bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of CRISPR-Cas in Sensitizing Bacterial Populations with Plasmid-Encoded Antimicrobial Resistance
Authors: Kippnich Johannes , Benz Fabienne , Uecker Hildegard , Baumdicker Franz
Published: July 2024

The spread of bacteria resistant to antibiotics poses a serious threat to human health. Genes that encode antibiotic resistance are often harbored by plasmids, extra-chromosomal DNA molecules found in bacteria. The ability of plasmids to spread horizontally among bacteria facilitates the emergence and spread of multiresistant strains, outpacing the development of new antibiotics. CRISPR-Cas derived tools with their sequence specificity offer a promising new approach to combating antibiotic resistance. By introducing CRISPR-encoding plasmids that specifically target antibiotic resistance genes encoded on plasmids, the susceptibility of bacteria to conventional antibiotics can be restored. However, genetic variation within bacterial populations can hinder the effectiveness of such CRISPR-Cas tools by allowing some mutant strains to evade CRISPR-mediated cleaving or gene silencing.

In this study, we model the effectiveness of CRISPR-Cas in sensitizing bacterial populations and assess the success probability of a subsequent treatment with conventional antibiotics. We evaluate this probability according to the target interference mechanism, the copy number of the resistance-encoding plasmid and its compatibility with the CRISPR-encoding plasmid.

Our results identify promising approaches to revert antibiotic resistance with CRISPR-encoding plasmids: Cleaving by CRISPR systems onincompatibleplasmids is most effective against AMR plasmids with a low copy number, while for higher copy numbers, gene silencing by CRISPR systems encoded oncompatibleplasmids offers the superior solution.
Selective promotion of oligonucleotides in the course of evolution
Authors: Mathew Bernadette , Halder Abhishek , Jaiswal Nancy , Panda Smruti , Pramanik Debjit , Peela Sreeram Chandra Murthy , Garg Abhishek , Tripathi Sadhana , Gupta Prashant , Malhotra Vandana , Ahuja Gaurav , Sengupta Debarka
Published: July 2024

DNA is essentially a collection of short nucleotide sequences with a myriad of functionalities. These oligonucleotides are often studied for their function as molecular binding sites, regulatory motifs or sequence probes. The field of Bioinformatics uses a similar concept under the term “k-mers,” which is central to various tasks, like comparing the similarity of different DNA sequences in phylogenetic tree reconstruction. The present study explores ifk-mers experience selection pressure in the course of evolution. Our meta-analysis, spanning multiple organisms, suggests positive selection of genetic changes, where the associatedk-mersare more redundant in the genome, relative to their wild-type counterparts.
Abundance, diversity and evolution of tyrosinase enzymes involved in the adhesive systems of mussels and tubeworms
Authors: Duthoo Emilie , Delroisse Jérôme , Maldonado Barbara , Sinot Fabien , Mascolo Cyril , Wattiez Ruddy , Lopez Pascal Jean , de Weerdt Cécile Van , Harrington Matthew J. , Flammang Patrick
Published: July 2024

The blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) and the honeycomb tubeworm (Sabellaria alveolata) have evolved similar adhesive systems to cope with the hydrodynamic conditions of the intertidal environment where they live. Both organisms can establish a permanent adhesion through the secretion of adhesive proteins rich in DOPA (3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine), a post-translationally modified amino acid playing essential roles in interfacial adhesion and bulk cohesion. DOPA is produced by the hydroxylation of tyrosine residues by tyrosinase enzymes, which can also in some cases oxidise it further into dopaquinone Compared to the detailed knowledge available on mussel and tubeworm adhesive proteins, little information exists about the tyrosinases involved in their adhesive systems. By combining different molecular analyses, a catalogue of tyrosinase candidates potentially involved in the adhesive systems ofM. edulisandS. alveolatawas identified. Some of these candidates were shown to be expressed in the adhesive glands byin situhybridization, with a high gland-specificity in mussels but not in tubeworms. The diversity of tyrosinases highlighted in the two species suggests the coexistence of different functions (monophenol monooxygenase or catechol oxidase activity) or different substrate specificities. However, the exact role of the different enzymes needs to be further investigated. Phylogenetic analyses support the hypothesis of independent expansions and parallel evolution of tyrosinases involved in adhesive protein maturation in both lineages, supporting the convergent evolution of their DOPA-based adhesion.
ESRP2-microRNA-122 axis directs the postnatal onset of liver polyploidization and maturation
Authors: Bangru Sushant , Chen Jackie , Baker Nicholas , Das Diptatanu , Chembazhi Ullas V. , Derham Jessica M. , Chorghade Sandip , Arif Waqar , Alencastro Frances , Duncan Andrew W. , Carstens Russ P. , Kalsotra Auinash
Published: July 2024

Hepatocyte polyploidy and maturity are critical to acquiring specialized liver functions. Multiple intra- and extracellular factors influence ploidy, but how they cooperate temporally to steer liver polyploidization and maturation or how post-transcriptional mechanisms integrate into these paradigms is unknown. Here, we identified an important regulatory hierarchy in which postnatal activation of Epithelial-Splicing-Regulatory-Protein-2 (ESRP2) stimulates biogenesis of liver-specific microRNA (miR-122), thereby facilitating polyploidization, maturation, and functional competence of hepatocytes. By determining transcriptome-wide protein-RNA interactionsin vivoand integrating them with single-cell and bulk hepatocyte RNA-seq datasets, we delineate an ESRP2-driven RNA processing program that drives sequential replacement of fetal-to-adult transcript isoforms. Specifically, ESRP2 binds the primary miR-122 host gene transcript to promote its processing/biogenesis. Combining constitutive and inducible ESRP2 gain- and loss-of-function mice models with miR-122 rescue experiments, we demonstrate that timed activation of ESRP2 augments miR-122-driven program of cytokinesis failure, ensuring proper onset and extent of hepatocyte polyploidization.
A Systematic Review of the Neuroprotective Role and Biomarker Potential of GDF15 in Neurodegeneration
Authors: Isik Finula I. , Thomson Shannon , Cueto John F. , Spathos Jessica , Breit Samuel N. , Tsai Vicky W.W. , Brown David A. , Finney Caitlin A.
Published: July 2024

Neurodegeneration is characteristically multifaceted, with limited therapeutic options. One of the chief pathophysiological mechanisms driving these conditions is neuroinflammation, prompting increasing clinical interest in immunomodulatory agents. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15; previously also called macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 or MIC-1), an anti-inflammatory cytokine with established neurotrophic properties, has emerged as a promising therapeutic agent in recent decades. However, methodological challenges and the delayed identification of its specific receptor GFRAL have hindered research progress. This review systematically examines literature about GDF15 in neurodegenerative diseases and neurotrauma. The evidence collated in this review indicates that GDF15 expression is upregulated in response to neurodegenerative pathophysiology and increasing its levels in preclinical models typically improves outcomes. Key knowledge gaps are addressed for future investigations to foster a more comprehensive understanding of the neuroprotective effects elicited by GDF15.
Improving Mannanase Production inBacillus subtilisfor Fibre Hydrolysis during Solid-State Fermentation of Palm Kernel Meal
Authors: Ong Wei Li , Li Zhi , Ng Kian-Hong , Zhou Kang
Published: July 2024

The primary challenge in utilizing palm kernel meal (PKM, an agricultural by-product) as non- ruminant livestock feed is its high fibre content, predominantly in the form of mannan. Microbial fermentation offers an economically favourable alternative to enzyme supplementation for breaking down fibre in lignocellulosic biomass. In a recent study, we have isolated and characterized an undomesticated strain (Bacillus subtilisF6) that is able to secrete mannanase. In this work, the mannanase production was substantially improved by optimizing multiple regulatory elements controlling the mannanase expression. Mannanase GmuG, sourced fromB. subtilisF6 and verified for its hydrolytic activity on PKM fibre, was expressed using a replicative plasmid (pBE-S). The recombinant strain ofB. subtilisF6 exhibited 1.9-fold increase in the mannanase activity during solid-state fermentation. Optimization of signal peptide and ribosome binding site further enhanced mannanase activity by 3.1-fold. Subsequently, promoter screening based on highly transcribed genes inB. subtilisF6 resulted in a significant 5.4-fold improvement in mannanase activity under thenprEpromoter. ThenprEpromoter was further refined by eliminating specific transcription factor binding sites, enhancing the mannanase activity further by 1.8-fold. Notably, a substantial 35-40% reduction in PKM fibre content was observed after 30 h of fermentation using the recombinant strains. Lastly, the highest mannanase-producing strain was examined for scaled-up fermentation. The impacts of fermentation on fibre and protein contents, as well as the surface morphology of PKM, were analysed. The outcomes of this study offer an efficient method for robust mannanase expression inB. subtilisand its potential application in the biotransformation of PKM and other mannan-rich bioresources for improved feed utilization.

Graphical abstract
MJF-14 proximity ligation assay detects early non-inclusion alpha-synuclein pathology with enhanced specificity and sensitivity
Authors: Jensen Nanna Møller , Fu YuHong , Betzer Cristine , Li Hongyun , Elfarrash Sara , Shaib Ali H. , Krah Donatus , Vitic Zagorka , Reimer Lasse , Gram Hjalte , Buchman Vladimir , Denham Mark , Rizzoli Silvio O. , Halliday Glenda M. , Jensen Poul Henning
Published: July 2024

Lewy pathology, consisting of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, is the pathological hallmark of synucle-inopathies such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, but it is generally thought to represent late-stage pathological changes. In contrast, α-synuclein oligomers are regarded as early-stage pathology, likely involved in disease progression and cellular toxicity. Oligomers, however, are not de-tected by standard immunohistochemistry but require specific detection techniques such as the proxim-ity ligation assay (PLA). Here, we describe the MJF-14 PLA, a new PLA towards aggregated α-synuclein with unprecedented specificity, attained by the utilization of aggregate conformation-specific α-synu-clein antibody MJFR-14-6-4-2 (hereafter MJF-14). Signal in the assay directly correlates with α-synuclein aggregation in SH-SY5Y cells, as treatment with aggregation inhibitor ASI1D significantly lowers PLA sig-nal. In human cortical neurons, MJF-14 PLA detects pre-formed fibril-induced aggregation, especially prominent when using stealth PFFs invisible to the MJF-14 antibody. Co-labelling of MJF-14 PLA and pS129-α-synuclein immunofluorescence in post-mortem dementia with Lewy bodies cases showed that while the MJF-14 PLA reveals extensive non-inclusion pathology, it is not sensitive towards Lewy bodies. In Parkinson’s disease brain, direct comparison of PLA and IHC with the MJF-14 antibody, combined with machine learning-based quantification, showed striking α-synuclein pathology preceding the formation of conventional Lewy pathology. The majority of the PLA-revealed non-inclusion pathology was found in the neuropil, including some clearly located in the presynaptic terminals. With this work, we introduce an improved α-synuclein aggregate PLA to uncover abundant non-inclusion pathology, which deserves future validation with multiple brain bank resources and in different synucleinopathies.
Early 2022 breakthrough infection sera from India target the conserved cryptic class 5 epitope to counteract immune escape by SARS-CoV-2 variants
Authors: Das Jana Indrani , Kanjo Kawkab , Roy Subhanita , Bhasin Munmun , Bhattacharya Shatarupa , Banerjee Indranath , Jana Subhasis , Chatterjee Arjun , Chakraborty Alok , Chakraborty Suman , Mukherjee Budhaditya , Varadarajan Raghavan , Mondal Arindam
Published: July 2024

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the vast majority of epitope mapping studies have focused on sera from mRNA-vaccinated populations from high-income countries. In contrast, here we report an analysis of 164 serum samples isolated from breakthrough infection patients in India during early 2022 who received two doses of the ChAdOx viral vector vaccine. Sera were screened for neutralization breadth against wildtype, Kappa, Delta, and Omicron BA.1 viruses. Three sera with the highest neutralization breadth and potency were selected for epitope mapping using charged scanning mutagenesis coupled to yeast surface display and Next Generation Sequencing. All of these sera primarily targeted the recently identified class 5 cryptic epitope along with the class 1 and class 4 epitopes, targeted to a lesser extent. The class 5 epitope is completely conserved across all SARS-CoV-2 variants and for the majority of the Sarbecoviruses. In line with these observations, a major fraction of the serum samples, including the selected three, show broad neutralizing activity against recent Omicron subvariants including XBB.1.5. This is in contrast with the results obtained with the sera from individuals receiving multiple doses of original and updated mRNA vaccines, where impaired neutralization of XBB and later variant of concerns was observed. Our study demonstrates that two doses of the ChAdOx vaccine in a highly exposed population was sufficient to drive substantial neutralization breadth against emerging and upcoming variants of concern, thus paves the path towards the development of future vaccine candidates.

Importance

Worldwide implementation of COVID19 vaccine and parallel emergence of newer SARS-CoV-2 variants has shaped the humoral immune response in a population specific manner. While characterization of this immune response is important for monitoring the disease progression at population level, it is also imperative for the development of effective countermeasures in the form of novel vaccines and therapeutics. India has implemented the world’s second largest COVID19 vaccination drive and also encountered large number of post vaccination “breakthrough” infections. From a cohort of breakthrough infection patients, we identified individuals whose sera showed broadly cross-reactive immunity against different SARS-CoV-2 variants. Interestingly, these sera primarily target a novel cryptic epitope which was not identified in previous population level studies conducted in western countries. This rare cryptic epitope remains conserved across all SARS-CoV-2 variants including the recently emerged ones and also for the SARS-like coronaviruses that may cause future outbreaks, thus representing a potential target for future vaccines.
RNA splicing variants of the novel long non-coding RNA, CyKILR, possess divergent biological functions in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Xie Xiujie , Macknight H. Patrick , Lu Amy L. , Chalfant Charles E.
Published: July 2024

The CDKN2A gene, responsible for encoding the tumor suppressors p16(INK4A) and p14(ARF), is frequently inactivated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Herein, an uncharacterized long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) (ENSG00000267053) on chromosome 19p13.12 was found to be overexpressed in NSCLC cells with an active, wild-type CDKN2A gene. This lncRNA, namedCyclin-DependentKinaseInhibitor 2A-regulatedlncRNA (CyKILR), also correlated with an active WT STK11 gene, which encodes the tumor suppressor, Liver kinase B1. CyKILR displayed two splice variants, CyKILRa (exon 3 included) and CyKILRb (exon 3 excluded), which are cooperatively regulated by CDKN2A and STK11 as knockdown of both tumor suppressor genes was required to induce a significant loss of exon 3 inclusion in mature CyKILR RNA. CyKILRa localized to the nucleus, and its downregulation using antisense RNA oligonucleotides enhanced cellular proliferation, migration, clonogenic survival, and tumor incidence. In contrast, CyKILRb localized to the cytoplasm, and its downregulation using siRNA reduced cell proliferation, migration, clonogenic survival, and tumor incidence. Transcriptomics analyses revealed enhancement of apoptotic pathways with concomitant suppression of key cell cycle pathways by CyKILRa demonstrating its tumor-suppressive role. CyKILRb inhibited tumor suppressor microRNAs indicating an oncogenic nature. These findings elucidate the intricate roles of lncRNAs in cell signaling and tumorigenesis.
Long-read RNA sequencing reveals allele-specific N6-methyladenosine modifications
Authors: Park Dayea , Cenik Can
Published: July 2024

Long-read sequencing technology enables highly accurate detection of allele-specific RNA expression, providing insights into the effects of genetic variation on splicing and RNA abundance. Furthermore, the ability to directly sequence RNA promises the detection of RNA modifications in tandem with ascertaining the allelic origin of each molecule. Here, we leverage these advantages to determine allele-biased patterns of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modifications in native mRNA. We utilized human and mouse cells with known genetic variants to assign allelic origin of each mRNA molecule combined with a supervised machine learning model to detect read-level m6A modification ratios. Our analyses revealed the importance of sequences adjacent to the DRACH- motif in determining m6A deposition, in addition to allelic differences that directly alter the motif. Moreover, we discovered allele-specific m6A modification (ASM) events with no genetic variants in close proximity to the differentially modified nucleotide, demonstrating the unique advantage of using long reads and surpassing the capabilities of antibody-based short-read approaches. This technological advancement promises to advance our understanding of the role of genetics in determining mRNA modifications.
SARS-CoV-2 neutralization and protection of hamsters via nasal administration of a humanized neutralizing antibody
Authors: Lebedin Mikhail , Petrovsky Nikolai , Tabynov Kairat , Tabynov Kaissar , Lebedin Yuri
Published: July 2024

Monoclonal antibodies are widely used for the treatment of infectious human diseases, including COVID-19. Since the start of the pandemic, eight monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were granted emergency use authorization. High mutation rate of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to the emergence of highly transmissible variants efficiently evading vaccine-induced immunity. This highlights the importance of identifying broadly neutralizing antibodies with therapeutic potential. In this study, we used a panel of murine monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to identify a subset that bound and neutralized a broad spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Intranasal delivery of XR10, the most promising murine mAb, protected hamsters against infection by Alpha and Delta variants. We next humanized XR10 mAb using a combination of CDR-grafting and Vernier zones preservation approaches (CRVZ) to create a panel of humanized antibody variants. We ranked the variants based on their spike binding ability and virus neutralization. Of these, XR10v48 demonstrated the best ability to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants. XR10v48 was protective in hamsters when given as a single 50 µg/kg intranasal dose at the time of viral challenge. XR10v48 features 34 key amino acid residues retained from the murine progenitor. Our work introduces a potent humanized antibody that demonstrates neutralizing activityin vivoat a low dose.
Origin, divergence and migration routes of psyllids of theCacopsylla prunicomplex (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) inferred by Approximate Bayesian Computation methods
Authors: Darnis Margaux , Ravigné Virginie , Sauvion Nicolas
Published: July 2024

Population genetics is essential to decipher the evolutionary history of pests and insect vectors from both a theoretical point of view and to predict and mitigate the future of epidemics. We attempt to shed light on the evolutionary history and phylogeography of two cryptic psyllid species (namely A and B) of theCacopsylla prunicomplex, vectors of 'Candidatusphytoplasma prunorum'. It is known to cause the European stone fruit yellows (ESFY), a disease affectingPrunustrees and causing significant crop losses each year. Analyses were conducted to decipher the origin, order and time of divergence, as well as the migration routes of the species complex in the Western Palearctic. We used mitochondrial and nuclear gene data to infer the population genetic diversity and structure of the complex, and to reconstruct a dated phylogenetic tree of the Psyllinae family in order to subsequently perform Approximate Bayesian Computation analyses. Both species have diverged in what is now France from a common ancestor, around 20.19 Mya, before expanding into Spain around 6.61 Mya for species A and Eastern Europe around 6.36 Mya for species B. Then species B seem to have passed into Corsica during the Messinian salinity crisis (5.96-5.33 Mya) from French or Italian B populations. No apparent admixture was found between both species after their divergence, which would indicate an absence of gene flow between them at the point when they recolonised common ecological niches. This strong genetic differentiation confirms previous work on reproductive barriers between the two species.
Empty-bucket techniques for spill-quality improvement at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron
Authors: Arrutia Sota Pablo A. , Fraser Matthew A. , Hagmann Gregoire , Kain Verena , Papotti Giulia , Spierer Arthur , Velotti Francesco M. , Burrows Philip N. , Piandani Roberto
Published: July 2024

Synchrotrons can provide long spills of particles by employing resonant extraction where the circulating beam is slowly ejected over thousands to millions of turns by exploiting the amplitude growth caused by a transverse resonance. In the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS), this method is used to satisfy the experimental requests of the North Area. However, the extracted particle flux is modulated by power-converter ripple, an issue shared across all sychrotrons that perform resonant extraction. In order to suppress such modulations, empty-bucket techniques can be employed, which take advantage of chromaticity to quickly accelerate particles into resonant motion by using a longitudinal rf system. This paper explores empty-bucket techniques via theory, simulation, and measurement, providing a systematic characterization with general applicability to any machine. Additionally, the operational implementation in the SPS is detailed, where the impact on the beam profile and extracted intensity is addressed.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Time-domain constraints for passive materials: The Brendel-Bormann model revisited
Authors: Nordebo Sven , Štumpf Martin
Published: July 2024

This paper presents a systematic approach to derive physical bounds for passive systems, or equivalently for positive real (PR) functions, directly in the time-domain (TD). As a generic, canonical example we explore the TD dielectric response of a passive material. We will furthermore revisit the theoretical foundation regarding the Brendel-Bormann (BB) oscillator model which is reportedly very suitable for the modeling of thin metallic films in high-speed optoelectronic devices. To this end, an important result here is to re-establish the physical realizability of the BB model by showing that it represents a passive and causal system. The theory is based on Cauer's representation of an arbitrary PR function together with associated sum rules (moments of the measure) and exploits the unilateral Laplace transform to derive rigorous bounds on the TD response of a passive system. Similar bounds have recently been reported for more general casual systems with other assumptions. To this end, it is important to note here that the existence of useful sum rules and related physical bounds rely heavily on an assumption about the PR functions having a low- or high-frequency asymptotic expansion at least of odd order 1. As a particular numerical example, we consider here the electric susceptibility of gold (Au) which is commonly modeled by well established Drude or BB models. Explicit physical bounds are given as well as an efficient fast-Fourier transform -based numerical procedure to compute the TD impulse response associated with the nonrational BB model.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Revisiting shear stress tensor evolution: Nonresistive magnetohydrodynamics with momentum-dependent relaxation time
Authors: Singh Sunny Kumar , Kurian Manu , Chandra Vinod
Published: July 2024

This study aims to develop second-order relativistic viscous magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) derived from kinetic theory within an extended relaxation time approximation (momentum/energy dependent) for the collision kernel. The investigation involves a detailed examination of shear stress tensor evolution equations and associated transport coefficients. The Boltzmann equation is solved using a Chapman-Enskog-like gradient expansion for a charge-conserved conformal system, incorporating a momentum-dependent relaxation time. The derived relativistic nonresistive, viscous second-order MHD equations for the shear stress tensor reveal significant modifications in the coupling with dissipative charge current and magnetic field due to the momentum dependence of the relaxation time. By utilizing a power law parametrization to quantify the momentum dependence of the relaxation time, the anisotropic magnetic field-dependent shear coefficients in the Navier-Stokes limit have been investigated. The resulting viscous coefficients are seen to be sensitive to the momentum dependence of the relaxation time.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Hadronic spectrum in the chiral large
Nc
extension of quantum chromodynamics
Authors: Kristensen Axel Halgaard , Ryttov Thomas A.
Published: July 2024

We study quantum chromodynamics in the chiral large Nc limit which contains a left-handed Weyl fermion in the fundamental representation, a left-handed Weyl fermion in the two index antisymmetric representation and (Nc−3) left-handed Weyl fermions in the antifundamental representation of the SU(Nc) gauge group. We construct gauge singlet composite operators and study their masses and correlation functions at large Nc. It is shown that all hadron masses scale as ∼Nc0nq where nq is the number of constituent quarks in the hadron. In addition by simple gluon exchange considerations it is seen that scattering amplitudes between hadrons have the same Nc scaling as the mass of the lightest hadron involved. This is the case provided the hadrons in the scattering amplitude share a sufficiently large number of constituent quarks. The chiral large Nc extension also allows for other nontrivial processes. For instance we consider two different baryonium states that are unique to this extension and that decay via emissions of two- and three-quark hadrons. Also other nontrivial scattering processes are considered. Finally, we study composites made of a mix of left- and right-handed fields. We categorize multiple groups of hadrons within the full spectrum according to their flavor structure. Within these groups all n-point functions scale the same.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Probing heavy Higgs boson production and decay in the bestest little Higgs model at the LHC
Authors: Cruz-Albaro E. , Gutiérrez-Rodríguez A. , Espinosa-Gómez D. , Cisneros-Pérez T. , Ramírez-Zavaleta F.
Published: July 2024

In the bestest little Higgs model (BLHM) scenario, we analyze the branching ratios and production cross section of the heavy Higgs boson H0. The analysis is performed at the tree level and the one-loop level. In addition, we present results of the possible production of the heavy Higgs boson H0 via gluon fusion for the center-of-mass energies and integrated luminosities of the LHC, HE-LHC, and HL-LHC. Our results show a very optimistic scenario for studying the H0 scalar predicted by the BLHM and for the energies and luminosities of current and future hadron colliders.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Exact black holes in string-inspired Euler-Heisenberg theory
Authors: Bakopoulos Athanasios , Karakasis Thanasis , Mavromatos Nick E. , Nakas Theodoros , Papantonopoulos Eleftherios
Published: July 2024

We consider higher-order derivative gauge field corrections that arise in the fundamental context of dimensional reduction of string theory and Lovelock-inspired gravities and obtain an exact and asymptotically flat black hole solution, in the presence of nontrivial dilaton configurations. Specifically, by considering the gravitational theory of Euler-Heisenberg nonlinear electrodynamics coupled to a dilaton field with specific coupling functions, we perform an extensive analysis of the characteristics of the black hole, including its geodesics for massive particles, the energy conditions, thermodynamical and stability analysis. The inclusion of a dilaton scalar potential in the action can also give rise to asymptotically (anti) de Sitter spacetimes and an effective cosmological constant. Moreover, we find that the black hole can be thermodynamically favored when compared to the Gibbons-Maeda-Garfinkle-Horowitz-Strominger black hole for those parameters of the model that lead to a larger black hole horizon for the same mass. Finally, it is observed that the energy conditions of the obtained black hole are indeed satisfied, further validating the robustness of the solution within the theoretical framework, but also implying that this self-gravitating dilaton-nonlinear-electrodynamics system constitutes another explicit example of bypassing modern versions of the no-hair theorem without any violation of the energy conditions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Continuum-extrapolated high-order baryon fluctuations
Authors: Borsányi Szabolcs , Fodor Zoltán , Guenther Jana N. , Katz Sándor D. , Parotto Paolo , Pásztor Attila , Pesznyák Dávid , Szabó Kálmán K. , Wong Chik Him
Published: July 2024

Fluctuations play a key role in the study of QCD phases. Lattice QCD is a valuable tool to calculate them, but going to high orders is challenging. Up to the fourth order, continuum results have been available since 2015. We present the first continuum results for sixth-order baryon fluctuations for temperatures between T=130 and 200 MeV and eighth order at T=145  MeV in a fixed volume. Comparison with earlier studies with imaginary chemical potential suggests that the volume effect is under control for T<145  MeV. Our results are in sharp contrast with well-known results in the literature obtained at finite lattice spacing.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Inflationary Cosmology from Anti-de Sitter Wormholes
Authors: Betzios Panos , Papadoulaki Olga
Published: July 2024

We propose a new type of wave function for the Universe computed from the Euclidean path integral, with asymptotically anti–de Sitter (AdS) boundary conditions. In the semiclassical limit, it describes a Euclidean (half-)wormhole geometry, exhibiting a local maximum of the scale factor at the surface of reflection symmetry, giving rise to an expanding Universe upon analytic continuation to Lorentzian signature. We find that these Euclidean wormholes set natural initial conditions for inflation and that the semiclassical Wheeler-DeWitt wave function can favor a long-lasting inflationary epoch, resolving a well-known issue of the no-boundary proposal. Because of the asymptotic AdS conditions in the Euclidean past, they raise the possibility of describing the physics of inflating cosmologies and their perturbations within the context of holography.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
BEATS: BEAmline for synchrotron X-ray microTomography at SESAME
Authors: Iori Gianluca , Alzu'bi Mustafa , Abbadi Anas , Al Momani Yazeed , Hasoneh Abdel Rahman , Van Vaerenbergh Pierre , Cudin Ivan , Marcos Jordi , Ahmad Abdalla , Mohammad Anas , Matalgah Salman , Foudeh Ibrahim , Al Najdawi Mohammad , Amro Adel , Ur Rehman Abid , Abugharbiyeh Mohammad , Khrais Rami , Aljadaa Amro , Nour Mohammad , Al Mohammad Hussam , Al Omari Farouq , Salama Majeda , García Fusté María José , Reyes-Herrera Juan , Morawe Christian , Attal Maher , Kasaei Samira , Chrysostomou Charalambos , Kołodziej Tomasz , Boruchowski Mateusz , Nowak Paweł , Wiechecki Jarosław , Fatima Anis , Ghigo Andrea , Wawrzyniak Adriana I. , Lorentz Kirsi , Paolucci Giorgio , Lehner Frank , Krisch Michael , Stampanoni Marco , Rack Alexander , Kaprolat Axel , Lausi Andrea
Published: July 2024

The ID10 beamline of the SESAME (Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East) synchrotron light source in Jordan was inaugurated in June 2023 and is now open to scientific users. The beamline, which was designed and installed within the European Horizon 2020 project BEAmline for Tomography at SESAME (BEATS), provides full-field X-ray radiography and microtomography imaging with monochromatic or polychromatic X-rays up to photon energies of 100 keV. The photon source generated by a 2.9 T wavelength shifter with variable gap, and a double-multilayer monochromator system allow versatile application for experiments requiring either an X-ray beam with high intensity and flux, and/or a partially spatial coherent beam for phase-contrast applications. Sample manipulation and X-ray detection systems are designed to allow scanning samples with different size, weight and material, providing image voxel sizes from 13 µm down to 0.33 µm. A state-of-the-art computing infrastructure for data collection, three-dimensional (3D) image reconstruction and data analysis allows the visualization and exploration of results online within a few seconds from the completion of a scan. Insights from 3D X-ray imaging are key to the investigation of specimens from archaeology and cultural heritage, biology and health sciences, materials science and engineering, earth, environmental sciences and more. Microtomography scans and preliminary results obtained at the beamline demonstrate that the new beamline ID10-BEATS expands significantly the range of scientific applications that can be targeted at SESAME.
Dicarbonyl-1κ2
C-μ-chlorido-2:3κ2
Cl:Cl-pentachlorido-2κ2
Cl,3κ3
Cl-[1(η6)-toluene]digallium(III)ruthenium(I)(Ru—Ga)
Authors: Smith Danielle , Harakas George N.
Published: July 2024

The title compound, [RuGa2Cl6(C7H8)(CO)2] or [(CO)2(GaCl2)(η6-toluene)Ru]+[GaCl4]−, was isolated from the reaction of Ga2Cl4 with diphenylsilanediol in toluene, followed by the addition of Ru3(CO)12. The compound contains a ruthenium–gallium metal–metal bond with a length of 2.4575 (2) Å.
The scale effects of agricultural credits, institutional governance and microfinance sustainability in Sub-Saharan African countries
Authors: Mba Fokwa Arsène
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The study examines the synthesized influences of institutional governance and the scale effects of agricultural credits on the sustainability of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 840 MFIs (300 independent and 540 networked), the study applied Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) and Lewbel’s estimator.

Findings

Results indicate positive effects of financial structure, efficiency and agricultural credit scale on sustainability, with a non-linear U-shaped relationship between agricultural credit size and microfinance sustainability. Depending on institutional governance quality, a threshold is identified where agricultural credit scale significantly enhances the quality of Portfolio at Risk (lnPAR) in independent MFIs and Returns on Assets (lnROA) in networked MFIs.

Research limitations/implications

Study suggests strengthening governance for transparency and operating within optimal size for enduring sustainable performance. While focused on Sub-Saharan Africa, future research could expand to various economies or introduce additional variables for a comprehensive analysis.

Practical implications

MFIs can achieve sustainability by implementing management guided by better institutional norms, innovative financial transformations better suited to financing agricultural activities and techniques and an organizational structure more aligned with their performance targets.

Social implications

Broader and more reliable access to financial services, particularly in the agricultural sector, can stimulate production and alleviate poverty.

Originality/value

The study’s originality lies in its contribution to the literature by examining the role of institutional governance in microfinance institution performance and evaluating microfinance in a broader Sub-Saharan African context, proposing threshold limits where agricultural microcredit compromises performance.
Identifying new earnings management components: a machine learning approach
Authors: Almasarwah Adel , Aram Khalid Y. , Alhaj-Yaseen Yaseen S.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to apply machine learning (ML) to identify new financial elements managers might use for earnings management (EM), assessing their impact on the Standard Jones Model and modified Jones model for EM detection and examining managerial motives for using these components.

Design/methodology/approach

Using eXtreme gradient boosting on 23,310 the US firm-year observations from 2012 to2021, the study pinpoints nine financial variables potentially used for earnings manipulation, not covered by traditional accruals models.

Findings

Cost of goods sold and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization are identified as the most significant for EM, with relative importances of 40.2% and 11.5%, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

The study’s scope, limited to a specific data set and timeframe, and the exclusion of some financial variables may impact the findings’ broader applicability.

Practical implications

The results are crucial for researchers, practitioners, regulators and investors, offering strategies for detecting and addressing EM.

Social implications

Insights from the study advocate for greater financial transparency and integrity in businesses.

Originality/value

By incorporating ML in EM detection and spotlighting overlooked financial variables, the research brings fresh perspectives and opens new avenues for further exploration in the field.
The role of third actors in the dyadic business relationship initiation: an empirical perspective of sommelier in the wine context
Authors: Fraboni Pier Franco Luigi , Sabatini Andrea , Marcone Maria Rosaria , Temperini Valerio
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Starred restaurants, as significant outlets for small wineries, present a unique business opportunity. In this context, the sommelier, as a third actor, assumes a pivotal role in shaping the business relationships between these entities. This study, employing a grounded theory approach, delves into the sommeliers’ roles and activities in the initiation of relationships between small wineries and starred restaurants.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative methodology was adopted. Twenty-four semi-structured interviews, direct observations, and informal conversations with starred restaurants, small wineries, and sommeliers were collected and analysed using an abductive approach.

Findings

The findings suggest that the sommelier acts as a contributor to the business relationship initiation between the small winery and the starred restaurant, performing several continuous, simultaneous, and bilateral roles toward both actors.

Originality/value

The study sheds light on the role of wine stewards in the B2B context and provides useful insights to close the theoretical gap between business relationship initiation and the role of third actors.
Earnings management in the family business groups of Pakistan: the role of corporate governance
Authors: Khan Sattar , Khan Naimat Ullah , Kamal Yasir
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the role of corporate governance (CG) in the earnings management (EM) of affiliated companies in family business groups (FBGs) listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), using principal–principal agency theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample of 327 nonfinancial firms of the PSX, consisting of 187 group-affiliated firms and 140 nonaffiliated firms has been used in this study for the period of 2010 to 2019. The study uses different regression models for analysis, with robustness tests of various alternative measures of EM and FBG affiliation. In addition, endogeneity is controlled with the propensity score matching method.

Findings

The findings show that EM is less prevalent in affiliated firms compared to nonaffiliated companies. The results show a negative and significant relationship between FBGs affiliated firms and EM. Moreover, the results also show a positive relationship between EM and the interaction term of the CG index and group affiliation. It refers to the fact that effective governance cannot reduce EM in affiliated companies of FBGs as well as in the nonfinancial companies of the PSX. In addition, the quality of CG is higher in affiliated companies compared to its counterpart in nonaffiliated firms. The findings support the principal–principal agency theory that CG cannot mitigate the expropriating behavior of controlling shareholders against minority shareholders by reducing EM in emerging markets due to the ownership concentration phenomenon.

Research limitations/implications

This research study has implications for small investors, government agencies and regulators. The findings of the study show that CG code should make it mandatory for companies to reveal information about their complex ownership structure and ownership information about affiliated companies and directors. Furthermore, it is suggested to revisit the code of CG in the Pakistani context of principal–principal conflict instead of the agent–principal explanation of agency theory based on Anglo–Saxon countries.

Originality/value

This research study has contributed to the CG and FBG literature in relation to EM in idiosyncratic settings of Pakistan. One of the prime contributions of the paper is the development of a comprehensive CG index. This research study used detailed, manually collected novel data on affiliated firms of FBGs in Pakistan.
Evolving role of public-private stakeholders in technology mediated teaching
Authors: Upadhyay Parijat , Kumar Anup , Mukerji Maitrayee
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Post-pandemic sovereign authorities in several economies have nudged primary education institutions to adopt platform-based teaching. The shift to platform technology attempts to ensure continuity in the teaching–learning process. In the context of predominantly digitally mediated teaching process, this shift may exacerbate disparities and social injustice by limiting access to primary education in resource-constrained developing economies. The purpose of this study is to explore the efficacy of such a digital framework provided by government and private partners and the challenges faced by the teachers in absence of proper scaffolding.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an integrative theoretical framework that is composed of capability theory, technology adoption theories and the scaffolding framework, this paper analyses the challenges faced by primary school teachers when adapting to platform-based teaching. Social media analytics along with text analytics using Natural Language Processing and latent Dirichlet allocation-based topic modelling approach to extract latent topics or themes used by users during their tweets related to e-teaching.

Findings

The findings of this study highlight that adopting a platform-based and hybrid approach improves access to education and flexibility and highlights the importance of scaffolds in achieving desired learning outcomes. EdTech companies can play a significant role through private-public partnership models to offer technical scaffold. Collaborative efforts between educational institutions and EdTech service providers are essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of platform-based teaching and learning.

Originality/value

After the pandemic, there has been no published literature available which examined the role of scaffolds and EdTech companies in ensuring digital ecosystem for better teaching–learning outcome through platforms.
Application of efficient algorithm based on block Newton method to elastoplastic problems with nonlinear kinematic hardening
Authors: Yamamoto Takeki , Yamada Takahiro , Matsui Kazumi
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present the effectiveness and robustness of a numerical algorithm based on the block Newton method for the nonlinear kinematic hardening rules adopted in modeling ductile materials.

Design/methodology/approach

Elastoplastic problems can be defined as a coupled problem of the equilibrium equation for the overall structure and the yield equations for the stress state at every material point. When applying the Newton method to the coupled residual equations, the displacement field and the internal variables, which represent the plastic deformation, are updated simultaneously.

Findings

The presented numerical scheme leads to an explicit form of the hardening behavior, which includes the evolution of the equivalent plastic strain and the back stress, with the internal variables. The features of the present approach allow the displacement field and the hardening behavior to be updated straightforwardly. Thus, the scheme does not have any local iterative calculations and enables us to simultaneously decrease the residuals in the coupled boundary value problems.

Originality/value

A pseudo-stress for the local residual and an algebraically derived consistent tangent are applied to elastic-plastic boundary value problems with nonlinear kinematic hardening. The numerical procedure incorporating the block Newton method ensures a quadratic rate of asymptotic convergence of a computationally efficient solution scheme. The proposed algorithm provides an efficient and robust computation in the elastoplastic analysis of ductile materials. Numerical examples under elaborate loading conditions demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the numerical scheme implemented in the finite element analysis.