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A sample of young adults were surveyed to test the influence of brand familiarity and brand remarkability on a charity fundraising appeal's audience outcomes. The mediation effect of brand attitudes was also examined as well as the moderation effects of personal impulsiveness and social media engagement. The results show that the influence of brand familiarity on audience outcomes was partially mediated through brand attitudes. Brand remarkability's influence on audience outcomes was fully mediated through brand attitudes. Moderation effects were not found to be significant. However, post hoc testing found a direct effect of social media engagement on two audience outcomes: campaign sharing intentions and word-of-mouth intentions. Managerial implications of our findings are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the relationship between challenge-hindrance stressors and innovative behavior of medical postgraduates in China, examining the mediating role of academic engagement and the moderating effect of relaxation. Drawing from a sample of 437 medical postgraduates from three Chinese universities, our findings revealed that challenge stressors positively correlated with innovative behavior, while the direct relationship between hindrance stressors and innovative behavior was not statistically significant. Furthermore, academic engagement mediated the relationship between two types of stressors and innovative behavior. Challenge stressors enhanced academic engagement, which in turn fostered innovative behavior. Conversely, hindrance stressors were found to diminish academic engagement, which in turn indirectly limited innovative behavior. Additionally, relaxation was identified as a moderating factor that helped mitigate the negative effects of hindrance stressors on academic engagement and indirectly on innovative behavior. These results suggested that academic engagement as a mechanism played a pivotal role in determining how different stressors influenced innovative behavior, underscoring the need for stress management, particularly through relaxation techniques, to maintain high levels of academic engagement and innovative behavior. This study offers practical insights for medical education policymakers and educators in China, emphasizing the importance of balancing stressors and incorporating relaxation practices to enhance the innovative capabilities of medical postgraduates in demanding academic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although live streaming via social media offers consumers real-time shopping experiences and potentially increases sales volume, the intangible values carried by live streaming from the streamer's perspective are relatively unknown. Building upon the Trust Transfer Theory, this study examined the values behind Instagram live streaming that could potentially build young consumers' trust in and engagement with social commerce sellers. Known for its visually appealing content, simplicity, speed, and mobility, Instagram is unlike other social media platform. More importantly, its targeting ability makes it an influencer dominant social media platform. Analysis using dual-stage PLS-SEM and ANN from 209 respondents revealed that utilitarian and symbolic values significantly influence trust, which subsequently builds customer engagement. Hedonic values and economic values, on the other hand, were found to play no significant role in building trust and customer engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Schlafen (SLFN) gene family has emerged as a critical subject of study in recent years, given its involvement in an array of cellular functions such as proliferation, differentiation, immune responses, viral infection inhibition, and DNA replication. Additionally, SLFN genes are linked to chemosensitivity, playing a pivotal role in treating malignant tumors. Human SLFNs comprise three domains: the N-terminal, middle (M), and C-terminal. The N- and C-terminal domains demonstrate nuclease and helicase/ATPase activities, respectively. Meanwhile, the M-domain likely functions as a linker that connects the enzymatic domains of the N- and C-terminals and may engage in interactions with other proteins. This paper aims to present a comprehensive overview of the SLFN family's structure and sequence, examine its significance in various tumors, and explore its connection with immune infiltrating cells and immune checkpoints. The objective is to assess the potential of SLFNs as vital targets in cancer therapy and propose novel strategies for combined treatment approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The post-mortem interval (PMI) is the time elapsed between the death of an individual and its forensic examination. It is a crucial information for judicial authorities, but current techniques still cannot establish a precise time interval. Novel approaches are therefore required. Recently, gingival tissue has emerged as interesting for forensic analysis thanks to the protection offered by lips to this tissue, limiting the influence of environmental factors. It is also easily accessible, and its sampling is minimally invasive even in the presence of rigor mortis. Moreover, the expression of HIF-1α, a master mediator of the hypoxic environment, has been described in gingival samples at different post-mortem (PM) times. We have hypothesized that the time-dependent post-mortem expression of HIF-1α could serve as a biomarker to more accurately predict the PMI. Our analyses were performed in an animal model, the mouse, where environment can be precisely controlled. Therewith, gingival tissue morphology was evaluated through histochemical staining and HIF-1α expression was analyzed by qPCR, western blots and immunofluorescence at different post-mortem times (0h to 100h). Our results showed (a) a global post-mortem stability of gingival tissue (b) a rapid increase in HIF-1α mRNA expression in the short post-mortem times followed by a slow decrease in transcript expression until 100h PM (c) an expression of the HIF- 1α protein and its degradation products, that follows the mRNA pattern (d) the presence of HIF-1α protein in the epithelial and connective layers of the tissue, with signal accumulation in both gingival strata until at least 32h post-mortem. This pilot study thus validated the mouse and the gingival tissue as models for post-mortem analyses, as well as for studying the fate of proteins such as HIF-1α. Transferring these approaches to human subjects may provide a more accurate estimate of PMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trends in health care delivery systems have shifted as a result of the modern uses of biomaterials in medicine. Contrary to traditional medicine, modern healthcare are now useful in solving problems that were considered impossible some years back. One of the most significant factors to the most recent advancements in implant development has been the use of calcium based materials in the creation of necessary implants in the form of soft and hard tissues. With the advent of naturally sourced materials in the manufacturing of biomaterials, lots of attention are now focused on the different sources of agro-based resources that can be used for the product developments. These agro-based materials are now been considered for sustainable and ecological purposes in several areas of applications globally in the recent times. Hence, the review was carried out with focus on the sources, relevance, processing techniques and applications of tricalcium phosphate based biomaterials in modern day healthcare delivery. This review provides a historical and prospective picture of the crucial functions that materials based on tricalcium phosphate will play in fulfilling human requirements for medication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent measurements of the Lamb shift of muonic helium-4 ions were used to infer the alpha particle charge radius. The value found is compatible with the radius extracted from the analysis of the electron-helium scattering. Thus, the new spectroscopic data put additional empirical bounds on some free parameters of certain physics theories beyond the Standard Model. In this paper, we analyze the new data in the context of large extra-dimensional theories. Specifically, we calculate the influence of the radion, the scalar degree of freedom of the higher-dimensional gravity, on the energy difference between the 2S and 2P levels of this exotic atom. The radion field is related to fluctuations of the volume of the supplementary space. It should be treated as a phenomenologically independent quantity in relation to the tensorial degrees of freedom of the metric within the braneworld scenario. Based on the spectroscopic data of muonic helium, we find constraints for the effective energy scale of the radion as a function of the alpha particle radius. Then, we discuss the implications of these new constraints on the proton radius puzzle. We also establish a new empirical bound for the radion by examining its influence on the isotopic shift in the 2P-2S transition of muonic hydrogen and muonic deuteron. In connection with this discussion, we study the impact of the radion on the tension observed in measurements of the difference between the squared radii of the helion and alpha particle as extracted from muonic and electronic helium isotopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the exponential growth of livestream shopping and the development of artificial intelligence (AI), virtual influencers powered by AI have become a new trend. However, this phenomenon has yet to be studied precisely to understand the underlying mechanisms of virtual AI streamers' influence on the viewers. This study explores the effects of virtual influencers powered by AI by investigating the persuasive factors and underlying emotional mechanism that affect viewers' parasocial interaction intention and impulse buying intention. Data collected from 559 livestream viewers in a scenario-based survey were analyzed using maximum likelihood structural equation modeling (SEM) estimation and cross-validated using Bayesian SEM. The findings confirm the appraisal–emotion–action scheme and validate the role of arousal in mediating three persuasive factors and two behavioral approaches. Parasocial interaction intention was correlated with coolness, whereas congruence and mind perception were important antecedents of viewers' urge to buy impulsively. Furthermore, mindset had important moderating effects on arousal and parasocial interaction intention toward impulsive urges. This study extends the research on influencer marketing and livestream shopping. It also apprises marketing and retailing managers of the importance of nurturing an AI workforce and sheds light on IS management practice for potential industry opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore the mechanism that can explain the production of lepton asymmetry and two types of sterile neutrino dark matter. The first type involves heavy sterile dark matter produced directly by the decay of Q-balls which are formed by first-order phase transition in the early universe; the second consists of keV sterile neutrino dark matter, produced resonantly with the aid of lepton asymmetry from Q-ball decay. Besides, gravitational waves from cosmic strings generated during the phase transition process could be detected at future interferometers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene expression profiles of hundreds of cancer cell-lines and the cell-lines' response to drug treatment were analyzed to identify genes whose expression correlated with drug resistance. In the GDSC dataset of 809 cancer cell lines, expression of 36 genes were associated with drug resistance (increased IC50) to many anti-cancer drugs. This was validated in the CTRP dataset of 860 cell lines. A polygenic score derived from the correlation coefficients of the 36 genes in cancer cell lines, UAB36, predicted resistance of cell lines to Tamoxifen. Although the 36 genes were selected from cell line behaviors, UAB36 successfully predicted survival of breast cancer patients in three different cohorts of patients treated with Tamoxifen. UAB36 outperforms two existing predictive gene signatures and is a predictor of outcome of breast cancer patients independent of the known clinical co-variates that affect outcome. This approach should provide promising polygenic biomarkers for resistance in many cancer types against specific drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The role of hypoalbuminemia throughout the course of chronic periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains poorly understood. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of hypoalbuminemia in periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) patients and to explore the association between hypoalbuminemia and treatment outcomes. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 387 PJI cases who underwent two‐stage exchange arthroplasty between January 2007 and August 2020, of which 342 were reimplanted. The mean follow‐up period was 7.9 years. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for hypoalbuminemia and to assess the effect of hypoalbuminemia at 1st‐ and 2nd‐stage exchange on the treatment outcome. Furthermore, the impact of dynamic changes in hypoalbuminemia was investigated. Results: The prevalence of hypoalbuminemia at 1st‐ and 2nd‐stage exchange was 22.2% and 4.7%, respectively. Patients with age ≥ 68 years and those with isolation of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus, or Gram‐negative bacteria exhibited a higher risk of hypoalbuminemia. Hypoalbuminemia at 1st‐stage was significantly related to treatment failure (OR = 3.3), while hypoalbuminemia at 2nd‐stage raised the OR to 10.0. Patients with persistent hypoalbuminemia at both the 1st‐ and 2nd‐stage exchanges had a significantly higher rate of treatment failure than patients with hypoalbuminemia at the 1st‐stage but normal albumin levels at the 2nd‐stage exchange (55.6% vs 20.0%, p = 0.036). Conclusion: One in five patients with chronic PJI exhibits hypoalbuminemia. Hypoalbuminemia is more likely to develop in patients of advanced age and those infected by specific highly virulent organisms. Also, our results highlight the close association between hypoalbuminemia and treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we calculate the Higgs mass matrix and explore the limitations of the minimum conditions of the scalar potential on parameter degrees of freedom in the CP violation TNMSSM. We discuss the contributions of some parameters to Higgs mass, and their impact on the strength of Higgs decay signals in different decay channels h → γ γ , h → VV (V = W , Z) and h → f f ¯ (f = b , c , τ) . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citizen participation in smart city projects is currently a hot issue, but there is a lack of quantitative research exploring this topic. Furthermore, little is known about how a sense of responsibility drives their participation in smart cities. Therefore, this paper aims to empirically explore how a sense of responsibility affects the willingness to participate in smart cities from the perspective of citizens. Based on the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R), a research model was constructed to explore the effect of information publicity, government transparency and subjective norms on the sense of responsibility, which leads to citizen participation intention. A total of 283 survey data were collected from Jinan, China, and structural equation models (SEMs) were used to test the relevant hypotheses. The results show that information publicity has a positive effect on citizen participation intention. Government transparency and subjective norms both have direct and significant impacts on citizens' sense of responsibility, which in turn has a positive effect on their participation intention. The moderation effect of information quality is not significant. This study contributes to the research stream on smart city participation. Not only does it contribute to further understanding the main factors that affect residents' participation in the construction of smart cities, but it also contributes to the implementation of bottom-up strategies and practices for smart city construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pachylophus belongs to the subfamily Chloropinae, the second most diverse subfamily of Chloropidae. However, there have been few complete mitochondrial genomes of Chloropinae reported in the public database. Consequently, we sequenced and annotated the complete mitochondrial genome of Pachylophus rufescens (de Meijere, 1904). The whole mitochondrial genome is 17, 926 bp in length, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs) and two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs). The mitochondrial genome exhibits high A + T bias, accounting for 79.7% of its entirety. All PCGs start with ATN codon and end with TAN or incomplete stop codon TA or single T. The Maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree revealed a close relationship between Pachylophus and Cetema. This study contributes to the expansion of the mitochondrial genome library of Chloropinae, providing a valuable resource for gaining insights into the evolutionary history of Chloropidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The parametrization of the oblique corrections through S, T, and U – later extended by V, W and X – is a convenient way of comparing the predictions for various electroweak observables at the one-loop level between the Standard Model and its extensions. That parametrization assumes that the extensions under consideration have S U (2) × U (1) gauge symmetry and the tree-level relation m W = m Z cos θ W between the Weinberg angle and the gauge-boson masses. In models where that relation does not hold at the Lagrangian level, the parameter T is not ultraviolet-finite, making the parametrization inadequate. We present expressions that parametrize the difference of the various predictions of two models with m W ≠ m Z cos θ W in terms of oblique parameters. The parameter T does not play a role in those expressions. Conveniently, they may be reached from the ones that were derived for models with tree-level m W = m Z cos θ W , by performing a simple substitution for T. We also discuss the difficulties in using oblique parameters when comparing a model with m W ≠ m Z cos θ W to the Standard Model. Finally, we compute the relevant five oblique parameters S, U, V, W and X in the SM extended by both, hypercharge Y = 0 and Y = 1 , triplet scalars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the proliferation of live streaming commerce, there is growing evidence that impulse buying within a live shopping context is occurring. In consideration of the interactive nature of live streaming commerce, this paper proposes an interaction–immersion model to investigate factors affecting impulse buying behaviour. The proposed research model assesses the effects of different kinds of interaction (the person–environment interaction, the para-social interaction with streamers, the para-social interaction with other participants) on interaction immersion, and the subsequent response, i.e., impulse buying behaviour of customers. The proposed model is validated using survey data from 358 users of live shopping. The results show that the three dimensions of interaction have positive and significant effects on customers' interaction immersion, which can affect impulse buying behaviour positively and significantly. Also, streamer attractiveness can positively moderate the effect of interaction immersion on impulse buying behaviour. These findings highlight the vital role of interaction and immersion in encouraging impulse buying behaviour, which can shed light on the design of a better live shopping platform and marketing strategies of sellers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quest for supersymmetric (SUSY) particles is among the main search channels currently pursued at the LHC. Particularly, electroweak (EW) particles with masses as low as a few hundred GeV are still viable. Recent searches for the “golden channel”, p p → χ ~ 2 0 χ ~ 1 ± → χ ~ 1 0 Z (∗) χ ~ 1 0 W ± (∗) show consistent excesses between ATLAS and CMS in the 2 lepton, 3-lepton and mono-jet searches, assuming and Δ m : = m χ ~ 2 0 - m χ ~ 1 0 ≈ 20 GeV . This mass configuration arises naturally in SUSY scenarios with wino/bino Dark Matter (DM) or higgsino DM. In these scenarios the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP), assumed to be the lightest neutralino, χ ~ 1 0 , as a DM candidate is in good agreement with the observed limits on the DM content of the universe, as well as with negative results from Direct Detection (DD) experiments. We analyze these two scenarios with respect to the observed excesses, taking into account all relevant experimental constraints. We show that in particular wino/bino DM with different signs of the SU(2) and U(1) soft SUSY-breaking parameters can describe well the experimental excesses, while being in agreement with all other constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive research has been implemented to raise the efficiency of the geochemical survey of stream sediments (SSs) that formed under the cryolithogenesis conditions. The authors analysed the composition, structure and specific features of the formation of exogenous anomalous geochemical fields (AGFs) identified through SSs of large river valleys of IV order. In our case, these were the valleys of Maly Ken, Ken and Tap Rivers. These rivers are located in the central and southern parts of the Balygychan–Sugoy trough enclosed in the Magadan region, North–East of Russia. The authors proposed a new technique to sample loose alluvium of SSs in the large river valleys along the profiles. The profiles were located across the valleys. The AGFs of Au, Ag, Pb, Zn, Sn, Bi, Mo and W were studied. Correlations between elements have been established. These elements are the main indicator elements of Au–Ag, Ag–Pb, Sn–Ag, Mo–W and Sn–W mineralization occurring on the sites under study. The results obtained were compared with the results of geochemical surveys of SSs. It is concluded that the AGFs recognized along the profiles reflect the composition and structure of eroded and drained ore zones, uncover completely and precisely the pattern of element distribution in loose sediments of large water flows. The alluvium fraction < 0.25 mm seems to be most significant in a practical sense, as it concentrated numerous ore elements. Sampling of this fraction in the river valleys of IV order does not cause any difficulty, for this kind of material is plentiful. The developed technique of alluvium sampling within large river valleys is efficient in searching for diverse mineralization at all stages of prognostic prospecting. It is applicable for geochemical survey of SSs performed at different scales both in the North–East of Russia, as well as other regions with similar climatic conditions, where the SSs are formed under the cryolithogenesis conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blowflies and beetles are among the invertebrate species that are attracted to dead bodies and can provide valid evidence in cases of murder or suspicious death investigation. An important consideration is the quality of the evidence which partly depends on the accurate identification of invertebrates. The morphological identification of blowflies has some limitations, especially in relation to damaged samples, or immature stages of the flies. DNA-based techniques such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequence analysis have been applied to overcome the shortfalls of the classical identification methods. The present study combined the use of classical and PCR methods to identify invertebrates associated with pig carrions in Nigeria. Adult invertebrates were collected on and around pig carcasses in Nigeria. A total of 416 invertebrates belonging to Diptera; Calliphoridae (n = 160), Sarcophagidae (n = 26) and Muscidae (n = 72) while Coleopterans; Dermestidae (n = 52), Histeridae (n = 63), Cleridae (n = 25) and Silphidae (n = 18) families collected from pig carrions in Nigeria were identified. The cytochrome oxidase 1 (cox1) gene from selected specimens was amplified and sequenced. Nucleotide sequence analysis and phylogenetic trees confirmed the presence of dipterans and coleopterans of forensic importance in Nigeria. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to use the mitochondrial cox1 gene coupled with sequence analysis to identify and characterize arthropods of forensic importance in Nigeria. This study provides reliable baseline data for further use in forensic entomology within the country and other regions where these arthropod species exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing pervasiveness of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the fabric of economic activities, the corporate digital divide has become a crucial issue for the assessment of Information Technology (IT) competencies and the digital gap between firms and territories. With little granular data available to measure the phenomenon, most studies have used survey data. To address this empirical gap, we scanned the homepages of 182,705 Italian companies and extracted ten characteristics related to their digital footprint to develop a new index for the corporate digital assessment. Our results show a significant digital divide between Italian companies according to size, sector and geographical location, opening new perspectives for monitoring and data-driven analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is the main causative agent of flystrike of sheep in Australia and New Zealand. Female flies lay eggs in an open wound or natural orifice, and the developing larvae eat the host's tissues, a condition called myiasis. To improve our understanding of host-seeking behavior, we quantified gene expression in male and female antennae based on their behavior. Methods: A spatial olfactometer was used to evaluate the olfactory response of L. cuprina mated males and gravid females to fresh or rotting beef. Antennal RNA-Seq analysis was used to identify sensory receptors differentially expressed between groups. Results: Lucilia cuprina females were more attracted to rotten compared to fresh beef (> fivefold increase). However, males and some females did not respond to either type of beef. RNA-Seq analysis was performed on antennae dissected from attracted females, non-attracted females and males. Transcripts encoding sensory receptors from 11 gene families were identified above a threshold (≥ 5 transcript per million) including 49 ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABCs), two ammonium transporters (AMTs), 37 odorant receptors (ORs), 16 ionotropic receptors (IRs), 5 gustatory receptors (GRs), 22 odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), 9 CD36-sensory neuron membrane proteins (CD36/SNMPs), 4 chemosensory proteins (CSPs), 4 myeloid lipid-recognition (ML) and Niemann-Pick C2 disease proteins (ML/NPC2), 2 pickpocket receptors (PPKs) and 3 transient receptor potential channels (TRPs). Differential expression analyses identified sex-biased sensory receptors. Conclusions: We identified sensory receptors that were differentially expressed between the antennae of both sexes and hence may be associated with host detection by female flies. The most promising for future investigations were as follows: an odorant receptor (LcupOR46) which is female-biased in L. cuprina and Cochliomyia hominivorax Coquerel, 1858; an ABC transporter (ABC G23.1) that was the sole sensory receptor upregulated in the antennae of females attracted to rotting beef compared to non-attracted females; a female-biased ammonia transporter (AMT_Rh50), which was previously associated with ammonium detection in Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830. This is the first report suggesting a possible role for ABC transporters in L. cuprina olfaction and potentially in other insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Andesite was employed to effectively extract mercury(II) in an aqueous solution. After evaluating its characteristics, andesite was characterized by applying modern techniques such as BET and TGA methods. The study employed SEM and TEM measurements to analyze the variation in the surface shape and crystallinity of the metal due to adsorption. Using the EDX process, the chemical composition, weight, and atomic percentage of each element of andesite were determined. FTIR techniques were also used to confirm the TEM–EDX findings. Zeta potential was estimated. Cycles of regeneration and desorption have been examined. 99.03% was the highest uptake percentage. Adsorbent quantity (0.0025–0.05) g/L, contact time (5–60) min, pH (2–10), temperature (25–60) °C, and dose (0.0027, 0.0044, 0.0125, 0.0155, and 0.0399) mg/L all affect the amount of removal that increases with the increase in contact time, pH, dose, and temperature but drops as the metal ion concentration rises. The ideal values for contact time, pH, metal ion concentration, dose, and temperature were found to be, respectively, 30 min, 0.0155 mg/l, 0.02 g/l, and 40 °C. The calculation of thermodynamic parameters, including ΔH, ΔG, and ΔS, was imperative in establishing that the mechanism of heavy metal adsorption on andesite was endothermic, exhibiting a physical nature that escalated with temperature rise. The Freundlich adsorption equation's linear form is matched by the adsorption of mercury(II) on andesite; constant n was 1.85, 1.06, 1.1, and 1.1, whereas the Langmuir constant qm was found to be 1.85, 2.41, 3.54, and 2.28 mg/g at 25–60 °C. Furthermore, adsorption follows a pseudo-second-order rate constant of (3.08, 3.24, 3.24, and 13) g/mg/min under identical temperature conditions, as opposed to a first-order rate constant of 4, 3, 2.6, and 2. Hg2+, NH4+, Cl−, Br−, NO3−, SO42−, Na+, K+, H2S, and CH3SH were all extracted from wastewater by this application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the scalar induced gravitational waves (SIGWs) from a chiral scalar–tensor theory of gravity. The parity-violating (PV) Lagrangian contains the Chern–Simons (CS) term and PV scalar–tensor terms, which are built of the quadratic Riemann tensor term and first-order derivatives of a scalar field. We consider SIGWs in two cases, in which the semi-analytic expression to calculate SIGWs can be obtained. Then, we calculate the fractional energy density of SIGWs with a monochromatic power spectrum for the curvature perturbation. We find that the SIGWs in chiral scalar–tensor gravity behave differently from those in GR before and after the peak frequency, which results in a large degree of circular polarization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies on oestroidean Diptera (Brachycera) are providing a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the evolutionary history of this remarkably diverse clade of holometabolous insects. The Oestroidea, which includes formidable pests such as various blowflies, botflies, and flesh flies that infest livestock, pets and humans, are mostly composed of beneficial species that act as scavengers or parasitoids on various pest insects. In our research, we used genomic methods to elucidate the phylogenetic position of Nesodexia corsicana  Villeneuve, 1911 (Diptera: Calliphoridae), a mysterious oestroid species endemic to Corsica and characterized by distinctive morphological features that have puzzled taxonomists for years. Contrary to initial hypotheses, our results place Nesodexia Villeneuve, 1911 within the Calliphoridae subfamily Rhinophorinae, a small lineage of terrestrial isopod parasitoids. Through detailed morphological analysis of adults of both sexes and eggs, we uncovered significant insights consistent with our phylogenomic reconstruction. The unique morphological features of the species, coupled with its restricted and fragmented habitat, highlight its potential conservation importance. We delineated the area of occupancy for N. corsicana and assessed its "threatened" category using specific IUCN Red List criteria. In addition, we mapped the available habitat within its range and determined potential key biodiversity areas (KBA) triggered by N. corsicana. New potential KBAs are only partially covered by the Corsican Regional Park. Finally, we mapped the distribution of habitats on the island to assess the potential distribution of the species beyond its currently known geographic range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metaverse for cultural heritage (MCH) serves as a digital platform that enables users to access and engage with cultural heritage resources online. With the rapid expansion of cultural digitisation, many organizations have adopted the MCH to increase their impact and reach. However, empirical research is essential to substantiate the role and significance of MCH. This study examines users' intentions to engage with MCH and their offline experiences. Using the SEM-ANN method, 989 respondents participated in an analysis framed by the NVM approach through questionnaires. The results show a dependence of users' offline experience intentions on their intentions to engage with MCH (β = 0.216, T = 7.915, P < 0.001), along with perceived benefits (β = 0.199, T = 6.576, P < 0.001) and perceived risks (β = − 0.051, T = − 2.008, P = 0.045). Results suggest that MCH has the potential to enhance offline experiences; factors such as creativity, entertainment and narrative significantly influence users' positive evaluations of MCH, while privacy data, performance ethic and negative psychology influences may reduce users' positive evaluations. These findings have important implications for cultural heritage managers, developers and designers, suggesting that the use of the metaverse can enrich the cultural heritage experience, attract a broader user base beyond offline methods, and promote the appreciation and dissemination of traditional culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The potential efficacy of metformin in breast cancer (BC) has been hotly discussed but never conclusive. This genetics-based study aimed to evaluate the relationships between metformin targets and BC risk. Methods: Metformin targets from DrugBank and genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from IEU OpenGWAS and FinnGen were used to investigate the breast cancer (BC)-metformin causal link with various Mendelian Randomization (MR) methods (e.g., inverse-variance-weighting). The genetic association between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and the drug target of metformin was also analyzed as a positive control. Sensitivity and pleiotropic tests ensured reliability. Results: The primary targets of metformin are PRKAB1, ETFDH and GPD1L. We found a causal association between PRKAB1 and T2D (odds ratio [OR] 0.959, P = 0.002), but no causal relationship was observed between metformin targets and overall BC risk (PRKAB1: OR 0.990, P = 0.530; ETFDH: OR 0.986, P = 0.592; GPD1L: OR 1.002, P = 0.806). A noteworthy causal relationship was observed between ETFDH and estrogen receptor (ER)-positive BC (OR 0.867, P = 0.018), and between GPD1L and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative BC (OR 0.966, P = 0.040). Other group analyses did not yield positive results. Conclusion: The star target of metformin, PRKAB1, does not exhibit a substantial causal association with the risk of BC. Conversely, metformin, acting as an inhibitor of ETFDH and GPD1L, may potentially elevate the likelihood of developing ER-positive BC and HER2-negative BC. Consequently, it is not advisable to employ metformin as a standard supplementary therapy for BC patients without T2D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the understanding gap concerning the factors that influence the continuous learning intention of adult learners on online education platforms. The uniqueness and significance of this study stem from its dual focus on both platform features, such as service quality, and course features, including perceived interactivity and added value, aspects often overlooked in previous research. Rooted in Expectation Confirmation Theory, the study constructs a comprehensive model to shed light on the complex interplay of these factors. Empirical evidence collected from a survey of 1592 adult learners robustly validates the effectiveness of this model. The findings of the study reveal that platform service quality, perceived interactivity, and perceived added value significantly amplify adult learners' expectation confirmation and perceived usefulness. These elements subsequently enhance learner satisfaction, fostering their ongoing intention to use online education platforms. These insights offer practical guidance for online education providers, emphasizing the necessity to enhance platform service quality and course features to meet adult learners' expectations and perceived usefulness. The study provides valuable perspectives for devising strategies to boost user satisfaction and stimulate continuous usage intention among adult learners in the intensely competitive online education market. This study enriches the literature by uncovering the relationships among platform features, course features, expectation confirmation, perceived usefulness, and continuous usage intention. By proposing a comprehensive model, this study provides a novel theoretical basis for understanding how platform and course features impact adult learners' ongoing intention to use online education platforms, thereby aiding the evolution and refinement of relevant theories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the mitogenome of Vibrissina turrita (Meigen, 1824) (Diptera, Tachinidae) was sequenced based on the next-generation sequencing approach and analyzed here for the first time. The 17,387 bp genome has a high A + T content and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and one noncoding control region. The phylogenetic analysis results support that Exoristinae is monophyletic and V. turrita belongs to the subfamily. This study reveals the systematic classification status of V. turrita and will enrich the genetic data on Tachinidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the rare decay process of Z boson into photon, accompanied by a CP-even or CP-odd scalar. We present the analytical delineation of the processes through the model-independent parametrizations of the new physics couplings and, finally, consider the Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model to mark out the parameter space where the branching fraction can have the maximum value. As a part of the necessary phenomenological and experimental cross-checks, we aim to fit the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon and W boson mass anomaly through the supersymmetric contributions. We also find that the decays Z → H 1 γ , A 1 γ can serve as an excellent complementary test to B R (h SM → Z γ). In fact, to facilitate future searches, we unveil a few benchmark points that additionally satisfy the deviation of B R (h SM → Z γ) from the SM value based on the recent measurements of ATLAS and CMS. Future proposals such as ILC, CEPC, and FCC-ee are anticipated to operate for multiple years, focusing on center-of-mass energy near the Z pole. Consequently, these projects will be capable of conducting experiments at the Giga-Z (10 9 of Z bosons) and Tera-Z (10 12 of Z bosons) phases, which may probe the aforesaid rare decay processes, thus the model as well. These unconventional yet complementary searches offer different routes to explore the supersymmetric models with extended Higgs sectors like NMSSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Succession patterns of carrion insects on large mammal's carrion has been widely studied, notably to estimate the post-mortem interval in forensic investigations as accurately as possible. However, little attention has been paid to the carrion insects living inside these bones once a carcass is skeletonized. One very recent study documented flies emerging from pig carcasses, and only scarce authors reported the presence of other carrion insects taking advantage of the bone marrow. We, thus, aimed to (1) estimate the frequency of inner-bone space colonization by carrion insects, with particular attention to bone-skipper flies; (2) identify the insects living inside the carrion bones; and (3) determine whether or not carrion insects found within the bones can successfully exit the bones and complete their development. We extensively sampled 185 large mammals' bones collected from twelve vulture feeding stations and four isolated carcasses in southwest France and northern Spain. Sampled bones were opened, and the insects found inside were identified. For two bones, foramen, i.e., the holes providing a natural entrance and exit to the bone's inner cavity, was monitored with a camera to assess the insect's putative exit. We describe the entomofauna, i.e., the set of insect species, living within the bones, and illustrate insects' ability to exit the bones for their subsequent development and maturity. These results are discussed in the framework of carrion insect conservation and forensic entomology perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrition has been identified as a key driver of colony health and productivity. Yet, in honey bees, relatively little is known about how the vast variety of natural pollen sources impact larval development. The impact of the nutritional quality of 4 naturally occurring pollen sources, of importance to the Western Australian beekeeping industry, was tested on honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) development. Bee packages consisting of 800 g of bees and a mated sister queen were assigned to 40 nucleus hives and randomly allocated to one of the 4 feed treatments (10 colonies each) of marri (Corymbia calophylla Lindl.), jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata Sm.), clover (Trifolium repens L.), and canola (Brassica napus L.) pollen. Emerging bees were collected once the first bees started hatching on the assigned feed sources. Newly emerging bees were weighed individually, and body composition was measured in batches according to the feed treatment groups. Food consumption was recorded for the duration of the experiment. Nurse bees successfully raised young adult workers from the larval stage until emergence when fed with one of 4 pollen patties with different nutritional qualities. There was no difference in the body composition or weight of emerging bees fed on the different pollen types. However, the body weight of bees increased over time, most likely related to colony size and structure. With the type of pollen patties having little impact on larval development, the availability of pollen may be more important than its composition, providing bees have access to all essential nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate insect identification is critical to the estimation of time of colonization (TOC) and post-mortem interval (PMI) in medicolegal death investigations. DNA testing is advantageous because it enables the identification of immature specimens that may not be identified based on morphology alone. We describe here a simplified DNA barcoding method for identifying relevant species that may be implemented by forensic genetics laboratories. A cytochrome oxidase (COI) fragment is analyzed after PCR amplification with a single primer set. The method is effective for many species commonly encountered in death investigations in the USA: members of blowfly genera Calliphora, Chrysomya, Cochliomyia, Lucilia, and Phormia; members of the flesh fly genera Blaesoxipha, Oxysarcodexia, Ravinia, and Sarcophaga; and the scuttle fly Megaselia scalaris. We tested the method on specimens with verified identifications and used it to build a collection of reference sequences from specimens collected in Harris County, Texas. We show here the correct identification of larvae, pupae, and pupal exuviae from the medicolegal casework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study an extension of the Standard Model (SM) which could have two candidates for dark matter (DM) including a Dirac fermion and a vector dark matter (VDM) under a new U(1) gauge group in the hidden sector. The model is classically scale-invariant and the electroweak symmetry breaks because of loop effects. We investigate the parameter space allowed by current experimental constraints and phenomenological bounds. We probe the parameter space of the model in the mass range 1 < M V < 5000 GeV and 1 < M ψ < 5000 GeV. It has been shown that there are many points in this mass range that are in agreement with all phenomenological constraints. The electroweak phase transition has been discussed and it has been shown that there is region in the parameter space of the model consistent with DM relic density and direct detection constraints that, at the same time, can lead to first-order electroweak phase transition. The gravitational waves produced during the phase transition could be probed by future space-based interferometers such as LISA and BBO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study washout processes in post-sphaleron baryogenesis, a mechanism where the matter–antimatter asymmetry is generated in the decay of exotic particles after the electroweak phase transition. In particular we focus, in a quite model independent way, on those scattering processes that have an amplitude proportional to the CP asymmetry. We find that when the scatterings involve only massless particles, the washouts are very severe for light decaying particles (with masses below a few hundred of GeV) and successful baryogenesis is only possible in a small portion of parameter space. Instead, if even a very light particle participates in these processes, the allowed region of parameter space opens considerably, although the final amount of baryon asymmetry may differ significantly from the expression which is typically used and neglects washouts. Furthermore, we analyze washouts from the non-thermal spectrum of energetic particles produced in cascade decays and indicate in which models they can be relevant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Business actors must be free to determine product prices, which of course must be proportional to the quality of the products offered, this is important because businesses often ignore product quality when emphasizing price perceptions Purpose: The goal of this research was to assess the impact of product quality, brand image, and price perceptions on consumer purchasing interest, as well as if pricing perceptions are an effective mediator. Design/methodology/approach: Structural Equation Modeling was then used to examine the data. Findings/Result: The data indicate that product quality and price perception both positively influence purchasing intention, although price perception does not. Price perception, according to research, influences the relationship between product quality and brand image on purchase intention. Conclusion: According to this study, smartphone product quality with appealing features, durability, and cheap prices increases consumer purchasing interest. Originality/value (State of the art): Many studies have examined consumers' buying interest, but few have examined price perception as a mediating factor, particularly when it comes to buying interest. The purpose of this study was to close this gap and develop a model that included price perception as a mediating variable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postnatal lung development results in an increasingly functional organ prepared for gas exchange and pathogenic challenges. It is achieved through cellular differentiation and migration. Changes in the tissue architecture during this development process are well-documented and increasing cellular diversity associated with it are reported in recent years. Despite recent progress, transcriptomic and molecular pathways associated with human postnatal lung development are yet to be fully understood. In this study, we investigated gene expression patterns associated with healthy pediatric lung development in four major enriched cell populations (epithelial, endothelial, and nonendothelial mesenchymal cells, along with lung leukocytes) from 1-day-old to 8-yr-old organ donors with no known lung disease. For analysis, we considered the donors in four age groups [less than 30 days old neonates, 30 days to < 1 yr old infants, toddlers (1 to < 2 yr), and children 2 yr and older] and assessed differentially expressed genes (DEG). We found increasing age-associated transcriptional changes in all four major cell types in pediatric lung. Transition from neonate to infant stage showed highest number of DEG compared with the number of DEG found during infant to toddler- or toddler to older children-transitions. Profiles of differential gene expression and further pathway enrichment analyses indicate functional epithelial cell maturation and increased capability of antigen presentation and chemokine-mediated communication. Our study provides a comprehensive reference of gene expression patterns during healthy pediatric lung development that will be useful in identifying and understanding aberrant gene expression patterns associated with early life respiratory diseases. NEW & NOTEWORTHY: This study presents postnatal transcriptomic changes in major cell populations in human lung, namely endothelial, epithelial, mesenchymal cells, and leukocytes. Although human postnatal lung development continues through early adulthood, our results demonstrate that greatest transcriptional changes occur in first few months of life during neonate to infant transition. These early transcriptional changes in lung parenchyma are particularly notable for functional maturation and activation of alveolar type II cell genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogel composites in an aqueous media with viscoelastic properties and elastic modulus that can be precisely tailored are desirable to mimic many biological tissues ranging from mucus, vitreous humor, and nucleus pulposus as well as build up biosensors. Without altering the chemistry, tuning the physical interactions and structures to govern the viscoelastic properties of the hydrogels is indispensable for their applications but quite limited. Here we design a complexation gel composite and utilize the physical principle of topologically frustrated dynamical state to tune the correlated structures between the guest polycation chains and negatively charged host gels. We precisely quantify the mesh size of the host gel and guest chain size. By designing various topologically correlated structures, a viscoelastic moduli map can be built up, ranging from tough to ultrasoft, and from elastic-like with low damping properties to viscous-like with high damping properties. We also tune the swelling ratio by using entropy effect and discover an Entropy-driven Topologically Isovolumetric Point. Our findings provide essential physics to understand the relationship between entropy-driven correlated structures and their viscoelastic properties of the complexation hydrogel composites and will have diverse applications in tissue engineering and soft biomaterials. Tuning the physical interactions and structures to govern the viscoelastic properties in hydrogels without altering the chemistry is challenging. Here the authors design a complexation gel composite and utilize the physical principle of topologically frustrated dynamical state to tune the correlated structures between the guest polycation chains and negatively charged host gels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quantitative genetic relationship between two populations of the fly, Calliphora vicina was studied, specimens of which were collected from some areas of Waist and Southern Iraq. In this study, the geometric morphometric system for wing shape and size was used to detect quantitative genetic variations in the shape, size and area of the right wing of the fly specimens. Central size of the right wing was 1412.4-1423.7 microns for specimens from the Waist and southern regions of Iraq, respectively. The results of the statistical analysis using the F and T tests showed that there were no significant differences in right wing central size between the specimens of the study areas, except for one significant difference found in one of the insect specimens of the southern region (the specimens of the Waist region). It was also noted that there were very few significant differences in the shape and size of the right wing of some insect specimens for that area due to their impact on the different environmental conditions in the areas from which the specimens were collected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of forensic entomology, Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart 1843) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) has proven to be an important species for postmortem interval (PMI) assessment in criminal investigations. The developmental patterns of C. rufifacies exhibit temperature-dependent variations that are geographically specific, and these variations are influenced by seasonal changes. Hence, understanding the geographically specific development patterns of C. rufifacies in response to temperature and seasonal changes is crucial for improving the accuracy of PMI predictions. In the present study, we examined the developmental rates of C. rufifacies across a temperature gradient (20 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C, 35 °C, and 40 °C). Primary objective of present study was to gather precise developmental data essential for calculating the post-mortem interval (PMI) within varying temperature ranges. Furthermore, we investigated the influence of seasonal variations, encompassing the summer, rainy and winter seasons, on the growth and developmental patterns of C. rufifacies. The results of present studies show that temperature significantly affects the growth and development of C. rufifacies. The length of developmental stages and morphological parameters varied seasonally, with longer duration and colder temperatures in winter and shorter duration and warmer temperatures in summer. The finding that faster development was directly correlated with higher temperatures highlighted the significance of temperature in affecting an insect's life cycle. Our research highlights the necessity of gathering information on evolution trends that are specific to a given area in order to accurately calculate PMI in forensic entomological investigations. Understanding the interactions between temperature, seasonal variation, and morphological traits is critical for establishing baseline data for PMI estimates. The accuracy of PMI estimates will ultimately increase thanks to this information, and forensic entomologists will have even more opportunities to contribute to forensic investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The European Water Framework Directive foresees the establishment of emission inventories for micropollutants (MP) to facilitate an evidence-based development of mitigation measures. Regionalized pathway analysis constitutes a moderately data-intensive approach to quantify the contribution of different pathways to the total pollution of surface waters. So far, only few European member states have created an inventory that includes diffuse pathways. The fundamental basis to enable it is an accessible, well-structured and harmonized database with data on the concentration of MPs in multiple compartments, such as soils, groundwater, atmospheric deposition and urban systems. Combined with the water and suspended substance balance in river basins, such data enables the estimation of emission loads via specific pathways. In the Danube River Basin, but in general in Europe, a public data management platform with such scope and criteria is still lacking. Results: We collected and harmonized MP measurements across multiple compartments and countries together with key metadata, harmonized and combined them into a new database. The resulting tool, available for download, facilitates the assessment of current data availability, in terms of quantity and quality. For example, while the majority of available data stems from groundwater and surface water, other highly relevant compartments are scarcely represented. By examining differences in MP concentration level across compartments, the database can lead to understand the relevance of specific emission pathways and thus to prioritize data-retrieval and calculation efforts in modelling applications. Selected examples show how to exploit the metadata associated to the measurements to extrapolate the results to regions not covered by specific monitoring programmes. For example, PFAS concentrations in treated wastewater show significant dependence on the design capacity of the treatment plant. Conclusions: This study showcases how such database can support the setup of emission inventories, guide data providers and national authorities in prioritizing the allocation of resources for new surveys and in optimizing their national data collection and management systems. The process tested showed a great need for enhanced data literacy across countries and institutions to increase data availability and quality to secure the exploitation of the full information potential generated via monitoring programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study the residue (coke) resulted from thermal degradation of waste plastics has been transformed into activated carbon and employed in order to remove heavy metals from aqueous media. The KOH treated coke was calcined at 500 ºC and then applied for Zn (II) adsorption from aqueous phase under different conditions of temperature, Zn (II) concentration, contact time and pH. The kinetic data of Zinc adsorption was best correlated to pseudo 2nd order kinetics having correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.9947 that represented chemical adsorption. The Freundlich isotherm with a higher R2 than that of Langmuir isotherm was the preferable model that revealed favorable and multilayer adsorption of Zn (II) on the heterogeneous surface of coke. The thermodynamics of adsorption revealed that the process was endothermic, spontaneous and favorable at 318 K and above temperatures. The FT-IR and SEM/EDX analysis of activated carbon were carried out before as well as after the adsorption for comparison. The FT-IR peaks present before the adsorption disappeared after the adsorption which could be attributed to the masking of functional groups by Zn (II). The rough surface of coke (SEM image) with high surface area of 5.267 m2/g and pore size of 8.655 Å (as revealed by BET analysis) rendered it suitable for adsorption. The elemental analysis revealed that the coke mainly consisted of carbon (80%) and oxygen (17%). Zinc was also detected in the coke about 0.09% after the adsorption process which further confirmed its adsorption by the coke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forensic entomological evidence is employed to estimate minimum postmortem interval (PMImin), location, and identification of fly samples or human remains. Traditional forensic DNA analysis (i.e., STR, mitochondrial DNA) has been used for human identification from the larval gut contents. Forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP), predicting human appearance from DNA-based crime scene evidence, has become an established approach in forensic genetics in the past years. In this study, we aimed to recover human DNA from Lucilia sericata (Meigen 1826) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) gut contents and predict the eye and hair color of individuals using the HIrisPlex system. Lucilia sericata larvae and reference blood samples were collected from 30 human volunteers who were under maggot debridement therapy. The human DNA was extracted from the crop contents and quantified. HIrisPlex multiplex analysis was performed using the SNaPshot minisequencing procedure. The HIrisPlex online tool was used to assess the prediction of the eye and hair color of the larval and reference samples. We successfully genotyped 25 out of 30 larval samples, and the most SNP genotypes (87.13%) matched those of reference samples, though some alleles were dropped out, producing partial profiles. The prediction of the eye colors was accurate in 17 out of 25 larval samples, and only one sample was misclassified. Fourteen out of 25 larval samples were correctly predicted for hair color, and eight were misclassified. This study shows that SNP analysis of L. sericata gut contents can be used to predict eye and hair color of a corpse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online Q&A communities provide Internet users with an online platform for knowledge dissemination, communication and sharing. The characteristics of blockchain technology, such as untampered, traceability, and data up-chaining, can help solve the problems of knowledge privacy protection, affirming knowledge Ownership, and trust deficit faced by users when sharing knowledge in traditional online Q&A communities, and enhance users' willingness to share knowledge on the platform. Studying users' perceived characteristics and usage attitudes toward blockchain embedded in online platforms is important for enhancing users' willingness to share knowledge and exploring the management mechanism of blockchain technology on online platforms. Based on the task-technology matching theory and technology acceptance model, this paper explores the impact of task-technology matching on users' perceived characteristics and digs deeper into how users' perceived characteristics of blockchain technology affect users' usage attitudes and thus stimulate users' willingness to share knowledge. Task-technology matching also positively influences users' willingness to share knowledge by positively affecting perceived characteristics and users' attitudes toward using. The findings of the study provide inspiration and guidance on how platforms can use new technologies to enhance users' willingness to share knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]