bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genomics of Post-Vaccination SARS-CoV-2 Infections During the Delta Dominated Second Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic, from Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), India
Authors: Nilgiriwala Kayzad , Kadam Pratibha , Patel Grishma , Shaikh Ambreen , Mestry Tejal , Vaswani Smriti , Sakthivel Shalini , Poojary Aruna , Gandhi Bhavesh , Rohra Seema , Udwadia Zarir , Oswal Vikas , Shah Daksha , Gomare Mangala , Sriraman Kalpana , Mistry Nerges
Published: February 2022

Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 was launched in India in January 2021. Though vaccination reduced hospitalization and mortality due to COVID-19, vaccine breakthrough infections have become common. The present study was initiated in May 2021 to understand the proportion of predominant variants in post-vaccination infections during the Delta dominated second wave of COVID-19 in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) in India and to understand any mutations selected in the post-vaccination infections or showing association with any patient demographics. We collected samples (n=166) from severe/moderate/mild COVID-19 patients who were either vaccinated (COVISHIELD/COVAXIN – partial/fully vaccinated) or unvaccinated, from a city hospital and from home isolation patients in MMR. A total of 150 viral genomes were sequenced by Oxford Nanopore sequencing (using MinION) and the data of 136 viral genomes were analyzed for clade/lineage and for identifying mutations in all the genomes. The sequences belonged to three clades (21A, 21I and 21J) and their lineage was identified as either Delta (B.1.617.2) or Delta+ (B.1.617.2 + K417N) or sub-lineages of Delta variant (AY.120/AY.38/AY.99). A total of 620 mutations were identified of which 10 mutations showed an increase in trend with time (May-Oct 2021). Associations of 6 mutations (2 in spike, 3 in orf1a and 1 in nucleocapsid) were shown with milder forms of the disease and one mutation (in orf1a) with partial vaccination status. The results indicate a trend towards reduction in disease severity as the wave progressed.
Epigenetic signals that direct cell type specific interferon beta response in mouse cells
Authors: Muckenhuber Markus , Lander Isabelle , Müller-Ott Katharina , Mallm Jan-Philipp , Klett Lara C. , Knotz Caroline , Hechler Jana , Kepper Nick , Erdel Fabian , Rippe Karsten
Published: February 2022

The antiviral response induced by type I interferon (IFN) via the JAK-STAT signaling cascade activates hundreds of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). While this response occurs essentially in all human and mouse tissues it varies between different cell types. However, the linkage between the underlying epigenetic features and the ISG pattern of a given cell is not well understood. We mapped ISGs, binding sites of the STAT1 and STAT2 transcription factors and chromatin features in three different mouse cell types (embryonic stem cells, neural progenitor cells and embryonic fibroblasts) before and after treatment with IFNβ. The analysis included gene expression, chromatin accessibility and histone H3 lysine modification by acetylation (ac) and mono-/tri-methylation (me1, me3). A large fraction of ISGs and STAT binding sites were cell type specific with promoter binding of a STAT1-STAT2 complex (STAT1/2) being a key driver of ISG induction. Furthermore, STAT1/2 binding to putative enhancers at intergenic and intronic sites induced ISG expression as inferred from a chromatin co-accessibility analysis. STAT1/2 binding was dependent on the chromatin context and positively correlated with pre-existing H3K4me1 and H3K27ac marks in an open chromatin state while the presence of H3K27me3 had an inhibitory effect. Thus, chromatin features present before stimulation represent an additional regulatory layer for the cell type specific antiviral response.
Human HLFneg placental erythro-myeloid progenitors give rise to HLA Class IIneg Hofbauer cells
Authors: Thomas Jake R. , Appios Anna , Calderbank Emily F. , Zhao Xiaohui , Hamilton Russell S. , Moffett Ashley , Sharkey Andrew , Laurenti Elisa , McGovern Naomi
Published: February 2022

The earliest macrophages are generated during embryonic development from erythro-myeloid progenitors (EMPs) via primitive haematopoiesis. This process is still poorly understood in humans but is generally thought to be spatially restricted to the yolk sac. Human fetal placental macrophages, Hofbauer cells (HBC), arise during the primitive haematopoietic wave, yet are unlikely to be yolk sac derived as they appear prior to placental vascularisation. Here we identify a population of placental erythro-myeloid progenitors (PEMPs) in the early human placenta that give rise to HBC. PEMP are fetal CD34+CD43+ progenitors found exclusively at early gestational timepoints. Transcriptomic analyses reveal that PEMP have a unique transcriptome with some conserved features of primitive yolk sac EMPs, including the lack of HLF expression. Using in vitro single-cell culture experiments we show that PEMP generate HBC-like cells which lack HLA-DR expression, a conserved feature of all fetal primitive macrophages in humans. These findings indicate that HBC are derived locally from PEMP and demonstrate that human primitive haematopoiesis is not restricted to the yolk sac, occurring also in the placenta.
A metabolically engineered bacterium controls autoimmunity by remodeling the pro-inflammatory microenvironment
Authors: Das Jugal Kishore , Guo Fengguang , Hunt Carrie , Steinmeyer Shelby , Plocica Julia A , Kobayashi Koichi S. , Jayaraman Arul , Ficht Thomas A , Alaniz Robert C. , de Figueiredo Paul , Song Jianxun
Published: February 2022

Immunotherapy has led to impressive advances in the treatment of autoimmune and pro-inflammatory disorders; yet, its clinical outcomes remain limited by a variety of factors including the pro-inflammatory microenvironment (IME). Discovering effective immunomodulatory agents, and the mechanisms by which they control disease, will lead to innovative strategies for enhancing the effectiveness of current immunotherapeutic approaches. We have metabolically engineered an attenuated bacterial strain (i.e., Brucella melitensis 16M ΔvjbR, BmΔvjbR) to produce indole, a tryptophan metabolite that controls the fate and function of regulatory T cells (Tregs). We demonstrated that treatment with this strain polarized M2 macrophages (Mφ) which produced anti-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-10) and promoted Treg function; moreover, when combined with adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of Tregs, a single treatment with our engineered bacterial strain dramatically reduced the incidence and score of autoimmune arthritis and decreased joint damage. These findings show how a metabolically engineered bacterium can constitute a powerful vehicle for improving the efficacy of immunotherapy, defeating autoimmunity and reducing inflammation by remodeling the IME and augmenting Treg function.
Defining the chromatin and transcriptional landscape of stem cell-derived islets
Authors: Augsornworawat Punn , Hogrebe Nathaniel J. , Ishahak Matthew , Marquez Erica , Maestas Marlie M. , Schmidt Mason D. , Veronese-Paniagua Daniel A. , Gale Sarah E. , Miller Julia R. , Velazco-Cruz Leonardo , Millman Jeffrey R.
Published: February 2022

Transplantation of insulin-secreting β-cells differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells holds great potential as a cell therapy for treating insulin-dependent diabetes. While these stem cell-derived islets (SC-islets) are able to reverse diabetes in animal models, they are not fully equivalent to their in vivo counterparts. To better define the state of the cell types generated within these SC-islets and provide a resource for identifying deficiencies in lineage specification, we used single-cell multiomic sequencing to simultaneously measure the chromatin accessibility and transcriptional profiles of SC-islets at multiple time points as well as primary human islets. The integrated analysis of both the transcriptional and chromatin landscape for each cell provided greater resolution for defining cell identity, allowing us to derive novel gene lists for identifying each islet cell type. Furthermore, this multiomic analysis revealed that the difference between SC-β cells and enterochromaffin-like cells, which are a major off-target from in vitro differentiation, is a gradient of progressive cell states rather than a stark difference in identity. The chromatin landscape of primary human islets was much more restricted, suggesting that stem cell-derived cells are not fully locked into their cell fate. While long term culture of SC-islets both in vitro and in vivo does close overall chromatin state, only in vivo transplantation directs cells toward their correct identities. Collectively, our multiomic analysis demonstrates that both the chromatin and transcriptional landscapes play significant roles in islet cell identity, and these data can be used as a resource to identify specific deficiencies in the chromatin and transcriptional state of SC-islet cell types.
A lipid-associated macrophage lineage rewires the spatial landscape of adipose tissue in early obesity
Authors: Stansbury Cooper M. , Dotson Gabrielle A. , Pugh Harrison , Rehemtulla Alnawaz , Rajapakse Indika , Muir Lindsey A.
Published: February 2022

Objective

Obesity-induced metabolic dysfunction, tissue remodelling, and chronic inflammation in visceral white adipose-tissue (WAT) are correlated with insulin resistance, type II diabetes, and metabolic disease pathogenesis [1]. In this work, we sought to establish spatio-temporal context of adipose tissue macrophage (ATM) reprogramming during obesity.

Methods

We captured single-cell RNA-sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and histological imagining of murine WAT over the course of diet-induced obesity to study macrophage phenotype dynamics. We developed a straightforward mathematical approach to integrating multi-modal data to quantify obesityinduced changes to WAT organization. We aligned ATM phenotypes with crown-like structures (CLS) in early obesity and used spatial network analysis to uncover signalling mechanisms implicated in CLS formation.

Results

We identified novel diversity of the lipid-associated macrophage (LAM) phenotype, whose transcriptional profile, signaling mechanisms, and spatial context serve as indicators of CLS formation in early obesity. We demonstrated that dysregulation of lipid-metabolic signalling is a critical turning point in the monocyte-LAM lineage and identified novel ligand-receptor mechanisms includingApoe, Lrp1, LplandAppthat serve as hallmarks of nascent CLS in WAT.

Conclusions

Multi-modal spatio-temporal profiling demonstrates that LAMs disproportionately accumulate in CLS and are preceded by a transition-state macrophage phenotype with monocytic origins. We identified novel ligand-receptor interactions implicated in nascent CLS regions which may guide future cellular-reprogramming interventions for obesity-related sequelae.

Graphical Abstract

Highlights

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We characterize a novel lipid-associated macrophage (LAM) phenotype along the monocyte-LAM lineage

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Integrated imaging, single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics data show that LAMs accumulate at nascent CLS

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Analysis of spatial transcriptomics data reveals a novel set of ligands and receptors that implicate immature LAMs in shaping the CLS microenvironment in early obesity

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We present a simple mathematical framework for studying dynamics of tissue-structure over time
Transition between conformational states of the TREK-1 K2P channel promoted by interaction with PIP2
Authors: Panasawatwong Adisorn , Pipatpolkai Tanadet , Tucker Stephen J.
Published: February 2022

Members of the TREK family of two-pore domain (K2P) potassium channels are highly sensitive to regulation by membrane lipids, including phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). This study used coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CG-MD) and atomistic MD simulations to model the PIP2 binding site on both the up and down state conformations of TREK-1. We also calculated the free energy of PIP2 binding relative to other anionic phospholipids in both conformational states using potential of mean force (PMF) and free energy perturbation (FEP) calculations. Our results identify state-dependent binding of PIP2 to sites involving the proximal C-terminus and we show that PIP2 promotes a conformational transition from a down state towards an intermediate that resembles the up state. These results are consistent with functional data for PIP2 regulation and together provide evidence for a structural mechanism of TREK-1 channel activation by phosphoinositides.
Machine learning meets classical computer vision for accurate cell identification
Authors: Karimi Elham , Rezanejad Morteza , Fiset Benoit , Perus Lucas , McDowell Sheri A. C. , Arabzadeh Azadeh , Beugnot Gaspard , Siegel Peter , Guiot Marie-Christine , Quail Daniela F. , Siddiqi Kaleem , Walsh Logan A.
Published: February 2022

High-parameter multiplex immunostaining techniques have revolutionized our ability to image healthy and diseased tissues with unprecedented depth; however, accurate cell identification and segmentation remain significant downstream challenges. Identifying individual cells with high precision is a requisite to reliably and reproducibly interpret acquired data. Here we introduce CIRCLE, a cell identification pipeline that combines classical and modern machine learning-based computer vision algorithms to address the shortcomings of current cell segmentation tools for 2D images. CIRCLE is a fully automated hybrid cell detection model, eliminating subjective investigator bias and enabling high-throughput image analysis. CIRCLE accurately distinguishes cells across diverse tissues microenvironments, resolves low-resolution structures, and can be applied to any 2D image that contains nuclei. Importantly, we quantitatively demonstrate that CIRCLE outperforms current state-of-the-art image segmentation tools using multiple accuracy measures. As high-throughput multiplex imaging grows closer toward standard practice for histology, integration of CIRCLE into analysis protocols will deliver unparalleled segmentation quality.
RNA binding is essential for NONO condensates to modulate pre-mRNA processing of super enhancer-associated genes in neuroblastoma
Authors: Zhang Song , Cooper Jack , Chong Yee Seng , Naveed Alina , Mayoh Chelsea , Jayatilleke Nisitha , Liu Tao , Amos Sebastian , Kobelke Simon , Marshall Andrew C , Meers Oliver , Choi Yu Suk , Bond Charles S , Fox Archa H
Published: February 2022

High-risk neuroblastoma patients have poor survival rates and require better therapeutic options. High expression of a multifunctional DNA and RNA binding protein, NONO, in neuroblastoma is associated with poor patient outcome, however there is little understanding of the mechanism of NONO-dependent oncogenic gene regulatory activity in neuroblastoma. Here, we used cell imaging, biophysical and molecular analysis to reveal complex NONO-dependent regulation of gene expression, finding that NONO forms RNA- and DNA-tethered phase-separated condensates throughout the nucleus. CLIP analyses show that NONO mainly binds to the 5’ end of pre-mRNAs and modulates pre-mRNA processing, dependent on its RNA binding activity. NONO preferentially regulates super enhancer-associated genes, including HAND2 and GATA2. In the absence of functional NONO-RNA condensates, inefficient pre-mRNA processing at these loci leads to decreased expression of HAND2 and GATA2. Thus, future development of agents that target RNA binding activity of NONO may have therapeutic potential in this cancer context.
A mild case of SMVT deficiency illustrating the importance of treatment response in variant classification
Authors: Hauth Ingeborg , Waterham Hans , Wanders Ronald JA , van der Crabben Saskia , van Karnebeek Clara DM
Published: February 2022

Introduction
Sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter (SMVT) deficiency is a recently described multivitamin-responsive IMD of which the phenotypic spectrum and response to treatment remains to be elucidated. So far, four pediatric patients have been described in three case reports with symptoms ranging from severe neurodevelopmental delay to feeding problems and failure to thrive, who demonstrated significant improvement after initiation of enhancement of targeted multivitamin treatment (biotin, pantothenic acid and lipoic acid).
Case vignette of SMVT deficiency
We describe a fifth case of a patient presenting at the relatively mild end of the phenotypic spectrum with failure to thrive, frequent vomiting and metabolic acidosis with hypoglycemia, and mild osteopenia, who was diagnosed with SMVT deficiency due to compound heterozygous variants in SLC5A6. Additional genetic testing of variants of unknown significance (VUS) as well as the clinical improvement in all aspects of the patients disease upon initiation of treatment with biotin and pantothenic acid (plus lipoate as anti-oxidant) aided in the confirmation of this diagnosis.
Discussion
This case report aims to enhance recognition of the broad phenotypic spectrum of SMVT deficiency due to SLC5A6 mutations, and discusses the different treatment strategies. It demonstrates how combining biochemical and genetic testing with the evaluation of (early) treatment response (i.e. using a diagnostic therapeuticum), can influence confirmation of pathogenicity of genomic variants.
2022: A pivotal year for diagnosis and treatment of rare genetic diseases
Authors: Kingsmore Stephen F
Published: February 2022

The start of 2022 is an inflection point in the development of diagnostics and treatments for rare genetic diseases in prenatal, pediatric, and adult individuals; the theme of this special issue. Here I briefly review recent developments in the latter two aspects of rare genetic disease diagnostics and treatments.
Eating for the soul: a netnographic study of the ethical motives for organic food consumption
Authors: Salam Abdul , Mulye Rajendra , Rahman Kaleel
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Despite its perceived benefits, organic food has very limited uptake in the consumer market. Many studies have investigated the causes of this slow adoption, but limited attention has been paid to the ethical motives of consumer preference for organic food. Also, no research has addressed this issue through an unobtrusive data collection method. Therefore, this netnography-based qualitative study explores the deontological and teleological ethical motives for organic food consumption through the lens of Hunt and Vitell's general theory of marketing ethics.

Design/methodology/approach

User-generated content in the form of posts and comments from a food-related Facebook page, Food Matters (https://www.facebook.com/foodmatters), with over 2.3m followers, was thematically analysed using Hunt and Vitell's general theory of marketing ethics. Over 1.5m posts and comments were mined through Facepager 4.0.4 after due approvals. Organic-food-related content was manually screened. Netnography, an Internet-based ethnography technique which is a relatively underutilised and unobtrusive method of data collection, was employed on selected content to understand the consumer behaviour towards organic food in an online environment.

Findings

This study analysed a total of 158,583 posts and comments generated between March 2008 and December 2019. Out of these, 2,243 posts and comments were focussed on organic food. A total of seven themes emerged out of which six were found to be inextricably linked to ethical values of organic food consumption; three deontological (moral obligations, moral accountability and moral outrage) and two teleological (perceived risk and perceived benefits) themes. However, the seventh theme, consumers' lack of trust in organic food retailers, emerged as a major barrier in the proliferation of organic food.

Originality/value

This study is the first application of Hunt and Vitell's general theory of marketing ethics in organic food. The novel findings are that trust is a bigger issue than the price differential of organic food. Implications for marketers, policymakers, retailers and certification bodies are discussed to extend the current knowledge of motives and barriers to organic food.
Analysis of factors impacting firm performance of MSMEs: lessons learnt from COVID-19
Authors: Baral Manish Mohan , Mukherjee Subhodeep , Nagariya Ramji , Singh Patel Bharat , Pathak Anchal , Chittipaka Venkataiah
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs) faced various challenges in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, making it challenging to remain competitive and survive in the market. This research develops a model for MSMEs to cope with the current pandemic's operational and supply chain disruptions and similar circumstances.

Design/methodology/approach

The exhaustive literature review helped in identifying the constructs, their items and five hypotheses are developed. The responses were collected from the experts working in MSMEs. Total 311 valid responses were received, and the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was used for testing and validating the proposed model.

Findings

Critical constructs identified for the study are-flexibility (FLE), collaboration (COL), risk management culture (RMC) and digitalization (DIG). The statistical analysis indicated that the four latent variables, flexibility, digitalization, risk management culture and collaboration, contribute significantly to the firm performance of MSMEs. Organizational resilience (ORS) mediates the effects of all the four latent variables on firm performance (FP) of MSMEs.

Practical implications

The current study's findings will be fruitful for the manufacturing MSMEs and other firms in developing countries. It will enable them to identify the practices that significantly help in achieving the firm performance.

Originality/value

The previous researches have not considered the effect of “organizational resilience” on the “firm performance” of MSMEs. This study attempts to fill this gap.
Impacts of management control mechanisms on the performance of international construction joint ventures: an empirical study
Authors: Tetteh Mershack Opoku , Chan Albert P.C. , Nani Gabriel , Darko Amos , Oppong Goodenough D.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

While previous studies have focused on identifying management control (MC) mechanisms in international construction joint ventures (ICJVs), the impacts of such MC mechanisms on the performance of ICJVs remain largely unknown. This study aims to investigate the impacts of MC mechanisms on the performance of ICJVs hosted in the developing country of Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a comprehensive review of the literature, a theoretical model was developed, and data were collected through a questionnaire survey with 190 project managers composed of Ghanaians/locals and their foreign partners of ICJVs. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

Results showed that both personnel and support and training control mechanisms have a positive and significant impact on project and company/partner performance. Surprisingly, insignificant and negative impacts exist between both mechanisms and socioenvironmental and company/partner performance from the local partners' view, respectively; the reverse is rather true from the foreign partners' perspective.

Practical implications

This study contributes to the ICJV body of knowledge by analyzing the impacts of MC mechanisms on the ICJVs’ performance, enabling ICJVs frontliners (i.e. top managers) and project managers to better enhance their control structures and the ICJVs’ performance.

Originality/value

This is arguably the first study to take the bipartite perspective rather than the unilateral view of studying the impacts of MC mechanisms on the performance of ICJVs.
A bibliometric analysis of digital literacy research and emerging themes pre-during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Baber Hasnan , Fanea-Ivanovici Mina , Lee Yoo-Taek , Tinmaz Hasan
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Digital literacy is not the mere ability to use a digital device or know to use various software. It is a domain of exploration for sociology, psychology, education and, of course, technology. This study aims to present a quantitative analysis of the literature on digital literacy using a bibliometric approach.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from the Web of Science database, the importance of the research is evaluated by reviewing 2307 publications and examining the yearly publication, field category productivity, citation structure, most cited resources, documents, most-cited authors, most productive authors, and country in the field of digital literacy. Further, a cluster analysis is conducted to see the most recurrent keywords and emerging trends in this field. At last, the authors analyzed the thematic progression of keywords over these five years based on the normalized citations. Additionally, a graphical representation of the bibliometric data using VOSviewer is presented in the paper.

Findings

The results suggest a steady rate of publication in this field, with most of the research published in education and library fields and the USA leading the country in this realm. The emerging themes in this field are ‘Fake News’, ‘Competence’, ‘Educational Technology’, ‘Health Literacy’, ‘Self-Efficacy’ and, interestingly, ‘COVID-19’. The results also revealed that COVID-19 has been examined and associated with fake news, higher education, social media and information literacy.

Originality/value

This paper provides an overall summary of the most recent research work published from 2017 to 2021 on digital literacy in the backdrop of COVID-19. The study presents the thematic progression over the years and particularly the new keywords that emerged in the limelight of the pandemic. It contributes by updating the existing body of knowledge in the field of digital literacy and presents preliminary results related to COVID-19.
Behavioral response to online pricing: empirical and managerial insights
Authors: Kalyanaram Gurumurthy , Saini Gordhan K. , Mony Suresh , Jayasankaran N.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Pricing is always a fundamental marketing element. In the digital marketing/e-commerce context, there are two universal phenomena: desire to micro-segment and customize, and the adverse reaction upon unfair perception of price. A third related question is how should firms consider price increases and decreases? Specifically, this paper aims to address the following three research and practice questions: What are the theoretical underpinnings of perception of fairness/unfairness in pricing, and what are the findings? What are the theoretical underpinnings of response to price increases and decreases? What should be online pricing strategy, consistent with the findings on (un)fairness perception of pricing and response to price increases and decreases?

Design/methodology/approach

The present approach is integrative review and critical analyses, and synthesis. The review dates back to 1960s, and is inter-disciplinary, including apposite findings in behavioral science, economics, marketing and operations management/research. The authors search for insights with significant empirical support to address these questions.

Findings

Perception of unfair price impacts consumer choice, probability of purchase, intent to buy and attitude to product/service/firm adversely. Consumers react differently to perceived unfair and fair prices. Consumers react more strongly and negatively to perceived unfair prices (compared to prices perceived to be fair) in their intent to buy and other related metrics. Consumers react differently to price increases and price decreases relative to the reference price. Consumers react more strongly to price increases than to price decreases. There is substantial heterogeneity in the magnitude of loss-aversion effect, depending on the product/service category and estimation methods.

Originality/value

The authors review and discuss potential viable pricing strategies. Based on the generalizable findings, this study provides actionable insights to managers for pricing in digital marketing context. Also, the authors provide useful directions for future research.
From the attributes of smart tourism technologies to loyalty and WOM via user satisfaction: the moderating role of switching costs
Authors: Ng Kenneth Shiu Pong , Wong Jose Weng Chou , Xie Dengming , Zhu Jingyan
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to empirically testify an integrated model, including the attributes of smart tourism technologies (STTs) (user interface [UI] design, informativeness, accessibility, personalization and interactivity), satisfaction, loyalty and word of mouth (WOM), and further investigate the potential moderating effect of switching costs (SCs) on the satisfaction–loyalty/WOM relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Systematic sampling was used to collect data in Macau. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyze valid data collected from 332 tourists who have recently used STTs.

Findings

The results indicate that informativeness has a stronger effect on satisfaction, loyalty and WOM than UI design, accessibility and personalization; interactivity shows no significant influence on satisfaction, loyalty and WOM; satisfaction positively influences loyalty and WOM. Furthermore, procedural SCs negatively moderate the effects of satisfaction on loyalty and WOM.

Originality/value

The present study extends the knowledge about information technology and tourism (ITT) by introducing a new attribute, UI design into STT structure and confirming that UI design is an effective predictor of user satisfaction. This paper is also a pioneer study that integrates customer satisfaction with STTs with SCs to explore the mechanism of how customer loyalty and WOM are generated. Practical recommendations are provided for STT designers and destination managers to improve the overall quality of STTs and to consider carefully setting procedural SCs as a retention strategy.
Lessons from leveraging technology in auditing during COVID-19: an emerging economy perspective
Authors: Sharma Neeraj , Sharma Garima , Joshi Mahesh , Sharma Sharad
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the challenges posed by COVID-19 restrictions for audit processes in India and explore the perceptions of the profession on how technology was leveraged to conduct audits during this period. The opinions of auditors on future changes in post-COVID-19 audit practices and processes are also explored.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with senior auditors working in various audit firms in major business centers in India and subjected to content and thematic analysis using the institutional theory perspective.

Findings

The auditing profession used technology to respond to COVID-19-imposed disruptions of established audit process and practices while maintaining the legitimacy of audit reports. The findings indicate that auditors now seem to strongly support the integration of emerging technologies into their auditing practices post-COVID to ensure data accuracy and transparency. The interviewees displayed keen interest in continuing remote and in-person audits to maintain audit quality in the future. The experience of COVID-19 appears to have forced the auditing profession to overcome their reluctance to adopt technologies that were previously used by only Big 4 and large audit companies.

Practical implications

The results will be of particular interest to various stakeholders concerned with aspects of the acceptance of technology-assisted audit reports such as legitimacy, required infrastructure, cost involvement and resistance to change. The findings will also assist professional bodies and policymakers in both developed and developing economies in devising useful strategies to promote technology-aided auditing during and after COVID-19. Limitations posed by inadequate infrastructure and resistance to changes must be overcomed before implementation of technology-aided audits.

Originality/value

As COVID-19 pandemic is a recent phenomenon, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first few studies that have examined the use of technology to facilitate audits during the COVID-19 period, more specifically from a developing economy perspective.
Spreading the word: enablers and challenges to implementing a nature-based intervention for people living with dementia
Authors: Bray Jennifer , Evans Simon Chester , Atkinson Teresa
Published: February 2022

Purpose

When new interventions are piloted, the implementation process often takes a back seat but can be key to ensuring that an intervention is successful. This paper aims to highlight the enablers and challenges encountered when implementing a nature-based intervention for people living with dementia.

Design/methodology/approach

The evaluation adopted a mixed methods approach including case studies, telephone interviews with delegates and interviews with participants. Thematic analysis was used to identify overarching themes relating to the enablers and challenges of implementing the intervention.

Findings

Challenges related to understanding how the intervention fitted with existing work and practicalities of what an organisation can offer to support the implementation process. A stable underlying support structure for delegates is required, along with suitable advertising, transport and facilities to support participants. While there is no “one size fits all” approach to implementing an intervention, these findings will help organisations to consider where to focus their support.

Originality/value

The implementation of interventions is often poorly understood but is important when supporting the wider roll out of an intervention. While this paper reports on a nature-based intervention, the learning will be relevant and applicable more broadly for organisations aiming to implement a new intervention and complements previous work relating to the challenges of implementing arts activities.
Correlation between CT imaging characteristics and pathological diagnosis for subcentimeter pulmonary nodules
Authors: Hu Benchuang , Ren Wangang , Feng Zhen , Li Meng , Li Xiao , Han Rui , Peng Zhongmin
Published: February 2022

Background

Advances in chest computed tomography (CT) have resulted in more frequent detection of subcentimeter pulmonary nodules (SCPNs), some of which are non‐benign and may represent invasive lung cancer. The present study aimed to explore the correlation between pathological diagnosis and the CT imaging manifestations of SCPNs.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients who underwent pulmonary resection for SCPNs at Shandong Provincial Hospital in China. Lesions were divided into five categories according to their morphological characteristics on CT: cotton ball, solid‐filled with spiculation, solid‐filled with smooth edges, mixed‐density ground‐glass, and vacuolar. We further analyzed lesion size, enhancement patterns, vascular aggregation, and SCPN traversing. Chi‐square tests, Fisher's exact tests, and Welch's one‐way analysis of variance were used to examine the correlation between CT imaging characteristics and pathological type.

Results

There were statistically significant differences in the morphological distributions of SCPNs with different pathological types, including benign lesions and malignant lesions at different stages (p < 0.01). The morphological distributions of the four subtypes of invasive lung adenocarcinoma also exhibited significant differences (p < 0.01). In addition, size and enhancement patterns differed significantly among different pathological types of SCPNs.

Conclusion

Different pathological types of SCPNs exhibit significant differences based on their morphological category, size, and enhancement pattern on CT imaging. These CT characteristics may assist in the qualitative diagnosis of SCPNs.
Effect of different surface treatments on the microhardness and colour change of artificial enamel lesions
Authors: Ayad AH , AbdelHafez MI , AlGhandour RN , Mustafa DS , Nour KA
Published: February 2022

Background

To investigate the effect of three different surface treatments on the microhardness and colour change of artificial enamel lesions.

Materials and Methods

One hundred bovine teeth were randomly assigned into four groups. Artificial enamel lesions were created using demineralizing solution for all groups except the sound enamel group. Different surface treatments were then performed G1: resin‐infiltrant; G2: Casein phosphopeptide–amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP‐ACP); G3: artificial saliva; G4: Sound Enamel. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups, where each subgroup was subjected to a different testing method.

Subgroup 1: surface microhardness; subgroup 2: cross‐sectional microhardness; subgroup 3: colour measurement. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA, followed by Tukey’s post hoc test.

Results

Sound enamel group recorded the highest surface and cross‐sectional microhardness results. No significant difference was found between the resin‐infiltrant group and CPP‐ACP regarding surface and cross‐sectional microhardness at different lesion depths. Resin‐infiltrant group showed the least colour change (∆E) results compared to the other groups.

Conclusion

Resin‐infiltrant can effectively enhance surface microhardness and enamel resistance to demineralization, additionally, reduces the staining susceptibility of white spot lesions (WSLs) after treatment. CPP‐ACP application for 4 weeks seems to improve surface microhardness; however, has a limited effect in resisting staining of WSLs after treatment. © 2022 Australian Dental Association
The marginal gaps of sequentially milled lithium disilicate crowns using two different milling units
Authors: Tan K , Dudley J
Published: February 2022

Background

The purpose of this study was to compare the marginal gaps of sequentially milled lithium disilicate (LDS) crowns using two different milling units.

Methods

One lower left first molar typodont tooth prepared for an LDS crown by an undergraduate student in a simulation clinic was selected. The crown preparation was scanned by a TRIOS 3 scanner and twelve LDS crowns milled by an E4D (E4DM) and a Sirona inLab MC X5 (MCX5) milling unit using identical settings. The crowns were seated onto the original crown preparation and three vertical marginal gap measurements were taken at four locations (mid‐buccal, mid‐lingual, mid‐mesial and mid‐distal) using a stereomicroscope. The mean marginal gap (MMG) was calculated for each individual tooth surface and each crown.

Results

The MMG for the E4DM (100.40 μm) was not significantly different to the MCX5 (101.08 μm) milling unit (P = 0.8809). In both units, there was a statistically significant trend of increasing MMG with sequentially milled crowns using the same burs (E4DMP = 0.0133; MCX5P = 0.0240).

Conclusions

The E4DM and MCX5 milling units produced LDS crowns with similar MMG’s and within a clinically acceptable range but with a trend of increasing MMG when analysed sequentially. © 2022 Australian Dental Association
Switching cost and store choice
Authors: Richards Timothy J. , Liaukonytė Jura
Published: February 2022

Switching costs are generally regarded as anticompetitive as firms can raise prices to “locked‐in” consumers, at least up to the cost of switching to a lower‐priced alternative. However, there is some evidence, both theoretical and empirical, that tends to show the opposite. Namely, suppliers, anticipating the pool of rents potentially available, compete aggressively to acquire non‐switching consumers. Moreover, fixed shopping costs and uncertain prices imply that there is a “real option” value embedded in consumers’ shopping behavior, and which must be priced in and compensated if consumers are to switch stores. We argue that retail prices are lower when retailers use programs designed to increase customer retention, or “stickiness.” We test our theory using a panel of household‐level, store‐choice data. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, we find that loyalty is pro‐competitive and leads to lower prices than would otherwise be the case. We also find that approximately 50% of the cumulative loyalty effect is attributable to the existence of a real option due to price uncertainty and that switching costs are substantial and comprise around 12% of the average cost of a basket of groceries.
Variation in the sexual behavior and blood count parameters induced by sleep deprivation in male rats
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zhang Yuyang , He Wentao , Wu Xu , Liu Guodong , Huang Houbao , Jiang Hui , Zhang Xiansheng
Published: February 2022

Background

Sleep is a fundamental biological requirement, and lack of sleep has increasingly been recognized to cause metabolic consequences and adversely affect immune function. Recent articles have pointed to how sleep and sexual functions may be interlinked, involving inflammation, vascular alterations, tissue damage, and endothelial dysfunction.

Objectives

We examined the effect of paradoxical sleep deprivation on sexual behavior and hemogram parameters in male rats. In addition, we also explored whether 7 days of recovery sleep is sufficient to offset these detriments.

Materials and methods

 Male rats were given sexual experience through training. At the fifth test, the sexually vigorous males were randomly separated into three experimental groups: paradoxical sleep deprivation (rats submitted to 96 h of paradoxical sleep deprivation, n = 6), recovery sleep (recovery sleep 7 days after paradoxical sleep deprivation, n = 6), and control (n = 10). We evaluated the sexual behaviors of three groups. Blood samples were collected to analyze hemogram parameters.

Results

In this study, we recognized that repeated copulatory tests can lead to changes in sexual behavior over time. We found that 96 h of acute sleep deprivation impaired the sexual behavior of male rats. Our results demonstrated that 96 h of paradoxical sleep deprivation also increased levels of white blood cell subpopulations, in particular neutrophils. Recovery sleep after sleep deprivation has a certain reversal effect on white blood cell subgroups and impairment of sexual behavior, with some signs that not all levels were back to baseline even after 7 days of recovery.

Conclusion

In general, we found that 96 h of paradoxical sleep deprivation impaired the sexual behavior of male rats. Our results demonstrated that paradoxical sleep deprivation can cause systemic inflammation by affecting white blood cell subpopulations, in particular neutrophils. Seven days of recovery sleep after sleep deprivation has a certain reversal effect to these impairments.
Risk of complications in post‐term pregnancies: Spontaneous labor should not be included in the intervention group
Authors: Rasmussen Ole Bredahl , Lauszus Finn Friis
Published: February 2022

Spontaneous labor should not be included in the intervention group when discussing induction of labor vs expectant management in post‐term pregnancies.
Testing the assumptions of customized intrauterine growth charts using national birth studies
Authors: Hocquette Alice , Monier Isabelle , Blondel Béatrice , Dufourg Marie‐Noëlle , Heude Barbara , Zeitlin Jennifer
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Customized intrauterine growth charts are widely used for growth monitoring and research. They are based on three assumptions: (1) estimated fetal weight (EFW) has a normal distribution with a constant coefficient of variation at all gestational ages; (2) Hadlock’s growth curve accurately describes the relation between EFW and gestational ages; (3) associations between EFW and the fetal and maternal characteristics included in the customization model (fetal sex, pre‐pregnancy weight, height, parity) are proportional throughout pregnancy. The aim of this study was to test whether these underlying assumptions are verified.

Material and methods

Data came from (1) the French Longitudinal Study of Children (ELFE) cohort, which recruited births after 32 weeks' gestation in 349 maternity hospitals in France in 2011, and (2) the National Perinatal Survey, which included births from all French maternity hospitals in 2016. The study population included, respectively, 6 920 and 8 969 singleton non‐malformed term live births with data on customization characteristics and EFW. We computed the coefficient of variation by gestational age and then modeled the association of gestational age, maternal and fetal characteristics with EFW at the second and third trimester ultrasound and with birthweight using linear regression. To assess the proportionality of the impact of maternal and fetal characteristics, we computed the percent change in weight associated with these characteristics at these three time points.

Results

The coefficient of variation was close to 12% at each gestational age, but EFW was not normally distributed, leading to small but systematic underestimation of fetuses under the 10th percentile. Weights representing the 50th and 10th percentiles based on Hadlock’s growth trajectory were lower than observed or predicted weights. Most characteristics more strongly impacted weight at birth than during pregnancy. In the French Longitudinal study of Children (ELFE) cohort, boys were 1.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3–2.4) heavier than girls in the third trimester, whereas this percentage was 4.6% (95% CI 4.0–5.2) at birth. In the National Perinatal Survey, these percentages were 2.3% (95% CI 1.8–2.8) and 4.3% (95% CI 3.8–4.8).

Conclusions

These results from two independent sources revealed discrepancies between routine clinical EFW data used for growth monitoring and the customized growth model’s assumptions.
Prevalence of endometriosis and adenomyosis at transvaginal ultrasound examination in symptomatic women
Authors: Orlov Sofie , Jokubkiene Ligita
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Prevalence of endometriosis is commonly reported based on surgery findings and varies widely depending on study population and indication for surgery. Symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, dyspareunia, dysuria, and dyschezia can be associated with endometriosis and adenomyosis. Transvaginal ultrasound examination is proposed to be the first‐line diagnostic method, nevertheless there are no published ultrasound‐based studies reporting prevalence of endometriosis and adenomyosis in symptomatic women other than those scheduled for surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of endometriosis and adenomyosis as assessed by transvaginal ultrasound in women with symptoms suggestive of endometriosis and adenomyosis.

Material and methods

This is a retrospective cross‐sectional study performed at a tertiary‐care center including 373 symptomatic women who were systematically examined with transvaginal ultrasound by an experienced ultrasound examiner. Before ultrasound examination women filled in a questionnaire including self‐assessment of the severity of their symptoms (dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, dysuria, dyschezia) using a visual analog scale. Abnormal findings in the uterus, ovaries, bowel, urinary bladder, uterosacral ligaments, and rectovaginal septum were noted, and their size and location were described. Prevalence of endometriosis, adenomyosis, endometrioma, and deep endometriosis in different anatomical locations was reported.

Results

Prevalence of ovarian endometrioma and/or deep endometriosis was 25% and of adenomyosis was 12%. Prevalence of endometrioma was 20% and of deep endometriosis was 9%, for each location being 8% in the bowel, 3% in the uterosacral ligaments, 3% in the rectovaginal septum and 0.5% in the urinary bladder.

Conclusions

In symptomatic women examined with transvaginal ultrasound by an experienced ultrasound examiner, ovarian endometrioma and/or deep endometriosis was found in one of four women and adenomyosis in one of nine women. Deep endometriosis was present in one of 11 women. Despite having symptoms, half of the women had no abnormal ultrasound findings.