bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effective Multiplication Factor Analysis of Gas-cooled Reactor using OpenMC code with ENDF/B-VII.1, ENDF/B-VIII.0 and JENDL-5.0 Nuclear Data
Authors: Rachmat Mochamad Aria Ibnu , Irwanto Dwi
Published: April 2024

As the demand for nuclear energy keeps rising, Generation IV reactor designs continuously improve. One such potential reactor design is the Gas-cooled Reactor. Neutronic analysis is the foundation for ongoing design modifications and alternatives for the Helium Gas-cooled Reactor. An important aspect of neutronic analysis is the nuclear data library. This research compares how different nuclear data libraries impact a Helium Gas-cooled Reactor design by comparing the neutron effective multiplication factor (k-eff) value. This research was conducted by the Monte Carlo method using OpenMC code. ENDF/B-VII.1, ENDF/B-VIII.0 and JENDL-5.0 were used as nuclear data libraries to simulate the reactor design for ten years of depletion time with 1-year timesteps. The reactor is designed in two different spectrums: the fast neutron spectrum design and the thermal neutron spectrum design. The differences between the two designs are in the cladding and reflector materials where the thermal neutron spectrum uses graphite moderator. The results for thermal spectrum design show that while each nuclear data library’s average k-eff values vary, they all produce the same results at timestep zero, with k-eff values around 1.02500. The average k-eff value from simulation using the ENDF/B-VII.1 library is 1.01477, the average k-eff value from simulation using the ENDF/B-VIII.0 library is 1.01122, and the average k-eff value from simulation using the JENDL-5.0 library is 1.01047. Each simulation result has an average uncertainty of 0.00040. The difference is due to the different amounts of data in each library. JENDL-5.0 has the highest amount of data inside its nuclear libraries, followed by ENDF/B-VIII.0 and ENDF/B-VII.1. Meanwhile, the average difference between the different libraries is insignificant for the thermal gas-cooled reactor simulation results. ENDF/B-VIII.0 produces an effective k-average of 1.04437, and JENDL-5.0 produces an effective k-average of 1.04273. Mass change over time results also shows that the transmutation of Uranium-238 into Plutonium-239 occurred. The fast spectrum reactor design shows a greater increase in plutonium-239 than the thermal spectrum design. The three libraries used did not show large differences in results in calculating changes in the mass of Uranium-238 over time due to Uranium-238‘s large mass, but they still showed differences in Plutonium-239‘s mass change over time. The average value difference between libraries in the fast neutron spectrum reactor design is 50 kg, and in the thermal spectrum it is 30 kg.
Neutronic performance of 208Pb-Bi eutectic-cooled fast reactor with uranium nitride fuel (enriched 15N)
Authors: Widiawati N , Suud Z
Published: April 2024

Fast reactors (FRs) require more uranium enrichment than LWRs and fuel reprocessing. The solution proposed to address these issues is to use the modified CANDLE burnup scheme on the reactor core. The use of uranium nitride (UN) as fuel was proposed because the UN fuel has several advantages, such as high melting point, high heavy metal density, and large thermal conductivity. However, using UN as a fuel can produce the radioactive isotope 14C via the reaction 14N (n, p)14C. Therefore, in this study, a neutronic analysis was performed in a modified CANDLE fast reactor employing UN and UN (enriched 15N) as fuel using SRAC. The modified CANDLE fast reactor fuelled with UN (99% 15N) has a higher keff than the UN-fuelled reactor with similar parameters. Similarly, the atomic density of fissile nuclides and power density are higher because the 15N isotope has a smaller neutron capture cross-section than the 14N isotope.
Neutronic Analysis for The Radial Direction Heterogeneous Core Configuration of GFR with Thorium Fuel
Authors: Angelina Tsania Eksa , Syarifah Ratna Dewi , Widiawati Nina , Arkundato Artoto , Rohman Lutfi , Maulina Wenny , Purwandari Endhah
Published: April 2024

A neutronic analysis has been carried out for the radial direction heterogeneous core configuration in GFR with thorium nitride fuel to obtain the most optimal heterogeneous design has keff
> 1 and excess reactivity below one percent. Neutronic analysis was performed using openMC version 0.13.2 based on open-source Monte Carlo simulation with ENDF/B-VII.1 data library. The first calculation is benchmarking openMC and SRAC where the largest error is 2.49% is caused by different data library. SRAC data library is JENDL 4.0. The second calculation is a homogeneous core configuration with 5% to 15% uranium-U233 fuel variation, the stability lies at 8% for the reference of heterogeneous core configuration. The heterogeneous core configuration was performed with three types of fuel percentage and five different geometry variations. Optimum design for geometry F1:F2:F3 = 1 ring:4 rings:1 ring using fuel type F1:F2:F3 = 6.5%:8%:9.5%. Optimum design for geometry F1:F2:F3 = 2 rings:2 rings:2 rings using fuel type F1:F2:F3 = 7.5%:8%:8.5%. Optimum design for geometry F1:F2:F3= 1 ring:2 rings:3 rings using fuel type F1:F2:F3=7%:8%:9%. Optimum design for geometry F1:F2:F3= 1 ring:3 rings:2 rings using fuel type F1:F2:F3 = 7.5%:8%:8.5%. Optimum design for geometry F1:F2:F3 = 1 ring:1 ring: 4 rings using fuel type F1:F2:F3 = 7.5%:8%:8.5%. The most optimum design among the other five designs is the F1:F2:F3 = 2 rings:2 rings:2 rings geometry design because it has a maximum keff
of 1.00999 and excess reactivity of 0.99%. This design is carried out for an extended burn-up 15 years and still stable with the characteristics of the neutron flux and fission rate in this design decrease with burn-up time. Fission product in this design also decreased according to the purpose of the generation IV reactor is the prevention of nuclear weapons.
Near-extremal Kerr-like ECO in the Kerr/CFT Correspondence
Authors: Zhahir Djogama M. , Sakti Muhammad F. A. R. , Zen Freddy P. , Hikmawan Getbogi
Published: April 2024

The Kerr/CFT correspondence has been established to explore the quantum theory of gravity in the near-horizon geometry of a extreme Kerr black holes. The horizon can be replaced by partially reflective membrane due to quantum gravitational corrections on the near-horizon region. Because of this modification, black holes now can be seen as a horizonless exotic compact object (ECO). In this work, with Kerr/CFT correspondence we study the properties of Kerr-like ECO in near-extremal condition. We compute the quasinormal modes and absorption cross-section and compare the results with CFT computation. The dual CFT one needs to consider finite size/finite N effects in the dual CFT terminology. We find consistency between properties of the ECOs from gravity side and from CFT side. The quasinormal mode spectrum is in line with non-extreme case with differences in the length of the circle where the dual CFT lives, and phase shift of the incoming perturbation. The absorption cross-section has oscillatory feature that start to vanish in near extremal limit. We also show that the echo time-delay depends on the position of the membrane and extremality of the ECOs.
Inflation Driven by Nonlinear Electrodynamics in Anisotropic Spacetime
Authors: Izzah Ramy Fitrah , Nasiroh Chilwatun , Saktioto  , Akbar Fiki Taufik
Published: April 2024

The well-known Big Bang theory has explained how the universe came into being. This extraordinary event caused the later universe to be accelerated by a scale factor a(t). However, standard Big Bang theory has had some problems that can’t be explained, such as monopoles, horizons, and flatness. To solve this problem, a model of inflation in the early universe is required. Recent studies show that nonlinear electrodynamics coupled with general relativity can describe the inflation of the universe. In this work, we consider a model of nonlinear electrodynamics in anisotropic spacetime. We derive the dynamical equation from Einstein’s field equation and the law of conservation of energy-momentum tensor. Then, we use the perturbation method to solve the dynamical equation of the universe and obtain the evolution of the non-singular scale factor with anisotropy parameter ϵ. Using a phase-space analysis of the inflationary model, we obtain a phase portrait in the presence of fixed points. Our result shows that in the model of nonlinear electrodynamics coupled to gravity in anisotropic spacetime, the universe can undergo an inflationary mechanism if ϵ < 1. We also show the absence of singularity in density and pressure using this model.
Effect of Al on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mg-6Zn Alloy
Authors: Wang Rong , Zhang Zhaodong , Shao Zhiwen , Han Jungang , Wang Jun , Zhu Xiurong
Published: April 2024

In this work, the effect of trace Al on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-6Zn alloy was studied. The results show that the as-cast ZM60 alloy consists of α-Mg phase and Mg51Zn20 phase. After the addition of Al, fine Al8Mn5 phase increases in the microstructure of the experimental alloy, and the number of the second phase increases. Dynamic recrystallization occurred in all the experimental alloys during extrusion deformation, the grain size of Al alloy is significantly smaller than that of ZM60 alloy, and the average grain size of ZAM610 alloy is the smallest, which is 5.6µm. ZAM610 alloy has the best mechanical properties, with tensile strength, yield strength, elongation after fracture, U-notch impact work and non-notch impact work of 302.7MPa, 216MPa, 19.7%, 10.0 J/cm2 and 56.0 J/cm2, respectively. The fracture of the impact sample shows that there are many tearing edges in the ZM60 alloy, which shows the characteristics of quasi-cleavage fracture. The ZAM600 and ZAM610 alloys have a large number of dimples, which are characterized by dimple fracture. The improved properties of magnesium alloys after microalloying can be attributed to the formation of fine Al8Mn5 phase, which has good Zener blocking effect, refines the dynamic recrystallized grains, and improves the strength and impact toughness of the alloy.
Novel algorithm for qualitative and quantitative material analysis by the K-edges for photon-counting computed tomography
Authors: Sotenskii R.V. , Rozhkov V.A. , Shashurin D.A. , Suslova E.V. , Chelkov G.A.
Published: April 2024

The use of photon-counting detectors (PCD) in X-ray computed
tomography (CT) allows for obtaining specific spectral information
about the materials present in the studied object. This provides the
capability to detect contrast agents (CAs) based on elements with
high atomic numbers, which opens up significant prospects for
diagnostics and preclinical trials. This work presents a criterion
for the extraction of a contrast agent and the determination of its
concentration based on the K-edge absorption. The criterion is built
on the study of the spectral characteristics of CAs. It considers
scenarios where more than two contrast agents are simultaneously
used in a wide range of concentrations in the study. The experiment
was conducted using a laboratory microtomographic system based on
the Medipix3RX detector family. The criterion utilizes five energy
thresholds for the identification of a single contrast
agent. Lanthanides were used as contrast agents.
Universal constraint for relaxation rates of semigroups of qubit Schwarz maps
Authors: Chruściński Dariusz , Kimura Gen , Mukhamedov Farrukh
Published: April 2024

Unital qubit Schwarz maps interpolate between positive and completely positive maps. It is shown that the relaxation rates of the qubit semigroups of unital maps enjoying the Schwarz property satisfy a universal constraint, which provides a modification of the corresponding constraint known for completely positive semigroups. As an illustration, we consider two paradigmatic qubit semigroups: Pauli dynamical maps and phase-covariant dynamics. This result has two interesting implications: it provides a universal constraint for the spectra of qubit Schwarz maps and gives rise to a necessary condition for a Schwarz qubit map to be Markovian.
Positroid Catalan numbers
Authors: Galashin Pavel , Lam Thomas
Published: April 2024

Given a (bounded affine) permutation

f
f

, we study the positroid Catalan number

C
f

C_f

defined to be the torus-equivariant Euler characteristic of the associated open positroid variety. We introduce a class of repetition-free permutations and show that the corresponding positroid Catalan numbers count Dyck paths avoiding a convex subset of the rectangle. We show that any convex subset appears in this way. Conjecturally, the associated

q
,
t

q,t

-polynomials coincide with the generalized

q
,
t

q,t

-Catalan numbers that recently appeared in relation to the shuffle conjecture, flag Hilbert schemes, and Khovanov–Rozansky homology of Coxeter links.
Ecological Momentary Assessment of Weight Stigma and Eating Behavior in Everyday Life
Authors: Hunger Jeffrey M , Montoya Amanda K , Edrosolan Kristienne , Tan Juanyi , Hubbard Anne S , Tomiyama A Janet
Published: April 2024

Background

Weight stigma is widespread, but the existing literature on its harmful consequences remains largely limited to lab-based experiments and large-scale longitudinal designs.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to understand how weight stigma unfolds in everyday life, and whether it predicts increased eating behavior.

Methods

In this event-contingent ecological momentary assessment study, 91 participants reported every time they experienced weight stigma and documented whether they ate, how much they ate, and what they ate. These reports were compared against a timepoint when they did not experience stigma.

Results

Participants reported a wide variety of stigmatizing events from a variety of sources, with the most common ones being the self, strangers, the media, and family. Multilevel models showed that participants were no more likely to eat post-stigma (vs. the comparison point), but if they did eat, they ate more servings of food (on average consuming 1.45 more servings, or 45% more). Moderation analyses indicated that this effect was amplified for men versus women.

Conclusion

Experiencing weight stigma appears to beget behavioral changes, potentially driving future weight gain, placing individuals at ever more risk for further stigmatization.
Machine learning to identify endometrial biomarkers predictive of pregnancy success following artificial insemination in dairy cows
Authors: Hoorn Quinn A , Rabaglino Maria B , Amaral Thiago F , Maia Tatiane S , Yu Fahong , Cole John B , Hansen Peter J
Published: April 2024

The objective was to identify a set of genes whose transcript abundance is predictive of a cow’s ability to become pregnant following artificial insemination. Endometrial epithelial cells from the uterine body were collected for RNA sequencing using the cytobrush method from 193 first-service Holstein cows at estrus prior to artificial insemination (day 0). A group of 253 first-service cows not used for cytobrush collection were controls. There was no effect of cytobrush collection on pregnancy outcomes at day 30 or 70 or on pregnancy loss between days 30 and 70. There were 2 upregulated and 214 downregulated genes (false discovery rate < 0.05, absolute fold change >2-fold) for cows pregnant at day 30 versus those that were not pregnant. Functional terms overrepresented in the downregulated genes included those related to immune and inflammatory responses. Machine learning for fertility biomarkers with the R package BORUTA resulted in identification of 57 biomarkers that predicted pregnancy outcome at day 30 with an average accuracy of 77%. Thus, machine learning can identify predictive biomarkers of pregnancy in endometrium with high accuracy. Moreover, sampling of endometrial epithelium using the cytobrush can help understand functional characteristics of the endometrium at artificial insemination without compromising cow fertility. Functional characteristics of the genes comprising the set of biomarkers is indicative that a major determinant of cow fertility, at least for first insemination after calving, is immune status of the uterus, which, in turn, is likely to reflect the previous history of uterine disease.
Sertoli cells require hnRNPC to support normal spermatogenesis and male fertility in mice
Authors: Mo Shaomei , Shu Ge , Cao Congcong , Wang Mingxia , Yang Jie , Ye Jing , Gui Yaoting , Yuan Shuiqiao , Ma Qian
Published: April 2024

Sertoli cells act as highly polarized testicular cells that nutritionally support multiple stages of germ cell development. However, the gene regulation network in Sertoli cells for modulating germ cell development has yet to be fully understood. In this study, we report that heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins C in Sertoli cells are essential for germ cell development and male fertility. Conditional knockout of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C in mouse Sertoli cells leads to aberrant Sertoli cells proliferation, disrupted cytoskeleton of Sertoli cells, and compromised blood–testis barrier function, resulting in loss of supportive cell function and, ultimately, defective spermiogenesis in mice. Further ribonucleic acid-sequencing analyses revealed these phenotypes are likely caused by the dysregulated genes in heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C–deficient Sertoli cells related to cell adhesion, cell proliferation, and apoptotic process. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C plays a critical role in Sertoli cells for maintaining the function of Sertoli cells and sustaining steady-state spermatogenesis in mice.
Mitochondria complex I deficiency in Candida albicans arrests the cell cycle at S phase through suppressive TOR and PKA pathways
Authors: Zhang Lulu , Meng Zhou , Calderone Richard , Liu Weida , She Xiaodong , Li Dongmei
Published: April 2024

How mutations in mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) proteins impact the cell cycle of Candida albicans was investigated in this study. Using genetic null mutants targeting ETC complexes I (CI), III (CIII), and IV (CIV), the cell cycle stages (G0/G1, S phase, and G2/M) were analyzed via fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Four CI null mutants exhibited distinct alterations, including extended S phase, shortened G2/M population, and a reduction in cells size exceeding 10 µM. Conversely, CIII mutants showed an increased population in G1/G0 phase. Among four CI mutants, ndh51Δ/Δ and goa1Δ/Δ displayed aberrant cell cycle patterns correlated with previously reported cAMP/PKA downregulation. Specifically, nuo1Δ/Δ and nuo2Δ/Δ mutants exhibited increased transcription of RIM15, a central hub linking cell cycle with nutrient-dependent TOR1 and cAMP/PKA pathways and Snf1 aging pathway. These findings suggest that suppression of TOR1 and cAMP/PKA pathways or enhanced Snf1 disrupts cell cycle progression, influencing cell longevity and growth among CI mutants. Overall, our study highlights the intricate interplay between mitochondrial ETC, cell cycle, and signaling pathways.
Using Pose Estimation and 3D Rendered Models to Study Leg-Mediated Self-righting by Lanternflies
Authors: Bien Theodore , Alexander Benjamin H , Li Chengpei , Goeler-Slough Natalie , Hsieh S Tonia , Kane Suzanne Amador
Published: April 2024

Synopsis

The ability to upright quickly and efficiently when overturned on the ground (terrestrial self-righting) is crucial for living organisms and robots. Previous studies have mapped the diverse behaviors used by various animals to self-right on different substrates, and proposed physical models to explain how body morphology can favor specific self-righting methods. However, to our knowledge, no studies have quantified and modeled all of an animal’s limb motions during these complicated behaviors. Here, we studied terrestrial self-righting by immature invasive spotted lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula), an insect species that must frequently recover from being overturned after jumping and falling in its native habitat. These nymphs self-righted successfully in 92–100% of trials on three substrates with different friction and roughness, with no significant difference in the time or number of attempts required. They accomplished this using three stereotypic sequences of movements. To understand these motions, we combined 3D poses tracked on multi-view high-speed video with articulated 3D models created using photogrammetry and Blender rendering software. The results were used to calculate the mechanical properties (e.g., potential and kinetic energy, angular speed, stability margin, torque, force, etc.) of these insects during righting trials. We used an inverted physical pendulum model (a “template”) to estimate the kinetic energy available in comparison to the increase in potential energy required to flip over. While these insects began righting using primarily quasistatic motions, they also used dynamic leg motions to achieve final tip-over. However, this template did not describe important features of the insect’s center of mass trajectory and rotational dynamics, necessitating the use of an “anchor” model comprising the 3D rendered body model and six articulated two-segment legs to model the body’s internal degrees of freedom and capture the role of the legs’ contribution to inertial reorientation. This anchor elucidated the sequence of highly coordinated leg movements these insects used for propulsion, adhesion, and inertial reorientation during righting, and how they frequently pivot about a body contact point on the ground to flip upright. In the most frequently used method, diagonal rotation, these motions allowed nymphs to spin their bodies to upright with lower force with a greater stability margin compared to the other less frequently used methods. We provide a concise overview of necessary background on 3D orientation and rotational dynamics, and the resources required to apply these low-cost modeling methods to other problems in biomechanics.
Neutralization of Rubella Vaccine Virus and Immunodeficiency-Related Vaccine-Derived Rubella Viruses by Intravenous Immunoglobulins
Authors: Chen Min-hsin , Perelygina Ludmila , Hao LiJuan , Beard R Suzanne , Lackner Cornelia , Farcet Maria R , Karbiener Michael , Icenogle Joseph , Kreil Thomas R
Published: April 2024

The association between granulomas and vaccine-derived rubella virus (VDRV) in people with primary immunodeficiencies has raised concerns about the ability of immunoglobulin preparations to neutralize VDRVs. We investigated the capacity of immunoglobulin to neutralize rubella vaccine virus and 4 VDRV strains. As expected, the rubella vaccine virus itself was potently neutralized by immunoglobulin preparations, but the VDRV isolates from patients after intrahost evolution, 2–6 times less so. Diagnosis of immune deficiencies before possible live-virus vaccination is thus of critical importance, while immunoglobulin replacement therapy can be expected to provide protection from rubella virus infection.
The Quasar Catalogue for S-PLUS DR4 (QuCatS) and the estimation of photometric redshifts
Authors: Nakazono L , R Valença R , Soares G , Izbicki R , Ivezić Ž , R Lima E V , T Hirata N S , Sodré Jr L , Overzier R , Almeida-Fernandes F , Oliveira Schwarz G B , Schoenell W , Kanaan A , Ribeiro T , Mendes de Oliveira C
Published: April 2024

The advent of massive broad-band photometric surveys enabled photometric redshift estimates for unprecedented numbers of galaxies and quasars. These estimates can be improved using better algorithms or by obtaining complementary data such as narrow-band photometry, and broad-band photometry over an extended wavelength range. We investigate the impact of both approaches on photometric redshifts for quasars using data from Southern Photometric Local Universe Survey (S-PLUS) DR4, Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) DR6/7, and the unWISE catalog for the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) in three machine learning methods: Random Forest, Flexible Conditional Density Estimation (FlexCoDE), and Bayesian Mixture Density Network (BMDN). Including narrow-band photometry improves the root-mean-square error by 11 per cent in comparison to a model trained with only broad-band photometry. Narrow-band information only provided an improvement of 3.8 per cent when GALEX and WISE colours were included. Thus, narrow bands play a more important role for objects that do not have GALEX or WISE counterparts, which respectively makes 92 per cent and 25 per cent of S-PLUS data considered here. Nevertheless, the inclusion of narrow-band information provided better estimates of the probability density functions obtained with FlexCoDE and BMDN. We publicly release a value-added catalogue of photometrically selected quasars with the photo-z predictions from all methods studied here. The catalogue provided with this work covers the S-PLUS DR4 area (∼3000 square degrees), containing 645 980, 244 912, 144 991 sources with the probability of being a quasar higher than, 80 per cent, 90 per cent, 95 per cent up to r < 21.3 and good photometry quality in the detection image. More quasar candidates can be retrieved from the S-PLUS data base by considering less restrictive selection criteria.
Euclid view of the dusty star-forming galaxies at ≳ detected in wide area submillimetre surveys
Authors: Mitra Dipanjan , Negrello Mattia , De Zotti Gianfranco , Cai Zhen-Yi
Published: April 2024

We investigate the constraints provided by the Euclid space observatory on the physical properties of dusty star-forming galaxies (DSFGs) at $z\gtrsim 1.5$ detected in wide area submillimetre surveys with Herschel. We adopt a physical model for the high-z progenitors of spheroidal galaxies, which form the bulk of DSFGs at $z\gtrsim 1.5$. We improve the model by combining the output of the equations of the model with a formalism for the spectral energy distribution (SED). After optimizing the SED parameters to reproduce the measured infrared luminosity function and number counts of DFSGs, we simulated a sample of DSFGs over 100 $\hbox{deg}^2$ and then applied a $5\, \sigma$ detection limit of $37\,$ mJy at 250 $\mu$m. We estimated the redshifts from the Euclid data and then fitted the Euclid+Herschel photometry with the code CIGALE to extract the physical parameters. We found that 100 per cent of the Herschel galaxies are detected in all 4 Euclid bands above $3\, \sigma$. For 87 per cent of these sources the accuracy on $1 + z$ is better than 15 per cent. The sample comprises mostly massive, i.e. $\log (M_{\star }/{\rm M}_{\odot })\sim 10.5{\!-\!}12.9$, highly star forming, i.e. $\log (\hbox{SFR}/{\rm M}_{\odot }\hbox{yr}^{-1})\sim 1.5{\!-\!}4$, dusty, i.e. $\log (M_{\rm dust}/{\rm M}_{\odot })\sim 7.5{\!-\!}9.9$, galaxies. The measured stellar masses have a dispersion of 0.19 dex around the true value, thus showing that Euclid will provide reliable stellar mass estimates for the majority of the bright DSFGs at $z\gtrsim 1.5$ detected by Herschel. We also explored the effect of complementing the Euclid photometry with that from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory/LSST.
Ammonia leakage can underpin nitrogen-sharing among soil microbes
Authors: Richards Luke , Schäfer Patrick , Soyer Orkun S
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Soil microbial communities host a large number of microbial species that support important ecological functions such as biogeochemical cycling and plant nutrition. The extent and stability of these functions are affected by inter-species interactions among soil microbes, yet the different mechanisms underpinning microbial interactions in the soil are not fully understood. Here, we study the extent of nutrient-based interactions among two model, plant-supporting soil microbes, the fungiSerendipita indicaand the bacteriaBacillus subtilis. We find thatS. indicais unable to grow with nitrate - a common nitrogen source in the soil - but this inability can be rescued, and growth restored in the presence ofB. subtilis. We demonstrate that this effect is due toB. subtilisutilising nitrate and releasing ammonia, which can be used byS. indica. We refer to this type of mechanism as ammonia mediated nitrogen sharing (N-sharing). Using a mathematical model, we demonstrate that the pH dependent equilibrium between ammonia (NH3) and ammonium (NH4+) results in an inherent cellular leakiness, and that reduced amonnium uptake or assimilation rates can result in higher levels of leaked ammonia. In line with this model, a mutantB. subtilis- devoid of ammonia uptake - shows higherS. indicagrowth support in nitrate media. These findings highlight that ammonia based N-sharing can be a previously under-appreciated mechanism underpinning interaction among soil microbes and could be influenced by microbial or abiotic alteration of pH in microenvironments.

Significance statement

Soil microbial communities are an important factor in environmental nutrient cycling and sub-sequently plant health.S. indicais a well-studied plant growth promoting soil fungus but its inability to use nitrate, a major component of both agricultural/natural soils and crop fertilisers, may have important implications for agriculture and microbial ecology. We have demonstrated thatS. indicais dependant on external sources of nitrogen in nitrate-only environments and these can be produced byB. subtilis, another common soil microbe. We then demonstrate that this nitrogen sharing interaction is likely mediated by leaked ammonia and that ammonia leakage is influenced by environmental pH. Ammonia leakage and sharing represent currently unexplored and potentially vital components of nutrient interactions between microbes in soil communities, with profound implications for microbiome community structure and subsequent consequences for soil biogeochemical cycling and crop health.
Addiction recovery stories: Mark Gornall in conversation with Lisa Ogilvie
Authors: Gornall Mark , Ogilvie Lisa
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine recovery through lived experience. It is part of a series that explores candid accounts of addiction and recovery to identify important components in the recovery process.

Design/methodology/approach

The G-CHIME model comprises six elements important to addiction recovery (growth, connectedness, hope, identity, meaning in life and empowerment). It provides a standard against which to consider addiction recovery, having been used in this series, as well as in the design of interventions that improve well-being and strengthen recovery. In this paper, a first-hand account is presented, followed by a semi-structured e-interview with the author of the account. Narrative analysis is used to explore the account and interview through the G-CHIME model.

Findings

This paper shows that addiction recovery is a remarkable process that can be effectively explained using the G-CHIME model. The significance of each component in the model is apparent from the account and e-interview presented.

Originality/value

Each account of recovery in this series is unique and, as yet, untold.
Employability skills in architecture and design: toward bridging the gap between academia and practice for Saudi women employees
Authors: Abowardah Eman , Labib Wafa , Fallatah Samaher A. , Abdelsattar Amal , Atyah Rouaa
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The role of women in the architecture and design industry is aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to increase the participation of women in the Saudi construction sector. Saudi female graduates from architectural and design schools are currently working in most of the mega projects underway in Riyadh; however, they face certain challenges at the beginning of their working lives due to the gap between the skills acquired during an architectural and design education and those needed for employability.

Design/methodology/approach

This study evaluates the employability skills of Saudi female cooperative education (COOP) students and graduates from architectural schools in Riyadh. A quantitative approach is taken, and two questionnaires are administered: one for female COOP students and graduates from the college of architecture and design in one of the private universities in Riyadh and the other for employers from different architectural firms and governmental organizations in Riyadh. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the research data.

Findings

The research findings suggest that practical experiences and on-site observation activities should be provided, and sustainability solutions and applications should be incorporated into the curriculum to bring architecture education closer to the architectural profession and highlight the role of universities in supporting graduates' skills development.

Research limitations/implications

It is worth mentioning that the results of this study were based on the survey distributed to architecture and interior female students in a private university in Saudi Arabia. The number of students surveyed in this study is not large enough to generalize the survey results to the entire population of architecture and interior design students in the kingdom and in the world. The study will be extended to include more participants from male and female students in other universities in Saudi Arabia to investigate the gaps in employability skills in the field of architecture and interior design in the Kingdom.

Practical implications

The study has practical and policy implications for further development and upcoming challenges as the labor market seems to improve and innovate every day. The study suggests providing practical experiences and onsite observation activities and incorporating sustainability solutions and applications into the curriculum.

Originality/value

The originality of this study is that it focuses on the importance of some employability skills, such as research and budgeting aspects, Sustainability solutions and applications for students that have not been mentioned in the previous studies.
Psychological empowerment an antecedent to career satisfaction: modeling affective commitment as a mediator and resilience as a moderator
Authors: Aggarwal Shalini , Singh Lata Bajpai , Srivastava Shalini
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The study, grounded on the social cognitive career theory, seeks to analyze the upshot of psychological empowerment on career satisfaction via affective commitment. The study also aims to examine the impact of the interplay among affective commitment and resilience on the career satisfaction of Indian service industry professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the data has been collected from 277 employees using standardized measures from the North Indian service industry. To test the proposed model, Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) (Hayes, 2013) was utilized.

Findings

The outcomes of the study offered substantial support for the theorized link between psychological empowerment, affective commitment, resilience and career satisfaction. The outcomes confirmed an affirmative association concerning psychological empowerment and career satisfaction through affective commitment as a mediator and resilience as a moderator. The study concludes that the workforce with extraordinary resilience will perceive a stronger influence of psychological empowerment on career satisfaction.

Practical implications

The study offers a few pertinent inputs for the organizations operating in high-power distance culture to comprehend the role of psychological empowerment and “resilient attributes” of personality in developing a sense of career satisfaction amongst Indian service sector employees.

Originality/value

The present research examines the association between psychological empowerment, affective commitment, resilience and career satisfaction for the first time as mediated moderation model and the same has neither been examined theoretically or empirically.
Corporate culture and sales order backlog
Authors: Bajaj Akhilesh , Bradley Wray , Sun Li
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of our study is to investigate the impact of corporate culture on sales order backlog.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use regression analysis to examine the relation between corporate culture and the level of sales order backlog, an important leading indicator of firm performance.

Findings

Using a large panel sample of US firms for the period of 2003–2021, the authors find a significant and positive relation, suggesting that firms with strong corporate culture have a higher level of sales order backlog.

Originality/value

The study findings contribute to two separate areas of research: corporate culture in management literature and sales order backlog in accounting literature. Prior study has focused on the impact of corporate culture on current firm performance. This study extends prior research by investigating the impact of corporate culture on order backlog, an important leading indicator of future performance.
Post‐CT‐guided lung biopsy optimisation of the observation period by identifying patients at risk of delayed pneumothorax
Authors: Tan Samantha , Di Loreto Murray , Melsom Stephen , Jefferies Reece , Padgham Christopher , Boardman Glenn , Saffar Bann
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Identify the risk factors for delayed pneumothorax after lung biopsy.

Methods

A retrospective study of 355 CT‐guided lung biopsies was performed at Fiona Stanley Hospital, Western Australia over 42 months. A comprehensive range of patient, lesion and procedural variables were recorded. All post‐procedural complications including time, size of pneumothorax and post‐biopsy radiographs were reviewed. Lasso logistic regression model was utilised to determine factors predicting patient complications.

Results

A total of 167 patients (47%) developed a pneumothorax, in which 34% were significant, requiring longer observation or drain insertion. The majority of pneumothoraces occurred within the first hour (86%), with 90% detected at the time of the procedure. Then, 12% were detected more than 3 h post‐procedure, of which 8 patients (5%) had a significant delayed pneumothorax. Factors increasing the likelihood of significant pneumothorax include the length of lung traversed, smaller nodule size, surrounding emphysema, increased age and lateral patient position with the lesion in the non‐dependent aspect. Increasing patient age, longer length of lung traversed and smaller nodule diameter increase the risk of delayed onset of pneumothorax (more than 3 h).

Conclusion

The results of this study align with other studies indicating it is safe to discharge stable patients within an hour post‐lung biopsy. However, specific risk factors, including age, small lesion size and deep lesions, may identify patients who could benefit from a longer observation period.
A complex psychosocial portrait of substance use disorders among Indigenous people in the United States: A scoping review
Authors: Edinoff Amber N. , Maudrie Tara L. , Chiwiwi Carly , Kjerland Tonya M. , Contreras Liz , Gone Joseph P.
Published: April 2024

Background and Objectives

There has been a prevailing but erroneous belief in the medical community that there is a biological vulnerability in the American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) community to substance use disorders (SUDs), with alcohol use disorder (AUD) being the most prevalent. This scoping review aimed to examine what possible psychosocial issues could lead to the development of the perpetuation of SUDs in the AI/AN population.

Methods

The protocol for this scoping review followed Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework. There were 405 articles included for full‐text review. Further inclusion criteria were applied which included: Directly looking at participants who had a SUD, including either in the discussion or conclusion a statement linking their data to psychosocial issues as a possible explanation for their data, and having measured the psychosocial issue with a research device. The final review included 15 studies.

Results

Four psychosocial themes were uncovered using an inductive process, where recurring words related to identity, prejudice, isolation, discrimination, and self‐concept in the literature. These themes were trauma/historical loss, mood, and discrimination/self‐esteem. All of these themes are interrelated, and all influence the development or sustainment of a SUD.

Discussion and Conclusions

Complex psychosocial factors in the AI/AN community are associated with SUDs. This trauma and historical loss should be addressed with culturally tailored treatments.

Scientific Significance

There are not many manuscripts that specifically look at the interplay of mood, trauma, self‐worth, and discrimination with SUD in the AI/AN community. This scoping review aims to highlight these issues as well as discuss how culture should play a part in treatment.
Occupational hazards and pregnancy in orthopaedics: female surgeons are at increased risk of infertility and pregnancy complications
Authors: Garcia Elizabeth , Mandaleson Avanthi , Stannage Katherine , Williams Nicole
Published: April 2024

Female surgeons have increased rates of infertility and pregnancy complications compared to the general population. Reported infertility rates in surgeons are 32% compared to 10.9% in the general population. Reported pregnancy complication rates in surgeons range from 25% to 35%. In the orthopaedic operating theatre occupational hazards that have an effect on pregnancy outcomes include radiation, exposure to methyl methacrylate in bone cement, surgical smoke, sharps injuries, exposure to anaesthetic waste gases and the effects of the physical demands of surgery including prolonged work hours and night shift work. Outside the operating theatre exposure to nitrous oxide, formaldehyde, surgical scrub also have evidence of negative pregnancy outcomes. This review summarizes the available evidence as it relates to specific occupational hazards that face health workers in an orthopaedic operating theatre. This information, while targeted at orthopaedic health workers, is also relevant to anaesthetists, radiographers, nursing staff, medical device company representatives and female surgeons in other specialties.
Gender identity importance in cisgender and gender diverse adolescents in the US and Canada
Authors: Wittlin Natalie M. , Gallagher Natalie M. , Olson Kristina R.
Published: April 2024

Transgender adolescents often categorize themselves in the same way that cisgender adolescents do—that is, as girls/women and boys/men. Potential differences in the extent to which these self‐categorizations matter to transgender and cisgender adolescents, however, have yet to be explored, as has the relative importance transgender adolescents place on their gender compared to their transgender self‐categorization. In the current study, we explored self‐reported identity importance in a sample of 392 primarily White (70%) and multiracial/ethnic (20%) 12–18‐year‐old (M = 15.02) binary transgender (n = 130), binary cisgender (n = 236), and nonbinary (n = 26) adolescents in the United States and Canada. Results revealed that binary transgender adolescents considered their gender self‐categorization to be more important to them than both binary cisgender and nonbinary adolescents did. Most binary transgender adolescents rated their gender self‐categorization as maximally important to them. Additionally, transgender adolescents considered their gender self‐categorization to be more important to them than their transgender self‐categorization (that is, their identification with the label “transgender”). These findings demonstrate that the identities that are often denied to binary transgender adolescents may be the very identities that are most important to them. Results also suggest that gender diverse adolescents with different gender identities may differ in the importance they place on these identities.
Teacher toads: Buffering apex predators from toxic invaders in a remote tropical landscape
Authors: Ward‐Fear Georgia , Rangers Bunuba , Bruny Miles , Everitt Corrin , Shine Richard
Published: April 2024

Even after research identifies new approaches for wildlife management, translating those methods for delivery can be logistically challenging. In tropical Australia, invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina) fatally poison many anuran‐eating native predators. Small‐scale trials show that vulnerable predators exposed to small (nonlethal) toads can learn to delete toads from their diets, increasing survival of those predators after toads invade. We deployed this method in the remote Kimberley region of tropical Australia, with >200,000 eggs, tadpoles, or metamorph toads released in advance of the expanding toad invasion front. Remote camera surveys before and after “teacher toad” deployment showed that large monitor lizards (Varanus panoptes) were almost extirpated from control plots but remained abundant in treatment plots, indicating broad‐scale success of this novel intervention.
The role of Aurora kinase A in hepatocellular carcinoma: Unveiling the intriguing functions of a key but still underexplored factor in liver cancer
Authors: Grisetti Luca , Garcia Clarissa J. C. , Saponaro Anna A. , Tiribelli Claudio , Pascut Devis
Published: April 2024

Aurora Kinase A (AURKA) plays a central role as a serine/threonine kinase in regulating cell cycle progression and mitotic functions. Over the years, extensive research has revealed the multifaceted roles of AURKA in cancer development and progression. AURKA's dysregulation is frequently observed in various human cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Its overexpression in HCC has been associated with aggressive phenotypes and poor clinical outcomes. This review comprehensively explores the molecular mechanisms underlying AURKA expression in HCC and its functional implications in cell migration, invasion, epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition, metastasis, stemness, and drug resistance. This work focuses on the clinical significance of AURKA as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for HCC. High levels of AURKA expression have been correlated with shorter overall and disease‐free survival in various cohorts, highlighting its potential utility as a sensitive prognostic indicator. Recent insights into AURKA's role in modulating the tumour microenvironment, particularly immune cell recruitment, may provide valuable information for personalized treatment strategies. AURKA's critical involvement in modulating cellular pathways and its overexpression in cancer makes it an attractive target for anticancer therapies. This review discusses the evidence about novel and selective AURKA inhibitors for more effective treatments for HCC.
Trophic tug‐of‐war: Coexistence mechanisms within and across trophic levels
Authors: Song Chuliang , Spaak Jurg W.
Published: April 2024

Ecological communities encompass rich diversity across multiple trophic levels. While modern coexistence theory has been widely applied to understand community assembly, its traditional formalism only allows assembly within a single trophic level. Here, using an expanded definition of niche and fitness differences applicable to multitrophic communities, we study how diversity within and across trophic levels affects species coexistence. If each trophic level is analysed separately, both lower‐ and higher trophic levels are governed by the same coexistence mechanisms. In contrast, if the multitrophic community is analysed as a whole, different trophic levels are governed by different coexistence mechanisms: coexistence at lower trophic levels is predominantly limited by fitness differences, whereas coexistence at higher trophic levels is predominantly limited by niche differences. This dichotomy in coexistence mechanisms is supported by theoretical derivations, simulations of phenomenological and trait‐based models, and a case study of a primeval forest ecosystem. Our work provides a general and testable prediction of coexistence mechanism operating in multitrophic communities.