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Opportunities and challenges of asynchronous video interviews: Perceptions of human resources professionals from Türkiye

In the context of global technological advancements, asynchronous video interviews (AVIs) have emerged as an innovative tool in recruitment, offering potential to transform traditional hiring practices. This study aims to enhance understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with AVIs in recruitment processes by examining the perspectives of human resources (HR) professionals in Türkiye. A qualitative research methodology with a phenomenological approach was employed. 15 HR professionals experienced in asynchronous video interviewing from diverse organizations participated in online, open-ended, semi-structured, in-depth interviews. The collected data were analyzed through thematic analysis using MAXQDA 2024. Findings indicated that AVIs offer significant opportunities, such as improving process efficiency, enhancing candidate experience, promoting fairness and inclusivity, and supporting organizational goals. However, the study identified critical challenges, including diminishing candidate experience, undermining fairness and increasing deceptive impression management, reducing job satisfaction among HR professionals, and imposing operational and financial constraints. As one of the first studies to explore HR professionals’ perceptions of AVIs in Türkiye, this study provides valuable insights into their adoption in developing economies and highlights the broader implications of AVIs in the global recruitment practices. The findings emphasize the need for tailored strategies to maximize benefits, address challenges, and balance the needs of both candidates and HR professionals.

Retraction: Camellia sinensis methanolic leaves extract: Phytochemical analysis and anticancer activity against human liver cancer cells

Synthesis and Characterization of Photoswitchable Covalent Ligands for the β ₂ ‐Adrenoceptor

Abstract The β 2 ‐adrenergic receptor (β 2 AR) is a critical target for the treatment of airway diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To better understand its mechanism of action and study its dynamics, photoswitchable ligands provide a distinct advantage due to their ability to be activated with high spatiotemporal control. In this study, we developed a series of molecular tools featuring different combinations of pharmacophores, covalent warheads, and linker lengths. These compounds were characterized using highly specific assay protocols to evaluate their covalent binding capabilities, with the goal of identifying optimal covalently‐bound photoswitches. Among these, the covalently‐bound photoswitchable receptor agonist 6 exhibited a significant functional switch. To gain deeper insight into the binding thermodynamics and kinetics of this molecular tool, as well as the molecular determinants involved, we performed metadynamics (MetaD) simulations and analyzed their results using a Markov State Model (MSM) obtained by applying the Maximum Caliber (MaxCal) principle to the MetaD‐derived free energies. These studies suggest that photoswitching of compound 6 occurs within the binding pocket of the β 2 AR. Consequently, compound 6 holds promise as a valuable tool for investigating β 2 AR activation kinetics and dynamics with high accuracy, thereby facilitating high‐resolution biophysical studies.

New bounded unit Weibull model: Applications with quantile regression

In practical scenarios, data measurements like ratios and proportions often fall within the 0 to 1 range, posing unique modeling challenges. While beta and Kumaraswamy distributions are widely used, alternative models often yield better performance, though no clear consensus exists. This paper introduces a new bounded probability distribution based on a transformation of the Weibull distribution, with properties such as moments, entropies, and a quantile function. Additionally, we have developed the sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) for the proposed model. The maximum likelihood estimation method was employed to estimate the model parameters. A Monte Carlo simulation was conducted to evaluate the performance of parameter estimation for the model. Finally, we formulated a quantile regression model and applied it to data sets related to risk assessment and educational attainment, demonstrating its superior performance over alternative regression models. These results highlight the importance of our contributions to enhancing the statistical toolkit for analyzing bounded variables across different scientific fields.

Disruption of adaptive immunity does not attenuate disease in the Ndufs4(-/-) model of Leigh syndrome

Leigh syndrome (LS) is the most common pediatric presentation of genetic mitochondrial disease and characterized by neurological and metabolic abnormalities. The hallmark of the disease is the presence of progressive, bilateral, symmetric neurodegenerative lesions in the brainstem and/or basal ganglia. Recent studies in the Ndufs4(-/-) mouse model of LS indicate that disease is causally driven by the immune system. Both microglia and peripherally originating macrophages are enriched in the lesions of Ndufs4(-/-) mice and pharmacologic elimination of these cell types prevents disease indicating a crucial role for innate immune cells. Here, we investigated the role of the adaptive immune system in Ndufs4(-/-) disease pathogenesis. We crossed Ndufs4(-/-) mice with mice expressing a null form of interleukin 2 receptor gamma (Il2rg) and monitored disease onset and progression. Il2rg knockout (KO) mice have dramatically depleted numbers of B-, T-, the adaptive immune system’s key cellular actors, and NK-cells. We observed no difference in neurological disease progression or overall survival between Ndufs4(-/-)/Il2rg(WT) and Ndufs4(-/-)/Il2rg(KO) mice, strongly suggesting that T cells, B cells, and NK cells do not play a significant role in CNS disease pathogenesis in Ndufs4(-/-) mice. Combined with previous studies indicating a causal role for macrophages, we conclude that LS CNS pathology is primarily driven by the monocyte/macrophage innate immune system.

Chain mediating effect of self-esteem and resilience on the relationship between wellbeing literacy and subjective well-being among college students

Based on the framework of psychological capital theory from the perspective of positive psychology, this study explores the influence mechanism of wellbeing literacy on the subjective well-being of college students. In recent years, with the increasing social attention to psychological well-being, wellbeing literacy, as the core element of individuals’ ability to achieve -well-being, has gradually become a focal point in positive psychology research. As a new model for well-being science and practice, wellbeing literacy can provide a tangible way to evaluate mechanisms learned from well-being interventions. This study attempts to investigate both the influence of wellbeing literacy on college students’ subjective well-being and the mediating role of self-esteem and resilience in this relationship. A total of 1030 college students were surveyed using the wellbeing literacy, self-esteem, simplified resilience, life satisfaction, and positive and negative emotion scales. The study results reveal that (1) Wellbeing literacy significantly impacts subjective well-being both overall and directly; (2) Self-esteem significantly mediates the relationship between wellbeing literacy and subjective well-being; (3) A significant chain-mediating effect exists through self-esteem and resilience; (4) The chain-mediating role explains the mechanism underlying this relationship. These findings confirm that wellbeing literacy not only directly promotes subjective well-being, but also cascades through self-esteem enhancement and subsequent resilience improvement. This study provides empirical support for current well-being theory, and recommends stepwise interventions focusing on well-being language cultivation: consolidating the foundation of self-esteem through cognitive reconstruction in early stages, and strengthening stress response training to improve resilience in later phases. Future research can further verify the timing effects of pathways in combination with a tracking design. As a new model for well-being science and practice, wellbeing literacy can provide a tangible way to evaluate mechanisms learned from well-being interventions.

Gene expression study in the siRNA based aniridia cell model and in primary aniridia limbal epithelial cells following duloxetine and ritanserin treatment

Progressive aniridia associated keratopathy is worsening visual acuity of congenital aniridia subjects lifelong. Restoration of PAX6 expression in PAX6 haploinsufficient limbal epithelial cells could be one therapeutic option. In a previous study using aniridia-like CRISPR/Cas9 genome-edited corneal epithelial cells, the antipsychotic drugs duloxetine and ritanserin increased PAX6 mRNA and protein expression. Our purpose was to investigate the effect of duloxetine and ritanserin on cultured primary limbal epithelial cells (pLECs) without and with PAX6 knockdown. pLECs were isolated from 11 aniridia patients and corneoscleral rims of 8 healthy human donors and were treated with 5 µM duloxetine or ritanserin for 24 hours. In addition, pLECs were transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) (PAX6 knockdown) in the siRNA-based aniridia cell model and were also treated by 5 µM duloxetine or ritanserin for 24 hours. Gene and protein expression were analyzed using qPCR and Western blot. In both primary aniridia limbal epithelial cells and the siRNA-based aniridia cell model, the expression of PAX6 at the transcriptional or translational level did not show significant changes through duloxetine or ritanserin treatment (p > 0.5). The target genes of PAX6 such as KRT3, KRT12, DSG1, ALDH1A1, ADH7, FABP5, ABCG2 also did not change significantly (p ≥ 0.2). Our study shows that primary cultures of limbal epithelial cells from both aniridia patients and healthy donors were unresponsive to drug treatment. Therefore, our data suggest that different aniridia cell models or cell culture conditions exhibit varying responses to duloxetine and ritanserin. The use of in vivo models could further enhance our understanding of duloxetine and ritanserin treatment in aniridia-associated keratopathy.

Influence of Messa di Voce speed on vocal stability of professionally trained singers

Introduction Messa di Voce (MdV) is a challenging task for singers, requiring an even modulation of sound pressure level (SPL) on a stable pitch. This study concentrates on the effects of fast or slow task-speed on voice stability parameters, and the associated laryngeal behavior. The focus is set on professionally trained singers. Material and methods Ten professionally trained, healthy singers (5 female, 5 male) were asked to perform MdV exercises, i.e., a gradual increase and decrease of SPL, on the vowel [i:] on a stable fundamental frequency (fo ≈ 247 Hz for females and fo ≈ 124 Hz for males). First, each phase, i.e., increasing or decreasing SPL, should take 3 s. Second, each phase should take 1 s. The tasks were recorded by high-speed videolaryngoscopy (HSV), electroglottography, and audio signals. The following parameters were calculated and compared to the sound pressure level (SPL) curve: Electroglottographic (EGG) and Glottal Area Waveform (GAW) Open Quotients (OQEGG, OQGAW), Closing Quotient (ClQGAW) relative to start, Relative Average Perturbation (RAPAudio/EGG/GAW), and Sample Entropy (SE EGG). Results In most subjects, no correlation of vibrato and SPL course was detected. Instabilities with higher SEEGG occurred at the start/end of the slow task, but not around the SPL apex. Generally, negative correlations of SPL to OQGAW, ClQGAW and RAPAudio were present. RAPEGG and RAPGAW were not significant. In five subjects the decreasing phase of the slow task was 1–2 s longer. The majority of subjects ended the tasks softer than they had started. Conclusion RAP values and SE suggest high laryngeal stability in professional singers. Vibrato did not play a role in the variation of SPL in the presented cohort. The data suggest that SPL variation is mainly controlled on vocal fold level rather than by vocal tract resonances.

Predictors of neuropsychiatric manifestations in pediatric patients with lupus

Early detection of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) in children remains challenging in clinical settings. This study aims to describe the autoantibodies, organ disorders, the SLEDAI-2K score, and complement levels at the time of diagnosis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as well as investigate the predictors of NPSLE. We reviewed medical records of hospitalized children with SLE (< 18 years old) and extracted information on clinical features, serum autoantibodies, and laboratory test results. Multivariable logistic regression was used to establish the predictors of NPSLE and SLE without neuropsychiatric manifestations. Results revealed that 22.8% of children with NPSLE had higher ANA levels and SLEDAI-2K scores, lower C4 levels, and greater AMA-M2, β2GPI Abs, Anti-Rib-P Ab, ANCA, and LAC positivity at SLE diagnosis. The predictors of NPSLE were β2GPI-Abs (OR = 4.603), anti-Rib-P Ab (OR = 4.153), and SLEDAI-2K score (OR = 1.215). In summary, the findings show that the SLEDAI-2K score, β2GPI-Abs, and anti-Rib-P Ab are predictors of NPSLE.

Polystyrene nanoplastics disrupt the intestinal microenvironment by altering bacteria-host interactions through extracellular vesicle-delivered microRNAs

Community density patterns estimated by species distribution modeling: The case study of an insect virus interaction

We studied the interaction between the invasive potato moth T. solanivora and its granulovirus PhopGV in the northern Andes. Host density was analyzed based on 1206 pheromone trap data from 106 sampled sites in Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela. The prevalence of the virus was assessed at 15 sites in 3 regions in Ecuador and Colombia. Infection status was analyzed for spatial structure at different scales: storage bag, storage room, field, locality, country. Locality and storage bag explained 8% and 26%, respectively of the total variance in infection status in glm analysis. The field versus storeroom effect differed between localities. GLM species distribution models were optimized for bioclimatic variables for both insects and viruses. Predicted virus prevalence was not significantly correlated with predicted host density at sampled virus sites. Over the entire climatic range covered by the study, the correlation was R=-0.053. Of the total population insect in this range, 26% were expected to be infected based on the model. This basic method of using species distribution models to analyze average correlations between species densities can help investigate statistical relationships across a range of trophic models using existing non-sympatric data, with little or no additional sampling effort. It removes confounding time-lag effects and allows the use of data collected separately in the different species. The approach is correlative, and cannot be interpreted in terms of causality or outside the study area.

Quasi-periodic oscillations of GHz-band polarization in a black hole

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vaccinations in United States primary care practices

Background The COVID-19 pandemic caused substantial burdens for patients and our healthcare delivery system. Many patients delayed seeking care for essential medical needs, and providers struggled to deliver services. This study aimed to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on administration of non-COVID-19 vaccinations through primary care practices, using a nationwide sample. Methods In this retrospective cross-sectional study, clinical records from the American Board of Family Medicine’s (ABFM) PRIME Registry for March 15, 2019 through March 14, 2022, were used to calculate monthly visit and vaccination rates among child-adolescents and adults, comparing Pre-Pandemic Year and Pandemic Years 1 and 2. Logistic regression was used to examine the association of patient characteristics with vaccination likelihood. Results The number of vaccinated individuals decreased by 9.6% among children-adolescents and 4.2% among adults in Pandemic Year 1. In the Pandemic Year 2, the decline had worsened as 19.4% for children-adolescents and 14.2% for adults compared to the Pre-Pandemic Year. Despite a partial rebound in visit rates, vaccination rates did not fully recover. Except few months, differences in vaccination rates were worse than those in visit rates throughout the rest of the pandemic. Females, rural residents and individuals living in areas with higher social risk had the lowest likelihood of vaccination and this gap increased during the pandemic. Conclusions The pandemic was associated with a decline in non-COVID-19 vaccinations that persisted through the second year of the pandemic. This decline raises concerns that delayed or missed vaccinations may trigger outbreaks of preventable diseases and the resurgence of diseases that were previously under control.

Iterative transcription factor screening enables rapid generation of microglia-like cells from human iPSC

Manipulation of Chemistry and Biology with Visible Light Using Tetra‐ <i>ortho</i> ‐Substituted Azobenzenes and Azonium Ions

Abstract Molecular photoswitches are used for precise and reversible control over the properties and function of chemical, biological and material systems, offering exceptional spatiotemporal control. Their current development focuses on enabling operation with non‐damaging and deep tissue penetrating visible/near‐IR light. In this context, tetra‐ ortho ‐substituted azobenzenes and azonium ions play a leading role, thanks to their unique photophysical properties and easily modifiable structure. However, it is only recently that synthetic approaches to those sterically demanding systems have been established and their structure‐photochemistry relations have been understood to provide general rules for their tuning to a given application. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of this family of molecular photoswitches, providing an analysis of their photophysical properties, followed by a discussion of the available synthetic methodologies. Finally, we showcase the versatility of tetra‐ ortho ‐substituted azobenzenes and azonium ions for enabling light‐control in biological and material sciences, providing multiple insights for future applications.

Impact of multiple consultations and switching in treatment-seeking in tuberculosis: Mathematical modelling and optimal control

Treatment-seeking behaviour significantly contributes to the worldwide tuberculosis (TB) burden, especially in Southeast Asia and African regions. At the onset of symptoms like coughing, fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite, individuals visit various clinics or alternative medicine centres, often switching multiple times before actually reaching a TB DOTS (Directly Observed Therapy Short Courses) centre. This, however, introduces a long delay in proper diagnosis and treatment of TB cases, which increases community transmission and the overall TB burden. By synthesizing data from various empirical studies, we develop an intricate mathematical model of such multiple consultations and aim to quantify the impact of such behavioural interactions on disease burden. Our SIR-based TB transmission framework quantifies the rise in active TB cases due to delays from multiple consultations before diagnosis and treatment at DOTS centres. We found that up to 2-3 consultations before diagnosis can substantially lower the overall TB burden. Using optimal control modelling, we propose targeted interventions – including enhanced TB awareness, early detection, and improved healthcare infrastructure. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and public health organizations to develop effective strategies for TB control in high-prevalent regions.

Retinoic acid breakdown is required for proximodistal positional identity during axolotl limb regeneration

Correction: An integrated approach for advanced vehicle classification

Effect of different levels of Scutellaria baicalensis straw on slaughter performance and rumen microorganisms of rams

The shortage of forage supply has become an issue for the development of high-quality animal husbandry. Utilizing functional diets can mitigate forage shortages while enhancing animal performance and product quality. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different levels of Scutellaria baicalensis straw (SBS) on the slaughter performance, rumen fermentation, and microbial diversity of rams. A single-factor completely randomized experimental design was adopted. Sixty 4- to 5-month-old Bainuburke rams with mean body weight of (27.08 ± 3.12) kg were randomly divided into six groups, with 10 per group. Each group received a balanced total mixed pellet diet with equivalent energy and nitrogen levels containing 0%, 6%, 12%, 18%, 24%, and 30% SBS (dry matter basis). The pre-experimental period was 10 days, followed by a 70 days formal experimental period. The results showed that: (1) Compared with the CON group, the dressing percentage and eye muscle area in the SBS24 group significantly increased (P &lt; 0.05); (2) Compared with the CON group, the butyrate content and total fatty acid content inthe SBS24 group significantly increased (P &lt; 0.05); (3) Compared with the CON group, the Simpson index of the SBS groups significantly increased (P &lt; 0.05), while the Shannon index of the SBS12, SBS18, and SBS24 groups significantly decreased (P &lt; 0.01). At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Halobacteria increased, while the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria decreased. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Prevotella, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, and Succiniclasticum increased. In summary, diets containing 6–30% SBS increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Halobacteria, while decreasing the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. This led to higher total volatile fatty acids, which in turn improved the slaughter performance of rams. Based on performance and microbiota composition, it is recommended that rams diets be supplemented with 24% SBS.

Sage extract and ascorbic acid derivative inhibit melanogenesis via downregulating keratinocyte-derived GM-CSF

Salvia officinalis (sage) extract has demonstrated potential as a functional ingredient for skin care application. However, its effect and mechanism in regulating skin pigmentation remain largely unclear. This study investigated the effects of sage ethanol extract (SGE) on melanogenesis and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Treatment with SGE in a human skin equivalent model (3D-skin) suppressed melanin production. To clarify the mechanism of action, the study focused on senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors, which are implicated in age-related pigmentation changes. q-PCR and ELISA analyses showed that SGE inhibits melanogenesis by suppressing the expression of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), a known SASP factor in keratinocytes. Interestingly, a similar effect was observed with L-ascorbic acid 2-glucoside (AG), previously identified as a tyrosinase inhibitor. Importantly, p38 and JNK MAP-kinase were identified as upstream regulators of GM-CSF that are suppressed by SGE. These findings provide new insights into how SGE and AG regulate pigmentation via keratinocyte-derived GM-CSF, highlighting their potential in modulating skin tone and pigmentation through cellular signaling pathways.