bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A familial modeling framework for advancing precision medicine in neuropsychiatric disorders: A study in children with RASopathies
Authors: Bruno Jennifer L. , Merrin Jacob Joseph , Hosseini Hadi , Green Tamar
Published: February 2024

Objective

Despite the significant and growing burden of childhood psychiatric disorders, treatment is hindered by lack of evidence-based precision approaches. We utilized parent cognitive and behavioral traits in a predictive framework to provide a more individualized estimate of expected child neuropsychiatric and neuroanatomical outcomes relative to traditional case-control studies. We examined children with Noonan Syndrome, a neurogenetic syndrome affecting the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase (Ras/MAPK), as a model for developing precision medicine approaches in childhood neuropsychiatric disorders.

Methods

Participants included 53 families of children with Noonan syndrome (age 4-12.9 years, mean = 8.48, SD = 2.12, 34 female). This cross-sectional study utilized univariate regression to examine the association between non carrier parent traits (cognition and behavior) and corresponding child traits. We also used multivariate machine learning to examine the correspondence between parent cognition and child multivariate neuroanatomical outcomes. Main outcome measures included child and parent cognition, anxiety, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) and somatic symptoms. We also included child neuroanatomy measured via structural MRI.

Results

Parent cognition (especially visuospatial/motor abilities), depression, anxiety and ADHD symptoms were significantly associated with child outcomes in these domains. Parent cognition was also significantly associated with child neuroanatomical variability. Several temporal, parietal and subcortical regions that were weighted most strongly in the multivariate model were previously identified as morphologically different when children with NS were compared to typically developing children. In contrast, temporal regions, and the amygdala, which were also weighted strongly in the model, were not identified in previous work but were correlated with parent cognition in post-hoc analysis suggesting a larger familial effect on these regions.

Conclusions

Utilizing parent traits in a predictive framework affords control for familial factors and thus provides a more individualized estimate of expected child cognitive, behavioral, and neuroanatomical outcomes. Understanding how parent traits influence neuroanatomical outcomes helps to further a mechanistic understanding of Ras/MAPK’s impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes. Further refinement of predictive modeling to estimate individualized child outcomes will advance a precision medicine approach to treating NS, other neurogenetic syndromes, and neuropsychiatric disorders more broadly.
Genetic dissection of the tissue-specific roles of type III effectors and phytotoxins in the pathogenicity ofPseudomonas syringaepv.syringaeto cherry
Authors: Vadillo-Dieguez Andrea , Zeng Ziyue , Mansfield John W. , Grinberg Nastasiya F. , Lynn Samantha C. , Gregg Adam , Connell John , Harrison Richard J. , Jackson Robert W. , Hulin Michelle T.
Published: February 2024

When compared with other phylogroups (PGs) of thePseudomonas syringae (Ps)species complex,Pspv. syringaestrains within PG2 have a reduced repertoire of type III effectors (T3Es) but produce several phytotoxins. Effectors within the cherry pathogenPss9644 were grouped based on their frequency in strains fromPrunusas: the conserved effector locus (CEL) common to mostPspathogens; a CORE of effectors common to PG2; a set of PRUNUS effectors common to cherry pathogens; and a FLEXIBLE set of T3Es.Pss9644 also contains gene clusters for biosynthesis of toxins syringomycin/syringopeptin and syringolin A. After confirmation of virulence gene expression, mutants with a sequential series of T3E and toxin deletions were pathogenicity tested on wood, leaves and fruits of sweet cherry (Prunus avium) and leaves of ornamental cherry (Prunus incisa). The toxins had a key role in disease development in fruits but were less important in leaves and wood. An effectorless mutant retained some pathogenicity to fruit but not wood or leaves. Striking redundancy was observed amongst effector groups. The CEL effectors have important roles during the early-stages of leaf infection and acted synergistically with toxins in all tissues. Deletion of separate groups of T3Es had much more effect inPrunus incisathan in sweet cherry. Mixed inocula were used to complement the toxin mutationsin transand indicated that strain mixtures may be important in the field. Our results highlight the niche-specific role of toxins in cherry tissues and the complexity of effector redundancy in the pathogenPss9644.
Visually Induced Involuntary Movements
Authors: Martin Alexandra , Ventura Joel , Bakshi Avijit , Panic Sacha , Lackner James R.
Published: February 2024

Looking at a virtual 3D environment with structural features rotating at 60°/s in a head-mounted display soon elicits an illusion of self-rotation and displacement in the opposite direction. We explored in 75 s long trials the effects of visually induced self-rotation on the head, torso, and horizontally extended right arm of standing subjects. The degree of body and limb movement was contingent on whether the arm was extended out freely or pointing at a briefly proprioceptively specified target position, but did not depend on whether the hand held a rod or not. Most subjects in the Free condition showed significant unintentional arm deviations, which averaged approximately 55° in the direction opposite the induced illusory self-motion, and were more than 150° in some cases. In contrast, on average, the deviations in the Pointing condition were a quarter of those in the Free condition. Deviations of head and torso positions also occurred in all conditions. Total arm and head deviations were the sum of deviations of the arm and head with respect to the torso plus deviations of the torso with respect to space. When given a pointing target, subjects were largely able to detect and correct for arm and head deviations with respect to the torso but not for the parts of arm and head deviation that were due to deviations of the torso with respect to space. In all conditions, the arm, head, and torso deviations occurred before subjects began to experience compelling self-rotation and displacement. This is contrasted with the compensations for expected but absent Coriolis forces that are made when stationary subjects make reaching movements to targets during exposure to structured moving visual scenes. These compensations do not occur until subjects experience self-rotation and spatial displacement. These results have implications for vehicle control and maneuvering in environments that induce illusory motion and displacement, and in situations where there is motion in a large area of the visual field. The impact of these effects on joystick control is described and discussed. We also describe the subjective sense of ownership attributed to hand-held objects when experiencing illusory self-motion and displacement.
hoxbgenes determine the timing of cell ingression by regulating cell surface fluctuations during zebrafish gastrulation
Authors: Moriyama Yuuta , Mitsui Toshiyuki , Heisenberg Carl-Philipp
Published: February 2024

During embryonic development, cell behaviors need to be tightly regulated in time and space. Yet, how the temporal and spatial regulations of cell behaviors are interconnected during embryonic development remains elusive. To address this, we turned to zebrafish gastrulation, the process where dynamic cell behaviors generate the three principal germ layers of the early embryo. Here, we show thathoxbcluster genes are expressed in a temporally collinear manner at the blastoderm margin of the embryo to regulate the timing of mesoderm and endoderm (mesendoderm) cell ingression. Under- or over-expression ofhoxbgenes perturb the timing of mesendoderm cell ingression and, consequently, the positioning of these cells along the forming anterior-posterior body axis. Finally, we found thathoxbgenes control the timing of mesendoderm ingression by regulating cell surface fluctuations. Thus,hoxbgenes interconnect the temporal and spatial pattern of cell behavior in the early embryo by controlling cell surface fluctuations.

Highlights

hoxbgene expression shows temporal collinearity at the blastoderm margin during zebrafish gastrulation.

Temporal collinear expression ofhoxbgenes at the blastoderm margin regulates the timing of cell ingression and delineates spatial collinearity after gastrulation.

hoxbgenes regulate cell surface fluctuations and bleb formation at the blastoderm margin during cell ingression

Graphical abstract

hoxbgenes are expressed at the blastoderm margin in a temporally collinear manner and determine the timing of mesendoderm ingression by triggering dynamic cell surface fluctuations and cell blebbing. This results in a spatial collinearity of mesendoderm cell positioning along the anterior-posterior extent of the forming body axis with early ingressing cells being positioned more anteriorly than late ingressing cells.
Cortico-spinal Mechanisms of Periphery Neuromodulation induced Analgesia
Authors: Wei Zhaoxing , Duan Yunyun , Zhu Yupu , Lin Xiaomin , Zhang Ming , Brooks Jonathan C.W. , Liu Yaou , Hu Li , Kong Yazhuo
Published: February 2024

Nociceptive acute and chronic pain significantly impact the quality of life and create tremendous societal burdens. Given the side effects associated with pharmacological analgesia, noninvasive periphery neuromodulation techniques, like Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), have emerged as promising approaches for pain relief. Current human research, focusing partly on cerebral, brainstem, or peripheral mechanisms of neuromodulation, lacks comprehensive understanding from the perspective of the entire central nervous system. This study utilized a three-way mixed experimental design, combining cutting-edge cortico-spinal fMRI with thermal stimuli, to systematically explore the central analgesic mechanisms of two typical TENS modes: Conventional (high frequency, low intensity) and Acupuncture-Like (low frequency, high intensity). Behavioral and fMRI analysis revealed that, the direct spinal inhibition (PAG-spinal connectivity) partially mediated by PAG-vmPFC connectivity leads to local analgesic effects in Conventional TENS; a top-down diffuse noxious inhibition (PAG-S1 connectivity) fully mediated through PAG-spinal connectivity leads to diffuse analgesic effects in Acupuncture-Like TENS. Employing advanced cortico-spinal fMRI technique, our findings provide systematic neural evidence of the analgesic mechanisms induced by TENS and shed new light on future neuromodulation approaches.
Comparative Metagenomics Provide Mechanistic Insights into the Biodegradation of the Non-hydrolysable Plastic Polyvinyl Chloride in Gut Microbiota of Insect Larvae
Authors: Peng Haoran , Zhang Zhe , Kang Xiaoxi , Zhang Yunhua , Zhang Huilin , Wang Yuxuan , Yang Dongchen , Zhang Jinlin , Wang Yajie , Zhu Yong-Guan , Ju Feng
Published: February 2024

Using microbiomes to mitigate global plastic pollution is of paramount importance. Insect microbiomes have garnered emerging interest for their ability to biodegrade non-hydrolysable plastic polymers. The larvae ofSpodoptera frugiperda, a globally prevalent migratory crop pest, are accidentally discovered to consume polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic films, highlighting the role of their gut microbiome. Following the migration ofS. frugiperdin China, this study displays a comprehensive geographical profile of its larval gut microbiota and a significant shift after PVC feeding. Using comparative metagenomics we revealed the functional redundancy within the larval gut microbiomes of two distinct insects after PVC ingestion, we discovered a surprisingly potent PVC-dechlorinating activity of an NADH peroxidase (6.48 mg/L chlorine produced in 96 hours with NADH as a cofactor) encoded byEnterococcus casseliflavusEMBL-3. These findings open a new avenue for understanding plastic biodegradation mechanism and enable the development of biotechnologies to mitigate global plastic pollution.
Natural selection exerted by historical coronavirus epidemic(s): comparative genetic analysis in China Kadoorie Biobank and UK Biobank
Authors: Morris Sam. C. , Lin Kuang , Millwood Iona Y. , Yu Canqing , Lv Jun , Pei Pei , Li Liming , Sun Dianjianyi , Smith George Davey , Chen Zhengming , Walters Robin
Published: February 2024

Background

Pathogens have been one of the primary sources of natural selection affecting modern humans. The footprints of historical selection events – “selective sweeps” – can be detected in the genomes of present-day individuals. Previous analyses of 629 samples from the 1000 Genomes Project suggested that an ancient coronavirus epidemic ∼20,000 years ago drove multiple selective sweeps in the ancestors of present-day East Asians, but not in other worldwide populations.

Results

Using a much larger genetic dataset of 76,719 unrelated individuals from each of the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) and UK Biobank (UKB) to identify regions of long-range linkage disequilibrium, we further investigated signatures of past selective sweeps and how they reflect previous viral epidemics. Using independently-curated lists of human host proteins which interact physically or functionally with viruses (virus-interacting proteins; VIPs), we found enrichment in CKB for regions of long-range linkage disequilibrium at genes encoding VIPs for coronaviruses, but not DNA viruses. By contrast, we found no clear evidence for any VIP enrichment in UKB. These findings were supported by additional analyses using saltiLASSi, a selection-scan method robust to false positives caused by demographic events. By contrast, for GWAS signals for SARS-Cov2 susceptibility (critical illness, hospitalisation, and reported infection), there was no difference between UKB and CKB in the number located at or near signals of selection, as expected for a novel virus which has had no opportunity to impact the CKB/UKB study populations.

Conclusions

Together, these results provide evidence of selection events consistent with historical coronavirus epidemic(s) originating in East Asia. These results show how biobank-scale datasets and evolutionary genomics theory can provide insight into the study of past epidemics. The results also highlights how historic infectious diseases epidemics can shape the genetic architecture of present-day human populations.
Introducing synthetic thermostable RNase inhibitors to single-cell RNA-seq
Authors: Noble J.C. , Lentini Antonio , Hageman-Jensen Michael , Sandberg Rickard , Reinius Björn
Published: February 2024

Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNAseq) is revolutionizing biomedicine, propelled by advances in methodology, ease of use, and cost reduction of library preparation. Over the past decade, there have been remarkable technical improvements in most aspects of single-cell transcriptomics. Yet, there has been little to no progress in advancing RNase inhibition despite maintained RNA integrity being critical during cell collection, storage, and cDNA library generation. Here, we demonstrate that a synthetic thermostable RNase inhibitor yields single-cell libraries of equal or superior quality compared to ubiquitously used protein-based recombinant RNase inhibitors (RRIs). Importantly, the synthetic RNase inhibitor provides additional unique improvements in reproducibility and throughput, enables new experimental workflows including retained RNase inhibition throughout heat cycles, and can reduce the need for dry-ice transports.

In summary, replacing RRIs represents a substantial advancement in the field of single-cell transcriptomics.
AMycobacterium tuberculosissecreted virulence factor disrupts host snRNP biogenesis
Authors: Chauhan Komal , Passricha Nishat , Kapoor Yogita , Datta Dipanwita , Arora Naresh , Das Mrinmoy , Rao Kavya , Singh Lakshyaveer , Dutt Ravi , Sharma Raman Deep , Sarkar Binayak , Malakkar Basanti , Kalam Haroon , Saini Prince , Mehra Lalita , Das Prasenjit , Ahuja Vineet , Singhal Amit , Nandicoori Vinay , Kumar Dhiraj
Published: February 2024

We earlier reported thatMycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb) alters host RNA splicing to help its intracellular growth. Here, we report an unprecedented mechanism whereby a secreted virulence factor fromMtbinterferes with the biogenesis of key spliceosomal components, causing an altered RNA splicing pattern. A high-throughput yeast-2-hybrid screen identified severalMtb-secreted proteins that can interact with the host RNA splicing factors (SFs). Through custom-designed in-cell assays, we show that one of those proteins, Rv1435c, targets specific exon-skipping events to alter RNA splicing. We show that Rv14345c orhostsplicingregulator 1 (hsr1) facilitates direct interaction betweenMtbphagosomes and U5 snRNA and SNRPF, key components of the snRNPs. Genetic deletion ofhsr1reverses the specific exon-skipping events caused by WTMtbinfection. TheΔhsr1strain shows compromised growth duringex vivoinfection in the macrophages andin vivoinfection in the mice. Tissue sections from the WTMtborΔhsr1-infected mice showed significant hsr1-dependent SNRPF staining, a phenomenon also noted in the human intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) biopsies. We infer that hsr1 is a virulence factor which alters RNA splicing by interacting with U5snRNA and SNRPF. The splicing regulators from the host and pathogen are novel targets for anti-tuberculosis therapy.
The epigenetic landscape of oligodendrocyte progenitors changes with time
Authors: Dansu David K. , Sauma Sami , Huang Dennis , Li Meng , Moyon Sarah , Casaccia Patrizia
Published: February 2024

Dansu et al. identify distinct histone H4 modifications as potential mechanism underlying the functional differences between adult and neonatal progenitors. While H4K8ac favors the expression of differentiation genes, their expression is halted by H4K20me3.

Adult oligodendrocyte progenitors (aOPCs) generate myelinating oligodendrocytes, like neonatal progenitors (nOPCs), but they also display unique functional features. Here, using RNA-sequencing, unbiased histone proteomics analysis and ChIP-sequencing, we define the transcripts and histone marks underlying the unique properties of aOPCs. We describe the lower proliferative capacity and higher levels of expression of oligodendrocyte specific genes in aOPCs compared to nOPCs, as well as the greater levels of H4 histone marks. We also report increased occupancy of the H4K8ac mark at chromatin locations corresponding to oligodendrocyte-specific transcription factors and lipid metabolism genes. Pharmacological inhibition of H4K8ac deposition reduces the levels of these transcripts in aOPCs, rendering their transcriptome more similar to nOPCs. The repressive H4K20me3 mark is also higher in aOPCs compared to nOPCs and pharmacological inhibition of its deposition results in increased levels of genes related to the mature oligodendrocyte state. Overall, this study identifies two histone marks which are important for the unique transcriptional and functional identity of aOPCs.
Enhanced Sequence-Activity Mapping and Evolution of Artificial Metalloenzymes by Active Learning
Authors: Vornholt Tobias , Mutný Mojmír , Schmidt Gregor W. , Schellhaas Christian , Tachibana Ryo , Panke Sven , Ward Thomas R. , Krause Andreas , Jeschek Markus
Published: February 2024

Tailored enzymes hold great potential to accelerate the transition to a sustainable bioeconomy. Yet, enzyme engineering remains challenging as it relies largely on serendipity and is, therefore, highly laborious and prone to failure. The efficiency and success rates of engineering campaigns may be improved substantially by applying machine learning to construct a comprehensive representation of the sequence-activity landscape from small sets of experimental data. However, it often proves challenging to reliably model a large protein sequence space while keeping the experimental effort tractable. To address this challenge, we present an integrated pipeline combining large-scale screening with active machine learning and model-guided library design. We applied this strategy to efficiently engineer an artificial metalloenzyme (ArM) catalysing a new-to-nature hydroamination reaction. By combining lab automation and next-generation sequencing, we acquired sequence-activity data for several thousand ArM variants. We then used Gaussian process regression to model the activity landscape and guide further screening rounds according to user-defined objectives. Crucial characteristics of our enhanced enzyme engineering pipeline include i) the cost-effective generation of information-rich experimental data sets, ii) the integration of an explorative round to improve the performance of the model, as well as iii) the consideration of experimental noise during modelling. Our approach led to an order-of-magnitude boost in the hit rate of screening while making efficient use of experimental resources. Smart search strategies like this should find broad utility in enzyme engineering and accelerate the development of novel biocatalysts.
Mapping glycoprotein structure reveals defining events in the evolution of theFlaviviridae
Authors: Mifsud Jonathon C.O. , Lytras Spyros , Oliver Michael R. , Toon Kamilla , Costa Vincenzo A. , Holmes Edward C. , Grove Joe
Published: February 2024

Viral glycoproteins drive membrane fusion in enveloped viruses and determine host range, tissue tropism and pathogenesis. Despite their importance, there is a fragmentary understanding of glycoproteins within theFlaviviridae; for many species the glycoproteins have not yet been identified, for others, such as the hepaciviruses, the molecular mechanisms of membrane fusion remain uncharacterised. Here, we combine comprehensive phylogenetic analyses with systematic protein structure prediction to survey glycoproteins across the entireFlaviviridae. We discover class-II fusion systems, homologous to the orthoflavivirus E glycoprotein, in most species, including highly-divergent jingmenviruses and large genome flaviviruses. However, the E1E2 glycoproteins of the hepaci-, pegi- and pestiviruses are structurally distinct, may represent a novel class of fusion mechanism, and are strictly associated with infection of vertebrate hosts. By mapping glycoprotein distribution onto the underlying phylogeny we reveal a complex history of evolutionary events that have shaped the diverse virology and ecology of theFlaviviridae.
An observational cohort study of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid galactomannan andAspergillusculture positivity in patients requiring mechanical ventilation
Authors: Gao Catherine A. , Markov Nikolay S. , Pickens Chiagozie , Pawlowski Anna , Kang Mengjia , Walter James M. , Singer Benjamin D. , Wunderink Richard G. ,   NU SCRIPT Study Investigators
Published: February 2024

Rationale

Critically ill patients who develop invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) have high mortality rates despite antifungal therapy. Diagnosis is difficult in these patients. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid galactomannan (GM) is a helpful marker of infection, although the optimal cutoff for IPA is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the BAL fluid GM and fungal culture results, demographics, and outcomes among a large cohort of mechanically ventilated patients with suspected pneumonia.

Methods

A single-center cohort study of patients enrolled in the Successful Clinical Response in Pneumonia Therapy (SCRIPT) study from June 2018 to March 2023. Demographics, BAL results, and outcomes data were extracted from the electronic health record and compared between groups of patients who grewAspergilluson a BAL fluid culture, those who had elevated BAL fluid GM levels (defined as >0.5 or >0.8) but did not growAspergilluson BAL fluid culture, and those with neither.

Results

Of over 1700 BAL samples from 688 patients, only 18 BAL samples grewAspergillus. Patients who had a BAL sample growAspergillus(n=15) were older (median 71 vs 62 years, p=0.023), had more days intubated (29 vs 11, p=0.002), and more ICU days (34 vs 15, p=0.002) than patients whose BAL fluid culture was negative forAspergillus(n=672). The BAL fluid galactomannan level was higher from samples that grewAspergilluson culture than those that did not (median ODI 7.08 vs 0.11, p<0.001), though the elevation of BAL fluid GM varied across BAL samples for patients who had serial sampling. Patients who grewAspergillushad a similar proportion of underlying immunocompromise compared with the patients who did not, and while no statistically significant difference in overall unfavorable outcome, had longer duration of ventilation and longer ICU stays.

Conclusions

In this large cohort of critically ill patients with a high number of BAL samples with GM levels, we found a relatively low rate ofAspergillusgrowth. Patients who eventually grewAspergillushad inconsistently elevated BAL fluid GM, and many patients with elevated BAL fluid GM did not growAspergillus. These data suggest that the pre-test probability of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis should be considered low in a general ICU population undergoing BAL evaluation to define the etiology of pneumonia. Improved scoring systems are needed to enhance pre-test probability for diagnostic test stewardship purposes.
Near-interface electronic and magnetic states of
insulator/Co2MnSi
heterostructures probed by hard x-ray photoemission combined with x-ray total reflection
Authors: Ueda Shigenori , Fujita Yuichi , Sakuraba Yuya
Published: February 2024

Depth-dependent electronic and magnetic states of AlOx and MgO capped Co2MnSi thin films were measured by using hard x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (HAXPES) combined with x-ray total reflection (TR). TR-HAXPES revealed that the near-interface electronic and magnetic states of Co2MnSi films differed from those of bulk measured in non-TR condition. The decrease of the Co and Mn magnetizations near the interface along the easy magnetization axis in the bulk region relative to those in the bulk region and the changes in the valence band profiles were experimentally detected by nondestructive HAXPES utilizing TR. The possible origin of the reduction of the Co and Mn magnetizations and the changes in the valence band profile near the AlOx/Co2MnSi interface was due to an enhanced spin-wave excitation originating from the weakened exchange interaction between the local magnetic moments compared to the bulk region of Co2MnSi, which can slightly modify the valence band electronic states, near the interface at a finite temperature. These results suggest that the combination of HAXPES with TR is useful to experimentally detect the electronic and magnetic states of near-interface and buried bulk regions in nondestructive way for insulator/ferromagnet heterojunctions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Twist-3 contribution to deeply virtual electroproduction of pions
Authors: Duplančić G. , Kroll P. , Passek-K. K. , Szymanowski L.
Published: February 2024

The twist-3 contribution, consisting of twist-2 transversity generalized parton distributions (GPDs) and a twist-3 meson wave function, to deeply virtual pion electroproduction is discussed. The twist-3 meson wave function includes both the qq¯ and the qq¯g Fock components. Two methods to regularize the end point singularities are introduced—quark transverse momenta and a gluon mass. Using existing generalized parton distribution parametrizations the transverse and the transverse-transverse interference cross sections for π0 production are calculated and compared to experimental data.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Holographic screen sequestration
Authors: Chatwin-Davies Aidan , Leung Pompey , Remmen Grant N.
Published: February 2024

Holographic screens are codimension-one hypersurfaces that extend the notion of apparent horizons to general (non-black hole) spacetimes and that display interesting thermodynamic properties. We show that if a spacetime contains a codimension-two, boundary-homologous, minimal extremal spacelike surface X (known as an HRT surface in AdS/CFT), then any holographic screens are sequestered to the causal wedges of X. That is, any single connected component of a holographic screen can be located in at most one of the causal future, causal past, inner wedge, or outer wedge of X. We comment on how this result informs possible coarse grained entropic interpretations of generic holographic screens, as well as on connections to semiclassical objects such as quantum extremal surfaces.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Spontaneous Hopf Fibration in the Two-Higgs-Doublet Model
Authors: Battye R. A. , Cotterill S. J.
Published: February 2024

We show that energetic considerations enforce a Hopf fibration of the standard model topology within the 2HDM whose potential has either an SO(3) or U(1) Higgs-family symmetry. This can lead to monopole and vortex solutions. We find these solutions, characterize their basic properties and demonstrate the nature of the fibration along with the connection to Nambu’s monopole solution. We point out that breaking of the U(1)EM in the core of the defect can be a feature which leads to a nonzero photon mass there.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Cash or cash-less? Exploring the determinants of continuous intention to use e-wallets: the moderating role of environmental knowledge
Authors: Zaidan Hala , Shishan Farah , Al-Hasan Melina , Al-Mawali Hamzah , Mowafi Omar , Dahiyat Samer Eid
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the moderating impact of environmental knowledge on the factors influencing individuals’ continuous intention to use e-wallets.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a quantitative research design, this study develops and empirically tests a structural model. A purposive sample of 344 e-wallet users in Jordan was analyzed using Smart-PLS software.

Findings

The results indicate that perceived usefulness, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control directly influence the intention to continue using e-wallets. Notably, environmental concern and environmental knowledge do not have a direct impact on continuous intention. However, they act as mediators in the relationship between perceived behavioral control and continuous intention. Specifically, environmental knowledge acts as a mediator between perceived behavioral control, subjective norms and continuous intention. Furthermore, environmental knowledge moderates the relationship between perceived behavioral control and subjective norms, significantly impacting users’ continuous intention to use e-wallets.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the extended theory of planned behavior model within the banking sector by emphasizing the enhanced explanatory power of environmental factors. It underscores the pivotal role of environmental knowledge as a moderator that connects determinants of e-wallet usage to continuous intention.
How do reward personalization options influence the public’s willingness to participate in innovation projects? Insights from crowdfunding in Industry 5.0
Authors: Wang Wei , Liu Haiwang , Wu Yenchun Jim
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the influence of reward personalization on financing outcomes in the Industry 5.0 era, where reward-based crowdfunding meets the personalized needs of individuals.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilizes a corpus of 218,822 crowdfunding projects and 1,276,786 reward options on Kickstarter to investigate the effect of reward personalization on investors’ willingness to participate in crowdfunding. The research draws on expectancy theory and employs quantitative and qualitative approaches to measure reward personalization. Quantitatively, the number of reward options is calculated by frequency; whereas text-mining techniques are implemented qualitatively to extract novelty, which serves as a proxy for innovation.

Findings

Findings indicate that reward personalization has an inverted U-shaped effect on investors’ willingness to participate, with investors in life-related projects having a stronger need for reward personalization than those interested in art-related projects. The pledge goal and reward text readability have an inverted U-shaped moderating effect on reward personalization from the perspective of reward expectations and reward instrumentality.

Originality/value

This study refines the application of expectancy theory to online financing, providing theoretical insight and practical guidance for crowdfunding platforms and financiers seeking to promote sustainable development through personalized innovation.
Exploring the temporal effect of ad clutter on digital ad avoidance: a two-wave longitudinal study
Authors: Çelik Fatih , Yıldız Selçuk Yasin , Ozkara Behcet Yalin , Çam Mehmet Safa , Ibrahim Blend
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The study investigates the antecedents and consequences of digital ad avoidance in the e-commerce industry. This study aims to investigate how digital ad avoidance relates to internet usage over time, using a two-wave longitudinal research design. This study also explores how real-world advertising clutter (clutter and non-clutter) affects these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from 192 online consumers in Türkiye, and a two-wave longitudinal research design and structural equation modeling were conducted to test the hypotheses of the conceptual model.

Findings

The results indicated that perceived goal impediment and prior negative experience had positive effects on affective avoidance in both ad-clutter and non-clutter periods. Further, affective avoidance had a significant positive effect on both cognitive and behavioral avoidance in either period. In addition, ad clutter moderated the effects of cognitive and behavioral avoidance on online purchase intention.

Originality/value

This research provides new evidence of the crucial role perceived goal impediment, prior negative experience and perceived control each play in driving digital ad avoidance. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge in the field by exploring how advertising clutter (both cluttered and non-cluttered settings) moderates these relationships through a two-wave longitudinal study.
Blockchain=better food? The adoption of blockchain technology in food supply chain
Authors: Hao Fei , Guo Yueming , Zhang Chen , Chon Kaye Kye Sung Kye-Sung
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the integration of blockchain technology into the food supply chain within the restaurant industry. It focuses on how blockchain can be applied to enhance transparency and trust in tracking food sources, ultimately impacting customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

A service design workshop (Study 1) and three between-subjects experiments (Studies 2–4) were conducted.

Findings

Results indicate that blockchain adoption significantly improves traceability and trust in the food supply chain. This improvement in turn enhances customer satisfaction through perceived improvements in food safety, quality and naturalness. This study also notes that the effects of blockchain technology vary depending on the type of restaurant (casual or fine dining) and its location (tourist destinations or residential areas).

Practical implications

The findings offer practical insights for restaurant owners, technology developers and policymakers. Emphasizing the benefits of blockchain adoption, this study guides decision-making regarding technology investments for enhancing customer service and satisfaction in the hospitality sector.

Originality/value

This research contributes novel insights to the field of technology innovation in the hospitality industry. It extends the understanding of signaling theory by exploring how blockchain technology can serve as a tool for signal transmission in restaurant food supply chains.
Energy efficiency investment in a developing economy: financial development and debt status implication
Authors: Ekesiobi Chukwunonso , Ogwu Stephen Obinozie , Onwe Joshua Chukwuma , Ifebi Ogonna , Emmanuel Precious Muhammed , Ashibogwu Kingsley Nze
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to assess financial development and debt status impact on energy efficiency in Nigeria as a developing economy.

Design/methodology/approach

This study combined the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL), fully modified ordinary least squares and canonical cointegration regression analytical methods to estimate the parameters for energy efficiency policy recommendations. Secondary data between 1990 and 2020 were used for the analysis.

Findings

The result confirms the long-run nexus between energy efficiency, financial development and total debt stock. Furthermore, the ARDL estimates for this study’s key variables show that financial development promotes energy efficiency in the short run but hinders long-run energy efficiency. Total debt stock limits energy efficiency in Nigeria in short- and long-run periods.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this study is that the scope is limited to Nigeria as a developing economy. The need to support energy efficiency projects is a global call requiring cross-country analysis. Despite this study’s focus on Nigeria, it provides useful insights that can guide energy efficiency policy through the financial sector and debt management.

Practical implications

The financial sector must ensure the availability of long-term credit facilities to clean energy investors. The government must maintain a sustainable debt profile to pave the way for capital expenditure on clean energy projects that promote energy efficiency.

Originality/value

The environmental consequences of energy intensity are being felt globally, with the developing countries most vulnerable. The cheapest way to curb these consequences is to promote energy efficiency to reduce the disastrous effect. Driving energy efficiency requires investment in energy-efficient technology but the challenge for developing economies, i.e. Nigeria’s funding, remains challenging amid a blotted debt profile. This becomes crucial to investigate how financial sector development and debt management can accelerate energy-efficient investments in Nigeria.
The benefits of being a mentor teacher in a teacher residency program
Authors: Oh Ji Hyun , Tygret Jennifer A. , Mendez Sylvia L.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This instrumental case study (Stake, 1995) explores the benefits experienced by mentor teachers who mentored resident teachers in a year-long residency program.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was grounded by the Benefits of Being a Mentor conceptual framework, as defined by Ragins and Scandura (1999). The participating mentor teachers engaged in semi-structured interviews and a focus group. The data were analyzed through inductive and deductive data analysis techniques.

Findings

Using inductive and deductive data analysis techniques, three themes emerged on the benefits of being a mentor teacher: (1) extra support in the classroom, (2) professional learning and growth opportunities, and (3) investing in the future of education. The teachers’ perceived benefits were related to the connectedness of their personal and professional growth, the growth of the resident teachers and their students’ learning.

Originality/value

Mentor teachers play a vital role in teacher residency programs, as they are the primary influence on their resident teachers’ pedagogical praxis. In a residency program, mentor teachers support resident teachers’ sustained teaching experience by hosting them for one full academic year in their classrooms; therefore, exploring the benefits they receive from serving in this role is essential.
Building bonds: an examination of relational bonding in continuous content contribution behaviors on metaverse-based non-fungible token platforms
Authors: Lee Crystal T. , Li Zimo , Shen Yung-Cheng
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The proliferation of non-fungible token (NFT)-based crypto-art platforms has transformed how creators manage, own and earn money through the creation, assets and identity of their digital works. Despite this, no studies have examined the drivers of continuous content contribution behavior (CCCB) toward NFTs. Hence, this study draws on the theory of relational bonds to examine how various relational bonds affect feelings of psychological ownership, which, in turn, affects CCCB on metaverse platforms.

Design/methodology/approach

Using structural equation modeling and importance-performance matrix analysis, an online survey of 434 content creators from prominent NFT platforms empirically validated the research hypotheses.

Findings

Financial, structural, and social bonds positively affect psychological ownership, which in turn encourages CCCBs. The results of the importance-performance matrix analysis reveal that male content creators prioritized virtual reputation and social enhancement, whereas female content creators prioritized personalization and monetary gains.

Originality/value

We examine Web 3.0 and the NFT creators’ network that characterizes the governance practices of the metaverse. Consequently, the findings facilitate a better understanding of creator economy and meta-verse commerce.
Autonomous path planning and stabilizing force interaction control for robotic massage in unknown environment
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqing , Xiong Genliang , Yin Peng , Gao Yanfeng , Feng Yan
Published: February 2024

Purpose

To ensure the motion attitude and stable contact force of massage robot working on unknown human tissue environment, this study aims to propose a robotic system for autonomous massage path planning and stable interaction control.

Design/methodology/approach

First, back region extraction and acupoint recognition based on deep learning is proposed, which provides a basis for determining the working area and path points of the robot. Second, to realize the standard approach and movement trajectory of the expert massage, 3D reconstruction and path planning of the massage area are performed, and normal vectors are calculated to control the normal orientation of robot-end. Finally, to cope with the soft and hard changes of human tissue state and body movement, an adaptive force tracking control strategy is presented to compensate the uncertainty of environmental position and tissue hardness online.

Findings

Improved network model can accomplish the acupoint recognition task with a large accuracy and integrate the point cloud to generate massage trajectories adapted to the shape of the human body. Experimental results show that the adaptive force tracking control can obtain a relatively smooth force, and the error is basically within ± 0.2 N during the online experiment.

Originality/value

This paper incorporates deep learning, 3D reconstruction and impedance control, the robot can understand the shape features of the massage area and adapt its planning massage path to carry out a stable and safe force tracking control during dynamic robot–human contact.
Relationship problem mechanisms and negative active responses: the moderating role of behavior monitoring
Authors: Sung Min
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to understand what primary relationship problem mechanisms can exist in the franchise channel and how exchange partners respond to them. This study demonstrates how the franchisor’s relationship problem mechanisms (threat, contract enforcement) affect the franchisee’s negative active responses (venting, threatened withdrawal).

Design/methodology/approach

This study tested hypotheses through multiple regression analysis using data from 200 franchisees in Korea-based food franchise systems.

Findings

The results indicated that threat increases venting and threatened withdrawal, while contract enforcement only increases venting. Venting increases threatened withdrawal. In addition, the results indicated that the franchisor’s behavior monitoring positively moderates the relationship between relationship problem mechanisms and negative active responses.

Originality/value

This study helps strategically manage responses to relationship problems by categorizing ‘relationship problem mechanisms’ into intentional relationship problem mechanisms based on communication (threat) and unintentional relationship problem mechanisms based on action (contract enforcement). This study finds that both relationship problem mechanisms, intentional or unintentional, eventually cause threatened withdrawal directly or indirectly. Even if the threat is merely communication, not action, it is more likely to cause relationship dissolution than contract enforcement by directly triggering any negative active response. This study also finds that behavior monitoring can affect exchange partners through interaction with other management mechanisms rather than directly affecting them.
Robert Pagès’ concept of the “auto-document” as a forerunner to neo-documentation’s philosophy of documentality
Authors: Day Ronald E.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine Robert Pagès' 1948 conception of “auto-document” as a possible forerunner to the neo-documentalist conception of “documentality” as offered in Bernd Frohmann’s 2012 article “The Documentality of Mme Briet’s Antelope.”

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is conceptual and historical.

Findings

Robert Pagès' concept of the “auto-document” in his 1948 article proposed an understanding of documents that depends on the “uniqueness” of a document. His article proposed a post-Otletian theory of documents similar to a discussion of documents by Bernd Frohmann in 2012 with the concept of “documentality.” Further attention to Pagès work and to Frohmann’s works could result in new understandings of Briet’s works, could illuminate other works and authors understood as belonging to neo-documentation and could yield new understandings of documents and information from the perspective of documentality as a new philosophy of information and documents.

Research limitations/implications

Further attention to Pagès' work and to Frohmann’s works could yield new understandings of documents and the relation of documentary types across natural and sociocultural domains and bring renewed attention to documentality as a new philosophy of information and documents.

Practical implications

Attention to these issues could broaden the study of documents and documentation, increase the historical understanding of Suzanne Briet’s works and bring light to other works in neo-documentation, particularly in regard to the concept of documentality as a new philosophy of documentation and information.

Social implications

Attention to these issues could broaden the study of documents and documentation to include more broadly animal and other natural entities and our relationships to them. The works cited also illuminate an empirical science understanding of documents, documentary evidence and information.

Originality/value

This is one of the first papers commenting on Robert Pagès’ works and brings renewed attention to Bernd Frohmann’s works, as well as to neo-documentation and its concept and philosophy of documentality, as a new philosophy of information and documents.