bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heterozygous and generalist MxA super-restrictors overcome breadth-specificity tradeoffs in antiviral restriction
Authors: Geiger Rechel A. , Khera Damini , Tenthorey Jeannette L. , Kochs Georg , Graf Laura , Emerman Michael , Malik Harmit S.
Published: October 2024

Antiviral restriction factors such as MxA (myxovirus resistance protein A) inhibit a broad range of viruses. However, they face the challenge of maintaining this breadth as viruses evolve to escape their defense. Viral escape drives restriction factors to evolve rapidly, selecting for amino acid changes at their virus-binding interfaces to regain defense. How do restriction factors balance the breadth of antiviral functions against the need to evolve specificity against individual escaping viruses? We explored this question in human MxA, which uses its rapidly evolving loop L4 as the specificity determinant fororthomyxovirusessuch as THOV and IAV. Previous combinatorial mutagenesis of rapidly evolving residues in human MxA loop L4 revealed variants with a ten-fold increase in potency against THOV. However, this strategy did not yield improved IAV restriction, suggesting a strong tradeoff between antiviral specificity and breadth. Here, using a modified combinatorial mutagenesis strategy, we find ‘super-restrictor’ MxA variants with over ten-fold enhanced restriction of the avian IAV strain H5N1 but reduced THOV restriction. Analysis of super-restrictor MxA variants reveals that the identity of residue 561 explains most of MxA’s breadth-specificity tradeoff in H5N1 versus THOV restriction. However, rare ‘generalist’ super-restrictors with enhanced restriction of both viruses allow MxA to overcome the breadth-specificity tradeoff. Finally, we show that a heterozygous combination of two ‘specialist’ super-restrictors, one against THOV and the other against IAV, enhances restriction against both viruses. Thus, two strategies enable restriction factors such as MxA to increase their restriction of diverse viruses to overcome breadth-specificity tradeoffs that may be pervasive in host-virus conflicts.
Structural basis of SIRT7 nucleosome engagement and substrate specificity
Authors: Moreno-Yruela Carlos , Ekundayo Babatunde E. , Foteva Polina N. , Calvino-Sanles Esther , Ni Dongchun , Stahlberg Henning , Fierz Beat
Published: October 2024

Chromatin-modifying enzymes selectively target distinct residues within histones to finetune gene expression profiles. SIRT7 is an NAD+-dependent histone deacylase often deregulated in cancer, which deacetylates either H3 lysine 36 (H3K36) or H3K18 with high specificity within nucleosomes. Here, we report structures of nucleosome-bound SIRT7, and uncover the structural basis of its specificity towards H3K36 and K18 deacylation, combining a mechanism-based cross-linking strategy, cryo-EM, mutagenesis and enzymatic assays. We show that the SIRT7 N-terminus represents a unique, extended nucleosome-binding domain, reaching across the nucleosomal surface to the acidic patch. The catalytic domain binds at the H3-tail exit site, engaging both DNA gyres of the nucleosome. Contacting H3K36 versus H3K18 requires a change in enzyme binding pose, and results in structural changes in both SIRT7 and the nucleosome. These structures reveal interactions critical for target lysine specificity, allowing us to engineer enzyme activity towards H3K18 or 36, and provides a basis for small molecule modulator development.
Improving HEK293-based AAV-production using GSMMs, and a multi-omics approach
Authors: Zehetner L. , Széliová D. , Kraus B. , Hernandez Bort J. A. , Zanghellini J.
Published: October 2024

HEK293 cells are a versatile cell line extensively used in the production of recombinant proteins and viral vectors, notably Adeno-associated virus (AAV) [12]. Despite their high transfection efficiency and adaptability to various culture conditions, challenges remain in achieving sufficient yields of active viral particles. This study presents a comprehensive multi-omics analysis of two HEK293 strains under good manufacturing practice conditions, focusing on the metabolic and cellular responses during AAV production. The investigation included lipidomic, exometabolomic, and transcriptomic profiling across different conditions and time points. Genome-scale metabolic models (GSMMs) were reconstructed for these strains to elucidate metabolic shifts and identify potential bottlenecks in AAV production. Notably, the study revealed significant differences between a High-producing (HP) and a Low-producing (LP) HEK293 strains, highlighting pseudohypoxia in the LP strain. Key findings include the identification of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF1alpha) as a critical regulator in the LP strain, linking pseudohypoxia to poor AAV productivity. Inhibition of HIF1alpha resulted in immediate cessation of cell growth and a 2-fold increase in viral capsid production, albeit with a decreased number of viral genomes, impacting the full-to-empty particle ratio. This suggests that while HIF1alpha inhibition enhances capsid assembly, it simultaneously hampers nucleotide synthesis via the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), necessary for genome packaging.
Mining the Proteome of Human Ovarian Cancer Extracellular Vesicles Using Thermolysin Proteolysis
Authors: Cooper Tyler T. , Lui Jaihui , Bilyk Olena , Jewer Michael ,   AOCS Study Group, Steed Helen , Fu Yangxin , Postovit Lynne-Marie , Lajoie Gilles A.
Published: October 2024

This study investigates the utility of Thermolysin as a proteolytic enzyme to enhance the depth and coverage of proteomic analysis in ovarian cancer (OC) extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs were isolated from OC cell lines and ascites fluid samples from women diagnosed with high-grade serous carcinoma. Proteins were digested using Thermolysin and Trypsin/LysC, followed by label-free data-dependent acquisition (DDA) and data-independent acquisition (DIA) mass spectrometry. The proteolytic efficiency, sequence coverage, peptide complexity, and proteomic depth were compared between Thermolysin and Trypsin/LysC digests. In silico analyses predicted theoretical benchmarks of these parameters using a core set of 22 proteins, and Gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA) highlighted the biological relevance of proteins identified throughout the study. Thermolysin digestion significantly increased the complexity or of peptide pools compared to Trypsin/LysC leading to limited peptide and protein identification, albeit total sequence coverage was increased through complementation to tryptic peptides. In both cell line and ascites EVs, Thermolysin identified unique proteins not detected by Trypsin/LysC that are known drivers of metastatic solid cancers, such as Ly6E. Offline strong cation exchange (SCX) fractionation improved proteomic depth and sequence coverage obtained with Thermolysin to generate a spectral library for DIA. Our DIA analysis of Thermolysin digests revealed the presence of NODAL in OC ascites EVs, a protein associated with poor clinical prognosis, which was not detected in Trypsin/LysC digests. The importance of NODAL was cross-validated in TGCA-OV and AOCS datasets by clinical cohorts by assessing RNA levels in solid tumors or ascites fluid, respectively. Collectively, we demonstrate that Thermolysin complements traditional enzymes like Trypsin/LysC to provide a more comprehensive proteomic landscape for biomarker discovery.
Phylogenetic Measures of the Core Microbiome
Authors: Bewick Sharon Anne , Camper Benjamin Thomas
Published: October 2024

Background

A fundamental concept in microbial ecology is the ‘core microbiome.’ Typically, core microbiomes are defined as the microbial taxa, genes, or functions shared by a threshold number of microbiome samples from a particular type of habitat (e.g., a particular type of host or a particular type of environment/ecosystem). In defining the core microbiome, the goal is to capture the portion of the microbial community that is conserved across samples from the focal habitat. Recently, there has been growing interest in developing methods to better characterize core microbiomes. As a result, numerous occurrence- and abundance-based measures have been defined. However, none have included phylogenetically aware metrics for analyzing core microbiomes.

Results

In this paper, we develop the concept of the ‘core community phylogeny’ – a phylogeny where branches are selected based on their presence in multiple samples from a single type of habitat. We then use the core community phylogeny to define phylogenetic metrics for the diversity of core microbiomes from a single type of habitat, for turnover between core microbiomes from two different types of habitat, and for shared diversity across core microbiomes from two or more different types of habitat. As compared to non-phylogenetic metrics, our phylogenetic metrics show greater consistency across taxonomic rank and less sensitivity to strain variation across microbiome samples. Thus, our metrics address key challenges in the interpretation of core microbiomes.

Conclusions

We provide a phylogenetic framework for characterizing and comparing core microbiomes. Importantly, the methods that we propose allows integration of microbiome properties across taxonomic rank. Ultimately, this will provide both a more consistent picture of the core microbiome, as well as novel biological insight into the conserved components of microbial communities.
Double-stranded DNA reduces dsRNA degradation in the saliva and significantly enhanced RNAi-mediated gene silencing inHalyomorpha halys
Authors: Amineni Venkata Partha Sarathi , Petschenka Georg , Koch Aline
Published: October 2024

The invasive pestHalyomorpha halys(Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) poses a significant threat to agriculture, necessitating effective control methods beyond chemical pesticides. Our research explores RNA interference (RNAi) as a targeted gene silencing approach forH. halyspopulation management. However, the variable efficacy of RNAi across insect orders, particularly in hemipteran insects likeH. halys, poses challenges. Ex vivo degradation assays revealed rapid degradation of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) inH. halys(Hh) saliva and extracts of salivary glands across several growth stages, attributed to the high expression of the DNA/RNA non-specific nuclease (HhNSE). A key discovery from our research was that double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) can act as a protective agent, increasing the stability of dsRNA in saliva probably by competitive inhibition ofHhNSE. Based on the well-established lethality of silencing the gene encoding the heavy chain of clathrin (HhCHC) in insects, this gene was chosen as a target to test the functionality of our dsDNA-based formulation for enhancing dsRNA-mediated gene silencing. Our in-vivo experiments showed increasedHhCHCsilencing after 72 hours of feeding initiation with a mixture of dsRNA-CHC and dsDNA, as opposed to dsRNA alone. This discovery indicates potential for enhancing the efficiency of orally delivered dsRNA through formulations based on dsDNA. Although the injection of dsRNA-CHC resulted in near-total mortality, the dsDNA formulation did not significantly enhance mortality rates when fed together with dsRNA-CHC. This emphasises the necessity for further investigation into additional factors beyond nuclease activity, such as the understanding of dsRNA uptake and release mechanisms within the gut epithelial cells ofH. halys. Nevertheless, our study opens avenues for developing cost-effective formulations to enhance RNAi efficacy inH. halysand perhaps other insects where nucleases hinder dsRNA delivery, representing a promising solution for sustainable pest control.

Graphical Abstract
Assessment of a high-throughput mass spectrometry method to accelerate biomarker discovery in clinical cancer cohorts using volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) devices
Authors: Lucas N. , Hill C. , Pascovici D. , McMahon R. , Herbert B. , Karsten E.
Published: October 2024

Identification of biomarkers of early-stage disease typically requires analysis of very large cohorts which can only be reasonably achieved using high-throughput methods. We have developed and optimised novel methods for whole blood analysis using volumetric absorptive microsampling devices to produce over 3000 protein identifications by LCMS on a Q Exactive HF-X Orbitrap. These methods were tested using a set of whole blood samples from lung cancer patients and matching healthy controls finding 455 differentially expressed proteins, using a mid-throughput method enabling analysis of 18 samples per day. To increase throughput for larger clinical cohorts, a 60-sample per day method was tested on a Sciex ZenoTOF 7600. The high-throughput method produced 1.5-fold fewer protein identifications and a higher overall % CV compared to the mid-throughput method. Despite the lower numbers, it produced a set of 36 disease-relevant and discriminatory differentially expressed proteins that, using a machine learning model, could differentiate between the disease and control samples with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 88.9% using random forest algorithms. These data support the use of high-throughput mass spectrometry methods to screen large cohorts for diagnostic biomarkers that can then be followed up with more targeted analyses.
2022 Sudan Ebolavirus Outbreak in Uganda: Modelling Case Burden and Outbreak Duration
Authors: Bisanzio Donal , Bosa Henry Kyobe , Bakamutumaho Barnabas , Nasimiyu Carolyne , Atwine Diana , Kyabayinze Daniel , Olaro Charles , Breiman Robert F. , Njenga M. Kariuki , Mwebesa Henry , Aceng Jane Ruth , Reithinger Richard
Published: October 2024

In September 2022, an outbreak of Sudan virus (SUDV) was confirmed in Uganda. Following the first case report, we developed an individual based modelling platform (IBM-SUDV) to estimate the burden of cases and deaths, as well as the duration of the unfolding SUDV outbreak, using different scenarios. Modelled projections were within the range of cases and deaths ultimately observed.
The impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions on early-stage COVID-19 epidemic dynamics in rural communities in the United States
Authors: Alahakoon Punya , Taylor Peter G. , McCaw James M.
Published: October 2024

COVID-19, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has affected millions of people around the globe. We study the spread of SARS-CoV-2 across six rural counties in North and South Dakota in the United States. The study period is from early March 2020 to mid-June 2021, from near the onset of the pandemic to just before the arrival of theDeltavariant in the United States. We model the transmission dynamics in each county using a stochastic compartmental model and analyse the data within a Bayesian hierarchical statistical framework. We estimate the model parameters and characterise the effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) implemented at the time. Counterfactual analyses in which NPIs were lifted earlier indicate that notified cases may have increased by up to 51% in the case of low NPI stringency levels with potential additional deaths. Our study underscores the importance of timely public health measures and compliance with them. From a methodological perspective, our study demonstrates that despite the inherent high variability in epidemic behaviour in small rural communities, the combination of stochastic modelling and application of Bayesian hierarchical analyses can support the quantitative evaluation of the impact of public health measures in small low population density communities.
Knowledge and representations of the placenta in a French population of womenpost-partum
Authors: Riquet Sébastien , Busca Jade , Zakarian Carole , Le Coz Pierre , Mege Jean-Louis , Mezouar Soraya
Published: October 2024

In many cultures, the placenta is considered to be the twin brother, counselor or guardian angel of the baby throughout pregnancy and is the subject of many beliefs and practices. In France, it is better known from a biomedical point of view including the protocols related to its disposal as biomedical waste in the hospital environment. Our study aims to evaluate the knowledge and representations of the placenta before being discarded by health personnel who assisted the parturient at birth. Our results show a lack of knowledge and misconceptions about the placenta and its different functions. Nevertheless, mothers consider it essential to their children’s development and are ready to give it to science "if it can help" once the birth is complete. Information and documentation on the placenta among pregnant women are necessary for better management of childbirth and practices, especially for mothers who wish to give birth at home or in a delivery center.
Fast and accurate algorithm for calculating long-baseline neutrino oscillation probabilities with matter effects
Authors: Denton Peter B. , Parke Stephen J.
Published: October 2024

Neutrino oscillation experiments will be entering the precision era in the next decade with the advent of high statistics experiments like DUNE, HK, and JUNO. Correctly estimating the confidence intervals from data for the oscillation parameters requires very large Monte Carlo datasets involving calculating the oscillation probabilities in matter many, many times. In this paper, we leverage past work to present a new, fast, precise technique for calculating neutrino oscillation probabilities in matter optimized for long-baseline neutrino oscillations in the Earth’s crust including both accelerator and reactor experiments. For ease of use by theorists and experimentalists, we provide fast ++ and codes .

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Meson spectroscopy from spectral densities in lattice gauge theories
Authors: Bennett Ed , Del Debbio Luigi , Forzano Niccolò , Hill Ryan C. , Hong Deog Ki , Hsiao Ho , Lee Jong-Wan , Lin C.-J. David , Lucini Biagio , Lupo Alessandro , Piai Maurizio , Vadacchino Davide , Zierler Fabian
Published: October 2024

Spectral densities encode nonperturbative information that enters the calculation of a plethora of physical observables in strongly coupled field theories. Phenomenological applications encompass aspects of standard-model hadronic physics, observable at current colliders, as well as correlation functions characterizing new physics proposals, testable in future experiments. By making use of numerical data produced in a Sp(4) lattice gauge theory with matter transforming in an admixture of fundamental and 2-index antisymmetric representations of the gauge group, we perform a systematic study to demonstrate the effectiveness of recent technological progress in the reconstruction of spectral densities.To this purpose, we write and test new software packages that use energy-smeared spectral densities to analyze the mass spectrum of mesons. We assess the effectiveness of different smearing kernels and optimize the smearing parameters to the characteristics of available lattice ensembles. For concreteness, we analyze the Sp(4) lattice gauge theory with matter transforming in an admixture of fundamental and 2-index antisymmetric representations of the gauge group. We generate new ensembles for the theory in consideration, with lattices that have a longer extent in the time direction with respect to the spatial ones. We run our tests on these ensembles, obtaining new results about the spectrum of light mesons and their excitations. We make available our algorithm and software for the extraction of spectral densities, that can be applied to theories with other gauge groups, including the theory of strong interactions (QCD) governing hadronic physics in the standard model.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
First lattice QCD calculation of
J/ψ
semileptonic decay containing
D
and
Ds
particles
Authors: Meng Yu , Dang Jin-Long , Liu Chuan , Tuo Xin-Yu , Yan Haobo , Yang Yi-Bo , Zhang Ke-Long
Published: October 2024

We perform the first lattice calculation on the semileptonic decay of J/ψ using the (2+1)-flavor Wilson-clover gauge ensembles generated by CLQCD collaboration. Three gauge ensembles with different lattice spacings, from 0.0519 to 0.1053 fm, and pion masses, mπ∼300  MeV, are utilized. After a naive continuum extrapolation using three lattice spacings, we obtain Br(J/ψ→Dseνe)=1.90(6)(5)Vcs×10−10 and

Br

(

J

/

ψ

→

D

e

ν

e

)

=

1.21

(

6

)

(

9

)

V

c

d

×

10

−

11

, where the first errors are statistical, and the second come from the uncertainties of Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element Vcs(d). The ratios of the branching fractions between lepton μ and e are also calculated as RJ/ψ(Ds)=0.97002(8) and RJ/ψ(D)=0.97423(15) after performing a continuum limit including only a2 term. The ratios provide necessary theoretical support for the future experimental test of lepton flavor universality.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Modification of Quark-Gluon Distributions in Nuclei by Correlated Nucleon Pairs
Authors: Denniston A. W. , Ježo T. , Kusina A. , Derakhshanian N. , Duwentäster P. , Hen O. , Keppel C. , Klasen M. , Kovařík K. , Morfín J. G. , Muzakka K. F. , Olness F. I. , Piasetzky E. , Risse P. , Ruiz R. , Schienbein I. , Yu. J. Y.
Published: October 2024

We extend the QCD Parton Model analysis using a factorized nuclear structure model incorporating individual nucleons and pairs of correlated nucleons. Our analysis of high-energy data from lepton deep-inelastic scattering, Drell-Yan, and W and Z boson production simultaneously extracts the universal effective distribution of quarks and gluons inside correlated nucleon pairs, and their nucleus-specific fractions. Such successful extraction of these universal distributions marks a significant advance in our understanding of nuclear structure properties connecting nucleon- and parton-level quantities.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Long-distance photon-mediated and short-distance entangling gates in three-qubit quantum dot spin systems
Authors: Estakhri Nooshin M. , Warren Ada , Economou Sophia E. , Barnes Edwin
Published: October 2024

Superconducting resonator couplers will likely become an essential component in modular semiconductor quantum dot (QD) spin qubit processors, as they help alleviate crosstalk and wiring issues as the number of qubits increases. Here, we focus on a three-qubit system composed of two modules: a two-electron triple QD resonator coupled to a single-electron double QD. Using a combination of analytical techniques and numerical results, we derive an effective Hamiltonian that describes the three-qubit logical subspace and show that it accurately captures the dynamics of the system. We examine the performance of short-range and long-range entangling gates, revealing the effect of a spectator qubit in reducing the gate fidelities in both cases. We further study the competition between nonadiabatic errors and spectator-associated errors in short-range operations and quantify their relative importance across practical parameter ranges for short and long gate times. We also analyze the impact of charge noise together with residual coupling to the spectator qubit on intermodule entangling gates and find that for current experimental settings, leakage errors are the main source of infidelities in these operations. Our results help pave the way toward identifying optimal modular QD architectures for quantum information processing on semiconductor chips.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Inferring geometrical dynamics of cell nucleus translocation
Authors: Amiri Sirine , Zhang Yirui , Gerardos Andonis , Sykes Cécile , Ronceray Pierre
Published: October 2024

The ability of eukaryotic cells to squeeze through constrictions is limited by the stiffness of their large and rigid nucleus. However, migrating cells are often able to overcome this limitation and pass through constrictions much smaller than their nucleus, a mechanism that is not yet understood. Here, we propose a methodological framework to observe, quantify, and model this phenomenon through a data-driven approach using microfluidic devices where cells migrate through controlled narrow spaces of sizes comparable to the ones encountered in physiological situations. Stochastic force inference is applied to experimental nuclear trajectories and nuclear shape descriptors, resulting in equations that effectively describe the kinematics of this phenomenon. By employing a model where the channel geometry is an explicit parameter and by training it over experimental data with different sizes of constrictions, we ensure that the resulting equations are predictive. Altogether, the approach developed here paves the way for a mechanistic and quantitative description of dynamical cell complexity during its motility.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Quantum algorithm for dynamic mode decomposition integrated with a quantum differential equation solver
Authors: Mizuno Yuta , Komatsuzaki Tamiki
Published: October 2024

We present a quantum algorithm that analyzes time series data simulated by a quantum differential equation solver. The proposed algorithm is a quantum version of a dynamic mode decomposition algorithm used in diverse fields such as fluid dynamics, molecular dynamics, and epidemiology. Our quantum algorithm can also compute matrix eigenvalues and eigenvectors by analyzing the corresponding linear dynamical system. Our algorithm handles a broad range of matrices, particularly those with complex eigenvalues. The complexity of our quantum algorithm is O(polylogN) for an N-dimensional system. This is an exponential speedup over known classical algorithms with at least O(N) complexity. Thus, our quantum algorithm is expected to enable high-dimensional dynamical systems analysis and large matrix eigenvalue decomposition, intractable for classical computers.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Interfacial Exciton-Polaron Quenching in Organic Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Yang Kwangmo , Kwon Doyoun , Nam Sungho , Kim Joonghyuk , Chung Yeon Sook , Yoo Hyunjoon , Park Insung , Park Yongsup , Kim Ji Whan , Lee Jaesang
Published: October 2024

In organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), understanding the efficiency loss mechanism known as exciton-polaron quenching (EPQ) has been a longstanding challenge. Traditionally, EPQ was believed to occur mainly the bulk of the OLED emission layer (EML) due to the coexistence of polarons and excitons, limiting our understanding of its full impact. Here, we report a previously overlooked phenomenon termed “interfacial EPQ (Inf. EPQ),” which occurs at the heterointerface between the EML and the adjacent charge transport layer (CTL). We observe the transfer of EML excitons to CTL polarons across this interface, spanning distances of up to 4 nm. Notably, Inf. EPQ exceeds EPQ within the EML bulk, even in devices with a interfacial energy barrier (>0.2  eV). We propose a methodology that enables independent probing of Inf. EPQ, systematic validation of its essential parameters, and the identification of Dexter energy transfer as its governing mechanism. Importantly, our findings highlight Inf. EPQ as a phenomenon across devices with various luminescent mechanisms, wavelengths, and injection levels. By effectively addressing Inf. EPQ, we achieve efficiency enhancements in red, green, and blue phosphorescent OLEDs, by 70%±8%, 47%±5%, and 66%±6%, respectively. Our work advances the physical understanding of exciton and polaron dynamics at organic heterointerfaces, providing applicable solutions to Inf. EPQ-related issues in practical devices.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Nanometer-Scale Acoustic Wave Packets Generated by Stochastic Core-Level Photoionization Events
Authors: Huang Yijing , Sun Peihao , Teitelbaum Samuel W. , Li Haoyuan , Sun Yanwen , Wang Nan , Song Sanghoon , Sato Takahiro , Chollet Matthieu , Osaka Taito , Inoue Ichiro , Duncan Ryan A. , Shin Hyun D. , Haber Johann , Zhou Jinjian , Bernardi Marco , Gu Mingqiang , Rondinelli James M. , Trigo Mariano , Yabashi Makina , Maznev Alexei A. , Nelson Keith A. , Zhu Diling , Reis David A.
Published: October 2024

We demonstrate that the absorption of femtosecond hard x-ray pulses excites quasispherical, high-amplitude, and high-wave-vector coherent acoustic phonon wave packets using an all hard-x-ray pump-probe scattering experiment. The time- and momentum-resolved diffuse scattering signal is consistent with an ensemble of 3D strain wave packets induced by the rapid electron cascade dynamics following photoionization at uncorrelated excitation centers. We quantify key parameters of this process, including the localization size of the stress field and the photon energy conversion efficiency into elastic energy. The parameters are determined by the photoelectron and Auger electron cascade dynamics, as well as the electron-phonon interaction. In particular, we obtain the localization size of the observed strain wave packet to be 1.5 and 2.5 nm for bulk SrTiO3 and KTaO3 single crystals, respectively. The results provide crucial information on the mechanism of x-ray energy deposition into matter and shed light on the shortest collective length scales accessible to coherent acoustic phonon generation using x-ray excitation.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Examining the green sourcing behavior from the cross-national perspective
Authors: Min Hokey
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Recognizing the growing role of green sourcing in a supply chain ecosystem, this paper identifies the most common business practices that make green sourcing more successful and then examines the ramifications of green sourcing practices from cost, ecological and cultural perspectives based on cross-national surveys of both Korean and US firms.

Design/methodology/approach

After conducting the questionnaire surveys in Korea and the US, we analyzed the results by running a series of binary logistics regression, ordinal regression, canonical correlation, discriminant analyses and chi-square tests of independence and cross-tabulation. These statistical data analyses were also used to test a number of hypotheses and validate the proposed theories.

Findings

Analyses of these results revealed significant differences in green sourcing practices between Korean and US firms in that US firms tended to make more substantial commitments to green sourcing than Korean firms. For instance, Korean firms viewed the supplier’s advances in providing eco-friendly packages and goods as the most important attribute for their green supplier selection. In contrast, the US firms prioritized the supplier’s capability to handle hazardous waste disposal and compliance with federal and state environmental regulations in their green supplier selection.

Originality/value

This paper is one of a few studies that expanded the research scope from cross-national and/or cultural perspectives and empirically identified idiosyncrasies unique to the national origin of buying firms that explored green-sourcing initiatives, which aim to reduce the carbon footprints of supply chain activities and minimize unnecessary waste. This paper is also one of the first studies to build a theoretical foundation for worldwide green sourcing practices predicated on institutional and Edgar Schein theories.
Tohoku resilient schools and youth engagement in memory after 2011 tsunami
Authors: Grau Vila Carmen
Published: October 2024

Purpose

In 2011, a disaster devastated the Tohoku region in Japan and left more than 15,000 victims. However, there could have been more. School buildings became a center of response and evacuation during the emergency, playing a central role in each disaster phase. How did the schools manage the situation in small Japanese communities and what lessons can be drawn? Disaster prevention education and training, rapid evacuation, survival in shelters and transmission of experiences to future generations are the key to disaster management in Japan. In the Tohoku area, these lessons are also connected with the history and memory of previous tsunamis.

Design/methodology/approach

From a local approach and socio-historical methodology, research is based on ethnographic fieldwork in disaster-affected communities, archival data collection and oral testimonies. Between November 2020 and March 2023, in-depth interviews were conducted with tsunami survivors, children and community leaders involved in disaster response during the months and years following the tsunami. The analysis focuses on disaster response in schools, survival and building capacities of youth during reconstruction through six case studies.

Findings

This research determines the importance of local history in tsunami management in Tohoku. It offers practical examples from each disaster phase for individuals and communities to face disasters and foster resilience. It reveals, on the other hand, how during the reconstruction process, a young generation embraced memory to reinforce disaster prevention for the future of the region.

Originality/value

Highlighting the importance of including children and youth in disaster response, reconstruction and memory through applicable cases, this study provides a guide of school experiences in Japan that can become global lessons for disaster risk reduction (DRR).
Public service delivery, artificial intelligence and the sustainable development goals: trends, evidence and complexities
Authors: Anshari Muhammad , Hamdan Mahani , Ahmad Norainie , Ali Emil
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Recent technological developments have encouraged the United Nations to promote the adoption of digital technologies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition to initiatives from businesses, an increasing number of studies indicate that public service agencies may gain benefits from adopting digital transformation. On a global scale, policymakers are examining the integration of digital technologies, specifically artificial intelligence (AI), into public service delivery (PSD), acknowledging the potential advantages and obstacles for the public sector. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the impact of AI on PSD to support the SDGs initiative.

Design/methodology/approach

The research used a qualitative approach to explore the intersection of AI, SDGs and PSD. This approach involved scrutinising relevant publications and conducting an extensive literature review. The research also used bibliographic analysis to discern patterns within the field. Findings from the literature review and bibliographic analysis contributed to identifying research trends that explore the complex relationship among AI, PSD and the SDGs. The model derived from this comprehensive review and analysis elucidates the potential of AI to enhance PSD and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.

Findings

The bibliographic study revealed significant research trends concerning AI, PSD and SDGs through an empirical investigation of an extensive array of peer-reviewed articles. This investigation focused on how the public sector can improve its delivery of services to citizens and all stakeholders to advance the SDGs. AI holds the promise of revolutionising PSD and bolstering the SDGs. By leveraging AI’s capabilities in data analysis, automation and customisation, governments can enhance the efficiency, effectiveness and accessibility of public services. This, in turn, enables public servants to tackle more complex tasks while providing citizens with personalised and relevant experiences. Additionally, the study advocates modelling the intersection of PSD and AI to achieve sustainable development.

Research limitations/implications

The employed research methodologies, such as literature reviews and bibliographic analysis, enrich the context of AI, SDGs and PSD. They offer a comprehensive perspective, identify knowledge gaps and furnish policymakers, practitioners and academics with a conceptual framework for informed decision-making and sustainable development endeavours.

Originality/value

The study provides an agenda for AI and SDGs research on application in PSD. It emphasises varied research viewpoints, methods and gaps. This study helps researchers as well as practitioners identify subtopics, intersecting themes and new research pathways.
Factors affecting the performance of government R&D support programs in pharmaceutical enterprises
Authors: Kim DaHyun , Kwon Jeonghae , Kim Dohyoung , Kim Eungdo
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The government support for research and development (R&D) initiatives in the pharmaceutical sector has been declining. The purpose of this study is to analyze factors influencing the efficacy of government R&D support programs directed at pharmaceutical enterprises in South Korea, aiming to provide valuable insights for policymakers responsible for resource allocation in the pharmaceutical industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses data from 490 R&D projects conducted by 106 pharmaceutical enterprises between 2018 and 2020, sourced from the National Technical Information Service and Drug Approval Research and Technology repositories. The data were analyzed using negative binomial regression analysis operated by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.

Findings

Applied research, cooperative research and the number of doctoral researchers positively impact both the quantitative and qualitative performance of the papers. The number of doctoral researchers, government research funds and the ratio of private investment to total R&D investment positively impacted the quantitative and qualitative performance of patents. However, enterprise age negatively affected patent performance. Notably, sales were significantly associated with patent qualitative performance but not with patent quantitative performance.

Originality/value

While previous studies have primarily focused on specific types of government R&D support or individual sectors, this study provides a broader perspective by incorporating a variety of variables, to examine the overall performance of government R&D programs in the pharmaceutical sector. This paper addresses the growing concern over declining government support and offers insights that were not fully explored in prior studies. By doing so, this research highlights the importance of understanding how diverse factors collectively influence the effectiveness of government R&D support, providing new directions for innovation and excellence in the pharmaceutical industry.
The internal synergy effect of the dual-oriented HRM system on employee ethical behaviors
Authors: Zhou Jinfan , Shang Puwen , Zhang Guanglei , Fan Youqing , Ma Rong
Published: October 2024

Purpose

More and more literature points out that compared to fragmented strategic HRM, interactive or internally consistent HR systems can generate synergies and more effectively predict employee outcomes. Different HR subsystems (such as performance-oriented and maintenance-oriented HRM practices), respectively, play a critical role for organizations and employees. However, the impact of the synergy effect of different practices within the HRM system is less concerning to researchers. Based on self-regulation theory, this paper explores the congruence effects within the dual-oriented HR system on employee ethical behaviors (prosocial/unethical behavior).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected in a two-wave survey from 252 employees working in high-tech and service companies in China. Polynomial regression and response surface analyses were used to examine the hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicate that the internal congruence of performance-oriented and maintenance-oriented HRM practices is positively related to employees’ prosocial behavior but negatively related to employees’ unethical behavior. Employees have more prosocial behavior and less unethical behavior when they perceive the high-performance-oriented and high-maintenance-oriented HRM practices than the low-performance-oriented and low-maintenance-oriented HRM practices. Employees also have more prosocial behavior and less unethical behavior when they perceive the low performance-oriented and high maintenance-oriented HRM practices than the high performance-oriented and low maintenance-oriented HRM practices.

Originality/value

Drawing on self-regulation theory and the “Yin-Yang balancing” perspective, this paper extends the limited understanding of the influence of dual-oriented HR system internal congruence between performance-oriented and maintenance-oriented HRM practices on employee behaviors. This paper is of great significance for a better understanding of the complexity and potential of HR systems.
Digital inclusivity: exploring e-government use among businesses in Ghana
Authors: Acquah Anthony
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Electronic government (e-government) initiatives are critical in bringing about transparency, accessibility and efficiency in public service delivery. Drawing upon e-government literature and the political system theory, this paper aims into the challenges faced by businesses in using e-government applications and how the implementation of e-government can be improved.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative research method, data was gathered through in-depth interviews with top executives of businesses in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

Findings

This study reveals that uneven access to digital technology, security concerns and resistance to change are the main challenges hampering the use of e-government applications by the business sector. Furthermore, this study identifies opportunities for facilitating the implementation of e-government including seeking for feedback from the business community, benchmarking and monitoring and collaboration among government agencies.

Research limitations/implications

This study highlights the challenge of digital divide, which hinders the full realization of the benefits of e-government services for the business sector. Policymakers need to prioritize e-government programs that bridge the gap by way of improving internet connectivity, digital literacy and access to technology. Policymakers should embark on targeted infrastructure development, information, communication and technology training and programs to advance adoption of the e-government among underserved business communities.

Practical implications

Government agencies must conduct training programs on digital skills and cyber-security for businesses. In addition, businesses should introduce change management initiatives that promote culture of ingenuity and flexibility.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the filling the dearth of knowledge on the discourse on e-government adoption in developing economies, particularly in the context of business to government e-government model.
Bio‐functional properties of Jilungin (Terminalia canescens)
Authors: Akter Saleha , Thi Phan Anh Dao , Adiamo Oladipupo Q. , Bobasa Eshetu Mulisa , Seididamyeh Maral , Rajagopal Gayathri , Sivakumar Dharini , Sultanbawa Yasmina
Published: October 2024

Jilungin (Terminalia canescens) is a native Australian plant and the Indigenous “Nyul Nyul” people of the  Kimberley region of Western Australia use its leaves to make herbal tea. Due to the rise in the popularity of drinking Jilungin tea among the consumers in Australia and internationally, it is important to study the nutritional and health‐beneficial properties as well as safety of Jilungin leaves. This study aims to determine the nutritional composition, anti‐nutritional factors, antimicrobial and antidiabetic properties of Jilungin leaves. Also, the phytochemical profiling using UHPLC‐MS/MS (Ultra‐performance liquid chromatographymass spectrometry) and antioxidant activity of Jilungin methanolic extracts and herbal infusion were investigated. The safety of the leaves and infusion was also investigated by using in vitro mammalian cell lines (Caco2, HT29, and HepG2) through cell viability assays. The leaves are rich in dietary fiber (43.9%) and linoleic acid (30.4% of total fatty acids). Phytochemical profiling revealed ellagic acid, geraniin, pedunculagin, and punicalagin as the major bioactive compounds. The results also demonstrated that Jilungin has strong antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. A significant (p < 0.01) strong positive correlation was observed between the high antioxidant activity of Jilungin infusion with the major bioactive compounds. Jilungin extracts (50 mg/mL) exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. Its infusion and methanolic extract were safe on the studied cell lines (Caco‐2, HT29, and HepG2) at higher concentrations of 66.6 and 98 mg/mL, respectively. Therefore, Jilungin teas or infusions could be a safe and effective way to promote health and well‐being.

Practical Application

Jilungin tea is very popular among consumers in Australia and is gaining popularity worldwide. The current study will increase knowledge on the nutritional aspects and safety of the Jilungin use.
The efficacy and safety of a novel PD‐1/CTLA‐4 bispecific antibody cadonilimab (AK104) in advanced non‐small cell lung cancer: A multicenter retrospective observational study
Authors: Li Hongxin , Zhao Wen , Li Chengming , Shen Hongchang , Li Meiying , Wang Chengjun , Han Chunyan , Yi Cuihua , Wang Jun , Meng Xue , Liu Lian , Yu Shuwen , Li Jisheng
Published: October 2024

Background

For patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have received frontline immunochemotherapy, subsequent treatment options are limited. As the first dual programmed cell death‐1 (PD‐1)/cytotoxic T lymphocyte‐associated antigen‐4 bispecific antibody approved globally, cadonilimab demonstrated potential antitumor activity in advanced NSCLC patients resistant to anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 antibodies.

Methods

We retrospectively collected efficacy and safety data from advanced NSCLC patients treated with cadonilimab‐based regimens in later therapy lines.

Results

A total of 41 advanced NSCLC patients refractory to anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 therapy were enrolled. More than half of the patients received cadonilimab‐based regimen as a fourth or later line of treatment. At the data cutoff date, treatment efficacy could be evaluated in 23 patients. One patient (4.3%) achieved partial response, eight patients (34.8%) experienced stable disease, and 14 patients (60.9%) progressed. The objective response rate and disease control rate were 4.3% and 39.1%, respectively. The median progression‐free survival for all evaluated patients was 108.0 days. Due to the short follow‐up period, the median overall survival has not yet been reached. Treatment‐related adverse events (TRAEs) and immune‐related AEs occurred in 63.4% and 22% patients, respectively. The most common TRAEs included gamma‐glutamyl transferase elevation (17.1%), coughing (14.6%), and fatigue (12.2%). Five patients (12.2%) experienced grade ≥3 TRAEs.

Conclusions

In this heavily pretreated cohort of advanced NSCLC patients, cadonilimab‐based regimens showed moderate antitumor efficacy with a generally tolerable and manageable safety profile. However, more evidence is needed to support the administration of cadonilimab in NSCLC patients refractory to previous anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 therapy.