bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative metagenomic analysis provides novel insights into the ecophysiology of Myxococcota in activated sludge systems
Authors: Kurashita Hazuki , Hatamoto Masashi , Tomita Shun , Yamaguchi Takashi , Narihiro Takashi , Kuroda Kyohei
Published: April 2024

Myxobacteria, belonging to the phylum Myxococcota, are ubiquitous in soil, marine, and other environments. Recent metagenomic sequencing analysis has shown that Myxococcota are predominant in activated sludge systems; however, their ecophysiological traits remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated the potential biological functions of 46 metagenomic bins of Myxococcota reconstructed from activated sludge samples from four municipal sewage treatment plants. The results showed that most Myxococcota bins had an almost complete set of genes associated with glycolysis and the TCA cycle. Palsa-1104 and Polyangiales bins contain glycoside hydrolase GH13 and peptidase M23, which are presumably involved in the lysis of the cell wall and cellular cytoplasm, indicating that part of the Myxococcota from activated sludge can prey on other microorganisms. The previously known cell contact-dependent predatory functions ofMyxococcus xanthusare conserved in the family Myxococcaceae, though not in other families. Two bins belonging to Palsa-1104 had phototrophic gene clusters, suggesting that these bins may have both heterotrophic and autotrophic metabolisms. Assessment of the social behavior of the activated sludge Myxococcota, a FruA gene, and a C-signal gene involved in the regulation of fruiting body formation were lacking in Myxococcota bins, suggesting that they are incapable of fruiting body formation. In addition, multiple bins of Myxococcota had novel secondary metabolite biosynthesis gene clusters that may be used for the predation of other bacteria in the activated sludge. Our metagenome-based analyses provide novel insights into the microbial interactions associated with Myxococcota in activated sludge ecosystems.
A flexible fluid delivery system for rodent behavior experiments
Authors: Cruz Bruno F. , Carriço Paulo , Teixeira Luís , Freitas Sofia , Mendes Filipe , Bento Dario , Silva Artur
Published: April 2024

Experimental behavioral neuroscience relies on the ability to deliver precise amounts of liquid volumes to animal subjects. Among others, it allows the progressive shaping of behavior through successive, automated, reinforcement, thus allowing training in more demanding behavioral tasks and the manipulation of variables that underlie the decision making process (e.g.: reward magnitude). Here we introduce a stepper-motor-based, fully integrated, open-source solution, that allows the reproducible delivery of small (<1µL) liquid volumes. The system can be controlled via software using the Harp protocol (e.g.: from Bonsai or Python interfaces), or directly through a low-level I/O interface. Both the control software and electronics are compatible with a wide variety of motor models and mechanical designs. However, we also provide schematics, and step-by-step assembly instructions, for the mechanical design used and characterized in this manuscript. We provide benchmarks of the full integrated system using a computer-vision method capable of measuring across-trial delivery of small volumes, an important metric when having behavior experiments in mind. Finally, we provide experimental validation of our system by employing it in a psychophysics rodent task, and during electrophysiological recordings.
Translational modelling of low and medium intensity transcranial magnetic stimulation from rodents to humans
Authors: Bolland Samuel J. , Goryachev Maxim , Opitz Alexander , Tang Alexander D , Rodger Jennifer
Published: April 2024

Background

Rodent models using subthreshold intensities of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) have provided insight into the biological mechanisms of TMS but often differ from human studies in the intensity of the electric field (E-field) induced in the brain.

Objective

To develop a finite element method model as a guide for translation between low and medium intensity TMS rodent studies and high intensity TMS studies in humans.

Methods

FEM models using three head models (mouse, rat, and human), and eight TMS coils were developed to simulate the magnetic flux density (B-field) and E-field values induced by three intensities.

Results

In the mouse brain, maximum B-fields ranged from 0.00675 T to 0.936 T and maximum E-field of 0.231 V/m to 60.40 V/m E-field. In the rat brains maximum B-fields ranged from of 0.00696 T to 0.567 T and maximum E-fields of 0.144 V/m to 97.2 V/m. In the human brain, the S90 Standard coil could be used to induce a maximum B-field of 0.643 T and E-field of 241 V/m, while the MC-B70 coil induced 0.564 T B-field and 220 V/m E-field.

Conclusions

We have developed a novel FEM modelling tool that can help guide the replication of rodent studies using low intensity E-fields to human studies using commercial TMS coils. Modelling limitations include lack of data on dielectric values and CSF volumes for rodents and simplification of tissue geometry impacting E-field distribution, methods for mitigating these issues are discussed. A range of additional cross-species factors affecting the translation of E-fields were identified that will aid TMS E-field modelling in both humans and rodents. We present data that describes to what extent translation of brain region-specific E-field values from rodents to humans is possible and detail requirements for future improvement. A graphical abstract of the translational modelling pipeline from this study is provided below (Figure A.1).

Highlights

Clinical translation of rodent TMS studies is challenging due to the differences in coil and brain size and shape between rodents and humans.

We have built a FEM model for the accurate replication of TMS-derived E-fields validated in rodent models in multiple brain regions in humans.

This model is useful in designing stimulation parameters for humans based on rodent studies.

This model is a critical part of a translational pipeline for evidence based TMS.
Deciphering the Transcription Factor Landscape in Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer Progression: A Novel Approach to Understand NE Transdifferentiation
Authors: Wang Yu , Xue Hui , Zhu Xiaohui , Lin Dong , Dong Xin , Chen Zheng , Chen Junru , Shi Mingchen , Ni Yuchao , Cao Jonathan , Wu Rebecca , Kang Ning , Pang Xinyao , Crea Francesco , Lin Yen-Yi , Collins Colin C. , Gleave Martin E. , Parolia Abhijit , Chinnaiyan Arul , Ong Christopher J. , Wang Yuzhuo
Published: April 2024

Background and Objective

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of cancer mortality in men, with neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) representing a particularly resistant subtype. The role of transcription factors (TFs) in the progression from prostatic adenocarcinoma (PRAD) to NEPC is poorly understood. This study aims to identify and analyze lineage-specific TF profiles in PRAD and NEPC and illustrate their dynamic shifts during NE transdifferentiation.

Methods

A novel algorithmic approach was developed to evaluate the weighted expression of TFs within patient samples, enabling a nuanced understanding of TF landscapes in PCa progression and TF dynamic shifts during NE transdifferentiation.

Results

unveiled TF profiles for PRAD and NEPC, identifying 126 shared TFs, 46 adenocarcinoma-TFs, and 56 NEPC-TFs. Enrichment analysis across multiple clinical cohorts confirmed the lineage specificity and clinical relevance of these lineage-TFs signatures. Functional analysis revealed that lineage-TFs are implicated in pathways critical to cell development, differentiation, and lineage determination. Novel lineage-TF candidates were identified, offering potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Furthermore, our longitudinal study on NE transdifferentiation highlighted dynamic TF expression shifts and delineated a three-phase hypothesis for the process comprised of de-differentiation, dormancy, and re-differentiation. and proposing novel insights into the mechanisms of PCa progression.

Conclusion

The lineage-specific TF profiles in PRAD and NEPC reveal a dynamic shift in the TF landscape during PCa progression, highlighting three distinct phases of NE transdifferentiation.
Spinal cord perfusion impairments in the M83 mouse model of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Combes Benjamin F. , Kalva Sandeep Kumar , Benveniste Pierre-Louis , Tournant Agathe , Law Man Hoi , Newton Joshua , Krüger Maik , Weber Rebecca Z. , Dias Inês , Noain Daniela , Dean-Ben Xose Luis , Konietzko Uwe , Baumann Christian R. , Gillberg Per-Göran , Hock Christoph , Nitsch Roger M. , Cohen-Adad Julien , Razansky Daniel , Ni Ruiqing
Published: April 2024

Metabolism and bioenergetics in the central nervous system play important roles in the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Here, we employed a multimodal imaging approach to assess oxygenation changes in the spinal cord of a transgenic M83 murine model of PD in comparison to non-transgenic littermates at 9-12 months-of-age. A lower oxygen saturation (SO2)SVOTwas detectedin vivowith spiral volumetric optoacoustic tomography (SVOT) in the spinal cord of M83 mice compared to non-transgenic littermate mice.Ex-vivohigh-field T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and immunostaining for alpha-synuclein (phospho-S129) and vascular organisation (CD31 and GLUT1) were used to investigate the nature of the abnormalities detected viain vivoimaging.Ex-vivoanalysis showed that the vascular network in the spinal cord was not impaired in the spinal cord of M83 mice.Ex-vivoMRI assisted with deep learning-based automatic segmentation showed no volumetric atrophy in the spinal cord of M83 mice compared to non-transgenic littermates, whereas nuclear alpha-synuclein phosphorylated at Ser129 site could be linked to early pathology and metabolic dysfunction. The proposed and validated non-invasive high-resolution imaging tool to study oxygen saturation in the spinal cord of PD mice holds promise for assessing early changes preceding motor deficits in PD mice.
Dendritic cell targeting in lymph nodes with engineered modular adapters improves HAdV5 and HC-HAdV5 tumor vaccination by co-secretion of IL-2v and IL-21
Authors: Weiss Fabian , Kolibius Jonas , Freitag Patrick C. , Gantenbein Felix , Kipar Anja , Plückthun Andreas
Published: April 2024

Adenoviral vectors demonstrate encouraging clinical outcomes for B- and T-cell vaccines. With such approaches, multiple payloads can be delivered, beyond the antigen itself. Nevertheless, the human adenoviral vector serotype C5 (HAdV5) exhibits limited transduction efficiency to dendritic cells (DC), therefore necessitating very high viral loads. Targeting antigen-presenting cells (APC) has remained challenging. To solve this problem, we developed a versatile platform that employs modular retargeting adapters to enhance transduction of specific cell types, including challenging host cells. By rational design, we constructed a dual-adapter for DC-SIGN and CD11c and demonstrate successful targeting of HAdV5 to human and murine DCs. Ourin vivocharacterization highlights improved and specific transduction of DCs in draining lymph nodes. Moreover, a tumor vaccination study showcases the advantageous co-expression of T cell stimulatory cytokines (IL-2v or IL-21) locally in lymph nodes alongside a potent tumor antigen. Lymph node-directed gene therapy at significantly reduced vector loads circumvents potential systemic toxicity of stimulating payloads. Our proposed low-dosage DC-targeted vaccine offers an effective solution for patients and also minimizes potential adenovirus-related side-effects. The robust immunogenicity of HC-HAdV5, with its large coding capacity (37 kbp DNA), opens up exciting possibilities for future therapeutic combination strategies.
Bacterial stress granule protects mRNA through ribonucleases exclusion
Authors: Pei Linsen , Xian Yujia , Yan Xiaodan , Schaefer Charley , Syeda Aisha H. , Howard Jamieson A. L. , Liao Hebin , Bai Fan , Leake Mark C. , Pu Yingying
Published: April 2024

Membraneless droplets formed through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) play a crucial role in mRNA storage, enabling organisms to swiftly respond to environmental changes. However, the mechanisms underlying mRNA integration and protection within droplets remain unclear. Here, we unravel the role of bacterial aggresomes as stress granules (SGs) in safeguarding mRNA during stress. We discovered that upon stress onset, mobile mRNA molecules selectively incorporate into individual proteinaceous SGs based on length-dependent enthalpic gain over entropic loss. As stress prolongs, SGs undergo compaction facilitated by stronger non- specific RNA-protein interactions, thereby promoting recruitment of shorter RNA chains. Remarkably, mRNA ribonucleases are repelled from bacterial SGs, due to the influence of protein surface charge. This exclusion mechanism ensures the integrity and preservation of mRNA within SGs during stress conditions, explaining how mRNA can be stored and protected from degradation. Following stress removal, SGs facilitate mRNA translation, thereby enhancing cell fitness in changing environments. These droplets maintain mRNA physiological activity during storage, making them an intriguing new candidate for mRNA therapeutics manufacturing.
Genetic Dissection of Heat Stress Tolerance in Soybean through Genome-Wide Association Studies and the Use of Genomic Prediction to Enhance Breeding Applications
Authors: Van der Laan Liza , Peixoto Leonardo de Azevedo , Singh Asheesh K.
Published: April 2024

Rising temperatures and associated heat stress pose an increasing threat to soybean [Glycine maxL. (Merr.)] productivity. Due to a limited choice of mitigation strategies, the primary arsenal in crop protection comes from improved genetic stress tolerance. Despite this current and looming threat to soybean production, limited studies have examined the genetics of heat stress tolerance. There is a need to conduct large-scale germplasm screening and genetic studies, including genome-wide association mapping and genomic prediction, to identify genomic regions and useful markers associated with heat tolerance traits that can be utilized in soybean breeding programs. We screened a diverse panel of 450 soybean accessions from MG 0-IV to dissect the genetic architecture of physiological and growth-related traits under optimal and heat stress temperatures and study trait relationships and predictive ability. The genetic architecture information of the response to heat revealed in this study provides insights into the genetics of heat stress tolerance. Thirty-seven significant SNPs were detected, with 20 unique SNPs detected in optimal, 16 detected in heat stress, and a single SNP detected for a heat tolerance index. Only one significant SNP was identified across temperature treatments indicating a genetic divergence in soybean responses to temperature. The genomic prediction worked well for biomass traits, but physiological traits associated with heat stress had poor model accuracy. Through our phenotyping efforts, we identified heat tolerant soybean accessions. The identification of heat tolerant accessions and significant SNPs are useful in heat tolerant variety development through marker-assisted and genomic selection.

Core ideas

Soybean exhibit phenotypic diversity in response to heat stress.

Large scale phenotypic screening identified heat tolerant accessions.

Previously unreported QTL and SNP associated with biomass and physiological parameters under heat stress are reported.

Genomic prediction shows promise in abiotic stress breeding applications.
Autophagy is suppressed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells during chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Cooper James M , Chen Shiye , Lester Susan E , Kim Julia , Gummow Jason , Crowhurst Tom , Lawton Emily , Badiei Arash , Nguyen Phan T , Jersmann Hubertus PA , Roscioli Eugene
Published: April 2024

Assessing autophagy promises to provide valuable information regarding the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, measuring the dynamic aspect of autophagy is challenging, and sample manipulation can cause signal fluctuations that deviate from the situationin vivo. Our aim was to assess an organotypic method to quantify autophagy in the context of COPD, where autophagy has demonstrated disease-related modulation. Blood from control and COPD participants was treated with/out chloroquine. Protein from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was then isolated and compared for LC3B-II abundance. Our observations show that while basal level LC3B-II abundance was similar between each group (P = 0.60), autophagic flux was significantly lower in the COPD cohort, suggesting disruption in autophagy (P = 0.004). We aim to extend this inquiry and compare pulmonary vs blood samples, to identify the utility of measuring autophagy in blood as a diagnostic outcome predictive of early COPD.
Investigating the Triple Code Model in Numerical Cognition Using Stereotactic Electroencephalography
Authors: Tan Hao , Rockhill Alexander P. , Lopez Ramos Christian G. , Nerison Caleb , Shafie Beck , Shahin Maryam N. , Fecker Adeline , Ismail Mostafa , Cleary Daniel R. , Collins Kelly L. , Raslan Ahmed M.
Published: April 2024

The ability to conceptualize numerical quantities is an essential human trait. According to the “Triple Code Model” (TCM) in numerical cognition, distinct neural substrates encode the processing of visual, auditory, and nonsymbolic numerical representations. While our contemporary understanding of human number cognition has benefited greatly from advances in clinical imaging, limited studies have investigated the intracranial electrophysiological correlates of number processing. In this study, 13 subjects undergoing stereotactic electroencephalography for epilepsy participated in a number recognition task. Drawing upon postulates of the TCM, we presented subjects with numerical stimuli varying in representation type (symbolic vs. non-symbolic) and mode of stimuli delivery (visual vs. auditory). Time-frequency spectrograms were dimensionally reduced with principal component analysis and passed into a linear support vector machine classification algorithm to identify regions associated with number perception compared to inter-trial periods. Across representation formats, the highest classification accuracy was observed in the bilateral parietal lobes. Auditory (spoken and beeps) and visual (Arabic) number formats preferentially engaged the superior temporal cortices and the frontoparietal regions, respectively. The left parietal cortex was found to have the highest classification for number dots. Notably, the putamen exhibited robust classification accuracies in response to numerical stimuli. Analyses of spectral feature maps revealed that non-gamma frequency below 30 Hz held greater than chance classification value and could be potentially used to characterize format specific number representations. Taken together, our findings obtained from intracranial recordings provide further support and expand on the TCM model for numerical cognition.
A genetic and microscopy toolkit for live imaging of whole-body regeneration inMacrostomum lignano
Authors: Hall R. Nelson , Li Hongquan , Chai Chew , Vermeulen Sidney , Bigasin Robin R. , Song Eun Sun , Gibson Jesse , Prakash Manu , Fire Andrew Z. , Wang Bo
Published: April 2024

Live imaging of regenerative processes can reveal how animals restore their bodies after injury through a cascade of dynamic cellular events. Here, we present a comprehensive toolkit for live imaging of whole-body regeneration in the flatwormMacrostomum lignano, including a high throughput cloning pipeline, targeted cellular ablation, and advanced microscopy solutions. Using tissue-specific reporter expression, we examine how various structures regenerate. Enabled by a custom, low-cost luminescence/fluorescence microscope, we overcome intense stress-induced autofluorescence to demonstrate the first application of genetic cellular ablation in flatworms to reveal the limited regenerative capacity of neurons and their essential role during wound-healing. Finally, we build a novel open-source tracking microscope to continuously image moving animals throughout the week-long process of regeneration, quantifying kinetics of wound healing, nerve cord repair, body regeneration, growth, and behavioral recovery. Our findings suggest that nerve cord reconnection operates independently from primary body axis re-establishment and other downstream regenerative processes.
Unlocking Antarctic molecular time-capsules – recovering historical environmental DNA from museum-preserved sponges
Authors: Jeunen Gert-Jan , Mills Sadie , Lamare Miles , Duffy Grant A. , Knapp Michael , Stanton Jo-Ann L. , Mariani Stefano , Treece Jackson , Ferreira Sara , Durán-Vinet Benjamín , Zavodna Monika , Gemmell Neil J.
Published: April 2024

Marine sponges have recently emerged as efficient natural environmental DNA (eDNA) samplers. The ability of sponges to accumulate eDNA provides an exciting opportunity to reconstruct contemporary communities and ecosystems with high temporal and spatial precision. However, the use of historical eDNA (heDNA), trapped within the vast number of specimens stored in scientific collections, opens up the opportunity to begin to reconstruct the communities and ecosystems of the past. Here, using a variety of Antarctic sponge specimens stored in an extensive marine invertebrate collection, we were able to recover information on Antarctic fish biodiversity from specimens up to 20 years old. We successfully recovered 64 fish heDNA signals from 27 sponge specimens. Alpha diversity measures did not differ among preservation methods, but sponges stored frozen had a significantly different fish community composition compared to those stored dry or in ethanol. Our results show that we were consistently and reliably able to extract the heDNA trapped within marine sponge specimens, thereby enabling the reconstruction and investigation of communities and ecosystems of the recent past with a spatial and temporal resolution previously unattainable. Future research into heDNA extraction from other preservation methods, as well as the impact of specimen age and collection method will strengthen and expand the opportunities for this novel resource to access new knowledge on ecological change during the last century.
PD-1 endocytosis unleashes the cytolytic potential of check-point blockade in tumor immunity
Authors: Saad Elham Ben , Oroya Andres , Anto Nikhil Ponnoor , Bachais Meriem , Rudd Christopher E.
Published: April 2024

PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is now a promising first-line treatment for many cancers. While the steric blockade of PD-1 binding to its ligand plays a role, the role of internalisation in promoting the efficacy of ICB has not been explored. In this study, we show that PD-1 internalisation also contributes by unlocking the full cytolytic potential of ICB in cancer immunotherapy. We found that anti-mouse and human PD-1 downregulate a subset of PD-1 surface receptors on T-cells with high-density surface PD-1 leaving T-cells with intermediate expression resistant to further internalisation. Down regulation was seen on both CD4 and CD8 cells but was maximally effective on CD8 effector cells. In human T-cells, nivolumab outperformed pembrolizumab in terms of rate and efficacy. We also found that PD-1 internalisation depended on bivalent antibody (Ab)-induced crosslinking, while monovalent Ab sterically blocked PD-1 without inducing endocytosis. Immunologically, while both monovalent and bivalent Ab limited B16-PD-L1 tumor growth, bivalent Ab was significantly more effective. In molecular terms, while both antibodies increased granzyme B (GZMB) expression in CD8+ cytolytic T-cells, the induction of the second key cytolytic pore-forming mediator, perforin, was dependent on the blockade and internalisation mediated by bilavent anti-PD-1. Our findings unveil a novel mechanism in checkpoint blockade where steric blockade combined with the removal of PD-1 from the cell surface by endocytosis can complement and optimize therapy. The targeting of PD-1 internalisation holds promise for enhancing anti-tumor immunity and improving PD-1 checkpoint blockade therapy.

Graphical Abstract

In brief

Ben Saad et al define the mechanism of PD-1 inhibitory endocytosis and show that the removal of surface PD-1 by endocytosis plays a role in complementing and optimizing checkpoint blockade. Targeting PD-1 internalisation holds promise for enhancing anti-tumor immunity and improving the efficacy of PD-1 checkpoint blockade therapy.
Experimental evolution ofS. cerevisiaefor caffeine tolerance alters multidrug resistance and TOR signaling pathways
Authors: Geck Renee C. , Moresi Naomi G. , Anderson Leah M. ,   yEvo Students, Brewer Rebecca , Renz Timothy R. , Taylor M. Bryce , Dunham Maitreya J.
Published: April 2024

Caffeine is a natural compound that inhibits the major cellular signaling regulator TOR, leading to widespread effects including growth inhibition.S. cerevisiaeyeast can adapt to tolerate high concentrations of caffeine in coffee and cacao fermentations and in experimental systems. While many factors affecting caffeine tolerance and TOR signaling have been identified, further characterization of their interactions and regulation remain to be studied. We used experimental evolution ofS. cerevisiaeto study the genetic contributions to caffeine tolerance in yeast, through a collaboration between high school students evolving yeast populations coupled with further research exploration in university labs. We identified multiple evolved yeast populations with mutations inPDR1andPDR5, which contribute to multidrug resistance, and showed that gain-of-function mutations in multidrug resistance family transcription factorsPDR1, PDR3, andYRR1differentially contribute to caffeine tolerance. We also identified loss-of-function mutations in TOR effectorsSIT4, SKY1, andTIP41, and show that these mutations contribute to caffeine tolerance. These findings support the importance of both the multidrug resistance family and TOR signaling in caffeine tolerance, and can inform future exploration of networks affected by caffeine and other TOR inhibitors in model systems and industrial applications.
Triangle singularity in the
J/ψ→ϕπ+a0−(π−η)
,
ϕπ−a0+(π+η)
decays
Authors: Xiao C. W. , Dias J. M. , Dai L. R. , Liang W. H. , Oset E.
Published: April 2024

We study the J/ψ→ϕπ+a0(980)−(a0−→π−η) decay, evaluating the double mass distribution in terms of the π−η and π+a0− invariant masses. We show that the π−η mass distribution exhibits the typical cusp structure of the a0(980) seen in recent high statistics experiments, and the π+a0− spectrum shows clearly a peak around Minv(π+a0−)=1420  MeV, corresponding to a triangle singularity. When integrating over the two invariant masses we find a branching ratio for this decay of the order of 10−5, which is easily accessible in present laboratories. We also call attention to the fact that the signal obtained is compatible with a bump experimentally observed in the ηπ+π− mass distribution in the J/ψ→ϕηπ+π− decay and encourage further analysis to extract from there the ϕπ+a0− and ϕπ−a0+ decay modes.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Lattice QCD calculation of the
Ds*
radiative decay with (
2+1
)-flavor Wilson-clover ensembles
Authors: Meng Yu , Dang Jin-Long , Liu Chuan , Liu Zhaofeng , Shen Tinghong , Yan Haobo , Zhang Ke-Long
Published: April 2024

We perform a lattice calculation on the radiative decay of Ds* using the (2+1)-flavor Wilson-clover gauge ensembles generated by CLQCD collaboration. A method allowing us to calculate the form factor with zero transfer momentum is proposed and applied to the radiative transition Ds*→Dsγ and the Dalitz decay Ds*→Dse+e−. After a continuum extrapolation using three lattice spacings, we obtain Γ(Ds*→Dsγ)=0.0549(54)  keV, where the error is purely statistical. The result is consistent with previous lattice calculations but with a error reduced to only a fifth of the before. The Dalitz decay rate is also calculated for the first time and the ratio with the radiative transition is found to be Ree=0.624(3)%. A total decay width of Ds* can then be determined as 0.0587(54) keV taking into account the experimental branching fraction. Combining with the most recent experimental measurement on the branching fraction of the purely leptonic decay Ds+,*→e+νe, we obtain the quantity fDs*|Vcs|=(190.5−41.7stat+55.1±12.6syst)  MeV, where the stat. is only the statistical error from the experiment, and syst. results from the experimental systematic uncertainty and the lattice statistical error. Our result leads to an improved systematic uncertainty compared to 42.7syst obtained using previous lattice prediction of total decay width 0.070(28) keV as the input.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
QCD Anderson transition with overlap valence quarks on a twisted-mass sea
Authors: Kehr Robin , Smith Dominik , von Smekal Lorenz
Published: April 2024

In this work we probe the QCD Anderson transition by studying spectral distributions of the massless overlap operator on gauge configurations created by the (tmfT) with 2+1+1 flavors of dynamical quarks and the Iwasaki gauge action. We assess finite-size and discretization effects by considering two different lattice spacings and several physical volumes, and mimic the approach to the continuum limit through stereographic projection. Fitting the inflection points of the participation ratios of the overlap Dirac eigenmodes, we obtain estimates of the temperature dependence of the mobility edge, below which quark modes are localized. We observe that it is well described by a quadratic polynomial and systematically vanishes at temperatures below the pseudocritical one of the chiral transition. In fact, our best estimates within errors overlap with that of the chiral phase transition temperature of QCD in the chiral limit.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Primary observables for gauge boson collider signals
Authors: Arzate Cristien , Chang Spencer , Jacobo Gabriel
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we determine a basis for the on-shell four-point amplitudes VVVV for Standard Model gauge bosons V=W±,Z,γ,g. Following previous work, this completes the analysis of three- and four-point amplitudes for the Standard Model and could be used for model-independent searches for beyond the Standard Model physics at colliders. Our results include a Lagrangian parametrization for the “primary” amplitudes, where including additional derivatives leads to the Mandelstam “descendant” amplitudes, and upper bounds on the coupling constants from imposing unitarity. We also perform an estimate for the sensitivity for new Z decays at the High-Luminosity LHC, finding that Z→γℓ¯ℓ could be searched for, but that other decay modes, like Z→(γγγ,γgg), are too small to be discovered after imposing unitarity constraints.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Accelerated quantum circuit Monte Carlo simulation for heavy quark thermalization
Authors: Du Xiaojian , Qian Wenyang
Published: April 2024

Thermalization of heavy quarks in the quark-gluon plasma is one of the most promising phenomena for understanding the strong interaction. The energy loss and momentum broadening at low momentum can be well described by a stochastic process with drag and diffusion terms. Recent advances in quantum computing, in particular, quantum amplitude estimation (QAE), promise to provide a quadratic speedup in simulating stochastic processes. We introduce and formalize an accelerated quantum circuit Monte Carlo (aQCMC) framework to simulate heavy quark thermalization. With simplified drag and diffusion coefficients connected by Einstein’s relation, we simulate the thermalization of a heavy quark in isotropic and anisotropic mediums using an ideal quantum simulator and compare that to thermal expectations. With Grover-like QAE, we calculate physical observables with quadratically fewer resources, which is a boost over the classical MC simulation that usually requires a large sampling number at the same estimation accuracy.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Subtleties in triangle loops for
Ds+→ρ+η→π+π0η
in
a0(980)
production
Authors: Bayar M. , Molina R. , Oset E. , Liu Ming-Zhu , Geng Li-Sheng
Published: April 2024

We address a general problem in the evaluation of triangle loops stemming from the consideration of the range of the interaction involved in some of the vertices, as well as the energy dependence of the width of some unstable particles in the loop. We find sizeable corrections from both effects. We apply that to a loop relevant to the Ds+→π+π0η decay, and find reductions of about a factor of 4 in the mass distribution of invariant mass of the πη in the region of the a0(980). The method used is based on the explicit analytical evaluation of the q0 integration in the d4q loop integration, using Cauchy’s residues method, which at the same time offers an insight on the convergence of the integrals and the effect of form factors and cutoffs.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Bridging relativistic jets from black hole scales to long-term electromagnetic radiation distances: A moving-mesh general relativistic hydrodynamics code with the HLLC Riemann solver
Authors: Xie Xiaoyi , Lam Alan Tsz-Lok
Published: April 2024

Relativistic jets accompany the collapse of massive stars, the merger of compact objects, or the accretion of gas in active galactic nuclei. They carry information about the central engine and generate electromagnetic radiation. No self-consistent simulations have been able to follow these jets from their birth at the black hole scale to the Newtonian dissipation phase, making the inference of central engine property through astronomical observations undetermined. We present the general relativistic moving-mesh framework to achieve the continuity of jet simulations throughout space and time. We implement the general relativistic extension for the moving-mesh relativistic hydrodynamic code, , and develop a tetrad formulation to utilize the Harten-Lax-van Leer Contact Riemann solver in the general relativistic moving-mesh code. The new framework is able to trace the radial movement of relativistic jets from central regions where strong gravity holds all the way to distances of jet dissipation.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Universal construction of black hole microstates
Authors: Climent Ana , Emparan Roberto , Magán Javier M. , Sasieta Martin , Vilar López Alejandro
Published: April 2024

We refine and extend a recent construction of sets of black hole microstates with semiclassical interiors that span a Hilbert space of dimension eS, where S is the black hole entropy. We elaborate on the definition and properties of microstates in statistical and black hole mechanics. The gravitational description of microstates employs matter shells in the interior of the black hole, and we argue that in the limit where the shells are very heavy, the construction acquires universal validity. To this end, we show it for very wide classes of black holes; we first extend the construction to rotating and charged black holes, including extremal and near-extremal solutions, with or without supersymmetry, and we sketch how the construction of microstates can be embedded in string theory. We then describe how the approach can include general quantum corrections, near or far from extremality. For supersymmetric black holes, the microstates we construct differ from other recent constructions in that the interior excitations are not confined within the near-extremal throat.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Quasiparticle cosmology
Authors: Jaiswal Amaresh
Published: April 2024

We consider thermodynamics of the Universe within a quasiparticle approach where the collective dynamics of a system is governed by the thermal mass of the constituents. The spacetime dependence of this thermal mass leads to a negative contribution to the pressure and a positive contribution to the energy density, similar to the effect due to dark energy. We propose a mechanism based on thermodynamic arguments to quantify this contribution from the thermal vacuum of the system. For a sufficiently large spacetime variation of the thermal mass, the effective pressure can become negative and could mimic a dark energy equation of state. We validate our framework using results from renormalizable interacting scalar field theory and demonstrate an application on QCD axion.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Laser Excitation of the Th-229 Nucleus
Authors: Tiedau J. , Okhapkin M. V. , Zhang K. , Thielking J. , Zitzer G. , Peik E. , Schaden F. , Pronebner T. , Morawetz I. , De Col L. Toscani , Schneider F. , Leitner A. , Pressler M. , Kazakov G. A. , Beeks K. , Sikorsky T. , Schumm T.
Published: April 2024

The 8.4 eV nuclear isomer state in Th-229 is resonantly excited in Th-doped CaF2 crystals using a tabletop tunable laser system. A resonance fluorescence signal is observed in two crystals with different Th-229 dopant concentrations, while it is absent in a control experiment using Th-232. The nuclear resonance for the Th4+ ions in Th:CaF2 is measured at the wavelength 148.3821(5) nm, frequency 2020.409(7) THz, and the fluorescence lifetime in the crystal is 630(15) s, corresponding to an isomer half-life of 1740(50) s for a nucleus isolated in vacuum. These results pave the way toward Th-229 nuclear laser spectroscopy and realizing optical nuclear clocks.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Quantum simulations of time-dependent Hamiltonians beyond the quasistatic approximation
Authors: Shi Boyuan , Mintert Florian
Published: April 2024

Existing approaches to analog quantum simulations of time-dependent quantum systems rely on perturbative corrections to quantum simulations of time-independent quantum systems. We overcome this restriction to perturbative treatments with an approach based on flow equations and a multimode Fourier expansion. The potential of the quantum simulations that can be achieved with our approach is demonstrated with the pedagogical example of a Λ system and the quench in finite time through a quantum phase transition of a Chern insulator in a driven noninteracting Hubbard system. The example of the Λ system demonstrates the ability of our approach to describe situations beyond the validity of adiabatic approximations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
A closer look at high-energy X-ray-induced bubble formation during soft tissue imaging
Authors: Xian R. Patrick , Brunet Joseph , Huang Yuze , Wagner Willi L. , Lee Peter D. , Tafforeau Paul , Walsh Claire L.
Published: April 2024

Improving the scalability of tissue imaging throughput with bright, coherent X-rays requires identifying and mitigating artifacts resulting from the interactions between X-rays and matter. At synchrotron sources, long-term imaging of soft tissues in solution can result in gas bubble formation or cavitation, which dramatically compromises image quality and integrity of the samples. By combining in-line phase-contrast imaging with gas chromatography in real time, we were able to track the onset and evolution of high-energy X-ray-induced gas bubbles in ethanol-embedded soft tissue samples for tens of minutes (two to three times the typical scan times). We demonstrate quantitatively that vacuum degassing of the sample during preparation can significantly delay bubble formation, offering up to a twofold improvement in dose tolerance, depending on the tissue type. However, once nucleated, bubble growth is faster in degassed than undegassed samples, indicating their distinct metastable states at bubble onset. Gas chromatography analysis shows increased solvent vaporization concurrent with bubble formation, yet the quantities of dissolved gasses remain unchanged. By coupling features extracted from the radiographs with computational analysis of bubble characteristics, we uncover dose-controlled kinetics and nucleation site-specific growth. These hallmark signatures provide quantitative constraints on the driving mechanisms of bubble formation and growth. Overall, the observations highlight bubble formation as a critical yet often overlooked hurdle in upscaling X-ray imaging for biological tissues and soft materials and we offer an empirical foundation for their understanding and imaging protocol optimization. More importantly, our approaches establish a top-down scheme to decipher the complex, multiscale radiation–matter interactions in these applications.
A fairy tale with an unhappy ending: the organizational regulation of “Latina accountant identity” in Spain
Authors: Gago-Rodríguez Susana , Lazcano Laura , Bada Carmen
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Identity regulation is part of a management control package. Organizations regulate employees’ self-identity to influence their behaviors. The success of this regulation depends on its trade-off with employees’ work identities and personalities. Organizational discourse nurtures this dynamic and interactive process. We focus on the regulation of an (undesired) organizational identity that is born at the intersection of race/ethnicity, gender, sex and migrant discrimination in accounting-related positions. We aim to analyze how Latina accountants who migrate to Spain perceive that their triple status as Latina, women and migrants affects their careers as accountants and interpret whether this triple intersectional discrimination aims to create a Latina accountant’s self-identity.

Design/methodology/approach

This critical study follows a phenomenological approach to analyze the experiences of women born in Latin America who migrated to Spain to occupy accounting-related positions. A thematic analysis of their semi-structured interviews allowed us to examine the challenges faced by Latina accountants in their accounting careers in Spain.

Findings

Our interviewees' narratives display an internalization of, even resignation to, a self-identity that we label “Latina accountant identity.” This identity is based on explicit discrimination discourses that cause them to suffer from the intersection of racism, sexism and migrant conditions and is nurtured by the discourses of their senior managers, co-workers and subordinates.

Originality/value

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to frame the regulation of an intersectional discriminatory identity that is used to control Latina accountants from the inside, acting on the triple condition of Latinas, women and foreigners, influencing their self-perceptions regarding work and personal lives.
Reshaping vocational training: a study on the recognition of micro-credentials in job markets
Authors: Alasmari Talal
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study examines the perceptions of human resource (HR) professionals regarding the use of micro-credentials in the job market. The research explores the role of micro-credentials as emerging credentials in job requirements, continuing education, soft skills acquisition, job application evaluation (JAE) processes, qualification preferences in recruitment, salary/pay scale determination and promotional opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research methodology was used to collect data through questionnaires distributed to 124 HR professionals.

Findings

The study finds that HR professionals recognize the value of micro-credentials in enhancing a candidate’s resume and aligning with their career objectives, as they offer personalized skill-building opportunities. However, some recruiters question the legitimacy of micro-credentials, perceiving them as informal and questioning their practical transferability.

Originality/value

This study highlights the importance for HR professionals to remain updated on emerging trends, adapt to the changing dynamics of the professional workforce and incorporate this into their recruitment and promotion policies. It also emphasizes the need for further investigation into the legitimacy of micro-credentials and their impact on the job market and presents the potential benefits of their integration into HR practices.
Nanofluid natural convection of hot concentric cylinder in oval-shaped porous cavity at different eccentricity
Authors: Ali Farooq H. , Almensoury Mushtaq F. , Hashim Atheer Saad , Al-Amir Qusay Rasheed , Hamzah Hameed K. , Hatami M.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to study the effect of concentric hot circular cylinder inside egg-cavity porous-copper nanofluid on natural convection phenomena.

Design/methodology/approach

The finite element method–based Galerkin approach is applied to solve numerically the set of governing equations with appropriate boundary conditions.

Findings

The effects of different range parameters, such as Darcy number (10–3 = Da = 10–1), Rayleigh number (103 = Ra = 106), nanoparticle volume fraction (0 = ϑ = 0.06) and eccentricity (−0.3 = e = 0.1) on the fluid flow represent by stream function and heat transfer represent by temperature distribution, local and average Nusselt numbers.

Research limitations/implications

A comparison between oval shape and concentric circular concentric cylinder was investigated.

Originality/value

In the current numerical study, heat transfer by natural convection was identified inside the new design of egg-shaped cavity as a result of the presence of a circular inside it supported by a porous medium filled with a nanofluid. After reviewing previous studies and considering the importance of heat transfer by free convection inside tubes for many applications, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the current work is the first study that deals with a study and comparison between the common shape (concentric circular tubes) and the new shape (egg-shaped cavity).
Information security policy effectiveness: a managerial perspective of the financial industry in Vietnam
Authors: Pham Thai , Hassandoust Farkhondeh
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Information security (InfoSec) policy violations are of great concern to all organisations worldwide, especially in the financial industry. Although the importance of InfoSec policy has been highlighted for many decades, InfoSec breaches still occur due to a low level of employee compliance and a lack of engagement and competence in high-level management. However, previous studies have primarily investigated the behavioural aspects of InfoSec policy compliance at the individual level rather than the managerial factors involved in constructing InfoSec policy and developing its effectiveness. Thus, drawing on neo-institutional theory and a transformational leadership framework, this research investigated the influence of external mechanisms and transformational leadership on InfoSec policy effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The research model was implemented using field survey data from professional managers in the financial sector.

Findings

The results reported that neo-institutional mechanisms and transformational leadership shape InfoSec policy effectiveness in an organisation.

Originality/value

This study broadens current InfoSec policy research from an individual level to a managerial perspective and enhances the existing literature on neo-institutional and transformational leadership in the context of InfoSec. It highlights the need to evaluate InfoSec policy based on external factors and to support transformational leadership styles that promote InfoSec policy enforcement and effectiveness.