bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phylogeography and reassortment patterns of human influenza A viruses in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Owuor D. Collins , de Laurent Zaydah R. , Oketch John W. , Murunga Nickson , Otieno James R. , Chaves Sandra S. , Nokes D. James , Agoti Charles N.
Published: January 2024

Background

The role of sub-Saharan Africa in the global spread of influenza viruses remains unclear due to insufficient spatiotemporal sequence data.

Methods

Here, we analyzed 222 codon-complete sequences of influenza A viruses (IAVs) sampled between 2011 and 2013 from five countries across sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya, Zambia, Mali, Gambia, and South Africa); these genomes were compared with 1,209 contemporaneous global genomes using phylogeographical approaches.

Results

The spread of influenza in sub-Saharan Africa was characterized by (i) multiple introductions of IAVs into the region over consecutive influenza seasons, with viral importations originating from multiple global geographical regions, some of which persisted in circulation as intra-subtype reassortants for multiple seasons, (ii) virus transfer between sub-Saharan African countries, and (iii) virus export from sub-Saharan Africa to other geographical regions.

Conclusion

Despite sparse data from influenza surveillance in sub-Saharan Africa, our findings support the notion that influenza viruses persist as temporally structured migrating metapopulations in which new virus strains can emerge in any geographical region, including in sub-Saharan Africa; these lineages may have been capable of dissemination to other continents through a globally migrating virus population. Further knowledge of the viral lineages that circulate within understudied sub-Saharan Africa regions is required to inform vaccination strategies in those regions.
A revised mathematical model of pre-diagnostic glioma growth incorporating vascularization and tumor mutational burden
Authors: Jain Rishab K.
Published: January 2024

Gliomas, a type of brain tumor, have become increasingly important in oncology as they are difficult to treat due to their location deep in the brain. While some research has been done on spatiotemporal prediction of future glioma growth—something that can aid in surgical resections of gliomas once a patient has been diagnosed—modeling efforts for pre-diagnostic gliomas remain limited. The lack of retrospective, pre-diagnostic data makes this a challenging task; yet, pre-symptomatic serum glucose levels in patients have been shown to have a relationship with the emergence of gliomas, motivating this area of research. In 2015, Sturrock et al. presented an ordinary differential equation model of pre-diagnostic glioma growth that describes glioma-glucose-immune interactions. This report reproduces the major findings of Sturrock et al., revising their model to incorporate more biological phenomena—namely vascularization and mutational burden—testing additional medically relevant patient scenarios, and providing an extended discussion on the implications of the model.In-silicosimulations performed in this report provide further insight into models describing glioma-glucose-immune interactions, and how they can be expanded to incorporate physiologically relevant features. Future work is necessary to refine model parameters and validate predictions with the limited, albeit steadily growing, amount of longitudinal patient data.
Changes in risk factor status and risk of future ASCVD events in primary prevention
Authors: Hwang In-Chang , Kim Chee Hae , Kim Jae-Young , Park Jiesuck , Choi Hye Jung , Choi Hong-Mi , Yoon Yeonyee E. , Cho Goo-Yeong
Published: January 2024

Primary cardiovascular prevention highlights the management of risk factors through lifestyle changes and therapeutic interventions. While most previous studies focused on the presence of risk factors assessed only at baseline, temporal changes in the risk factor status were not considered. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of temporal changes in risk factor status in primary prevention settings. A population-based cohort of 211,077 individuals who underwent repetitive 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk assessments over 4–5 years, was identified from National Health Insurance Services claims data of South Korea. Changes in risk-factor status for blood pressure, glycemic control, cholesterol levels, smoking status, body-mass index, and physical activity were assessed. Hazard ratios (HR) for ASCVD events after follow-up screening were calculated based on increased or decreased risk factors between baseline and follow-up. Regardless of baseline status, increased risk factors correlated with higher future ASCVD risk, while a decrease corresponded to a lower risk. Notably, individuals initially without risk factors but developing three at follow-up faced significantly higher ASCVD risk (adjusted HR 2.74, 95% CI: 1.31– 5.76). Conversely, those decreasing three risk factors from 5 or 6 exhibited almost a 50% reduction in ASCVD risk. These findings show that primary prevention effects can be reflected by changes in risk factor status, underscoring the need to monitor temporal changes in risk factors for effective primary prevention.
Modularity of the segmentation clock and morphogenesis
Authors: Hammond James E. , Baker Ruth E. , Verd Berta
Published: January 2024

Vertebrates have evolved great diversity in the number of segments dividing the trunk body, however the developmental origin of the evolvability of this trait is poorly understood. The number of segments is thought to be determined in embryogenesis as a product of morphogenesis of the pre-somitic mesoderm (PSM) and the periodicity of a molecular oscillator active within the PSM known as the segmentation clock. Here we explore whether the clock and PSM morphogenesis exhibit developmental modularity, as independent evolution of these two processes may explain the high evolvability of segment number. Using a computational model of the clock and PSM parameterised for zebrafish, we find that the clock is broadly robust to variation in morphogenetic processes such as cell ingression, motility, compaction, and cell division. We show that this robustness is in part determined by the length of the PSM and the strength of phase coupling in the clock. As previous studies report no changes to morphogenesis upon perturbing the clock, we suggest that the clock and morphogenesis of the PSM exhibit developmental modularity.
Integrated immunogenomic analyses of high-grade serous ovarian cancer reveal vulnerability to combination immunotherapy
Authors: Gronauer Raphael , Madersbacher Leonie , Monfort-Lanzas Pablo , Floriani Gabriel , Sprung Susanne , Zeimet Alain Gustave , Marth Christian , Fiegl Heidelinde , Hackl Hubert
Published: January 2024

Background

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) remains the most lethal gynecologic malignancy despite new therapeutic concepts, including poly-ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPis) and antiangiogenic therapy. The efficacy of immunotherapies is modest, but clinical trials investigating the potential of combination immunotherapy with PARPis are underway. Homologous recombination repair deficiency (HRD) or BRCAness and the composition of the tumor microenvironment appear to play a critical role in determining the therapeutic response.

Methods

We conducted comprehensive immunogenomic analyses of HGSOC using data from several patient cohorts, including a new cohort from the Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI). Machine learning methods were used to develop a classification model for BRCAness from gene expression data. Integrated analysis of bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing data was used to delineate the tumor immune microenvironment and was validated by immunohistochemistry. The impact of PARPi andBRCA1mutations on the activation of immune-related pathways was studiedin vitrousing ovarian cancer cell lines, RNA sequencing, and immunofluorescence analysis.

Results

We identified a predictive 24-gene signature to determine BRCAness. Comprehensive analysis of the tumor microenvironment allowed us to identify patient samples with BRCAness and high immune infiltration. Further characterization of these samples revealed increased infiltration of immunosuppressive cells, including tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) expressingTREM2,C1QA,andLILRB4,as identified by further analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing data and gene expression analysis of samples from patients receiving combination therapy with PARPi and anti-PD-1. PARPi activated the cGAS-STING signaling pathway and the downstream innate immune response in a similar manner to HGSOC patients with BRCAness status. We have developed a web application (https://ovrseq.icbi.at) and an associated R package OvRSeq, which allow for comprehensive characterization of ovarian cancer patient samples and assessment of a vulnerability score that enables stratification of patients to predict response to the mentioned combination immunotherapy.

Conclusions

Genomic instability in HGSOC affects the tumor immune environment, and TAMs play a crucial role in modulating the immune response. Based on various datasets, we have developed a diagnostic application that uses RNA sequencing data not only to comprehensively characterize HGSOC but also to predict vulnerability and response to combination immunotherapy.
Active Engagement: The Impact of Group-Based Physical Activities on Resilience of Israeli Adolescents with ADHD
Authors: Tamir Yair , Novak Anne Marie , Cohen Itzhak , Adini Bruria , Lev-Ari Shahar
Published: January 2024

Background

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a pressing concern in contemporary pediatric public health, with its prevalence rising among children and teenagers. This study explored the relationship between group-based physical activity and the well-being, resilience, and distress levels of Israeli youth, with a specific focus on those with ADHD.

Methods

This was a survey-based, cross-sectional study that included 699 Jewish Israeli teenagers aged 16 to 19. In addition to quantitative questionnaires that examined sociodemographic factors, resilience, distress, and well-being levels, the youth were asked about participation in group-based physical activities and the significance they ascribe to various facets of the activities.

Results

Our findings indicated that structured and group-based physical activities, especially the Five Fingers program which emphasizes psychosocial development and leadership skills, are associated with higher resilience (p<.01) and lower distress levels (p<.01) in adolescents. Generally, Israeli adolescents with ADHD exhibited lower levels of resilience (p<.001) and well-being (p<.001), and higher levels of distress (p<.001) compared to their counterparts. However, adolescents with ADHD who participated in group-based activities fared better in terms of distress (p<.01) and well-being (p=.018) than adolescents with ADHD who did not participate in organized sports. Further, participation in any form of sport activity, older age, male gender, and a higher socio-economic status predicted greater resilience in youth generally.

Conclusions

The study presents the potential of structured, engaging physical activities that involve psychosocial training and group integration activities to improve the mental health of adolescents, especially in the context of ADHD.
Evaluation of aortic valve calcification in patients with suspected cardiac amyloidosis
Authors: Ng Daniel , Moussa Karine , Allinson Francis W. , Behroozian Adam A. , Jordan Timothy M. , Puglisi Leah , Stinis Curtiss T. , Teirstein Paul S. , Mohan Rajeev C.
Published: January 2024

Background

The association between transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (TTR-CA) and aortic stenosis (AS) has been described, although the mechanism by which they interact remains unclear. It has previously been proposed that this may be secondary to excess valvular calcification.

Objectives

We propose that patients with suspected cardiac amyloidosis will have increased aortic valve calcification, as evidenced by elevated aortic valve calcium score on CT imaging.

Methods

We retrospectively identified patients with severe AS referred for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) from January 2017 to November 2022. This population was divided into two cohorts; the Likely CA cohort had suspected TTR-CA by echocardiogram while the Unlikely CA cohort did not. Baseline characteristics, echocardiographic data, CT aortic valve calcium scores, and post-procedural complications were compared.

Results

Of the 496 patients analyzed, 145 (29.2%) patients met echocardiographic criteria (interventricular septal thickness (IVS) ≥1.2 cm and average mitral annular systolic s’ ≤ 6 cm/s) for the Likely CA cohort. The Likely CA cohort was more likely to be older, be male, have atrial fibrillation, and have worse renal function. On echocardiogram, the Likely CA cohort had increased hypertrophy, worsened diastolic function, and decreased systolic function. Aortic valve calcium score by CT was not significantly different between the Likely CA and Unlikely CA cohort (2834.95 AU compared to 2852.27 AU, p=0.914). There was no statistically significant difference in post-TAVI complications.

Conclusions

Patients with an echocardiographic profile consistent with TTR-CA had no difference in aortic valve calcification in comparison to a population unlikely to have TTR-CA.
Implementation of pupylation-based proximity labelling in plant biology reveals regulatory factors in cellulose biosynthesis
Authors: Zheng Shuai , Khammy Ouda , Marie Noack Lise Charlotte , De Meyer Andreas , Khan Ghazanfar Abbas , De Winne Nancy , Eeckhout Dominique , van Damme Daniel , Persson Staffan
Published: January 2024

Knowledge about how and where proteins interact provides a pillar for cell biology. Biotin-related proximity labelling approaches are efficiently monitoring protein interactions but may have labelling-related drawbacks. Here, we introduce pupylation-based proximity labelling (PUP-IT) as a tool for protein interaction detection in plant biology. We show that PUP-IT readily confirmed and extended protein interactions for several known protein complexes, across different types of plant systems. To further demonstrate the power of PUP-IT, we used the system to identify protein interactions of the protein complex that underpin cellulose synthesis in plants. Apart from known complex components, we identified the ARF-GEF BEN1 (BFA-VISUALIZED ENDOCYTIC TRAFFICKING DEFECTIVE1). We show that BEN1 contributes to cellulose synthesis by regulating the trafficking of the cellulose synthesis protein complex between the trans-Golgi network and the plasma membrane. Our results, therefore, introduce PUP-IT as a new and powerful proximity labelling system to identify protein interactions in plant cells.
The SV40 virus enhancer functions as a somatic hypermutation-targeting element with potential oncogenic activity
Authors: Šenigl Filip , Soikkeli Anni , Prost Salomé , Schatz David G. , Slavková Martina , Hejnar Jiří , Alinikula Jukka
Published: January 2024

Simian virus 40 (SV40) is a monkey virus associated with several types of human cancers. SV40 is most frequently detected in mesotheliomas, brain and bone tumors and lymphomas, but the mechanism for SV40 tumorigenesis in humans is not clear. SV40 relative Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) causes Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) in humans by expressing truncated large tumor antigen (LT) caused by APOBEC cytidine deaminase family enzymes induced mutations. AID (activation-induced cytidine deaminase), a member of the APOBEC family, is the initiator of the antibody diversification process known as somatic hypermutation (SHM) and its aberrant expression and targeting is a frequent source of lymphomagenesis. In this study, we investigated whether AID-induced mutations could cause truncation of SV40 LT. We demonstrate that the SV40 enhancer has strong SHM targeting activity in several cell types and that AID-induced mutations accumulate to SV40 LT in B cells and kidney cells and cause truncated LT expression in B cells. Our results argue that the ability of the SV40 enhancer to target SHM to LT is a potential source of LT truncation events in various cell types that could contribute to carcinogenesis.
Cryptic genetic structure of the coral host is the primary driver of holobiont assembly in massivePorites
Authors: Scott Carly B , Schott Raegen , Matz Mikhail V
Published: January 2024

The fate of coral reefs in response to climate change depends on their ability to adapt to new environments. The coral animal is buffered from environmental stress by its algal endosymbionts and microbial partners (together, the “holobiont”). However, the flexibility of holobiont community assembly is not well understood, making it difficult to estimate its contribution to coral adaptation. To clarify these processes, we genetically profiled holobiont components (coral, algal symbiont, and microbiome) of massive Porites sampled across two size classes (>2m and <30cm) and ecologically distinct reef sites near Orpheus and Pelorus Islands, Australia. We recovered five major genetic clusters in the coral host, with additional splits within them potentially defining up to ten distinct subclusters. We estimated the relative contributions of the host genetic structure, site, and size class to holobiont community composition. Host genetic structure was the primary driver of both Symbiodiniaceae and microbial communities, indicating strong holobiont specificity in cryptic lineages. In addition, the microbial community was associated with reef site and size class, unlike Symbiodiniaceae that were not significantly affected by either factor. As environmentally segregated, cryptic genetic lineages emerge as a common feature of scleractinian corals, these results emphasize that failure to assess cryptic genetic structure of the coral host may lead to dramatic overestimation of holobiont flexibility.
Prevotellaare major contributors of sialidases in the human vaginal microbiome
Authors: Pelayo Paula , Hussain Fatima A. , Werlang Caroline A. , Wu Chloe , Woolston Benjamin M. , Ribbeck Katharina , Kwon Douglas S. , Balskus Emily P.
Published: January 2024

Elevated bacterial sialidase activity in the female genital tract is strongly associated with poor health outcomes including preterm birth and bacterial vaginosis. These negative effects may arise from sialidase-mediated degradation of the protective mucus layer in the cervicovaginal environment. Prior biochemical studies of vaginal bacterial sialidases have focused solely on the bacterial vaginosis-associated organismGardnerella vaginalis. Despite their implications for sexual and reproductive health, sialidases from other vaginal bacteria have not been characterized. Here, we show that vaginalPrevotellaspecies produce active sialidases that possess variable activity toward mucin. These sialidases are highly conserved across clades ofPrevotellafrom different geographies, hinting at their importance globally. Finally, we find thatPrevotellasialidases, including mucin-degrading enzymes fromPrevotella timonensis, are highly prevalent and abundant in human vaginal metagenomes and metatranscriptomes, Together, our results identifyPrevotellaas a critical source of sialidases in the vaginal microbiome, improving our understanding of this detrimental bacterial activity.

Significance Statement

Sialidase activity in the vaginal microbiome is increased in bacterial vaginosis and strongly associated with other adverse health outcomes. Sialidase enzymes release sialic acid from host-derived glycans in the vaginal environment, altering their structures and functions. However, biochemical studies of vaginal bacterial sialidases have been limited to one genus,Gardnerella. In this work, we identify and characterize multiple active sialidase enzymes in vaginal bacteria of the genusPrevotella. We find thatPrevotellasialidases are more prevalent and abundant in vaginal microbial communities thanGardnerellasialidases. Our work highlightsPrevotellabacteria as an underappreciated source of sialidase activity with important implications for both our understanding of vaginal health and therapeutic development.
Power-law behavior of transcriptional bursting regulated by enhancer–promoter communication
Authors: Wang Zihao , Zhang Zhenquan , Luo Songhao , Zhou Tianshou , Zhang Jiajun
Published: January 2024

Revealing how transcriptional bursting kinetics are genomically encoded is challenging because genome structures are stochastic at the organization level and are suggestively linked to gene transcription. To address this challenge, we develop a generic theoretical framework that integrates chromatin dynamics, enhancer–promoter (E-P) communication, and gene-state switching to study transcriptional bursting. The theory predicts that power law can be a general rule to quantitatively describe bursting modulations by E-P spatial communication. Specifically, burst frequency and burst size are up-regulated by E-P communication strength, following power laws with positive exponents. Analysis of the scaling exponents further reveals that burst frequency is preferentially regulated. Bursting kinetics are down-regulated by E-P genomic distance with negative power-law exponents, and this negative modulation desensitizes at large distances. The mutual information between burst frequency (or burst size) and E-P spatial distance further reveals essential characteristics of the information transfer from E-P communication to transcriptional bursting kinetics. These findings, which are in agreement with experimental observations, not only reveal fundamental principles of E-P communication in transcriptional bursting but also are essential for understanding cellular decision-making.
Unified description of the
Qsq¯q¯
molecular bound states, molecular resonances, and compact tetraquark states in the quark potential model
Authors: Chen Yan-Ke , Wu Wei-Lin , Meng Lu , Zhu Shi-Lin
Published: January 2024

We calculate the mass spectrum of the Qsq¯q¯ (Q=c, b) tetraquark states with JP=(0,1,2)+ using the AL1 quark potential model, which successfully describes the conventional hadron spectrum. We employ the Gaussian expansion method to solve the four-body Schrödinger equation and use the complex scaling method to identify the resonances. With the notation TQs,I(J)Theo.(M), we find several near-threshold bound states and resonances, including Tcs,0(0)Theo.(2350), Tcs,0(0)Theo.(2906), Tbs,0(0)Theo.(5781), Tbs,0(1)Theo.(5840), and Tbs,0(0)Theo.(6240), which are close to the DK¯, D*K¯*, B¯K¯, B¯*K¯, and B¯*K¯* thresholds, respectively. Furthermore, their spatial structures clearly support their molecular natures. The resonance Tcs,0(0)Theo.(2906) with a mass of 2906 MeV, a width of 20 MeV, and quantum numbers I(JP)=0(0+) may serve as a good candidate for the experimental Tcs0(2900) state. We strongly urge the experimental search of the predicted states.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Correlation function for the
Tbb
state: Determination of the binding, scattering lengths, effective ranges, and molecular probabilities
Authors: Feijoo A. , Dai L. R. , Abreu L. M. , Oset E.
Published: January 2024

We perform a study of the B*+B0,B*0B+ correlation functions using an extension of the local hidden gauge approach which provides the interaction from the exchange of light vector mesons and gives rise to a bound state of these components in I=0 with a binding energy of about 21 MeV. After that, we face the inverse problem of determining the low energy observables, scattering length and effective range for each channel, the possible existence of a bound state, and, if found, the couplings of such a state to each B*+B0,B*0B+ component as well as the molecular probabilities of each of the channels. We use the bootstrap method to determine these magnitudes and find that, with errors in the correlation function typical of present experiments, we can determine all these magnitudes with acceptable precision. In addition, the size of the source function of the experiment from where the correlation functions are measured can be also determined with a high precision.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Precision measurement of M1 optical clock transition in
Ni12+
Authors: Chen Shaolong , Zhou Zhiqiang , Li Jiguang , Zhang Tingxian , Li Chengbin , Shi Tingyun , Huang Yao , Gao Kelin , Guan Hua
Published: January 2024

Highly charged ions (HCIs) have drawn significant interest in quantum metrology and in the search for new physics. Among these, Ni12+ is considered as one of the most promising candidates for the next generation of HCI optical clocks, due to its two E1-forbidden transitions M1 and E2, which occur in the visible spectral range. In this work, we used the Shanghai-Wuhan electron beam ion trap to perform a high-precision measurement of the M1 transition wavelength. Our approach involved an improved calibration scheme for the spectra, utilizing auxiliary Ar+ lines for calibration and correction. Our final measured result of the M1 transition wavelength demonstrates a fivefold improvement in accuracy compared to our previous findings, reaching the subpicometer level accuracy. In combination with our rigorous atomic-structure calculations to capture the electron correlations and relativistic effects, the quantum electrodynamic corrections were extracted.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Disclination states in nonreciprocal topological networks
Authors: Qin Haoye , Zhang Zhe , Chen Qiaolu , Fleury Romain
Published: January 2024

Recently, nonreciprocal two-dimensional unitary scattering networks have gained considerable interest due to the possibility of obtaining robust edge wave propagation in their anomalous topological insulating phase. However, zero-dimensional states in such networks have been left uncharted. Here, we demonstrate the existence of disclination states in nonreciprocal topological scattering networks. The disclination states can nucleate in every gap of the anomalous phase if a disclination round-trip resonance condition is met, and are carried over to the Chern phase unless the band gap closes. By comparing Chern and anomalous disclination states, we show that only the latter are remarkably robust to random quasienergy fluctuations. Anomalous topological chiral edge states and disclinations can be coupled together to form intriguing disclination bound states in the continuum (BICs) in anomalous topological insulators, a different form of nonreciprocal cavities associated with an extreme confinement and lifetime. Our work broadens the applications of disclination states to microwave, acoustic, or optical scattering networks, with new possibilities in chiral topological lasing, robust nonreciprocal energy squeezing, and switchable lasing and antilasing behavior.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Universal scaling relation and criticality in metabolism and growth of Escherichia coli
Authors: Guan Shaohua , Zhang Zhichao , Zhang Zihan , Shi Hualin
Published: January 2024

The metabolic network plays a crucial role in regulating bacterial metabolism and growth, but it is subject to inherent molecular stochasticity. Previous studies have utilized flux balance analysis and the maximum entropy method to predict metabolic fluxes and growth rates, while the underlying principles governing bacterial metabolism and growth, especially the criticality hypothesis, remain unclear. In this study, we employ a maximum entropy approach to investigate the universality in various constraint-based metabolic networks of . Our findings reveal the existence of universal scaling relations across different nutritional environments and metabolic network models, similarly to the universality observed in physics. By analyzing single-cell data, we confirm that metabolism of operates close to the state with maximum Fisher information, which serves as a signature of criticality. This critical state provides functional advantages such as high sensitivity and long-range correlation. Moreover, we demonstrate that a metabolic system operating at criticality takes a compromise solution between growth and adaptation, thereby serving as a survival strategy in fluctuating environments.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
A transmission electron microscopy study of the crystallographic characteristics of magnetite needles in plagioclase
Authors: Hwang Shyh-Lung , Shen Pouyan , Yui Tzen-Fu , Chu Hao-Tsu , Usui Yoichi
Published: January 2024

The correct and precise crystal forms and the crystallographic orientation relationships (CORs) of ten main magnetite needle groups in the plagioclase host were unequivocally determined by transmission electron microscopy from >100 selected magnetite needles with well defined shape orientations in petrographic thin sections of a gabbro core sample drilled from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The as-observed CORs of magnetite in plagioclase are in accordance with the optimal matching in the oxygen sublattices of the two structures via the close alignment between two sets of close-packed (c.p.) oxygen arrays parallel to {111}m in magnetite (m) and two sets of quasi-c.p. oxygen arrays parallel to (150)p, (150)p, (112)p, (312)p, (021)p or (121)p in plagioclase (p), as demonstrated for the first time in the accumulated oxygen number versus normal distance [from the (hkl) plane] plots. Such a simple oxygen sublattice matching principle does not rely on the length matching for the specific pair of lattice directions or on the d-spacing matching for the specific pair of lattice planes of the two structures, and therefore must be generally applicable for any mineral/oxide inclusions with a c.p. or quasi-c.p. oxygen sublattice formed via precipitation in open or closed systems. The topotaxial nuclei then undergo extended growth along the kinetically fast growth direction of the two structures with the most similar oxygen distribution patterns, i.e. along the normal direction of the aligned pair of oxygen arrays, thereby yielding the pronounced shape orientations such as magnetite needles in plagioclase.
The RAPTR furnace: a rapid heating and cooling sample furnace for in situ X-ray scattering studies of temperature-induced reactions
Authors: Hu Danrui , Beauvais Michelle L. , Mullens Bryce G. , Sanchez Monserrate Bryan A. , Vornholt Simon M. , Kamm Gabrielle E. , Ferrari John J. , Chupas Peter J. , Chapman Karena W.
Published: January 2024

In situ X-ray scattering provides valuable insights into the mechanisms and kinetics of reactions and structural transformations. For reactions and structural transformations primarily driven by temperature, and not coupled to chemical/electrochemical triggers, our ability to initiate and quench processes thermally is a practical limit for probing fast reactive phenomena. Meaningful quantitative analysis requires the dynamic phenomena to be triggered on fast time scales relative to the reaction/transformation kinetics. This article describes a new sample furnace, the Rapid-Actuating Pneumatic Thermal Reactor or RAPTR, for time-resolved in situ X-ray scattering studies initiated by temperature. The RAPTR quickly heats and cools samples by translating them into and out of a pre-heated hot zone. Using diffraction thermometry, it is shown that the samples can be heated/cooled in 10 s or less, with temperatures up to ∼1000°C being accessible. The application of the RAPTR furnace is demonstrated by exploring a fast solid-state reaction: the synthesis of scheelite-type lead tungstate, PbWO4, from PbO and WO3 for which Pb3WO6 is identified as a previously unrecognized reaction intermediate.
Energy consumption and carbon emission of conventional and green buildings using building information modelling (BIM)
Authors: Kusi Elijah , Boateng Isaac , Danso Humphrey
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Using building information modelling (BIM) technology, a conventional structure in this study was converted into a green building to measure its energy usage and CO2 emissions.

Design/methodology/approach

Digital images of the existing building conditions were captured using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and were fed into Meshroom to generate the building’s geometry for 3D parametric model development. The model for the existing conventional building was created and converted to an energy model and exported to gbXML in Autodesk Revit for a whole building analysis which was carried out in the Green Building Studio (GBS). In the GBS, the conventional building was retrofitted into a green building to explore their energy consumption and CO2 emission.

Findings

By comparing the green building model to the conventional building model, the research found that the green building model saved 25% more energy while emitting 46.8% less CO2.

Practical implications

The study concluded that green building reduces energy consumption, thereby reducing the emission of CO2 into the environment. It is recommended that buildings should be simulated at the design stage to know their energy consumption and carbon emission performance before construction.

Social implications

Occupant satisfaction, operation cost and environmental safety are essential for sustainable or green buildings. Green buildings increase the standard of living and enhance indoor air quality.

Originality/value

This investigation aided in a pool of information on how to use BIM methodology to retrofit existing conventional buildings into green buildings, showing how green buildings save the environment as compared to conventional buildings.
Environmental awareness and firm creation
Authors: Arin K. Peren , De Iudicibus Alessandro , Sayour Nagham , Spagnolo Nicola
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study tests whether environmental awareness affects firm creation by using Google Trends data and a novel region-level data set from Italy.

Design/methodology/approach

Forward-looking entrepreneurs drive firm creation. The authors hypothesize that more environmentally conscious entrepreneurs will emerge as environmental awareness rises, increasing the number of green and energy firms. The authors test the prediction using Google Trends data and a novel region-level data set from Italy.

Findings

The authors find that not only the number of green and energy-innovative firms but also that of all innovative start-ups increases with rising environmental consciousness. The results imply some “innovation spillover” effects from green sectors to other industries with rising environmental awareness.

Originality/value

The paper hypothesizes that as environmental awareness rises, more environmental-conscious entrepreneurs will emerge, which would increase the number of green and energy firms. Robustness and falsification tests are also offered.
Fabrication of thermal insulation sodium alginate/SiO2 composite aerogel with superior radiative cooling function for firefighting clothing
Authors: Jiang Qing , Wan Yuhang , Li Xiaoqian , Qu Xueru , Ouyang Shengnan , Qin Yi , Zhu Zhenyu , Wang Yushu , He Hualing , Yu Zhicai
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the thermal performance of sodium alginate (SA) aerogel attached to nano SiO2 and its radiative cooling effect on firefighting clothing without environmental pollution.

Design/methodology/approach

SA/SiO2 aerogel with refractory heat insulation and enhanced radiative cooling performance was fabricated by freeze-drying method, which can be used in firefighting clothing. The microstructure, chemical composition, thermal stability, and thermal emissivity were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analyzer and infrared emissivity measurement instrument. The radiative cooling effect of aerogel was studied using thermal infrared imager and thermocouple.

Findings

When the addition of SiO2 is 25% of SA, the prepared aerogel has excellent heat insulation and a high radiative cooling effect. Under a clear sky, the temperature of SA/SiO2 aerogel is 9.4°C lower than that of pure SA aerogel and 22.1°C lower than that of the simulated environment. In addition, aerogel has more exceptional heat insulation effect than other common fabrics in the heat insulation performance test.

Research limitations/implications

SA/SiO2 aerogel has passive radiative cooling function, which can efficaciously economize global energy, and it is paramount to environment-friendly cooling.

Practical implications

This method could pave the way for high-performance cooling materials designed for firefighting clothing to keep maintain the wearing comfort of firefighters.

Originality/value

SA/SiO2 aerogel used in firefighting clothing can release heat to the low-temperature outer space in the form of thermal radiation to achieve its own cooling purpose, without additional energy supply.

Graphical abstract
Carbon management and the global value chain: have carbon emissions been reduced?
Authors: Pan Lipeng , Li Yongqing , Fu Xiao , Lee Chyi Lin
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the pathways of carbon transfer in 200 US corporations along with the motivations that drive such transfers. The particular focus is on each firm’s embeddedness in the global value chain (GVC) and the influence of environmental law, operational costs and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The insights gleaned bridge a gap in the literature surrounding GVCs and corporate carbon transfer.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology comprised a two-step research approach. First, the authors used a two-sided fixed regression to analyse the relationship between each firm’s embeddedness in the GVC and its carbon transfers. The sample consisted of 217 US firms. Next, the authors examined the influence of environmental law, operational costs and CSR on carbon transfers using a quantitative comparison analysis. These results were interpreted through the theoretical frameworks of the GVC and legitimacy theory.

Findings

The empirical results indicate positive relationships between carbon transfers and GVC embeddedness in terms of both a firm’s position and its degree. From the quantitative comparison, the authors find that the pressure of environmental law and operational costs motivate these transfers through the value chain. Furthermore, CSR does not help to mitigate transfers.

Practical implications

The findings offer insights for policymakers, industry and academia to understand that, with globalised production and greater value creation, transferring carbon to different parts of the GVC – largely to developing countries – will only become more common. The underdeveloped nature of environmental technology in these countries means that global emissions will likely rise instead of fall, further exacerbating global warming. Transferring carbon is not conducive to a sustainable global economy. Hence, firms should be closely regulated and given economic incentives to reduce emissions, not simply shunt them off to the developing world.

Social implications

Carbon transfer is a major obstacle to effectively reducing carbon emissions. The responsibilities of carbon transfer via GVCs are difficult to define despite firms being a major consideration in such transfers. Understanding how and why corporations engage in carbon transfers can facilitate global cooperation among communities. This knowledge could pave the way to establishing a global carbon transfer monitoring network aimed at preventing corporate carbon transfer and, instead, encouraging emissions reduction.

Originality/value

This study extends the literature by investigating carbon transfers and the GVC at the firm level. The authors used two-step research approach including panel data and quantitative comparison analysis to address this important question. The authors are the primary study to explore the motivation and pathways by which firms transfer carbon through the GVC.
Capital structure and momentum strategies
Authors: Li George , Li Ming , Liu Shuming
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate whether or not a firm’s capital structure can interact with past stock returns to affect future stock returns. Specifically, the authors examine whether or not capital structure can help improve momentum profit.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the US common stocks data from 1965 to 2022 to empirically examine the impact of capital structure on momentum profit.

Findings

When capital structure is measured either as the ratio of debt to asset or the ratio of liability to asset, we all find out that momentum strategies tend to be more profitable for stocks with large capital structure.

Originality/value

Besides documenting the empirical evidence of the impact of capital structure on momentum profit, the authors also present a simple explanation for their empirical results and show that their finding is consistent with the behavioral finance theory that characterizes investors’ increased psychological bias and the more limited arbitrage opportunity when the estimation of firm value becomes more difficult or less accurate.
The role of organizational learning and innovative organizational culture for ambidextrous innovation
Authors: AlSaied Mohammad Khalid , Alkhoraif Abdullah Abdulaziz
Published: January 2024

Purpose

In the era of hyper-competitiveness, firms, especially project-based management structures, have to focus on ideas for both new and existing sets of products and services, i.e. ambidextrous innovation. The ambidextrous innovation can be helpful, but achieving such a level is a problem to be solved. This study aims to yield ambidextrous innovation by using innovative culture and knowledge that has been gained from learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The present research collected data from Saudi Arabian public-sector firms. The data collected is analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The findings of the study suggest that a range of factors can be operationalized in project-based firms to establish organizational learning and innovation culture. These factors include agile-based project management, leveraging existing innovative capabilities and growth mindset in case of innovative organizational culture and additional factors of agile-based knowledge management along with others in case of organizational learning. The PLS-SEM further concluded that both organizational learning and innovative organizational culture, in turn, help project-based Saudi Arabian public-sector firms to develop their ambidextrous innovation capability.

Originality/value

The PLS-SEM further concluded that both the organizational learning and innovative organizational culture, in turn, help project-based Saudi Arabian public-sector firms to develop their ambidextrous innovation capability.
Microplastic fibres affect soil fungal communities depending on drought conditions with consequences for ecosystem functions
Authors: Lozano Y. M. , Dueñas J. F. , Zordick C. , Rillig M. C.
Published: January 2024

Microplastics affect soil functions depending on drought conditions. However, how their combined effect influences soil fungi and their linkages with ecosystem functions is still unknown. To address this, we used rhizosphere soil from a previous experiment in which we employed microplastic fibres addition and drought in a factorial design, and evaluated their effects on soil fungal communities. Microplastics decreased soil fungal richness under well‐watered conditions, likely linked to microplastics leaching toxic substances into the soil, and microplastic effects on root fineness. Under drought, by contrast, microplastics increased pathogen and total fungal richness, likely related to microplastic positive effects on soil properties, such as water holding capacity, porosity or aggregation. Soil fungal richness was the attribute most affected by microplastics and drought. Microplastics altered the relationships between soil fungi and ecosystem functions to the point that many of them flipped from positive to negative or disappeared. The combined effect of microplastics and drought on fungal richness mitigated their individual negative effect (antagonism), suggesting that changes in soil water conditions may alter the action mode of microplastics in soil. Microplastic leaching of harmful substances can be mitigated under drought, while the improvement of soil properties by microplastics may alleviate such drought conditions.
Investigation of the association between the Toll‐like receptor 1 rs4833095 variation and gastric adenocarcinoma recurrence
Authors: Dang Yuan , Huang Jingyun , Lin Chen , Xu Shaohua
Published: January 2024

Background

Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are a family of transmembrane receptors that play key roles in identifying invading pathogens and activating innate immunity. TLR1 has been reported to be associated with the risk of gastric cancer (GC) but that was based on only a simple statistical analysis.

Methods

We genotyped the TLR1 in 526 GC patients to investigate the association between the variation and gastric cancer survival by the multiplex polymerase chain reaction and sequencing method. The rs4833095 variation (chr4:38798089 [GRCh38. p14], T > C) in the TLR1 gene was genotyped in 526 patients who underwent GC resection. The associations between genotype, survival, and recurrence were investigated. The potential role of TLR1 in stomach cancer was investigated using clinical data from formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue samples.

Results

Patients with the T/C and C/C genotypes of rs4833095 had a lower risk of recurrence than those with the T/T genotype. Recurrence‐free periods were substantially longer in patients with the T/C or C/C genotypes (22.6 and 22.3 months, respectively) than in those with the T/T genotype (20.7 months). Patients with the T/C or C/C genotype, low expression levels of VEGF1, high expression levels of ERBB2 and ERCC1, the absence of cancer nodules, a tumor size of less than 5 cm, and poor differentiation had a considerably reduced risk of recurrence.

Conclusions

TLR1 rs4833095 was correlated with the postresection prognosis of patients with gastric cancer, suggesting that TLR1 may have a role in the onset or progression of gastric cancer.
On a need‐to‐know basis: Young children distinguish conventional and privileged information
Authors: Behrend Douglas A. , Girgis Helana , Stevens Rachel
Published: January 2024

Young children are biased to treat new information communicated to them as conventional, shareable, and known by others in their community. However, some information is privileged in the sense that is not intended to be shared with or known by all. The current study compared judgements regarding sharing conventional versus privileged information. Seventy‐four 3‐ to 5‐year‐olds and adults responded to vignettes in which a protagonist had to decide whether to share conventional (an object name) or privileged information (surprise). Consistent with our hypothesis, there was no developmental change in sharing judgements for conventional information but a clear decrease with age for sharing privileged information. Nonetheless, even 3‐year‐olds were more likely to judge that conventional information should be shared more than privileged information, though this difference increased with age. While children overall treat information as shareable, there is an emerging ability to distinguish how conventional versus privileged information should be shared.