bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smooth muscle cell Piezo1 is essential for phenotypic switch and neointimal hyperplasia
Authors: Zhang Fei‐Ran , Tang Jie , Lai Ying , Mo Shi‐Qi , Lin Zhuo‐Miao , Lei Qing‐Qing , Han Cong‐Cong , Zhou An‐Dong , Lv Xiao‐Fei , Wang Cheng , Ou Jing‐Song , Zhou Jia‐Guo , Pang Rui‐Ping
Published: February 2025

Background and Purpose

Disturbed blood flow is a critical factor in activation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and initiation of neointimal hyperplasia. The Piezo1 channel is a recent yet well‐characterised mechanosensor that plays a vital role in vascular development and homeostasis. However, the role of VSMC Piezo1 in neointima development remains largely unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate the functional role of Piezo1 channel in neointimal hyperplasia.

Experimental Approach

We measured the expression of Piezo1 in VSMC‐rich neointima from human coronary artery samples and two mouse neointimal hyperplasia models which were induced by cast implantation or guidewire injury. We utilised VSMC‐specific Piezo1 knockout mice to explore its function and the underlying mechanism of neointimal hyperplasia, both in vivo and in vitro.

Key Results

In human and mouse neointima samples, we observed a significant up‐regulation of Piezo1 expression in the VSMC‐rich neointima compared to the medial layer. VSMC‐specific knockout of Piezo1 significantly reduced neointimal hyperplasia in both animal models. Activation of Piezo1 facilitates, whereas Piezo1 deficiency inhibits disturbed flow‐induced cell proliferation, migration and synthetic phenotype switch. Mechanistic studies suggest that Piezo1 activates YAP and TAZ through Ca2+ and its downstream effectors calmodulin kinase II and calcineurin, which in turn drive VSMC proliferation and migration, thereby facilitating neointimal hyperplasia.

Conclusions and Implications

These findings demonstrate a critical role of mechanosensitive Piezo1 channel in neointimal hyperplasia via modulating VSMC phenotype. Piezo1 channels may represent a novel therapeutic target for maladaptive vascular remodelling and occlusive vascular diseases.
Short‐term impacts of selective logging on forest elephants
Authors: Scalbert Morgane , Fonteyn Davy , Houngbégnon Fructueux , Scalbert Robin , Vermeulen Cédric , Haurez Barbara , Lhoest Simon , Brostaux Yves , Ligot Gauthier , Gorel Anaïs‐Pasiphaé , Doucet Jean‐Louis
Published: February 2025

Although forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) are known to use logged forests, the impact of selective logging on this critically endangered species has never been well established. Considering the potential of some logged areas to serve as other effective area‐based conservation measures, aligning with the Convention on Biological Diversity's 30/30 initiative, we aimed to assess the short‐term impacts of logging on three population parameters: the presence, abundance, and activity of forest elephants. Combining camera traps and dung surveys before and after logging operations, we assessed the response of forest elephants in a certified timber concession in Gabon. Encouragingly, we found no negative effects of logging on the three population parameters studied. There was no discernible change in the presence of elephants after logging, and their abundance actually increased (relative abundance index from 1.56 to 2.59; p‐value 0.0139) at one of the study sites. Activity patterns were also unaffected, showing sustained activity during daylight hours. We also identified the logging‐associated factors that have significantly influenced forest elephant's abundance. Notably, logging intensity, as measured by the average number of trees harvested per hectare, and road density were positively correlated with the number of forest elephant observations (logging intensity effect: 0.2992, p‐value 0.035; road density effect: 0.3628, p‐value 0.060). As global conservation goals evolve, this research provides important insights into the coexistence of well‐managed industrial activities and the conservation of endangered species, highlighting the need to include responsibly managed timber concessions in future conservation strategies. It also underscores the importance of wider adoption of sustainable practices such as low‐impact logging, promoted by certification schemes such as FSC or PEFC, to secure the future of central African forests and their unique wildlife.
Why the South African National Health Research Ethics Council is wrong about ownership of human biological material and data
Authors: Thaldar Donrich , Maboea Uyanda , Gooden Amy
Published: February 2025

The South African National Health Research Ethics Council (NHREC) states in its 2024 Ethics Guidelines that human biological material (HBM) and data cannot be privately owned under South African law. This position conflicts with established legal principles, guidelines by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), and South African university policies, all of which support private ownership of HBM and data. Private ownership is not only legally sound but also ethically necessary, providing a framework for accountability, ensuring fair recognition of institutional contributions, and enabling responsible custodianship over these valuable resources. The NHREC's denial of private ownership of HBM and data undermines South African research institutions’ ability to control their research assets and leaves them vulnerable to exploitation by foreign entities. The NHREC should issue a corrigendum to delete its incorrect position on private ownership of HBM and data.
Validation of the Japanese version of the Clinical Frailty Scale
Authors: Komiya Hitoshi , Suzuki Yusuke , Watanabe Kazuhisa , Nagae Masaaki , Nakashima Hirotaka , Fujisawa Chisato , Miyahara Shuzo , Tajima Tomihiko , Sakai Tomomichi , Takeya Yasushi , Kojima Taro , Umeda‐Kameyama Yumi , Kawashima Shuji , Umegaki Hiroyuki
Published: February 2025

Aim

Among the many screening tools developed to detect frailty and disability in older adults, the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) is a valid, reliable, and easy‐to‐use tool and has been translated into several languages. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the validity of the Japanese version of the CFS (CFS‐J).

Methods

The necessary permissions were obtained from Rockwood and colleagues. The Japanese version was prepared by translation (English to Japanese) and verified by back translation (Japanese to English). Concurrent criterion validity was assessed by evaluating the extent to which CFS relates to the Frailty Index (FI), the Frailty Index based on a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (FI‐CGA), and Performance Status (PS), using Kendall's tau.

Results

In total, 223 patients admitted to the geriatric ward of an acute hospital between June 2021 and March 2023 were analyzed in the validation study. Mean age was 84.9 ± 5.9 years (range, 67–101 years), 128 (57.4%) were women, and the mean body mass index was 20.9 ± 4.0 kg/m2. In a correlation analysis, significantly positive associations were found between the CFS‐J and the FI (r = 0.713, P < 0.001), the FI‐CGA (r = 0.691, P < 0.001), and PS (r = 0.669, P < 0.001) for numerical variables. Significant positive associations were also found between the CFS‐J and the FI (r = 0.567, P < 0.001) and the FI‐CGA (r = 0.591, P < 0.001) for categorical valuables.

Conclusion

The CFS‐J was found to be a valid instrument for identifying frailty in Japanese inpatients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; ••: ••–••.
Testing and forecasting price jumps with return moments
Authors: Zhen Fang , Ruan Xinfeng , Zhang Jin E.
Published: February 2025

We detect jumps with the cubic variation and derive its exact distribution under a generic pure‐diffusion model with deterministic time‐varying volatility. Our method performs well for not only high‐ but also low‐frequency returns. We use the jump testing method to construct monthly and daily jump indicators from the daily and intraday S&P 500 index returns, and find that they can be significantly and robustly predicted by VIX. Other option‐implied and historical moments are either subsumed by VIX or are conditionally useful. Our results support the superior informational role played by the risk‐neutral volatility in predicting future price jump events.
Virtual Mobility: Mitigating the Adverse Effect of Violence Against Women on the Development of Employment Capabilities
Authors: Dangol Ramesh , Bateman Patrick , Iyer Deepa G.
Published: February 2025

Violence against women (VAW) is an endemic phenomenon that adversely affects the entire female population, even those who might not have directly experienced violence. This paper examines VAW's adverse effects on all women's employment capabilities by imposing restrictions on mobility in public spaces, a fundamental resource required for capability development. Drawing upon the new mobilities paradigm, this study also posits that information and computer technologies (ICTs) can enable virtual mobility, which could reduce women's reliance on mobility in public spaces to develop employment capabilities. Country‐level data from the WomanStats Project, the World Bank and the International Labor Organization are used to test the propositions. Implications for viewing virtual mobility as a resource to develop women's employment capabilities in the presence of VAW are discussed.
Top heavy? On the allocative efficiency of small school districts
Authors: Taylor Lori L. , Grosskopf Shawna , Hayes Kathy J.
Published: February 2025

Policymakers tend to presume that small local education agencies (LEAs) are administratively top heavy, but indivisibilities at the classroom level could just as easily lead small LEAs to overuse teachers rather than administrators. This analysis uses an input distance function and administrative data on students, staff, and spending to estimate the technical and allocative efficiency of Texas public school districts. Our results suggest that small districts are no more likely to overuse administrators than to overuse teachers. Once likely determinants of inefficiency are taken into account, there is no relationship between school district size and the degree of allocative inefficiency. As such, our analysis casts doubt on the efficacy of efficiency rules of thumb that are common in public service practice.
A fast local search for the identical parallel machine scheduling problem with the position‐based deteriorating effect and maintenance
Authors: Rudek Radosław
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we develop a fast local search for the identical parallel machine scheduling problem with maintenance activities and the position‐based deteriorating under the maximum lateness minimization. Our approach allows us to calculate criterion values in a constant time per solution in a neighbourhood. The application is given on the basis of the Nawaz–Ensore–Ham method, iterative local search, tabu search, and a family of memetic search algorithms, where their efficiency equipped with our method is compared with their classical versions. The computational experiments confirm the theoretical analysis that our approach essentially overwhelms the typical implementation and speeds up the related algorithms over 200 times for reasonable problem sizes. Thereby it allows us to search for significantly larger solution space at the same time and, therefore, radically improve the criterion values of the obtained solutions.
Addressing Potential Researcher Distress in Nurse‐Led Research: Ethical Considerations and Practical Strategies
Authors: Bond Carmel , Watson Adrianna , Jackson Debra
Published: February 2025

Aims

To discuss the need for nurse researchers to consider to the potential for psychological distress when conducting studies on sensitive topics.

Design

Discursive paper.

Methods

Drawing from existing literature, we highlight the ethical obligations of researchers to recognise and manage their emotional responses, especially as these can potentially lead to burnout and re‐traumatization. In this paper, we propose practical strategies to mitigate these risks, including trauma‐informed practices, peer support systems, structured mentorship and the establishment of vicarious trauma (VT) plans.

Conclusion

Prioritising researcher well‐being in nursing research is essential for ethical practices and the mental health of those involved in undertaking research in sensitive areas.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Support strategies, such as formal team debriefings, resilience training, VT plans and peer support, can foster safer and healthier research environments, when researching in sensitive areas.
How Universal Adhesive Systems With Nanoencapsulated Flavonoids Improve Long‐Term Bonding to Caries‐Affected Dentin
Authors: Falconi‐Páez Camila , Aldaz Mayra Alejandra Nuñez , Navarro Tobia Gastón , González‐Vaca Claudia Carolina , Campos Lucas Arrais , Davila‐Sanchez Andres , Arrais Cesar Augusto Galvão
Published: February 2025

Objectives

To determine the presence of nano‐encapsulated flavonoids and their effect in universal adhesives on resin‐dentin bond‐strength (μTBS) and nanoleakage (NL) on artificial caries‐affected dentin (CAD) after 24‐h and 6 months of water storage (WS).

Materials and Methods

Artificial CAD was created on the occlusal dentin surfaces of 60 human third molars by a microbiological assay. Nanoencapsulated quercetin (Q) and naringin (N) were incorporated into Prime&Bond Universal (PBU; Dentsply‐Sirona) and Single Bond Universal (SBU, 3M ESPE). The adhesive systems with and without (control) flavonoids were applied to the CAD surface, and a 4‐mm resin composite block (TPH Spectrum, Dentsply Sirona) was built up and light‐cured. Specimens were sectioned into resin‐dentin beams (0.8 mm2). The hybrid layer (HL) was subjected to micro‐Raman analysis to detect N and Q. The specimens were tested in tension in a universal testing machine at 0.5 mm/min. μTBS and NL tests were performed after 24‐h and WS. μTBS and NL data were analyzed using a nonparametric three‐way ANOVA test followed by Bonferroni's test (α = 5%).

Results

Q and N were detected within the HL. N and Q nanocapsules increased μTBS and reduced NL values after WS. At 24 h, the PBU group showed higher NL values than the SBU group, and the values decreased after WS.

Conclusions

Incorporating nanoencapsulated flavonoids may improve the longevity of universal bonding systems applied to CAD.

Clinical Relevance

Adhesive restorations incorporating nanoencapsulated quercetin or naringin might be a promising alternative for achieving long‐term bonding stability.
Cost‐Effectiveness of Hominis Placenta Therapy for Chronic Temporomandibular Disorder: An Economic Evaluation Alongside a Pragmatic Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Kim Doori , Kim Eun‐San , Kim Koh‐Woon , Cho Jae‐Heung , Lee Yoon Jae , Ha In‐Hyuk
Published: February 2025

Background

Hominis placenta (HP) exhibits anti‐inflammatory, antiviral and nerve growth‐promoting properties; however, there are limited studies about HP therapy in the treatment of temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

Objective

To evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of HP therapy with that of physical therapy (PT) in patients with TMD.

Methods

This cost‐effectiveness analysis was conducted alongside a 26‐week multicentre pragmatic randomised controlled trial (RCT). Eighty‐two patients with chronic TMD were randomly assigned to the HP and PT groups at a ratio of 1:1. Patients with a visual analogue scale (VAS) score of ≥ 40 mm for temporomandibular joint pain and persistent pain for ≥ 3 months were included. The primary economic endpoint was the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio, which analysed the cost per quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) gained in the HP group. QALYs were calculated using EuroQol‐5D (EQ‐5D) and Short‐Form 6D (SF‐6D). The primary and secondary analyses were conducted from societal and healthcare perspectives.

Results

HP therapy was the dominant treatment option from a societal perspective owing to its higher QALY and lower cost compared with those of PT. Differences in QALYs calculated using EQ‐5D and SF‐6D between the two groups were 0.015 and 0.034, respectively, while those in cost from societal perspectives and healthcare perspectives were −3764 and 113 USD, respectively. Analysis from a healthcare perspective indicated that the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio calculated using the EQ‐5D and SF‐6D was 7786 and 3338 USD, respectively.

Conclusion

HP therapy is a more cost‐effective therapeutic option than PT for patients with chronic TMD.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04087005; Clinical Research Information Service KCT0004437
Distinct but Redundant Roles of ER Cargo Receptors p24 and Erv29 in Facilitating Proper Secretion of Cellulases in Trichoderma reesei
Authors: Wang Zhixing , Liu Lin , Pu Yi , Fang Yu , Lv Wenhao , Liu Weifeng
Published: February 2025

Trichoderma reesei represents an important industrial workhorse for (hemi)cellulase production. However, relatively little is known about the details of its secretory pathway ensuring the extremely high‐level enzyme secretion and how they might be leveraged for engineering improved protein production. Here, the functions of T. reesei ER cargo receptors p24 and Erv29 in trafficking cellulase were characterised. Whereas individual deletion of p24 or erv29 resulted in only a marginal effect on extracellular cellulase secretion, distinct intracellular trafficking pathways exist for individual hydrolytic enzyme in T. reesei. Notably, the simultaneous absence of p24 and Erv29 abolished the secreted production of cellulases but not xylanases. The secretion defect was accompanied by an apparent intracellular accumulation of cellulases. Mutations of residues on the cytosolic side of p24 and Erv29 supposed to mediate COPII coat recognition also compromised cellulase secretion although the overall ER exit sites (ERES) formation did not seem to be affected. We further revealed that a VPL motif following the signal peptide of CBH2 necessitates its efficient secretion mediated by Erv29. These results indicate that two specific ER cargo receptors complement each other to mediate the proper intracellular trafficking of cellulases and thus ensuring their extracellular secretion.
Non‐Invasive, Bioluminescence‐Based Visualisation and Quantification of Bacterial Infections in Arabidopsis Over Time
Authors: Taks Nanne W. , Batstra Mathijs D. , Kortekaas Ronald F. , Stevens Floris D. , Pfeilmeier Sebastian , van den Burg Harrold A.
Published: February 2025

Plant‐pathogenic bacteria colonise their hosts using various strategies, exploiting both natural openings and wounds in leaves and roots. The vascular pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) enters its host through hydathodes, organs at the leaf margin involved in guttation. Subsequently, Xcc breaches the hydathode–xylem barrier and progresses into the xylem vessels causing systemic disease. To elucidate the mechanisms that underpin the different stages of an Xcc infection, a need exists to image bacterial progression in planta in a non‐invasive manner. Here, we describe a phenotyping setup and Python image analysis pipeline for capturing 16 independent Xcc infections in Arabidopsis thaliana plants in parallel over time. The setup combines an RGB camera for imaging disease symptoms and an ultrasensitive CCD camera for monitoring bacterial progression inside leaves using bioluminescence. The method reliably quantified bacterial growth in planta for two bacterial species, that is, vascular Xcc and the mesophyll pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst). The camera resolution allowed Xcc imaging already in the hydathodes, yielding reproducible data for the first stages prior to the systemic infection. Data obtained through the image analysis pipeline was robust and validated findings from other bioluminescence imaging methods, while requiring fewer samples. Moreover, bioluminescence was reliably detected within 5 min, offering a significant time advantage over our previously reported method with light‐sensitive films. Thus, this method is suitable to quantify the resistance level of a large number of Arabidopsis thaliana accessions and mutant lines to different bacterial strains in a non‐invasive manner for phenotypic screenings.
The Loss of the Nurse as an Individual: Nursing, Well‐Being and Existentialism
Authors: Livingston Marci Kay , Manning Stacy
Published: February 2025

Research into how existentially aware nurses and nursing interventions have highlighted the benefits to patients and patient outcomes. Less is known about how existentially based training affects nurses themselves. This project sought to understand if and how a training programme developed to improve nurses' knowledge of existential theory would affect their well‐being. Overall, despite challenges to recruitment, follow‐up and data collection, three key themes were developed from the data: (1) Things Are Difficult, (2) We Need More… and (3) Well‐Being Is Personal. Existentialist philosophy can be an effective way of providing nurses with the tools to develop and express their own definition of well‐being. It can also be useful to healthcare systems and administrators seeking to find ways of reducing burnout and turnover among nursing staff.
Attenuated Doors‐Locked P300 Amplitude and Elevated Depressive Symptoms: Effects of Age and Sex in Two Independent Samples of Youth
Authors: Santopetro Nicholas J. , Amir Nader , Nelson Brady D. , Klein Daniel N. , Hajcak Greg
Published: February 2025

Deficits in cognitive and reward‐related functions, measured via reductions in the P300 and reward positivity (RewP) event‐related potential (ERP) components, are commonly observed in adults suffering with depression. Considering higher risk for depression emerges among females in adolescence, examination of the neurological underpinnings of depression during this critical developmental period can help further elucidate our overall understanding of the etiology of depressive disorders. Therefore, the present study sought to first examine associations between doors‐locked P300 amplitude, RewP amplitude, current depression symptoms, and age in an all‐female youth sample (sample 1: n = 296; age, 8 to 14). Next, we examined these same associations, as well as sex, in a second independent sample consisting of male and female youths (sample 2: n = 605; age, 11 to 14). Blunted doors‐locked P300 was associated with higher depressive symptoms in both samples. Moreover, the association between P300 and depression was stronger among older youths in both samples. Sex further moderated this relationship in sample 2 such that smaller P300 related to greater depression only in females. There were no consistent associations between RewP amplitude and depressive symptoms in either youth sample. These findings suggest that the doors‐locked P300 component is a reliable neural correlate of depression in youth that might specifically relate to pathways linked to increased risk for depression among adolescent females.
Key attributes of health and environmental risk decision‐making: A scoping review
Authors: Bhuller Yadvinder , Bancroft Xaand , Deonandan Raywat , Grudniewicz Agnes , Wiles Anne , Krewski Daniel
Published: February 2025

Government agencies, international institutions, and independent experts have published approaches for the assessment and management of health and environmental risks. This includes evidence‐based strategies and publications supporting risk decision‐making frameworks reflecting contemporary practices, the overarching context, and governance structures for addressing known and emerging risk issues. This scoping review surveys the literature, over the last five decades, to identify key attributes of health and environmental risk decision‐making and how these inherent characteristics are related to the overarching regulatory decision‐making context. The findings provide insights on how these publications accounted for the circumstances and triggers at that time. This includes incorporating factors reflecting advances in science and technology, a better understanding of underlying values (e.g., societal), and an expansion in the scope and complexity required for conducting different evaluations relevant to health and environmental risks. Consequently, the evolution from linear to more expanded and holistic decision‐making frameworks incorporates foundational elements, such as the well‐established steps for assessing risks, while adding aspects reflecting transformative changes and paradigm shifts (e.g., the use of non‐animal testing strategies for evaluating human safety). Our analysis also resulted in the generation of a consolidated listing of ten attributes: trigger/issue, regulatory context, regulatory factors, core values, risk decision‐making principles, cross‐cutting attributes, design (scope and steps), structure, decision‐making pathway, and evidence‐knowledge requirements for risk decision‐making. A better understanding of this evolution in risk decision‐making and the listing of key attributes will be used in future work aimed at developing considerations for next generation decision‐making approaches for health and environmental risks.
Wind‐driven hydrodynamic and depositional patterns in shallow lakes: An exploratory modelling approach based on an archetypal case of Lake Hulun
Authors: Xue Xinyu , Storms Joep , Zăinescu Florin , Schuster Mathieu , Wang Li , May Jan‐Hendrik , Ng Zhi Lin , van der Vegt Helena , Nutz Alexis , Bozetti Guilherme , Su Ming , Jiang Zaixing
Published: February 2025

Lake Hulun, the fifth‐largest lake in China, is a shallow lake (water depth <10 m) with typical wave‐dominated landforms developed around the shoreline, with a semi‐enclosed bay located in its southern corner. This novel study aims to understand wind‐driven hydrodynamics and its related depositional patterns in the data‐sparse Lake Hulun. To achieve this, a series of numerical simulations were conducted with a hydrodynamic and sediment transport model. The simulated hydrodynamic patterns are greatly influenced by wind direction shifts but are subject to little impact from wind speed changes which act mainly to accelerate flow. By varying the location and depth of the deepest part of the lake, this study reveals that the location of the depth centre has little impact on the overall hydrodynamic pattern of wind‐driven waterbodies. When the wind direction is perpendicular to the long‐axis shore, currents around the short‐axis shore flow in a direction that follows the wind direction. This study considers the wind‐induced longshore currents that are oblique to the long‐axis shore as the main driving force in transporting sediments along the shore and erosion of the shoreline. The formation of semi‐closed bays in both Lake Hulun, together with its nearby sister lake – Lake Buir – are attributed to the north‐west prevailing wind direction. Further exploratory simulations confirmed that prevailing winds tend to induce parallel distributed submerged sediment accumulations in the nearshore zone, challenging the notion of sediment accumulation solely in deep water zones. This study provides valuable insights into the hydro‐sedimentary dynamics in wind‐driven waterbodies, offering a process‐based perspective and contributing to current understanding of the palaeogeography of ancient lake systems.
How does Social Trust Shape the Politicization of America’s Climate Change Perception?—A Study of Two National Surveys in 2022 and 2023
Authors: Hao Feng , Doyle Joshua
Published: February 2025

Climate change has exerted tremendous disruptive impacts on the planet and human society. The United States is a major contributor to this crisis and has witnessed extreme weather events more frequently in recent years. To address this issue, it is critical to understand how Americans understand climate change. Our study uses data from two national surveys administered in 2022 and 2023 to investigate this topic. Descriptive statistics reveal that most Americans are concerned about the risk, recognize the ramifications of extreme weather events, agree that transforming to renewables is a practical solution, and support the Inflation Reduction Act to tackle the climate crisis. Structural equation modeling results show social trust and political ideology shape climate change perception. Social trust also mediates the impact of political ideology, with respondents who lean liberal becoming even more likely to perceive the threat of climate change and concur with climate policies if they have stronger social trust. The findings contribute to the literature and carry significant policy implications. Studying social trust’s direct and mediating effects by examining an American sample complements most current scholarship using cross‐national data and only probing the direct linkage. Meanwhile, it is critical to leverage social trust’s influence to bridge the political gap and promote public response to climate change.
Navigating Populism in America: Unveiling the Socioeconomic and Ideological Roots of Populist Attitudes
Authors: Jung Yujin J.
Published: February 2025

Objectives

This study investigates the socioeconomic and ideological factors that are associated with populist attitudes in the United States. Specifically, it examines the influence of demographic factors such as age and religious affiliation, alongside economic perceptions, while also exploring the ideological alignment of populist attitudes with conservative and progressive issue stances.

Methods

The analysis utilizes original survey data collected from a nationally representative sample of U.S. respondents. Employing a combination of ordinary least squares regression and factor analysis, the study evaluates the interrelationships between key socioeconomic indicators, ideological orientations, and populist sentiments.

Results

The analysis reveals that populist attitudes are strongly associated with conservative issues such as opposition to immigration, support for gun rights, and abortion restrictions. Among socioeconomic predictors, Christian affiliation emerges as one of the significant socioeconomic predictors of populist attitudes. In contrast, populist attitudes show no substantial association with progressive issues like healthcare expansion, environmental policies, or United States involvement in Ukraine.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that populism at the mass level in the United States is predominantly aligned with right‐wing issues, rather than left‐wing ones. This alignment indicates that populist attitudes in the United States reinforce ideological divides, particularly around conservative policy positions.
Synergistic lubrication effect of texture and copper on cutting performance for broaching tool
Authors: Feng Kai , Song Ziqi , Ni Jing , Wang Xiaozhen , Du Mingyang
Published: February 2025

The broaching process is a heavy-duty and highly efficient metal cutting technique. The heavy load encounters significant thermal and mechanical stresses on the tool during broaching, resulting in considerable friction within the tool-chip contact area. The friction adversely affects both workpiece quality and tool life. To address this issue, laser technology is utilized in this study to create three distinct textures on the rake face of the broach. Subsequently, an innovative rotary covering device is developed to cover a solid lubricant (copper) onto both surfaces and grooves of cutting tool. Broaching test is conducted to evaluate the impact of different textures and copper on chip morphology, including chip deformation and burr width. The findings demonstrate that employing a stripe-textured broach reduces the chip deformation coefficient by 16.1% compared to its non-textured counterpart. Furthermore, covering copper through rotational friction leads to an additional reduction of 7.7% in the chip deformation coefficient. Copper not only repairs surface defects but also forms a lubricating film during cutting operations, thereby serving as an effective solid lubricant. The synergistic interaction between texture and copper enhances heat dissipation during cutting processes, consequently reducing temperatures within the tool-chip contact area. The temperature reduction alleviates plastic deformation in localized regions of the workpiece, resulting in narrower burrs. Therefore, the use of rotary friction for covering copper onto the rake face of a broaching tool represents a straightforward yet cost-effective strategy for optimizing frictional conditions and enhancing the cutting performance.
A novel fault identification method for rolling bearing
Authors: Li Yongpeng , Yu Mingyue , Meng Guanglei , Wang Yunbo
Published: February 2025

One-dimensional local binary pattern (1D-LBP) identifies the running state of bearings by describing local textural features of vibration signals. However, 1D-LBP algorithm is rather sensitive to noise and intrinsic periodic features of rotating machinery which is not included in consideration. This makes it difficult for 1D-LBP algorithm to comprehensively dig fault information of bearings. To solve this problem, a new method has been brought forward by combining the intrinsic periodicity of rotating machinery and extraction of textural features. Before extraction of local features of signals, vibration signals are subjected to first-order difference operation to highlight local impact features of bearing failure. Meanwhile, to reduce the noise and further strengthen periodic features, differential signals are segmented by a complete period, and the signals after segmentation are subjected to cross-correlation successively to acquire the corresponding cross-correlation functions. Secondly, 1D-LBP is employed on cross-correlation functions (not raw signals) to extract local features and local textural signals (LTS) are obtained. Thirdly, feature parameters and vectors have been built according to LTS and the running state of bearings has been described from the perspective of textural feature. At last, according to established feature vector and classification algorithm, running state of bearing was determined. A comparative analysis is given to proposed method and other methods through public data sets and data from an experimental equipment of bearing. The results of comparative analysis indicate that with the 2 kinds of data sets, the identification rate of proposed method for unknown samples is over 97% and it can judge the running state and the type of faults more precisely.
Research on the Static and Dynamic Characteristics of Porous Air Bearings Considering Annular Groove Air Supply
Authors: Tian Boyu , Zhang Xiaofeng , Xu Jin , Zhu Fuan
Published: February 2025

The article examines the dynamic characteristics of porous air bearings in the critical pneumatic hammer state (the transition state from the steady state to the pneumatic hammer state). The dynamic characteristics mainly include the critical load (film load capacity) and the critical frequency (vibration frequency) of the bearings. This study presents two fluid domain models: the first model depicts flow channels with annular grooves for air supply (annular grooved model), while the second model does not include annular grooves (nongrooved model). The effects of bearing permeability and air supply pressure are analyzed. Numerical simulation results show that the critical loads and the critical frequencies in the annular grooved model are quite different from those in the nongrooved model. When the permeability is 1.33 × 10−14 m2 and the supply pressures are 400 kPa, 450 kPa, and 500 kPa, the critical loads in the annular groove model are 54.5 N, 48.9 N, and 45.9 N, while the critical loads in the nongrooved model are 42 N, 52.5 N, and 68 N. Reducing the permeability of the air bearing significantly increases the critical load and the critical frequency. Finally, an experimental facility is set up to investigate the critical load and the critical frequency of the air bearings. The critical loads in the experiment are 59.1 N, 52.5 N, and 49.3 N. The fluid domain model's and solution method's accuracy has been confirmed. The simulation results of the annular grooved model are closer to the experimental results.
Enhancing feature-aided data association tracking in passive sonar arrays: An advanced Siamese network approach
Authors: Wang Yunhao , Nie Weihang , Liu Ziyuan , Xu Ji , Wang Wenchao
Published: February 2025

Feature-aided tracking integrates supplementary features into traditional methods and improves the accuracy of data association methods that rely solely on kinematic measurements. However, previous applications of feature-aided data association methods in multi-target tracking of passive sonar arrays directly utilized raw features for likelihood calculations, causing performance degradation in complex marine scenarios with low signal-to-noise ratio and close-proximity trajectories. Inspired by the successful application of deep learning, this study proposes BiChannel-SiamDinoNet, an advanced network derived from the Siamese network and integrated into the joint probability data association framework to calculate feature measurement likelihood. This method forms an embedding space through the feature structure of acoustic targets, bringing similar targets closer together. This makes the system more robust to variations, capable of capturing complex relationships between measurements and targets and effectively discriminating discrepancies between them. Additionally, this study refines the network's feature extraction module to address underwater acoustic signals' unique line spectrum and implement the knowledge distillation training method to improve the network's capability to assess consistency between features through local representations. The performance of the proposed method is assessed through simulation analysis and marine experiments.
Reduction of nonlinear distortion in condenser microphones using a simple post-processing technique
Authors: Honzík Petr , Novak Antonin
Published: February 2025

In this paper, an approach for effectively reducing nonlinear distortion in single-backplate condenser microphones is introduced, i.e., most microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphones, studio recording condenser microphones, and laboratory measurement microphones. This simple post-processing technique can be easily integrated on external hardware such as an analog circuit, microcontroller, audio codec, digital signal processing unit, or within the Application Specific Integrated Circuit chip in a case of MEMS microphones. It effectively reduces microphone distortion across its frequency and dynamic range, and relies on a single parameter, which can be derived from either the microphone's physical parameters or a straightforward measurement presented in this paper. An optimal estimate of this parameter achieves the best distortion reduction, whereas overestimating it never increases distortion beyond the original level. The technique was tested on a MEMS microphone. The findings indicate that for harmonic excitation, the proposed technique reduces the second harmonic by approximately 40 dB, leading to an effective reduction in the total harmonic distortion. The efficiency of the distortion reduction technique for more complex signals is demonstrated through two-tone and multitone experiments, where second-order intermodulation products are reduced by at least 20 dB.
Power Loss Minimization Through Maximal Power Endurance or Repeated Power Training Programs
Authors: Gonzalo-Skok Oliver , Tous-Fajardo Julio
Published: February 2025

Purpose: The present study analyzed the effects of a maximal-power-endurance (MPE) versus a repeated-power-ability (RPA) training program on different strength, power, and repeated-power measurements in a short- and long-term training period and the relationships between changes in all variables. Methods: Twenty-two young highly trained male basketball players were randomly allocated to 1 of the 2 groups (MPE, n = 11; RPA, n = 11) and evaluated by 1-repetition maximum and incremental load, RPA, and MPE tests in the bench-press exercise before and after a period of 4 and 8 weeks. The MPE group performed 2 to 4 sets of a postdetermined number of repetitions (ie, set stopped when maximum power output decreased >10%) using the load that maximized power output. The RPA group carried out 1 to 3 blocks of 5 sets of 5 repetitions with a load that maximized power output. Results: Both groups significantly (P < .001; effect size = 0.58; 1.56) improved 1-repetition maximum, maximum power output, and 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of 1-repetition maximum from pretest to posttest in the incremental load test. Significant improvements (P < .001) were found for the RPA and MPE groups in the best, mean, and last set in the RPA test at all times. Furthermore, a significant (P < .001) time × group interaction was found in the MPE test, showing significant improvements in both groups at posttest. In addition, at posttest, intraset power fluctuation in the mean was significantly (P < .05; effect size = 0.45) better in MPE group compared with RPA group. Conclusion: In conclusion, both training programs represent appropriate methods to improve neuromuscular measurements, although MPE training seems to be a more volume-efficient strategy (∼50% fewer repetitions) to enhance several fatigue-resistance indexes (intraset power fluctuation in the mean).
Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement With an American College Rugby Team: A Consensual Qualitative Research Study
Authors: Minkler Thomas O. , Hut Megan , Glass Carol R. , Thomas Hannah M. , Weppner Caroline H. , Flannery Claire B.
Published: February 2025

Mindfulness-based interventions are a popular form of mental training for athletes. Because most existing research relies on quantitative methods, the present study explored student-athletes’ experiences with mindfulness training, specifically mindful sport performance enhancement, using postintervention interviews and the consensual qualitative research protocol. A secondary focus examined potential differences based on intervention session scheduling. Ten male college rugby players were interviewed after participating in mindful sport performance enhancement either before or after rugby practice. Results indicated that athletes enjoyed exercises involving movement and informal mindfulness and reported sport-related benefits for self-regulation, awareness, and acceptance following mistakes. They also described increased present-moment attention and awareness in their daily lives, nonjudgmental reactions, and better stress coping. Additionally, athletes shared challenges related to session length, staying focused, establishing a practice routine, and managing distractions at home. Integrating mindful sport performance enhancement before sport practice reportedly helped with mental/physical readiness, whereas postpractice integration helped more with physical recovery and relaxation.
An overview of the laboratory diagnosis of
Pneumocystis jirovecii
pneumonia
Authors: Jaramillo Cartagena Alexis , Asowata Osaretin Emmanuel , Ng Dianna , Babady N. Esther
Published: February 2025

Pneumocystis jirovecii
(
P. jirovecii
) is a fungal pathogen associated with significant morbidity in immunocompromised patients, including both HIV- and non-HIV-infected patients. The nonspecific clinical and radiological presentation makes clinical diagnostic challenging, emphasizing the need for accurate laboratory diagnostic tests. However,
P. jirovecii
does not grow in routine culture media, which presents diagnostic challenges in the laboratory as well. Recent publications from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and the Mycoses Study Group Education and Research Consortium continue to rely on direct detection of
P. jirovecii
organisms in tissues and respiratory samples to define proven
P. jirovecii
pneumonia (PCP) even as the sensitivity of these methods are lower. Novel, standardized methods are needed to improve the clinical and laboratory diagnosis and management of PCP. This minireview provides an overview of current diagnostic tests for PCP and emerging applications that aim at filling existing diagnostic gaps and providing more accurate and less invasive diagnoses for this significant disease.
Coding-complete genome sequence of a bovine viral diarrhea virus subgenotype 1v strain isolated in China
Authors: Gao Shandian , Liu Wei , Shao Junjun , Zhang Yun , Guo Huichen , Chang Huiyun , Wang Jiandong
Published: February 2025

We sequenced the coding-complete genome sequence of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) strain NX2019/02. It belongs to the 1v subgenotype. This report will increase our understanding of the epidemiology of BVDV in China.
Interspecies signaling modulates the biosynthesis of antimicrobial secondary metabolites related to biological control activities of
Pseudomonas fluorescens
2P24
Authors: Zhang Nannan , Zhu Xianfeng , Tao Xuanying , Li Jie , Tang Qi , Liu Xiaochun , Luo Li-Ming , Zhang Pingping , Zhang Li-Qun , He Yong-Xing , Ge Honghua
Published: February 2025

Signaling between rhizosphere microorganisms is crucial in bacteria interaction and communication, shaping the rhizomicrobiome. Plant growth-promoting bacterium
Pseudomonas
produces a spectrum of important antibiotics to inhibit plant pathogens, albeit with an associated metabolic burden. Antibiotics could function as intra- and interspecies signals at subinhibitory concentrations to coordinate gene expression and microbial behaviors. In this work, we characterized pyoluteorin as an interspecies signal that modulates the biosynthesis of 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (2,4-DAPG), a broad-spectrum biocontrol agent, in non-pyoluteorin-producing
Pseudomonas fluorescens
2P24. We demonstrated that the key transcriptional repressor PhlF from the 2,4-DAPG biosynthetic gene cluster spontaneously senses pyoluteorin, enhancing repression of the
phlA
promoter activity and inhibiting 2,4-DAPG synthesis in
P. fluorescens
2P24. Pyoluteorin also binds to another transcriptional repressor, PhlH, from the 2,4-DAPG biosynthetic gene cluster, subsequently releasing the transcription of
phlG
, which facilitates the hydrolysis of 2,4-DAPG. Both PhlF and PhlH are simultaneously involved in sensing exogenous pyoluteorin to regulate the 2,4-DAPG biosynthetic operon, playing a crucial role in controlling antibiotic metabolites in response to environmental changes. Further phylogenetic and structural analyses demonstrated that PhlH and PhlF are widely distributed across
Pseudomonas
spp. with conserved ligand-binding domains. The findings shed new light on the regulatory mechanism of 2,4-DAPG biosynthesis underlying interspecies signaling by pyoluteorin and provide invaluable clues for the rational design of co-inhabiting
Pseudomonas
spp. as biocontrol agents.

IMPORTANCE

Rhizosphere microorganisms release vital signals that shape microbial communities, with antibiotics at low concentrations acting as intra- and interspecies signals. However, the mechanisms of these signals in coordinating gene expression are unclear. In non-pyoluteorin-producing
Pseudomonas fluorescens
2P24, pyoluteorin was identified as an interspecies signal that regulates the
phl
biosynthesis gene cluster for 2,4-DAPG production. TetR family repressors PhlH and PhlF were found to positively regulate 2,4-DAPG hydrolysis and negatively regulate its synthesis in response to pyoluteorin. Structural modeling and docking analyses revealed the interactions between pyoluteorin and both PhlH and PhlF, modulating gene expression. Phylogenetic analyses showed a wide distribution of PhlH and PhlF across
Pseudomonas
spp. with conserved ligand-binding domains. These findings deepen our understanding of interspecies signaling mechanisms and highlight the potential for designing co-inhabiting
Pseudomonas
spp. as effective biocontrol agents.