bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences between meeting 24-hour movement guidelines and physical fitness levels among Japanese elementary school children
Authors: Naito Takashi , Aoyagi Kenryu , Oka Koichiro , Ishii Kaori
Published: December 2024

Current physical fitness levels in Japanese children are lower than that in the 1980s. Investigating the specific relationship between adherence to 24-hour movement guidelines (24-h MG, MVPA: moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; ScT: screen time; Sleep: sleep duration) and physical fitness is crucial to improve children’s fitness levels. Overall physical fitness and eight physical fitness component scores (handgrip strength, sit-up, sit-and-reach, repeated side jump, 20-meter shuttle run, 50-meter sprint, standing long jump, and softball throw) were measured using standardized tests in Japanese elementary schools. Associations between compliance with 24-h MG, overall physical fitness, and each physical fitness component score were analyzed by analysis of covariance. A total of 307 participants (41.4% male) were included in the analysis. Overall fitness scores were significantly higher in children who met only MVPA (P < 0.01), MVPA and ScT (P < 0.01), MVPA and Sleep (P < 0.001), and all three criteria (P < 0.05), than in those who did not. Children meeting only MVPA, MVPA and ScT, and MVPA and Sleep criteria, had higher scores for physical fitness components than those who did not. Children who met one or both of ScT and Sleep criteria, did not differ significantly for overall fitness or its components scores compared to those who did not meet. Handgrip strength and flexibility were not associated with any 24-h MG pattern. Furthermore, compliance with MVPA combined with other behaviors (ScT and Sleep) demonstrated a trend towards greater overall fitness, muscle strength in lower extremities, cardiorespiratory fitness, agility, and dexterity.
Phoretic mites as benign passengers: no influence on mate choice in the burying beetleNicrophorus nepalensis
Authors: Lan Brendan , Malik Tanzil Gaffar , Tsai Mu-Tzu , Wu Yi-Ta , Sun Syuan-Jyun
Published: December 2024

Mate choice is a fundamental aspect of sexual selection where the ‘chooser’ chooses a ‘courter’ by assessing a variety of traits that communicate potential fitness. However, the influence of interspecific interactions, such as symbiosis, on mate choice remains underexplored. We addressed this shortcoming with experiments on burying beetleNicrophorus nepalensisand their interactions with phoretic mitesPoecilochirus carabi. The mites can act either as mutualists or parasites depending on the presence of competitors and mite densities, thus potentially influencing mate choice. In a laboratory experiment, we presented femaleN. nepalensiswith a range of natural mite densities: 0, 5, 10, or 20, with males carrying either 0 or 10 mites in an olfactory-based mate choice assay. Subsequently we allowed females to breed with their chosen male and all their mites before evaluating the fitness effects of the varying mite densities. We found that females across all mite densities had no preference for males with or without mites. In line with this, the mite densities had no effect on the brood size or the averaged larva mass. However, the mite densities per breeding cohort did positively affect the number of mite offspring. Our results suggest that mites act as benign passengers, not directly affecting mate choice or fitness.
Dissecting origins of wiring specificity in dense cortical connectomes
Authors: Harth Philipp , Udvary Daniel , Boelts Jan , Baum Daniel , Macke Jakob H. , Hege Hans-Christian , Oberlaender Marcel
Published: December 2024

Wiring specificity in the cortex is observed across scales from the subcellular to the network level. It describes the deviations of connectivity patterns from those expected in randomly connected networks. Understanding the origins of wiring specificity in neural networks remains difficult as a variety of generative mechanisms could have contributed to the observed connectome. To take a step forward, we propose a generative modeling framework that operates directly on dense connectome data as provided by saturated reconstructions of neural tissue. The computational framework allows testing different assumptions of synaptic specificity while accounting for anatomical constraints posed by neuron morphology, which is a known confounding source of wiring specificity. We evaluated the framework on dense reconstructions of the mouse visual and the human temporal cortex. Our template model incorporates assumptions of synaptic specificity based on cell type, single-cell identity, and subcellular compartment. Combinations of these assumptions were sufficient to model various connectivity patterns that are indicative of wiring specificity. Moreover, the identified synaptic specificity parameters showed interesting similarities between both datasets, motivating further analysis of wiring specificity across species.
An activation-based high throughput screen identifies caspase-10 inhibitors
Authors: Castellón José O. , Yuen Constance , Han Brandon , Andrews Katrina H. , Ofori Samuel , Julio Ashley R. , Boatner Lisa M. , Palafox Maria F. , Perumal Nithesh , Damoiseaux Robert , Backus Keriann M.
Published: December 2024

Caspases are a family of highly homologous cysteine proteases that play critical roles in inflammation and apoptosis. Small molecule inhibitors are useful tools for studying caspase biology, complementary to genetic approaches. However, achieving inhibitor selectivity for individual members of this highly homologous enzyme family remains a major challenge in developing such tool compounds. Prior studies have revealed that one strategy to tackle this selectivity gap is to target the precursor or zymogen forms of individual caspases, which share reduced structural homology when compared to active proteases. To establish a screening assay that favors the discovery of zymogen-directed caspase-10 selective inhibitors, we engineered a low-background and high-activitytobacco etchvirus (TEV)--activated caspase-10 protein. We then subjected this turn-on protease to a high-throughput screen of approximately 100,000 compounds, with an average Z’ value of 0.58 across all plates analyzed. Counter screening, including against TEV protease, delineated bona fide procaspase-10 inhibitors. Confirmatory studies identified a class of low-pH activatable caspase-10 inhibitors. In parallel, mode-of-action studies revealed that pifithrin-µ (PFTµ), a reported TP53 inhibitor, also functions as a promiscuous caspase inhibitor. Both inhibitor classes showed preferential zymogen inhibition. Given the generalized utility of activation assays, we expect our screening platform to have widespread applications in identifying state-specific protease inhibitors.
Deep learning-based prediction of chemical accumulation in a pathogenic mycobacterium
Authors: Sullivan Mark R. , Rubin Eric J.
Published: December 2024

Drugs must accumulate at their target site to be effective, and inadequate uptake of drugs is a substantial barrier to the design of potent therapies. This is particularly true in the development of antibiotics, as bacteria possess numerous barriers to prevent chemical uptake. Designing compounds that circumvent bacterial barriers and accumulate to high levels in cells could dramatically improve the success rate of antibiotic candidates. However, a comprehensive understanding of which chemical structures promote or prevent drug uptake is currently lacking. Here we use liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to measure accumulation of 1528 approved drugs inMycobacterium abscessus, a highly drug-resistant, opportunistic pathogen. We find that simple chemical properties fail to effectively predict drug accumulation in mycobacteria. Instead, we use our data to train deep learning models that predict drug accumulation inM. abscessuswith high accuracy, including for chemically diverse compounds not included in our original drug library. We find that differential drug uptake is a critical determinant of the efficacy of drugs currently in development and can identify compounds which accumulate well and have antibacterial activity inM. abscessus. These predictive algorithms can be an important complement to chemical synthesis and accumulation assays in the evaluation of drug candidates.
Obesity-related brain atrophy occurs through mechanisms independent of Alzheimer’s disease pathology
Authors: Morys Filip , Liu Lang , Senkevich Konstantin , Gan-Or Ziv , Dagher Alain
Published: December 2024

Obesity increases the risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias, likely through structural brain changes in the same regions as AD. The mechanisms underpinning brain atrophy in AD involve the deposition of misfolded and dysfunctional tau and β-amyloid proteins, but are not well understood in obesity. Here, we tested whether obesity, cerebrovascular disease, and obesity-related metabolic risk score were associated with structural brain and cognitive changes via the same mechanisms as AD or independent of them. We used the microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT)and apolipoprotein E (APOE)genotypes involved in tau and β-amyloid synthesis, folding, and clearance, as well as AD polygenic risk score (PRS) to define vulnerability to protein deposition. We then tested whether those factors moderated the relationship between obesity, brain structure, and cognition. A significant moderation would imply that obesity may affect brain structure via mechanisms involving tau and β-amyloid deposition. We found thatMAPTandAPOEstatus as well as AD PRS did not moderate the relationship between obesity and brain structure. We also found sparse evidence for the moderation ofMAPTandAPOEof the cerebrovascular disease-brain structure relationship as well as the metabolic risk score-brain structure relationship. We conclude that the mechanisms linking obesity with brain atrophy are most likely independent of the ones governing AD-related brain atrophy and might involve cerebrovascular factors.
Efficacy of Naloxone in reducing hypoxemia and duration of immobility following focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures
Authors: Rheims Sylvain , Chorfa Fatima , Michel Véronique , Hirsch Edouard , Maillard Louis , Valton Luc , Bartolomei Fabrice , Derambure Philippe , Navarro Vincent , Biberon Julien , Crespel Arielle , Nica Anca , Martin Martine Lemesle , Mazzola Laure , Petit Jerome , Rossero Vincent , Boulogne Sébastien , Leclercq Mathilde , Bezin Laurent , Mercier Catherine , Roy Pascal , Ryvlin Philippe
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Evaluating the efficacy of an opioid antagonist, naloxone (NLX), to reduce the severity of post-ictal hypoxemia and immobility after focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (FBTCS).

Methods

ENALEPSY is a double-blind placebo (PCB)-controlled trial conducted in patients with focal epilepsy undergoing long-term video-EEG monitoring (LTM). Patient with a FBTCS during LTM were randomized 1:1 to receive intravenous NLX or PCB within the 2 minutes following the end of FBTCS. After database lock, a discrepancy between the allocated arm and the received treatment was detected, resulting in a 4:1 NLX:PCB ratio. To further explore the efficacy of NLX, we used historical control (HC) data collected in patients included in the REPO2MSE study whose characteristics matched those of patients randomized in ENALEPSY. Efficacy of NLX was then assessed versus PCB and versus HC. The primary endpoint was the delay between the end of the seizure and recovery of SpO2≥ 90%. Secondary efficacy outcomes included desaturation nadir and duration of the postictal immobility.

Results

33 patients contributed to the NLX group, 7 to the PCB group and 43 to the HC group. The proportion of FBTCS type 1 or 3 was 84% in NLX, 100% in PCB and 84% in HC. NLX did not improve the delay of recovery of SpO2≥ 90% or the desaturation nadir. In contrast, duration of the postictal immobility differed across groups. The time to mobility recovery within the first 5 minutes post-ictal was very similar in PCB (200.3±215.8 seconds) and HC (194.4±192.0 second) groups, and significantly shorter in the NLX group (128.9±151.1 seconds) when compared to HC (Hazard Ratio, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.11 to 3.05; p=0.021).

Conclusion

NLX did not prevent postictal respiratory dysfunction but might reduce the duration of postictal immobility. Confirmation of this effect and its impact on SUDEP risk will require additional studies

KEY BULLET POINTS

–

ENALEPSY trial evaluated the efficacy of intravenous naloxone to reduce the severity of post-ictal complications after focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures.

–

Naloxone did not improve the delay of recovery of SpO2≥ 90% or the desaturation nadir

–

The time to mobility recovery was significantly shorter in the NLX group when compared to historical control

–

Impact of these results on SUDEP prevention will require additional studies
SL/Kh Pre-B Lymphomas Originate in the Thymus and are a Model for Primary Mediastinal (Thymic) Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Thomae Tami L. , Tan Si Hui , Akagi Keiko , Ward Jerrold M. , Copeland Neal G. , Jenkins Nancy A.
Published: December 2024

SL/Kh mice develop a high frequency of retrovirally-induced pre-B lymphomas at 3-6 months of age. They also exhibit an abnormal transient expansion of pre-B cells in the bone marrow, although the relevance of this expansion for lymphomagenesis has remained unclear. Here, we use a dual approach that combines pathology with flow cytometry to more fully characterize the nature and origin of SL/Kh lymphomas. Unexpectedly, our studies showed that SL/Kh lymphomas arise from a rare population of pro/pre-B cells in the thymus. We also identified a 10-fold reduction in Notch1 expression in SL/Kh thymic T cells that is associated with a block in early T cell development, a reduction in the number of thymic T cells with age, and an expansion of thymic pro/pre-B cells. This phenotype is consistent with previous studies showing that Notch1 signaling is essential for lymphoid progenitors to undergo T cell commitment and for suppressing B cell development in the thymus. We propose that this developmental defect provides a niche for early B cells to accumulate in the thymus, which, when combined with subsequent retroviral insertional mutagenesis, results in the induction of pre-B lymphomas that originate in the thymus. This is also consistent with our analysis of the genes insertionally mutated in SL/Kh lymphomas, which shows that many function in signaling pathways such as JAK/STAT and RAS/MAPK/ERK that are commonly deregulated in B-cell lymphomas. Primary human mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (MLBCL) is another lymphoma that is derived from thymic B cells, although virtually nothing is known about the cause of this rare disease. Our studies provide new insights into an underappreciated class of B-cell lymphomas and a mouse model for the study of MLBCL.
Antibiotics that Kill Gram-negative Bacteria by Restructuring the Outer Membrane Protein BamA
Authors: Modaresi Seyed Majed , Sugiyama Ryosuke , Tram Nhan Dai Thien , Jakob Roman P. , Phan Chin-Soon , Saei Amir Ata , Morishita Yohei , Mühlethaler Tobias , Lim Joel , Ritz Danilo , Long Preston Shi Yang , Lehner Phillipe A , Lim Zhen Heng , Degen Morris , Yao Ziwei , Maier Timm , Hou Yuxin , Lee Jia Ying , Xu Jian , Yeat Andrew Yeo Jung , Koh Kenny Ting Sween , Goh Wei Yang , Ling Sharon Y. H. , Chua Patrina W. L. , Yamazaki Mami , Ee Pui Lai Rachel , Hiller Sebastian , Morinaka Brandon I
Published: December 2024

The essential outer membrane protein insertase BamA has recently emerged as a valid target for killing Gram-negative bacteria. Bamabactins, competitive inhibitors targeting the lateral gate of BamA, disrupt the substrate folding process, compromise the outer membrane integrity, and lead to bacterial cell death. Despite their promise, the full pharmacological potential of bamabactins remains underexploited. We applied phylogenetic genome mining and synthetic biology to identify xenorceptides which selectively killEnterobacteriaceae. Mode of action studies show that xenorceptide A2 integrates itself into BamA as an additional β-strand between β1 and β16 at the lateral gate, inducing a conformation of BamA that has not been observed before. Biological evaluation of xenorceptide A2 shows promising activityin vitroandin vivo, and limited resistance which differentiates it from other bamabactin antibiotics. Our data show that the chemical diversity of bamabactins is far greater than previously recognized and thus an attractive source for antibiotic discovery.
Genetically predicted gene expression effects on changes in red blood cell and plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids
Authors: Khankari Nikhil K. , Su Timothy , Cai Qiuyin , Liu Lili , Jasper Elizabeth A. , Hellwege Jacklyn N. , Murff Harvey J. , Shrubsole Martha J. , Long Jirong , Edwards Todd L. , Zheng Wei
Published: December 2024

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) including omega-3 and omega-6 are obtained from diet and can be measured objectively in plasma or red blood cells (RBCs) membrane biomarkers, representing different dietary exposure windows.In vivoconversion of omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs from short-to long-chain counterparts occurs via a shared metabolic pathway involving fatty acid desaturases and elongase. This analysis leveraged genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics for RBC and plasma PUFAs, along with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) to estimate tissue-specific genetically predicted gene expression effects for delta-5 desaturase (FADS1), delta-6 desaturase (FADS2), and elongase (ELOVL2) on changes in RBC and plasma biomarkers. Using colocalization, we identified shared variants associated with both increased gene expression and changes in RBC PUFA levels in relevant PUFA metabolism tissues (i.e., adipose, liver, muscle, and whole blood). We observed differences in RBC versus plasma PUFA levels for genetically predicted increase inFADS1andFADS2gene expression, primarily for omega-6 PUFAs linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA). The colocalization analysis identified rs102275 to be significantly associated with a 0.69% increase in total RBC membrane-bound LA levels (P=5.4×10-12). Future PUFA genetic studies examining long-term PUFA biomarkers are needed to confirm our results.
Mbd4 and MutSα protect cells from spontaneous deamination of 5-methylcytosine
Authors: Bilardi Rebecca A. , Flensburg Christoffer , Xu Zhen , Derrick Emily B. , Kueh Andrew , Majewski Ian J
Published: December 2024

5-Methylcytosine (5mC) is a common source of somatic mutations. Deamination of 5mC to thymine generates a G/T mismatch, which occurs spontaneously and must be repaired prior to DNA replication to avoid mutation. We generated genetically engineered mice and cell lines to define DNA repair pathways that protect against methylation damage. We observed a low background mutation rate in mouse bone marrow or colon, typically 0.2-0.5 CG>TG mutations/genome/day. This increased 3-7 fold in cells lacking the glycosylase Methyl-binding domain 4 (Mbd4), one of the few glycosylases capable of excising thymine from G/T mismatches. We found no role for Thymine DNA glycosylase (Tdg) in methylation damage repair. Instead, our results support cooperation between Mbd4 and the mismatch repair (MMR) complex MutSα (Msh6:Msh2), evident through elevated rates of methylation damage in Msh6-deficient cells; increasing to 2.6-4.8 CG>TG mutations/genome/day in primary cells and up to 13.9 CG>TG mutations/genome/day in cell lines. Our findings support the view that MutSα has DNA repair activity outside of replication. While loss of Mbd4 elevates methylation damage selectively, the broader functionality of MutSα explains why mutational signatures linked to Msh6-deficiency are variable and reflect the replicative history of the cell.
Mechanism of D-type cyclins recognition by the AMBRA1 E3 ligase receptor
Authors: Wang Yang , Liu Ming , Wang Shan , Mai Xinyi , Wang Xi , Teng Fei , Lyu Tianrui , Su Ming-Yuan , Stjepanovic Goran
Published: December 2024

AMBRA1 is a tumour suppressor protein that functions as a substrate receptor in the ubiquitin conjugation system and regulates the stability of D-type cyclins and cell proliferation. Here, we present the cryo-EM structure of cyclin D1 bound AMBRA1-DDB1 complex at 3.5 Å resolution. The structure reveals a substrate interaction surface on the AMBRA1 WD40 domain that specifically binds to the C-terminal region of D-type cyclins. This interaction is dependent on the phosphorylation of Thr286 residue in the C-terminal phosphodegron site of D-type cyclins. The phosphodegron motif folds into a turn-like conformation followed by a 310helix that promotes its assembly with AMBRA1. Additionally, we show that AMBRA1 mutants, which are defective in cyclin D1 binding, lead to cyclin D1 accumulation and DNA damage. Understanding the AMBRA1-D-type cyclins structure enhances the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms that govern the cell cycle control and may lead to new therapeutic approaches for cancers linked to abnormal cyclin D activity.
Social task and aggressiveness shape immunity gene expression levels in the head of highly eusocial bees
Authors: Campana Leonardo , Cardoso Júnior Carlos Antônio Mendes , Lourenço Anete Pedro , Hartfelder Klaus
Published: December 2024

Living in crowded perennial nests, social insects encounter high risks of disease outbreaks and predation on colony resources. The innate immune system plays an important barrier against microbial pathogens, but its association with group defensive behaviours remains unexplored. Here we investigated the expression of innate immune system genes in the workers of three species of Brazilian stingless bees (Scaptotrigona postica,Frieseomelitta varia, andMelipona quadrifasciata), which differ in worker reproductive traits and colony defence strategies. First, we standardized a behavioural arena test to assess the species-specific individual aggressiveness level of the workers. Then, we quantified the transcript levels of four core genes of the Toll and Imd pathways in the heads and abdomens for the three main life cycle stages of the workers (nurse, guard and forager). In all three species, the expression levels were found increased in the abdomens of the guards and foragers compared to the nurses, independent of the workers’ aggressiveness level. For the heads, however, we found a strong association between immunity gene expression and aggressiveness, with an almost 100-fold up-regulation in the guards and foragers of the aggressive species,S. postica. while the less aggressiveF. variaand the docileM. quadrifasciataworkers did not show such up-regulation. Our study establishes a molecular link between immunity pathways and complex social behaviours in the Brazilian stingless bees, which evolutionarily lost the sting apparatus for the defence of their colonies.

BULLETED HIGHLIGHTS

The expression of immune system genes increases with social task/age in the abdomen and head of highly eusocial bees.

The expression of Toll pathway genes is highly up-regulated in the heads of the more aggressive stingless bee species.

In the more docile stingless bee species, immune gene expression is higher in the abdomen than in the head.

Immunity pathway signalling has been co-opted in a key social behaviour of the stingless bees.
Coupling CRISPR Scanning with Targeted Chromatin Accessibility Profiling using a Double-Stranded DNA Deaminase
Authors: Roh Heejin , Shen Simon P. , Hu Yan , Kwok Hui Si , Siegenfeld Allison P. , Lee Ceejay , Zepeda Marc Anthony , Guo Chun-Jie , Roseman Shelby A. , Sankaran Vijay G. , Buenrostro Jason D. , Liau Brian B.
Published: December 2024

Genome editing enables sequence-function profiling of endogenous cis-regulatory elements, driving understanding of their mechanisms and the development of gene therapies. However, these approaches cannot be combined with direct scalable readouts of chromatin structure and accessibility across long single-molecule chromatin fibers. Here we leverage a double-stranded DNA cytosine deaminase to profile chromatin accessibility at high depth and resolution at endogenous loci of interest through targeted PCR and long-read sequencing, a method we term targeted deaminase-accessible chromatin sequencing (TDAC-seq). Powered by high sequence coverage at targeted loci of interest, TDAC-seq can be uniquely integrated with CRISPR perturbations to enable the functional dissection of cis-regulatory elements, where genetic perturbations and their effects on chromatin accessibility are superimposed on the same single chromatin fiber and resolved at single-nucleotide resolution. We employed TDAC-seq to parse CRISPR edits that activate fetal hemoglobin in human CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells during erythroid differentiation as well as in pooled CRISPR and base editing screens tiling an enhancer controlling the globin locus. Together, TDAC-seq enables high-resolution sequence-function mapping of single-molecule chromatin fibers by genome editing.
Virus-induced vesicular acidification enhances HIV immune evasion
Authors: Yaple-Maresh Marianne E. , Flores Giselle G. , Zimmerman Gretchen E. , Gomez-Rivera Francisco , Collins Kathleen L.
Published: December 2024

To inhibit endocytic entry of some viruses, cells promote acidification of endosomes by expressing the short isoform of human nuclear receptor 7 (NCOA7) which increases activity of vacuolar ATPase (V-ATPase). While we found that HIV-1 infection of primary T cells led to acidification of endosomes, NCOA7 levels were only marginally affected. Contrastingly, levels of the 50 kDa form of the sodium/hydrogen exchanger 6 (NHE6) were greatly reduced. NHE6 overexpression and low concentrations of the V-ATPase inhibitor, concanamycin A, selectively reversed endosomal acidification. Endosomal neutralization by these interventions also reduced Nef-dependent MHC-I downmodulation by our wildtype HIV reporter virus. NHE6 overexpression disrupted MHC-I downmodulation by reducing recruitment of Nef to Rab11+compartments and inhibiting interactions between Nef, β-COP, and ARF-1. In addition, we found that the HIV Vif protein was required for downmodulation of the 50 kDa form of NHE6 and for endosomal acidification but was dispensable for Nef-dependent MHC-I downmodulation.
Multijet event shape variables for Mueller-Navelet jet topologies
Authors: Baldenegro C. , Chachamis G. , Kampshoff M. , Klasen M. , Milhano J. G. , Royon C. , Sabio Vera A.
Published: December 2024

This paper presents a new set of multijet event shape variables introduced to further understand the Mueller-Navelet jet topology. This topology consists of having at least one pair of jets with a very large rapidity separation between them, treating additional jet activity inclusively. This multijet topology is expected to shed light on the radiation pattern that is expected in the high-energy limit of the strong interaction. The paper relies on a Monte Carlo event generator analysis. One set of predictions uses the ex event generator, which is based on Balitsky-Fadin-Kuraev-Lipatov (BFKL) perturbative quantum chromodynamics (pQCD) evolution with a resummation of large logarithms of energy at leading-logarithmic accuracy. The ex predictions are compared with a fixed-order next-to-leading order pQCD calculation using matched to the parton shower of ythia8 (NLO+PS), which is the standard for NLO generator predictions at the LHC. We find that both approaches lead to compatible results at current LHC energies, assuming the current experimental constraints for the reconstruction of low transverse momentum jets in ATLAS and CMS. This shows the reliability of the BFKL approach at describing the behavior of the strong interaction in the preasymptotic limit of high center-of-mass energies. Differences between the NLO+PS and the BFKL-based approaches are found when the jet multiplicity is increased or when the minimum transverse momentum of the jets is decreased.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Light holographic dilatons near critical points
Authors: Faedo Antón F. , Hoyos Carlos , Piai Maurizio , Rodgers Ronnie , Subils Javier G.
Published: December 2024

We investigate the relation between the emergence of a dilaton in gapped (confining) field theories, and the presence of either complex fixed points or instabilities in the strongly coupled dynamics in two classes of bottom-up holographic models. We demonstrate that in one of the two classes there is a critical line of first-order phase transitions (at zero temperature) that terminates at a critical point. We calculate the mass spectrum of fluctuations of the associated regular gravity backgrounds, which we interpret as bound states in the dual field theories. In proximity to the second-order phase transition, we find a parametrically light scalar state, and its composition leads us to identify it as a dilaton.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Entanglement entropy for the black 0-brane
Authors: Choudhury Angshuman , Laurenzano Davide
Published: December 2024

We analyze the entanglement entropy between the black 0-brane solution to supergravity and its Hawking radiation. The black 0-brane admits a dual gauge theory description in terms of the matrix model for M-theory, named Banks Fischler Shenker Susskind (BFSS) theory, which is the theory of open strings on a collection of N D0-branes. Recent studies of the model have highlighted a mechanism of black hole evaporation for this system, based on the chaotic nature of the theory and the existence of flat directions. This paper further explores this idea, through the computation of the von Neumann entropy of Hawking radiation. In particular, we show that the expected Page curve is indeed reproduced, consistently with a complete recovery of information after the black hole has fully evaporated. A pivotal step in the computation is the definition of a Hilbert space that allows for a quantum mechanical description of partially evaporated black holes. We find that the entanglement entropy depends on the choice of a parameter, which can be interpreted as summarizing the geometric features of the black hole, such as the size of the resolved singularity and the size of the horizon.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Entangled states from arborescent knots
Authors: Mironov Sergey , Morozov Andrey
Published: December 2024

In this paper we discuss how to use arborescent knots to construct entangled multiqubit states. We show that Bell-states, GHZ-states and cluster states can be constructed from such knots. The latter are particularly interesting since they form a base for the measurement-based quantum computers.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Shedding light on biochemical changes in single neuron-like pheochromocytoma cells following exposure to synchrotron sourced terahertz radiation using synchrotron source Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy
Authors: Perera Palalle G. Tharushi , Vongsvivut Jitraporn , Linklater Denver , Vilagosh Zoltan , Appadoo Dominique , Nguyen The Hong Phong , Tobin Mark J. , Croft Rodney , Ivanova Elena P.
Published: December 2024

Synchrotron sourced Fourier transform infrared (SS FTIR) microspectroscopy was employed to investigate the biological effects on the neuron-like pheochromocytoma (PC 12) cells after exposure to synchrotron sourced terahertz (SS THz) radiation. Over 10 min of exposure, the PC 12 cells received a total energy of 600 J m2, with a total incident power density of ∼1.0 W m−2 (0.10 mW cm−2) at the beam extraction port (BEP) of the THz beamline at the Australian Synchrotron. To investigate the metabolic response of PC 12 cells after synchrotron THz radiation exposure, we utilized the FTIR microscope at the Infrared Microspectroscopy IRM beamline, which offers high photon flux and diffraction-limited spatial resolution enabling the detection of functional group variations in biological molecules at a single-cell level. Principal component analysis (PCA) based on the SS FTIR spectral data revealed a distinct separation of SS THz-exposed and control (non-exposed) cells. According to the PCA loadings, the key changes in the exposed cells involved lipid and protein compositions as indicated by the stretching vibrations of CH2/CH3 groups and amide I/II bands, respectively. An increase in lipids, such as cholesterol, or notable changes in their compositions and in some protein secondary structures were observed in the SS THz-exposed cells. The PCA analysis further suggests that PC 12 cells might maintain cell membrane stability after SS THz irradiation through higher volumes of cholesterol and cell morphology via regulation of the synthesis of cytoskeleton proteins such as actin-related proteins. The outcome of this study re-emphasized the exceptional SS FTIR capability to perform single-cell analysis directly, providing (i) unique biological information on cell variability within the population as well as between different groups, and (ii) evidence of molecular changes in the exposed cells that could lead to a deeper understanding of the effect of THz exposure at a single-cell level.
Transforming life insurance buying: conceptual model for the adoption of Life InsurTech services in India
Authors: Shah Reema , Laghate Kavita , Chelawat Anshita
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to construct a theoretical framework that combines the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and other variables related to life insurance adoption among customers. This will explain the factors that influence customers’ decisions to use Life InsurTech services in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

A hybrid method combining theory-driven analysis and thematic analysis was used for content analysis, allowing for a holistic perspective, and developing a conceptual research model.

Findings

The paper contributes significantly by creating a conceptual framework designed to understand and explain the factors that impact customers’ intentions to adopt Life InsurTech services. By emphasizing technology-related factors, behavior-related factors, knowledge-related factors and individual-related factors, one could potentially identify and explain the factors influencing the intention to use Life InsurTech services.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of the current research is the lack of prior research on InsurTech services. This study contributes to reviewing and organizing earlier knowledge to help researchers address the key factors affecting Life InsurTech services adoption.

Practical implications

The study has suggested a conceptual framework that Life InsurTech managers can use to implement the effective adoption of Life InsurTech services.

Social implications

With the significant importance of life insurance for consumers as well as for the country’s economic development and the advent of InsurTech innovations, there is a need to understand the online life insurance purchase behavior of consumers.

Originality/value

The outcomes presented in this study will lay the groundwork for future investigations that aim to address the research question regarding the factors influencing customers’ intentions to utilize Life InsurTech services. With very few studies conducted on InsurTech services, this novel study proposes a new conceptual framework to better understand the adoption of Life InsurTech services.
Enhancing sustainability with improved cook stoves: an analysis of product quality, consumer satisfaction and word-of-mouth through expectancy disconfirmation theory
Authors: Mahat Pushpa , Shekhar Suraj Kushe
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Anchoring on expectancy disconfirmation theory, this study aims to investigate the influence of product quality, customer satisfaction and word-of-mouth (WOM) on improved cook stoves (ICSs). The study also examines customer satisfaction as a mediator and explores a case-specific analysis of the interrelationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were elicited using a structured survey conducted during February 2024 across rural, semirural and urban areas in Nepal. A purposive sampling method was used, distributing 300 questionnaires and obtaining 222 valid responses, reflecting a response rate of 74%. Respondents included 70 females and 152 males, with an average age of 32.42 years, and 48.2% of the population from rural areas. Hypotheses tested included product quality affecting WOM, product quality impacting customer satisfaction and customer satisfaction mediating the relationship between product quality and WOM. PLS-SEM was used for hypothesis testing.

Findings

The results reveal that product quality significantly enhances WOM and customer satisfaction. Furthermore, customer satisfaction mediates the relationship between product quality and WOM, emphasizing the importance of satisfaction as a driver of positive WOM.

Research limitations/implications

The study focuses on ICS adoption in a specific region. Future research should explore these dynamics across different cultural and geographic contexts to validate and generalize the findings.

Originality/value

This research provides a novel perspective on the role of product quality and customer satisfaction in driving WOM for ICSs. It highlights how consumer satisfaction mediates these relationships, offering actionable insights for improving ICS adoption strategies.
Understanding the environmental footprint of a Swiss university – mobility, energy and material consumption before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
Authors: Somerville Livia , Stucki Matthias , Keller Regula
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the environmental footprint of a university of applied sciences in 2019 and 2020, including the effects of the lockdown periods. The study identified the main sources of emissions and assessed the pandemic-related effects.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the life cycle assessment methodology, this study analysed the university’s direct and indirect emissions during a regular year of operation (2019) and compared them with those generated during the lockdown periods in 2020. For the activity areas mobility, energy, waste, IT and paper, gastronomy and water, specific, primary bottom-up inventory data were gathered before and during the pandemic. The data were assessed with 15 environmental impact assessment methods of the environmental footprint framework.

Findings

The results of a regular year of operation (2019) depicted that student and employee commuting and business travel contributed with 86% largely to the total global warming potential of 2,572 t CO2-eq. The pandemic-induced changes in commuting and business travel resulted in a 60% reduction, leading to a drop to 1,075 t CO2-eq (2020). In contrast, the environmental footprint due to energy consumption remained almost on the same level, irrespective of the absences on-site in 2020.

Originality/value

This study has the potential to shape post-pandemic environmental efforts and policies in higher education institutions and contribute to a much-needed baseline against which mitigation efforts can be compared with. Unlike other studies, this study goes beyond the carbon footprint, expanding the discussion to additional environmental and human health impact categories by applying the environmental footprint framework.
Does corporate sustainability matter for the capital structure puzzle in OIC countries? Evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Tekin Hasan , Polat Ali Yavuz
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study assesses the impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) certification on capital structure decisions considering the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilizes the annual Asset-4 and Datastream data of Thomson Reuters Eikon for non-financial firms in member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Firm-fixed effects are used to avoid unobserved heterogeneity.

Findings

Firms with higher corporate sustainability have a higher leverage ratio. The positive impact of ESG scores on book leverage became more significant during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings imply that ESG activities might serve as a signalling tool, especially considering the pandemic: ESG activities mitigate financial constraints when they are most pronounced and impactful.

Practical implications

Firms should invest in ESG activities to alleviate financial constraints. Researchers and practitioners are encouraged to explore how ESG and macro-specific factors jointly affect debt financing. Policymakers should incentivize ESG investment to reduce agency conflicts. Regulators in OIC countries should support firms that are encountering obstacles in obtaining ESG certification.

Originality/value

To date, the role of ESG investing in capital structure policy by considering the recent pandemic has not been assessed in OIC countries.
Tourism and hospitality SMEs and digital marketing: what factors influence their attitude and intention to use from the perspective of BRT, TAM and IRT
Authors: Ahmad Naveed , Rasheed Hafiz Muhammad Wasif
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the reasons (for and against) affecting owners' attitudes and intentions to use digital marketing (DM) strategies in tourism and hospitality (T&H) small and medium enterprises (SMEs), by employing the behavioral reasoning theory (BRT).

Design/methodology/approach

A survey method was used to collect data from 306 T&H (SMEs) owners and analyze the data through partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The study results indicate that reasons significantly affect owners' attitudes and intentions to use DM in T&H (SMEs). The “RF” was as follows: perceived ease of use (PEU), perceived usefulness (PU), and trust in DM professionals” and the “RA” technological anxiety, usage barriers (UB), and perceived complexity (PC) effect on owners’ attitudes and intentions to use DM. Also, it indicates that openness to change value significantly affects the “RF” insignificant with “RA” and attitude.

Practical implications

The findings of this study emphasize that if owners/managers, governments, and policymakers overcome the “RA” that discourages and raises the knowledge about the “RF” in the adoption of DM, then the usage intention of DM strategies can rise in T&H (SMEs).

Originality/value

This study is the first to investigate the reasons (for and against) the owner’s attitude and intention to use DM in T&H (SMEs) by utilizing behavioral reasoning theory (BRT), technology acceptance model (TAM), and innovation resistance theory (IRT).
Navigating the future of brand experience: insights from bibliometric analysis
Authors: Calderón-Fajardo Víctor , Molinillo Sebastian , Anaya-Sánchez Rafael , Jiménez-Barreto Jano
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to consolidate the fragmented knowledge on brand experience within marketing literature, evaluating its historical development, current state and prospective future. It seeks to offer a comprehensive understanding of the construct’s academic and practical contributions over the years, identify key topics and propose a research agenda for the field.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting a bibliometric analysis, the authors conduct a detailed examination of the literature on brand experience. Performance analysis and science mapping techniques are used to evaluate 774 articles related to brand experience published from 1981 to 2023 and indexed in the Scopus database.

Findings

The bibliometric analysis reveals a significant expansion in the body of knowledge surrounding brand experience, highlighting its evolution over the past four decades. Key thematic areas and the intellectual structure of brand experience research are identified, evidencing both the growth and the diversification of the field. The study synthesizes these insights into a coherent research agenda, pinpointing emerging areas ripe for future investigation.

Originality/value

By systematically synthesizing longitudinal contributions to brand experience and using a bibliometric approach for analysis, this study provides a novel perspective on the topic. It not only maps the historical trajectory and current landscape of brand experience research but also sets the direction for future scholarly endeavors, marking a unique contribution to both academic research and practical application in marketing.
Real‐time measurement of heat stability of skim milk using attenuated total reflectance (ATR)‐FTIR spectroscopy
Authors: Hayes Elena , Kelly Liam , Aydogdu Tugce , O'Shea Norah , O'Donnell Colm , Greene Derek , Fenelon Mark A
Published: December 2024

Milk proteins are susceptible to denaturation and aggregation upon heating, affecting product quality and shelf‐life. Understanding the underlying molecular changes during heating is important to the dairy industry for process optimisation and product functionality. This study used Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR)‐Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to non‐destructively measure changes in protein molecular structure as the precursor to heat‐induced aggregation in milk. Raw skim milk was divided into three subsamples, adjusted to pH 6.2, native pH or pH 7. Each sample was heated at 85°C on a BioATR crystal, with scans taken at 1‐min intervals over 20 min using FTIR to measure protein denaturation and aggregation. The second derivative of the amide I region was used to measure changes in protein structure, with the spectra for pH 6.2 samples changing faster than pH 6.8 or pH 7 samples, indicating a higher rate of denaturation. The peak at 1072 cm−1 related to colloidal calcium phosphate (CCP) increased with increasing temperature and pH. More extensive changes in CCP between colloidal and serum phases and protein denaturation/aggregation correlated with lower heat stability in milk. This study highlights the potential of ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy for assessing the heat stability of milk via in situ measurement of changes in protein structure and CCP.
Desert‐adapted plant growth‐promoting pseudomonads modulate plant auxin homeostasis and mitigate salinity stress
Authors: Marasco Ramona , Mosqueira Maria J. , Seferji Kholoud A. , Al Romaih Sarah M. , Michoud Grégoire , Xu Jian , Bez Cristina , Castillo Hernandez Tatiana , Venturi Vittorio , Blilou Ikram , Daffonchio Daniele
Published: December 2024

By providing adaptive advantages to plants, desert microorganisms are emerging as promising solutions to mitigate the negative and abrupt effects of climate change in agriculture. Among these, pseudomonads, commonly found in soil and in association with plants' root system, have been shown to enhance plant tolerance to salinity and drought, primarily affecting root system architecture in various hosts. However, a comprehensive understanding of how these bacteria affect plant responses at the cellular, physiological and molecular levels is still lacking. In this study, we investigated the effects of two Pseudomonas spp. strains, E102 and E141, which were previously isolated from date palm roots and have demonstrated efficacy in promoting drought tolerance in their hosts. These strains colonize plant roots, influencing root architecture by inhibiting primary root growth while promoting root hair elongation and lateral root formation. Strains E102 and E141 increased auxin levels in Arabidopsis, whereas this effect was diminished in IAA‐defective mutant strains, which exhibited reduced IAA production. In all cases, the effectiveness of the bacteria relies on the functioning of the plant auxin response and transport machinery. Notably, such physiological and morphological changes provide an adaptive advantage to the plant, specifically under stress conditions such as salinity. Collectively, this study demonstrates that by leveraging the host's auxin signalling machinery, strains E102 and E141 significantly improve plant resilience to abiotic stresses, positioning them as potential biopromoters/bioprotectors for crop production and ecosystem restoration in alignment with Nature‐based Solution approaches.