bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emissions of climate-altering species from open vegetation fires in the Mediterranean region - A review on methods and data
Authors: Hundal Rabia Ali , Annadate Saurabh , Cesari Rita , Collalti Alessio , Maione Michela , Cristofanelli Paolo
Published: July 2024

The climate change over the Mediterranean region poses serious concerns about the role of open vegetation fires in the emissions of climate-altering species. The aim of this work is to review the current methodologies for quantifying the emissions of greenhouse gases and black carbon from open vegetation fires, as well as the data provided by four state-of-the-art inventories of emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and black carbon (BC) in the Mediterranean region for the period 2003 - 2020. A limited number of studies specifically addressed the quantification of emissions from open fires in the Mediterranean region. Our data review of fire emissions in the Mediterranean region, where “top-down” methods have not yet implemented, reveals discrepancies across the four inventories examined (GFED v4.1s, GFAS v1.2, FINN v2.5, and EDGAR v8.0). Among these, FINN v2.5 consistently reported the highest emissions, while GFED v4.1s reported the lowest. We observed that the relative ranking of total emissions between the inventories varied for the species considered (e.g. CO2vs. CH4) and that different proportions of emissions were attributed to the individual countries included in the Mediterranean domain. We argued that these differences were related to the different spatial resolutions of the input data used to detect the occurrence of fires, the different approaches to calculating the amount of fuel available, and the emission factors used.

The three inventories reporting wildfire emissions were consistent in identifying the occurrence of peaks in the emissions for the years 2007, 2012 and 2017. We hypothesized that La Niña events could partially contribute to triggering the occurrence of these emission peaks.

To increase the accuracy and consistency of climate-altering emission data related to open vegetation fires in the Mediterranean region, we recommend to integrate bottom-up approaches with top-down inversion methods based on satellite and in-situ atmospheric observations.
Guided by touch: Tactile Cues in Hand Movement Control
Authors: Vlachou Maria Evangelia , Legros Juliette , Sellin Cécile , Paleressompoulle Dany , Massi Francesco , Simoneau Martin , Mouchnino Laurence , Blouin Jean
Published: July 2024

Traditionally, touch is associated with exteroception and is rarely considered a relevant sensory cue for controlling movements in space, unlike vision. We developed a technique to isolate and evaluate tactile involvement in controlling sliding finger movements over a surface. Young adults traced a 2D shape with their index finger under direct or mirror-reversed visual feedback to create a conflict between visual and somatosensory inputs. In this context, increased reliance on somatosensory input compromises movement accuracy. Based on the hypothesis that tactile cues contribute to guiding hand movements, we predicted poorer performance when the participants traced with their bare finger compared to when their tactile sensation was dampened using a smooth finger splint. The results supported this prediction. EEG source analyses revealed smaller current in the presumed somatosensory cortex during sensory conflict, but only when the finger directly touched the surface. This finding suggests the gating of task-irrelevant somatosensory inputs. Together, our results emphasize touch’s involvement in movement control, challenging the notion that vision predominantly governs goal-directed hand or finger movements.
Partial redundancy buffers deleterious effects of mutatingDNA methyltransferase 1-1(MET1-1) in polyploid wheat
Authors: Burrows Samuel , Dorussen Delfi , Crudgington Joseph , Di Santolo Giorgia , Simmonds James , Catoni Marco , Borrill Philippa
Published: July 2024

DNA methylation is conserved across biological kingdoms, playing important roles in gene expression, transposable element silencing and genome stability. Altering DNA methylation could generate additional phenotypic variation for crop breeding, however the lethality of epigenetic mutants in crop species has hindered its investigation. Here, we exploit partial redundancy between homoeologs in polyploid wheat to generate viable mutants in the DNAmethyltransferase 1-1(MET1-1) gene with altered methylation profiles. In bothTriticum turgidum(tetraploid wheat) andTriticum aestivum(hexaploid wheat) we identified clear segregation distortions of higher-order mutants (5/6 and 6/6 mutantmet1-1copies in hexaploid and 3/4 and 4/4 copies in tetraploid) when genotyping segregating seeds and seedlings, which we attribute to reduced transmission of null mutant gametes. We found that the reduced transmission occurred from both the maternal and paternal gametes, however, we did not detect any deleterious effects on pollen development. The loss of four or more functional copies ofMET1-1results in decreased CG methylation in hexaploid wheat. Changes to gene expression increase stepwise with the number of mutant alleles suggesting a dosage dependent effect. Finally, we identify heritable changes to flowering and awn phenotypes which segregate independently ofMET1-1. Together our results demonstrate that polyploidy can be leveraged to generate quantitative changes to CG methylation without the lethal consequences observed in other crops, opening the potential to exploit novel epialleles in plant breeding.
Multiscale Molecular Modelling of Chromatin with MultiMM: From Nucleosomes to the Whole Genome
Authors: Korsak Sevastianos , Banecki Krzysztof , Plewczynski Dariusz
Published: July 2024

Motivation

We present a user-friendly 3D chromatin simulation model based on OpenMM, addressing the challenges posed by existing models with use-specific implementations. Our approach employs a multi-scale energy minimization strategy, capturing chromatin’s hierarchical structure. Initiating with a Hilbert curve-based structure, users can input files specifying nucleosome positioning, loops, compartments, or subcompartments.

Results

The model utilizes an energy minimization approach with a large choice of numerical integrators, providing the entire genome’s structure within minutes. Output files include the generated structures for each chromosome, offering a versatile and accessible tool for chromatin simulation in bioinformatics studies. Furthermore, MultiMM is capable of producing nucleosomeresolution structures by making simplistic geometric assumptions about the structure and the density of nucleosomes on the DNA.

Code availability

Open-source software and the manual are freely available onhttps://github.com/SFGLab/MultiMM.
Sensorimotor restriction affects sleep-related motor memory consolidation through altered slow oscillation-spindle coupling.
Authors: Conessa Adrien , Leger Damien , Boutin Arnaud
Published: July 2024

Sleep benefits memory consolidation through periodic sleep spindle activity and associated memory reactivations. The temporal organization of spindles in "trains" is considered a critical sleep mechanism for the timed and repeated reactivation of memories. Also, evidence suggests that a timely phase-locking between slow oscillations (SO) and spindles facilitates learning-related synaptic plasticity. Here, we investigated the contribution of the clustering and coupling of spindles with SO in motor memory consolidation by experimentally promoting local synaptic depression in sensorimotor cortical regions, through upper-limb immobilization, following motor sequence learning. Our results reveal that the cluster-based organization of sleep spindles is independent of daytime sensorimotor experience, while leading to distinct overnight behavioral outcomes. Interestingly, immobilization induced a phase shift in the SO-spindle coupling for spindles occurring in trains but not when isolated outside trains. We demonstrate that spindle trains may promote skill-specific strengthening of motor memories, while isolated spindles may instead create memory-instability conditions leading to enhanced skill transfer.
Asynchronous mouse embryo polarization leads to heterogeneity in cell fate specification
Authors: Lamba Adiyant , Zhu Meng , Meglicki Maciej , Czukiewska Sylwia , Balasubramaniam Lakshmi , Hadas Ron , Weishaupt Nina , Patel Ekta M. , Kavanagh Yu Hua , Wang Ran , Jing Naihe , Zernicka-Goetz Magdalena
Published: July 2024

The first lineage allocation in mouse and human embryos separates the inner cell mass (ICM) from the outer trophectoderm (TE). This symmetry breaking event is executed through polarization of cells at the 8-cell stage and subsequent asymmetric divisions, generating polar (TE) and apolar (ICM) cells. Here, we show that embryo polarization is unexpectedly asynchronous. Cells polarizing at the early and late 8-cell stage have distinct molecular and morphological properties that direct their following lineage specification, with early polarizing cells being biased towards producing the TE lineage. More recent studies have also implicated heterogeneities between cells prior to the 8-cell stage in the first lineage allocation: cells exhibiting reduced methyltransferase CARM1 activity at the 4-cell stage are predisposed towards the TE fate. Here, we demonstrate that reduced CARM1 activity and upregulation of its substrate BAF155 promote early polarization and TE specification. These findings provide a link between asymmetries at the 4-cell stage and polarization at the 8-cell stage, mechanisms of the first lineage allocation that had been considered separate.
DOCK8 regulates a mechanosensitive actin redistribution that maintains immune cell cohesion and protects the nucleus during migration
Authors: Shen Connie , Postat Jérémy , Cerf Aysha , Merino Mauricio , Bhagrath Aanya , Patel Dhanesh , Luo Vincent , Abu-Thuraia Afnan , Schneider Caitlin , Sharma Abhinav , Suh Woong-Kyung , Ehrlicher Allen , Côté Jean-François , Mandl Judith N.
Published: July 2024

Immune cells navigate through complex 3-dimensional tissue architectures, utilizing an amoeboid mode of migration, characterized by extensive cellular deformation, low adhesion, and high cell velocities. In the absence of expression ofDedicator of Cytokinesis 8 (Dock8), a gene identified with loss-of-function mutations in immunodeficiency, cells become entangled during migration through dense, confined environments and consequently undergo catastrophic cell rupturing, while migration on 2D surfaces remains entirely intact. Here we investigated the specific cytoskeletal defect ofDock8-deficient activated T cells, showing that even prior to entanglement they display a striking difference in F-actin distribution compared to wild type (WT) cells. We describe a central pool of F-actin in WT murine and human T cells which is absent inDock8KO T cells, and determine that the relocalization of F-actin is a mechanoresponsive circuit, emerging only when cells are very confined. Our works shows that the central actin pool is nucleo-protective, reducing nuclear deformation and DNA damage during confined migration. We identify the Hippo-pathway kinase Mst1 as a co-mediator of this mechanosensitive pathway in conjunction with Dock8, allowing for cell cohesion and survival during migration through complex environments.
Successful retrieval is its own reward
Authors: Smith Devyn E. , Long Nicole M.
Published: July 2024

The ability to successfully remember past events is critical to our daily lives, yet the neural mechanisms underlying the motivation to retrieve is unclear. Although reward-system activity and feedback-related signals have been observed during memory retrieval, whether this signal reflects intrinsic reward or goal-attainment is unknown. Adjudicating between these two alternatives is crucial for understanding how individuals are motivated to engage in retrieval and how retrieval supports later remembering. To test these two accounts, we conducted between-subjects recognition memory tasks on human participants undergoing scalp electroencephalography and varied test-phase goals (recognize old vs. detect new items). We used an independently validated feedback classifier to measure positive feedback evidence. We find positive feedback following successful retrieval regardless of task goals. Together, these results suggest that successful retrieval is intrinsically rewarding. Such a feedback signal may promote future retrieval attempts as well as bolster later memory for the successfully retrieved events.
Epileptiform activity and seizure risk follow long-term non-linear attractor dynamics
Authors: Rosch Richard E , Scheid Brittany , Davis Kathryn A , Litt Brian , Ashourvan Arian
Published: July 2024

Many biological systems display circadian and slow multi-day rhythms, such as hormonal and cardiac cycles. In patients with epilepsy, these cycles also manifest as slow cyclical fluctuations in seizure propensity. However, such fluctuations in symptoms are consequences of the complex interactions between the underlying physiological, pathophysiological, and external causes. Therefore, identifying an accurate model of the underlying system that governs the multi-day rhythms allows for a more reliable seizure risk forecast and targeted interventions. To achieve this goal, we adopt the Hankel alternative view of Koopman (HAVOK) analysis to approximate a linear representation of nonlinear seizure propensity dynamics. The HAVOK framework leverages Koopman theory and delay-embedding to decompose chaotic dynamics into a linear system of leading delay-embedded coordinates driven by the low-energy coordinate (i.e., forcing). Our findings reveal the topology of attractors underlying multi-day seizure cycles, showing that seizures tend to occur in regions of the manifold with strongly nonlinear dynamics. Moreover, we demonstrate that the identified system driven by forcings with short periods up to a few days accurately predicts patients’ slower multi-day rhythms, which improves seizure risk forecasting.
Olfactory projection neuron rewiring in the brain of an ecological specialist
Authors: Duerr Benedikt R. , Bertolini Enrico , Takagi Suguru , Pascual Justine , Abuin Liliane , Lucarelli Giovanna , Benton Richard , Auer Thomas O.
Published: July 2024

Animals′ behaviours can vary greatly between even closely-related species. While changes in the sensory periphery have frequently been linked to species-specific behaviours, very little is known about if and how individual cell types in the central brain evolve. Here, we develop a set of advanced genetic tools to compare homologous neurons inDrosophila sechellia– which specialises on a single fruit – andDrosophila melanogaster. Through systematic morphological analysis of olfactory projection neurons (PNs), we reveal that global anatomy of these second-order neurons is conserved. However, high-resolution, quantitative comparisons identify a striking case of convergent rewiring of PNs in two distinct olfactory pathways critical forD. sechellia′s host location. Calcium imaging and labelling of pre-synaptic sites in these evolved PNs demonstrate that novel functional connections with third-order partners are formed inD. sechellia. This work demonstrates that peripheral sensory evolution is accompanied by highly-selective wiring changes in the central brain to facilitate ecological specialisation, and paves the way for systematic comparison of other cell types throughout the nervous system.
Phylogenomics resolves the relationship and the evolutionary history of planthoppers (Insecta: Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha)
Authors: Deng Junchen , Stroiński Adam , Szwedo Jacek , Ghanavi Hamid Reza , Yapar Etka , Franco Diego Castillo , Prus-Frankowska Monika , Michalik Anna , Wahlberg Niklas , Łukasik Piotr
Published: July 2024

Planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha) are a species-rich and globally distributed insect clade with high economic, ecological, and evolutionary importance. However, the relationships among planthopper lineages and families remain unclear. Previous efforts based on inconsistent morphological traits, a few genes, or limited sampling often resulted in conflicting tree topologies. Here, we used genome-level data to assemble 1164 nuclear single-copy genes and 13 mitochondrial protein-coding genes for 149 planthopper species representing 19 out of 21 extant families. Additional markers were added from published mitogenomes, expanding our sampling to 285 species. These markers were used for Maximum Likelihood-based tree inference and dating analyses. The newly inferred phylogenies validated well-accepted relationships and recovered novel placements. Taxonomic conclusions include the establishment of a new family Borysthenidaestat. rev.within Delphacoidea and a new superfamily Meenoploideasuperfam. nov.including redefined Kinnaridaestat. rev.and Meenoplidaestat. rev., the confirmation of the monophyletic family Achilixiidae outside the Achilidae-Derbidae clade, and the transfer of tribes Lyncidini and Amyclini to Dictyopharidae and the genusMadagascaritiato Fulgoridae. The time analyses based on 57 nuclear markers and 30 fossils dated the origin of crown Fulgoromorpha back to Guadalupian, Permian (∼263 Ma), close to the maximum constraint at 267.3 Ma, while applying an older root constraint resulted in an origin in Mississippian, Carboniferous (∼332 Ma). While future sampling of unstudied fauna in unexplored regions or habitats may change the topology, the current phylogenomic analysis will serve as a solid foundation for research into planthopper ecology, evolution, and significance.
Quantifying synthetic bacterial community composition with flow cytometry: efficacy in mock communities and challenges in co-cultures
Authors: Mermans Fabian , Chatzigiannidou Ioanna , Teughels Wim , Boon Nico
Published: July 2024

Determination of bacterial community composition in synthetic communities is critical for understanding microbial systems. The community composition is typically determined through bacterial plating or through PCR-based methods which can be labor-intensive, expensive or prone to bias. Simultaneously, flow cytometry has been suggested as a cheap and fast alternative. However, since the technique captures the phenotypic state of bacterial cells, accurate determination of community composition could be affected when bacteria are co-cultured. We investigated the performance of flow cytometry for quantifying oral synthetic communities and compared it to the performance of strain specific qPCR and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Therefore, axenic cultures, mock communities and co-cultures of oral bacteria were prepared. Random forest classifiers trained on flow cytometry data of axenic cultures were used to determine the composition of the synthetic communities, as well as strain specific qPCR and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Flow cytometry was shown to have a lower average root mean squared error and outperformed the PCR-based methods in even mock communities (flow cytometry: 0.11 ± 0.04; qPCR: 0.26 ± 0.09; amplicon sequencing: 0.15 ± 0.01). When bacteria were co-cultured, neither flow cytometry, strain specific qPCR and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing resulted in similar community composition. Performance of flow cytometry was decreased compared to mock communities due to changing phenotypes. Finally, discrepancies between flow cytometry and strain specific qPCR were found. These findings highlight the challenges ahead for quantifying community composition in co-cultures by flow cytometry.

Importance

Quantification of bacterial composition in synthetic communities is crucial for understanding and steering microbial interactions. Traditional approaches like plating, strain specific qPCR and amplicon sequencing are often labor-intensive and expensive and limit high-throughput experiments. Recently, flow cytometry has been suggested as a swift and cheap alternative for quantifying communities and has been successfully demonstrated on simple bacterial mock communities. However, since flow cytometry measures the phenotypic state of cells, measurements can be affected by differing phenotypes. Especially changing phenotypes resulting from co-culturing bacteria can have a profound effect on the applicability of the technique in this context. This research illustrates the feasibility and challenges of flow cytometry for the determination of community structure in synthetic mock communities and co-cultures.
Multiple variants of IncF plasmid alleles discovered within single bacterial cells challenge previous assumptions
Authors: Ruzickova Michaela , Palkovicova Jana , Papousek Ivo , Cummins Max L , Djordjevic Steven P , Dolejska Monika
Published: July 2024

IncF plasmids are diverse mobile genetic elements found in bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae family and often carry critical antibiotic and virulence gene cargo. The classification of IncF plasmids using the plasmid Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (pMLST) tool compares the sequences of IncF alleles against a database to create a plasmid sequence type (ST). Accurate identification of plasmid STs is epidemiologically useful because it enables an assessment of the crucial IncF plasmid lineages associated with pandemic and emerging enterobacterial sequence types, inferring important information about specific bacterial lineages. Our initial observations showed discrepancies in IncF allele variants reported by pMLST in a collection of 898Escherichia coliST131 genomes. To evaluate the limitations of the pMLST tool, we interrogated an in-house and publicly available repository of 70324E. coligenomes of various STs and other Enterobacterales genomes (n=1247). All short-read genomes and representatives selected for long-read sequencing were used to assess allele variants and to compare the output with the real biological situation. When multiple allele variants occurred in a single bacterial genome, the python and web versions of the tool randomly selected one allele to report, leading to limited and inaccurate ST identification. Discrepancies were detected in 5804 of 72469 genomes (8.01%). Long read sequencing of 27 carefully selected genomes confirmed multiple IncF allele variants present on one plasmid, or two separate IncF plasmids present in a single bacterial cell. The pMLST tool was unable to accurately distinguish allele variants and their location on replicons using short-read nor long-read genome sequences.

Importance

Plasmid sequence type is crucial for describing IncF plasmids due to their capacity to carry important antibiotic and virulence gene cargo and consequently due to their association with disease-causing enterobacterial lineages exhibiting resistance to clinically relevant antibiotics in humans and food animals. As a result, precise reporting of IncF allele variants in IncF plasmids is necessary. Comparison of the FAB formulae generated by the plasmid Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (pMLST) tool with annotated long-read genome sequences identified inconsistencies, including examples where multiple IncF allele variants were present on the same plasmid but missing in the FAB formula, or in cases where two IncF plasmids were detected in one bacterial cell and the pMLST output provided information only about one plasmid. Such inconsistencies may cloud interpretation of IncF plasmid replicon type in specific bacterial lineages or inaccurate assumptions of host strain clonality.
Coupling proximity biotinylation with genomic targeting to characterize locus-specific changes in chromatin environments
Authors: Tchara Pata-Eting Kougnassoukou , Loehr Jérémy , Lambert Jean-Philippe
Published: July 2024

Regulating gene expression involves significant and frequent changes in the chromatin environment at the locus level, especially at regulatory sequences. However, their modulation in response to pharmacological treatments or pathological conditions remain mostly undetermined. Here, we report versatile locus-specific proteomics tools to address this knowledge gap, which combine the targeting ability of the CRISPR/Cas9 system and the protein-labelling capability of the highly reactive biotin ligases TurboID (in CasTurbo) and UltraID (in CasUltra). CasTurbo and CasUltra enabled rapid chromatin protein labelling under mild conditions at repetitive sequences like centromeres and telomeres, as well as non-amplified genes. We applied CasUltra to A375 melanoma cell lines to decipher the protein environment of theMYCpromoter and characterize the molecular effects of the bromodomain inhibitor JQ1, which targets bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins that regulateMYCexpression. We quantified the consequences of BET protein displacement from theMYCpromoter and found that it was associated with a considerable reorganisation of the chromatin composition. In addition, BET protein retention at theMYCpromoter was consistent with a model of increased JQ1 resistance. Thus, through the combination of proximity biotinylation and CRISPR-Cas9-dependent genomic targeting, CasTurbo and CasUltra have successfully demonstrated their utility in profiling the proteome associated with a genomic locus in living cells.

In Brief

Kougnassoukou Tcharaet al. report the development and application of CasTurbo and CasUltra, two locus-specific proteomics tools that fuse catalytically dead Cas9 to the engineered biotin ligases TurboID and UltraID. These tools enabled the quantitative mapping of locus-specific chromatin remodelling due to pharmacological inhibition.

Highlights

CasTurbo and CasUltra were developed for locus-specific label-free proteomics

CasTurbo mapped the proteins localized to the centromeres and telomeres

Proteins bound to theMYCpromoter were quantified in melanoma cells with CasUltra

CasUltra is compatible with investigating pharmacological treatment effects

Graphical abstract
An aging-sensitive compensatory secretory phospholipase that confers neuroprotection and cognitive resilience
Authors: Vicidomini Cinzia , Goode Travis D. , McAvoy Kathleen M. , Yu Ruilin , Beveridge Conor H. , Iyer Sanjay N. , Victor Matheus B. , Leary Noelle , Evans Liam , Steinbaugh Michael J. , Lai Zon Weng , Lyon Marina C. , Silvestre Manuel Rico F.S , Bonilla Gracia , Sadreyev Ruslan I. , Walther Tobias C. , Sui Shannan Ho , Saido Takaomi , Yamamoto Kei , Murakami Makoto , Tsai Li-Huei , Chopra Gaurav , Sahay Amar
Published: July 2024

Breakdown of lipid homeostasis is thought to contribute to pathological aging, the largest risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Cognitive reserve theory posits a role for compensatory mechanisms in the aging brain in preserving neuronal circuit functions, staving off cognitive decline, and mitigating risk for AD. However, the identities of such mechanisms have remained elusive. A screen for hippocampal dentate granule cell (DGC) synapse loss-induced factors identified a secreted phospholipase,Pla2g2f, whose expression increases in DGCs during aging.Pla2g2fdeletion in DGCs exacerbates aging-associated pathophysiological changes including synapse loss, inflammatory microglia, reactive astrogliosis, impaired neurogenesis, lipid dysregulation and hippocampal-dependent memory loss. Conversely, boostingPla2g2fin DGCs during aging is sufficient to preserve synapses, reduce inflammatory microglia and reactive gliosis, prevent hippocampal-dependent memory impairment and modify trajectory of cognitive decline. Ex vivo, neuronal-PLA2G2F mediates intercellular signaling to decrease lipid droplet burden in microglia. BoostingPla2g2fexpression in DGCs of an aging-sensitive AD model reduces amyloid load and improves memory. Our findings implicate PLA2G2F as a compensatory neuroprotective factor that maintains lipid homeostasis to counteract aging-associated cognitive decline.
Elliptical micropillars for efficient generation and detection of coherent acoustic phonons
Authors: Xiang C. , Rodriguez A. , Cardozo de Oliveira E.R. , Le Gratiet L. , Sagnes I. , Morassi M. , Lemaître A. , Lanzillotti-Kimura N.D.
Published: July 2024

Coherent acoustic phonon generation and detection assisted by optical resonances are at the core of efficient optophononic transduction processes. However, when one is dealing with a single optical resonance, the optimum generation and detection conditions occur at different laser wavelengths, i.e., different detunings from the cavity mode. In this work, we theoretically propose and experimentally demonstrate the use of elliptical micropillars to reach these conditions simultaneously at a single wavelength. Elliptical micropillar optophononic resonators present two optical modes with orthogonal polarizations at different wavelengths. By using a cross-polarization-scheme pump-probe experiment, we exploit the mode splitting and couple the pump beam to one mode while the probe is detuned from the other mode. In this way, at a particular micropillar ellipticity, the phonon-generation and phonon-detection processes are both enhanced. We report an enhancement of the coherent-phonon-generation-detection process by a factor of approximately 3.1 when comparing the highest achievable signals from elliptical and circular micropillars. Our findings constitute a step forward in tailoring light-matter interaction for more-efficient ultrahigh-frequency optophononic devices.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Formation of transfermium elements in reactions with
Pb208
Authors: Albertsson M. , Carlsson B. G. , Døssing T. , Randrup J. , Rudolph D. , Åberg S.
Published: July 2024

Within the Langevin framework, we investigate the dynamics of the fusion process for production of transfermium elements in reactions of Ca48, Ti50, Cr54, and Fe58 with Pb208. After the reacting nuclei have made contact, the early dynamical stage is dominated by the dissipation of the initial radial kinetic energy, while the subsequent shape evolution is diffusive. The probability for surmounting the inner barrier and forming a compound system is obtained by simulating the evolution as a Metropolis random walk in a five-dimensional potential-energy landscape. Good agreement with the available data is obtained, especially for the maximal formation probability.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Decay-angular-distribution correlated
CP
violation in heavy hadron cascade decays
Authors: Zhao Yu-Jie , Zhang Zhen-Hua , Guo Xin-Heng
Published: July 2024

CP violation in baryon decay processes is still undiscovered to date. We present a general analysis of the decay-angular distributions and the corresponding CP asymmetries in cascade decays of the type H→R(→ab)c, where H is a heavy hadron that decays through weak interactions H→Rc and the resonance R decays strongly via R→ab. Based on the analysis, we propose to search for CP violation in the decay-angular distributions in the cascade decay processes B→BM, with B or M subsequently decaying through strong interactions, where B is the mother baryon, B and M are the daughter baryon and meson, respectively, and M has to be spin nonzero. We also present some typical decay channels in which the search for such kinds of CP asymmetries can be performed.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Error-tolerant quantum convolutional neural networks for symmetry-protected topological phases
Authors: Zapletal Petr , McMahon Nathan A. , Hartmann Michael J.
Published: July 2024

The analysis of noisy quantum states prepared on current quantum computers is getting beyond the capabilities of classical computing. Quantum neural networks based on parametrized quantum circuits, measurements and feed-forward can process large amounts of quantum data to reduce measurement and computational costs of detecting nonlocal quantum correlations. The tolerance of errors due to decoherence and gate infidelities is a key requirement for the application of quantum neural networks on near-term quantum computers. Here we construct quantum convolutional neural networks (QCNNs) that can, in the presence of incoherent errors, recognize different symmetry-protected topological phases of generalized cluster-Ising Hamiltonians from one another as well as from topologically trivial phases. Using matrix product state simulations, we show that the QCNN output is robust against symmetry-breaking errors below a threshold error probability and against symmetry-preserving errors provided the error channel is invertible. This is in contrast to string order parameters and the output of previously designed QCNNs, which vanish in the presence of any symmetry-breaking errors. To facilitate the implementation of the QCNNs on near-term quantum computers, the QCNN circuits can be shortened from logarithmic to constant depth in system size by performing a large part of the computation in classical postprocessing. These constant-depth QCNNs reduce sample complexity exponentially with system size in comparison to the direct sampling using local Pauli measurements.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Symmetry constraints and spectral crossing in a Mott insulator with Green's function zeros
Authors: Setty Chandan , Sur Shouvik , Chen Lei , Xie Fang , Hu Haoyu , Paschen Silke , Cano Jennifer , Si Qimiao
Published: July 2024

Lattice symmetries are central to the characterization of electronic topology. Recently, it was shown that Green's function eigenvectors form a representation of the space group. This formulation has allowed the identification of gapless topological states even when quasiparticles are absent. Here we demonstrate the profundity of the framework in the extreme case, when interactions lead to a Mott insulator, through a solvable model with long-range interactions. We find that both Mott poles and zeros are subject to the symmetry constraints, and relate the symmetry-enforced spectral crossings to degeneracies of the original noninteracting eigenstates. Our results lead to new understandings of topological quantum materials and highlight the utility of interacting Green's functions toward their symmetry-based design.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
How employee-guest interactions and welcome hospitality create brand attitudes for first-time hotel customers
Authors: Meng Ting , Lai Ivan Ka Wai
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Inspired by the concept of the moment of truth, this study aims to examine how service interactions between hotel front-desk staff and a first-time check-in guest affect the guest’s brand satisfaction and brand attitudes, considering the moderating effect of welcome hospitality.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a between-subjects 2 (check-in service with high-service interaction vs low-service interaction) × 2 (with welcome hospitality vs without welcome hospitality) experimental method to investigate the mechanism of building brand attitudes towards a hotel during the check-in process.

Findings

The results of Study 1 showed that participants in the high-service interaction group reported higher brand satisfaction and brand attitudes than the low-service interaction group. It also confirmed that brand satisfaction fully mediates the relationship between service interactions and brand attributes. The results of Study 2 demonstrated the moderating effect of welcome hospitality. When service interaction is low, welcome hospitality can effectively improve brand satisfaction, but when service interaction is high, the improvement in brand satisfaction is smaller.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the literature on service interactions by potentially first experimentally examining the impact of first-time employee-customer interactions within a hotel setting. Recommendations were provided to hotel operators on how hotel staff can improve their service interactions.
Engaging leadership and followers' outcomes: incremental validity over transformational leadership
Authors: Get Wasim , Oprea Bogdan , Miulescu Amalia
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The present study examines the incremental validity of engaging leadership in predicting five fundamental organizational outcomes (followers’ organizational commitment, work engagement, task performance, organizational citizenship behaviour and counterproductive work behaviour) over transformational leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is cross-sectional in nature and a survey questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were collected from 402 workers in different fields. Hierarchical multiple regression was used in order to determine the incremental validity of engaging leadership.

Findings

Our results indicated that engaging leadership contributes additional variance over and above transformational leadership in predicting the five organizational outcomes.

Practical implications

The results of the study suggest that combining engaging leadership interventions with transformational leadership interventions may lead to better results.

Originality/value

The present study supports the empirical distinction of engaging leadership from transformational leadership, addressing possible concerns regarding construct redundancy.
Bridging governance gaps: politically connected boards, gender diversity and the ESG performance puzzle in Iberian companies
Authors: Guedes Rui , Neves Maria Elisabete , Vieira Elisabete
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The main goal of this paper is to analyse the impact of political connections and gender diversity shaping Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) components’ effects on the performance of Iberian companies.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this aim, we have used panel data methodology, specifically the generalized method of moments system estimation method by Arellano and Bond (1991), using data from listed Iberian companies for the period between 2015 and 2020.

Findings

Our findings suggest that, although ESG components positively influence company performance, the presence of political connections weakens ESG commitments, compromising ethical standards and suggesting a lack of transparency or inadequate regulations. Our results also highlight that the presence of women on boards of directors has a nuanced impact on firm performance, as measured by the Market-to-Book ratio. While gender diversity interacts with ESG scores, external investors' perceptions may not always reflect immediate performance improvements.

Research limitations/implications

This work faces some limitations associated with challenges in securing comprehensive data for all variables, along with the complexity of acquiring information about political connections. Often, we had to rely on multiple sources and cross-reference the data to enhance its reliability. Another limitation for potential consideration or exploration in future research pertains to the omission of distinct industry sectors due to the limited number of companies, particularly notable in the context of Portugal.

Originality/value

Although there is a large volume of literature on the relationship between ESG and companies’ performance, as far as the authors are aware, this article is original and covers an important gap in the literature when considering political connections and board gender diversity impact on ESG components as determinants of the performance of Iberian companies.
Integrating flexibility and sustainability in supply chains: a practice-based view on leadership, knowledge and digital quality management practices
Authors: Singh Rohit Kumar , Mathiyazhagan K.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the synergy between supply chain flexibility and sustainable supply chain management in the manufacturing industry. The study also investigates the roles of leadership practice, knowledge management practice and digital quality management practice in promoting supply chain flexibility that leads to sustainable supply operations from a practice-based perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors developed a self-administered questionnaire and distributed it amongst manufacturing executives in India. Data were collected from 347 executives. Before moving on to assumptions, such as constant variance and normality, we have analysed them to check for possible nonresponse bias. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to check the data’s reliability and consistency. PLS-SEM was used to validate the constructs and verify the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings indicate that knowledge practice and digital quality management practice, augmented by effective leadership practice, are positively associated with supply chain flexibility in the manufacturing sector. Further, the findings indicate a positive relationship between flexibility and supply chain sustainability.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study lies in the developed framework, wherein the authors attempted to rope in both flexibility and sustainability measures. The findings bridge a gap in the literature, especially in the context of the manufacturing industry, by demonstrating how leadership, KNP and DQMP collectively influence SCF and, ultimately, supply chain sustainability.
Public value management in digital transformation: a scoping review
Authors: Zyzak Barbara , Sienkiewicz-Małyjurek Katarzyna , Jensen Magnus Rom
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study was to map and scope a body of literature on the interplay between public value management (PVM) and digital transformation (DT), clarify the concept of PVM in DT, and identify knowledge gaps by using a scoping review methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

A scoping review was conducted, drawing on the framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley (2005) and Levac et al. (2010). A total of 54 publications on the interplay between PVM and DT were selected for the final analysis from the Web of Science, Scopus, and Dimensions databases.

Findings

We found that PVM in DT is a relatively unexplored topic and that additional research is needed to focus on the role of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain, especially in the context of local and regional governments. We also found that researchers have a limited conceptual understanding of PVM and DT.

Originality/value

This article makes two main contributions. First, although PVM and DT have contributed to public value research, our findings show a need for more systematic knowledge of these complementary but distinct approaches. Second, this study provides a valuable addition to the developing body of research using the scoping review methodology in PAM literature.
How does service quality predict loyalty? The serial mediation effects of perceived value and consumer brand identification
Authors: Gurler Hasan Emin
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Providing high-quality service for airline companies cannot be overstated, as it directly impacts their survival and competitiveness. Hence, there is an increasing need to measure loyalty in the air transport industry. Loyal customers are highly valued as they are less price-sensitive and require minimal communication efforts. Despite this, there is limited knowledge about the factors that influence a passenger’s level of loyalty towards an airline company. Therefore, understanding the precursors of loyalty is essential. This research investigates the serial mediation effect of consumer brand identification (CBI) and perceived value on the relationship between service quality and loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, quality is related to loyalty through value and CBI. A conclusive research design was adopted to determine whether value and CBI have a serial mediating effect on the quality-loyalty link. The research framework includes a three-path mediation model.

Findings

Based on the analysis of 406 questionnaires, the study concludes that a serial mediation effect of CBI and perceived value on the quality-loyalty relationship exists. The research results indicate that CBI has a greater influence on improving customer loyalty than perceived value.

Originality/value

This study contributes to limited research on the serial mediating effect of value and CBI in the quality-loyalty relationship. It also provides empirical evidence on the determinants of loyalty as part of the Turkish aviation industry. This study highlights the significance of CBI as a critical factor for airlines to maintain their competitiveness in the market.
Does ICT contribute to bootstrapping SOSI? Evidence in retailing
Authors: Marín-García Antonio , Gil-Saura Irene , Ruiz-Molina Maria-Eugenia , Moise Mihaela
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The objective of this work is to respond to the calls for research that, in retail and from the company’s perspective, support the importance of retaining a vision towards sustainability-oriented service innovation (SOSI), delving into the nature of this construct and examining its possible antecedent variables (information and communication technologies or ICT) and its consequent variables (volume and radicalness of innovation).

Design/methodology/approach

To contrast the proposed hypotheses and respond to the main objective of the research, an empirical study was carried out through face-to-face interviews with 200 managers of retail commercial establishments.

Findings

Empirical evidence highlights the important role that SOSI plays in fostering innovative capacity and disrupting innovative practices within the retail sector, particularly from the perspective of store managers, catalysed by the influence of ICT. The findings underline SOSI’s clear contribution to innovation dynamics in retail.

Originality/value

This research analyses SOSI from the perspective of the retail manager within the unique context of the current permacrisis. It contributes to progress in the conceptualisation of SOSI, offering a comprehensive understanding of the construct and its accompanying elements. It provides valuable insights for academics and policy development practitioners navigating the changing landscape of SOSI in the retail sector.
A comparative study on rotordynamics characteristics of hole-pattern damping seals with different cavity shapes
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Jiang Jin-Bo , Peng Xudong , Ni Zhongjin , Pan Jun
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the seal performance by proper design of the cavity shape of the damping holes, especially the rotordynamics characteristics of the hole-pattern damped seal (HPDS).

Design/methodology/approach

A new damping seal structure that comprises a circle-shaped cavity and two directional leaf-shaped cavities with a dovetail-shaped diversion groove is proposed. The comparative study on the sealing characteristics of dovetail-shape, leaf-shape and classical circular HPDSs was carried out using ANSYS CFX.

Findings

The dovetail-shaped HPDS significantly outperformed two other damping seal designs in leakage and rotordynamic performance. At a rotating speed of 7,500 rpm, it showed a 25% reduction in leakage, a 23% increase in average effective damping and a 119% increase in average effective stiffness. The cross-coupled stiffness Kxy shifted from positive to negative, reducing circumferential flow. The dovetail's inclined leaf-shaped grooves create a double vortex that slows jet velocity in the seal clearance and alters spiral flow direction, resulting in a uniform pressure distribution and enhanced rotor stability at low frequencies.

Originality/value

This study proposes a novel HPDS with dovetail-shaped diversion grooves. The seal can realize the simultaneous improvement of rotordynamics and leakage characteristics compared to the current seal structure.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-04-2024-0127/