bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PreyTouch: An Automated System for Prey Capture Experiments Using a Touch Screen
Authors: Eyal Regev , Shein-Idelson Mark
Published: June 2024

The ability to catch prey is crucial for survival and reproduction and is subject to strong natural selection across predators. In many animals, prey capture demands the orchestrated activation of multiple brain regions, demonstrating the intricate interplay between sensory processing, decision-making, and motor execution. This makes prey capture a prime paradigm in neuroscience. Further, its ubiquity across species makes it ideal for comparative research and for studying the evolution of cognition. However, despite recent technological advances in the collection and analysis of behavioral data, experimental approaches for studying prey catch are lagging behind. To bridge this gap, we created PreyTouch - a novel system for performing prey capture experiments on a touch screen. PreyTouch incorporates flexible presentation of prey stimulus, accurate monitoring of predator strikes and automated rewarding. The system’s real time processing enables closing the loop between predator movement and prey dynamics for studying predator-prey interactions. Further, the system is optimized for automated long-term experiments and features a web-ui for remote control and monitoring. We successfully validated PreyTouch by conducting long-term prey capture experiments on the lizardPogona Vitticeps. The acquired data revealed the existence of prey preferences, complex prey attack patterns, and fast learning of prey dynamics. The unique properties offered by PreyTouch combined with the ubiquity of prey capture behaviors across animals establish it as a valuable platform for comparatively studying animal cognition.
node2vec2rank: Large Scale and Stable Graph Differential Analysis via Multi-Layer Node Embeddings and Ranking
Authors: Mandros Panagiotis , Gallagher Ian , Fanfani Viola , Chen Chen , Fischer Jonas , Ismail Anis , Hsu Lauren , Saha Enakshi , DeConti Derrick K. , Quackenbush John
Published: June 2024

1

Computational methods in biology can infer large molecular interaction networks from multiple data sources and at different resolutions, creating unprecedented opportunities to explore the mechanisms driving complex biological phenomena. Networks can be built to represent distinct conditions and compared to uncover graph-level differences—such as when comparing patterns of gene-gene interactions that change between biological states. Given the importance of the graph comparison problem, there is a clear and growing need for robust and scalable methods that can identify meaningful differences. We introduce node2vec2rank (n2v2r), a method for graph differential analysis that ranks nodes according to the disparities of their representations in joint latent embedding spaces. Improving upon previous bag-of-features approaches, we take advantage of recent advances in machine learning and statistics to compare graphs in higher-order structures and in a data-driven manner. Formulated as a multi-layer spectral embedding algorithm, n2v2r is computationally efficient, incorporates stability as a key feature, and can provably identify the correct ranking of differences between graphs in an overall procedure that adheres to veridical data science principles. By better adapting to the data, node2vec2rank clearly outperformed the commonly used node degree in finding complex differences in simulated data. In the real-world applications of breast cancer subtype characterization, analysis of cell cycle in single-cell data, and searching for sex differences in lung adenocarcinoma, node2vec2rank found meaningful biological differences enabling the hypothesis generation for therapeutic candidates. Software and analysis pipelines implementing n2v2r and used for the analyses presented here are publicly available.
The use of thermostable fluorescent proteins for live imaging inSulfolobus acidocaldarius
Authors: Recalde Alejandra , Nabi Jasmin Abdul , Junker Pierre , van der Does Chris , Elsässer Jana , van Wolferen Marleen , Albers Sonja-Verena
Published: June 2024

Among hyperthermophilic organisms,in vivoprotein localization is challenging due to the high growth temperatures that can disrupt proper folding and function of mostly mesophilic-derived fluorescent proteins. While protein localization in the thermophilic model archaeonS. acidocaldariushas been achieved using antibodies with fluorescent probes in fixed cells, the use of thermostable fluorescent proteins in thermophilic archaea has so far been unsuccessful.

Given the significance of live protein localization in the field of archaeal cell biology, we aimed to identify fluorescent proteins for use inS. acidocaldarius. To achieve this, we expressed various previously published and optimized thermostable fluorescent proteins along with fusion proteins of interest and analyzed the cells using flow cytometry and (thermo-) fluorescent microscopy. Of the tested proteins, Thermal Green Protein (TGP) exhibited the brightest fluorescence when expressed in Sulfolobus cells. By optimizing the linker between TGP and a protein of interest, we could additionally successfully fuse proteins with minimal loss of fluorescence. TGP-CdvB and TGP-PCNA1 fusions displayed localization patterns consistent with previous immunolocalization experiments. These initial results in protein localization inS. acidocaldariusat high temperatures, combined with recent advancements in thermomicroscopy, open new avenues in the field of archaeal cell biology. This progress finally enables localization experiments in thermophilic archaea, which have so far been limited to mesophilic organisms.
Conformational Landscapes of a Class I Ribonucleotide Reductase Complex during Turnover Reveal Intrinsic Dynamics and Asymmetry
Authors: Xu Da , Thomas William C. , Burnim Audrey A. , Ando Nozomi
Published: June 2024

Understanding the structural dynamics associated with enzymatic catalysis has been a long-standing goal of biochemistry. With the advent of modern cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), it has become conceivable to redefine a protein’s structure as the continuum of all conformations and their distributions. However, capturing and interpreting this information remains challenging. Here, we use classification and deep-learning-based analyses to characterize the conformational heterogeneity of a class I ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) during turnover. By converting the resulting information into physically interpretable 2D conformational landscapes, we demonstrate that RNR continuously samples a wide range of motions while maintaining surprising asymmetry to regulate the two halves of its turnover cycle. Remarkably, we directly observe the appearance of highly transient conformations needed for catalysis, as well as the interaction of RNR with its endogenous reductant thioredoxin also contributing to the asymmetry and dynamics of the enzyme complex. Overall, this work highlights the role of conformational dynamics in regulating key steps in enzyme mechanisms.
The effects of L-carnitine and fructose in improved Ham’s F10 on sperm culture in idiopathic severe asthenospermia within 24h
Authors: Chang Dehui , Li Fudong , Kang Yindong , Yan Yixin , Kong Feiyan , Jiang Wei , Wang Dongxing , Cao Zhigang , Xu Liuting , Huang Chuang , Kang Yafen , Shang Xuejun , Zhang Bin
Published: June 2024

Trial design

To study the effects of L-carnitine and fructose on semen parameters of severe asthenospermia patients by sperm culturing in vitro within 24h. We optimized the energy composition and antioxidant substances of sperm culture medium in vitro (based on Ham’s F10 culture medium) by orthogonal test for preparing high quality culture medium. Sperms of 60 patients with idiopathic severe asthenospermia were collected, and cultured in vitro within 24h, by Ham’s F10 culture medium added to different concentrations of L-carnitine and fructose and culture temperature, whose effects on sperm motility were observed to determine which is the most appropriate concentration and temperature.

Methods

For determining the appropriate concentration of L-carnitine and fructose and the suitable culture temperature in Ham’s F10 culture medium, the orthogonal experiments were carried out to optimize above three factors, which had great influence on sperm viability, survival rate, deformity rate and DNA fragmentation index (DFI).

Results

The final concentration of L-carnitine and fructose was determined in terms of initial tests to assess the effects of different concentrations (4, 8, 12, and 16 mg/ml L-carnitine and 0.125, 0.250, 0.375, and 0.50 mg/ml fructose) on sperm viability and motility in culture. During the operation of processing and culturing sperms in vitro within 24h, orthogonal test showed that sperm viability was better at the final concentration of 8 mg/ml L-carnitine and 0.375 mg/mL fructose in improved Ham’s F10 culture medium at 36.5 ℃.

Conclusion

Idiopathic severe asthenospermia sperm can be effectively improved by the modified Ham’s F10 culture medium of the final concentration of 8 mg/ml L- carnitine and 0.375 mg/mL fructose in at 36.5 ℃ within 24h, which has shown better culture effect and is superior to Ham’s F10 basic medium.
PSSR2: a user-friendly Python package for democratizing deep learning-based point-scanning super-resolution microscopy
Authors: Stites Hayden , Manor Uri
Published: June 2024

PSSR2 improves and expands on the previously established PSSR (Point-Scanning Super-Resolution) workflow for simultaneous super-resolution and denoising of undersampled microscopy data. PSSR2 is designed to put state-of-the-art technology into the hands of the general microscopy and biology research community, enabling user-friendly implementation of PSSR workflows with little to no programming experience required, especially through its integrated CLI and Napari plugin.
Mechanosensitive FHL2 tunes endothelial function
Authors: Seetharaman Shailaja , Devany John , Kim Ha Ram , van Bodegraven Emma , Chmiel Theresa , Tzu-Pin Shentu , Chou Wen-hung , Fang Yun , Gardel Margaret Lise
Published: June 2024

Endothelial tissues are essential mechanosensors in the vasculature and facilitate adaptation to various blood flow-induced mechanical cues. Defects in endothelial mechanoresponses can perturb tissue remodelling and functions leading to cardiovascular disease progression. In this context, the precise mechanisms of endothelial mechanoresponses contributing to normal and diseased tissue functioning remain elusive. Here, we sought to uncover how flow-mediated transcriptional regulation drives endothelial mechanoresponses in healthy and atherosclerotic-prone tissues. Using bulk RNA sequencing, we identify novel mechanosensitive genes in response to healthy unidirectional flow (UF) and athero-prone disturbed flow (DF). We find that the transcription as well as protein expression of Four-and-a-half LIM protein 2 (FHL2) are enriched in athero-prone DF bothin vitroandin vivo. We then demonstrate that the exogenous expression of FHL2 is necessary and sufficient to drive discontinuous adherens junction morphology and increased tissue permeability. This athero-prone phenotype requires the force-sensitive binding of FHL2 to actin. In turn, the force-dependent localisation of FHL2 to stress fibres promotes microtubule dynamics to release the RhoGEF, GEF-H1, and activate the Rho-ROCK pathway. Thus, we unravelled a novel mechanochemical feedback wherein force-dependent FHL2 localisation promotes hypercontractility. This misregulated mechanoresponse creates highly permeable tissues, depicting classic hallmarks of atherosclerosis progression. Overall, we highlight crucial functions for the FHL2 force-sensitivity in tuning multi-scale endothelial mechanoresponses.
Lipogenic Lung Fibroblast-derived Extracellular Vesicles Mitigate Cigarette Smoke-Induced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Pathologies through LAT1-mediated Alveolar Type II Cell Restoration
Authors: Fujimoto Shota , Hirano Yuta , Watanabe Naoaki , Matsubayashi Sachi , Inukai Shun , Nishioka Saiko , Yoshida Masahiro , Ito Saburo , Minagawa Shunsuke , Hara Hiromichi , Ohtsuka Takashi , Wiriyasermkul Pattama , Nagamori Shushi , Kuwano Kazuyoshi , Araya Jun , Fujita Yu
Published: June 2024

Emerging research has revealed specific cellular aberrations in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), with a particular focus on alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells, which play a pivotal role in the restoration of damaged lung tissue and promotion of normal cellular differentiation. Lipofibroblasts (LipoFBs), which are stromal fibroblasts that house lipid droplets, have been identified in close proximity to AT2 cells and have been demonstrated to support AT2 function. In this study, we present a comprehensive investigation into the therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from LipoFBs (LipoFB-EVs) in COPD treatment. They effectively mitigate key COPD pathologies such as cellular senescence and inflammatory responses in lung epithelial cells. This is achieved by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and modulating DNA damage response pathways. Moreover, LipoFB-EVs demonstrate antifibrotic properties by inhibiting TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation, surpassing conventional antifibrotic drugs. They also aid in restoring impaired AT2 stem cells, which are crucial for lung homeostasis, by enhancing their viability, colony-forming ability, and proliferation. Furthermore, we identify the presence of L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) within LipoFB-EVs, which mediates amino acid uptake, particularly leucine transport, and contributes to the restoration of AT2 cell dysfunction. Importantly, the administration of LipoFB-EVs in murine models of COPD resulted in significant improvements in airway inflammation, remodeling, obstruction, cellular senescence, and alveolar emphysema induced by both short- and long-term CS exposure. Overall, our findings highlight the therapeutic potential of LipoFB-EVs as a novel regenerative therapy for COPD, offering promising avenues for future clinical interventions.
Pathogenic LRRK2 mutations cause loss of primary cilia and Neurturin in striatal Parvalbumin interneurons
Authors: Lin Yu-En , Jaimon Ebsy , Tonelli Francesca , Pfeffer Suzanne R.
Published: June 2024

Parkinson’s disease-associated, activating mutations in LRRK2 kinase block primary cilia formation in cell culture and in specific cell types in the brain. In the striatum that is important for movement control, about half of astrocytes and cholinergic interneurons, but not the predominant medium spiny neurons, lose their primary cilia. Here we show that Parvalbumin interneurons that are inhibitory regulators of movement also lose primary cilia. Without cilia, these neurons are not able to respond to Sonic hedgehog signals that normally induce the expression of Patched protein, and their numbers decrease. In addition, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor-related Neurturin expression is significantly decreased. These experiments highlight the importance of Parvalbumin neurons in cilia-dependent, neuroprotective signaling pathways and show that LRRK2 activation decreases Neurturin production, resulting in less neuroprotection for dopamine neurons.

Parvalbumin interneurons in the dorsal striatum lose primary cilia in mice harboring Parkinson’s-associated, activating mutations in LRRK2 kinase, resulting in loss of Hedgehog signaling and decreased production of neuroprotective, Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor-related Neurturin to support dopamine neurons.
The DNA Replication Checkpoint Targets the Kinetochore for Relocation of Collapsed Forks to the Nuclear Periphery
Authors: Maclay Tyler , Whalen Jenna , Johnson Matthew , Freudenreich Catherine H.
Published: June 2024

Hairpin forming expanded CAG/CTG repeats pose significant challenges to DNA replication which can lead to replication fork collapse. Long CAG/CTG repeat tracts relocate to the nuclear pore complex to maintain their integrity. Forks impeded by DNA structures are known to activate the DNA damage checkpoint, thus we asked whether checkpoint proteins play a role in relocation of collapsed forks to the nuclear periphery inS. cerevisiae. We show that relocation of a (CAG/CTG)130tract is dependent on activation of the Mrc1/Rad53 replication checkpoint. Further, checkpoint-mediated phosphorylation of the kinetochore protein Cep3 is required for relocation, implicating detachment of the centromere from the spindle pole body. Activation of this pathway leads to DNA damage-induced microtubule recruitment to the repeat. These data suggest a role for the DNA replication checkpoint in facilitating movement of collapsed replication forks to the nuclear periphery by centromere release and microtubule-directed motion.

Highlights

The DNA replication checkpoint initiates relocation of a structure-forming CAG repeat tract to the nuclear pore complex (NPC)

The importance of Mrc1 (hClaspin) implicates fork uncoupling as the initial checkpoint signal

Phosphorylation of the Cep3 kinetochore protein by Dun1 kinase allows for centromere release, which is critical for collapsed fork repositioning

Damage-inducible nuclear microtubules (DIMs) colocalize with the repeat locus and are required for relocation to the NPC

Establishes a new role for the DNA replication and DNA damage checkpoint response to trigger repositioning of collapsed forks within the nucleus.
Acceleration of uranium beam to record power of 10.4 kW and observation of new isotopes at Facility for Rare Isotope Beams
Authors: Ostroumov P. N. , Tarasov O. B. , Bultman N. , Casagrande F. , Choi Y. , Cogan S. , Cortesi M. , Fukushima K. , Gonzalez A. , Guo J. , Haak K. , Hausmann M. , Hwang K. , Ikegami M. , Kaloyanov D. , Kanemura T. , Kim S.-H. , Kwan E. , Larmann M. , Lidia S. , Machicoane G. , Maruta T. , Miller S. , Momozaki Y. , Morris D. , Plastun A. , Portillo M. , Rao X. , Richardson I. , Sherrill B. M. , Smith M. K. , Song J. , Steiner M. , Stolz A. , Watters S. , Wei J. , Xu T. , Zhang T. , Zhao Q. , Zhao S. , Ahn D. S. , Hwang J. , Sumikama T. , Suzuki H.
Published: June 2024

The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) is a major nuclear physics facility for research with fast, stopped, and reaccelerated beams that was successfully commissioned in May 2022. A key capability of FRIB is the production of an acceleration of the uranium beam, but this capability requires the facility to work at the design limits of the lowest charge-to-mass ratio and the highest power density on the beam intercepting devices. This paper presents techniques for overcoming the significant challenges in accelerating the uranium beam, culminating in the demonstration of 10.4 kW on target, and the discovery of three new isotopes. The high-power uranium beam enabled us to produce and identify G88a, A93s, and S96e, within the first 24 h of operation. The successful uranium operation at FRIB sets a new record for accelerated uranium beam power above 10 kW and opens a new avenue of research with rare isotopes.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Enhanced beam-beam modeling to include longitudinal variation during weak-strong simulation
Authors: Xu Derong , Morozov Vasiliy S. , Sagan David , Hao Yue , Luo Yun
Published: June 2024

Beam-beam interactions pose substantial challenges in the design and operation of circular colliders, significantly affecting their performance. In particular, the weak-strong simulation approach is pivotal for investigating single-particle dynamics during the collider design phase. This paper evaluates the limitations of existing models in weak-strong simulations, noting that while they accurately account for energy changes due to slingshot effects, they fail to incorporate longitudinal coordinate changes (z variation). To address this gap, we introduce two novel transformations that enhance Hirata’s original framework by including both z variation and slingshot effect-induced energy changes. Through rigorous mathematical analysis and extensive weak-strong simulation studies, we validate the efficacy of these enhancements in achieving a more precise simulation of beam-beam interactions. Our results reveal that although z variation constitutes a higher-order effect and does not substantially affect the emittance growth rate within the specific design parameters of the Electron-Ion Collider, the refined model offers improved accuracy, particularly in scenarios involving the interaction between beam-beam effects and other random diffusion processes, as well as in simulations incorporating realistic lattice models.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Identifying and analyzing power-law scaling in two-dimensional image datasets
Authors: Bulanadi Ralph , Paruch Patrycja
Published: June 2024

Power-law distributions provide a general description of diverse natural phenomena in which events with a logarithmically increasing size occur with logarithmically decreasing probability. However, experimentally derived correlated two-dimensional information is often difficult to cleanly interpret as discrete events of defined size. Moreover, physical limitation of techniques such as those based on scanning probe microscopy, which can ideally be used to observe power-law behavior, reduce event number and thus render straightforward power-law fits even more challenging. Here we develop and compare different techniques to analyze event distributions from two-dimensional images. We show that tracking interface position allows the associated scaling parameters to be accurately extracted from both experimental and synthetic image-based datasets. We also show how these techniques can differentiate between power-law and non-power-law behavior by comparison of Hill, moments, and kernel estimators of this scaling parameter. We thus present computational tools to analyze power-law fits in two-dimensional datasets and identify the scaling parameters that best describe these distributions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
From weakly to strongly nonlinear viscous drop shape oscillations: An analytical and numerical study
Authors: Smuda Martin , Kummer Florian , Oberlack Martin , Zrnić Dino , Brenn Günter
Published: June 2024

Nonlinear axisymmetric shape oscillations of a Newtonian drop in a vacuum are investigated using two different theoretical methods, for fundamental interest and for the significance of the oscillations in transport processes across the drop surface. The extended discontinuous Galerkin method is contrasted to the weakly nonlinear theory. While the former allows large drop surface deformation amplitudes to be analyzed with high precision and drop volume errors below 0.11% even at the largest deformations, the latter provides analytical insight into the origin of quasiperiodic time behavior of the oscillations and reveals the oscillation modes coupled in the nonlinear motion. Results from both methods for moderate initial deformation amplitudes at modes of initial drop deformation m=2, 3, and 4 are in excellent agreement, showing the time asymmetry of the oscillation and the decrease of the oscillation frequency with increasing deformation amplitude. The Fourier power spectra for the first oscillation period exhibit decreased dominant frequencies as compared to the linear results as well as the mode coupling as nonlinear effects. The numerical method is used to compute the oscillatory and damping behavior of viscous drops, as well as the interconversion of kinetic and surface energies during the oscillations at strong initial deformations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
New Classical Integrable Systems from Generalized
TT¯
-Deformations
Authors: Doyon Benjamin , Hübner Friedrich , Yoshimura Takato
Published: June 2024

We introduce and study a novel class of classical integrable many-body systems obtained by generalized TT¯ deformations of free particles. Deformation terms are bilinears in densities and currents for the continuum of charges counting asymptotic particles of different momenta. In these models, which we dub “semiclassical Bethe systems” for their link with the dynamics of Bethe ansatz wave packets, many-body scattering processes are factorized, and two-body scattering shifts can be set to an almost arbitrary function of momenta. The dynamics is local but inherently different from that of known classical integrable systems. At short scales, the geometry of the deformation is dynamically resolved: either particles are slowed down (more space available), or accelerated via a novel classical particle-pair creation and annihilation process (less space available). The thermodynamics both at finite and infinite volumes is described by the equations of (or akin to) the thermodynamic Bethe ansatz, and at large scales generalized hydrodynamics emerge.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Scale and conformal invariance in rotating interacting few-fermion systems
Authors: Bekassy Viktor , Hofmann Johannes
Published: June 2024

We show that rotating two-dimensional Fermi gases possess a nonrelativistic scale and conformal invariance at weak but nonzero interactions, where the scale invariance of universal short-range interactions is not yet broken by quantum effects. We demonstrate the symmetry in the excitation spectrum of few-fermion ensembles in a harmonic trap obtained by exact diagonalization. The excitation spectrum is shown to split in a set of primary states and derived excited states that consist of breathing modes as well as two different center-of-mass excitations, which describe cyclotron and guiding-center excitations of the total particle cloud. Furthermore, the conformal symmetry is manifest in the many-body wave function, where it dictates the form of the hyperradial component, which we demonstrate using Monte Carlo sampling of few-body wave functions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Edge-dependent anomalous topology in synthetic photonic lattices subject to discrete step walks
Authors: El Sokhen Rabih , Gómez-León Álvaro , Adiyatullin Albert F. , Randoux Stéphane , Delplace Pierre , Amo Alberto
Published: June 2024

Anomalous topological phases, where edge states coexist with topologically trivial Chern bands, can only appear in periodically driven lattices. When the driving is smooth and continuous, the bulk-edge correspondence is guaranteed by the existence of a bulk invariant known as the winding number. However, in lattices subject to periodic discrete step walks the existence of edge states does not only depend on bulk invariants but also on the boundary. This is a consequence of the absence of an intrinsic time dependence or micromotion in discrete step walks. We report the observation of edge states and a simultaneous measurement of the bulk invariants in anomalous topological phases in a two-dimensional synthetic photonic lattice subject to discrete step walks. The lattice is implemented using time multiplexing of light pulses in two coupled fibre rings, in which one of the dimensions displays real-space dynamics and the other one is parametric. The presence of edge states is inherent to the periodic driving and depends on the properties of the boundary in the implemented two-band model with zero Chern number. We provide a suitable expression for the topological invariants whose calculation does not rely on micromotion dynamics.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Entropy production for diffusion processes across a semipermeable interface
Authors: Bressloff Paul C.
Published: June 2024

The emerging field of stochastic thermodynamics extends classical ideas of entropy, heat, and work to nonequilibrium systems. One notable finding is that the second law of thermodynamics typically only holds after taking appropriate averages with respect to an ensemble of stochastic trajectories. The resulting average rate of entropy production then quantifies the degree of departure from thermodynamic equilibrium. In this paper we investigate how the presence of a semipermeable interface increases the average entropy production of a single diffusing particle. Starting from the Gibbs-Shannon entropy for the particle probability density, we show that a semipermeable interface or membrane S increases the average rate of entropy production by an amount that is equal to the product of the flux through the interface and the logarithm of the ratio of the probability density on either side of the interface, integrated along S. The entropy production rate thus vanishes at thermodynamic equilibrium, but can be nonzero during the relaxation to equilibrium, or if there exists a nonzero stationary equilibrium state (NESS). We then give a probabilistic interpretation of the interfacial entropy production rate using so-called snapping out Brownian motion. This also allows us to construct a stochastic version of entropy production. Finally, we illustrate the theory using the example of diffusion with stochastic resetting on a circle, and find that the average rate of interfacial entropy production is a nonmonotonic function of the resetting rate and the permeability.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Ab initio
calculations of nonlinear susceptibility and multiphonon mixing processes in a 2DEG-piezoelectric heterostructure
Authors: Chatterjee Eric , Wendt Alexander , Soh Daniel , Eichenfield Matt
Published: June 2024

Solid-state elastic-wave phonons are a promising platform for a wide range of quantum information applications including facilitating quantum transduction from microwave to optical electromagnetic fields, long-lived quantum memories, in addition to potentially acting as qubits themselves. An outstanding challenge and enabling capability in harnessing phonons for quantum information processing is achieving sufficiently strong nonlinear interactions between them. To this end, we propose a general architecture for generating strong quantum phononic nonlinearity using piezoelectric-semiconductor heterostructures consisting of a piezoelectric acoustic material hosting phononic modes that is in direct proximity to a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). Each phonon in the piezoelectric material carries an electric field, which extends into the 2DEG. The fields induce polarization of 2DEG electrons, which in turn interact with other piezoelectric phononic electric fields. The net result is coupling between the electric fields associated with the various phonon modes. We derive, from first principles, the nonlinear phononic susceptibility of a piezo-2DEG system and provide a prescription to calculate all orders of the susceptibility in a perturbative expansion. We show that many nonlinear processes are strongly favored at high electron mobility, motivating the use of the 2DEG to mediate the nonlinearities. We derive the first, second, and third-order susceptibilities and calculate them for the case of a lithium niobate surface acoustic wave interacting with a GaAs-AlGaAs heterostructure 2DEG. We show that, for this system, the strong third-order phononic nonlinearities generated could enable single-phonon Kerr shift in an acoustic cavity that exceeds realistic cavity linewidths, potentially leading to a new class of acoustic qubit. We further show that the strong second-order nonlinearity could be used to produce a high-gain, traveling-wave parametric amplifier to amplify—and ultimately detect—the outputs of the acoustic cavity qubits. Assuming favorable losses in such a system, the combination of these capabilities, combined with the ability to efficiently transduce phonons from microwave electromagnetic fields in transmission lines, thus hold promise for creating all-acoustic quantum information processors.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Extracting off-diagonal order from diagonal basis measurements
Authors: Xiao Bo , Moreno Javier Robledo , Fishman Matthew , Sels Dries , Khatami Ehsan , Scalettar Richard
Published: June 2024

Quantum gas microscopy has developed into a powerful tool to explore strongly correlated quantum systems. However, discerning phases with topological or off-diagonal long range order requires the ability to extract these correlations from site-resolved measurements. Here, we show that a multiscale complexity measure can pinpoint the transition to and from the bond ordered wave phase of the one-dimensional extended Hubbard model with an off-diagonal order parameter, sandwiched between diagonal charge and spin density wave phases, using only diagonal descriptors. We study the model directly in the thermodynamic limit using the recently developed variational uniform matrix product states algorithm, and draw our samples from degenerate ground states related by global spin rotations, emulating the projective measurements that are accessible in experiments. Our results will have important implications for the study of exotic phases using optical lattice experiments.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Islamic food laws: customer satisfaction effect halal purchase intention in China. Moderating role of religiosity
Authors: Abdou Ahmed Hassan , Chan Markus Patrick , Rehman Shafique Ur , Albakhit Azam Ibrahem Ali , Almakhayitah Muhanna Yousef
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The research investigates the relationship between halal credence, awareness, certification, need for cognition (NC), effort, health consciousness, and satisfaction towards halal food (STHF). In addition, observe the influence of STHF on purchase intention explored. Finally, religiosity is examined as a moderator between STHF and halal purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The data was collected from Muslim participants in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, China. A total of 476 respondents take part in this research. The data was collected from Muslims who eat food from halal food hotels. A purposive sampling technique is used to collect data from respondents. PLS-SEM is followed to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The results reveal that halal credence, awareness, certification, effort, and health consciousness increase STHF. Conversely, NC does not influence STHF. Moreover, STHF significantly determines halal purchase intention. Finally, religiosity strengthens the positive association between STHF and purchase intention.

Practical implications

Food marketers and policy decision-makers can use research findings to enhance halal purchase intention. In China, Muslim customers usually search for halal food by putting in extra effort and seeing halal certification. They trust halal food because religiosity is their priority.

Originality/value

This initial research incorporates halal credence, halal awareness, certification, NC, effort, health consciousness, STHF, and religiosity to examine halal purchase intention using the theory of planned behavior (TPB).
New computational approaches to the fractional coupled nonlinear Helmholtz equation
Authors: Wang KangLe
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The main aim of this paper is to investigate the fractional coupled nonlinear Helmholtz equation by two new analytical methods.

Design/methodology/approach

This article takes an inaugural look at the fractional coupled nonlinear Helmholtz equation by using the conformable derivative. It successfully finds new fractional periodic solutions and solitary wave solutions by employing methods such as the fractional method and the fractional simple equation method. The dynamics of these fractional periodic solutions and solitary wave solutions are then graphically represented in 3D with appropriate parameters and fractal dimensions. This research contributes to a deeper comprehension and detailed exploration of the dynamics involved in high dimensional solitary wave propagation.

Findings

The proposed two mathematical approaches are simple and efficient to solve fractional evolution equations.

Originality/value

The fractional coupled nonlinear Helmholtz equation is described by using the conformable derivative for the first time. The obtained fractional periodic solutions and solitary wave solutions are completely new.
Regulating digital security by design? Implications of the perspectives from DSbD programme stakeholders
Authors: Slesinger Ian , Panteli Niki , Coles-Kemp Lizzie
Published: June 2024

Purpose

As part of the growing necessity for inter-organisational and multi-disciplinary interaction to facilitate complex innovation in digital security, there needs to be greater engagement with regulation in the innovation process. This is particularly true in the case of security technologies that are embedded within wider systems and that are largely invisible to most of the users of that system. This paper aims to describe stakeholders’ perspectives on regulation in the digital security innovation process and evaluates the implications of these perspectives on anticipatory regulation in digital security.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative methodology based on semi-structured expert interviews and ethnographic participant observation, the study draws on the authors’ involvement in a formally organised programme of academia–industry–government collaboration called Digital Security by Design (DSbD).

Findings

The study highlights a relational dimension to establishing regulatory responsibilities that is enabled through interdisciplinary dialogue. The study contributes to understanding the multifaceted roles of regulation in digital security innovation across organisations and areas of expertise. It does so by identifying four themes in how regulation is perceived in the DSbD programme: ethical imperative, adding value, adoption lever and passive compliance.

Practical implications

Incorporating regulatory responsibilities through dialogue early in the innovation process, rather than only once a security technology’s deleterious effects are noticeable, which could make digital innovation and transformation safer and better regulated. It can also make regulation successfully adopted, rather than an exercise in damage control or an adversarial process between regulators and organisations.

Originality/value

This paper presents original empirical research on how regulation is considered by stakeholders in a novel multi-disciplinary digital security innovation process. It then uses these findings as a basis to evaluate the implications for establishing regulatory responsibilities for a class of security technologies that are embedded within wider systems and that are largely invisible to most of the users of those wider systems.
Green human resource management and sustainability: moderating role of absorptive capacity
Authors: Alkaf Abdur Rachman , Yusliza M.Y. , Foster Bob , Farooq Khalid , Ramayah T. , Muhammad Zikri
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This research aims to investigate the influence of green human resource management (HRM), with analysis and description of job position, recruitment, selection, training, performance assessment and rewards on sustainability with the resource-based view (RBV) theory as underlying theory. The extent to which absorptive capacity strengthened the “green HRM-sustainability” link as a buffering mechanism was also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

The study model was tested with empirical data gathered from 253 Indonesian oil and gas firms. The elicited data were analysed using structural equation modelling using partial least squares (PLS).

Findings

Resultantly, the (i) analysis and description of job position and (ii) recruitment positively influenced sustainability. Absorptive capacity also influenced the strength of the moderated relationship between (i) recruitment and (ii) training and sustainability.

Originality/value

As far as we know, this is the first study which assigned the moderator role of absorptive capacity in a relationship between green HRM and sustainability in oil and gas firms in Indonesia. Notably, the theoretical and practical implications of applying the empirical outcomes to the oil and gas sector were extensively discussed.
Does IT culture archetypes affect the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of e-banking services? A multistage approach of Algerian customers
Authors: Latreche Hela , Bellahcene Mohammed , Dutot Vincent
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This paper explores the effect of individual information technology culture archetypes on the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of e-banking customers.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-stage approach was used. First, a cluster analysis was performed (based on a survey of 360 Algerian bank customers). Second, a multiple regression analysis was assessed to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The cluster analysis reveals five IT cultural groups for e-banking customers: dangerous, dodgers, compliant dodgers, disenchanted and addicted customers. A mapping of these archetypes is then proposed and tested. The multiple regression analysis shows that the dangerous IT culture archetype exhibit the highest level of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness beliefs when the dodgers show the lowest one.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited in that it adopts a relatively small convenience sampling in Northwest Algeria. Furthermore, enriching the model with other antecedents could be of use. However, it clarifies the issue of whether the same IT culture archetypes can be found in different contexts and show that the IT cultural archetypes list is not exhaustive.

Practical implications

The study contributes to the existing knowledge on e-banking adoption in developing countries and provides Algerian banks with some crucial elements.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first to investigate the impact of IT culture archetypes on e-banking adoption. It (1) identified five IT culture archetypes, (2) proposed a mapping of these archetypes, (3) reinforces the use of the spinning top model and (4) goes further as it applies it in a new context (developing country) and industry (banking).
The dark figure of murder and unsolved homicides in the USA
Authors: Minkler Molly , DeLisi Matt , Marquart James , Scurich Nicholas
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to use a novel data set of 636 murderers sentenced to death in California to investigate homicide offenses that are committed but not prosecuted or officially solved, a concept known as the dark figure of crime.

Design/methodology/approach

Uaing appellate records from the Supreme Court of California, which contain extensive information about the offender’s background, criminal offense history and mental health diagnoses, it was revealed that one-third of the offenders in the sample have additional homicide offenses for which they likely bear responsibility, but were not prosecuted.

Findings

Most of these involve one or two additional homicides, though a wide range was observed spanning 0 to 93 additional victims. Those with a dark figure of murder and unsolved homicides had substantially more prior arrests, convictions and prison incarcerations and were higher in psychopathy, sexual sadism, homicidal ideation and gang involvement than offenders without a dark figure. Psychopathy and homicidal ideation were the most robust predictors of both the presence and magnitude of a dark figure of murder and unsolved homicides, whereas sexual sadism was inconsistently associated.

Originality/value

A disproportionate amount of the unsolved murders in the USA are likely perpetrated by the most pathological types of offenders, those with extensive antisocial careers and severe externalizing psychopathology.
Identification of critical success factors (CSFs) for successful project management in manufacturing sector
Authors: Zia Muhammad Nadeem , Shah Aqueel , Khan Shaheryar Atta , Najib Antash
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This research has been carried out to study the impact of critical success factors (CSFs) on successful project management of projects in the manufacturing sector. These success factors will pave the way for the successful completion of projects for the manufacturing sector. CSFs play a vital role in the timely conclusion of projects in any organization. For the projects to be successful certain essential factors must be taken into account. These essential factors are identified through this research.

Design/methodology/approach

During this study an adaptive survey of the literature was conducted, after a detailed literature review certain success factors were identified for project management in the manufacturing sector. The number of success factors was reduced to 40 factors based on the level of incidence in the literature. The length of the questionnaire was also given due importance to make the survey more interesting and effective. After that Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) was employed to screen the most essential factors. In the end, the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchical Process (FAHP) was used to rank these factors in order of importance.

Findings

Project Manager Leadership Skills, Economic Environment, Top Management Support, Project Planning, Clear and realistic Goals, and Financial Support have come out to be the most important CSFs for successful project management in the manufacturing sector.

Originality/value

This is novel research to identify CSFs for project management in the manufacturing sector. Previously, most of the studies remained focused on construction and software projects.
A framework for the management of retail assets
Authors: Gardner Alan , Orr Allison M. , Jackson Cath , White James T.
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The retail investment landscape in the UK has drastically changed. Understanding owners’ responses to this structural change is critical to gain insight into protecting investment performance. This paper identifies and evaluates the tactics and strategies being adopted.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs a mixed methods research approach, using data collected from semi-structured interviews with professionals involved in the retail investment process. This is supplemented by secondary market data analysis.

Findings

The paper assesses the practical responses made by retail property owners/managers, structured around emerging sub-themes. Actions include mitigating short-term risks through greater use of temporary tenants/licensees and independent retailers, preparing generic “white box” retail space to capture remaining tenant demand, exploiting the tenant mix to provide “the retail experience,” and applying new technologies and processes in a sector where systematic risk remains high. A new framework for retail asset management has been developed.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the retail asset management literature and understanding of the way the contemporary retail landscape is shaping investment management behaviour.

Practical implications

The developed framework provides guidance to real estate managers developing a retail real estate management strategy and will help them recognise tactics to better support the evolving retailing market.

Originality/value

The new framework adds new insights to understanding the process for managing retail assets and the actions necessary for asset managers to address economic/functional obsolescence and sustain asset investment values.