bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Short-term passive greenspace exposures have little effect on nasal microbiomes: a cross-over exposure study of a Māori cohort
Authors: Brame Joel E. , Warbrick Isaac , Heke Deborah , Liddicoat Craig , Breed Martin F.
Published: January 2024

Indigenous health interventions have emerged in New Zealand aimed at increasing human interactions with and exposure to macro and microbial diversity. Urban greenspaces provide opportunities for people to gain such exposures. However, the dynamics and pathways of microbial transfer from natural environments onto a person remain poorly understood. Here, we analysed bacterial 16S rRNA amplicons in air samples (n= 7) and pre- and post-exposure nasal samples (n= 238) from 35 participants who had 30-minute exposures in an outdoor park. The participants were organised into two groups: over eight days each group had two outdoor park exposures and two indoor office exposures, with a cross-over study design and washout days between exposure days. We investigated the effects of participant group, location (outdoor park vs. indoor office), and exposures (pre vs. post) on the nasal bacterial community composition and three key suspected health-associated bacterial indicators (alpha diversity, generic diversity of Gammaproteobacteria, and read abundances of butyrate-producing bacteria). The participants had distinct nasal bacterial communities, but these communities did not display notable shifts in composition following exposures. The community composition and key health bacterial indicators were stable throughout the trial period, with no clear or consistent effects of group, location, or exposure. We conclude that 30-minute exposure periods to urban greenspaces are unlikely to create notable changes in the nasal microbiome of visitors, which contrasts with previous research. Our results suggest that longer exposures or activities that involves closer interaction with microbial rich ecological components (e.g., soil) are required for greenspace exposures to result in noteworthy changes in the nasal microbiome.
A video-rate hyperspectral camera for monitoring plant health and biodiversity
Authors: Brooks Laura J. , Pearce Daniel , Kwok Kenton , Jawade Nikhil , Qi Man , Fenollosa Erola , Beker Deniz , Whicker James , Davis Katrina , Salguero-Gómez Roberto , Wang Robin , Chappell Steve
Published: January 2024

Hyperspectral cameras are a key enabling technology in precision agriculture, biodiversity monitoring, and ecological research. Consequently, these applications are fuelling a growing demand for devices that are suited to widespread deployment in such environments. Current hyperspectral cameras, however, require significant investment in post-processing, and rarely allow for live-capture assessments. Here, we introduce a novel hyperspectral camera that combines live spectral data and high-resolution imagery. This camera is suitable for integration with robotics and automated monitoring systems. We explore the utility of this camera for applications including chlorophyll detection and live display of spectral indices relating to plant health. We discuss the performance of this novel technology and associated hyperspectral analysis methods to support an ecological study of grassland habitats at Wytham Woods, UK.
Cell type and regulatory analysis in amphioxus illuminates evolutionary origin of the vertebrate head
Authors: Markos Anna , Kubovciak Jan , Mrstakova Simona Mikula , Zitova Anna , Paces Jan , Machacova Simona , Kozmik Zbynek , Kozmik Zbynek , Kozmikova Iryna
Published: January 2024

To shed light on the enigmatic origin of the vertebrate head, our study employs an integrated approach that combines single-cell transcriptomics, perturbations in signalling pathways, and cis-regulatory analysis in amphioxus, a close relative of chordate common ancestor. Through cell type characterization, we identified the presence of a prechordal plate, pre-migratory and migratory neural crest-like cell populations in the developing amphioxus embryo. Functional analysis established conserved roles of the Nodal and Hedgehog signalling pathways in prechordal plate, and of Wnt signalling pathway in neural crest development. Furthermore, the trans-species transgenic experiments provided evidence of cis-regulatory level homology within the chordate lineage. Our findings provide evidence that the key features of vertebrate head development can be traced back to the common ancestor of all chordates.

One Sentence Summary

Cell populations forming the vertebrate head are present in the close relative of chordate common ancestor.
The integration of network biology and pharmacophore modeling suggests repurposing Clindamycin as an inhibitor of pyroptosis via Caspase-1 blockage in tumor-associated macrophages
Authors: Weich Adrian , Flamann Cindy , Berges Johannes , Singh Krishna Pal , Chambers David , Lai Xin , Wolkenhauer Olaf , Berking Carola , Krönke Gerhard , Gupta Shailendra , Bruns Heiko , Vera Julio
Published: January 2024

Background

Uveal melanoma (UM) is a highly malignant intraocular tumor with a poor prognosis and response to therapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), after the onset of liver metastasis. The metastatic microenvironment contains high levels of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) that correlate positively with a worse patient prognosis. We hypothesized that one could increase the efficacy of ICIs in UM metastases by immunomodulating UM-associated macrophages.

Methods

To identify potential targets for the immunomodulation, we created a network-based representation of the biology of TAMs and employed (bulk and single-cell) differential gene expression analysis to obtain a regulatory core of UM macrophages-associated genes. We utilized selected targets for pharmacophore-based virtual screening against a library of FDA-approved chemical compounds, followed by refined flexible docking analysis. Finally, we ranked the interactions and selected one novel drug-target combination forin vitrovalidation.

Results

Based on the generated TAM-specific interaction network (3863 nodes, 9073 edges), we derived a UM macrophages-associated regulatory core (74 nodes, 286 edges). From the regulatory core genes, we selected eight potential targets for pharmacophore-based virtual screening (YBX1, GSTP1, NLRP3, ISG15, MYC, PTGS2, NFKB1, CASP1). Of 266 drug-target interactions screened, we identified the interaction between the antibiotic Clindamycin and Caspase-1 as a priority for experimental validation. Ourin vitrovalidation experiments showed that Clindamycin specifically interferes with activated Caspase-1 and inhibits the secretion of IL-1β, IL-18, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in macrophages after stimulation. Our results suggest that repurposed Clindamycin could reduce pyroptosis in TAMs, a pro-inflammatory form of programmed immune cell death favouring tumor progression.

Conclusion

We were able to predict a novel Clindamycin-Caspase-1 interaction that effectively blocks Caspase-1-mediated inflammasome activity and pyroptosis in vitro in macrophages. This interaction is a promising clinical immunomodulator of the tumor microenvironment for improving ICI responsivenss. This work demonstrates the power of combining network-based transcriptomic analysis with pharmacophore-guided screening forde novodrug-target repurposing.

Graphical Abstract
Antibody targeting of surface PSGL-1 glycoprotein leads to lymphoma apoptosis and tumorigenesis inhibition
Authors: Pereira João L. , Ferreira Francisca , dos Santos Nuno R.
Published: January 2024

Lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of diseases that originate from T, B or natural killer (NK) cells. Lymphoma treatment is based on chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and monoclonal antibody (mAb) or other immunotherapies. The P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1) is expressed at the surface of hematological malignant cells and has been shown to have a pro-oncogenic role in multiple myeloma and lymphoma. Here, we investigated the expression and therapeutic potential of PSGL-1 in T and B cell lymphomas. By flow cytometry analysis, we found that PSGL-1 was expressed in both T and B cell-derived lymphoma cell lines but generally at higher levels in T cell lymphoma cell lines. For most T and B cell-derived lymphoma cell lines,in vitrotargeting with the PL1 mAb, which recognizes the PSGL-1 N-terminal extracellular region and blocks functional interactions with selectins, resulted in reduced cell viability. The PL1 mAb pro-apoptotic activity was shown to be dose-dependent, to be linked to increased ERK kinase phosphorylation, and to be dependent on the MAP kinase signaling pathway. Importantly, anti-PSGL-1 treatment of mice xenografted with the HUT-78 cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) cell line resulted in decreased tumor growth, had no effect onin vivoproliferation, but increased the levels of apoptosis in tumors. Anti-PSGL-1 treatment of mice xenografted with a Burkitt lymphoma (BL) cell line that was resistant to anti-PSGL-1 treatmentin vitro, had no impact on tumorigenesis. These findings show that PSGL-1 antibody targeting triggers lymphoma cell apoptosis and substantiates PSGL-1 as a potential target for lymphoma therapy.
Quantifying Interpretation Reproducibility in Vision Transformer Models with TAVAC
Authors: Zhao Yue , Agyemang Dylan , Liu Yang , Mahoney Matt , Li Sheng
Published: January 2024

The use of deep learning algorithms to extract meaningful diagnostic features from biomedical images holds the promise to improve patient care given the expansion of digital pathology. Among these deep learning models, Vision Transformer (ViT) models have been demonstrated to capture long-range spatial relationships with more robust prediction power for image classification tasks than regular convolutional neural network (CNN) models, and also better model interpretability. Model interpretation is important for understanding and elucidating how a deep learning model makes predictions, especially for developing transparent models for digital pathology. However, like other deep learning algorithms, with limited annotated biomedical imaging datasets, ViT models are prone to poor performance due to overfitting, which can lead to false predictions due to random noise. Overfitting affects model interpretation when predictions are made out of random noise. To address this issue, we introduce a novel metric – Training Attention and Validation Attention Consistency (TAVAC) – for evaluating ViT model degree of overfitting on imaging datasets and quantifying the reproducibility of interpretation. Specifically, the model interpretation is performed by comparing the high-attention regions in the image between training and testing. We test the method on four publicly available image classification datasets and two independent breast cancer histological image datasets. All overfitted models exhibited significantly lower TAVAC scores than the good-fit models. The TAVAC score quantitatively measures the level of generalization of model interpretation on a fine-grained level for small groups of cells in each H&E image, which cannot be provided by traditional performance evaluation metrics like prediction accuracy. Furthermore, the application of TAVAC extends beyond medical diagnostic AI models; it enhances the monitoring of model interpretative reproducibility at pixel-resolution in basic research, to reveal critical spatial patterns and cellular structures essential to understanding biological processes and disease mechanisms. TAVAC sets a new standard for evaluating the performance of deep learning model interpretation and provides a method for determining the significance of high-attention regions detected from the attention map of the biomedical images.
From dust to seed: a lunar chickpea story
Authors: Atkin Jessica A. , Santos Sara Oliveira
Published: January 2024

Food sustainability is one of the most significant barriers to long-term space travel. Providing resources from Earth is not cost-efficient, and resupply missions are not viable to meet the needs of long-term life in deep space conditions. Plants in space can provide a source of nutrition and oxygen, reducing the reliance on packaged foods, reducing resupply needs, and extending the duration of missions. Using lunar regolith simulant, we employ a novel methodology to create a sustainable and productive growth medium to support the cultivation of horticultural crops on the Moon. Implementing microbial soil regeneration mechanisms derived from Earth, we leverage the interaction between Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and Vermicompost (VC) to create a fertile LRS matrix. These amendments can sequester toxic contaminants, improve soil structure, and increase plant stress tolerance. We demonstrate the ability to produce chickpea (Cicer arietinum) in lunar regolith simulant augmented with AMF and VC under climate-controlled conditions. We cultivated chickpea to seed in a mixture containing 75% Lunar Regolith Simulant. Preliminary results suggest that higher LRS contents induce heightened stress responses. However, plants grown in 100% LRS inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi demonstrated an average two-week survival extension compared to non-inoculated plants. This study provides, for the first time, a baseline for chickpea germination in varying mixtures of LRS and VC and will inform future studies as humanity goes back to the Moon.
PWAS Hub: Exploring Gene-Based Associations of Common Complex Diseases
Authors: Kelman Guy , Zucker Roei , Brandes Nadav , Linial Michal
Published: January 2024

PWAS (Proteome-Wide Association Study) is an innovative genetic association approach that complements widely-used methods like GWAS (Genome-Wide Association Study). The PWAS platform involves consecutive phases. Initially, machine learning modeling and probabilistic considerations quantified the impact of genetic variants on protein-coding genes’ biochemical functions. Secondly, aggregating the variants per gene for each individual determines a gene-damaging score. Finally, standard statistical tests are activated in the case-control setting to yield statistically significant genes per phenotype. The PWAS Hub offers a user-friendly interface for an in-depth exploration of gene-disease associations from the UK Biobank (UKB). Results from PWAS cover 99 common diseases and conditions, each with over 10,000 diagnosed individuals per phenotype. Users can explore genes associated with these diseases, with separate analyses conducted for males and females. The PWAS Hub lists statistically significant genes associated with common diseases. It also indicates whether the analyzed damaged gene is associated with an increased or decreased risk. For each phenotype, the analyses account for sex-based genetic effects, inheritance modes (dominant and recessive), and the pleiotropic nature of associated genes. The PWAS Hub showcases its usefulness by navigating through such proteomic-genetic application for asthma. Graphical tools facilitate comparing genetic effects between the results of PWAS and coding GWAS, aiding in understanding the sex-specific genetic impact on common diseases. This adaptable platform is attractive for clinicians, researchers, and individuals interested in delving into gene-disease associations and sex-specific genetic effects. The PWAS Hub is accessible athttp://pwas.huji.ac.il.
Real-Time Ratiometric pH Imaging of Macrophage Lysosomes Using the Novel pH-sensitive Probe ApHID
Authors: Solé-Domènech Santiago , Singh Pradeep Kumar , Warren J. David , Maxfield Frederick R.
Published: January 2024

Lysosomes actively regulate their lumenal pH, which is necessary for optimal enzymatic activity. Endocytic processes are involved in many diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, in which sub-optimal lysosomal function has been reported. To measure acidification, pH-sensitive probes can be delivered to endosomes and lysosomes using labeled dextran polymers or proteins. However, many commercially available probes have limited sensitivity in the acidic range of lysosomes, and their fluorescence is subject to photobleaching. Herein, we describe the preparation, characterization, and use of a novel pH-sensitive probe,ApHID, a green-emitting dye with a pKa near 5, increasing brightness with acidity, and resistance to oxidation and photobleaching. We used ApHID ratiometric imaging to measure lysosomal pH in macrophages, yielding nearly identical results when compared with fluorescein and Oregon Green. Overall,ApHIDcircumvents limitations presented by most commercially available pH-sensitive probes, and can be useful in demanding imaging applications such as intravital imaging of tissues.
Genomic diversity and antimicrobial resistance in clinicalKlebsiella pneumoniaeisolates from tertiary hospitals in Southern Ghana
Authors: Mills Richael O. , Dadzie Isaac , Le-Viet Thanh , Baker David J. , Addy Humphrey P. K. , Akwetey Samuel A. , Donkoh Irene E. , Quansah Elvis , Semanshia Prince S. , Morgan Jennifer , Mensah Abraham , Adade Nana E. , Ampah Emmanuel O. , Owusu Emmanuel , Mwintige Philimon , Amoako Eric O. , Spadar Anton , Holt Kathryn E. , Foster-Nyarko Ebenezer
Published: January 2024

Comprehensive data on the genomic epidemiology of hospital-associatedKlebsiella pneumoniaein Ghana is scarce. This study sequenced 103 clinicalK. pneumoniaeisolates from five tertiary hospitals in Southern Ghana, predominantly from paediatric patients under five years (67/103, 65%), with the majority collected from urine (32/103, 31%) and blood (25/103, 24%) cultures. We employed Pathogenwatch for genotyping via Kaptive (K/O antigens) and Kleborate (antimicrobial resistance and hypervirulence) and determined clonal relationships using core-genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST). Among the 44 distinct sequence types (STs) detected, ST133 was the most common, comprising 23% of isolates (n=23/103). We discovered 27 different capsular (K) locus antigens and seven lipopolysaccharide (O) types; KL116 (28/103, 27%) and O1 (66/103, 64%) were the most prevalent. Single-linkage clustering highlighted the global spread of multidrug-resistant clones such as ST15, ST307, ST17, ST11, ST101, and ST48, with minimal allele differences (1-5) from publicly available genomes worldwide. Conversely, several isolates (n=17) constituted novel clonal groups and lacked close relatives among publicly available genomes, displaying unique genetic diversity within our study population. A significant proportion of isolates (88/103, 85%) carried resistance genes for three or more antibiotic classes, with theblaCTXM-15gene present in 78% (n=80/103). Carbapenem resistance, predominantly due toblaOXA-181andblaNDM-1genes, was found in 10% (n=10/103) of the isolates. Yersiniabactin was the predominant acquired virulence trait, identified in 70% (n=72/103) of the isolates. Our findings reveal a complex genomic landscape ofK. pneumoniaein Southern Ghana, underscoring the critical need for ongoing genomic surveillance to manage the substantial burden of antimicrobial resistance.
Submicroscopic malaria parasitemia and migration: the hidden weight carried by pregnant women
Authors: Docquier L , Taelman C , Delforge M , Martin C.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Submicroscopic malaria parasitemia is a known phenomenon for years, however there are currently not enough existing data to set guidelines for diagnosis and treatment. Due to multiple reasons, pregnant women arrived recently from endemic areas seem to be particularly at risk of submicroscopic malaria parasitemia, which can only be diagnosed by molecular techniques. This study aims to determine the prevalence of submicroscopic malaria parasitemia in pregnant women coming from endemic areas and to pin down its potential consequences on maternal and birth outcomes.

Methods

A prospective study on pregnant women that recently arrived from endemic areas for malaria was conducted in the Obstetrics Department of CHU Saint-Pierre (Brussels). SeveralP. falciparumdetection techniques were performed for each participant on 2 maternal (pre and postnatal) and 1 cord blood samples, using both conventional tests and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Placentas were also analyzed to search for placental malaria. Birth outcomes were collected. Patients with and without submicroscopic malaria parasitemia were compared.

Results

Maternal and umbilical blood samples were collected in 96 enrolled patients and analyzed by conventional tests and loop mediated isothermal amplification. Among the enrolled patients, 5 (5.2%) had submicroscopic malaria parasitemia. Patients with submicroscopic malaria parasitemia had left their endemic area more recently (p <0.05), had higher reticulocyte counts in both maternal prenatal blood (p <0.02) and cord blood (p <0.02) and had higher lactate dehydrogenase level in cord blood (p <0.05). No impact of submicroscopic malaria parasitemia on birth weight and term of birth was detected.

Conclusion

The prevalence of submicroscopic malaria parasitemia in pregnant women arriving in non-endemic countries is non negligible. More data need to be collected to assess the consequences of submicroscopic malaria parasitemia on maternal and birth outcomes.
Clinical value of plasma ALZpath pTau217 immunoassay for assessing mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Lehmann Sylvain , Schraen-Maschke Susanna , Vidal Jean-Sébastien , Delaby Constance , Buée Luc , Blanc Frédéric , Paquet Claire , Allinquant Bernadette , Bombois Stéphanie , Gabelle Audrey , Hanon Olivier
Published: January 2024

Objectives

We sought to compare two of the most promising plasma biomarkers for Alzheimer disease (AD): pTau181 and pTau217.

Methods

pTau181 and pTau217 were quantified using, Quanterix and ALZpath, SIMOA assays in the well characterized prospective multicentre BALTAZAR cohort of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) participants.

Results

Among MCI participants, 55% were Aβ+ and 29% developed dementia due to AD. pTau181 and pTau217 were higher in the Aβ+ population with fold-change of 1.5 and 2.7 respectively. MCI that converted to AD also had higher levels than non-converters, with hazard ratios of 1.38 (1.26-1.51) for pTau181 compared to 8.22 (5.45-12.39) for pTau217. The AUC for predicting Aβ+ was 0.783 (95%CI: 0.721-0.836; cut-point 2.75 pg/mL) for pTau181 and 0.914 (95%CI: 0.868-0.948; cut-point 0.44 pg/mL) for pTau217. The high predictive power of pTau217 was not improved by adding age, sex, and APOEε4 status, in a logistic model. Age, APOEε4 and renal dysfunction were associated with pTau levels, but the clinical performance of pTau217 was only marginally altered by these factors. Using a two cut-point approach, a 95% positive predictive value for Aβ+ corresponded to pTau217 > 0.8 pg/mL and a 95% negative predictive value at <0.23 pg/mL. At these two cut-points, the percentages of MCI conversion were 56.8% and 9.7% respectively, while the annual rates of decline in MMSE were −2.32 versus −0.65.

Conclusions

Plasma pTau217 and pTau181 both correlate with AD, but the fold-change in pTau217 make it better to diagnose cerebral amyloidosis, and predict cognitive decline and conversion to AD dementia.
Data-driven personalised recommendations for eczema treatment using a Bayesian model of severity dynamics
Authors: Hurault Guillem , Stalder Jean François , Aroman Markéta Saint , Tanaka Reiko J.
Published: January 2024

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. AD has heterogeneous phenotypes, making it challenging to predict treatment effects for each patient and to generate personalised treatment recommendations. Here we aim to develop a computational model that predicts the evolution of AD severity and generates treatment recommendations for individual patients. We modelled the temporal evolution of eczema severity by applying a previously developed computational framework (EczemaPred) to the daily record of Patient-Oriented SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (PO-SCORAD) collected from 16 AD patients over 12 weeks in an observational study. We also leveraged historical data from 337 AD patients to kickstart the model training and reach more robust conclusions. We estimated the effects of topical corticosteroids and emollients on the next day’s PO-SCORAD, and generated personalised treatment recommendations using Bayesian decision analysis on whether treatment should be applied to improve PO-SCORAD on the next day for each of the 16 patients. We calibrated daily PO-SCORAD recorded by patients with monthly SCORAD assessed by clinical staff to improve the data quality. This study demonstrated a proof-of-concept for generating personalised treatment recommendations for AD using a Bayesian model that integrates multiple sources of information, including PO-SCORAD, SCORAD, and treatment usage.
Glucose metabolism and Radiodensity of Abdominal Adipose Tissue: A 5-year longitudinal study in a large PET cohort
Authors: Pak Kyoungjune , Santavirta Severi , Shin Seunghyeon , Nam Hyun-Yeol , De Maeyer Sven , Nummenmaa Lauri
Published: January 2024

Objective

18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) allows the noninvasive assessment of glucose metabolism and radiodensity of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT).

Research design and methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from 435 healthy males (mean 42.8 years) who underwent health check-up program twice at baseline and 5-year follow-up. The mean standardized uptake value (SUV) was measured from SAT and VAT and was divided with liver SUV. The mean Hounsfield unit (HU) of SAT and VAT was measured from CT scans. The effects of clinical variable clusters on SUVR were investigated using Bayesian hierarchical modelling. Four clusters were established for predicting SUVR; 1) metabolic cluster (BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, fat percentage, muscle percentage*-1, HOMA-IR), 2) blood pressure (systolic, diastolic), 3) glucose (fasting plasma glucose level, HbA1c), and 4) C-reactive protein.

Results

All the clinical variables except for C-reactive protein changed during the 5-year follow-up. SUVR and HU of VAT were increased during the 5-year follow-up, however, those of SAT were not changed. SUVR and HU were positively correlated in both VAT and SAT. SAT SUVR and VAT SUVR were negatively associated with metabolic cluster.

Conclusion

Ageing led to increased glucose metabolism and radiodensity in VAT, not in SAT. VAT may reflect the ageing process more directly than SAT. Glucose metabolism was higher and radiodensity was lower in VAT than in SAT, probably due to the difference in gene expression and lipid-density. Both glucose metabolism and radiodensity of VAT and SAT reflect the metabolic status.
Bacterial quorum sensing controls carbon metabolism to optimize growth in changing environmental conditions
Authors: Simpson Chelsea A. , Celentano Zach , McKinlay James B. , Nadell Carey D. , van Kessel Julia C.
Published: January 2024

Bacteria sense population density via the cell-cell communication system called quorum sensing (QS). Some QS-regulated phenotypes (e.g., secreted enzymes, chelators), are public goods exploitable by cells that stop producing them. We uncovered a phenomenon in whichVibriocells optimize expression of the methionine and tetrahydrofolate (THF) synthesis genes via QS. Strains that are genetically ‘locked’ at high cell density grow slowly in minimal glucose media and suppressor mutants accumulate via inactivating-mutations inmetF(methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) andluxR(the master QS transcriptional regulator). Methionine/THF synthesis genes are repressed at low cell density when glucose is plentiful and are de-repressed by LuxR at high cell density as glucose becomes limiting. In mixed cultures, QS mutant strains initially co-exist with wild-type, but as glucose is depleted, wild-type outcompetes the QS mutants. Thus, QS regulation of methionine/THF synthesis is a fitness benefit that links private and public goods within the QS regulon, preventing accumulation of QS-defective mutants.
Chiral crossover versus chiral density wave in dense nuclear matter
Authors: Pitsinigkos Savvas , Schmitt Andreas
Published: January 2024

We employ a model based on nucleonic and mesonic degrees of freedom to discuss the competition between isotropic and anisotropic phases in cold and dense matter. Assuming isotropy, the model exhibits a chiral phase transition which is of second order in the chiral limit and becomes a crossover in the case of a realistic pion mass. This observation crucially depends on the presence of the nucleonic vacuum contribution. Allowing for an anisotropic phase in the form of a chiral density wave can disrupt the smooth crossover. We identify the regions in the parameter space of the model where a chiral density wave is energetically preferred. A high-density reappearance of the chiral density wave with unphysical behavior, as seen in previous studies, is avoided by a suitable renormalization scheme. A nonzero pion mass tends to disfavor the anisotropic phase compared to the chiral limit and we find that, within our model, the chiral density wave is only realized for baryon densities of at least about 6 times nuclear saturation density.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Solar neutrino constraints on light mediators through coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering
Authors: Demirci M. , Mustamin M. F.
Published: January 2024

We investigate new physics with light-neutral mediators through coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEνNS) at low energies. These mediators, with a mass of less than 1 GeV, are common properties for extensions of the Standard Model (SM). We consider general scalar, vector, and tensor interactions allowed by Lorentz invariance and involve universal light mediators accordingly. In addition, we study an additional vector gauge boson with an associated U(1)′ gauge group for a variety of models including U(1)B−L, U(1)B−3Le, U(1)B−3Lμ, and U(1)B−3Lτ. These models differ in the fermion charges, which determine their contributions within the CEνNS process. The effects of each model are investigated by embedding them in the SM process using solar neutrino flux. We derive new limits on the coupling-mass plane of these models from the latest CDEX-10 data. We also present projected sensitivities involving the future experimental developments for each model. Our results provide more stringent constraints in some regions, compared to previous works. Furthermore, the projected sensitivities yield an improvement of up to one order of magnitude.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Oscillations of high-energy cosmic neutrinos in the copious MeV neutrino background
Authors: Abbar Sajad , Carpio Jose Alonso , Murase Kohta
Published: January 2024

The core-collapse of massive stars and the merger of neutron star binaries are among the most promising candidate sites for the production of high-energy cosmic neutrinos. We demonstrate that the high-energy neutrinos produced in such extreme environments can experience efficient flavor conversions on scales much shorter than those expected in vacuum, due to their coherent forward scatterings with the bath of decohered low-energy neutrinos emitted from the central engine. These low-energy neutrinos, which exist as mass eigenstates, provide a very special and peculiar dominant background for the propagation of the high-energy ones. We point out that the high-energy neutrino flavor ratio is modified to a value independent of neutrinos energies, which is distinct from the conventional prediction with the matter effect. We also suggest that the signals can be used as a novel probe of new neutrino interactions beyond the Standard Model. This is yet another context where neutrino-neutrino interactions can play a crucial role in their flavor evolution.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Particles on demand method: Theoretical analysis, simplification techniques, and model extensions
Authors: Kallikounis N. G. , Karlin I. V.
Published: January 2024

The particles on demand method [] was recently formulated with a conservative finite-volume discretization and validated against challenging benchmarks. In this work, we focus on the properties of the reference frame transformation and its implications on the accuracy of the model. Based on these considerations, we propose strategies that simplify the scheme and generalize it to include a tunable Prandtl number via quasi-equilibrium relaxation. Finally, we adapt concepts from the multiscale semi-Lagrangian lattice Boltzmann formulation to the proposed framework, further improving the potential and the operating range of the kinetic model. Numerical simulations of high Mach compressible flows demonstrate excellent accuracy and stability of the model over a wide range of conditions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
The search for training and skill improvement of seasonal workers in tourism
Authors: Fasone Vincenzo , Pedrini Giulio , Scuderi Raffaele
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The paper aims at assessing the role of the different stages of the employment process in gauging workers' willingness to upskill themselves at the end of a seasonal employment contract by investing in further training.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses data from a dedicated survey administered to a sample of seasonal employees. Through a regression analysis it explores the different stages of the employment process (job search, selection on the job activities), making a distinction between monetary and nonmonetary components of the investment in training.

Findings

Results show that all stages matter, but they do not have the same importance. Ex-ante motivations and work experience, notably the level of perceived workload and organizational commitment, are the main factors affecting workers' willingness to acquire industry-specific skills through training.

Originality/value

So far, the literature has extensively dealt with the poor levels of training in seasonal employers, but it did not analyse worker’s willingness to invest in training over the different stages of the worker experience. This paper fills this gap by separately testing the relative importance of such stages and identifying the most important phases of the employment process.
Studying research in balanced scorecard over the years in performance management systems: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Jaiswal Vishakha , Thaker Keyur
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Since the introduction of balanced scorecard by Kaplan and Norton in 1992, it garnered considerable research and practice attention across disciplines. Using bibliometric analysis, this study examines trends in balanced scorecard research in last 20 years and identifies future areas of research.

Design/methodology/approach

The Web of Science database was used to extract research papers from the 2003 to 2023 period with “Balanced Scorecard” as topic. The final sample consisted of 445 articles. Trends and patterns were analyzed using bibliometric analysis through research profiling and thematic analysis.

Findings

The findings reveal that BSC, spanning across disciplines, including business and operations, has enriched the theory and practice of BSC research. Analytical and survey methods were more prevalent than primary studies. Scholars from the USA and the UK have made noteworthy contributions to balanced scorecard research. Emerging themes include integrating human resources, sustainability, subjectivity in performance evaluation and non-financial performance indicators in BSC for better strategic decision-making.

Practical implications

The study would inspire researchers to generate new research questions and hypotheses and help in identifying gaps in the current knowledge base and areas where further investigation is needed. Managers would gain useful insights into performance management by studying the BSC research evolution to find a fit for modern-day industry needs.

Originality/value

The authors’ contribution fills the void by providing useful account of extent research over last 20 years using bibliometric analysis and motivate future research directions.
Consumer trust in Thai street food vendors: implications for the post-pandemic era
Authors: Teangsompong Teerapong , Yamapewan Pichaporn , Sawangproh Weerachon
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of service quality (SQ), perceived value (PV) and consumer satisfaction on Thai street food, with customer satisfaction (CS) as a mediator for customer loyalty and repurchase intention (RI). It also explores how consumer trust (CT) in Thai street food safety moderates these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modelling (SEM) was utilised to analyse the complex interrelationships between various constructs. Multi-group analyses were conducted to investigate the moderating effects of CT on the structural model, considering two distinct groups based on trust levels: low and high.

Findings

The findings revealed that SQ and PV significantly influenced CS and behavioural intention, while the perceived quality of Thai street food had no significant impact on post-COVID-19 consumer satisfaction. The study highlighted the critical role of CT in moderating the relationships between SQ, PV and CS, with distinct effects observed in groups with varying trust levels.

Social implications

The research emphasises the importance of enhancing SQ and delivering value to customers in the context of Thai street food, which can contribute to increased CS, RI and positive word-of-mouth. Furthermore, the study underscores the critical role of building CT in fostering enduring customer relationships and promoting consumer satisfaction and loyalty.

Originality/value

This research offers valuable insights into consumer behaviour and decision-making processes, particularly within the realm of Thai street food. It underscores the significance of understanding and nurturing CT, especially in the post-COVID-19 landscape, emphasising the need for effective business strategies and consumer engagement.
Tying leaders' identity work and executive coaching research together: an overview of systematic reviews and agenda for research
Authors: Szekely Vince , Whiley Lilith A. , Pontes Halley , McDowall Almuth
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Despite the interest in leaders' identity work as a framework for leadership development, coaching psychology has yet to expose its active ingredients and outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

To do so, the authors reconcile published systematic literature reviews (SLRs) in the field to arrive at a more thorough understanding of the role of identity work in coaching. A total of 60 eligible SLRs on identity work and coaching were identified between 2010 and 2022. Four were included in the data extraction after selecting and screening, and the full texts of 196 primary studies reported therein were analysed.

Findings

Amongst the coachee-related factors of effective coaching, the coachee’s motivation, general self-efficacy beliefs, personality traits and goal orientation were the most frequently reported active ingredients, and performance improvement, self-awareness and goal specificity were the most frequently supported outcomes. The analysis indicates that leaders' identity work, as an active ingredient, can be a moderator variable for transformative coaching interventions, while strengthening leadership role identity could be one of the lasting outcomes because coaching interventions facilitate, deconstruct and enhance leaders' identity work. Further research is needed to explore the characteristics of these individual, relational and collective processes.

Originality/value

This study adds value by synthesising SLRs that report coachee-related active ingredients and outcomes of executive coaching research. It demonstrates that the role of leaders' identity work is a neglected factor affecting coaching results and encourages coaching psychologists to apply identity framework in their executive coaching practice.
Lasting effects of avian‐frugivore interactions on seed dispersal and seedling establishment
Authors: Quintero Elena , Arroyo Juan Miguel , Dirzo Rodolfo , Jordano Pedro , Rodríguez‐Sánchez Francisco
Published: January 2024

The consequences of plant–animal interactions often transcend the mere encounter stage, as those encounters are followed by a chain of subsequent stages on the plant's reproductive cycle that ultimately determine fitness. Yet, the dissemination and recruitment stages of animal‐mediated seed dispersal are seldom analysed jointly, hindering a full understanding of the ecology of seed dispersal.

We analyse the dispersal and recruitment of a fleshy‐fruited plant (Pistacia lentiscus), from fruit production to seedling survival up to their second year. We link early reproductive investment of individual plants to seedling recruitment and explore the role played by seed viability, the coterie of frugivores and microhabitat seed deposition.

The proportion of viable seeds was generally low (mean = 34%) but highly variable among individual plants (range: 0%–95%). Seed viability did not seem to have a direct effect on individual plant's recruitment.

We recorded 28 bird species feeding on P. lentiscus fruits or seeds. Their contribution to plant recruitment was mainly determined by their intensity of fruit consumption and probability to disperse viable seeds. Most frugivores presented non‐random microhabitat preferences, delivering uneven seed contributions to different sites.

Post‐dispersal seed predation by rodents was the most limiting phase in P. lentiscus recruitment. Yet, microhabitats showing the lowest predation rates received the lowest seed rain. Hence, we found a decoupling of the dissemination and recruitment stages: most seeds do not arrive at the most suitable microhabitats.

We estimate P. lentiscus plants need to produce c. 5 × 105 fruits to recruit a single seedling that survives to its second summer in our study site. Its success as a prevalent species in Mediterranean lowland landscapes relies on its high fecundity and thorough fruit removal and dispersal by a diversified frugivore assemblage, which compensates for the high seed unviability characteristic of this genus.

Synthesis: Measuring the delayed, post‐dispersal outcomes of animal frugivory interactions may overturn inferences based on consumption observations only. Seed rain patterns are often decoupled from microhabitats' suitability for seedling recruitment. Hence, more integrative studies that encompass the entire plant reproductive cycle (from fruit production to seedling recruitment) are needed to fully understand frugivores' lasting contribution to plant regeneration in natural populations.
Association between changes in prices and out‐of‐pocket costs for brand‐name clinician‐administered drugs
Authors: Lalani Hussain S. , Russo Massimilano , Desai Rishi J. , Kesselheim Aaron S. , Rome Benjamin N.
Published: January 2024

Objective

To determine whether annual changes in prices for clinician‐administered drugs are associated with changes in patient out‐of‐pocket costs.

Data Sources and Study Setting

National commercial claims database, 2009 to 2018.

Study Design

In a serial, cross‐sectional study, we calculated the annual percent change in manufacturer list prices and net prices after rebates. We used two‐part generalized linear models to assess the relationship between annual changes in price with (1) the percentage of individuals incurring any out‐of‐pocket costs and (2) the percent change in median non‐zero out‐of‐pocket costs.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We created annual cohorts of privately insured individuals who used one of 52 brand‐name clinician‐administered drugs.

Principal Findings

List prices increased 4.4%/yr (interquartile range [IQR], 1.1% to 6.0%) and net prices 3.3%/yr (IQR, 0.3% to 5.5%). The median percentage of patients with any out‐of‐pocket costs increased from 38% in 2009 to 48% in 2018, and median non‐zero annual out‐of‐pocket costs increased by 9.6%/yr (IQR, 4.1% to 15.4%). There was no association between changes in prices and out‐of‐pocket costs for individual drugs.

Conclusions

From 2009 to 2018, prices and out‐of‐pocket costs for brand‐name clinician‐administered drugs increased, but these were not directly related for individual drugs. This may be due to changes to insurance benefit design and private insurer drug reimbursement rates.
Effects of kinetic energy and firearm‐to‐target distance on fracture behavior in flat bones
Authors: Edwards Delaney , Isa Mariyam
Published: January 2024

This research implements a fractographic approach to investigate the relationships between kinetic energy, firearm‐to‐target distance, and various aspects of fracture behavior in gunshot trauma. Gunshot experiments were performed on pig scapulae (n = 30) using three firearms generating different muzzle (initial) kinetic energies, including a 0.32 pistol (103 J), 0.40 pistol (492 J), and 0.308 rifle (2275 J). Specimens were shot from two distances: 10 cm (n = 15) and 110 cm (n = 15). Features evaluated in fractographic analysis such as cone cracks, radiating cracks, crack branching points, and circumferential cracks could be easily identified and measured in flat bones and allowed for statistical comparison of crack propagation behavior under different impact conditions. Higher‐energy bullets produced more radiating cracks, more crack branching points, and longer fracture lengths than lower‐energy bullets. Distance had no significant effect on fracture morphology at the distances tested. That quantitative measures of crack propagation varied with energy affirms that kinetic energy transfer is important in determining the nature and extent of fracture in gunshot wounds and suggests it may be possible to infer relatively high‐ versus relatively low‐energy transfer using these features. Ranges obtained with the three firearms exhibited considerable overlap, however, indicating that other variables such as bullet caliber, mass, and construction influence the efficiency of energy transfer from bullet to bone. Therefore, fracture morphology cannot be used to identify a specific firearm or to directly reconstruct the muzzle (initial) kinetic energy in forensic cases.
Blind date: female fossorial amphisbaenians prefer scent marks of large and healthy males
Authors: MARTÍN José , RODRÍGUEZ‐RUIZ Gonzalo , NAVARRO‐CASTILLA Álvaro , BARJA Isabel , LÓPEZ Pilar
Published: January 2024

Selecting a good mate is a decision with important fitness consequences. For this reason, mate choice has promoted the evolution of sexual ornaments signaling the quality of an individual. In fossorial animals, inhabiting visually restricted underground environments, chemical senses should be very important for mate choice. We examined whether sexual chemical signals (substrate scent marks) produced by males of the Iberian worm lizard, Blanus cinereus, a strictly fossorial blind amphisbaenian, provide information to females on morphological traits and health state. We administered corticosterone (CORT) to males simulating a continuous stressor affecting their health. Females preferred settling at sites scent‐marked by males in comparison with similar sites with female scent or unmarked sites, but the attractiveness of males' scent differed between individuals. Females preferred scent marks of larger/older males and with a higher immune response, while their body condition and CORT treatment were unrelated to female preferences. Chemical analyses showed that proportions of some compounds in precloacal secretions of males (used to produce scent marks) were correlated with the morphological (body size) and health state (immune response and body condition, but not CORT treatment) of these males. These results suggest that females may make site‐selection decisions based on assessing the chemical characteristics of males' scent marks, which were reliably related to some of the traits of the male that produced the scent. Therefore, females might use chemical senses to increase the opportunities to find and mate with males of high quality, coping with the restrictions of the subterranean environment.