bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Human Gut Microbiome and Immune Shifts During an Immersive Psychosocial Therapeutic Program
Authors: Zhou Xin , Ganz Ariel B. , Rayner Andre , Cheng Tess Yan , Oba Haley , Rolnik Benjamin , Lancaster Samuel , Lu Xinrui , Li Yizhou , Johnson Jethro S. , Hoyd Rebecca , Spakowicz Daniel J. , Slavich George M. , Snyder Michael P.
Published: June 2024

Background

Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide yet its underlying factors, particularly microbial associations, are poorly understood.

Methods

We examined the longitudinal interplay between the microbiome and immune system in the context of depression during an immersive psychosocial intervention. 142 multi-omics samples were collected from 52 well-characterized participants before, during, and three months after a nine-day inquiry-based stress reduction program.

Results

We found that depression was associated with both an increased presence of putatively pathogenic bacteria and reduced microbial beta-diversity. Following the intervention, we observed reductions in neuroinflammatory cytokines and improvements in several mental health indicators. Interestingly, participants with aPrevotella-dominant microbiome showed milder symptoms when depressed, along with a more resilient microbiome and more favorable inflammatory cytokine profile, including reduced levels of CXCL-1.

Conclusions

Our findings reveal a protective link between the Prevotella-dominant microbiome and depression, associated with a less inflammatory environment and moderated symptoms. These insights, coupled with observed improvements in neuroinflammatory markers and mental health from the intervention, highlight potential avenues for microbiome-targeted therapies in depression management.
Luminescence-based complementation assay to assess target engagement and cell permeability of glycolate oxidase (HAO1) inhibitors
Authors: Mackinnon Sabrina R. , Zarganes-Tzitzikas Tryfon , Adams Cassandra J. , Brennan Paul E. , Yue Wyatt W.
Published: June 2024

Glycolate oxidase (HAO1) catalyses the synthesis of glyoxylate, a common metabolic intermediate that causes renal failure if accumulated. HAO1 inhibition is an emerging treatment for primary hyperoxaluria, a rare disorder of glyoxylate metabolism. Here we report the first cell-based measurement of inhibitor uptake and engagement with HAO1, by adapting the cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) based on Nano luciferase complementation and luminescence readout. By profiling the interaction between HAO1 and four well-characterised inhibitors in intact and lysed HEK293T cells, we showed that our CETSA method differentiates between low-permeability/high-engagement and high-permeability/low-engagement ligands and is able to rank HAO1 inhibitors in line with both recombinant protein methods and previously reported indirect cellular assays. Our methodology addresses the unmet need for a robust, sensitive, and scalable cellular assay to guide HAO1 inhibitor development and, in broader terms, can be rapidly adapted for other targets to simultaneously monitor compound affinity and cellular permeability.
White matter hyperintensity spatial patterns: risk factors and clinical correlates
Authors: Beyer Frauke , Tsuchida Ami , Soumaré Aicha , Reddy Rajula Hema Sekhar , Mishra Aniket , Crivello Fabrice , Loeffler Markus , Tzourio Christophe , Amouyel Philippe , Villringer Arno , Scholz Markus , Jacqmin-Gadda Hélène , Joliot Marc , Witte A. Veronica , Dufouil Carole , Debette Stéphanie
Published: June 2024

INTRODUCTION

White matter hyperintensities (WMH), a major cerebral small vessel disease marker, may arise from different pathologies depending on their location. We explored clinical and genetic correlates of agnostically derived spatial WMH patterns in two longitudinal population-based cohorts (3C-Dijon, LIFE-Adult).

METHODS

We derived seven WMH spatial patterns using Bullseye segmentation in 2,736 individuals aged 65+ and explored their associations with vascular and genetic risk factors, cognitive performance, dementia and stroke incidence.

RESULTS

WMH in the fronto-parietal and anterior periventricular region were associated with blood pressure traits, WMH genetic risk score (GRS), baseline and decline in general cognitive performance, incident all-cause dementia and ischemic stroke. Juxtacortical-deep occipital WMH were not associated with vascular risk factors and WMH GRS, but with incident all-cause dementia and intracerebral hemorrhage.

CONCLUSION

Accounting for WMH spatial distribution is key to decipher mechanisms underlying cerebral small vessel disease subtypes, an essential step towards personalized therapeutic approaches.

Highlights

We studied spatial patterns of white matter hyperintensities in 2736 participants

Blood pressure was associated with fronto-parietal and anterior periventricular WMH

Anterior periventricular WMH predicted dementia and stroke risk

Juxtacortical-deep occipital WMH burden was not associated with blood pressure or WMH genetic risk

Juxtacortical-deep occipital WMH predicted dementia and intracerebral hemorrhage.

Research in context

Systematic Review: We performed a literature search using PubMed and Google Scholar. Most literature focuses on risk factors and outcomes for total WMH volume. Existing approaches to study WMH spatial patterns are heterogenous and often performed in single cohorts only.

Interpretation: Across two independent cohorts of older community-dwelling individuals, we show that WMH in the anterior periventricular and juxtacortical-deep occipital WMH show differential associations with risk factors and clinical outcomes. Anterior periventricular WMH were associated with blood pressure (BP) traits, WMH genetic risk, cognitive performance, dementia and incident stroke. Juxtacortical-deep occipital WMH did not relate to BP or WMH genetic risk and were predictive of dementia and intracerebral hemorrhage. These findings are important for characterizing small vessel disease subtypes and developing targeted prevention and therapeutic strategies.

Future Directions: Additional research is warranted to validate these findings and relate them to underlying vascular pathologies.
Association of preserved ratio impaired spirometry with mortality and airflow obstruction in the silicotics: a longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Yang Shuyuan , Tse Lap Ah
Published: June 2024

Rationale

Preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm), defined as an impaired forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) with a preserved ratio of FEV1to forced vital capacity (FVC), is associated with increased risk of airflow obstruction (AFO) and mortality in the general population. However, evidence is limited among the individuals with silicosis, an old occupational disease with an ongoing outbreak in some developed countries.

Objectives

To investigate the association of PRISm with the risk of mortality and incident AFO in a cohort of workers with silicosis.

Methods

A total of 4315 workers aged 18-80 years and diagnosed with silicosis at the Pneumoconiosis Clinic, Tuberculosis and Chest Service during 1981-2019 were enrolled in this study and followed up for a median of 12.3 years till 31 December 2019. Spirometry was included in the diagnostic examination of silicosis and follow-up reassessments. Lung function categories of participants were classified as normal spirometry (FEV1/FVC ≥ 0.7, FEV1≥ 80% predicted), PRISm (FEV1/FVC ≥ 0.7, FEV1< 80% predicted), and AFO (FEV1/FVC < 0.7). The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for age, body mass index, tuberculosis history, smoking, and radiographic characteristics.

Measurements and Main Results

During the follow-up period, a total of 2399 (55.6%) subjects died, 1359 of whom died from respiratory-related diseases, and 780 subjects developed AFO. Subjects with PRISm had significantly increased multivariable-adjusted risk of all-cause death (adjusted HR=1.63, 95% CI 1.44-1.85) and respiratory-related mortality (adjusted HR=1.74, 95% CI 1.48-2.05) as compared with the those with normal spirometry. Besides, there was a higher risk of developing AFO in subjects with PRISm than in those with normal spirometry (adjusted HR=1.46, 95% CI 1.22-1.75). No significant interaction was observed between PRISm and smoking status in the risk of all-cause mortality and incident AFO.

Conclusions

PRISm is significantly associated with increased all-cause and respiratory-related mortality and a greater risk of progression to AFO among the individuals with silicosis.
An Inherently Interpretable AI model improves Screening Speed and Accuracy for Early Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Djoumessi Kerol , Huang Ziwei , Kühlewein Laura , Rickmann Annekatrin , Simon Natalia , Koch Lisa M. , Berens Philipp
Published: June 2024

Background

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a frequent concomitant disease of diabetes, affecting millions worldwide. Screening for this disease based on fundus images has been one of the first successful use cases for modern artificial intelligence in medicine. Current state-of-the-art systems typically use black-box models to make referral decisions, requiring post-hoc methods for AI-human interaction.

Methods

In this retrospective reader study, we evaluated an inherently interpretable deep learning model, which explicitly models the local evidence of DR as part of its network architecture, for early DR screening. We trained the network on 34,350 high-quality fundus images from a publicly available dataset and validated its state-of-the-art performance on a large range of ten external datasets. We obtained detailed lesion annotations from ophthalmologists on 65 images to study if the class evidence maps highlight clinically relevant information. Finally, we tested the clinical usefulness of our model in a reader study, where we compared screening for DR without AI support to screening with AI support with and without AI explanations.

Results

The inherently interpretable deep learning model obtained an accuracy of .906 [.900-.913] (95%-confidence interval) and an AUC of .904 [.894 – .913] on the internal test set and similar performance on external datasets. High evidence regions directly extracted from the model contained clinically relevant lesions such as microaneurysms or hemorrhages with a high precision of .960 [.941 - .976]. Decision support by the model highlighting high-evidence regions in the image improved screening accuracy for difficult decisions and improved screening speed.

Interpretation

Inherently interpretable deep learning models can reach state-of-the-art performance and support screening for early DR by improving human-AI collaboration.

Funding

This work was supported by the Hertie Foundation, the German Science Foundation (BE5601/8-1 and the Excellence Cluster 2064 “Machine Learning — New Perspectives for Science”, project number 390727645), the Carl Zeiss Foundation (“Certification and Foundations of Safe Machine Learning Systems in Healthcare”) and International Max Planck Research School for Intelligent Systems.
Inter-cellular mRNA Transfer Alters Human Pluripotent Stem Cell State
Authors: Yoneyama Yosuke , Zhang Ran-Ran , Kimura Masaki , Cai Yuqi , Adam Mike , Parameswaran Sreeja , Masaki Hideki , Mizuno Naoaki , Bhadury Joydeep , Maezawa So , Ochiai Hiroshi , Nakauchi Hiromitsu , Potter S. Steven , Weirauch Matthew T. , Takebe Takanori
Published: June 2024

Inter-cellular transmission of mRNA is being explored in mammalian species using immortal cell lines (1–3). Here, we uncover an inter-cellular mRNA transfer phenomenon that allows for the adaptation and reprogramming of human primed pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). This process is induced by the direct cell contact-mediated coculture with mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) under the condition impermissible for human primed PSC culture. Mouse-derived mRNA contents are transmitted into adapted hPSCs only in the coculture. Transfer-specific mRNA analysis show the enrichment for divergent biological pathways involving transcription/translational machinery and stress-coping mechanisms, wherein such transfer is diminished when direct cell contacts are lost. After 5 days of mESC culture, surface marker analysis, and global gene profiling confirmed that mRNA transfer-prone hPSC efficiently gains a naïve-like state. Furthermore, transfer-specific knockdown experiments targeting mouse-specific transcription factor-coding mRNAs in hPSC show that mouse-derivedTfcp2l1,Tfap2c,andKlf4are indispensable for human naïve-like conversion. Thus, inter-species mRNA transfer triggers cellular reprogramming in mammalian cells. Our results support that episodic mRNA transfer can occur in cell cooperative and competitive processes(4), which provides a fresh perspective on understanding the roles of mRNA mobility for intra- and inter-species cellular communications.
Nuclear receptor E75/NR1D2 drives tumor malignant transformation by integrating Hippo and Notch pathways
Authors: Wang Xianping , Guo Yifan , Lin Peng , Yu Min , Song Sha , Xu Wenyan , Kong Du , Wang Yin , Zhang Yanxiao , Lu Fei , Xie Qi , Ma Xianjue
Published: June 2024

Hormone therapy resistance and the ensuing aggressive progression of tumors present a significant clinical challenge. However, the mechanisms underlying the induction of tumor malignancy by hormone inhibition remain poorly understood. Here we show thatDrosophilamalignant epithelial tumors exhibit a comparable decrease in ecdysone signaling, the primary steroid hormone pathway inDrosophila. Furthermore, we find that ectopic expression of the nuclear receptorE75partially mimics ecdysone signaling inhibition, specifically promoting the malignant transformation of benign tumors by integrating the Hippo and Notch signaling pathways. Genome-wide DNA binding profiles and biochemistry data reveal that E75 not only physically interacts with the transcription factors of both Hippo and Notch pathways, but also exhibits widespread co-binding to their target genes, thus contributing to tumor malignancy. Moreover, we validate these findings by demonstrating that depletion ofNR1D2, the mammalian equivalent of E75, inhibits the activation of Hippo and Notch target genes, impeding glioblastoma progressionin vivo. In summary, our study unveils a previously unrecognized mechanism by which hormone inhibition promotes tumor malignant transformation, while providing a conserved mechanistic understanding of how Hippo and Notch pathways are integrated by the oncogene E75/NR1D2 during tumor progression.
Improving Circulation Half-Life of Therapeutic Candidate N-TIMP2 by Unfolded Peptide Extension
Authors: Shirian Jason , Hockla Alexandra , Gleba Justyna J. , Coban Matt , Rotenberg Naama , Strik Laura M. , Alasonyalilar Demirer Aylin , Pawlush Matt L. , Copland John A. , Radisky Evette S. , Shifman Julia M.
Published: June 2024

Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are drivers of many diseases including cancer and are established targets for drug development. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are human proteins that inhibit MMPs and are being pursued for the development of anti-MMP therapeutics. TIMPs possess many attractive properties of a drug candidate, such as complete MMP inhibition, low toxicity and immunogenicity, high tissue permeability and others. A major challenge with TIMPs, however, is their formulation and delivery, as these proteins are quickly cleared from the bloodstream due to their small size. In this study, we explore a new method for plasma half-life extension for the N-terminal domain of TIMP2 (N-TIMP2) through appending it with a long intrinsically unfolded tail containing a random combination of Pro, Ala, and Thr (PATylation). We design, produce and explore two PATylated N-TIMP2 constructs with a tail length of 100- and 200-amino acids (N-TIMP2-PAT100and N-TIMP2-PAT200, respectively). We demonstrate that both PATylated N-TIMP2 constructs possess apparent higher molecular weights compared to the wild-type protein and retain high inhibitory activity against MMP-9. Furthermore, when injected into mice, N-TIMP2-PAT200exhibited a significant increase in plasma half-life compared to the non-PATylated variant, enhancing the therapeutic potential of the protein. Thus, we establish that PATylation could be successfully applied to TIMP-based therapeutics and offers distinct advantages as an approach for half-life extension, such as fully genetic encoding of the gene construct, mono-dispersion, and biodegradability. Furthermore, PATylation could be easily applied to N-TIMP2 variants engineered to possess high affinity and selectivity toward individual MMP family members, thus creating attractive candidates for drug development against MMP-related diseases.
Exploring the border traps near the valence band in the
SiO2
-
SiC
system using above-band-gap optical excitation
Authors: Kumar P. , Medeiros H. G. , Race S. , Martins M. I. M. , Ammann P. , Bathen M. E. , Prokscha T. , Grossner U.
Published: June 2024

Studying near-valence-band (EV) defects at the insulator–n-type 4H-SiC interface is challenging due to the low minority carrier concentration. Herein, we present a technique for characterizing the border traps near EV in an n-type 4H-SiC MOS capacitor by generating holes using above-band-gap optical excitation (OE). A rise in capacitance was observed under OE (due to hole capture by border traps), remaining stable long after the optical stimulus was removed, resulting in a persistent photocapacitance effect. We show the dynamics of the capture process and perform a quantification of the captured holes in samples with thermally grown oxide and different postoxidation annealing treatments.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Right-handed slepton bulk region for dark matter in generalized no-scale
F
-SU(5) with effective supernatural supersymmetry
Authors: Yin Xiangwei , Maxin James A. , Nanopoulos Dimitri V. , Li Tianjun
Published: June 2024

We propose generalized no-scale supergravity, the simplest scenario for effective supernatural supersymmetry, naturally solving the supersymmetry electroweak fine-tuning problem and including natural dark matter. A light right-handed slepton bulk region is realized in F-SU(5) and the phenomenological minimal supersymmetric standard model. The bulk may be beyond the LHC reach, although it can be probed at the 1000-day LUX-ZEPLIN, Future Circular Collider at CERN, Circular Electron-Positron Collider, and Hyper-Kamiokande.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Inflation, the Hubble tension, and early dark energy: An alternative overview
Authors: Giarè William
Published: June 2024

I review and discuss the possible implications for inflation resulting from considering new physics in light of the Hubble tension. My study is motivated by a simple argument that the constraints on inflationary parameters, most typically the spectral index ns, depend to some extent on the cosmological framework. To avoid broadening the uncertainties resulting from marginalizing over additional parameters (typical in many alternative models), I first adopt the same alternative viewpoint of previous studies and analyze what happens if a physical theory can extra parameters to nonstandard values. Focusing on the dark energy equation of state w and the effective number of relativistic species Neff, I confirm that physical theories able to fix w≈−1.2 or Neff≈3.9 produce values of H0 from Cosmic Microwave Background and Baryon Acoustic Oscillations in line with the local distance ladder estimate. While in the former case I do not find any relevant implications for inflation, in the latter scenarios, I observe a shift toward ns≈1. From a model-selection perspective, both cases are strongly disfavored compared to Λ cold dark matter. However, models with Neff≈3.3–3.4 could bring the H0 tension down to ∼3σ while being moderately disfavored. Yet, this is enough to change the constraints on inflation so that the most accredited models (e.g., Starobinsky inflation) would no longer be favored by data. I then focus on Early Dark Energy (EDE), arguing that an EDE fraction fEDE∼0.04–0.06 (only able to mildly reduce the H0 tension down to ∼3σ) could already require a similar change in perspective on inflation. In fact, performing a full joint analysis of EDE and Starobinsky inflation, I find that the two models can hardly coexist for fEDE≳0.06.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Cosmological inference using gravitational waves and normalizing flows
Authors: Stachurski Federico , Messenger Christopher , Hendry Martin
Published: June 2024

We present a machine learning approach using normalizing flows for inferring cosmological parameters from gravitational wave events. Our methodology is general to any type of compact binary coalescence event and cosmological model and relies on the generation of training data representing distributions of gravitational wave event parameters. These parameters are conditional on the underlying cosmology and incorporate prior information from galaxy catalogues. We provide an example analysis inferring the Hubble constant using binary black holes detected during the O1, O2, and O3 observational runs conducted by the advanced LIGO/VIRGO gravitational wave detectors. We obtain a Bayesian posterior on the Hubble constant from which we derive an estimate and 1σ confidence bounds of H0=74.51−13.63+14.80  km s−1 Mpc−1. We are able to compute this result in O(1)  s using our trained normalizing flow model.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Gravity-induced transparency
Authors: Pan Yongjie , Zhang Baocheng
Published: June 2024

We investigate the transition amplitudes of the Unruh-DeWitt detector within the Schwarzschild spacetime background and discover gravity-induced transparency phenomena akin to the earlier acceleration-induced transparency. This is confirmed through calculations performed in both the Hartle-Hawking and Unruh states. The similarity between free-falling detectors in these states and accelerated detectors in electromagnetic fields is noteworthy, as it parallels the scenario in which acceleration-induced transparency phenomena occur.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Holographic description for correlation functions
Authors: Kim Hanse , Pal Jitendra , Park Chanyong
Published: June 2024

We study general correlation functions of various quantum field theories in the holographic setup. Following the holographic proposal, we investigate correlation functions via a geodesic length connecting boundary operators. We show that this holographic description can reproduce the known two- and three-point functions of conformal field theory. Using this holographic method, we further study general two-point functions of a two-dimensional thermal conformal field theory (CFT) and of a scalar field theory living in a de Sitter or anti–de Sitter space. Due to the nontrivial thermal or curvature effect, the two-point functions in an IR limit show different scaling behaviors from those of the UV CFT. We study such nontrivial IR scaling behaviors by applying the holographic method.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Brickwall, normal modes, and emerging thermality
Authors: Banerjee Souvik , Das Suman , Dorband Moritz , Kundu Arnab
Published: June 2024

In this paper, we demonstrate how black hole quasinormal modes can emerge from a Dirichlet brickwall model normal modes. We consider a probe scalar field in a Baños-Teitelboim-Zanelli geometry with a Dirichlet brickwall and demonstrate that as the wall approaches the event horizon, the corresponding poles in the retarded correlator become dense and yield an effective branch cut. The associated discontinuity of the correlator carries the information of the black hole quasinormal modes. We further demonstrate that a nonvanishing angular momentum nonperturbatively enhances the pole condensing. We hypothesize that it is also related to quantum chaotic features of the corresponding spectral form factor, which has been observed earlier. Finally, we discuss the underlying algebraic justification of this approximate thermalization in terms of the trace of the algebra.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Search for Dark Matter Ionization on the Night Side of Jupiter with
Cassini
Authors: Blanco Carlos , Leane Rebecca K.
Published: June 2024

We present a new search for dark matter (DM) using planetary atmospheres. We point out that annihilating DM in planets can produce ionizing radiation, which can lead to excess production of ionospheric H3+. We apply this search strategy to the night side of Jupiter near the equator. The night side has zero solar irradiation, and low latitudes are sufficiently far from ionizing auroras, leading to a low-background search. We use data on ionospheric H3+ emission collected three hours either side of Jovian midnight, during its flyby in 2000, and set novel constraints on the DM-nucleon scattering cross section down to about 10−38  cm2. We also highlight that DM atmospheric ionization may be detected in Jovian exoplanets using future high-precision measurements of planetary spectra.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Biological Rhythms Generated by a Single Activator-Repressor Loop with Inhomogeneity and Diffusion
Authors: Rojas Pablo , Piro Oreste , Garcia Martin E.
Published: June 2024

Common models of circadian rhythms are typically constructed as compartmental reactions of well-mixed biochemicals, incorporating a negative-feedback loop consisting of several intermediate reaction steps essentially required to produce oscillations. Spatial transport of each reactant is often represented as an extra compartmental reaction step. Contrary to this traditional understanding, in this Letter we demonstrate that a single activation-repression biochemical reaction pair is sufficient to generate sustained oscillations if the sites of both reactions are spatially separated and molecular transport is mediated by diffusion. Our proposed scenario represents the simplest configuration in terms of the participating chemical reactions and offers a conceptual basis for understanding biological oscillations and inspiring assays aimed at constructing minimal clocks.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Observation of a magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor instability in magnetically collimated plasma jets
Authors: Malko S. , Schaeffer D. B. , Yao W. , Valenzuela-Villaseca V. , Johnson C. , Fiksel G. , Ciardi A. , Fox W.
Published: June 2024

We present the direct experimental observation of the formation of a diamagnetic cavity and magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor (MRT) instability in a β≈1 high energy density plasma. Proton radiography is used to measure the two dimensional path-integrated magnetic field in a laser-produced plasma propagating parallel to a preimposed magnetic field. Flutelike structures, associated with the MRT instability, are observed to grow at the surface of the cavity, with a measured wavelength of 1.2 mm and growth time of 4 ns. These measurements are in good agreement with predictions of three dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations using the GORGON code.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Novel Detection Scheme for Temporal and Spectral X-Ray Optical Analysis: Study of Triple-Cation Perovskites
Authors: Ossig Christina , Strelow Christian , Flügge Jan , Patjens Svenja , Garrevoet Jan , Spiers Kathryn , Barp Jackson L. , Hagemann Johannes , Seiboth Frank , De Bastiani Michele , Aydin Erkan , Isikgor Furkan H. , De Wolf Stefaan , Falkenberg Gerald , Mews Alf , Schroer Christian G. , Kipp Tobias , Stuckelberger Michael E.
Published: June 2024

Multimodal x-ray microscopy is key to assessing the property-functionality relationships of semiconductor devices with the utmost sensitivity and spatial resolution. Here, we report on a novel setup—the “Analyzer of X-ray excited Optical Luminescence Offering Temporal and spectraL resolution” (AXOLOTL)—and demonstrate its use by investigating a series of triple-cation mixed-halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with varying Cs content. These PSCs exhibit spatially varying performance and are thus ideally probed by multimodal x-ray microscopy to elucidate the origin of the performance variations. Specifically, our nanoscale characterization of the wrinkled perovskite photoabsorber unveils a segregation of I and Br, which is accompanied by a narrowed band gap and an increased charge-carrier lifetime in thick absorber areas. Overall, we demonstrate with this technique the spatial correlation of compositional inhomogeneities, topography, electrical performance, and optical performance, which is of highest interest for identifying loss mechanisms at the nanoscale in high-performance electronic device development, including solar cells.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
The structure of a pectin-active family 1 polysaccharide lyase from the marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas fuliginea
Authors: Hobbs Joanne K. , Boraston Alisdair B.
Published: June 2024

Pseudoalteromonas fuliginea sp. PS47 is a recently identified marine bacterium that has extensive enzymatic machinery to metabolize polysaccharides, including a locus that targets pectin-like substrates. This locus contains a gene (locus tag EU509_03255) that encodes a pectin-degrading lyase, called PfPL1, that belongs to polysaccharide lyase family 1 (PL1). The 2.2 Å resolution X-ray crystal structure of PfPL1 reveals the compact parallel β-helix fold of the PL1 family. The back side of the core parallel β-helix opposite to the active site is a meandering set of five α-helices joined by lengthy loops. A comparison of the active site with those of other PL1 enzymes suggests a catalytic mechanism that is independent of metal ions, such as Ca2+, but that substrate recognition may require metal ions. Overall, this work provides the first structural insight into a pectinase of marine origin and the first structure of a PL1 enzyme in subfamily 2.
Sustainable competitive advantage under digital transformation: an eco-strategy perspective
Authors: Du Xiaomin , Wang Nuoyan , Lu Shan , Zhang Ao , Tsai Sang-Bing
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how a firm’s sustainable competitive advantage is influenced by the combination of entrepreneurial ecological orientation, digital transformation and dynamic capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the qualitative comparative analysis method, this study systematically explores the significant key conditions and configuration effects that affect the growth of sustainable competitive advantage. This study uncovers the causal relationship and complex mechanisms underlying the sustainable and unsustainable competitive advantages for new ventures, by examining the grouping effects of the above three factors – entrepreneurial ecological orientation, digital transformation and dynamic capabilities on those advantages.

Findings

A single factor fails to constitute a necessary condition for sustainable competitive advantage. Three types of configurations are beneficial to sustainable competitive advantage, namely, flexible and responsive type, dynamically adjusted type and type of opportunity resource integration, whereas four types of configurations lead to the unsustainable competitive advantage of new ventures, namely, type of organizational rigidity, informal entrepreneurial type, information-blocking type and technology-deficient type.

Originality/value

According to this study, adopting an entrepreneurial ecological orientation is a novel strategic move. This study offers an extensive review of three aspects of entrepreneurial ecological orientation, dynamic capacities and digital transformation and their mutually synergistic cascading effects on the sustainable competitive advantage of new ventures. This study investigates how three dimensions interact to achieve sustainable competitive advantage for firms, ultimately contributing to the study of sustainable competitive advantage strategies from an entrepreneurial ecosystem perspective.
Fröhlich model characterization of magnetic properties of the induction heating load
Authors: Lahuerta Óscar , Ortega José , Carretero Claudio , Martínez Juan Pablo , Acero Jesús
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is the identification of the magnetic characteristics of the induction load by means of the B–H curve proposed by Fröhlich.

Design/methodology/approach

An electromagnetic description of the inductor system is performed to substitute the effects of the induction load, for a mathematical condition, the so-called impedance boundary condition (IBC).

Findings

A significant reduction in the computational cost of electromagnetic simulation has been achieved through the use of the IBC, resulting in a computation time approximately 400 times faster than time domain simulation. Moreover, an alternative method has been developed to experimentally identify the parameters that determine the magnetic behavior of the induction load. Finally, further research has been conducted to understand the relationship between the equivalent impedance of an induction load and the excitation current level.

Practical implications

This work is performed to achieve a better understanding of the fundamentals involved in the electromagnetic modeling of an induction heating system.

Originality/value

This paper introduces the dependence on the excitation level based on a first harmonic approximation and extends the IBC to nonlinear magnetic materials which allows the identification of the magnetic characteristics of the induction load.
Co-creating impact: positioning indigenous knowledge holders as expert researchers
Authors: Fitzsimmons Terrance , Yates Miriam S. , Jordan Ree , Callan Victor J.
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This article details a research approach that created impact through suspending assumptions of Western research methods and positioning Indigenous research partners as experts and co-creators of the research process.

Design/methodology/approach

The research partnership placed Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing at the center of research design and methodological choices. At all decision-making points upon commencement of the research, Indigenous (non-academic) research partners were engaged and determined the outcomes of the research partnership.

Findings

The impact of this research partnership was three-fold. First, this partnership impacted women directly through employment of Australian Indigenous Environmental Rangers as research associates. Second, the partnership increased awareness and collectivism of Indigenous women’s voices as leaders and advocates for policy change, bringing a new cohort of women rangers wishing to participate as research associates in the project. Third, was the establishment of a National Forum and the formal application for a $1,000,000 Australian Research Council Linkage Project grant to continue research at the National Forum.

Originality/value

We offer readers the opportunity to observe our process of engaging in effective research collaborations with Australian Indigenous peoples who are typically not included as co-creators and equal partners in Western academic research. The research collaboration centered upon Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing to amplify impact. We demonstrate the impact of framing the research as storytelling, so enabling data collection through the culturally safe methods of “dadirri” as well as the “yarning circle”, both of which privilege Indigenous knowledge systems.
Examining moral identity and engagement with sustainable consumption at home and in the workplace
Authors: Salciuviene Laura , Dovalienė Aistė , Gravelines Žaneta , Vilkas Mantas , Oates Caroline , Banytė Jūratė
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The study aims to identify the effects of consumer moral identity and consumer engagement with sustainable consumption on sustainable consumer behaviour at home and in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected in two European countries, i.e. Lithuania and the United Kingdom (total sample 586) and analysed using PLS-SEM to test hypotheses pertaining to the key variables, including moral identity, engagement with sustainable consumption, sustainable consumption behaviour at home and sustainable consumption behaviour in the workplace.

Findings

Revealed that moral identity was a predictor of sustainable consumption behaviour at home but had no direct effect on sustainable consumption behaviour at the workplace. Similarly, engagement with sustainable consumption has been demonstrated to have a direct positive impact on sustainable consumption behaviour at home, but no significant effect on sustainable behaviour at work was confirmed. A strong moral identity fosters higher consumer engagement with sustainable consumption. The findings revealed the positive impact of sustainable behaviour at home on equivalent behaviour at work, reminding of the importance of the so-called “spill-over” effect.

Originality/value

An element of novelty in this study lies in the differentiation of behavioural practices at home and in the workplace, demonstrating that a spill-over effect can occur with a “home-work” path. By highlighting the importance of consumer moral identity and consumer engagement in predicting sustainable consumption behaviour in both domestic and professional settings, our study contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of sustainable marketing and consumer behaviour.
Workplace accidents, economic determinants and underreporting: an empirical analysis in Italy
Authors: Antonelli Maria Alessandra , Castaldo Angelo , Forti Marco , Marrocco Alessia , Salustri Andrea
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This paper proposes an analysis of occupational accidents in Italy at the regional level. For this purpose, our panel is composed of 20 regions over the 2010–2019 time span.

Design/methodology/approach

We apply different econometric estimation techniques (pooled OLS model, panel fixed and random effects models and semiparametric fixed model) using INAIL and ISTAT data. Our models investigate workplace accidents at the regional level by accounting for socioeconomic, labour market and productive system variables and controlling for possible underreporting bias.

Findings

Overall results reveal the existence of a relevant under-notification phenomenon of accidents at work with respect to moderate accidents, that is higher especially for the southern regions of Italy. However, when considering as outcome variable an alternative set of more severe workplace accidents our model specification remains highly jointly statistically significant. Among our main findings, the analysis shows that worker skills (blue collar) strongly affect the regional pattern of workplace accidents, i.e. an increase of 1% of low paid employees generates about an increase of 1.8 severe workplace accidents per thousand workers. Moreover, we provide evidence that the size of the firm is inversely related to the occupational accident rates. Finally, our results highlight a nonlinear relationship between GDP and occupational accidents for the Italian regional context, confirmed by the high statistical significance of the quadratic term in all the estimated linear models and by the semi-parametric analysis.

Originality/value

A first element of originality of our study consists of investigating the macro determinants of occupation accidents at a regional Italian level. Second, the empirical literature (Boone and Van Ours, 2006) highlights the possible bias of underreporting behaviours on nonfatal accidents in contrast to fatal accidents that are always reported. From this perspective, we have identified a few analyses (namely, Boone et al., 2011) considering different accident sets characterised by different severity degrees. Thus, this paper contributes to the literature considering five alternative subsets of accidents stratified by degree of severity (i.e. moderate, severe, moderate plus severe, severe plus fatal and total accident rates) to test for possible underreporting bias affecting our econometric model.
Flexing to outperform: workforce differentiation, HR flexibility and firm performance
Authors: Apascaritei Paula , Elvira Marta M. , Rodríguez-García María
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Resource orchestration theory proposes that firms need resources, capabilities, and horizontal and vertical alignment to achieve high performance. Thus, we investigate which combinations of horizontal fit of resources (commitment-based HR systems for managers and nonmanagers) and capabilities (HR flexibility) together with vertical fit with business strategy (innovation versus cost leadership strategies) relate to superior performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Our study is based on a sample of 113 Spanish firms from which we collected data on commitment-based HR systems for managers and nonmanagers, HR flexibility, business strategy and performance. We employ a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to analyze which configurations lead to firm performance.

Findings

The empirical analysis shows that both HR practices and policies (commitment-based HR systems) and HR capabilities (HR flexibility) need to be aligned for high performance. The path for performance is comprised of a combination of commitment-based HR systems for staff and HR flexibility and by the absence of an innovation strategy or commitment-based HR systems for managers, HR flexibility, and a cost leadership strategy. We also find four paths where performance relies on efficiently combining an innovation and cost leadership business strategy.

Originality/value

Our findings make three key contributions to the literature. First, we help elucidate multicausal relationships inside the black box of the “HR–performance” relationship for firm performance. Second, we study the vertical fit with business strategy by considering innovation and cost leadership strategies. Third, we analyze multicausal pathways, thus uncovering different combinations of resources and capabilities for performance.
An examination of the needs and preferences for student housing in Germany in relation to different financial backgrounds using the example of the city of Aachen
Authors: von Wittenhorst zu Sonsfeld Lisa , Beusker Elisabeth
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to determine the needs and preferences of students concerning different areas and attributes of dormitories, taking their financial background into account.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative survey was conducted in the 21 publicly funded dormitories in Aachen (Germany) in 2022 to determine students’ needs and preferences for housing. In total, more than 1,200 students participated in the 10-min online survey.

Findings

The findings show the needs and preferences of students from different financial backgrounds for various areas in the dormitory. These include the location of the dormitory, the outdoor area, the shared spaces, the sanitary facilities (bathroom and kitchen), and the students’ private rooms. The results are divided into needs that all students have regardless of their financial background (“must-haves”) and needs that correspond to individual financial groups (“nice-to-haves”).

Research limitations/implications

The results relate to the medium-sized city of Aachen as a case study in Germany – with an average rent level – and its urban situation. The outcomes are therefore only transferable to a limited extent to cities with different framework conditions, as the needs and preferences of students may differ.

Practical implications

The results serve as a valuable guideline for future development in the field of student housing for different rental segments.

Originality/value

The paper fills a research gap in the identification of current student housing needs and preferences in German dormitories, taking financial backgrounds into account.
Pandemic market dynamics: analyzing global price informativeness during COVID-19
Authors: Abdallah Abed Al-Nasser , Abdallah Wissam , Bassam Youssef , Rao Ullas , Saad Mohsen
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine stock price synchronicity during the COVID-19 crisis using 32,452 firms from 61 countries. This paper explores the impact of government effectiveness on synchronicity while distinguishing between developed and emerging markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The research analysis employs ordinary OLS pooled regression analysis.

Findings

This paper presents worldwide evidence that stock price synchronicity was significantly higher during February and March 2020. This paper shows that synchronicity increased with the intensity of the crisis. In addition, the government's role reduced the COVID-19 impact on synchronicity, which was stronger in developed markets than in emerging markets.

Originality/value

The novelty of the study lies in documenting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stock price synchronicity. The findings add to a deeper understanding of market behavior amid significant disruptive shocks.
You are what you wear: the effect of religiosity, self-esteem and materialism toward conspicuous consumption of luxury fashion products among Gen Z
Authors: Ananda Harris Rizki , Indraswari Kenny Devita , Azizon A. , Muzayanah Irfani Fithria Ummul , Arundina Tika , Damayati Ashintya
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The market value of luxury goods at the global and national levels continues to increase from year to year. The sales growth of the Indonesian luxury goods market is currently at 6.6% per year. The largest sales sector in the market is the fashion sector, with more than US$700m per year. Several big cities in Asia, including Jakarta, experienced a shift in the age group of luxury goods buyers to a younger group with limited income resources. The behavior of purchasing luxury goods in the low-income group is contrary to Islamic values, which prioritize the fulfillment of needs rather than the fulfillment of desires. This study aims to analyze the factors that influence the intention of Muslim Generation Z consumers to buy luxury fashion products.

Design/methodology/approach

The purposive sampling method in this study involved 240 respondents who had bought luxury fashion products in the masstige category in the past two years. This study adopts the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) model and a quantitative approach through the structural equation modeling method.

Findings

The results of this study indicate that attitude towards behavior, subjective norms, self-esteem and materialism have a significant positive effect on the intention to consume luxury fashion, while the influence of religiosity was found to be insignificant. At the same time, religiosity has a significant negative effect on attitude towards behavior and subjective norms.

Research limitations/implications

These findings indicate that if consumers who have a positive attitude toward luxury fashion purchases, can be influenced by their significant others, self-esteem and materialistic nature, then they tend to buy luxury fashion items.

Originality/value

This study extends the theory of TRA by adding religiosity, self-esteem and materialism and it uses Muslim Generation Z as the respondent. Masstige category of luxury brands is also used to take into account the affordability of its generation toward luxury fashion products.