bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of novel Kv1.3 channel-interacting proteins using proximity labelling in T-cells
Authors: Kour Dilpreet , Bowen Christine A. , Srivastava Upasna , Nguyen Hai M. , Kumari Rashmi , Kumar Prateek , Brandelli Amanda D. , Bitarafan Sara , Tobin Brendan R , Wood Levi , Seyfried Nicholas T. , Wulff Heike , Rangaraju Srikant
Published: January 2025

Potassium channels regulate membrane potential, calcium flux, cellular activation and effector functions of adaptive and innate immune cells. The voltage-activated Kv1.3 channel is an important regulator of T cell-mediated autoimmunity and microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. Kv1.3 channels, via protein-protein interactions, are localized with key immune proteins and pathways, enabling functional coupling between K+ efflux and immune mechanisms. To gain insights into proteins and pathways that interact with Kv1.3 channels, we applied a proximity-labeling proteomics approach to characterize protein interactors of the Kv1.3 channel in activated T-cells. Biotin ligase TurboID was fused to either N or C termini of Kv1.3, stably expressed in Jurkat T cells and biotinylated proteins in proximity to Kv1.3 were enriched and quantified by mass spectrometry. We identified over 1,800 Kv1.3 interactors including known interactors (beta-integrins, Stat1) although majority were novel. We found that the N-terminus of Kv1.3 preferentially interacts with protein synthesis and protein trafficking machinery, while the C-terminus interacts with immune signaling and cell junction proteins. T- cell Kv1.3 interactors included 335 cell surface, T-cell receptor complex, mitochondrial, calcium and cytokine-mediated signaling pathway and lymphocyte migration proteins. 178 Kv1.3 interactors in T-cells also represent genetic risk factors of T cell-mediated autoimmunity, including STIM1, which was further validated using co-immunoprecipitation. Our studies reveal novel proteins and molecular pathways that interact with Kv1.3 channels in adaptive (T-cell) and innate immune (microglia), providing a foundation for how Kv1.3 channels may regulate immune mechanisms in autoimmune and neurological diseases.
Elucidating distinct and common fMRI-complexity patterns in pre-adolescent children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder diagnoses
Authors: Zhang Ru , Cen Steven , Wijesinghe Dilmini , Aksman Leon , Murray Stuart B. , Duval Christina J. , Wang Danny J.J. , Jann Kay
Published: January 2025

Importance

The pathophysiology of ADHD is complicated by high rates of psychiatric comorbidities, thus delineating unique versus shared functional brain perturbations is critical in elucidating illness pathophysiology.

Objective

To investigate resting-state fMRI (rsfMRI)-complexity alterations among children with ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), respectively, and comorbid ADHD, ODD, and OCD, within the cool and hot executive function (EF) networks.

Design

We leveraged baseline data (wave 0) from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study.

Setting

The data was collected between September 2016 and September 2019 from 21 sites in the USA.

Participants

Children who singularly met all DSM-5 behavioral criteria for ADHD (N= 61), ODD (N= 38), and OCD (N= 48), respectively, were extracted, alongside children with comorbid ADHD, ODD, OCD, and/or other psychiatric diagnoses (N= 833). A control sample of age-, sex-, and developmentally-matched children was also extracted (N= 269).

Main Outcomes and Measures

Voxel-wise sample entropy (SampEn) was computed using the LOFT Complexity Toolbox. Mean SampEn within all regions of the EF networks was calculated for each participant and hierarchical models with Generalized Estimating Equations compared SampEn of comorbid-free and comorbid ADHD, ODD, and OCD within the EF networks.

Results

SampEn was reduced in comorbid-free ADHD and ODD in overlapping regions of both EF networks, including the bilateral superior frontal gyrus, anterior/posterior cingulate gyrus, and bilateral caudate (Wald statistic = 5.682 to 10.798,p< 0.05 & BH corrected), with ADHD additionally affected in the right inferior/middle frontal gyrus and bilateral frontal orbital cortex (Wald statistic = 7.231 to 9.420,p< 0.05 & BH corrected). Among comorbid presentations, the additional presence of ADHD symptomatology was associated with significantly lower SampEn in every region of interest (z= -3.973 to -2.235,p< 0.05 & BH corrected).

Conclusions and Relevance

ADHD and ODD shared common impairments underlying the EF networks in the comorbid-free presentations, with ADHD showing more widespread complexity reduction. When ADHD co-occurred with other psychiatric disorders, the reduction in SampEn extended beyond the regions affected in comorbid-free ADHD, indicating that comorbidities amplify neural complexity deficits.
Distinct Classes of Gut Bacterial Molybdenum-Dependent Enzymes Produce Urolithins
Authors: Bae Minwoo , Dong Xueyang , Avila-Pacheco Julian , Inyama Fechi , Hill-Maini Vayu , Clish Clary , Balskus Emily P.
Published: January 2025

Urolithin A is an anti-aging and anti-inflammatory gut bacterial metabolite derived from ellagic acid (EA), a polyphenol abundant in berries and nuts. The conversion of EA to urolithin A involves multiple chemically challenging phenol dehydroxylation steps that produce urolithins with varying bioactivities. Despite their biological and chemical significance, the bacterial enzymes responsible for urolithin production remain unidentified. Here, we use differential gene expression analysis, anaerobic protein expression, and enzyme assays to identify members of two distinct molybdenum enzyme families (the DMSO reductase family and the xanthine oxidase family) capable of regioselective dehydroxylation and urolithin generation. These two enzyme families have distinct substrate requirements, suggesting they employ different catalytic mechanisms for phenol dehydroxylation. Multi-omics analysis of a human cohort uncovers decreased levels of urolithin A and genes encoding urolithin A-producing enzymes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), implying reduced health effects of EA consumption in this setting. Together, this study elucidates the molecular basis of urolithin production, expands the known enzymatic repertoire of the human gut microbiome, and suggests a potential link between gut bacterial urolithin production and host inflammation.

Significance statement

The human gut microbiome modulates the health effects of dietary compounds by modifying their chemical structures. For example, gut microbes extensively metabolize polyphenols, a group of diverse plant-derived compounds associated with positive health outcomes. Urolithin A, a gut bacterial metabolite derived from a polyphenol abundant in berries and nuts, exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity. However, the gut bacterial enzymes involved in its production remain largely unknown. Here, we report urolithin-producing gut bacterial enzymes, including four phenol dehydroxylases from two distinct molybdenum-dependent enzyme families. Analyzing human gut microbiomes suggests a potential link between genes encoding these enzymes and host inflammation. Together, our findings fully map urolithin A production to enzymes, increasing our understanding of how the gut microbiome can alter the impacts of diet on human health.
Interplay between innovation-oriented HRM and leadership to promote intrapreneurial behavior for innovation performance in small- and medium-sized enterprises
Authors: Rasheed Muhammad Athar , Elahi Natasha Saman , Nisar Qasim Ali , Nasir Nadia
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Drawing on ability-motivation-opportunity (AMO) framework, this study investigates the direct effect of innovation-oriented HRM on SMEs’ innovation performance, both directly and through intrapreneurial behavior. Besides, the study assesses the moderating role of innovation-oriented leadership in the relationship between innovation-oriented HRM and intrapreneurial behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-wave dataset collected from 183 SMEs was used to test the proposed hypotheses by partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

Findings suggest that innovation-oriented HRM positively impacts SMEs’ innovation performance directly and through intrapreneurial behavior. Evidence also confirms that innovation-oriented leadership positively moderates the effect of innovation-oriented HRM on intrapreneurial behavior.

Research limitations/implications

Through the AMO framework, this study advances our understanding of how the interaction between innovation-oriented HRM and leadership fosters intrapreneurial behavior, ultimately contributing to superior innovation performance in SMEs.

Practical implications

The study recommends that SMEs implement innovation-oriented HRM practices to encourage intrapreneurial behavior and achieve superior innovation performance in SMEs.

Originality/value

Limited research has addressed the contributions of innovation-oriented HRM and leadership toward realizing strategic innovation objectives. Our study offers valuable insights into the functions of innovation-oriented HRM and leadership in stimulating intrapreneurial behavior, thereby enhancing the innovation performance of SMEs.
Persistence of the armed conflict in Colombia: an agreement without peace
Authors: Rivera-Lozada Isabel Cristina , Gómez Sánchez Andrés Mauricio , Uni-Chilito Jennifer
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The aim is to analyze the armed conflict persistence in Colombia from 2008 to 2018 based on the financial viability hypothesis (rebellion occurs when war net revenue is nonnegative).

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is quantitative. Firstly, a nonparametric Kaplan–Meier functions and survival risk functions are developed as initial approximation. Subsequently, a Probit model with panel data is implemented and the covariates are grouped into three dimensions: opportunity, grievance and institutional-political.

Findings

The viability hypothesis boosts the continuity of the armed conflict, which is enhanced and perpetuated by the viability and financial incentives from public revenues and natural resources, while the grievance, political fragmentation and institutional dimensions contribute to the opportunity structure in Collier that makes the conflict militarily and economically viable.

Research limitations/implications

Lack of information for some states in Colombia prevents a much more holistic analysis.

Practical implications

Postulate what is required by the Colombian State to cut off the sources of financing of armed groups and thus, one of the determinants of the continuity of the conflict.

Social implications

The political fragmentation contributes to rebellion, and that variables representing the dimensions of grievance and institutional presence contribute to the opportunity structure that makes the conflict in Colombia militarily and economically viable.

Originality/value

This research proposes as a novelty to incorporate the viability hypothesis with some factors related to the grievance that explain the persistence of the armed conflict as a consequence of decreasing recruitment costs for the insurgent groups, a situation that contributes to the opportunity structure and financial viability of the conflict.
Assessing the impact of source credibility on fast fashion brand loyalty
Authors: Low Florence Cia Shane , Goh Yen-Nee , Lim Chee Ngee
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study assesses the impact of source (influencer’s) credibility on brand trust that leads to loyalty towards a fast fashion brand.

Design/methodology/approach

The stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) framework is adopted in this study. A quantitative study was conducted by administering questionnaires to target respondents. A partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS is implemented to analyze 206 collected responses.

Findings

SEM outcomes statistically support the suggested paths. Findings show that the order of importance of source credibility components in affecting consumer trust in a brand is trustworthiness, expertise, similarity and attractiveness. Additionally, brand loyalty is directly affected by brand trust.

Research limitations/implications

The current study offers understanding into influencers' credibility and brand trust, which can lead to customer loyalty toward a brand. This study also aids marketing practitioners in keeping track of other attributes in deciding if influencers are a good fit for brands. Future research should explore the potential impacts of source credibility components on recommendation intention to build an effective word-of-mouth strategy.

Originality/value

This study explains the literature on brand trust and brand loyalty by justifying the S-O-R framework.
Innovative Insurance to Improve US Patient Access to Cell and Gene Therapy
Authors: CONTI RENA M. , DEMARTINO PATRICK , GRUBER JONATHAN , LO ANDREW W. , SUN YUTONG , WU JACKIE
Published: January 2025

Policy Points

Cell and gene therapies (CGTs) offer treatment for rare and oftentimes deadly disease, but their prices are high, and payers may seek to limit spending.

Total annual costs of covering all existing and expected CGTs for the entire US population 2023–2035 to amount to less than $20 per person and concentrate in commercial and state Medicaid plans.

Reinsurance fees add to expected costs.

Policies that improve coverage and affordability are needed to assure patient access to CGTs.

Context

Cell and gene therapies (CGTs) offer treatment to rare and oftentimes deadly diseases. Because of their high price and uncertain clinical outcomes, US insurers commonly restrain patient access to CGTs, and these barriers may create or perpetuate existing disparities. A reconsideration of existing insurance policies to improve access and reduce disparities is currently underway. One method insurers use to support access and protect them from large, unexpected claims is the purchase of reinsurance. In exchange for an upfront per‐member‐per‐month (PMPM) premium, the reinsurer pays the claim and rebates the insurer at the end of the contract period if there are funds leftover. However, existing reinsurance plans may not cover CGTs or charge exorbitant fees for coverage.

Methods

We simulate the incremental annual per‐person reinsurer costs to cover CGTs existing or expected between 2023 and 2035 for the US population and by payer type based on previously published estimates of expected US spending on CGTs, assumed US population of 330 persons, and current CGT reinsurance fees. We illustrate our methods by estimating the incremental annual per‐person costs overall payers and to state Medicaid plans of sickle cell disease–targeted CGTs.

Findings

We estimate annual incremental spending on CGTs 2023–2035 to amount to $20.4 billion, or $15.69 per person. Total annual estimated spending is expected to concentrate among commercial plans. Sickle cell–targeted CGTs add a maximum of $0.78 PMPM in costs to all payers and will concentrate within state Medicaid programs. Reinsurance fees add to expected costs.

Conclusions

Annual per‐person costs to provide access to CGTs are expected to concentrate in commercial and state Medicaid plans. Policies that improve CGT coverage and affordability are needed.
Public Functions of Political Parties in the United Kingdom
Authors: Trueblood Leah
Published: January 2025

Political parties are both private and public bodies. Some actions of political parties must be categorised as private to protect freedom of speech and association. This article argues, however, that it is sometimes necessary that political parties are understood as exercising public functions as well. When parties are exercising public functions, their actions then may be subject to judicial review. Currently, political parties have not been held to exercise public functions in the UK either for purposes of the Human Rights Act 1998 or common law judicial review. This article challenges the approach in UK law, particularly in Tortoise Media v Conservative Party [2023], which held that it was not even arguable that the selection of a Prime Minister by a political party was a public function. This article challenges this finding by offering a framework, drawn from current case law, for establishing when political parties are exercising public functions. The case law says that functions are public when bodies are ‘operating as an integral part of a governmental framework’. These conditions were more than satisfied in Tortoise Media and offer a firm – albeit limited and context‐contingent – basis for judicial review of actions by political parties.
Dental Implant Rehabilitation in Patients Carrying WNT10A Mutations With Different Molecular Statuses and Phenotypes: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Dou Jiaqi , Dai Qinggang , Yu Xinbo , He Yining , Dai Yuwei , Wang Feng , Wu Yiqun
Published: January 2025

Objectives

WNT10A mutations are associated with tooth agenesis. This study aimed to assess the clinical outcomes of dental implants in patients carrying WNT10A mutations with different molecular statuses and phenotypes over a long‐term follow‐up period.

Materials and Methods

Patients with tooth agenesis were screened by whole‐exome sequencing (WES) from January 2010 to September 2023. Carriers of pathogenic WNT10A mutations who underwent subsequent dental implant therapy were evaluated.

Results

WES identified 66 patients with tooth agenesis carrying WNT10A mutations. Of these, 27 patients (11 males/16 females; mean age 19.6 years) met the inclusion criteria. Homozygotes had significantly more missing teeth (24.4 ± 3.8) than heterozygotes (10.9 ± 5.1, p < 0.0001) and compound heterozygotes (13.8 ± 3.5, p = 0.001). A total of 160 conventional implants were placed. Seven implants were lost in four patients before final prosthesis placement, resulting in overall failure rates of 14.8% at the subject level and 4.4% at the implant level. The 5‐year cumulative survival rate (range: 0.23–12.74 years) was 85.2% and 95.6% at the subject and implant levels, respectively. The mean marginal bone loss (MBL) was 0.80 mm (95% CI: 0.59–1.02). Subgroup analysis revealed higher MBL in homozygotes (p = 0.002), sites requiring extensive bone augmentation (p = 0.016), anterior regions (p = 0.031), and full‐arch bridge cases (p < 0.0001). Patient satisfaction and OHIP‐C49 scores were favorable.

Conclusions

Implant rehabilitation is predictable for patients with WNT10A mutations. However, increased MBL observed in homozygotes with severe tooth agenesis and in cases requiring extensive alveolar bone augmentation highlights the importance of genetic diagnosis prior to implant therapy in patients with severe tooth agenesis.
How Business‐Like Operations Shape Student Union Values and Accountability: Accounts of Publicness and Privateness Discourse in Universities
Authors: Jonathan Joane , Hoque Zahirul
Published: January 2025

This study explores how business‐like operational models in public universities transform university student unions’ core values and accountability discourse. It builds on a publicness theory and an open‐ended interview‐based field study conducted in three student union bodies in Australia. Findings reveal a significant transformation in core (public) value(s) and accountability practices in university student unions over time. Implementing business‐like (privateness) models in public universities drove this transformational change. Contrary to expectations, student unions lost their public identity (publicness values) as a social service provider to its members while satisfying their corporate university stakeholders as a subunit through business‐like (privateness) accountability practices such as budgeting. These findings offer insight into how the commercialized operational model forces universities to use competing dimensions of organizational publicness (public values and privateness) when managing student unions through business‐like accountability mechanisms.
Pharmacological differences and switching among anti‐CGRP monoclonal antibodies: A narrative review
Authors: Romozzi Marina , Munafò Antonio , Burgalassi Andrea , De Cesaris Francesco , Vigani Giulia , Altamura Claudia , Rivi Veronica , Guerzoni Simona , Calabresi Paolo , Raffaelli Bianca , Iannone Luigi Francesco
Published: January 2025

Antibodies targeting either the calcitonin gene–related peptide (CGRP), such as galcanezumab, fremanezumab, and eptinezumab, or the receptor (erenumab) have been approved for the prevention of episodic and chronic migraine. Although widely used and generally effective, a proportion of patients discontinue treatment due to lack of efficacy. In both randomized controlled trials and observational studies, all anti‐CGRP monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have consistently demonstrated comparable efficacy and tolerability, suggesting a pharmacological class effect. However, differences in therapeutic targets, structure, and pharmacokinetic characteristics may influence their efficacy and safety differently. Therefore, in patients not achieving a clinically meaningful response with one anti‐CGRP antibody, switching to a different antibody may be a viable option. This review examines the pharmacological characteristics and distinctions among anti‐CGRP mAbs, highlighting their mechanisms of action and pharmacokinetic profiles, along with the clinical observational data of switching. Finally, we summarize suggestions from international guidelines.
The Role of Platelet–Neutrophil Interactions in Driving Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Liu Qinyao , Zhu Wenjia , Wen Xinmei , Da Yuwei
Published: January 2025

Platelets and neutrophils are among the most abundant cell types in peripheral blood. Beyond their traditional roles in thrombosis and haemostasis, they also play an active role in modulating immune responses. Current knowledge on the role of platelet–neutrophil interactions in the immune system has been rapidly expanding. Notably, circulating platelet–neutrophil complexes (PNCs) have been widely detected in various inflammatory diseases and infections, closely associated with inflammatory processes affecting multiple organs. These findings emphasise the critical role of platelet–neutrophil interactions in driving and sustaining inflammatory responses. In this review, we elucidate the mechanisms by which neutrophils and platelets physically interact, leading to mutual activation. Additionally, activated platelets release pro‐inflammatory factors that further modulate neutrophil effector functions, enhancing their immune response capabilities. We highlight the role of platelets in promoting the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which, in turn, promote local platelet activation, thereby exacerbating the immune response and sustaining chronic inflammation. Furthermore, we review current evidence on the role of platelet–neutrophil interactions in common autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Finally, we identify gaps in understanding the mechanisms of these interactions in the context of other autoimmune diseases and underscore the potential of targeting platelets and neutrophils as a therapeutic strategy for these conditions.
Wage Cyclicality and Labor Market Institutions
Authors: Pereira João , Ramos Raul , Martins Pedro S.
Published: January 2025

Do labor institutions influence how wages respond to the business cycle? Such responsiveness can then shape several economic outcomes, including unemployment. In this paper, we examine the role of two key labor market institutions—collective bargaining and temporary contracts—upon wage cyclicality. Our evidence is drawn from rich, 2002–2020 matched data from Portugal. We find that workers not covered by collective agreements exhibit much higher wage cyclicality, especially new hires, compared to covered workers. In contrast, workers under temporary contracts do not exhibit sizable differences in cyclicality compared to counterparts under permanent (open‐ended) contracts. Our findings highlight a novel angle through which labor institutions influence the labor market and the economy.
Research Review: Sex differences in the clinical correlates of nonsuicidal self‐injury in adolescents – a systematic review
Authors: Moloney Fiona , Amini Jasmine , Sinyor Mark , Schaffer Ayal , Lanctôt Krista , Mitchell Rachel H. B.
Published: January 2025

Background

Nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI), or ‘the deliberate, self‐inflicted destruction of body tissue…without suicidal intent and for purposes not culturally sanctioned’, is a robust predictor of future suicide‐related behavior and therefore a modifiable target for suicide prevention. The prevalence of NSSI is rising in adolescents, particularly among females; however, it is unknown whether sex differences also exist in the clinical and psychosocial factors associated with NSSI. Understanding how the correlates of NSSI differ by sex is important for developing tailored treatments. This study systematically reviews sex differences in the clinical and psychosocial correlates of NSSI among adolescents.

Methods

MEDLINE and PsycINFO were searched using the keywords ‘adolescents’, ‘self‐injury’, and ‘sex factors’ and synonyms for English‐language articles published between January 1, 2000 and May 10, 2022. We included studies that presented original data on NSSI, included adolescents ages 10–19, reported sex differences, and explicitly defined self‐injury as that done without suicidal intent. Fifty‐seven studies containing 54 unique samples were included. Data were summarized by sex and recorded by: (a) characteristics of NSSI, (b) clinical and psychosocial correlates of NSSI, and (c) associations with suicide.

Results

We used data on NSSI from 54 unique samples of adolescents worldwide. Males more commonly used violent methods of NSSI, such as burning, and were more likely to be physically aggressive and experience substance abuse. Females more commonly self‐injured by cutting, and their NSSI was more likely to be repetitive and associated with emotional distress. In both sexes, NSSI was associated with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as sexual abuse/violence and bullying. NSSI was predictive of suicide in females but not males.

Conclusions

Data from 22 countries and 352,516 participants suggest important sex differences in the clinical and psychosocial factors associated with NSSI among adolescents that future assessment and treatment strategies ought to consider.
Effect of Cervical Margin Relocation With Different Injectable Restorative Materials on Fracture Resistance of Molars Received MOD CAD/CAM Onlay Restorations
Authors: Roshdy Basema N. , Eltoukhy Radwa I. , Ali Ashraf I. , Mahmoud Salah Hasab
Published: January 2025

Objective

To investigate the effect of cervical margin relocation with four different injectable restorative materials on the fracture resistance of molars receiving mesio–occluso–distal CAD/CAM nanoceramic onlay restorations.

Materials and Methods

One hundred and five sound mandibular molars received a standardized mesio–occluso–distal onlay preparation, with cervical margins located 2 mm apical to the cemento‐enamel junction. The molars were randomly allocated into five groups (n = 21) according to the cervical relocating materials used: Group I had no cervical margin relocation; Group II used a highly viscous glass ionomer; Group III used a highly‐filled injectable resin composite; Group IV used a resin‐modified glass ionomer; and Group V used a bioactive ionic resin. All groups received immediate dentin sealing before nanoceramic resin‐based CAD/CAM onlay restorations. After the specimens were subjected to thermo‐mechanical loading, they underwent fracture resistance testing and failure mode analysis.

Results

No statistically significant difference in fracture resistance was observed among the tested groups. Regarding the mode of failure, irreparable failure was significantly dominant, with no significant difference among the groups.

Conclusion

Employing injectable restorative materials for cervical margin relocation had no detrimental effect on the fracture resistance of molars receiving nanoceramic resin‐based CAD/CAM onlay restorations.

Clinical Significance

CAD/CAM onlay restorations preceded by cervical margin relocation using injectable restorative materials could tolerate compressive loading comparably to those without cervical margin relocation.
Obesity and hypoxia have differential effects on myocardial innervation in the right ventricle of the male mouse heart
Authors: Mierswa Louisa‐Chiara , Schipke Julia , Mühlfeld Christian
Published: January 2025

Obesity, along with hypoxia, is known to be a risk factor for pulmonary hypertension (PH), which can lead to right ventricular hypertrophy and eventually heart failure. Both obesity and PH influence the autonomic nervous system (ANS), potentially aggravating changes in the right ventricle (RV). This study investigates the combined effects of obesity and hypoxia on the autonomic innervation of the RV in a mouse model. Male C57BL/6N mice were subjected to a control diet (CD) or a high‐fat diet (HFD) for 30 weeks, with subsets of the mice exposed to chronic normobaric hypoxia (13% O2) during the final 3 weeks. Light and electron microscopic stereology was used to quantify various parameters of nerve fibres innervating the RV myocardium. HFD‐induced obesity significantly increased the total length of nerve fibres and axons in the RV under normoxic conditions, indicating hyperinnervation. Quantitatively, the length density of nerve fibres per unit volume of RV (unit: x10‐3 µm‐2) was similar in CD (0.158 ± 0.04), CD‐Hyp (0.176 ± 0.06) and HFD‐Hyp (0.147 ± 0.05). In contrast, in HFD the length density of nerve fibres showed higher values 0.206 ± 0.054. The total length of nerve fibres increased by 67% from 2.61 m ± 0.77 m in CD to 4.37 m ± 1.51 m in HFD. The total length of axons increased by 80% from 8.87 m ± 2.75 m to 15.95 m ± 4.62 m. However, when obesity was combined with hypoxia, the total axon length was significantly reduced by 27% in HFD‐Hyp compared with HFD. In addition, the mean number of axon profiles per nerve fibre profile decreased from 3.44 ± 0.68 in HFD to 2.95 ± 0.43 in HFD‐Hyp. Interestingly, chronic hypoxia alone did not significantly alter RV innervation but led to RV hypertrophy, independent of the diet. The attenuation of obesity‐induced hyperinnervation by hypoxia suggests a complex and potentially antagonistic interaction between these conditions. In conclusion, obesity induced by a HFD caused hyperinnervation of the RV, whereas chronic hypoxia alone did not significantly alter RV innervation. Surprisingly, chronic hypoxia attenuated the obesity‐induced changes in RV innervation. These findings indicate that the effects of obesity and hypoxia‐induced PH on RV innervation are distinct and potentially antagonistic.
A noise‐based framework for randomly generating soil particle with realistic geometry
Authors: Tong Chen‐Xi , Li Jia‐Jun , Sun Quan , Zhang Sheng , Zhou Wan‐Huan , Sheng Daichao
Published: January 2025

Particle morphology influences the mechanical behavior of granular soils. Generating particles with realistic shapes for discrete element method simulations is gaining popularity. However, it is still challenging to efficiently generate very angular particles with less computational cost. Addressing this challenge, this paper introduces a novel noise‐based framework for generating realistic soil particle geometry. Noise algorithms are utilized to apply random variations with certain morphological patterns on the surface of the base geometry (e.g., a sphere), thereby generating a variety of particles with morphological patterns ranging from very angular to rounded. In addition, the base geometry can be replaced with other geometries including real particle scans, allowing rapid generation of realistic particles with morphological characteristics of the base geometry. The framework stands out for its simplicity, the wide range of particle morphologies generated, reducing the need for extensive computation and scanning, and provides a new idea for the granular soil behavior simulations.
Pollution, stress response, and obesity: A systematic review
Authors: El Kouche Sandra , Halvick Sarah , Morel Chloe , Duca Radu‐Corneliu , van Nieuwenhuyse An , Turner Jonathan D. , Grova Nathalie , Meyre David
Published: January 2025

Limited literature addresses the association between pollution, stress, and obesity, and knowledge synthesis on the associations between these three topics has yet to be made. Two reviewers independently conducted a systematic review of MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science Core Collection databases to identify studies dealing with the effects of semi‐volatile organic compounds, pesticides, conservatives, and heavy metals on the psychosocial stress response and adiposity in humans, animals, and cells. The quality of papers and risk assessment were evaluated with ToxRTool, BEES‐C instrument score, SYRCLE's risk of bias tool, and CAMARADES checklist. A protocol for the systematic review was registered on PROSPERO. Of 1869 identified references, 63 were eligible after title and abstract screening, 42 after full‐text reading, and risk of bias and quality assessment. An important body of evidence shows a positive association between pollution, stress response, and obesity. Pollution stimulates the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis by activating the glucocorticoid receptor signaling and transcriptional factors responsible for adipocyte differentiation, hyperphagia, and obesity. Endocrine‐disrupting chemicals also alter the Peroxisome Proliferator‐activated Receptor gamma pathway to promote adipocyte hyperplasia and hypertrophy. However, these associations depend on sex, age, and pollutant type. Our findings evidence that pollution promotes stress, leading to obesity.
The whistle‐blower effect vs. the cry‐wolf effect: A game analysis framework for collaborative epidemic information governance
Authors: Liu Dehai , Qian Kun , Ding Huang
Published: January 2025

The unpredictability of the epidemics caused by new, unknown viruses, combined with differing responsibilities among government departments, often leads to a prisoner's dilemma in epidemic information governance. In this context, the whistle‐blower effect in the health departments leads to delayed reporting to avoid potential retaliation, and the cry‐wolf effect in the administrative departments results in sustained observation to avoid ineffective warnings. To address these challenges, we employ game theory to analyze the dynamics of epidemic information governance and focus on two external governance mechanisms—superior accountability and media supervision—that can help resolve the prisoner's dilemma during and after an outbreak. Our analysis indicates that it is necessary to increase the strategic coordination of whistle‐blowers in the short‐term decision‐making during the outbreak. From a long‐term evolution perspective, maintaining optimal levels of superior accountability and media supervision is essential to overcoming the prisoner's dilemma. Media supervision works more slowly in the implement effectiveness than more direct superior accountability. This paper highlights the crucial roles of the whistle‐blower effect and the cry‐wolf effect in coordination failures of epidemic information governance during outbreaks of unknown viruses. It clarifies the strategic coordination pathways between expert systems and bureaucratic systems and emphasizes the importance of superior accountability and media supervision to enable effective, collaborative epidemic information governance.
Public opinion outweighs knowledge: A dual‐process framework for understanding acceptance of genetic modification among scientists and laypeople
Authors: Chen Anfan , Zhang Xing , Jin Jianbin
Published: January 2025

Communication research on scientific issues has traditionally relied on the deficit model, which posits that increasing scientific knowledge leads to public acceptance. However, this model's effectiveness is questioned due to inconclusive impacts of knowledge on acceptance. To address this, we propose a dual‐process framework combining the deficit model (with scientific knowledge as a key predictor) and a normative opinion process model (where perceived majority opinion plays a crucial role) to predict people's risk/benefit perceptions and their support for genetic modification (GM). Using two national surveys in mainland China—Study 1 with 5145 laypeople and Study 2 with 12,268 scientists—we found positive and significant correlations between scientific knowledge or perceived majority opinion and GM support, mediated by risk/benefit perceptions. Importantly, the normative pathway—represented by perceived majority opinion—exerts a stronger direct and indirect impacts on GM support than scientific knowledge across both scientists and laypeople. Moreover, while the normative process shows a greater influence than the informative process on individuals’ perceptions of both benefits and risks associated with GM, its prominence differs between scientists and laypeople depending on the types of perceptions—scientists are more sensitive to risk‐related social norms, whereas laypeople are more concerned with norms related to benefits. The paper concludes with a discussion on the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.
The Role of Affect Valence and Pain in Differentiating Young Women With and Without Histories of Nonsuicidal Self‐Injury
Authors: Denning Dominic M. , Woods Sherry , Haliczer Lauren A. , Dixon‐Gordon Katherine L.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI) often helps regulate affect, yet there is conflicting research on the immediate affective outcomes of pain and NSSI. People also engage in NSSI for intrapersonal and interpersonal reasons. It is unclear whether affective shifts post‐pain task differentiate individuals with and without NSSI histories, and are influenced by interpersonal or intrapersonal motives for NSSI. The present study examined the effect of pain on affective shifts, and to investigate motives for NSSI as moderators.

Methods

Participants were 134 women (n = 77 with recent/recurrent NSSI), that completed measures of NSSI and reported their positive and negative affect pre‐ and post‐pain‐task.

Results

Our findings suggest that participants without a history of NSSI reported greater decreases in positive affect pre‐to‐post task. NSSI history did not predict fluctuations in negative affect after controlling for stress. Namely, at low levels of stress, participants reported greater decreases in negative affect following the pain task. Finally, interpersonal motives for NSSI predicted increased positive affect following the endurance of pain.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that affect changes in response to pain may not be differentially associated with NSSI history; however, among people with a history of NSSI, interpersonal motives may predict changes in positive affect following a pain task.
Surface Integrity Analysis of Niobium-Based Cermet Processed by Electrochemical Machining and Hybrid Laser-Electrochemical Machining
Authors: Arshad Muhammad Hazak , Saxena Krishna Kumar , Anwer Zahid , Huang Shuigen , Reynaerts Dominiek
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the evolution of surface integrity of a strategically important niobium-based cermet with nickel binder (NbC–Ni), while processing it with electrochemical machining (ECM) and hybrid laser-ECM (LECM) processes for shaping toward molds and cutting tools applications. The results indicate that, while the ECM process can preserve material properties due to its athermal and noncontact nature, it suffers from selective phase dissolution, particle breakout, and passivation issues when processing the cermet. LECM synergistically applies laser and EC process energies to address these challenges, particularly by homogenizing multiphase dissolution and facilitating passivation weakening while using pH-neutral aqueous electrolyte. A combination of metallography techniques were employed to study the surface integrity and correlate it with process mechanisms. Results indicate that ECM selectively dissolves the Ni phase and induces passivation, while LECM mitigates these surface integrity compromising effects by virtue of passivation weakening (lowest O wt % of 33.2) through enhanced transpassive dissolution and escalated reaction kinetics, leading to surface integrity improvement by lowering the roughness (Sa) by 30%, feature slopes (Sdq) by 32%, and increasing the hardness (HV5 738.7) by 55% as compared to ECM. Thus, LECM presents a promising technique for shaping advanced passivating and multiphase materials.
Reactive species emission characteristics of a cold atmospheric pressure plasma source for biomedical applications operated in a test chamber
Authors: Helmke Andreas , Borchardt Thomas , Schmidt Marcus , Wieneke Stephan , Viöl Wolfgang
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the potentials and limitations of a novel methodology to characterize the reactive species emission dynamics of cold atmospheric plasma sources for biomedical applications. The time-resolved concentrations of ozone and nitrogen oxides during operation of a modified medical device are sampled in a test chamber environment equipped with a stirring fan for effective mixing of species. The interpretation of experimental data is supported by results from a numerical model solving the diffusion-convection equation. From the linear profiles of

$$\text{O}_3$$

O
3

and

$$\text{NO}_2$$

NO
2

concentrations, emission rates of 1.3−6.4

$$\mu \text{g}~\text{s}^{-1}$$

μ
g

s

-
1

for

$$\text{O}_3$$

O
3

and

$$0.07{-}0.1\,\, \mu \text{g}~\text{s}^{-1}$$

0.07
-
0.1

μ
g

s

-
1

for

$$\text{NO}_2$$

NO
2

, depending primarily on plasma input power and fan volume flow rate, were determined for the plasma source. The conversion of these rates into geometry-specific source terms for use in the numerical model led to excellent agreement between experimental and numerical results thus validating the methodology. Finally, empirical equations describing the ozone emission rate dependence on the air flow velocity are presented. The outcomes of this study may stimulate new strategies for assessment of health risks associated with reactive species emission by medical devices based on cold plasma technology.

Graphic Abstract
Modeling and Vibration Characteristics Analysis of the NES-Plate Coupling System Under Arbitrary Elastic Boundary Conditions
Authors: Chen Yilin , Xu Pengchen , Liu Yang , Du Jingtao
Published: January 2025

In practical engineering applications, flexible plates exhibit a variety of boundary conditions. When a nonlinear energy sink (NES) is affixed to a plate, the resulting NES-plate system forms a high-dimensional, nonlinear vibration model. Repeated modeling and computation of the NES-plate system’s vibration characteristics under differing boundary conditions can be both labor-intensive and intricate. Consequently, developing a unified nonlinear vibration analytical model for the NES-plate coupled system with arbitrary elastic boundary conditions is highly valuable. This study establishes such a unified model for analyzing the vibration characteristics of the NES-plate coupling system across varied boundary conditions. Here, the NES is affixed to the plate structure’s surface to mitigate vibration. To represent arbitrary elastic boundaries of the plate, the model incorporates rotational and transverse springs. The investigation analyzes the nonlinear vibration responses of the NES-equipped plate under general elastic boundaries and assesses the NES’s effectiveness in vibration control. Furthermore, the effects of boundary stiffness variations on the coupling system are evaluated. Finally, the study explores the influence of NES parameter adjustments on the system’s vibration characteristics and complex nonlinear dynamic behaviors under general elastic boundary conditions. The results show that changing the NES parameters significantly alters the vibration state of the plate, and adjusting the NES nonlinear stiffness appropriately is more effective in reducing plate vibration than changing the NES damping.
Forward and Backward Constrained Bisimulations for Quantum Circuits Using Decision Diagrams
Authors: Burgholzer Lukas , Jimenez-Pastor Antonio , Larsen Kim Guldstrand , Tribastone Mirco , Tschaikowski Max , Wille Robert
Published: January 2025

Efficient methods for the simulation of quantum circuits on classical computers are crucial for their analysis due to the exponential growth of the problem size with the number of qubits. Here we study lumping methods based on bisimulation, an established class of techniques that has been proven successful for (classic) stochastic and deterministic systems such as Markov chains and ordinary differential equations. Forward constrained bisimulation yields a lower-dimensional model which exactly preserves quantum measurements projected on a linear subspace of interest. Backward constrained bisimulation gives a reduction that is valid on a subspace containing the circuit input, from which the circuit result can be fully recovered. We provide an algorithm to compute the constraint bisimulations yielding coarsest reductions in both cases, using a duality result relating the two notions. As applications, we provide theoretical bounds on the size of the reduced state space for well-known quantum algorithms for search, optimization, and factorization. Using a prototype implementation, we report significant reductions on a set of benchmarks. In particular, we show that constrained bisimulation can boost decision-diagram-based quantum circuit simulation by several orders of magnitude, allowing thus for substantial synergy effects.
The (dys)regulation of energy storage in obesity
Authors: Levin Barry E , Geary Nori , Lutz Thomas A
Published: January 2025

Metabolic energy stored mainly as adipose tissue is homeostatically regulated. There is strong evidence that human body weight (BW) is physiologically regulated, i.e. maintained within a relatively narrow range in most mammals, including humans. Nevertheless, the prevalence of obesity has increased markedly in recent decades and now constitutes major medical and socioeconomic problems worldwide. This review focuses on understanding this paradox and the clinical issues that it has spawned: how and why do individuals become obese and how can we help those with obesity lose excess BW and body fat and maintain whatever loss they achieve. Excess BW gain occurs when physiological responses that usually resist short-term weight gain fail to compensate for excess caloric intake occurring over extended periods of time, often over many years or even decades. On the other hand, the difficulties of achieving BW loss and maintenance of reduced BW in obese subjects are due, in part, to the operation of the same physiological regulatory system that helps maintain a healthy BW in individuals without obesity. But, given obesity's association with many pathological conditions, we maintain that the physiological processes that resist BW loss and persistently drive regain are examples of dysregulation. Here we review research in humans and animals addressing these and other unresolved issues in the physiology of obesity. We bring important unresolved problems into focus, and, in some cases, propose hypotheses that can further elucidate their mechanisms to provide research opportunities into modalities that might lead to more effective treatments of obesity.