Cooperative Gsx2-DNA binding requires DNA bending and a novel Gsx2 homeodomain interface.

The conserved Gsx homeodomain (HD) transcription factors specify neural cell fates in animals from flies to mammals. Like many HD proteins, Gsx factors bind A/T-rich DNA sequences prompting the following question: How do HD factors that bind similar DNA sequences in vitro regulate specific target genes in vivo? Prior studies revealed that Gsx factors bind DNA both as a monomer on individual A/T-rich sites and as a cooperative homodimer to two sites spaced precisely 7 bp apart. However, the mechanistic basis for Gsx-DNA binding and cooperativity is poorly understood. Here, we used biochemical, biophysical, structural and modeling approaches to (i) show that Gsx factors are monomers in solution and require DNA for cooperative complex formation, (ii) define the affinity and thermodynamic binding parameters of Gsx2/DNA interactions, (iii) solve a high-resolution monomer/DNA structure that reveals that Gsx2 induces a 20° bend in DNA, (iv) identify a Gsx2 protein-protein interface required for cooperative DNA binding and (v) determine that flexible spacer DNA sequences enhance Gsx2 cooperativity on dimer sites. Altogether, our results provide a mechanistic basis for understanding the protein and DNA structural determinants that underlie cooperative DNA binding by Gsx factors.

Seismic resolution improving by a sequential convolutional neural network.

Thin-bed soft rock is one of the main factors causing large deformations of tunnels. In addition to relying on some innovative construction techniques, detecting thin beds early during surface geological exploration and advanced geological prediction can provide a basis for planning and implementing effective coping measures. The commonly used seismic methods cannot meet the requirement for thin beds detection accuracy. A high-resolution (HR) seismic signal processing method is proposed by introducing a sequential convolutional neural network (SCNN). The deep learning dataset including low-resolution (LR) and HR seismic is firstly prepared through forward modeling. Then, a one-dimension (1D) SCNN architecture is proposed to establish the mapping relationship between LR and HR sequences. Training on the prepared dataset, the HR seismic processing model with high accuracy is achieved and applied to some practical seismic data. The applications on both poststack and prestack seismic data demonstrate that the trained HR processing model can effectively improve the seismic resolution and restore the high-frequency seismic energy so that to recognize the thin-bed rocks.

Polysaccharide- and protein-based edible films combined with microwave technology for meat preservation.

To reduce food-borne bacterial infection caused by food spoilage, developing highly efficient food packing film is still an urgent need for food preservation. Herein, microwave-assisted antibacterial nanocomposite films CaO2@PVP/EA/CMC-Na (CP/EC) were synthesized using waste eggshell as precursor, egg albumen (EA) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMCNa) as matrix by casting method. The size of CaO2@PVP (CP) nanoparticles with monodisperse spherical structures was 100-240 nm. When microwave and CP nanoparticles (0.05 mg/mL) were treated for 5 min, the mortality of E. coli and S. aureus could reach >97 %. Under microwave irradiation (6 min), the bactericidal rate of 2.5 % CP/EC film against E. coli and S. aureus reached 98.6 % and 97.2 %, respectively. After adding CP nanoparticles, the highest tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (EB) of CP/EC film reached 19.59 MPa and 583.43 %, respectively. At 18 °C, the proliferation of bacterial colonies on meat can be significantly inhibited by 2.5 % CP/EC film. Detailed characterization showed that the excellent meat preservation activity was due to the synergistic effect of dynamic effect generated by ROS and thermal effect of microwave. This study provides a promising approach for the packaging application of polysaccharide- and protein-based biomass nanocomposite antibacterial edible films.

Immune to temperature interference sensor of carbon dioxide gas concentration based on a single modified fiber Bragg grating.

In this study, a novel method that can detect carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration and realize temperature immunity based on only one fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is proposed. The outstanding contribution lies in solving the temperature crosstalk issue of FBG and ensuring the accuracy of detection results under the condition of anti-temperature interference. To achieve immunity to temperature interference without changing the initial structure of FBG, the optical fiber cladding of FBG and adjacent optical fiber cladding at both ends of FBG are modified by a polymer coating. Moreover, a universal immune temperature demodulation algorithm is derived. The experimental results demonstrate that the temperature response sensitivity of the improved FBG is controlled within the range of 0.00407 nm/°C. Compared with the initial FBG (the temperature sensitivity of the initial FBG is 0.04 nm/°C), it decreases by nearly 10 times. Besides, the gas response sensitivity of FBG reaches 1.6 pm/ppm and has overwhelmingly ideal linearity. The detection error results manifest that the gas concentration error in 20 groups of data does not exceed 3.16 ppm. The final reproducibility research shows that the difference in detection sensitivity between the two sensors is 0.08 pm/ppm, and the relative error of linearity is 1.07%. In a word, the proposed method can accurately detect the concentration of CO2 gas and is efficiently immune to temperature interference. The sensor we proposed has the advantages of a simple production process, low cost, and satisfactory reproducibility. It also has the prospect of mass production.

Cooperative Gsx2-DNA Binding Requires DNA Bending and a Novel Gsx2 Homeodomain Interface.

The conserved Gsx homeodomain (HD) transcription factors specify neural cell fates in animals from flies to mammals. Like many HD proteins, Gsx factors bind A/T-rich DNA sequences prompting the question - how do HD factors that bind similar DNA sequences in vitro regulate specific target genes in vivo? Prior studies revealed that Gsx factors bind DNA both as a monomer on individual A/T-rich sites and as a cooperative homodimer to two sites spaced precisely seven base pairs apart. However, the mechanistic basis for Gsx DNA binding and cooperativity are poorly understood. Here, we used biochemical, biophysical, structural, and modeling approaches to (1) show that Gsx factors are monomers in solution and require DNA for cooperative complex formation; (2) define the affinity and thermodynamic binding parameters of Gsx2/DNA interactions; (3) solve a high-resolution monomer/DNA structure that reveals Gsx2 induces a 20° bend in DNA; (4) identify a Gsx2 protein-protein interface required for cooperative DNA binding; and (5) determine that flexible spacer DNA sequences enhance Gsx2 cooperativity on dimer sites. Altogether, our results provide a mechanistic basis for understanding the protein and DNA structural determinants that underlie cooperative DNA binding by Gsx factors, thereby providing a deeper understanding of HD specificity.

Study on the Behavior of Saturated Cardanol-Based Surfactants at the Crude Oil/Water Interface through Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

Cardanol is a green biosurfactant with broad application prospects, which is expected to be used to enhance oil recovery (EOR). This paper designed two types of surfactants (extended and nonextended), including six kinds of nonionic and anion-nonionic surfactants. The position changes of PO and EO chains and the effects of different hydrophilic groups on the interface properties were studied with molecular dynamics simulations by constructing a model of crude oil (containing four components) and water molecules. The results of interfacial tension and solvent-accessible surface area showed that the interfacial properties of sulfate were better than those of sulfonates and nonionic surfactants. Meanwhile, the interface properties of nonextended surfactants were better than those of extended surfactants. The gyration radius (Rg) and tilt angle data demonstrated that when EO chains were located between hydrophobic groups and PO chains (nonextended surfactants), the adsorption capacity of surfactants at crude oil and water interfaces could be effectively improved. The radial distribution function of the hydrophilic group and hydrophobic group of surfactants with water molecules and four components of the crude oil molecule, respectively, explained that surfactants (8EO8POSO4) had better emulsification performance when the intermolecular interactions between crude oil and water two phases were relatively balanced. This study provides a theoretical reference for the design of oil-displacement surfactants and the mechanism analysis of emulsification properties.

Influence of Aging Treatment Regimes on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Selective Laser Melted 17-4 PH Steel.

Aging is indispensable for balancing the strength and ductility of selective laser melted (SLM) precipitation hardening steels. This work investigated the influence of aging temperature and time on the microstructure and mechanical properties of SLM 17-4 PH steel. The 17-4 PH steel was fabricated by SLM under a protective argon atmosphere (99.99 vol.%), then the microstructure and phase composition after different aging treatments were characterized via different advanced material characterization techniques, and the mechanical properties were systematically compared. Coarse martensite laths were observed in the aged samples compared with the as-built ones, regardless of the aging time and temperature. Increasing the aging temperature resulted in a larger grain size of the martensite lath and precipitation. The aging treatment induced the formation of the austenite phase with a face-centered cubic (FCC) structure. With prolonged aging treatment, the volume fraction of the austenite phase increased, which agreed with the EBSD phase mappings. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and yield strength gradually increased with increasing aging times at 482 °C. The UTS reached its peak value after aging for 3 h at 482 °C, which was similar to the trend of microhardness (i.e., UTS = 1353.4 MPa). However, the ductility of the SLM 17-4 PH steel decreased rapidly after aging treatment. This work reveals the influence of heat treatment on SLM 17-4 steel and proposes an optimal heat-treatment regime for the SLM high-performance steels.

Electronic structure analysis of NiO quantum dot-modified jackfruit-shaped ZnO sensors and sensing properties investigation of their highly sensitive and selective for butyl acetate.

Detection of flammable, explosive and toxic butyl acetate helps to avoid accidents and protect health in industrial production. However, there are few reports on butyl acetate sensors, especially highly sensitive, low detection limit and highly selective ones. In this work, density functional theory (DFT) analyzes the electronic structure of sensing materials and the adsorption energy of butyl acetate. The effects of Ni element doping, oxygen vacancy constructions, and NiO quantum dot modifications on the modulation of the electronic structure of ZnO and on the adsorption energy of butyl acetate are investigated in detail. Based on the DFT analysis, the NiO quantum dot modified jackfruit-shaped ZnO is synthesized via thermal solvent method reduction. The NiO/ZnO sensor has a response 502.5 for 100 ppm butyl acetate with 100 ppb detection limit, and the response for 100 ppm butyl acetate is at least 6.2 times higher than 100 ppm methanol, 100 ppm benzene, 100 ppm triethylamine, 100 ppm isopropanol, 100 ppm ethyl acetate and 100 ppm formic acid. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) explores the change of oxygen vacancies in sensor accompanied with the addition of Ni element and reveales the reason for the change of oxygen vacancies.

Highly Selective and ppb-Level Butanone Sensors Based on SnO2/NiO Heterojunction-Modified ZnO Nanosheets with Electron Polarity Transport Properties.

Gas sensors require the construction of composites with high reactivity to reduce the detection limit, but this can lead to a broad-spectrum response between the adsorbed oxygen and the target gas, making it difficult to improve selectivity. In this study, the phenomenon of electron polar transport properties of the two-dimensional heterojunction material is first discovered in gas sensing and utilized to greatly improve the selectivity of butanone sensors. Ultra-thin porous ZnO nanosheets modified with SnO2/NiO heterogeneous particles are synthesized to achieve 20 ppb detection limits for butanone with a response of 328 to 100 ppm butanone, which is the lowest known detection limit. The combination of reaction kinetics and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry reveals a good synergistic catalytic effect of SnO2/NiO heterogeneous particles, which may contribute to the high response and low detection limit of butanone. Finally, the possible mechanism for the generation of electron polar transport phenomenon is analyzed in the two-dimensional heterojunction material. This work provides a novel perspective for achieving both selectivity and detection limits in gas sensors, with universal applicability and application potential.

Prediction of cooperative homeodomain DNA binding sites from high-throughput-SELEX data.

Homeodomain proteins constitute one of the largest families of metazoan transcription factors. Genetic studies have demonstrated that homeodomain proteins regulate many developmental processes. Yet, biochemical data reveal that most bind highly similar DNA sequences. Defining how homeodomain proteins achieve DNA binding specificity has therefore been a long-standing goal. Here, we developed a novel computational approach to predict cooperative dimeric binding of homeodomain proteins using High-Throughput (HT) SELEX data. Importantly, we found that 15 of 88 homeodomain factors form cooperative homodimer complexes on DNA sites with precise spacing requirements. Approximately one third of the paired-like homeodomain proteins cooperatively bind palindromic sequences spaced 3 bp apart, whereas other homeodomain proteins cooperatively bind sites with distinct orientation and spacing requirements. Combining structural models of a paired-like factor with our cooperativity predictions identified key amino acid differences that help differentiate between cooperative and non-cooperative factors. Finally, we confirmed predicted cooperative dimer sites in vivo using available genomic data for a subset of factors. These findings demonstrate how HT-SELEX data can be computationally mined to predict cooperativity. In addition, the binding site spacing requirements of select homeodomain proteins provide a mechanism by which seemingly similar AT-rich DNA sequences can preferentially recruit specific homeodomain factors.

Being on the same page matters: A meta-analytic investigation of leader-member exchange (LMX) agreement.

Although leader-member exchange (LMX) theory offers a detailed account of leader-follower relationship building, the importance of LMX agreement as a theoretically meaningful relational phenomenon has received less attention. This has, in turn, limited scholarly understanding of its pivotal role in leader-follower relationships. We conducted a meta-analysis to synthesize the substantive implications of LMX agreement for leader-follower relationships and to further understand which factors may influence its variation across samples. Results from the random-effects metaregression analyses provided strong support for the moderating role of LMX agreement at the between-study level. Specifically, with higher levels of sample-level LMX agreement, the relationships between LMX and followers' task performance and organizational citizenship behaviors were stronger. Moreover, different national culture configurations (i.e., horizontal individualism vs. vertical collectivism) and changes in relationship tenure were significantly associated with LMX agreement. We also examined a host of methodological factors, which generally had a very limited impact on the study findings. Overall, these meta-analytic findings suggest LMX agreement should be considered as a key relational contingency in LMX theory, as it can help unlock the full potential of high-quality leader-follower relationships. Moreover, as a substantively meaningful phenomenon, its variation across situations is intricately related to contextual influences. Based on our theoretical integration and empirical synthesis, we discuss the implications for LMX theory and identify important directions for the next stages of LMX research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Intraoperative Low-Dose S-Ketamine Reduces Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Crohn's Disease Undergoing Bowel Resection: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) undergoing bowel resection often suffer from depression and acute pain, which severely impairs their recovery. We aimed to investigate the effects of S-ketamine preconditioning on postoperative depression in patients with CD undergoing a bowel resection with mild to moderate depression and to observe whether it can relieve postoperative pain and anti-inflammation. Methods: A total of 124 adult patients were randomized into one of the two groups. Patients in the S-ketamine group received a 0.25 mg/kg S-ketamine intravenous drip under general anesthesia induction, followed by a continuous infusion of S-ketamine with 0.12 mg/kg/h for more than 30 min through target-controlled infusion. Patients in the placebo group received 0.9% saline at an identical volume and rate. The primary outcome measure was the 17-item Hamilton depression Scale (HAMD-17). The secondary outcomes were scores on the following questionnaires: a nine-item patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9); a quality of recovery (QoR-15) form; and a numeric rating scale (NRS). Additional secondary outcomes included the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 3, and 5, the length of hospital stay, and opioid use throughout the hospital stay. Results: The scores of PHQ-9 and HAMD-17 in the S-ketamine group were lower than those in the placebo group on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 2, and 7 (p < 0.05). The scores of QoR-15 in the S-ketamine group were higher than those in the placebo group on postoperative days (PODs) 3 and 5 (p < 0.05). The NRS scores of PACU, postoperative days 1 and 2 in the S-ketamine group were lower than those in the placebo group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the CRP and IL-6 levels on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 3, and 5, postoperative complications, and hospital stay between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The trial indicated that the intraoperative administration of low-dose S-ketamine could alleviate mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms and postoperative pain in patients with Crohn's disease undergoing bowel resection without worsening their safety.

Charge instability of topological Fermi arcs in chiral crystal CoSi.

Topological boundary states emerged at the spatial boundary between topological non-trivial and trivial phases, are usually gapless, or commonly referred as metallic states. For example, the surface state of a topological insulator is a gapless Dirac state. These metallic topological boundary states are typically well described by non-interacting fermions. However, the behavior of topological boundary states with significant electron-electron interactions, which could turn the gapless boundary states into gapped ordered states, e.g., density wave states or superconducting states, is of great interest theoretically, but is still lacking evidence experimentally. Here, we report the observation of incommensurable charge density wave (CDW) formed on the topological boundary states driven by the electron-electron interactions on the (001) surface of CoSi. The wavevector of CDW varies as the temperature changes, which coincides with the evolution of topological surface Fermi arcs with temperature. The orientation of the CDW phase is determined by the chirality of the Fermi arcs, which indicates a direct association between CDW and Fermi arcs. Our finding will stimulate the search of more interactions-driven ordered states, such as superconductivity and magnetism, on the boundaries of topological materials.

Genetic and Molecular Interactions between HΔCT, a Novel Allele of the Notch Antagonist Hairless, and the Histone Chaperone Asf1 in Drosophila melanogaster.

Cellular differentiation relies on the highly conserved Notch signaling pathway. Notch activity induces gene expression changes that are highly sensitive to chromatin landscape. We address Notch gene regulation using Drosophila as a model, focusing on the genetic and molecular interactions between the Notch antagonist Hairless and the histone chaperone Asf1. Earlier work implied that Asf1 promotes the silencing of Notch target genes via Hairless (H). Here, we generate a novel HΔCT allele by genome engineering. Phenotypically, HΔCT behaves as a Hairless gain of function allele in several developmental contexts, indicating that the conserved CT domain of H has an attenuator role under native biological contexts. Using several independent methods to assay protein-protein interactions, we define the sequences of the CT domain that are involved in Hairless-Asf1 binding. Based on previous models, where Asf1 promotes Notch repression via Hairless, a loss of Asf1 binding should reduce Hairless repressive activity. However, tissue-specific Asf1 overexpression phenotypes are increased, not rescued, in the HΔCT background. Counterintuitively, Hairless protein binding mitigates the repressive activity of Asf1 in the context of eye development. These findings highlight the complex connections of Notch repressors and chromatin modulators during Notch target-gene regulation and open the avenue for further investigations.

The structure, binding and function of a Notch transcription complex involving RBPJ and the epigenetic reader protein L3MBTL3.

The Notch pathway transmits signals between neighboring cells to elicit downstream transcriptional programs. Notch is a major regulator of cell fate specification, proliferation, and apoptosis, such that aberrant signaling leads to a pleiotropy of human diseases, including developmental disorders and cancers. The pathway signals through the transcription factor CSL (RBPJ in mammals), which forms an activation complex with the intracellular domain of the Notch receptor and the coactivator Mastermind. CSL can also function as a transcriptional repressor by forming complexes with one of several different corepressor proteins, such as FHL1 or SHARP in mammals and Hairless in Drosophila. Recently, we identified L3MBTL3 as a bona fide RBPJ-binding corepressor that recruits the repressive lysine demethylase LSD1/KDM1A to Notch target genes. Here, we define the RBPJ-interacting domain of L3MBTL3 and report the 2.06 Å crystal structure of the RBPJ-L3MBTL3-DNA complex. The structure reveals that L3MBTL3 interacts with RBPJ via an unusual binding motif compared to other RBPJ binding partners, which we comprehensively analyze with a series of structure-based mutants. We also show that these disruptive mutations affect RBPJ and L3MBTL3 function in cells, providing further insights into Notch mediated transcriptional regulation.

Preoperative Biologics Exposure Predisposes Ulcerative Colitis Patients to a Distinct Delayed Postoperative Ileus Syndrome After Colectomy.

BACKGROUND Postoperative ileus (POI) remains the most common complication after colectomy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Delayed POI (DPOI) can develop late (>14 days) after colectomy in clinical settings, with unknown etiology. The aim of this study was to address a novel entity of POI after colectomy for ulcerative colitis (UC). MATERIAL AND METHODS The data of 263 UC patients who underwent colectomy from Jan 1, 2013 to May 31, 2021 were collected. DPOI was defined as POI occurring on or after postoperative day (POD) 14 with apparent resolution from obligatory POI. Univariate and multivariate analysis were conducted to identify the risk factors for DPOI. RESULTS The rate of canonical prolonged POI and DPOI were 11.7% (31/263) and 9.9% (26/263), respectively. The pathophysiological process of DPOI demonstrated an ileus-dysbiosis-recovery triad. Two DPOI cases were diagnosed with UC-related severe enteritis and underwent re-laparotomy. Multivariate analysis showed preoperative biologics exposure was an independent risk factor for DPOI (OR 3.100 95% CI 1.261-7.619, P=0.018) and the number of biologics session/course moderately predicted the occurrence of DPOI (AUC=0.639, 95% CI=0.578-0.697, P=0.0129). CONCLUSIONS A distinct pattern of ileus was identified in a tertiary IBD center. Clarification of this syndrome complemented the spectrum of post-IPAA complications and offered experience to treat this condition.

I know how I feel but do I know how you feel? Investigating metaperceptions to advance relationship-based leadership approaches.

Although Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) theory suggests that leaders and followers see their relationship similarly as a function of repeated role exchanges, empirical research has found only modest levels of agreement between leader and follower LMX ratings. This is not only problematic theoretically, it also brings up the question as to whether leader-follower dyad members are even aware of the lack of convergence of their relationship perceptions. To explore this issue, we draw from social psychology research on close relationships to introduce the construct of LMX metaperceptions (i.e., a person's inference of how the other person in the dyad feels about their relationship) and then utilize the dyadic model of metaperceptions to investigate the accuracy (i.e., the extent to which LMX metaperceptions are consistent with the other dyad member's LMX ratings) and bias (i.e., the extent to which LMX metaperceptions are colored by the dyad member's own LMX ratings) of LMX metaperceptions. We find that LMX metaperceptions are not only inaccurate but also biased. To shed light on what can alleviate bias and promote accuracy, we examine power dependence-an inherent feature of leader-follower relationships-and highlight its downside in engendering greater levels of bias for more powerful leaders. Moreover, we revisit LMX agreement through dyadic analyses and find that at the dyadic level it may be even weaker than what previous research has found. Overall, this research offers a more complete picture of leader-follower relationship perceptions and provides an important dyadic perspective for future research aimed at promoting mutual understanding between leaders and followers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Research Progress on Coating of Sensitive Materials for Micro-Hotplate Gas Sensor.

Micro-hotplate gas sensors are widely used in air quality monitoring, identification of hazardous chemicals, human health monitoring, and other fields due to their advantages of small size, low power consumption, excellent consistency, and fast response speed. The micro-hotplate gas sensor comprises a micro-hotplate and a gas-sensitive material layer. The micro-hotplate is responsible for providing temperature conditions for the sensor to work. The gas-sensitive material layer is responsible for the redox reaction with the gas molecules to be measured, causing the resistance value to change. The gas-sensitive material film with high stability, fantastic adhesion, and amazing uniformity is prepared on the surface of the micro-hotplate to realize the reliable assembly of the gas-sensitive material and the micro-hotplate, which can improve the response speed, response value, and selectivity. This paper first introduces the classification and structural characteristics of micro-hotplates. Then the assembly process and characteristics of various gas-sensing materials and micro-hotplates are summarized. Finally, the assembly method of the gas-sensing material and the micro-hotplate prospects.

Social support at work carries weight: Relations between social support, employees' diurnal cortisol patterns, and body mass index.

Despite the preponderance of evidence documenting the benefits of workplace social support for employees, the link between social support and employees' physiological functioning and physical health outcomes has received relatively less research attention. In particular, diurnal cortisol patterns and body mass index (BMI) are key indicators of physiological functioning and physical health, respectively, that can be used to illuminate how social support influences employee health. However, existing applied psychology research has yet to examine the dynamic nature of diurnal cortisol secretion and its long-term effect on BMI change. Further, research linking social support and cortisol has produced conflicting findings. To address these critical gaps, we draw from Heaphy and Dutton's (2008) theory of positive social interactions at work and the allostatic load model (Sterling & Eyer, 1988) to link supervisor and coworker support at work to employees' diurnal cortisol pattern and change in BMI. We tested our hypotheses using growth modeling on a sample of Japanese employees with multi-wave data spanning across 6 years. We found support for our hypotheses regarding supervisor support but not coworker support, as cortisol exhibited a diurnal pattern, and higher levels of supervisor support were associated with more pronounced, healthier diurnal cortisol patterns, with a steeper decline from morning to evening, which were further associated with smaller BMI increases 4 years later. Overall, our findings suggest social support at work, especially supervisor support, can have far-reaching effects on employees' physical health. The implications of these findings for applied psychology research and practice are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Sacrificing heroes or suffering victims? Investigating third parties' reactions to divergent social accounts of essential employees in the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on globally, essential employees are widely recognized as heroes working on the frontlines confronting the virus and serving others. At the same time, stories abound whereby these essential employees are not provided adequate support and protection on their jobs. Nevertheless, they have been portrayed predominantly as heroes rather than as victims, which may inadvertently lead third parties (e.g., the general public) to overlook their suffering. The current research sought to understand the implications of these divergent social accounts of essential employees for third parties. We investigated the effects of third parties being provided with (Study 1) and endorsing (Study 2 and Study 3) heroism and victimization accounts on their cognitions, emotions, and behaviors toward essential employees. Unlike victimization which was associated with higher levels of third parties' injustice perceptions, anger and sympathy toward essential employees' situation, and their intent to take political action to support essential workers, we found that heroism was only significantly related to higher levels of sympathy and had limited effects on other outcomes. Further, victimization was a more important predictor of injustice and anger than heroism. Overall, the sharp contrast between the two accounts points to the caveats of overemphasizing heroism accounts in the COVID-19 pandemic as they may divert third parties' attention away from essential employees' suffering. Theoretical and practical implications of our findings are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).