bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advancing our understanding of root development: Technologies and insights from diverse studies
Authors: Coll Núria S , Moreno-Risueno Miguel , Strader Lucia C , Goodnight Alexandra V , Sozzani Rosangela
Published: December 2024

Understanding root development is critical for enhancing plant growth and health, and advanced technologies are essential for unraveling the complexities of these processes. In this review, we highlight select technological innovations in the study of root development, with a focus on the transformative impact of single-cell gene expression analysis. We provide a high-level overview of recent advancements, illustrating how single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has become a pivotal tool in plant biology. scRNA-seq has revolutionized root biology by enabling detailed, cell-specific analysis of gene expression. This has allowed researchers to create comprehensive root atlases, predict cell development, and map gene regulatory networks (GRNs) with unprecedented precision. Complementary technologies, such as multimodal profiling and bioinformatics, further enrich our understanding of cellular dynamics and gene interactions. Innovations in imaging and modeling, combined with genetic tools like CRISPR, continue to deepen our knowledge of root formation and function. Moreover, the integration of these technologies with advanced biosensors and microfluidic devices has advanced our ability to study plant–microbe interactions and phytohormone signaling at high resolution. These tools collectively provide a more comprehensive understanding of root system architecture and its regulation by environmental factors. As these technologies evolve, they promise to drive further breakthroughs in plant science, with substantial implications for agriculture and sustainability.
Sustainable production of 2,5-diformylfuran via peroxymonosulfate-triggered mild catalytic oxidation of lignocellulosic biomass
Authors: Chen Ke-Yu , Yu Lin-Qian , Huang Yun-Xin , Liu Wu-Jun , Huang Bao-Cheng , Jin Ren-Cun , Yu Han-Qing
Published: December 2024

The relentless depletion of fossil fuels accentuates the urgent necessity for the sustainable synthesis of chemicals from renewable biomass. 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), extracted from lignocellulosic biomass, emerges as a beacon of hope for conversion into value-added chemicals. However, the inherent susceptibility of its unsaturated aldehyde groups to excessive oxidation often culminates in undesired reactions, compromising both the yield and specificity of the desired products. Here, we introduce a holistic methodology for the cost-effective and ecologically responsible generation of 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF), through the heterogeneously catalyzed oxidation of HMF utilizing peroxymonosulfate (PMS) under benign conditions. This strategy, characterized by the meticulous enhancement of surface ketone groups via a mixed-salt-assisted co-pyrolysis technique, achieves an unparalleled selective activation of PMS, engendering singlet oxygen to catalyze the oxidation of HMF into DFF with a selectivity surpassing 80%. Life-cycle assessments underscore a negligible impact on human health, ecosystems, and natural resources, endorsing the holistic utilization of biomass. This integration of pyrolysis for the creation of functional carbonaceous materials within biomass conversion processes significantly enhances sustainability and economic viability, while paving green pathways for selective biomass oxidation and the production of high-value chemicals.
Cognitive Endurance as Human Capital
Authors: Brown Christina , Kaur Supreet , Kingdon Geeta , Schofield Heather
Published: December 2024

Schooling may build human capital not only by teaching academic skills but by expanding the capacity for cognition. We focus specifically on cognitive endurance: the ability to sustain effortful mental activity over a continuous stretch of time. As motivation, we document that globally and in the United States, the poor exhibit cognitive fatigue more quickly than the rich do across field settings; they also attend schools that offer fewer opportunities to practice thinking for continuous stretches. Using a field experiment with 1,600 Indian primary school students, we randomly increase the amount of time students spend in sustained cognitive activity during the school day—using either math problems (mimicking good schooling) or nonacademic games (providing a pure test of our mechanism). Each approach markedly improves cognitive endurance: students show 22% less decline in performance over time when engaged in intellectual activities—listening comprehension, academic problems, or IQ tests. They also exhibit increased attentiveness in the classroom and score higher on psychological measures of sustained attention. Moreover, each treatment improves students’ school performance by 0.09 standard deviations. This indicates that the experience of effortful thinking itself—even when devoid of any subject content—improves general cognitive capacity. Finally, we complement these results with quasi-experimental variation indicating that an additional year of schooling improves cognitive endurance, but only in higher-quality schools. Our findings suggest that schooling disparities may further disadvantage poor children by hampering the development of a core mental capacity.
Equivariant Deformation theory for Nilpotent slices in Symplectic lie Algebras
Authors: Ambrosio Filippo , Topley Lewis
Published: December 2024

The Slodowy slice is a flat Poisson deformation of its nilpotent part, and it was demonstrated by Lehn–Namikawa–Sorger that there is an interesting infinite family of nilpotent orbits in symplectic Lie algebras for which the slice is not the universal Poisson deformation of its nilpotent part. This family corresponds to slices to nilpotent orbits in symplectic Lie algebras whose Jordan normal form has two blocks. We show that the nilpotent Slodowy varieties associated with these orbits are isomorphic as Poisson $\mathbb{C}^\times$-varieties to nilpotent Slodowy varieties in type D. It follows that the universal Poisson deformation in type C is a slice in type D.

When both Jordan blocks have odd size, the underlying singularity is equipped with a $\mathbb{Z}_2$-symmetry coming from the type D realization. We prove that the Slodowy slice in type C is the $\mathbb{Z}_2$-equivariant universal Poisson deformation of its nilpotent part. This result also has non-commutative counterpart, identifying the finite W-algebra as the universal equivariant quantization.
When partisanship and technocratic credibility collide: mass attitudes and central bank endorsements of fiscal policy in Canada and the USA
Authors: Hanniman Kyle , Jacques Olivier , Matthews J Scott , Abbott Christopher , Goodyear-Grant Elizabeth
Published: December 2024

Developments over the past decade have made it increasingly difficult for central banks to achieve their macroeconomic objectives without the help of fiscal policy, resulting in some surprisingly public efforts from central banks to influence the size and direction of government budget balances. But do voters find central bank appeals persuasive and what are the reputational consequences of engaging the public on this sensitive issue, particularly in the event of partisan counterattacks? We examine these issues with two parallel survey experiments conducted in Canada and the USA. The results suggest central bank endorsements modestly increased support for expansionary fiscal policies. They also suggest the right’s attack on the central bank may have backfired—ultimately improving rather than undermining the bank’s reputation among non-conservatives. This research has implications for theoretical work in political psychology and public economics and for on-going empirical debates about voters’ attitudes toward austerity.
Haloacetamides exacerbate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease induced by a high-fat diet in C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Jiang Zhiqiang , Yang Lili , Liu Qinxin , Qiu Meiyue , Chen Yu , Teng Mengying , Zhang Yubin , Liu Xing , Zhao Zhonghua , Zheng Yuxin , Andersen Melvin , Qu Weidong
Published: December 2024

Obesity, a significant global health issue, heightens the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Its interaction with environmental pollutants might exacerbate NAFLD’s severity. Haloacetamides (HAcAms), a group of emerging nitrogenous disinfection byproducts (DBPs) and potent oxidative stressors, are found in chlorinated drinking water. Since oxidative stress is associated with HAcAms-DBP cytotoxicity and a key factor in NAFLD pathogenesis, we hypothesize that HAcAms-DBPs could exacerbate liver injury and NAFLD, particularly with high-fat diets. This study examined HAcAms-DBPs’ impact on liver lipid metabolism in mice treated with 1 to 100 times the background drinking water level (13.05 µg/L) for up to 16 weeks of oral administration. Compared to a high-fat-only group, mice co-exposed to a high-fat diet and HAcAms-DBPs for 16 weeks had elevated serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, triglyceride, hepatic lipid aggregation, and inflammation response. Under high-fat conditions, background drinking water levels of HAcAms significantly upregulated liver Acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1, fatty acid synthase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), PPARγ coactivator-1α, glucose transporter 1 and 4 protein expression in C57BL/6J mice; 10 times background significantly increased expression of inflammatory marker tumor necrosis factor and liver fibrosis marker protein alpha-smooth muscle actin; 100 times further increased both liver damage and markers of early non-alcoholic steatohepatitis phenotypes like steatosis and lobular inflammation. HAcAms-DBPs plus high-fat conditions worsened liver damage. The possible health risks of NAFLD induced by HAcAms in obese individuals deserve further study.
Recurring incursions and dissemination of novel Eurasian-origin H5Nx avian influenza viruses in Atlantic Canada
Authors: Rahman Ishraq , Erdelyan Cassidy N.G , Signore Anthony V , Ayilara Ifeoluwa , Wight Jordan , Jones Megan E.B , Sullivan Daniel S , Lung Oliver , Hisanaga Tamiko , Wilhelm Sabina I , Cunningham Joshua T , Ward Christopher R.E , Bosch Johanna , Robertson Gregory J , Gosse Karen , Baker Meghan , Dawe Beverly , Lair Stéphane , Provencher Jennifer F , Hargan Kathryn E , Berhane Yohannes , Lang Andrew S
Published: December 2024

Wild birds are important hosts of influenza A viruses (IAVs) and play an important role in their ecology. The emergence of the A/goose/Guangdong/1/1996 H5N1 (Gs/GD) lineage marked a shift in IAV ecology, leading to recurrent outbreaks and mortality in wild birds from 2002 onwards. This lineage has evolved and diversified over time, with a recent important derivative being the 2.3.4.4b sub-lineage, which has caused significant mortality events in wild bird populations. An H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus was transmitted into North America from Eurasia in 2021, with the first detection being in Newfoundland and Labrador in Atlantic Canada, and this virus and its reassortants then spread broadly throughout North America and beyond. Following the first 2021 detection, there have been three additional known incursions of Eurasian-origin strains into Atlantic Canada, a second H5N1 strain in 2022 and two H5N5 strains in 2023. In this study, we document a fifth incursion in Atlantic Canada that occurred in 2023 by another H5N5 strain. This strain spread throughout Atlantic Canada and into Quebec, infecting numerous species of wild birds and mammals. Genomic analysis revealed mammalian-adaptive mutations in some of the detected viruses (PB2-E627K and PB2-D701N) and mutations in the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes that are associated with enhanced viral fitness and avian transmission capabilities. Our findings indicate that this virus is continuing to circulate in wildlife, and confirms Atlantic Canada is an important North American entry point for Eurasian IAVs. Continued surveillance and genomic analysis of IAVs detected in the region is crucial to monitor the evolution of these viruses and assess potential risks to wildlife and public health.
The Obesity Paradox Revisited: Is Obesity Still a Protective Factor for Patients With High Comorbidity Burden or High-Complexity Procedures?
Authors: Son Hyo Jin , Gee Denise W. , Gomez David , Jung James J.
Published: December 2024

Objective:

To investigate the relationship between obesity and postoperative mortality in the context of high procedural complexity and comorbidity burden.

Background:

The “obesity paradox” suggests better postoperative outcomes in patients with higher body mass index (BMI), despite obesity’s associated health risks. Research remains scarce on the influence of procedural complexity and comorbidities on the obesity–postoperative mortality relationship.

Methods:

We performed an observational study of adult patients undergoing major surgery using the 2016 to 2019 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. The outcome was 30-day mortality. We first estimated the risk-adjusted effects of BMI on mortality across the full cohort via multivariable regression and restricted cubic spline models. Then, we investigated the subgroups stratified by procedural complexity and comorbidity burden using a modified Charlson Comorbidity Index (mCCI) and mortality probability.

Results:

Among 3,085,582 patients, 47% had obesity. There was a reverse J-shaped relationship between BMI and mortality in the full cohort, consistent with the obesity paradox. However, no difference in odds of mortality was observed in patients with obesity who underwent high-complexity procedures compared with normal BMI counterparts (BMI 30–34.9: odds ratio, 0.93 [95% confidence interval: 0.86–1.01]; BMI 35–39.9: 0.92 [0.83–1.03]; BMI ≥ 40: 0.94 [0.83–1.07]), and in patients with obesity with high comorbidity burden (mCCI ≥ 8 [BMI 30–34.9: 0.95 (0.77–1.16); BMI 35–39.9: 0.78, (0.60–1.02); BMI ≥ 40: 0.84 (0.63–1.12)] and top 3% mortality probability [BMI 30–34.9: 0.96 (0.90–1.02); BMI ≥ 40: 0.94 (0.86–1.01)]).

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest the existence of an obesity paradox in most adult surgical patients, yet the trend dissipates with high procedural complexity and comorbidity burden.
Disease burden of biliary tract cancer in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2021: A comprehensive demographic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
Authors: Sun Xuheng , Liu Jiangmei , Zhang Wei , Wang Yijun , Jiang Yan , Wang Lijun , Zou Yixin , Xiao Yuxuan , Xiang Yongbing , Li Maolan , Zhou Maigeng , Liu Yingbin
Published: December 2024

Background:

Biliary tract carcinomas (BTCs) are relatively rare but lethal primary malignant tumors derived from the biliary tract system. The burden of BTCs varies according to sex, age, region, and country, but limited attention has been paid to the burden of BTCs. We sought to explore the up-to-date data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) and expand findings by accessing the demographic features of BTC disease burden.

Methods:

Using the latest data from the GBD 2021, we evaluated and analyzed the distributions and patterns of BTC disease burden in various age groups, sexes, regions, and countries.

Results:

The number of incident cases, deaths, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) tended to increase and peaked at 216,770 (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 181,890–245,240), 171,960 (95% UI: 142,350–194,240), and 3,732,100 (95% UI: 3,102,900–4,317,000) person-years, respectively, in 2021. However, the average global age-standardized rates (ASRs) of incident cases, deaths, and DALYs shrunk by −11.46% (95% UI: −21.91 to 3.35%), −24.09% (95% UI: −33.19 to 16.88%), and −26.25% (95% UI: −35.53 to 18.36%), respectively, from 1990 to 2021. Meanwhile, the male/female ratio (male per 100 female) of incidence, deaths, and DALYs changed from 76.40, 75.41, and 74.72 to 86.89, 79.11, and 82.29, respectively. In 2021, the highest number of incident cases, deaths, and DALYs occurred in East Asia. The top three highest incidences, deaths, and DALYs were observed in China, India, and Japan, and the highest ASRs were observed in Chile in 2021. Analysis of the Human Development Index along with disease burden estimates of BTCs also suggests that the burden of the disease is related to the level of comprehensive development of the society.

Conclusion:

This study provided a comprehensive comparison of differences in the burden of disease across populations and over time, and further presented evidence concerning the formulation of prevention and control policies and etiologic studies for BTCs and proposed logical hypotheses to investigate.
Postpartum Hemorrhage
Authors: Wang Michelle J. , Oyelese Yinka
Published: December 2024

Obstetric hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death in childbirth; it is estimated that one woman dies every four minutes from postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). PPH is the cause of approximately one-quarter of maternal deaths worldwide and is thus a major public health issue of great importance. Despite modern advances in medicine, hemorrhage continues to lead the causes of pregnancy-related death in most countries, with increasing disparity between countries with highly developed and underdeveloped national healthcare systems. Most deaths caused by PPH are preventable. All involved in the care of pregnant women must be aware of the gravity of this problem, ways of identifying women at risk for severe hemorrhage at childbirth, strategies for preventing and ameliorating blood loss at delivery, and finally ways to deal with obstetric hemorrhage when it does occur. This article reviews the impact of obstetric hemorrhage, the controversy regarding definitions, diagnosis, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management of obstetric hemorrhage.
Health care concerns in women at midlife: differences by race, ethnicity, and neighborhood socioeconomic status
Authors: St. Sauver Jennifer L. , Kapoor Ekta , Bielinski Suzette J. , MacLaughlin Kathy L. , Faubion Stephanie S. , Jiang Ruoxiang , Rocca Walter A.
Published: December 2024

Objectives

The aims of the study were to identify conditions diagnosed in at least 10% of midlife women living in the US upper midwest and to assess prevalence by age, race, ethnicity, and sociodemographic status.

Methods

The Rochester Epidemiology Project was used to conduct a cross-sectional prevalence study of 86,946 women between 40 and 59 years residing in a 27-county region of the United States on January 1, 2020. Diagnostic billing codes were extracted and grouped into broader condition categories using the Clinical Classification System Refined. The prevalence of 424 conditions was calculated by age, race, ethnicity, and area deprivation index quartiles. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between participant characteristics and conditions that affected 10% or more of the study population.

Results

Twenty-eight conditions affected ≥10% of women, and eight conditions increased by ≥45% between the ages of 40 and 59 (disorders of lipid metabolism, hypertension, sleep/wake disorders, thyroid disorders, esophageal disorders, osteoarthritis, tendon and synovial disorders, and menopausal disorders; all test for trend P < 0.01). Black women had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension and esophageal disorders at all ages (adjusted P values <0.05). Women living in more deprived areas had a significantly higher prevalence of hyperlipidemia, hypertension, sleep/wake disorders, and esophageal disorders (adjusted P values <0.05). Women living in less deprived areas had a significantly higher prevalence of thyroid disorders at age 40 to 44 and menopausal disorders at ages 50 to 59 (adjusted P values <0.05).

Conclusions

These data suggest that additional attention should focus on Black women and women with a lower socioeconomic status to ensure that common midlife conditions are diagnosed and treated.
Diagnostic accuracy of 2D-SWE ultrasound for liver fibrosis assessment in MASLD: A multilevel random effects model meta-analysis
Authors: Indre﻿ Madalina-Gabriela , Leucuta Dan-Corneliu , Lupsor-Platon Monica , Turco Laura , Ferri Silvia , Hashim Ahmed , Orasan Olga Hilda , Procopet Bogdan , Stefanescu Horia , Morelli Maria Cristina , Piscaglia Fabio , Ravaioli Federico
Published: December 2024

Background and Aims:

Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) imposes significant health care burdens. Early detection of advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis in MASLD is essential due to their unfavorable outcomes. This multilevel random-effects meta-analysis aimed to provide the best evidence for the diagnostic accuracy of 2-dimensional shear wave elastography in detecting liver fibrosis in biopsy-proven MASLD.

Approach and Results:

This study involves systematic search in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, and Cochrane Library electronic databases for full-text articles published in any language up to February 26, 2024. Included studies reported liver stiffness measurement by 2-dimensional shear wave elastography and used histological diagnosis as the gold standard. A linear mixed-effects multiple thresholds model was employed, and summary estimates for sensitivity, specificity (Sp), and summary area under the receiver operator characteristic curve were computed. Twenty observational studies (SuperSonic Imagine, General Electric Healthcare, and Canon Medical Systems) fulfilled the inclusion criteria, comprising 2223 participants with biopsy-proven MASLD. The prevalence of mild fibrosis (F1), significant fibrosis (F2), advanced fibrosis (F3), and cirrhosis (F4) was 30.0%, 18.5%, 17.9%, and 10.9%, respectively. The summary area under the receiver operator characteristic curve [95% CI] in detecting ≥F1, ≥F2, ≥F3, and F4 for all ultrasound machines considered together were 0.82 [0.16–0.98], 0.82 [0.76–0.88], 0.86 [0.77–0.93], and 0.89 [0.80–0.95], respectively. The optimal cutoff values were 6.432 kPa for ≥F1, 8.174 kPa for ≥F2, 9.418 kPa for ≥F3, and 11.548 kPa for F4, respectively.

Conclusions:

Our meta-analysis identified optimized cutoffs for fibrosis staging by 2-dimensional shear wave elastography in etiology-specific chronic liver diseases (MASLD), with excellent diagnostic performance, underscoring the potential for standardizing cutoff values.
18F-FDG metabolic abnormalities precede perfusion and atrophic changes in diagnosis of early frontotemporal dementia: study from a tertiary care university hospital
Authors: Subramanyam Padma , Palaniswamy Shanmuga Sundaram
Published: December 2024

Objective

Diagnosis of early onset dementia is critical for initiating management. Although structural MRI is an established procedure for dementia evaluation, early cases may be missed. Neurodegenerative diseases lead to reductions in glucose consumption and grey matter volume loss. Our primary aim was to establish whether metabolic changes precede perfusion abnormalities in early cases of dementia especially, frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Secondly to study if cerebral atrophy using Pasquier visual rating scales can be used reliably to correlate with hypometabolism in this group of patients.

Materials and methods

A total of 56 patients (M:F = 39:17) with memory loss as per the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria were clinically and neurologically examined and referred for 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET brain imaging. A few patients who had a prior (recent, <1 week) MR brain underwent brain 18F-FDG PET-CT, and all others were considered for simultaneous 18F-FDG PETMR imaging of brain. T2-weighted images were used to report Pasquier rating scales in all our patients as per recommendation.

Results

Cognitive assessments were analysed along with neuroimaging findings. Highest diagnostic performance was obtained with 18F-FDG PET for identifying early FTD in our series of patients. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of FDG and arterial spin labeling (ASL) using simultaneous PETMR were found to be 96.34%/90.1%/89 : 53.57%/62.12%/78, respectively. Cerebral atrophy rated using Pasquier visual scales showed the lowest diagnostic performance. Our study showed that the earliest phase of cognitive decline was found to be associated with specific patterns of hypometabolism, even in the absence of atrophy, which are currently considered diagnostic biomarkers.

Conclusion

Metabolic derangements indeed precede perfusion changes and cerebral atrophy in the setting of early dementia. Simultaneous FDG PETMR is being recommended as the investigation of choice for the evaluation of early FTD. This pilot study shows that FDG PET outperforms cognitive assessments and anatomical imaging modalities in early dementia evaluation. Although ASL can detect perfusion deficits in dementia, compared with FDG PET, its sensitivity and specificity for discerning early onset dementia from controls remain inferior to FDG PET. Pasquier scales, although easy to implement, cannot replace FDG PET metabolic findings, which start very early in the neuronal disease process.
A clinical examination of OPTIMAL theory application in people with multiple sclerosis: a proof-of-concept study and implications for rehabilitation practice
Authors: Khalaji Zahra , Salehi Hamid , Nezakat Alhosseini Maryam , Lewthwaite Rebecca , Wulf Gabriele
Published: December 2024

We investigated the potential to improve motor learning and performance in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) with OPTIMAL theory conditions. OPTIMAL theory predicts that three main factors [i.e. autonomy support (AS), enhanced expectancies (EE), and external focus (EF)] facilitate performance and learning. We examined whether the implementation of all three combined in a consecutive manner during practice would be beneficial for the motor learning and performance in a clinical population facing physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. Thirty PwMS with mild-to-moderate disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale = 2.0–5.0) were randomly assigned to one of two groups (optimized and control) and practiced a novel motor-cognitive task involving rapid square-stepping to memorized patterns. Following a pretest (no group difference), optimized group participants practiced under each of three factors across practice phase (EE: feedback after good trials; AS: choice of mat color; and EF: external focus to the mat). Control group participants practiced under neutral conditions. The optimized group had significantly shorter movement times than the control group in the practice phase [174.7 (27.4) s vs. 236.8 (35.8) s, P < 0.0001], on the 24-h retention test [69.3 (9.3) s vs. 159.7 (15.5) s, P < 0.0001], and the 24-h transfer test [146.1 (14.9) s vs. 223.1 (38.9) s, P < 0.0001]. Thus, optimized practice combining AS, EF, and EE enhanced motor skill learning. Key factors in the OPTIMAL theory can be used to improve patients’ motor learning. Further studies are warranted to extend these proof-of-concept observations for potential clinical applications.
Chronic Graft-versus-host Disease: Immune Insights, Therapeutic Advances, and Parallels for Solid Organ Transplantation
Authors: Boiko Julie R. , Hill Geoffrey R.
Published: December 2024

Chronic graft-versus-host disease remains a frequent and morbid outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, in which the donor-derived immune system attacks healthy recipient tissue. Preceding tissue damage mediated by chemoradiotherapy and alloreactive T cells compromise central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms, leading to aberrant donor T cell and germinal center B cell differentiation, culminating in pathogenic macrophage infiltration and differentiation in a target tissue, with ensuant fibrosis. This process results in a heterogeneous clinical syndrome with significant morbidity and mortality, frequently requiring prolonged therapy. In this review, we discuss the processes that interrupt immune tolerance, the subsequent clinical manifestations, and new Food and Drug Administration–approved therapeutic approaches that have been born from a greater understanding of disease pathogenesis in preclinical systems, linking to parallel processes following solid organ transplantation.
Demonstration of quantum projective simulation on a single-photon-based quantum computer
Authors: Franceschetto Giacomo , Ricou Arno
Published: December 2024

Variational quantum algorithms show potential in effectively operating on noisy intermediate-scale quantum devices. A variational approach to reinforcement learning has been recently proposed, incorporating linear-optical interferometers and a classical learning model known as projective simulation (PS). PS is a decision-making tool for reinforcement learning and can be classically represented as a random walk on a graph that describes the agent's memory. In its optical quantum version, this approach utilizes quantum walks of single photons on a mesh of tunable beamsplitters and phase shifters to select actions. In this work, we present the implementation of this algorithm on Ascella, a single-photon-based quantum computer from Quandela. The focus is drawn on solving a test bed task to showcase the potential of the quantum agent with respect to the classical agent.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Enhancing Initial State Overlap through Orbital Optimization for Faster Molecular Electronic Ground-State Energy Estimation
Authors: Ollitrault Pauline J. , Cortes Cristian L. , Gonthier Jérôme F. , Parrish Robert M. , Rocca Dario , Anselmetti Gian-Luca , Degroote Matthias , Moll Nikolaj , Santagati Raffaele , Streif Michael
Published: December 2024

The phase estimation algorithm is crucial for computing the ground-state energy of a molecular electronic Hamiltonian on a quantum computer. Its efficiency depends on the overlap between the Hamiltonian’s ground state and an initial state, which tends to decay exponentially with system size. We showcase a practical orbital optimization scheme to alleviate this issue. Applying our method to four iron-sulfur molecules, we achieve a notable enhancement, up to 2 orders of magnitude, compared to localized orbitals. Furthermore, our approach yields improved overlaps in cytochrome P450 enzyme models.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Resonant Conversion of Wave Dark Matter in the Ionosphere
Authors: Beadle Carl , Caputo Andrea , Ellis Sebastian A. R.
Published: December 2024

We consider resonant wavelike dark matter conversion into low-frequency radio waves in the Earth’s ionosphere. Resonant conversion occurs when the dark matter mass and the plasma frequency coincide, defining a range mDM∼10−9–10−8  eV where this approach is best suited. Owing to the nonrelativistic nature of dark matter and the typical variational scale of the Earth’s ionosphere, the standard linearized approach to computing dark matter conversion is not suitable. We therefore solve a second-order boundary-value problem, effectively framing the ionosphere as a driven cavity filled with a positionally varying plasma. An electrically small dipole antenna targeting the generated radio waves can be orders of magnitude more sensitive to dark photon and axionlike particle dark matter in the relevant mass range. This Letter opens up a promising way of testing hitherto unexplored parameter space that could be further improved with a dedicated instrument.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Constraining Light QCD Axions with Isolated Neutron Star Cooling
Authors: Gómez-Bañón Antonio , Bartnick Kai , Springmann Konstantin , Pons José A.
Published: December 2024

The existence of light QCD axions, whose mass depends on an additional free parameter, can lead to a new ground state of matter, where the sourced axion field reduces the nucleon effective mass. The presence of the axion field has structural consequences, in particular, it results in a thinner (or even prevents its existence) heat-blanketing envelope, significantly altering the cooling patterns of neutron stars. We exploit the anomalous cooling behavior to constrain previously uncharted regions of the axion parameter space by comparing model predictions with existing data from isolated neutron stars. Notably, this analysis does not require the light QCD axion to be the dark matter candidate.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Bootstrap Principle for the Spectrum and Scattering of Strings
Authors: Cheung Clifford , Hillman Aaron , Remmen Grant N.
Published: December 2024

We show that the Veneziano amplitude of string theory is the unique solution to an analytically solvable bootstrap problem. Uniqueness follows from two assumptions: faster than power-law falloff in high-energy scattering and the existence of some infinite sequence in momentum transfer at which higher-spin exchanges cancel. The string amplitude—including the mass spectrum—is an output of this bootstrap. If the amplitude merely vanishes at high energies, the solution is a three-parameter family containing the Veneziano, Coon, and hypergeometric amplitudes, and more.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
High-accuracy high-resolution measurements of fluorescence in manganese using extended-range high-energy-resolution fluorescence detection
Authors: Sier Daniel , Tran Nicholas T. T. , Kirk Tony , Tran Chanh Q. , Mosselmans J. Frederick W. , Diaz-Moreno Sofia , Chantler Christopher T.
Published: December 2024

The technique of extended-range high-energy-resolution fluorescence detection (XR-HERFD), developed from X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray emission spectroscopy and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS), has been used to successfully observe a new X-ray fluorescent satellite in manganese. The experimental methodology, spectral processing and analysis, and how statistical information and structure can be defined, extracted and used from HERFD spectra are detailed. Novel approaches to measure and improve accurate data uncertainty in XR-HERFD, HERFD and RIXS data sets are also presented. This includes definitions of intrinsic resolution and improvements to the resolution of the output and data by a factor of two relative to raw data or standard processing. Novel systematics common in HERFD and RIXS experiments are detailed, including background subtraction and elastic Bragg harmonics, with approaches to dealing with them.
The use of ethanol as contrast enhancer in synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast imaging leads to heterogeneous myocardial tissue shrinkage: a case report
Authors: Bernardino Gabriel , Calvet-Mirabent Àngels , Dejea Hector , Guasch Eduard , Bonnin Anne , Garcia-Canadilla Patricia
Published: December 2024

One of the main limitations of conventional absorption-based X-ray micro-computed tomography imaging of biological samples is the low inherent X-ray contrast of soft tissue. To overcome this limitation, the use of ethanol as contrast agent has been proposed to enhance image contrast of soft tissues through dehydration. Some authors have shown that ethanol shrinks and hardens the tissue too much, also causing small tissue ruptures due to fast dehydration. However, the local tissue deformation occurring as a consequence of tissue dehydration and whether tissue shrinkage can modify myocardial architecture has not been quantified yet. The aim of this paper is to quantify the local myocardial tissue deformation due to ethanol dehydration based on 3D non-rigid registration and perform a detailed characterization of its myocardial tissue organization, before and after ethanol dehydration. A rat adult heart was imaged with synchrotron-radiation-based X-ray phase contrast imaging (X-PCI) three times: before, 9 h after and 342 h after ethanol immersion. The total volume shrinkage as well as changes in the left ventricular myocardial thickness were computed. Then, to determine local deformation of the heart caused by ethanol dehydration, the related 3D tomographic datasets were registered by means of a non-rigid registration algorithm. Finally, changes on the orientation and organization of myocytes were assessed. Our results show that the use of ethanol in synchrotron X-PCI can improve image contrast, but the tissue shrinkage is not homogeneous thus changing the local myocardial organization.
Synthesis, crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and DFT calculations of the coordination compound tetraaquabis{2-[(5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)sulfanyl]acetato-κO}cobalt(II)
Authors: Kinshakova Ekaterina , Torambetov Batirbay , Kaur Simranjeet , Ashurov Jamshid , Kadirova Shakhnoza
Published: December 2024

A novel coordination compound, [Co(L)2(H2O)4], was synthesized from aqueous solutions of Co(NO3)2 and the ligand 2-[(5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)sulfanyl]acetic acid (HL, C5H6N2O2S2). In the monoclinic crystals (space group P21/c), the cobalt(II) ion is located about a centre of symmetry and is octahedrally coordinated by two L−
anions in a monodentate fashion through carboxyl O atoms and by four water molecules. A relatively strong hydrogen bond between one of the water molecules and the non-coordinating carboxylate O atom consolidates the conformation. In the crystal, intermolecular hydrogen bonds lead to the formation of a complex tri-periodic structure. Hirshfeld surface analysis revealed that 30.1% of the intermolecular interactions are from H...H contacts and 20.8% are from N...H/H...N contacts. DFT calculations were performed to assess the stability and chemical reactivity of the compound by determining the energy differences between the HOMO and LUMO.
What is effective digital reading? A systematic review of the effectiveness factors of digital reading
Authors: Liu Jing , Wang Yujie , Chang Liyan
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The rapid development of digital reading has made it a mainstream reading method for the public, and scholars have conducted research on its effectiveness.The purpose of this study is to systematically summarize and generalize the factors that affect the effectiveness of digital reading in current practical research.

Design/methodology/approach

Retrieved the search results from the Web of Science database and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database, collected the relevant literature in both Chinese and English on the effectiveness of digital reading, qualitatively coded the relevant literature, and conducted a systematic literature review analysis on the factors affecting the effectiveness of digital reading.

Findings

There are 37 factors that influence the effectiveness of digital reading, forming five factor themes, namely, the reading subject, reading environment, organizational support, technical support and reading text. The five influencing factor themes are further divided into three types of functional mechanisms, namely, driving, supportive and assurance mechanisms. Based on this, a research framework is proposed, providing a comprehensive approach for the research positioning of digital reading effectiveness.

Originality/value

A research framework is proposed, providing a comprehensive approach for the research positioning of digital reading effectiveness.
Insights and influences: mapping the scientific contributors to global foresight policies
Authors: Cabral Bernardo , Salles-Filho Sergio
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The primary aim of this research is to understand the integration of scientific knowledge in foresight policy. By analyzing both foresight policy documents and their bibliographical references, the study seeks to comprehend how foresight has been embedded into strategic planning worldwide, identifying key trends and shifts in the foresight policy landscape.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the Overton policy documents database, this study investigates the deployment of foresight methodologies within policy formulation by mapping the trajectory of foresight policy documents globally. Through a systematic analysis of these documents and their cited references, the research elucidates the evolution of foresight policies, pinpointing principal actors and examining the scholarly works influencing these policies.

Findings

Since 2015, there has been a significant uptick in foresight policy documents publication, indicating an escalating international interest in applying foresight within strategic planning realms. The European Union and the United States are identified as pivotal contributors to foresight policy development. Furthermore, examination of the citations within these policies underscores the predominance of the US and Europe in academic contributions to foresight, while noting increasing engagement from emerging economies, signaling a trend towards a more globally inclusive foresight discourse.

Originality/value

This investigation enriches the discourse on foresight in policy by offering a detailed analysis of the incorporation of foresight methodologies into policymaking. Highlighting the crucial roles of the European Union, the United States and emerging economies, the study underscores the necessity for a globally inclusive, multidisciplinary approach in future policy formulation. Moreover, it provides unique insights into the funding agencies and journals most influential in the realm of foresight policy, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of foresight’s impact on global policymaking.
How ESG performance impacts corporate financial performance: a DuPont analysis approach
Authors: Shan Xiaoya , Song Yang , Song Peilei
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance on financial capabilities and strategic decision-making within enterprises. It seeks to provide clarity on how fulfilling ESG responsibilities influences financial performance, while examining differential effects across firm types.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzes the relationship between ESG performance and financial metrics using data from Chinese listed companies (2013–2022) and DuPont’s analytical framework.

Findings

First, while ESG practices enhance financial stability and market appeal, they also incur additional operating costs. Second, companies tend to increase their investments in innovation and capital expenditure as a result of better ESG performance. While capital expenditure boosts financial performance significantly, innovation investment, though promising, yields uncertain outcomes and has less influence compared to capital expenditure. Furthermore, the financial performance of nonstate-owned and nonpolluting firms is more susceptible to fluctuations in ESG performance.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are context-specific and may not universally apply to all industries and regions. Further research is needed to validate the study’s propositions in diverse economic environments.

Practical implications

Policymakers should consider incentivizing ESG compliance to bolster market competitiveness. Enterprises are advised to optimize internal processes to balance ESG practices with operational efficiency and innovation for sustainable growth.

Originality/value

This paper introduces an innovative use of DuPont analysis in economics to explore how ESG affects financial and operational performance, showing it can boost corporate results and prompt ESG responsibility. It also distinguishes innovation outcomes with “Innovation Investment” and “Capital Expenditure,” offering enhanced investment guidance.
Exposure to violence and psychosocial trauma among Sudanese survivors
Authors: Eltayeb Shahla , Badri Alia
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to investigates the experiences of violence among Sudanese survivors and the associated mental health outcomes, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety disorders. It highlights the variety, frequency and severity of political violence exposure and its impact on psychological trauma.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional quantitative study used data from 324 Sudanese youth exposed to violence. A self-rated 17-item questionnaire assessed violence exposure types and frequency. The General Health Questionnaire and the Davidson Trauma Scale evaluated mental health.

Findings

High levels of PTSD and poor general mental health were found in 60% of the youth. Exposure included brutal beatings (47%), physical torture (17%) and sexual violence (2%), with 47% enduring hours of torture.

Research limitations/implications

The cross-sectional design limits causal inferences, and self-reported data may introduce biases. Future studies should use longitudinal designs and consider cultural factors to better understand the long-term effects of political violence.

Practical implications

The study highlights the need for systematic trauma screening and targeted psychosocial support programs for Sudanese youth, particularly for underrepresented young adult males, to address significant trauma effectively.

Originality/value

This research provides novel insights into the mental health impact of political violence on Sudanese youth, offering valuable evidence to inform policies and programs aimed at supporting this vulnerable population.
Enhancing organizational sustainable performance through green innovation: the roles of knowledge application, government policy, and green market orientation
Authors: Nguyen Ngan Thi Thanh , Nguyen Phuong Van , Vrontis Demetris , Vo Ngan Thi Thanh
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the influence of knowledge application, government policy and green market orientation (GMO) on organizational sustainable performance in Vietnam, with a particular focus on the mediating role of green innovation in these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 253 Vietnamese organizations using purposive random sampling and manager-administered questionnaires. The analysis was conducted using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings underscore the critical role of government policy in facilitating green innovation and enhancing the sustainable performance of organizations. While knowledge application and GMO are important drivers of green innovation, their direct impact on sustainable performance is not significant. Furthermore, the study confirms the mediating role of green innovation in bridging these relationships.

Practical implications

The study offers critical insights for policymakers and organizational leaders in emerging markets like Vietnam, demonstrating that strategic investments in knowledge application, green innovation and alignment with GMO and government policies can substantially enhance sustainable performance.

Originality/value

This research extends the resource-based view and institutional theory by identifying key determinants of sustainable organizational performance. It underscores the pivotal role of knowledge application, GMO and government policy in promoting sustainable performance through the facilitation of green innovation.