bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leveraging artificial Intelligence and online psychotherapy to achieve efficient and coordinated services within a healthcare setting: A quality improvement initiative
Authors: Stephenson Callum , Eadie Jazmin , Holmes Christina , Asadpour Kimia , Gutierrez Gilmar , Kumar Anchan , Jagayat Jasleen , Patel Charmy , Sajid Saad , Knyahnytskyi Oleksandr , Yang Megan , Reshetukha Taras , Moi Christina , Barrett Tricia , Shirazi Amirhossein , Verter Vedat , Soares Claudio , Omrani Mohsen , Alavi Nazanin
Published: February 2025

Objectives

This study aimed to implement an artificial intelligence-assisted psychiatric triage program, assessing its impact on efficiency and resource optimization.

Methods

This quality improvement initiative recruited patients on the waitlist for psychiatric evaluation at an outpatient hospital. Participants (n=101) completed a digital triage module that used natural language processing and machine learning to recommend a care intensity level and a disorder-specific digital psychotherapy program. A psychiatrist also assessed the same information and the decisions for care intensity and psychotherapy programs were compared with the artificial intelligence recommendations.

Results

The overall wait time to receive care decreased by 71.43% due to this initiative. Additionally, participants received psychological care within three weeks after completing the triage module. In 71.29% of the cases, the artificial intelligence-assisted triage program and the psychiatrist suggested the same treatment intensity and psychotherapy program. Additionally, 63.29% of participants allocated to lower-intensity treatment plans by the AI-assisted triage program did not require psychiatric consultation later.

Conclusions

Using artificial intelligence to expedite psychiatric triaging is a promising solution to address long wait times for mental health care. With future accuracy refinements, this could be a valuable tool to implement in hospital settings to assist care teams and improve mental health care. This could result in increased care capacity and improved workflow and decision-making.
Beta-Hydroxybutyrate Inhibits Bronchial Smooth Muscle Contraction
Authors: Fastiggi Vivia A. , Mank Madeleine M. , Caporizzo Matthew A. , Poynter Matthew E.
Published: February 2025

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by airway inflammation, remodeling, and hyperresponsiveness to triggers causing airway constriction. Bronchial smooth muscle plays a critical role by narrowing airways, leading to obstruction and breathing difficulties, often exacerbated by mast cell infiltration and histamine release. Whereas current treatments, including bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and biologics provide effective management for most patients, alternative therapies are needed for difficult-to-treat asthma. Recent research highlights the potential of therapeutic ketosis, achieved through dietary interventions or supplementation with exogenous ketones, to reduce airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation. Ketone bodies, known for providing energy during carbohydrate scarcity, also influence asthma by activating cell-surface receptors and transporters. In vivo, interventions like weight loss and caloric restriction increase ketone body levels, correlating with improved asthma symptoms, reduced oxidative stress, and inflammation. These effects suggest ketone bodies, particularly β-hydroxybutyrate, may play a therapeutic role in mitigating bronchoconstriction and smooth muscle contraction in asthma. We utilize human bronchial smooth muscle cells (in vitro) and mouse precision-cut lung slices (PCLS) (ex vivo) to assess the effects of BHB on histamine-induced bronchoconstriction. Brightfield microscopy showed that BHB reduces contraction in human bronchial smooth muscle cells, an effect involving free fatty acid receptor 3 (FFAR3) activation. Light microscopy of PCLS revealed that BHB inhibits airway narrowing and cellular extrusion, demonstrating its ability to mitigate bronchoconstriction by suppressing smooth muscle contraction. These results implicate bronchial smooth muscle as a cellular target of therapeutic ketosis, an important contributor to the beneficial effects of BHB in preclinical models of asthma.
Respiratory Tract Pathogen Detection in Children: Clinical Practice and Considerations of mNGS and tNGS Technologies
Authors: Dujin Wang , Chuanhua Zhan , Hao Yang , Zhongliang Zhu , Yichun Zou
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) technologies in detecting respiratory tract pathogens in hospitalized children.

Methods

We selected 1275 children hospitalized for respiratory tract infections from March to November 2024 as the study subjects. Based on clinical needs, mNGS/tNGS testing was conducted on these children, including 1225 oropharyngeal swab samples and 50 bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples. Additionally, traditional microbial culture methods were used for testing in 574 children.

Results

The study revealed that children aged 3 to 6 were the primary population affected by respiratory tract infections, accounting for 37.65% of the cases, with 25.1% of them having lower respiratory tract infections. Bacterial and viral co-infections were the most common infection patterns in both oropharyngeal swab and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples, with positive rates of 55.02% and 46%, respectively. In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples, Mycoplasma pneumoniae had the highest infection rate at 41.67%, followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. The highest detection rate in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples was for human adenovirus at 28.3%, followed by rhinovirus and human parainfluenza virus type 3. In oropharyngeal swab samples, Streptococcus pneumoniae had the highest detection rate, followed by Staphylococcus aureus and Haemophilus influenzae. Rhinovirus had the highest detection rate in oropharyngeal swab samples at 25.07%, followed by cytomegalovirus (CMV) and human adenovirus. There was a high consistency between mNGS/tNGS and traditional culture methods in bacterial detection, with the top three being Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Haemophilus influenzae. The serum IL-6 concentration in patients with single bacterial infections was higher than in those with single viral infections; the serum IL-6 in patients with bacterial and viral co-infections was higher than in those with single infections, with statistically significant differences. There were statistically significant differences in serum PCT concentration between patients with single bacterial infections and single viral infections, but no significant differences between patients with single bacterial infections and those with bacterial and viral co-infections. The most frequently detected resistance genes included CTX-M-108, NDM-6, OXA-163, tetM, KPC-2, and mecA.

Conclusion

mNGS/tNGS technology significantly improved the detection rate of respiratory tract pathogens in children, showing clear advantages over traditional bacterial culture methods in terms of timeliness, accuracy, and coverage of pathogen detection, providing strong technical support for early diagnosis and intervention of respiratory infections in children.
Corticotropin-Releasing Factor in the Nucleus Accumbens Does Not Drive High Levels of Cocaine Consumption
Authors: Gordon-Fennell Lydia , Farero Ryan D. , Jones Jack D. , Zweifel Larry S. , Phillips Paul E. M.
Published: February 2025

Uncovering the neurobiological processes underlying substance use disorder informs future therapeutic interventions. Prior research implicates the corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) system as a major player in a wide variety of substance use disorder -like phenotypes. However, the complexity of the CRF system in regard to brain region specific effects and experience-dependent changes in activity is poorly understood. Employing a cocaine self-administration paradigm that induces escalation of cocaine consumption in a subset of subjects, we investigated the role of CRF activity in the Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) in cocaine-taking patterns both before and after chronic cocaine experience. Our results showed that pharmacologically inhibiting CRF-R1 in the NAc did not reduce cocaine consumption following escalation and genetically deleting CRF-R1 from cells in the NAc did not prevent escalation. Overall, this suggests that any effect of CRF activity driving escalation or high levels of cocaine consumption is not through its actions on CRF-R1 in the NAc.
Protein and genetic interactions between RACK1A and FSD1 modulate plant development and stress granule-dependent response to salt in Arabidopsis.
Authors: Melicher Pavol , Dvořák Petr , Tsinyk Maryna , Řehák Jan , Šamajová Olga , Hlaváčková Kateřina , Ovečka Miroslav , Šamaj Jozef , Takac Tomas
Published: February 2025

The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their regulation by antioxidant enzymes such as IRON SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE 1 (FSD1) are critical for managing plant responses to salt stress. However, the protein networks modulating ROS levels during salt stress remain incompletely understood. Our co-immunoprecipitation analysis identified the FSD1 as an interaction partner of the scaffolding protein RECEPTOR FOR ACTIVATED C KINASE 1A (RACK1A). Bimolecular fluorescence complementation analyses revealed that RACK1A interacts with FSD1 predominantly in the cytoplasm. Despite elevated FSD1 activity in rack1a mutants, the abundance of FSD1 protein remained unchanged. Computational predictions of interaction interfaces suggested that RACK1A may interfere with the catalytic site of FSD1. Advanced fluorescence microscopy and genetic studies further confirmed localization and relocation patterns of RACK1A and FSD1 during salt stress responses. Additionally, we found that the RACK1A-FSD1 module was involved in root hair tip growth, highlighting the developmental significance of this interaction. While rack1a mutants exhibited salt resilience, fsd1-1 rack1a-1 double mutant displayed reduced salt stress resistance compared to rack1a single mutant, which was substantiated by deregulation of ROS levels. RACK1A and FSD1 accumulated in cycloheximide-sensitive structural condensates in the cytoplasm that colocalized with the stress granule marker protein TSN in roots. However, RACK1A knock-out completely abolished salt-stress-dependent relocation of FSD1 to structural condensates, suggesting that RACK1A recruits FSD1 to these stress granules. Thus, this study uncovers an entirely novel mechanism for the regulation of RACK1/FSD1-dependent antioxidant defense in response to salt stress in Arabidopsis.
Mature neutrophils promote long-term functional recovery after spinal cord injury in a sex-dependent manner
Authors: Pacheco Mia R , Tran Ashley V , Bradley Matthew , Leal-Garcia Miranda E. , Ozturgut Mustafa , Chakka Visruth , Devaraj Sachit , Kirchhoff Megan , Mulamba Thandiwe , Thomas Kyndal , Vu Natalie V , McCreedy Dylan
Published: February 2025

Following spinal cord injury (SCI), neutrophils are the first peripheral immune cells to infiltrate the injured spinal cord in large numbers. There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating sex differences in neutrophil function, however, the role of sex as a biological variable in neutrophil response following SCI remain unclear. Additionally, while divergent roles for mature and immature neutrophil subsets have been observed, subset-specific contributions of neutrophils to functional recovery following SCI have not been fully characterized. Here, we provide novel evidence that systemic and localized neutrophil responses differ by sex following SCI. Antibody- mediated depletion of neutrophils following SCI revealed a previously unidentified role for mature neutrophils in promoting long-term functional recovery in a sex-dependent manner. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing analysis using publicly available datasets and discovered dramatic shifts in the phenotype of intraspinal neutrophils across time following SCI. We identified that mature neutrophils in the acutely injured spinal cord upregulate genes associated with resolution of inflammation. Furthermore, we found that depletion of mature neutrophils exacerbates long-term macrophage accumulation following SCI in a sex-dependent manner. Finally, we show that the beneficial properties of neutrophils in the injured spinal cord are temporally specific. Collectively, these data provide a first account of sex differences in the response of neutrophils to SCI. Our findings elucidate a novel and sex-dependent role for mature neutrophils in promoting resolution of inflammation and long-term recovery following SCI.
Green HRM and employer branding: corporate environmental sustainability and organizational safety climate mediating role and moderating role of job experience
Authors: Yasin Raheel , Bataineh Mohammad Saleh , Atif Muhammad , Hossain Md Tareq Bin
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study purposes a model based on competitive advantage theory, social identity theory and signaling theory that explores the relationship between GHRM and employer branding mediated by corporate environmental sustainability and organizational safety climate and employees experience as a moderator.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered using a survey questionnaire from 329 employees working in this sector. Structural Equational Modeling was employed for data analysis through Smart PLS.

Findings

Results confirm that GHRM has a positive influence on corporate environmental sustainability and corporate environmental sustainability has a positive influence on organizational safety climate. Further, the results confirm that the organizational safety climate has a positive influence on employer branding. The results of partial least squares multi-group analysis show that difference between job experience influences employer branding. The results also lend support to the mediating effects of corporate environmental sustainability between GHRM and organizational safety climate, and the mediating effect of organizational safety climate between GHRM and employer branding.

Practical implications

The findings of the study guide policymakers and management of the textile industry to emphasize GHRM in order to make a working climate clean and safe. This working environment will be their competitive edge and a source of their organization branding.

Originality/value

HR literature has largely overlooked the physical work environment, instead focusing on psychological safety, for example (job stress, emotional exhaustion). This study presents a model demonstrating that a green work environment, fostered through GHRM practices enhances employer branding.
Digital infrastructure and the cost of debt: evidence from “BroadBand China” policy
Authors: Jiang Yan , Lv Dayong , Hao Suyu , Wei Xiaokun , Wu Youyi
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This paper explores the linkage of digital infrastructure to the cost of debt.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the implementation of the “Broadband China” policy that improves digital infrastructure as an exogenous shock and exploits the difference-in-differences method (DID).

Findings

Empirical analyses show that digital infrastructure leads to increased firms’ borrowing costs, which is robust to several robustness checks. In addition, we find that this unfavourable effect can be attributed to intensified market competition led by digital infrastructure construction. Cross-sectional analysis shows that this effect is greater for non-SOEs and smaller firms. Finally, we offer additional evidence of the unfavourable effect by showing that digital infrastructure construction leads to decreased fundamentals.

Originality/value

Our paper unveils how digital infrastructure construction affects firms’ business strategy in using private debts and extends the determinants of firms’ borrowing costs.
Kickstarter-driven crowdfunding: advancing sustainable innovation and mindful consumption in environmental entrepreneurship
Authors: Eizaguirre Maria , Gómez-Olmedo Ana M. , Kallmuenzer Andreas
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study explores how environmental crowdfunding initiatives on Kickstarter promote mindful consumption types—acquisitive, repetitive and aspirational temperance—by examining their alignment with sustainable innovation and circular economy principles. The aim is to identify project attributes that resonate with backers and encourage the adoption of sustainable practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Using thematic content analysis, the study analyses project descriptions of successful Kickstarter campaigns in the environmental category. It identifies thematic patterns and distinctions among mindful consumption types and explores their relationship with crowdfunding success.

Findings

Study results reveal that financial success alone does not ensure alignment with mindful consumption principles. Key insights highlight differences in thematic priorities across mindful consumption types: acquisitive temperance emphasizes functional benefits; repetitive temperance focuses on self-reliance and renewable energy; aspirational temperance centres on creativity and community building. These variations reflect the current stage of environmental entrepreneurship and reveal a gap for achieving disruptive sustainability models.

Originality/value

This research contributes a novel framework for understanding how crowdfunding platforms can facilitate shifts towards mindful consumption by identifying specific project attributes and themes that resonate with different consumption temperance. Insights offer practical guidance for entrepreneurs and policymakers aiming to promote systemic sustainability through crowdfunding.
Shaping supply chain circularity trajectory: the role of path dependence
Authors: Silva Minelle E. , Pereira Susana Carla Farias , Sehnem Simone
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study aimed to understand how path dependence affects the supply chain (SC) circularity trajectory in a food cooperative SC.

Design/methodology/approach

To elaborate on path dependence theory, we conducted a single case study of a cooperative SC using data gathered from four years of sustainability reports and semi-structured interviews with multiple respondents to allow for triangulation.

Findings

We found that the cooperative SC circularity trajectory examined was affected by path dependence, including path formation and context. Path formation is based on cooperativism principles (e.g. democratic control), while context is linked to circular actions adopted in this community-based configuration. For instance, the management of packaging and waste disposal are circular actions continuously learnt because of two lock-ins and specific capabilities developed in the food cooperative SC circularity trajectory.

Practical implications

Recognising the event sequencing of circular actions will help managers adopt circular economy (CE) principles and boost their SC circularity trajectories.

Originality/value

Unlike previous research, this study elaborated on path dependence theory to understand the SC circularity trajectory. Such a perspective emphasised limitations in the rationale of linear performance and added new insights into the further introduction of the circular performance journey towards CE transition.
Digital marketing process enhancement in an online store utilising a combination of design of experiments and lean six sigma
Authors: McDermott Olivia , Tansha Julien Swana , Trubetskaya Anna , Rosa Angelo , Moran Rachel
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This research aims to enhance digital marketing processes by using design of experiments in safelist mailers and traffic exchange websites.

Design/methodology/approach

The research applies design of experiments to improve an online digital marketing website.

Findings

The findings show that design of experiments can help improve digital marketing quality by generating more interactions with safelist mailers and traffic exchange websites, reducing time spent in the marketing process, allocating the appropriate amount of credits to significant websites and avoiding product price increases.

Research limitations/implications

This research aims to increase awareness of the impact and applicability of design of experiments to digital marketing and demonstrates the application of design of experiments in any digital marketing process, including safelist mailers and traffic exchange websites.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study applying design of experiments within online marketing. This study can be leveraged by academics and marketing functions to demonstrate the benefits of design of experiments to the marketing function to improve process efficiency and resource utilisation.
Exploring the contributing factors to agricultural growth in Kerala: an ARDL investigation of the dynamic relationships
Authors: Valliyangal Amidhali , Mohammed Kasim C
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study aims to estimate the growth rate of total agricultural output as well as the output of major crops in Kerala. Additionally, we examine the factors that influence overall agricultural growth in the state.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from 1970 to 2019, the study estimated CAGR of the total agricultural output and output of major crops in Kerala. Further, the ARDL model is estimated to investigate the factors influencing agricultural growth.

Findings

Agricultural growth in Kerala has been weak, with food crop production consistently declining. Although commercial crop production initially increased, it has now begun to drop. An econometric analysis identified rainfall, fertilizer consumption and gross cropped area as key long-term factors affecting agricultural output. While rainfall has a negative impact, both fertilizer consumption (0.5%) and gross cropped area (8.89%) positively influence production.

Research limitations/implications

This study uses proxy variable for agricultural output due to the unavailability of continuous data. Lack of time series data on certain variables such as agricultural credit, public investment and subsidy expenditure limited the inclusion of additional explanatory variables.

Originality/value

Several studies have examined various aspects of Kerala’s agricultural sector. However, to the best of our knowledge, no research has focused on identifying the key factors driving agricultural growth in the state.
Prioritizing determinants of employees' green behavior in the Indian hotel industry: an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy AHP approach
Authors: Nadeem Rifa , Singh Reeta , Patidar Akshay , Yusliza M. Y. , Ramayah Thurasamy , Azmi Feza Tabassum
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The objective of the research is to identify and prioritize the key motivators behind the adoption of employees’ green behavior (EGB), particularly in response to growing environmental sustainability concerns within the Indian hotel industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted in two stages, using a variety of methods. The first phase primarily consists of a systematic review to understand various aspects impacting EGB that leverage environmental sustainability. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used in the second phase to investigate the relative importance of the corresponding EGB dimensions, and the study also considered fuzziness to cater to the uncertainty.

Findings

The paper reveals that among determinants of individual green values, green human resource management (HRM) practices and perceived green organizational support have the highest impact on EGB. However, the study also proposes a conceptual framework consisting of the top-ranked variables.

Research limitations/implications

As organizations strive to promote environmentally friendly behavior among their employees, it is imperative to examine the factors influencing EGB. This paper employs multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques such as AHP and fuzzy AHP to prioritize these factors, enabling policymakers of the Indian hotel industry to identify and focus on the determinants of EGB effectively.

Originality/value

No previous EGB study has prioritized the determinants of EGB for the Indian hotel industry, and existing research indicates that there is minimal methodological investigation conducted in this particular field, with no prior studies utilizing AHP and fuzzy AHP methodologies. The AHP techniques helps the decision maker to find the best alternative that best suits their goal.
How do the CEO demographic characteristics affect CSR commitment in European firms?
Authors: Jarboui Anis , Bouzouitina Asma
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to examine the effect of CEO tenure, gender, age and education on corporate social responsibility (CSR) performances, notably their societal and environmental commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper checks the hypotheses on the relationship between CEO demographic characteristics and CSR categories. Feasible Generalized Least Square was performed on a sample of 215 European firm-year-observations indexed on STOXX Europe 600 Index from 2014 to 2021.

Findings

Results provide strong evidence that CEO characteristics are significantly and positively associated with corporate social and environmental performance. The findings specify that CEOs in their early years of service and firms led by female CEOs invest more in social and environmental activities. The authors also found that older CEO age and higher educational level are positively related to CSR categories.

Practical implications

Drawn on upper echelons theory, this study suggests that strategic environmental and social decisions in the firm are significantly influenced by the CEO’s demographic characteristics.

Originality/value

This paper provides a comprehensive picture by inculcating different CEO characteristics and CSR categories (product responsibility, community and human rights, emission reduction, product innovation and resource reduction) in European companies.
“Young People Come to Youth Workers First”: A Mixed Methods Evaluation of the Role of Youth Workers in Youth Psychosis Detection
Authors: Gusciute Gabriele , Hassab Errasoul Ahmed , Naughton Sean , Gaynor Keith , Turner Niall , Clarke Mary
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Reducing the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is a cornerstone of effective early intervention for psychosis (EIP) services. Delays in help seeking are a significant component of DUP, particularly among youth. Given their role as trusted adults in young people's lives, youth workers are uniquely positioned to play a role in early detection networks. However, their views regarding this remain largely unexamined.

Aim

This study aimed to explore youth workers' perspectives on identifying and responding to psychosis in youth and the training needed to support them in this role.

Methods

A sequential‐independent mixed methods design was employed. A brief questionnaire was given to youth workers (n = 86) who attended a 1‐day EIP training session, followed by semi‐structured interviews with a subset of participants (n = 10) 3 months later.

Results

Most participants (98.8%) expressed confidence in recognising psychosis; however, stigma and challenging relationships with mental health services emerged as systemic barriers. Although most participants (98.8%) found the EIP training relevant to their role, they suggested it should form part of a broader mental health curriculum. There was a clear consensus among participants that such training is necessary and should be accessible, practical and actionable.

Conclusion

Youth workers are uniquely positioned in identifying and supporting young people at risk of psychosis, and this study underscores their willingness to take on this role. To best support them, training efforts should focus on trans‐diagnostic approaches that enhance mental health literacy, address systemic barriers and promote multidisciplinary partnerships.
Beyond the Smile: Exploring the Mental Well‐Being of Dental Students Across Institutions
Authors: Ali Kamran , Zahra Daniel , Bashir Ulfat , Raja Hina Zafar , Sana Usman , Shakoor Asma , Khalid Mariya , Mansoor Amna , Raja Mahwish
Published: February 2025

Introduction

A high frequency of mental issues has been reported amongst dental students in recent years. The aim of this study was to explore the frequency of depression, stress, and anxiety amongst undergraduate dental students in a developing country and identify factors which may contribute to the poor mental health of dental students.

Materials and Methods

After obtaining ethical approval, undergraduate dental students from 14 dental institutions were invited to participate in an online study. Data were collected using two globally validated scales for screening mental health. The survey inventory also included two open‐ended items and was administered using Google forms.

Results

Complete responses were received from 639 participants, which included 71.67% (n = 458) females and 28.33% (n = 181) males. The overall response rate was 43%. The modal age group was 18–21‐year‐olds (63.54%, n = 406), followed by 22–25‐year‐olds (35.52%, n = 227). The mean score on PHQ‐9 was 10.37 (SD ± 6.13) and 48.67% of participants showed moderate to severe depression. The mean DASS–21 score was 20.81 (SD ± 14.64) and 48.21% of participants were screened positively for moderate to extremely severe depression, 49.30% for moderate to extremely severe anxiety, and 30.36% of participants showed features of moderate to extremely severe stress. Significantly positive correlations were observed for the whole sample and demographic factors for participant scores on PHQ‐9 for Depression, and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scores on DASS‐21. Academic workload, social interactions, personal factors, academic environment, and financial difficulties were reported as the main causes of poor mental health.

Discussion

This study shows a high prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress amongst undergraduate dental students in a country with a unique socio‐cultural landscape. The study also identified underlying factors which adversely affect the mental health of dental students and provides recommendations to address these challenges.
Placement of Acidified Biowastes: Unveiling Abiotic and Biotic Effects on Soil P Dynamics Using 18O as a Tracer
Authors: Sica Pietro , Rieckmann Maria Monrad , Álvarez Salas Mario , Magid Jakob , Tamburini Federica
Published: February 2025

Placement and acidification can improve phosphorus (P) availability from biowastes. However, little is known about how the placement of acidified biowastes affects biotic and abiotic processes in the soil. Thus, we selected two biowastes: digestate solid fraction (DSF) and meat and bone meal (MBM). Both were applied in their untreated and acidified forms. We hypothesised that the acidification would affect biotic and abiotic processes and, consequently, the P dynamics in the soil. All fertilisers were incubated for 12 days to evaluate abiotic and biotic processes in the placement zone and in the adjacent soil. Assessments included resin‐extractable P (resin P) and microbial P contents and δ18O values at different distances from the placement zone. Microbial respiration was also measured. Acidification significantly increased P release for DSF and MBM. The soil resin P content of acidified biowastes was larger even at greater distances (10–12 mm). For untreated MBM, soil resin P was significantly larger than the negative control up to 4 mm from the placement zone (50–60 mg kg−1). For this treatment, microbial P was relatively increased even at greater distances (150 mg kg−1 at 6–8 mm). Acidification suppressed microbial activity and resulted in lower respiration rates for both MBM and DSF. In addition to that, our results showed a significant correlation between 18O incorporation into microbial P and microbial respiration. Thus, the greater the microbial activity, the more P is biologically cycled in the microbial biomass. However, no correlation was found between respiration and 18O incorporation into resin P. These results may indicate an insufficient incubation time for microbes to release P into the soil and/or the co‐occurrence of abiotic processes which are not exchanging oxygen between water and phosphate (e.g., desorption). We conclude that for untreated MBM, biotic processes may be the main driver of P movement in the soil. In the case of acidified biowaste, diffusion is the main process moving the P in the soil. This research shows that acidifying biowastes like DSF and MBM boosts P availability through abiotic processes. These findings suggest that acidification can enhance nutrient use efficiency and improve soil fertility. However, further studies are needed to assess the long‐term effects on microbial communities and soil health.
Just Hang On: Australian Gall Midges Suspend Themselves on Spider Silk Without Becoming Entangled
Authors: Gould John , Reynolds Luke
Published: February 2025

Spider silk is a versatile material that is exploited by its creators, but potentially also by other animals once deposited into the environment. In this study, we report on gall midges from the family Cecidomyiidae in Australia exploiting spider silk as roosting sites. Across two distant locations in New South Wales, Australia, we observed adult midges suspended motionless on aerial lines by their front pair of legs yet able to liberate themselves when disturbed. The benefit of using silk as a resting surface may include a reduction in predation risk by terrestrial and aerial predators that cannot reach individuals suspended in the air. This does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of predation by the silk‐owners, given that the silk exploited for roosting is not part of aerial webs or capture threads that are sticky. Our observations complement those of gall midges from other continents that show an invertebrate actively exploiting the extended phenotype of a spider, which is an unexpected relationship between these animal types where one is typically the prey of the other. The capacity to suspend on silk lines may require certain silk line orientations or web architectures, constraining midges to exploit the extended phenotype of specific types of spiders.
Re‐evaluation of PTEN as an ADP‐ribosylated tankyrase binding partner
Authors: Bosetti Chiara , Galera‐Prat Albert , Schmidt Anette , Pääkkönen Johan , Manninen Aki , Lehtiö Lari
Published: February 2025

Tankyrases establish an intricate network of protein interactions through their ankyrin repeat cluster domains (ARCs), which bind protein partners containing a characteristic peptide defined as a tankyrase‐binding motif (TBM). Once the protein complex has been formed, the proteins bound to ARCs can either undergo ADP‐ribosylation by tankyrases or stay unmodified. In the past years, this web of tankyrase‐centered interactions has grown as new partners have been discovered. Since the catalytic and scaffolding functions of tankyrases are extensively studied and tankyrases are targets for inhibition for therapeutic purposes, it is fundamental to explore and validate which proteins are regulated by tankyrases. In this study, we analyzed the tumor suppressor phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5‐trisphosphate 3‐phosphatase and dual‐specificity protein phosphatase PTEN as a previously reported tankyrase binding protein and substrate. Inhibition of tankyrase could stabilize PTEN, and this has been implied as a possible therapeutic strategy for using tankyrase inhibitors in cancer. However, we reveal that the described PTEN putative TBM (pTBM) does not bind tankyrase ARCs. This result is consistent with evolutionary analysis, which indicates that pTBM originated before tankyrases, unlike other validated TBMs. We employ pull‐down and ADP‐ribosylation assays to demonstrate that PTEN does not form a complex with tankyrase in vitro and that PTEN is not ADP‐ribosylated by tankyrase. Finally, we show that, in contrast to what was previously reported, catalytic inhibition of tankyrases does not have an impact on PTEN endogenous protein levels, excluding in this way any direct connection between PTEN and tankyrases.
Fracture Toughness of Ti‐6Al‐4V and Ti‐6Al‐4V ELI Alloys Fabricated by Electron Beam Melting With Different Orientation and Positions
Authors: Niñerola Rubén , Giner Eugenio
Published: February 2025

This paper provides an analysis of the change in fracture toughness of Ti‐6Al‐4V and Ti‐6Al‐4V ELI alloys caused by electron beam melting process. This additive manufacturing technology shows a characteristic metallographic formation: a columnar grain oriented parallel to the building direction that produces an anisotropic mechanical behavior. We present an evaluation of how the microstructural gradient affects mechanical properties, in different orientations and positions in the bottom zone of the manufacturing region. Fracture toughness was analyzed in four orientations, two parallel and two perpendicular to beta columnar grains. Microstructural and mechanical changes are associated with the thermal gradient in the powder bed which produces a cooling rate gradient. Microstructural characteristics vary with respect to vertical position, decreasing hardness and increasing fracture toughness with height. Crack propagation is strongly influenced by the alpha grain boundary. Chemical analyses have been carried out to determine the level of interstitial elements.
MATN1‐AS1 Promotes Tumour Metastasis and Sunitinib Resistance via E2F2 in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Xiao Haibing , Fei Mintian , Xu Qili , Gao Yu , Feng Rui , Liang Chaozhao , Wang Baojun , Li Haolin
Published: February 2025

It has become increasingly recognised that MATN1‐AS1 is involved in multiple tumour development. The role of MATN1‐AS1 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), however, is still largely unrecognised. This study investigated the molecular functions of MATN1‐AS1 in promoting ccRCC metastasis and sunitinib resistance. MATN1‐AS1 was found to be mainly located in the cytoplasm and was upregulated in ccRCC, and a positive association was seen between greater levels of MATN1‐AS1 expression and worse clinical outcomes. Downregulating MATN1‐AS1 significantly hindered cell proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). MATN1‐AS1 promoted tumour growth and metastasis in vivo. Mechanismly, MATN1‐AS1 targeted microRNA miR‐214‐5p, thereby upregulating E2F2 and promoting E2F2‐mediated EMT. We discovered that MATN1‐AS1 also promoted sunitinib resistance via E2F2 in vitro. Collectively, our research uncovered the protumor characteristics of MATN1‐AS1 and suggested it as a therapeutic target for reverse sunitinib resistance in ccRCC.
The association between dual filial piety and life satisfaction: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Zheng Wang , Xi Juzhe , Huang Taian , Xu Yueying
Published: February 2025

Filial piety, as an important value and social norm, influences individual well‐being. However, previous studies have shown inconsistencies regarding the relationship between filial piety and life satisfaction. Based on the dual filial piety model, this meta‐analysis aimed to thoroughly assess the relationship between dual filial piety, which includes reciprocal filial piety (RFP) and authoritative filial piety (AFP), and life satisfaction. Through a systematic literature search, a total of 21 studies with 11,775 participants and 40 effect sizes were identified. Our results indicated a significant positive association between both RFP and AFP and life satisfaction. In addition, several moderating factors, including age, year of publication, and geographic region, were found to influence these relationships. These insights are particularly relevant for family scientists, researchers, and professionals, providing evidence‐based guidance for enhancing interventions focused on familial relationships and individual well‐being across diverse cultural contexts.
Expected value, to a point: Moral decision‐making under background uncertainty
Authors: Tarsney Christian
Published: February 2025

Expected value maximization gives plausible guidance for moral decision‐making under uncertainty in many situations. But it has unappetizing implications in ‘Pascalian’ situations involving tiny probabilities of extreme outcomes. This paper shows, first, that under realistic levels of ‘background uncertainty’ about sources of value independent of one's present choice, a widely accepted and apparently innocuous principle—stochastic dominance—requires that prospects be ranked by the expected value of their consequences in most ordinary choice situations. But second, this implication does not hold when differences in expected value are driven by tiny probabilities of extreme outcomes. Stochastic dominance therefore lets us draw a surprisingly principled line between ‘ordinary’ and ‘Pascalian’ situations, providing a powerful justification for de facto expected value maximization in the former context while permitting deviations in the latter. Drawing this distinction is incompatible with an in‐principle commitment to maximizing expected value, but does not require too much departure from decision‐theoretic orthodoxy: it is compatible, for instance, with the view that moral agents must maximize the expectation of a utility function that is an increasing function of moral value.
Dynamics Analysis for Diffusive Resource‐Consumer Model With Nonlocal Discrete Memory
Authors: Wu Haihui , Shen Xiaoqin , Wang Aili , Li Qian
Published: February 2025

In this paper, based on the importance of consumer memory on spatial resource distribution, we propose a novel consumer‐resource model that incorporates nonlocal discrete memory. By conducting thorough bifurcation and stability analysis, we determine the conditions for the occurrence of Hopf and Turing bifurcations and reveal a unique dynamic phenomenon termed Turing–Hopf bifurcation, which is uncommon in models without nonlocal discrete memory. We also show that as the memory delay increases, both the spatially nonhomogeneous periodic and steady‐state solutions may vanish, and the unstable positive homogeneous steady state may regain stability. Furthermore, leveraging the theory of normal forms, we derive a new effective algorithm to determine the direction and stability of Hopf bifurcation in a model where the diffusion component incorporates an integral term with delay. In addition, we perform numerical simulations to validate our theoretical findings, particularly to assess the direction and stability of the delay‐induced mode‐1 Hopf bifurcation. Our new method is used for this purpose, and the results have been confirmed by rigorous numerical analysis.
Vapor deposition and stability of the lead-free halide double perovskite Cs2AgInBr6−xClx
Authors: Liu Yukun , Jain Pulkita , Cleveland Iver J. , Sarp Seda , Aydil Eray S.
Published: February 2025

All inorganic halide double perovskite Cs2AgInX6 (X = Cl, Br) is a potential lead-free alternative to CsPbX3 for optoelectronic applications. However, Cs2AgInBr6 thin films were shown to be thermodynamically unstable at room temperature, remaining cubic only long enough to be characterized but not long enough to be useful for practical devices and decomposing into Cs2AgBr3, Cs3In2Br9, AgBr, and InBr3 upon cooling from synthesis temperatures (∼150 °C) to room temperature. In contrast, Cs2AgInCl6 is stable at room temperature and in the ambient. Herein, we synthesize thin films of the mixed halide Cs2AgInBr6−xClx (x = 1–5) via vapor deposition by coevaporating CsX, AgX, and InX3 and subsequently annealing the resulting films. Surprisingly, none of the halide alloys were stable in ambient air. The films remain cubic Cs2AgInBr6−xClx from tens of minutes to a few hours in the ambient air, decomposing slowly and eventually completely after a day to Cs2Ag(Cl,Br)3, Cs3In2(Cl,Br)9, In(Cl,Br)3, and Ag(Cl,Br). Storing the films in a nitrogen-filled glovebox slows the decomposition but does not stop it for Cs2AgInBr5Cl and Cs2AgInBr3Cl3, suggesting humidity is a factor in the decomposition. However, Cs2AgInBrCl5 was an exception and remained stable in the nitrogen-filled glovebox for at least three months.
Factors behind the spontaneous synthesis of spherical brushite from wheat bran aqueous extract: The role of zinc
Authors: Carreño-Márquez Iván Jalil Antón , Balandrán-Quintana René Renato , Azamar-Barrios José Antonio , Mendoza-Wilson Ana María , Ramos-Clamont Montfort Gabriela , Castro-Enríquez Daniela Denisse
Published: February 2025

Coprecipitation biomineralization was induced using nondialyzed and dialyzed aqueous wheat bran extracts as scaffolds, to which zinc (Zn) was added in a 0%–15% concentration range. Spherical particles of brushite were precipitated up to 3% Zn concentration in the nondialyzed extracts. At 5% and 10% Zn, spherical or spheroidal brushite particles were precipitated, but the internal microstructure changed from stacked plates to laid parallel strands; a secondary weddellite phase was formed. Brushite with 0.018% Zn content was formed even without external additions due to the natural presence of Zn in the nondialyzed extracts. The Zn content of doped brushite particles was between 0.74% and 1% by weight for the 3%–10% added Zn range. Higher concentrations of Zn inhibited crystal growth. In dialyzed extracts, brushite spherical particles were formed only without added external Zn. However, crystal morphology was very similar, and the radial arrangement was maintained. Amorphous material with varied elemental composition precipitated only when Zn was added to the dialyzed extracts. Lattice parameters of brushite were close to those found in the literature, with minor variations for b and c. The results show the evidence of the role of Zn in the spherical morphology of brushite.
“It’s a Story of Another World”: Perceptions of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games Among Japanese Athletes With Psychiatric Impairments
Authors: Akimoto Shigeharu , Nagata Shinichi , Richardson Emma V.
Published: February 2025

This study explored how athletes with psychiatric impairment in Japan perceived the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Data from 15 interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis; consequently, three themes were generated: (1) The Paralympics: “A Story of Another World”—the participants viewed the Paralympics only as a movement and not directly related to them; (2) “Do I Really Have to Work That Hard?”—“supercrip” representations through the Paralympics led to the disempowerment and disablement of people with psychiatric impairment, exacerbating their symptoms; (3) “A Futsal That Really Isn't Very Good”—the privileged status of the Paralympics presents only a facet of disability sport, which has resulted in other sports for people with psychiatric impairment, such as football, not being properly valued. This study adds to the literature regarding the legacy of the Paralympics and emphasizes moving beyond using the Paralympics as a vehicle for a more inclusive world.
A Reliability Study for SOBER-EYE, A Pupillary Light Reflex Assessment Phone App
Authors: Bruce Scott L. , Pierce Presley R. , Love Jenna K.
Published: February 2025

A novel phone application (SOBER-EYE) was developed to quantify measures of pupillary light reflex (PLR) that extends beyond traditional PLR dichotomous measurement techniques. Prior to implementation into clinical practice, the test–retest reliability must be evaluated. The primary outcome measure was the intraclass correlation coefficient. Intraclass correlation coefficients for two PLR trials included: constriction amplitude (.825), constriction velocity (.693), initial pupil diameter (.888), latency (.962), and minimum size (.851). Clinical utility was found as all intraclass correlation coefficient values were >.60. The SOBER-EYE phone app has the potential to be used in the clinical environment to assess PLR.