bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dicke superradiant heat current enhancement in circuit quantum electrodynamics
Authors: Andolina Gian Marcello , Erdman Paolo Andrea , Noé Frank , Pekola Jukka , Schirò Marco
Published: November 2024

Controlling the flow of energy and heat at the microscale is crucial to achieve energy-efficient quantum technologies, for on-chip thermal management, and to realize quantum heat engines and refrigerators. Yet, the efficiency of current quantum technologies is affected by thermal noise, and efficient cooling of quantum devices remains challenging in various solid-state implementations such as superconducting circuits. Collective effects, such as the Dicke superradiant emission, have been exploited to enhance the performance of quantum devices. However, the inherently transient nature of Dicke superradiant emission raises questions about its impact on steady-state properties. Here, we study how to enhance the steady-state heat current flowing between a hot bath and a cold bath through an ensemble of N qubits, that are collectively coupled to the thermal baths. Remarkably, we find a regime where the heat current scales quadratically with N in a finite-size scenario. Conversely, when approaching the thermodynamic limit, we prove that the collective scenario exhibits a parametric enhancement over the noncollective case. We then consider the presence of a third uncontrolled bath, interacting locally with each qubit, that models unavoidable couplings to the external environment. Despite having a nonperturbative effect on the steady-state currents, we show that the collective enhancement is robust to such an addition. Finally, we discuss the feasibility of realizing such a Dicke heat valve with superconducting circuits. Our findings indicate that in a minimal realistic experimental setting with two superconducting qubits, the collective advantage offers an enhancement of approximately 10% compared to the noncollective scenario.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Spectral Signatures of Nontrivial Topology in a Superconducting Circuit
Authors: Peyruchat L. , Rodriguez R. H. , Smirr J.-L. , Leone R. , Girit Ç. Ö.
Published: November 2024

Topology, like symmetry, is a fundamental concept in understanding general properties of physical systems. In condensed matter, nontrivial topology may manifest itself as singular features in the energy spectrum or the quantization of electrical properties such as conductance and magnetic flux. Using microwave spectroscopy, we determine that a superconducting circuit with three Josephson tunnel junctions in parallel can possess degeneracies indicative of nontrivial topology. We identify three topological invariants, one of which is related to a hidden quantum mechanical supersymmetry. Measurements show that devices fabricated in different topological regimes fall on a simple phase diagram, which should be robust to junction imperfections and geometric inductance. Josephson tunnel junction circuits, which are readily fabricated with conventional microlithography techniques, allow access to a wide range of topological systems that may have no condensed matter analog. Notable spectral features of these circuits, such as degeneracies and flat bands, may find use in quantum information, sensing, and metrology.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Corrosion inhibition performance of expired amlodipine on cupronickel alloy in a neutral chloride environment: electrochemical and surface analysis
Authors: Kherraf Sihem , Foudia Malika , Sobhi Nour El Houda , Djetoui Zohra , Medjram Mohamed Salah
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The corrosion of cupronickel and copper alloys in marine and chloride environments presents significant challenges in the chemical and petrochemical industries. This paper aims to investigate the corrosion inhibition of cupronickel alloy (Cu-10Ni) in a sodium chloride medium using expired amlodipine as a corrosion inhibitor. The use of this drug in its expired form could reduce the costs of corrosion and help mitigate the accumulation of pharmaceutical waste.

Design/methodology/approach

The inhibitory action was evaluated using a weight loss method, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The effect of temperature on the inhibition performance was also studied.

Findings

The results of these experiments demonstrated that the drug amlodipine effectively inhibited the corrosion of cupronickel alloy in chloride solutions. The corrosion rate of cupronickel was found to decrease with increasing inhibitor concentration and to increase with rising temperature. A maximum inhibition efficiency of 91.92 was achieved with an inhibitor concentration of 0.025 g/L at 298 K. Adsorption of the inhibitor followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Polarization studies indicated that the expired drug acted as a mixed inhibitor. SEM and AFM analyses confirmed that the surface morphology of cupronickel specimens was significantly improved in the presence of the inhibitor.

Practical implications

Amlodipine can be conveniently used to mitigate problems with the corrosion of copper alloys in chloride environments.

Originality/value

Amlodipine is evaluated as a novel and effective corrosion inhibitor for cupronickel alloy in neutral chloride environments.
Climate legislation and green agricultural production: impacts, transmission mechanisms and heterogeneities
Authors: Feng Chao , Zhang Xiaoyue
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study examines the impact of climate legislation on green agricultural production and tests the heterogeneous impact of different types of climate legislation on agricultural green production.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the super-slacks-based measure (super-SBM) model is used to calculate agricultural green total factor productivity (AGTFP). The impact of climate legislation (including legislative acts and executive orders) on AGTFP is examined through regression analysis. The transmission mechanism of climate legislation affecting agricultural green production is further investigated.

Findings

This study shows that climate legislation has a positive long-term effect on AGTFP. It stimulates innovation in agricultural green technology but has a negative impact on resource allocation efficiency. Executive orders have a more significant effect on AGTFP than climate legislative acts. The effectiveness of climate legislation is more significant in countries with stronger legislation. Moreover, climate legislation reduces AGTFP in low-income countries while enhancing AGTFP in high-income countries. This effect is most prominent in upper-middle-income countries.

Originality/value

This study examines the different effects of various types of climate legislation, considering the level of economic development and the strength of the legal system on AGTFP. The findings can offer a global perspective and insights for China’s policymaking.
A level-set method for fast image segmentation based on local pre-fitting and bilateral filtering
Authors: Zou Le , Chen Qianqian , Wu Zhize , Thanh Dang N.H.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Although many conventional level-set approaches can be used for segmenting images containing factors such as noise and intensity inhomogeneities, they still can impact the accuracy of the results seriously. To solve this problem, a level-set method for fast image segmentation based on pre-fitting and bilateral filtering is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, an improved bilateral filter was investigated for image preprocessing. Secondly, by computing the local average intensity of the preprocessed enhanced picture, two local pre-fitting functions were defined. Thirdly, a new level-set energy functional was defined. Finally, a new distance regularized energy term based on the logarithmic and polynomial functions is proposed to evolve the level-set function in a smooth state.

Findings

The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model has an excellent segmentation capability for images with noise and intensity inhomogeneities and has different degrees of performance improvement compared with the mainstream models.

Originality/value

(C1) An improved bilateral filter was investigated and integrated into the model. (C2) Proposing two local pre-fitting functions by computing the local average intensity of the preprocessed enhanced image. (C3) Proposing a new level-set energy functional. (C4) A new distance regularized energy term based on the logarithmic and polynomial functions is proposed to evolve the level set function in a smooth state. (C5) Analyzing and comparing the performance of the proposed model with other similar models.
Utilizing multiple intelligences as a means to improving claim performance outcomes in project-based organizations
Authors: Mirzaee Ali Mohammad , Martek Igor
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Project claim performance is often poor with negative consequences for project-based organizations (PBOs). Conflict and emotion are reported to impact organizational claim performance outcomes, yet remains unexplored. This study investigates the multiple intelligence (MI) context from the viewpoint of the claim management office (CMO), with the intent of identifying pathways to improving the emotion-based claim performance of PBOs.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilizes an autoethnographic case study involving a PBO-based general contractor (GC). Multiple intelligence theory (MIT) is applied as the theoretical lens. Method of framework analysis is used in analyzing the data, with reference to claim management office (RFCMO) theory as a main source in making “analytic generalization”.

Findings

Multifaceted complexities of MIs are identified, including ambidexterity, actions and relations, stress and conflict, cultural differences and universals, meta-strategic thinking and team diversity. The holistic emotion-based strategies model identifies how PBOs can improve claim performance, specifically by adopting theories confection remedy and controlling emotion outcomes strategies in a closed-loop process. Further, the coherent emotions governance (CEG) framework enables CMOs' to upgrade maturity levels, by integrating the strategies, general and specific measures for improving emotion-based organizational claim performance.

Originality/value

This is a pioneering study in unveiling the complexities of organizational emotions engagement and the application of confection remedy, specifically in a project management context. The antecedents of RFCMO theory are here enriched with MIT and the pool of the supporting people-centered theories, augmented by an autoethnographic case study, in which the linkage between emotion and conflict complexity is laid bare. Further, this study identifies how conflicts in construction industry can be mitigated by way of a discrete three-category theories confection remedy.
Bolstering the initiative of construction project members: a self-determination lens combining project social media use
Authors: Jiang Shan , Jia Jianyao
Published: November 2024

Purpose

In today’s turbulent and complex era, initiative behavior is becoming more drawn to construction projects but challenging to arouse as it is free of the established regulations in project practice. Given the prevalence of social media (SM) in modern workplaces, this study is thereby motivated to investigate whether and how SM use can act to drive initiative behavior of construction project members (PMs) in this context.

Design/methodology/approach

This study sharply examines two distinct types of SM use – work-related and social-related – to explore their roles in driving the initiative behavior of construction PMs. Additionally, self-determination theory is employed to explore their underlying translation mechanisms and associated boundary conditions. A survey dataset collected from 229 construction PMs is used to empirically test the proposed theoretical model.

Findings

Empirical results show that role-breadth self-efficacy, psychological safety and project identification, by satisfying basic psychological needs respectively, act as crucial bridging roles in translating SM use into initiative behavior of PMs. Such mediation effects are applied to both work-related and social-related SM use with varied mechanisms. Besides, prevention focus is found to be a contingent moderator on these relationships, with a strengthening role toward role-breadth self-efficacy and a weakening role toward project identification.

Originality/value

This study digs into the nuanced mechanisms of how SM use benefits construction projects, especially in terms of PMs’ initiative. The findings of this research afford new insights into effectively invigorating the initiative behavior of construction PMs under the current digital momentum.
Soft-system management framework for power supply and grid integration issues
Authors: Gupta Laxmi , Shankar Ravi
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The balance between power supply and demand gets more challenging when electrical networks switch from centralized thermal power plants to distributed renewable energy sources for power generation. Such problems present a diverse set of challenges that require a solution through system and control methods. Hence, the purpose of this study is to understand the issues faced by each actor in the power sector’s supply chain, which would restrict the stability of the power supply and quality of service.

Design/methodology/approach

This study provides a conceptual model, soft system methodology (SSM), for power supply management or grid integration issues through the mapping of identified issues with their possible solutions.

Findings

This study offers an analysis that uses methods of problem structuring to construct the major issues and measure technological advancements in the energy sector. This research highlights the need to integrate energy storage systems with the grid for the effective operation of the system to manage various power supply issues.

Research limitations/implications

SSM is used to establish a mechanism to manage grid integration problems by comparing established problems with their potential solutions. The resulting framework would help managers, researchers, policymakers, engineers and smart grid professionals to make the required and informed decisions on the management of grid integration issues and to form strategies fostering efficient and secure energy network.

Originality/value

The research is based on a conceptual framework for enhancing energy efficiency and integrated smart grid technology, which would contribute to a better supply of electricity and a more environmentally sustainable future.
Good governance: an empirical evidence from Egypt’s public health sector
Authors: Zeini Nahed T. , Okasha Ahmed E.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the implementation of good governance (GG) principles in Egypt’s public health sector and assess their impact on overall GG and their interrelationships.

Design/methodology/approach

About 21 indicators under six principles were chosen to investigate the following principles: rule of law, legislation and institutions’ regulations, self-governance, transparency and accountability, equity and efficiency and e-services. Using secondary survey data, this paper employed structural equation modeling (SEM) to explore the impact of chosen GG principles on the overall GG and their interrelationship.

Findings

The findings showed the significant impact of the principles on GG, but with different weights. They confirmed the complex interrelation among GG principles toward implementing GG effectively and efficiently. The findings recommend the importance of diagnosing the organization’s structure and functions and how this can carry out governance in a good manner. Investigating the success of implementing GG at the micro-level is also suggested, using a bottom-up approach, to assure that the organization’s units/subunits perform efficiently toward enhancing the goodness of governance.

Originality/value

This study provides empirical evidence on the complex nature of GG principles through their implementation in Egypt’s public health sector as a case study, aiming to investigate the direct and indirect interrelation between GG principles.
Unraveling the nexus: the impact of abusive supervision on project performance via sequential mediation of job embeddedness and job frustration
Authors: Zia Muhammad Qamar , Ramish Muhammad Sufyan , Fasih Syeda Tayyaba , Naveed Muhammad , Wang Zilong
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Based on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, this study seeks to investigate how job embeddedness (JE) and job frustration (JF) as serial mediators linking abusive supervision (AS) to project performance (PP) in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered from 297 respondents working in six organizations involved in large-scale construction projects. The respondents were project managers, field engineers, consultants and civil engineers. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used for data analysis and hypothesis testing.

Findings

The study findings indicate that JE and JF mediate AS’s impact on PP. The findings further reveal that JE and JF serially mediated the linkage between AS and PP.

Originality/value

This manuscript contributes to the relevant knowledge by investigating the overlooked psychological mechanisms of JE and JF between the linkage of AS to PP. The results of this study hold significant implications for both theoretical research and management practices.
A multilevel investigation of workplace bullying and employee creative behavior: uncovering the crucial role of psychological capital
Authors: Shabbir Muhammad Qasim , Islam Shuja ul
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study investigates workplace bullying through a novel conceptualization by focusing on the simultaneous effects of abusive supervision and coworkers’ bullying. It aims to thoroughly understand how these harmful behaviors affect employee creative behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the tenets of social cognitive theory, this study used multilevel structural equation modeling with Mplus to analyze multi-source and multi-wave data collected from the information, communication and technology sector. The sample included 510 participants from 170 teams, comprising 340 subordinates and their 170 supervisors. Responses were collected at three time points, with a gap of approximately two weeks.

Findings

The findings indicate significant direct effects of abusive supervision and coworkers’ bullying on employee creative behavior, highlighting the detrimental effects of workplace bullying. Additionally, this study introduced and tested the mediating role of psychological capital, providing valuable insights into the mechanisms through which workplace bullying affects employee creative behavior.

Originality/value

By adopting a social cognitive framework, this multilevel research advances the field and enriches the literature on workplace bullying and employee creative behavior. This study adds depth to existing research by examining how abusive supervision and coworkers’ bullying simultaneously affect employees. It also highlights the vital role of psychological capital in mediating these effects. The findings emphasize the need to tackle workplace bullying to boost employee creative behavior and overall well-being.
The dilemmas of Bangladesh as a weak state in South Asia
Authors: Hasan Md Abul
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The complex environment of regional and extra-regional politics in South Asia renders the region more susceptible to economically and militarily weaker states. This article investigates the challenges Bangladesh faces due to rapidly changing geopolitical dynamics and global political and economic upheavals.

Design/methodology/approach

This study delves into the dilemmas encountered by Bangladesh as a weak state through literature review, in-depth interviews, media reports and dialogues.

Findings

Four key factors are identified: (a) Bangladesh’s significance to major powers has increased; (b) it confronts many obstacles hindering its pursuit of a purely non-aligned foreign policy due to its strategic importance to these powers; (c) its internal factors including political turbulence, corruption, and fragile external relations, have been detrimental; and (d) the intensification of key powers’ influence has constrained its autonomy.

Originality/value

This study underscores that weak institutions, least regional integration, and limited cooperation among states have compromised the autonomy of weak states like Bangladesh in South Asia. There is a need for unity and collaboration among these nations to address dilemmas in the interest of their national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and regional stability.
Technology utilization, self-legitimacy, and external procedural injustice: a study of Chinese police officers
Authors: Chen Yunan , Sun Ivan , Wu Yuning , Chao Zhe , Liu Yuping
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to examine the direct relationship between police officers' perceived technology utilization and their perception of external procedural injustice, as well as the indirect relationship through perceived self-legitimacy.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used survey data collected from 1,944 police officers in a northern Chinese province. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to assess the direct and indirect associations between technology utilization and external procedural injustice.

Findings

Technology efficacy was negatively associated with external procedural injustice and positively associated with both self-legitimacy and public-defined legitimacy. Furthermore, officers’ self-perceived legitimacy is negatively associated with their support for procedurally unjust behaviors, while officers’ perception of public-defined legitimacy, unexpectedly, is positively related to their endorsement of procedural injustice. Conversely, technology difficulty was positively related to external procedural injustice and negatively associated with public-defined legitimacy.

Originality/value

The present study represents a first attempt to link technology utilization to external procedural injustice in the policing literature. This study provides needed evidence to support the importance role of technology utilization in shaping police officers’ occupational attitudes toward themselves and the public in an authoritarian country.
The influence of servant leadership on athletic performance: a self-determination theory perspective
Authors: Dahlin Sean , Oja Brent D. , Avey James B. , Sullivan Gregory S.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

To give a full understanding of how servant leadership impacts organizational performance and needs satisfaction of followers, two unique populations were sampled (i.e. college athletic administrators and coaches) to weigh the importance of leadership on different elements of a sports organization. The purpose for this two-sample design was to enhance the external validity of the results through replication and convergence of conclusions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilized a two-sample structure that consisted of intercollegiate coaches (N = 223) and administrative staff members (N = 176) perceptions of their leader’s servant leadership to better understand its influence on sport organizational performance. From the study’s hypotheses, data were collated and subjected to correlation and step-wise regression analysis.

Findings

The results indicate a relationship between servant leadership and organizational performance from both a sport coach and administrative follower perspective. Furthermore, in the administration sample, servant leadership’s relationship with organizational performance was mediated by competency. This study also expands upon the literature by demonstrating that servant leadership had a positive impact on organizational performance beyond tenure effects.

Practical implications

For an athletic director, implementing behaviors from servant leadership could be valuable tools to enhance the performances of the teams within intercollegiate athletic departments.

Originality/value

The results indicate a relationship between servant leadership and organizational performance from both a sport coach and administrative follower perspective. Furthermore, in the administration sample, servant leadership’s relationship with organizational performance was mediated by competency. This study also expands upon the literature by demonstrating that servant leadership had a positive impact on organizational performance beyond tenure effects.
Value relevance of cost of environmental damage
Authors: Arthur Joseph
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to assess whether environmental (carbon) damage costs affect firm value and ownership.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses fixed-effects panel models and difference-in-differences design to tease out essential effects based on 69,352 sampled firm-year observations from 2004 to 2022. It uses Trucost data on the dollar cost of environmental damage at the firm level.

Findings

Using proprietary environmental damage costs data on US firms from Trucost, this paper finds that firm value is negatively associated with environmental (carbon) damage costs, with additional tests suggesting that the association is causal. Institutional investors increase their relative holdings following environmental shocks that reveal financial benefits to internalizing or reducing these costs.

Originality/value

Knowing the significance of the cost of environmental damage at the firm level is important for corporate managers, regulators and investors’ decision-making. However, this has yet to be researched. This paper contributes to the understanding of financial economics.
Plant pests influence the movement of plant‐fixed carbon and fungal‐acquired nutrients through arbuscular mycorrhizal networks
Authors: Magkourilou E. , Durant E. K. , Bell C. A. , Daniell T. J. , Urwin P. E. , Field K. J.
Published: November 2024

Plants typically interact with multiple, co‐occurring symbionts, including arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi which can form networks, connecting neighbouring plants. A characteristic aspect of the mycorrhizal symbiosis is the bidirectional exchange of nutrients between host plants and fungal partners. Concurrent interactions with competing organisms such as aphids or potato cyst nematodes (PCN) can disrupt the carbon‐for‐nutrient exchange between plants and AM fungi. However, the role of mycorrhizal networks (MNs) in mediating these interactions remains unclear.

Using isotope tracing in multi‐plant experimental systems, we investigated the movement of plant photosynthates and fungal‐acquired soil phosphorus through MNs and the interactive effects of PCN infection on this.

We found evidence of preferential allocation of fungal‐acquired phosphorus to plants that were not infected by PCN compared with infected neighbours. Contrary to previous findings using single plants, we did not detect a PCN‐induced reduction in the amounts of plant carbon delivered to AM fungi in multi‐plant systems. However, the MN(s) moved plant‐fixed carbon away from PCN‐infected host plants, regardless of the PCN infection status of the neighbouring plant host.

Our work highlights the responsiveness of MNs to interactions with below‐ground organisms. It also strengthens the argument for a more mycocentric view of AM–plant symbioses. Experimental designs of increasing ecological complexity are needed for a more comprehensive understanding of the carbon‐for‐nutrient dynamics in AM fungi–plant networks. This will, in turn, elucidate the role of AM fungi in terrestrial carbon cycling and their function in agricultural systems.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Role of silicon in legume‐insect interactions: Insights from a plant experiencing different levels of herbivory
Authors: Putra Rocky , Bünker Markus , Müller Caroline
Published: November 2024

Silicon (Si) supplementation can enhance symbiotic functions in some legumes (Fabaceae) with their nitrogen‐fixing rhizobia, such as root nodulation and nitrogen fixation. However, it is still poorly understood how Si influences legume–insect interactions. Here, we investigated how a symbiotic legume responds not only to Si supplementation but also to herbivory treatment with varying infestation levels in two events.

We conducted a controlled climate chamber experiment by growing Medicago truncatula plants inoculated with rhizobia. For half of the plants, the soil was kept without Si (−Si), whereas the other half was regularly supplemented with Si (+Si). We then infested the plants with caterpillars of Spodoptera littoralis with 0, 1 or 3 larvae and 0, 1 or 1 larva in single herbivory attack and in double herbivory attack, respectively. To understand plant responses to such treatment combinations, we examined 16 functional traits.

Nodule number, nodule fresh mass and nodule leghaemoglobin concentrations were not affected in single attack plants. However, increasing levels of herbivory led to decreases in such measured traits in double attack plants. Foliar C to N ratio increased in single attack plants but decreased in double attack plants with increasing levels of herbivory, indicating contrasting resource allocation. Herbivory did not affect the content of foliar Si, which was higher in +Si than −Si plants. Si and herbivory led to reduced foliar phenolics in double attack plants, suggesting a potential trade‐off between silicification and phenolic production. Si and herbivory led to increased trichome densities in single attack plants, but patterns were less clear in double attack plants. Herbivory but not Si reduced plant biomass with increasing levels of herbivory in double attack plants. Relative growth rates of the caterpillars, as proxy for plant resistance, decreased mainly due to herbivory treatment, when fed on single attack plants.

Using a trait‐based approach, we provide novel insights to better understand the response of a legume to Si supplementation and different herbivory levels and events. We conclude that herbivory predominantly exerts much stronger effects than Si on various plant traits, pointing to a necessity to respond to herbivory by induced defence strategies.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Efficacy of Bd metabolite prophylaxis dose and duration on host defence against the deadly chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
Authors: McMahon Taegan A. , Garcia Alexis M. , Malinias Aiza J. , Monsalve Manuela , Muldro Liam C. , Sisson Edin O. , Johnson Pieter T. J. , Rohr Jason R. , Civitello David J.
Published: November 2024

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), an aquatic pathogenic fungus, is responsible for the decline of hundreds of amphibian species worldwide and negatively impacts biodiversity globally. Prophylactic exposure to the metabolites produced by Bd can provide protection for naïve tree frogs and reduce subsequent Bd infection intensity.

Here, we used a response surface design crossing Bd metabolite prophylaxis concentration and exposure duration to determine how these factors modulate prophylactic protection against Bd in Pacific chorus frog (Pseudacris regilla) tadpoles (5 × 5 surface design) and metamorphs (3 × 3 surface design). We exposed individuals every weekday to one of five Bd metabolite concentrations or a water control for 1–5 weeks, after which all animals were challenged with live Bd to evaluate their susceptibility.

Exposure to the Bd metabolite prophylaxis reduced Bd load and prevalence compared to the control for both the tadpoles and metamorphs. Increasing Bd metabolite prophylaxis concentration did not confer additional protection for either life stage, but increasing duration of exposure did benefit metamorphs by decreasing Bd prevalence but not Bd load.

On average, control tadpoles and metamorphs had 66.2% and 99.4% higher Bd loads, respectively, than tadpoles and metamorphs exposed to any Bd metabolite prophylaxis.

Additionally, Bd metabolite prophylaxis reduced Bd prevalence relative to controls in both tadpoles (20.5% vs. 56.3%, respectively) and metamorphs (21.9% vs. 87.5%, respectively).

Synthesis and applications: The efficacy of short‐term exposures of relatively low concentrations of Bd metabolites at reducing Bd infections suggests that this approach has the potential to be scaled up to field use to aid in disease mitigation and conservation. Our results, combined with additional research on Bd metabolite prophylaxis for other amphibian species, suggest that this strategy may represent a broadly useful tool to protect at‐risk amphibian populations.
Native trees are responsible for the high carbon density in urban natural area forests across eight United States cities
Authors: Jevon Fiona , Crown Crystal A. , Clark Jeffrey A. G. , Doroski Danica A. , Darling Lindsay , Sonti Nancy F. , Yesilonis Ian D. , Dietsch Grace , Bradford Mark , Pregitzer Clara C.
Published: November 2024

Urban natural area forests provide cities with crucial ecosystem services, including carbon storage and sequestration. Although previous work from a single city has suggested that urban natural area forests may be carbon‐rich and dominated by native species, it is unclear if that pattern is widespread. Indeed, little is known about the species composition and carbon storage in these green spaces, or how urban natural area forests compared with similar rural forests.

Here, we use data collected by the Forests in Cities network to quantify carbon stored in urban natural area forests across 1852 plots in eight of the most populous US cities and examine patterns in woody vegetation carbon storage by tree species composition and size class. We also compare the carbon storage in these urban natural area forests to similar rural forests using USDA FS Forest Inventory and Analysis data.

We found that urban natural area forests store between 214 and 267 Mg C ha−1, with the majority (on average 55%) in the above‐ground portion of live trees and shrubs. This carbon was primarily stored by native trees and increased with the proportion of native species, as native trees tended to be larger. The proportion of non‐native species was higher in smaller size classes. Overall, the woody vegetation carbon density in urban natural area forests was higher than similar forest types in rural settings, a phenomenon driven by the presence of more large trees.

Synthesis and applications: Together these results demonstrate the importance of urban natural area forests as carbon‐dense ecosystems and havens for native tree species. However, because of the greater number of non‐native species in smaller size classes, these forests may also be at risk of transitioning away from native‐dominated systems. Therefore, greater monitoring efforts and increased management activities such as non‐native species removal will be crucial to maintaining the high carbon storage and health of these ecosystems.
Can hydroponic forage affect the chemical and sensory properties of PDO buffalo Mozzarella cheese?
Authors: Balivo Andrea , Masucci Felicia , Parlato Sonia , Serrapica Francesco , Romano Raffaele , Di Francia Antonio , Genovese Alessandro
Published: November 2024

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydroponic barley forage in the diets of lactating Italian Mediterranean buffaloes on Mozzarella cheese chemical and sensory properties. Thirty‐six buffaloes were evenly assigned to three groups: control (C) with standard maize silage‐based ration, and low hydroponic (LH) and high hydroponic (HH) barley forage substitution for 50% and 100% of maize silage, respectively. HH Mozzarella had lower hardness, reduced saturated fatty acids, increased oleic and α‐linolenic fatty acids. Hydroponic forage could be an innovative system for sustainable livestock production with a positive impact on the Mozzarella cheese improving its nutritional value.
Risks of foodborne pathogens associated with animal contamination of raw‐agricultural commodities: A review
Authors: Loewald Anna , McKeag Lisa , Hadad Robert , Schaffner Donald W. , Newbold Elizabeth
Published: November 2024

Pathogens that cause foodborne illness can contaminate raw‐agricultural produce via animal intrusion and defecation in production fields. The Food and Drug Administration's Produce Safety Rule and related guidance cite published research on animal intrusion risk and risk‐reduction practices. However, additional relevant research has been published since their release. Research on animal contamination often focuses on a single risk factor. This review summarizes current research on multiple risk factors and provides a basis for understanding how these factors may interact to influence risk to produce from animal contamination, providing regulators and educators with science‐based information to inform education and outreach to growers. This review may also aid researchers by identifying future research needs. We conclude that when managing risks from animal contamination, a multi‐pronged approach is necessary. This approach considers a range of factors, including animal type, nature of feces, rain and irrigation events, meteorology, and worker training. We also created an online tool that conveys the findings of this review in a succinct and digestible format for growers and regulatory and educational partners.
Dairy and nondairy proteins as nano‐architecture structures for delivering phenolic compounds: Unraveling their molecular interactions to maximize health benefits
Authors: de Almeida Cristine Couto , Baião Diego dos Santos , da Silva Davi Vieira Teixeira , da Trindade Lucileno Rodrigues , Pereira Patricia Ribeiro , Conte‐Junior Carlos Adam , Paschoalin Vania Margaret Flosi
Published: November 2024

Phenolic compounds are recognized for their benefits against degenerative diseases. Clinical and nutritional applications are limited by their low solubility, stability, and bioavailability, compromising their efficacy. Natural macromolecules, such as lipids, polysaccharides, and proteins, employed as delivery systems can efficiently overcome these limitations. In this sense, proteins are attractive due to their biocompatibility and dynamic structure properties, functional adaptability and self‐assembly capabilities, offering stability, efficient encapsulation, and controlled release. This review explores the potential use of dairy proteins, caseins, and whey proteins, and, alternatively, nondairy proteins, gelatin, human serum albumin, maize zein, and soybean proteins, in building wall materials for the delivery of phenolic compounds. To optimize performance, aspects, such as protein–phenolic affinity and complex stability/activity, should be considered when designing particle nano‐architecture. Molecular interactions between protein–phenolic compound complexes are, thus, further discussed, as well as the effects of temperature and pH and strategies to stabilize and preserve nano‐architecture and retain phenolic compound activity. All proteins harbor one or more putative binding sites, shared or not, depending on the phenolic compound. Preservation techniques are still a case‐to‐case study, as no behavior patterns among different complexes are noted. Safety aspects necessary for the marketing of nanoproducts, such as characterization, toxicity assessments, and post‐market monitoring as defined by the European Food Safety Authority and the Food and Drug Administration, are discussed, evidencing the need for a unified regulation. This review broadens our understanding and opens new opportunities for the development of novel protein‐based nanocarriers to obtain more effective and stable products, enhancing phenolic compound delivery and health benefits.
Effects of a Virtual Trauma Clinic on admissions and length of stay for minor to moderate trauma
Authors: Shuja Amber , Balian Fay , Dinh Michael M , Seimon Radhika , Truman Jameela , Oliver Matthew
Published: November 2024

Objective

To investigate the feasibility of a Virtual Trauma Clinic (VTC) for patients with minor to moderate trauma, and evaluate patient satisfaction and outcomes.

Methods

One hundred VTC patients were matched 1:1 with historical patients from the hospital trauma registry who received conventional care. Matching was based on age ± 5 years, sex, mechanism of injury, Injury Severity Score ± 2, trauma team activation and day of week of presentation. VTC patients were sent surveys on experience and outcome measures.

Results

VTC was associated with reduced average hospital length of stay for admitted patients by 1.81 days (95% CI = −2.82, −0.79; P = 0.001) and reduced hospital admissions (odds ratio 0.26; 95% CI = 0.14, 0.48; P < 0.001). There was an avoidance of 199 inpatient bed days in total, with no trauma‐related readmissions within 30 days post‐hospital discharge. 92% of respondents (n = 22) rated the care they received from VTC as excellent or good. Patient‐reported outcome surveys showed overall improvement in functional domains but evidence of ongoing disability, with persistent issues of pain and psychological distress at 1 month post‐injury.

Conclusion

Patients with minor to moderate trauma have ongoing care needs with high rates of pain, psychological distress and disability remaining prevalent long after discharge. VTC provided an innovative strategy for hospital avoidance with high levels of patient satisfaction and no adverse effects on safety. The overall quality of care for these patients was enhanced through the provision of standardised, patient‐centred and multidisciplinary follow‐up.
Comparative analysis of gut microbiota in incident and prevalent peritoneal dialysis patients with peritoneal fibrosis, correlations with peritoneal equilibration test data in the peritoneal fibrosis cohort
Authors: Fan Jiangqing , Wang Lingyun , Yang Ting , Liu Jing , Ge Weihong , Shen Jizhong , Wang Lulu
Published: November 2024

Introduction

The connection between peritoneal function and gut microbiota in peritoneal fibrosis (PF) patients remains uncertain.

Methods

Peritoneal equilibration test (PET) was employed to evaluate peritoneal function in patients with peritoneal fibrosis (PF). 16S rRNA sequencing was used to analyze the gut flora in incident peritoneal dialysis (PD) and PF groups, identifying differential microbial communities. Spearman's correlation analysis, conducted using SPSS 26.0, was employed to explore the microbial associations with PF.

Results

In the PF group, the PET showed a 4‐h dialysate‐to‐plasma creatinine ratio (D/PCr) ratio of 0.62 ± 1.01 and a 4‐h ultrafiltration (UF) volume of 41.73 ± 76.71 mL with a 2.5% glucose dwell. The alpha diversity between the PD and PF groups did not exhibit a significant difference. The PD and PF groups were predominantly composed of Firmicutes, Tenericutes, and Ignavibacteriae. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfse) analysis indicates that the Firmicutes, Lactobacillales, and Bacilli were significantly enriched in the PD group, whereas Lachnospiraceae, Phenylobacterium, and Caulobacteraceae were enriched among the PF group. The functional prediction of gut microbiota genes revealed variations in metabolic pathways related to lipid transport, energy metabolism, and post‐translational protein modifications between the two cohorts. In the PF group, Ignavibacteriae and Bdellovibrio correlated positively with the 4‐h D/PCr ratio (p <0.05), while Prevotella negatively correlated with the 4‐h UF from 2.5% glucose dwell (p <0.05).

Conclusion

The intestinal microbiota of patients newly initiated on peritoneal dialysis significantly differs from that of those with long‐term peritoneal dialysis complicated by peritoneal fibrosis, with the latter's peritoneal function potentially linked to Prevotella, Ignavibacteriae, and Bdellovibrio.
Improving the bioactivity of water‐soluble alfalfa saponins using biotransformation
Authors: Zhang Ran , Du Zhumei , Li Zhiwei , Feng Yuxi , Yan Xuebing
Published: November 2024

Medicago sativa L. is gaining attention as a sustainable plant‐based food protein. Alfalfa saponins (ASs) typically exist in a glycosylated form in nature, which has poor cell membrane permeability, while the deglycosylated saponins may show better bioactivity. The AS was deglycosylated by β‐glucosidase from Aspergillus niger, and the chemical structures and biological activities, including in vivo assays, of AS and deglycosylated AS (DAS) were determined. The results showed that the half maximal inhibitory concentration for 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl inhibition of DAS was 29.5 µg/mL, demonstrating a significantly higher reducing capacity compared to AS (p < 0.05). The DAS induced 33.8% antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and enhanced the proliferation of human airway epithelial cells (BEAS‐2B) at a concentration of 125 µg/mL. In vivo experiments on C57BL/6 mice fed a high‐fat diet demonstrated that high‐level DAS treatment produced significantly greater hypolipidemic effects compared to AS (p < 0.05). Thus, the AS can be deglycosylated, which leads to an improvement in biological activity, particularly since the DAS exhibits significantly enhanced hypolipidemic activity.

Practical Application

Alfalfa saponins were deglycosylated by β‐glucosidase from Aspergillus niger, which contributed to increased bioactivity, particularly its hypolipidemic activity.
Predicting lake chlorophyll from stream phosphorus concentrations
Authors: Yuan Lester L. , Paul Michael J.
Published: November 2024

Excess nutrient loads from streams drive primary production in downstream lakes, and managing these loads is key to achieving desired conditions in lakes. However, quantifying nutrient loads requires intensive sampling of both nutrient concentrations and streamflow. Total phosphorus measurements collected during routine stream monitoring are broadly available, but these data are thought to provide little information on annual nutrient loads because they are typically collected during low, baseflow conditions. Here, we demonstrate that these routine phosphorus measurements are correlated with annual nutrient loads. We also show that the average of these routine measurements of stream phosphorus within a watershed predict the average lake chlorophyll concentration in that same watershed. These relationships can then be used to set targets for stream phosphorus concentrations to achieve desired conditions in lakes.
Competency of Jeffrey Modell Foundation warning signs and routine laboratory tests in suspecting primary immunodeficiencies: A cross‐sectional multi‐centric prospective study from eastern India
Authors: Ghosh Asmita , Samanta Moumita , Ghosh Parasar , Chatterjee Mitali , Mondal Rakesh , Sabui Tapas Kumar
Published: November 2024

Aim

To test the efficaciousness of the 10 warning signs of Jeffrey Modell Foundation (JMF) and routine laboratory tests in predicting Primary Immunodeficiencies (PIDs).

Methods

Hospitalized children <12 years age satisfying at least two of 10 warning signs were subjected to routine and confirmatory tests.

Results

Of 35 204 admitted patients, 66 satisfied the JMF criteria and 34 had PID. Also, 59% were infants, with a female preponderance. The most common immunodeficiency disorder group were antibody deficiencies and phagocyte defects (35.3%). Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) was the commonest overall (29.4%). The need for intravenous antibiotics was the most sensitive (91%) criterion for predicting PID. When combined with positive family history of PID, sensitivity (94%) increased further. The two most specific indicators were recurrent ear infections (88%), and family history of PID (88%). The best positive predictor was family history of PID (69%), and the best negative predictor was recurrent sinus infections (58%). Significant association was found between persistent oral thrush and PID (p .043), and insufficient weight gain and antibody deficiencies (p .037). Absolute neutrophil count, CRP, and elevated ESR were also significantly associated with PIDs (p‐values being .036, .011, and .014 respectively).

Conclusion

Out of all 10 JMF criteria, the three most important ones to predict PID were need for IV antibiotics, family history of PID, and recurrent ear infections.