bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of brain-like functional information architectures in embryonic tissue of Xenopus laevis.
Authors: Varley Thomas , Pai Vaibhav , Grasso Caitlin , Lunshof Jeantine , Levin Michael , Bongard Joshua
Published: December 2024

Understanding how populations of cells collectively coordinate activity to produce the complex structures and behaviors that characterize multicellular organisms is a fundamental issue in modern biology. Here we show how mathematical techniques from complex systems science and multivariate information theory can provide a rigorous framework for inferring the structure of collective organization in non-neural tissue. Many of these techniques were developed and refined in the context of theoretical neuroscience, a field well-used to the problem of inferring coordinated activity in high-dimensional data. In neuroscience, these statistics (functional connectivity network structure, modularity, higher-order information, etc) have been found to be altered during different cognitive, clinical, or behavioral states and are generally thought to be informative about the underlying dynamics linking biology to cognition. Here we show that these same patterns of coordinated activity are also present in the aneural tissues of evolutionarily distant biological systems: preparations of self-motile embryonic Xenopus tissue (colloquially known as "basal Xenobots". When analyzing calcium recordings from basal Xenobots and comparing them to fMRI recordings from a sample of adult human brains, we find that the bots have a "brain-like functional information architecture, complete with positive and negative functional connections, meso-scale communities, higher-order redundant and synergistic interactions, and integrated information that is "greater than the sum of its parts". By comparing each recording (brain and bot) to a personalized null model that preserves all first-order statistical structures (autocorrelation, frequency spectrum, etc. ) while disrupting all higher-order interactions, we show that these are genuine higher order interactions and not trivially reducible to lower-order features of the data. These similarities suggest that such patterns of activity and information structures either: arose independently in these two systems epithelial constructs and brains, are epiphenomenological byproducts of other dynamics conserved across vastly different configurations of life; or somehow directly support adaptive behavior across diverse living systems.
deepBlastoid: A Deep Learning-Based High-Throughput Classifier for Human Blastoids Using Brightfield Images with Confidence Assessment
Authors: Fan Zejun , Li Zhenyu , Jin Yiqing , Chandrasekaran Arun Pandian , Shakir Ismail M. , Zhang Yingzi , Siddique Aisha , Wang Mengge , Zhou Xuan , Tian Yeteng , Wonka Peter , Li Mo
Published: December 2024

Recent advances in human blastoids have opened new avenues for modeling early human development and implantation. Human blastoids can be generated in large numbers, making them suitable for high-throughput screening, which often involves analyzing vast numbers of images. However, automated methods for evaluating and characterizing blastoid morphology are still underdeveloped. We developed a deep-learning model capable of recognizing and classifying blastoid brightfield images into five distinct quality categories. The model processes 53.2 images per second with an average accuracy of 87%, without signs of overfitting or batch eHects. By integrating a Confidence Rate (CR) metric, the accuracy was further improved to 97%, with low-CR images flagged for human review. In a comparison with human experts, the model matched their accuracy while significantly outperforming them in throughput. We demonstrate the value of the model in two real-world applications: (1) systematic assessment of the eHect of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) concentration on blastoid formation, and (2) evaluating the impact of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on blastoids for drug screening. In the applications involving over 10,000 images, the model identified significant eHects of LPA and DMSO, which may have been overlooked in manual assessments. The deepBlastoid model is publicly available and researchers can train their own model according to their imaging conditions and blastoid culture protocol. deepBlastoid thus oHers a precise, automated approach for blastoid classification, with significant potential for advancing mechanism research, drug screening, and clinical in vitro fertilization (IVF) applications.
Plant recruitment six years after theSamarco’s tailings-dam disaster: Impacts on species richness and plant growth
Authors: Araújo da Paz André , Aleixo Diego Shimizu , Wittmann Astrid de Oliveira , Wittmann Florian , Ribeiro Cleberson , Ildefonso de Campos Ricardo
Published: December 2024

One of the greatest tragedies in Brazilian mining history occurred in November 2015 in Mariana, Minas Gerais state, when a dam from the mining companySamarcowas breached. Millions of mine tailings from this upstream embankment were dumped over theDoceRiver basin, impacting an area of approximately 1469 ha of riparian vegetation. Our objective was to experimentally investigate whether plant recruitment and establishment are impaired in areas affected by tailings six years after the deposition. To achieve this goal, in 2021 we compared soil chemical properties between affected and unaffected areas, performed a soil seed bank experiment in controlled conditions, and conducted a greenhouse growth experiment using the two most abundant plant species. Affected soils presented lower fertility and organic matter content. At the same time, the mean abundance and richness of emerging plants did not differ between soils. Still, affected areas exhibited approximately 35% lower accumulated species richness (gamma diversity) than unaffected ones. The three most abundant species in both areas represented 34% of the individuals, beingMarsypianthes chamaedrys(Vahl) Kuntze,Ludwigia octovalvis(Jacq.) P.H. Raven andAgeratum conyzoidesL. In the growth experiment, plants growing in affected soils presented reduced height and stem diameter increment (L. octovalvis) or allocated fewer resources to root production than aerial parts (M. chamaedrys), potentially in response to soil infertility and density. Even after six years, our results showed that tailings- affected areas continue to experience negative impacts on plant recruitment, highlighting its adverse effects on ecosystem functions and services.
A retrospective analysis to compare the dosimetric parameters of two rectum-sparing techniques during intracavitary brachytherapy with tandem-ring applicators for cervical cancer
Authors: Vats Siddharth , Thakur Shabnum , Gupta Manish , Kumar Vineet , Chandrakant Lalit , Negi Muninder , Sharma Parul , Fotedar Vikas , Thakur Purnima , Tuli Deepak , Vias Poorva , Sharma Jyoti , Negi Anup , Kaushal Shilpa , Upadhyay Mrinalini , Negi Naina , Sharma Ajay , Azad Anjali , Parihar Neeraj , Verma Divyajyoti
Published: December 2024

Purpose

To compare the standard International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements-38 (ICRU-38) rectum and bladder point doses with a modified technique of combining radio-opaque vaginal packing (VP) and rectal retractor (RR) versus the conventional technique of using RR alone for rectum separation during high-dose-rate (HDR)-intracavitary brachytherapy (ICB) with tandem-ring (TR) applicators.

Methods

Between January 2021 and August 2022, 41 cancer patients received at least one ICB session with the conventional and at least one with the modified technique using the same applicator set and loading pattern. The remaining ICB sessions, were done using that technique, which gave the best dosimetric parameters during previous sessions in that particular patient.

Results

Out of total 111 ICB sessions with TR applicators, 44 constitute conventional group and 67 modified group. For the same dose (100%) prescribed to point A in both groups, the mean dose to the ICRU rectal point was 44.1% of the prescription dose (range:23.8-77.8%, median 42.5%) in modified group and 55.5% (range: 36.4-73.1%, median 56.5%) in the conventional group. There was 11.4% reduction in mean dose to the ICRU rectal point (p<0.001). The mean dose to the ICRU bladder point was 55.5% of the prescription dose (range, 14.8-127.2%; median 55.5%) in the modified group and 49.8% (range 11.6-95.6%; median 51.5%) in the conventional group. There was 5.7% increase in the mean dose to the ICRU bladder point (p=0.21). The other point doses and volume parameters were similar between groups.

Conclusion

Modified technique of combining rectal retractor with customised radio-opaque vaginal packing, significantly reduced the ICRU rectal point dose, compared to using a rectal retractor alone during brachytherapy with tandem-ring applicators.
Structure of a zoonotic H5N1 hemagglutinin reveals a receptor-binding site occupied by an auto-glycan
Authors: Morano Nicholas C. , Guo Yicheng , Becker Jordan E. , Li Zhiteng , Yu Jian , Ho David D. , Shapiro Lawrence , Kwong Peter D.
Published: December 2024

Highly pathogenic avian influenza has spilled into many mammals, most notably U.S. dairy cows with several dozen human breakthrough infections. Zoonotic crossovers, with hemagglutinins mutated to enhance viral ability to use human α2-6-linked sialic acid receptors versus avian α2-3-linked ones, highlight the pandemic risk. To gain insight into these crossovers, we determined the cryo-EM structure of hemagglutinin from the zoonotic H5N1 A/Texas/37/2024 strain (clade 2.3.4.4b) in complex with a previously reported neutralizing antibody. Surprisingly, we found that the receptor-binding site of this H5N1 hemagglutinin was already occupied by an α2-3-linked sialic acid and that this glycan emanated from asparagine N169 of a neighboring protomer on hemagglutinin itself. This structure thus highlights recognition by influenza hemagglutinin of an “auto”-α2-3-linked sialic acid from N169, anN-linked glycan conserved in 95% of H5 strains, and adds “auto-glycan recognition” to the complexities surrounding H5N1 zoonosis.

Highlights

We report the structure of hemagglutinin from the zoonotic H5N1 strain A/Texas/37/2024 from clade 2.3.4.4b responsible for the current H5N1 outbreak

Structural analysis revealed that each receptor-binding site of H5N1 A/Texas/37/2024 HA is bound to an “auto” sialic acid originating from glycan N169 on an adjacent protomer

This structure provides new aspects of receptor binding for a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza, and raises questions about the impact of auto-binding sialic acid, especially with respect to zoonosis
Age-related remodeling of the glycocalyx drives T cell exhaustion
Authors: Zhang Hanlin , Tsui C Kimberly , Castillo Jesse Garcia , Evangelista Audrey , Kim Esther Jeong Yoon , Joe Larry K , Twells Nicholas , Robey Ellen A , Mahal Lara K , DuPage Michel , Dillin Andrew
Published: December 2024

Cell surface glycans, termed the glycocalyx, are essential regulators of cellular signaling and thus cellular development and functions, but how aging impacts the glycocalyx remains poorly understood. Here, using immune cells as a model system for studying the relationship between aging and glycocalyx remodeling, we show that α2,6-linked sialic acid – a terminal glycan epitope typically associated with inhibitory signaling – becomes downregulated in T cells from older animals. This downregulation is tightly correlated with age-associated accumulation of effector T cells, which are decorated with little to no α2,6-linked sialic acids. T cell aging renders older individuals more vulnerable to infections and cancers. To understand the role of α2,6-linked sialic acids in T cell physiology, we generated a mouse model with T cell-specific deletion of the sialyltransferase geneSt6gal1. The chronic depletion of α2,6-linked sialic acids led to naïve T (TN) cells expansion in the periphery and premature T cell exhaustion. As a result, these mice were less able to control acuteListeriainfection and chronic tumor growth. Blockade of the PD-1 pathway can partially restore the ability ofSt6gal1-deficient T cells to control tumor growth. Together, these data suggest that α2,6-linked sialic acids are critical for maintaining long-term T cell responsiveness, and the loss of α2,6-linked sialic acids may directly contribute to age-related T cell exhaustion.
HIV-1 Rev Protein Forms a Zinc-Linked Dimer
Authors: Khan Raza S. , Fox Robert O.
Published: December 2024

HIV-1 Rev protein is a small, basic protein of 116 amino acids that assembles reversibly in the presence and absence of its cognate RRE containing RNAs bothin vivoandin vitro. The biologically active form of Rev is unclear since studies have shown monomer, dimer, tetramer and higher-order oligomer interactions with various RRE-RNAs. Whilst assembly is essential for its regulatory role in the viral life cycle, it has been a barrier to high resolution structural studies of the whole protein and its complexes. The N-terminal half of Rev has been shown to contain a helix loop helix motif with residues involved both in assembly and RNA binding. The C-terminal half is predicted to contain little secondary structure based on UV-CD spectral analyses, and to contain the leucine rich activation domain (residues 73-83). Early studies had shown the essential part of the C-terminal extends to residue 93 and is required for increased structural stability of the protein and its complexes with RRE-RNAs, and to facilitate the formation of Rev dimers (4, 19). The strong conservation of cysteines at positions 85 and 89, and the less well-conserved histidine residues at 53 or 82 led us to examine Rev-metal interactions. Here we show that Rev binds Zn2+with a stoichiometry of one equivalent per Rev dimer. Optical spectroscopy of Rev Co2+complexes revealed that the metal site is composed of four cysteine residues with a tetrahedral coordination geometry. We propose that HIV-1 Rev protein is biologically active as a Zn2+Cys4-linked dimer.
The neuroreceptors and transporters underlying spontaneous brain activity
Authors: Nakuci Johan , Bansal Kanika
Published: December 2024

Understanding the neuromodulatory drivers of brain activity is essential for elucidating cognition and neuropathology. Neuromodulators act through neuroreceptors in a coordinated manner, yet most studies focus on isolated neuromodulators, overlooking their holistic interactions. To address this, we developed a neuroreceptor-based framework that integrates cortical density maps of 19 neuroreceptors and transporters from Positron Emission Tomography (PET) to model the BOLD signal and functional connectivity. Across four datasets (Ntotal = 314), this framework reveals a network architecture capturing dynamic interactions between neuroreceptors, transporters, and brain activity. The BOLD signal emerges from two neuroreceptor modules reflecting either higher-order associative or action-driven functions. Validation in independent datasets links the framework to LSD binding profiles and Modafinil mechanism of action. Extending these findings, we uncover mechanistic links between neuroreceptors, transporters, and altered brain activity in neuropsychiatric disorders. Furthermore, the neuroreceptor-based framework outperforms anatomical-based models in reconstructing brain activity, demonstrating its predictive power. These findings underscore the potential of a neuroreceptor-based framework to advance our understanding of neuromodulatory mechanisms across diverse brain states and conditions.
Effect of background therapy with Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other anti-inflammatory agents on COVID-19 outcomes
Authors: Miele Lucio , Chu San , Hillegass William , Jurkovitz Claudine , Beasley William , Chen David , Anzalone A Jerrod , Fort Daniel , Kirwan John , Melancon Brian , Hodder Sally , Horswell Ronald
Published: December 2024

Background

Inflammation plays a complex, incompletely understood role in the pathogenesis of acute COVID-19 and Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC or “Long COVID”). Systemic acute inflammation resulting in cytokine storm, hypercoagulability and endothelial damage is thought to be a central mechanism for severe morbidity and mortality in acute COVID-19. Anti-inflammatory medications taken routinely for chronic conditions prior to contracting COVID-19 (“background medications”) may modulate acute COVID-19 outcomes.

Methods

Using data from the National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) enclave, we estimated effects of six classes of background medications on acute COVID outcomes. Medication classes included aspirin, celecoxib, other NSAIDS, steroids, immune suppressants, and antidepressants. Acute COVID outcomes included probability of hospital admission, inpatient mortality, and mortality among diagnosed COVID patients. Each medication class was compared to benzodiazepines (excluding midazolam) which served as a comparator/control. Only adult COVID patients with pre-existing osteoarthritis and without any diagnosed autoimmune disease were included in the analyses. Random effects logistic regression models were used to adjust for covariates and data contributing organization. Medication effects also were estimated for COVID-negative cases.

Results

Non-aspirin NSAIDS were associated with lower mortality among diagnosed COVID-19 patients: adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR)=0.32 (p=.032) for celecoxib; aOR=0.51 (p<.001) for NSAIDS other than aspirin and celecoxib. For inpatient mortality: aOR=0.34 (p=.060) for celecoxib and aOR=0.74 (p=.200) for other non-aspirin NSAIDS. Similar effects were observed for COVID-negative cases, including for inpatient mortality: aOR=0.21 (p<.001) for celecoxib and aOR=0.34 (p<.001) for other non-aspirin NSAIDS. Secondary analyses examined alternative explanations for results.

Discussion

Protective effects were observed for non-aspirin NSAIDS, especially celecoxib. However, those estimated effects implicitly assume the medication classes did not differ on the probability a true COVID-19 case was diagnosed. The similarity of COVID-positive and COVID-negative results suggest possible missing covariates. However, such similarity plausibly could stem from a medication having both “direct” and “indirect” effects on COVID outcomes. Adjudicating among the alternative interpretations would require data beyond those available. However, the effects observed for non-aspirin NSAIDS, while possibly biased, rationalize further investigation using study designs constructed to overcome the limitations of existing datasets.
Mentoring Matters: Evaluating The Black Physicians of Canada Mentorship Program
Authors: Obetta Chikaodili , Menezes Anjali , Chandran Nivetha , Egbedeyi Onaope , Taghavi Maryam , Tunde-Byass Modupe , Yu Catherine , Kalocsai Csilla , Najeeb Umberin , Swaleh Rukia , Norris Mireille
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Black individuals face significant barriers in medicine, contributing to their underrepresentation as physicians and emphasizing the need for systemic change. From admissions processes to program design, medical schools often uphold outdated racial practices that disadvantage Black learners. Increased representation in medical schools benefits learners and improves care for diverse patient populations. Mentorship has proven essential in fostering success in higher education and can mitigate barriers to career progression. However, many Black learners face barriers to accessing quality mentorship despite its proven benefits in fostering equitable opportunities and career progression. The Scarborough Charter outlined 58 Canadian institutions committed to advancing Black inclusion in higher education through mentorship and accountability measures. In alignment with this goal, the Black Physicians of Canada (BPC) launched a racially concordant mentorship program. This study aimed to explore participants’ experiences and provide recommendations for future program iterations.

Methods

This study employed a convergent triangulation mixed methods design. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. The Yukawa Mentorship Evaluation Tool was used to measure program effectiveness. Descriptive analyses were conducted by a member of the research team. Data was coded by two members of the research team and findings were audited for consistency.

Results

A total of 51 participants (27 mentors, 24 mentees) completed the survey, and 13 (7 mentors, 6 mentees) participated in semi-structured interviews. Five themes emerged: Mentorship Characteristics, Program Administration, Perceived Program Benefits, Barriers to Mentorship, and Recommendations for Improvement.

Conclusion

The BPC mentorship program represents a historic step toward addressing unmet needs of Black medical residents in Canada. Participants expressed high satisfaction and highlighted areas for improvement. Racially concordant mentorship was seen as particularly valuable in addressing unique challenges faced by Black learners. The findings from this study provide critical insights into best practices for future mentorship programs, advancing diversity and equity in medicine while supporting Black learners’ success.
Study protocol for integrated service delivery to improve adolescent health and HPV vaccination in Lao PDR: A quasi-experimental mixed-methods study
Authors: Lynn Thet , Sychareun Vanphanom , Chaleunvong Kongmany , Vongxay Viengnakhone , Thongmyxay Suksamone , Phommavong Chandavieng , Taikeophithoun Chansathith , Keokenchanh Sengtavanh , Kooij Josien Van Der , Wang Bangyuan
Published: December 2024

1.

Background

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) faces the challenge of high cervical cancer incidence and low HPV vaccine coverage, alongside broader adolescent health concerns like high adolescent pregnancy rates and inadequate Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) literacy. The integration of HPV vaccination with adolescent health services aims to address these issues comprehensively, increasing vaccine uptake and improving overall adolescent health outcomes.

Methods

This study will employ a quasi-experimental design with mixed methods to assess the impact of integrating HPV vaccination with adolescent health services in two districts of Louangnamtha province in Laos. The study population includes girls aged 10-13 years for HPV vaccination and boys and girls aged 10-13 years for other adolescent health services. The intervention district will receive an integrated service package comprising HPV vaccination and adolescent health services delivered through school-based, facility-based, and outreach approaches. The comparison district will continue with its standard HPV vaccination and routine adolescent health service delivery. The intervention will be for 7 months from 2024 November to 2025 May. Quantitative data on HPV vaccine uptake, SRH knowledge and attitudes, and utilization of adolescent health services will be collected at baseline, midline, and endline. Qualitative data on barriers and facilitators to implementation, provider workload and capacity, and stakeholder perceptions will be collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions at endline.

Results

The study outcome is the evidence on the impact of integration on change in HPV vaccine uptake, change in SRHR knowledge and attitude, utilization of adolescent health services, healthcare providers’ workload and capacity, and stakeholders’ opinions regarding the integrated intervention.

Recommendations

The study’s findings will inform policies and practices in Lao PDR.

Study Registrations

1)

ClinicalTrials.govIDNCT06650956,

2)

OSF Pre-registration:https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/MGEQ7
Repetition of rhythmic patterns fosters neural representation of musical meter
Authors: Coulon Emmanuel , Baum Sacha , Lenc Tomas , Polak Rainer , Nozaradan Sylvie
Published: December 2024

Music often entails perception of periodic pulses (hereafter meter) which serve as an internal temporal reference to coordinate movements to music. Crucially, meter perception arises even when the musical rhythm only weakly cues meter periodicities (i.e., syncopated rhythms). However, syncopated rhythms are often looped in music, suggesting that repetition of rhythmic patterns may facilitate meter perception by providing periodic cues at a slower, supra-second timescale. Here, we tested this hypothesis by recording separately electroencephalographic (EEG) and behavioral responses (finger tapping) while participants listened to different syncopated rhythmic sequences. These sequences either consisted of a repeated pattern (repetition of 4.8 and 9.6-s patterns) or were generated without repetition. EEG responses showed overall periodization of the rhythmic input, at periodicities corresponding to those expressed as the meter in behavioral responses, and in contrast with the weak cues to these periodicities in the rhythmic inputs. Most importantly, pattern repetition strengthened this neural representation of the meter, demonstrating that supra-second periodicities in the rhythmic input further enhance sub-second periodicities in neural activity. These findings thus highlight the multiscale nature of temporal processes at stake in processing musical rhythm, and, more generally, complex rhythmic inputs involved in interpersonal interaction and communication.
Partitioning the genomic journey to becomingHomo sapiens
Authors: Pagani Luca , Bertazzon Riccardo , Pankratov Vasili , Vallini Leonardo , Marnetto Davide , Esposito Maurizio , Granata Ilaria , Teo En En , Loganathan Aswini Leela , Hallast Pille , Lee Charles , Ayub Qasim , Mezzavilla Massimo
Published: December 2024

What makes us human?Homo sapiensdiverged from its ancestors in fundamental ways, reflected in recent genomic acquisitions like the PAR2-Y chromosome translocation. Here we show that despite morphological and cultural differences between modern and archaic humans, these human groups share these recent acquisitions. Our modern lineage shows recent functional variants in only 56 genes, of which 24 are linked to brain functions and skull morphology. Nevertheless, these acquisitions failed to introgress into Neanderthals when archaic and modern populations admixed after 350 kya, suggesting their exclusive link to the modern human niche or that Neanderthal’s small population size hindered their spread. Taken together, our results point to a scenario where Modern and Archaic should be regarded as populations of an otherwise common human species, which independently accumulated mutations and cultural innovations.
Lattice QCD calculation of
x
-dependent meson distribution amplitudes at physical pion mass with threshold logarithm resummation
Authors: Cloët Ian , Gao Xiang , Mukherjee Swagato , Syritsyn Sergey , Karthik Nikhil , Petreczky Peter , Zhang Rui , Zhao Yong
Published: December 2024

We present a lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD) calculation of the x-dependent pion and kaon distribution amplitudes (DA) in the framework of large momentum effective theory. This calculation is performed on a fine lattice of a=0.076  fm at physical pion mass, with the pion boosted to 1.8 GeV and kaon boosted to 2.3 GeV. We renormalize the matrix elements in the hybrid scheme and match to MS¯ with a subtraction of the leading renormalon in the Wilson-line mass. The perturbative matching is improved by resumming the large logarithms related to the small quark and gluon momenta in the soft-gluon limit. After resummation, we demonstrate that we are able to calculate a range of x∈[x0,1−x0] with x0=0.25 for pion and x0=0.2 for kaon with theoretical systematic errors under control. The kaon DA is shown to be slighted skewed, and narrower than pion DA. Although the x-dependence cannot be direct calculated beyond these ranges, we estimate higher moments of the pion and kaon DAs by complementing our calculation with short-distance factorization.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
All vertices for unconstrained symmetric gauge fields
Authors: Didenko V. E. , Povarnin M. A.
Published: December 2024

Recently, the generating system that describes interacting symmetric higher-spin gauge fields at the level of equations of motion was proposed. The interaction vertices it offers are “off the mass shell” unless constrained by the prescribed factorization condition that properly removes traceful components. In this paper, we detail the structure of the unconstrained, i.e., traceful vertices. We derive their manifest form to all orders along with a net of the associated dualities, thus providing the complete higher-spin vertex analysis at the unconstrained level for the bosonic theory in any dimension. These vertices are shown to be the minimal space-time local and have a form of the peculiar integrals over a space of closed polygons, which we scrutinize in the paper. The obtained results directly apply to the holomorphic sector of the four-dimensional theory, where the interaction is on shell, producing the all-order chiral higher-spin vertices.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Refining holographic models of the quark-gluon plasma
Authors: Jokela Niko , Järvinen Matti , Piispa Aleksi
Published: December 2024

We investigate quark-gluon plasma at nonzero density by using two holographic models for QCD based on either brane or Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton actions. We determine the parameters of these models through a systematic statistical fitting procedure to lattice QCD data, which encompasses the equation of state (through the entropy density) and the two lowest baryon number susceptibilities. The predictions from the two models for the higher-order susceptibilities and the equation of state at nonzero density are strikingly similar. In particular, both models suggest the presence of a critical point on the (μB,T)-phase diagram near μB/T≈6. The results for the equation of state are in agreement with lattice data for higher-order susceptibilities and experimental data for the cumulants of the net-proton number from the beam energy scan program at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Effects of market pressure on organisational innovation performance: mediating roles of commitment to innovate, resource to innovate and manager innovation capability
Authors: Ouedraogo Noufou , Wei William X. , Muhammad Ali , Ouakouak Mohammed Laid
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effects of market pressure on organisational innovation performance through commitment and resource to innovate and manager innovation capability.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative study was conducted with 273 participants working in different organisations. These participants were drawn from the LinkedIn network of one of the researchers. The data were collected using a survey questionnaire uploaded onto www.surveymonkey.com. The data were analysed using SPSS and AMOS, and structural equation modelling techniques were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

We found that market pressure has a positive effect on both commitment to innovate and resource to innovate. In turn, both commitment to innovate and resource to innovate influence manager innovation capability. We also found that manager innovation capability positively affects organisational innovation performance. Furthermore, manager innovation capability is a mediator in the relationship between commitment to innovate and organisational innovation performance as well as in the relationship between resource to innovate and organisational innovation performance. Finally, the relationship between manager innovation capability and organisational innovation performance is moderated by both extrinsic and intrinsic motivations to innovate.

Practical implications

Our study provides empirical evidence of the roles of commitment to innovate, resource to innovate and manager innovation capability in enhancing the innovation performance of organisations. Therefore, organisations should show their commitment to innovate, provide resources to innovate, develop managers’ capabilities to innovate and use a mix of intrinsic and extrinsic motivators to boost their innovation performance.

Originality/value

This study offers new insights into the dynamics of how market pressure leads to innovation within organisations.
Developing analytics-driven maintenance data mining processes: a design science approach
Authors: Yang Ying , Yang Biao , Nguyen Hung , Onofrei George
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Data mining has been well-applied by maintenance service providers in identifying data patterns and supporting decision-making. However, when applying data mining for analytics-driven maintenance, maintenance service providers often adopt data mining with unstructured “trial-and-error” approaches. In response, we have followed design science to develop a comprehensive approach to diagnosing the problems with the existing data mining processes model for analytics-driven maintenance service.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted an in-depth case study with Siemens in the UK for data collection in order to apply a two-cycle build-and-evaluate design process. Based on the literature, the preliminary model is built. It is evaluated through the case company in the first cycle. In the second cycle, the model is refined based on the comments from the case company and then re-evaluated from both business management and information technology perspectives to ensure the applicability of the designed model in a real business environment.

Findings

Firstly, this study identifies three main shortcomings in the existing data mining process models for analytics-driven maintenance. Secondly, this study develops the “Gear-Wheel Model”, with a customer-oriented cycle, a project planning cycle and a machine comprehension cycle, to overcome all these shortcomings simultaneously and provide improvement solutions. Thirdly, this study highlighted that the data mining processes for analytics-driven maintenance service need interactions from different functional departments and supports of successive data collection.

Originality/value

The study expands data mining analysis beyond a single business function to include interactions with other internal functions and external customers. It contributes to existing knowledge by focusing on the managerial aspects of data mining and integrating maintenance service providers with their business customers.
Remittances as a driver of economic growth: the moderating impact of financial development in developing economies
Authors: Afridi Muhammad Asim , Khan Ismail , Rahman Haseeb Ur , Khan Mustafa Rehman
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The aim of this research is to examine the moderating impact of financial development (FD) on the relationship between remittance inflows and economic growth in 82 developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

This research utilized dynamic panel data estimation, specifically the system generalized method of moment (GMM), on a panel data set comprised of 82 developing economies from 2000 to 2022.

Findings

The findings indicate that the interaction of remittances and FD proxies by size and depth creates a substitute effect to reduce economic growth. In contrast, the interaction of remittances and FD proxy by efficiency creates complementarity by attracting remittances that accelerate economic growth. The robustness of the findings is further checked across upper- and lower-middle-income countries, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

This study assists policymakers in attracting remittance inflows through FD and spending them in sustainable, productive ways to boost economic growth in developing economies.

Social implications

The policymakers should have interactive remittances–FD policies to improve not only economic growth but also the social welfare of the developing economies.

Originality/value

This work contributes significantly to the underexplored literature on the moderating impact of FD on the relationship between remittance inflows and economic growth in the developing countries context. This research utilizes maximum proxies of FD that not only examine the remittance but also investigate how FD various proxies shape the relationship between remittances and economic growth.
Guiding entrepreneurial ecosystems towards sustainability: identifying key changes and future research directions
Authors: Ratajczak-Mrozek Milena , Hauke-Lopes Aleksandra , Sajdak Maja , Wieczerzycki Marcin
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to identify the necessary transformations required to evolve entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) into sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems (SEEs) and to explore the primary challenges involved. By addressing these aspects the study establishes a foundation for future research directions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a conceptual analysis based on the semi-systematic literature review of the concepts of EEs and SEEs.

Findings

An SEE intentionally addresses all three dimensions of sustainability—social, ecological and economic. This requires, on the one hand, a genuine will and effort from individual actors to increase their sustainability, and, on the other, an establishment of systemic conditions that will make this transformation easier and allow for a fair distribution of its costs.

Originality/value

The paper bridges the research concerning limited studies on SEEs by presenting a model that delineates the conditions for the development of SEE and identifies the requisite changes necessary to foster sustainability within the EE. Furthermore, the paper outlines potential avenues for future research to explore the conceptual advancement and practical implementation of the SEE concept.
Understanding the shortcomings of cataloguing practices in artifact preservation: a case study of Taka Museum
Authors: Mishra Anukriti , Singh Sujeet Kumar
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The study aims to address the cataloguing challenges faced by Taka Museum, a prominent coin museum in Bangladesh. The focus is on improving coin identification, metadata management and accessibility.

Design/methodology/approach

This study evaluates the effectiveness of Taka Museum’s current cataloguing methodologies for numismatic collections from the 6th Century BCE to the 6th Century CE.

Findings

The study identifies the primary issues hindering cataloguing at Taka Museum as missing ruler, period and coin source information. The proposed recommendations aim to address these challenges and improve the overall cataloguing process.

Practical implications

Firstly, establish a reliable identifier system for each coin to facilitate accurate tracking and identification. Secondly, implementing automated coin recognition systems can enhance the efficiency and accuracy of coin identification, reducing reliance on manual methods. Thirdly, developing comprehensive metadata standards and bibliographic information to ensure that necessary information is captured and preserved. Fourthly, prioritizing training and capacity building to equip staff with the necessary skills to use new technologies and methodologies effectively. Finally, foster collaboration with experts in machine learning and AI to obtain the technical expertise required for implementing and maintaining advanced recognition systems.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the field by providing practical solutions to cataloguing challenges faced by coin museums. The proposed strategies can be applied to other similar institutions, enhancing the preservation and accessibility of their collections. By improving cataloguing practices, Taka Museum can better serve researchers, educators and the public.
Budget Variance Analysis Case: Contrasting Excel with Tableau*
Authors: Nikitkov Alexey
Published: December 2024

This case not only familiarizes students with data analytics but also demonstrates its practical application. It presents a scenario of an electronic components company, equips students with budgetary and financial performance information, and challenges them to prepare a visual budgetary variance analysis for a board meeting. This hands‐on exercise, conducted first in Excel and then in Tableau, enhances students' analytics skills. The learning tasks include creating formulas that depend on multiple worksheets in Excel, interpreting data results, and importing data into Tableau. Students will establish correct relations between imported tables; create formulas and new calculated fields; filter and format data; construct graphs; create workbooks, dashboards, and stories; publish graphical analyses on the Tableau cloud server; and distribute the presentation via a hyperlink. The case was tested with Master of Accountancy students in an Advanced Information Systems class and received high student evaluation scores. It is recommended for use in an undergraduate or graduate accounting or business program after students conceptualize the budgetary variance analysis.
Evaluation of dimethandrolone undecanoate in non‐human primates as a candidate for long‐acting injectable male contraceptive
Authors: Bunin Deborah I. , Kim Kyuri , Parman Toufan , Gahagen Janet , Zelinski Mary B. , Adevai Tiffany , Wang Christina , Tang Liang , Iyer Lalitha , Endsley Aaron , Blithe Diana L. , Lee Min S.
Published: December 2024

Background

Dimethandrolone undecanoate (DMAU) is under development as a single agent hormonal male contraceptive. DMAU is a prodrug hydrolyzed by esterase(s) to the active metabolite dimethandrolone (DMA) which has dual androgenic and progestogenic actions. Phase 1 clinical trial results show DMAU to be well‐tolerated as an oral contraceptive in healthy men; however, delivery of DMAU as a long‐acting injectable rather than a daily oral formulation would provide user compliance benefits and address oral bioavailability concerns.

Objective

To assess the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and long‐acting contraceptive potential of DMAU in male non‐human primates (NHP) when delivered as an injectable or oral formulation.

Materials and methods

DMAU was administered to cynomolgus macaques orally for 9 months or as five weekly intramuscular (IM) injections and to rhesus macaques as a single IM injection. Evaluations of safety, fertility indicators, and serum levels of DMAU and DMA were followed > 2 years post‐dose.

Results

Repeat dose oral and IM administrations were well‐tolerated with no significant toxicological findings. Dramatic reductions in serum testosterone concentration occurred within days of administration followed by sustained suppression of additional fertility indicators (e.g., serum inhibin B, sperm count, and testicular spermatogenesis). Slight body weight increases and reductions in testes weight also occurred. Repeat DMAU injections resulted in DMA serum concentrations above the lower limit of quantification (1 ng/mL) for > 500 days. DMAU PK parameters increased with increasing IM dose, while dose dependence was not seen for serum DMA concentrations suggesting a depot effect with a reservoir of non‐circulating prodrug remaining at the injection site which gets slowly hydrolyzed to DMA and absorbed into circulation. Testosterone levels and spermatogenesis returned by the end of the recovery period.

Conclusions

Nonclinical safety, PK, and pharmacodynamic data in male NHP demonstrate the safe, well‐tolerated, long‐acting, and reversible contraceptive potential of injectable DMAU.
Treatment trajectories among children and adolescents referred to the Norwegian National Center for Gender Incongruence
Authors: Nyquist Cecilie Bjertness , Torgersen Leila , David Linda W. , Diseth Trond Haaken , Gulbrandsen Kjersti , Waehre Anne
Published: December 2024

Aim

We aimed to describe treatment trajectories, detransition and mortality rate among children and adolescents referred to the Norwegian National Center for Gender Incongruence (NCGI).

Methods

The cohort included all 1258 persons under 18 years at referral to the NCGI from 2000 to 2020. Trajectories were registered until end of 2023.

Results

In total, 861/1258 (68.4%) were assigned female gender at birth (AFAB). Mean age at referral was 14.4 years. Puberty suppression with gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) was initiated among 135/1258 (10.7%), significantly more persons assigned male gender at birth (AMAB) than AFAB (p < 0.001). Gender‐affirming hormonal treatment (GAHT) was initiated in 783/1258 (62.2%). The continuation rate from GnRHa to GAHT was 97%. Discharge rate from NCGI without gender‐affirming medical treatment among those who attended at least one appointment, was 264/1198 (22.0%). Eighteen AFAB detransitioned after initiated GAHT, eleven due to a cessation of transgender identity. Mortality rate in the cohort until end of 2023 was 11/1258 (0.9%).

Conclusion

Different trajectories including medical pathways and assessments without gender‐affirming treatment were observed. GAHT was initiated in 783/1258 (62.2%), including eighteen AFAB detransitioning after testosterone treatment. There was a high continuation rate from GnRHa to GAHT. Various trajectories highlights the need for long‐term follow‐up in care.
Thresholds for conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia and hepatobiliary scintigraphy in biliary atresia: A 12‐year national follow‐up
Authors: Jessen Anna Kajsa G. , Helt Thora W. , Johansen Lars S. , Gaardskær Rasmus N. , Heiring Christian , Kvistgaard Helene , Madsen Michael A. , Simonsen Jane A. , Møller Søren , Christensen Vibeke B. , Borgwardt Lise
Published: December 2024

Aim

To investigate liver biochemistry in infants screened for biliary atresia (BA) at the time of hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HS) and to evaluate the effect of change in threshold for HS.

Methods

Infants born from 2010 to 2021, who underwent HS <6 months postpartum for BA, were included and data sourced from electronic medical records. The change in threshold in 2018 from ≥20 (and/or if conjugated bilirubin exceeds 20% of total bilirubin) to ≥17 μM (regardless of total bilirubin) was evaluated.

Results

In the cohort of 635 infants, 48 had BA, 247 had AATD, and the remaining 343 were categorised as ‘other’. After the threshold adjustment, HS timing was unaffected (p = 0.27), but the annual HS rate rose from 39 to 87, yet evaluations following the new guideline only accounted for 12%. All liver parameters were elevated in the BA group compared with the additional groups (p < 0.001). Amongst the 104 patients with non‐excretory HS, gamma‐glutamyl transferase (p < 0.001) and alanine aminotransferase (p = 0.002) remained elevated for BA. The lowest conjugated bilirubin measured in BA children was 36 μM.

Conclusion

After threshold change, HS use increased without earlier BA diagnostics, but most were not due to the new guideline. Alanine aminotransferase and gamma‐glutamyl transferase should be considered in BA diagnostics.