bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring transient neurophysiological states through local and time-varying measures of Information Dynamics
Authors: Antonacci Y. , Barà C. , De Felice G. , Sferlazza A. , Pernice R. , Faes L.
Published: June 2024

Studying the temporal evolution of complex systems requires tools able to detect the presence and quantify the strength of predictable dynamics within their output signals. Information theory aids in such a description, particularly through information storage (IS), which reflects the regularity of system dynamics by measuring the information shared between the present and the past system states. While the conventional IS computation provides an overall measure of predictable information, transient behaviors of predictability occurring during system transitions can be assessed by time-resolved measures such as the local information storage (L-IS), assuming stationarity, and the time-varying information storage (TV-IS), without stationarity assumptions. In this work, through a comparative analysis in simulated and real contexts, we aim to demonstrate how these methods complement each other and reveal dynamic changes of the system behavior associated to state transitions. In simulations, we show that the TV-IS can effectively track sudden changes of the information stored in the system, which is reflected in its average value computed over specific time intervals; on the other hand, the surprise originated by the emergence of a change in the predictability of the system is reflected in the variance of the L-IS computed within specific time intervals. In neurophysiological applications, the distinct phenomena of respiratory activity in sleep apnea and brain activity during somatosensory stimulation both reveal a significant decrease of IS evoked by state transitions, highlighting how such transitions can inject new information in physiological systems, affecting significantly their internal dynamics. Overall, TV-IS and L-IS appear to provide different and complementary information about the behavior of the systems under investigation, thereby offering valuable tools for the study of complex physiological systems where both stationary and non-stationary conditions may be present.
Increased recognition memory precision with decreased neural discrimination
Authors: Güsten Jeremie , Berron David , Ziegler Gabriel , Düzel Emrah
Published: June 2024

Mnemonic discrimination (MD), the ability to distinguish between similar experiences in memory, is essential for memory precision. We hypothesized that training mnemonic discrimination should improve memory precision by increasing the neural activity differences between a new experience and a similar familiar experience (repeat). Participants performed a 2-week, web-based training program. For group 1, memory similarity was adapted to performance. Group 2 trained non-adaptively and group 3 served as active control. Adaptivity improved training gain and led to transfer to other memory tasks. Surprisingly, training reduced neural activity differences between new (lure) and similar familiar (repeat) experiences. Thus, instead of enhancing neural activity to lures and decreasing neural activity to repeats, training led to increased activity to repeats. In several brain regions this pattern was associated with improved MD. These findings highlight an unexpected neural mechanism underpinning improved memory precision in recognition memory.
Targeting dendritic cell-specific TNFR2 improves skin and joint inflammation by inhibiting IL-12/ IFN-γ pathways in a mouse model of psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Kaur Raminderjit , Harvey Jennifer M. , Brambilla Roberta , Chandrasekharan Unnikrishnan M. , Elaine Husni M.
Published: June 2024

Psoriasis (PsO) and Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are immune-mediated inflammatory diseases affecting the skin and joints. Approximately, 30% of patients with PsO develop PsA over time with both conditions being associated with elevated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) expression. TNF-α mediates its effect through two membrane receptors, TNFR1 and TNFR2. While current TNF-α-neutralizing agents, targeting both TNFR1 and TNFR2 receptors, constitute the primary treatment for psoriatic diseases, their long-term use is limited due to an increase in opportunistic infections, tuberculosis reactivation and malignancies likely attributed to TNFR1 inactivation.

Recent findings suggest a pivotal role of TNFR2 in psoriatic disease, as evidenced by its amelioration in global TNFR2-knockout (TNFR2KO) mice, but not in TNFR1KO mice. The diminished disease phenotype in TNFR2KO mice is accompanied by a decrease in DC populations. However, the specific contribution of TNFR2 in dendritic cells (DCs) remains unclear. Here, utilizing a mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS)-induced PsA model, we demonstrate a significant reduction in PsA-like skin scaling and joint inflammation in dendritic cell-specific TNFR2 knockout mice (DC-TNFR2KO). Notably, MOS treatment in control mice (TNFR2 fl/fl) led to an increase in conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1) population in the spleen, a response inhibited in DC-TNFR2KO mice. Furthermore, DC-TNFR2KO mice exhibited reduced levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12), a Th1 cell activator, as well as diminished Th1 cells, and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels in the serum compared to controls following MOS stimulation.

In summary, our study provides compelling evidence supporting the role of TNFR2 in promoting PsA-like inflammation through cDC1/Th1 activation pathways.
Off-target drift of the herbicide dicamba disrupts plant-pollinator interactionsvianovel pathways
Authors: Baucom Regina S , Iriart Veronica , Soble Anah , Armstrong Matthew R. , Ashman Tia-Lynn
Published: June 2024

Assessing the impact of herbicide drift on plant-pollinator interactions is crucial for providing insight into the causes of ongoing pollinator declines. The recent exponential increase in the use of the synthetic auxin herbicide dicamba, which is known to drift long distances following application, renders this concern especially acute. However, experimental data on the consequences of dicamba drift on plant-pollinator interactions are lacking from weed communities in natural settings. We assessed the indirect effects of dicamba drift on pollinator visits for 11 weeds of agricultural crops using a common garden field experiment, focusing on the potential for changes in pollinator abundance and alterations to both plant traits and patterns of pollinator visitation. We found variation among plant species in the extent of damage from dicamba drift exposure, and variation in how growth, flowering time, and flower displays were impacted, with some species showing negative impacts and others showing little effect. Pollinator frequencies were reduced in dicamba-exposed plots, and pollinator approaches and foraging visits were reduced for some weed species yet not others. Structural equation modeling revealed that the relationship between flower display and pollinator visits was disrupted in the presence of dicamba compared to control plots. Our study provides the most comprehensive picture to date of the impacts of dicamba drift on plant-pollinator interactions, with findings that highlight an underappreciated role of services supplied by weedy communities at the agroecological interface.
Tree diversity increases carbon stocks and fluxes above- but not belowground in a tropical forest experiment
Authors: Schnabel Florian , Guillemot Joannès , Barry Kathryn E. , Brunn Melanie , Cesarz Simone , Eisenhauer Nico , Gebauer Tobias , Guerrero-Ramirez Nathaly R. , Handa I. Tanya , Madsen Chris , Mancilla Lady , Monteza Jose , Moore Tim , Oelmann Yvonne , Scherer-Lorenzen Michael , Schwendenmann Luitgard , Wagner Audrey , Wirth Christian , Potvin Catherine
Published: June 2024

International commitments advocate large-scale forest restoration as a nature-based solution to climate change mitigation through carbon (C) sequestration. Mounting evidence suggests that mixed compared to monospecific planted forests may sequester more C, exhibit lower susceptibility to climate extremes and offer a broader range of ecosystem services. However, experimental studies comprehensively examining the control of tree diversity on multiple C stocks and fluxes above- and belowground are lacking. To address this gap, we leverage data from the Sardinilla experiment in Panama, the oldest tropical tree diversity experiment which features a gradient of one–, two–, three–, and five–species mixtures of native tree species. Over 16 years, we measured multiple above- and belowground C stocks and fluxes, ranging from tree aboveground C, over leaf litter C production, to soil organic carbon (SOC). We show that tree diversity significantly increased aboveground C stocks and fluxes, with a 57% higher gain in aboveground tree C in five-species mixtures compared to monocultures (35.7±1.8 vs 22.8±3.4 Mg C ha-1) 16 years after planting. In contrast, we observed a net reduction in SOC (on average -11.2±1.1 Mg C ha-1) and no significant difference in SOC3stocks (the predominantly tree-derived, i.e., C3plant-derived SOC fraction) between five-species mixtures and monocultures (13.0±0.9 vs 15.1±1.3 Mg C ha-1). Positive tree diversity effects persisted despite repeated climate extremes and strengthened over time for aboveground tree growth. Structural equation models showed that higher tree growth in mixtures enhanced leaf litter and coarse woody debris C fluxes to the soil, resulting in a tightly linked C cycle aboveground. However, we did not observe significant links between above- and belowground C stocks and fluxes. Our study elucidates the mechanisms through which higher tree diversity bolsters the climate mitigation potential of tropical forest restoration. Restoration schemes should prioritize mixed over monospecific planted forests.
Bound-state stability of Coulomb three-body systems using numerical tensor methods
Authors: Brice Kammegne Tcheugam , Melgaard Michael , Cox Hazel
Published: June 2024

In this paper we present a unified treatment of three-body atoms and molecules using numerical tensor methods. The Schrödinger equation in perimetric coordinates is recast in a canonical tensor format. It is shown that the Schrödinger equation can be solved in this full-tensor format but that by using a low-rank tensor decomposition, in particular the tensor-train and quantized-tensor-train formats, energies accurate to at least the nanohartree can be obtained for the He atom (in which the mass of the uniquely charged particle is much greater than the other two particles), the positronium negative ion (Ps−, in which all the masses are equal), and the non-Born-Oppenheimer H2+ molecule (in which the mass of the uniquely charged particle is much smaller than the other two particles).

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Simultaneous multiband radio-frequency detection using high-orbital-angular-momentum states in a Rydberg-atom receiver
Authors: Allinson Gianluca , Jamieson Matthew J. , Mackellar Andrew R. , Downes Lucy , Adams C. Stuart , Weatherill Kevin J.
Published: June 2024

We demonstrate simultaneous detection of radio-frequency (rf) fields ranging from the very high-frequency (VHF) band (128 MHz) to terahertz frequencies (0.61 THz) using high-orbital-angular-momentum (ℓ) states in a caesium Rydberg-atom receiver. rf fields are applied concurrently to a series of atomic transitions, where the application of each field allows access to the next-highest ℓ state and the energy separations between states become progressively smaller, allowing access to a very wide range of radio frequencies. We show that the optical response of the system in the presence of the rf fields can be reproduced theoretically using a simple Lindblad-master-equation approach. Furthermore, we demonstrate experimentally that a series of amplitude-modulated tones can be detected simultaneously using a wide range of carrier frequencies. This demonstration opens the way for Rydberg receivers to access low-frequency rf bands at low principal quantum number and allows for communications across multiple bands simultaneously using a single optical receiver. Moreover, the experimental method presented allows for high-resolution spectroscopy of high-orbital-angular-momentum states in alkali-metal atoms.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
In-gas-jet laser spectroscopy of
No254
with JetRIS
Authors: Lantis Jeremy , Claessens Arno , Münzberg Danny , Auler Julian , Block Michael , Chhetri Premaditya , Düllmann Christoph E. , Ferrer Rafael , Giacoppo Francesca , Gutiérrez Manuel J. , Ivandikov Fedor , Kaleja Oliver , Kieck Tom , Kim EunKang , Laatiaoui Mustapha , Lecesne Nathalie , Manea Vladimir , Nothhelfer Steven , Raeder Sebastian , Romans Jekabs , Romero-Romero Elisa , de Roubin Antoine , Savajols Hervé , Sels Simon , Stemmler Matou , Van Duppen Piet , Walther Thomas , Warbinek Jessica , Wendt Klaus , Yakushev Alexander , Zadvornaya Alexandra
Published: June 2024

Here we report online results with the in-gas-Jet Resonance Ionization Spectroscopy (JetRIS) apparatus. The S01↔P11 transition of No254 was successfully measured with sub-GHz resolution, marking a fivefold improvement over previous measurements. Recent developments in laser spectroscopy have allowed access to more exotic nuclei, but measurements of the heavy actinide region have been limited by line broadening mechanisms, limiting the precision with which nuclear properties can be deduced from the hyperfine spectrum. JetRIS provides a method to measure the heavy actinide region with a high level of sensitivity and higher resolution than previous experiments. The offline and online characterizations of the system are reported, and future perspectives are presented.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Adiabatic Time Evolution of Highly Excited States
Authors: Yarloo Hadi , Zhang Hua-Chen , Nielsen Anne E. B.
Published: June 2024

Adiabatic time evolution of quantum systems is a widely used tool with applications ranging from state preparation through simplifications of computations and topological transformations to optimization and quantum computing. Adiabatic time evolution generally works well for gapped ground states, but not for thermal states in the middle of the spectrum that lack a protecting energy gap. Here we show that quantum many-body scars—a particular type of highly excited states—are suitable for adiabatic time evolution despite the absence of a protecting energy gap. Considering two rather different models, namely a one-dimensional model constructed from tensor networks and a two-dimensional fractional quantum Hall model with anyons, we find that the quantum scars perform similarly to gapped ground states with respect to adiabatic dynamics when the required final adiabatic fidelity is around 0.99. The maximum speed at which the scar state of the one-dimensional model can be adiabatically transformed decreases as a power law with system size, as opposed to exponentially for both generic thermal and disorder-driven localized states. At constant and very low ramp speed, we find that the deviation of the fidelity from unity scales linearly with ramp speed for scar states, but quadratically for gapped ground states. The gapped ground states hence perform better when the required adiabatic fidelities are very high, such as 0.9999 and above. We identify two mechanisms for leakage out of the scar state and use them to explain our results. While manipulating a single, isolated ground state is common in quantum applications, adiabatic evolution of scar states provides the flexibility to manipulate an entire tower of ground-state-like states simultaneously in a single system.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Redefining supply chain sustainability: introducing the context of extreme weather events
Authors: Orji Ifeyinwa Juliet , Ojadi Francis I.
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Extreme weather events are on the rise around the globe. Nevertheless, it is unclear how these extreme weather events have impacted the supply chain sustainability (SCS) framework. To this end, this paper aims to identify and analyze the aspects and criteria to enable manufacturing firms to navigate shifts toward SCS under extreme weather events.

Design/methodology/approach

The Best-Worst Method is deployed and extended with the entropy concept to obtain the degree of significance of the identified framework of aspects and criteria for SCS in the context of extreme weather events through the lens of managers in the manufacturing firms of a developing country-Nigeria.

Findings

The results show that extreme weather preparedness and economic aspects take center stage and are most critical for overcoming the risk of unsustainable patterns within manufacturing supply chains under extreme weather events in developing country.

Originality/value

This study advances the body of knowledge by identifying how extreme weather events have become a significant moderator of the SCS framework in manufacturing firms. This research will assist decision-makers in the manufacturing sector to position viable niche regimes to achieve SCS in the context of extreme weather events for expected performance gains.
Intertwining entrepreneurial motivation and the global mindset: a look into entrepreneurial profiles and business outcomes
Authors: Mitan Andreea , Vătămănescu Elena-Mădălina , Dincă Violeta-Mihaela , Ghigiu Mihai-Alexandru
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This article explores the connections between the entrepreneur's global mindset and entrepreneurial motivation in the quest for determining the underlying relationships among these constructs. The aim of the study resides in the advancement of various entrepreneurial profiles which imply specific configurations of the global mindset and motivational drivers, by also covering their correlations with the business outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected in 2022 from over 100 entrepreneurs operating in the Romanian SMEs sector, using a questionnaire-based survey.

Findings

The results posit that at least three statistically relevant clusters can be observed in the studied population, stemming from the particularities of the entrepreneurs' global mindset. The findings reveal that the levels of development of the entrepreneur's social capital, psychological capital and intellectual capital are linked to different entrepreneurial motivations and impact the company in specific manners.

Practical implications

The research offers useful cues to the entrepreneurs for identifying prospective partners for their local or cross-border operations.

Originality/value

The results foster a new topical framework for discussion on the motivational configurations of entrepreneurs and the global mindset.
Numerical approximation of parabolic singularly perturbed problems with large spatial delay and turning point
Authors: Sharma Amit , Rai Pratima
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Singular perturbation turning point problems (SP-TPPs) involving parabolic convection–diffusion Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) with large spatial delay are studied in this paper. These type of equations are important in various fields of mathematics and sciences such as computational neuroscience and require specialized techniques for their numerical analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

We design a numerical method comprising a hybrid finite difference scheme on a layer-adapted mesh for the spatial discretization and an implicit-Euler scheme on a uniform mesh in the temporal variable. A combination of the central difference scheme and the simple upwind scheme is used as the hybrid scheme.

Findings

Consistency, stability and convergence are investigated for the proposed scheme. It is established that the present approach has parameter-uniform convergence of OΔτ+K−2(lnK)2, where Δτ and K denote the step size in the time direction and number of mesh-intervals in the space direction.

Originality/value

Parabolic SP-TPPs exhibiting twin boundary layers with large spatial delay have not been studied earlier in the literature. The presence of delay portrays an interior layer in the considered problem’s solution in addition to twin boundary layers. Numerical illustrations are provided to demonstrate the theoretical estimates.
How a publicized leader transgression can affect member outcomes and gift purchasing of associated symbolic products
Authors: Briggs Elten , Torres Rico Abigail , Kizer Tracy R. , Yang Zhiyong
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the ramifications of an unfavorable public incident resulting from an organizational leader’s transgression on member outcomes and their intentions to purchase associated symbolic products as gifts. This study also considers how members’ attributions of organizational control affect the relationship between members’ organizational identification and their purchase behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies a longitudinal design involving two rounds of data collection over two years to examine a case of leadership transgression. Using the customer panel of a privately owned retailer, sorority members were surveyed before and after an unfavorable public incident involving their president. This study applied t-tests of mean differences and regression analyses to test the hypotheses.

Findings

After the leader’s transgressions were publicized, sorority members exhibited lower levels of cognitive organizational identification, satisfaction with the organization and purchase intention of organizational gifts. The association between cognitive organizational identification and gift purchase intentions was stronger after the incident. Further, controllability attributions positively moderated the association between cognitive organizational identification and the intended purchase quantity of organizational products after the incident.

Research limitations/implications

The sample limits the generalizability of the findings, as the study is conducted on one case of a leader’s transgression in an identity-based organization (IBO).

Practical implications

The findings imply that efforts to repair customer identification should be taken rather than satisfaction enhancement when a leader of an IBO commits a public transgression.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to apply identity threat theory to understand how an organizational leader’s public transgression affects member outcomes and purchasing. The findings imply that it is critical to repair members’ identification when these situations arise. The use of a real case and a longitudinal research design are rare contributions to this research stream.
Efficient modeling of liquid splashing via graph neural networks with adaptive filter and aggregator fusion
Authors: Nan Jinyao , Feng Pingfa , Xu Jie , Feng Feng
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to advance the computational modeling of liquid splashing dynamics, while balancing simulation accuracy and computational efficiency, a duality often compromised in high-fidelity fluid dynamics simulations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study introduces the fluid efficient graph neural network simulator (FEGNS), an innovative framework that integrates an adaptive filtering layer and aggregator fusion strategy within a graph neural network architecture. FEGNS is designed to directly learn from extensive liquid splash data sets, capturing the intricate dynamics and intrinsically complex interactions.

Findings

FEGNS achieves a remarkable 30.3% improvement in simulation accuracy over traditional methods, coupled with a 51.6% enhancement in computational speed. It exhibits robust generalization capabilities across diverse materials, enabling realistic simulations of droplet effects. Comparative analyses and empirical validations demonstrate FEGNS’s superior performance against existing benchmark models.

Originality/value

The originality of FEGNS lies in its adaptive filtering layer, which independently adjusts filtering weights per node, and a novel aggregator fusion strategy that enriches the network’s expressive power by combining multiple aggregation functions. To facilitate further research and practical deployment, the FEGNS model has been made accessible on GitHub (https://github.com/nanjinyao/FEGNS/tree/main).
Effect of oil film stiffness on vibration of full ceramic ball bearing under grease lubrication
Authors: Sun Jian , Huang Junran , Tian Zhonghao , Yao Jinmei , Zhang Yang , Wang Lu
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to understand the vibration characteristics of full ceramic ball bearings under grease lubrication, reduce the vibration of the bearings and improve their service life.

Design/methodology/approach

The Hertz contact stiffness formula for full ceramic ball bearings is constructed; the equivalent comprehensive stiffness calculation model and vibration model of full ceramic ball bearings are established. The dynamic characteristic test of full ceramic ball bearing under grease lubrication was carried out by using the bearing life testing machine, and its vibration was measured, and its vibration acceleration root-mean-square was obtained by software calculation and compared with the simulation results.

Findings

At the rotational speed of 12,000 r/min, the root-mean-square value of vibration acceleration is maximum 10.82 m/s2, and the error is also maximum 7.49%. As the rotational speed increases, the oil film stiffness decreases. In the radial load of 600 N, the vibration acceleration root-mean-square is minimum 6.40 m/s2, but its error is maximum 6.56%. As the radial load increases, the vibration of the bearing decreases and then increases, so under certain conditions increasing the radial load can reduce the bearing vibration. With different types of grease, the best preload is also different; low-speed heavy load should be used when the viscosity of the grease is large, and high-speed light load should be used when the choice of smaller viscosity grease is made.

Originality/value

It provides a theoretical basis for the application of full ceramic ball bearings under grease lubrication, which is of great significance for reducing the vibration of bearings as well as enhancing the service life of bearings.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-03-2024-0094/
Transformational leadership and well-being when working from home – the role of ICT demands
Authors: Tautz Dorothee , Felfe Jörg , Klebe Laura , Krick Annika
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of transformational leadership (TFL) for employee well-being when working from home (WFH) and under the light of stressors coming from the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs).

Design/methodology/approach

Moderation analyses were conducted with a sample of 763 employees who work at least one day a week from home.

Findings

The results suggest that TFL still has a positive effect on employee well-being during WFH, but that its effectiveness decreases when certain ICT demands that inhibit communication occur. Contrary to our expectations, constant availability did not weaken the effects of TFL.

Practical implications

Leaders must be aware of the influence of ICT demands on their leadership effectiveness and take countermeasures to increase effective communication and decrease the occurrence of ICT demands.

Originality/value

Current literature on TFL was enhanced by examining its effectiveness in a WFH context and providing important insights into the challenges of remote work for leadership and employee well-being.
Improving the maritime supply chain resilience: the role of firms’ dynamic knowledge management and organizational innovation
Authors: Ding Jiangmin , Lee Eon-Seong
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the influence of dynamic knowledge management capabilities on organizational innovation and supply chain resilience in maritime shipping companies. Furthermore, this study investigates the moderating role of growth-oriented strategies and the mediating role of organizational innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 76 maritime shipping companies in South Korea. The research hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

This study demonstrates that effective dynamic knowledge management capabilities in maritime shipping companies significantly enhance organizational innovation and boost the resilience of their supply chains. Organizational innovation positively mediates the relationship between dynamic knowledge management and supply chain resilience. Moreover, a company’s growth-oriented strategy positively moderates the relationship between dynamic knowledge management and organizational innovation.

Originality/value

Based on the existing literature, this study develops the concept of dynamic knowledge management and validates its impact on organizational innovation and the resilience of maritime supply chains. Furthermore, unlike previous studies, this study focuses specifically on maritime supply chains. Through a survey of 76 maritime companies in South Korea, the study validates relevant hypotheses and draws conclusions. This contributes to expanding and enriching existing research while offering meaningful insights for relevant enterprises.
Design a new algorithm (iL-GA) to optimize controller parameters for an automotive suspension system
Authors: Nguyen Tuan Anh , Tran Thi Thu Huong , Hoang Thang Binh
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to design a PD controller for an active suspension system to improve the car’s moving smoothness.

Design/methodology/approach

The controller parameters are optimized by an in-loop genetic algorithm (iL-GA). Unlike previous studies that only used conventional GAs to tune coefficients for the controller, the iL-GA designed in this paper provides outstanding efficiency when determining the optimal value range for the system. The optimal value range of parameters is determined by the in-loop algorithm based on criteria related to systematic errors. The optimal values are then calculated by the GA based on this range instead of an uncertain one.

Findings

Simulation results show that vehicle body acceleration and displacement values are significantly reduced when using the active suspension system compared to the conventional passive suspension system. The phase difference phenomenon does not occur in the iL-GA situation. In addition, the frequency domain investigation also shows the system’s stability when using iL-GA instead of conventional GA.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is a new application that provides positive effects to the suspension controller. This algorithm can be applied to tune coefficients for direct controllers in the future.
Novel pathogenic variants in HR underlie atrichia with papular lesions in a cohort of 10 families
Authors: Ullah Kifayat , Ahmed Sohail , Cesarato Nicole , Xiong Xing , Taj Maria , Manan Naushaba , Wehner Maria , Khan Muhammad Javed , Khan Hammal , Mehmood Sabba , Sharif Hasni Muhammad , Michna Dariusz , Waris Rehmana , Hamm Henning , Betz Regina C. , Ahmad Wasim , Ullah Imran
Published: June 2024

Atrichia with papular lesions (APL) is a hair abnormality characterized by loss of hair on the scalp and rest of the body. In a few cases, hair loss is accompanied by the appearance of keratotic papules on the body. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. Sequence variants in the HR (hairless) gene are responsible for this hair abnormality. Here, we present nine consanguineous families and one nonconsanguineous family with clinical manifestations of APL. Whole exome followed by Sanger sequencing and/or direct Sanger sequencing was performed to identify pathogenic variants. The study revealed seven novel pathogenic variants c.794del;p.(Pro265Argfs*98), c.2921‐2936del;p.(Tyr974Leufs*16), c.2889C>A;p.(Cys963*), c.2689C>T;p.(Gln897*), c.3186_3187dup;p.(Gln1063Profs*43), c.560dup;p.(Tyr188Ilefs*131), c.2203+5G>C, c.2776+5G>A, and the previously reported variant c.1837C>T;p.(Arg613*) in HR in these families. The study not only expands the mutational spectrum in the HR gene but also highlights the unusual phenotypic findings and will facilitate genetic counseling of families with members showing various types of hair loss disorders in the local population.
CLIMATE‐JUST HOUSING: A Socio‐spatial Perspective on Climate Policy and Housing
Authors: Weißermel Sören , Wehrhahn Rainer
Published: June 2024

Focusing on the nexus of climate and housing policy, this article analyzes the socio‐spatial consequences of urban climate mitigation policies and the resultant need to broaden the concept of climate justice. By using the example of energy retrofitting in a low‐income district in Kiel, Germany, the article examines cities’ dependence on real estate companies to reach low‐carbon goals in a privatized housing market and the (potential) need to provide incentives for investment. As the case study shows, this can lead to a highly sensitive confluence of climate policy, private real estate investment and neighborhood development policy, which leads to a higher financial burden as well as the potential displacement and further political marginalization of current tenants. In light of these results, the article argues for the application of a climate justice frame in analyses of urban climate policies that integrates housing justice with spatial justice. Specifically, it calls for the right to climate‐just housing; that is, for the right to affordable housing to be connected with the right to energy‐efficient housing in one's own neighborhood. This implies the right to information and to urban space as political space, which in turn means the politicization of the targets, strategies and, not least, spaces of urban climate policy.
Altering operational conditions during protein fermentation to volatile fatty acids modifies the associated bacterial community
Authors: Vijande Carlota , Bevilacqua Riccardo , Balboa Sabela , Carballa Marta
Published: June 2024

In recent years, the production of volatile fatty acids (VFA) through mixed culture fermentation (MCF) has been gaining attention. Most authors have focused on the fermentation of carbohydrates, while other possible substrates, such as proteins, have not been considered. Moreover, there is little information about how operational parameters affect the microbial communities involved in these processes, even though they are strongly related to reactor performance and VFA selectivity. Hence, this study aims to evaluate how microbial composition changes according to three different parameters (pH, type of protein and micronutrient addition) during anaerobic fermentation of protein‐rich side streams. For this, two continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTR) were fed with two different proteins (casein and gelatine) and operated at different conditions: three pH values (5.0, 7.0 and 9.0) with only macronutrients supplementation and two pH values (5.0 and 7.0) with micronutrients' supplementation as well. Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were the dominant phyla in the two reactors at all operational conditions, but their relative abundance varied with the parameters studied. At pH 7.0 and 9.0, the microbial composition was mainly affected by protein type, while at acidic conditions the driving force was the pH. The influence of micronutrients was dependent on the pH and the protein type, with a special effect on Clostridiales and Bacteroidales populations. Overall, this study shows that the acidogenic microbial community is affected by the three parameters studied and the changes in the microbial community can partially explain the macroscopic results, especially the process selectivity.
Streamflow response to drought in a managed coast redwood catchment
Authors: Keppeler Elizabeth , Wagenbrenner Joseph , Dymond Salli , Dralle David
Published: June 2024

A 60‐year precipitation and streamflow record from the Caspar Creek Experimental Watersheds in northern California was used to explore the propagation of meteorological drought to hydrological drought. Standardized precipitation and runoff indices were calculated for the two forested catchments using integration periods of 12, 24, and 36 months. The resulting time series were used to define three severe drought events (1976–1977, 2013–2014, and 2020–2022). The earliest drought followed the 1971–1973 harvest of the 417 ha South Fork (SF) watershed, a second followed the 1989–1992 harvest of the 479 ha North Fork watershed, and a third followed the 2017–2019 reentry harvest of the SF. From these time series, we calculated drought metrics and anomalies to model differences in catchment responses in the context of climate and management. The meteorological drought in the 1977 event was more severe and extreme than the streamflow response. Both of the 21st Century droughts were hydrologically more severe than the 1977 drought. Timber harvest initially shortened and reduced streamflow drought (1977 and 2021) but prolonged and intensified the 2014 streamflow drought. Declining fall precipitation has reduced streamflows, thereby impeding salmonid migration and exacerbating impacts on native fish. Our results provide new insights into the role of climate variation, particularly long‐term and seasonal drought dynamics, in managed forests along the North American Pacific coast.
Post‐capture recovery is mediated by shifts in allostatic and metabolic dynamics in a threatened and endemic rhino ray
Authors: Wosnick N. , Giareta E. P. , de Rios L. Paula , Leite R. D.
Published: June 2024

Understanding how animals respond to stressors is critical for effective conservation. The present study aimed to evaluate the physiological recovery of the Shortnose Guitarfish, Zapteryx brevirostris after being incidentally captured by artisanal fleets and compared it to guitarfish with delayed mortality. Moreover, the study aimed to test the efficiency of a rehabilitation protocol for the species. To this end, individuals landed alive were transported to the rehabilitation facilities and kept in tanks under monitoring for 3 days. Physiological markers indicative of allostatic overload (i.e., lactate and phosphorus) and energy metabolism (i.e., glucose and β‐hydroxybutyrate) were assessed in the serum of the studied guitarfish: right after gillnet capture (i.e., post‐capture) and on rehabilitation (i.e., pre‐monitoring, post‐monitoring, as well as guitarfish that deceased during monitoring – post‐mortem). Results showed that the transportation and additional handling employed in the rehabilitation protocol did not increase the stress response, pointing to its potential efficacy in recovering debilitated, incidentally caught guitarfish before release. As for recovery success of monitored guitarfish, lactic acidosis was fully reverted after a 3‐day rest period, as was allostatic overload. The same was not observed in recovery failure. Correlation tests revealed key relationships between physiological markers, shedding light on how physiological pathways help guitarfish cope with capture and handling stress. This study highlights the valuable application of conservation physiology principles to fisheries management of this endemic and threatened guitarfish species.
Young adults' visual attention to features of social media marketing for disposable e‐cigarettes and associated perceptions
Authors: Chen‐Sankey Julia , Weiger Caitlin , La Capria Kathryn , Vassey Julia , Jeong Michelle , Phan Lilianna , Unger Jennifer B. , Allem Jon‐Patrick , Berg Carla J. , Choi Kelvin
Published: June 2024

Background and aims

E‐cigarette marketing exposure on social media influences perceptions; however, limited knowledge exists regarding marketing features attracting the most visual attention. This study examined visual attention to features of social media marketing for disposable e‐cigarettes and related product perceptions.

Design, setting and participants

Participants viewed 32 disposable marketing post images from social media (Instagram) using computer‐based eye‐tracking technology to assess standardized attention metrics of marketing features. They then completed a survey assessing positive product perceptions. The study took place in New Jersey, USA, June–September 2022, comprising young adults (aged 18–29) who do not use tobacco (n = 72) or who smoke cigarettes (n = 42).

Measurements

We examined associations between 14 marketing features (e.g. product package, personal item, fruit/candy descriptor, social media account) and standardized attention metrics of dwell time (fixation duration) and entry time (time to first fixation). Then, we assessed attention metrics for each feature in relation to positive product perceptions (appeal and positive use expectancy).

Findings

Among all participants, dwell time was the longest for the product descriptor [marginal means (MM) = 1.77; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.69, 1.86], social media account (MM = 1.76; 95% CI = 1.67, 1.85) and fruit/candy descriptor features (MM = 1.56; 95% CI = 1.41, 1.70); entry time was the shortest for the social media account (MM = 0.35; 95% CI = 0.26, 0.46), personal item (MM = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.17, 0.56) and human model features (MM = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.08, 0.72). Two use status groups had comparable dwell and entry times, except for the product descriptor feature. Longer dwell time for the product package feature increased positive product perceptions among both use status groups [regression coefficient (β) = 0.44 and 2.61]. Longer dwell time for fruit/candy descriptor (β = 1.80) and price promotion features (β = 4.04) increased positive product perceptions among those who smoke.

Conclusions

US young adults appear to be particularly visually engaged by disposable e‐cigarette marketing that uses social media account features (account profile pictures, information about the products marketed and relevant hashtags) and features enhancing the products' personal relatability. Disposable product packages, fruit/candy descriptors and price promotions may increase the influence of social media marketing among various use status groups.
A heutagogical approach to building the residential aged care workforce capability and capacity
Authors: Mahoney Anne‐Marie , Fetherstonhaugh Deirdre , Rayner Jo‐Anne
Published: June 2024

Objective

This paper reports on the design and implementation of an interactive online education package for the diverse Australian residential aged care workforce, in response to the findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. A decade of reports has consistently highlighted the need for an educated workforce to care for the increasingly frail older people with complex care needs living in residential aged care. Cost, availability and timing of education have been identified as barriers to uptake of education for this workforce.

Methods

A heutagogical approach was used to design an evidence‐based, modular, online education package for nurses, care workers and allied health practitioners working in the residential aged care sector. The subject matter was developed by experts and the education divided into modules. A key challenge was to design a package that was inclusive of the diversity of educational needs in this workforce. The package does not provide assessments on completion of the modules, relying solely on the motivation of the individual learner.

Results

This online education package provides choice and self‐determination for users in their learning journey. Collaborating with experts to develop an online education program that is learner‐driven, challenges the conventions of education. Users can navigate the package at their pace; choose the modules they have identified as knowledge gaps or are of interest; and complete the education in their own time.

Conclusion

As expected, most users are care workers and nurses and the five modules of the Dementia program are the most popular.
‘We know the lack of services': Service lead’s perspective of enablers and barriers to hearing assessment for children in metropolitan, regional and rural Australia: A qualitative study
Authors: Zussino Jenna , Zupan Barbra , Preston Robyn
Published: June 2024

Objective

To explore potential enablers and barriers to accessing paediatric hearing assessment from the perspective of Australian service leads, extending previous studies on this topic from the perspectives of two other stakeholder groups – parents and speech pathologists.

Design

This qualitative study, expanding upon previous mixed‐methods studies, applied a pragmatism paradigm.

Setting

The study was undertaken online via Zoom and included participants who were service leads of organisations that offer hearing assessment in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote parts of Australia.

Participants

Eight Australian service leads participated in semi‐structured interviews.

Results

Barriers identified were similar to barriers in previous studies. Three main themes were identified. First, children with hearing loss in Australia are well identified at birth. The second theme focused on the reduced and inconsistent hearing assessment services available after this age. Finally, service leads discussed the importance of embracing technology to solve service access difficulties.

Conclusion

Consultation with key stakeholders, to consider the needs of different communities within Australia, will be crucial when identifying new service delivery options.
Blood‐based inflammatory protein biomarker panel for the prediction of relapse and severity in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Wei Quanfeng , Li Jiahong , Zhao Chenyang , Meng Su , Liu Na , Wu Zhe , Liu Fang , Cui Lingling , Hu Wenyu , Zhao Yinan
Published: June 2024

Background

To date, most existing models for predicting neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) are based primarily on clinical characteristics. Blood‐based NMOSD severity and prognostic predictive immune‐ and inflammation‐related biomarkers are needed. We aimed to investigate the associations between plasma inflammatory biomarkers and relapse and attack severity in NMOSD.

Methods

This two‐step, single‐center prospective cohort study included discovery and validation cohorts. We quantified 92 plasma inflammatory proteins by using Olink's proximity extension assay and identified differentially expressed proteins in the relapse group (relapse within 1 year of follow‐up) and severe attack group. To define a new molecular prognostic model, we calculated the risk score of each patient based on the key protein signatures and validated the results in the validation cohort.

Results

The relapse prediction model, including FGF‐23, DNER, GDNF, and SLAMF1, predicted the 1‐year relapse risk. The severe attack prediction model, including PD‐L1 and MCP‐2, predicted the severe clinical attack risk. Both the relapse and severe attack prediction models demonstrated good discriminative ability and high accuracy in the validation cohort.

Conclusions

Our discovered biomarker signature and prediction models may complement current clinical risk stratification approaches. These inflammatory biomarkers could contribute to the discovery of therapeutic interventions and prevent NMOSD progression.