bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toxoplasma gondiiPROP1 is critical for autophagy and parasite viability during chronic infection
Authors: Thaprawat Pariyamon , Chalasani Shreya , Schultz Tracey L. , Di Cristina Manlio , Carruthers Vern B.
Published: October 2024

Macroautophagy is an important cellular process involving lysosomal degradation of cytoplasmic components, facilitated by autophagy-related proteins (ATGs). In the protozoan parasiteToxoplasma gondii, autophagy has been demonstrated to play a key role in adapting to stress and persistence of chronic infection. Despite limited knowledge about the core autophagy machinery inT. gondii, two PROPPIN family proteins (TgPROP1 and TgPROP2) have been identified with homology to Atg18/WIPI. Prior research in acute stage tachyzoites suggests that TgPROP2 is predominantly involved in a non-autophagic function, specifically apicoplast biogenesis, while TgPROP1 may be involved in canonical autophagy. Here, we investigated the distinct roles of TgPROP1 and TgPROP2 in chronic stageT. gondiibradyzoites, revealing a critical role for TgPROP1, but not TgPROP2, in bradyzoite autophagy. Conditional knockdown of TgPROP2 did not impair bradyzoite autophagy. In contrast, TgPROP1 KO parasites had impaired autolysosome formation, reduced cyst burdens in chronically infected mice, and decreased viability. Together, our findings clarify the indispensable role of TgPROP1 toT. gondiiautophagy and chronic infection.

Importance

It is estimated that up to a third of the human population is chronically infected withToxoplasma gondii; however, little is known about how this parasite persists long term within its hosts. Autophagy is a self-eating pathway that has recently been shown to play a key role in parasite persistence, yet few proteins that carry out this process duringT. gondiichronic infection are known. Here, we provide evidence for a non-redundant role of TgPROP1, a protein important in the early steps of the autophagy pathway. Genetic disruption of TgPROP1 resulted in impaired autophagy and chronic infection of mice. Our results reveal a critical role for TgPROP1 in autophagy and underscore the importance of this pathway in parasite persistence.
Spatial-scERA: A method for reconstructing spatial single-cell enhancer activity in multicellular organisms
Authors: Alberti Baptiste , Vincent Séverine , Stévant Isabelle , Lajoignie Damien , Tarayre Hélène , Villoutreix Paul , Ghavi-Helm Yad
Published: October 2024

Enhancers play an essential role in developmental processes by orchestrating the spatial and temporal regulation of gene expression. However, mapping the location of these regulatory elements in the genome and precisely characterizing their spatial and temporal activity remain important challenges. Here we introduce a novelin vivoandin silicomethod for spatial single-cell enhancer-reporter assays (spatial-scERA) designed to reconstruct the spatial activity of multiple candidate enhancer regions in parallel in a multicellular organism. Spatial-scERA integrates massively parallel reporter assays coupled with single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial reconstruction using optimal transport, to map cell-type-specific enhancer activity at the single-cell level on a 3D virtual representation of the sample. We evaluated spatial-scERA in stage 6Drosophilaembryos using 25 candidate enhancers (including 19 uncharacterized regions), and validated the robustness of our predicted reconstructions by comparing them to microscopy images generated byin situhybridization. Remarkably, spatial-scERA faithfully reconstructed the spatial activity of these enhancers, even when the enhancer-reporter construct was expressed in as few as 10 cells. Our results demonstrate the importance of integrating transcriptomic and spatial data for the accurate prediction of enhancer activity patterns in complex multicellular samples. Indeed, we found that chromatin modifications and open chromatin regions are often poor predictors of enhancer activity. Moreover, spatial data can often be essential for the accurate annotation of scRNA-seq clusters. Finally, we showed that spatial-scERA could be a powerful tool to link enhancers with their potential target genes. Overall, spatial-scERA provides a scalable approach to map spatio-temporal enhancer activity at single-cell resolution without the need for imaging ora prioriknowledge of embryology and can be applied to any multicellular organism amenable to transgenesis.
Genetic Diversity ofZymoseptoria triticiPopulations in Central and South-eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Tucho Ayantu , Mekonnen Tilahun , Ghadamgahi Farideh , Gosh Samrat , Muleta Diriba , Tesfaye Kassahun , Wang Eu Shang , Alemu Tesfaye , Vetukuri Ramesh Raju
Published: October 2024

Septoria tritici blotch (STB), caused by the hemibiotrophic fungusZymoseptoria tritici, is a serious threat to global wheat production, and a major bottleneck to wheat production in Ethiopia. Accurate identification and analysis of the pathogen’s genetic structure helps inform robust STB management. This study analyzed the molecular identity and genetic structure of 200Z. triticiisolates retrieved from diseased crops in central and south-eastern regions of Ethiopia. Allelic diversity at 12 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci was examined for all 200 isolates, and 165 isolates were identified by Sanger sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear DNA (rDNA) region. The microsatellites were highly polymorphic, with mean number of alleles (Na) = 6.23, effective alleles (Ne) =2.90, Nei’s gene diversity (H) =0.57, and polymorphic information content (PIC) =0.59, and an analysis of molecular variance confirmed the presence of low population differentiation (Fixation Index (FST) = 0.02, Gene Flow (Nm) = 14.7), with 95% of the total genetic variation residing within populations, and only 5% residing between populations. The highest genetic diversity (Number of allele (Na) = 9.33, Effective number of allele (Ne) = 3.41 and Nei’s gene diversity (H) = 0.68) was observed in the Oromia special zone surrounding Finfinnee (OSZ)Z. triticipopulations, followed by Arsi and North Shewa populations, indicating that these areas are ideal for multi-location germplasm resistance screening, and also pathogen genetic and genomic analyses. Cluster analyses did not clearly divide the populations into genetically separate clusters according to their geographic sampling areas, probably because of high gene flow. All individual samples showed genetic admixture, and shared genomic backgrounds from two subgroups (K=2). Overall, the SSR markers proved to be highly informative and effective genetic tools for unlocking the pathogen’s genetic structure. TheZ. triticipopulations of central and southeast Ethiopia exhibit high genetic diversity, indicating the need to deploy durable and diverse disease management strategies. North Shewa, OSZ, Arsi and West Arsi administrative zones represent hotspots for genetic and genomic analyses ofZ. tritici. Moreover, these areas would be excellent locations for host–pathogen interaction studies, and wheat germplasm screening for STB resistance.
Prosocial reward relates to speech reception thresholds and age relates to subjective ratings of speech perception in noise
Authors: Oakeson Ryan J , Herbert Jesca , Roper Simon , Zhang Hongyi , Rosen Stuart , Scott Sophie K
Published: October 2024

This study explores how prosocial motivation and social reward relate to speech perception in noise (SPiN). We investigated SPiN performance and subjective listening experiences across different masker conditions: 1-speaker, 2-speaker, and steady-state noise (SSN). Results indicate that individuals who rated themselves higher in prosocial traits performed better in the condition that yielded the worst threshold out of the three conditions i.e., the 2-speaker condition. Age significantly influenced subjective ratings of listening effort across all conditions where older participants reported greater effort. These findings highlight prosocial motivation as a potential factor influencing SPiN abilities, particularly in complex listening scenarios, alongside the role of age in shaping subjective auditory experiences.
Striatal modulation supports policy-specific reinforcement and not action selection
Authors: Hodge A.T. , Yttri E.A.
Published: October 2024

Two contrasting models dominate our understanding of basal ganglia function: action selection and reinforcement learning. Prolonged, indiscriminate stimulation of direct and indirect pathway striatal neurons produces effects consistent with the action selection; however this approach ignores the transient, movement-specific dynamics that characterize these cells. To determine how striatal subpopulations contribute to mouse behavior, we applied brief closed-loop optogenetic stimulation to modulate ongoing activity in a manner that directly dissociates the contrasting models: upon the detection of locomotor arrest or leftward turns. While action selection models predict that increased direct pathway stimulation should induce locomotion and turning contralaterally to the side of stimulation, selective stimulation biased behavioral policies towards more frequent locomotor arrest and leftward turns, regardless of the side of stimulation. Indirect pathway stimulation had the opposite effect. Behavior followed the policy associated with the change in striatal activity, providing a mechanism to enable the reinforcement a wide range of behavioral features to shape performance.
Consolidated sustainable organic nanozyme integrated with Point-Of-Use sensing platform for dual agricultural and biological molecule detection
Authors: Lee Dong Hoon , Kamruzzaman Mohammed
Published: October 2024

The newly introduced organic nanozymes offer a promising alternative to inorganic nanozymes by sustainable and cost-effective solutions. Given the potential of nanozyme-based Point-of-Care (PoC) systems for on-demand molecule sensing; these user-friendly Point-of-Use(PoU) platforms can be highly beneficial for real-world agricultural and biological applications. Herein, a novel, fully organic compound/monomer-based, sustainable organic nanozyme is introduced, that exhibits peroxidase-like enzyme-like catalytic activity. Utilizing a unique self-assembled particle fabrication process, homogenous nanozyme are fabricated within a short time (within 50 nm,D90), exhibiting decent kinetic profiles (Km= 0.046 mM, H2O2), and degradability for improved waste management after its use. OM nanozyme-incorporated colorimetric sensing platforms successfully detect popular agricultural toxic biomolecules and biological molecules while achieving decent molecule sensing performance (practical LOD, glyphosate: at least 1pgmL-1, glucose: 3.47 ngmL-1) with high analytical sensitivity and selectivity. Additionally, a smartphone image-based polynomial regression analysis system and paper-microfluidic hardware were developed to facilitate PoU applications in a lab-free environment with satisfactory analytic sensitivity (at least 1.6μgmL-1,for glyphosate, and glucose). This sustainable OM nanozyme, coupled with the PoU platform, is envisioned to have broad applications in agricultural and biological systems.
inPhase — A simple, accurate and fast approach to determine phase diagrams of protein condensates
Authors: Fritsch Anatol W. , Iglesias-Artola Juan M. , Hyman Anthony A.
Published: October 2024

Protein phase separation has become a widely studied phenomena in biology with implications in cell metabolism and disease. The study of phase separating proteins often relies on the precise determination of their phase diagrams. These phase diagrams give information on the protein concentration required for condensate formation and the respective concentration inside the condensate at defined external conditions (temperature, salt, pH). However, it has so far often proven difficult to accurately measure phase diagrams. Here, we report a method that is based on mass and volume conservation and defined reaction volumes, which we call inPhase. We can use this method to determine accurate values for both dilute and condensed branch protein concentrations. With this information we can produce accurate phase diagrams. We compare our method to the widely used quantitative fluorescence approach and find that it underestimates the partition factor into condensates at least two-fold for FUS and PGL-3. The accessibility of our method opens the possibility for the thermodynamic assessment of entire protein families, generating sufficient quantitative data for testing theory, and for the screening of drugs in pharmaceutical research.
Motor Imagery Improves Force Control in Older and Young Females
Authors: Calkins Cori A , Kraeutner Sarah N , McNeil Chris J , Jakobi Jennifer M
Published: October 2024

Motor imagery training (MIT) is the mental rehearsal of a motor task with no overt movement that enhances physical performance through adaptations in neural excitability. MIT may prime the motor system for physical execution. In older adults, with physical practice, force steadiness (FS) improves and changes are related to improved performance of functional tasks, and associated with adaptations in neural excitability. The purpose of this study was to determine if one session of MIT influences corticospinal excitability and improves FS of isometric elbow flexion contractions in young and older female adults. To test the hypotheses that MIT would increase corticospinal excitability and improve isometric elbow flexion FS to a greater extent in older compared to young females fourteen older (67-89 years old) and twenty-two younger (19-33 years old) participants were randomly assigned to a MIT group or Control group. Participants, in a block design, performed isometric elbow flexion contractions at 10% of maximal force prior to and following MIT (training group) or no training (Control group). Elbow flexion contractions were performed in blocks 1, 3, and 5. MIT or documentary viewing was performed in blocks 2 and 4. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation were collected within the last five seconds of each submaximal contraction. The MEPs were reduced in the older MIT group from block 1 to block 5 (p=0.039) but not the young MIT group (p=0.761). Force steadiness in the older (p=0.005) and young (p=0.001) females improved from baseline after 20 minutes of MIT. Older females improved force steadiness relative to the baseline to a greater extent than young females (older 8.44% and young 5.0%), and the improvements were significant in older females in the first 10 minutes. In older females, MIT primes the motor system and improves FS earlier and to a greater extent than in young females.
Serotonin Enhances Neurogenesis Biomarkers, Hippocampal Volumes, and Cognitive Functions in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Azargoonjahromi Ali ,   Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: October 2024

Research on serotonin reveals a lack of consensus regarding its role in brain volume, especially concerning biomarkers linked to neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, such as ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF-4), bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP-6), and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study aimed to investigate the influence of serotonin on brain structure and hippocampal volumes in relation to cognitive functions in AD, as well as its link with biomarkers like CNTF, FGF-4, BMP-6, and MMP-1. Data from the ADNI included 133 AD participants. Cognitive function was assessed using CDR-SB, serotonin levels were measured with the Biocrates AbsoluteIDQ p180 kit and UPLC-MS/MS, and neurotrophic factors and biomarkers were quantified using multiplex targeted proteomics. Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM) analyzed gray matter volume changes via MRI. Statistical analyses employed Pearson correlation and Bootstrap methods, with p-values < 0.05 or 0.01 considered significant. The analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between serotonin levels and total brain volume (r = 0.179, p = 0.039) and hippocampal volumes (right: r = 0.181, p = 0.037; left: r = 0.217, p = 0.012). Besides, higher serotonin levels were associated with improved cognitive function, evidenced by a negative correlation with CDR-SB scores (r = -0.198, p = 0.023). Furthermore, total brain volume and hippocampal volumes showed significant negative correlations with CDR-SB scores, indicating that greater cognitive impairment was associated with reduced brain volume (total: r = -0.223, p = 0.010; left: r = -0.246, p = 0.004; right: r = -0.308, p < 0.001). Finally, serotonin levels were positively correlated with BMP-6 (r = 0.173, p = 0.047), CNTF (r = 0.216, p = 0.013), FGF-4 (r = 0.176, p = 0.043), and MMP-1 (r = 0.202, p = 0.019), suggesting a link between serotonin and neurogenesis and neuroplasticity. In conclusion, increased serotonin levels are associated with improved cognitive function, increased brain volume, and elevated levels of neurotrophic factors and biomarkers—specifically CNTF, FGF-4, BMP-6, and MMP-1—that are related to neurogenesis and neuroplasticity in AD.

Graphical Abstract

Serotonin plays a key role in cognitive function, with higher levels linked to increased brain and hippocampal volumes and better cognitive performance, as shown by lower CDR-SB scores (indicating less cognitive impairment). In addition, serotonin is positively associated with neurotrophic factors and biomarkers like ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF-4), bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP-6), and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), which are involved in neurogenesis and neuroplasticity. These findings suggest that elevated serotonin levels contribute to brain health, cognitive function, and the promotion of neural growth and plasticity, particularly in Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
First versatile reverse genetics system for feline coronavirus
Authors: Kida Izumi , Tamura Tomokazu , Kuroda Yudai , Fukuhara Takasuke , Maeda Ken , Matsuno Keita
Published: October 2024

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal disease caused by feline coronavirus (FCoV). Although multiple gene mutations in FCoV likely account for FIP pathogenesis, molecular studies for FCoV have been limited due to the lack of a suitable reverse genetics system. In the present study, we established a rapid PCR-based system to generate recombinant FCoV using the circular polymerase extension reaction (CPER) method for both serotype 1 and 2 viruses. Recombinant FCoV was successfully rescued at sufficient titers to propagate the progeny viruses with high sequence accuracy. The growth kinetics of recombinant FCoV were comparable to those of the parental viruses. We successfully generated recombinants harboring spike gene from a different FCoV strain or a reporter HiBiT-tag using the CPER method. The chimeric virus demonstrated similar characteristics with the parental virus of S gene. The reporter tag stably expressed after five serial passages in the susceptible cells, and the reporter virus could be applied to evaluate the sensitivity of antiviral inhibitors using the luciferase assay system to detect HiBiT tag. Taken together, our versatile reverse genetics system for FCoV shown herein is a robust tool to characterize viral genes even without virus isolation and to investigate the molecular mechanisms of the proliferation and pathogenicity of FCoV.

Importance

Feline infectious peritonitis is a highly fatal disease in cats caused by feline coronavirus variants that can infect systemically. Because of a lack of versatile toolbox of manipulating the feline coronavirus genome, an efficient method is urgently needed for studying virus proteins responsible for the severe disease. Herein, we established a rapid reverse genetics system for the virus and demonstrated the capability of the recombinant viruses to be introduced desired modifications or reporter genes without any negative impacts on virus characteristics in cell culture. Recombinant viruses are also useful to evaluate antiviral efficacy. Overall, our system can be a promising tool to reveal the molecular mechanisms of viral life cycle of feline coronavirus and disease progression of feline infectious peritonitis.
Immunopeptidomics informs discovery and delivery ofMycobacterium tuberculosisMHC-II antigens for vaccine design
Authors: Leddy Owen , Ogongo Paul , Huffaker Julia , Gan Mingyu , Milligan Ryan , Mahmud Sheikh , Yuki Yuko , Bobosha Kidist , Wassie Liya , Carrington Mary , Liu Qingyun , Ernst Joel D. , White Forest M. , Bryson Bryan D.
Published: October 2024

No currently licensed vaccine reliably prevents pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), a leading cause of infectious disease mortality. Developing effective new vaccines will require identifying which of the roughly 4000 proteins in theMycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb) proteome are presented on MHC class II (MHC-II) by infected human phagocytes and can be recognized by CD4+ T cells to mediate protective immunity. Vaccines must also elicit T cell responses recognizing the same peptide-MHC complexes presented by infected cells, and successful presentation of target human MHC-II peptides is currently challenging to evaluate and optimize. Here, we define antigenic targets for TB vaccine development by using mass spectrometry (MS) for proteome-wide discovery ofMtbepitopes presented on MHC-II by infected human cells. We next iteratively design and evaluate candidate mRNA vaccine immunogens, revealing design principles that enhance presentation of target MHC-II peptides. Our results will inform the development of new TB vaccine candidates.
YY1 knockout in pro-B cells impairs lineage commitment, enabling unusual hematopoietic lineage plasticity
Authors: Banerjee Sarmistha , Sanyal Sulagna , Hodawadekar Suchita , Naiyer Sarah , Bano Nasreen , Banerjee Anupam , Rhoades Joshua , Dong Dawei , Allman David , Atchison Michael L.
Published: October 2024

During B-cell development, cells progress through multiple developmental stages, with the pro-B-cell stage defining commitment to the B-cell lineage. YY1 is a ubiquitous transcription factor that is capable of both activation and repression functions. We found here that knockout of YY1 at the pro-B-cell stage eliminates B lineage commitment. YY1 knockout pro-B cells can generate T lineage cells in vitro using the OP9-DL4 feeder system and in vivo after injection into sublethally irradiated Rag1−/−mice. These T lineage-like cells lose their B lineage transcript profile and gain a T-cell lineage profile. Single-cell RNA-seq experiments showed that as YY1 knockout pro-B cells transition into T lineage cells in vitro, various cell clusters adopt transcript profiles representing a multiplicity of hematopoietic lineages, indicating unusual lineage plasticity. In addition, YY1 KO pro-B cells in vivo can give rise to other hematopoietic lineages in vivo. Evaluation of RNA-seq, scRNA-seq, ChIP-seq, and scATAC-seq data indicates that YY1 controls numerous chromatin-modifying proteins leading to increased accessibility of alternative lineage genes in YY1 knockout pro-B cells. Given the ubiquitous nature of YY1 and its dual activation and repression functions, YY1 may regulate commitment in multiple cell lineages.
NEAT1 promotes genome stability via m6A methylation-dependent regulation of CHD4
Authors: Mamontova Victoria , Trifault Barbara , Gribling-Burrer Anne-Sophie , Bohn Patrick , Boten Lea , Preckwinkel Pit , Gallant Peter , Solvie Daniel , Ade Carsten P. , Papadopoulos Dimitrios , Eilers Martin , Gutschner Tony , Smyth Redmond P. , Burger Kaspar
Published: October 2024

Long noncoding (lnc)RNAs emerge as regulators of genome stability. The nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) is overexpressed in many tumors and is responsive to genotoxic stress. However, the mechanism that links NEAT1 to DNA damage response (DDR) is unclear. Here, we investigate the expression, modification, localization, and structure of NEAT1 in response to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). DNA damage increases the levels and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) marks on NEAT1, which promotes alterations in NEAT1 structure, accumulation of hypermethylated NEAT1 at promoter-associated DSBs, and DSB signaling. The depletion of NEAT1 impairs DSB focus formation and elevates DNA damage. The genome-protective role of NEAT1 is mediated by the RNA methyltransferase 3 (METTL3) and involves the release of the chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 4 (CHD4) from NEAT1 to fine-tune histone acetylation at DSBs. Our data suggest a direct role for NEAT1 in DDR.
The area postrema: a critical mediator of brain–body interactions
Authors: van de Lisdonk Daniëlle , Li Bo
Published: October 2024

The dorsal vagal complex contains three structures: the area postrema, the nucleus tractus solitarii, and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. These structures are tightly linked, both anatomically and functionally, and have important yet distinct roles in not only conveying peripheral bodily signals to the rest of the brain but in the generation of behavioral and physiological responses. Reports on the new discoveries in these structures were highlights of the symposium. In this outlook, we focus on the roles of the area postrema in mediating brain–body interactions and its potential utility as a therapeutic target, especially in cancer cachexia.
What a wonderful world!
Authors: Magnon Claire
Published: October 2024

The world of cancer science is moving toward a paradigm shift in making connections with neuroscience. After decades of research on genetic instability and mutations or on the tumor microenvironment, emerging evidence suggests that a malignant tumor is able to hijack and use the brain and its network of peripheral and central neurons as disrupters of homeostasis in the body. Whole-body homeostasis requires brain–body circuits to maintain survival and health via the processes of interoception, immunoception, and nociception. It is now likely that cancer disturbs physiological brain–body communication in making bidirectional brain tumor connections.
Harnessing brain–body communication to understand cancer
Authors: Sloan Erica K.
Published: October 2024

Solid tumors that arise in the body interact with neurons, which influences cancer progression and treatment response. Here, we discuss key questions in the field, including defining the nature of interactions between tumors and neural circuits and defining how neural signals shape the tumor microenvironment. This information will allow us to optimally target neural signaling to improve outcomes for cancer patients.
Temperature matters: the potential impact of thermoregulatory mechanisms in brain–body physiology
Authors: Repasky Elizabeth A. , Hylander Bonnie L. , Mohammadpour Hemn
Published: October 2024

Thermoregulation, responsible for maintaining a stable core temperature during wide fluctuations in external and internal thermal environments, is an iconic homeostatic process. However, we suggest that despite its fundamental physiological significance, the potential for required cool housing temperatures and thermoregulatory mechanisms to influence the interpretation of experimental data is not sufficiently appreciated. Moreover, although it is generally assumed that the major thermoregulatory pathways are well understood, here we discuss new research that suggests otherwise and reveals the emergence of a new wave of exciting ideas for this “old” field of research.
Hysteresis and self-oscillations in an artificial memristive quantum neuron
Authors: Potter Finlay , Zagoskin Alexandre , Savel'ev Sergey , Balanov Alexander G.
Published: October 2024

We theoretically study an artificial neuron circuit containing a quantum memristor in the presence of relaxation and dephasing. The charge transport in the quantum element is realized via tunneling of a charge through a quantum particle which shuttles between two terminals—a functionality reminiscent of classical diffusive memristors. We demonstrate that this physical principle enables hysteretic behavior in the current-voltage characteristics of the quantum device. In addition, being used in an artificial neural circuit, the quantum switcher is able to generate self-sustained current oscillations. Our analysis reveals that these self-oscillations are triggered only in quantum regimes with a moderate rate of relaxation, and cannot exist either in a purely coherent regime or at a very high decoherence. We investigate the hysteresis and instability leading to the onset of current self-oscillations and analyze their properties depending on the circuit parameters. Our results provide a generic approach to the use of quantum regimes for controlling hysteresis and generating self-oscillations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Diabatic dynamical diquark bound states: Mass corrections and widths
Authors: Lebed Richard F. , Martinez Steven R.
Published: October 2024

Using the diabatic formalism, which generalizes the adiabatic approximation in the Born-Oppen-heimer formalism, we apply well-known Hamiltonian methods to calculate the effect of open di-meson thresholds that lie well below the mass of elementary cc¯qq¯′, cc¯ss¯, and cc¯qs¯ tetraquark bound states. We compute the resulting mass shifts for these states, as well as their decay widths to the corresponding meson pairs. Each mass eigenstate, originally produced using a bound-state approximation under the diabatic formalism, consists of an admixture of a compact diquark-antidiquark configuration (an eigenstate of the original dynamical diquark model) with an extended di-meson configuration induced by the nearest threshold. We compare our results with those from our recent work that employs a scattering formalism, and find a great deal of agreement, but also comment upon interesting discrepancies between the two approaches.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Valence quark PDFs of the proton from two-current correlations in lattice QCD
Authors: Zimmermann Christian , Schäfer Andreas
Published: October 2024

Following previous works on that topic, we consider Euclidean hadronic matrix elements in position space of two spatially separated local currents on the lattice, in order to extract the x dependence of parton distribution functions (PDFs). The corresponding approach is often referred to by the term . In this work we will consider valence quark PDFs of an unpolarized proton. We adapt the previously established formalism to our choice of operators. The calculation of the two-current matrix elements requires the evaluation of four-point functions. The corresponding calculation is carried out on a nf=2+1 gauge ensemble with lattice spacing a=0.0856  fm and pseudoscalar masses mπ=355  MeV and mK=441  MeV. The four-point functions have been evaluated in a previous project. The lattice data is converted to the MS¯ scheme at a scale μ=2  GeV and improved with respect to lattice artifacts. We use a common model as fit ansatz for the lattice data in order to extract the PDFs.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Kinetic energy and speed powers
vn
of a heavy quark inside
S
wave and
P
wave heavy-light mesons
Authors: Li Wei , Wang Tianhong , Feng Tai-Fu , Wang Guo-Li , Chang Chao-Hsi
Published: October 2024

The average values of the powers of |q→|n¯≡qn and |v→|n¯≡vn are commonly used physical quantities, where q→ and v→ are the three-dimensional momentum and velocity of a quark inside a meson, respectively. For example, the average kinetic energy μπ2=q2 is an important quantity in the heavy quark effective theory, and the expansion of vn is commonly used in the nonrelativistic quantum chromodynamics. In this paper, based on the instantaneous Bethe-Salpeter equation method, we calculate the average values qn and vn (n=1, 2, 3, 4) of a heavy quark inside S wave and P wave heavy-light mesons. We obtain the kinetic energy μπ2=0.455  GeV2 for the B meson, which is consistent with the experimental result 0.464±0.076  GeV2. For the Bs, D, and Ds mesons, the μπ2 are 0.530, 0.317, and 0.369  GeV2, respectively, and v2=0.0185, 0.0215, 0.121, and 0.140 for B, Bs, D, and Ds, respectively. We obtain some relationships, for example, q0−n(mS)≈q1−n(mS), q0+n(mP)≈q1+′n(mP′)>q1+n(mP)≈q2+n(mP), and qn(mS)<qn(mP) (m=1, 2, 3), etc.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
qT
spectrum for Higgs boson production via heavy quark annihilation at
N3LL′+aN3LO
Authors: Cal Pedro , von Kuk Rebecca , Lim Matthew A. , Tackmann Frank J.
Published: October 2024

We study the transverse momentum (qT) spectrum of the Higgs boson produced via the annihilation of massive quarks (s, c, b) in proton-proton collisions. Using soft-collinear effective theory (SCET) and working in the five-flavor scheme, we provide predictions at three-loop order in resummed perturbation theory (N3LL′). We match the resummed calculation to full fixed-order results at next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO), and introduce a decorrelation method to enable a consistent matching to an approximate N3LO (aN3LO) result. Since the b-quark initiated process exhibits large nonsingular corrections, it requires special care in the matching procedure and estimation of associated theoretical uncertainties, which we discuss in detail. Our results constitute the most accurate predictions to date for these processes in the small qT region and could be used to improve the determination of Higgs Yukawa couplings from the shape of the measured Higgs qT spectrum.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Regularization effects in the Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model: Strong scheme dependence of inhomogeneous phases and persistence of the moat regime
Authors: Pannullo Laurin , Wagner Marc , Winstel Marc
Published: October 2024

This work investigates the phase structure of the nonrenormalizable (3+1)-dimensional Nambu–Jona-Lasinio (NJL) model with particular focus on inhomogeneous phases (IPs), where the chiral condensate is nonuniform in space, and the closely related moat regimes, where mesonic dispersion relations favor nonvanishing momenta. We use the mean-field approximation and consider five different regularization schemes including three lattice discretizations. The results within the different regularization schemes are systematically analyzed in order to study the dependence of the IP on the choice of regularization scheme and regulator value. The IP exhibits a drastic dependence on the chosen regularization scheme rendering any physical interpretation of results on inhomogeneous phases in this model doubtful. In contrast, we find only a mild scheme dependence of the moat regime suggesting that its existence is a consequence of the action of the NJL model and its symmetries and, thus, that it might also exist in QCD.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Cosmological Flow of Primordial Correlators
Authors: Werth Denis , Pinol Lucas , Renaux-Petel Sébastien
Published: October 2024

Correlation functions of primordial density fluctuations provide an exciting probe of the physics governing the earliest moments of our Universe. However, the standard approach to compute them is technically challenging. Theoretical predictions are therefore available only in restricted classes of theories. In this Letter, we present a complete method to systematically compute tree-level inflationary correlators. This method is based on following the time evolution of equal-time correlators and it accurately captures all physical effects in any theory. These theories are conveniently formulated at the level of inflationary fluctuations, and can feature any number of degrees of freedom with arbitrary dispersion relations and masses, coupled through any type of time-dependent interactions. We demonstrate the power of this approach by exploring the properties of the cosmological collider signal, a discovery channel for new high-energy physics, in theories with strong mixing and in the presence of features. This work lays the foundation for a universal program to assist our theoretical understanding of inflationary physics and generate theoretical data for an unbiased interpretation of upcoming cosmological observations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Active Fréedericksz Transition in Active Nematic Droplets
Authors: Alam Salman , Najma Bibi , Singh Abhinav , Laprade Jeremy , Gajeshwar Gauri , Yevick Hannah G. , Baskaran Aparna , Foster Peter J. , Duclos Guillaume
Published: October 2024

Active nematic liquid crystals have the remarkable ability to spontaneously deform and flow in the absence of any external driving force. While living materials with orientational order, such as the mitotic spindle, can self-assemble in quiescent active phases, reconstituted active systems often display chaotic, periodic, or circulating flows under confinement. Quiescent active nematics are, therefore, quite rare, despite the prediction from active hydrodynamic theory that confinement between two parallel plates can suppress flows. This spontaneous flow transition—named the active Fréedericksz transition by analogy with the conventional Fréedericksz transition in passive nematic liquid crystals under a magnetic field—has been a cornerstone of the field of active matter. Here, we report experimental evidence that confinement in spherical droplets can stabilize the otherwise chaotic dynamics of a 3D extensile active nematics, giving rise to a quiescent—yet still out-of-equilibrium—nematic liquid crystal. The active nematics spontaneously flow when confined in larger droplets. The composite nature of our model system composed of extensile bundles of microtubules and molecular motors dispersed in a passive colloidal liquid crystal allows us to demonstrate how the interplay of activity, nematic elasticity, and confinement impacts the spontaneous flow transition. The critical diameter increases when motor concentration decreases or nematic elasticity increases. Experiments and simulations also demonstrate that the critical confinement depends on the confining geometry, with the critical diameter in droplets being larger than the critical width in channels. Biochemical assays reveal that neither confinement nor nematic elasticity impacts the energy-consumption rate, confirming that the quiescent active phase is the stable out-of-equilibrium phase predicted theoretically. Further experiments in dense arrays of monodisperse droplets show that fluctuations in the droplet composition can smooth the flow transition close to the critical diameter. In conclusion, our work provides experimental validation of the active Fréedericksz transition in 3D active nematics, with potential applications in human health, ecology, and soft robotics.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
The country-of-origin dilemma: domestic bias or need for transparency? Assessing consumer’s value of information for country-of-origin labelling in Italy
Authors: Farina Giuditta , Casati Mirta , Sckokai Paolo
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The main objective of this study is to analyze consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for country-of-origin (COO) labels of two processed food products, disentangling the value of information (VOI) that consumers place on COO information from the value they place on specific countries of origin.

Design/methodology/approach

A convenience sample of 96 university students completed a face-to-face experiment that included a multiple price list and a discrete choice experiment. Data are analyzed employing interval censored regressions, and random parameter logit models.

Findings

Our results indicate that, on average, consumers place a higher value on origin information when a country name is explicitly mentioned. Furthermore, COO information is, on average, more relevant to consumers for products with low involvement than for products with high involvement. Finally, the effect of ethnocentrism is heterogeneous across product categories.

Research limitations/implications

Mandatory COO labeling may or may not reinforce domestic bias, depending on the rationale behind consumer support. If consumers are driven by blind ethnocentrism, it may lead to market inefficiencies. However, if they use COO as a cue to align their stated preferences with their choices, it will not. For this alignment to occur, consumers must be fully informed about product attributes, which requires new and smart methods of communicating product attributes.

Originality/value

The present study contributes to the literature on COO food labels, being the first in Italy to disentangle the VOI consumers place on origin information itself from the value they place on specific countries of origin. In addition, it is the first study that applies this methodology across different product categories, each of which has a different level of cultural sensitivity to consumers.
Happy, and they know it? The roles of positive affectivity, intrinsic motivation and network building on LinkedIn on employment predictions
Authors: Harrison Jennifer A. , Halinski Michael , Manroop Laxmikant
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Drawing on trait activation theory, this study examines the influence of positive affectivity on employment predictions (e.g. the probability of obtaining an interview and being hired) via intrinsic motivation and network building on LinkedIn.

Design/methodology/approach

Multisource field data were collected from student job seekers (n = 179) searching for an internship over two points with a six-month time separation between the first and second data collection.

Findings

Structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses revealed marginal support for the mediating roles of intrinsic motivation and network building in positive affectivity’s indirect effect on employment predictions about the probability of obtaining an interview and being hired.

Research limitations/implications

This study extends research on job search networking/selection by demonstrating the sequential process through which job seekers’ positive affectivity influences employment predictions, emphasizing the intermediary roles of intrinsic motivation and network building on LinkedIn.

Practical implications

Job seekers, recruiters and career counselors should consider network building on LinkedIn as a relevant expression of positive affectivity.

Originality/value

We apply trait activation theory as an overarching framework to examine how an affective between-person difference is expressed via intrinsic motivation and network building and is, at the same time, perceived and valued by employers on LinkedIn.
Enhancing appeal of aggregate payment framing: effects of temporal payment framing and goal proximity on consumer purchase decisions
Authors: Byun Kate Jeonghee
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how temporal payment framing (i.e. segregate vs aggregate framing) and goal proximity (i.e. proximal vs distal goals) influence consumer purchase decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

Study 1 included four laboratory experiments and examined the moderating role of goal proximity in temporal payment framing. Study 2, using Facebook and a firm’s website for an online field experiment with a data set of 38,731 impressions, extended Study 1, enhancing the generalizability of the findings.

Findings

Consumers exhibited a stronger purchase intention for segregate payment framing. This effect became less pronounced when goal proximity was coupled with temporal payment framing. If products or services emphasized a distal goal, individuals showed greater responses for aggregate payment framing rather than segregate payment framing. The effect was substantial, demonstrating a consistent behavioral pattern in individuals’ browsing choices, including browsing duration and the number of pages viewed.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies ought to investigate if the alignment of goal proximity and temporal payment framing holds consistent across different product types, such as utilitarian versus hedonic products, or search goods versus experience goods.

Practical implications

Marketers can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their marketing strategies by crafting persuasive messages where the monetary offer is in harmony with the goal proximity.

Originality/value

Temporal payment framing literature has focused on payment framing; however, consumers make their decisions based on a combination of factors rather than solely on payment framing. This study identifies the moderating role of goal proximity.
Mental health at the intersections: understanding South Asian Muslim youth mental health in Peel Region, Toronto, Canada
Authors: Islam Farah , Qasim Kashmala , Qutub Amal , Ali-Mohammed Saamiyah , Abdulwasi Munira , Shakya Yogendra , Hynie Michaela , McKenzie Kwame
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to understand the unique mental health concerns and access barriers experienced by South Asian Muslim youth populations living in the Peel Region of Toronto, Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

For this qualitative exploratory study, interviews (n = 15) were conducted with mental health professionals, educators and spiritual leaders (n = 11) who work with South Asian Muslim youth living in Peel Region, as well as with South Asian Muslim youth themselves (n = 4, aged 20–23). Interview transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Findings

Four primary themes emerged from the data: challenges and stressors, barriers, facilitators and hope and recovery. South Asian Muslim youth navigate a number of unique stressors related to the domains of culture, religion and family dynamics, as well as the impact of migration.

Practical implications

The findings stress the necessity of creating culturally safe, multilevel strategies to meet the nuanced challenges and diverse needs of South Asian Muslim youth communities.

Originality/value

This is one of the few papers to the knowledge that addresses the mental health needs and service access barriers of youth populations at the intersections of South Asian diasporic community belonging and Muslim faith in Canada.
Inflation hedging: a comparative wavelet quantile correlation analysis of real estate and alternative assets
Authors: Nasreddine Aya , Essafi Zouari Yasmine
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Conducting an analysis spanning from 2000 to 2023, this research evaluates the effectiveness of real estate assets in hedging against global and energy inflation, benchmarked against other compelling investment options such as oil, gold, silver and stocks.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs the wavelet quantile correlation (WQC) methodology. The latter sheds light on dynamic market interactions by scrutinising dependency structures across multiple time scales and also by capturing tail dependence. The adaptability of the wavelet transform, across a spectrum of frequencies, emerges as an indispensable tool for studying time series while also unravelling relationships among variables across diverse quantiles.

Findings

The findings reveal that the response to inflationary pressures is contingent upon the asset class, investment horizon and type of inflation under consideration. While precious metals demonstrate effectiveness over short-term horizons, French-listed real estate exhibits compelling inflation-hedging characteristics as the investment horizon extends. Oil emerges as an unequivocal hedge against both global and energy inflation.

Practical implications

To counteract the effects of inflation, investors and households may feel compelled to refine their investment strategies, opting to bolster their portfolios with instruments proven to serve as reliable safeguards against inflation, as indicated by this study.

Originality/value

In conjunction with a surge in inflationary pressures, this study delves into the hedging capabilities of assets, exploring their efficacy not only across short- and long-term investment horizons but also within diverse scenarios characterized by fluctuating levels of global and energy-related inflation. To the best of our knowledge, no previous article employed the WQC technique to evaluate the inflation-hedging nexus.