bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structure of the Femoral Chordotonal Organ in the Oleander hawkmoth,Daphnis nerii
Authors: Virdi Simran , Sane Sanjay P.
Published: July 2024

Insect legs serve as crucial organs for locomotion and also act as sensory probes into the environment. They are involved in several complex movements including walking, jumping, prey capture, manipulation of objects, and self-grooming. These behaviours require continuous modulation of motor output through mechanosensory feedback which is provided by numerous mechanosensors located on the cuticle and within the soft tissue. A key mechanosensory organ in the insect leg, the femoral chordotonal organ (FeCO), detects movements of the femoro-tibial joint. This organ is multifunctional and senses both self-generated movements (proprioception) and external stimuli (exteroception). Movements of the tibia alter the length of FeCO, which activates the embedded mechanosensory neurons. Due to the mechanical nature of these stimuli, the structure and material properties of the FeCO are crucial for their function, alongside neural encoding properties. Here, as a first step towards understanding how its structure modulates its function, we characterized the morphology and anatomy of FeCO in the hawkmothDaphnis nerii. Using a combination of computed micro-tomography, neuronal dye fills and confocal microscopy, we describe the structure of FeCO and the location, composition and central projections of FeCO neurons. FeCO is located in the proximal half of the femur and is composed of the ventral (vFeCO) and dorsal scoloparia (dFeCO) which vary vastly in their sizes and the number of neurons they house. The arrangement of neurons within dFeCO follows a decreasing size gradient in the proximo-distal axis. The characteristic accessory structures of chordotonal organs, the scolopales, significantly differ in their sizes when compared between the two scoloparia. FeCO neurons project to the central nervous system and terminate in the respective hemiganglia. Using these morphological data, we propose a mechanical model of FeCO, which can help us understand several FeCO properties relating to its physiological function.
Induction and characterisation of Aβ and tau pathology inAppNL-F/NL-Fmice following inoculation with Alzheimer’s disease brain homogenate
Authors: Purro Silvia A. , Farmer Michael , Quarterman Emma , Ravey Julia , Thomas David X. , Noble Elizabeth , Turnbull Catherine , Linehan Jacqueline , Nazari Tamsin , Brandner Sebastian , Farrow Mark A. , Walsh Dominic M. , Collinge John
Published: July 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is defined by the accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles containing hyperphosphorylated Tau and plaques containing Amyloid-β (Aβ). The aggregation of these two proteins is considered central to the disease. The lack of animal models that can recapitulate Aβ and tau pathologies without overexpressing these proteins has hindered AD research. Accelerating pathology by inoculating Aβ and tau seeds has helped to understand their prion-like propagation in the brain. Previous studies failed to characterise both Aβ and tau pathologiesin vivoupon inoculating AD brain homogenates. Here we present a longitudinal and systematic study; we inoculated theAppNL-F/NL-Fknockin mice, which express humanised Aβ and murine wild-type tau, with extracts from diseased human brains to analyse the contribution of Aβ and tau assemblies to AD pathogenesis. We found that mice inoculated with AD brain extracts evinced early and prominent amyloid deposition, while those injected with control brain extracts or vehicle did not. Parenchymal and vascular amyloid accumulated in the same brain regions affected in control-inoculatedAppNL-F/NL-Fmice. However, the extent of vascular amyloid far exceeded that seen inAppNL-F/NL-Fmice injected with control brain extracts, and parenchymal deposits extended to a previously untargeted brain region – the cerebellum. An end-point titration of an AD brain homogenate inAppNL-F/NL-Fmice demonstrated that human Aβ seeds can be titrated in a prion-like fashion, which is useful for sample comparison, diagnostic and risk studies. Notably, the inoculation ofAppNL-F/NL-Fmice with AD brain homogenate induced intense tau phosphorylation, and provides more detailed context for the inoculation ofAppNL-F/NL-Fmice with human samples to study temporal and mechanistic relationships between Aβ and tau pathology, vascular amyloid deposition and bioactivity of Aβ seeds.
“I like being autistic”: Assessing the benefit of autistic-led psychoeducation for autistic children
Authors: Mullally Sinéad L. , Edwards Cherice C. , Wood Alice E. , Connolly Sophie E. , Constable Hannah , Watson Stuart , Rodgers Jacqui
Published: July 2024

Background

Despite receiving autism diagnoses in early life, autistic children are not routinely supported to understand these diagnoses post-diagnostically (1). Consequently, they typically grow-up lacking an accurate understanding of what it means to be autistic on both a collective and individual level (2). Without this foundational knowledge, children’s understanding of autism is garnered from how others perceive their autism, resulting in an understanding of autism, and of themselves, that is inherently negative (3). This lack of appreciation of their own individual needs, also denies them the important self-understanding afforded by the diagnosis in the first instance, alongside the opportunity to effectively self-advocate for themselves when these needs go unmet.

Aims

Here we sought to directly assess the benefit of a pre-recorded, online autistic-led psychoeducation course about autism and the lived experience of being autistic (i.e., ‘NeuroBears’https://www.pandasonline.org), for children’s understanding of autism and their autistic experiences, their feeling about being autistic, their communication with others about their autistic experiences, and their confidence to self-advocate for their needs.

Methods

Using a concurrent embedded mixed-methods, repeated-measures design, autistic children (aged 8-14 years), completed a bespoke questionnaire exploring the above topics, both before and after completing NeuroBears at home with a nominated safe adult. A total of 63 children (mean age=10.57 years) completed sufficient content to be included in the analysis.

Results

Significant benefit was observed across a range of areas, including a significant improvement in the children’s knowledge and understanding of being autistic and of their unique strengths and challenges, a significant rebalancing of how the children viewed being autistic, evidence of emerging positive autistic identities and a growing sense of belongingness, a significant change in the children’s abilities to communicate about being autistic, and evidence of strengthening self-advocacy skills.

Conclusion

Learning about autism in a neutral and non-stigmatizing manner, and presented through the lens of autistic lived experience, conferred numerous benefits on autistic children’s self-understanding, emergent autistic identity, sense of belonging, and on their communication/self-advocacy skills. Future work is needed to establish the downstream benefits on wellbeing and quality of life.
Metformin reduces the risk of poor treatment outcomes among individuals with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis and type-2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Salindri Argita D. , Gujabidze Mariam , Kipiani Maia , Lomtadze Nino , Tukvadze Nestani , Avaliani Zaza , Blumberg Henry M. , Kornfeld Hardy , Kempker Russell R. , Magee Matthew J.
Published: July 2024

We conducted a retrospective cohort study among individuals with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis and diabetes to determine the association between metformin use and tuberculosis treatment outcomes. We found that individuals with metformin use had a significantly lower risk of poor tuberculosis treatment outcomes (adjusted RR=0.25, 95%CI 0.06 – 0.95) compared to those without.
Quantification of Patent Foramen Ovale Shunt Severity by Transesophageal Echocardiogram and Transcranial Doppler in Routine Clinical Practice
Authors: Sun Philip Y. , Tobis Jonathan M. , Daneshvar Samuel A. , Alfonso Rodel C. , Liebeskind David S. , Saver Jeffrey L.
Published: July 2024

Background

The presence of a large physiologic shunt, defined as >20 left atrial microbubbles within 3 cardiac cycles on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a randomized controlled trial- validated indication for patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure in patients with otherwise cryptogenic ischemic stroke. The frequency with which this information is available to treating physicians from clinical TEE reports has not been well delineated.

Methods

Among consecutive ischemic stroke patients admitted to an academic medical center undergoing TEE between October 2022 - September 2023, TEE reports were reviewed to determine frequency with which formal clinical-trial definition-adherent characterization of PFO shunt size was provided, the frequency of informal PFO shunt size descriptions, and correlations with transcranial Doppler (TCD) formal shunt grades (Spencer Grades 1-5).

Results

Among 77 patients, the median age was 64 (IQR 56-73), and 33 (43%) were female. On TEE, shunt presence was assessed by bubble study in 60 (78%), direct Doppler alone in 5 (7%), and neither in 12 (16%). Among patients with bubble study, a right-to-left shunt (RLS) potentially due to PFO was present 25 (42%). RLS severity was quantified on the clinical report in 16% (4/25) of PFO patients, all with small (<20) shunts. For the remaining 21 (84%), reports informally characterized shunt severity with various descriptive terms, including “small/mild/trace” (13 cases), “moderate/medium” (6), and “large” (1). TCD bubble studies were performed in 76% (19/25) of the TEE RLS PFO patients. Shunt severity correlation between TEE and TCD was 100% (3/3) for the formally quantified TEE shunts, un- assessable in one patient with non-specific shunt size characterization on TEE, and poor (3/15, 20%) for the remaining 15 informally assessed TEE shunts, with 47% (7/15) of shunts categorized as larger on TCD and 33% (5/15) smaller on TCD than TEE.

Conclusions

Quantified, evidence-based ratings of PFO shunt severity were present in less than 1 of every 6 TEE reports, and unquantified, informal size estimates correlated poorly with TCD quantification of shunt severity. Patient management would be aided by inclusion of formal PFO shunt size quantification in all clinical stroke patient TEE reports.
Muscle and intestine innexins with muscle Deg/Enac channels promote muscle coordination and embryo elongation
Authors: Llense Flora , Ferraro Teresa , Yang Xinyi , Song Hanla , Labouesse Michel
Published: July 2024

Body axis elongation represents a fundamental morphogenetic process in development, which involves cell shape changes powered by mechanical forces. How mechanically interconnected tissues coordinate in organismal development remains largely unexplored. DuringC. eleganselongation, cyclic forces generated by muscle contractions induce remodeling of adherens junctions and the actin cytoskeleton in the epidermis, facilitating gradual embryo lengthening. While previous studies have identified key players in epidermal cells, understanding how muscle cells coordinate their activity for proper embryo elongation remains unsolved. Using a Calcium sensor to monitor muscle activity during elongation, we identified two cells in each muscle quadrant with a leader cell function that orchestrate muscle activity within their respective quadrants. Strikingly, ablation of these cells halted muscle contractions and delayed elongation. A targeted RNAi screen focusing on communication channels identified two innexins and two Deg channels regulating muscle activity, which proved required for normal embryonic elongation. Interestingly, one innexin exhibits specific expression in intestinal cells. Our findings provide novel insights into how embryonic body wall muscles coordinate their activity and how interconnected tissues ensure proper morphogenesis.
Acetate drives ovarian cancer quiescence via ACSS2-mediated acetyl-CoA production
Authors: Sharrow Allison C. , Megill Emily , Chen Amanda J. , Farooqi Afifa , McGonigal Stacy , Hempel Nadine , Snyder Nathaniel W. , Buckanovich Ronald J. , Aird Katherine M.
Published: July 2024

Quiescence is a reversible cell cycle exit traditionally thought to be associated with a metabolically inactive state. Recent work in muscle cells indicates that metabolic reprogramming is associated with quiescence. Whether metabolic changes occur in cancer to drive quiescence is unclear. Using a multi-omics approach, we found that the metabolic enzyme ACSS2, which converts acetate into acetyl-CoA, is both highly upregulated in quiescent ovarian cancer cells and required for their survival. Indeed, quiescent ovarian cancer cells have increased levels of acetate-derived acetyl-CoA, confirming increased ACSS2 activity in these cells. Furthermore, either inducing ACSS2 expression or supplementing cells with acetate was sufficient to induce a reversible quiescent cell cycle exit. RNA-Seq of acetate treated cells confirmed negative enrichment in multiple cell cycle pathways as well as enrichment of genes in a published G0 gene signature. Finally, analysis of patient data showed that ACSS2 expression is upregulated in tumor cells from ascites, which are thought to be more quiescent, compared to matched primary tumors. Additionally, highACSS2expression is associated with platinum resistance and worse outcomes. Together, this study points to a previously unrecognized ACSS2-mediated metabolic reprogramming that drives quiescence in ovarian cancer. As chemotherapies to treat ovarian cancer, such as platinum, have increased efficacy in highly proliferative cells, our data give rise to the intriguing question that metabolically-driven quiescence may affect therapeutic response.
Perineal and rectal nerve recruitment order varies during pudendal neurostimulator implant surgery
Authors: Chen Po-Ju , Lagunas Amador C. , Soriano Vanessa , Gupta Priyanka , Bruns Tim M.
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Pudendal nerve stimulation (PNS) is an off-label therapy for patients experiencing pelvic pain and voiding dysfunction. The pudendal nerve has two efferent branches to the rectum and perineum. Only the rectal branch is monitored via external anal sphincter electromyography during the implant procedure to help determine the lead position. We examined intraoperative PNS-driven urethral pressures to infer nerve recruitment order and tracked patient reported outcomes.

Methods

Patients receiving PNS for pelvic pain and/or urinary symptoms were recruited. During the implant surgery, urethral pressure was measured with a multi-sensor pressure catheter placed in the lower urinary tract. PNS-driven changes in urethral pressure and external anal sphincter (EAS) electromyography were compared to determine the relative perineal and rectal nerve recruitment order. Participants completed pelvic pain, bladder, bowel, and sexual function surveys before and after the surgery. The primary outcome measure was the relative nerve recruitment order during PNS. Secondary outcome measures were the PNS-driven urethral responses and changes in survey symptom scores due to PNS.

Results

Data was collected from thirteen intraoperative sessions. Seven participants had rectal nerve recruitment first, four participants had perineal nerve recruitment first, and two participants had mixed nerve recruitment during intraoperative PNS. The average normalized urethral pressure change was 4.7% at the EAS threshold, 59.2% at twice EAS threshold, and 68.2% at three times the EAS threshold. Urethral pressure changes for each participant often varied between different active PNS electrodes. Participants had significant improvements in pelvic pain and bladder function survey scores with PNS (p < 0.04). There was no relationship between nerve recruitment order and changes in any surveys.

Conclusion

PNS can recruit the perineal nerve before the rectal nerve. Each lead electrode may trigger different urethral response patterns within a participant. This study provided new insights into the effect of PNS on the recruitment of nerves in the pelvis and may help guide future surgical placement of PNS systems.
Biomarkers of High Flow Therapy Outcome in COVID-19 pneumonia: a single-center prospective study
Authors: Marín Toni. , Aldás Irene , Galdeano Marina , Hernández Agnes , Mendiluce Leire , Chirinos Roxana , Fernández Carmen , Martín Adriana , Roca Esther , Tebé Cristian , Paredes Roger , Rosell Antoni
Published: July 2024

Patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) due to COVID-19 undergoing High Flow Therapy (HFT) before intubation presented an increased risk of mortality when intubation was delayed. We designed a prospective study seeking biomarkers for early prediction of HFT failure. An analytical value in blood could be more stable than the ROX index since it will not depend on the vital signs that the patient presents at that moment. We defined HFT failure as the need to scale the treatment to Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NPPV). The needs were respiratory rate >25, oxygen saturation of <90% despite being on flow of 60 l·min-1 and FiO2 1 or levels of PaO2/FiO2 ratio <100mmHg. The all-treatment population included all subjects enrolled in the trial. 139 patients were enrolled after starting HFT. The Pearson chi-squared test was used to compare the main study outcomes. These included the incidence of intubation, the cumulative incidence of mortality at 30 days, the cumulative incidence of mortality at 1 year, and the composite outcome of intubation or death at the end of the trial. Kaplan-Meyer plot was used to illustrate the time to HFT failure. The Cox regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratio for HFT failure for all the parameters. All were measured or collected at baseline. Lower levels of bicarbonate, thrombocytopenia, and higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine, and glucose are early blood biomarkers independently associated with HFT failure.

SUMMARY AT A GLANCE

Higher levels of C-reactive protein and lactate dehydrogenase in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia allow us to early detect patients requiring intubation with an apparent good response to high-flow oxygen therapy.
Age-Specific All-Cause Mortality Trends in the UK: Pre-Pandemic Increases and the Complex Impact of COVID-19
Authors: Pérez-Reche Francisco J.
Published: July 2024

Objectives

This study aims to analyse age-specific all-cause mortality trends in the UK before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic to determine if pre-pandemic trends contributed to increased mortality levels in the post-pandemic era.

Methods

We utilised age-structured population and mortality data for all UK countries from 2005 to 2023. Mortality rates were calculated for each age group, and excess mortality was estimated using the Office for National Statistics (ONS) method.

Results

Our most concerning finding is an increase in all-cause mortality rates for middle-aged adults (30-54 years) starting around 2012. The COVID-19 pandemic may have further impacted these rates, but the pre-existing upward trend suggests that current elevated mortality rates might have been reached regardless of the pandemic. This finding is more alarming than the slowdown in the decline of cardiovascular disease death rates for individuals under 75 noted by the British Heart Foundation.

Conclusion

Our results highlight the importance of considering both immediate pandemic impacts and long-term mortality trends in public health strategies. This underscores the need for targeted interventions and improved healthcare planning to address both ongoing and future challenges.
The role of interleukin-10 in immune response to hepatitis B virus and liver cancer co-existence dynamics
Authors: Chataa Paul , Naandam Samuel M. , Djankpa Francis T.
Published: July 2024

Experimental evidence confirms that interleukin-10 plays a critical role in clearing acute hepatitis B virus infection. This paper aims to develops a mathematical model to explore the dynamics of how the immune system responds to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and coexisting liver cancer within the liver cell population. Unlike previous models; we categorize liver cells into various stages of infection. We determine the invasion probability for transmission dynamics, specifically the basic reproduction number, ℝ0, for populations of uninfected macrophages with and without cancer cells. Stability analyses of virus-free and virus equilibrium states are provided, along with numerical simulations to validate analytical findings. The impact of different branches of the immune response on model dynamics is assessed. Simulations predict the time at which T helper-1 cells surpass cytotoxic T cells (switching time), correlating positively with the proliferation rate of interleukin-10 (ρ3). Further numerical simulations demonstrate that interleukin-10 contributes to HBV persistence by inhibiting the immune response, thereby allowing the virus to evade immune surveillance and establish chronic infection through the suppression of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which are essential for clearing infected cells.
Origin and stepwise improvement of vertebrate lungs
Authors: Li Ye , Hu Mingliang , Zhang Zhigang , Wu Baosheng , Zheng Jiangmin , Zhang Fenghua , Hao Jiaqi , Xue Tingfeng , Li Zhaohong , Zhu Chenglong , Zhao Lei , Xu Wenjie , Xin Peidong , Feng Chenguang , Wang Wen , Zhao Yilin , Qiu Qiang , Wang Kun
Published: July 2024

Lungs, essential for terrestrial vertebrates and present in bony fishes but absent in cartilaginous fishes, provide an ideal model for studying organ origination. Our study analyzed single-cell RNA sequencing data from mature and developing vertebrate lungs, revealing substantial similarities in cell composition, developmental trajectories and gene expression pattern across species. Notably, most lung-related genes are also present in cartilaginous fishes, indicating that gene presence alone does not guarantee lung development. We identified thousands of lung regulatory elements specific to bony fishes, with higher concentrations around genes such as tbx4 and the hoxb gene cluster. These regulatory changes might contribute to lung emergence as well as the unique co-expression patterns in lung epithelial cells, such as those related to pulmonary surfactants and cell morphology. Our research also revealed that AT1 cells are specific to mammals, and we identified a mammal-specific gene, sfta2. Knockout experiments demonstrated that sfta2 deletion causes severe respiratory defects in mice, underscoring its critical role in specialized mammalian lungs. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the origin and evolution of lungs are driven by a complex interplay of regulatory network modifications and the emergence of new genes, underscoring the multifaceted nature of organ evolution.
Importance of using the averaged mutual information when quantifying quantum objectivity
Authors: Chisholm Diana A. , Innocenti Luca , Palma G. Massimo
Published: July 2024

In the context of quantum objectivity, a standard way to quantify the classicality of a state is via the mutual information between a system and different fractions of its environment. Many of the tools developed in the relevant literature to quantify quantum objectivity via quantum mutual information rely on the assumption that information about the system leaks symmetrically into its environment. In this work, we highlight the importance of taking this assumption into account, and in particular, we analyze how taking nonaveraged quantum mutual information as a quantifier of quantum objectivity can be severely misleading whenever information about the system is encoded into the environment in a nonhomogeneous way. On the other hand, the averaged mutual information always provides results with a clear operative interpretation.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Simulation of time-crystal-like behavior for a few-boson chiral soliton model in a ring
Authors: Öhberg Patrik , Wright Ewan M.
Published: July 2024

We present numerical simulations for a chiral soliton model with N=2,3 bosons in a ring, which is a few-particle version of our previous mean-field model for a quantum time crystal. Following Syrwid, Kosior, and Sacha (SKS), the notion is that a precise position measurement of one particle can lead to spontaneous formation of a bright soliton that in a time crystal should rotate intact for at least a few revolutions around the ring. In their work SKS found spontaneous formation of a soliton due to the position measurement, but quantum fluctuations cause the soliton to subsequently decay before it has a chance to perform even one revolution of the ring. Based on this, they concluded that time-crystal dynamics are impossible for Wilczek's model of a bright soliton in a ring. In contrast, for our few-boson chiral soliton model, allowing for imprecise (weak) measurements of the particle position, we show that time-crystal-like behavior is possible, allowing for several revolutions of the spontaneously formed soliton around the ring.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Model for bubble nucleation efficiency of low-energy nuclear recoils in bubble chambers for dark matter detection
Authors: Li Xiang , Piro Marie-Cécile
Published: July 2024

Bubble chambers are promising technologies for detecting low-energy nuclear recoils from the elastic scattering of dark matter particle candidates. Bubble nucleation occurs when the energy deposition exceeds a specific threshold defined traditionally by the “heat-spike” Seitz threshold. In this paper, we report on a physical model that can account for observed discrepancies between the current Seitz model and the measured nucleation efficiency of low-energy nuclear recoils, which is necessary for interpreting dark matter signals. In our work, we combine molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations together with the Lindhard model to predict bubble nucleation efficiency and energy thresholds for C3F8, CF3I, and xenon with enhanced accuracy over the Seitz model when compared to existing experimental data. We use our model to determine the effect on cross-section limits for spin-dependent and spin-independent interactions and compare it to the current PICO dark matter experiment. Our technique can also be applied to estimate the efficiency of future target fluids where no experimental data are available. As an example, we predict the nucleation efficiency, the energy threshold, and the cross-section limits in the spin-independent channel for the Scintillating Bubble Chamber experiment filled with superheated liquid argon.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Asymptotic freedom in the lattice Boltzmann theory
Authors: Hosseini S. A. , Karlin I. V.
Published: July 2024

Asymptotic freedom is a feature of quantum chromodynamics that guarantees its well posedness. We derive an analog of asymptotic freedom enabling unconditional linear stability of lattice Boltzmann simulation of hydrodynamics. We further demonstrate the validity of the derived conditions via the special case of the equilibrium based on entropy maximization, which is shown to be uniquely renormalizable.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Gapless dynamic magnetic ground state in the charge-gapped trimer iridate
Ba4NbIr3O12
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Abhisek , Lee S. , Adroja D. T. , Lees M. R. , Stenning G. B. G. , Aich P. , Tortora Luca , Meneghini C. , Cibin G. , Berlie Adam , Saha R. A. , Takegami D. , Meléndez-Sans A. , Poelchen G. , Yoshimura M. , Tsuei K. D. , Hu Z. , Chan Ting-Shan , Chattopadhyay S. , Thakur G. S. , Choi Kwang-Yong
Published: July 2024

We present an experimental investigation of the magnetic ground state in Ba4NbIr3O12, a fractional valent trimer iridate. X-ray absorption and photoemission spectroscopy show that the Ir valence lies between 3+ and 4+ while Nb is pentavalent. Combined dc/ac magnetization, specific heat, and muon spin rotation/relaxation (µSR) measurements reveal no magnetic phase transition down to 0.05 K. Despite a significant Weiss temperature (ΘW∼−15 to −25 K) indicating antiferromagnetic correlations, a quantum spin-liquid (QSL) phase emerges and persists down to 0.1 K. This state likely arises from geometric frustration in the edge-sharing equilateral triangle Ir network. Our µSR analysis reveals a two-component depolarization, arising from the coexistence of rapidly (90%) and slowly (10%) fluctuating Ir moments. Powder x-ray diffraction and Ir-L3edge x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy identify 8–10% Nb/Ir site-exchange, reducing frustration within part of the Ir network, and likely leading to the faster muon spin relaxation, while the structurally ordered Ir ions remain highly geometrically frustrated, giving rise to the rapidly spin-fluctuating QSL ground state. At low temperatures, the magnetic specific heat varies as γT+αT2, indicating gapless spinon excitations, and possible Dirac QSL features with linear spinon dispersion, respectively.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Scalable simulation of nonequilibrium quantum dynamics via classically optimized unitary circuits
Authors: Causer Luke , Jung Felix , Mitra Asimpunya , Pollmann Frank , Gammon-Smith Adam
Published: July 2024

The advent of near-term digital quantum computers could offer us an exciting opportunity to investigate quantum many-body phenomena beyond that of classical computing. To make the best use of the hardware available, it is paramount that we have methods that accurately simulate Hamiltonian dynamics for limited circuit depths. In this paper, we propose a method to classically optimize unitary brickwall circuits to approximate quantum time evolution operators. Our method is scalable in system size through the use of tensor networks. We demonstrate that, for various three-body Hamiltonians, our approach produces quantum circuits that can outperform trotterization in both their accuracy and the quantum circuit depth needed to implement the dynamics, with the exact details being dependent on the Hamiltonian. We also explain how to choose an optimal time step that minimizes the combined errors of the quantum device and the brickwall circuit approximation.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Is chair-CEO generational difference a substitute governance mechanism to debt financing?
Authors: Chow Yee Peng
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether and how chair-chief executive officer (CEO) generational difference is related to debt financing.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts the pooled ordinary least squares and system generalized method of moments estimation procedures to analyze listed firms in Malaysia from 2013 to 2017.

Findings

The results reveal that chair-CEO generational difference is negatively associated with leverage. The evidence suggests that substantial age gaps between the chair and CEO precipitate cognitive conflicts, which lead to better monitoring and control. This results in better governance and less information asymmetry, causing firms to depend less on debt as a board monitoring mechanism. The findings provide support to the theory posited in this paper on the substitutability of chair-CEO generational difference and debt financing.

Originality/value

This is the first attempt to investigate the substitutability of chair-CEO generational difference and debt financing.
Sensory marketing: the mediating role of hedonic emotions between multisensory experiences and mall patronage intention
Authors: Pal Divyanshi , Srivastava Kavita , Gupta Neha
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Providing positive and memorable shopping experiences has become essential for retailers. As the retail industry strives to create multisensory experiences for consumers, it is equally important to understand the emotions and pleasure such experiences evoke. The current study aims to investigate how multisensory experiences induce hedonic emotions in retail shoppers. It explores the mediating role of hedonic emotions in between multisensory experiences and shopping mall patronage intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is descriptive; the data was collected using the mall intercept survey method. A total of 380 shoppers participated in and responded to the survey administered at the mall. The collected responses are analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

Our findings support the idea that hedonic emotions play a significant role in the retail environment by influencing retail patronage intentions. Also, the multisensory experiences have a positive effect on patronage intention as well as the hedonic emotions of shoppers.

Research limitations/implications

The present study provides theoretical and managerial implications for academicians and retail marketing.

Originality/value

The present research contributes to the existing literature by introducing the concept of multisensory experiences in the retail context and its impact on hedonic emotions and adding to the concept of inference theory.
Phytochemical characterization and quality evaluation of stirred goat milk yoghurt with added fruit and vegetable puree during storage
Authors: Singh Tarun Pal , Verma Arun Kumar , Rajkumar Vincentraju , Kumar Ravindra , Singh Manoj Kumar , Chatli Manish Kumar
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Goat milk yoghurt differs from cow milk yoghurt in that it has a different casein composition and content, which presents several technical challenges, including consistency with an appropriate flavor.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the antioxidant potential and phytochemical profiling of the fruits (pineapple and papaya) and vegetable (carrot) extracts was evaluated and the effect of their purees on the quality and stability of stirred goat milk yoghurt (GMY) were investigated. The qualities of stirred GMY with carrot (CrY), pineapple (PaY) and papaya (PpY) purees were assessed against the product without puree (CY).

Findings

The carrot puree had the highest moisture, ash contents and pH value. The carrot extract had the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity, while the pineapple extract had the highest total phenolic value (1.59 µg GAE/g) and flavonoids content (0.203 µg CE/g). The scanning of all the puree extracts in GC-MS indicated that 5-hydroxymethylfurfural was a major component. The phytochemical quantification of the extracts through multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) against 16 compounds showed the presence of sinapic acid, cinnamic acid, pthalic acid, ferulic acid, 4-OH-benzoic acid, 3-OH-benzoic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid and vanillic acid in different quantities. The addition of purees and storage period had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on the moisture, pH, titratable acidity, syneresis, viscosity, color values and sensory properties of the products. In all the samples after 15 days of storage, Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus counts remained above the recommended level of 106CFU/g. Stirred GMY sample produced with pineapple puree showed a higher syneresis and viscosity, but the CrY sample demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity. The developed formulations remained stable with minimum changes in quality and sensory attribute during refrigerated storage for 10 days.

Originality/value

This study suggests that addition of fruit and vegetable improve the viscosity and sensory perception of the product with minimal use of synthetic flavor and preservatives.
Uncorking the potential of wine: an empirical prediction of consumers’ intention to visit wine tourism destinations (WTDs) post-COVID-19
Authors: Pancy  , Sujood
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The study aims to examine consumers' intentions to visit wine tourism destinations (WTDs) in Canada post-COVID-19 by combining destination-related constructs with the theory of planned behavior (TPB).

Design/methodology/approach

Convenience sampling was employed in the online survey method to gather data. Using AMOS and SPSS software, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data.

Findings

The outcomes of the SEM show that a powerful model for predicting consumers’ intention to visit WTDs was developed by combining the TPB with additional variables. More precisely, the study identified that consumers' attitudes, perceived behavioral control, wine product involvement and motivation exhibit positive influences on their intention to visit WTDs. Conversely, subjective norms and the destination wine image did not influence the intention.

Research limitations/implications

The findings have important ramifications for various parties involved, including the government, travel agencies, tourism associations and wine producers. This research's emphasis on consumer behavior enables practitioners to adjust to the changing needs of consumers in the post-pandemic environment.

Originality/value

The drawn-out model gives an improvised view of consumers’ behavioral intentions to visit WTDs post-COVID-19 by testing an integrated structural model comprising TPB and destination-related constructs. As far as the authors are aware, this research represents the first-ever effort to predict consumer's intentions to visit WTDs post-COVID-19.
It’s all your fault! restaurant vs. platform blame attribution in food delivery service failures
Authors: Lefebvre Sarah , Orlowski Marissa , Boman Laura
Published: July 2024

Purpose

While third-party food delivery continues to increase in popularity, surveys suggest nearly a quarter of deliveries suffer from service failures. With the limited research on third-party food delivery, we explore the important questions of (1) where customers place blame in the case of service failures with third-party food delivery (i.e. the platform or the restaurant) and (2) does this depend on the type of service failure? Drawing on blame attribution theory, signaling theory, and an exploratory study, we demonstrate that customers typically perceive such mishaps to be the responsibility of the restaurant rather than the delivery platform itself. We also examine the effect of visible service failure preventative actions taken by the restaurant on blame attribution and re-order intention.

Design/methodology/approach

We conducted two online scenario-based studies to explore customer blame attribution in the case of third-party food delivery service failure. First, an exploratory study approach (NStudy1 = 512) was taken to provide additional support for the hypothesis development. An experiment (NStudy2 = 252) was then conducted to examine the hypothesized effects.

Findings

First, the results of an exploratory study demonstrate that customers attribute service failures such as wrong items, missing items, cold food, or leaking containers to restaurants over third-party food delivery platforms. Second, the results of an experimental study suggest inclusion of an observable cue indicating preventative action, such as time-stamp information indicating when an order was received and packaged for delivery, increases customer re-order intention through the underlying mechanism of blame attribution.

Originality/value

We contribute to the underexplored area of third-party food delivery service failure and to our understanding of blame attribution in service failure scenarios. Further, we demonstrate a practical method to shift the blame away from restaurants for service failures that are outside of the establishment’s control.
Innovations in safety management for construction sites: the role of deep learning and computer vision techniques
Authors: Mohy Amr A. , Bassioni Hesham A. , Elgendi Elbadr O. , Hassan Tarek M.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential of using computer vision and deep learning (DL) techniques for improving safety on construction sites. It provides an overview of the current state of research in the field of construction site safety (CSS) management using these technologies. Specifically, the study focuses on identifying hazards and monitoring the usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) on construction sites. The findings highlight the potential of computer vision and DL to enhance safety management in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involves a scientometric analysis of the current direction for using computer vision and DL for CSS management. The analysis reviews relevant studies, their methods, results and limitations, providing insights into the state of research in this area.

Findings

The study finds that computer vision and DL techniques can be effective for enhancing safety management in the construction industry. The potential of these technologies is specifically highlighted for identifying hazards and monitoring PPE usage on construction sites. The findings suggest that the use of these technologies can significantly reduce accidents and injuries on construction sites.

Originality/value

This study provides valuable insights into the potential of computer vision and DL techniques for improving safety management in the construction industry. The findings can help construction companies adopt innovative technologies to reduce the number of accidents and injuries on construction sites. The study also identifies areas for future research in this field, highlighting the need for further investigation into the use of these technologies for CSS management.
Are faculty members aware of global university ranking? A study in the context of a developing country
Authors: Islam Anwarul
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to measure the awareness of the global university ranking and its parameters among the faculty members at Dhaka University. This also identifies the challenges linked to university ranking and explores opportunities to overcome these challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

The target population of this study is the faculty members of Dhaka University. This study used the online survey questionnaire method, contacting approximately 2,000 faculty members individually through their email addresses. In total, 311 faculty members responded, and the response rate was 15.55%. Data were collected from September to December 2022, and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used to analyze the survey data.

Findings

The findings indicate that a majority of the faculty members are acquainted with global university rankings, with Times Higher Education being the most recognized. Faculty members at Dhaka University are confident in their ability to excel in research and citation weighting scores in the ranking parameters. However, challenges such as a lack of incentives, inadequate recruitment policies, limited research funding, minimal collaboration, a scarcity of international students and faculty and limited local journal publications hinder the university’s ranking.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the limited number of responses, the findings may not accurately represent the entire faculty. The findings of this study can guide Dhaka University and other universities to design policies for overall improvement of university ranking.

Originality/value

This is the first time an attempt has been made to measure the awareness of university ranking by collecting primary data in the context of a public university in Bangladesh.
Florasis: the emerging C-beauty brand
Authors: Ikrama Syeda , Qumer Syeda Maseeha
Published: July 2024

Learning outcomes

This case study is designed to enable students to understand the reasons behind the launch of a beauty brand grounded on traditions and culture, understand the strategies adopted by Florasis to establish its presence in the C-beauty space and emerge successful, analyze the positioning of a C-beauty brand in a highly competitive beauty market, identify the issues and challenges faced by a C-beauty brand in its efforts to disrupt the C-beauty space and suggest strategies that Florasis can adopt to emerge as a market leader in the global beauty industry.

Case overview/synopsis

Set in 2021, the case study discusses about the emerging C-beauty brand Florasis innovative strategies to promote the brand. Florasis was founded in 2017 with a vision to become a century old national makeup brand of China. Florasis was successful in getting on board a story-telling experience that featured traditional Chinese culture, aesthetics and heritage. It sold cosmetic products with retro packaging, concepts derived from traditional Chinese style, promoting a sense of national pride and nostalgia. The case study highlights the innovative strategies Florasis adopted like influencer marketing through key opinion leaders and key opinion customers, celebrity endorsements, user co-creation programs, social content and network marketing, brand crossovers and collaborations, etc. In April 2021, Florasis became the No. 1 cosmetic company in China with a gross merchandise value of 218m yuan and further the total sales for second quarter of 2021 reached 830m yuan, endorsing its supremacy over other global and local beauty brands in China. However, with success came along a set of challenges. Some analysts pointed that the brand was slow in innovating its product line-up, it focused more on promotions and advertisements and the brand positioning with a single sales channel, the cost performance and quality of the products and excessive marketing campaigns targeting a niche segment. Going forward, what should Florasis do to conquer the global beauty space? Can Florasis aspire to become a digitally empowered global beauty brand? Has it got the momentum? Will its direct-to-consumer model and unprecedented marketing and promotion gimmicks, help it achieve the lead in the global beauty space?

Complexity academic level

This case study is suitable for students of the graduate and undergraduate programs in management.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing.
Total quality management in manufacturing firms: current and future trends
Authors: Ali Kashif
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The shifting and growing tendencies of total quality management (TQM) research are spotlighted in an era of digitization and Industry 5.0. Whether TQM is a fad or a sustainable approach is a topic of continuous discussion among researchers. Thus, the purpose of this study is to comprehensively analyze the body of literature on TQM in the manufacturing industry and advocate areas for further research.

Design/methodology/approach

A “systematic literature network analysis” (SLNA) approach is used to accomplish the research goals. It combines bibliometric analyses and a thorough literature review. A corpus of 204 studies from 1987–2022 is finalized from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. To further enrich the findings, the “TCCM (theory, context, characteristics, and methodology)” framework is applied. The Biblioshiny through R-Studio is used to perform the bibliometric analysis.

Findings

The bibliometric results show that TQM is not a fading phenomenon in the manufacturing industry. The findings indicate that TQM studies gained considerable attention in developed economies and need more focus in emerging and developing economies.

Originality/value

The review uses evolving theoretical frameworks with a variety of characteristics and advanced analytical techniques, taking into account prior research findings and outlining the agenda for future study in the context of understudies.