bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide identification of stable RNA-chromatin interactions
Authors: Wen Xingzhao , Zhong Sheng
Published: September 2024

RNA-chromatin interactions play crucial roles in gene regulation and genome organization, but the interaction landscape remains poorly understood. In this study, we conducted an in-depth analysis of a previously published dataset on RNase-treated in situ mapping of the RNA–genome interactome in human embryonic stem cells. This dataset globally profiles RNase-insensitive RNA-chromatin interactions. Our analysis revealed that RNase treatment selectively preserved long-range RNA-chromatin interactions while removing promiscuous interactions resulting from the local diffusion of nascent transcripts. RNase-insensitive chromatin-associated RNAs (RI-caRNAs) exhibited high sequence conservation and preferentially localized to functional genomic regions, including promoters, transcription factor binding sites, and regions with specific histone modifications. Interestingly, coding and non-coding RNA transcripts showed distinct sensitivities to RNase, with lncRNAs and disease-associated transcripts being enriched among RI-caRNAs. Furthermore, we identified specific caRNA classes associated with individual transcription factors and histone modifications. Altogether, our findings reveal a RNase-inaccessible regulatory RNA-chromatin interactome and provide a resource for understanding RNA-mediated chromatin regulation.
Fuzzy ripple artifact in high resolution fMRI: identification, cause, and mitigation
Authors: Huber Renzo , Stirnberg Rüdiger , Morgan A Tyler , Feinberg David A , Ehses Philipp , Knudsen Lasse , Gulban Omer Faruk , Koiso Kenshu , Swegle Stephanie , Gephart Isabel , Wardle Susan G , Persichetti Andrew , Beckett Alexander JS , Stöcker Tony , Boulant Nicolas , Poser Benedikt A , Bandettini Peter
Published: September 2024

Purpose

High resolution fMRI is a rapidly growing research field focused on capturing functional signal changes across cortical layers. However, the data acquisition is limited by low spatial frequency EPI artifacts; termed here as Fuzzy Ripples. These artifacts limit the practical applicability of acquisition protocols with higher spatial resolution, faster acquisition speed, and they challenge imaging in lower brain areas.

Methods

We characterize Fuzzy Ripple artifacts across commonly used sequences and distinguish them from conventional EPI Nyquist ghosts, off-resonance effects, and GRAPPA artifacts. To investigate their origin, we employ dual polarity readouts.

Results

Our findings indicate that Fuzzy Ripples are primarily caused by readout-specific imperfections in k-space trajectories, which can be exacerbated by inductive coupling between third-order shims and readout gradients. We also find that these artifacts can be mitigated through complex-valued averaging of dual polarity EPI or by disconnecting the third-order shim coils.

Conclusion

The proposed mitigation strategies allow overcoming current limitations in layer-fMRI protocols:

Achieving resolutions beyond 0.8mm is feasible, and even at 3T, we achieved 0.53mm voxel functional connectivity mapping.

Sub-millimeter sampling acceleration can be increased to allow sub-second TRs and laminar whole brain protocols with up to GRAPPA 8.

Sub-millimeter fMRI is achievable in lower brain areas, including the cerebellum.
Evolution of the skull in arvicoline cricetids (Rodentia) according to 3D morphometric insights: Part 1. Morphological disparity of the palato-spheno-pterygoid complex
Authors: Voyta Leonid L. , Melnikov Daniel A.
Published: September 2024

Our paper is the first contribution to the comprehensive analysis of the complicated evolution of cranial and mandibular parts connected by pterygoid muscles, as part of more global investigation into adaptive evolution of Arvicolinae. The analysis was performed on 90 micro-computed-tomography–scanned specimens from 33 species from 19 genera of Arvicolinae as well as two species from two genera of Cricetinae as an outgroup. We revised 11 morphological traits of the “palato-spheno-pterygoid” complex, including key features of the palatine that are highly important for defining Arvicolinae taxa according to the micro-computed-tomography data. We also homologized characters of the posterior palatal margin and categorized the composition of the palatal elements into two main morphotypes: morphotype “A” is unique to Clethrionomyini and morphotype “B” was subdivided into three additional types and was found to occur in the outgroup (cricetines), voles (B2), and lemmings (B3). Morphospace analysis of the palato-spheno-pterygoid complex by means of the three-dimensional dataset revealed a mode of transformation of morphotype “A” into morphotype “B2.” A separate task was the development of a protocol for the preparation of morphological data for subsequent evaluation of genotype–phenotype relationships using specialized software applications (e.g., RERconverge).
The golden Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) as a model to decipher relevant pathogenic aspects of sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever
Authors: Fabian Rosalie , Bentley Eleanor G , Kirby Adam , Sharma Parul , Stewart James P. , Kipar Anja
Published: September 2024

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is an often fatal sporadic gammaherpesvirus-induced disease of ruminants with global relevance. Ovine gammaherpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2), with sheep as reservoir host, is a major cause of MCF in susceptible species. Despite extensive research on the molecular aspects of the disease, its pathogenesis is not yet fully understood. The present study re-established the Syrian golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) as amenable animal model of MCF and applied complementaryin situapproaches to confirm recent findings in natural disease that could shed new light on pathogenetic aspects of MCF. These showed that systemic OvHV-2 infection is associated with T cell and macrophage dominated mononuclear infiltrates and vasculitis in various organs. Both T cells and monocytes/macrophages harbor the virus, and infected leukocytes are abundant in the infiltrates. The results also indicate that OvHV-2 has a broader target cell spectrum, including vascular endothelial cells and selected squamous epithelia. The former supports the interpretation that the inflammatory processes develop due to circulating activated, infected T cells and monocytes that home to tissues and emigrate from vessels prone to leukocyte emigration, possibly with direct interaction between virus infected leukocytes and endothelial cells. The latter supports the hypothesis of a graft versus host disease scenario, without viral cytopathic effect on epithelial cells but infiltration of the mucosa by infected T cells and macrophages. The disease processes are accompanied by evidence of expansion of the T cell compartments and the monocyte/macrophage pool in lymphatic tissues and bone marrow.
Population Genomics ofPlasmodium malariaefrom Four African Countries
Authors: Popkin-Hall Zachary R. , Carey-Ewend Kelly , Aghakhanian Farhang , Oriero Eniyou C. , Seth Misago D. , Kashamuka Melchior M. , Ngasala Billy , Ali Innocent M. , Mukomena Eric Sompwe , Mandara Celine I. , Kharabora Oksana , Sendor Rachel , Simkin Alfred , Amambua-Ngwa Alfred , Tshefu Antoinette , Fola Abebe A. , Ishengoma Deus S. , Bailey Jeffrey A. , Parr Jonathan B. , Lin Jessica T. , Juliano Jonathan J.
Published: September 2024

Plasmodium malariaeis geographically widespread but neglected and may become more prevalent asP. falciparumdeclines. We completed the largest genomic study of AfricanP. malariaeto-date by performing hybrid capture and sequencing of 77 isolates from Cameroon (n=7), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (n=16), Nigeria (n=4), and Tanzania (n=50) collected between 2015 and 2021. There is no evidence of geographic population structure. Nucleotide diversity was significantly lower than in co-localizedP. falciparumisolates, while linkage disequilibrium was significantly higher. Genome-wide selection scans identified no erythrocyte invasion ligands or antimalarial resistance orthologs as top hits; however, targeted analyses of these loci revealed evidence of selective sweeps around four erythrocyte invasion ligands and six antimalarial resistance orthologs. Demographic inference modeling suggests that AfricanP. malariaeis recovering from a bottleneck. Altogether, these results suggest thatP. malariaeis genomically atypical among humanPlasmodiumspp. and panmictic in Africa.
Epidemiological profile of patients diagnosed with covid-19 in the municipality of São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: das Chagas Raphael Rangel , Freitas Hércules Rezende , Cardozo Sergian Vianna
Published: September 2024

Objectives

The global health crisis caused by SARS-CoV-2 has led to over 760 million confirmed cases and 6.8 million deaths worldwide, primarily impacting the respiratory system with symptoms varying from mild to severe. This study aimed to analyze the interplay between vaccination status, sociodemographic profiles, comorbidities, and COVID-19 outcomes.

Study Design

Observational, cross-sectional, and analytical.

Methods

The study analyzed data from 6,953 individuals, examining vaccination statuses, sociodemographic profiles, comorbidities, COVID-19 test results, and other relevant variables. The cohort comprised predominantly mixed-race (51%), Caucasian (38%), and Black (9.5%) individuals, with 61% being female and 60% aged between 21-50 years. Prevalent comorbidities included hypertension (18.2%), diabetes (4.9%), and obesity (0.4%).

Results

Population-weighted analysis revealed significant associations between sociodemographic factors and COVID-19 test outcomes. Younger age groups, particularly 11-30 years, had higher positivity rates, which declined with age. Caucasians exhibited higher positivity rates (40.1%) compared to other ethnicities. Cramér’s V indicated small correlations between symptoms and test outcomes, notably with loss of taste (V = 0.11) and smell (V = 0.08). Odds ratio analysis identified hypertension as significantly associated with higher COVID-19 positivity (OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.28-1.83, p < 0.001), while obesity was associated with lower positivity (OR = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.02-0.63, p = 0.025). Symptoms such as fever, cough, loss of taste, loss of smell, and myalgia also showed significant associations with positive test outcomes.

Conclusions

This study provides valuable insights into the complex interplay of sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, symptoms, and COVID-19 outcomes.
COVID-19 real world data infrastructure: A big data resource for study of the impact of COVID-19 in patient populations with immunocompromising conditions
Authors: Crawford James M. , Penberthy Lynne , Pinto Ligia A. , Althoff Keri N. , Assimon Magdalene M. , Cohen Oren , Gillim Laura , Hammonds Tracy L. , Kapur Shilpa , Kaufman Harvey W. , Kwasny David , Liew Jean W. , Meyer William A. , Reynolds Shannon L. , Schleicher Cheryl B. , Subbiah Suki , Theruviparampil Catherine , Wallace Zachary S. , Warner Jeremy L. , Yoon Suhyeon , Ziemba Yonah C.
Published: September 2024

Background

We created a United States-based real-world data resource to better understand the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on immunocompromised patients, who are typically under-represented in prospective studies and clinical trials.Methods:The COVID-19 Real World Data infrastructure (CRWDi) was created by linking and harmonizing deidentified HealthVerity medical and pharmacy claims data from December 1, 2018 to December 31, 2023, with SARS-CoV-2 virologic and serologic laboratory data from major commercial laboratories and Northwell Health; COVID-19 vaccination data; and for patients with cancer, 2010 to 2021 National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry data.Results:The CRWDi dataset contains data on 5.2 million people. Four populations were included in the dataset: (1) patients with cancer (n=1,294,022); (2) patients with rheumatic conditions receiving pharmacotherapy (n=1,636,940); (3) non-cancer solid organ (n=249,797) and hematopoietic stem cell (n=30,172) transplant recipients; and (4) people from the general population including adults (>18 years of age; n=1,790,162) and pediatric patients (<18 years of age; n=198,907).

Conclusions

We have created a complex real-world data system to address unanswered questions that have arisen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, by making the data broadly and freely available to academic researchers from the United States, the CRWDi real-world data system represents an important complement to existing consortia studies and clinical trials that have emerged during the healthcare crisis, and is readily reproducible for future purposing.

The COVID-19 Real World Data infrastructure dataset contains 5.2 million deidentified patient records, with focus on immunocompromising conditions, and is freely available to approved researchers to study the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on patient morbidities and outcomes.
Primary aldosteronism results in a decline estimated glomerular filtration rate independent of blood pressure: evidence from a case-control and mendelian randomization study
Authors: xu mingjie , Yan Boteng , Li Mingli , Wei Yushuang , Jin Xihui , Mai Xiaoyou , Liang Hui , Lan Haiyun , Xie Wenchao , Pang Tianjiao , Lin Qiang , Chen Yifeng , Zhou Zeguang , Wu Yongxian , Long Xinyang , Huang Shengzhu , Tang Chaoyan , Mo Zengnan
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT Background: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the predominant cause of secondary hypertension, leading to cardiovascular and renal damage via mechanisms such as oxidative stress and fibrosis. However, current epidemiology findings on the association between PA and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) remain inconsistent. Methods: A 1:1 sex- and age-matched case-control study was conducted among participants with PA, essential hypertension (EH), and normotension, with 204 participants in each group. Multiple linear regression was used to explore the correlations of PA, plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), plasma renin concentration (PRC), and the aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) with eGFR. Additionally, we performed a bidirectional two-sample mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to assess the causal relationship between PA and eGFR based on public genome wide association study (GWAS) databases, and established a multivariable MR (MVMR) analysis to further explore whether the causal effect of PA on eGFR decline independent of systolic (SBP) or diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Results: Multiple linear regression model showed that PA was associated with a decline eGFR (β = -0.234, [95% CI, -0.099, -0.039], P<0.001) after adjusted potential confounders. When stratified the PA patients into three groups according to the levels of PAC, PRC and ARR, patients in the highest PAC groups (β = -0.146 [95% CI, -0.093, -0.008], P =0.021), the lowest PRC group (β = -0.127 [95% CI, -0.084, -0.004], P =0.033), and the highest ARR group (β = -0.147 [95% CI, -0.092, -0.009], P =0.017) had much lower eGFR compared to the EH group. The inverse associations mentioned above remained significant even further adjusted for SBP or DBP, respectively. Besides, MR results indicated that genetically predicted PA was causally associated with a decline eGFR (β =-6.671×10-4[95% CI,-1.291×10-4,-4.328×10-5], P = 0.036), consistent effects were further detected in SBP (β =-1.121×10-3 [95% CI,-2.132×10-3,-1.110×10-4], P = 0.029) or DBP (β =-1.542×10-3,[95% CI,-2.693×10-3,-3.912×10-4], P = 0.008) adjusted model using MVMR analysis. Conclusion: Our study indicates that PA is causally associated with lower eGFR independent of blood pressure, and the adverse effects might be greater than negative controls or EH patients.
Restoring transient connectivity during development improves dysfunctions in fragile X mice
Authors: Dumontier Dimitri , Liebman Samuel A. , Le Viet-Hang , George Shanu , Valdemar Deasia , Van Aelst Linda , Pouchelon Gabrielle
Published: September 2024

Early-generated circuits are critical for the maturation of cortical network activity and the formation of excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance. This process involves the maturation of specific populations of inhibitory neurons. While parvalbumin (PV)-expressing neurons have been associated with E/I impairments observed in neurodevelopmental disorders, somatostatin-expressing (SST) neurons have recently been shown to regulate PV neuron maturation by controlling neural dynamics in the developing cortex. SST neurons receive transient connections from the sensory thalamus, yet the implications of transient connectivity in neurodevelopmental disorders remain unknown. Here, we show that thalamocortical connectivity to SST neurons is persistent rather than transient in a mouse model of Fragile X syndrome. We were able to restore the transient dynamics using chemogenetics, which led to the recovery of fragile X-associated dysfunctions in circuit maturation and sensory-dependent behavior. Overall, our findings unveil the role of early transient dynamics in controlling downstream maturation of sensory functions.
Differences in activity and stability drive transposable element variation in tropical and temperate maize
Authors: Ou Shujun , Scheben Armin , Collins Tyler , Qiu Yinjie , Seetharam Arun S. , Menard Claire C. , Manchanda Nancy , Gent Jonathan I. , Schatz Michael C. , Anderson Sarah N. , Hufford Matthew B. , Hirsch Candice N.
Published: September 2024

Much of the profound interspecific variation in genome content has been attributed to transposable elements (TEs). To explore the extent of TE variation within species, we developed an optimized open-source algorithm, panEDTA, to de novo annotate TEs in a pangenome context. We then generated a unified TE annotation for a maize pangenome derived from 26 reference-quality genomes, which reveals an excess of 35.1 Mb of TE sequences per genome in tropical maize relative to temperate maize. A small number (n= 216) of TE families, mainly LTR retrotransposons, drive these differences. Evidence from the methylome, transcriptome, LTR age distribution, and LTR insertional polymorphisms reveals that 64.7% of the variability is contributed by LTR families that are young, less methylated, and more expressed in tropical maize, whereas 18.5% is driven by LTR families with removal or loss in temperate maize. Additionally, we find enrichment for Young LTR families adjacent to nucleotide-binding and leucine-rich repeat (NLR) clusters of varying copy number across lines, suggesting TE activity may be associated with disease resistance in maize.
Genetic complexity of killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor genes in human pangenome assemblies
Authors: Hung Tsung-Kai , Liu Wan-Chi , Lai Sheng-Kai , Chuang Hui-Wen , Lee Yi-Che , Lin Hong-Ye , Hsu Chia-Lang , Chen Chien-Yu , Yang Ya-Chien , Hsu Jacob Shujui , Chen Pei-Lung
Published: September 2024

The killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) gene complex, a highly polymorphic region of the human genome that encodes proteins involved in immune responses, poses strong challenges in genotyping owing to its remarkable genetic diversity and structural intricacy. Accurate analysis of KIR alleles, including their structural variations, is crucial for understanding their roles in various immune responses. Leveraging the high-quality genome assemblies from the Human Pangenome Reference Consortium (HPRC), we present a novel bioinformatic tool, the structural KIR annoTator (SKIRT), to investigate gene diversity and facilitate precise KIR allele analysis. In 47 HPRC-phased assemblies, SKIRT identifies a recurrent novelKIR2DS4/3DL1fusion gene in the paternal haplotype of HG02630 and maternal haplotype of NA19240. Additionally, SKIRT accurately identifies eight structural variants and 15 novel nonsynonymous alleles, all of which are independently validated using short-read data or quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Our study has discovered a total of 570 novel alleles, among which eight haplotypes harbor at least one KIR gene duplication, six haplotypes have lost at least one framework gene, and 75 out of 94 haplotypes (79.8%) carry at least five novel alleles, thus confirming KIR genetic diversity. These findings are pivotal in providing insights into KIR gene diversity and serve as a solid foundation for understanding the functional consequences of KIR structural variations. High-resolution genome assemblies offer unprecedented opportunities to explore polymorphic regions that are challenging to investigate using short-read sequencing methods. The SKIRT pipeline emerges as a highly efficient tool, enabling the comprehensive detection of the complete spectrum of KIR alleles within human genome assemblies.
Zb
states as the mixture of the molecular and diquark-anti-diquark components within the effective field theory
Authors: He Wei , Zhang De-Shun , Sun Zhi-Feng
Published: September 2024

In this study, we reconsider the states Zb(10610) and Zb(10650) by investigating the presence of diquark-anti-diquark components as well as the hadronic molecule components in the framework of effective field theory. The different masses of pseudoscalar mesons such as π0, η8, and η0, as well as vector mesons like ρ0 and ω violate the Okubo-Zweig-Iizuka (OZI) rule that is well depicted under the [U(3)L⊗U(3)R]global⊗[U(3)V]local symmetry. To account for the contribution of intermediate bosons of heavy masses within the one-boson-exchange model, we introduce an exponential form factor instead of the commonly used monopole form factor in the past. By solving the coupled-channel Schrödinger equation with the Gaussian expansion method, our numerical results indicate that the Zb(10610) and Zb(10650) states can be explained as hadronic molecules slightly mixing with diquark-anti-diquark states.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Exploration of the polarization angle variability of the Crab Nebula with POLARBEAR and its application to the search for axionlike particles
Authors: Adachi Shunsuke , Adkins Tylor , Baccigalupi Carlo , Chinone Yuji , Crowley Kevin T. , Errard Josquin , Fabbian Giulio , Feng Chang , Fujino Takuro , Hasegawa Masaya , Hazumi Masashi , Jeong Oliver , Kaneko Daisuke , Keating Brian , Kusaka Akito , Lee Adrian T. , Lonappan Anto I. , Minami Yuto , Murata Masaaki , Piccirillo Lucio , Reichardt Christian L. , Siritanasak Praween , Spisak Jacob , Takakura Satoru , Teply Grant P. , Yamada Kyohei ,   POLARBEAR Collaboration
Published: September 2024

The Crab Nebula, also known as Tau A, is a polarized astronomical source at millimeter wavelengths. It has been used as a stable light source for polarization angle calibration in millimeter-wave astronomy. However, it is known that its intensity and polarization vary as a function of time at a variety of wavelengths. Thus, it is of interest to verify the stability of the millimeter-wave polarization. If detected, polarization variability may be used to better understand the dynamics of Tau A, and for understanding the validity of Tau A as a calibrator. One intriguing application of such observation is to use it for the search of axionlike particles (ALPs). Ultralight ALPs couple to photons through a Chern-Simons term, and induce a temporal oscillation in the polarization angle of linearly polarized sources. After assessing a number of systematic errors and testing for internal consistency, we evaluate the variability of the polarization angle of the Crab Nebula using 2015 and 2016 observations with the 150 GHz P instrument. We place a median 95% upper bound of polarization oscillation amplitude A<0.065° over the oscillation frequencies from 0.75  year−1 to 0.66  hour−1. Assuming that no sources other than ALP are causing Tau A’s polarization angle variation, that the ALP constitutes all the dark matter, and that the ALP field is a stochastic Gaussian field, this bound translates into a median 95% upper bound of ALP-photon coupling gaγγ<2.16×10−12  GeV−1×(ma/10−21  eV) in the mass range from 9.9×10−23  eV to 7.7×10−19  eV. This demonstrates that this type of analysis using bright polarized sources is as competitive as those using the polarization of cosmic microwave background in constraining ALPs.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Nonsingular cosmology from nonsupersymmetric AdS instability conjecture
Authors: Nam Cao H.
Published: September 2024

We show that the nonsupersymmetric anti–de Sitter (AdS) instability conjecture can point to how quantum gravity removes the initial big bang singularity, leading to a potential resolution for the past-incomplete inflationary Universe. From the constraints on the dynamics of the Universe realized as the nucleation of a thin-wall bubble mediating the decay of the nonsupersymmetric AdS vacuum, we find the critical temperature Tc and the critical scale factor ac for which the Universe exists. These critical quantities are all finite and determined in terms of the parameters specifying the stringy 10D AdS vacuum solutions. Additionally, we derive the prediction of quantum gravity for Tc and ac relying on the inflationary observations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Numerical approach to the Bell-Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt inequality in quantum field theory
Authors: De Fabritiis P. , Guimaraes M. S. , Roditi I. , Sorella S. P.
Published: September 2024

The Bell-CHSH (Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt) inequality in the vacuum state of a relativistic scalar quantum field is analyzed. Using Weyl operators built with smeared fields localized in the Rindler wedges, the Bell-CHSH inequality is expressed in terms of the Lorentz invariant inner products of test functions. A numerical framework for these inner products is devised. Causality is also explicitly checked by a numerical evaluation of the Pauli-Jordan function. Violations of the Bell-CHSH inequality are reported for different values of the particle mass parameter.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Quantum Simulation of SU(3) Lattice Yang-Mills Theory at Leading Order in Large-
Nc
Expansion
Authors: Ciavarella Anthony N. , Bauer Christian W.
Published: September 2024

Quantum simulations of the dynamics of QCD have been limited by the complexities of mapping the continuous gauge fields onto quantum computers. By parametrizing the gauge invariant Hilbert space in terms of plaquette degrees of freedom, we show how the Hilbert space and interactions can be expanded in inverse powers of Nc. At leading order in this expansion, the Hamiltonian simplifies dramatically, both in the required size of the Hilbert space as well as the type of interactions involved. Adding a truncation of the resulting Hilbert space in terms of local energy states we give explicit constructions that allow simple representations of SU(3) gauge fields on qubits and qutrits. This formulation allows a simulation of the real time dynamics of a SU(3) lattice gauge theory on a 5×5 and 8×8 lattice on ibm_torino with a CNOT depth of 113.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Coherent population trapping for reservoir engineering and spin squeezing
Authors: Feng Anying , Xu Jun , Hu Xiangming
Published: September 2024

Spin squeezing has important applications in the field of quantum metrology and quantum information processing. Here we propose that coherent population trapping is well suitable for establishing cavity dissipation mechanism and generating a spin-squeezed state. An ensemble of N double Λ-type atoms is placed inside the two-mode optical cavity, where one Λ subsystem is driven resonantly by two strong control fields to form a dark resonance and the other Λ subsystem is coupled by two cavity vacuum fields and two external fields with large detunings. Due to the dark resonance, the atoms are trapped in a dark state and one has the maximal coherence between the two ground states. Two double off-resonance stimulated Raman scattering interactions are induced between fields and dressed atoms to establish a dissipative quantum dynamical process based on a collective cavity reservoir. As a result, strong stable spin squeezing is generated, which is verified by our numerical and analytical results.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Ordered and disordered stealthy hyperuniform point patterns across spatial dimensions
Authors: Morse Peter K. , Steinhardt Paul J. , Torquato Salvatore
Published: September 2024

In previous work [] it was shown that stealthy hyperuniform systems can be regarded as hard spheres in Fourier space in the sense that the structure factor is exactly zero in a spherical region around the origin in analogy with the pair-correlation function of real-space hard spheres. While this earlier work focused on spatial dimensions d=1–4, here we extend the analysis to higher dimensions in order to make connections to high-dimensional sphere packings and the mean-field theory of glasses. We exploit this correspondence to confirm that the densest Fourier-space hard-sphere system is that of a Bravais lattice in contrast to real-space hard spheres, whose densest configuration is conjectured to be disordered. In passing, we give a concise form for the position of the first Bragg peak. We also extend the virial series previously suggested for disordered stealthy hyperuniform systems to higher dimensions in order to predict spatial decorrelation as a function of dimension. This prediction is then borne out by numerical simulations of disordered stealthy hyperuniform ground states in dimensions d=2–8, which have only recently been made possible due to a highly parallelized algorithm.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Market power and wages: evidence from Brazil
Authors: Cavalcanti Gonçalves Ferreira Pedro
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The paper examines the impact of market power on wages within the context of a developing country, focusing on Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

With access to matched employer–employee data from Brazil, we first characterized the evolution of the local labor market concentration (Municipality Herfindahl–Hirschman Index [HHI]). Then, we built a fixed-effect model with instrumental variables to verify the association between the local labor market concentration and wages. Finally, a difference-in-difference (DiD) was implemented to verify whether a merger transaction impacted the workers’ earnings in the Brazilian banking sector.

Findings

The paper’s findings suggest that there may be a negative relationship between market power and workers’ earnings.

Originality/value

This research conducted an in-depth investigation of the labor market power in a developing country. As far as we know, our work is the first to evaluate the extension of local concentration in Brazilian formal labor markets and to illustrate its evolution over the last decades. Additionally, when going through the effects of market concentration on wages, we use a new identification strategy that explores changes in the HHI that are caused by national trends in an industry as a source of exogenous variation. Finally, the last part of the paper assesses the effects of antitrust policy on the labor market, a kind of investigation that is still scarce.
“Every idea made life easier:” A critical discourse analysis of creative employee-driven innovation in the Italian healthcare system
Authors: Manfrini Caterina , Bäckström Izabelle
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to scrutinize the connection between creativity and innovation in the context of public healthcare. This is achieved by applying the theoretical concept of employee-driven innovation (EDI) to explore employees’ perceptions of their creative engagement in innovation processes, as well as to capture the managerial implications of setting up such processes in the sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A critical discourse analysis (CDA) is applied as a methodological lens to capture the interaction between the macro-level production and meso-level distribution of innovation discourse (top-down), and the micro-level perception of, and response to, the same (bottom-up). This study is based on a qualitative approach and is set in the public healthcare system of the Autonomous Province of Trento, Northeast Italy. In total, 26 semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 healthcare professionals. For triangulation purposes, observation and document analysis were also performed.

Findings

The findings of this study reveal that tensions are present between the macro-level discourses and the meso-level strategies around innovation, and the micro-level perceptions of employees’ creative engagement in innovation processes. Healthcare professionals’ creative efforts are not easily recognized and supported by top management, which in turn does not receive a framework of reference in policies acknowledging the importance of human skills and creativity in innovation processes.

Research limitations/implications

That this is a single case study implies a limitation on the generalizability of its results, but the results may nevertheless be transferable to similar empirical contexts. Therefore, a multiple case study design would be preferable in future studies in order to study EDI strategies and policies across various types of organizations in the public sector. Moreover, apart from CDA, other theoretical and methodological lenses can be applied to investigate the interaction between top-down organizing and bottom-up responses to innovation.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the EDI literature by providing a more integrative understanding of EDI in the public sector, demonstrating the importance of scrutinizing the interactions between employees and top-level management.
Online customer-to-customer (C2C) incivility: impacts of managerial responses in digital customer service settings
Authors: Wei Wei
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This research addressed online customer-to-customer (C2C) incivility during digital service recovery.

Design/methodology/approach

To examine the effectiveness of managerial responses to online C2C incivility post a restaurant service failure, a 2 (Managerial response: general vs specific) x 2 (Failure severity: high vs low) quasi-experimental design was employed. A pretest was conducted with 123 restaurant consumers via Amazon Mechanical Turk, followed by a main study with 174 restaurant consumers. Taking a mixed-method approach, this research first asked open-ended questions to explore how participants perceived the restaurant’s motivation for providing a generic versus a specific response. Hayes’ (2013) PROCESS procedure was then performed for hypotheses testing.

Findings

The results revealed significant interaction effects of managerial responses and failure severity on perceived online service climate and revisit intention, mediated by trust with managerial responses.

Originality/value

This research yielded unique insight into C2C incivility management literature and industry practices in the context of digital customer service recovery.
Implementation of Quality 4.0 framework in the electronics sector using ANP and QFD methodologies
Authors: Nisha G.R. , Ravi V.
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Quality 4.0 is essential to the Industry 4.0 framework, notably in the electronics sector. It evaluates product quality in real-time using automatic process controls, quality tools and procedures. The implementation of Quality 4.0 criteria in the electronics industry is the subject of this study’s investigation and analysis. In this study, nine Customer Requirements (CRs) and 18 Design Requirements (DRs) have been defined to adopt Quality 4.0, aiming to increase yield while reducing defects. This study has developed a Quality 4.0 framework for effective implementation, incorporating the People, Process and Technology categories.

Design/methodology/approach

Many CRs and DRs of Quality 4.0 exhibit interdependencies. The Analytic Network Process (ANP) considers interdependencies among the criteria at various levels. Quality Function Deployment (QFD) can capture the customer’s voice, which is particularly important in Quality 4.0. Therefore, in this research, we use an integrated ANP-QFD methodology for prioritizing DRs based on the customers' needs and preferences, ultimately leading to better product and service development.

Findings

According to the research findings, the most critical consumer criteria for Quality 4.0 in the electronics sector are automatic systems, connectivity, compliance and leadership. The Intelligent Internet of Things (IIOTs) has emerged as the most significant design requirement that enables effective control in production. It is observed that robotics process automation and a workforce aligned with Quality 4.0 also play crucial roles.

Originality/value

Existing literature does not include studies on identifying CRs and DRs for implementing Quality 4.0 in the electronics industry. To address this gap, we propose a framework to integrate real-time quality measures into the Industry 4.0 context, thereby facilitating the implementation of Quality 4.0 in the electronics industry. This study can provide valuable insights for industry practitioners to implement Quality 4.0 effectively in their organizations.
Simulation and mechanism analysis of fretting wear of parallel groove clamps in distribution networks caused by Karman vortex vibration
Authors: Feng Yu , Wu Shaolei , Nie Honglei , Peng Chaochao , Wang Wei
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The phenomenon of friction and wear in parallel groove clamps under wind vibration in 10 kV distribution networks represents a significant challenge that can lead to their failure. This study aims to elucidate the wear mechanism of parallel groove clamps under wind-induced vibration through simulation and experimentation.

Design/methodology/approach

FLUENT software was used to simulate the flow around the conductor and the parallel groove fixture, and the Karman vortex street phenomenon was discussed. The stress fluctuations of each component under breeze vibration conditions were investigated using ANSYS, and fretting experimentations were conducted at varying amplitudes.

Findings

The results demonstrate that the impact of breeze vibration on the internal stress of the parallel groove clamps is considerable. The maximum stress observed on the lower clamping block was found to be up to 300 MPa. As wind speed increased, the maximum vibration frequency was observed to reach 72.6 Hz. Concurrently, as the vibration amplitude increased, the damage in the contact zone of the lower clamping block also increased, with the maximum contact resistance reaching 78.0 µO at a vibration amplitude of 1.2 mm. This was accompanied by a shift in the wear mechanism from adhesive wear to oxidative wear and fatigue wear.

Originality/value

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the fretting wear phenomenon associated with parallel groove clamps under wind vibration. The findings provide a reference basis for the design and protection of parallel groove clamps.
Mobilizing DevOps: exploration of DevOps adoption in mobile software development
Authors: Ozdenizci Kose Busra
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors facilitating and influencing the adoption of DevOps practices specifically tailored to mobile software development, with a focus on understanding the influence of mobile-specific requirements on DevOps integration.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a qualitative methodology, including a literature review, exploratory case research and partial quantitative assessments through DORA metrics and survey applications. This approach, guided by the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, prioritizes in-depth insights into the adoption of DevOps practices and explores strategies for integrating DevOps in mobile software development.

Findings

The research identifies several key themes specific to Mobile DevOps adoption, including tool integration issues, testing complexities, deployment challenges and security concerns. These findings underscore the necessity for tailored DevOps solutions that can effectively address the unique demands of mobile software development. The study also proposes actionable strategies to overcome these challenges, thereby enhancing the efficiency, quality and security of mobile applications.

Practical implications

The insights gained from this study provide valuable guidance for practitioners in the mobile software development sector. By understanding and addressing the specific challenges of Mobile DevOps, organizations can improve their DevOps practices and achieve better outcomes in terms of project delivery speed, quality and security. For example, implementing robust testing strategies, investing in compatible tools and developing well-defined rollback procedures can significantly enhance Mobile DevOps effectiveness. Furthermore, incorporating continuous security measures and improving cross-functional collaboration can lead to more secure and efficient mobile application deployments.

Social implications

This study offers valuable starting points for researching Mobile DevOps in real-world settings, based on insights from practical DevOps implementations in a single-case organization. Organizations can use this information to compare their own DevOps approaches with those of the studied organization, and can facilitate self-assessment and improvement.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the limited literature on Mobile DevOps adoption and proposing actionable strategies. By incorporating the TOE framework, it provides a comprehensive guide that enhances understanding and management of DevOps practices throughout the mobile application development lifecycle and offers significant value to practitioners and researchers alike.
Corporate spin-offs and stock performance: a comparative study of pure and composite schemes
Authors: Bhat Meghana , Shiralashetti A.S.
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Several studies have examined the relationship between spin-off announcements and stock performance. However, a comparison of the announcement effect of different schemes of spin-offs remains relatively underexplored in the literature. This study aims to find the differential impact of pure scheme and composite schemes of spin-offs on parent company stock performance. A pure scheme includes only the separation of business into independent companies, while a composite scheme includes a simultaneous merger of one of the companies with another company along with separation.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 109 pure and 51 composite spin-off announcements made by Indian listed companies from 2010 to 2023 are examined using event study methodology. The cross-sectional t-test is used to measure the significance of abnormal returns. The t-test for two sample means (right-tailed) is incorporated to test the significance of variations in the stock returns of pure and composite schemes of spin-off announcements. Cross-sectional regression is also done to evaluate the impact of the type of scheme on the spin-off return.

Findings

The study found a cumulative average abnormal return of −1.06% for the pure spin-off and 8.27% for the composite spin-off over a 41-day event window. The univariate analysis revealed that the composite scheme generates a significantly higher cumulative average abnormal return than the pure scheme. Regression analysis also confirmed that the composite scheme significantly positively impacts the stock return. It can be concluded that investors favour the composite scheme, expecting that it will deliver a better strategic fit and generate synergy.

Originality/value

This paper makes a valuable contribution to the existing literature on corporate spin-offs. The study by analysing and comparing how the spin-off and merger combination differently affects the stock performance, helps the investor who wants to capitalize on the market imperfections and the managers to make complex business decisions.
Impact of stacking sequence on mechanical and dry sliding wear properties of bamboo and flax fiber reinforced hybrid epoxy composite filled with TiO2 filler
Authors: Prabhu Ravikantha , Mendonca Sharun , Bellairu Pavana Kumara , D'Souza Rudolf , Bhat Thirumaleshwara
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study examines how different stacking sequences of bamboo and flax fibers, treated with 5% aqueous sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and filled with 6wt% titanium oxide (TiO2), affect the physical, mechanical and dry sliding wear resistance properties of a hybrid composite.

Design/methodology/approach

Composites with different fiber stacking arrangements were developed and tested per American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards to evaluate physical, mechanical and wear resistance properties, focusing on the impact of flax fiber mats at intermediate and outer layers.

Findings

The hybrid composite significantly outperformed composites reinforced solely with bamboo fibers, showing a 65.95% increase in tensile strength, a 53.29% boost in flexural strength and a 91.01% improvement in impact strength. The configuration with multiple layers of flax fiber mat at intermediate and outer levels also demonstrated superior wear resistance.

Originality/value

This study highlights the critical role of stacking order in optimizing the mechanical properties and wear resistance of hybrid composites. The findings provide valuable insights for the design and application of advanced composite materials, particularly in industries requiring high performance and durability.
Metaverse adventures into libraries: what librarians and information users need to know
Authors: Ajani Yusuf Ayodeji , Oladokun Bolaji David , Enakrire Rexwhite Tega , Ibironke Ebenezer Sanya , Morodi Lebogang , Enidiok Mary Sunday , Sulaiman Gafar Blessing , Moshood Balqees Abiodun
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The study explores the transformative potential of the metaverse in libraries, highlighting opportunities for innovative patron engagement and challenges such as digital equity, privacy concerns, and accessibility barriers.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed an interpretive content/document analysis approach, drawing insights from diverse literature sources including Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar.

Findings

The findings indicate that through the integration of immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), libraries can enrich their offerings and reach a broader audience. However, addressing challenges in libraries requires proactive measures, including bridging the digital divide and implementing inclusive design practices. Furthermore, cultivating metaliteracy skills among librarians and information users is essential to navigating the complexities of the metaverse responsibly.

Originality/value

The study’s originality lies in its comprehensive exploration of the implications of the metaverse for libraries and information users. Thus, exploring the nexus of immersive technologies, digital equity, and the evolving role of libraries, the research provides a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by the metaverse. The value outlines the key strategies for libraries to thrive in the metaverse by emphasizing the integration of immersive technologies, enhancing digital literacy, fostering collaborative partnerships, prioritizing accessible design, investing in research and innovation, and advocating for inclusive policies, the study equips libraries with a roadmap to fulfill their mission of providing equitable access to information and fostering lifelong learning in the digital age. The insights from the study will inform the strategic planning and decision-making of library administrators, policymakers, and information professionals as they navigate the transformative potential of the metaverse.