bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Engineering of soluble bacteriorhodopsin
Authors: Nikolaev Andrey , Orlov Yaroslav , Tsybrov Fedor , Kuznetsova Elizaveta , Shishkin Pavel , Kuzmin Alexander , Mikhailov Anatoly , Galochkina Yulia S. , Anuchina Arina , Chizhov Igor , Semenov Oleg , Kapranov Ivan , Borshchevskiy Valentin , Remeeva Alina , Gushchin Ivan
Published: November 2024

Bacteriorhodopsin is a seven-helical light-driven proton pump and a model membrane protein. Here, we report engineering of soluble analogues of bacteriorhodopsin, NeuroBRs, which bind retinal and photocycle under illumination. We also report the crystallographic structure of NeuroBR_A, determined at anisotropic resolution reaching 1.76 Å, that reveals a conserved chromophore binding pocket and tertiary structure. Our results highlight the power of modern protein engineering approaches and pave the way towards wider development of molecular tools derived from membrane proteins.
«Studiesin vitroein vivoof Phage Therapy Medical Products (PTMPs) targeting clinical strains ofKlebsiella pneumoniaebelonging to the clone ST512»
Authors: Bleriot Inés , Blasco Lucía , Fernández-Grela Patricia , Fernández-García Laura , Armán Lucia , Ibarguren Clara , Ortiz-Cartagena Concha , Barrio-Pujante Antonio , Paño José Ramón , Oteo-Iglesias Jesús , Tomás María
Published: November 2024

The widespread incidence of antimicrobial resistance has created renewed interest in the use of alternative antimicrobial treatments such as phage therapy. Phages are viruses that infect bacteria and generally have a narrow bacteria host-range. Combining phages with antibiotics can prevent the emergence of bacterial resistance. The aim of the present study was to develop phage therapy medical products (PTMPs) targeting clinical isolates of carbapenems-producingKlebsiella pneumoniaebelonging to the high-risk clone ST512. From a collection of twenty-two seed of lytic phages sequenced belonging to MePRAM collection, four were used to generate PTMPs (CAC_Kpn1 and CAC_Kpn2). These PTMPs were partly active against three of the clinical strains of clone ST512 (A, B and C). The use of Appelmans method in the CAC_Kpn1_ad (adapted CAC_Kpn1) yielded a significant increase in the efficacy against strain A, while adapted CAC_Kpn2 (CAC_Kpn2_ad) only effectively reduced bacterial survival when combined with ½ x MIC ß-lactam antibiotic meropenem for 24 h in clinical strains B and C, showed after this time, resistance to PTMPs. In addition, the amounts of endotoxin released by the PTMPs were quantified and subsequently reduced in preparation forin vivouse of the PTMPs inGalleria mellonellainfection model confirming thein vitroresults from the CAC_Kpn1_ad and CAC_Kpn2_ad.
Organization of the apical extracellular matrix during tubular organ formation
Authors: Woodward J. Luke , Matthew Jeffrey , Vishwakarma Vishakha , Xiao Ying , Chung SeYeon
Published: November 2024

The apical extracellular matrix (aECM) plays a critical role in epithelial tube morphogenesis during organ formation, but its composition and organization remain poorly understood. Using theDrosophilaembryonic salivary gland (SG) as a model, we identify Papss, an enzyme that synthesizes the universal sulfate donor PAPS, as a critical regulator of tube lumen expansion.Papssmutants show a disorganized apical membrane, condensed aECM, and disruptions in Golgi structures and intracellular trafficking. Additionally, we identify two zona pellucida (ZP) domain proteins, Piopio (Pio) and Dumpy (Dpy), as key components of the SG aECM. In the absence ofPapss, Pio is gradually lost in the aECM, while the Dpy-positive aECM structure is condensed and dissociates from the apical membrane, leading to a thin lumen. Mutations indpyorpio, or inNotopleural, which encodes a matriptase that cleaves Pio to form the luminal Pio pool, result in a SG lumen with alternating bulges and constrictions, with the loss ofpioleading to the loss of Dpy in the lumen. Our findings underscore the essential role of sulfation in organizing the aECM during tubular organ formation and highlight the mechanical support provided by ZP domain proteins in maintaining luminal diameter.
Yeasts prefer daycares and molds prefer private homes
Authors: Kauserud Håvard , Martin-Sanchez Pedro M. , Estensmo Eva Lena , Botnen Synnøve , Morgado Luis , Maurice Sundy , Høiland Klaus , Skrede Inger
Published: November 2024

Indoor fungi can cause negative health effects due to the production of toxins or volatiles that trigger the immune system of the occupants. To what degree indoor fungi (mycobiomes) differ between buildings with different usage is poorly known. Here, we compare the indoor mycobiomes in 123 children’s daycare centers and 214 private homes throughout Norway, as revealed by metabarcoding of DNA extracted from dust samples collected by community scientists. Although the fungal richnessper sewas similar in dust samples from daycares and homes, the fungal community composition differed. Yeast fungi, distributed mainly across the orders Saccharomycetales, Filobasidiales and Tremellales, were proportionally more abundant in the daycares, while filamentous fungi, including spore-producing molds such asAspergillus, PenicillumandCladosporium, were relatively more abundant in homes. Number of occupants, which is considerably higher in daycares, correlated significantly with the fungal community shift. We hypothesize that the density of occupants and their age distribution drive the systematic difference of yeasts and filamentous fungi in the two building types.

Importance

Worldwide, people spend most of their time indoors; in their homes, workplaces, schools and daycares. The indoor environment can thus largely influence our health. In this study, we revealed that number of occupants and possibly their age distribution are important explanatory variables for the fungal communities of the indoor environments in homes and daycares. Knowledge of these communities are important for further studies on how fungal diversity affect our health.
Sub-therapeutic Concentrations of Antibiotics Induce Prophage-driven Superinfection Exclusion and Fitness Cost inPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Bucher Michael J. , Puente Cristian P. , Sehdev Naveen , Czyż Daniel M.
Published: November 2024

Bacteria and other microbes can naturally produce antibiotics within their native soil environment, but often at sub-inhibitory concentrations; consequently, the exact role of antibiotics within bacterial native communities remains unknown. We have shown that subtherapeutic quantities of naturally occurring antibiotics can induce thePseudomonasprophage Pf4, and superinfection ofPseudomonas aeruginosacells by this phage leads to their reduced virulence, as demonstrated by impaired twitching motility, compromised macrophage evasion, and increased killing by macrophagesin vitro. Thus, the production of subtherapeutic concentrations of antibiotics by environmental microbes may provide the producers an evolutionary advantage associated with reduced fitness induced by prophages in the competing bacteria. Collectively, these results reveal the role of naturally occurring antibiotics in altering fitness by phage-mediated superinfection exclusion and provide potential clinical implications in the application of phage therapy.

Significance Statement

This study provides insights into the mechanisms by which sub-inhibitory concentrations of environmentally-produced antibiotics inducePseudomonas aeruginosaprophages, revealing a potential evolutionary strategy for competitive advantage among bacteria. By activating prophages, antibiotics can induce fitness defects in neighboring bacteria, impacting their motility, phagocytosis, and survival within macrophages. Such previously unrecognized role for environmental antibiotics in bacterial ecosystems may offer insights into enhancing phage therapy by exploiting phage-antibiotic synergies. Understanding phage-host interactions can enhance therapeutic strategies to mitigate bacterial infections and antimicrobial resistance.
Antibiotic-free whole-cell biocatalytic fermentation:Escherichia coliwith surface-displayed PETases for sustainable plastic degradation
Authors: Romero-Orejon Katherine , Karbalaei-Heidari Hamid Reza , Budisa Nediljko , Levin David
Published: November 2024

Plastic pollution has increasingly burdened the environment, driving the need for natural degradation platforms that utilize microbial enzymes to break plastics down into monomers. In this study, we introduce a novel approach usingEscherichia colias a fermentative, antibiotic-free whole-cell biocatalyst with surface-displayed, genomically integrated PETases for efficient plastic degradation. PETases, a class of esterases, catalyze the hydrolysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into mono-2-hydroxyethyl terephthalate (MHET). Surface display of these enzymes was achieved via gene fusions with an N-terminal cysteine (Cys) triacylated anchor, mediated by the Braun lipoprotein (Lpp) signal peptide. To circumvent issues associated with plasmids, - such as genetic instability and reliance on antibiotics - we used a Type I-F CRISPR-associated transposase to insert the genes directly into specificE. coligenome sites. Proper enzyme display and activity on theE. colisurface were confirmed through enzyme activity tests, Western blotting, and flow cytometry, with cells retaining PET degradation ability over multiple generations. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis assessed degradation efficiency, identifying byproducts such as bis (2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate and terephthalic acid. This study establishes a proof-of-concept for efficient plastic degradation using engineered bacteria as robust, sustainable, and genomically stable whole-cell biocatalysts, providing a promising platform for addressing plastic waste management.

Graphical Abstract

One-sentence Abstract

Escherichia coliwas engineered as a fermentative, antibiotic-free whole-cell biocatalyst, featuring surface-displayed and genomically integrated PETases for efficient plastic degradation. This innovative approach has the potential to transform plastic recycling by enabling sustainable, large-scale degradation of plastic waste through environmentally friendly microbial systems.
Stage-specific phenotypic and transcriptional alterations in keratinocytes exposed to acute and chronic blue light
Authors: Tonolli Paulo Newton , Nagahashi Marie Suely Kazue , Oba-Shinjo Sueli Mieko , Monteiro de Assis Leonardo Vinicius , Baptista Maurício S.
Published: November 2024

Despite evidence that visible light (VL) has similar effects on human skin as those of UVA, VL is often viewed as harmless. High SPF sunscreen prevents erythema but can lead to overexposure to UVA and VL, with unknown consequences. To explore the impact of chronic blue light exposure, we irradiated (50 J/cm², λ= 408 nm, three times a week) human immortalized keratinocytes under acute (3 irradiations), intermediate (14 irradiations), and chronic (42 irradiations) blue-light exposure, monitoring phenotypic and gene expression changes. Chronically exposed keratinocytes exhibit increased nuclei area, chromatin alterations, higher proliferation, and apoptosis resistance, mirroring the consequences of chronic UVA exposure. While acute exposure upregulated keratinization and downregulated tissue repair and apoptosis genes, chronically exposed cells had upregulated genes involved with energy metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation and downregulated genes were enriched for immune and inflammatory responses. Specific transcriptional factors were identified in the acute and chronic stages, some of them had been associated with UVB exposure. We identified some changes in chronically irradiated keratinocytes similar to the malignant transformation, emphasizing the need for further research on the long-term impacts of blue light exposure on human skin.
Ultra-small Particle Size Nanobubbles Water Drinking Exerts Antifatigue Effects in Chronic Exercise Fatigue Rats via Improving Antioxidative Activities
Authors: Qi Jie , Yang Tieyi , Zhao Yinyan , Liu Yinuo , Han Maorui , Liu Yue , Zhao Jiayin , Zhang Jun
Published: November 2024

Chronic exercise fatigue is a prevalent issue that can lead to a decline in physical performance, metabolic dysregulation, and oxidative damage, posing significant health risks. This study aims to investigate the effects of Ultra-small Particle Size Nanobubbles Water (UsNBsW) which was Koishio technology produced water on physiological and biochemical parameters in a rat model of chronic exercise fatigue. We established a chronic fatigue model, and evaluated various physiological and biochemical indicators. Our key findings revealed that Koishio water significantly improved rats’ swimming performance, reduced blood lactate levels, and enhanced antioxidant capacity, as evidenced by increased hemoglobin content, decreased lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase activities (p<0.01). Additionally, liver glycogen levels were notably elevated (p<0.05). Futhermore, the antioxidant markers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were significantly higher (p<0.01), while malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) levels were markedly reduced (p<0.01). Our results provide new clues for the promising role of Koishio water in mitigating chronic exercise fatigue and supply a reliable reference for future research into nutritional interventions and recovery strategies in exercise physiology.
Global and local nature of cortical slow waves
Authors: Alegre-Cortés J. , Mattia M. , Sáez M. , Reig R.
Published: November 2024

Explaining the macroscopic activity of a recorded neuronal population from its known microscopic properties still poses a great challenge, not just because of the many local agents that shape the output of a circuit, but due to the impact of long-range connections from other brain regions. Here we use a computational model to explore how local and global components of a network shape the Slow Wave Activity (SWA). We performed a sensitivity analysis of multiple cellular and synaptic features in models of isolated and connected networks. This allowed us to explore how the interaction of local properties and long-range connections shape the SWA of a population and its neighbors, as well as how the sequential propagation of active “Up” states lead to the emergence of preferred modes of propagation. We described relevant features of cortical Up states that are modulated by “stiff” combinations of parameters of the local circuit as opposed to other that are sensitive to the level of excitability of the whole network and the input coming from neighbor populations. We found that while manipulations in the synaptic excitatory/inhibitory balance can create local changes, cellular components that modulate the excitability or adaptation of a population have a long-range effect that leads to changes in neighbor populations too. Additionally, our simulations guidedin vivoexperiments that showed how heterogeneities in excitability between cortical areas can determine the directionality of travelling waves during SWA. We expect these results to motivate future research exploring and comparing cortical circuits through the analysis of their Up states.
StratPal: An R package for creating stratigraphic paleobiology modeling pipelines
Authors: Hohmann Niklas , Jarochowska Emilia
Published: November 2024

The fossil record is an important source of information to understand biological processes that take place over timescales not accessible to human observation or experiments. Fossil data is not a perfect reflection of past biological change, but a joint expression of stratigraphic, ecological, evolutionary, and taphonomic effects. Stratigraphic biology is a field dedicated to identifying these effects and accounting for them.

We presentStratPal, a R package in which stratigraphic, ecological, evolutionary, and taphonomic modules can be combined into modeling pipelines for stratigraphic paleobiology.

We describe the types of data that can be modified and transformed using this approach, and briefly discuss potential extensions.

As working examples, we show how the pipeline can be used to model clustering of last occurrences at hiatuses and condensation surfaces, leading to artefactual “extinction events” caused by stratigraphic gaps.
Strategy to measure tau
g−2
via photon fusion in LHC proton collisions
Authors: Beresford Lydia , Clawson Savannah , Liu Jesse
Published: November 2024

Measuring the tau-lepton (τ) anomalous magnetic moment aτ=(gτ−2)/2 in photon fusion production (γγ→ττ) tests foundational Standard Model principles. However, γγ→ττ eludes observation in LHC proton collisions (pp) despite enhanced new physics sensitivity from higher-mass reach than existing probes. We propose a strategy to measure pp→p(γγ→ττ)p by introducing the overlooked electron-muon signature with vertex isolation for signal extraction. Applying the effective field theory of dipole moments, we estimate 95% confidence level sensitivity of −0.0092<aτ<0.011 assuming 300  fb−1 luminosity and 5% systematics. This fourfold improvement beyond existing constraints opens a crucial path to unveiling new physics imprinted in tau-lepton dipoles.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Production of open-charm pentaquark molecules in decay
B0→D¯0pp¯
Authors: Kong Shu-Yi , Zhu Jun-Tao , Chen Shu , He Jun
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the production of open-charm pentaquark molecular states, specifically ND¯* and N¯D¯*, within the B0→D¯0pp¯ decay. We examine the invariant mass spectra of pD¯0 and p¯D¯0, incorporating the rescattering process through a quasipotential Bethe-Salpeter equation approach. Our findings suggest the possible identification of the isoscalar N¯D¯* molecule with 3/2+ as the antiparticle partner of Λc(2940) in the p¯D¯0 mass spectrum. Although a molecular state near the N¯D¯ threshold with 1/2− exists, its signal is weak, indicating that the B0→D¯0pp¯ decay may not be ideal for its detection. A distinct signal of the isovector ND¯* molecule with 1/2− may appear in the pD¯0 invariant mass spectrum, while the signal for the 3/2− state remains very weak. We emphasize the importance of the three-body decay of the bottom meson as a valuable method for studying open-charm molecules and advocate for increased attention and more precise experimental measurements of the B0→D¯0pp¯ decay.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Exploring the sensitivity to non-standard neutrino interactions of NaI and cryogenic CsI detectors at the Spallation Neutron Source
Authors: Chatterjee Sabya Sachi , Lavignac Stéphane , Miranda O. G. , Garcia G. Sanchez
Published: November 2024

After the first observation of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEνNS) by the COHERENT Collaboration, many efforts are being made to improve the measurement of this process, making it possible to constrain new physics in the neutrino sector. In this paper, we study the sensitivity to non-standard interactions (NSIs) and generalized neutrino interactions of two experimental setups at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory: a NaI detector with characteristics similar to the one that is currently being deployed there and a cryogenic CsI detector proposed at the same facility. We show that a combined analysis of the data from these detectors, whose target nuclei have significantly different proton-to-neutron ratios, could help to partially break the parameter degeneracies arising from the interference between the Standard Model and NSI contributions to the CEνNS cross section, as well as between different NSI parameters. By contrast, only a slight improvement over the current CsI constraints is expected for parameters that do not interfere with the SM contribution.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Diamond of infrared equivalences in abelian gauge theories
Authors: He Temple , Mitra Prahar , Zurek Kathryn M.
Published: November 2024

We demonstrate a tree-level equivalence between four distinct infrared objects in (d+2)-dimensional Abelian gauge theories. These are (i) the large gauge charge Qϵ where the function ϵ on the sphere parametrizing large gauge transformations is identified with the Goldstone mode θ of spontaneously broken large gauge symmetry; (ii) the soft effective action that captures the dynamics of the soft and Goldstone modes; (iii) the edge mode action with Neumann boundary conditions; and (iv) the Wilson line dressing of a scattering amplitude, including a novel dressing for soft photons, which have local charge distributions despite having vanishing global charge. The promotion of the large gauge parameter to the dynamical Goldstone and the novel dressing of soft gauge particles give rise to intriguing possibilities for the future study of infrared dynamics of gauge theories and gravity.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Fireworks of viscous fingering
Authors: Chou Chi-Chian , Deki Yuka F. , Suzuki Ryuta X. , Nagatsu Yuichiro , Chen Ching-Yao
Published: November 2024

This paper is associated with a poster winner of a 2023 American Physical Society's Division of Fluid Dynamics (DFD) Gallery of Fluid Motion Award for work presented at the DFD Gallery of Fluid Motion. The original poster is available online at the Gallery of Fluid Motion,

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Dancing drops on lubricated surfaces
Authors: Lin Marcus , Wardani Fauzia , Daniel Dan
Published: November 2024

This paper is associated with a video winner of a 2023 American Physical Society's Division of Fluid Dynamics (DFD) Gallery of Fluid Motion Award for work presented at the DFD Gallery of Fluid Motion. The original video is available online at the Gallery of Fluid Motion,

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Coat or collapse?
Authors: Gabbard Chase T. , Whitesell Edward L. , Bostwick Joshua B.
Published: November 2024

This paper is associated with a poster winner of a 2023 American Physical Society's Division of Fluid Dynamics (DFD) Milton van Dyke Award for work presented at the DFD Gallery of Fluid Motion. The original poster is available online at the Gallery of Fluid Motion, .

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Lab icebergs melt down and flip out
Authors: Johnson Bobae , Zhang Zihan , Kim Alison , Weady Scott , Ristroph Leif
Published: November 2024

This paper is associated with a poster winner of a 2023 American Physical Society's Division of Fluid Dynamics (DFD) Milton van Dyke Award for work presented at the DFD Gallery of Fluid Motion. The original poster is available online at the Gallery of Fluid Motion, .

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Liquid lace: Regular pattern formation by under-extrusion
Authors: Dreier Lauren , Marzin Tom , David Romain , Pienaar Stephane , Eujayl Aman , Vogeley Raphael , Xi Yuchen , Brun P.-T.
Published: November 2024

This paper is associated with a video winner of the 2023 American Physical Society's Division of Fluid Dynamics (DFD) Milton van Dyke Award for work presented at the DFD Gallery of Fluid Motion. The original video is available online at the Gallery of Fluid Motion, .

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Drop Medusa: Direct numerical simulations of high-frequency Faraday waves on spherical drops
Authors: Panda D. , Kahouadji L. , Abdal A. M. , Tuckerman L. S. , Shin S. , Chergui J. , Juric D. , Matar O. K.
Published: November 2024

This paper is associated with a poster winner of a 2023 American Physical Society Division of Fluid Dynamics (DFD) Milton Van Dyke Award for the work presented at the DFD Gallery of Fluid Motion. The original poster is available online at the Gallery of Fluid Motion, .

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Probing
CPT
Invariance with Top Quarks at the LHC
Authors: Belyaev A. , Cerrito L. , Lunghi E. , Moretti S. , Sherrill N.
Published: November 2024

The first model-independent sensitivity to CPT violation in the top-quark sector is extracted from ATLAS and CMS measurements of the top and antitop kinematical mass difference. We find that the temporal component of a CPT-violating background field interacting with the top-quark vector current is restricted within the interval [−0.13,0.29]  GeV at 95% confidence level.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Analysis of pseudoscientific beliefs in quantum mechanics of high school students and teachers
Authors: Sciarretta Walter , Bondani Maria , Galano Silvia , Malgieri Massimiliano , Onorato Pasquale , Testa Italo
Published: November 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the interest in the possible causes of the spread of science-based fake news. Indeed, such phenomenon can lead to a generalized distrust of science with serious consequences for our society, ranging from vaccine avoidance to climate change denial. Research in educational psychology has only recently begun to explore the psychological drivers and relationships between misinformation, conspiracy theories and pseudoscientific beliefs. However, existing studies have not focused on specific scientific domains and have involved samples with individuals of different age and sociocultural background. In this empirical study, we focus specifically on the pseudoscientific beliefs of high school students and teachers in a science area where fake news are spreading rapidly on websites and social media, namely, quantum mechanics (QM). To this end, we used a 21-item instrument specifically developed by our group in a previous study to measure pseudoscientific beliefs in QM. The cross-sectional sample included N=1119 high school students (female students=52%) and N=125 high school teachers. The data collected were analyzed using the following methods: confirmatory factor analysis to establish the validity of the instrument; multiple correspondence analysis, to transform categorical variables measuring sociocultural background into continuous variables; repeated measures analysis of variance and linear regression to describe which factors most influence students’ and teachers’ pseudoscientific beliefs. The results show that, for students, endorsement of pseudoscientific beliefs in QM depends on the following factors: trust in public and science institutions, scientific content consumption, type of high school attended, and QM literacy. For teachers, endorsement of pseudoscientific beliefs in QM depends on the type of degree obtained, QM literacy, perceived usefulness of teaching QM, and confidence in teaching QM. Our study suggests that outreach and popularization interventions for high school students focused on QM, as well as teacher training courses on QM, should also incorporate elements of the nature of science, i.e., on how we develop scientific knowledge, to provide more effective tools to help teachers and students distinguish between correct claims and plausible but false claims, using both prebunking and debunking approaches.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Melting of excitonic insulator phase by an intense terahertz pulse in
Ta2NiSe5
Authors: Takamura Naoki , Miyamoto Tatsuya , Ikeda Ryohei , Kubo Tetsushi , Yamamoto Masaki , Sato Hiroki , Han Yang , Ito Takayuki , Sato Tetsu , Nakano Akitoshi , Sawa Hiroshi , Okamoto Hiroshi
Published: November 2024

In this paper, the optical response to a terahertz pulse was investigated in the transition metal chalcogenide Ta2NiSe5, a candidate excitonic insulator. First, by irradiating a terahertz pulse with a relatively weak electric field (0.3 MV/cm), the spectral changes in reflectivity near the absorption edge due to third-order optical nonlinearity were measured, and the absorption peak characteristic of the excitonic phase just below the interband transition was identified. Next, by irradiating a strong terahertz pulse with a strong electric field of 1.65 MV/cm, the absorption of the excitonic phase was found to be reduced, and a Drude-like response appeared in the mid-infrared region. These responses can be interpreted as carrier generation by exciton dissociation induced by the electric field, resulting in the partial melting of the excitonic phase and metallization. The presence of a distinct threshold electric field for carrier generation indicates exciton dissociation via quantum-tunneling processes. The spectral change due to metallization by the electric field is significantly different from that due to the strong optical excitation across the gap, which can be explained by the different melting mechanisms of the excitonic phase in the two types of excitations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Massive-vortex realization of a Bosonic Josephson Junction
Authors: Bellettini Alice , Richaud Andrea , Penna Vittorio
Published: November 2024

We study the mass exchange between two rotating, quantum massive vortices in a two-component Bose-Einstein condensate. The vortices, in the majority component, exhibit a filled core, where the in-filling minority component undergoes a quantum tunneling effect. Remarkably, we observe that the two-vortex system features stable Josephson oscillations, as well as all the nonlinear phenomena, including the macroscopic quantum self-trapping, that characterize a Bosonic Josephson Junction. We propose an analytical model for describing the intervortex tunneling, obtained by implementing the coherent-state representation of the two-mode Bose-Hubbard model. This allows us to give the explicit expression of the model's parameters in terms of the physical macroscopic parameters of the two-vortex system. The comparison of the dynamical scenario predicted by the model with that emerging from the Gross–Pitaevskii equations is very good for sufficiently small atom numbers, while at larger atom numbers it grows less precise, presumably due to the partial exclusion of the many-body interactions from our model. The definition of an effective self-interaction parameter allows us to include the many-body effects, thus restoring a quite good agreement with the numerical results. Interestingly, the recognition of the bosonic Josephson dynamics paves the way to the investigation of new dynamical behaviors in multivortex configurations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Prognostication of half-cell potential for slabs cathodically protected with AZ91D using explainable and interpretable machine learning
Authors: Pandey Shikha , Murthy Yogesh Iyer , Gandhi Sumit
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the use of 20 commonly applied regression methods to predict concrete corrosion. These models are assessed for accuracy and interpretability using SHapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) and Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations (LIME) analysis to provide structural health monitoring prognostic tools.

Design/methodology/approach

This study evaluated model performance using standard measures including root mean square error (RMSE), mean square error (MSE), R-squared (R2) and mean absolute error (MAE). Interpretability was evaluated using SHAP and LIME. The X and Y distances, concrete age, relative humidity and temperature were input parameters, whereas half-cell potential (HCP) values were considered output. The experimental data set consisted of observations taken for 270 days.

Findings

Gaussian process regression (GPR) models with rational quadratic, square exponential and matern 5/2 kernels outperformed others, with RMSE values around 16.35, MSE of roughly 267.50 and R2 values near 0.964. Bagged and boosted ensemble models performed well, with RMSE around 17.20 and R2 values over 0.95. Linear approaches, such as efficient linear least squares and linear SVM, resulted in much higher RMSE values (approximately 40.17 and 40.02) and lower R2 values (approximately 0.79), indicating decreased prediction accuracy.

Practical implications

The findings highlight the effectiveness of GPR models in forecasting corrosion in concrete buildings. The use of both SHAP and LIME for model interpretability improves the transparency of predictive maintenance models, making them more reliable for practical applications.

Social implications

Safe infrastructure is crucial to public health. Predicting corrosion and other structural problems improves the safety of buildings, bridges and other community-dependent structures. Public safety, infrastructure durability and transportation and utility interruptions are improved by reducing catastrophic breakdowns.

Originality/value

This study reduces the gap between model accuracy and interpretability in predicting concrete corrosion by proposing a data-driven method for structural health monitoring. The combination of GPR models and ensemble approaches provides a solid foundation for future research and practical applications in predictive maintenance. This comprehensive approach underscores the potential of data-driven methods for predictive maintenance in concrete structures, with implications for broader applications in various industries.
Effects of the spectator's emotional attachment to esports players on the sponsoring brand
Authors: Navarro-Lucena Fernando , Molinillo Sebastian , Anaya-Sánchez Rafael
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand whether the spectator’s emotional attachment to esports’ players is key for the sponsoring brand’s outcomes. A theoretical model based on the attachment, social influence and brand communities’ literature is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through an online survey from a sample of 1,355 regular esports viewers. The proposed conceptual model was evaluated using partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The results showed that emotional attachment to esports players exerts a large effect on the viewer’s engagement with the community and his or her intention to view its content for longer. These two variables are key in explaining the viewer’s intention to perform positive behaviors toward the sponsoring brand, such as recommendation, purchase intentions and co-creation.

Originality/value

This study improves the understanding about the effects of the viewer’s emotional bond with esports players and the bond’s impact on the development of positive behaviors toward the sponsoring brand.
Robot chefs: the impacts, compatibility and suitability
Authors: Seyitoğlu Faruk , Fusté-Forné Francesc , Yiğit Serkan , Engin Süleyman
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This research investigates the impacts, compatibility and suitability of robot chefs in a restaurant context from the perspective of human chefs.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a qualitative research approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 chefs working in restaurants in Türkiye.

Findings

The study revealed the positive and negative impacts of robot chefs in restaurants, spanning aspects such as competitiveness, labour/human resources, financial, service quality, creativity and innovativeness and sustainability. The findings also shed light on the lack of necessary humanoid chef competencies of robot chefs and the suitability of restaurant concepts for their use.

Originality/value

Although previous research has explored the integration of automation and robotics in hospitality experiences and the perceptions of guests towards robot chefs, a significant gap exists in understanding the viewpoints of human chefs. This study makes a novel contribution to the theoretical and practical understanding of the use of robot chefs in the kitchen and the dynamics of their interaction with human chefs.
Building harmonious human–AI relationship through empathy in frontline service encounters: underlying mechanisms and journey stage differences
Authors: Yang Bo , Sun Yongqiang , Shen Xiao-Liang
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to deepen our understanding of how chatbots’ empathy influences humans–AI relationship in frontline service encounters. The authors investigate the underlying mechanisms, including perceived anthropomorphism, perceived intelligence and psychological empowerment, while also considering variations between different stages of the customer journey (before and after purchase).

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection was conducted through an online survey distributed among 301 customers who had experience using AI-based service chatbot in frontline service encounters in China. The hypotheses were examined through structural equation modeling and multi-group analysis.

Findings

The findings of this study revealed the positive impacts of emotional and cognitive empathy on humans–AI relationship through perceived anthropomorphism, perceived intelligence and psychological empowerment. Furthermore, this study verified the moderating effect of the customer journey stages, such that the impacts of anthropomorphism and intelligence on humans–AI relationship displayed more strength during the pre- and post-purchase phases, respectively.

Practical implications

This research offers practical implications for companies: recognize and enhance empathy dimensions in AI-based service chatbot to empower human–AI relationships; boost customer empowerment in human–AI interactions; and tailor anthropomorphic features in the pre-purchase stage and improve problem-solving capability in the post-purchase stage to enrich user experiences.

Originality/value

This study extends relationship marketing theory and human–AI interaction frameworks by investigating the underlying mechanisms of the effect of two-dimensional empathy on human–AI relationship. This study also enriches service design theories by revealing the moderating effect of customer journey stages.
Enhancing transfer of training in a power major in India
Authors: Ragini  , Ghosh Piyali , Shanmugam Senthil Kumar
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study has applied the model by Baldwin and Ford (1988) to empirically examine the influence of select trainee characteristics (i.e. instrumentality and motivation to transfer) and transfer design as a training design factor on the transfer of training to work. It also investigates the possible mediating role of the motivation to transfer and the moderating role of social support at work (comprising supervisor and peer support) in the transfer mechanism.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-reported questionnaire was used to survey employees working in a power major in India. In the first stage, we selected one geographical region of the organization using judgmental sampling. In the next stage, executives and non-executives from all five coal-based power stations in that region were selected using systematic sampling. Responses from 411 such employees were analyzed using PROCESS Macro in SPSS. A mediation analysis was done using Model 4, while the moderated mediation hypotheses were tested using Model 7 in PROCESS Macro.

Findings

Instrumentality and transfer design were found to impact training transfer through motivation to transfer. While supervisor support moderated the mediational impact of both predictors through transfer motivation, peer support moderated only the impact of instrumentality on transfer through transfer motivation.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical work that has integrated important predictors at trainee, training design, and work environment levels based on the perspective of factors an organization can control. Besides, establishing supervisor and peer support as contextual factors adds to the celebrated model by Baldwin and Ford.
Coping with interest incongruence: the joint roles of proactive personality and job crafting
Authors: Weng Qingxiong , Chen Lixin
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Drawing on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, we propose a mediated moderation showing how proactive personality (PP) and job crafting toward interests (JC-interests) influence the relationship between interest incongruence and cyberloafing.

Design/methodology/approach

We used a three-wave survey and collected data from 429 full-time employees working in different industries in China.

Findings

We found that interest incongruence was positively related to cyberloafing. Furthermore, this positive relationship was more significant when employees were low in PP or engaged in low levels of JC-interests. In addition, the moderating effect of PP was mediated by JC-interests.

Practical implications

These findings are helpful for organizations in figuring out how to mitigate the detrimental effects of interest incongruence by providing more support to proactive employees and implementing various JC interventions.

Originality/value

This study suggests that PP and JC-interests (resource gain strategy) could mitigate the positive effect of interest incongruence on employees’ cyberloafing.
Seeking consensus on physician leadership development in rural and remote Indonesian primary care settings: a Delphi study
Authors: Maulina Fury , Hasanbasri Mubasysyir , Scheele Fedde , Busari Jamiu O.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to formulate a consensus on primary care physicians’ leadership competencies tailored to Indonesia’s rural and remote health systems using the LEADS framework. Effective physician leaders are essential in these settings; however, many physicians lack the necessary leadership qualifications due to insufficient training. From a medical education perspective, this issue is further compounded by the lack of consensus on leadership course content.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a mixed-method approach with a concurrent triangulation strategy. Concurrently, a two-round Delphi study and qualitative interviews were conducted. The Delphi study involved academics, rural and remote primary care physicians, intern doctors (similar to house officers), clerks and medical students and used descriptive analysis. Semi-structured interviews, guided by an interview guide, were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Findings

From the initial 62 LEADS framework statements, the authors identified 52 physician leadership attributes in round 1 and 41 attributes in round 2. Qualitative interviews revealed three main themes: the significance of physician leadership, the physician leadership curriculum and its potential and impact.

Originality/value

The study established consensus and provided scholarly insights into the leadership development necessary for primary care physicians in rural and remote areas. This is essential for developing Indonesia’s medical leadership curriculum, with the ultimate goal of improving health outcomes in these settings.
The roles of Zhongyong and political efficacy on citizens’ e-participation in digital government platform
Authors: Lai Ruqiang , Beh Loo-See
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the roles of Zhongyong and political efficacy on citizens’ intention to use digital government platforms for e-participation (i.e. e-participation intention). Zhongyong is a dialectical way of thinking that influences Chinese behavioral intentions and approaches. Political efficacy is a predictor of traditional political participation. Both of them have not been adequately investigated in this digital era, particularly regarding e-participation in digital government platforms. Therefore, this study investigates their relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative model is constructed to examine the relationship between Zhongyong and citizens’ e-participation intention (internal and external) political efficacy serves as a mediator. An online questionnaire gathered 345 responses from three representative provinces of China (i.e. Guangdong, Jiangxi and Shanxi). Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was adopted and executed with Smart PLS 4.0 to analyze the data.

Findings

Zhongyong and (internal and external) political efficacy can positively influence citizens’ e-participation intention. Moreover, (internal and external) political efficacy mediates the relationship between Zhongyong and citizens’ e-participation intention.

Research limitations/implications

This research focuses on Chinese culture Zhongyong and surveyed Chinese citizens, thus is limited to the Chinese context. Second, this study used cross-sectional data. Third, this study only investigated two factors’ effects on e-participation, i.e. Zhongyong and political efficacy.

Practical implications

The findings provide multifaceted strategies for improving citizens’ adoption of digital government platforms for e-participation. Incentive policies to boost citizens’ (internal and external) political efficacy can be launched. To achieve broader citizen participation, a participative culture can be cultivated based on Zhongyong.

Originality/value

This study constructs a novel model that innovatively links Zhongyong thinking, political efficacy and e-participation intention. The results underscore the importance of Zhongyong culture and political efficacy in increasing citizens’ e-participation intention.
A Mouse Model of Ovalbumin‐Induced Airway Allergy Exhibits Altered Localization of SARS‐CoV‐2‐Susceptible Cells in the Lungs, Which Reflects Omicron BA.5 Infection Dynamics, Viral Mutations, and Immunopathology
Authors: Iketani Takao , Miyazaki Kaya , Iwata‐Yoshikawa Naoko , Sakai Yusuke , Shiwa‐Sudo Nozomi , Ozono Seiya , Asanuma Hideki , Hasegawa Hideki , Suzuki Tadaki , Nagata Noriyo
Published: November 2024

Asthma, an allergic disease of the airways, is a risk factor for severity of common respiratory viral infections; however, the relationship between asthma and severity in COVID‐19 remains unclear. Here, we examined the effects of SARS‐CoV‐2 (Omicron BA.5 strain) infection in a mouse model of airway allergy. First, stimulation of allergic mice with OVA resulted in the appearance of ACE2‐negative mucus‐secreting goblet cells in the bronchiolar region, and an increase in the number of ACE2‐expressing cells in the alveoli. As a result, ACE2‐expressing cells, which are susceptible to SARS‐CoV‐2, were limited to the distal portion of the bronchioles while they increased in the alveolar area. After viral infection, the peak infectious viral load in the OVA group was 100‐fold lower than that in the phosphate buffered saline (PBS) group; however, clearance of viral RNA from the upper/lower airways was delayed. There were notable differences in acquisition of nsp5 and nsp6 mutations by the Omicron BA.5 strain recovered from BALF samples obtained from the OVA and PBS groups. Immune responses associated with viral clearance were essentially the same, but expression of granulocyte‐associated chemokines was higher, M2 macrophage responses were predominant, and the higher spike‐specific IgG1/IgG2a ratio in the OVA group post‐infection. Infection localized in the alveolar region earlier in the OVA group, resulting in more severe alveolar damage than in the PBS group. These data suggest a Th2‐shifted immune background and altered localization of SARS‐CoV‐2 susceptible cells in mice with OVA‐induced airway allergy, which reflect Omicron BA.5 infection dynamics, viral mutations, and immunopathology.