bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanistic modeling of cell viability assays within silicolineage tracing
Authors: Mutsuddy Arnab , Huggins Jonah R. , Amrit Aurore , Erdem Cemal , Calhoun Jon C. , Birtwistle Marc R.
Published: August 2024

Data from cell viability assays, which measure cumulative division and death events in a population and reflect substantial cellular heterogeneity, are widely available. However, interpreting such data with mechanistic computational models is hindered because direct model/data comparison is often muddled. We developed an algorithm that tracks simulated division and death events in mechanistically detailed single-cell lineages to enable such a model/data comparison and suggest causes of cell-cell drug response variability. Using our previously developed model of mammalian single-cell proliferation and death signaling, we simulated drug dose response experiments for four targeted anti-cancer drugs (alpelisib, neratinib, trametinib and palbociclib) and compared them to experimental data. Simulations are consistent with data for strong growth inhibition by trametinib (MEK inhibitor) and overall lack of efficacy for alpelisib (PI-3K inhibitor), but are inconsistent with data for palbociclib (CDK4/6 inhibitor) and neratinib (EGFR inhibitor). Model/data inconsistencies suggest (i) the importance of CDK4/6 for driving the cell cycle may be overestimated, and (ii) that the cellular balance between basal (tonic) and ligand-induced signaling is a critical determinant of receptor inhibitor response. Simulations show subpopulations of rapidly and slowly dividing cells in both control and drug-treated conditions. Variations in mother cells prior to drug treatment all impinging on ERK pathway activity are associated with the rapidly dividing phenotype and trametinib resistance. This work lays a foundation for the application of mechanistic modeling to large-scale cell viability assay datasets and better understanding determinants of cellular heterogeneity in drug response.
TUMOR-INFILTRATING NOCICEPTOR NEURONS PROMOTE IMMUNOSUPPRESSION
Authors: Restaino Anthony C. , Ahmadi Maryam , Nikpoor Amin Reza , Walz Austin , Balood Mohammad , Eichwald Tuany , Talbot Sebastien , Vermeer Paola Drapkin
Published: August 2024

Nociceptor neurons impact tumor immunity. Removing nociceptor neurons reduced myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSCs) tumor infiltration in mouse models of head and neck carcinoma and melanoma. Carcinoma-released small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) attract nociceptive nerves to tumors. sEV-deficient tumors fail to develop in mice lacking nociceptor neurons. Exposure of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons to cancer sEVs elevated expression of Substance P, IL-6 and injury-related neuronal markers while treatment with cancer sEVs and cytotoxic CD8 T-cells induced an immunosuppressive state (increased exhaustion ligands and cytokines). Cancer patient sEVs enhanced DRG responses to capsaicin, indicating increased nociceptor sensitivity. Conditioned media from DRG and cancer cell co-cultures promoted expression of MDSC markers in primary bone marrow cells while DRG conditioned media together with cancer sEVs induced checkpoint expression on T-cells. Our findings indicate that nociceptor neurons facilitate CD8+ T cell exhaustion and enhance MDSC infiltration. Targeting nociceptor-released IL-6 emerges as a novel strategy to disrupt harmful neuro-immune interactions in cancer and enhance anti-tumor immunity.
Retrospective Study of Bacteremia Caused byAlistipesSpecies in Japan, 2016–2023
Authors: Watanabe Naoki , Watari Tomohisa , Hosokawa Naoto , Otsuka Yoshihito
Published: August 2024

The clinical characteristics ofAlistipesbacteremia remain insufficiently described. Therefore, here, we retrospectively analyzed 13 cases ofAlistipesbacteremia at a tertiary care center to evaluate their clinical and microbiological characteristics. Ten patients were aged ≥ 65 years, and seven were female. Nine patients had comorbidities, including seven with solid tumors or hematological malignancies. Eleven patients presented with gastrointestinal symptoms. The isolates included fourAlistipes finegoldii, fourAlistipes onderdonkii, threeAlistipes putredinis, twoAlistipes indistinctus, and oneAlistipes ihumiiisolates. Ten available strains exhibited low minimum inhibitory concentrations against β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors and metronidazole, whereas they exhibited high minimum inhibitory concentrations for penicillin, ceftriaxone, and minocycline. Several strains harbored antimicrobial resistance genes, includingadeF,tet(Q),cfxA3,cfxA4, anderm(G). Twelve patients received β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors, and two elderly patients with solid tumors developed septic shock and died.Alistipesspecies can translocate from the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream, leading to severe infections.
Cost-utility of a new psychosocial goal-setting and manualised support intervention for Independence in Dementia (NIDUS-Family) versus goal-setting and routine care: economic evaluation embedded within a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Isaaq Abdinasir , Cooper Claudia , Vickerstaff Victoria , Barber Julie A. , Walters Kate , Lang Iain A. , Rapaport Penny , Orgeta Vasiliki , Rockwood Kenneth , Butler Laurie T , Lord Kathryn , Livingston Gill , Banerjee Sube , Manthorpe Jill , Kales Helen C. , Budgett Jessica , Hunter Rachael , Hoe J
Published: August 2024

Background

NIDUS-Family is a 6-8 session, psychosocial and behavioural intervention, delivered by non-clinical facilitators, tailored to goals set by dementia-unpaid/family carer dyads. It is effective in terms of attainment of personalised client goals. We aimed to determine if it is cost-effective.

Methods

This cost utility and cost-effectiveness analysis is within a two-armed, single masked, multi-site, superiority Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT). We recruited 302 dyads from community settings. Randomisation was blocked and site-stratified, using a 2:1 ratio (intervention: control (goal-setting and routine care)), with allocation by remote web-based system. We calculated the probability that NIDUS-Family is cost-effective for a client with dementia based on Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) from health and personal social services and societal perspectives, at £20,000-£30,000 decision thresholds for QALY gained, compared to usual care over 12 months. Analyses were intention-to-treat.Trial registration:ISRCTN11425138.

Findings

From 30.4.2020-9.5.2022, 204 participants (109 (53.4%) female) were randomised to intervention and 98 (60 (61.2%) female) to control. 218 (72.2%) participants at 6 months and 178 (58.9%) at 12 months provided cost data. There was 89% and 87% probability that NIDUS-Family was cost-effective compared to usual care from personal social services and societal perspectives respectively. Intervention participants accrued on average £8934 (37%) less costs than control participants (95% CI -£59,460 to £41,592).

Interpretation

NIDUS-Family is the first personalised care and support intervention to demonstrate cost-effectiveness from the perspective of the quality of life of people with dementia, as well as clinical effectiveness and should be part of routine dementia care.

Funding

This work was supported by the Alzheimer’s Society (Centre of Excellence grant 330).
Systematic policy and evidence review to consider how dementia education and training is best delivered in the social care workforce, and how policy does or can enable its implementation in England
Authors: Delray Saskia , Banerjee Sube , Zabihi Sedigheh , Walpert Madeline , Harrison-Dening Karen , Kenten Charlotte , Birks Yvonne , Giebel Clarissa Marie , Rauf Mohammed Akhlak , Reynolds Sally , Cooper Claudia
Published: August 2024

Background: Very many social care clients have dementia, but few social care workers receive dementia-specific training. Objective: To systematically review dementia training interventions for social care, review past policies and hold stakeholder workshops considering how future policy can support quality dementia training in social care. Methods: We searched electronic databases, November 2015 to February 2024, including studies describing dementia training and support interventions for social care workers, assessing risk of bias with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. We reviewed English policies January 2015 to April 2024 to identify social and policy contexts relevant to dementia training. We consulted home care and care home stakeholders regarding how findings could inform future policy. Results: We included 56 studies (50 in care homes, 6 in home care). There was good quality evidence that dementia training interventions in care homes that engaged staff champions to integrate practice-based learning reduced agitation, neuropsychiatric symptoms and antipsychotic prescribing and improved life quality of residents with dementia. One study found this approach was cost-effective. In home care, evidence was limited; group training was valued, and improved staff sense of dementia care competence in one study. We identified 27 policies and related documents; and consulted 18 stakeholders. Stakeholders supported mandatory dementia training but considered implementation very challenging in current economic contexts. Conclusions: We found strong evidence for dementia training in care homes, but a relative lack of research in home care. Policy options identified to implement evidence require investment, which could deliver substantial savings across health and social care.
Movement-independent representation of reward-predicting cues in the medial part of the primate premotor cortex
Authors: Sehara Keisuke , Kondo Masashi , Hirayama Yuka , Ebina Teppei , Takaji Masafumi , Watakabe Akiya , Inoue Ken-ichi , Takada Masahiko , Yamamori Tetsuo , Matsuzaki Masanori
Published: August 2024

Neural activity across the dorsal neocortex of rodents is dominated by orofacial and limb movements, irrespective of whether the movements are task-relevant or task-irrelevant. To examine the extent to which movements and a primitive cognitive signal, i.e., reward expectancy, modulate the activity of multiple cortical areas in primates, we conducted unprecedented wide-field one-photon calcium imaging of frontoparietal and auditory cortices in common marmosets while they performed a classical conditioning task with two auditory cues associated with different reward probabilities. Licking, eye movement, and hand movement strongly modulated the neuronal activity after cue presentation in the motor and somatosensory cortices in accordance with the somatotopy. By contrast, the posterior parietal cortex and primary auditory cortex did not show much influence from licking. Licking increased the activity in the caudal part of the dorsal premotor cortex, but decreased the activity in the central and lateral parts of the rostral part of the dorsal premotor cortex (PMdr). Reward expectancy that was separable from both spontaneous and goal-directed movements was mainly represented in the medial part of PMdr. Our results suggest that the influence of movement on primate cortical activity varies across areas and movement types, and that the premotor cortex processes motor and cognitive information in different ways within further subdivided areas.
Fornix and Uncinate Fasciculus Support Metacognition-Driven Cognitive Offloading
Authors: Zheng Yunxuan , Bo Bin , Wang Danni , Liu Yiyang , Gilbert Sam J. , Li Yao , Kwok Sze Chai
Published: August 2024

People often use external tools to offload cognitive demands in remembering future intentions. While previous research has identified the causal role of metacognition in cognitive offloading, the neural mechanisms underlying this metacognitive control process remain unclear. To address this gap, we conducted a study with 34 participants using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to investigate how connections between brain regions support metacognition-driven cognitive offloading. Behaviorally, we confirmed that under-confidence in using internal memory to execute delayed intentions predicts a bias towards using external reminders. At the brain level we found that the fractional anisotropy (FA) of the fornix, a memory-related white matter tract connected to the hippocampus, positively correlated with the bias in setting up reminders. Additionally, the FA of the left uncinate fasciculus, which links the hippocampus to the prefrontal cortex and is involved in memory error monitoring, negatively correlated with deviations from optimal reminder use. Furthermore, the FA of the superior longitudinal fasciculus, a tract involved in metacognitive monitoring, moderated how confidence influenced the use of reminders. Taken together, our findings reveal a temporal-frontal neural circuit underlying metacognition-driven cognitive offloading, and provide new insights into the interaction between metacognitive monitoring and control.
Switch-like Gene Expression Modulates Disease Susceptibility
Authors: Aqil Alber , Li Yanyan , Wang Zhiliang , Islam Saiful , Russell Madison , Kunovac Kallak Theodora , Saitou Marie , Gokcumen Omer , Masuda Naoki
Published: August 2024

A fundamental challenge in biomedicine is understanding the mechanisms predisposing individuals to disease. While previous research has suggested that switch-like gene expression is crucial in driving biological variation and disease susceptibility, a systematic analysis across multiple tissues is still lacking. By analyzing transcriptomes from 943 individuals across 27 tissues, we identified 1,013 switch-like genes. We found that only 31 (3.1%) of these genes exhibit switch-like behavior across all tissues. These universally switch-like genes appear to be genetically driven, with large exonic genomic structural variants explaining five (∼18%) of them. The remaining switch-like genes exhibit tissue-specific expression patterns. Notably, tissue-specific switch-like genes tend to be switched on or off in unison within individuals, likely under the influence of tissue-specific master regulators, including hormonal signals. Among our most significant findings, we identified hundreds of concordantly switched-off genes in the stomach and vagina that are linked to gastric cancer (41-fold,p<10-4) and vaginal atrophy (44-fold,p<10-4), respectively. Experimental analysis of vaginal tissues revealed that low systemic levels of estrogen lead to a significant reduction in both the epithelial thickness and the expression of the switch-like geneALOX12. We propose a model wherein the switching off of driver genes in basal and parabasal epithelium suppresses cell proliferation therein, leading to epithelial thinning and, therefore, vaginal atrophy. Our findings underscore the significant biomedical implications of switch-like gene expression and lay the groundwork for potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
The genetic relationships between post-traumatic stress disorder and its corresponding neural circuit structures
Authors: Gong Qian , Lyu Honggang , Kang Lijun , Ma Simeng , Zhang Nan , Xie Xin-hui , Zhou Enqi , Deng Zipeng , Liu Jiewei , Liu Zhongchun
Published: August 2024

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be linked to abnormalities in neural circuits that facilitate fear learning and memory processes. The precise degree to which this connection is influenced by genetic factors is still uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the genetic association between PTSD and its corresponding brain circuitry components. We first conducted a meta-analysis using the summary of PTSD genome-wide association studies (GWAS) from multiple cohorts to enhance statistical power (sample size = 306,400). Then, based on the result of the GWAS meta-analysis, and utilizing the lifetime trauma events (LTE) trait as a control for PTSD, we proceeded with subsequent investigations. We investigated the genetic association of PTSD and LTE with nine brain structure traits related to the brain circuitry by various methodologies, including heritability tissue enrichment analysis, global and local genetic correlations, polygenic overlap analysis, and causal inference. As a result, we discovered an enrichment of heritability for PTSD within circuitry-relevant brain regions such as the cingulate cortex and frontal cortex, alongside the identification of weak genetic correlations between PTSD and these brain regions. We have observed a polygenic overlap between the two trauma-related traits and nine traits of brain circuitry components such as global cortical area and cingulum. A total of 31 novel jointly significant genetic loci (conjunction FDR<0.05) associated with PTSD and nine brain structures were identified, suggesting a potential connection between them, and these loci are involved in the process of DNA damage and repair as well as the pathway of neurodegenerative diseases. We also identified a potential causal relationship between PTSD and the surface area of the frontal pole. Our findings offer a valuable understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying PTSD and its associated brain circuitry.
A single-cell atlas of spatial and temporal gene expression in the mouse cranial neural plate
Authors: Brooks Eric R. , Moorman Andrew R. , Bhattacharya Bhaswati , Prudhomme Ian S. , Land Max , Alcorn Heather L. , Sharma Roshan , Pe'er Dana , Zallen Jennifer A.
Published: August 2024

The formation of the mammalian brain requires regionalization and morphogenesis of the cranial neural plate, which transforms from an epithelial sheet into a closed tube that provides the structural foundation for neural patterning and circuit formation. Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling is important for cranial neural plate patterning and closure, but the transcriptional changes that give rise to the spatially regulated cell fates and behaviors that build the cranial neural tube have not been systematically analyzed. Here we used single-cell RNA sequencing to generate an atlas of gene expression at six consecutive stages of cranial neural tube closure in the mouse embryo. Ordering transcriptional profiles relative to the major axes of gene expression predicted spatially regulated expression of 870 genes along the anterior-posterior and mediolateral axes of the cranial neural plate and reproduced known expression patterns with over 85% accuracy. Single-cell RNA sequencing of embryos with activated SHH signaling revealed distinct SHH-regulated transcriptional programs in the developing forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain, suggesting a complex interplay between anterior-posterior and mediolateral patterning systems. These results define a spatiotemporally resolved map of gene expression during cranial neural tube closure and provide a resource for investigating the transcriptional events that drive early mammalian brain development.
Cholinergic basal forebrain neurons regulate vascular dynamics and cerebrospinal fluid flux
Authors: Chuang Kai-Hsiang , Zhou Xiaoqing Alice , Xia Ying , Li Zengmin , Qian Lei , Eeles Eamonn , Ngiam Grace , Fripp Jurgen , Coulson Elizabeth J.
Published: August 2024

Waste from the brain is cleared via a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) exchange pathway, the dysfunction of which is suggested to underlie the pathogenesis of many brain conditions. Coherent cerebrovascular oscillation that couples with pulsatile CSF inflow is suggested to drive the fluid flux. However, how this coupling is regulated, whether it mediates waste clearance, and why fluid flux is impaired in disease status remain unclear. Here we show that vascular-CSF coupling correlates with cortical cholinergic activity in non-demented aged humans. The causal role of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons that project to the cortex is then verified by specific lesioning in mice, revealing correlated changes in vascular-CSF coupling, arterial pulsation and glymphatic flux, which can be altered by an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. These results suggest a neurovascular mechanism by which CSF/glymphatic flux is modulated by cholinergic neuronal activity, thereby providing a conceptual basis for the development of diagnostics and treatments for glymphatic dysfunction.
Integrated structural model of the palladin-actin complex using XL-MS, docking, NMR, and SAXS
Authors: Sargent Rachel , Liu David H. , Yadav Rahul , Glennenmeier Drew , Bradford Colby , Urbina Noely , Beck Moriah R.
Published: August 2024

Palladin is an actin binding protein that accelerates actin polymerization and is linked to metastasis of several types of cancer. Previously, three lysine residues in an immunoglobulin-like domain of palladin have been identified as essential for actin binding. However, it is still unknown where palladin binds to F-actin. Evidence that palladin binds to the sides of actin filaments to facilitate branching is supported by our previous study showing that palladin was able to compensate for Arp2/3 in the formation ofListeriaactin comet tails. Here, we used chemical crosslinking to covalently link palladin and F-actin residues based on spatial proximity. Samples were then enzymatically digested, separated by liquid chromatography, and analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry. Peptides containing the crosslinks and specific residues involved were then identified for input to HADDOCK docking server to model the most likely binding conformation. Small angle X-ray scattering was used to provide further insight into palladin flexibility and the binding interface, and NMR spectra identified potential interactions between palladin’s Ig domains. Our final structural model of the F-actin:palladin complex revealed how palladin interacts with and stabilizes F-actin at the interface between two actin monomers. Three actin residues that were identified in this study also appear commonly in the actin binding interface with other proteins such as myotilin, myosin, and tropomodulin. An accurate structural representation of the complex between palladin and actin extends our understanding of palladin’s role in promoting cancer metastasis through regulation of actin dynamics.

Significance

In this study we have combined various advanced structural biology techniques to provide the first comprehensive model of the palladin-actin complex. Considering palladin’s role in cancer cell metastasis, this structure could be useful in screening and developing chemotherapeutic agents that target this interaction and prevent cancer cell metastasis.
Predicting Alzheimer’s Cognitive Resilience Score: A Comparative Study of Machine Learning Models Using RNA-seq Data
Authors: Kitani Akihiro , Matsui Yusuke
Published: August 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an important research topic. While amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are hallmark pathological features of AD, cognitive resilience (CR) is a phenomenon where cognitive function remains preserved despite the presence of these pathological features. This study aimed to construct and compare predictive machine learning models for CR scores using RNA-seq data from the Religious Orders Study and Memory and Aging Project (ROSMAP) and Mount Sinai Brain Bank (MSBB) cohorts. We evaluated support vector regression (SVR), random forest, XGBoost, linear, and transformer-based models. The SVR model exhibited the best performance, with contributing genes identified using Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) scores, providing insights into biological pathways associated with CR. Finally, we developed a tool called the resilience gene analyzer (REGA), which visualizes SHAP scores to interpret the contributions of individual genes to CR. REGA is available athttps://igcore.cloud/GerOmics/REsilienceGeneAnalyzer/.
DNA Methylation Analysis Identifies Clinically Relevant Lung Adenocarcinoma Subgroups
Authors: Afolabi Oluwadamilare I.
Published: August 2024

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most prevalent subtype of lung cancer and is characterized by significant molecular heterogeneity and poor prognosis, primarily due to late-stage diagnoses. Therefore, detailed molecular characterization of LUAD is crucial for developing biomarkers to accurately detect the disease in its early stages. This study investigates the role of DNA methylation in LUAD, emphasizing its potential as a biomarker for cancer detection and as a tool for understanding tumor biology. The study identified 4,925 differentially methylated sites (DMSs) and prioritized the top 200 DMSs for downstream analyses. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that site-specific hypermethylation in exon 1 and distal promoter regions are linked to critical developmental processes, including morphogenesis, pattern specification, stem cell differentiation, and synaptic transmission, suggesting that these epigenetic changes may disrupt normal cellular functions and contribute to tumorigenesis. Support vector machines demonstrated the diagnostic potential of these hypermethylated sites, achieving perfect classification of LUAD and normal adjacent tissues with as few as five features. Additionally, the strong correlation between methylation levels and feature importance scores further explained the predictive accuracy of these methylation markers. The study also identified distinct methylation subgroups within LUAD tumors, independent of traditional staging, each associated with unique transcriptional dysregulation and biological processes, such as DNA repair, immune response, and ribosome biogenesis. These findings not only enhance our understanding of LUAD pathophysiology but also underscore the clinical utility of DNA methylation as a diagnostic tool and guide for patient management.
Medial Entorhinal VIP-expressing interneurons receive direct input from Anterior Dorsal Thalamus and are critical for spatial memory
Authors: Oulé Marie , Badrinarayanan Saishree , Sundar-Maccagno Rosa , Brandon Mark P.
Published: August 2024

Head-direction (HD) cells are found across several regions in the brain, including the anterodorsal thalamic nucleus (ADN), the subicular complex, and the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC). A fundamental role of head direction cells is to provide input to MEC grid cells, which are thought to translate information about head direction into a metric code for spatial location. However, classic anatomical studies indicate that most thalamic HD projections pass indirectly to the MEC via the post- and para-subiculum, with only a small subset of ADN fibers terminating in the MEC. To further investigate the smaller and direct projection to the MEC, we use rabies-mediated retrograde tracing in mice to determine if this projection explicitly targets a subset of MEC neurons. Our findings reveal that ADN neurons specifically project onto MEC interneurons, with a preference for MEC VIP-expressing cells. Additionally, MEC VIP cells receive input from the hippocampus, the subicular complex, and the retrosplenial cortex - key centers for spatial memory - suggesting a specialized role for MEC VIP cells in spatial memory. Indeed, we find that MEC VIP cells exhibit increased c-Fos expression in a spatial memory task and show that chemogenetic inhibition of these neurons impairs task performance. Together, these data uncover a specific projection of head direction information onto MEC interneurons and confirm that MEC VIP-expressing cells are critical for spatial memory.
Quantum orbits in atomic ionization beyond the dipole approximation
Authors: Jašarević A. S. , Habibović D. , Milošević D. B.
Published: August 2024

Using the strong-field-approximation theory beyond the dipole approximation we investigate above-threshold ionization induced by the monochromatic and bichromatic laser fields. Particular emphasis is on the approach based on the saddle-point method and the quantum-orbit theory which provides an intuitive picture of the underlying process. In particular, we investigate how the solutions of the saddle-point equations and the corresponding quantum orbits and velocities are affected by the nondipole effects. The photoelectron trajectories are two dimensional for linearly polarized field and three dimensional for two-component tailored fields, and the electron motion in the propagation direction appears due to the nondipole corrections. We show that the influence of these corrections is not the same for all contributions of different saddle-point solutions. For a linearly polarized driving field, we focus our attention only on the rescattered electrons. On the other hand, for the tailored driving field, exemplified by the ω–2ω orthogonally polarized two-color field, which is of the current interest in the strong-field community, we devote our attention to both the direct and the rescattered electrons. In this case, we quantitatively investigate the shift which appears in the photoelectron momentum distribution due to the nondipole effects and explain how these corrections affect the quantum orbits and velocities which correspond to the saddle-point solutions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Minimal U(1) two-Higgs-doublet models for quark and lepton flavor
Authors: Rocha J. R. , Câmara H. B. , Felipe R. G. , Joaquim F. R.
Published: August 2024

In the context of the 2HDM, and assuming that neutrinos acquire masses via the Weinberg operator, we perform a systematic analysis to determine the minimal quark and lepton flavor patterns, compatible with masses, mixing and CP violation data, realizable by Abelian symmetries. We determine four minimal models for quarks, where the number of independent parameters matches the number of observables. For the lepton sector, three minimal predictive models are identified. Namely, we find scenarios with a preference for the upper/lower octant of the θ23 atmospheric mixing angle, that exhibit lower bounds on the lightest neutrino masses currently probed by cosmology and testable at future neutrinoless double beta decay experiments, even for a normally ordered neutrino masses. We investigate the phenomenology of each model taking into account all relevant theoretical, electroweak precision observables, scalar sector constraints, as well as stringent quark flavor processes such as B¯→Xsγ, Bs→μ−μ+ and meson oscillations, and the charged lepton flavor-violating decays eα−→eβ−eγ+eδ− and

e

α

→

e

β

γ

. We show that, in some cases, Abelian flavor symmetries provide a natural framework to suppress flavor-changing neutral couplings and lead to scenarios featuring heavy neutral/charged scalar masses below the TeV scale within the reach of current experiments.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Simulating heavy neutral leptons with general couplings at collider and fixed target experiments
Authors: Feng Jonathan L. , Hewitt Alec , Kling Felix , La Rocco Daniel
Published: August 2024

Heavy neutral leptons (HNLs) are motivated by attempts to explain neutrino masses and dark matter. If their masses are in the MeV to several GeV range, HNLs are light enough to be copiously produced at collider and accelerator facilities, but also heavy enough to decay to visible particles on length scales that can be observed in particle detectors. Previous studies evaluating the sensitivities of experiments have often focused on simple but not particularly well-motivated models in which the HNL mixes with only one active neutrino flavor. In this work, we accurately simulate models for HNL masses between 100 MeV and 10 GeV and arbitrary couplings to e, μ, and τ leptons. We include over 150 HNL production channels and over 100 HNL decay modes, including all of the processes that can be dominant in some region of the general parameter space. The result is , a user-friendly, fast, and flexible library to compute the properties of HNL models. As examples, we implement to extend the package to evaluate the prospects for HNL discovery at forward LHC experiments. We present sensitivity reaches for FASER and FASER2 in five benchmark scenarios with coupling ratios |Ue|2∶|Uμ|2∶|Uτ|2=1∶0∶0, 0∶1∶0, 0∶0∶1, 0∶1∶1, and 1∶1∶1, where the latter two have not been studied previously. Comparing these to current constraints, we identify regions of parameter space with significant discovery prospects.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Prospects for measuring the time variation of astrophysical neutrino sources at dark matter detectors
Authors: Zhuang Yi , Strigari Louis E. , Jin Lei , Sinha Samiran
Published: August 2024

We study the prospects for measuring the time variation of solar and atmospheric neutrino fluxes at future large-scale xenon and argon dark matter detectors. For solar neutrinos, a yearly time variation arises from the eccentricity of Earth’s orbit and, for charged current interactions, from a smaller energy-dependent day-night variation due to flavor regeneration as neutrinos travel through Earth. For a 100-ton xenon detector running for ten years with a xenon-136 fraction of ≲0.1%, in the electron recoil channel a time-variation amplitude of about 0.8% is detectable with a power of 90% and the level of significance of 10%. This is sufficient to detect time variation due to eccentricity, which has amplitude of ∼3%. In the nuclear recoil channel, the detectable amplitude is about 10% under current detector resolution and efficiency conditions, and this generally reduces to about 1% for improved detector resolution and efficiency, the latter of which is sufficient to detect time variation due to eccentricity. Our analysis assumes both known and unknown periods. We provide scalings to determine the sensitivity to an arbitrary time-varying amplitude as a function of detector parameters. Identifying the time variation of the neutrino fluxes will be important for distinguishing neutrinos from dark matter signals and other detector-related backgrounds and extracting properties of neutrinos that can be uniquely studied in dark matter experiments.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Leptogenesis, primordial gravitational waves, and PBH-induced reheating
Authors: Barman Basabendu , Das Suruj Jyoti , Haque Md Riajul , Mambrini Yann
Published: August 2024

We explore the possibility of producing the observed matter-antimatter asymmetry of the Universe uniquely from the evaporation of primordial black holes (PBHs) that are formed in an inflaton-dominated background. Considering the inflaton (ϕ) to oscillate in a monomial potential V(ϕ)∝ϕn, we show, it is possible to obtain the desired baryon asymmetry via vanilla leptogenesis from evaporating PBHs of initial mass ≲10  g. We find that the allowed parameter space is heavily dependent on the shape of the inflaton potential during reheating (determined by the exponent of the potential n), the energy density of PBHs (determined by β), and the nature of the coupling between the inflaton and the Standard Model. To complete the minimal gravitational framework, we also include in our analysis the gravitational leptogenesis setup through inflaton scattering via exchange of graviton, which opens up an even larger window for PBH mass, depending on the background equation of state. We finally illustrate that such gravitational leptogenesis scenarios can be tested with upcoming gravitational wave (GW) detectors, courtesy of the blue-tilted primordial GW with inflationary origin, thus paving a way to probe a PBH-induced reheating together with leptogenesis.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
CP
violation induced by neutral meson mixing interference
Authors: Shen Yin-Fa , Song Wen-Jie , Qin Qin
Published: August 2024

We investigate a long-overlooked CP violation effect—the double-mixing CP asymmetry—in a type of cascade decay that involves at least two mixing neutral mesons in the decay chain. It is induced by the interference between different oscillation paths of the neutral mesons in the decay process. The double-mixing CP asymmetry is of critical importance for phenomenology, providing opportunities for clean determination of Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa phase angles free of uncertainties induced by the strong dynamics. To illustrate this point, we perform a phenomenological analysis on two examples: Bs0→ρ0K→ρ0(π−ℓ+νℓ) and B0→D0K→D0(π+ℓ−ν¯ℓ). Our results demonstrate that the double-mixing CP asymmetry can be numerically significant in the absence of strong phases, as shown by the former example. Additionally, the latter example showcases a direct extraction of weak and strong phases from data, without the need for theoretical inputs.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Edge-wave phase shifts versus normal-mode phase tilts in an Eady problem with a sloping boundary
Authors: Mak J. , Harnik N. , Heifetz E. , Kumar G. , Ong E. Q. Y.
Published: August 2024

One mechanistic interpretation of baroclinic instability is that of mutual constructive interference of Rossby edge waves. The suppression of baroclinic instability over slopes has been widely established, where previous research argues that a sloping boundary modifies the properties of these Rossby edge waves, but does not provide a mechanistic explanation for the suppression that is valid over all parameter space. In the context of an Eady problem modified by the presence of a sloping boundary, we provide a mechanistic rationalization for baroclinic instability in the presence of slopes that is valid over all parameter space, via an equivalent formulation explicitly in terms of Rossby edge waves. We also highlight the differences between edge-wave phase shifts and normal-mode phase tilts, showing that the edge-wave phase shifts should be the ones that are mechanistically relevant, and normal-mode phase tilt is a potentially misleading quantity to use. Further, we present evidence that the edge-wave phase shifts but not normal-mode phase tilts are well correlated with geometric quantities diagnosed from an analysis framework based on eddy variance ellipses. The result is noteworthy in that the geometric framework makes no explicit reference to the edge-wave structures in its construction, and the correlation suggests the geometric framework can be used in problems where edge-wave structures are not so well defined or readily available. Some implications for parametrization of baroclinic instability and relevant eddy-mean feedbacks are discussed. For completeness, we also provide an explicit demonstration that the linear instability problem of the present modified Eady problem is parity-time symmetric, and speculate about some suggestive links between parity-time symmetry, shear instability, and the edge-wave interaction mechanism.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Viscosity-dependent swimming patterns assist
Aliivibrio

fischeri
for symbiont partner finding
Authors: Zhuang Xiang-Yu , Tseng Chao-Kai , Lo Chien-Jung
Published: August 2024

Bacteria employ diverse swimming patterns for chemotaxis, influenced by factors including flagellar arrangements, motor rotation, flagellar filament configurations, and polymorphism. Understanding the chemotactic strategy of in locating a squid partner is paramount for comprehending this highly species-specific symbiosis. In this study, we applied three-dimensional swimming tracking and real-time visualization of lophotrichous flagellar configurations. These techniques unveiled viscosity-dependent transitions in swimming patterns, shifting from push-pull to push-wrap modes. Notably, our research also revealed coupled flagellar switching and polymorphic transformations during the wrap mode, significantly extending 's backward swimming duration and, consequently, its overall runtime. This strategic adaptation allows to broaden its effective search range, particularly within high-viscosity environments like the squid light organ. In response to attractants, the coupling rate is reduced to facilitate efficient short-range searching. These innovative chemotactic strategies ensure precise navigation for in locating and colonizing its symbiotic partner, the squid .

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Measurement-induced phase transitions by matrix product states scaling
Authors: Cecile Guillaume , Lóio Hugo , De Nardis Jacopo
Published: August 2024

We study the time evolution of long quantum spin chains subjected to continuous monitoring projected on matrix product states (MPS) with fixed bond dimension, by means of the Time-Dependent Variational Principle (TDVP) algorithm. The latter gives an effective unitary evolution which approximates the real quantum evolution up to the projection error. We show that such error displays, at large times, a phase transition in the monitoring strength, which can be well detected by scaling analysis with relatively low values of bond dimensions. Moreover, in the presence of U(1) global spin charge, we show the existence of a charge-sharpening transition well separated from the entanglement transition which we detect by studying the charge fluctuations of a local subpart of the system at large times. Our work shows that quantum monitored dynamics projected on MPS manifolds contains relevant information on measurement-induced phase transitions and provides a new method to identify measured-induced phase transitions in systems of arbitrary dimensions and sizes.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Maximal Anderson localization and suppression of surface plasmons in two-dimensional random Au networks
Authors: Schultz J. , Hiekel K. , Potapov P. , Römer R. A. , Khavlyuk P. , Eychmüller A. , Lubk A.
Published: August 2024

Two-dimensional random metal networks possess unique electrical and optical properties, such as almost total optical transparency and low sheet resistance, which are closely related to their disordered structure. Here we present a detailed experimental and theoretical investigation of their plasmonic properties, revealing Anderson (disorder-driven) localized surface plasmon resonances of very large quality factors and spatial localization close to the theoretical maximum, which couple to electromagnetic waves. Moreover, they disappear above a geometry-dependent threshold of approximately 1.7 eV in the investigated Au networks, explaining their large transparencies in the optical spectrum.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Visuality peaks, function lasts: an empirical investigation into the performance of iconic architecture on Instagram
Authors: Alaily-Mattar Nadia , Baptist Vincent , Legner Lukas , Arvanitakis Diane , Thierstein Alain
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to propose a methodology to empirically investigate the longitudinal development of social media content concerning buildings characterized by iconic architecture and second, to report on the application of this methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

We collected and analyzed empirical data of social media content shared via Instagram between 2011 and 2019 on 16 buildings that can be considered iconic architecture projects. Using an automated pipeline, we collected and processed 264,000 posts and 140,000 images from Instagram for the selected case studies. By studying the posting activity of Instagram users through time series analysis and conducting content analysis of the social media posts by means of both image classification and topic modeling, we report on the development of users’ capturing and reception of the selected case studies on Instagram over time.

Findings

First, we identify two distinct time patterns of social media content: instantly popular buildings whose popularity fades over time and buildings that gradually gain popularity over time. Second, we distinguish differences in the content of social media posts: some buildings are primarily covered for their architectural features and others for their cultural function and facilities.

Originality/value

Using empirical investigation of Instagram data on iconic architectural projects, we have identified a correlation: buildings primarily posted for their architecture are generally also the ones to gain instant online popularity that subsequently faded over time. In contrast, buildings primarily posted for their function and facilities slowly gained popularity on the social media platform over time.
A scale to assess organizational resilience for the oil and gas industry: testing and future perspectives
Authors: Rahi Khalil , Alghoush Mohamad , Halaby Roger
Published: August 2024

Purpose

As part of the scale development process, this paper aims to test a scale to measure organizational resilience for the oil and gas industry. The objective is to provide stakeholders with a set of indicators to evaluate their organizations and prepare them to cope with the negative consequences of disruptions (e.g. Covid-19, shortage of resources, etc.).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper conducts exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis to test the suitability, dimensionality and reliability of specific indicators and their items under examination. Therefore, the goal is not to validate hypotheses by testing an organizational resilience scale in the oil and gas industry.

Findings

The study tests and proposes a scale to effectively measure organizational resilience within the oil and gas industry. A comprehensive set of ten indicators and 40 items are identified through this process. The findings of this research provide stakeholders in this sector with a rigorous set of indicators to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their organizations and better prepare them to handle disruptions.

Originality/value

This paper fills the gap in existing research by testing and proposing a scale to measure organizational resilience specifically for the oil and gas industry. It highlights the importance of organizational resilience for survival in a sector that is especially susceptible to disruptions.
Promoting employees’ retention and functional presenteeism through well-being oriented human resource management practices: the mediating role of work meaningfulness
Authors: Mansour Sari
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Drawing upon the theoretical frameworks of conservation of resources and social exchange theories, this study investigates how perceived well-being-oriented human resource management (WBHRM) practices can boost job embeddedness, encourage functional presenteeism, and diminish intention to leave by cultivating a sense of purpose in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting a time-lagged design, data were collected from healthcare organizations in Canada at two distinct time points. Structural equation modeling and Bootstrap analysis were used to validate the research hypotheses.

Findings

The results revealed that perceived WBHRM practices directly enhanced work meaningfulness. Perceived WBHRM practices indirectly fostered sustainable presenteeism and job embeddedness and decreased intention to leave through work meaningfulness.

Practical implications

This study provides valuable insights for healthcare organizations aiming to boost nurse retention and attraction through sustainable HRM practices. By prioritizing employee well-being, growth and a positive workplace culture, organizations can create a fulfilling work environment that enhances job satisfaction and loyalty. Additionally, fostering functional presenteeism and a strong sense of work meaningfulness can improve both individual and organizational performance. This approach not only positions the organization as a top employer but also ensures long-term success.

Social implications

These findings support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of decent work (8 SDG) and good health and well-being (3 SDG).

Originality/value

This study makes a significant contribution to HRM literature by introducing the concept of work meaningfulness and highlighting its critical role in improving both individual and organizational outcomes. It uniquely examines the positive aspects of presenteeism, a relatively underexplored area. Furthermore, the study showcases how WBHRM practices can create a supportive environment for nurses, enabling them to balance health and performance while enhancing their sense of purpose, thus offering a novel perspective on sustainable HRM practices in healthcare.