bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Algorithm for Incidental Pancreatic Cyst Detection
Authors: Berbís M. Álvaro , Moreno-Vedia Juan , Paulano-Godino Félix , Viteri Ainhoa , Riera-Marín Meritxell , Cañadas-Gómez Daniel , Trotta Romina , Forastero Beatriz , Luna Luis , López Javier García , Luna Antonio , Rodríguez-Comas Júlia
Published: September 2024

Objectives

To develop an accurate, state-of-the-art algorithm for the incidental detection of pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) on computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

Methods

A SwinT-Unet-based architecture was developed for the incidental detection of PCLs. The algorithm was trained and validated on a robust dataset of retrospective CT and MRI studies collected from HT Médica centers located in eight different cities using scanners fabricated by four different manufacturers.

Results

Our algorithm was able to detect 91.6% of the confirmed PCLs in the initial dataset with 91.6% sensitivity and 92.3% specificity, while 91.7% of the healthy controls were also correctly identified. Furthermore, our tool was remarkably capable of classifying these PCLs as mucinous or non-mucinous, determining their location within the pancreas with an accuracy of 88.5%, and identifying the presence of calcifications or scars within the PCLs with an accuracy of 96%.

Conclusions

By integrating radiological data and state-of-the-art artificial intelligence techniques, we have developed an efficient tool for the incidental identification and initial characterization of PCLs, which present a substantial prevalence within the global population. Our algorithm facilitates early diagnosis of pancreatic abnormalities, which could have a profound impact on patient management and prognosis, particularly in the case of PCLs with malignant potential.
Alignment of Large Language Models in Solving Medical Ethical Dilemmas
Authors: Sorin Vera , Glicksberg Benjamin S. , Korfiatis Panagiotis , Collins Jeremy D. , Yeow Mei-Ean E. , Brandeland Megan , Nadkarni Girish N. , Klang Eyal
Published: September 2024

Deontology and utilitarianism are two philosophical approaches to ethical decision-making, often illustrated by the well-known “Trolley” dilemma. We evaluated fourteen large language models (LLMs), including GPT-o1-preview and DeepSeek-R1-Distill-Llama, across five medical versions of this dilemma. While some models adhered to established ethical standards, others showed inconsistencies. All models occasionally favored a utilitarian approach over a deontological approach, with some reaching up to 80% of decisions. In certain instances, LLMs endorsed actions that would uniformly be considered unethical, such as amputating a limb without consent. These findings raise concerns about the real-world risks of using LLMs in clinical decision-making, particularly regarding patient autonomy and safety, and highlight the need for further investigation into how these models align with current medical ethical standards.
Randomised Badger Culling Trial lacks evidence for proactive badger culling effect on tuberculosis in cattle: comment on Mills et al. 2024, Parts I & II
Authors: Torgerson PR , Hartnack S , Rasmussen P , Lewis F , O’Donnell P , Langton TES
Published: September 2024

Re-evaluation of statistical analysis of the Randomised Badger Culling Trial (RBCT) by Torgerson et al. 2024 was rebutted by Mills et al. 2024 Parts I and II. The rebuttal defended the use of count rather than rate when considering bovine tuberculosis herd incidence. The defence makes biologically implausible use of Information Criterion for appraisal diagnostics; overfits data; and has erroneous Bayesian analyses. It favours ‘goodness of fit’ over ‘predictive power’, for a small data set, when the study was to inform application. Importantly, for ‘total’ bTB breakdown: (‘confirmed’ (OTF-W) +’unconfirmed’ (OTF-S)), where modern interpretation of the main diagnostic bTB test better indicates the incidence rate of herd breakdown, there is no effect in cull and neighbouring areas, across all statistical models. The RBCT was a small, single experiment with unknown factors. With respect to the paradigm of reproducibility and the FAIR principles, the original RBCT analysis and recent efforts to support it are wholly unconvincing. The 2006 conclusion of the RBCT that “badger culling is unlikely to contribute positively to the control of cattle TB in Britain” is supported, but the route to such a position is revised in the light of modern veterinary understanding and statistical reappraisal.
SARS-CoV-2 Survival on Skin and its Transfer from Contaminated Surfaces
Authors: Pitol Ana K. , Venkatesan Samiksha , Richards Siobhan , Hoptroff Michael , Majumdar Amitabha , Hughes Grant
Published: September 2024

Understanding the transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2, particularly its transfer from contaminated surfaces (fomites) to human skin, is crucial for mitigating the spread of COVID-19. While extensive research has examined the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 on various surfaces, there is limited understanding of how efficiently it transfers to human skin, and how long it survives on the skin. This study investigates two key aspects of SARS-CoV-2 transmission: (1) the transfer efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 from non-porous (plastic and metal) and porous (cardboard) surfaces to a 3D human skin model (LabSkin), and (2) the survival of SARS-CoV-2 on the skin under different temperature conditions. First, we validated LabSkin as a suitable surrogate for human skin by comparing the transfer efficiency of the bacteriophage Phi 6 from surfaces to LabSkin and to human volunteers’ fingers. No significant differences were observed, confirming LabSkin’s suitability for these studies. Subsequently, the transfer of SARS-CoV-2 from surfaces to LabSkin was assessed, showing that plastic and metal surfaces had similar transfer efficiencies (∼13%), while no transfer occurred from cardboard once the inoculum had dried on the surface. Finally, the survival of SARS-CoV-2 on skin was assessed, showing a rapid decay at higher temperatures, with a half-life ranging from 2.8 to 17.8 hours depending on the temperature. These findings enhance our understanding of viral transmission via fomites and inform public health strategies to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission through surface contact.
A virus associated with the zoonotic pathogenPlasmodium knowlesicausing human malaria is a member of a diverse and unclassified viral taxon
Authors: Petrone Mary E. , Charon Justine , Grigg Matthew J , William Timothy , Rajahram Giri S , Westaway Jacob , Piera Kim A , Shi Mang , Anstey Nicholas M. , Holmes Edward C.
Published: September 2024

Apicomplexa are single-celled eukaryotes that can infect humans and include the mosquito-borne parasitePlasmodium, the cause of malaria. Increasing rates of drug resistance in human-onlyPlasmodiumspecies are reducing the efficacy of control efforts and antimalarial treatments. There are also rising cases ofP. knowlesi, the only zoonoticPlasmodiumspecies that causes severe disease and death in humans. Thus, there is a need to develop additional innovative strategies to combat malaria. Viruses that infect non-Plasmodiumspp. disease-causing protozoa have been shown to affect pathogen life cycle and disease outcomes. However, only one virus (Matryoshka RNA virus 1) has been identified inPlasmodium, and none have been identified in zoonoticPlasmodiumspecies. The rapid expansion of the known RNA virosphere using structure- and artificial intelligence-based methods suggests that this dearth is due to the divergent nature of RNA viruses that infect protozoa. We leveraged these newly uncovered data sets to explore the virome of human-infectingPlasmodiumspecies collected in Sabah, east (Borneo) Malaysia. We identified a highly divergent RNA virus in two human-infectingP. knowlesiisolates that is related to the unclassified group ‘ormycoviruses’. By characterising fifteen additional ormycoviruses identified in the transcriptomes of arthropods we show that this group of viruses exhibits a complex ecology at the arthropod-mammal interface. Through the application of artificial intelligence methods, we then demonstrate that the ormycoviruses are part of a diverse and unclassified viral taxon. This is the first observation of an RNA virus in a zoonoticPlasmodiumspecies. By linking small-scale experimental data to large-scale virus discovery advances, we characterise the diversity and genomic architecture of an unclassified viral taxon. This approach should be used to further explore the virome of disease-causing Apicomplexa and better understand how protozoa-infecting viruses may affect parasite fitness, pathobiology, and treatment outcomes.
Bovhyaluronidase azoximer for long-term pulmonary sequelae of COVID-19: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Avdeev Sergey N. , Ignatova Galina L. , Drapkina Oxana M. , Popova Veronica B. , Melnikova Ekaterina V. , Chudinovskikh Tatiana I. , Ryabova Olga V. , Egorova Natalia V. , Rubanik Tamara V. , Shvarts Yury G. , Polyakova Svetlana A. , Dzutseva Vitalina , Antonova Anna V. , Zubkov Dmitry A. , Khmelevskii Mikhail S. , Khomyakova Nadezhda F. , Tsyferov Mikhail A. , Hardman Tim C. , Tikhonov Anton A.
Published: September 2024

Background

Hyaluronan is an emerging target for COVID-19 and lung fibrosis. In an open-label study the hyaluronidase bovhyaluronidase azoximer (BA) was associated with improved pulmonary function and exercise tolerance in patients with pulmonary sequelae of COVID-19. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial we evaluated the effect of BA on patients up to 12 months after COVID-19, characterized by reduced pulmonary function, dyspnea, and decreased oxygen saturation.

Methods

Patients (n=392) were randomized 1:1 to receive BA (3000U) or placebo every 5 days for 71 days. Percent of predicted forced vital capacity (ppFVC), respiratory symptoms, and exercise tolerance indicators were assessed at baseline and on days 71 and 180. The primary endpoint was a change from baseline in ppFVC by Day 71.

Results

On Day 71, BA was associated with a significant reduction in the proportion of patients with exertional desaturation (OR=0.35, p=0.0051) and dyspnea (OR=0.62, p=0.043). There were no significant intergroup differences in the ppFVC growth rate. Analysis of sub-populations revealed that by Day 180, BA was associated with increased ppFVC in patients with cardiovascular comorbidities (diff=3.31%, p=0.042) and those with earlier SARS-CoV-2 infection (diff=4.17%, p=0.021). BA was generally safe and well-tolerated.

Conclusion

In patients with long-term pulmonary sequelae of COVID-19, BA was associated with increased exercise tolerance. There was evidence of shorter pulmonary function recovery time following BA in patients with cardiovascular comorbidities and those with earlier COVID-19 disease.
Antimicrobial Potential and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized fromOcimum SanctumExtract
Authors: Sulaiman Mustapha , Muhammad Ma’aruf Abdulmumin , Sulaiman Aminu Shehu , Abubakar Amina Lawan , Sharma Ritu , Shuaibu Abubakar Musa , Aliyu Mamudu , Mustapha Ibrahim Tasi’u , Tiwari Raksha
Published: September 2024

The growing resistance of microbes to conventional antibiotics and the environmental impact of chemical synthesis methods highlight the urgent need for effective and sustainable antimicrobial agents. In this study, we address these challenges by synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) usingOcimum sanctumleaf extract, a green and efficient method. We confirmed AgNPs synthesis through UV-vis spectroscopy, observing a Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) peak centered at 420 nm. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis showed intense peaks at 37.81°, 45.01°, 63.91°, and 78.0°, corresponding to Bragg’s reflections at 111, 200, 220, and 311, respectively, with an average particle size of approximately 18 nm calculated using Scherrer’s formula. The reduction of Ag+was monitored using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), which revealed a rapid decrease from 2.73 ppm to 0.023 ppm within four minutes, driven by the active reducing agents in theO. sanctumextract. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image confirmed the spherical shape of the AgNPs, with an average size of 23.82 ± 4.17 nm. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy identified absorption peaks at 1635 cm-1and 3430 cm-1, associated with the amide I bond of proteins and OH stretching in alcohols and phenolic compounds, respectively. The synthesized AgNPs exhibited significant antimicrobial activity, demonstrated by a dose-dependent inhibitory effect against bacterial strains. The inhibition zone measured 6 mm at the lowest concentration of 5 µg/L and increased progressively to 14 mm at the highest concentration of 25 µg/L, indicating strong antimicrobial potential even at low dosages.
Potential Cancer Biomarkers: Mitotic Intra-S DNA Damage Checkpoint Genes
Authors: Agarwal Kashvi , Liu Hengrui
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND

The mitotic intra-S DNA damage checkpoint signaling gene set is potentially involved in cancers where the genes play an important role. 17 total genes are involved in this gene set: ATF2, CHEK2, EME1, EME2, FANCD2, HUS1, HUS1B, MDC1, MRE11, MSH2, MUS81, NEK11, RAD17, RAD9A, RAD9B, TIPIN, XPC. The aim of this study is to complete a pan-cancer profile of each gene in the mitotic intra-S DNA damage checkpoint signaling gene set in order to determine potential diagnostic and prognostic purposes, while also determining how they could be used in a clinical setting as therapeutic targets to help patients.

METHODS

Multiomic data was acquired for the 17 genes; over 9000 samples of 33 types of cancer were analyzed to create pan-cancer profiles of CNV, mRNA expression, and pathway analysis.

RESULTS

The CNVs of some of these genes are associated with the survival of MESO, PCPG, BLCA, SKCM, LUAD, HNSC, LUSC, OV, and BRCA could be affected by the mRNA expression of the genes which can involve regulation of copy number.

CONCLUSION

With sufficient investigation, the genes involved in mitotic intra-S DNA damage checkpoint signaling may contribute to the development of cancer and may be used as biomarkers for cancer prognosis and diagnosis. To prove their clinical use for diagnosis and prognosis, however, and to create workable applications in clinical settings, further work is required. However, these pan-cancer profiles provide a more comprehensive knowledge of the mitotic intra-S DNA damage checkpoint signaling gene set in cancer as well as valuable information for future reference.
The human ribosome modulates multidomain protein biogenesis by delaying cotranslational domain docking
Authors: Pellowe Grant A. , Voisin Tomas B. , Karpauskaite Laura , Maslen Sarah L. , Roeselová Alžběta , Skehel J. Mark , Roustan Chloe , George Roger , Nans Andrea , Kjær Svend , Taylor Ian A. , Balchin David
Published: September 2024

Proteins with multiple domains are intrinsically prone to misfold, yet fold efficiently during their synthesis on the ribosome. This is especially important in eukaryotes, where multidomain proteins predominate. Here, we sought to understand how multidomain protein folding is modulated by the eukaryotic ribosome. We used cryo-electron microscopy and hydrogen/deuterium exchange-mass spectrometry to characterise the structure and dynamics of partially-synthesised intermediates of a model multidomain protein. We find that nascent subdomains fold progressively during synthesis on the human ribosome, templated by interactions across domain interfaces. The conformational ensemble of the nascent chain is tuned by its unstructured C-terminal segments, which keep interfaces between folded domains in dynamic equilibrium until translation termination. This contrasts with the bacterial ribosome, on which domain interfaces form early and remain stable during synthesis. Delayed domain docking may avoid interdomain misfolding to promote the maturation of multidomain proteins in eukaryotes.
Disulfide-mediated tetramerization of TRAP1 fosters its antioxidant and pro-neoplastic activities
Authors: Faienza Fiorella , Laquatra Claudio , Castelli Matteo , Rizza Salvatore , Guarra Federica , Dashtmian Azam Roshani , Giglio Paola , Pecorari Chiara , Ferrone Lavinia , Moroni Elisabetta , Pacello Francesca , Battistoni Andrea , Colombo Giorgio , Rasola Andrea , Filomeni Giuseppe
Published: September 2024

The mitochondrial chaperone TRAP1 exerts a protective function in cells exposed to diverse stress conditions in both physiological and pathological contexts. In cancer cells, it contributes to neoplastic progression ensuing metabolic rewiring and protection from oxidative insults.

TRAP1 works as a homodimer, but recent evidence has indicated that it can form tetramers whose functional effects remain elusive. Here, we find that TRAP1 forms redox-sensitive tetramers via disulfide bonds involving two critical cysteine residues, C261 and C573. TRAP1 tetramerization is elicited by oxidative stress and abrogated upon expression of the double C261S/C573R mutant. In cancer contexts, the expression of the TRAP1 C261S/C573R mutant is unable to inhibit the activity of its client succinate dehydrogenase and to confer protection against oxidative insults, and it hampers invasiveness of aggressive sarcoma cells.

Our data indicate that TRAP1 undergoes tetramerization in response to oxidative stress and identify C261 and C573 as critical for TRAP1 structural rearrangement and for functions.
A systematic review of professional society-backed biology education DEI research: The groups, research methods, and levels of analyses comprising the field
Authors: Idlebird Candice , Campbell-Montalvo Rebecca , McDowell Gary S. , Blosser Emily , Harvey Richard , Marcette Jana
Published: September 2024

This integrative literature review analyzes the corpus of biology education research published in the main biology education journals of major professional societies. The goal of this analysis is to determine which approaches (including groups of focus, research methods, and settings/perspectives) from social science fields (i.e., psychology, sociology, and anthropology) are utilized in published peer-reviewed biology education research relating to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Scoping how social science approaches are used in this area is important to understanding whether biology education research could benefit from complementary approaches that might advance praxis. This analysis found that research informing the biology education community draws heavily from psychological perspectives that are overwhelmingly not disaggregated (78% of articles identifying a group used a lumped together one), are by far more quantitative (58% used survey, 26% grades, 20% school data) than qualitative (17% used interview, 10% observation), and did not (72%) adopt structural approaches. The addition of missing contributions from social science is critical to advancing interventions to broaden STEM participation given that merging paradigms can offer more robust, multi-level explanations for observed phenomena. This has important implications for education, biology education, biology education research, social science, and research in related STEM fields.
Innate Immune Receptor NLRX1: Potential Modulator of Glioblastoma Pathophysiology
Authors: Meena Durgesh , Shivakumar Divya , Rajkhowa Sushmita , Bhattacharya Neermita , Solanki Priya , Chhipa Shalini , Janu Vikas , Garg Mayank , Gosal Jaskaran Singh , Jha Sushmita
Published: September 2024

Gliomas are primary brain tumors that develop from glial cells within the central nervous system and are among the deadliest human cancers. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant form of glioma. NLRX1 is an innate immune pattern recognition receptor that exhibits tumor-suppressive and tumor-promoting effects that may be cancer or cell-type, context-dependent, aided by differences in the microenvironment. Here, we report that NLRX1 is differentially expressed in microglia, astrocytes, GBM cell lines, and glioma patient tissues. siRNA-mediated silencing ofNlrx1decreases the ability of the GBM cell line, LN-229, to proliferate and migrate.Nlrx1-/-GBM cells exhibit attenuated ability to generate 3D spheroids and enhanced capability to form tunneling nanotubes. Moreover,Nlrx1-/-GBM cells show decreased expression of autophagy markers, suggesting that NLRX1 plays a role in maintaining autophagy in GBM. In summary, our findings indicate that NLRX1 may modulate GBM pathophysiology by regulating GBM cell proliferation, migration, and metabolism. We believe our understanding of NLRX1 in GBM pathophysiology paves the potential development of GBM-targeting therapeutics that may delay disease progression and/or improve survival.
Post-transcriptional regulation of IFI16 promotes inflammatory endothelial pathophenotypes observed in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Rao Rashmi J. , Yang Jimin , Jiang Siyi , El-Khoury Wadih , Hafeez Neha , Okawa Satoshi , Tai Yi Yin , Tang Ying , Aaraj Yassmin Al , Sembrat John , Chan Stephen Y.
Published: September 2024

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease driven by endothelial cell inflammation and dysfunction, resulting in the pathological remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature. Innate immune activation has been linked to PAH development; however, the regulation, propagation, and reversibility of the induction of inflammation in PAH is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate a role for interferon inducible protein 16 (IFI16), an innate immune sensor, as a modulator of endothelial inflammation in pulmonary hypertension, utilizing human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs). Inflammatory stimulus of PAECs with IL-1β up-regulates IFI16 expression, inducing proinflammatory cytokine up-regulation and cellular apoptosis. IFI16 mRNA stability is regulated by post-transcriptional m6A modification, mediated by Wilms’ tumor 1-associated protein (WTAP), a structural stabilizer of the methyltransferase complex, via regulation of m6A methylation of IFI16. Additionally, m6A levels are increased in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of PAH patients compared to control, indicating that quantifying this epigenetic change in patients may hold potential as a biomarker for disease identification. In summary, our study demonstrates IFI16 mediates inflammatory endothelial pathophenotypes seen in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Redirecting full-length FLT1 expression towards its soluble isoform promotes postischemic angiogenesis
Authors: Bundalo Maja , Vorlova Sandra , Ulrich Jessica , Barbieri Ruggero , Richter Leon , Höna Leonie , Egg Manuel , Bock Julian , Schäfer Sarah , Solé Núria Amézaga , Rosa Annabelle , Rizzo Giuseppe , Cochain Clemént , Kastenmüller Wolfgang , Henke Erik , Skryabin Boris V. , Rozhdestvensky Timofey S. , Wildgruber Moritz , Lorenz Kristina , Kuhn Michaela , Zernecke Alma
Published: September 2024

Vascular endothelial growth factors and their tyrosine kinase receptors are key mediators of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis with FLT1 (VEGFR1) serving as a decoy receptor. A truncated mRNA transcript encoding soluble (s) FLT1 can be generated by premature cleavage and polyadenylation (APA). Although a shortening of transcripts is described in pathological settings, including heart diseases, the functional in vivo impact of FLT1 gene isoform generation and relevance for angiogenesis remain unknown. Here, we show that specific splice site mutations within Flt1 inhibit telescripting and activate APA in vivo to efficiently modulate gene isoform expression, inducing a complete loss of full-length (fl) Flt1 and a switch towards sFlt1 in mice. FLT1 is a high-affinity decoy receptor of VEGF limiting vessel overgrowth. We show that sFLT1 was sufficient for developmental vasculogenesis, whereas flFLT1 controlled ischemia-driven angiogenesis. Our results demonstrate that telescripting is essential in vivo for controlling Flt1 isoform expression and angiogenesis and can be harnessed to improve reparative revascularization. Furthermore, given the widespread abundance of APA signals, our approach may serve as a blueprint for studying telescripting and generating other truncated gene isoforms in vivo.
Domain wall dynamics in tungsten trioxide: Evidence for polar domain walls
Authors: Eckstein Jack T. , Yokota Hiroko , Domingo Neus , Catalan Gustau , Aktas Oktay , Carpenter Michael A. , Salje Ekhard K. H.
Published: September 2024

Domain walls have distinct properties from the bulk, and tailoring them to suit the needs for device applications is critical. Tungsten trioxide, WO3, is of great interest for device applications that make use of domain wall properties; it exhibits a phenomenologically rich sequence of phase transitions, virtually all of which are ferroelastic in character, resulting in many sets of domain walls at low temperatures, each with their own unique properties. Domain wall motion and its contribution to the piezoelectric response have been investigated in WO3 from 300 to 180 K using resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) and resonant piezoelectric spectroscopy (RPS), which showed that the P21/n,P1¯, and P21/c phases give a piezoelectric response despite the bulk being nominally centrosymmetric. Second harmonic generation (SHG) confirmed that polarity was strongest within the domain walls, and additional weak signals were found in the domains. Domain wall mobility was investigated in the Pbcn,P21/n, and P21/c phases from 685 to 5 K. Domain walls in the P21/n and P1¯ were more mobile than those in the Pbcn and P21/c structures, and soon after the P1¯→P21/c transition the walls become pinned at ∼140K.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Exposing the odd-parity superconductivity in
CeRh2As2
with hydrostatic pressure
Authors: Semeniuk K. , Pfeiffer M. , Landaeta J. F. , Nicklas M. , Geibel C. , Brando M. , Khim S. , Hassinger E.
Published: September 2024

Odd-parity superconductivity is a fundamentally interesting but rare state of matter with a potential for applications in topological quantum computing. Crystals with staggered locally noncentrosymmetric structures have been proposed as platforms where a magnetic field can induce a transition between even- and odd-parity superconducting (SC) states. The strongly correlated superconductor CeRh2As2, with the critical temperature Tc≈0.4K, is likely the first example material showing such a phase transition, which occurs at the magnetic field μ0H*=4T applied along the crystallographic c axis. CeRh2As2 also undergoes a phase transition of an unknown origin at T0=0.5K. By subjecting CeRh2As2 to hydrostatic pressure and mapping the resultant changes to the SC phase diagrams we investigated how the lattice compression and changes to the electronic correlations affect the stability and relative balance of the two SC states. The abnormally high in-plane upper critical field becomes even higher close to a quantum critical point of the T0 order. Remarkably, the SC phase-switching field

H

*

is drastically reduced under pressure, dropping to 0.3 T at 2.7 GPa. This result signals an apparent strengthening of the local noncentrosymmetricity and forecasts a possible stabilization of the putative odd-parity state down to zero field, hitherto not considered by theoretical models.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Effects of saturation and fluctuating hotspots for flow observables in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions
Authors: Hirvonen Henry , Kuha Mikko , Auvinen Jussi , Eskola Kari J. , Kanakubo Yuuka , Niemi Harri
Published: September 2024

We investigate the effects of saturation dynamics on midrapidity flow observables by adding fluctuating hotspots into the novel Monte Carlo EKRT (MC-EKRT) event generator for high-energy nuclear collisions. We demonstrate that the intensity of the saturation effects significantly affects the ratio between the flow coefficients v3 and v2 at the LHC. Adding a hotspot substructure to the nucleons enhances the saturation effects and improves the agreement with the measured data. We show that the collision-energy dependence of the flow coefficients obtained using the MC-EKRT initial states with hotspots is improved in comparison with the earlier event-by-event EKRT model. In addition, we present the results for the charged hadron multiplicity distribution in Pb+Pb collisions at the LHC, and show that the minijet multiplicity originating fluctuations of the saturation scale included in MC-EKRT, as well as the presence of hotspots, are necessary for describing the measured large-multiplicity tail in the distribution.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Spin-orbit correlations in the nucleon in the large-
Nc
limit
Authors: Kim June-Young , Won Ho-Yeon , Kim Hyun-Chul , Weiss Christian
Published: September 2024

We study the twist-3 spin-orbit correlations of quarks described by the nucleon matrix elements of the parity-odd rank-2 tensor QCD operator (the parity-odd partner of the QCD energy-momentum tensor). Our treatment is based on the effective dynamics emerging from the spontaneous breaking of chiral symmetry and the mean-field picture of the nucleon in the large-Nc limit. The twist-3 QCD operators are converted to effective operators, in which the QCD interactions are replaced by spin-flavor-dependent chiral interactions of the quarks with the pion field. We compute the nucleon matrix elements of the twist-3 effective operators and discuss the role of the chiral interactions in the spin-orbit correlations. We derive the first-quantized representation in the mean-field picture and develop a quantum-mechanical interpretation. The chiral interactions give rise to new spin-orbit couplings and qualitatively change the correlations compared to the quark model picture. We also derive the twist-3 matrix elements in the topological soliton picture where the quarks are integrated out (skyrmion). The methods used here can be extended to other QCD operators describing higher-twist nucleon structure and generalized parton distributions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Photoproduction of heavy QCD axions in supernovae
Authors: Chakraborty Sabyasachi , Gupta Aritra , Vanvlasselaer Miguel
Published: September 2024

Compact stellar objects like supernovae and neutron stars are believed to cool by emitting axions predominantly via bremsstrahlung (NN→NNa), pion conversion (π−p+→Na), and photoproduction (γN→Na). In this paper, we study new contributions to the photoproduction channel pertaining to axions. We first point out the impact of anomaly-induced unavoidable Wess-Zumino-Witten term ∝εμναβFμν∂αaωβ in the photoproduction of such axions. We then perform a complementary data-driven study where the rate of photoproduction can be estimated from low-energy pion photoproduction data. We found that for such heavier axions, i.e., ma∼O(100)  MeV, photoproduction processes can be dominant compared to the usual emission processes. In addition, the spectrum of these particles emitted in the process is significantly harder than those originating from bremsstrahlung.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Cosmological scaling of precursor domain walls
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Mainak , Pujolas Oriol , Zahariade George
Published: September 2024

Domain wall (DW) networks have a large impact on cosmology and present interesting dynamics that can be controlled by various scaling regimes. In the first stage after spontaneous breaking of the discrete symmetry, the network is seeded with “DW precursors,” the zeros of a tachyonic field. At sufficiently weak coupling, this stage can be quite long. The network is then driven to a nonrelativistic scaling regime; in flat spacetime the correlation length grows like L∼tκ with κ=1/2. We focus on the precursor regime in cosmology, assuming a power law scale factor a∝tα. We obtain the scaling exponent as a function of the external parameter, κ(α), by explicit computation in 1+1 and 2+1 dimensions, and find a smooth transition from nonrelativistic scaling with κ≃1/2 for α≲1/2 to DW gas regime κ≃α for α≳1/2, confirming previous arguments. The precise form of the transition κ(α) is surprisingly independent of dimension, suggesting that similar results should also be valid in 3+1 dimensions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Defect induced heavy meson dynamics in the QCD conformal window
Authors: Di Risi Vigilante , Iacobacci Davide , Sannino Francesco
Published: September 2024

Upon introducing a heavy quark in the perturbative regime of the QCD conformal window we precisely determine the associated heavy meson spectrum and wave functions in terms of the number of light flavors and mass. We then compute the conformal Isgur-Wise function which is a central quantity in heavy quark physics. We further determine the impact of the residual low energy confining dynamics on the heavy meson spectrum. As a working framework, we adapt the heavy quark effective theory to the perturbative conformal window dynamics. Our work lays the foundations to systematically go beyond the infinite mass defect approximation in conformal field theories.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Random matrix model of the Virasoro minimal string
Authors: Johnson Clifford V.
Published: September 2024

The model of two dimensional quantum gravity defining the Virasoro minimal string, presented recently by Collier, Eberhardt, Mühlmann, and Rodriguez, was also shown to be perturbatively (in topology) equivalent to a random matrix model. An alternative definition is presented here, in terms of double-scaled orthogonal polynomials, thereby allowing direct access to nonperturbative physics. Already at leading order, the defining string equation’s properties yield valuable information about the nonperturbative fate of the model, confirming that the case (c=25,c^=1) (central charges of spacelike and timelike Liouville sectors) is special, by virtue of sharing certain key features of the N=1 supersymmetric JT gravity string equation. Solutions of the full string equation are constructed using a special limit, and the (Cardy) spectral density is completed to all genus and beyond. The distributions of the underlying discrete spectra are readily accessible too, as is the spectral form factor. Some examples of these are exhibited.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Dark-Sector Search via Pion-Produced
η
and
η′
Mesons Decaying Invisibly in the NA64h Detector
Authors: Andreev Yu. M. , Antonov A. , Ayala Torres M. A. , Banerjee D. , Banto Oberhauser B. , Bernhard J. , Bisio P. , Celentano A. , Charitonidis N. , Cooke D. , Crivelli P. , Depero E. , Dermenev A. V. , Donskov S. V. , Dusaev R. R. , Enik T. , Frolov V. N. , Gertsenberger S. V. , Girod S. , Gninenko S. N. , Hösgen M. , Kachanov V. A. , Kambar Y. , Karneyeu A. E. , Kekelidze G. D. , Ketzer B. , Kirpichnikov D. V. , Kirsanov M. M. , Kolosov V. N. , Kramarenko V. A. , Kravchuk L. V. , Krasnikov N. V. , Kuleshov S. V. , Lyubovitskij V. E. , Marini A. , Marsicano L. , Matveev V. A. , Mena Fredes R. , Mena Yanssen R. G. , Molina Bueno L. , Mongillo M. , Peshekhonov D. V. , Polyakov V. A. , Radics B. , Salamatin K. M. , Samoylenko V. D. , Sieber H. , Shchukin D. A. , Soto O. , Tikhomirov V. O. , Tlisova I. V. , Toropin A. N. , Tuzi M. , Volkov P. V. , Volkov V. Yu. , Voronchikhin I. V. , Zamora-Saá J. , Zhevlakov A. S. ,   NA64 Collaboration
Published: September 2024

We present the first results from a proof-of-concept search for dark sectors via invisible decays of pseudoscalar η and η′ mesons in the NA64h experiment at the CERN SPS. Our novel technique uses the charge-exchange reaction of 50 GeV π− on nuclei of an active target as the source of neutral mesons. The η,η′→invisible events would exhibit themselves via a striking signature—the complete disappearance of the incoming beam energy in the detector. No evidence for such events has been found with 2.9×109 pions on target accumulated during one day of data taking. This allows us to set a stringent limit on the branching ratio Br(η′→invisible)<2.1×10−4 improving the current bound by a factor of ≃3. We also set a limit on Br(η→invisible)<1.1×10−4 comparable with the existing one. These results demonstrate the great potential of our approach and provide clear guidance on how to enhance and extend the sensitivity for dark sector physics from future searches for invisible neutral meson decays.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Influence of silicon interlayers on the structural and reflective X-ray characteristics of Ni/Ti multilayer mirrors
Authors: Smertin Ruslan , Antyushin Evgeny , Malyshev Ilya , Zorina Masha , Chkhalo Nikolai , Yunin Pavel , Garakhin Sergey , Polkovnikov Vladimir , Vainer Yuliy
Published: September 2024

The influence of Si interlayers on the microstructure of the films and boundaries and on the reflective characteristics of Ti/Ni multilayer mirrors has been studied using X-ray reflectometry and diffractometry. We established that these Si interlayers perform different functions at different interfaces. An Si interlayer at an Ni-on-Ti interface acts as a diffusion barrier. An Si interlayer at a Ti-on-Ni interface mainly acts as a smoothing layer with a slight diffusion barrier effect. The largest increase in the reflectance, from 62 to 65.7%, at a wavelength of 1.54 Å, is observed when Si interlayers are deposited on both boundaries. The reason for the increase in reflectivity is the decrease in the widths of the transition layers from 6.5 Å on Ni and 7.5 Å on Ti, to 6.0 Å on Ni and 5.0 Å on Ti, respectively. Here, we explain this through the `barrier' effect of Si interlayers, which results in less mixing of film materials at the interfaces. Data on the reflectance of Ni/Ti multilayer mirrors in the spectral range of the `water window' at a wavelength of 27.4 Å are presented for the first time. The maximum reflectivity for an Ni/Ti multilayer mirror at a grazing angle of 7.2° was about 56%.
Structure of face-centred icosahedral quasicrystals with cluster close packing
Authors: Yamada Tsunetomo , Takakura Hiroyuki , Yamamoto Akiji
Published: September 2024

A 6D structure model for face-centred icosahedral quasicrystals consisting of so-called pseudo-Mackay and mini-Bergman-type atomic clusters is proposed based on the structure model of the Al69.1Pd22Cr2.1Fe6.8 3/2 cubic approximant crystal (with space group Pa
3, a = 40.5 Å) [Fujita et al. (2013). Acta Cryst. A69, 322–340]. The cluster centres form an icosahedral close sphere packing generated by the occupation domains similar to those in the model proposed by Katz & Gratias [J. Non-Cryst. Solids (1993), 153–154, 187–195], but their size is smaller by a factor τ2 [τ = (1 + (5)1/2)/2]. The clusters cover approximately 99.46% of the atomic structure, and the cluster arrangement exhibits 15 and 19 different local configurations, respectively, for the pseudo-Mackay and mini-Bergman-type clusters. The occupation domains that generate cluster shells are modelled and discussed in terms of structural disorder and local reorganization of the cluster arrangements (phason flip).
Crystal structure of bis(μ2-5-nonanoylquinolin-8-olato)bis[aquadichloridoindium(III)]
Authors: Fuhrmann Betty , Meier Eric , Mazik Monika
Published: September 2024

Crystallization of 5-nonanoyl-8-hydroxyquinoline in the presence of InCl3 in acetonitrile yields a dinuclear InIII complex crystallizing in the space group P\overline{1}. In this complex, [In2(C18H22NO2)2Cl4(H2O)2], each indium ion is sixfold coordinated by two chloride ions, one water molecule and two 8-quinolinolate ions. The crystal of the title complex is composed of two-dimensional supramolecular aggregates, resulting from the linkage of the Owater—H...O=C and Owater—H...Cl hydrogen bonds as well as bifurcated Carene—H...Cl contacts.
Coupling between 2-pyridylselenyl chloride and phenylselenocyanate: synthesis, crystal structure and non-covalent interactions
Authors: Temesgen Ayalew W. , Tskhovrebov Alexander G. , Artemjev Alexey A. , Kubasov Alexey S. , Novikov Alexander S. , Borisov Alexander V. , Kirichuk Anatoly A. , Kritchenkov Andreii S. , Le Tuan Anh
Published: September 2024

A new pyridine-fused selenodiazolium salt, 3-(phenylselanyl)[1,2,4]selenadiazolo[4,5-a]pyridin-4-ylium chloride dichloromethane 0.352-solvate, C12H9N2Se2
+·Cl−·0.352CH2Cl2, was obtained from the reaction between 2-pyridylselenenyl chloride and phenylselenocyanate. Single-crystal structural analysis revealed the presence of C—H...N, C—H...Cl−, C—H...Se hydrogen bonds as well as chalcogen–chalcogen (Se...Se) and chalcogen–halogen (Se...Cl−) interactions. Non-covalent interactions were explored by DFT calculations followed by topological analysis of the electron density distribution (QTAIM analysis). The structure consists of pairs of selenodiazolium moieties arranged in a head-to-tail fashion surrounding disordered dichloromethane molecules. The assemblies are connected by C—H...Cl− and C—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming layers, which stack along the c-axis direction connected by bifurcated Se...Cl−...H—C interactions.
Redetermined structure of methyl 3-{4,4-difluoro-2-[2-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]-1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacen-6-yl}propionate
Authors: Schollmeyer Dieter , Jochen Matthias , Detert Heiner
Published: September 2024

In the title compound, C21H27BF2N2O4, a highly fluorescent boron–dipyrromethene dye, the methylpropionate moieties have different conformations. In the crystal, weak C—H...F and C—H...O interactions link the molecules. Some optical properties are presented.
C-type Yb2Te3O9
Authors: Höss Patrick , Chou Sheng-Chun , Russ Philip L. , Locke Ralf J. C. , Schleid Thomas
Published: September 2024

The title compound, diytterbium enneaoxidotritellurate(IV), was obtained in its C-type crystal structure from the binary oxides at 1073 K using a CsCl flux. It crystallizes isotypically with C-type Tm2Te3O9 and Lu2Te3O9, closing this gap of knowledge.
Relationship between Machiavellianism and relational energy: based on trait activation theory
Authors: Sun Yicong , Yan Aimin , Hu Xinfang , Zang Zhimei
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study draws on the trait activation theory to investigate the relationship between Machiavellianism and relational energy, considering the mediating role of facades of conformity and the moderating role of leader–member exchange ambivalence.

Design/methodology/approach

We collected survey data from 275 employees in central China at three time points. We conducted confirmatory factor analysis and bootstrapping to test the hypotheses using Mplus7.0 and the PROCESS macro.

Findings

We found that facades of conformity mediated the relationship between Machiavellianism and relational energy. Moreover, the indirect effect of Machiavellianism on relational energy via facades of conformity was more significant when leader–member exchange ambivalence is higher.

Originality/value

This study provides empirical evidence of how and when Machiavellians acquire relational energy from leaders.
Communicating sustainability: the Iberian challenge for authorial fashion brands
Authors: Dourado Pedro , LLovet Carmen , Ortega Fernández Eglée
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Given the potential for authorial fashion to lead the way in the field of sustainable fashion and digital platforms to be a powerful tool for spreading sustainable messages, this study seeks to explore the emphasis given to sustainability in the digital communication of Portuguese and Spanish’s authorial fashion.

Design/methodology/approach

A thematic analysis of all the posts published on the feeds of the 63 designers who presented their collections at the Madrid and Lisbon fashion weeks in September/October 2022 (Spring/Summer 2023) or February/March 2023 (Fall/Winter 2023/2024) editions was carried out. The information was collected over a six-month period between the two fashion weeks. This study is based on the categories identified in the reflexive thematic analysis developed by Testa et al. (2020). After adapting the categories to our analysis, 14 emerging themes were identified as observation criteria.

Findings

A total of 4,699 posts were examined. The analysis reveals a general lack of interest in mentioning sustainability – a subject evident in just around 6% of the content – as well as a high emphasis on the visual aspect of the fashion product. Several similarities between the Portuguese and Spanish markets were observed.

Originality/value

This study is important since there are few cross-cultural studies in the field of fashion between the two countries, particularly on sustainable fashion. Furthermore, it establishes a structure that is easily replicable in various markets and geographical areas.
Can virtual influencers affect purchase intentions in tourism and hospitality e-commerce live streaming? An empirical study in China
Authors: Yu Teng , Teoh Ai Ping , Bian Qing , Liao Junyun , Wang Chengliang
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine how virtual influencers (VIs) affect purchase intentions in tourism and hospitality e-commerce live streaming (THCLS) by focusing on the roles of VIs’ source credibility, trust in products, trust in VIs, emotional engagement, parasocial relationships and influencer–product congruence.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data from 416 active viewers of VIs in THCLS were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling.

Findings

This study highlights the importance of the VIs’ source credibility, which positively affects trust in the product, trust in VIs and emotional engagement. However, source credibility does not have a positive impact on parasocial relationships. Trust in products positively influences trust in VIs. Emotional engagement and trust in VIs significantly influence parasocial relationships, which, positively affects purchase intentions. Influencer–product congruence strengthens the link between parasocial relationships and purchase intentions but does not moderate the relationship between trust in VIs and purchase intentions. No significant gender differences were observed, although minor discrepancies were noted in the effect of trust in products on trust in VIs. The importance–performance map analysis revealed that parasocial relationships are the most important factor influencing purchase intentions, while influencer–product congruence has the highest performance, trust in products is the least important and VIs’ source credibility has the lowest performance.

Practical implications

This study provides actionable insights for marketers leveraging VIs in the THCLS sector, emphasizing strategies to enhance VI credibility, foster parasocial relationships, ensure influencer–product congruence and adopt gender-neutral marketing approaches to effectively influence purchase intentions.

Originality/value

This study offers theoretical and practical insights into the role of VIs in THCLS, illuminating their impact on consumer behaviour and purchase intentions.