bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A RAG Chatbot for Precision Medicine of Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Quidwai Mujahid Ali , Lagana Alessandro
Published: March 2024

The advent of precision medicine has revolutionized cancer treatment by integrating individual genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors to tailor patient care (Huang et al., 2020; Ginsburg and Phillips, 2018). However, the complexity and heterogeneity of diseases like Multiple Myeloma (MM) pose significant challenges in leveraging the vast amounts of genomic data and biomedical literature available for personalized treatment planning (Rajkumar, 2014; Röllig et al., 2015). To address this, we present an innovative Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) based chatbot framework that harnesses the power of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and state-of-the-art language models to curate and analyze MM-specific literature and provide personalized treatment recommendations based on patient-specific genomic data (Lewis et al., 2020).

Our framework integrates the BioMed-RoBERTa-base model for embedding generation (Gururangan et al., 2020) and the Mistral-7B language model for question answering (Anthropic, 2023), enabling effective understanding and response to complex clinical queries. The retrieval component is enhanced by Amazon OpenSearch Service, ensuring fast and accurate access to relevant information. A comprehensive data analysis pipeline, including exploratory data analysis, semantic search, clustering, and topic modeling, provides valuable insights into the MM research landscape, informing the chatbot’s knowledge base and uncovering potential research directions (Blei et al., 2003; Mikolov et al., 2013).

Deployed using Amazon Kendra, our RAG chatbot offers a user-friendly and scalable platform for accessing MM information, incorporating features such as user authentication, customizable web interface, and continuous improvement based on user feedback. The framework aims to democratize access to precision medicine by providing clinicians with a sophisticated tool for interpreting complex genomic data in the context of MM, streamlining clinical workflows, and facilitating the development of personalized treatment plans (Patel et al., 2015).

This paper presents the conceptualization, development, and potential impact of our RAG-based chatbot framework on the landscape of MM treatment and precision medicine. We argue that the synergistic integration of AI, NLP, and domain-specific knowledge marks a new era of healthcare, characterized by highly personalized, data-driven, and effective treatment modalities (Thong et al., 2021). Our framework not only advances the field of precision medicine in MM but also serves as a blueprint for the development of similar systems in other complex diseases, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
Assessing horizontal gene transfer in the rhizosphere ofBrachypodium distachyonusing fabricated ecosystems (EcoFABs)
Authors: Priya Shweta , Rossbach Silvia , Eng Thomas , Lin Hsiao-Han , Andeer Peter F. , Mortimer Jenny C. , Northen Trent R. , Mukhopadhyay Aindrila
Published: March 2024

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a major process by which genes are transferred within microbes in the rhizosphere. However, examining HGT remains challenging due to the complexity of mimicking conditions within the rhizosphere. Fabricated ecosystems (EcoFABs) have been used to investigate several complex processes in plant associated environments. Here we show that EcoFABs are efficient tools to examine and measure HGT frequency in the rhizosphere. We provided the first demonstration of gene transfer via triparental conjugation system in theBrachypodium distachyonrhizosphere in the EcoFABs usingPseudomonas putidaKT2440 as both donor and recipient bacterial strain with the donor having the mobilizable and non-self-transmissible plasmid. We also observed that the frequency of conjugal plasmid transfer in the rhizosphere is potentially dependent on the plant developmental stage, and composition and amount of root exudates. The frequency of conjugation also increased with higher numbers of donor cells. We have also shown the transfer of plasmid fromP. putidato anotherB. distachyonroot colonizer,Burkholderiasp. showing the possibility of HGT within a rhizosphere microbial community. Environmental stresses also influence the rate of HGT in the rhizosphere between species and genera. Additionally, we observed transfer of a non-self transmissible donor plasmid without the helper strain on agar plates when supplemented with environmental stressors, indicating reduced dependency on the helper plasmid under certain conditions. This study provides a robust workflow to evaluate conjugal transfer of engineered plasmids in the rhizosphere when such plasmids are introduced in a field or plant associated environment.

Importance

We report the use of EcoFABs to investigate the HGT process in a rhizosphere environment. It highlights the potential of EcoFABs in recapitulating the dynamic rhizosphere conditions as well as their versatility in studying plant-microbial interactions. This study also emphasizes the importance of studying the parameters impacting the HGT frequency. Several factors such as plant developmental stages, nutrient conditions, number of donor cells and environmental stresses influence gene transfer within the rhizosphere microbial community. This study paves the way for future investigations into understanding the fate and movement of engineered plasmids in a field environment.
PRMT5 is required for full-lengthHTTexpression by repressing multiple proximal intronic polyadenylation sites
Authors: AlQazzaz Mona A. , Ciamponi Felipe E. , Ho Jolene C. , Maron Maxim I. , Yadav Manisha , Sababi Aiden M. , MacLeod Graham , Ahmadi Moloud , Bullivant Garrett , Tano Vincent , Langley Sarah R. , Sánchez-Osuna María , Sachamitr Patty , Kushida Michelle , Richards Laura , Bardile Costanza Ferrari , Pouladi Mahmoud A. , Pugh Trevor , Tyers Mike , Angers Stephane , Dirks Peter B. , Bader Gary D. , Massirer Katlin B. , Barsyte-Lovejoy Dalia , Shechter David , Harding Rachel J. , Arrowsmith Cheryl H. , Prinos Panagiotis
Published: March 2024

Expansion of the CAG trinucleotide repeat tract in exon 1 of theHuntingtin(HTT) gene above a threshold of ∼36 repeats causes Huntington’s disease (HD) through the expression of a polyglutamine-expanded form of the HTT protein. This mutation triggers wide-ranging cellular and biochemical pathologies leading to cognitive, motor, and psychiatric symptoms in HD patients. As accurate splicing is required to produce the full-length HTT protein of ∼348 kDa, targetingHTTsplicing with small molecule drugs is a compelling approach to lower HTT protein levels to treat HD, and splice modulators are being tested in the clinic. Here, we identify PRMT5 as a novel regulator ofHTTmRNA splicing and alternative polyadenylation. PRMT5 inhibition disrupts the splicing ofHTTintrons 9 and 10, leading to activation of multiple proximal intronic polyadenylation sites within these introns and promoting premature termination, cleavage and polyadenylation (PCPA) of theHTTmRNA, thus lowering total HTT protein levels. We also detected increasing levels of these truncated, intron-containingHTTtranscripts across a series of neuronal differentiation samples which correlated with lower PRMT5 expression. Notably, PRMT5 inhibition in glioblastoma (GBM) stem cells potently induced neuronal differentiation. We posit that PRMT5-mediated regulation of intronic polyadenylation, premature termination and cleavage of theHTTmRNA modulates HTT expression and plays an important role during embryonic development and neuronal differentiation.
Experimental evolution of an RNA virus inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Castiglioni Victoria G. , Olmo-Uceda María J. , Martín Susana , Félix Marie-Anne , González Rubén , Elena Santiago F.
Published: March 2024

The discovery of Orsay virus (OrV), the first virus infecting wild populations ofCaenorhabditis elegans, has boosted studies of viral immunity pathways in this nematode. Considering the many advantages thatC. elegansoffers for fundamental research in host-pathogen interactions, this pathosystem has high potential to become a model system for experimental virus evolution studies. However, the evolutionary constraints operating in this pathosystem have barely been explored. Here we describe for the first time an evolution experiment of two different OrV strains inC. elegans. After 10 serial passages of evolution, we report slight changes in infectivity and non-synonymous mutations fixed in the evolved viral populations. In addition, we observed numerous minor variants emerging in the viral population. These minor variants were not randomly distributed along the genome but concentrated in polymorphic genomic regions. Overall, our work established the grounds for future experimental virus evolution studies usingCaenorhabditisnematodes.

HIGHLIGHTS

Caenorhabditis elegans-Orsay virus is a convenient pathosystem to study virus evolution.

The approach used to test the viral strains may interfere with the infection phenotypes observed.

There may be specific genomic hotspots regions of nucleotide diversity important for the evolution of Orsay virus.

The substitution rate observed for Orsay virus was low, suggesting that the two strains studied might be already well adapted to laboratory conditions.
FTO-mediated m6A demethylation of ULK1 mRNA promotes autophagy and activation of hepatic stellate cells in liver fibrosis
Authors: Huang Tingjuan , Zhang Chunhong , Ren Junjie , Shuai Qizhi , Li Xiaonan , Li Xuewei , Xie Jun , Xu Jun
Published: March 2024

The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the central link in the occurrence and development of liver fibrosis. Our previous studies showed that autophagy promotes HSCs activation and ultimately accelerates liver fibrosis. Unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1) is an autophagic initiator in mammals and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is closely related to autophagy. In this study, we find that m6A demethylase fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) is upregulated during HSCs activation and bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced hepatic fibrosis, which is the m6A methylase with the most significant difference in expression. Importantly, we identify that FTO overexpression aggravates HSCs activation and hepatic fibrosis via autophagy. Mechanistically, compared with other autophagy-related genes, ULK1 is the target of FTO due to FTO mainly mediates the m6A demethylation of ULK1 and upregulates its expression, thereby enhancing autophagy and activation of HSCs. Noteworthy, m6A reader YTH domain-containing protein 2 (YTHDC2) decreases ULK1 mRNA level via recognizing the m6A binding site and ultimately inhibits autophagy and activation of HSCs. Taken together, our findings highlight m6A-dependent ULK1 as an essential regulator of HSCs autophagy and reveal ULK1 as a novel potential therapeutic target for hepatic fibrosis treatment.

Graphical Abstract

m6A demethylases FTO promoted autophagy via recognizing the ULK1 m6A binding site, thus triggering HSCs activation, and eventually leading to liver fibrosis. In this process, YTHDC2 participated in the translation of ULK1.
5-HT1B receptors mediate dopaminergic inhibition of vesicular fusion and GABA release from striatonigral synapses
Authors: Molinari Maya , Lieberman Ori J. , Sulzer David , Santini Emanuela , Borgkvist Anders
Published: March 2024

The substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), a crucial basal ganglia output nucleus, contains a dense expression of dopamine D1 receptors (D1Rs), along with dendrites belonging to dopaminergic neurons of substantia nigra pars compacta. These D1Rs are primarily located on the terminals of striatonigral medium spiny neurons, suggesting their involvement in the regulation of neurotransmitter release from the direct pathway in response to somatodendritic dopamine release. To explore the hypothesis that D1Rs modulate GABA release from striatonigral synapses, we conducted optical recordings of striatonigral activity and postsynaptic patch-clamp recordings from SNr neurons in the presence of dopamine and D1R agonists. We found that dopamine inhibits optogenetically triggered striatonigral GABA release by modulating vesicle fusion and Ca2+influx in striatonigral boutons. Notably, the effect of DA was independent of D1R activity but required activation of 5-HT1B receptors. Our results suggest a serotonergic mechanism involved in the therapeutic actions of dopaminergic medications for Parkinson’s disease and psychostimulant-related disorders.
Genome streamlining: effect of mutation rate and population size on genome size reduction
Authors: Luiselli Juliette , Rouzaud-Cornabas Jonathan , Lartillot Nicolas , Beslon Guillaume
Published: March 2024

Genome streamlining,i.e. genome size reduction, is observed in bacteria with very different life traits, including endosymbiotic bacteria and several marine bacteria, raising the question of its evolutionary origin. None of the hypotheses proposed in the literature is firmly established, mainly due to the many confounding factors related to the diverse habitats of species with streamlined genomes. Computational models may help overcome these difficulties and rigorously test hypotheses. In this work, we used Aevol, a platform designed to study the evolution of genome architecture, to test two main hypotheses: that an increase in population size (N) or mutation rate (µ) could cause genome reduction. In our experiments, both conditions lead to streamlining, but with very different resulting genome structures. Under increased population sizes, genomes loose a significant fraction of non-coding sequences, but maintain their coding size, resulting in densely packed genomes (akin to streamlined marine bacteria genomes). By contrast, under increased mutation rate, genomes loose both coding and non-coding sequences (akin to endosymbiotic bacteria genomes). Hence, both factors lead to an overall reduction in genome size, but the coding density of the genome appears to be determined byN × µ. Thus, a broad range of genome size and density can be achieved by different combinations ofNandµ. Our results suggest that genome size and coding density are determined by the interplay between selection for phenotypic adaptation and selection for robustness.

Significance statement

Many bacterial species show reduced genomes. However, the diversity of these species and of their life traits makes it difficult to identify the mechanisms that led to this reduction. Indeed, no unifying hypothesis accounts for the whole diversity of genome size reduction. Here, we used simulations to systematically explore the effect of population size and mutation rate on genome size. We show that the interaction between these two factors tightly determine the size, but also the density of genomes, making it possible to account for the whole diversity of reduced genomes by acting on these two parameters only. Our results suggest a theoretical model in which genome reduction is driven by a robustness/fitness trade off.
The Histone Chaperone Spn1 Preserves Chromatin Protections at Promoters and Nucleosome Positioning in Open Reading Frames
Authors: Tonsager Andrew J , Zukowski Alexis , Radebaugh Catherine A , Weirich Abigail , Stargell Laurie A , Ramachandran Srinivas
Published: March 2024

Spn1 is a multifunctional histone chaperone that associates with RNA polymerase II during elongation and is essential for life in eukaryotes. While previous work has elucidated regions of the protein important for its many interactions, it is unknown how these domains contribute to the maintenance of chromatin structure. Here, we employ digestion by micrococcal nuclease followed by single-stranded library preparation and sequencing (MNase-SSP) to characterize chromatin structure in Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing wild-type or mutants of Spn1 (spn1K192Nor spn1141-305). We mapped protections of all sizes genome-wide. Surprisingly, we observed a widespread loss of short fragments over nucleosome-depleted regions (NDRs) at promoters in the spn1K192N-containing strain, indicating critical functions of Spn1 in maintaining normal chromatin architecture outside open reading frames. Additionally, there are shifts in DNA protections in both Spn1 mutant expressing strains over open reading frames, which indicate changes in nucleosome and subnucleosome positioning. This was observed in markedly different Spn1 mutant strains, demonstrating that multiple functions of Spn1 are required to maintain proper chromatin structure in open reading frames. Changes in chromatin structure correlate positively with changes in gene expression as shown by RNA-seq analysis in the Spn1 mutant strains. Taken together, our results reveal a previously unknown role of Spn1 in the maintenance of NDR architecture and deepen our understanding of Spn1-dependent chromatin maintenance over transcribed regions.
Throat color polymorphism is related to differences in aggression in the Aegean wall lizard
Authors: Mandavilli Dhruthi S. , Wang Ian J. , Brock Kinsey M.
Published: March 2024

Aggressive behavior can be used to establish and maintain access to crucial resources such as space, food, and mating opportunities. Color polymorphic animals sometimes exhibit morph-correlated aggressive behaviors that can influence relative reproductive success and, thus, the maintenance of polymorphism. The Aegean wall lizard,Podarcis erhardii, exhibits three monochromatic throat color morphs: orange, white, and yellow. Previously, maleP. erhardiicolor morphs were shown to differ in their use of aggressive behaviors and ability to win staged contests during laboratory experiments. However, whether these color morphs use aggressive behavior differently in their natural setting where ecological and environmental factors are not standardized remains unknown. Here, we usedin situobservations of wall lizard color morph interactions over a large section of dry stone wall to investigate behavioral differences in aggression among color morphsin situ. We compared the counts and intensities (aggression scores) of aggressive behaviors (both performing and receiving aggression) among color morphs and found that color morphs differ significantly in the frequencies and intensities of their aggressive behaviors. We found that the white morph exhibited significantly more aggression than the orange and yellow morphs on dry stone walls. Taken together, results frominandex situbehavioral studies suggest that the smaller, more common white color morphs are more aggressive, which might help explain their relatively greater abundance and persistence across the species’ range.
The peroxiredoxin Tsa1 extends the lifespan of budding yeast by maintaining the stability of the ribosomal RNA gene cluster
Authors: Ohira Junno , Sasaki Mariko , Kobayashi Takehiko
Published: March 2024

Tsa1 is a major budding yeast peroxiredoxin that also has nonperoxidase functions. Here we demonstrate that Tsa1 is required for stabilizing the ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) cluster. Tsa1 deficiency led to lower replication initiation and an elevated recombination frequency in the rDNA. However, the absence of Tsa1 did not affect Fob1-dependent replication fork arrest at the replication fork barrier (RFB) site, indicating that forks at this site are arrested stably. Tsa1 deficiency did not affect the frequency of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) but enhanced transcription from the regulatory promoter E-pro toward the RFB. Because transcription from E-pro inhibits cohesin association and DSB end resection, elevated transcription may cause rDNA instability. We showed that the shortened lifespan and rDNA instability in thetsa1Δ mutant were largely suppressed by thefob1mutation. Therefore, Tsa1-mediated rDNA stabilization in response to replication fork arrest is important for prolonging lifespan. Thetsa1Δ mutant accumulated single-strand breaks in the rDNA in a Fob1-independent manner. Taken together, these findings suggest that Tsa1 plays a crucial role in maintaining rDNA stability in both Fob1-dependent and Fob1-independent manners and contributes to lifespan extension.
When visual attention is divided in the flash-lag effect
Authors: Yook Jane , Hogendoorn Hinze , Fink Gereon R. , Vossel Simone , Weidner Ralph
Published: March 2024

The flash-lag effect (FLE) occurs when a flash’s position appears delayed relative to a continuously moving object, even though both are physically aligned. While several studies have demonstrated that reduced attention increases FLE magnitude, the precise mechanism underlying these attention-dependent effects remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the influence of visual attention on the FLE by manipulating the level of attention allocated to multiple stimuli moving simultaneously in different locations. Participants were cued to either focus on one moving stimulus or split their attention among two, three, or four moving stimuli presented in different quadrants. We measured trial-wise FLE to explore potential changes in the magnitude of perceived displacement and its trial-to-trial variability under different attention conditions. Our results reveal that FLE magnitudes were significantly larger when attention was divided among multiple stimuli compared to when attention was focused on a single stimulus, suggesting that divided attention considerably augments the perceptual illusion. However, FLE variability, measured as the coefficient of variation, did not differ between conditions, indicating that the consistency of the illusion is unaffected by divided attention. We discuss the interpretations and implications of our findings in the context of widely accepted explanations of the FLE within a dynamic environment.
Designer quantum reflection from a micropore
Authors: Kilianski Romuald , Bennett Robert
Published: March 2024

We expand the theoretical toolbox for controllable quantum reflection by departing from a simple planar reflector. We introduce a circular hole (a micropore) of variable size, for which the electrostatic image potential can be exactly calculated. We combine this with two-dimensional simulations of wave-packet propagation at arbitrary angles of incidence to show that the quantum reflection probability can be tuned over a wide range of values.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Qualitative
ab initio
theory of magnetic and atomic ordering in FeNi
Authors: Ruban A. V.
Published: March 2024

Magnetic and atomic ordering in equiatomic FeNi alloy is studied by different techniques and methods based on density functional theory in order to clarify the main driving forces and their interplay behind these transitions and possibility of their accurate description within standard density functional theory calculations. The Curie temperature is obtained in Monte Carlo simulations using magnetic exchange interactions obtained by applying the magnetic force theorem within multiple scattering theory for different magnetic and atomic configurational states, including account for the thermal atomic displacements and exchange-correlation potential. The calculations show a very strong sensitivity of the results upon exchange-correlation potential, atomic order, and thermal atomic displacements. The calculated Curie temperature of a completely random alloy with the account of thermal lattice displacement is at least about 200 K below the known experimental data (780–800 K) depending on the above mentioned factors. The atomic order-disorder transition temperature is determined from effective chemical interactions, which apart from the chemical contribution (on the ideal fcc lattice) include contributions from lattice thermal vibrations and local lattice relaxations. The effective chemical interactions are strongly affected by the magnetic state, so the order-disorder transition temperature changes between 1000 and 140 K in the fully ordered ferromagnetic and paramagnetic states, respectively. For the reduced magnetization 0.7 (close to the experimental order-disorder transition temperature at 600 K), the order-disorder transition temperature varies between 550 and 700 K depending mostly on the exchange-correlation potential. The latter effect is the uncertainty in the choice of the exchange-correlation approximation in density functional theory calculations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Melting properties of the refractory metals V and W and the binary VW alloy fully from first principles
Authors: Zhu Li-Fang , Srinivasan Prashanth , Gong Yilun , Hickel Tilmann , Grabowski Blazej , Körmann Fritz , Neugebauer Jörg
Published: March 2024

We investigate the melting properties of the bcc refractory metals V and W, and the disordered equiatomic VW alloy from first principles. We show that thermal vibrations have a large impact on the electronic density of states (DOS) and thus considerably affect the electronic contribution to the free energy. For W, the impact of vibrations on the electronic free energy of solid and liquid is different. This difference substantially impacts the computed melting point and also triggers a large electronic heat capacity difference between solid and liquid. For V, although vibrations likewise affect the electronic free energy, the effect on the melting properties cancels out to a large degree. For the binary VW alloy we observe a similar impact as for W, but slightly weaker. The underlying physics is explained in terms of the electronic DOS of the solid and liquid phases. Based on our accurate first-principles results, we reveal critical limitations of the Sommerfeld approximation in predicting the electronic heat capacity difference between solid and liquid. Our results thus prompt us to scrutinize this approximation which is often used in phase diagram parametrizations in the CALPHAD approach, as well as for materials, such as W, that have a large electronic DOS difference between solid and liquid at the melting temperature.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Optical transmission enhancement of ionic crystals via superionic fluoride transfer: Growing VUV-transparent radioactive crystals
Authors: Beeks Kjeld , Sikorsky Tomas , Schaden Fabian , Pressler Martin , Schneider Felix , Koch Björn N. , Pronebner Thomas , Werban David , Hosseini Niyusha , Kazakov Georgy , Welch Jan , Sterba Johannes H. , Kraus Florian , Schumm Thorsten
Published: March 2024

The 8−eV first nuclear excited state in Th229 is a candidate for implementing a nuclear clock. Doping Th229 into ionic crystals such as CaF2 is expected to suppress nonradiative decay, enabling nuclear spectroscopy and the realization of a solid-state optical clock. Yet, the inherent radioactivity of Th229 prohibits the growth of high-quality single crystals with high Th229 concentration; radiolysis causes fluoride loss, increasing absorption at 8eV. These radioactively doped crystals are thus a unique material for which a deeper analysis of the physical effects of radioactivity on growth, crystal structure, and electronic properties is presented. Following the analysis, we overcome the increase in absorption at 8eV by annealing Th229-doped CaF2 at 1250∘C in

CF

4

. This technique allows to adjust the fluoride content without crystal melting, preserving its single-crystal structure. Superionic state annealing ensures rapid fluoride distribution, creating fully transparent and radiation-hard crystals. This approach enables control over the charge state of dopants, which can be used in deep-UV optics, laser crystals, scintillators, and nuclear clocks.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Evolution of topological charge through chiral anomaly transport
Authors: Yuan Zilin , Huang Anping , Zhou Wen-Hao , Ma Guo-Liang , Huang Mei
Published: March 2024

Built upon the state-of-the-art model a multiphase transport, we develop a new module of chiral anomaly transport (CAT) to trace the evolution of the initial topological charge of the gauge field created through sphaleron transition at finite temperature and the external magnetic field in heavy-ion collisions. The eventual experimental signals of the chiral magnetic effect (CME) have been measured. The CAT explicitly shows the generation and evolution of the charge separation, the signals of the CME through the CAT are quantitatively in agreement with the experimental measurements in Au+Au collisions at s=200 GeV, and the centrality dependence of the CME fraction follows that of the fireball temperature. Our simulation supports the generation of the CME.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Search for the semileptonic decays
Ξc0→Ξ0ℓ+ℓ−
at Belle
Authors: Cui J. X. , Li Y. B. , Shen C. P. , Adachi I. , Aihara H. , Al Said S. , Asner D. M. , Aushev T. , Ayad R. , Babu V. , Bahinipati S. , Banerjee Sw. , Bauer M. , Behera P. , Belous K. , Bennett J. , Bessner M. , Bhuyan B. , Bilka T. , Biswas D. , Bobrov A. , Bodrov D. , Borah J. , Bračko M. , Branchini P. , Browder T. E. , Budano A. , Campajola M. , Červenkov D. , Chang M.-C. , Cheon B. G. , Chilikin K. , Cho K. , Choi S.-K. , Choi Y. , Choudhury S. , Das S. , Dash N. , De Nardo G. , De Pietro G. , Dhamija R. , Di Capua F. , Dingfelder J. , Doležal Z. , Dong T. V. , Dubey S. , Ecker P. , Epifanov D. , Ferber T. , Ferlewicz D. , Fulsom B. G. , Garg R. , Gaur V. , Garmash A. , Giri A. , Goldenzweig P. , Graziani E. , Gudkova K. , Hadjivasiliou C. , Halder S. , Hayasaka K. , Hayashii H. , Hazra S. , Herrmann D. , Hou W.-S. , Hsu C.-L. , Inami K. , Ipsita N. , Ishikawa A. , Itoh R. , Iwasaki M. , Jacobs W. W. , Jia S. , Jin Y. , Kalita D. , Kiesling C. , Kim D. Y. , Kim K.-H. , Kim Y.-K. , Kinoshita K. , Kodyš P. , Korobov A. , Korpar S. , Kovalenko E. , Križan P. , Krokovny P. , Kuhr T. , Kumar D. , Kumar R. , Kwon Y.-J. , Lam T. , Lee S. C. , Li L. K. , Li Y. , Li Gioi L. , Libby J. , Liventsev D. , Ma Y. , Masuda M. , Matvienko D. , Maurya S. K. , Meier F. , Merola M. , Miyabayashi K. , Mizuk R. , Mussa R. , Nakao M. , Natkaniec Z. , Natochii A. , Nayak L. , Nishida S. , Ogawa S. , Ono H. , Oskin P. , Pakhlov P. , Pakhlova G. , Pardi S. , Park H. , Park J. , Park S.-H. , Patra S. , Paul S. , Pedlar T. K. , Pestotnik R. , Piilonen L. E. , Podobnik T. , Prim M. T. , Rout N. , Russo G. , Sandilya S. , Santelj L. , Savinov V. , Schnell G. , Schwanda C. , Seino Y. , Senyo K. , Sevior M. E. , Shan W. , Sharma C. , Shiu J.-G. , Sokolov A. , Solovieva E. , Starič M. , Stottler Z. S. , Sumihama M. , Takizawa M. , Tanida K. , Tenchini F. , Tiwary R. , Uglov T. , Unno Y. , Uno S. , Usov Y. , Vinokurova A. , Wang M.-Z. , Watanuki S. , Won E. , Yabsley B. D. , Yan W. , Yelton J. , Yin J. H. , Yuan L. , Zhang Z. P. , Zhilich V. , Zhukova V. ,   Belle Collaboration
Published: March 2024

Using the full data sample of 980  fb−1 collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric energy electron-positron collider, we report the results of the first search for the rare semileptonic decays Ξc0→Ξ0ℓ+ℓ− (ℓ=e or μ). No significant signals are observed in the Ξ0ℓ+ℓ− invariant-mass distributions. Taking the decay Ξc0→Ξ−π+ as the normalization mode, we report 90% credibility upper limits on the branching fraction ratios B(Ξc0→Ξ0e+e−)/B(Ξc0→Ξ−π+)<6.7×10−3 and B(Ξc0→Ξ0μ+μ−)/B(Ξc0→Ξ−π+)<4.3×10−3 based on the phase-space assumption for signal decays. The 90% credibility upper limits on the absolute branching fractions of B(Ξc0→Ξ0e+e−) and B(Ξc0→Ξ0μ+μ−) are found to be 9.9×10−5 and 6.5×10−5, respectively.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Structure of the
Λ(1670)
resonance
Authors: Liu Jiong-Jiong , Liu Zhan-Wei , Chen Kan , Guo Dan , Leinweber Derek B. , Liu Xiang , Thomas Anthony W.
Published: March 2024

We examine the internal structure of the Λ(1670) through an analysis of lattice QCD simulations and experimental data within Hamiltonian effective field theory. Two scenarios are presented. The first describes the Λ(1670) as a bare three-quark basis state, which mixes with the πΣ, K¯N, ηΛ and KΞ meson-baryon channels. In the second scenario, the Λ(1670) is dynamically generated from these isospin-0 coupled channels. The K−p scattering data and the pole structures of the Λ(1405) and the Λ(1670) can be simultaneously described well in both scenarios. However, a comparison of the finite-volume spectra to lattice QCD calculations reveals significant differences between these scenarios, with a clear preference for the first case. Thus the lattice QCD results play a crucial role in allowing us to distinguish between these two scenarios for the internal structure of the Λ(1670).

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
A new experimental station for microbeam X-ray scattering at the SSRF BL10U1 beamline
Authors: Hua Wenqiang , Song Maohua , Liao Keliang , Zhou Ping , Li Xiuhong
Published: March 2024

Benefiting from the development of high-brilliance synchrotron radiation sources, microbeam X-ray scattering has become a well established scattering-based imaging technology. This article describes the newly constructed time-resolved microbeam small-angle X-ray scattering (µSAXS) experimental station at the BL10U1 beamline at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility. The µSAXS endstation provides SAXS/WAXS measurements with a 10 µm hard X-ray beam and a flux of ∼1012 photons s−1. A multi-axis sample stage, an on-axis viewer and in situ experimental apparatus are incorporated to facilitate multi-method scientific experiments in various material fields. As scientific examples, this article explores 1D tomography, 2D mapping and tomographic sectioning based on X-ray scattering to investigate the micro–nanostructures of polymer fiber, spherulite and bamboo samples.
The sustainable development goals and the role of environmental legislation in Brazilian poultry companies
Authors: Schiavo Gustavo , Scavarda Annibal
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate how corporate governance focused on meeting the legal requirements applied in poultry slaughterhouses contributes to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the environmental pillar and identify vulnerabilities in this governance framework.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was qualitative and was structured with the following steps: literature review, selection of companies and documentary research on licenses applied to these companies.

Findings

The assessment demonstrates that the governance strategy based on legal aspects contributes to progress in indicators related to SDGs such as clean water, climate action, life below water and life on land. However, it falls short when addressing SDG 7 on affordable and clean energy. Another vulnerability of this governance model is that legislation establishes metrics and indicators individually for each link in the poultry industry chain.

Research limitations/implications

Assessment of the corporate governance of poultry slaughterhouses, focusing on legality and analyzing vulnerabilities in the legal aspects of the poultry industry concerning the SDGs that encompass the environmental pillar.

Practical implications

The results provide valuable information for policymakers, regulators and industry stakeholders in the segment, suggesting the need to align legislation with SDGs or adopt incentive policies to encourage the spontaneous advancement of SDGs in the poultry industry.

Originality/value

Considering the need for progress toward a more sustainable world and the trend of organizations focusing their efforts on complying with local legislation, this study aims to contribute to understanding how the legal requirements applied in practice are prepared to support the advancement of the SDGs.
Sustainable rural electrification: small hydropower stations, electrification and rural welfare improvement in Tanzania
Authors: Haulle Evaristo , Ndimbo Gabriel Kanuti
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Tanzania is rich in small hydropower (SHP) potentials. However, many of these potentials have yet to be fully used, and more than two-thirds of its rural population lacks access to electricity. The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of SHP stations in improving rural welfare in the southern highlands of Tanzania. It further explores the history, cost-effective analysis and threats to the sustainability of SHP as one of the renewable energy sources.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a qualitative research design to explore respondents’ views on the role of SHP stations in facilitating rural electrification and welfare improvement. Primary data were gathered using semi-structured interviews with the 27 key informants and beneficiaries of SHP stations from the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. In addition, the study used documentary research to complement the information from the field survey.

Findings

The findings found that SHP stations enhance rural electrification and welfare by providing electricity in remote areas with sparse populations. They operate as standalone off-grids, often by church communities and individuals. However, the sustainability of SHP stations is hampered by challenges such as climate change impacts, high capital investment costs, heavy siltation of small reservoirs, skilled manpower shortages, limited local manufacturing capabilities and infrastructural issues.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the ongoing debate on renewable energy supply and uses, focusing on how SHP stations could contribute to sustainable rural electrification and achieve the 2030 United Nations agenda for sustainable development, which, among other things, aims to safeguard access to sustainable and modern energy and alleviate energy poverty.
Implementation of Lesson Study in the context of STEM education in a rural setting in Ireland: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Flanagan Bridget , Hourigan Mairéad , Leavy Aisling
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This research seeks to explore the potential of Lesson Study as a vehicle to support professional development (PD) in a rural, Irish primary school. Lesson Study was utilised to design and implement integrated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) lessons with young children (ages 4–7 years).

Design/methodology/approach

Three teachers were introduced to and participated in four cycles of Lesson Study over the course of one school year. Qualitative data were generated from interviews, collaborative weekly meetings and observation sheets.

Findings

Analysis suggests that Lesson Study supported the development of a culture of collaboration and provided an opportunity for teachers to share their knowledge. Findings also reveal that Lesson Study motivated teachers to reflect on their role within the classroom and enabled them to move away from teacher-led approaches. Although teachers perceived Lesson Study to be a beneficial form of PD, factors constrained their engagement, including practical, cultural and sustainability challenges.

Practical implications

The study explores the adaptability of Lesson Study in first level education in the context of STEM education. It reveals teachers’ first experience of Lesson Study, given its stark contrast to more “traditional” PD experiences they are accustomed to. This article will, therefore, be of interest to teachers, school leaders and policy makers.

Originality/value

This paper contributes initial findings to a currently under-researched area, Lesson Study in a rural context. This study also combines Lesson Study with STEM education, which has not been widely explored.
Exploring the non-vocational outcomes of the individual placement and support (IPS) employment model
Authors: Boland Leonie , Kennedy Michelle , Lynch Lauren Jane , Bonham-Corcoran Meabh , Quinn Sarah
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an evidence-based employment model, effective in supporting individuals with severe mental health difficulties to gain competitive employment. Irish mental health policy recognises its value and IPS is being rolled out in a national programme. Employment is recognised an important contributor to mental health recovery and social inclusion. However, research on IPS has tended to focus on competitive job outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the non-vocational outcomes of IPS in an Irish context.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research approach was used to interview participants taking part in IPS within community mental health teams. Twelve interviews were included in the data analysis process which was informed by a thematic analysis approach.

Findings

Participants experienced increased confidence and positivity, both within a work context and whilst job seeking. More purposeful time use, participation in activities and engagement with society were also experienced by those employed and those at the job search stage of IPS.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature about the non-vocational benefits of IPS within an Irish context, highlights the mental health recovery benefits of taking part in IPS and supports the need for ongoing development of IPS throughout mental health services in Ireland.
Assessment of sustainability awareness and practice in a campus community
Authors: Urbaniak Eric , Uzarski Rebecca , Haidar Salma
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This research paper aims to evaluate the sustainability knowledge and background of students, staff and faculty regarding current university sustainability practices and individual behaviors at Central Michigan University (CMU); to compare sustainability background and knowledge based on academic discipline of enrollment or employment; and to assess sustainability awareness and interest of the campus community to guide future sustainability initiatives and resources at CMU.

Design/methodology/approach

An electronic cross-sectional survey was used to collect anonymous responses through Qualtrics, and then results were analyzed through SPSS. Analyses were performed based on the academic structures at CMU.

Findings

This research has found that students in STEM fields are more inclined to have pro-sustainability attitudes, knowledge and behaviors, compared to those studying the arts and business. Additionally, results indicate that there is a significant difference in knowledge between the students, and the staff and faculty respondents regarding sustainability knowledge and application, with the staff and faculty consistently demonstrating more pro-sustainability knowledge and behavior.

Originality/value

While research has previously been conducted on sustainability attitudes and behaviors, this research is unique because it ties sustainability knowledge to academic discipline. Additionally, it serves to gauge which sustainability programs and topics members of the campus community are most interested in, and which areas they are most willing to support.
Handwoven interior accessories from palm leaves as sustainable elements
Authors: Elsamanoudy Gamal , Abdelaziz Mahmoud Naglaa Sami , Alexiou Platon
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This paper argues that cultures with the same climate have similar handicrafts as they have similar cultivation and identical raw materials. This study focuses on how mountainous, coastal and hot regions partaking in similar crafts and cultural heritage use palm leaves and analyses the resulting handicrafts' similarities.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of mapping these samples establishes this similarity in the traditional industries of some civilizations' cultural heritage from countries sharing similar climates.

Findings

The handwoven crafts using palm leaves were significant patrimonial artifacts in different societies' and communities' cultural heritage. Our studies revealed that climate plays an active role in influencing all aspects of humanity’s life. It affects the construction methods and style, agriculture and lifestyles.

Research limitations/implications

Traditional handwoven palm leaf product models, especially plates and baskets, are studied from South America, Africa, Gulf Countries and Asia.

Practical implications

Additionally, this paper focuses on preserving these treasures as an essential part of interior elements as accessories for most inhabitants of these areas.

Social implications

Cultural heritage also embraces intangible aspects such as skills passed down through generations within a particular society. The tangible and intangible elements complement each other and contribute to an overall legacy.

Originality/value

Cultural heritage reflects a society’s way of life carried down through the years across lands, items, customs and aesthetic concepts. People are the gatekeepers of society, as they preserve their way of life for future generations to emulate. Tangible artistic and cultural heritage comprises artifacts. It comprises all human evidence and expressions, such as traditional handicrafts, pictures, documents, books and manuscripts.
Modelling the barriers of talent agility in Indian automobile industry in the era of Industry 4.0
Authors: Gouda Gopal Krushna , Tiwari Binita
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The COVID-19 outbreak disrupted the business environment and severely affected the morale and performance of the employees. Further, the Indian automobile industry witnessed major setbacks and drastically impacted sector in COVID-19. Talent agility is an emerging concept in the field of HRM that will foster innovations and productivity in the automobile industry. Thus, this study aims to explore the barriers to building in-house agile talents in the Indian automobile industry in the new normal.

Design/methodology/approach

The barriers of talent agility were identified through a literature review and validated through experts’ opinions. This study used a hybrid approach, which combines Interpretive Structural Modelling-Polarity (ISM-P) and decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) to develop a hierarchical structural model of the barriers, followed by classification into cause and effect groups.

Findings

The result of the multi-method approach identified that shortage of skills and competencies, lack of IT infrastructure, lack of ambidextrous leaders, lack of smart HRM technologies and practices, lack of attractive reward system/career management, poor advanced T&D, poor industry, institute interface and financial constraints are the critical barriers.

Practical implications

It can provide a strategic roadmap for automobile manufacturers to promote talent agility in the current wave of digitalization (Industry 4.0). This study can help the managers to address and overcome the barrier and hurdles in building talent agility.

Originality/value

This study is unique in that it addresses the contemporary issues related to talent agility in the context of the Indian automobile industry in the current rapidly changing environment. This study developed a holistic integrated ISM(P)-DEMATEL hierarchical framework on the barriers of talent agility indicating inner dependency weights, i.e., the strength of interrelationship between the barriers.
Connecting with “everyday life-things” – exploring characteristics of recovery-nurturing places
Authors: Klevan Trude , Jonassen Reidun , Borg Marit
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study is to explore the characteristics of what is experienced in mental health recovery-oriented places and how these characteristics can facilitate social connections and participation.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study has an explorative, interpretive and collaborative design. Dyadic interviews and participatory fieldwork observations were used as methods for data generation. Data were analyzed using a collaborative hermeneutic approach.

Findings

Characteristics of recovery-nurturing places involved how concrete and tangible features of place may nurture and enable actions and ways of being with oneself and others. Three broad themes explore the characteristics and how they can enable recovery: nurturing senses, nurturing practical skills and nurturing communication.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates how materiality and recovery are interconnected and expands the understanding of recovery as “in-the-mind processes.” It explores how places and material objects have a recovery-nurturing potential through enabling actions and participation and thereby supporting people in living, storying and restorying their lives.