bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stability and quasinormal modes for black holes with time-dependent scalar hair
Authors: Sirera Sergi , Noller Johannes
Published: February 2025

We investigate black hole solutions with time-dependent (scalar) hair in scalar-tensor theories. Known exact solutions exist for such theories at the background level, where the metric takes on a standard general relativity (GR) form (e.g., Schwarzschild–de Sitter), but these solutions are generically plagued by instabilities. Recently, a new such solution was identified by Bakopoulos [], in which the time-dependent scalar background profile is qualitatively different from previous known exact solutions—specifically, the canonical kinetic term for the background scalar X is not constant in this solution. We investigate the stability of this new solution by analyzing odd parity perturbations, identifying a bound placed by stability and the resulting surviving parameter space. We extract the quasinormal mode spectrum predicted by the theory, finding a generic positive shift of quasinormal mode frequencies and damping times compared to GR. We forecast constraints on these shifts (and the single effective parameter β^ controlling them) from current and future gravitational wave experiments, finding constraints at up to the O(10−2) and O(10−4) level for LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA and Laser Interferometer Space Antenna/TianQin, respectively. All calculations performed in this paper are reproducible via a companion notebook.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
The financial sustainability of Vietnamese higher education institutions: unveiling the hidden factors
Authors: Trinh Thong Minh , Nguyen Thi Thu Ha , Pham Oanh , Pham Hiep-Hung
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Over several decades, the Vietnamese government has gradually reduced funding for public higher education and has implemented a cost-sharing system. As a result, Vietnamese universities have had to look for alternative sources of income. While there is a significant emphasis on the importance of revenue diversification in higher education in Vietnam, there is limited empirical data on financing for Vietnamese higher education. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to estimate the degree of financial sustainability in Vietnamese universities.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used the Hirschman–Herfindahl Index and multiple regression analysis to assess 134 Vietnamese universities’ financial sustainability between 2013 and 2020.

Findings

The results revealed that almost all universities in this study were unsustainable due to their weak financial diversity. The age, type of ownership, location, the ratio of lecturers with PhD degrees and land size can affect the financial diversification level of higher education institutions. Our study highlighted that public universities have better financial health than private universities; institutions in rural areas have higher financial diversification than in big cities.

Originality/value

Suggestions for policymakers and university leaders that may enhance financial sustainability include the adoption of tailored strategies based on the university’s characteristics and missions.
Does state ownership matter for share price performance during the pandemic crisis in an emerging market?
Authors: Postuła Igor , Wieczorek Agata , Sosnowski Tomasz
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The study aims to investigate the impact of state ownership on company market performance, i.e. on share price returns and volatility, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analyzes data from 125 companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange between 2019 and 2020. Cumulative abnormal rates of return and quarterly standard deviation are used to measure investment return and price volatility. Panel ordinary least square regression models assess the influence of state ownership on stock market dynamics.

Findings

Our findings indicate that state ownership has a dual impact on share prices: it reduces both share price growth and volatility. The significant reduction in share price volatility provides evidence that state ownership enhances stability in uncertain market conditions, benefiting from governmental support.

Practical implications

Our findings convey to investors that state ownership promotes share price stability but may not lead to substantial increases in market value. To maintain a stable SOE share price, the state as a shareholder should be credible to investors, i.e. act transparently and inform the market about planned activities.

Originality/value

Previous studies concentrate mainly on the impact of state ownership on financial performance during the pandemic, while in a much lesser scope on market performance. We contribute to the literature by providing a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of state ownership on corporate market performance, particularly during the pandemic, through the lens of agency theory and resource-based theory.
Design principles for process improvement and innovation systems
Authors: Moder Linda , Fehrer Tobias , Röglinger Maximilian
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Given today’s dynamic environment, process improvement and innovation (PII) are a central activity for business process management. Despite increasingly available process data and advances in artificial intelligence, only a few works address the automation of PII, highlighting the need for so-called PII systems that support human process designers. However, previous research focuses on problem statements and expository software engineering artifacts. In contrast, design knowledge for PII systems remains scarce, presenting challenges for researchers and practitioners alike. Prescriptive knowledge could address this issue and support future PIIS development. Thus, this paper provides design knowledge for PII systems in the form of 14 design principles.

Design/methodology/approach

We follow the design science research paradigm, building on two systematic literature reviews, 20 exploratory expert interviews and two evaluation surveys.

Findings

This paper presents three design requirements and 14 design principles for PII systems as the main contribution. They help to identify necessary functionalities, guide the design and development of future PIIS and serve as a starting point toward comprehensive design knowledge for PII systems.

Originality/value

The original contribution of this paper consists of prescriptive design knowledge for PII systems based on literature and qualitative insights. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to define design principles for PII systems, bringing together knowledge from related system classes as well as unique requirements from a process design perspective.
Addressing consumer complaints on social media: the effects of relational and accommodative communication strategies on consumer responses
Authors: Kim Yeonsoo , Meganck Shana , Capizzo Luke
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study examined corporate communication strategies designed to effectively address routine consumer complaints on social media and transform them into relationship-building opportunities. Drawing from relationship maintenance and conflict/crisis communication literature, two communicative approaches were explored: relational strategies (communicated relational commitments and conversational voice) and accommodative strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

A nationwide US consumer survey was conducted to test the proposed model.

Findings

The results showed that communicating relational commitments directly enhances consumer trust and fosters supportive intentions. Additionally, using a conversational voice indirectly influenced these outcomes through the mediating factor of perceived humanness. The accommodative strategy also effectively fostered trust and supportive intentions among consumers.

Originality/value

This study extends the application of relational maintenance strategies to online consumer complaints. Though conversational voice does not address core complaint issues, the findings reveal its positive ripple effects via perceived humanness. The study clarifies prior inconsistencies in research on accommodative vs defensive strategies for handling online complaints, offering practical insights for organizations to strengthen customer relationships through effective complaint management.
The influence of the institutional environment on AI adoption in universities: identifying value drivers and necessary conditions
Authors: Erdmann Anett , Toro-Dupouy Luis
Published: February 2025

Purpose

In higher education, the appreciation and implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) has led to debate and polarization. This study examines how the institutional environment at universities impacts the value perception and intention to adopt AI in higher education. It seeks to optimize the adoption pathway by identifying essential “must-have factors” and “value drivers.”

Design/methodology/approach

Employing the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework alongside the technology acceptance model (TAM) framework and perceived value concepts, this research utilizes a partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach complemented by necessary condition analysis (NCA), a novel approach in this context, which allows us to distinguish between critical antecedents and value drivers in the evaluation and adoption of AI technology.

Findings

Results indicate that organizational complexity, readiness, competency, compatibility and competitive advantage significantly affect the perceived value of AI, mediated by stakeholders’ perceptions of its ease of use and usefulness. These factors enhance the intention to adopt AI in higher education. Perceived usefulness has the highest effect size and the importance of ease of use differs between Europe and South America. External factors like partner support and competitive advantage are necessary considerations to be met, while competitive advantage and some internal factors are sufficient conditions for AI adoption.

Originality/value

The study underscores the importance of certain institutional factors, setting priorities for management actions in AI adoption. It differentiates between the general appreciation of AI and the intention of practical implementation, highlighting the role of partner support as a necessary condition, although a non-value-driving factor.
Influence of higher education students’ perceived behaviour on their artificial intelligence acceptance: an empirical investigation using technology acceptance model
Authors: Karan Bablu , Chakma Chitra
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate higher education students’ perceived behaviour towards artificial intelligence (AI) acceptance in their learning.

Design/methodology/approach

Theory of technology acceptance model (TAM) and its critical constructs were used to develop research model and hypotheses. The research model was validated using structural equation modelling (SEM) based on 405 useable survey responses.

Findings

The findings report that the critical constructs of TAM theory are helpful to explain higher education students’ perceived behaviour towards their AI acceptance in learning. The findings also confirm the reliability and strength of TAM theory to assess higher education students’ behavioural intention to accept AI.

Practical implications

The findings will help authorities of higher education to understand the students’ behavioural intention to accept AI. The study will assist authorities, policymakers, designers, developers and decision-makers of higher education to facilitate the effective integration of AI in higher education.

Originality/value

The study contributes to enhance new knowledge in literature regarding AI acceptance in higher education. It fills the knowledge gap by confirming the influence of higher education students’ perceived behaviour on their AI acceptance. Additionally, it uses SEM approach, which is very new in quantitative analysis, to test and establish the research model.
The dual role of customer-citizen engagement for sustainability
Authors: Matos Manuel Aires de , Patrício Lia , Teixeira Jorge Grenha
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Citizen engagement plays a crucial role in transitioning to sustainable service ecosystems. While customer engagement has been extensively studied in service research, citizen engagement has received significantly less attention. By synthesizing customer and citizen engagement literatures, this study develops an integrated framework to conceptually clarify the dual role of customer-citizen engagement for sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

This study builds on a systematic literature review of customer engagement literature in service research and citizen engagement literature. Following a theory synthesis approach, we qualitatively analyzed 126 articles to develop an integrated conceptual framework of customer-citizen engagement for sustainability through a process of abductive reasoning.

Findings

The analysis showed that customer engagement and citizen engagement literatures have developed mostly separately but provide complementary views. While the customer engagement literature has traditionally focused on business-related facets, such as engagement with brands, the citizen perspective broadens the engagement scope to other citizens, communities and society in general. The integrated framework highlights the interplay between citizen and customer roles and the impact of their relationships with multiple objects on sustainability.

Originality/value

This integrated framework contributes to advancing our understanding of customer-citizen engagement, broadening the scope of subject-object engagement by examining the interplay between these roles in how they engage for sustainability and moving beyond the traditional dyadic perspective to a multi-level perspective of service ecosystems. This framework also enables the development of a set of research directions to advance the understanding of engagement in sustainable service ecosystems.
Ethical and organizational dynamics of non-standard work in public administration: challenges and opportunities in the digital era
Authors: Buonocore Filomena , de Gennaro Davide , Del Barone Ludovica
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study explores the ethical and organizational challenges associated with non-standard work arrangements in public administration (PA), focusing on the implications of digital transformation and its alignment with public sector values.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative methodology with a deductive approach was employed, grounded in deontological ethics, utilitarian ethics and psychological contract theory. Data collection included 39 semi-structured interviews with public managers in the Italian PA, supplemented by focus groups and secondary data analysis.

Findings

The study identifies critical challenges in managing atypical workers, such as job insecurity, wage disparities, privacy concerns and unequal treatment. These challenges are exacerbated by the use of digital platforms, which intensify power imbalances, raise ethical concerns and undermine trust in public institutions.

Practical implications

The research offers actionable strategies, including enhancing job security through clear contract mechanisms, addressing wage disparities with equitable compensation structures, strengthening privacy protections and fostering inclusivity by integrating non-standard workers into organizational processes. Balancing operational efficiency with ethical responsibilities is essential to preserving public trust and institutional legitimacy.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by addressing underexplored ethical challenges of non-standard work in PA, extending established ethical frameworks to a public sector context. It highlights the role of digital platforms in reshaping work arrangements and provides a comprehensive framework for ethical workforce management practices.
Management of Cholelithiasis in Children With Associated Diseases: Should Prophylactic Cholecystectomy Be Recommended?—A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Boscarelli Alessandro , Giangreco Manuela , Codrich Daniela , Perin Silvia , Madonia Elena , Guida Edoardo , Schleef Jürgen
Published: February 2025

Cholelithiasis is increasing in the pediatric population, and there are currently no guidelines for the management of asymptomatic patients with both cholelithiasis and a predisposing condition. This study seeks to highlight situations where prophylactic cholecystectomy may be desirable. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of children who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy between October 2011 and September 2022. Thirty‐two patients were included in the study. Five different groups of patients were identified based on associated pathologies. Twenty‐six patients were symptomatic (81.25%), and six were asymptomatic (18.75%). All patients underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Hematologic and cystic fibrosis patients with asymptomatic cholelithiasis had a shorter length of hospital stay than patients with the same condition who progressed from asymptomatic to symptomatic gallstone disease. Consequently, patients with associated diseases (particularly hematologic diseases and cystic fibrosis) may benefit from early laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which could reduce the probability of surgical difficulties and shorten the length of hospital stay.
Decomposition of WAIC for assessing the information gain with application to educational testing
Authors: Liu Fang , Chen Ming‐Hui , Wang Xiaojing , Hancock Roeland
Published: February 2025

Nowadays, multidimensional data are often available from educational testing. One natural issue is to identify whether more dimensional data are useful in fitting the item response data. To address this important issue, we develop a new decomposition of Widely Applicable Information Criterion (WAIC) via the posterior predictive ordinate (PPO) under the joint model for the response, response time and two additional educational testing scores. Based on this decomposition, a new model assessment criterion is then proposed, which allows us to determine which of the response time and two additional scores are most useful in fitting the response data and whether other dimensional data are further needed given that one of these dimensional data is already included in the joint model with the response data. In addition, an efficient Monte Carlo method is developed to compute PPO. An extensive simulation study is conducted to examine the empirical performance of the proposed joint model and the model assessment criterion in the psychological setting. The proposed methodology is further applied to an analysis of a real dataset from a computerized educational assessment program.
Expanding the Phenotypic Spectrum of SPG7 Rare Damaging Variants: Insights From a Hungarian Cohort
Authors: Jimoh Idris Janos , Balicza Peter , Szlepak Tamas , Csaban Dora , Gal Aniko , Geresi Adrienn , Grosz Zoltan , Palasti Agnes , Boczan Judit , Klivenyi Peter , Molnar Maria Judit
Published: February 2025

Mitochondria‐associated paraplegin dysfunction is primarily linked to spastic paraplegia; however, genetic alterations in SPG7 have been associated with a broader spectrum of clinical symptoms. To identify disease‐causing variants in the SPG7 gene, 437 patients with spastic ataxia, mitochondrial dysfunction‐associated symptoms, or motoneuron lesions detected by EMG have been tested. We aimed to assess the clinical spectrum and determine the frequency of damaging variants within patient groups, particularly those less studied. Using ACMG criteria, we identified 10 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants, 5 variants of uncertain significance with predicted damaging effects, and a probable risk factor variant in 58 patients. We identified 25 biallelic and 33 monoallelic cases. The most common variant was p. Leu78Ter (N = 23), followed by p. Ala510Val (N = 21). The point prevalence of SPG7‐associated conditions in Hungary in 2024 is 0.46 per 100 000. In addition to well‐characterized cohorts, SPG7 alterations were frequently identified in cohorts with multisystemic mitochondrial disease and lower motoneuron lesions. Multiple mtDNA deletions and histological abnormalities were consistently observed across all groups. In monoallelic cases, no evidence of a digenic effect involving AFG3L2 was found. Both autosomal dominant and recessive inheritance patterns were documented, with monoallelic cases typically presenting with a milder phenotype.
Enhancing Foreign Language Learning Through Social Media Applications: A Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process Approach
Authors: Geng Yanping , Alshahrani Reem , Mujlid Hana Mohammed
Published: February 2025

The Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) was employed to evaluate and rank language‐learning applications based on criteria such as engagement, interactivity, feedback, content quality and usability. A pairwise comparison matrix was constructed, fuzzy logic was applied to convert qualitative judgements into numerical values, and these values were normalised to calculate crisp weights for each criterion. These weights assessed and ranked five popular language‐learning apps: Duolingo, Busuu, Babbel, Memrise and Tandem. The results show Duolingo ranking highest with an aggregate score of 20.912, demonstrating superior performance across all criteria. Busuu and Babbel followed with scores of 18.541 and 18.485, respectively, while Memrise and Tandem scored 17.260 and 17.024. The FAHP methodology effectively addresses uncertainty in the evaluation process, offering a structured and reliable framework for users and educators to select the most suitable language‐learning tool.
Distinct mechanisms linking romantic attachment dimensions to harsh discipline among Chinese parents of young children
Authors: Jin Zhou , Ye Minjie , Lu Hui , Chen Lanyue , Chen Wenyue , Yang Hongsheng , Chang Lei , Wang Deborah Baofeng , Wu Yili
Published: February 2025

Objective

This study aims to explore the mediating role of parental reflective functioning (PRF) and parental sense of competence (PSC) in the effect of romantic attachment on harsh discipline among Chinese parents of young children through both variable‐ and person‐centered approaches.

Background

Harsh discipline is a negative parenting practice that has detrimental impacts on children. Evidence showed that parents' insecure romantic attachment may contribute to the use of harsh discipline, whereas the psychological mechanism underlying this association remains unclear.

Method

Participants were 489 Chinese parents of children aged 0 to 5 years. Validated scales were used to assess romantic attachment, PRF (assessed by the prementalizing modes dimension), PSC, and harsh discipline. Mediation analysis and latent profile analysis were conducted.

Results

PSC mediated the relationship between attachment avoidance and harsh discipline, whereas PRF and PSC played a chain‐mediating role between attachment anxiety and harsh discipline. By using the person‐centered approach, three profiles of attachment were identified: secure (46.8%), dismissive (23.9%), and fearful (29.2%). Compared to secure profile, PRF and PSC sequentially mediated the link between dismissive/fearful profile of attachment and harsh discipline.

Conclusions

The mediating roles of PRF and PSC elucidated psychological mechanisms for the impact of romantic attachment on harsh parenting, particularly among couples with dismissive and fearful attachment.

Implications

Improving PRF and PSC is crucial for preventing harsh parenting among insecurely attached couples.
High crystallinity CSP bioceramics with excellent mechanicals for 3D printed bone regeneration repairing
Authors: Zhou Chenliang , Chen Wei , Liang Yiran , Zhang Jiali , Huang Li , Chen Zhili , Cheng Xiangyu , Zhang Yunxiang , Zhang Qinfang
Published: February 2025

Large bone defects caused by disease, physiological deformation, and accidental injury present significant challenges for clinical bone tissue repair. Calcium silicon phosphate (CSP)‐based bioceramics are widely used for clinical bone defect repair with the advantages of biocompatibility and osteogenic properties. However, poor mechanical strength limits their load‐bearing applications. In this work, a novel CSP‐based bioceramic, Nagelschmidtite (Nagel, Ca7Si2P2O16), was fabricated by the molten salt synthesis (MSS), sol‒gel, and solid‐state reaction methods. Materials characterization revealed the Nagel powders fabricated from the MSS method possess high crystallinity, uniform particle size distribution, and smooth particle surfaces, and their disks exhibited low porosity and high density. Benefiting from the above characterizations, the mechanical strength of the MSS sample was enhanced by roughly 6.07 times relative to the sol‒gel sample. Meanwhile, the stable degradation performance and bone mineralization ability mean that MSS samples have the potential for direct application with load‐bearing sites. Furthermore, MSS Nagel can be used to support three dimensional (3D)‐printed scaffolds of various shapes. These findings demonstrate that Nagel bioceramics, produced with high crystallinity through the MSS method, are highly promising as 3D‐printed biomaterials for applications in bone tissue regeneration.
Competitive Entry in the Market for Branded Generic Drugs
Authors: Wattal Vasudha
Published: February 2025

I analyze the determinants of lead time (the time lag between the first‐mover's product release and the competitor's market entry) and its consequences for product prices, competition, and consumers. I investigate the case for the Indian branded generic pharmaceutical sector where substantial variation in lead time is observed. I show that overall entry is linked with product market profitability, but entry timing may be strategically related with both originator and competitor firm experience. This appears relevant for those products more likely to build up brand loyalty. I also show that lead time, once its potential endogeneity is accounted for, appears to increase the originator's post‐entry market shares, but has no effect on prices. These findings indicate that market segmentation based on price sensitivity appears less likely in the presence of brand name prescriptions. To enable price competition, there is a need for quality assurance among otherwise substitutable generic drugs.
MiR‐33‐Mediated Regulation of Autophagy and Inflammation in CIK Cells Through Atg5
Authors: Yang Lulu , Lin Mengjun , Zhao Weifang , Zhang Yuru , Xu Xinxin , Cao Xianglin , Nie Guoxing , Lu Ronghua
Published: February 2025

MicroRNA‐33 (miR‐33) plays a critical role in the regulation of autophagy and inflammatory responses. In this study, C. idella kidney (CIK) cells were transfected with a miR‐33 mimic or inhibitor and Atg5 was overexpressed or silenced to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of miR‐33. Our findings revealed that the miR‐33 mimic significantly decreased the expression of LC3B (a marker of autophagy activation), and the level of autophagy‐related genes (Beclin‐1, Atg5 and LC3‐1) was also significantly downregulated (p < 0.05). Additionally, the miR‐33 mimic promoted the secretion of proinflammatory factors, including TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐12 and IL‐1β (p < 0.05). In contrast, the miR‐33 inhibitor significantly enhanced LC3B protein expression and increased the relative expression of Beclin‐1 and Atg5 (p < 0.05). The secretion of proinflammatory factors (TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐12) was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). These results suggested that inhibition of miR‐33 could induce the initiation of autophagy and attenuate the inflammatory response in CIK cells. Furthermore, we identified Atg5 as a direct target gene of miR‐33. Overexpression of Atg5 significantly upregulated the levels of Beclin‐1, Atg5, Atg4C and LC3‐1, along with a reduction in the secretion of proinflammatory factors (TNF‐α, IL‐12 and IL‐1β). Besides, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Conversely, interference with Atg5 expression caused significant downregulation in the expression levels of Beclin‐1, Atg5, Atg12, Atg4C and LC3‐1, resulting in increased secretion of TNF‐α, IL‐12 and IL‐1β and decreased activity of acid phosphatase (ACP) and SOD (p < 0.05). Taken together, these results suggested that inhibition of miR‐33 expression could promote the initiation of autophagy and attenuate the inflammation in CIK cells through targeting Atg5. This study not only enhances the understanding of the mechanism by which miR‐33 regulates autophagy and inflammation in fish but also provides a theoretical foundation and novel insights to improve disease management in the fish aquaculture industry.
Plant–microbiome interactions and their impacts on plant adaptation to climate change
Authors: Zeng Qing , Hu Hang‐Wei , Ge An‐Hui , Xiong Chao , Zhai Chang‐Chun , Duan Gui‐Lan , Han Li‐Li , Huang Si‐Yun , Zhang Li‐Mei
Published: February 2025

Plants have co‐evolved with a wide range of microbial communities over hundreds of millions of years, this has drastically influenced their adaptation to biotic and abiotic stress. The rapid development of multi‐omics approaches has greatly improved our understanding of the diversity, composition, and functions of plant microbiomes, but how global climate change affects the assembly of plant microbiomes and their roles in regulating host plant adaptation to changing environmental conditions is not fully known. In this review, we summarize recent advancements in the community assembly of plant microbiomes, and their responses to climate change factors such as elevated CO2 levels, warming, and drought. We further delineate the research trends and hotspots in plant–microbiome interactions in the context of climate change, and summarize the key mechanisms by which plant microbiomes influence plant adaptation to the changing climate. We propose that future research is urgently needed to unravel the impact of key plant genes and signal molecules modulated by climate change on microbial communities, to elucidate the evolutionary response of plant–microbe interactions at the community level, and to engineer synthetic microbial communities to mitigate the effects of climate change on plant fitness.
Uncertainties in interfacial excess calculations from atom probe tomography data
Authors: Tegg Levi , Cairney Julie M.
Published: February 2025

Atom probe tomography can be used to measure the excess of solute chemical species at internal interfaces, but common protocols do not usually consider the compositional uncertainty of the (usually dilute) solute. Here, general models are derived for the composition profile of a solute segregated to the interface between two grains or phases. This model is fit to experimental data, with the cumulative compositional uncertainty included in the calculation of the interfacial excess. It is shown that the relative uncertainty in the interfacial excess can be large for dilute solutes, even when segregation is obvious in the concentration profile. Different methods for estimating the extent of the boundary provide different estimates for the interfacial excess and its uncertainty. Some strategies are provided for the minimisation of uncertainties in typical data, though ultimately, a typical calculation will be limited by compositional uncertainty arising from the relatively few solute counts in the region‐of‐interest.
Melatonin Deficits Result in Pathologic Metabolic Reprogramming in Differentiated Neurons
Authors: Jauhari Abhishek , Monek Adam C. , Suofu Yalikun , Amygdalos Olivia R. , Singh Tanisha , Baranov Sergei V. , Carlisle Diane L. , Friedlander Robert M.
Published: February 2025

Differentiation from neural progenitor to mature neuron requires a metabolic switch, whereby mature neurons become almost entirely dependent upon oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) for ATP production. Although more efficient with respect to ATP production, OXPHOS produces additional reactive oxygen species, as compared to glycolysis; thus, endogenous mechanisms to quench free radicals are essential for the maintenance of neuronal health. Melatonin is synthesized in neuronal mitochondria and has a dual role as a free radical scavenger and as an inhibitor of mitochondrial‐triggered cell death and proinflammatory pathways. Previously, we showed that loss of endogenous melatonin induced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and cytochrome c (CytC) release triggering pathological inflammation and cell death pathways, respectively. Here we find that in mature neurons, but not undifferentiated neuronal cells, melatonin deficiency altered metabolic reprogramming in aralkylamine N‐acetyltransferase knockout (AANAT‐KO) neurons as compared with neurons expressing AANAT. Interestingly, there are no differences in neural progenitors regardless of AANAT status. In addition, AANAT‐KO deficiency elevated BAK and BAX levels in AANAT‐KO neurons. Further, we found that exogenous melatonin treatment of AANAT‐KO cells during differentiation into mature neurons rescued metabolic reprogramming defects and restored normal BAK/BAX levels. Thus, we demonstrated that the metabolic reprogramming and subsequent consequences of the switch to OXPHOS that normally occurs during neuronal maturation are compromised by melatonin deficiency and rescued by melatonin supplementation.
DNA Methylation and Target Gene Expression in Fatty Liver Progression From Simple Steatosis to Advanced Fibrosis
Authors: Li Jin , Liu Xiaoqin , Tran Tran T. , Lee Miryoung , Tsai Robert Y. L.
Published: February 2025

Background and Aim

Metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver diseases (MASLD), also known as non‐alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD), have become a leading risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Western countries. NAFLD progresses from simple steatosis to HCC, with advanced liver fibrosis (ALF) and metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatohepatitis (MASH) or non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) representing the two preceding high‐risk stages.

Methods

We analysed changes in the DNA methylation landscape from simple steatosis to ALF or NASH and determined their relevance in gene regulation and HCC survival. Methylomic datasets generated from applying the Illumina 450K BeadChip on human MASLD/NAFLD liver samples were analysed using integrative data analyses to identify differentially methylated regions (DMRs) associated with ALF (F3/4 vs. F0/1) or non‐fibrotic NASH (NASH‐F0/1 vs. NAFLD‐F0/1).

Results

Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) of genes associated with fibrosis‐DMRs showed enrichment in xenobiotic metabolism, UV response and hypoxia pathways. Expression of 25 DMR‐associated genes showed significant associations with HCC survival outcomes, including 16 genes with fibrosis‐DMRs and 2 with NASH‐DMRs mapped to their promoter regions. Binding motifs of seven transcription factors (TFs) were enriched in fibrosis‐DMRs. Four DMR‐associated genes (ESR1, TYW3, CLGN and TUBB) displayed an inverse relationship between promoter methylation and gene expression during human MASLD progression, which was further validated in a mouse MASLD model.

Conclusions

We propose a model in which changes in promoter DNA methylation during NAFLD progression regulate gene expression, impacting HCC survival outcomes.
Sperm Whales—Island Specialists, Are They on the Way to Extinction? Systematic Literature Review in a Global Context
Authors: Barteneva‐Vitry Svetlana , Appadoo Chandani , Plön Stephanie
Published: February 2025

Background

Sperm whale population units, resident off inhabited islands, are an important source of ecosystem services for local communities and may be subject to greater anthropogenic pressures than their oceanic conspecifics.

Aims

The objectives of this review were to identify sperm whale‐island specialists' habitats around the world and to assess the level of anthropogenic pressure on such nearshore populations. The hypothesis was that sperm whales with this ecological specialisation are rare and that the negative impacts they experience living close to inhabited shores may be also exacerbated by Anthropogenic Allee effect.

Materials & Methods

This study was conducted using a systematic literature review, following the principles recommended by the PRISMA guidelines, with a scoping of records of the presence of sperm whale social units in the territorial waters of countries around the world published between 2003 and 2023.

Results & Discussion

A review of 422 relevant research papers revealed only two places in the world where sperm whales with an island ecological specialisation exist, and there are negative trends in both. Such population units experience cumulative anthropogenic pressures 1.7–1.8 times higher than oceanic ones. The charisma and media popularity of sperm whales, combined with the rarity of observation sites for this species, may increase pressure, potentially accelerating their extinction (Anthropogenic Allee Effect). The results of the study are presented in the form of a narrative synthesis, tables and a map.

Conclusion

Determining the ecological specialisation of sperm whale population units should be a key component of management at both the local and species level. Exploitation of ecosystem services provided by island specialists should be strictly regulated in favour of sustainability, in order to preserve this rare ecological type.
Changes in foliar chemistry and nutrient resorption in northern hardwood forests in response to long‐term experimental nitrogen and phosphorus addition
Authors: Zukswert Jenna M. , Fahey Timothy J. , Vadeboncoeur Matthew A. , Hong Daniel S. , Yanai Ruth D.
Published: February 2025

Northern hardwood forests have long been assumed to be primarily nitrogen limited, but may often be co‐limited by multiple elements. Nutrient limitation can be inferred through responses of foliar and litter chemistry to nutrient addition over time. We compared community‐level foliar and litter chemistry and resorption efficiency in a long‐term, factorial nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization study across 10 forest stands at three sites in New Hampshire, where N and P were added annually. We measured N, P, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K) in foliage from codominant trees and in fresh litter in 2008–2010 (pretreatment) and again in 2014–2016 and 2021–2022. Foliar N and P concentrations indicated co‐limitation in 2014–2016 based on reduced concentrations of one nutrient following addition of the other, suggesting a dilution effect. In 2021–2022, an interactive effect of N and P addition was observed: foliar P concentrations were lower under N+P addition, consistent with dilution following a greater growth response to N + P than to P addition, which was observed by 2015–2019. Changes in litter N and P concentrations with N and P addition mirrored those in foliar N and P. Resorption efficiency of N and P decreased with addition of these respective nutrients and P resorption efficiency was higher in the N+P treatment than the P treatment. Foliar Ca and litter Ca and K decreased with N addition but increased with P addition. Results indicated N and P co‐limitation and revealed biogeochemical interactions among N, P and base cations.
Dilemma in the Treatment of Sports Injuries in Athletes: Tendon Overuse, Muscle Strain, and Tendon Rupture
Authors: Kjær Michael , Petersen Jesper , Dünweber Michael Ries , Andersen Jesper Løvind , Engebretsen Lars , Magnusson Stig Peter
Published: February 2025

Injuries to the musculoskeletal system are frequent in elite sports and they are detrimental to athletic performance. This can be due to, for example, (1) overuse disorders of tendon (tendinopathy) that not only lower the training efficiency but also, in many cases, are career‐ending for the athlete due to pain; (2) acute muscle strain injury that both causes prolonged absence from competition and results in many re‐injuries; or (3) tendon rupture that, apart from a very long rehabilitation period, will also result in many athletes never resuming their original high level of competitive sports. For all three injury examples, several evidence‐based prevention programs and treatments are available, and yet the incidence of these injuries remains high and single treatments often provide only partial recovery. In this paper, we highlight the current treatments of these three conditions and focus on the unsolved dilemmas that exist in these sports injuries.
Diversification and evolution of serine/arginine‐rich splicing factors in plants
Authors: Guo Mingxi , Liang Chao , Cui Mingyang , Luo Linlin , Gao Zhongtian , Chen Haolang , Xie Qi , Cui Jie , Liu Lin , Mo Beixin , Gao Lei
Published: February 2025

In plants, serine/arginine‐rich splicing factors (SRSFs) play an essential role in pre‐mRNA splicing, influencing growth and stress response. The present study investigated the evolution and diversification of SR proteins in plants by phylogenetic analysis. First, we identified 1650 SR proteins from 132 plant species. Large‐scale phylogenetic analysis divided these SR proteins into nine subfamilies: SR, RS, SC, SCL, RSZ, RS2Z, SR45, SR45a, and a newly discovered RSZ‐like subfamily. The analysis also suggested that SR proteins of animals and plants originated from an ancient SR gene of a common ancestor of eukaryotes and showed that RSZ‐like subfamily diverged in fern. We also found the presence of the newly discovered RSZ‐like subfamily in ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms as a sister group of SR45 and SR45a, indicating a common ancestor. In addition, we detected deletion of the N‐terminal RS domain in a few members of SR45 and SR45a of plants. These findings provide novel insights into the phylogeny of the SR gene family in plants, emphasizing their crucial function as a splicing factor.
AI‐Assisted Tailored Intervention for Nurse Burnout: A Three‐Group Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Baek Gumhee , Cha Chiyoung
Published: February 2025

Background

High‐stress environments, heavy workloads, and the emotional demands of patient care, which are common challenges faced by nurses, are factors that can lead to burnout. Shift work can make traditional burnout interventions costly and difficult to implement. Artificial intelligence (AI) could offer solutions that are less constrained by time, resources, and labor.

Aim

To investigate the effectiveness of an AI‐assisted intervention in reducing nurse burnout.

Methods

A single‐blind, three‐group, randomized controlled trial of 120 nurses (40 per group) was conducted from June 2023 to July 2023. The AI‐assisted tailored intervention included two 2‐week programs, delivering one of four programs to the intervention group: mindfulness meditation, acceptance commitment therapy, storytelling and reflective writing, or laughter therapy. The experimental group received tailored programs based on demographic and work‐related characteristics, job stress, stress response, coping strategy, and burnout dimensions (client‐related, personal, and work‐related). Control Group 1 self‐selected their programs, while Control Group 2 was provided with online information on burnout reduction. Primary outcomes, client‐related, personal, and work‐related burnout, were measured at baseline, week 2, and week 4. Secondary outcomes, job stress, stress responses, and coping strategies, were assessed at baseline and week 4. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, repeated measures ANOVA, and the Scheffé test for post hoc analysis.

Results

The experimental group showed significant reductions in client‐related burnout (F = 7.725, p = 0.001) and personal burnout (F = 10.967, p < 0.0001) compared to the other groups. Significant effects of time and time × group interactions were observed for client‐related and personal burnout, with time effects noted for work‐related burnout. Stress response reduction was highest in Control Group 1, followed by the experimental group and Control Group 2 (F = 3.07, p = 0.017).

Linking Evidence to Action

AI algorithms could provide tailored programs to mitigate nurse burnout, particularly in client‐related and personal burnout. Reducing nurse burnout could contribute to the quality of care.

Trial Registration

This trial is registered with the Clinical Research Information Service (KCT0008546)
Modelling the Chlorine Dispersion from Hypothetical Leak in Kasigui Water Treatment Plant
Authors: Wang Zhi Lei , Low Jia Yi , Chin Siew Choo , Gimbun Jolius
Published: February 2025

The dispersion of a hypothetical chlorine leak from the Kasigui water treatment plant was modeled using the Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres (ALOHA) software. Meteorological data, including wind speed, direction, and time, were obtained from the local weather station through the Malaysian Meteorological Department for the simulation. The effect of wind conditions on the chlorine dispersion was evaluated using both the Gaussian plume and heavy gas models. The local concentration and threat zones were mapped using the Mapping Application for Response, Planning, and Local Operational Tasks (MARPLOT) software, with the aid of OpenStreetMap. The results showed that the residential areas surrounding the plant, including Taman Kasigui, Taman Desa Manis Kasigui, Kg Kibabaig, Kg Tuavon, Kg Nampasan, the Sabah Cultural Center, Jabatan Pertanian Penampang, the Penampang District Council, and Kg Dabak, were affected by a dangerous chlorine dispersion, as indicated by 60 minutes Acute Exposure Guidelines Level 3 (AEGL-3) (>20 ppm). Suitable safety evacuation routes were proposed to reduce the risk of exposure to hazardous gas. The findings from this work are useful for understanding the risks of chlorine gas dispersion around the Kasigui water treatment plant.
Distinguishing internally club and approachable on an Infinite interval
Authors: Jakob Hannes , Levine Maxwell
Published: February 2025

Krueger showed that implies that for all regular , there are stationarily many that are internally club but not internally approachable. From countably many Mahlo cardinals, we force a model in which, for all positive and , there is a stationary subset of consisting of sets that are internally club but not internally approachable. The theorem is obtained using a new variant of Mitchell forcing. This answers questions of Krueger.
Global well‐posedness of the variable‐order fractional wave equation with variable exponent nonlinearity
Authors: Lin Qiang , Xu Runzhang
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we conduct a comprehensive study of the global well‐posedness of solution for a class of nonlocal wave equations with variable‐order fractional Laplacian and variable exponent nonlinearity by constructing a suitable framework of the variational theory. We first prove the local‐in‐time existence of the weak solution via the Galerkin approximation technique and fixed point theory. Then by constructing the potential well theory, we classify the initial data leading to the global existence and finite time blowup of the solution for three different initial energy cases, that is, subcritical initial energy case, critical initial energy case, and supercritical initial energy case. For the subcritical and critical initial energy cases, we show that the solution exists globally in time when the initial data belong to the stable manifold and blows up in finite time when the initial data belong to the unstable manifold. For the supercritical initial energy case, we observe some initial conditions that enable the finite time blow‐up solution by an adapted concavity method, and the issue of global existence still remains unsolved. As a further study of finite time blowup, we estimate the upper and lower bounds of blow‐up time by using different strategies, that is, applying some first‐order differential inequality regardless of the different initial energy levels, to give a unified expression for the lower bound estimation for three initial energy levels. For the upper bound estimation, we utilize two second‐order differential inequalities influenced by the different energy levels to give the upper bound estimations of the blow‐up time at each initial energy level.