 8 to 39 km). We then investigate the minerals that are produced by aqueous alteration for various possible crustal compositions and water‐to‐rock ratios using a thermodynamic model. Magnetite abundances up to 6 wt% can be generated for dunitic compositions that could account for the strongest magnetic anomalies. For more representative basaltic starting compositions, however, more than 0.4 wt% can only be generated when using high water‐to‐rock ratios, which could account for the weaker magnetizations beneath the InSight landing site.
Enhanced Influence of Late‐Winter Arctic Oscillation on Early Spring Temperature in North and Northeast Asia
Authors: Zhou Xin , Han Tingting , Wang Huijun , Zhou Botao , He Shengping
Published: January 2025

Numerous studies have highlighted the simultaneous relationship between the Arctic Oscillation (AO) and weather/climate in Asia. However, the stability of the precursor signals in AO for Asian surface air temperature (SAT), which is important for short‐term climate prediction, has received little attention. In this study, a strengthened relationship is identified between the late‐winter AO and the early spring SAT over North and Northeast Asia (NNA) around the 1990s. During 1990–2022, a positive (negative) phase of AO during late winter is generally followed by significant warming (cooling) anomalies in the NNA during early spring, whereas this relationship is insignificant during 1961–1987. Further result shows a good persistence of the late‐winter AO to early spring after the 1990s. Accordingly, the AO exerts a strengthened impact on Mongolian anticyclone and Asian westerly anomalies through modulation of a Rossby wave train that propagates from the Arctic to the NNA in early spring, leading to significant SAT anomalies at NNA. Additionally, the AO‐related temperature anomalies intensified in the stratosphere after the 1990s, linking AO and stratospheric polar vortex (SPV). The intensified (weakened) SPV following positive (negative) AO facilitates warming (cooling) anomalies at NNA via downward‐propagating Eliassen‐Palm fluxes at wave number 1 and circumpolar westerlies in middle and lower troposphere. The seasonal persistence of AO and the strengthened relationship between AO and SPV synergistically enhance the influence of late‐winter AO on early spring SAT in the NNA, which might be attributed to the interdecadal changes in background circulation over the Arctic.
A Petro‐Physical Model for Serpentinized Mantle and Origin of Natural Hydrogen in the Pyrenees
Authors: Pajang Sepideh , Mouthereau Frédéric , Robert Alexandra , Kumar Ajay , Callot Jean‐Paul
Published: January 2025

The relationships between the serpentinized continental mantle in orogens, its geophysical signature at depth and hydrogen seepages are poorly understood. A petro‐physical modeling approach accounting for serpentinization shows that a large domain of serpentinized mantle (1,800 km2) is present in the northern Pyrenees. The serpentinization reached a maximum of 40% during the mid‐Cretaceous rifting, according to the predicted temperature and pressure. Although high‐temperature serpentinization could have generated large quantify of hydrogen during the Mesozoic, the shallow and inactive faulting in Northern Pyrenees make this process unlikely to explain the entire serpentinization inferred by petro‐physical modeling. A combination of low‐temperature alteration of mafic and ultramafic rocks in the North Pyrenean Zone, active normal faulting in the North Pyrenean Fault, accumulation in local traps and transport of H2‐rich fluids along inactive but permeable fault may explain the hydrogen seepages observed today.
Sulfur‐to‐Iron Ratio as a Proxy for Degree of Organic Sulfurization
Authors: French K. L. , Birdwell J. E.
Published: January 2025

The degree of organic sulfurization is broadly relevant yet underreported. We present a statistically significant correlation between whole rock S/Fe and the measured degree of organic sulfurization in the thermally immature Cenomanian–Turonian Eagle Ford Group. This relationship shows a sink switch for sulfur from pyrite to organic matter. Excess iron and excess sulfur relative to pyrite, which are mathematically related to S/Fe, provide better insights into organic sulfurization than previous approaches that calculate excess iron relative to detrital iron based on aluminum concentrations. Organic sulfurization and S/Fe are tightly coupled in the Eagle Ford partially due to limited sulfur‐ and iron‐bearing components. Similar relationships could exist in other thermally immature, organic‐rich, anoxia‐prone, calcareous mudstones. The degree of organic sulfurization was estimated from S/Fe, which was used to map stratigraphic and regional variations of organic sulfurization across the Eagle Ford and to investigate how organic sulfurization relates to organic enrichment, organic preservation, and depositional redox chemistry. The extent of organic sulfurization is more tightly linked to organic preservation than enrichment. Together, organic sulfurization and Mo provide concordant evidence for depositional euxinia. The relationship between Mo and degree of organic sulfurization could indicate that sulfurized organic matter provides a pathway for Mo enrichment, but future work needs to disentangle direct mechanisms from indirect covariations between Mo, organic content, and degree of organic sulfurization. Whole rock elemental chemistry and programmed pyrolysis provide insights into organic sulfurization variations that can be upscaled and can guide subsequent detailed organic sulfur analyses.
Seismic Signatures of Fluctuating Fragmentation in Volcanic Eruptions
Authors: Coppess Katherine R. , Lam Fredric Y. K. , Dunham Eric M.
Published: January 2025

Fragmentation plays a critical role in eruption explosivity by influencing the eruptive jet and plume dynamics that may initiate hazards such as pyroclastic flows. The mechanics and progression of fragmentation during an eruption are challenging to constrain observationally, limiting our understanding of this important process. In this work, we explore seismic radiation associated with unsteady fragmentation. Seismic force and moment tensor fluctuations from unsteady fragmentation arise from fluctuations in fragmentation depth and wall shear stress (e.g., from viscosity variations). We use unsteady conduit flow models to simulate perturbations to a steady‐state eruption from injections of heterogeneous magma (specifically, variable magma viscosity due to crystal volume fraction variations). Changes in wall shear stress and pressure determine the seismic force and moment histories, which are used to calculate synthetic seismograms. We consider three heterogeneity profiles: Gaussian pulse, sinusoidal, and stochastic. Fragmentation of a high‐crystallinity Gaussian pulse produces a distinct very‐long‐period seismic signature and associated reduction in mass eruption rate, suggesting joint use of seismic, infrasound, and plume monitoring data to identify this process. Simulations of sinusoidal injections quantify the relation between the frequency or length scale of heterogeneities passing through fragmentation and spectral peaks in seismograms, with velocity seismogram amplitudes increasing with frequency. Stochastic composition variations produce stochastic seismic signals similar to observed eruption tremor, though computational limitations restrict our study to frequencies less than 0.25 Hz. We suggest that stochastic fragmentation fluctuations could be a plausible eruption tremor source.
CT Scans Show How Giant Hailstones Grow
Authors: Owen Rebecca
Published: January 2025

Dental office technology is giving scientists a peek inside giant hailstones.
ERG mediates the differentiation of hepatic progenitor cells towards immunosuppressive PDGFRα+ cancer-associated fibroblasts during hepatocarcinogenesis
Authors: Bai Haoran , Zhu Xinyu , Gao Lu , Feng Shiyao , Li Hegen , Gu Xiaoqiang , Xu Jiahua , Zong Chen , Hou Xiaojuan , Yang Xue , Jiang Jinghua , Zhao Qiudong , Wei Lixin , Zhang Li , Han Zhipeng , Liu Wenting , Qian Jianxin
Published: January 2025

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play important roles in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and are a key component of the immunosuppressive microenvironment. However, the origin of CAFs has not been fully elucidated. We employed single-cell sequencing technology to identify the dynamic changes in different subsets of fibroblasts at different time points in rat primary HCC model. Inflammation-associated CAFs (Pdgfrα
+ CAFs) were subsequently identified, which demonstrated a significant correlation with the survival duration of HCC patients and a dual role in the tumour microenvironment (TME). On the one hand, they secrete the chemokines CCL3 and CXCL12, which recruit macrophages to the tumour site. On the other hand, they produce TGFβ, inducing the polarization of these macrophages towards an immunosuppressive phenotype. According to the in vitro and in vivo results, hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) can aberrantly differentiate into PDGFRα+ CAFs upon stimulation with inflammatory cytokine. This differentiation is mediated by the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway and the downstream transcription factor ERG via the TLR4 receptor. Downregulating the expression of ERG in HPCs significantly reduces the number of PDGFRα+ CAFs and the infiltration of tumour-associated macrophages in HCC, thereby suppressing hepatocarcinogenesis. Collectively, our findings elucidate the distinct biological functions of PDGFRα+ cancer-associated fibroblasts (PDGFRα+ CAFs) within the TME. These insights contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the establishment of an immunosuppressive microenvironment in HCC, paving the way for the exploration of novel immunotherapeutic strategies tailored for HCC treatment.
The clinical-stage drug BTZ-043 accumulates in murine tuberculosis lesions and efficiently acts against Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Römpp Andreas , Treu Axel , Kokesch-Himmelreich Julia , Marwitz Franziska , Dreisbach Julia , Aboutara Nadine , Hillemann Doris , Garrelts Moritz , Converse Paul J. , Tyagi Sandeep , Gerbach Sina , Gyr Luzia , Lemm Ann-Kathrin , Volz Johanna , Hölscher Alexandra , Gröschel Leon , Stemp Eva-Maria , Heinrich Norbert , Kloss Florian , Nuermberger Eric L. , Schwudke Dominik , Hoelscher Michael , Hölscher Christoph , Walter Kerstin
Published: January 2025

The development of granulomas with central necrosis harboring Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the hallmark of human tuberculosis (TB). New anti-TB therapies need to effectively penetrate the cellular and necrotic compartments of these lesions and reach sufficient concentrations to eliminate Mtb. BTZ-043 is a novel antibiotic showing good bactericidal activity in humans in a phase IIa trial. Here, we report on lesional BTZ-043 concentrations severalfold above the minimal-inhibitory-concentration and the substantial local efficacy of BTZ-043 in interleukin-13-overexpressing mice, which mimic human TB pathology of granuloma necrosis. High-resolution MALDI imaging further reveals that BTZ-043 diffuses and accumulates in the cellular compartment, and fully penetrates the necrotic center. This is the first study that visualizes an efficient penetration and accumulation of a clinical-stage TB drug in human-like centrally necrotizing granulomas and that also determines its lesional activity. Our results most likely predict a substantial bactericidal effect of BTZ-043 at these hard-to-reach sites in TB patients.
Curating global datasets of structural linguistic features for independence
Authors: Graff Anna , Chousou-Polydouri Natalia , Inman David , Skirgård Hedvig , Lischka Marc , Zakharko Taras , Barbieri Chiara , Bickel Balthasar
Published: January 2025

The increasing availability of cross-linguistic databases dedicated to documenting morphosyntactic, lexical and phonological features has proliferated the use of such data for studies on language evolution and human history. However, most of these databases were not designed to ensure independence of features, such that it is not valid to jointly use all their features in large-scale statistical analyses assuming independence of inputs. Here, we curate published data from five large linguistic databases to generate two global-scale cross-linguistic datasets: GBI (from the Grambank dataset), and TLI (using inputs from the World Atlas of Language Structures, AUTOTYP, PHOIBLE and Lexibank). The datasets minimize logical dependencies of features and forms of strong statistical dependencies that go beyond phylogenetic and geographical signal. They are also made available in densified form, reducing the proportion of missing data. We document our curation principles and workflows to ensure reusability of this framework with other inputs or thresholds of independence. Our curation steps on both datasets reveal robust and comparable global patterns of structural linguistic diversity.
Association of chronic stress during studies with depressive symptoms 10 years later
Authors: Weinmann Tobias , Wibowo Razan , Forster Felix , Gerlich Jessica , Wengenroth Laura , Weinmayr Gudrun , Genuneit Jon , Nowak Dennis , Vogelberg Christian , Radon Katja , Herbig Britta
Published: January 2025

The long-tern implications of stress during university for individuals’ mental health are not well understood so far. Hence, we aimed to examine the potential effect of stress while studying at university on depression in later life. We analysed data from two waves of the longitudinal Study on Occupational Allergy Risks. Using the ‘work overload’ and ‘proving oneself’ scales of the Trier Inventory for Chronic Stress and the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2), participants reported chronic stress during university (2007–2009, mean age 22.2 years, T1) and depressive symptoms ten years later (2017–2018, mean age 31.6 years, T2). We performed linear regression analyses to explore the association between stress during university (T1) and later depressive symptoms (T2). Participants (N = 548, 59% female) indicated rather low levels of stress and depression (PHQ-2 mean score: 1.14 (range: 0–6)). We observed evidence for a linear association between overload at T1 and depression at T2 (regression coefficient (B) = 0.270; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.131 to 0.409; standardised regression coefficient (β) = 0.170). Our analyses yielded evidence for an association between chronic stress while studying and risk of depressive symptoms later in life. This finding underlines the importance of implementing sustainable preventive measures against stress among students.
First record of microplastic contamination in adult endemic amazonian anuran species
Authors: e Souza-Ferreira Maria Luiza Cunha , dos Reis Adrian José Oliveira , Ferreira Erikson Bruno Loseiro , Dipold Jessica , Freitas Anderson Z. , Wetter Niklaus U. , de Oliveira-Bahia Verônica Regina Lobato , Vieira Thiago Bernardi
Published: January 2025

The microplastics (MPs), due to their high dispersion and bioaccumulation rates, have been identified in various animal groups, such as anuran amphibians during both larval and adult stages. However, current studies on adult anuran amphibians focus on assessing only one exposure route, the digestive system, while other routes remain underestimated. Therefore, this present study aimed to evaluate the degree of contamination in the digestive, respiratory, and integumentary systems, in situ, of two endemic Amazonian adult anuran species (Physalaemus ephippifer and Boana multifasciata). From this, we identified and characterized microplastic particles for each exposure route, assessed the effects of morphometric measures on the total MP contamination level and in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Additionally, we determined different contamination indices and how they vary according to species and systems. Based on our data, the digestive and integumentary exposure routes showed the highest contamination levels for both species. Additionally, variations in MP contamination levels indicated that P. ephippifer had a higher level of MP contamination. Thus, this study provides the first evidence of microplastic exposure through respiratory and integumentary routes in adult anurans in situ, and it is the first to identify MP contamination in terrestrial biomonitors in the Amazon.