bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring CO2assimilation ofArabidopsis thalianawhole plants and seedlings
Authors: Brazel Ailbhe J. , Turck Franziska , Ó’Maoiléidigh Diarmuid S.
Published: January 2024

Photosynthesis is an essential process in plants that synthesizes sugars used for growth and development, highlighting the importance of establishing robust methods to monitor photosynthetic activity. Infrared gas analysis (IRGA) can be used to track photosynthetic rates by measuring the CO2assimilation/release from a plant. Although much progress has been made in the development of IRGA technologies, challenges remain when using this technique on small herbaceous plants such asArabidopsis thaliana. The use of whole plant chambers can overcome the difficulties associated with applying bulky leaf clamps to small delicate leaves, however this introduces the risk of soil-based microorganisms skewing gas exchange measurements. Here, we present a simple method to efficiently perform IRGA onA. thalianaplants using a whole plant chamber that removes soil-borne effects from the measurements. We show that this method can be used to detect subtle changes in photosynthetic rates measured at different times of day, under different growth conditions, and between wild-type and plants with deficiencies in the photosynthetic machinery. Furthermore, we show that this method can be used to detect changes in photosynthetic rates even at very young developmental stages such as 10 d-old seedlings. This method contributes to the array of techniques currently used to perform IRGA onA. thalianaand can allow for the monitoring of photosynthetic rates of whole plants from young ages.
The eyes have it: Inter-subject correlations of pupillary responses for audience response measurement in VR
Authors: Schmälzle Ralf , Wu Juncheng , Lim Sue , Bente Gary
Published: January 2024

The eye is the vanguard of the reception process, constituting the point where visual information arrives and is transformed into neural signals. While we view dynamic media contents, a fine-tuned interplay of mechanisms causes our pupils to dilate and constrict over time - and putatively similarly across audience members exposed to the same messages. Research that once pioneered pupillometry did actually use dynamic media as stimuli, but this trend then stalled, and pupillometry remained underdeveloped in the study of naturalistic media stimuli. Here, we introduce a VR-based approach to capture audience members’ pupillary responses during media consumption and suggest an innovative analytic framework. Specifically, we expose audiences to a set of 30 different video messages and compute the cross-receiver similarity of pupillometric responses. Based on this data, we identify the specific video an individual is watching. Our results show that this ‘pupil-pulse-tracking’ enables highly accurate decoding of video identity. Moreover, we demonstrate that the decoding is relatively robust to manipulations of video size and distractor presence. Finally, we examine the relationship between pupillary responses and subsequent memory. Theoretical implications for objectively quantifying exposure and states of audience engagement are discussed. Practically, we anticipate that this pupillary audience response measurement approach could find application in media measurement across contexts, ranging from traditional screen-based media (commercials, movies) to social media (e.g., TikTok and YouTube), and to next-generation virtual media environments (e.g., Metaverse, gaming).
Computational approach for decoding Malaria Drug Targets from Single-Cell Transcriptomics and finding potential drug molecule
Authors: Choudhuri Soham , Ghosh Bhaswar
Published: January 2024

Malaria is a deadly disease caused byPlasmodiumparasites. While potent drugs are available in the market for malaria treatment, over the years,Plasmodiumparasites have successfully developed resistance against many, if not all, front-line drugs. This poses a serious threat to global malaria eradication efforts, and the continued discovery of new drugs is necessary to tackle this debilitating disease. With the advent of recent unprecedented progress in machine learning techniques, single-cell transcriptomic inPlasmodiumoffers a powerful tool for identifying crucial proteins as a drug target and subsequent computational prediction of potential drugs. In this study, We have implemented a mutual-information-based feature reduction algorithm with a classification algorithm to select important proteins from transcriptomic datasets (sexual and asexual stages) forPlasmodium falciparumand then constructed the protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks of the proteins. The analysis of this PPI network revealed key proteins vital for the survival ofPlasmodium falciparum. Based on the function and identification of a few strong binding sites on a couple of these key proteins, we computationally predicted a set of potential drug molecules using a deep learning-based technique. Lead drug molecules that satisfy ADMET and drug-likeliness properties are finally reported out of the generated drugs. The study offers a general computational pipeline to identify crucial proteins using scRNA-seq data sets and further development of potential new drugs.
Does diet quality moderate the long-term effects of discrete but extreme PM2.5exposure on respiratory symptoms? A study of the Hazelwood coalmine fire
Authors: Govindaraju Thara , Man Martin , Owen Alice J , Carroll Matthew , Borg Brigitte M. , Smith Catherine L , Gao Caroline X , Brown David , Poland David , Allgood Shantelle , Ikin Jillian F , Abramson Michael J , McCaffrey Tracy A , Lane Tyler J
Published: January 2024

In 2014, a fire at an open cut coalmine in regional Victoria, Australia burned for 6 weeks. Residents of the nearby town of Morwell were exposed to smoke, which included high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). We investigated whether the long-term effects of PM2.5on respiratory health were moderated by diet quality. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted of data collected 8.5 years after the mine fire from 282 residents of Morwell and 166 residents from the nearby unexposed town of Sale. Primary outcomes were respiratory symptoms. Exposure was coalmine fire-related PM2.5and diet quality was assessed with the Australian Eating Survey (AES). The moderating effect of diet quality on respiratory outcomes associated with PM2.5was assessed using logistic regression models, adjusting for potential confounders. Diet quality was poor in this sample, with 60% in the lowest category of overall diet quality. Overall diet quality and fruit and vegetable quality significantly attenuated the association between PM2.5and prevalence of chronic cough and phlegm. Sauce/condiment intake was associated with a greater effect of PM2.5on COPD prevalence. No other moderating effects were significant. The moderating effects of overall diet quality and vegetable and fruit intake aligned witha priorihypothesis, suggesting potential protective benefits. Considering the poor-quality diet in this community, we would encourage better eating habits including improving the fruit and vegetable intake.

Highlights

Fire-related PM2.5associated with higher prevalence of chronic cough and phlegm

However, these effects were smaller with a higher-quality diet

In line witha priorihypotheses, effect only observed among antioxidant-rich foods
Smad4is essential for epiblast scaling and morphogenesis after implantation, but nonessential prior to implantation in the mouse
Authors: Kruger Robin E. , Frum Tristan , Brumm A. Sophie , Hickey Stephanie L. , Niakan Kathy K. , Aziz Farina , Shammami Marcelio A. , Roberts Jada G. , Ralston Amy
Published: January 2024

Bone Morphogenic Protein (BMP) signaling plays an essential and highly conserved role in axial patterning in embryos of many externally developing animal species. However, in mammalian embryos, which develop inside the mother, early development includes an additional stage known as preimplantation. During preimplantation, the epiblast lineage is segregated from the extraembryonic lineages that enable implantation and developmentin utero. Yet, the requirement for BMP signaling in mouse preimplantation is imprecisely defined. We show that, in contrast to prior reports, BMP signaling (as reported by SMAD1/5/9 phosphorylation) is not detectable until implantation, when it is detected in the primitive endoderm – an extraembryonic lineage. Moreover, preimplantation development appears normal following deletion of maternal and zygoticSmad4,an essential effector of BMP signaling. In fact, mice lacking maternalSmad4are viable. Finally, we uncover a new requirement for zygoticSmad4in epiblast scaling and cavitation immediately after implantation, via a mechanism involving FGFR/ERK attenuation. Altogether, our results demonstrate no role for BMP4/SMAD4 in the first lineage decisions during mouse development. Rather, multi-pathway signaling among embryonic and extraembryonic cell types drives epiblast morphogenesis post-implantation.

Summary Statement

Gene expression, gene deletion, and pathway visualization evidence show thatSmad4-dependent signaling is first active after mouse embryo implantation, when it promotes epiblast morphogenesis non-cell autonomously.
VEGF counteracts shear stress-determined arterial fate specification during capillary remodeling
Authors: Chen Dongying , Rukhlenko Oleksii S. , Coon Brian G. , Joshi Divyesh , Chakraborty Raja , Martin Kathleen A. , Kholodenko Boris N. , Schwartz Martin A. , Simons Michael
Published: January 2024

A key feature of arteriogenesis is capillary-to-arterial endothelial cell fate transition. Although a number of studies in the past two decades suggested this process is driven by VEGF activation of Notch signaling, how arteriogenesis is regulated remains poorly understood. Here we report that arterial specification is mediated by fluid shear stress (FSS) independent of VEGFR2 signaling and that a decline in VEGFR2 signaling is required for arteriogenesis to fully take place. VEGF does not induce arterial fate in capillary ECs and, instead, counteracts FSS-driven capillary-to-arterial cell fate transition. Mechanistically, FSS-driven arterial program involves both Notch-dependent and Notch-independent events. Sox17 is the key mediator of the FSS-induced arterial specification and a target of VEGF-FSS competition. These findings suggest a new paradigm of VEGF-FSS crosstalk coordinating angiogenesis, arteriogenesis and capillary maintenance.
Domain-specific Cognitive Impairments, Mood and Quality of Life 6 Months After Stroke
Authors: Milosevich Elise , Kusec Andrea , Pendlebury Sarah T. , Demeyere Nele
Published: January 2024

Purpose

To identify which acute and 6-month domain-specific cognitive impairments impact mood functioning, participation, and stroke-related quality of life 6 months after stroke.

Materials and Methods

A prospective cohort of 430 stroke survivors completed the Oxford Cognitive Screen (OCS) acutely and 6 months post-stroke. Participants completed the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) and Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HADS) at 6 months. Multivariable regression analyses assessed whether severity of, and domain-specific, cognitive impairment acutely and at 6 months was associated with composite 6-month SIS scores, each SIS subscale, and HADS scores.

Results

Increased severity of cognitive impairment acutely and at 6 months was associated with lower 6-month SIS composite scores independent of age, sex, education years, and stroke severity (bothp<0.001). Domain-specific impairments in memory (p<0.001) and attention (p=0.002) acutely, and language (p<0.001), memory (p=0.001) and number processing (p=0.006) at 6 months showed the strongest associations with worse SIS composite scores. Severity of acute and 6-month cognitive impairment was associated with poorer functioning in each SIS subscale, as well as greater levels of depression (acutep=0.021, 6-monthsp<0.001), but not anxiety (p=0.174,p=0.129).

Conclusions

Both acute and 6-month domain-specific cognitive impairments, particularly in memory, were found to negatively impact overall functional and mood outcomes 6 months post-stroke.
Direct and Indirect Genetic Effects on Early Neurodevelopmental Traits
Authors: Hegemann Laura , Eilertsen Espen , Pettersen Johanne Hagen , Corfield Elizabeth C. , Cheesman Rosa , Frach Leonard , Bjørndal Ludvig Daae , Ask Helga , St Pourcain Beate , Havdahl Alexandra , Hannigan Laurie J.
Published: January 2024

Background

Neurodevelopmental conditions are highly heritable and frequently co-occur within individuals. Recent studies have shown that SNP heritability estimates can be confounded by genetic effects mediated via the environment (indirect genetic effects). However, the relative importance of directversusindirect genetic effects on early manifestations of neurodevelopmental conditions is unknown.

Methods

The sample included up to 24,692 parent-offspring trios from the Norwegian MoBa cohort. We use Trio-GCTA to estimate latent direct and indirect genetic effects on mother-reported neurodevelopmental traits at age three years (restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests, attention, hyperactivity, language, social, and motor development). Further, we investigate to what extent direct and indirect effects are attributable to common genetic variants associated with autism, ADHD, developmental dyslexia, educational attainment, and cognitive ability using polygenic scores (PGS) in regression modeling.

Results

We find evidence for contributions of direct and indirect latent common genetic effects contributing to attention (direct: explaining 4.8% of variance, indirect: 6.7%) hyperactivity (direct: 1.3%, indirect: 9.6%), and restricted and repetitive behaviors (direct effects: 0.8%, indirect effects: 7.3%). Variation in social and communication, language, and motor development was best explained by direct effects (5.1-5.7%). Direct genetic effects on attention were captured by PGS for ADHD, autism, educational attainment, and cognitive ability, whereas direct genetic effects on language development were captured by cognitive ability and autism PGS. Indirect genetic effects were primarily captured by educational attainment and/or cognitive ability PGS across all outcomes.

Conclusions

Results were consistent with differential contributions to neurodevelopmental traits in early childhood by direct and indirect genetic effects. Indirect effects were particularly important for hyperactivity and restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests, and may be linked to genetic variation associated with cognition and educational attainment. Within-family approaches are important for disentangling genetic processes that influence early neurodevelopmental traits, even when identifiable associations are small.
EEG signatures at different propofol vs sevoflurane concentrations
Authors: Sun C. , Rigouzzo A. , Constant I. , Holcman D.
Published: January 2024

The depth of anesthesia is contingent upon the concentration of administered hypnotics, but establishing an exact relationship proves challenging, given its variability among individual patients. To elucidate the connection between the depth of anesthesia and hypnotic concentration, we leverage transient EEG patterns—specifically, iso-electric suppressions and power distributions within theαandδfrequency bands—at constant concentrations. Our investigation focuses on two hypnotic: propofol and sevoflurane. In a cohort encompassing children and young adults undergoing general anesthesia, we employ segmentation algorithms to extract a diverse range of spectral representations in EEG profiles. However, as we systematically alter hypnotic concentrations, a consistent trend emerges: heightened hypnotic concentration predominantly aligns with increasedδ-band power and reducedα-band power. Notably, the occurrence of iso-electric suppressions is primarily associated with elevated propofol concentrations and infrequently observed with high levels of sevoflurane. Furthermore, we observe a decrease in the maximal power frequency of theα-band as hypnotic concentrations increase. In summary, this study offers a systematic quantification of EEG patterns corresponding to distinct concentrations of propofol and sevoflurane. These observed patterns contribute to a nuanced EEG representation of brain activity, laying the groundwork for personalized anesthesia strategies.
Reporting Quality in Health Economic Evaluation Studies of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Systematic Review
Authors: Yoshioka Takashi , Azuma Shintaro , Funada Satoshi , Itaya Takahiro , Goto Rei
Published: January 2024

Objectives

This study assessed the reporting quality of health economic evaluation (HEE) studies of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature search of four databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and the International HTA Database) for studies published between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2022. Three pairs of reviewers independently screened and reviewed the full text and extracted the data. We included all ICIs approved up to December 31, 2022, in the United States (US), European Union, China, and Japan. Reporting quality was assessed using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards published in 2013 (CHEERS 2013). Subgroup analyses were also performed based on the risk of sponsorship bias or citation of CHEERS 2013.

Results

A total of 5,368 records were identified, 252 of which were included after full-text review. The study design, setting, and ICIs most frequently observed were cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses (63.5%), the US (46.0%), and pembrolizumab (38.1%), respectively. Of the 24 items of CHEERS 2013, fully reported items were limited, particularly in the Methods section. Setting and location were not reported in 94.4% of the records. Similar trends were observed in subgroup analysis.

Conclusion

HEE studies on ICIs between 2014 and 2022 had limited reporting across the 24 items of CHEERS 2013, regardless of sponsorship bias risk or citations. The items on setting and location in the Methods section were particularly underreported, emphasizing the need for transparent reporting in HEE studies of ICIs.

Highlights

The reporting quality of health economic evaluation (HEE) studies was evaluated using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards published in 2013 (CHEERS 2013). However, the reporting quality of HEEs of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), which is an emerging health policy issue for the economic burden of cancer, remains unknown.

Despite the passage of a decade since the publication of CHEERS 2013, HEE studies on ICIs have generally not fully adhered to the CHEERS 2013 guidelines in the Methods section. This is particularly evident in the setting and location items, even after stratification by the presence or absence of risk of sponsorship bias or whether CHEERS 2013 statement was cited.

This study highlights the insufficient reporting of CHEERS items among current HEE studies of ICIs, especially in the Methods section, to researchers who conduct HEE studies of ICIs, and informs policymakers and stakeholders who refer to HEE studies of ICIs about underreporting.
The effect of dietary fish oil replacement by microalgae on the gilthead sea bream midgut bacterial microbiota
Authors: Katsoulis-Dimitriou Stefanos , Nikouli Eleni , Gkalogianni Elli Zafeiria , Karapanagiotidis Ioannis T. , Kormas Konstantinos A.
Published: January 2024

It is well known that the gut microbiome and its interaction with the host influence several important factors for fish health such as nutrition and metabolism. Diet is one of the main factors influencing the composition of the gut microbiome in reared fish. Microalgae, due to their high fatty acid content, appear to be a promising alternative for replacing fish oil in aquafeed. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of dietary microalgae blends as fish oil replacers on the midgut bacterial microbiota of the gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). The control diet (FO) contained only fish oil as source of lipids, EPA and DHA fatty acids, while three experimental diets were used where fish oil was replaced at 67% by one of the following microalgae biomass blends:Microchloropsis gaditanaandIsochrysissp. (Tisochrysis lutea) (MI),Phaeodactylum tricornutumandIsochrysissp. (PI) andSchizochytriumsp. andP. tricornutum(SP). The midgut bacterial community composition of the experimental diets was altered compared to the control diet. There were 11 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) which were highly abundant in FO compared to the three experimental diets (FO, MI, SP) and two OTUs that were found in high abundance in both FO and the experimental diets in all comparisons (FO-MI, FO-PI, FO-SP). Most of the highly abundant OTUs in the experimental diets were unique to each experimental diet, with two OTUs being found in common between FO-MI and FO-PI. Additional evidence from the presumptive bacterial functional metabolic pathways suggested that the microalgae-based diets resulted in one over-expressed and one under-expressed pathway. The overexpressed pathway was related to the metabolism of fucose, a major constituent of the polysaccharide content of several microalgal species. Peptidoglycan biosynthesis was the under-expressed metabolic pathway. This suggests that a new gut microbiota profile was selected due to the microalgae inclusion in the provided diet. This study showed that, with the absence of mortality in fish, the gilthead sea bream gut microbiome can smoothly adapt its function according to the metabolic capacity of the dietary microalgae combinations that were used. The MI feed seems to promote several beneficial bacteria with potential probiotic abilities in the fish gut, belonging to thePseudoalteromonas, Pseudomonas, BacillusandRhodopseudomonasgenera.
Congenital diaphragmatic eventration: Should we maintain surgical treatment? A retrospective multicentric cohort study
Authors: Heng Lymeymey , Alzahrani Khalid , Khen-Dunlop Naziha , Panait Nicoleta , Hervieux Erik , Grynberg Lucie , Abbo Olivier , Hameury Frédéric , Lavrand Frédéric , Maillet Olivier , Haffreingue Aurore , Lehn Anne , De Napoli Cocci Stephan , Habonimana Edouard , Michel Jean-Luc , Montalva Louise , Ballouhey Quentin , Kamdem Arnaud Fotso , Lecompte Jean-François , Liné Antoine , Poupalou Anna , Maignan Pierre , Deslandes Loren , Podevin Guillaume , Schmitt Françoise
Published: January 2024

Background

Congenital diaphragmatic eventration (CDE) is an infrequent congenital pathology without consensus of treatment. This study assessed current care practices for this pathology in children in France.

Methods

Retrospective study on cohort data conducted in 22 paediatric surgery departments, including patients less than 16 years of age followed for CDE since 2010. Patients with surgical or conservative treatment were compared.

Results

139 patients were included, with a median age of 8 [1 – 16] months. CDE occurred in boys in 68.3% and was right-sided in 66.7% of the cases. It was symptomatic in 65% of the cases, with a respiratory component for 97% of these patients. The primary indication for treatment, essentially depending on the clinical respiratory impairment and the level of the diaphragm, was surgery for diaphragmatic plication in 87 cases (62%) or clinical follow-up for the 52 others, 25 of whom were operated on secondarily. There were 32 early per- or postoperative complications (29%), and 8 recurrences of eventration (7%). With a median follow-up of 28 months, the median level of diaphragmatic dome fell from the 6th to the 9th back rib, and the rate of respiratory symptoms from 64% to 14%, in both surveyed and surgically treated patients.

Conclusions

CDE is mainly diagnosed in newborn or infant boys and right-sided. Diaphragmatic plication may be the best treatment in symptomatic patients with a dome level upper the 6thposterior rib, but exposes them to a 29% complication rate and 7% of recurrence.

ClinicalTrialsNCT04862494, April 28, 2021.

What’s new?

Boys are indeed more affected than girls (68.3%), but left-side eventration only happens in 33% of cases.

As compared to conservative management, surgery may be positively associated with diaphragmatic level improvement, but not with long term resolution of symptoms.
Machine Learning Models Predict the Emergence of Depression in Argentinean College Students during Periods of COVID-19 Quarantine
Authors: López Steinmetz Lorena Cecilia , Sison Margarita , Zhumagambetov Rustam , Godoy Juan Carlos , Haufe Stefan
Published: January 2024

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health challenges, particularly depression among college students. Detecting at-risk students early is crucial but remains challenging, particularly in developing countries. Utilizing data-driven predictive models presents a viable solution to address this pressing need.AIMS: 1)To develop and compare machine learning (ML) models for predicting depression in Argentinean students during the pandemic.2)To assess the performance of classification and regression models using appropriate metrics.3)To identify key features driving depression prediction.

METHODS

A longitudinal dataset (N = 1492 college students) captured T1 and T2 measurements during the Argentinean COVID-19 quarantine. ML models, including linear logistic regression classifiers/ridge regression (LogReg/RR), random forest classifiers/regressors, and support vector machines/regressors (SVM/SVR), are employed. Assessed features encompass depression and anxiety scores (at T1), mental disorder/suicidal behavior history, quarantine sub-period information, sex, and age. For classification, models’ performance on test data is evaluated using Area Under the Precision-Recall Curve (AUPRC), Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve, Balanced Accuracy, F1 score, and Brier loss. For regression, R-squared (R2), Mean Absolute Error, and Mean Squared Error are assessed. Univariate analyses are conducted to assess the predictive strength of each individual feature with respect to the target variable. The performance of multi- vs univariate models is compared using the mean AUPRC score for classifiers and R2 score for regressors.

RESULTS

The highest performance is achieved by SVM and LogReg (e.g., AUPRC: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.69, 0.81) and SVR and RR models (e.g., R2 for SVR and RR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.45, 0.64 and 0.45, 0.63, respectively). Univariate models, particularly LogReg and SVM using depression (AUPRC: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.64, 0.79) or anxiety scores (AUPRC: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.64, 0.78) and RR using depression scores (R2: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.39, 0.57) exhibit performance levels close to those of the multivariate models, which include all features.

DISCUSSION

These findings highlight the relevance of pre-existing depression and anxiety conditions in predicting depression during quarantine, underscoring their comorbidity. ML models, particularly SVM/SVR and LogReg/RR, demonstrate potential in timely detection of at-risk students, enabling preventive measures for improved mental health outcomes.
October 2018 – December 2023 time-series analysis of pediatric RSV immunizations and RSV-associated hospitalizations
Authors: Cartwright Brianna M. Goodwin , Gratzl Samuel , Rodriguez Patricia J , Baker Charlotte , Stucky Nick
Published: January 2024

This study describes two population under age two 1) who received an RSV immunization and 2) experienced RSV-associated hospitalizations since 2018. Results show low uptake of the RSV immunization. RSV-associated hospitalizations exhibited earlier and higher peaks in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons compared to previous years.
Accelerated discovery and mapping of block copolymer phase diagrams
Authors: Murphy Elizabeth A. , Skala Stephen J. , Kottage Dimagi , Kohl Phillip A. , Li Youli , Zhang Cheng , Hawker Craig J. , Bates Christopher M.
Published: January 2024

Block copolymers are widely used in many applications due to their spontaneous self-assembly into a variety of nanoscale morphologies. However, a grand challenge in navigating this diverse and ever-growing array of possible structures is the accelerated discovery, design, and implementation of materials. Here, we report a versatile and efficient strategy to accelerate materials discovery by rapidly building expansive, high-quality, and detailed block copolymer libraries through a combination of controlled polymerization and chromatographic separation. To illustrate the potential of this approach, a family of 16 parent diblock copolymers was synthesized and separated, leading to over 300 distinct and well-defined samples at the multigram scale. The resulting materials span a wide range of compositions with exceptional resolution in volume fraction and domain spacing that allows for the impact of monomer design on polymer self-assembly to be elucidated. Phase behavior that can be gleaned from these libraries includes the precise location of order-order boundaries and the identification of morphologies with extremely narrow windows of stability. This user-friendly, scalable, and automated approach to discovery significantly increases the availability of well-defined block copolymers with tailored molecular weights, molar-mass dispersities, compositions, and segregation strengths, accelerating the study of structure-property relationships in advanced soft materials.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Almost optimal measurement scheduling of molecular Hamiltonian via finite projective plane
Authors: Inoue Wataru , Aoyama Koki , Teranishi Yusuke , Kanno Keita , Nakagawa Yuya O. , Mitarai Kosuke
Published: January 2024

We propose an efficient and almost optimal scheme for measuring molecular Hamiltonians in quantum chemistry on quantum computers, which requires 2N2 distinct measurements in the leading order with N being the number of molecular orbitals. It achieves the state-of-the-art by improving a previous proposal by Bonet-Monroig [], which exhibits 103N2 scaling in the leading order. We develop a method based on a finite projective plane to construct sets of simultaneously measurable operators contained in molecular Hamiltonians. Each measurement only requires a depth-O(N) circuit consisting of O(N2) one- and two-qubit gates under the Jordan-Wigner and parity mapping, assuming the linear connectivity of qubits on quantum hardwares. We perform numerical simulation of our method for molecular Hamiltonians of hydrogen chains. We count the number of sets of simultaneously measurable operators generated by our method and estimate the number of measurement shots required to achieve the small standard deviation of the energy expectation value for precise quantum chemistry calculations. Because evaluating expectation values of molecular Hamiltonians is one of the major bottlenecks in the applications of quantum devices to quantum chemistry, our finding is expected to accelerate such applications.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Precarious employment amidst global crises: career shocks, resources and migrants' employability
Authors: Kerti Kornélia Anna , Van Engen Marloes , Szabó Orsolya , Kroon Brigitte , Bleijenbergh Inge , Freese Charissa
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The authors conducted 22 in-depth longitudinal interviews with 11 Hungarian migrant workers in the Dutch logistics sector, before and during the COVID-19 crisis, using thematic analysis and visual life diagrams to interpret them.

Design/methodology/approach

This study aims to contribute to conservation of resources theory, by exploring how global crises influence the perceived employability of migrant workers in low-wage, precarious work.

Findings

The authors find that resources are key in how migrants experience the valence of global crises in their careers and perceive their employability. When unforeseen consequences of the COVID-19 crisis coincided with migrants' resource gain spirals, this instigated a positively valenced career shock, leading to positive perceptions of employability. Coincidence with loss spirals led to negative perceptions.

Research limitations/implications

The authors contribute to careers literature by showing that resources do not only help migrants cope with the impact of career shocks but also directly influence the valence of global crises in their perceived employability and careers.

Originality/value

Interestingly, when the COVID-19 crisis did not co-occur with migrants' resource gain and loss spirals, migrants experienced resource stress (psychological strain induced by the threat or actual loss of resources) and no significant change in their perceptions of employability.
Quality of work-life situation and effectiveness of labour laws: managerial perspectives
Authors: Shrestha Prakash , Parajuli Dilip , Adhikari Bibek Raj
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the current quality of work-life (QWL) situation and the effectiveness of labor laws for promoting QWL in the context of Nepalese workplaces.

Design/methodology/approach

It uses a descriptive-interpretative-qualitative approach to analyze the responses. Information is gathered through discussions with 85 higher- and middle-level managers of large and medium-sized organizations.

Findings

The majority of Nepalese organizations accept safe and healthy working conditions, social relevance of work-life, social integration in the work organization, and work and total life space as the key aspects of QWL. They have become even more critical as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they face challenges in providing employees with opportunities for continued growth and security, immediate opportunity to use and develop human capacities, adequate and fair compensation and constitutionalism in the work organization. QWL-related provisions in Labour Act, 2017, play a vital role in promoting the QWL situation. The QWL programs offer many benefits to employees’ private and working lives. The lack of such programs would undoubtedly have negative consequences for Nepalese companies. Compliance with labor laws will promote a better QWL situation at Nepalese workplaces.

Research limitations/implications

Only managerial perspectives are considered for examining the current situation of QWL and the effectiveness of QWL-related provisions of the Labour Act, 2017. It excludes the views of union leaders.

Practical implications

This paper indicates that labor laws’ QWL-related provisions are effective. It also provides several policy measures for promoting a better QWL in Nepalese workplaces.

Originality/value

This study presents QWL-related legal provisions and the actual situation at the workplaces of Nepal. It also presents the key aspects of QWL in the context of Nepal.
Effects of interactions between technology spillovers and carbon transfers on carbon emission reduction decisions and coordination within supply chains
Authors: Jiang Xiaozhuang , Sun Licheng , Wang Yushi
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to refine the mechanisms affecting the two-way technology spillover and carbon transfer interactions between supply chain enterprises, and to guide their reduction of carbon emissions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study formulates a supplier-led Stackelberg game model to explore the effects of the interactions between two-way technology spillover effects and carbon transfers in decentralized and centralized decision-making scenarios. The optimized Shapley value is introduced to coordinate across the supply chain and determine the overall profits lost in the decentralized scenario.

Findings

Emission reductions by the low-carbon manufacturer are negatively correlated with the carbon transfers. Vertical technology spillovers promote carbon reduction, whereas horizontal technology spillovers inhibit it. The vertical technology spillovers amplify the negative effects of the carbon transfers, whereas the horizontal technology spillovers alleviate these negative effects. When the vertical technology spillover effect is strong or the horizontal technology spillover effect is weak in the centralized scenario, the carbon reduction is negatively correlated with the carbon transfers. Conversely, when the vertical technology spillover effect is weak or the horizontal technology spillover effect is strong, the enterprise’s carbon reduction is positively correlated with the carbon transfers. An optimized Shapley value can coordinate the supply chain.

Originality/value

This study examines the effects of carbon transfers on enterprises from a micro-perspective and distinguishes between vertical and horizontal technology spillovers to explore how carbon transfers and different types of technology spillovers affect enterprises’ decisions to reduce carbon emissions.
Role of organizational characteristics on counterproductive knowledge behavior: a meta-analysis
Authors: Cen Yuwen , Wang Changfeng , Huang Yaqi
Published: January 2024

Purpose

In recent years, counterproductive knowledge behavior (CKB) and its types have received increasing interest in knowledge management as the degree of knowledge sharing and innovation in enterprises continues to increase. A rapidly growing number of studies have shed light on the important antecedents and consequences of employees’ CKB. However, the various labels, conceptualizations and operationalizations of CKB have fragmented this body of research. This study aims to systematically integrate the effects of the six types of organizational characteristics on CKB and further draws more general conclusions based on the results of previous studies.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a survey of 103 effect values responsible for 52 CKB samples, the authors use the ABC theory to explore the effects of the six types of organizational characteristics on CKB. Moderator analysis were performed to resolve inconsistencies in empirical studies and understand the contexts under which CKB has the strongest or weakest effect.

Findings

The results showed that task interdependence and a positive organizational atmosphere, in general, negatively affect employees’ CKB in the moderation analysis. In contrast, workplace discomfort, negative organizational atmosphere, internal competition and time pressure positively and partly affect employees’ CKB. The direction and magnitude of these effects were affected by emotional factors, knowledge personnel types and sample sources. Discussing the theoretical, methodological and practical implications of these findings can offer a guiding framework for future research.

Originality/value

Better control of employees’ CKB is not achieved by adjusting organizational characteristics alone but by combining personal characteristics and mood changes with it to balance organizational characteristics and CKB. Furthermore, the large-sample joint study integrated the conceptual definition of CKB. The multivariate data study provided more reliable conclusions and a solid theoretical foundation for CKB research areas.
Exploring risk-scapes in Oklahoma: institutional trust, environmental justice, climate change, and infrastructure
Authors: Sibley Martha , Peach Kaitlin , León-Corwin Maggie , Selvakumar Pavithra Priyadarshini , Diodosio Kaitlin , Fox Andrew , Spurlock Charles , Olofsson Kristin
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Across the USA, local municipalities and providers struggle to reliably supply water and electricity when faced with severe weather events induced by climate change. Previous research suggests those at higher risk for experiencing the detrimental effects of climate change have higher climate-related concerns. Additionally, research demonstrates variation in trust in institutions and perceptions of environmental justice along racial lines, which can influence concern for access to resources. Informed by this research, the authors ask two questions: how do Oklahomans’ trust in institutions, environmental justice perceptions and global climate change risk perceptions differ based on race, and how do these factors influence concern for water and electrical infrastructure? The purpose of this study is to better understand Oklahomans’ trust in information from institutions, environmental justice perceptions, global climate change risk perceptions and concern for water and electrical infrastructure.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a series of nested regression models to analyze the survey responses of 2,687 Oklahoman adults. The data were pulled from Wave 3 of the Oklahoma Meso-scale Integrated Socio-geographic Network survey, which is part of the National Science Foundation EPSCoR S3OK project.

Findings

The findings demonstrate the complex interplay of riskscapes – or risk landscapes – that encompass institutional trust, perceptions of environmental justice, climate change and infrastructure in Oklahoma. The authors find evidence that education and income are better predictors of institutional trust and environmental justice than race among our respondents. Political ideology emerges as a significant predictor across all hypotheses.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the understanding of complex dynamics involving race, perceptions of environmental justice, trust in information from institutions, risk perceptions of climate change and concerns for water and electrical infrastructure in Oklahoma.
Military spending: An obstacle to environmental sustainability in Africa
Authors: Ngounou Borice Augustin , Noubissi Domguia Edmond , Pondie Thierry Messie , Ngameni Joseph Pasky , Zanfack Linda Tiague
Published: January 2024

The economic impact of defence spending is one of the most hotly debated issues today. Due to instability and security deficits in many countries around the world, many countries are devoting a greater proportion of their budgets to defence spending, with adverse consequences for the environment. On this basis, the aim of this study is to examine the correlation between military spending and environmental degradation, and to test whether economic progress serves as a transferable channel. To do this fixed‐effects estimates, Driscoll–Kraay, Lewbel (2SLS), Oster, structural VARs and quantiles were used. The analysis showed a significant and positive effect of military spending on designated environmental markers such as nitrous oxide, methane and carbon dioxide. This implies that although they do not manufacture weapons, African countries are affected by military spending, which contributes to environmental degradation. It is therefore essential that military spending is regulated in Africa, as the influx of weapons exacerbates conflicts on the continent. Moreover, economic growth is an important factor in transmitting the impact of military spending. On the other hand, African governments need to improve their systems of governance and address long‐standing inequalities in income, education, gender, access to basic services and other aspects. In doing so, countries that have experienced conflict in the past will be able to redirect their military spending towards sectors that bring greater prosperity and prioritise environmental protection.
Contact allergy to SIDAPA baseline series allergens in patients with eyelid dermatitis: An Italian multicentre study
Authors: Stingeni Luca , Foti Caterina , Guarneri Fabrizio , Corazza Monica , Cristaudo Antonio , Ferrucci Silvia Mariel , Gallo Rosella , Martina Emanuela , Musumeci Maria Letizia , Napolitano Maddalena , Nettis Eustachio , Patruno Cataldo , Pigatto Paolo Daniele , Piras Viviana , Schena Donatella , Casciola Gabriele , Antonelli Elettra , Hansel Katharina ,   SIDAPA Study Group
Published: January 2024

Background

Eyelid dermatitis is a frequent reason of dermatological consultation. Its aetiology is not univocal, being contact dermatitis, both allergic and irritant, the most frequent. The primary sources of allergen exposure include cosmetics, metals, and topical medications, from direct, indirect, or airborne contact.

Objectives

To define the frequency of positive patch test reactions to SIDAPA baseline series allergens, to document positive allergens, and to precise the final diagnosis in patients with eyelid involvement.

Methods

A total of 8557 consecutive patients from 12 Italian Dermatology Clinics underwent patch testing with SIDAPA baseline series in 2018 and 2019. Patients were divided into two groups: (i) with eyelid involvement with or without other involved sites (E‐Group) and (ii) without eyelid involvement (NE‐Group). The final diagnosis and the frequency of positive relevant patch test reactions were evaluated.

Results

E‐Group consisted of 688 patients (females 78.6%, mean age 45.3 years), 8.0% of 8557 consecutively patch‐tested patients. The final diagnosis in E‐Group was ADC in 42.4%, ICD in 34.2%, and AD in 30.5%. The highest reaction rates were elicited by nickel sulphate and methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone in both E‐Group and NE‐Group, even if these allergens were significantly more frequently positive in NE‐Group patients than in E‐Group ones. Positive patch test reactions to fragrance Mix II, dimethylaminopropylamine, and sorbitan sesquiolate were significantly more frequent in E‐Group patients than in NE‐Group ones.

Conclusions

Eyelid dermatitis is a frequent dermatological complaint. Allergic contact dermatitis is the most frequent diagnosis commonly caused by nickel sulphate, isothiazolinones, and fragrances. The surfactants dimethylaminopropylamine and sorbitan sesquioleate are emerging causes of eyelid allergic contact dermatitis.
Clinical identification of a specific psychic envelope in families with anorexic symptoms
Authors: Naimi Marie , Sanahuja Almudena
Published: January 2024

Our clinical experience in psychoanalytic family therapy with families where one member has anorexic symptoms has shown that the therapy space is often invaded by the deathly dimension, by an absence of family historicity, and by a lack of autonomy. These different elements appear as “voids,” missing pieces of a family puzzle, and reflect a psychic container damaged by the weight of inherited intergenerational trauma. Rather than disappear, these elements are passed down from one generation to the next, their effects weakening the current group whose psychic envelope develops “holes” and becomes “elastic.” This paper will focus on the changes in this psychic container, which shift according to the rhythm of family functioning, oscillating between activation of the deathly toxic function within the group, on the one hand, and tension between the isomorphic and homomorphic mode, on the other. We will show how this clinical identification around the quality of the psychic envelope and its changes is valuable for family therapy.