bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simple high-accuracy method for solving bound-state equations with the Cornell potential in momentum space
Authors: Stadler Alfred , Biernat Elmar P. , Valverde Vasco
Published: December 2024

The well-known Cornell quark-antiquark potential in momentum space contains singularities both in its one-gluon-exchange (OGE) and linear confining parts, which prevents a direct use of the convenient Nyström method to solve the corresponding bound-state integral equation for the meson masses. While it has been known for a long time how the Coulomb-type singularity in the OGE potential can be treated with a subtraction technique, only very complicated methods have been developed to deal with the stronger singularity in the linear potential. In this work, we present a simple subtraction method to remove this singularity from the kernel, such that the Nyström method becomes applicable. Derivatives of the wave function, that appear as a result of the subtraction, are represented by means of interpolating functions, for which we found Lagrange polynomials to be very efficient. Test calculations show excellent agreement with exactly known energy eigenvalues. By increasing the number of integration points and the order of the Lagrange interpolation polynomials, extremely high accuracy can be achieved. This method can also be extended to relativistic Bethe-Salpeter type equations with singular kernels.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Link to Densify: Topological Transitions and Origin of Hysteresis During the Compression and Decompression of Amorphous Ices
Authors: Gutiérrez Fosado Yair Augusto , Michieletto Davide , Martelli Fausto
Published: December 2024

In this Letter, we study the phase transition between amorphous ices and the nature of the hysteresis cycle separating them. We discover that a topological transition takes place as the system transforms from low-density amorphous ice (LDA) at low pressures to high-density amorphous ice (HDA) at high pressures. Specifically, we uncover that the hydrogen bond network (HBN) displays qualitatively different topologies in the LDA and HDA phases: the former characterized by disentangled loop motifs, with the latter displaying topologically complex long-lived Hopf-linked and knotted configurations. At the phase transition, the transient opening of the HBN topological motifs yields mechanical fragility on the macroscale. Our results provide a detailed microscopic description of the topological nature of the phase transition and the hysteresis cycle between amorphous ices. We argue that the topological transition discovered in this work may not only improve our understanding of amorphous ices, but also represent a generic mechanism for the densification of network-forming materials.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Far from equilibrium field theory for strongly coupled light and matter: Dynamics of frustrated multimode cavity QED
Authors: Hosseinabadi Hossein , Chang Darrick E. , Marino Jamir
Published: December 2024

Light-matter interfaces have now entered a new stage marked by the ability to engineer quantum correlated states under driven-dissipative conditions. To propel this new generation of experiments, we are confronted with the need to model nonunitary many-body dynamics in strongly coupled regimes by transcending traditional approaches in quantum optics. In this work, we contribute to this program by adapting a functional-integral technique, conventionally employed in high-energy physics, in order to obtain nonequilibrium dynamics for interacting light-matter systems. Our approach is grounded in constructing “two-particle irreducible” (2PI) effective actions, which provide a nonperturbative and conserving framework for describing quantum evolution at a polynomial cost in time. We apply our method to complement the analysis of spin-glass formation in the context of frustrated multimode cavity quantum electrodynamics, initiated in our accompanying work [Hosseinabadi , ]. Finally, we outline the capability of the technique to describe other near-term platforms in many-body quantum optics, and its potential to make predictions for this new class of experiments.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Exact behavior of the critical Kauffman model with connectivity one
Authors: Fink T. M. A.
Published: December 2024

The critical Kauffman model with connectivity one is the simplest class of critical Boolean networks. Nevertheless, it exhibits intricate behavior at the boundary of order and chaos. We show that the model is equivalent to a deceptively simple algebraic system of polynomials which count the number and length of cycles. The polynomial for multiple loops is the product of the polynomials for individual loops. Using this perspective, we prove that the number of cycles scales as 2m, where m is the number of nodes in loops—as fast as possible and faster than previously believed.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Dissecting mode-coupling theory for supercooled liquids
Authors: Pihlajamaa Ilian , Janssen Liesbeth M. C.
Published: December 2024

The mode-coupling theory (MCT) of the glass transition ranks among the most successful first-principles kinetic theories to describe glassy dynamics. However, MCT does not fully account for crucial aspects of the dynamics near the glass transition. To facilitate improving the theory, we critically test the approximations inherent in MCT for a supercooled mixture using Brownian dynamics simulations. Although each MCT approximation significantly impacts the predicted dynamics, our findings show that long-time cancellations of errors occur due to static and dynamic approximations of four-point correlation functions, with the validity of these approximations remaining relatively constant across different temperatures. Notably, the MCT form of the memory functional maintains remarkably high accuracy even in the supercooled regime when evaluated with the intermediate scattering function from simulations. The primary discrepancies between theoretical predictions and experimental results arise from the self-consistent nature of the MCT equations, which amplify minor errors in the memory kernel. This suggests that minor corrections to the memory functional could substantially enhance the theory's predictive accuracy.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Efficient quantum algorithm to simulate open systems through a single environmental qubit
Authors: Di Bartolomeo Giovanni , Vischi Michele , Feri Tommaso , Bassi Angelo , Donadi Sandro
Published: December 2024

We present an efficient algorithm for simulating open quantum systems dynamics described by the Lindblad master equation on quantum computers, addressing key challenges in the field. In contrast to existing approaches, our method achieves two significant advancements. First, we employ a repetition of unitary gates on a set of n system qubits and, remarkably, only a single ancillary bath qubit representing the environment. It follows that, for the typical case of m locality of the Lindblad operators, we reach an exponential improvement of the number of ancilla in terms of m and up to a polynomial improvement in ancilla overhead for large n with respect to other approaches. Although stochasticity is introduced, requiring multiple circuit realizations, the sampling overhead is independent of the system size. Second, we show that, under fixed accuracy conditions, our algorithm enables a reduction in the number of Trotter steps compared to other approaches, substantially decreasing circuit depth. These advancements hold particular significance for near-term quantum computers, where minimizing both width and depth is critical due to inherent noise in their dynamics.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Deep unfolded local quantum annealing
Authors: Arai Shunta , Takabe Satoshi
Published: December 2024

Local quantum annealing (LQA), an iterative algorithm, is designed to solve combinatorial optimization problems. It draws inspiration from QA, which utilizes adiabatic time evolution to determine the global minimum of a given objective function. In the original LQA, the classical Hamiltonian is minimized via gradient descent. The performance of LQA depends on the choice of the parameters. Owing to the nonconvex nature of the original cost function, LQA often becomes trapped in local minima, limiting its effectiveness. To address this challenge, we combine LQA with a deep unfolding scheme, which enables us to tune the parameters from the training data via back-propagation. As a demonstration, we apply the deep unfolded LQA to the Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model, which is a fundamental model in statistical physics. Our findings exhibit that deep unfolded LQA outperforms the original LQA, exhibiting remarkable convergence speed and performance improvement. As the trained parameters can be generalized to unknown instances and different system sizes, our results have significant practical implications and provide valuable insights for real-world applications.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Generation of relativistic polarized electron beams via collective beam-target interactions
Authors: Zhu Xing-Long , Chen Min , Wang Wei-Min , Sheng Zheng-Ming
Published: December 2024

Relativistic polarized electron beams can find applications in broad areas of fundamental physics. Here, we propose that electron spin polarization can be realized efficiently via collective beam-target interactions. When a relativistic unpolarized electron beam is incident onto the surface of a solid target with a grazing angle, strong magnetic fields are induced at the target surface due to the formation of a high reflux of plasma electrons. This results in violent beam self-focusing and corresponding beam density increase via magnetic pinching. The pinched dense beam in turn further enhances the magnetic fields to the level of a few giga-Gauss, which is high enough to trigger strong synchrotron radiation of ultrarelativistic electrons. During the interaction, electron spin polarization develops along the magnetic field direction, which is achieved via radiative spin flips in the quantum radiation-dominated regime. As a consequence, the incident electron beam can be effectively polarized via the spin-dependent radiation reaction, for example, the mean polarization of electrons with energy less than 2 GeV can reach above 50% for an initial 5 GeV beam. This provides a robust way for the development of polarized electron sources.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Exhaustive Characterization of Quantum Many-Body Scars Using Commutant Algebras
Authors: Moudgalya Sanjay , Motrunich Olexei I.
Published: December 2024

We study quantum many-body scars (QMBS) in the language of commutant algebras, which are defined as symmetry algebras of of local Hamiltonians. This framework explains the origin of dynamically disconnected subspaces seen in models with exact QMBS, i.e., the large “thermal” subspace and the small “nonthermal” subspace, which are attributed to the existence of unconventional nonlocal conserved quantities in the commutant; hence, it unifies the study of conventional symmetries and weak ergodicity-breaking phenomena into a single framework. Furthermore, this language enables us to use the von Neumann double commutant theorem to formally write down the exhaustive algebra of Hamiltonians with a desired set of QMBS, which demonstrates that QMBS survive under large classes of local perturbations. We illustrate this using several standard examples of QMBS, including the spin-1/2 ferromagnetic, AKLT, spin-1 XY π-bimagnon, and the electronic η-pairing towers of states; in each of these cases, we explicitly write down a set of generators for the full algebra of Hamiltonians with these QMBS. Understanding this hidden structure in QMBS Hamiltonians also allows us to recover results of previous “brute-force” numerical searches for such Hamiltonians. In addition, this language clearly demonstrates the equivalence of several unified formalisms for QMBS proposed in the literature and also illustrates the connection between two apparently distinct classes of QMBS Hamiltonians—those that are captured by the so-called Shiraishi-Mori construction and those that lie beyond. Finally, we show that this framework motivates a precise definition for QMBS that automatically implies that they violate the conventional eigenstate thermalization hypothesis, and we discuss its implications to dynamics.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Hopping of the Center-of-Mass of Single G Centers in Silicon-on-Insulator
Authors: Durand Alrik , Baron Yoann , Udvarhelyi Péter , Cache Félix , V. R. Krithika , Herzig Tobias , Khoury Mario , Pezzagna Sébastien , Meijer Jan , Hartmann Jean-Michel , Reboh Shay , Abbarchi Marco , Robert-Philip Isabelle , Gali Adam , Gérard Jean-Michel , Jacques Vincent , Cassabois Guillaume , Dréau Anaïs
Published: December 2024

Among the wealth of single fluorescent defects recently detected in silicon, the G center catches interest for its telecom single-photon emission that could be coupled to a metastable electron spin triplet. The G center is a unique defect where the standard Born-Oppenheimer approximation used in solid-state physics breaks down as one of its atoms, a silicon atom in interstitial position Si(i), can move between six sites. The impact of its displacement, due either to coherent tunneling or to random jumps from one site to another, on the optical properties of G centers is still largely unknown, especially in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) samples. Here, we investigate the displacement of the center of mass of the G center in silicon. By performing photoluminescence experiments at single-defect scale, we show that individual G defects in SOI exhibit several emission dipoles and zero-phonon line fine structures with splittings up to approximately 1 meV, both indicating a motion of the defect central atom over time. Combining polarization and spectral analysis at the single-photon level, we evidence that the reconfiguration dynamics is drastically different from the one of the unperturbed G center in bulk silicon where the mobile atom is fully delocalized over all six sites through tunneling. The SOI structure freezes the Si(i) delocalization of the G defect and, as a result, enables one to isolate linearly polarized optical lines. Under above-band-gap optical excitation, the central atom of G centers in SOI behaves as if it were in a six-slot roulette wheel, randomly alternating between localized crystal sites at each optical cycle. Comparative measurements in a bulk silicon sample and calculations highlight that strain is likely the dominant perturbation impacting the G center geometry. These results shed light on the importance of the atomic reconfiguration dynamics to understand and control the photoluminescence properties of the G center in silicon. More generally, these findings emphasize the impact of strain fluctuations inherent to SOI wafers for future quantum integrated photonics applications based on color centers in silicon.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Generation of Genuine Multipartite Entangled States via Indistinguishability of Identical Particles
Authors: Mahdavipour Kobra , Nosrati Farzam , Sciara Stefania , Morandotti Roberto , Lo Franco Rosario
Published: December 2024

Indistinguishability of identical particles is a resource for quantum information processing and has been utilized to generate entanglement from independent particles that spatially overlap only at the detection stage. Here, we introduce a controllable scheme capable of generating via three steps, i.e., initialization, deformation, and postselection, different classes of multipartite entangled states starting from a product state of N spatially distinguishable identical qubits. While our scheme is generalizable to any class of entangled bosonic and fermionic systems, we provide an explicit recipe for the generation of W, Dicke, GHZ, and cluster states, which are resource states for quantum information processing. Using graph-based representations within the framework of spatially localized operations and classical communication (sLOCC), we mathematically demonstrate a direct translation of the generation schemes of specific entangled states into colored, complex, and weighted digraphs, each corresponding to a given experimental setup. We also show that this graph-theoretical approach allows for the optimization of the generation efficiency of specific multipartite entangled states by exploring a variety of generation schemes. The presented theoretical approach, while already implementable with current linear optics architectures, has the potential to bring clear advantages over existing technologies, such as in quantum computing search algorithms and in the design of new experiments in quantum optics or other platforms.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
The impact of social development on the architecture of early medical infrastructure in Gilan, Iran, in the 20th century
Authors: Gharipour Mohammad , Masoud Ehsan , Esmaeilzadeh Vafaei Jamal , Jahani Sadatmahalle Fateme
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The advancement of medical care during the late 19th century and the rising importance of public health led to the creation of a healthcare infrastructure in Iran in the early decades of the 20th century. The study focuses on the formation of this infrastructure through the study of historical materials as well as the study of case studies built in the Gilan region in the north of Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper begins with a review of medical, sociological and historical resources, then turns to field studies and interviews as methods to focus on the medical transformations in the Gilan region.

Findings

This study offers four key findings: First of all, most studies tend to focus more on traditional medicine in Iran than on the initiation and spread of modern medicine. Secondly, foreign physicians and missionaries played an influential role in shaping the culture of Iranian hospital care. Thirdly, the interactions with and influences coming from Iran’s northern neighbors in Gilan transformed the province into an educated, freedom-seeking society. And finally, in its early stages, hospital construction in Iran followed local architectural traditions.

Originality/value

In the case of Gilan, the core structures of urban hospitals were similar in their pavilion typology to those that had been common in Gilan for centuries.
Mitigating process improvement project failures: leveraging organizational responses and lessons learned
Authors: Bader Mariam , Jayaraman Raja , Antony Jiju , Goonetilleke Ravindra S. , Linderman Kevin , Hoerl Roger
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Despite technological advancements within process improvement (PI) projects, two out of three PI projects failed. This paper aims to identify the critical failure factors (CFFs) linked to PI projects and propose suitable mitigation strategies. It also examines how PI practitioners can leverage unsuccessful projects to stimulate learning from failure, turning them into opportunities for development and growth.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach involving semi-structured interviews with 21 PI professionals was utilized to capture the CFFs and their corresponding mitigation best practices.

Findings

The study reveals 14 CFFs spanning from issues at the top-level management, down to challenges at the project level and shortcomings at the individual level. We uncover new evolving factors related to “big data analysis and technology implementations”, “project scope complexity”, “unrealistic goal setting”, “frequent shifts in management priorities”, “unclear problem definition” and “prolonged execution duration”. Moreover, results emphasize the significance of fostering a “culture of learning from failure” and “transparency in failure acknowledgment” to avert failures.

Originality/value

This study is the first to provide real-world solutions and guidelines to proactively mitigate PI failures. It offers insights for PI practitioners and broadens their view on emerging factors to implement preventive strategies, building on learning from failures and those of others.
Strategies for implementing research data management (RDM) services in Tanzania's higher education institutions (HEIs)
Authors: Mosha Neema Florence Vincent , Ngulube Patrick
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the strategies for implementing research data management (RDM) services in Tanzania’s higher education institutions (HEIs).

Design/methodology/approach

The study drew upon the technology, organization, people and environment (TOPE) framework. Using a qualitative case study approach, data was collected through semistructured interviews with librarians, lecturers, information and communication technologies (ICT) and research and innovation staff. Data was thematically analyzed.

Findings

Numerous participants recognized the importance of RDM services, such as creating data management plans, enhancing the retrieval and reuse of research data and offering support for data curation and preservation. The study also identified organizational support, including developing policies and guidelines, providing financial assistance and ensuring data security. Furthermore, the study highlighted the importance of ICT infrastructure, including servers, software and hardware. A lack of ICT infrastructure and limited skills and knowledge among those responsible for implementing RDM services were among the challenges identified.

Research limitations/implications

This study used the TOPE framework, along with relevant literature, to guide the formulation of research objectives and questions. While the TOPE framework offers a comprehensive view through its four dimensions, there is a need to integrate additional models, such as data curation, to achieve a more holistic understanding.

Practical implications

This study provides valuable insights into strategies for implementing RDM services in HEIs. It highlights the importance of professional development for stakeholders, enabling them to develop and enforce effective strategies supporting a data-driven research agenda.

Originality/value

This study contributes original insights by outlining the necessary strategies for HEIs to consider when implementing RDM services. The study adds value to understanding effective RDM implementation requirements in an academic setting by identifying various strategies for developing RDM activities.
Enhancing infrastructure project outcomes through optimized contractual structures and long-term warranties
Authors: Alshboul Odey , Shehadeh Ali
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study delves into the influence of contractual frameworks on infrastructure project timelines and evaluates the role of long-term warranty agreements in maintenance efficacy. It underscores the correlation between construction contract structures and prevalent project delays, advocating for a revision in the allocation of responsibilities to mitigate such delays effectively.

Design/methodology/approach

While previous research has explored individual aspects of construction management, such as contractor incentives and risk allocation, our study uniquely integrates these elements to develop a comprehensive model that includes the effects of long-term warranty agreements and penalty clauses.

Findings

The findings advocate for contract revisions that entail clearly articulated responsibilities and thorough impact assessments, aimed at enhancing the efficiency of project execution and optimizing infrastructure investment returns. Concrete examples are provided from large-scale infrastructure and public works maintenance projects, illustrating the benefits of well-defined penalty clauses in curbing delays and ensuring sustained quality through long-term warranties. Our results demonstrate that optimized contractual structures can significantly reduce project delays and enhance maintenance effectiveness.

Originality/value

This study addresses significant gaps in understanding construction contract management dynamics, especially in transportation infrastructure. It rigorously analyzes how penalty clauses and long-term warranties impact contractor behavior and project outcomes. Key findings show that the benefits of long-term warranties, including social advantages, depend heavily on the strictness of penalty clauses. Innovatively, it employs a First-Price Sealed-Bid Auction framework with empirical data from various case studies, enhancing contract structure optimization for better stakeholder alignment and infrastructure integrity. These insights notably advance construction contract management methodologies.
A triple helix model analysis of China’s regional industry-university-research collaborative innovation in low-carbon technologies
Authors: Wang Tianchong , Suo Baimin , Jiang Jieshu , Jia Wei
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Conducting innovation in low-carbon technology is vital to boost the low-carbon economy. Collaborative innovation among industry-university-research (IUR) is an effective mode of developing low-carbon technologies. There is a lack of visualization and analysis of the spatial-temporal of such collaboration among the IUR. This paper aims to serve as insights to guide IUR’s collaborative innovation in Chinese universities to promote low-carbon technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses IncoPat to collect patent data. Collaborative patent output on low-carbon technologies was selected as the indicator to measure the effectiveness of IUR collaboration. The temporal evolution trend of the collaborative patent output in Chinese universities is analyzed.

Findings

The collaborative patent output of the Chinese IUR varies greatly among the regions, evolving from stronger in the east and weaker in the west, to stronger in the south and weaker in the north region. The triple helix (TH) innovation system in China’s low-carbon sector is dominated by intraregional collaborative innovation, while there is a weak bilateral synergy between universities and research institutions.

Originality/value

This paper innovatively developed a novel TH model that characterize the regional differences of the IUR collaboration in low-carbon technology innovation of Chinese universities. A new attempt focuses on the spatial-temporal evolution of the collaborative innovation of IUR to promote low-carbon technologies.
Defining and identifying potentially morally injurious experiences for secure mental healthcare workers: a Delphi study
Authors: Webb Elanor Lucy , Ireland Jane L. , Lewis Michael
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Staff in secure mental health-care settings face unique occupational challenges that may conflict with their personal or professional moral code. Initial research has established the presence of moral injury in this population, though insight into the specific sources and driving factors at the root of this syndrome is limited. The purpose of this study was to identify potentially morally injurious events and associated risk factors for secure mental healthcare staff.

Design/methodology/approach

To address this gap, a three-round expert Delphi survey was conducted to gain consensus on the conceptualisation, types and drivers of potentially morally injurious experiences (PMIEs) for secure mental health-care workers. Health-care professionals and academics in the field were recruited.

Findings

A high level of consensus (= 80%) was achieved on several sources of moral injury, which related to aspects of the health-care system, the secure context, relational dynamics and individual practices, behaviours and attitudes. Experts also agreed on several items relating to the definition of a PMIE, the factors driving the occurrence of PMIEs and the factors increasing risk for the subsequent development of moral injury.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that current definitions of PMIEs may, in isolation, be too narrow, prompting the need to attend to the broad range of PMIEs experienced by secure mental health-care staff. In addition, recommendations for the primary and secondary prevention of moral injury in secure mental health-care staff are offered, recognising the particular need for intervention at a systemic level.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to consider the range of sources of moral injury faced by staff providing for people with complex forensic and mental health needs.
Policing conspiracy theorists: the importance of procedural justice policing and trust
Authors: Murphy Kristina
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic brought out the best in people, but it also brought out the worst in people. Authorities grappled with the proliferation of misinformation, belief in conspiracy theories, distrust of authorities and anti-social behaviour. As frontline enforcers of COVID-19 restrictions, police were confronted with these attitudes and behaviours every day. This study examines whether the perceived trustworthiness of police during the pandemic – particularly procedural justice – protected public trust in police and reduced conspiracy theory uptake.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses survey data collected from 779 Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

Findings revealed that individuals who perceived police as untrustworthy during the pandemic, as well as those scoring high on conspiracy propensity, were less likely to trust police and were more likely to endorse COVID-19-specific conspiracy theories. Further, trust mediated the relationship between procedural justice and endorsement of conspiracy theories, and conspiracy propensity moderated the relationship between procedural justice and endorsement of conspiracy theories. Specifically, procedural justice protected trust most strongly for those low on conspiracy propensity, but reduced endorsement of COVID-19 conspiracy theories most strongly for those high on conspiracy propensity. Together, the findings show that procedural justice policing is critical for protecting trust in police and for mitigating conspiracy theory uptake.

Originality/value

The study makes a novel contribution to the policing, trust and conspiracy theory literature as it is the first to test whether conspiracy propensity moderates the relationship between procedural justice on peoples’ trust in police and their endorsement of conspiracy theories.
Eyespot peek‐a‐boo: Leaf rolls enhance the antipredator effect of insect eyespots
Authors: Postema Elizabeth G.
Published: December 2024

Animal colour patterns are often accompanied by specific, synergistic behaviours to most effectively defend prey against visual predators. Given the inherent context‐dependence of colour perception, understanding how these colour‐behaviour synergies function in a species' natural environment is crucial.

For example, refuge‐building species create a unique visual environment where most (or all) of the body is obscured unless closely inspected. How these built environments affect the perception of defensive colour patterns by predators is not well understood.

Using artificial caterpillars that resemble a refuge‐building species with conspicuous markings (Papilio troilus; Lepidoptera: Papilionidae), I tested the hypothesis that leaf rolls amplify the antipredator effect of this species' eyespots. I compared wild avian predation rates on 659 artificial swallowtail‐like caterpillars from four treatment groups: eyespotted and non‐eyespotted, and presented in leaf rolls or on open leaves of live host plants.

In support of my hypothesis, eyespots only reduced predation for larvae in leaf rolls. On open leaves, eyespots had no antipredator effect. I also found that leaf rolls reduced predation in general for both eyespotted and non‐eyespotted prey.

These results highlight the importance of considering relevant behaviours in studies of animal coloration whenever possible, including behaviours that influence colour perception indirectly (e.g. through habitat use or modification).
The European Union in its pursuit of being a global leader in climate neutrality
Authors: Tkachuk Olesia
Published: December 2024

This contribution examines the most important actions taken by the European Union (EU) to improve the global climate. Positioning itself as a leader in climate action, the EU has adopted the European Green Deal (EGD) strategy, in which it has defined the long‐term goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Moreover, one of the aims of EU climate leadership is to influence external partners, which takes various forms (e.g., participation in conferences under the auspices of the United Nations, financial support for partner countries, and political dialog). However, the soft power instruments used by the EU to combat climate change are encountering a number of challenges conditioned by events both within the EU (e.g., farmers' protests) and outside its borders (e.g., Russian aggression against Ukraine). They require greater coordination and preventive efforts to reduce the impact of potential new crises and to strengthen the EU's strategic autonomy.
Exosomal PVRL4 Promotes Lung Adenocarcinoma Progression by Enhancing the Generation of Myeloid‐Derived Suppressor Cell‐Secreted TGF‐β1
Authors: Liang Yahai , Li Jinmei , Zhang Lihua , Zhou Jinling , Liu Meilian , Peng Xiaoxia , Zheng Weizhen , Lai Zhennan
Published: December 2024

Background

The cancer cell marker poliovirus receptor‐like protein 4 (PVRL4) has been shown to be highly expressed in many cancers, including lung cancer. Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a population of immature myeloid cells with immunosuppressive roles that can attenuate the anticancer response. Here, the precise functions and the relationship between PVRL4 and MDSCs in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) progression were investigated.

Methods

Detection of levels of mRNAs and proteins was conducted using qRT‐PCR and western blotting. The CCK‐8, colony formation, transwell, wound healing assays, and flow cytometry were used to explore cell growth, invasion, migration, and apoptosis, respectively. ELISA analysis detected TGF‐β1 contents. LUAD mouse models were established for in vivo assay. Exosomes were isolated by ultracentrifugation. MDSCs were induced from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by cytokine or co‐culture with cancer cells.

Results

LUAD tissues and cells showed high PVRL4 expression, and PVRL4 deficiency suppressed LUAD cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and induced cell apoptosis in vitro, and impeded LUAD growth in vivo. Thereafter, we found that PVRL4 was packaged into exosomes in LUAD cells, and could be transferred into PBMCs to promote MDSC induction and the expression of MDSC‐secreted TGF‐β1. Functionally, the silencing of exosomal PVRL4 impaired LUAD cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and evoked cell apoptosis, which could be reversed by the incubation of TGF‐β1‐overexpressed MDSCs.

Conclusion

Exosomal PVRL4 promoted LUAD progression by inducing the secretion of TGF‐β1 in MDSCs, indicating a novel direction for LUAD immunotherapy.
From Genetics to Psychosocial Functioning: Unraveling the Mediating Roles of Cognitive Reserve, Cognition, and Negative Symptoms in First‐Episode Psychosis
Authors: Forte M. Florencia , Clougher Derek , Segura Àlex G. , Mezquida Gisela , Sánchez‐Torres Ana Maria , Vieta Eduard , Garriga Marina , Lobo Antonio , González‐Pinto Ana M , Diaz‐Caneja Covadonga M. , Roldan Alexandra , Martínez‐Arán Anabel , de la Serna Elena , Mané Anna , Mas Sergi , Torrent Carla , Allot Kelly , Bernardo Miquel , Amoretti Silvia ,   PEPs Group
Published: December 2024

Background

Studies have shown associations between polygenic risk scores for educational attainment (PRSEA), cognitive reserve (CR), cognition, negative symptoms (NS), and psychosocial functioning in first‐episode psychosis (FEP). However, their specific interactions remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the mediating roles of CR, cognition, and NS in the relationship between PRSEA and psychosocial functioning one year after a FEP. Additionally, we sought to explore the impact of two NS subtypes on this relationship: diminished Expression (EXP‐NS) and Motivation and Pleasure (MAP‐NS).

Methods

A total of 138 FEP participants, predominantly male (70%), with a mean age of 24.77 years (SD = 5.29), underwent genetic, clinical, and cognitive assessments two months after study enrollment. Functioning evaluation followed at one‐year follow‐up. To investigate the mediating role of CR, cognition, and NS in the relationship between PRSEA and functioning, a serial mediation model was employed. Two further mediation models were tested to explore the differential impact of EXP‐NS and MAP‐NS. Mediation analysis was performed using the PROCESS macro version 4.1 within SPSS version 26.

Results

The serial mediation model revealed a causal chain for PRSEA > CR > cognition > NS > Functioning (β = −3.08, 95%CI [−5.73, −0.43], p = 0.023). When differentiating by type of NS, only EXP‐NS were significantly associated in the casual chain (β = −0.17, 95% CI [−0.39, −0.01], p < 0.05).

Conclusions

CR, cognition and NS ‐specifically EXP‐NS‐ mediate the association between PRSEA and psychosocial functioning at one‐year follow‐up in FEP patients. These results highlight the potential for personalized interventions based on genetic predisposition.
The life cycle, nesting behaviour and diet of resin bee Megachile tosticauda (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)
Authors: Williamson Elisabeth , Prendergast Kit , Leijs Remko , Hogendoorn Katja
Published: December 2024

The life cycle, nesting behaviour and diet breadth of the resin bee Megachile (Hackeriapis) tosticauda (Cockerell) are described for the first time. Microscopic imaging of the larval provisions and pollen from the scopa showed that Megachile tosticauda from Adelaide, South Australia, is narrowly oligolectic and specialised on Eucalyptus pollen. Parasites of the nests were identified, and the developmental timeline was outlined. A comparison between behaviour in South Australia (SA) and Western Australia (WA) revealed similarities in nest architecture and parasitism but showed discrepancies in emergence times, nest substrate and potentially diet width. However, the diet analysis from WA was based on visual floral visitations and pollen metabarcoding, neither of which indicate active pollen collection. The difference in diet breadth of this species needs to be ascertained by assessing the larval provisions.
Concomitant Robot‐Assisted Partial Nephrectomy and Pyelolithotomy for Small Renal Cell Carcinoma and Partial Staghorn Calculus in the Same Kidney: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Sawazaki Harutake , Kitamura Yosuke , Furukawa Yoshiyuki , Asano Atsushi , Yoshimura Ichiro
Published: December 2024

Management of a small renal mass and a renal stone in the same kidney presents several dilemmas. Simultaneous robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy and pyelolithotomy via the same surgical access site is a reasonable approach in a patient with both entities. An 80‐year‐old woman was diagnosed with a 2.3‐cm enhancing mass in the lower pole of the right kidney (cT1aN0M0, RENAL score 4a) and a 1.5‐cm ipsilateral partial staghorn calculus. Concurrent robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy and pyelolithotomy was planned. Partial nephrectomy was performed first, followed by pyelolithotomy performed through the same surgical access. Both operations were completed successfully. The total operation time was 319 min and the estimated blood loss was 30 mL. Warm ischemia time was 22 min. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Simultaneous robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy and pyelolithotomy was technically feasible and safe. This minimally invasive approach should be considered when managing a kidney that contains both entities.
Nostalgia encourages exploration and fosters uncertainty in response to AI technology
Authors: Dang Jianning , Sedikides Constantine , Wildschut Tim , Liu Li
Published: December 2024

The burgeoning progress of cutting‐edge technology paradoxically evokes nostalgia. How does this emotion influence responses to innovative technology, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI)? We hypothesized that two pathways operate concurrently. First, by enhancing connection with significant others, nostalgia constitutes a psychological resource that supports exploration of technological innovation, thereby promoting positive responses to AI. Second, by reinforcing scepticism toward change, nostalgia heightens uncertainty about innovative technology, thereby fostering negative responses to AI. Three preregistered experiments, testing participants (ΣN = 1397) across cultures (China, UK, USA), supported the two pathways. Nostalgia influenced responses to ChatGPT via two opposing serial pathways (Experiment 1). Further, social connectedness bolstered favourable responses to AI avatars via increased technology exploration (Experiment 2), whereas scepticism about change reduced favourable responses to companion robots via increased technology uncertainty (Experiment 3). This dualistic role of nostalgia can be harnessed to sustain new technology or instill caution for its risks.
A “Renewed Conversation” about Ethical Management in Canada's Public Service: Where Should We Be Headed?
Authors: Armstrong Amélie , Stedman Ian
Published: December 2024

Canada's federal public servants believe their values and ethics framework are falling short, particularly in ensuring accountability from senior leadership. This article explores the many emerging challenges for ethical leadership in Canada's federal public service and argues for specific reform approaches. We offer key recommendations, including the need to align various systems that help foster ethical leadership, improving the enforcement of accountability mechanisms for senior leadership, and employing data‐driven performance metrics to improve the ethical management of people and services. We conclude by exploring the preconditions for sustained reform and the long‐term measures required to embed ethical accountability across public service institutions. Our analysis emphasizes the essential role of people, starting with senior executives. We assert that policies and codes of conduct alone cannot achieve organizational ethics—only strong, values‐driven and accountable leadership can influence culture and ensure lasting change in people and services.
Digital Transformation Versus Westminster Traditionalism: Mindset, Mechanisms and Critical Enablers of Systemic Adaptation
Authors: Roy Jeffrey
Published: December 2024

Since its inception, digital government has been a struggle between transformational aspirations and contested reforms grounded within a traditionalist governance ethos. Following a conceptual situating of such tensions, we focus on three interrelated thematic sets of digital governance reforms: i) organizational governance and enterprise architecture; ii) COVID‐19 and hybrid work arrangements; and iii) the escalating risks and complexities of cybersecurity. This article argues that the pervasiveness of traditional Westminster principles—notably information secrecy and hierarchical control—has shackled the emergence of an alternative governance ethos more aligned with digital innovation and systemic openness. In order to forge the latter, three critical enablers of systemic transformation must be embraced: first, a more collaborative and open political mindset; second, an alternative governance architecture championed by a new organizational entity; and third, the forging of a more diverse and empowered public service to strengthen digital governance adaptation and anticipatory capacities.
Prevalence and Incidence of Dementia in Patients With Non‐Overtly Functional Adrenal Tumours
Authors: Mirzaei Hadis , Patrova Jekaterina , Mannheimer Buster , Lindh Jonatan D. , Falhammar Henrik
Published: December 2024

Objective

To investigate the prevalence and incidence of dementia in patients with non‐overtly functional adrenal tumours (NOFATs).

Design

A national retrospective register‐based study was conducted on patients diagnosed with NOFAT and controls diagnosed between 2005 and 2019, in Sweden. Individuals diagnosed with overt adrenal hormone excess or previous malignancies were excluded. Sensitivity analyses were performed in subgroups with a combination of gallbladder/biliary tract/pancreatic disease. and acute appendicitis, as well as 3‐ and 12‐months of malignancy‐free survival.

Measurements

Prevalence and incidence of dementia. The secondary outcomes were Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.

Results

Among 20,390 cases, 12,120 (59.4%) were women, and the median (IQR) age was 66 (57–73) years. Among the 125,392 controls, 69,994 (55.8%) were women and the median (IQR) age was 66 (57–73) years. Patients with NOFATs had a lower prevalence of dementia compared to controls (odds ratio [OR] 0.58, 95% CI 0.50–0.68, adjusted OR [aOR] 0.47, 95% CI 0.40–0.56). During the follow‐up period (median 4.9 years, IQR 2.2–8.2), incidence of dementia was similar in NOFATs and controls (hazard ratio [HR] 1.05, 95% CI 0.97–1.15, adjusted HR [aHR] 1.06, 95% CI 0.97–1.15). Similar results obtained for Alzheimer's dementia (aOR 0.44, 95% CI 0.34–0.57; aHR 0.94, 95% CI 0.80–1.10) and vascular dementia (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52–0.94, aOR 0.48, 95% CI 0.35–0.64; HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.08–1.53, aHR 1.13, 95% CI 0.95–1.35) as well as in the sensitivity analyses. Adrenalectomy did not change the results.

Conclusion

NOFAT was not associated with an increased risk of dementia.
Environmental and technical efficiency of French suckler sheep farms under pollution‐generating technologies: A multi‐equation stochastic frontier approach using info‐metrics
Authors: Minviel Jean‐Joseph , Benoit Marc , Latruffe Laure
Published: December 2024

Reducing the negative environmental impact of production activities without (substantial) loss of production is a crucial challenge for the agricultural sector. Investigating farms' environmental and technical efficiency (TE) levels and drivers can contribute to addressing this issue. In this regard, based on recent theoretical developments on the appropriate handling of undesirable outputs in the modeling of production technologies, this paper introduces a multi‐equation stochastic frontier framework for technical and environmental efficiency (EE) analysis. This framework is applied to a sample of French suckler sheep farms. The results indicate that, on average, farms in the sample can increase their desirable output by 20% without using more inputs while reducing their greenhouse gas emissions by 24%. Findings also show that relatively high (low) levels of TE are associated with relatively low (high) levels of EE and that the likelihood for a farm to be both technically and environmentally efficient is relatively low. Only 32% of the farms in the sample have a high level of TE and EE. Drivers such as decoupled direct payments are positively associated with EE and negatively associated with TE, while no significant effect is found for green direct payments.