bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neurodevelopmental outcomes in children exposed in utero to dolutegravir- or efavirenz-based ART
Authors: Cassidy Adam R. , Mayondi Gloria , Williams Paige L. , Moabi Kebaiphe , Lemahieu Allison , Kamanga Naledi , Powis Kathleen M. , Isquith Peter , Ramaabya Dinah , Banda Francis M. , Makhema Joseph , Kammerer Betsy , Lockman Shahin
Published: January 2025

Objective:

To examine the impact of in utero exposure to dolutegravir (DTG)- or efavirenz (EFV)-based antiretroviral treatment (ART) on child neurodevelopmental (ND) outcomes.

Design:

Prospective cohort design, enrolling 3 cohorts of 2-year-olds: children HIV-negative born to mothers with HIV (CHEU) receiving either DTG-based or EFV-based 3-drug ART during pregnancy, and children born to mothers without HIV (CHUU).

Methods:

Primary child ND outcomes were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID-III) and compared between cohorts using generalized estimating equation models adjusted for confounders. Children were classified as having an “adverse ND outcome” if they scored ≥1 standard deviation (SD) below the mean or were unable to complete the BSID-III.

Results:

564 participants (202 DTG-exposed, 202 EFV-exposed, 160 HIV-unexposed; mean age 25.7 months, 49% female). Mean (SD) Gross Motor scores were slightly lower among CHEU vs. CHUU (54.6 (3.6) vs. 55.6 (4.3)) and among EFV-exposed vs. DTG-exposed (54.3 (3.5) vs. 54.9 (3.6)). CHEU were more likely to be classified as having an “adverse” expressive language outcome (13.2% vs 7.0%, aRR = 2.06 (95%CI: 1.05, 4.03)) than CHUU, but other ND outcomes were similar. DTG exposure was associated with less frequent “adverse” classification in Cognitive (2.5% vs 7.4% aRR = 0.33 (0.13, 0.79)) and Expressive Language domains (10.0% vs 16.4%, aRR = 0.58 (0.35, 0.95)), compared to EFV-exposure.

Conclusions:

Two-year ND outcomes among Botswana children DTG-exposed, EFV-exposed, and HIV-unexposed were mostly comparable. Children exposed in utero to EFV-based ART had higher risk of “adverse” cognitive and expressive language outcomes compared to children DTG-exposed.
Machine Learning-Based Prediction of ICU Readmissions in Intracerebral Hemorrhage Patients: Insights from the MIMIC Databases
Authors: Chen Shuheng , Fan Junyi , Abdollahi Armin , Ashrafi Negin , Alaei Kamiar , Placencia Greg , Pishgar Maryam
Published: January 2025

Background

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a life-risking condition characterized by bleeding within the brain parenchyma. ICU readmission in ICH patients is a critical outcome, reflecting both clinical severity and resource utilization. Accurate prediction of ICU readmission risk is crucial for guiding clinical decision-making and optimizing healthcare resources.

Methods

This study utilized the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC-III and MIMIC-IV) databases, which contain comprehensive clinical and demographic data on ICU patients. Patients with ICH were identified from both databases. Various clinical, laboratory, and demographic features were extracted for analysis based on both overview literature and experts’ opinions. Preprocessing methods like imputing and sampling were applied to improve the performance of our models. Machine learning techniques, such as Artificial Neural Network (ANN), XGBoost, and RandomForest were employed to develop predictive models for ICU readmission risk. Model performance was evaluated using metrics such as AUROC, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity.

Results

The developed models demonstrated robust predictive accuracy for ICU readmission in ICH patients, with key predictors including demographic information, clinical parameters, and laboratory measurements.

Conclusion

Our study provides a predictive framework for ICU read-mission risk in ICH patients, which can aid in clinical decision-making and improve resource allocation in intensive care settings.
AI-Powered Exploration of IGF2BP3 as a Prognostic Biomarker in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Progression and Disease Stratification
Authors: Chauhan Pragati , Ubaid Saba , Kashif Mohammad , Singh Tanvi , Singh Gaurav , Verma Shailendra Prasad , Singh Ranjana , Kushwaha Rashmi , Singh Vivek
Published: January 2025

Background

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) progresses through chronic, accelerated, and blast crisis phases, making disease stratification and therapeutic response prediction challenging. IGF2BP3 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 mRNA Binding Protein 3) has emerged as a potential prognostic biomarker due to its involvement in RNA stability and oncogenic pathways.

Methods

This study employed a multi-platform approach, including immunohistochemistry (IHC), ELISA, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting, to evaluate IGF2BP3 expression in 121 CML patient samples across disease stages. Advanced artificial intelligence (ChatGPT 4.0) and statistical tools (R-Studio) were utilized to analyze correlations between IGF2BP3 levels, clinical parameters, and treatment responses.

Results

IGF2BP3 expression progressively increased from the chronic to the blast crisis phase, correlating with disease severity and resistance to therapy. IHC staining intensity and serum levels of IGF2BP3 were highest in the blast crisis phase, confirmed by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. AI-powered regression analysis revealed a strong correlation between IGF2BP3 levels, P210 translocation percentages, and blast counts. Non-responders to therapy exhibited significantly elevated IGF2BP3 levels, underscoring its potential as a marker for treatment resistance.

Conclusions

IGF2BP3 is a reliable biomarker for CML disease progression, therapeutic resistance, and patient stratification. Targeting IGF2BP3 may offer novel therapeutic opportunities, particularly in advanced disease stages. This study demonstrates the utility of integrating AI in biomarker research to enhance precision and actionable insights.
Predictors and outcome of post-stroke depression among adults admitted for first stroke at referral hospitals in Dodoma, Tanzania: a protocol for a prospective longitudinal observational study
Authors: Mandari Sadiki , Nyundo Azan
Published: January 2025

Background

Survivors of strokes are prone to disabilities, especially in underdeveloped countries. Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common neuropsychiatric condition that exacerbates symptoms and raises the danger of stroke recurrence, disability, and mortality. Nevertheless, little is documented about PSD’s incidence, predictors, and consequences.

This study aims to assess predictors and outcomes of post-stroke depression among patients admitted with the first stroke episode at referral hospitals in Dodoma, Tanzania.

Methods and analysis

The study is a prospective longitudinal observational design; a consecutive sampling technique will be used to attain the estimated sample size. Adults aged ≥18 years who have had their first stroke episode, within 14 days, and the stroke diagnosis will be verified through brain imaging using CT or MRI. The study will be conducted at referral hospitals in Dodoma region, Tanzania. At admission, baseline clinical parameters will be recorded, and PSD will be evaluated at one and three months after a stroke. Data will be summarised using descriptive statistics; continuous data will be reported as mean (SD) or median (IQR) while categorical data as frequencies and proportions. The PSD predictors will be determined using logistic regression analysis. The study will adhere to data-sharing guidelines and take ethical considerations into account.

Ethics and dissemination

The University of Dodoma’s institutional Research Review and Ethical Committee has granted permission to conduct the study with reference number MA.84/261/02. The relevant authorities granted approval for the study to be carried out at DRRH and BMH.
Attention in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Affected Domains and Brain-Gut Axis Interactions
Authors: Akbari Reyhaneh , Salimi Yeganeh , Aarani Fatemeh Dehghani , Rezayat Ehsan
Published: January 2025

Background

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life. Recent research suggests that attention may be affected in individuals with IBS, potentially influencing symptom perception and emotional distress.

Objective

This systematic review aims to investigate the relationship between attention and IBS, focusing on the affected domains of attention and the interactions within the brain-gut axis.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including MEDLINE/PubMed, PsychINFO, and Scopus, from January 1990 to December 2024. Studies were included if they assessed attention in adult IBS patients and employed valid measurement tools. A total of 24 studies were selected for analysis, encompassing various methodologies, including neuroimaging and behavioral assessments.

Results

The findings indicate that IBS patients exhibit significant attentional biases, particularly towards gastrointestinal-related stimuli, reflecting heightened sensitivity and hypervigilance. Specific domains of attention, including selective attention, sustained attention, and pre-attentional processing, were identified as being affected. The review highlights the role of psychological factors, such as anxiety and depression, in modulating attention in IBS. Neuroimaging studies revealed altered brain activation patterns in regions associated with attention and emotional processing, suggesting a complex interplay between cognitive function and the brain-gut axis.

Conclusion

This systematic review underscores the multifaceted nature of attention in IBS, revealing specific attentional deficits and biases that may contribute to symptom exacerbation and emotional distress. The findings emphasize the need for further research to explore the underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic interventions aimed at addressing attention in IBS patients.
Brain morphometry, stimulation charge, and seizure duration in electroconvulsive therapy
Authors: Leaver Amber , Abbott Christopher , Espinoza Randall , Narr Katherine
Published: January 2025

Background: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a well-established and effective treatment for severe depression and other conditions. Though ECT induces a generalized seizure, it is unclear why seizures are therapeutic. This study analyzed relationships between pre-treatment brain morphology, stimulation dose, and seizure duration to better understand ECT-induced seizures. Methods: Pre-existing MRI data were analyzed from four cohorts with treatment refractory depression undergoing right unilateral (RUL) ECT (n=166). Regional brain morphometry and magnitude of electrical current (|E|) were analyzed, along with seizure duration and stimulation charge at seizure threshold (ECT1) and 6x seizure threshold (ECT2&3). Linear models controlled for age, sex, and cohort, corrected using false discovery rate q<0.05. Results: Lower ECT1 stimulation charge correlated with less cortical surface area perpendicular to current flow, and greater |E| in nearby white matter. Lower ECT2&3 stimulation charge correlated with less cortical surface area and curvature near the temporal electrode, higher |E| in right amygdala and anterior hippocampus, and lower right thalamic and mid-hippocampal volume. Cortical surface area extending between electrodes (e.g., postcentral gyrus) positively correlated with ECT2&3 seizure duration. Successful antidepressant response associated with less cortical surface area near the temporal electrode and more |E| in anteromedial temporal lobe regions, the latter of which mediated the effects of the former on antidepressant response. Conclusions: Pre-treatment brain morphology influences ECT-induced seizure, particularly in regions near ECT electrodes and those relevant to seizure initiation and modulation. Personalized dosing based on head morphology and other factors may improve antidepressant outcomes and reduce side effects.
Trends in self-management research in spinal cord injury: A scoping review of study designs and findings
Authors: Qama Enxhi , Rubinelli Sara , Diviani Nicola
Published: January 2025

Context

Self-management (SM) is essential for people living with a spinal cord injury (SCI) to maintain independence and improve their quality of life. The literature on SM interventions reveals gaps in understanding how and why SM works or does not work, and influencing factors that should be considered in future interventions.

Objective

To explore the study designs and their trends over time, and to synthesize their key findings.

Methods

Following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework, PubMed, Science Direct, CINAHL, Scopus, and Cochrane Library were searched. Included were original peer-reviewed studies with adult participants. Study characteristics and trends were summarized, and results were analyzed through a thematic narrative synthesis.

Results

Fifty-two articles were included, mostly conducted in the last six years in the community. They mostly focus on issues like pressure injuries and catheterization. Recent years show a shift towards qualitative and mixed-methods research, more inpatient studies, and greater diversity in SM problems. Studies’ findings highlightedindividual factors(knowledge, psychological well-being, SM integration), interpersonal and societal influences(patient-provider relationships, societal contexts), andtechnological integration(enhancement of SM outcomes, usability, and feasibility) as important aspect of SM.

Conclusions

This review shows increase and diversified research on SM in SCI. Findings emphasize the importance of operationalizing knowledge through skill development, integrating SM into daily routines, and fostering effective communication between patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. Longitudinal studies from rehabilitation to community reintegration in diverse contexts are needed to understand and monitor SM over time.
“Medical specialists in LMICs; a systematic review and best-fit framework synthesis of the evidence on their roles and contribution to health systems”
Authors: Russo Giuliano , Sriram Veena , Mulenga Willows Tamara , Miotto Renata Alonso , Mocumbi Ana Olga , Scheffer Mário
Published: January 2025

Background

Medical specialists are integral to the medical workforce and play a pivotal role in referral systems. However, in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), there is perception specialists often fail to align with local health needs, system capacities, and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) objectives.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted in 2024 using a best-fit framework to assess the contributions of specialists to health systems and population health in LMICs. Searches covered eight databases and specialist journals, guided by an expert-validateda prioriframework for data extraction and analysis. We used the Johanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools to assess the quality of the papers, and the PRISMA guidelines to report the findings. The study protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42024572877).

Findings

We found and reviewed 89 studies, highlighting a critical shortage of specialists, particularly surgeons, anaesthesiologists, and psychiatrists. Evidence linked specialists’ availability to improved health outcomes such as lives saved through expanded surgical capacity, though broader health system contributions were less clear. Specialists were reported to play key roles in referrals, hospital management, mentoring, and research. Governance of their professions was found to be variable across LMICs, with wide differences in specialty types, training curricula, accreditation systems, and regulation of private-sector involvement. Reports frequently documented specialists’ engagement with private health markets, revealing blurred boundaries between public and private care. A dynamic market for specialists was also observed, driven by a sustained global demand for their services. However, few policies were found addressing shortages and improving governance, with existing strategies focusing on task-shifting, clinical training, and sharing responsibilities.

Conclusions

This review offers an evidence-based framework for understanding specialists’ roles and health system engagement in LMICs. We highlight the need to reconsider specialists’ deployment, prioritising alignment with UHC goals and enhancing governance to optimize their contributions to health systems.
More dominant baboons have less and lower quality sleep
Authors: Fele Marco , Christensen Charlotte , Bracken Anna M. , O’Riain M. Justin , Lurgi Miguel , Papadopoulou Marina , Fürtbauer Ines , King Andrew J.
Published: January 2025

The amount and quality of sleep individuals get can impact various aspects of human and non-human animal health, ultimately affecting fitness. For wild animals that sleep in groups, individuals may disturb one another, influencing sleep quality and quantity, but this aspect of social sleep has been understudied due to methodological challenges. Here, we test the hypothesis that individual’s social dominance can affect sleep opportunities, by studying sleep patterns in a troop of wild chacma baboons (Papio ursinus), a species with a strong hierarchical social structure. First, we show that the troop’s night-time sleep (determined by 40Hz acceleration data) is highly synchronised. Next, we link night-time sleep dynamics to daytime spatial networks and dominance hierarchy (from 1Hz GPS data and direct observations). We show that baboon sleep synchrony is higher between similarly ranked individuals, and unexpectedly, more dominant baboons experience less and lower-quality sleep. We propose that this hierarchy effect is explained by higher-ranked baboons resting closer to more group members, which also leads them exerting greater influence on each other’s night-time behaviour compared to lower-ranked individuals. Our study provides the first empirical evidence for the impact of social hierarchies on sleep in a wild primate, suggesting that dominance status may impose trade-offs between social rank and the quality and quantity of sleep.
Transcriptional Integration of Meiotic Prophase I Progression and Early Oocyte Differentiation
Authors: Abt Kimberly M. , Bartholomew Myles A. , Nixon Anna , Richman Hanna E. , Gura Megan A. , Seymour Kimberly A. , Freiman Richard N.
Published: January 2025

Female reproductive senescence results from the regulated depletion of a finite pool of oocytes called the ovarian reserve. This pool of oocytes is initially established during fetal development, but the oocytes that comprise it must remain quiescent for decades until they are activated during maturation in adulthood. In order for developmentally competent oocytes to populate the ovarian reserve they must successfully initiate both meiosis and oogenesis. As the factors that regulate the timing and fidelity of these early events remain elusive, we assessed the precise function and timing of the transcriptional regulator TAF4b during meiotic prophase I progression in mouse fetal oocytes. Compared to matched controls, E14.5Taf4b-deficient oocytes enter meiosis I in a timely manner however, their subsequent progression through the pachytene-to-diplotene transition of meiotic prophase I is compromised. Moreover, this disruption of meiotic progression is associated with the reduced ability ofTaf4b-deficient oocytes to repair double-strand DNA breaks. Transcriptional profiling ofTaf4b-deficient oocytes reveals that between E16.5 and E18.5 these oocytes fail to coordinate the reduction of meiotic gene expression and the induction of oocyte differentiation genes. These studies reveal that TAF4b promotes the formation of the ovarian reserve in part by orchestrating the timely transition to meiosis I arrest and oocyte differentiation, which are often perceived as separate events.
The promoter ofZymomonas mobilisrespiratory NADH dehydrogenase (ndh) is induced by oxygen
Authors: Rubina Marta , Strazdina Inese , Rutkis Reinis , Kalnenieks Uldis
Published: January 2025

Expression of the genes of engineered green fluorescent protein and theZymomonas mobilisnative malic enzyme from plasmid vectors under theZ. mobilisrespiratory NADH dehydrogenase promoter (Pndh) was strongly enhanced by aeration, both in the wild type Zm6 and its respiratory-deficient mutant derivative Zm6-ndhbackgrounds. Pndh in aerobically growing cultures was activated by about an order of magnitude relative to non-aerated control. Its induction approached the maximum level already at moderate aeration (1-5% oxygen saturation in the medium). The strength of Pndh under aerobic conditions was comparable to, or even surpassed that of the strongZ. mobilisnative promoter of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Although the mechanism of its oxygen-dependent induction is not known, Pndh might serve as a versatile inducible promoter forZ. mobilismetabolic engineering.

Highlights

Aeration activates theZ. mobilis ndhpromoter Pndh by about an order of magnitude

Under aerobic conditions Pndh ranks among the strongest nativeZ. mobilispromoters

Pndh is induced already at low oxygen saturation range (1-5%)
Optimal sparsity in autoencoder memory models of the hippocampus
Authors: Shah Abhishek , Hen René , Losonczy Attila , Fusi Stefano
Published: January 2025

Storing complex correlated memories is significantly more efficient when memories are recoded to obtain compressed representations. Previous work has shown that compression can be implemented in a simple neural circuit, which can be described as a sparse autoencoder. The activity of the encoding units in these models recapitulates the activity of hippocampal neurons recorded in multiple experiments. However, these investigations have assumed that the level of sparsity is fixed and that inputs have the same statistics and, hence, that they are uniformly compressible. In contrast, biological agents encounter environments with vastly different memory demands and compressibility. Here, we investigate whether the compressibility of inputs determines optimal sparsity in sparse autoencoders. We find 1) that as the compressibility of inputs increases, the optimal coding level decreases, 2) that the desired coding level diverges from the observed coding level as a function of both memory demand and input compressibility, and 3) that optimal memory capacity is achieved when sparsity is weakly enforced. In addition, we characterize how sparsity and the strength of sparsity enforcement jointly control optimal performance. These results provide predictions for how sparsity in the hippocampus should change in response to environmental statistics and theoretical grounds for why sparsity is dynamically tuned in the brain.
Intuitive sensorimotor decisions under risk take Newtonian physics into account
Authors: Tatai Fabian , Straub Dominik , Rothkopf Constantin A.
Published: January 2025

The success of our interactions with objects in natural tasks depends on generating motor actions, which are subject to sensorimotor variability, the objects’ physical properties, which are governed by the laws of kinematics, and the costs and benefits associated with the actions’ outcomes. Therefore, such interactions jointly involve sensorimotor control, intuitive physics, and decision-making under risk. Here, we devised a mixed reality experiment, which allows investigating human behavior involving the interaction of all three of these cognitive faculties. Participants slid pucks to target areas associated with monetary rewards and losses within an immersive, naturalistic virtual environment. In this task, signal-dependent variability inherent in motor control interacts non-linearly with the physical relationships governing objects’ motion under friction. By systematically testing generative models of behavior incorporating different assumptions about how participants may generate the slides, we find decisive evidence that participants’ decision under risk readily took their individual motor variability and Newtonian physics into account to gain monetary rewards without relying on trial by trial learning.

Author summary

Humans are exceptionally proficient at manipulating objects in natural tasks. This skill requires integrating three cognitive faculties: 1. Sensorimotor-control, subject to inherent uncertainty and variability; 2. Intuitive physical reasoning as object manipulations are subject to physical dynamics; 3. Economic decision-making when actions have outcomes with monetary consequences. Here, we show that in a naturalistic, immersive object manipulation task, human participants plan their movements by taking into account how their sensorimotor variability interacts with the physical dynamics of object manipulation to optimize economic outcomes. Therefore, our findings suggest that in everyday naturalistic interactions with the world, humans can integrate these three cognitive faculties.
Homosensory and heterosensory dishabituation engage distinct circuits in Drosophila
Authors: Charonitakis Alexandros , Pasadaki Sofia , Georganta Eirini-Maria , Foka Kyriaki , Semelidou Ourania , Skoulakis Efthimios MC
Published: January 2025

Habituation, the adaptive reduction of responsiveness to repetitive inconsequential stimuli and dishabituation, the reinstatement of the naive reaction after exposure to a potent novel stimulus are conserved fundamental neuroplasticity processes thought to underlie salience filtering and selective attention. Dishabituation is routinely used to differentiate bona fide habituation from fatigue. However, the mechanisms engaged to drive dishabituation remain largely debatable as to whether the novel dishabituating stimulus elicits sensitization of the habituated circuits, or it engages distinct neuronal routes to bypass habituation reinstating the naive response. Using the established olfactory habituation paradigm in Drosophila, we examined whether dishabituators of the same sensory modality as the habituated stimulus (homosensory) or of a different one (heterosensory) engage distinct, converging, or the same neuronal circuits to reinstate the naive avoidance response following habituation to an odorant (3-octanol). We demonstrate that dopaminergic inputs via the PAM and PPL1 clusters differentiate the homosensory and heterosensory dishabituators respectively, converge onto and recruit the Mushroom Bodies (MBs) into a distinct dishabituation circuit than that driving habituation, which is MB-independent. GABAergic neurotransmission to the MB from APL neurons is specifically required for homosensory dishabituation, likely to differentiate the olfactory habituating and dishabituating stimuli. Dishabituator-driven activation of the MBs elicits neurotransmission from their γ neurons onto GABAergic MB-output neurons (MBONS), relaying signals to bypass the inhibition of OCT avoidance established in the Lateral Horn (LH) by habituation. Because distinct circuitries are engaged for habituation and dishabituation, our results strongly suggest that both homosensory and heterosensory stimuli drive dishabituation by recruiting habituation-independent circuitry to modulate the activity of the LH and reinstate the naive response.
One-loop electron self-energy with accelerated partial-wave expansion in the Coulomb gauge
Authors: Yerokhin V. A. , Harman Z. , Keitel C. H.
Published: January 2025

Numerical calculations of the electron self-energy without any expansion in the binding nuclear field are required in order to match the rapidly advancing precision of experimental spectroscopy. For the lightest elements, particularly hydrogen, these computations are complicated by large numerical cancelations and the slow convergence of the partial-wave expansion. Methods with accelerated convergence of the partial-wave expansion have been recently put forward [V. A. Yerokhin, K. Pachucki, and V. M. Shabaev, ; J. Sapirstein and K. T. Cheng, ]. In our work we extend the accelerated-convergence methods to the previously hardly accessible region of nuclear charges Z<5 and higher excited states.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Radio-frequency cavity field measurements through free falling bead
Authors: Du Xiaonan , Groening Lars
Published: January 2025

This paper introduces a novel bead-falling measurement method for the precise and efficient mapping of electromagnetic fields within radio-frequency (rf) cavities, which are crucial components in the design of accelerators. The traditional bead-pull method, while effective, involves mechanical complexities and is prone to errors from wire perturbations. The innovative method reported here leverages the simplicity and accuracy of free-falling beads to mitigate these issues. This technique eliminates the need for a wire-pulley system, thereby simplifying the experimental setup and reducing potential mechanical errors. We detail the development and operational principles of this new method, including the design of a compact, portable measurement device that integrates a bead/droplet release system and a bead detection system linked to a vector network analyzer. The device has been tested with a three-gap buncher cavity and a scaled Alvarez-type cavity, demonstrating its ability to perform rapid, reliable field measurements under various challenging conditions, including low signal-to-noise ratios and environmental vibrations. The results confirm the method’s superiority in precision and operational efficiency, potentially setting a new standard for rf cavity diagnostics and tuning.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Formation of defects associated with both spontaneous and explicit symmetry breaking
Authors: Fujikura Kohei , Sakellariadou Mairi , Uwabo-Niibo Michiru , Yamaguchi Masahide
Published: January 2025

We discuss formation of cosmic strings associated with a spontaneously broken U(1) symmetry by performing classical field-theoretical simulations. An original U(1) symmetry is explicitly broken down to its subgroup ZN even before spontaneous breaking takes place. We estimate the ratio of explicit breaking to that of spontaneous breaking for which topological defects for N=1 and N=2 are formed. For N=1, a cosmic string attached to a single domain wall can be formed when the amount of the explicit breaking is 3 orders of magnitude smaller than that of the spontaneous breaking. For N=2, no matter how large the explicit breaking is, domain walls are inevitably formed as long as the temperature of the Universe is high enough to restore Z2 symmetry. In that case, cosmic strings are also inevitably formed as long as the amount of the explicit breaking is smaller than that of the spontaneous breaking.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Longitudinal trends of high school physics students’ perceptions of experience, difficulty, and development in a long-term inquiry framework
Authors: Sigron Michal , Langley Dorothy , Dylak Stanisław , Yerushalmi Edit
Published: January 2025

Response to the continuing call to integrate scientific inquiry activities into high school education has taken different forms varying in student ownership, physical setting, time span, and mentoring resources. Important issues are how students perceive central dimensions of their experience, and the extent to which the inquiry framework design serves to promote a sense of growth in the participants. The current research followed a group of 34 high school physics students who participated in the out-of-school Research Physics program over a 3-year period (2016–2019), gradually progressing from inquiry-oriented lab activities to an extended inquiry project under the guidance of teacher-mentors, within an instructional design of cognitive apprenticeship. The research focused on a set of 15 inquiry components, some directly related to experimental practices such as formulating inquiry questions, preparing and performing experiments, data processing using technological tools, others related to the scientific culture of presenting oral and written inquiry reports, and finally abilities of teamwork and self-regulation. Data regarding students’ perceptions of three aspects—Experience, Difficulty, and Development with respect to the inquiry components, were collected at the end of each year, using self-report questionnaires. The analysis of longitudinal trends revealed several inquiry components for which significant changes occurred in the perceptions of the three aspects, which can be mainly related to the program design. The research hypothesis regarding the relationship between the three aspects was that the perceived Development would match the levels of the perceived Experience and Difficulty for all 15 inquiry components. The quantitative analysis revealed four groups of inquiry components, only two of which aligned with the hypothesis. The quantitative findings are explained based on program design and qualitative data about student effort and ways of coping and teacher-mentor scaffolding methods.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Navigating the interplay between digital innovation and digital entrepreneurship: a systematic literature review and research agenda
Authors: Arora Lokesh , Singh Prakash
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Global businesses are witnessing a transformation in their products and services, processes and business models due to digitalisation. This trend has led to the digitalisation of innovation and entrepreneurship from the modern business perspective. The present study primarily aims to study how digital innovations shape the landscape of digital entrepreneurship and thematic perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The present research applied a systematic literature review (SLR) method based on the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and 47 articles were selected as the final sample size related to digital innovation and digital entrepreneurship. Though the ultimate sample size is acceptable and signifies a small sample size of 40, the choice is still justifiable as it follows the rule of thumb. Hence, “the rule of thumb” empowers the study to meaningfully contribute to the arena using the SLR method, and 40 qualified papers are an adequate lowest threshold number.

Findings

This study found that there is little investigation performed from the perspective of digital innovation and digital entrepreneurship. Prior studies researched were centred on innovation and entrepreneurship. The United Kingdom was the leading country that performed research on this domain followed by other countries such as the Netherlands, Sweden and the United States of America.

Originality/value

The present study supports the existing body of knowledge by throwing light on the association of digital innovation and digital entrepreneurship and how it further leads to the development of the digital ecosystem. It also highlights future research opportunities in the domain of digital innovation and digital entrepreneurship.
Thrive, don’t survive: building work-life balance with family support, grit and self-efficacy
Authors: Fayaz Ishret , Gulzar Farzana
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study investigates how emotional and instrumental family support contribute to work-life balance (WLB) among women in higher education, with a particular focus on the mediating roles of self-efficacy and grit in enhancing this balance.

Design/methodology/approach

Utilizing a quantitative research design, the study employed a survey methodology to gather data from women employees. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to evaluate the relationships among family support, self-efficacy, grit and work-life balance.

Findings

The results highlight the significant positive influence of both emotional and instrumental family support on work-life balance. Self-efficacy and grit serve as crucial mediators, both individually and through serial mediation, enhancing women employees' capacity to manage work and personal responsibilities effectively. The study underscores the importance of these psychological constructs in mediating the relationship between family support and work-life balance.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by providing a fresh perspective on work-life balance, particularly within the context of women in higher education. It is one of the few studies to examine the dual mediating roles of self-efficacy and grit, highlighting the distinct influence of emotional and instrumental support on WLB. The findings extend social cognitive theory and conservation of resources theory by demonstrating how internal psychological resources interact with external support to enhance well-being.
Residual strength estimation of RC columns subjected to elevated temperatures from stress block parameters
Authors: Akkannavar Chaitanya Suresh , Prashanth M.H.
Published: January 2025

Purpose

In structural fire engineering, the design of columns is done either by prescriptive approaches or by empirical equations derived from experimental research. Performance-based design is the emerging methodology for designing structures under fire, which is case-specific. There is a need to develop design equations from first principles to design/find the residual strength of the column at elevated temperatures. The present study aims to develop equations from stress block parameters to find the residual strength of reinforced concrete (RC) columns subjected to elevated temperatures.

Design/methodology/approach

The stress-strain variation across the cross-section of the RC column is determined at elevated temperatures. Based on the updated stress distribution diagram, stress block parameters are derived for various depths of neutral axis (NA) and different temperatures. Using updated stress block parameters, Pu-Mu interaction curves are generated for elevated temperatures. The results are verified against conventional methods and experimental results.

Findings

The load-carrying capacity calculated from the proposed methodology is analogous to the experimental results. The methodology can be utilized to estimate the residual strength of RC columns subjected to elevated temperatures.

Originality/value

The work done here attempts to develop the equations to estimate the residual strength of the column. The work involves calculating the strength of columns subjected to fire curves.
Blockchain-based inventory pledge financing: an evolutionary game perspective
Authors: Huang Jing , Liu Jingxian , Yang Wensheng
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Inventory pledge financing (IPF) serves as an effective means to address the financial constraints faced by supply chains. This study develops an IPF system involving a bank, SMEs and a third-party logistics provider (3PL) to explore the impact of varying cost structures and regulatory environments, specifically the strategic interactions within IPF system before and after the blockchain implementation. Also, provides theoretical foundations for improving the overall efficiency of financing and advancing the application of blockchain technology.

Design/methodology/approach

An evolutionary game framework is employed to analyze the dynamics of financing behaviors before and after the blockchain implementation. Simulation methods are utilized to examine how different factors, including concealing costs, penalty structures and disposal prices, influence decision-making processes within IPF system.

Findings

Under IPF, the interactions of participants are shaped by asset management capabilities, reinvestment returns and penalties for fraud. As concealing costs increase, the likelihood of reaching a (loose regulation, compliant pledge) equilibrium rises. Post-blockchain implementation (IPFB), the equilibrium is influenced by default losses and compliance gains. Blockchain technology enhances regulation, effectively reducing fraud risks.

Originality/value

This study bridges significant gaps by offering a dynamic and behavioral perspective on IPF in the context of blockchain technology. Using an evolutionary game framework, the study uncovers how blockchain reshapes decision-making processes, mitigates fraud risks and enhances regulatory efficiency. By integrating cost structures and compliance incentives, it offers novel insights into behavioral shifts and systemic improvements in financing ecosystems.
Limits of ethical leadership and the role of ethics-oriented HRM system in managing Machiavellians
Authors: Agarwal Promila , Varma Arup
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The current study investigates the significance of ethics-oriented HRM systems (EHRMS) and ethical leadership in addressing the unethical behavior of Machiavellians in professional services firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Our study used a multi-source, multi-wave design to investigate the impact of EHRMS and ethical leadership on the unethical behavior of Machiavellians using a sample of 364 employees.

Findings

Our results reveal that EHRMS moderates the relationship between Machiavellianism and unethical behavior, while ethical leadership does not significantly moderate this relationship. Our results suggest that EHRMS has a significantly stronger impact on managing the unethical tendencies of Machiavellians than ethical leadership.

Originality/value

The study offers unique insights into the differential effects of EHRMS and ethical leadership in moderating unethical behavior among Machiavellians. The findings are also unique, as they highlight that the receptivity of ethical leadership depends on the individual differences of followers/employees.
The Effect of U.S. Country‐by‐Country Reporting on U.S. Multinationals’ Tax‐Motivated Income Shifting and Real Activities
Authors: NESSA MICHELLE L. , PERSSON ANH V. , SONG JANE Z. , TOWERY ERIN M. , VERNON MARY E.
Published: January 2025

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development introduced country‐by‐country reporting (CbCR) for multinational enterprises (MNEs) to help tax authorities combat tax‐motivated income shifting. This study uses confidential U.S. tax administrative data from 2011 to 2018 to examine the effect of U.S. CbCR adoption on the tax‐motivated income shifting and real activities of U.S. MNEs. We first document that while U.S. CbCR provides the Internal Revenue Service with incremental information about the location of U.S. MNEs’ global activities relative to existing U.S. tax return disclosures, substantial overlap exists between U.S. CbCR and existing disclosures. In contrast with prior CbCR studies in cross‐country settings, we fail to find evidence of a change in U.S. MNEs’ tax‐motivated income shifting or a reallocation of real activities based on tax incentives in response to U.S. CbCR using multiple empirical approaches. Overall, our study leverages U.S. tax administrative data to provide insights into the impact of the CbCR initiative on U.S. MNEs.
What Happens to Partners Who Issue Adverse Internal Control Opinions?
Authors: BAKKE ASHLEIGH L. , COWLE ELIZABETH N. , ROWE STEPHEN P. , WILKINS MICHAEL S.
Published: January 2025

We investigate how audit firms balance the tension between professional responsibility and client service by examining changes in partner assignments following adverse internal control opinions (ICOs). We find that partners are significantly more likely to be reassigned when they issued an adverse ICO to any of their clients in the previous year. Further, partners issuing adverse ICOs experience unfavorable changes in their client portfolios in the form of lower fees and less prestigious assignments. We find that consequences are more negative when adverse ICOs are issued to clients that are more important to the local office and that there are no consequences when partners issue continuing adverse opinions to clients they have “inherited” from an original adverse ICO partner. We also find that the consequences are stronger for partners of non‐Big 4 audit firms that are likely to be more sensitive to client service considerations. The negative portfolio effects we observe persist for at least three years, and our findings are robust to restrictions involving mandatory partner rotation and adverse ICOs that lead to client loss. Overall, our results are consistent with adverse ICO partners experiencing negative consequences as audit firms respond to client service incentives in the area of internal controls over financial reporting.
A Visualized Review of Research on Unethical Behavior in Organizations
Authors: Yuan Yiwei , Zhu Li , Li Qiao , Liu Jun , Liu Chao , Chen Chunhua
Published: January 2025

Although considerable efforts have been made to summarize the behavioral ethics literature, a quantitative visualization is necessary to generate an overall understanding of research on unethical behavior in organizations. Using CiteSpace, this study conducts a bibliometric review and visualizes the intellectual base of the unethical workplace behavior field. Based on a dataset of 8765 unethical‐behavior‐related publications collected from the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) database from 1993 to 2023, we identify landmark studies, analyze key research themes, visualize the network of major theories, and track the evolution of research on unethical behavior in organizations via co‐citation and co‐occurrence analysis. After tracking the developmental trajectory and outlining the current state of the art, we identify potential trends in research on unethical workplace behavior and suggest some important research directions. Our bibliometric review generates a clear visualization of unethical behavior in organizations, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of this body of literature. These findings also offer valuable insights for managers seeking to address unethical behavior in their organizations and highlight implications for policymakers aiming to promote ethical workplace environments.
IGFBP2 Promotes Proliferation and Glycolysis of Endometrial Cancer by Regulating PKM2/HIF‐1α Axis
Authors: Jin Yuxi , Qi Meng , Si Lulu , Shi Xiaojing , Cai Mingbo , Fu Hanlin , Liu Yana , Guo Ruixia
Published: January 2025

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a worldwide gynecologic malignancies, with a remarking increase of incidence and mortality rates in recent years. Growing evidence indicates that glucose metabolism reprogramming is the most representative metabolic signature of tumor cells and exploring its modulatory function in EC development will promote identifying potential EC therapeutic targets. IGFBP2 is an insulin‐like growth factor binding protein which is closely associated with a variety of metabolic diseases. However, its biological role in EC and its effects on glucose metabolism remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that IGFBP2 was highly expressed in EC tissues and correlated with poor prognosis. Overexpression of IGFBP2 promoted proliferation and glycolysis in EC cells, whereas IGFBP2 knockdown had the opposite effect. Mechanistically, IGFBP2 directly interacted with PKM2, inducing weakened PKM2 protein degradation, and knockdown IGFBP2 expression prevented the translocation of PKM2 to the nucleus. Additionally, IGFBP2 expression was upregulated under the condition of hypoxia which directly regulated by transcriptional activation of HIF‐1α. Finally, the role of the IGFBP2/PKM2/HIF‐1α axis in EC tumor growth was confirmed in vivo using mouse xenograft models. Taken together, the current study identifies IGFBP2 as an upstream activator of PKM2‐driven proliferation and glycolysis in EC cells, providing a promising therapeutic target for EC.
Beyond opioids: The effect of prescription drug monitoring programs on non‐opioid drug prescribing
Authors: Beheshti David , Kim Bokyung
Published: January 2025

A growing literature has examined how mandatory access prescription drug monitoring programs (MA PDMPs), laws that require providers to consider a patient's prescription history before prescribing controlled substances, affect opioid‐related outcomes. However, evidence of their impact on non‐opioid‐related prescribing is mixed. This paper investigates the effect of MA PDMPs on prescribing patterns of stimulants and benzodiazepines. Using updated difference‐in‐differences methodology, we show that MA PDMPs led to decreases in stimulant prescribing but had no significant effects on benzodiazepine prescribing. Our findings highlight that MA PDMPs do have effects on non‐opioid drug prescribing, but these effects differ substantially across drug types.