bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ellagic acid: a potential inhibitor of enhancer of zeste homolog-2 and protein arginine methyltransferase-5
Authors: Nalla Kirankumar , Chatterjee Biji , Poyya Jagadeesha , Swain Aishwarya , Ghosh Krishna , Pan Archana , Joshi Chandrashekhar G , Manavathi Bramanandam , Kanade Santosh R
Published: May 2024

Dysregulation of epigenetic processes, characterized by aberrant DNA methylation patterns and histone modifications, is a hallmark of cancer, driving its initiation, progression, and metastasis by silencing tumor suppressor genes or activating oncogenes. Perturbations in histone modifications such as H3K27me3 by EZH2 and H4R3me2s by PRMT5 play significant roles in these epigenetic alterations, disrupting normal gene expression and facilitating oncogene activation while suppressing tumor suppressor genes. Consequently, inhibitors targeting enzymes involved in DNA methylation, histone modification, or chromatin remodeling, such as PRMTs and PRC complexes, are promising anti-cancer agents, with several undergoing pre-clinical and clinical trials. Our screening of a phytochemical library revealed ellagic acid as an effective inhibitor of both EZH2 and PRMT5. Ellagic acid interacts strongly with the EZH2 and PRMT5:MEP50 complex, binding to their active sites through π-cation interactions and hydrogen bonds. Surface Plasmon Resonance study confirmed potent binding affinities of ellagic acid, with KD values of 3.28E-06 and 6.54E-05 for EZH2 and PRMT5:MEP50 respectively.In-vitroassays validated inhibitory effects on EZH2 and PRMT5:MEP50 by reducing the levels of their catalytic products H3K27me3 and H4R3me2s respectively and induction of autophagy and apoptosis. FurtherIn-vivostudies using mouse xenografts further demonstrated significant tumor size reductions upon oral administration of ellagic acid, with decreased expression of the proliferative marker ki67 and histone repressive marks. Taken together we showed that inhibition of EZH2 and PRMT5:MEP50 by ellagic acid could be used to develop breast cancer therapeutic drug.
Targeting PRMT3 Impairs Methylation and Oligomerization of HSP60 to Boost Anti-Tumor Immunity by Activating cGAS/STING Signaling
Authors: Shi Yunxing , Wu Zongfeng , Liu Shaoru , Zuo Dinglan , Niu Yi , Qiu Yuxiong , Qiao Liang , He Wei , Qiu Jiliang , Yuan Yunfei , Wang Guocan , Li Binkui
Published: May 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly lethal cancer for which current available treatment options have limited efficacy. Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising therapeutic option for HCC, yet resistance to immunotherapy is a major challenge. Here, we uncover protein arginine methyltransferase 3 (PRMT3) as a novel driver of immunotherapy resistance in HCC. We show that PRMT3 expression is induced by activated T cells in response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) via an interferon-gamma (IFNγ)−STAT1 signaling pathway, and that high PRMT3 expression inversely correlates with tumor-infiltrating CD8+T cells and predicts poor response to ICB in HCC patients. We demonstrate that genetic depletion and pharmacological inhibition of PRMT3 induce a profound influx of T cells into tumors and activate anti-tumor immunity to suppress HCC progression. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that PRMT3 methylates HSP60, a mitochondrial chaperone protein, at R446, and that this novel post-translational modification is required for HSP60 oligomerization and maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis. We reveal that targeting PRMT3-dependent HSP60-R446 methylation boosts anti-tumor immunity by disrupting mitochondrial function, increasing mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leakage, and activating the cGAS/STING pathway, a key innate immune sensor of cytosolic DNA. Importantly, we provide genetic and pharmacologic evidence that targeting PRMT3 enhances anti-PD1 efficacy and anti-tumor immunity in HCC mouse models. Our study identifies PRMT3 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target to overcome immunotherapy resistance in HCC.
Ventral Nerve Cord Dissection and Microscopy ofDrosophilaEmbryos
Authors: Kidd Thomas , Evans Timothy
Published: May 2024

The technique of visualizing axon pathways in the embryonic ventral nerve cord using antibody labeling has been fundamental to our understanding of the genetic and developmental mechanisms underlying nervous system wiring inDrosophila.High-resolution microscopic examination of the ventral nerve cord remains an essential component of many experiments inDrosophiladevelopmental neuroscience. Although it is possible to examine the ventral nerve cord in intact whole-mount embryos, to collect the highest-quality images it is often useful to isolate the nervous system away from the other embryonic tissues through embryo dissection. This protocol describes methods for dissecting ventral nerve cords fromDrosophilaembryos that have been fixed and stained via immunofluorescence or horseradish peroxidase (HRP) immunohistochemistry. The process of making fine dissection needles for this purpose from electrolytically sharpened tungsten wire is also described. Dissected and mounted ventral nerve cords can be examined and imaged using a variety of microscopy techniques including differential interference contrast (DIC) optics, epifluorescence, or confocal microscopy.
Sample Preparation for Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) fromDrosophilaAntennal and Brain Samples
Authors: Du Chengcheng , Volkan Pelin
Published: May 2024

Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) is a well-characterized procedure used to reveal specific patterns of protein–DNA interactions and identify the binding sites of proteins on DNA. ChIP has been used to study many aspects ofDrosophilabiology, including neurobiology. This protocol describes in detail how to prepare cross-linked chromatin fromDrosophilaantennae and brains followed by immunoprecipitation (X-ChIP). We first describe tissue dissection, chromatin cross-linking with formaldehyde, quenching of the cross-linking, homogenization of tissues, and sonication for shearing the chromatin. Additionally, we describe how to optimize the sonication efficiency and fixation time and concentration usingDrosophilabrain samples as an example. These parameters are crucial for successful ChIP.
Mounting of Embryos, Larvae, and Pupae for LiveDrosophilaDendritic Arborization Neuron Imaging
Authors: Xu Fangke , Tann Jason Y. , Wilkes Oliver R. , Kimura Minami , Yoong Li-Foong , Moore Adrian W.
Published: May 2024

Live imaging approaches are essential for monitoring how neurons go through a coordinated series of differentiation steps in their native mechanical and chemical environment. These imaging approaches also allow the study of dynamic subcellular processes such as cytoskeleton remodeling and the movement of organelles.Drosophiladendritic arborization (da) neurons are a powerful experimental system for studying the dendrite arbor in live animals. da neurons are located on the internal surface of the body wall and, therefore, are easily accessible for imaging. Moreover, many genetic tools target da neurons to disrupt genes or proteins of interest and allow the investigator to visualize fluorescent markers and endogenously tagged proteins in the neurons. This protocol introduces methods for preparing and mounting intactDrosophilaembryos, larvae, and pupae, allowing live imaging of dynamic cellular processes in da neurons.
Dissection and Immunolabeling of the Central and Peripheral Nervous System ofDrosophilaLarvae
Authors: Clayworth Katherine , Gilbert Mary , Auld Vanessa
Published: May 2024

The ability to visualize the cells and proteins of a tissue within their original context (i.e., in vivo) is invaluable for the study of that biological system. Visualization is especially important in tissues with complex and convoluted structures, such as the neurons and glia of the nervous system. The central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS and PNS, respectively) of the third-instar larvae of the fruit fly,Drosophila melanogaster, are found on the ventral side of the larvae and are overlaid by the rest of the body tissues. Careful removal of overlying tissues while not damaging the delicate structures of the CNS and PNS is essential for proper visualization of these tissues. This protocol describes the dissection ofDrosophilathird-instar larvae into fillets and their subsequent immunolabeling to visualize endogenously tagged or antibody-labeled proteins and tissues in the fly CNS and PNS.
Whole-Larva Cryosectioning and Immunolabeling ofDrosophilaLarvae
Authors: Clayworth Katherine , Gilbert Mary , Auld Vanessa
Published: May 2024

Resolution in microscopy—the shortest distance between which objects can be distinguished from each other—is crucial for our ability to view details of biological samples. The theoretical resolution limit of light microscopy is 200 nm in thex,y-plane. Using stacks ofx,yimages, 3D reconstructions of thez-plane of a specimen can be achieved. However, because of the nature of light diffraction, the resolution of thez-plane reconstitutions is closer to 500–600 nm. Peripheral nerves of the fruit flyDrosophila melanogasterconsist of several thin layers of glial cells surrounding the underlying axons. The size of these components can be well under the resolution ofz-plane 3D reconstructions, thus making it difficult to determine details of coronal views through these peripheral nerves. Here, we describe a protocol to obtain and immunolabel 10-μm cryosections of whole third-instar larvae of the fruit flyDrosophila melanogaster. Cryosectioning the larvae using this method converts visualization of coronal sections of the peripheral nerve into thex,y-plane and brings the resolution down from 500–600 nm to 200 nm. Theoretically, this protocol can also be used with some modifications to obtain cross sections of other tissues.
Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA) for Fillets ofDrosophilaLarvae
Authors: Clayworth Katherine , Gilbert Mary , Auld Vanessa
Published: May 2024

The ability to detect protein–protein interactions is critical for understanding the mechanisms underlying protein and cell function. Current methods to assay protein–protein interactions, such as co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), have limitations; for example, Co-IP is an in vitro technique and may not reflect the situation in vivo, and FRET typically suffers from low signal-to-noise ratio. The proximity ligation assay (PLA) is an in situ method for inferring protein–protein interaction with a high signal-to-noise ratio. The PLA technique can indicate that two different proteins are closely associated by the ability of two secondary antibody oligonucleotide probes to hybridize when they are close to each other. This interaction generates a signal with rolling-circle amplification using fluorescent nucleotides. Although a positive result does not indicate that two proteins directly interact, it implies a potential in vivo interaction that can then be verified in vitro. PLA uses primary antibodies against the two proteins (or epitopes) of interest, one raised in mouse and the other raised in rabbit. When these antibodies bind to proteins that lie within 40 nm of each other in the tissue, complementary oligonucleotides conjugated individually to mouse and rabbit secondary antibodies can anneal to form a template for rolling-circle amplification. Using fluorescently labeled nucleotides, rolling circle amplification generates a strong fluorescent signal in areas of the tissue where the two proteins are found together that is detected using conventional fluorescence microscopy. This protocol describes how to perform PLA in vivo on the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system of third-instar larvae of the fruit flyDrosophila melanogaster.
Analysis of Positional Preference inDrosophilaUsing Multibeam Activity Monitors
Authors: Porter Maria T. , Roman Gregg , Vecsey Christopher G.
Published: May 2024

The positional preference of an animal can be very informative regarding the choices it makes about how to interact with its environment. The fruit flyDrosophila melanogasterhas been used as a robust system for examining neurobiological mechanisms underlying behavior. Fruit fly positional preference can be gathered from TriKineticsDrosophilaactivity monitors (DAMs), which contain four infrared beams, allowing for tracking the position of individual flies along the length of a tube. Here, we describe a method for using DAM5Ms to examine food preference. Specifically, we show an example in which circadian changes in food preference are compared between differentDrosophilaspecies. More information about the evolution of behavior can be gathered by measuring feeding preference relative to time of day. Noni, fruit fromMorinda citrifolia, contains octanoic acid, a chemical toxic to many species ofDrosophila.D. melanogasterandD. simulans, both food generalists, show high sensitivity to octanoic acid, whereasD. sechellia, a specialist, can tolerate high concentrations. When two different food substrates are provided at each end of a tube, food preference can be inferred at various times of the day, using the sleep and circadian analysis MATLAB program (SCAMP) to extract and analyze positional data from DAM5Ms. Data gathered from these analyses can be used to compare avoidance or attraction to nutrients, tastants, or odors between species and genotypes or after specific different treatments. Additionally, such data can be examined as a function of time of day.
Collecting, Storing, and HatchingAedes aegyptiEggs
Authors: Rose Noah H. , Shepard John J. , Ayala Diego
Published: May 2024

Laboratory study of natural populations of mosquitoes can play a key role in determining the underlying causes of variation in burdens of mosquito-borne disease.Aedes aegyptiis the main vector of the viruses that cause dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever, making it a high priority for laboratory study.Ae. aegyptieggs provide an ideal starting point for new laboratory colonies. Eggs can be collected using ovicups, which are small plastic cups lined with seed-germination paper and partially filled with leaf-infused H2O. Once collected, dry eggs will remain viable for months and can be safely transported long distances back to the laboratory as long as they are properly stored. This protocol provides step-by-step instructions for preparing for collecting, storing, and hatchingAe. aegyptieggs and has successfully yielded laboratory colonies from locations across both the native and invasive range of this species.
Dextran Amine–Conjugated Neural Tracing in Mosquitoes
Authors: Younger Meg A.
Published: May 2024

To understand the circuitry of the brain, it is often advantageous to visualize the processes of a single neuron or population of neurons. Identifying sites where a neuron, or neurons, originates and where it projects can allow a researcher to begin to map the circuitry underlying various processes, including sensory-guided behaviors. Furthermore, neural tracing allows one to map locations where processes terminate onto regions of the brain that may have known functions and sometimes to identify candidate upstream or downstream connections, based on proximity. Many methods of neural tracing are available; here, we focus on loading fluorescent dyes into a neuron (fluorescent dye filling). Different options for dyes exist to label neurites. Among the most versatile and easy to use are dextran amine–conjugated dyes. They fill neurons bidirectionally, not discriminating between anterograde or retrograde loading direction. Dye filling must be done in unfixed tissue, as the dye needs to move through the neurons; however, dextran amine conjugates are aldehyde-fixable and once cells have been fully loaded with dye the tissue can be fixed and subjected to immunostaining. Coupling neural tracing with immunofluorescence is a useful way to determine specific brain or ventral nerve cord (VNC) regions where a neuron projects. This protocol describes methods for loading dextran amine conjugated dyes into a sensory tissue in the mosquito to visualize sites of sensory neuron innervation in the central nervous system, as well as efferent projections to these structures. This protocol is described forAedes aegypti, for which it was optimized, but it also works across a variety of insects.
Lineage Analysis and Birthdating ofDrosophilaCentral Complex Lineages
Authors: Wani Adil R. , Hamid Aisha , Chaya Gonzalo N. Morales , Syed Mubarak Hussain
Published: May 2024

From insects to humans, the nervous system generates complex behaviors mediated by distinct neural circuits that are composed of diverse cell types. During development, the spatiotemporal gene expression of the neural progenitors expands the diversity of neuronal and glial subtypes. Various neural stem cell–intrinsic and –extrinsic gene programs have been identified that are thought to play a major role in generating diverse neuronal and glial cell types.Drosophilahas served as an excellent model system for discovering the fundamental principles of nervous system development and function. The sophisticated genetic tools allow us to link the origin and birth timing (the time when a particular neuron is born during development) of neuron types to unique neural stem cells (NSCs) and to a developmental time. InDrosophila, a special class of NSCs called Type II NSCs has adopted a more advanced division mode to generate lineages for the higher-order brain center, the central complex, which is an evolutionarily conserved brain region found in all insects. Type II NSCs, similar to the human outer radial glia, generate intermediate neural progenitors (INPs), which divide many times to produce about eight to 10 progeny. Both Type II NSCs and INPs express distinct transcription factors and RNA-binding proteins that have been proposed to regulate the specification of cell types populating the adult central complex. Here, we describe the recently invented lineage filtering system, called cell class–lineage intersection (CLIn), which enables the tracking and birthdating of the Type II NSC lineages. Using CLIn, one can easily generate clones of different Type II NSCs and identify not only the origins of neurons of interest but also their birth time.
Establishing Colonies from Field-Collected Mosquitoes: Special Accommodations for Wild Strains
Authors: Rose Noah H. , Shepard John J. , Ayala Diego
Published: May 2024

A researcher may have many reasons for wanting to establish new laboratory colonies from field-collected mosquitoes. In particular, the ability to study the diversity found within and among natural populations in a controlled laboratory environment opens up a wide range of possibilities for understanding how and why burdens of vector-borne disease vary over space and time. However, field-collected mosquitoes are often more difficult to work with than established laboratory strains, and considerable logistical challenges are involved in safely transporting field-collected mosquitoes into the laboratory. Here, we provide advice for researchers working withAedes aegypti,Anopheles gambiae, andCulex pipiens,as well as notes on other closely related species. We provide guidance on each stage of the life cycle and highlight the life stages for which it is easiest to initiate new laboratory colonies for each species. In accompanying protocols, we provide methods detailingAe. aegyptiegg collection and hatching as well as how to transport larvae and pupae from the field.
Mosquito Egg Development and Eggshell Formation
Authors: Isoe Jun , Riehle Michael A. , Miesfeld Roger L.
Published: May 2024

Anautogenous female mosquitoes, which ingest a blood meal from warm-blooded vertebrates to produce eggs, have become a valuable model organism for investigating signaling pathways and physiological processes that occur during egg development. Different molecular pathways tightly regulate the initiation of egg development and are governed by a balance among different insect hormones. Gravid (mature egg-carrying) females deposit fully developed eggs at the end of each gonotrophic cycle, which is defined as the time interval between the ingestion of a blood meal to oviposition. An intact eggshell protects the oocyte and embryo inside from external factors such as desiccation, physical damage, etc., and the various eggshell proteins are spatially and temporary deposited during oogenesis. Additionally, follicle resorption (oosorption) during blood meal–induced mosquito ovarian follicle development is an adapted physiological process that optimizes reproductive fitness. Mosquito oocytes grow and mature synchronously throughout oogenesis; however, during the later stages of oogenesis, some oocytes may undergo oosorption if sufficient nutrients are unavailable. This introduction highlights how mosquito egg development can be used to investigate follicular resorption and identify proteins involved in eggshell formation inAedes aegyptimosquitoes.
Taste Sensory Responses in Mosquitoes
Authors: Lomelí Adriana Medina , Dahanukar Anupama Arun
Published: May 2024

Analysis of taste sensory responses has been a powerful approach for understanding principles of taste detection and coding. The shared architecture of external taste sensing units, called sensilla, in insects opened up the study of tastant-evoked responses in any model of choice using a single-sensillum tip recording method that was developed in the mid-1900s. Early studies in blowflies were instrumental for identifying distinct taste neurons based on their responses to specific categories of chemicals. Broader system-wide analyses of whole organs have since been performed in the genetic model insectDrosophila melanogaster, revealing principles of stereotypical organization and function that appear to be evolutionarily conserved. Although limited in scope, investigations of taste sensory responses in mosquitoes showcase conservation in sensillar organization, as well as in groupings of functionally distinct taste neurons in each sensillum. The field is now poised for more thorough dissections of mosquito taste function, which should be of immense value in understanding close-range chemosensory interactions of mosquitoes with their hosts and environment. Here, we provide an introduction to the basic structure of a taste sensillum and functional analysis of the chemosensory neurons within it.
Mosquito Embryo Microinjection
Authors: Harrell Robert A.
Published: May 2024

Genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes are an important tool in the fight against mosquito-borne disease, both indirectly through their use in research investigating host–pathogen interaction, mosquito olfaction, and anthropomorphic behavior and in future direct uses for suppression and possibly eradication through sterile insect technique (SIT) and/or gene-drive programs. Successful creation of GM mosquitoes depends on microinjection procedures that precisely deliver injection materials while causing as little damage to mosquito embryos as possible. Genetic modification reagents, such as transposon system components (vector plasmids, helper plasmids, and helper mRNA), and CRISPR–Cas9 components (guide RNAs, Cas9 protein, plasmids expressing Cas9 and/or guide RNAs, and donor plasmids used in homology-directed repair [HDR]), must be delivered into the preblastoderm embryo at the posterior end where the pole cells will form before cellularization occurs. Sharp needles that pierce the embryo easily are important tools in this procedure and work best when the embryos are not desiccated. The two main procedures for mosquito embryo microinjection involve injecting embryos under halocarbon oil or under aqueous solution.
Techniques for Identifying and Sorting Transgenic Mosquito Larvae
Authors: Marois Eric
Published: May 2024

Transgenic mosquitoes are used in many aspects of mosquito research. First, they can help answer biological questions to advance scientific knowledge—for example, in the fields of mosquito–pathogen interactions, insect immunity, or olfaction. Second, transgenic technologies may be used to develop much needed novel vector control strategies, such as mosquitoes that are unable to transmit disease or transgenes that sterilize mosquito females to suppress vector populations. Here, we introduce how researchers use various selection markers to screen for transgenic mosquito larvae following a transgenesis experiment. Common procedures include using a binocular fluorescence microscope for initial screening. For higher-throughput screening, a flow cytometer known as Complex Object Parametric Analyzer and Sorter (COPAS) can be used to stabilize transgenic lines through the purification of homozygous individuals or to manage transgene frequency in established transgenic lines. In particular, COPAS sorting allows the production of mosquito larval cultures composed of a mixture of genotypes (control and genetically modified larvae) with the goal of raising both groups of mosquitoes under the same environmental conditions in preparation for a controlled phenotype assessment. It can also be used to produce large populations of male mosquitoes, which should facilitate the development of mosquito control intervention strategies similar to the sterile insect technique (SIT), which aims to release large numbers of sterile males that will mate with and sterilize wild females to suppress mosquito populations. Finally, the utilization of a puromycin resistance marker cassette to screen for transgenicAnopheleslarvae is also introduced.
Cluster structure of
3α+p
states in
N13
Authors: Bishop J. , Rogachev G. V. , Ahn S. , Barbui M. , Cha S. M. , Harris E. , Hunt C. , Kim C. H. , Kim D. , Kim S. H. , Koshchiy E. , Luo Z. , Park C. , Parker C. E. , Pollacco E. C. , Roeder B. T. , Roosa M. , Saastamoinen A. , Scriven D. P.
Published: May 2024

Cluster states in N13 are extremely difficult to measure due to the unavailability of B9+α elastic-scattering data.

Using β-delayed charged-particle spectroscopy of O13, clustered states in N13 can be populated and measured in the 3α+p decay channel.

One-at-a-time implantation and decay of O13 was performed with the Texas Active Target Time Projection Chamber. 149β3αp decay events were observed and the excitation function in N13 reconstructed.

Four previously unknown

α

-decaying excited states were observed in N13 at an excitation energy of 11.3, 12.4, 13.1, and 13.7 MeV decaying via the 3α+p channel.

These states are seen to have a [9B(g.s)⨂α/p+C12(02+)], [9B(12+)⨂α], [9B(52+)⨂α], and [9B(52+)⨂α] structure, respectively. A previously seen state at 11.8 MeV was also determined to have a [p+C12(g.s.)/p+C12(02+)] structure. The overall magnitude of the clustering is not able to be extracted, however, due to the lack of a total width measurement. Clustered states in N13 (with unknown magnitude) seem to persist from the addition of a proton to the highly α-clustered C12. Evidence of the 12+ state in B9 was also seen to be populated by decays from N★13.

Published by the American Physical Society2024
First measurement in a magnetic confinement fusion experiment of the
H3+H3→He5+n
intermediate two-body resonant reaction
Authors: Eriksson B. , Conroy S. , Ericsson G. , Eriksson J. , Hjalmarsson A. , Brune C. R. , Johnson M. Gatu , Nocente M. , Fugazza S. , Rebai M.
Published: May 2024

We report on the first experimental measurements made at a magnetic confinement fusion device of the tritium(T)-tritium(T) reaction T+T→He4+2n indicating the presence of the intermediate two-body resonant reaction T+T→He5+n. During the second deuterium-tritium campaign (DTE2) at the Joint European Torus, measurements of fusion plasmas with high tritium concentrations, nT/(nT+nD)≈0.99, heated with tritium neutral beam injection, were performed using the neutron time-of-flight (TOF) spectrometer TOFOR. We detect a peak in the neutron emission TOF spectrum consistent with the two-body resonant reaction. The TT neutron emission energy spectrum is modeled using an R-matrix framework where the distributions of the most likely model parameters given our experimental TOF data are determined utilizing a Markov chain Monte Carlo approach. We compare our best estimate of the T+T neutron emission energy spectrum with results obtained at inertial confinement fusion experiments at the OMEGA facility and find a spectral shape that is consistent with the energy dependency in the neutron spectrum observed at OMEGA.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Topological heavy-flavor tagging and intrinsic bottom at the Electron-Ion Collider
Authors: Boettcher Thomas
Published: May 2024

Heavy-flavor hadron production, in particular bottom hadron production, is difficult to study in deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) experiments due to small production rates and branching fractions. To overcome these limitations, a method for identifying heavy-flavor DIS events based on event topology is proposed. Based on a heavy-flavor jet tagging strategy developed for the LHCb experiment, this algorithm uses displaced vertices to identify decays of heavy-flavor hadrons. The algorithm’s performance at the Electron-Ion Collider is demonstrated using simulation, and it is shown to provide discovery potential for nonperturbative intrinsic bottom quarks in the proton.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Decays of
1−+
charmoniumlike hybrid using lattice QCD
Authors: Shi Chunjiang , Chen Ying , Gong Ming , Jiang Xiangyu , Liu Zhaofeng , Sun Wei
Published: May 2024

By extracting the transition amplitudes, we give the first lattice QCD prediction of the two-body decay partial widths of the 1−+ charmoniumlike hybrid ηc1. Given the calculated mass value mηc1=4.329(36)  GeV, the ηc1 decay is dominated by the open charm modes D1D¯, D*D,¯ and D*D¯* with partial widths of 258(133), 88(18), and 150(118) MeV, respectively. The coupling of ηc1 to χc1 plus a flavor singlet pseudoscalar is not small, but χc1η decay is suppressed by the small η−η′ mixing angle. The partial width of ηc1→ηcη′ is estimated to be around 1 MeV. We suggest experiments to search for ηc1 in the P-wave D*D¯ and D*D¯* systems. Especially, the polarization of D*D¯* can be used to distinguish the 1−+ product (total spin S=1) from 1−− products (S=0).

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
LIGO-Virgo constraints on dark matter and leptogenesis triggered by a first order phase transition at high scale
Authors: Borah Debasish , Dasgupta Arnab , Saha Indrajit
Published: May 2024

We study the possibility of constraining a scenario with high scale first order phase transition (FOPT) responsible for the cogenesis of baryon and dark matter using gravitational wave (GW) (non)observations. While the FOPT at high scale is responsible for generating baryon asymmetry through leptogenesis and dark matter via the mechanism, the resulting GW spectrum falls within the ongoing LIGO-Virgo experimental sensitivity. The dark matter is preferred to be in the nonthermal ballpark with sub-GeV masses and the criteria of successful dark matter relic rules out a large portion of the parameter space consistent with high scale FOPT and successful leptogenesis. Some part of the parameter space allowed from dark matter and leptogenesis criteria also gives rise to a large signal-to-noise ratio at ongoing experiments and hence can be disfavored in a conservative way from the nonobservation of such stochastic GW background. Future data from ongoing and planned experiments will offer a complementary and indirect probe of the remaining parameter space which is typically outside the reach of any direct experimental probe.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Effects of electroweak symmetry breaking on axionlike particles as dark matter
Authors: Manna Soumen Kumar , Sil Arunansu
Published: May 2024

Axionlike particles (ALPs), the pseudo Nambu-Goldstone bosons associated to the spontaneous breaking of global symmetry, have emerged as promising dark matter candidates. Conventionally, in the context of misalignment mechanism, the nonthermally produced ALPs happen to stay frozen due to Hubble friction initially, and at a later stage, they begin to oscillate (before matter-radiation equality) at characteristic frequencies defined by their masses and behaving like cold dark matter. In this work, we study the influence of electroweak symmetry breaking (EWSB), through a higher order Higgs portal interaction, on the evolution of ALPs. Such an interaction is found to contribute partially to the ALP’s mass during EWSB, thereby modifying oscillation frequencies during EWSB as well as impacting upon the existing correlation between the scale of symmetry breaking and their masses. The novelty of the work lies in broadening the relic satisfied parameter space so as to probe it in near future via a wide range of experiments.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Accessing the gluon GTMD
F1,4
in exclusive
π0
production in
ep
collisions
Authors: Bhattacharya Shohini , Zheng Duxin , Zhou Jian
Published: May 2024

We demonstrate that the longitudinal single target-spin asymmetry in exclusive π0 production in ep collisions can give access to the imaginary part of the gluon generalized transverse momentum distribution (GTMD) F1,4. Such a longitudinal spin asymmetry that results from the Coulomb-nuclear interference effect, leads to a characteristic azimuthal angular correlation of sin2ϕ, where ϕ is the azimuthal angle between the scattered lepton transverse momentum and the recoil proton’s transverse momentum. We also present a numerical estimate of the asymmetry for the kinematics accessible at EIC and EicC.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Partial-wave projection of the one-particle exchange in three-body scattering amplitudes
Authors: Jackura Andrew W. , Briceño Raúl A.
Published: May 2024

As the study of three-hadron physics from lattice QCD matures, it is necessary to develop proper analysis tools in order to reliably study a variety of phenomena, including resonance spectroscopy and nuclear structure. Reconstructing the three-particle scattering amplitude requires solving integral equations, which can be written in terms of data-constrained dynamical functions and physical on shell quantities. The driving term in these equations is the so-called one-particle exchange, which leads to a kinematic divergence for particles on mass shell. A vital component in defining three-particle amplitudes with definite parity and total angular momentum, which are used in spectroscopic studies, is to project the one-particle exchange into definite partial waves. We present a general procedure to construct exact analytic partial-wave projections of the one-particle exchange contribution for any system composed of three spinless hadrons. Our result allows one full control over the analytic structure of the projection, which we explore for some low-lying partial waves with applications to three pions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Ultrahigh frequency primordial gravitational waves beyond the kHz: The case of cosmic strings
Authors: Servant Géraldine , Simakachorn Peera
Published: May 2024

We investigate gravitational-wave backgrounds (GWBs) of primordial origin that would manifest only at ultrahigh frequencies, from kilohertz to 100 gigahertz, and leave no signal at LIGO, the Einstein Telescope, the Cosmic Explorer, LISA, or pulsar-timing arrays. We focus on GWBs produced by cosmic strings and make predictions for the GW spectra scanning over high-energy scale (beyond 1010  GeV) particle physics parameters. Signals from local string networks can easily be as large as the big bang nucleosynthesis/cosmic microwave background bounds, with a characteristic strain as high as 10−26 in the 10 kHz band, offering prospects to probe grand unification physics in the 1014–1017  GeV energy range. In comparison, GWB from axionic strings is suppressed (with maximal characteristic strain ∼10−31) due to the early matter era induced by the associated heavy axions. We estimate the needed reach of hypothetical futuristic GW detectors to probe such GWB and, therefore, the corresponding high-energy physics processes. Beyond the information of the symmetry-breaking scale, the high-frequency spectrum encodes the microscopic structure of the strings through the position of the UV cutoffs associated with cusps and kinks, as well as potential information about friction forces on the string. The IR slope, on the other hand, reflects the physics responsible for the decay of the string network. We discuss possible strategies for reconstructing the scalar potential, particularly the scalar self-coupling, from the measurement of the UV cutoff of the GW spectrum.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Cheat sites and artificial intelligence usage in online introductory physics courses: What is the extent and what effect does it have on assessments?
Authors: Kortemeyer Gerd , Bauer Wolfgang
Published: May 2024

As a result of the pandemic, many physics courses moved online. Alongside, the popularity of Internet-based problem-solving sites and forums rose. With the emergence of large language models, another shift occurred. One year into the public availability of these models, how has online help-seeking behavior among introductory physics students changed, and what is the effect of different patterns of online resource usage? In a mixed-method approach, we investigate student choices and their impact on assessment components of an online introductory physics course for scientists and engineers. We find that students still mostly rely on traditional Internet resources and that their usage strongly influences the outcome of low-stake unsupervised quizzes. We empirically found distinct clusters of help-seeking and resource-usage patterns among the students; the impact of students’ cluster membership on the supervised assessment components of the course, however, is nonsignificant.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Quantum limits of position and polarizability estimation in the optical near field
Authors: Kienesberger Lukas , Juffmann Thomas , Nimmrichter Stefan
Published: May 2024

Optical near fields are at the heart of various applications in sensing and imaging. We investigate dipole scattering as a parameter estimation problem and show that optical near fields carry more information about the location and the polarizability of the scatterer than the respective far fields. This increase in information originates from, and occurs simultaneously with, the scattering process itself. Our calculations also yield the far-field localization limit for dipoles in free space.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Quantum-Inspired Classical Algorithm for Graph Problems by Gaussian Boson Sampling
Authors: Oh Changhun , Fefferman Bill , Jiang Liang , Quesada Nicolás
Published: May 2024

We present a quantum-inspired classical algorithm that can be used for graph-theoretical problems, such as finding the densest k subgraph and finding the maximum weight clique, which are proposed as applications of a Gaussian boson sampler. The main observation from Gaussian boson samplers is that a given graph’s adjacency matrix to be encoded in a Gaussian boson sampler is non-negative and that computing the output probability of Gaussian boson sampling restricted to a non-negative adjacency matrix is thought to be strictly easier than general cases. We first provide how to program a given graph problem into our efficient classical algorithm. We then numerically compare the performance of ideal and lossy Gaussian boson samplers, our quantum-inspired classical sampler, and the uniform sampler for finding the densest k subgraph and finding the maximum weight clique and show that the advantage from Gaussian boson samplers is not significant in general. We finally discuss the potential advantage of a Gaussian boson sampler over the proposed quantum-inspired classical sampler.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
How does strategic deviation affect firm performance? The roles of financing constraints and institutional investors
Authors: Zhang Shujun , Fu Jialiang , Zhu Weiwei , Zhao Guoxiong , Xu Shuwei , Chang Biqing
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study investigates the economic outcomes of the strategic deviation (SD), the fundamental and crucial question in institutional theory and strategic management. Previous studies have yielded contradictory findings. This study reconciles conflicting results by distinguishing the effects of the SD on financial and market performance, examining the mechanism of financing constraints and the boundary condition of institutional investor heterogeneity.

Design/methodology/approach

This research collected data from Chinese A-shares listed manufacturing firms from 2009 to 2021 from the CSMAR and Wind databases. This study conducted empirical tests using OLS models with Stata 15.

Findings

Empirical results demonstrate that the SD has different impacts on different dimensions of performance. The SD negatively impacts financial performance while positively impacts market performance. Financing constraints mediate the main effects. Moreover, transactional institutional investors positively moderate the negative effect of the SD on financial performance, whereas stable institutional investors negatively moderate the positive effect of the SD on market performance.

Originality/value

By systematically revealing how the SD has different effects on financial and market performance, this study reconciles the debate on the SD between institutional theorists and strategy scholars. This research makes contributions to the research stream by providing reasonable explanations for conflicting conclusions. Furthermore, by introducing the overlooked perspective of financing constraints, this research identifies crucial mediating mechanisms and highlights the double-edged effect of financing constraints, enriching our understanding of financing constraints. Finally, this study investigates the moderating effects of institutional investor heterogeneity, thereby making valuable contributions to the comprehension of boundary conditions.
The impact of digital transformation on firms’ value: examining the role of ESG performance and the effect of information interaction
Authors: Wang Disheng , Xia Xiaohong
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of digital transformation on firms’ value and explore the mediating impact of ESG performance and moderating impact of information interaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from companies listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchange between 2012 and 2020 with 21,488 observational samples, featuring a selection of 3,348 companies. Panel data regression techniques were used to test the mediating role of ESG performance and the moderating role of information interaction.

Findings

The study found that digital transformation can improve firms’ ESG performance, which in turn positively affects their value. The firms that engage in more interaction with outsiders benefit more from digital transformation and have a higher value.

Originality/value

This study provides new theoretical insight into improving firms’ value through digital transformation and ESG performance. It is the first to discuss and study the moderating role of information interaction in the relationship between digital transformation and firms’ value.
Stochastic approach for maximum power point determination for bifacial PV modules by implementing two different cell models
Authors: Najdoska Angela , Cvetkovski Goga Vladimir
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper presents the determination of the maximum power point of a bifacial photovoltaic (PV) system using two different cell models. The optimal power point is determined by using genetic algorithm (GA), as an optimisation tool. The purpose of this paper is to find which of the two analysed models gives better results in the determination of the maximum power point of a bifacial PV system for different solar irradiations. The quality of the results gained from both models is analysed based on the value of the objective function.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research work, the maximum power point of bifacial PV modules is determined by using two different PV cell models, such as the simplified and two-diode models of PV cells. Based on the input electrical data for the analysed bifacial PV module as well as the mathematical model of the two PV cell presentations, the values for the current and the voltage at the maximum power point for a given solar irradiation and working temperature are determined by the algorithm for each solution in the population and generation.

Findings

From the presented results and the performed analysis, it can be concluded that GA is quite appropriate for this purpose and gives adequate results for both models and for all working conditions. The two-diode model was found to be more suitable compared with the simplified model due to its complexity. Therefore, although the power difference for each of the scenarios for the two compared models does not differ significantly among the two models, it is in favour of the two-diode model. Which implicates that the for fast and simple calculation the simplified model can also do the job.

Practical implications

This approach can be very successfully applied in the design process of a PV plant to forecast the output characteristics of the PV system if there is enough information about the weather conditions for a given location. This procedure can be very helpful in the process of selection of right PV module and inverter for a given location.

Originality/value

An optimisation technique using GA as an optimisation tool has been developed and successfully applied in the determination of the maximum power point for a bifacial PV module using to different models of solar cell. The results are compared with the analytically determined values as well as with the values given from the producer and they show good agreement.
Effects of sensory cues on consumers’ wine taste perceptions and behavior: evidence from a wine-tasting experiment
Authors: Yuan Weixi , Guo Fumei , Li Mimi , Song Haiyan
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how sensory cue order, wine knowledge and visual–olfactory (V–O) congruence affect consumer’s taste perceptions of wine and their subsequent behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

An experiment was performed to identify the effects of sensory cue congruence and sensory cue order on wine consumers’ perceptions of wine, affective evaluations, cognitive evaluations and purchase intentions.

Findings

Wine experts exhibited positive emotional responses to congruent sensory cues in the V–O order. Experts’ enjoyment of wine’s aroma, their emotional responses, their cognitive evaluations and their purchase intentions were lower in the incongruent condition. Consumers’ negative emotions elicited by the V–O sequence were also less intense than those triggered by the olfactory–visual (O–V) sequence. Wine experts demonstrated more positive emotional responses in the V–O sensory congruent condition.

Research limitations/implications

This study highlights how visual and olfactory sensory cue order, wine knowledge and sensory cue congruence interact to clarify wine-related behavioral intention. Findings reveal the roles of these factors in shaping sensory perceptions, cognitive evaluations, affective evaluations and behavior related to wine consumption.

Practical implications

This study holds implications for various stakeholders, including winemakers, wine businesses, restaurants and the broader hospitality industry. Wine businesses can enhance advertising effectiveness by tailoring their marketing efforts to customers’ knowledge levels and emphasizing the inherent attributes that align with individuals’ preferences. Winemakers can improve consumers’ sensory experiences by enhancing the natural color of wines. Restaurants can strive to ignite diners’ positive emotions and experiences by providing congruent information. Furthermore, sensory-driven strategies can be used in the hospitality sector to elevate customers’ positive emotions.

Originality/value

This study fills gaps in wine research by delineating how wine knowledge and related sensory cues can influence consumers’ sensory perceptions, cognitive evaluations, affective evaluations and behavior. These aspects have been largely overlooked in previous work.