bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Johns Hopkins Physician-Scientist Training Program to Enhance Institutional Retention and Entry Into Academic Positions: An Evaluation of Program Effectiveness and Outcomes
Authors: Rincon-Torroella Jordina , Feghali James , Antar Albert , Azad Tej D. , Rosen Antony , Ziegelstein Roy C. , Rothman Paul B. , Burns Kathleen H. , Bienstock Jessica L. , Cox Andrea L. , Bettegowda Chetan
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The Johns Hopkins Physician-Scientist Training Program (PSTP) was implemented to overcome well-documented challenges in training and retaining physician-scientists by providing physician-scientist pathway training for residents and clinical fellows. The program’s core tenets include monthly seminars, individualized feedback on project proposals, access to mentors, and institutional funding opportunities. This study evaluated the effectiveness and outcomes of the PTSP and provides a framework for replication.

Method

A query of institutional demographic data and bibliometric variables of the PSTP participants (2017–2020) at a single academic medical center was conducted in 2021. In addition, a voluntary survey collected personal and program evaluation information.

Results

Of 145 PSTP scholars, 59 (41%) were women, and 41 (31%), 8 (6%), and 6 (5%) of scholars self-identified as Asian, Hispanic, and Black, respectively. Thirty-three (23%) scholars received PSTP research support or career development microgrants. Of 66 PSTP graduates, 29 (44%) remained at Johns Hopkins as clinical fellows or faculty. Of 48 PSTP graduates in a posttraining position, 42 (88%) were in academia, with the majority, 29 (76%), holding the rank of assistant professor. Fifty-nine of 140 available participants responded to the survey (42% response rate). The top-cited reason for joining the PSTP was exposure to mentors and administration (50/58 respondents, 86%), followed by seeking scholarly opportunities (37/58 respondents, 64%). Most scholars intended to continue a career as a physician-scientist.

Conclusions

The PSTP provides internal research support and institutional oversight. Although establishing close mentor-mentee relationships requires individualized approaches, the PSTP provided structured academic pathways that enhanced participating scholars’ ability to apply for grants and jobs. The vast majority continued their careers as physician-scientists after training. In light of the national evidence of a “leaky physician-scientist pipeline,” programs such as the PSTP can be critical to entry into early academic career positions and institutional retention.
Postoperative Delirium and the Older Adult: Untangling the Confusion
Authors: Thedim Mariana , Vacas Susana
Published: April 2024

Postoperative delirium is one of the most prevalent postoperative complications, affecting mostly older adults. Its incidence is expected to rise because of surgical advances, shifting demographics, and increased life expectancy. Although an acute alteration in brain function, postoperative delirium is associated with adverse outcomes, including progressive cognitive decline and dementia, that place significant burdens on patients’ lives and healthcare systems. This has prompted efforts to understand the mechanisms of postoperative delirium to provide effective prevention and treatment. There are multiple mechanisms involved in the etiology of postoperative delirium that share similarities with the physiological changes associated with the aging brain. In addition, older patients often have multiple comorbidities including increased cognitive impairment that is also implicated in the genesis of delirium. These tangled connections pinpointed a shift toward creation of a holistic model of the pathophysiology of postoperative delirium. Scientific advancements integrating clinical risk factors, possible postoperative delirium biomarkers, genetic features, digital platforms, and other biotechnical and information technological innovations, will become available in the near future. Advances in artificial intelligence, for example, will aggregate cognitive testing platforms with patient-specific postoperative delirium risk stratification studies, panels of serum and cerebrospinal fluid molecules, electroencephalogram signatures, and gut microbiome features, along with the integration of novel polygenetic variants of sleep and cognition. These advances will allow for the enrollment of high-risk patients into prevention programs and help uncover new pharmacologic targets.
Presence of Cerebrospinal Fluid on Preoperative Imaging and the Associated Cervical Myelopathy Diagnosis and Outcome
Authors: McNassor Ryan , Shost Michael , Grabel Zachary J. , Rabah Nicholas M. , Mroz Thomas E.
Published: April 2024

Study Design:

Retrospective chart review.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to determine whether the presence of cerebrospinal fluid is associated with the severity of degenerative cervical myelopathy or postoperative outcomes.

Summary of Background Data:

Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a clinical diagnosis characterized as neurologic dysfunction. Preoperative imaging is used to determine the source of cord compression. In clinical practice, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) around the cord is often used as an indicator to determine whether stenosis is relevant. It is unclear if the presence of CSF around the cord can serve as a metric for clinically relevant cord compression.

Methods:

Patients undergoing single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for cervical spondylotic myelopathy were identified from our institution’s surgical database. Pre- and postoperative patient-reported health outcomes visual analog scale for neck pain (VAS-NP) and modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) were collected. The level of ACDF plus one level above and below were assessed for the presence of cerebrospinal fluid, as well as measuring the area of the spinal canal and spinal cord on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging.

Results:

Two hundred forty-nine patients were included. Spearman correlation test comparing cord/canal ratios at the level of compression and preoperative mJOA shows a significant negative correlation (Rho = −0.206, P = 0.043). There was no significant correlation with postoperative change in mJOA scores (Rho = −0.002, P = 0.986).

Conclusion:

The presence of CSF around the cord was weakly correlated with the severity of myelopathy; however, it had no correlation with postoperative outcomes. The presence of CSF around the cord should not in isolation be used to rule in or rule out operative levels in cervical myelopathy.
Predicted deleterious variants in ABCA1, LPL, LPA and KIF6 are associated with statin response and adverse events in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and disturb protein structure and stability
Authors: Dagli-Hernandez Carolina , Ferreira Glaucio Monteiro , Freitas Renata Caroline Costa de , Borges Jessica Bassani , Oliveira Victor Fernandes de , Gonçalves Rodrigo Marques , Faludi Andre Arpad , Marçal Elisangela da Silva Rodrigues , Bastos Gisele Medeiros , Bortolin Raul Hernandes , Hirata Mario Hiroyuki , Hirata Rosario Dominguez Crespo
Published: April 2024

Objectives

This study explored the association of deleterious variants in pharmacodynamics (PD) genes with statin response and adverse effects in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and analyzed their potential effects on protein structure and stability.

Methods

Clinical and laboratory data were obtained from 144 adult FH patients treated with statins. A panel of 32 PD genes was analyzed by exon-targeted gene sequencing. Deleterious variants were identified using prediction algorithms and their structural effects were analyzed by molecular modeling studies.

Results

A total of 102 variants were predicted as deleterious (83 missense, 8 stop-gain, 4 frameshift, 1 indel, 6 splicing). The variants ABCA1 rs769705621 (indel), LPA rs41267807 (p.Tyr2023Cys) and KIF6 rs20455 (p.Trp719Arg) were associated with reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) response to statins, and the LPL rs1801177 (p.Asp36Asn) with increased LDLc response (P < 0.05). LPA rs3124784 (p.Arg2016Cys) was predicted to increase statin response (P = 0.022), and ABCA1 rs769705621 to increase the risk of statin-related adverse events (SRAE) (P = 0.027). LPA p.Arg2016Cys and LPL p.Asn36Asp maintained interactions with solvent, LPA p.Tyr2023Cys reduced intramolecular interaction with Gln1987, and KIF6 p.Trp719Arg did not affect intramolecular interactions. DDMut analysis showed that LPA p.Arg2016Cys and p.Tyr2023Cys and LPL p.Asp36Asn caused energetically favorable changes, and KIF6 p.Trp719Arg resulted in unfavorable energetic changes, affecting protein stability.

Conclusion

Deleterious variants in ABCA1, LPA, LPL and KIF6 are associated with variability in LDLc response to statins, and ABCA1 rs769705621 is associated with SRAE risk in FH patients. Molecular modeling studies suggest that LPA p.Tyr2023Cys and KIF6 p.Trp719Arg disturb protein conformational structure and stability.
Novel Utilization of the Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface Technique after Unsuccessful Nerve Release for Bilateral Frontal Migraines
Authors: Toliver Brandon , Egan Blaire , Sparks Payton , Morris Ashlyn , Hadad Ivan
Published: April 2024

Regenerative peripheral nerve interface (RPNI) is a surgical technique whose indications include preventing or treating painful neuromas after amputation or peripheral nerve injuries. The procedure involves implanting the distal end of a transected peripheral nerve containing sensory fibers into a selected free muscle graft. Although RPNI procedures have primarily been used after limb amputations, select case reports detail the potential for RPNI to mitigate other sources of neuropathic pain, introducing novel uses to its clinical utility. We present the case of a 49-year-old woman who presented to our clinic in June 2021 with chronic frontal migraines with right retro-orbital pain. Bilateral supraorbital and supratrochlear nerve releases with fat grafting were performed in August 2018 via a blepharoplasty approach; however, this procedure was unsuccessful in reducing her neuropathic pain. After discussion with the patient, we elected to proceed with transection of bilateral supraorbital and supratrochlear nerves with RPNI. The postoperative course was uneventful. Follow-up visits up to 1-year postoperative revealed that she had adequate pain control, discontinued her migraine medications, and reported satisfaction with the procedure. The novel RPNI surgical technique may be a low-risk adjunctive option in the surgical management of refractory supraorbital and supratrochlear neuralgia. Future studies should include a prospective randomized controlled trial comparing supraorbital and supratrochlear neurectomy alone to neurectomy with RPNI in refractory supraorbital and supratrochlear neuralgia management. Further exploration of RPNI may reveal additional uses and modifications, which may revolutionize the treatment of neuralgia and other similar ailments.
Abdominal surgery in patients with chronic noncirrhotic extrahepatic portal vein obstruction: A multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Elkrief Laure , Denecheau-Girard Corentin , Magaz Marta , Praktiknjo Michael , Colucci Nicola , Ollivier-Hourmand Isabelle , Dumortier Jérôme , Simon Talero Macarena , Tellez Luis , Artru Florent , Meszaros Magdalena , Verhelst Xavier , Tabchouri Nicolas , Beires Francisca , Andaluz Irene , Leo Massimo , Diekhöner Mara , Dokmak Safi , Fundora Yliam , Vidal-Gonzalez Judit , Toso Christian , Plessier Aurélie , Carlos Garcia Pagan Juan , Rautou Pierre-Emmanuel ,   on behalf of the ERN RARE-LIVER; a study of VALDIG, an EASL consortium
Published: April 2024

Background and Aims:

In patients with noncirrhotic chronic extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO), data on the morbimortality of abdominal surgery are scarce.

Approach and Results:

We retrospectively analyzed the charts of 76 patients (78 interventions) with EHPVO undergoing abdominal surgery within the Vascular Disease Interest Group network. Fourteen percent of the patients had ≥1 major bleeding (unrelated to portal hypertension) and 21% had ≥1 Dindo-Clavien grade ≥3 postoperative complications within 1 month after surgery. Fifteen percent had ≥1 portal hypertension–related complication within 3 months after surgery. Three patients died within 12 months after surgery. An unfavorable outcome (ie, ≥1 abovementioned complication or death) occurred in 37% of the patients and was associated with a history of ascites and with nonwall, noncholecystectomy surgical intervention: 17% of the patients with none of these features had an unfavorable outcome, versus 48% and 100% when one or both features were present, respectively. We then compared 63/76 patients with EHPVO with 126 matched (2:1) control patients without EHPVO but with similar surgical interventions. As compared with control patients, the incidence of major bleeding (p<0.001) and portal hypertension–related complication (p<0.001) was significantly higher in patients with EHPVO, but not that of grade ≥3 postoperative complications nor of death. The incidence of unfavorable postoperative outcomes was significantly higher in patients with EHPVO than in those without (33% vs. 18%, p=0.01).

Conclusions:

Patients with EHPVO are at high risk of major perioperative or postoperative bleeding and postoperative complications, especially in those with ascites or undergoing surgery other than wall surgery or cholecystectomy.
Bypassing the Brick-and-Mortar Hospital: Increasing Direct Admissions from the Emergency Department to Inpatient Hospital-at-Home
Authors: Webster Leah W. , Cox Matt D. , Fazio Jacey R. , Felix Heidi M. , Greenwell Holly R. , Botella Rachel M. , Maniaci Michael J. , Grek Ami A.
Published: April 2024

Home hospital programs continue to grow across the United States. There are limited studies around the process of patient selection and successful acquisition from the emergency department. The article describes how an interdisciplinary team used quality improvement methodology to significantly increase the number of admissions directly from the emergency department to the Advanced Care at Home program.
Development of a Novel, Reusable Task Trainer for Foreign Body Removal and Abscess Incision and Drainage
Authors: Chambers Orrin , Eckhardt David , Jackson Thomas E. , Vincent Apolline , Zapata Isain , Simon Bradley
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Cutaneous abscess incision and drainage and foreign body removal are 2 common procedures in a variety of outpatient settings. The goal of this project was to create a novel, clean, reusable task trainer that could more accurately reproduce all the steps necessary to perform cutaneous abscess drainage or foreign body removal including ultrasound to identify the abscess cavity or foreign body.

Methods

The novel task trainer was constructed using silicone for both the base and the top skin. Toothpaste mixed with saline was used for the abscess material as this produced an ultrasound image that mimicked purulent material. A piece of a metal paper clip was imbedded in the top skin to mimic a cutaneous foreign body. Physician assistant (PA) students given a didactic lecture then used the novel task trainer as part of a clinical skills course.

Results

After the activity, the PA students were asked to voluntarily complete a brief preretrospective/postretrospective survey comprised 8 questions that addressed their self-perceived knowledge and skills using a 5-point Likert scale. Survey data from an initial cohort of PA students at one university show effectiveness of the models when used with the associated curriculum.

Discussion

This study demonstrates the feasibility of constructing a practical, low-cost, non–animal-based task trainer for the purpose of training incision and drainage of cutaneous abscesses and removal of cutaneous foreign bodies. This novel task trainer allows for ultrasound skill development and provides realistic imaging experience.
Teaching Physician Assistant Students to Care for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Robinson Kathy , Jamison Jenni
Published: April 2024

The purposes of this educational activity were to instill in students a greater empathy for patients with intellectual developmental disabilities, give students a better understanding of how to obtain a medical history for patients with communication limitations, teach students practical tips for obtaining a medical history and physical examination to increase competence in their future practice, and to build a relationship with a local organization that serves people with intellectual disabilities. An experiential learning activity was added to the curriculum of two courses for first-year PA students to accomplish these goals. The course instructors engaged in several planning meetings with a local residential facility for people with intellectual disabilities, including choosing patients that the students would assess. The students made 3 visits to the facility. The visits included interactive lectures by a physical therapist, occupational therapist, nurse practitioner, medical doctor, and dentist. Two of the facility involved patient visits at designated homes on campus. The students then wrote comprehensive visit notes with patient identifying information removed and submitted them for grading. Students expressed feeling better prepared to assess people with intellectual disabilities and having an increased appreciation for obtaining quality medical histories. The partner facility also reported they received positive feedback from staff participants and indicated they would like to continue this partnership.
Physician Assistant Educators' Production Blueprint for Video Pedagogy
Authors: Fox Megan
Published: April 2024

This article presents a blueprint for effective video media production in physician assistant (PA) education based on validated pedagogical practices found in the literature. Using the cognitive load theory and a practical blueprint for video production designed for PA educators, this method aims to improve video production practices and better engage students within a format that improves learning outcomes for a diverse body of PA students. Students are interacting with videos, and there is an opportunity for educators to hone practices in video production to enhance student learning. A literature review of pedagogical practices in video production guides the production blueprint for video production. The practical principles of cognitive load theory improve efficiency in assimilating new information, enhance student engagement, and facilitate active and deep learning for a student learner engaging with the instructional video. Based on the literature and the author's educational video creation experience, a guide in the form of a production blueprint specific to PA education is proposed.
Comparison of the outcomes of concurrent versus staged TAVR combined with PCI in patients with severe aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Xiangyu , Geng Wei , Yan Shaohua , Zhang Kaixuan , Liu Qiumei , Li Mengyu
Published: April 2024

Background

The optimal timing for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) remains uncertain. This research aims to evaluate the results of patients diagnosed with severe aortic valve stenosis and coronary artery disease who undergo either simultaneous or staged PCI therapy during TAVR procedures.

Methods

We retrieved all relevant studies from our self-constructed databases up to January 2, 2024, encompassing databases such as Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, and PubMed.

Results

A total of nine studies were included, and the results showed that both surgical modalities had good safety profiles in the early and long-term stages. For early endpoint events, the risk of all-cause mortality and major bleeding within 30 years was similar in the staged TAVR + PCI and the contemporaneous TAVR + PCI (P > 0.05). Additionally, the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, acute kidney injury and pacemaker implantation within 30 days or perioperatively is similar (P > 0.05). For long-term endpoint events, the risk of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction and stroke was similar in the two groups at ≥2 years (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

In patients undergoing TAVR who required coronary revascularization, no significant differences were observed in the early and long-term outcomes between those receiving concurrent TAVR and PCI versus staged surgery.
Clinical Outcomes After Tracheostomy in Children With Single Ventricle Physiology: Collaborative Research From the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society Multicenter Cohort, 2010–2021*
Authors: Mastropietro Christopher W. , Sassalos Peter , Riley Christine M. , Piggott Kurt , Allen Kiona Y. , Prentice Elizabeth , Safa Raya , Buckley Jason R. , Werho David K. , Wakeham Martin , Smerling Arthur , Yates Andrew R. , Iliopoulos Ilias , Sandhu Hitesh , Chiwane Saurabh , Beshish Asaad , Kwiatkowski David M. , Flores Saul , Narashimhulu Sukumar Suguna , Loomba Rohit , Capone Christine A. , Pike Francis , Costello John M. ,   the Collaborative Research from the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society (CoRe-PCICS) Investigators
Published: April 2024

OBJECTIVES:

Multicenter studies reporting outcomes following tracheostomy in children with congenital heart disease are limited, particularly in patients with single ventricle physiology. We aimed to describe clinical characteristics and outcomes in a multicenter cohort of patients with single ventricle physiology who underwent tracheostomy before Fontan operation.

DESIGN:

Multicenter retrospective cohort study.

SETTING:

Twenty-one tertiary care pediatric institutions participating in the Collaborative Research from the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society.

PATIENTS:

We reviewed 99 children with single ventricle physiology who underwent tracheostomy before the Fontan operation at 21 institutions participating in Collaborative Research from the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society between January 2010 and December 2020, with follow-up through December 31, 2021.

INTERVENTIONS:

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

Death occurred in 51 of 99 patients (52%). Cox proportional hazard analysis was performed to determine factors associated with death after tracheostomy. Results are presented as hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CIs. Nonrespiratory indication(s) for tracheostomy (HR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.14–4.32) and number of weeks receiving mechanical ventilation before tracheostomy (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02–1.11) were independently associated with greater hazard of death. In contrast, diagnosis of tricuspid atresia or Ebstein’s anomaly was associated with less hazard of death (HR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.04–0.69). Favorable outcome, defined as survival to Fontan operation or decannulation while awaiting Fontan operation with viable cardiopulmonary physiology, occurred in 29 of 99 patients (29%). Median duration of mechanical ventilation before tracheostomy was shorter in patients who survived to favorable outcome (6.1 vs. 12.1 wk;p< 0.001), and only one of 16 patients with neurologic indications for tracheostomy and 0 of ten patients with cardiac indications for tracheostomy survived to favorable outcome.

CONCLUSIONS:

For children with single ventricle physiology who undergo tracheostomy, mortality risk is high and should be carefully considered when discussing tracheostomy as an option for these children. Favorable outcomes are possible, although thoughtful attention to patient selection and tracheostomy timing are likely necessary to achieve this goal.
Failure Rates Based on Alveolar Cleft Volume: Analysis of the Critical-Size Defect for Alveolar Bone Grafting
Authors: Roohani Idean , Youn Simon , Alfeerawi Sarah , Shakoori Pasha , Trotter Collean , Choi Dylan G. , Fahradyan Artur , Urata Mark M. , Magee William P. , Hammoudeh Jeffrey A.
Published: April 2024

Background:

Alveolar bone grafting (ABG) using iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) is the best practice for children with complete cleft lip and palate. With the advent of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP-2) and demineralized bone matrix (DBM), excellent results can be achieved while avoiding donor-site morbidity. This study aimed to determine critical-size defects by analyzing graft failure rates for ICBG and rhBMP-2/DBM to guide surgeons performing ABG.

Methods:

A retrospective review was conducted evaluating patients who underwent ABG from 2016 through 2022. Patients with preoperative and postoperative cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging were included. Volumetric defect sizes were calculated using preoperative imaging. Graft success criteria were based on both clinical and radiographic outcomes. Logistic regressions analyzed graft failure rates to identify an optimal cutoff, which defined the critical-size defect.

Results:

A total of 93 patients were included. Bone graft cohorts included ICBG (n = 30) and rhBMP-2/DBM (n = 63). The critical-size defects were calculated to be 810 mm3 and 885 mm3 for ICBG and rhBMP-2/DBM, respectively. There were significantly higher graft failure rates beyond the critical size compared with below for both ICBG (71.4% versus 0.0%; P < 0.001) and rhBMP-2/DBM (65.0% versus 14.0%; P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

This study identified critical-size defects based on alveolar cleft volume for ICBG or rhBMP-2/DBM with higher graft failure rates beyond the predicted thresholds. Distinct ranges in cleft volume were identified where patients might benefit from each select graft option.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, III.
Regenerative Medicine in Urogynecology: Where We Are and Where We Want to Be
Authors: Henderson Tatyanna , Christman Karen L. , Alperin Marianna
Published: April 2024

Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) constitute a major public health issue given their negative effect on quality of life for millions of women worldwide and the associated economic burden. As the prevalence of PFDs continues to increase, novel therapeutic approaches for the effective treatment of these disorders are urgently needed. Regenerative medicine techniques, including cellular therapies, extracellular vesicles, secretomes, platelet-rich plasma, laser therapy, and bioinductive acellular biomaterial scaffolds, are emerging as viable clinical options to counteract urinary and fecal incontinence, as well as pelvic organ prolapse. This brief expert review explores the current state-of-science regarding application of these therapies for the treatment of PFDs. Although regenerative approaches have not been widely deployed in clinical care to date, these innovative techniques show a promising safety profile and potential to positively affect the quality of life of patients with PFDs. Furthermore, investigations focused on regeneration of the main constituents of the pelvic floor and lower urinary tract improve our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of PFDs. Regenerative medicine techniques have a high potential not only to revolutionize treatment of PFDs but also to prevent these complex conditions.
pNet: A toolbox for personalized functional networks modeling
Authors: Ma Yuncong , Li Hongming , Zhou Zhen , Chen Xiaoyang , Ma Liang , Guray Erus , Balderston Nicholas L. , Oathes Desmond J. , Shinohara Russell T. , Wolf Daniel H. , Nasrallah Ilya M. , Shou Haochang , Satterthwaite Theodore D. , Davatzikos Christos , Fan Yong
Published: April 2024

Personalized functional networks (FNs) derived from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data are useful for characterizing individual variations in the brain functional topography associated with the brain development, aging, and disorders. To facilitate applications of the personalized FNs with enhanced reliability and reproducibility, we develop an open-source toolbox that is user-friendly, extendable, and includes rigorous quality control (QC), featuring multiple user interfaces (graphics, command line, and a step-by-step guideline) and job-scheduling for high performance computing (HPC) clusters. Particularly, the toolbox, named personalized functional network modeling (pNet), takes fMRI inputs in either volumetric or surface type, ensuring compatibility with multiple fMRI data formats, and computes personalized FNs using two distinct modeling methods: one method optimizes the functional coherence of FNs, while the other enhances their independence. Additionally, the toolbox provides HTML-based reports for QC and visualization of personalized FNs. The toolbox is developed in both MATLAB and Python platforms with a modular design to facilitate extension and modification by users familiar with either programming language. We have evaluated the toolbox on two fMRI datasets and demonstrated its effectiveness and user-friendliness with interactive and scripting examples. pNet is publicly available athttps://github.com/MLDataAnalytics/pNet.
Structural analysis of S-ring composed of FliFG fusion proteins in marineVibriopolar flagellar motors
Authors: Takekawa Norihiro , Nishikino Tatsuro , Kishikawa Jun-ichi , Hirose Mika , Kinoshita Miki , Kojima Seiji , Minamino Tohru , Uchihashi Takayuki , Kato Takayuki , Imada Katsumi , Homma Michio
Published: April 2024

The marine bacteriumVibrio alginolyticuspossesses a polar flagellum driven by a sodium ion flow. The main components of the flagellar motor are the stator and rotor. The C-ring and MS-ring which are composed of FliG and FliF, respectively, are parts of the rotor. Here, we purified an MS-ring composed of FliF-FliG fusion proteins and solved the near-atomic resolution structure of the S-ring—the upper part of the MS-ring—using cryo-electron microscopy. This is the first report of an S-ring structure fromVibriowhereas, previously, only those fromSalmonellahave been reported. TheVibrioS-ring structure reveals novel features compared to that ofSalmonellasuch as tilt angle differences of the core domain and the β-collar region, the decrease of the inter-subunit interaction between core domains, and altered electrostatic inner-surface. The residues potentially interact with other flagellar components, such as FliE and FlgB, are well structurally conserved inVibrioS-ring. These comparisons clarified the conserved and non-conserved structural features of the MS-ring across different species.

IMPORTANCE

Understanding the structure and function of the flagellar motor in bacterial species is essential for uncovering the mechanisms underlying bacterial motility and pathogenesis. Our study revealed the structure of theVibrioS-ring, a part of its polar flagellar motor, and highlighted its unique features compared with the well-studiedSalmonellaS-ring. The observed differences in the inter-subunit interactions and in the tilt angles between theVibrioandSalmonellaS-rings highlighted the species-specific variations in the flagellar assembly. By concentrating on the region where the S-ring and the rod proteins interact, we uncovered conserved residues essential for the interaction. Our research contributes to advancing of bacterial flagellar biology.
Responses of quark-antiquark interactions and heavy quark dynamics to magnetic fields
Authors: Zhang He-Xia , Wang Enke
Published: April 2024

We investigate the impact of the magnetic field generated by colliding nuclei on heavy quark-antiquark interactions and heavy quark dynamics in the quark-gluon plasma (QGP). By means of the hard-thermal-loop resummation technique combined with dimension-two gluon condensates, the static heavy quark potential and heavy quark momentum diffusion coefficient, which incorporate both perturbative and nonperturbative interactions between heavy quarks and the QGP medium, are computed beyond the lowest Landau level approximation. We find that the imaginary part of the heavy quark potential in the magnetic field exhibits significant anisotropy. Specifically, the absolute value of the imaginary part is larger when the quark-antiquark separation is aligned perpendicular to the magnetic field direction, compared to when it is aligned parallel to the magnetic field direction. The heavy quark momentum diffusion coefficient in the magnetized QGP medium also becomes anisotropic. As the temperature rises, the influence of higher Landau levels becomes increasingly significant, resulting in a decrease in the anisotropy ratio of the heavy quark momentum diffusion coefficient to values even below 1. At sufficiently high temperatures, this ratio ultimately approaches 1. The nonperturbative interactions are indispensable for understanding heavy quark dynamics in the low-temperature region. We also study the response of viscous quark matter to the magnetic field and explore its implications for heavy quark potential, thermal decay widths of quarkonium states, as well as heavy quark momentum diffusion coefficient.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Equivalence among color-singlet, color-octet, and diquark structures in a chiral quark model
Authors: Tan Yue , Liu Xuejie , Chen Xiaoyun , Wu Yuheng , Huang Hongxia , Ping Jialun
Published: April 2024

Since the quark model was put forward, theoretical researchers have always attached great importance to the study of hidden color channels (including color octets and diquark structure). Because of the influence of color van der Waals forces, the hidden color channel itself has strong attraction, which provides a dynamic mechanism for the formation of a resonance state or bound state. In this paper, taking the Tcc system as an example, under the framework of the Gaussian expansion method, a set of relatively complete color singlets (that is, the ground state of the color singlet plus its corresponding higher-order component) is used to replace the contribution of the color octet. Similarly, we endeavor to replace the diquark structure with a relatively complete set of molecular states, encompassing both the ground state and excited states. Our results demonstrate that the color-octet structure can be effectively replaced by a set of relatively complete color-singlet bases, while the diquark structure cannot be entirely substituted by an equivalently comprehensive set of molecular state bases.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Penrose limit of
T
dual of Maldacena-Nastase solution and dual orbifold field theory
Authors: Barbosa Marcelo R. , Nastase Horatiu
Published: April 2024

Here we study the Penrose limit of the T dual of the Maldacena-Nastase solution and its field theory dual, in order to better understand the effect of T duality in this case. We find a matching of string pp wave oscillators and their masses to the field theory modes, that are rearranged after T duality. The effect of T duality on the long “annulon-type” operators is found as a symmetry of the (2+1)-dimensional confining theory with spontaneous supersymmetry breaking.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Boundary terms, branes, and AdS/BCFT duality in first-order gravity
Authors: Đorđević Dušan , Gočanin Dragoljub
Published: April 2024

We provide an account of the issue of Gibbons-Hawking-York-like boundary terms for a gravity theory defined on a Riemann-Cartan spacetime. We further discuss different criteria for introducing boundary terms in some familiar first-order gravity theories with both on-shell vanishing and nonvanishing torsion, along with considerations regarding the thermodynamics of black holes and profiles of the end-of-the-world branes. Our analysis confirms the expected geodesic profile of the end-of-the-world brane in the BF formulation of Jackiw-Teitelboim gravity. Finally, we present the first realization of the AdS/BCFT duality for spacetime with torsion.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Active thermodynamic force driven mitochondrial alignment
Authors: Kajita Masashi K. , Konishi Yoshiyuki , Hatakeyama Tetsuhiro S.
Published: April 2024

Mitochondria are critical organelles in eukaryotes that produce the energy currency adenosine triphosphate (ATP). In nerve axons, mitochondria are known to align at almost regular intervals to maintain a constant ATP concentration, but little is known about the mechanism. In this Letter, we show theoretically that ATP production and ATP-dependent nondirectional movement of mitochondria are sufficient for alignment, even without an explicit repulsive force between them, or internal mitochondrial states, or memories. This is similar to thermodynamic forces driven by thermal fluctuations, even generated by nonequilibrium processes, and demonstrates the diversity of mechanisms governing the motion of biological matter.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Disorder-Induced Transition from Transient Quantum Delocalization to Charge Carrier Hopping Conduction in a Nonfullerene Acceptor Material
Authors: Stojanović Ljiljana , Coker Jack , Giannini Samuele , Londi Giacomo , Gertsen Anders S. , Wenzel Andreasen Jens , Yan Jun , D’Avino Gabriele , Beljonne David , Nelson Jenny , Blumberger Jochen
Published: April 2024

Nonfullerene acceptors have caused a step change in organic optoelectronics research but little is known about the mechanism and factors limiting charge transport in these molecular materials. Here a joint computational-experimental investigation is presented to understand the impact of various sources of disorder on the electron transport in the nonfullerene acceptor O-IDTBR. We find that in single crystals of this material, electron transport occurs in the transient quantum delocalization regime with the excess charge delocalized over about three molecules on average, according to quantum-classical nonadiabatic molecular-dynamics simulations. In this regime, carrier delocalization and charge mobility (μa=7  cm2 V−1 s−1) are limited by dynamical disorder of off-diagonal and diagonal electron-phonon coupling. In molecular assemblies representing disordered thin films, the additional static disorder of off-diagonal electron-phonon coupling is sufficient to fully localize the excess electron on single molecules, concomitant with a transition of transport mechanism from transient quantum delocalization to small polaron hopping and a drop in electron mobility by about 1 order of magnitude. Yet, inclusion of static diagonal disorder resulting from electrostatic interactions arising from the acceptor-donor-acceptor (A-D-A) structure of O-IDTBR, are found to have the most dramatic impact on carrier mobility, resulting in a further drop of electron mobility by about 4–5 orders of magnitude to 10−5  cm2 V−1 s−1, in good agreement with thin-film electron mobility estimated from space-charge-limited-current measurements. Limitations due to diagonal disorder caused by electrostatic interactions are likely to apply to most nonfullerene acceptors. They imply that while A-D-A or A-DAD-A motifs are beneficial for photoabsorption and exciton transport, the electrostatic disorder they create can limit carrier transport in thin-film optoelectronic applications. This work shows the value of computational methods, in particular, nonadiabatic molecular-dynamics propagation of charge carriers, to distinguish different regimes of transport for different types of molecular packing.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
The impact of leadership preferences and personality traits on employees’ motivation
Authors: Calluso Cinzia , Devetag Maria Giovanna
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to making workers more uncompromising with respect to issues such as quality of workplace relations and work-life balance. Hence, motivation and leadership style assume a key relevance for keeping the workforce engaged. We hypothesize that individuals may exhibit different preferences for motivational drivers and for leadership style, and that these two sets of preferences might be correlated with each other and with employees’ personality traits.

Design/methodology/approach

Here, we empirically investigate the relationship between leadership style and motivation, by also hypothesizing the possible contribution of personality traits. An online survey was developed and distributed to 150 employees or interns/trainees to collect measures related to their preference for leadership, their motivational drivers, as well as their personality traits. The data were analyzed by means of mediation and moderation analyses to disentangle the three-level relationship existing between these constructs.

Findings

Our results suggest that indeed there exists a relationship between preferences for leadership style and motivational drivers. Furthermore, one of these relationships appears to be critically mediated by specific personality traits.

Originality/value

This work is the first, to our knowledge, empirically testing the existence of a three-level relationship between leadership preferences, motivation and personality traits of employees and to contribute to disentangle their reciprocal influences.
Technology shift impacts on the recruitment management triangle
Authors: Shellshear Evan , Oh Kah Wee
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper investigates the constraints an organisation faces when using recruitment agencies and having to trade-off between the speed of hiring a candidate, the cost of a candidate and the match of the candidate against the job requirements across different job seniorities. We analyse how technology can shift the cost and hiring speed in spite of these constraints.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design is exploratory, quantitative and cross-sectional. The study employed a two-factor, unbalanced class Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) including interaction effects to test the difference between the means of the class of interest and a control class.

Findings

Our empirical findings confirm that (1) the technological innovation of a recruitment agency marketplace can liberate organisations from their time, cost and quality hiring constraints, accelerating the time to hire by four times and reducing costs by over 12%, and (2) these results hold across varying role seniority levels.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature in three ways: (1) it introduces the recruitment triangle from project management into the recruitment literature; (2) it demonstrates how technological innovations such as recruitment agency marketplaces are able to provide a shift in the constraints posed by the recruitment triangle.
Reading and (re)writing democracy: Asian American girls claim civic space through literary inquiry
Authors: Thakurta Ankhi G.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to trace how Asian American girls engaged with civic learning in a virtual out-of-school literacy community featuring a curriculum of diverse literary texts.

Design/methodology/approach

The researcher used practitioner inquiry to construct a virtual literacy education community dedicated to the civic learning of Asian American girls.

Findings

The paper explores how participants mobilized critical practices of textual consumption and production rooted in their intersectional identities and embodied experiences to make meaning of the civic constraints and affordances of marginalized identities and to read and (re)design author choices for civic purposes. These findings – examples of youths’ critical civic meaning-making – indicate how they claimed space for Asian American civic girlhoods in literacy education.

Originality/value

This paper foregrounds how Asian American girls mobilize critical processes of text consumption and production to assert civic identities in literacy education – a significantly under-examined topic in literacy studies. This work has implications for how literacy practitioners and scholars can prioritize Asian American civic girlhoods through pedagogy and research.
Understanding the opportunities and challenges of building automation and control systems to support facility management – an extensive literature review
Authors: van Roosmale Sophie , Audenaert Amaryllis , Meysman Jasmine
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to highlight the expanding link between facility management (FM) and building automation and control systems (BACS) through a review of literature. It examines the opportunities and challenges of BACS for facility managers and proposes solutions for mitigating the risks associated with BACS implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews various research papers to explore the positive influences of BACS on FM, such as support with strategic decision-making, predictive maintenance, energy efficiency and comfort improvement. It also discusses the challenges of BACS, including obsolescence, interoperability, vendor lock-in, reliability and security risks and suggests potential solutions based on existing literature.

Findings

BACS offers numerous opportunities for facility managers, such as improved decision-making, energy efficiency and comfort levels in office buildings. However, there are also risks associated with BACS implementation, including obsolescence, interoperability, vendor lock-in, reliability and security risks. These risks can be mitigated through measures such as hardware and software obsolescence management plans, functional requirement lists, wireless communication protocols, advanced feedback systems and increased awareness about BACS security.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no prior academic research has been conducted on the expanding link between FM and BACS. Although some papers have touched upon the opportunities and challenges of BACS for FM, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these findings by consolidating existing literature.
How women hold up half the sky? A configurational analysis of women’s political leadership participation?
Authors: Ting Xu , Zhou Yubin
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Existing research has examined the results of women’s political leadership participation (WPLP) and the reasons for the lack of advancement of women to management positions. However, little research has been adopting a more comprehensive framework and configuration perspective to investigate the determinants of WPLP. By integrating institutional theory and institutional complementarities theory, this study aims to construct an institution–culture–structure framework to investigate the multiple driving mechanisms of WPLP.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis method and a sample of 66 countries, the authors identify multiple equifinal combinations of conditions related to high and not-high levels of WPLP.

Findings

According to the results, the authors summarize five pathways influencing WPLP. These pathways include education and culture-driven pattern, political institutions-driven pattern, political institutions and structure-driven pattern, integrated-driven pattern and political institutions and culture restrictive pattern.

Originality/value

The authors shed new light on the driving mechanism of WPLP and contribute to research on making full out of women’s leadership.