bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-affinity detection of endogenously biotinylated neuroligin-1 at excitatory and inhibitory synapses using a tagged knock-in mouse strain
Authors: Ducrot Charles , Drouet Adèle , Tessier Béatrice , Desquines Chloé , Mazzouzi Rania-Cérine , Favereaux Alexandre , Letellier Mathieu , Thoumine Olivier
Published: June 2024

Neuroligins (NLGNs) are important cell adhesion molecules mediating trans-synaptic contacts between neurons. However, the high-yield biochemical isolation and visualization of endogenous NLGNs have been hampered by the lack of efficient antibodies to these proteins. Thus, to reveal their sub-cellular distribution, binding partners, and synaptic function, NLGNs have been extensively manipulated using knock-down, knock-out, or over-expression approaches, overall leading to controversial results. As an alternative to the manipulation of NLGN expression level, we describe here the generation of a new transgenic mouse strain in which native NLGN1 was N-terminally tagged with a small biotin acceptor peptide (bAP) that can be enzymatically biotinylated by the exogenous delivery of biotin ligase. After showing that knock-in mice exhibit normal behavior as well as similar synaptic number, ultrastructure, transmission properties, and protein expression levels when compared to wild type counterparts, we exploited the fact that biotinylated bAP-NLGN1 can be selectively isolated or visualized using high-affinity streptavidin conjugates. Using immunoblotting and immunofluorescence, we show that bAP-NLGN1 binds both PSD-95 and gephyrin and distributes equally well at excitatory and inhibitory synapses, challenging the historical view that NLGN1 is exclusively localized at excitatory synapses. Using super-resolution fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy, we further highlight that bAP-NLGN1 forms in the synaptic cleft a subset of nanodomains each containing a few NLGN1 dimers, while the number of nanodomains per synapse positively scales with the post-synapse size. Overall, our study not only provides a novel, extensively characterized transgenic mouse model which will be made available to the scientific community, but also an unprecedented view of the nanoscale organization of endogenous NLGN1.
Mutant HTT protein decreases with CAG repeat expansion: implications for therapeutics and bioassays
Authors: Landles Christian , Osborne Georgina F. , Phillips Jemima , Pico Maria Canibano , Nita Iulia M. , Ali Nadira , Greene Jonathan R. , Sathasivam Kirupa , Bates Gillian P.
Published: June 2024

Huntington’s disease is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion that encodes a polyglutamine tract in the HTT protein. The mutant CAG repeat is unstable and expands in specific brain cells and peripheral tissues throughout life. Genes involved in the DNA mismatch repair pathways, known to act on expansion, have been identified as genetics modifiers, therefore, it is the rate of somatic CAG repeat expansion that drives the age of onset and rate of disease progression. In the context of an expanded CAG repeat, theHTTpre-mRNA can be alternatively processed to generate theHTT1atranscript, that encodes the aggregation prone and highly pathogenic HTT1a protein. This may be a mechanism through which somatic CAG repeat expansion exerts its pathogenic effects, as the longer the CAG repeat, the moreHTT1aand HTT1a is produced.

The allelic series of knock-in mouse models:HdhQ20,HdhQ50,HdhQ80,HdhQ111, CAG140 and zQ175 with polyQ expansions of 20, 50, 80, 111 140 and ∼190 can be used to model the molecular and cellular consequences of CAG repeat expansion within a single neuron. By western blot of cortical lysates, we found that mutant HTT levels decreased with increasing CAG repeat length; mutant HTT was only 23% and 10% of wild-type levels in CAG140 and zQ175 cortices, respectively. To identify the optimal bioassays for detecting the full-length HTT and HTT1a isoforms, we interrogated the pairwise combinations of seven well-characterized antibodies on both the HTRF and MSD platforms. In total we tested 32 HTRF and 32 MSD assays to detect ‘full-length mutant HTT’, HTT1a, ‘total mutant HTT’ (full-length HTT and HTT1a) and ‘total full-length HTT’ (mutant and wild type). None of these assays recapitulated the full-length mutant HTT levels as measured by western blot. We recommend using isoform- and species-specific assays that detect either full-length mutant HTT, HTT1a or wild-type HTT as opposed to those that detect more than one isoform simultaneously.

Our finding that as the CAG repeat expands, full-length mutant HTT levels decrease, whilstHTT1aand HTT1a levels increase has implications for therapeutic strategies. If mutant HTT levels in cells containing (CAG)200are only 10% of wild-type, HTT-lowering strategies targeting full-lengthHTTat sequences 3’ to intron 1HTTwill predominantly lower wild-type HTT, as mutant HTT levels in these cells are already depleted. These data support a therapeutic strategy that lowersHTT1aand depletes levels of the HTT1a protein.
Neural crest and periderm-specific requirements ofIrf6during neural tube and craniofacial development
Authors: Carroll Shannon H. , Schafer Sogand , Dalessandro Eileen , Ho Thach-Vu , Chai Yang , Liao Eric C.
Published: June 2024

IRF6is a key genetic determinant of syndromic and non-syndromic cleft lip and palate. The ability to interrogate post-embryonic requirements ofIrf6has been hindered, as globalIrf6ablation in the mouse causes neonatal lethality. Prior work analyzingIrf6in mouse models defined its role in the embryonic surface epithelium and periderm where it is required to regulate cell proliferation and differentiation. Several reports have also describedIrf6gene expression in other cell types, such as muscle, and neuroectoderm. However, analysis of a functional role in non-epithelial cell lineages has been incomplete due to the severity and lethality of theIrf6knockout model and the paucity of work with a conditionalIrf6allele. Here we describe the generation and characterization of a newIrf6floxed mouse model and analysis ofIrf6ablation in periderm and neural crest lineages. This work found that loss ofIrf6in periderm recapitulates a mildIrf6null phenotype, suggesting thatIrf6-mediated signaling in periderm plays a crucial role in regulating embryonic development. Further, conditional ablation ofIrf6in neural crest cells resulted in an anterior neural tube defect of variable penetrance. The generation of this conditionalIrf6allele allows for new insights into craniofacial development and new exploration into the post-natal role ofIrf6.
Insights from the past: the work of Hans von Alten on the evolution of brain structure, ecological adaptation, and cognition in hymenopteran species
Authors: Menzel Randolf , Rybak Jürgen
Published: June 2024

In his treatise on arthropod brains, Hans von Alten (1910) focuses on a specific functional group of insects—the flying Hymenoptera—which exhibit a spectrum of lifestyles ranging from solitary to social. His work presents a distinctive comparative neuro-anatomical approach rooted in an eco-evolutionary and eco-behavioral background. We regard his publication as an exceptionally valuable source of information and seek to inspire the research community dedicated to the study of the insect brain to explore its insights further, even after more than 110 years. We have translated and annotated his work, expecting it to engage researchers not just with its remarkable drawings but also with its substantive content and exemplary research strategy. The present text is designed to complement von Alten's publication, situating it within the temporal context of nineteenth-century and early twentieth-century studies, and to draw connections to contemporary perspectives, especially concerning a central brain structure: the mushroom body.
Metal additive manufacturing for particle accelerator applications
Authors: Romano Tobia , Pikurs Guntis , Ratkus Andris , Torims Toms , Delerue Nicolas , Vretenar Maurizio , Stepien Lukas , López Elena , Vedani Maurizio
Published: June 2024

Metal additive manufacturing technologies are rapidly becoming an integral part of the advanced technological portfolio for the most demanding industrial applications. These processes are capable of fabricating three-dimensional components with near-net shape quality by depositing the constituent materials in a layer-by-layer fashion. This fabrication approach provides numerous advantages over conventional manufacturing methods, including enhanced design flexibility, reduced production costs and lead times, rapid prototyping, and the possibility to repair damaged parts. In recent years, the growing demand for novel accelerator components with improved performance characteristics, integrating structures such as drift tubes and internal cooling channels, has prompted the exploration of additive manufacturing in the field of particle accelerators. Radio-frequency components, beam intercepting devices, and vacuum systems have been prototyped using various metallic materials and additive manufacturing technologies, demonstrating performance levels comparable to the conventionally manufactured counterparts in preliminary tests. However, the absence of established qualification protocols and the uncertain reliability of additively manufactured parts under the demanding conditions typical of accelerator applications pose significant challenges to the integration of additive manufacturing processes into the fabrication practices of these components. This paper provides a comprehensive review of documented applications of metal additive manufacturing in particle accelerators, highlighting benefits, challenges, and opportunities for future improvements. The main requirements and currently available test setups for the assessment of additively manufactured components in applications involving ultrahigh vacuum and intense electromagnetic fields are also discussed.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Luminosity and beam-induced background studies for the Cool Copper Collider
Authors: Ntounis Dimitrios , Nanni Emilio Alessandro , Vernieri Caterina
Published: June 2024

A high-energy electron-positron collider has been widely recognized by the particle physics community to be the next crucial step for detailed studies of the Higgs boson and other fundamental particles and processes. Several proposals for such colliders, either linear or circular, are currently under evaluation. Any such collider will be required to reach high lumimosities, in order to collect enough data at a reasonable time scale, while at the same time coping with high rates of background particles produced from beam-beam interactions during the collisions. In this paper, we analyze the luminosity and beam-beam interaction characteristics of the Cool Copper Collider (C3) and perform a comparison with other linear collider proposals. We conclude that C3 can reach the same or higher collision rates as the other proposals, without having to cope with higher beam-induced background fluxes. Thus, C3 emerges as an attractive option for a future electron-positron collider, benefiting from the collective advancements in beam delivery and final focus system technologies developed by other linear collider initiatives.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Testing axionic dark matter during gravitational reheating
Authors: Barman Basabendu , Datta Arghyajit
Published: June 2024

Assuming axions are potential dark matter (DM) candidate that make up all of the DM abundance, we discuss production of axions via (i) standard misalignment mechanism during the period of reheating and (ii) graviton-mediated 2-to-2 scattering of the inflaton and bath particles, where the inflaton ϕ oscillates in a monomial potential V(ϕ)∝ϕk with a general equation of state. Considering reheating takes place purely gravitationally, mediated by massless gravitons, we explore the viable region of the parameter space that agrees with the observed DM relic abundance, satisfying bounds from big bang nucleosynthesis and cosmic microwave background radiation. We also discuss complementarity between dedicated axion search experiments and futuristic gravitational wave search facilities in probing the viable parameter space, thanks to the presence of detectable primordial gravitational waves with an inflationary origin.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Toward a classification of PT-symmetric quantum systems: From dissipative dynamics to topology and wormholes
Authors: García-García Antonio M. , Sá Lucas , Verbaarschot Jacobus J. M. , Yin Can
Published: June 2024

Studies of many-body non-Hermitian parity-time (PT)-symmetric quantum systems are attracting a lot of interest due to their relevance in research areas ranging from quantum optics and continuously monitored dynamics to Euclidean wormholes in quantum gravity and dissipative quantum chaos. While a symmetry classification of non-Hermitian systems leads to 38 universality classes, we show that, under certain conditions, PT-symmetric systems are grouped into 24 universality classes. We identify 14 of them in a coupled two-site Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev (SYK) model and confirm the classification by spectral analysis using exact diagonalization techniques. Intriguingly, in 4 of these 14 universality classes, AIIIν, BDIν†, BDI++ν, and CI−−ν, we identify a basis in which the SYK Hamiltonian has a block structure in which some blocks are rectangular, with ν∈N the difference between the number of rows and columns. We show analytically that this feature leads to the existence of ν robust purely eigenvalues, whose level statistics follow the predictions of Hermitian random matrix theory for classes A, AI, BDI, and CI, respectively. We have recently found that this ν is a topological invariant, so these classes are topological. By contrast, nontopological real eigenvalues display a crossover between Hermitian and non-Hermitian level statistics. Similarly to the case of Lindbladian dynamics, the reduction of universality classes leads to unexpected results, such as the absence of Kramers degeneracy in a given sector of the theory. Another novel feature of the classification scheme is that different sectors of the PT-symmetric Hamiltonian may have different symmetries.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Gluon moment and parton distribution function of the pion from
Nf=2+1+1
lattice QCD
Authors: Good William , Hasan Kinza , Chevis Allison , Lin Huey-Wen
Published: June 2024

We present the first calculation of the pion gluon moment from lattice QCD in the continuum-physical limit. The calculation is done using clover fermions for the valence action with three pion masses, 220, 310 and 690 MeV, and three lattice spacings, 0.09, 0.12, and 0.15 fm, using ensembles generated by MILC Collaboration with 2+1+1 flavors of highly improved staggered quarks (HISQ). On the lattice, we nonperturbatively renormalize the gluon operator in RI/MOM scheme using the cluster-decomposition error reduction (CDER) technique to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of the renormalization constant. We extrapolate the pion gluon moment to the continuum-physical limit and obtain ⟨x⟩g=0.394(58)stat+NPR(39)mixing in the MS¯ scheme at 2 GeV, with first error being the statistical error and uncertainties in nonperturbative renormalization, and the second being a systematic uncertainty estimating the effect of ignoring quark mixing. Our pion gluon momentum fraction has a central value lower than two recent single-ensemble lattice-QCD results near physical pion mass but is consistent with the recent global fits by JAM and xFitter and with most QCD-model estimates.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Simulating a numerical UV completion of quartic Galileons
Authors: Gerhardinger Mary , Giblin John T. , Tolley Andrew J. , Trodden Mark
Published: June 2024

The Galileon theory is a prototypical effective field theory that incorporates the Vainshtein screening mechanism—a feature that arises in some extensions of general relativity, such as massive gravity. The Vainshtein effect requires that the theory contain higher order derivative interactions, which results in Galileons, and theories like them, failing to be technically well posed. While this is not a fundamental issue when the theory is correctly treated as an effective field theory, it nevertheless poses significant practical problems when numerically simulating this model. These problems can be tamed using a number of different approaches: introducing an active low-pass filter and/or constructing a UV completion at the level of the equations of motion, which controls the high momentum modes. These methods have been tested on cubic Galileon interactions, and have been shown to reproduce the correct low-energy behavior. Here we show how the numerical UV-completion method can be applied to quartic Galileon interactions, and present the first simulations of the quartic Galileon model using this technique. We demonstrate that our approach can probe physics in the regime of the effective field theory in which the quartic term dominates, while successfully reproducing the known results for cubic interactions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Stabilizer entropy of quantum tetrahedra
Authors: Cepollaro Simone , Chirco Goffredo , Cuffaro Gianluca , Esposito Gianluca , Hamma Alioscia
Published: June 2024

How complex is the structure of quantum geometry? In several approaches, the spacetime atoms are obtained by the SU(2) intertwiner called quantum tetrahedron. The complexity of this construction has a concrete consequence in recent efforts to simulate such models and toward experimental demonstrations of quantum gravity effects. There are, therefore, both a computational and an experimental complexity inherent to this class of models. In this paper, we study this complexity under the lens of (SE). We calculate the SE of the gauge-invariant basis states and its average in the SU(2)-gauge invariant subspace. We find that the states of definite volume are singled out by the (near) maximal SE and give precise bounds to the verification protocols for experimental demonstrations on available quantum computers.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Stairway to equilibrium entropy
Authors: Rougemont Romulo , Barreto Willians
Published: June 2024

We compute the time evolution of the nonequilibrium entropy in the homogeneous isotropization dynamics of the 1 R-Charge Black Hole model, which has a critical point in its conformal phase diagram defined at finite temperature and R-charge density. We also evaluate the time evolution of the pressure anisotropy and the scalar condensate of the medium. We disclose a new feature (not present in the Bjorken flow dynamics analyzed in previous works), which is observed for all the analyzed initial data: the formation of a periodic sequence of several close plateaus in the form of a stairway for the entropy density near thermodynamic equilibrium. We find that the period of plateau formation in the stairway is half the period of oscillations of the slowest quasinormal mode of the system, which is therefore strongly tied to the late-time dissipative dynamics of the system associated with the irreversibility of entropy production. For the particular case of the purely thermal Supersymmetric Yang-Mills plasma at zero density and vanishing scalar condensate, we find that the period of the stairway is half the period of oscillations of the slowest quasinormal mode associated with the late-time equilibration of the pressure anisotropy of the fluid, while at finite chemical potential the slowest quasinormal mode of the system is associated with the late-time equilibration of the scalar condensate.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Topological defects as nucleation points of the nematic-isotropic phase transition in liquid crystal shells
Authors: Han Yucen , Lagerwall Jan , Majumdar Apala
Published: June 2024

The transition from a nematic to an isotropic state in a self-closing spherical liquid crystal shell with tangential alignment is a stimulating phenomenon to investigate, as the topology dictates that the shell exhibits local isotropic points at all temperatures in the nematic phase range, in the form of topological defects. The defects may thus be expected to act as nucleation points for the phase transition upon heating beyond the bulk nematic stability range. Here we study this peculiar transition, theoretically and experimentally, for shells with two different configurations of four +1/2 defects, finding that the defects act as the primary nucleation points if they are co-localized in each other's vicinity. If the defects are instead spread out across the shell, they again act as nucleation points, albeit not necessarily the primary ones. Beyond adding to our understanding of how the orientational order-disorder transition can take place in the shell geometry, our results have practical relevance for, e.g., the use of curved liquid crystals in sensing applications or for liquid crystal elastomer actuators in shell shape, undergoing a shape change as a result of the nematic-isotropic transition.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Crystal structure of tris{N,N-diethyl-N′-[(4-nitrophenyl)(oxo)methyl]carbamimidothioato}cobalt(III)
Authors: Roecker Lee , Parkin Sean
Published: June 2024

The synthesis, crystal structure, and a Hirshfeld surface analysis of tris{N,N-diethyl-N′-[(4-nitrophenyl)(oxo)methyl]carbamimidothioato}cobalt(III) conducted at 180 K are presented. The complex consists of three N,N-diethyl-N′-[(4-nitrobenzene)(oxo)methyl]carbamimidothioato ligands, threefold symmetrically bonded about the CoIII ion, in approximately octahedral coordination, which generates a triple of individually near planar metallacyclic (Co—S—C—N—C—O) rings. The overall geometry of the complex is determined by the mutual orientation of each metallacycle about the crystallographically imposed threefold axis [dihedral angles = 81.70 (2)°] and by the dihedral angles between the various planar groups within each asymmetric unit [metallacycle to benzene ring = 13.83 (7)°; benzene ring to nitro group = 17.494 (8)°]. The complexes stack in anti-parallel columns about the \overline{3} axis of the space group (P\overline{3}), generating solvent-accessible channels along [001]. These channels contain ill-defined, multiply disordered, partial-occupancy solvent. Atom–atom contacts in the crystal packing predominantly (∼96%) involve hydrogen, the most abundant types being H...H (36.6%), H...O (31.0%), H...C (19.2%), H...N (4.8%), and H...S (4.4%).
Investigating the development of narratives in directors' reports: an analysis of Barilla over six decades
Authors: Gianfelici Cristina , Martin-Sardesai Ann , Guthrie James
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This research explores how contextual elements and significant events influence the changing storylines within a company's directors' reports spanning a period of six decades. These elements and events encompass the internal dynamics of the family that owns the company, industry-specific advancements, political and socioeconomic climates, and explicit guidelines related to corporate reporting.

Design/methodology/approach

This research employs a case study methodology to analyse the directors' reports of Barilla, a prominent Italian food manufacturer, within the theoretical framework of historical institutionalism. A systematic content analysis is conducted on sixty directors' reports published between 1961 and 2021. The study also identifies and examines significant contextual events within this six-decade period, which are linked to four key institutional factors.

Findings

Based on the research findings, the directors' reports exhibited notable fluctuations throughout the studied timeframe in reaction to shifts in the institutional setting. Our investigation highlights that each institutional element experienced crucial pivotal moments, and given their interconnected nature, modifications in one factor impacted the others. It was noted that these pivotal moments resulted in alterations in the directors' reports' content across various thematic areas. Additionally, despite Barilla being a multinational company, it was found that national events within Italy had a more pronounced influence on the evolving narratives than global events.

Originality/value

Previous research on directors' reports or chairman's statements has primarily focused on the influence of macro-level institutional factors on the narratives. In contrast, our study considers both macro-level and micro-level institutions, specifically examining the internal events within a family business and how they shape the content of directors' reports. Our study is also distinctive in its analysis of specific critical junctures and their interactions with the investigated institutional factors. Additionally, to the best of our knowledge, few existing studies span a timeframe of sixty years, particularly concerning an Italian company.
Does ownership structure affect carbon emission disclosure?
Authors: Bedi Ankita , Singh Balwinder
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The current research strives to shed light on how ownership structure can impact carbon emission disclosure.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study is based on S&P BSE 500 Indian firms. Using manual content analysis, carbon emission disclosure data were collected from a final sample of 318 nonfinancial Indian firms over seven years, i.e. from 2016–17 to 2022–23, having 2,226 firm-year observations. The panel regression has been employed to examine the association between ownership structure and carbon emissions disclosure.

Findings

The results of the study suggest that ownership structure variables, such as institutional and foreign ownership, exert a positive and significant influence on carbon emission disclosure. Conversely, block-holder ownership is negatively associated with carbon emission disclosure.

Practical implications

This study enriches the emerging literature on environmental disclosure, climate change, carbon emission disclosure and ownership structure.

Social implications

The present research work provides treasured acumens to corporate managers, investors, regulators and policymakers as the study corroborates that ownership structure has an imperative role in firms' carbon emission disclosure.

Originality/value

Existing literature has determined the impact of ownership structure on environmental disclosure. In contrast, the current research extends the climate change literature by providing novel insights into how ownership structure can influence firms’ carbon emission disclosure. Moreover, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present study is the first to scrutinize the relationship between ownership structure and carbon emission disclosure in the Indian context.
Non-linear impedance boundary condition from linear piecewise B-H curve applied to induction heating systems
Authors: Ortega José , Lahuerta Óscar , Carretero Claudio , Martínez Juan Pablo , Acero Jesús
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to apply the non-linear impedance boundary condition (IBC) for a linear piecewise B–H curve in frequency domain simulations to find the equivalent impedance of a simple induction heating system model.

Design/methodology/approach

An electromagnetic description of the inductor system is performed to substitute the effects of the induction load, for a mathematical condition, the so-called IBC. This is suitable to be used in electromagnetic systems involving high conductive materials at medium frequencies, as it occurs in an induction heating system.

Findings

A reduction of the computational cost of electromagnetic simulation through the application of the IBC. The model based on linear piecewise B–H curve simplifies the electromagnetic description, and it can facilitate the identification of the induction load characteristics from experimental measurements.

Practical implications

This work is performed to assess the feasibility of using the non-linear boundary impedance condition of materials with linear piecewise B–H curve to simulate in the frequency domain with a reduced computational cost compared to time domain simulations.

Originality/value

In this paper, the use of the non-linear boundary impedance condition to describe materials with B–H curve by segments, which can approximate any dependence without hysteresis, has been studied. The results are compared with computationally more expensive time domain simulations.
Microfoundations of dynamic capabilities for digital transformation
Authors: Kowalski Mauro , Bernardes Roberto Carlos , Gomes Leonardo , Borini Felipe Mendes
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Scholars increasingly focus on digital transformation as a key strategy for incumbent firms to gain competitive advantages. Meeting digital transformation commitments presents challenges, requiring the application and the reconfiguration of dynamic capabilities. To address this need, this research proposes a framework of dynamic capabilities and its microfoundations to assess the opportunities and challenges regarding digital transformation, involving three dimensions: Digital sensing, digital seizing, and digital reconfiguring.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a descriptive qualitative empirical approach, encompassing a sample of eight companies. Data triangulation was achieved through a combination of in-depth semi-structured interviews and secondary data.

Findings

The research provides evidence that data-driven culture fosters digital transformation and proposes the following new microfoundations: “Analytics for the customer experience journey” and “Digital analytics innovation management”, the internal barriers “Leadership without digital skills” and “Lack of strategic human resources management for digital transformation”, and the internal enablers “Defined strategy for digital transformation” and “Data-driven culture”. Finally, based on empirical results, it was possible to gather clues that link dynamic capabilities with digital maturity.

Practical implications

The application of the proposed framework in companies enables them to develop a roadmap for the digital transition oriented towards their business and management strategies.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature on dynamic capabilities for digital transformation by proposing new theoretical constructs that unearth their microfoundations, barriers, and enablers.
Turbo-RANS: straightforward and efficient Bayesian optimization of turbulence model coefficients
Authors: McConkey Ryley , Kalia Nikhila , Yee Eugene , Lien Fue-Sang
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Industrial simulations of turbulent flows often rely on Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) turbulence models, which contain numerous closure coefficients that need to be calibrated. This paper aims to address this issue by proposing a semi-automated calibration of these coefficients using a new framework (referred to as turbo-RANS) based on Bayesian optimization.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors introduce the generalized error and default coefficient preference (GEDCP) objective function, which can be used with integral, sparse or dense reference data for the purpose of calibrating RANS turbulence closure model coefficients. Then, the authors describe a Bayesian optimization-based algorithm for conducting the calibration of these model coefficients. An in-depth hyperparameter tuning study is conducted to recommend efficient settings for the turbo-RANS optimization procedure.

Findings

The authors demonstrate that the performance of the k-ω shear stress transport (SST) and generalized k-ω (GEKO) turbulence models can be efficiently improved via turbo-RANS, for three example cases: predicting the lift coefficient of an airfoil; predicting the velocity and turbulent kinetic energy fields for a separated flow; and, predicting the wall pressure coefficient distribution for flow through a converging-diverging channel.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this work is the first to propose and provide an open-source black-box calibration procedure for turbulence model coefficients based on Bayesian optimization. The authors propose a data-flexible objective function for the calibration target. The open-source implementation of the turbo-RANS framework includes OpenFOAM, Ansys Fluent, STAR-CCM+ and solver-agnostic templates for user application.
Perceived impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic: does farm households' capability influence food security resilience in Ghana?
Authors: Cobbinah Esther , Alhassan Hamdiyah , Daadi Bundom Edward
Published: June 2024

Purpose

COVID-19 which became a global pandemic in 2020 has had tremendous impacts on several sectors including agriculture. Farm household capability is said to play a major role in ensuring that individuals develop some level of resilience towards the pandemic. This study assesses the perceived impacts of the pandemic on livelihood activities and examines the effects of farm household capability on food security resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

The factor analysis, 2SLS and RIMA methodology were employed to assess the perceived impacts of the pandemic on livelihood activities and examine the effects of farm households' capability on food security resilience. The study is based on farm households in the Northern region of Ghana.

Findings

The study revealed that on a scale of 0 (no impact of the COVID-19 pandemic) to 1 (high impact of the COVID-19 pandemic), a value of 0.641 was obtained which means that the COVID-19 pandemic had a moderate (average) impact on farm households. Farm household capability also increases the food security resilience of farm households.

Practical implications

Government and local leaders should ensure that basic life-sustaining conditions are provided for rural farmers, and farm household capabilities are considered during crises.

Originality/value

Studies have examined impacts of the COVID-19 but little or no attention has been given to farm households' capability to remain resilient amid the COVID-19 shocks on livelihoods.
Education Briefing: A review of problematic investment selection issues associated with IRR and NPV benchmarks
Authors: Larsen James E.
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The aim of this Education Briefing is to comment on the problematic issues that sometimes arise when using the internal rate of return (IRR) and/or the net present value (NPV) as a measure of expected investment performance. The briefing looks at the sometimes conflicting signposts that each benchmark presents and highlights ways that decision-makers can overcome or mitigate the effects of those problematic issues.

Design/methodology/approach

After a short review of the IRR and NPV techniques, this Education Briefing provides numerous examples of problematic issues that arise with certain cash flow profiles and suggests how to address them.

Findings

Both the IRR and NPV provide simple benchmarks that can mislead the decision-maker who is not familiar with the nuances of both techniques.

Practical implications

This review should heighten the reader’s ability to spot characteristics of proposed investments that may signal that a quick decision based on performance metrics may lead to disappointing results. These characteristics include: scale effects, unusual cash flow patterns and/or investments with dissimilar expected lives. Mutually exclusive investments merit special attention.

Originality/value

This is a review of existing performance measurement models.
Regenerative adventure tourism. Going beyond sustainability – a horizon 2050 paper
Authors: Schmidt Rojas Nadine , Sand Manuel S. , Gross Sven
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to provide an overview of the regenerative concept and how this can be implemented in adventure travel. It looks into the history of sustainable adventure tourism and showcases best practice examples. This study is encouraging operators within the adventure tourism industry to adopt a regenerative approach.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive literature review on the paradigm of regenerative tourism has been conducted and applied to the adventure tourism industry. Three case studies of selected adventure tourism operators have been selected to enforce this concept.

Findings

With nature being an essential element of adventure travel, the industry has a long history in terms of sustainability. While tour operators, destination management organisations and other stakeholders are working towards sustainable products, consumers are still convenient and not willing to restrict themselves. The attitude behaviour gap is also noticeable in this segment and a rethinking is necessary. Through the pandemic and the climate crisis, among other aspects, a shift within the tourism industry is inevitable. Adventure tourism can be a role model in this process and good examples from the industry give hope for change. A concept that focuses on the solutions to address the polycrises is regenerative development, which is based on an ecological worldview and a living systems thinking and aims to restore locally visited communities and environments. Numerous operators have already taken measures to help local communities, such as starting projects for nature conservation or encouraging social justice.

Research limitations/implications

This is a conceptual review without an empirical foundation. The best-case examples are based on an Anglo-Western perspective.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to provide an overview of the current state of research into sustainable adventure tourism and categorise it within the concept of regenerative tourism.
Public real estate returns and inflation shocks: The central role of inflation nonneutrality
Authors: Connolly Robert A. , Stivers Chris
Published: June 2024

We study the comovement of public real estate returns and inflation shocks over 1981–2022, using both survey‐based expected inflation and the Consumer Price Index (CPI). We find a complex relation that is: strongly negative during weaker‐economic (WE) times over the 1980s and 1990s, when stagflation was more a concern; strongly positive during WE times over roughly 2000–2022, when low growth with low inflation tended to be more a concern; and marginally negative otherwise. Linking inflation to both macroeconomic fundamentals and real estate operational data, we show that inflation shocks comove with changing beliefs about the underlying economic‐growth state and/or the risk premium. Thus, we argue that inflation nonneutrality has a central role in understanding our findings.
Price customization and targeting in matching markets
Authors: Gomes Renato , Pavan Alessandro
Published: June 2024

We introduce a model of (platform‐mediated) many‐to‐many matching in which agents' preferences are both vertically and horizontally differentiated. We first show how the model can be used to derive the profit‐maximizing matching plans under customized pricing. We then investigate the implications for targeting and welfare of uniform pricing (be it explicitly mandated or induced by privacy regulation), preventing the platform from conditioning prices on agents' profiles. The model can be applied to study ad exchanges, online retailing, and media markets.
Does the cross‐border e‐commerce comprehensive pilot zones policy affect the urban–rural income gap in China?
Authors: He Bing , Xu Da , Nan Guoqi , Zhang Xiaoyu , Yu Xiuxiu
Published: June 2024

With the development of Internet technology and modern supply chains, cross‐border e‐commerce (CBEC) has become one of the most important forms of international trade. The impact of this new mode of trade on economic growth and income disparity is worthy of further examination. This study treats the CBEC pilot zone policy as a quasi‐natural experiment, using the difference‐in‐differences approach to examine its impact on the urban–rural income gap. The findings showed that: (1) This policy significantly widened the urban–rural income gap; (2) innovation, entrepreneurship, and export are important paths toward expanding the impact of the CBEC pilot policy on the income gap, but the digital environment suppresses these expanding paths; and (3) the impact of this policy on the income gap shows distinct regional heterogeneity. This study provides several recommendations on how to promote balanced incomes.
Blending in or standing out? Gendered political communication in 24 democracies
Authors: Castanho Silva Bruno , Pullan Danielle , Wäckerle Jens
Published: June 2024

Women in male‐dominated organizations often must adopt more stereotypical masculine traits to advance within those hierarchies. While politics, historically male‐dominated, should induce women to blend in, increasing numbers of women in parliaments may give women the opportunity to stand out by not adopting a masculine style. This paper investigates how these contradictory incentives influence female Members of Parliament (MPs) in 24 democracies between 1987 and 2022, applying machine learning to 6.8 million parliamentary speeches to measure how feminine is their speaking style. Findings indicate a socialization effect, whereby women adopt a more masculine style the longer they stay in office, even after controlling for their speeches’ topics. The effect is strongest for women in socially progressive parties. This research highlights the role of parliaments as gendered workplaces, which still lead women to adapt to the male norm, and helps us understand the incentives that shape how women represent women in parliament.
A possible association between intraocular pressure changes and pigment epithelial detachment in central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Balaratnasingam Chandrakumar , Curcio Christine A. , Morgan William H. , van Dijk Elon H. C.
Published: June 2024

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a frequently occurring chorioretinal disease, that is commonly associated with subretinal fluid accumulation in a generally young population. Even though choroidal abnormalities have been found to be of importance, the exact pathogenesis of CSC is still being learned. The origin of pigment epithelial detachments, seen in many CSC patients, is also unclear. Based on the follow‐up of a CSC patient for more than 5 years, we hypothesize that intraocular pressure and, by extension, the pressure gradient across the Bruch's membrane, may be one factor in the pathogenesis of pigment epithelial detachments in CSC, which might very well have implications for the occurrence of and possible ways to prevent subretinal fluid in CSC.
Changes in T‐cell subsets occur in interstitial lung disease and may contribute to pathology via complicated immune cascade
Authors: Karaselek Mehmet Ali , Duran Tugce , Kuccukturk Serkan , Vatansev Hulya , Oltulu Pembe
Published: June 2024

The study aimed to investigate the expression profiles of transcription factors, cytokines, and co‐stimulatory molecules in helper T (Th)‐cell subsets within bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples of patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). Twenty ILDs patients were included in the study, comprising those with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) (n:8), autoimmune‐related ILDs (auto‐ILD) (n:4), and orphan diseases (O‐ILD) (n:8), alongside five control subjects. Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate the Th to cytotoxic T cell (CTL) ratio in BAL fluid, while cytopathological examination assessed macrophages, lymphocytes, and neutrophils. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was utilized to investigate the expressions in Th1, Th2, Th17, and regulatory T (Treg) cells. Results revealed elevated Th cell to CTL ratios across all patient groups compared to controls. Furthermore, upregulation of Th1, Th2, Th17, and T‐cell factors was observed in all patient groups compared to controls. Interestingly, upregulation of CD28 and downregulation of CTLA‐4 and PD‐1 gene expression were consistent across all ILDs groups, highlighting potential immune dysregulation. This study provides a comprehensive exploration of molecular immunological mechanisms in ILDs patients, underscoring the dominance of Th2 and Th17 responses and revealing novel findings regarding the dysregulation of CD28, CTLA‐4, and PD‐1 expressions in ILDs for the first time.
Expanding the spectrum of phenotypes for MPDZ: Report of four unrelated families and review of the literature
Authors: Rad Aboulfazl , Bartsch Oliver , Bakhtiari Somayeh , Zhu Changlian , Xu Yiran , Monteiro Fabíola P. , Kok Fernando , Vulto‐van Silfhout Anneke T. , Kruer Michael C. , Bowl Michael R. , Vona Barbara
Published: June 2024

MPDZ, a gene with diverse functions mediating cell–cell junction interactions, receptor signaling, and binding multivalent scaffold proteins, is associated with a spectrum of clinically heterogeneous phenotypes with biallelic perturbation. Despite its clinical relevance, the mechanistic underpinnings of these variants remain elusive, underscoring the need for extensive case series and functional investigations. In this study, we conducted a systematic review of cases in the literature through two electronic databases following the PRISMA guidelines. We selected nine studies, including 18 patients, with homozygous or compound heterozygous variants in MPDZ and added five patients from four unrelated families with novel MPDZ variants. To evaluate the role of Mpdz on hearing, we analyzed available auditory electrophysiology data from a knockout murine model (Mpdzem1(IMPC)J/em1(IMPC)J) generated by the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium. Using exome and genome sequencing, we identified three families with compound heterozygous variants, and one family with a homozygous frameshift variant. MPDZ‐related disease is clinically heterogenous with hydrocephaly, vision impairment, hearing impairment and cardiovascular disease occurring most frequently. Additionally, we describe two unrelated patients with spasticity, expanding the phenotypic spectrum. Our murine analysis of the Mpdzem1(IMPC)J/em1(IMPC)J allele showed severe hearing impairment. Overall, we expand understanding of MPDZ‐related phenotypes and highlight hearing impairment and spasticity among the heterogeneous phenotypes.