bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data-driven estimates for light-quark-connected and strange-plus-disconnected hadronic
g−2
window quantities
Authors: Benton Genessa , Boito Diogo , Golterman Maarten , Keshavarzi Alexander , Maltman Kim , Peris Santiago
Published: February 2024

A number of discrepancies have emerged between lattice computations and data-driven dispersive evaluations of the RBC/UKQCD intermediate-window-hadronic contribution to the muon anomalous magnetic moment. It is therefore interesting to obtain data-driven estimates for the light-quark-connected and strange-plus-disconnected components of this window quantity, allowing for a more detailed comparison between the lattice and data-driven approaches. The aim of this paper is to provide these estimates, extending the analysis to several other window quantities, including two windows designed to focus on the region in which the two-pion contribution is dominant. Clear discrepancies are observed for all light-quark-connected contributions considered, while good agreement with lattice results is found for strange-plus-disconnected contributions to the quantities for which corresponding lattice results exist. The largest of these discrepancies is that for the RBC/UKQCD intermediate window, where, as previously reported, our data-driven result, aμW1,lqc=198.9(1.1)×10−10, is in significant tension with the results of 8 different recent lattice determinations. Our strategy is the same as recently employed in obtaining data-driven estimates for the light-quark-connected and strange-plus-disconnected components of the full leading-order hadronic vacuum polarization contribution to the muon anomalous magnetic moment. Updated versions of those earlier results are also presented, for completeness.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Effectiveness of contact tracing on networks with cliques
Authors: Rizi Abbas K. , Keating Leah A. , Gleeson James P. , O'Sullivan David J. P. , Kivelä Mikko
Published: February 2024

Contact tracing, the practice of isolating individuals who have been in contact with infected individuals, is an effective and practical way of containing disease spread. Here we show that this strategy is particularly effective in the presence of social groups: Once the disease enters a group, contact tracing not only cuts direct infection paths but can also pre-emptively quarantine group members such that it will cut indirect spreading routes. We show these results by using a deliberately stylized model that allows us to isolate the effect of contact tracing within the clique structure of the network where the contagion is spreading. This will enable us to derive mean-field approximations and epidemic thresholds to demonstrate the efficiency of contact tracing in social networks with small groups. This analysis shows that contact tracing in networks with groups is more efficient the larger the groups are. We show how these results can be understood by approximating the combination of disease spreading and contact tracing with a complex contagion process where every failed infection attempt will lead to a lower infection probability in the following attempts. Our results illustrate how contact tracing in real-world settings can be more efficient than predicted by models that treat the system as fully mixed or the network structure as locally treelike.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Free-energy measuring nanopore device
Authors: Gavrilov Momčilo , Zhang Jinghang , Yang Olivia , Ha Taekjip
Published: February 2024

Free energies (FEs) in molecular sciences can be used to quantify the stability of folded molecules. In this article, we introduce nanopores for measuring FEs. We pull DNA hairpin-forming molecules through a nanopore, measure work, and estimate the FE change in the slow limit, and with the Jarzynski fluctuation theorem (FT) at fast pulling times. We also pull our molecule with optical tweezers, compare it to nanopores, and explore how sampling single molecules from equilibrium or a folded ensemble affects the FE estimate via the FT. The nanopore experiment helps us address and overcome the conceptual problem of equilibrium sampling in single-molecule pulling experiments. Only when molecules are sampled from an equilibrium ensemble do nanopore and tweezer FE estimates mutually agree. We demonstrate that nanopores are very useful tools for comparing FEs of two molecules at finite times and we propose future applications.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Thermal and magnetoelastic properties of the van der Waals ferromagnet
Fe3−δGeTe2
: Anisotropic spontaneous magnetostriction and ferromagnetic magnon excitations
Authors: Kremer Reinhard K. , Brücher Eva
Published: February 2024

By determining the lattice parameters as a function of temperature of the hexagonal van der Waals ferromagnet Fe2.92(1)Ge1.02(3)Te2 we obtain the temperature dependence of the spontaneous in-plane magnetostriction in the ferromagnetic and the linear thermal expansion coefficients in the paramagnetic state. The spontaneous magnetostriction is clearly seen in the temperature dependence of the in-plane lattice parameter a(T), but less well pronounced perpendicular to the planes along c. Below TC the spontaneous magnetostriction follows a power law M(T)3/2 of the magnetization and leads to an expansion of the hexagonal layers. Extrapolating to T→ 0 K we obtain a spontaneous in-plane saturation magnetostriction of λsp,a(T→0)≈−220×10−6. In the paramagnetic state the linear thermal expansion coefficients amount to 13.9(1)×10−6K−1 and to 23.2(2)×10−6K−1 for the in-plane and out-of-plane direction, respectively, indicating a linear volume thermal expansion coefficient of 50.8(4)×10−6K−1 which we use to estimate the volume thermal expansion contribution to the heat capacity determined at constant pressure. A Sommerfeld-type linear term in the low-temperature heat capacities can be quantitatively ascribed to two-dimensional (2D) ferromagnetic magnon excitations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Sparse Random Hamiltonians Are Quantumly Easy
Authors: Chen Chi-Fang , Dalzell Alexander M. , Berta Mario , Brandão Fernando G. S. L. , Tropp Joel A.
Published: February 2024

A candidate application for quantum computers is to simulate the low-temperature properties of quantum systems. For this task, there is a well-studied quantum algorithm that performs quantum phase estimation on an initial trial state that has a non-negligible overlap with a low-energy state. However, it is notoriously hard to give theoretical guarantees that such a trial state can be prepared efficiently. Moreover, the heuristic proposals that are currently available, such as with adiabatic state preparation, appear insufficient in practical cases. This paper shows that, for most random sparse Hamiltonians, the maximally mixed state is a sufficiently good trial state, and phase estimation efficiently prepares states with energy arbitrarily close to the ground energy. Furthermore, any low-energy state must have non-negligible quantum circuit complexity, suggesting that low-energy states are classically nontrivial and phase estimation is the optimal method for preparing such states (up to polynomial factors). These statements hold for two models of random Hamiltonians: (i) a sum of random signed Pauli strings and (ii) a random signed d-sparse Hamiltonian. The main technical argument is based on some new results in nonasymptotic random matrix theory. In particular, a refined concentration bound for the spectral density is required to obtain complexity guarantees for these random Hamiltonians.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Investigation of structural and reflective characteristics of short-period Mo/B4C multilayer X-ray mirrors
Authors: Shaposhnikov Roman , Polkovnikov Vladimir , Garakhin Sergey , Vainer Yuliy , Chkhalo Nikolay , Smertin Ruslan , Durov Kirill , Glushkov Egor , Yakunin Sergey , Borisov Mikhail
Published: February 2024

The results of a study of the structural and reflective characteristics of short-period multilayer X-ray mirrors based on Mo/B4C at wavelengths 1.54 Å, 9.89 Å and 17.59 Å are presented. The period of the samples varied in the range 8–35 Å. The average widths of the interfaces were ∼3.5 and 2.2 Å at one and the other boundaries, with a tendency for weak growth with any decrease in the period. The interlayer roughness was ∼1 Å. The research results indicate promising prospects for the use of multilayer Mo/B4C mirrors for synchrotron applications.
Elastic and piezoelectric properties of β-glycine – a quantum crystallography view on intermolecular interactions and a high-pressure phase transition
Authors: Khainovsky Mark A. , Boldyreva Elena V. , Tsirelson Vladimir G.
Published: February 2024

The effect of hydrostatic compression on the elastic and electronic properties of β-glycine was studied using a quantum crystallography approach. The interrelations between the changes in the microscopic quantum pressure in the electronic continuum, macroscopic compressibility and piezoelectricity were considered. The geometries and energies of hydrogen bonds in the crystal structure of β-glycine were considered as functions of pressure before and after a phase transition into the β′-phase in relation to the mechanism of this phase transition.
Model-free low-power observer based robust trajectory tracking control of UAV quadrotor with unknown disturbances
Authors: Siddiqui Muhammad Nabeel , Zhu Xiaolu , Rasool Hanad , Afzal Muhammad Bilal , Ahmed Nigar
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to design an output-feedback algorithm based on low-power observer (LPO), robust chattering-free controller and nonlinear disturbance observer (DO) to achieve trajectory tracking of quadrotor in the Cartesian plane.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve trajectory tracking control, firstly the decoupled rotational and translational model of quadrotor are modified by introducing backstepped state-space variables. In the second step, robust integral sliding mode control is designed based on the proportional-integral-derivative (PID) technique. In the third step, a DO is constructed. In next step, the measurable outputs, i.e. rotational and translational state variables, are used to design the LPO. Finally, in the control algorithm all state variables and its rates are replaced with its estimates obtained using the state-observer.

Findings

The finding includes output-feedback control (OFC) algorithm designed by using a LPO. A modified backstepping model for rotational and rotational systems is developed prior to the design of integral sliding mode control based on PID technique. Unlike traditional high-gain observers (HGO), this paper used the LPO for state estimation of quadrotor systems to solve the problem of peaking phenomenon in HGO. Furthermore, a nonlinear DO is designed such that it attenuates disturbance with unknown magnitude and frequency. Moreover, a chattering reduction criterion has been introduced to solve the inherited chattering issue of controllers based on sliding mode technique.

Practical implications

This paper presents input and output data-driven model-free control algorithm. That is, only input and output of the quadrotor model are required to achieve the trajectory tracking control. Therefore, for practical implementation, the number of on-board sensor is reduced.

Originality/value

Although extensive research has been done for designing OFC algorithms for quadrotor, LPO has never been implemented for the rotational and translational state estimations of quadrotor. Furthermore, the mathematical model of rotational and translational systems is modified by using backstepped variables followed by the controller designed using PID and integral sliding mode control technique. Moreover, a DO is developed for attenuation of disturbance with unknown bound, magnitude and frequency.
A review of electricity consumption and CO2 emissions in Gulf Cooperation Council households and proposed scenarios for its reduction
Authors: Ahmed Tarig Zeinelabdeen Yousif , Ahmed Mawahib Eltayeb , Ahmed Quosay A. , Mohamed Asia Adlan
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) of countries has some of the highest electricity consumptions and carbon dioxide emissions per capita in the world. This poses a direct challenge to the GCC government’s ability to meet their CO2 reduction targets. In this review paper the current household electricity consumption situation in the GCC is reviewed.

Design/methodology/approach

Three scenarios for reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions are proposed and evaluated using strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) as well as the political, economic, social, technical, legal and environmental (PESTLE) frameworks.

Findings

The first scenario found that using solar Photovoltaic (PV) or hybrid solar PV and wind system to power household lighting could save significant amounts of energy, based on lighting making up between 8% to 30% of electricity consumption in GCC households. The second scenario considers replacement of conventional appliances with energy-efficient ones that use around 20% less energy. The third scenario looks at influencing consumer behavior towards sustainable energy consumption.

Practical implications

Pilot trials of these scenarios are recommended for a number of households. Then the results and feedback could be used to launch the schemes GCC-wide.

Social implications

The proposed scenarios are designed to encourage responsible electricity consumption and production within households (SDG12).

Originality/value

All three proposals are found viable for policymakers to implement. However, to ensure successful implementation GCC Governments are recommended to review all the opportunities and challenges associated with these schemes as laid out in this paper.
The role of internal communication on employee loyalty – a theoretical synthesis
Authors: Sinitsyna Elena , Anand Amitabh , Stocker Miklós
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to propose various theoretical lenses to explore the relationship between internal communication (IC) and its impact on employee loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review followed by a synthesis of the literature is adopted after identifying articles from various databases such as Scopus, Google Scholar and EBSCO and found that employee loyalty remains a significant gap in organisational IC research. The review will bring greater attention and focus for scholars to check how IC can help increase employee loyalty using the proposed theories – more so for IC in the Asia-Pacific.

Findings

The findings from this paper explicitly highlight that both individual/managerial theories (social cognitive, social identity, social exchange, expectancy and socio-analytic theories) and organisational theories (network, resource-based view and sensemaking theories) are close and relevant to study the IC and employee loyalty.

Originality/value

The value of this review is to move forward the debate on how IC can significantly contribute to developing employee outcomes (loyalty), how it can further enhance employee performance and commitment and what theories better explain this relationship. This review will inspire and inform future scholars to explore IC’s role in employee loyalty in the Asia-Pacific context.
The impact of critical audit matters on audit report lag and audit fees: evidence from the United States
Authors: Lee Nian Lim (Vic) , Khalaf Mohamed Sami , Farag Magdy , Gomaa Mohamed
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the impact of the implementation of the critical audit matters (CAMs) disclosure requirement and the subsequent relationship between CAM disclosures and audit report lag, as well as audit fees in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used difference-in-differences analyses to investigate the impact that the implementation of the requirement for auditors to report CAMs on their audit report has on the audit process. It also used levels regression models to examine the relationship that CAM disclosures have with audit report lag and audit fees.

Findings

This study found that the implementation of the CAM disclosure requirement in the USA reduced audit report lag while not significantly affecting audit fees. This suggests that the CAM disclosure requirement may increase the cooperation between auditors and managers and improve the efficiency of the audit process.

Practical implications

This study’s results are informative for assessing the economic impact of requiring CAM disclosures, which should be of importance to regulators, auditors and accounting researchers.

Originality/value

This study used different approaches to investigate two aspects of the CAM disclosure requirement – the effect of the implementation of the disclosure requirement and the subsequent effects related to CAM reporting outcomes. Unlike many previous studies investigating CAM disclosures, which relied on experiments and questionnaires, this study used actual CAM disclosure data in the USA to investigate the impact on audit report lag and audit fees.
Investigating chatbot users’ e-satisfaction and patronage intention through social presence and flow: Indian online travel agencies (OTAs)
Authors: S.P. Nisha Pradeepa , D. Asokk , S. Prasanna , Alam Ansari Sarwar
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The concept of ubiquitous assimilation in e-commerce, denoting the seamless integration of technologies into customer shopping experiences, has played a pivotal role in aiding e-satisfaction and, consequently, fostering patronage intention. Among these, text-based chatbots are significant innovations. In light of this, the paper aims to develop a conceptual framework and comprehend the patronage behaviour of artificial intelligence-enabled chatbot users by using chatbot usability cues and to determine whether the social presence and flow theories impact e-satisfaction, which leads to users’ patronage intention. The current research provides insights into online travel agencies (OTAs), a crucial segment within the travel and tourism sector. Given the significance of building a loyal clientele and cultivating patronage in this industry, these insights are of paramount importance for achieving sustained profitability and growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The research framework primarily focused on the factors that precede e-satisfaction and patronage intention among chatbot users, which include social presence, flow, perceived anthropomorphism and need for human interaction. The researchers collected the data by surveying 397 OTA chatbot users by using an online questionnaire. The data of this cross-sectional study were analysed using covariance-based structural equation modelling.

Findings

Findings reveal that e-satisfaction is positively linked with patronage intention and the variables of social presence and flow impact e-satisfaction along with chatbot usability cues. There were direct and indirect relations between chatbot usability and e-satisfaction. Moreover, the personal attributes, “need for human interaction” and, “perceived anthropomorphism” were found to moderate relations between chatbot usability cues, social presence and flow.

Originality/value

The impact of chatbot’s usability cues/attributes on e-satisfaction, along with perceived attributes – social presence and flow in the realm of OTAs contributes to the human–chatbot interaction literature. Moreover, the interacting effects of perceived anthropomorphism and the need for human interaction are unique in the current contextual relations.
Unleashing the power of AI: a systematic review of cutting-edge techniques in AI-enhanced scientometrics, webometrics and bibliometrics
Authors: Saeidnia Hamid Reza , Hosseini Elaheh , Abdoli Shadi , Ausloos Marcel
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The study aims to analyze the synergy of artificial intelligence (AI), with scientometrics, webometrics and bibliometrics to unlock and to emphasize the potential of the applications and benefits of AI algorithms in these fields.

Design/methodology/approach

By conducting a systematic literature review, our aim is to explore the potential of AI in revolutionizing the methods used to measure and analyze scholarly communication, identify emerging research trends and evaluate the impact of scientific publications. To achieve this, we implemented a comprehensive search strategy across reputable databases such as ProQuest, IEEE Explore, EBSCO, Web of Science and Scopus. Our search encompassed articles published from January 1, 2000, to September 2022, resulting in a thorough review of 61 relevant articles.

Findings

(1) Regarding scientometrics, the application of AI yields various distinct advantages, such as conducting analyses of publications, citations, research impact prediction, collaboration, research trend analysis and knowledge mapping, in a more objective and reliable framework. (2) In terms of webometrics, AI algorithms are able to enhance web crawling and data collection, web link analysis, web content analysis, social media analysis, web impact analysis and recommender systems. (3) Moreover, automation of data collection, analysis of citations, disambiguation of authors, analysis of co-authorship networks, assessment of research impact, text mining and recommender systems are considered as the potential of AI integration in the field of bibliometrics.

Originality/value

This study covers the particularly new benefits and potential of AI-enhanced scientometrics, webometrics and bibliometrics to highlight the significant prospects of the synergy of this integration through AI.
A critique of authenticity: how psychology can help
Authors: Scott Noel , Campos Ana Claudia
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Authenticity has been studied from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, leading to a rich but confused literature. This study, a review, aims to compare the psychology and sociology/tourism definitions of authenticity to clarify the concept. From a psychological perspective, authenticity is a mental appraisal of an object or experience as valued leading to feelings and summative judgements (such as satisfaction or perceived value). In objective authenticity, a person values the object due to belief in an expert’s opinion, constructive authenticity relies on socially constructed values, while existential authenticity is based on one’s self-identity. The resultant achievement of a valued goal, such as seeing a valued object, leads to feelings of pleasure. Sociological definitions are similar but based on different theoretical antecedent causes of constructed and existential authenticity. The paper further discusses the use of theory in tourism and the project to develop tourism as a discipline. This project is considered unlikely to be successful and in turn, as argued, it is more useful to apply theory from other disciplines in a multidisciplinary manner. The results emphasise that it is necessary for tourism researchers to understand the origins and development of the concepts they use and their various definitions.
Post‐IPO lead venture capital firm involvement, merger‐related litigation and target firm valuation
Authors: Basnet Anup , Walker Thomas
Published: February 2024

Venture capital firms (VCs) provide certification and monitoring services to the initial public offering (IPO) companies they finance, as has been well documented in the academic literature. Yet, there are few studies that explore what role – if any – VCs play when an IPO company is subsequently acquired, particularly if that acquisition is legally contested. Using a sample of 721 merger and acquisition (M&A) offers for US VC‐backed IPO companies, announced between 1996 and 2018, we find that a takeover bid that occurs in the presence of the lead VC commands a higher target firm valuation and is less likely to be legally contested than a bid for a company from which the lead VC has already exited. In addition, companies in which the lead VC is present enjoy higher stock‐price returns in response to M&A announcements. Our results provide new evidence regarding VC certification and monitoring – including its role as a litigation deterrent – long after the IPO.
When police pull back: Neighborhood‐level effects of de‐policing on violent and property crime, a research note
Authors: Nix Justin , Huff Jessica , Wolfe Scott E. , Pyrooz David C. , Mourtgos Scott M.
Published: February 2024

Many U.S. cities witnessed both de‐policing and increased crime in 2020, yet whether the former contributed to the latter remains unclear. Indeed, much of what is known about the effects of proactive policing on crime comes from studies that evaluated highly focused interventions atypical of day‐to‐day policing, used cities as the unit of analysis, or could not rule out endogeneity. This study addresses each of these issues, thereby advancing the evidence base concerning the effects of policing on crime. Leveraging two exogenous shocks presented by the onset of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic and social unrest after the murder of George Floyd, we evaluated the effects of sudden and sustained reductions in high‐discretion policing on crime at the neighborhood level in Denver, Colorado. Multilevel models accounting for trends in prior police activity, neighborhood structure, seasonality, and population mobility revealed mixed results. On the one hand, large‐scale reductions in stops and drug‐related arrests were associated with significant increases in violent and property crimes, respectively. On the other hand, fewer disorder arrests did not affect crime. These results were not universal across neighborhoods. We discuss the implications of these findings in light of debates concerning the appropriate role of policing in the 21st century.
Restoration of norepinephrine release, cognitive performance, and dendritic spines by amphetamine in aged rat brain
Authors: Scognamiglio Serena , Aljohani Yousef M. , Olson Thao T. , Forcelli Patrick A. , Dezfuli Ghazaul , Kellar Kenneth J.
Published: February 2024

Age‐related dysfunctions in specific neurotransmitter systems likely play an important role in cognitive decline even in its most subtle forms. Therefore, preservation or improvement of cognition via augmentation of neurotransmission is a potential therapeutic strategy to prevent further cognitive deficits. Here we identified a particular neuronal vulnerability in the aged Fischer 344 rat brain, an animal model of neurocognitive aging. Specifically, we demonstrated a marked impairment in glutamate‐stimulated release of norepinephrine (NE) in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of aged rats, and established that this release was mediated by N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Further, we also demonstrated that this decrease in NE release is fully rescued by the psychostimulant drug amphetamine (AMPH). Moreover, we showed that AMPH increases dendritic spine maturation, and importantly shows preclinical efficacy in restoring memory deficits in the aged rat through its actions to potentiate NE neurotransmission at β‐adrenergic receptors. Taken together, our results suggest that deficits in glutamate‐stimulated release of NE may contribute to and possibly be a determinant of neuronal vulnerability underlying cognitive decline during aging, and that these deficits can be corrected with currently available drugs. Overall these studies suggest that repurposing of psychostimulants for age‐associated cognitive deficits is a potential avenue to delay or prevent cognitive decline and/or frank dementia later in life.
Signatures of cysteine oxidation on muscle structural and contractile proteins are associated with physical performance and muscle function in older adults: Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging (SOMMA)
Authors: Day Nicholas J. , Kelly Shane S. , Lui Li‐Yung , Mansfield Tyler A. , Gaffrey Matthew J. , Trejo Jesse B. , Sagendorf Tyler J. , Attah Isaac K. , Moore Ronald J. , Douglas Collin M. , Newman Anne B. , Kritchevsky Stephen B. , Kramer Philip A. , Marcinek David J. , Coen Paul M. , Goodpaster Bret H. , Hepple Russell T. , Cawthon Peggy M. , Petyuk Vladislav A. , Esser Karyn A. , Qian Wei‐Jun , Cummings Steven R.
Published: February 2024

Oxidative stress is considered a contributor to declining muscle function and mobility during aging; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly described. We hypothesized that greater levels of cysteine (Cys) oxidation on muscle proteins are associated with decreased measures of mobility. Herein, we applied a novel redox proteomics approach to measure reversible protein Cys oxidation in vastus lateralis muscle biopsies collected from 56 subjects in the Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging (SOMMA), a community‐based cohort study of individuals aged 70 years and older. We tested whether levels of Cys oxidation on key muscle proteins involved in muscle structure and contraction were associated with muscle function (leg power and strength), walking speed, and fitness (VO2 peak on cardiopulmonary exercise testing) using linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, and body weight. Higher oxidation levels of select nebulin Cys sites were associated with lower VO2 peak, while greater oxidation of myomesin‐1, myomesin‐2, and nebulin Cys sites was associated with slower walking speed. Higher oxidation of Cys sites in key proteins such as myomesin‐2, alpha‐actinin‐2, and skeletal muscle alpha‐actin were associated with lower leg power and strength. We also observed an unexpected correlation (R = 0.48) between a higher oxidation level of eight Cys sites in alpha‐actinin‐3 and stronger leg power. Despite this observation, the results generally support the hypothesis that Cys oxidation of muscle proteins impairs muscle power and strength, walking speed, and cardiopulmonary fitness with aging.
The paternal role in pregnancy loss
Authors: Muncey Wade , Scott Michael , Lathi Ruth B. , Eisenberg Michael L.
Published: February 2024

In this comprehensive review, the intricate relationship between paternal factors and pregnancy loss is examined. While pregnancy loss has historically been predominantly attributed to maternal factors, recent research underscores the significant contribution of the male partner. The review delves into various aspects of paternal influence, including paternal age, health, chromosome abnormalities, Y chromosome deletions, and sperm DNA fragmentation. Notably, advanced paternal age is found to be associated with an increased risk of recurrent pregnancy loss, shedding light on the importance of understanding the impact of aging on male fertility. Additionally, paternal health, particularly metabolic syndrome, emerges as a noteworthy factor contributing to pregnancy loss. Chromosome abnormalities in male partners, such as balanced translocations, and Y chromosome microdeletions are explored in the context of pregnancy loss risk. Moreover, the review highlights the growing body of evidence linking sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm protein abnormalities to spontaneous pregnancy loss, emphasizing the significance of sperm health in reproductive outcomes. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted role of the male partner in pregnancy loss, calling for a more inclusive approach to pregnancy loss investigations that encompasses both maternal and paternal factors.
Potent CTLs can be induced against tumor cells in an environment of lower levels of systemic MFG‐E8
Authors: Mizote Yu , Inoue Takako , Akazawa Takashi , Kunimasa Kei , Tamiya Motohiro , Kumamoto Yachiyo , Tsuda Arisa , Yoshida Satomi , Tatsumi Kumiko , Ekawa Tomoya , Honma Keiichiro , Nishino Kazumi , Tahara Hideaki
Published: February 2024

The direction and magnitude of immune responses are critically affected when dead cells are disposed of. Milk fat globule‐epidermal growth factor‐factor 8 (MFG‐E8) promotes the engulfment of apoptotic normal and cancerous cells without inducing inflammation. We have previously reported that a certain proportion of the cancer cells express abundant MFG‐E8, and that such expression is associated with the shorter survival of patients with esophageal cancer who had received chemotherapy before surgery. However, the influence of tumor‐derived and systemically existing MFG‐E8 on antitumor immune responses has not yet been fully investigated. Herein, we showed that CTL‐dependent antitumor immune responses were observed in mice with no or decreased levels of systemic MFG‐E8, and that such responses were enhanced further with the administration of anti‐PD‐1 antibody. In mice with decreased levels of systemic MFG‐E8, the dominance of regulatory T cells in tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes was inverted to CD8+ T cell dominance. MFG‐E8 expression by tumor cells appears to affect antitumor immune responses only when the level of systemic MFG‐E8 is lower than the physiological status. We have also demonstrated in the clinical setting that lower levels of plasma MFG‐E8, but not MFG‐E8 expression in tumor cells, before the treatment was associated with objective responses to anti‐PD‐1 therapy in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer. These results suggest that systemic MFG‐E8 plays a critical role during the immunological initiation process of antigen‐presenting cells to increase tumor‐specific CTLs. Regulation of the systemic level of MFG‐E8 might induce efficient antitumor immune responses and enhance the potency of anti‐PD‐1 therapy.
Ocular surface disease in moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis patients and the effect of biological therapy
Authors: Achten Roselie , Thijs Judith , van der Wal Marlot , van Luijk Chantal , Bakker Daphne , Knol Edward , van Luin Matthijs , El Amrani Mohsin , Delemarre Eveline , Elfiky Ahmed M I , de Boer Joke , van Wijk Femke , de Graaf Marlies , de Bruin‐Weller Marjolein
Published: February 2024

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease for which new targeted therapies are currently available. Due to the increased rates of ocular surface disease (OSD) reported during treatment with these new targeted treatments, more insight into the occurrence and pathomechanism of OSD in moderate‐to‐severe AD patients is needed. Therefore, this review's first part highlights that most patients with moderate‐to‐severe AD already have characteristics of OSD before starting targeted treatment. Remarkably, not all AD patients with OSD report ocular symptoms. OSD in AD is associated with less conjunctival goblet cells (GC) compared to healthy controls. In addition, OSD severity in AD patients is associated with high AD activity, the presence of eyelid and/or facial eczema, and high levels of AD‐related severity biomarkers in tear fluid. The second part of this review highlights that pre‐existing ocular pathology (e.g. in combination with the use of ophthalmic medication or eyelid eczema) may be associated with the development of dupilumab‐associated ocular surface disease (DAOSD). During dupilumab treatment, DAOSD (which can be new‐onset OSD or worsening of pre‐existing OSD) is observed in approximately one‐third of the dupilumab‐treated AD patients. Anti‐inflammatory ophthalmic treatment improves DAOSD, and dose reduction of dupilumab may also be an effective treatment option. The pathomechanism of DAOSD is still not fully elucidated. In a prospective study low, but stable conjunctival GC numbers were observed in moderate‐to‐severe AD patients, before and during dupilumab treatment. However, the Mucin 5 AC (MUC5AC) expression of GCs decreased during dupilumab treatment, suggesting an impairment of the GC function by dupilumab treatment. In addition, higher dupilumab tear fluid levels were found in dupilumab‐treated AD patients with moderate‐to‐severe OSD compared to patients with no or mild OSD, whereas the dupilumab serum levels are similar. Clinicians should be aware of the frequent occurrence of OSD in moderate‐to‐severe AD patients, and a low‐threshold referral to an ophthalmologist is recommended.
Identification and validation of a glycolysis‐related taxonomy for improving outcomes in glioma
Authors: Ying Tianshu , Lai Yaming , Lu Shiyang , E Shaolong
Published: February 2024

Background

Reprogramming of glucose metabolism is a prominent abnormal energy metabolism in glioma. However, the efficacy of treatments targeting glycolysis varies among patients. The present study aimed to classify distinct glycolysis subtypes (GS) of glioma, which may help to improve the therapy response.

Methods

The expression profiles of glioma were downloaded from public datasets to perform an enhanced clustering analysis to determine the GS. A total of 101 combinations based on 10 machine learning algorithms were performed to screen out the most valuable glycolysis‐related glioma signature (GGS). Through RSF and plsRcox algorithms, adrenomedullin (ADM) was eventually obtained as the most significant glycolysis‐related gene for prognostic prediction in glioma. Furthermore, drug sensitivity analysis, molecular docking, and in vitro experiments were utilized to verify the efficacy of ADM and ingenol mebutate (IM).

Results

Glioma patients were classified into five distinct GS (GS1‐GS5), characterized by varying glycolytic metabolism levels, molecular expression, immune cell infiltration, immunogenic modulators, and clinical features. Anti‐CTLA4 and anti‐PD‐L1 antibodies significantly improved the prognosis for GS2 and GS5, respectively. ADM has been identified as a potential biomarker for targeted glycolytic therapy in glioma patients. In vitro experiments demonstrated that IM inhibited glioma cell progression by inhibiting ADM.

Conclusion

This study elucidates that evaluating GS is essential for comprehending the heterogeneity of glioma, which is pivotal for predicting immune cell infiltration (ICI) characterization, prognosis, and personalized immunotherapy regimens. We also explored the glycolysis‐related genes ADM and IM to develop a theoretical framework for anti‐tumor strategies targeting glycolysis.
The role of magnetoencephalography in preoperative localization and postoperative outcome prediction in patients with posterior cortical epilepsy
Authors: Hao Guiliang , Yan Hao , Wang Xueyuan , Gao Runshi , Xue Yansong , Zhang Xiating , Ni Duanyu , Shu Wei , Qiao Liang , He Liu , Yu Tao
Published: February 2024

Objective

We aimed to explore the value of magnetoencephalography in the presurgical evaluation of patients with posterior cortex epilepsy.

Methods

A total of 39 patients with posterior cortex epilepsy (PCE) and intact magnetoencephalography (MEG) images were reviewed from August 2019 to July 2022. MEG dipole clusters were classified into single clusters, multiple clusters, and scatter dipoles based on tightness criteria. The association of the surgical outcome with MEG dipole classifications was evaluated using Fisher's exact tests.

Results

Among the 39 cases, there were 24 cases of single clusters (61.5%), nine cases of multiple clusters (23.1%), and six cases of scattered dipoles (15.4%). Patients with single dipole clusters were more likely to become seizure‐free. Among single dipole cluster cases (n = 24), complete MEG dipole resection yielded a more favorable surgical outcome than incomplete resection (83.3% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.007). Patients with concordant MRI and MEG findings achieved a significantly more favorable surgical outcome than discordant patients (66.7% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.044), especially in single dipole cluster patients (87.5% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.005).

Significance

MEG can provide additional valuable information regarding surgical candidate selection, epileptogenic zone localization, electrode implantation schedule, and final surgical planning in patients with posterior cortex epilepsy.
Understanding immunity and exercise in the context of cerebral palsy
Authors: Strickland Tammy
Published: February 2024

This commentary is on the original article by Kruse et al. on pages 902–909
Previous infestation by conspecifics leads to a transient increase of the performance of Sitobion avenae aphids on wheat leaves
Authors: Bühler Andreas , Schweiger Rabea
Published: February 2024

The ecological niche of aphids is largely defined by the phloem sap of plants, which they consume. Previous studies revealed that aphids may change the phloem sap metabolome and that a previous aphid infestation may benefit them. As aphids reproduce parthenogenetically, the performance and preference of aphids of the same monoclonal aphid lineage can be compared between previously uninfested and previously aphid‐infested plants.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) leaves were infested by clonal lineages of Sitobion avenae aphids for 9–10 days. Leaf phloem exudates were analysed using amino acid profiling and metabolic fingerprinting, capturing mainly specialised metabolites. It was investigated whether aphid colony sizes differ between leaves that were previously uninfested or infested by aphids of a different clonal lineage or by aphids of the same clonal lineage and whether aphids show a preference for any of these leaves.

The relative concentrations of metabolites in the phloem exudates were not affected by aphid infestation. Aphid colonies were partly larger on previously aphid‐infested leaves than on control leaves. However, this effect was transient and finally colonies had similar sizes. Given a choice between previously aphid‐infested and uninfested leaves, S. avenae nymphs showed no preferences.

The findings that positive effects of previous aphid infestation on aphid performance are transient and that the performance but not the preference of the aphids was affected by previous aphid infestation highlight the temporal dynamics and complexity of aphid–plant interactions. Niche alteration processes may be partly involved in these interactions.
RAGE induces physiological activation of NADPH oxidase in neurons and astrocytes and neuroprotection
Authors: Seryogina Evgenia S. , Kamynina Anna V. , Koroev Dmitry O. , Volpina Olga M. , Vinokurov Andrey Y. , Abramov Andrey Y.
Published: February 2024

The transmembrane receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a signaling receptor for many damage‐ and pathogen‐associated molecules. Activation of RAGE is associated with inflammation and an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Although several sources of ROS have been previously suggested, how RAGE induces ROS production is still unclear, considering the multiple targets of pathogen‐associated molecules. Here, using acute brain slices and primary co‐culture of cortical neurons and astrocytes, we investigated the effects of a range of synthetic peptides corresponding to the fragments of the RAGE V‐domain on redox signaling. We found that the synthetic fragment (60–76) of the RAGE V‐domain induces activation of ROS production in astrocytes and neurons from the primary co‐culture and acute brain slices. This effect occurred through activation of RAGE and could be blocked by a RAGE inhibitor. Activation of RAGE by the synthetic fragment stimulates ROS production in NADPH oxidase (NOX). This RAGE‐induced NOX activation produced only minor decreases in glutathione levels and increased the rate of lipid peroxidation, although it also reduced basal and β‐amyloid induced cell death in neurons and astrocytes. Thus, specific activation of RAGE induces redox signaling through NOX, which can be a part of a cell protective mechanism.
Acceptable ‘expats’ versus unwanted ‘Arabs’: Tracing hierarchies through everyday urban practices of skilled migrant women in Istanbul
Authors: Tuncer Ezgi
Published: February 2024

This article focuses on ethnic hierarchies found within highly educated migrant women working in Istanbul traced through their everyday urban practices. It introduces the stratified and comparative results of migration and resettlement of those from the Global North and the Global South through a comprehensive analysis on their urban lives, including their social positionings, preferences of neighbourhoods and daily patterns of their use of the city. Contrary to the common conception that skilled migrants are privileged, our research reveals inequalities and discriminatory practices they face that intersect with gender, nationality and ethnicity. Our research, based on qualitative analyses of in‐depth interviews along with online subjective mapping representing use of the city, also reveals that regardless of their origin and identity, almost all our participants experience verbal/physical sexual harassment or discrimination in public space in Istanbul, which forces women to produce spatial tactics of everyday life.
Antimicrobial effects of Cinnamomum verum essential oil against Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus in mulberry and carrot juices
Authors: Erkmen Osman
Published: February 2024

In developing countries, fresh fruit juices are prepared and sold without ongoing assessment of the quality and safety of mulberry and carrot juices. Therefore, most fruit juices offered for consumption had high microbial content. This investigation was performed to indicate the efficacy of low concentrations of Cinnamomum verum essential oils (CEO) in the inactivation of E. faecalis and S. aureus in carrot juice and white mulberry juice and the impact on the sensorial characteristics of the juices. CEO antimicrobial activity can prevent the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis at 12 and 4 °C in juices. For the MIC and MBC concentrations, CEO exhibited higher antibacterial effects against S. aureus and E. faecalis. A higher number of pathogens were inactivated at 12 °C than at 4 °C. Cytoplasmic membrane permeability plays a vital role in the CEO bactericidal action. CEO can be recommended to extend the shelf‐life of juices by retaining the sensorial quality and inactivating pathogenic microorganisms, which provides a reference for practical production and application.
Adulteration identification of Hainan camellia (Camellia oleifera Abel.) oil based on comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography and quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass coupled with chemometrics spectrometry
Authors: Zheng Xiaoyan , Zhang Shanying , Ai Binling , Yang Yang , Zheng Lili , Xiao Dao , Zhu Kexue , Sheng Zhanwu
Published: February 2024

The nutritional value of Hainan camellia oil is incomparable to other places, and Hainan camellia oil is expensive, so unscrupulous businessmen often mix other edible oils into them for illegal profit. This study detected the changes of volatile components in Hainan camellia oil adulterated with five edible oils (peanut, soybean, corn, rapeseed, and sunflower oils) using comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography and quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (HS‐SPME‐GC × GC‐Q‐TOFMS). The principal component analysis (PCA) score plot showed that pure Hainan camellia oil (PHCO) and Hainan camellia oil samples were adulterated with other edible oils clearly to identify the adulteration separated from each other. The adulteration of PHCO could be accurately predicted using the developed PCA and OPLS‐DA models for concentrations as low as 5%. More importantly, several potential markers were found to identify the impersonate PHCO. Therefore, the volatile compound determination based on HS‐SPME‐GC × GC‐Q‐TOFMS proved to be an effective method for detecting adulteration of other edible oils in PHCO.
“Exiliados” in Podemos: A grassroots approach of long‐distance activism in parties abroad
Authors: Dain Vincent
Published: February 2024

This article proposes a grassroots approach and a process‐based analysis of emigrants' activism in parties abroad, through a case study on the Spanish party Podemos' circle in Paris. Building on ethnographic fieldwork and biographical interviews conducted between 2015 and 2016, I explore activists' individual trajectories to better understand the process leading them to join the party abroad. I find that Podemos Paris' activists, previously involved in anti‐austerity protests in Spain, feel part of a generation of young “exiles” forced to leave the country and deprived of their social and civic rights by the conservative government. Joining Podemos in Paris is thus a way to reconnect with Spanish politics and society, compensate for the “need to be part of it,” and contribute to the party's campaigns abroad and in the homeland by raising awareness on emigrants' condition among Spanish residents.