bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Association Between State-Issued Mask Mandates and County COVID-19 Hospitalization Rates
Authors: Dunphy Christopher , Joo Heesoo , Sapiano Mathew R. P. , Howard-Williams Mara , McCord Russell , Sunshine Gregory , Kao Szu-Yu , Guy Gery P. , Weber Regen , Gakh Maxim , Ekwueme Donatus U.
Published: October 2022

Context:

Mask mandates are one form of nonpharmaceutical intervention that has been utilized to combat the spread of SARS-CoV2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Objective:

This study examines the association between state-issued mask mandates and changes in county-level and hospital referral region (HRR)–level COVID-19 hospitalizations across the United States.

Design:

Difference-in-difference and event study models were estimated to examine the association between state-issued mask mandates and COVID-19 hospitalization outcomes.

Participants:

All analyses were conducted with US county-level data.

Interventions:

State-issued mask mandates. County-level data on the mandates were collected from executive orders identified on state government Web sites from April 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020.

Main Outcome Measures:

Daily county-level (and HRR-level) estimates of inpatient beds occupied by patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 were collected by the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Results:

The state issuing of mask mandates was associated with an average of 3.6 fewer daily COVID-19 hospitalizations per 100 000 people (P < .05) and a 1.2-percentage-point decrease in the percentage of county beds occupied with COVID-19 patients (P < .05) within 70 days of taking effect. Event study results suggest that this association increased the longer mask mandates were in effect. In addition, the results were robust to analyses conducted at the HRR level.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrated that state-issued mask mandates were associated with reduction in COVID-19 hospitalizations across the United States during the earlier portion of the pandemic. As new variants of the virus cause spikes in COVID-19 cases, reimposing mask mandates in indoor and congested public areas, as part of a layered approach to community mitigation, may reduce the spread of COVID-19 and lessen the burden on our health care system.
Augmented Reality With Cinematic Rendered 3-Dimensional Images From Volumetric Computed Tomography Data
Authors: Rowe Steven P. , Schneider Robert , Krueger Sebastian , Pryde Valerie , Chu Linda C. , Fishman Elliot K.
Published: October 2022

Recent advances in 3-dimensional visualization of volumetric computed tomography data have led to the novel technique of cinematic rendering (CR), which provides photorealistic images with enhanced surface detail and realistic shadowing effects that are generally not possible with older methods such as volume rendering. The emergence of CR coincides with the increasingly widespread availability of virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR) interfaces including wearable headsets. The intersection of these technologies suggests many potential advances, including the ability of interpreting radiologists to look at photorealistic images of patient pathology in real time with surgeons and other referring providers, so long as VR/AR headsets are deployed and readily available. In this article, we will present our initial experience with viewing and manipulating CR images in the context of a VR/AR headset. We include a description of key aspects of the software and user interface, and provide relevant pictorial examples that may help potential adopters understand the initial steps of using this exciting convergence of technologies. Ultimately, trials evaluating the added value of the combination of CR with VR/AR will be necessary to understand the potential impact of these methods on medical practice.
Transplantation of Organs From DCD and DBD Donors Who Died After Ligature Asphyxiation
Authors: Trotter Patrick B. , Dark John , Fisher Andrew J. , Robb Matthew , Watson Christopher , Neuberger James
Published: October 2022

Background

The United Kingdom transplant registry data demonstrated similar transplant outcomes for recipients of kidneys from donors who died following ligature asphyxiation and those who received organs from donors dying from other causes. The impact that this donor cause of death has on the outcomes of other solid organ transplant recipients remains uncertain.

Methods

The United Kingdom transplant registry analysis was undertaken to determine transplant outcomes in recipients of lungs, hearts, livers‚ and pancreases from donors who died following ligature asphyxiation.

Results

Between January 01, 2003, and December 31, 2016, 2.7% (n = 521) of all potential United Kingdom donors died following ligature asphyxiation (mostly suicide by hanging). Of these, 416 (79.9%; 197 donation after brain stem death and 219 donation after circulatory death [DCD]) donated an organ for transplantation. These donors provided organs for 574 transplants (66 lung transplants, 75 heart transplants, 279 liver transplants, and 154 pancreas transplants). Patient and graft survival were similar for recipients of both donation after brain stem death and DCD hearts, livers, and pancreases from donors who died following ligature asphyxiation. Unadjusted graft and patient survival were significantly worse for recipients of lungs from DCD donors who died following ligature asphyxiation. This detrimental effect persisted after propensity score matching.

Conclusions

Livers, hearts, and pancreases from donors who die following ligature asphyxiation suffer an additional warm ischemic insult, but this does not negatively impact transplant outcomes. Outcomes for recipients of DCD lungs appear to be significantly worse.
The Conundrum of Patients With Compensated Cirrhosis Requiring Kidney Transplantation; Kidney Alone or Simultaneous Liver Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Dodge Jennifer L. , Lee Brian T. , Kassem Ali Casey Z. , Biggins Scott W. , Rana Prachi A. , Nadim Mitra K. , Asrani Sumeet K. , Fong Tse-Ling
Published: October 2022

Background.

Patients with compensated cirrhosis and chronic kidney disease are increasing along with demand for simultaneous liver kidney transplant (SLKT) and shortages of organs for transplantation. Although these well-compensated patients may not need a liver organ, the alternative of kidney transplant alone (KTA) poses the risk of liver decompensation. Therefore, we aim to characterize outcomes among patients with compensated cirrhosis and chronic kidney disease listed for SLKT or receiving KTA to inform clinical decisions.

Methods.

The 2-part retrospective study included a national cohort of patients listed for SLKT in United Network for Organ Sharing from January 2003 to June 2019 with Child A cirrhosis, with model for end-stage liver disease <25, and receiving dialysis; and a cohort of patients who underwent KTA from 2004 to 2019 with Child A cirrhosis identified through a 4-center chart review. Waitlist outcomes (SLKT, death, and clinical improvement) and post-KTA liver decompensation and survival were evaluated in the cohorts, respectively.

Results.

In the national SLKT cohort (N = 705, median age 56 y, 68.8% male), 5-y cumulative incidence of SLKT was 43.1%, death 32.1%, and clinical improvement 9.1%. Among SLKT recipients, 36.3% remained Child A without ascites or encephalopathy at transplant. In the local KTA cohort (N = 34, median age 54 y, 79.4% male), none had ascites or hepatic encephalopathy before KTA, but 15 had clinical portal hypertension. Five-y post-KTA incidence of liver decompensation was 36.8%, and survival was 89.2%.

Conclusions.

SLKT may not be necessary for some patients with compensated cirrhosis needing kidney transplant. KTA is safe for selected patients with intact liver biochemical function, even with portal hypertension but without hepatic encephalopathy or ascites.
Geographical variation in implementation of the Pathways to Comorbidity Care program in Australian drug and alcohol services
Authors: Louie Eva , Giannopoulos Vicki , Uribe Gabriela , Wood Katie , Teesson Maree , Childs Steven , Baillie Andrew , Haber Paul S. , Morley Kirsten C.
Published: October 2022

Aim:

Comorbid drug and alcohol and mental health disorders are highly prevalent. Significant gaps in service provision make this problem particularly difficult to address in regional Australia. The Pathways to Comorbidity Care (PCC) program was designed to improve management of comorbidity by outpatient drug and alcohol clinicians in New South Wales, Australia. This paper uses the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to evaluate variations in implementation outcomes across geographically diverse services.

Methods:

Twenty clinicians across three drug and alcohol services from metropolitan, outer metropolitan and regional geographic locations were engaged at multiple levels of influence (directors, managers, clinicians) during the implementation of the multimodal PCC training package. The CFIR guided the development of self-report measures and semi-structured interviews evaluating implementation of the PCC training, and disparities in implementation barriers and facilitators were determined.

Results:

Metropolitan clinicians identified less barriers than regional clinicians on several intervention characteristics (adaptability, complexity, design quality and packaging), as well as outer setting (peer pressure), inner setting (implementation climate, staff incentives, leadership engagement, available resources) and process (planning, opinion leaders, executing) domains. Regional clinicians evaluated the networks and communications construct more favourably.

Conclusions:

Specific barriers identified more strongly by regional clinicians included the importance of communication with local clinicians and leadership about the practicalities of incorporating the approach into routine practice (allocation of time, increased accessibility of implementation team). Metropolitan clinicians provided more favourable evaluations of the package design, implementation climate and specific implementation processes such as a clear and informative implementation plan.
Modelling collateral flow and thrombus permeability during acute ischaemic stroke
Authors: Padmos Raymond M. , Arrarte Terreros Nerea , Józsa Tamás I. , Závodszky Gábor , Marquering Henk A. , Majoie Charles B. L. M. , Payne Stephen J. , Hoekstra Alfons G.
Published: October 2022

The presence of collaterals and high thrombus permeability are associated with good functional outcomes after an acute ischaemic stroke. We aim to understand the combined effect of the collaterals and thrombus permeability on cerebral blood flow during an acute ischaemic stroke. A cerebral blood flow model including the leptomeningeal collateral circulation is used to simulate cerebral blood flow during an acute ischaemic stroke. The collateral circulation is varied to capture the collateral scores: absent, poor, moderate and good. Measurements of the transit time, void fraction and thrombus length in acute ischaemic stroke patients are used to estimate thrombus permeability. Estimated thrombus permeability ranges between 10−7and 10−4mm2. Measured flow rates through the thrombus are small and the effect of a permeable thrombus on brain perfusion during stroke is small compared with the effect of collaterals. Our simulations suggest that the collaterals are a dominant factor in the resulting infarct volume after a stroke.
Predator-mediated interactions through changes in predator home range size can lead to local prey exclusion
Authors: Beardsell Andréanne , Berteaux Dominique , Dulude-De-Broin Frédéric , Gauthier Gilles , Clermont Jeanne , Gravel Dominique , Bêty Joël
Published: October 2022

1

The effects of indirect biotic interactions on species occurrence are difficult to quantify in the wild. In theory, the exclusion of a prey species can occur through the numerical and functional responses of a predator to another prey. Few studies assessed the relative effects of these responses on the net interaction strength between multiple prey sharing common predators, in part because empirically based multi-species functional response models are very rare. To investigate whether the presence of a prey species affects predation rates and population growth rate of another prey species, we used a multi-prey mechanistic model of predation along with a population matrix model. The predation model was parameterized using a combination of behavioral, demographic, and experimental data acquired in an arctic vertebrate community. It includes the arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus), a predator feeding primarily on small mammals as well as eggs of various bird species such as sandpipers and colonial nesting geese. Our results showed that the positive effects of the presence of a goose colony on sandpiper nesting success (due to the handling time of goose eggs by the predator) were outweighed by the negative effect of an increase in fox density. The numerical response of the arctic fox was driven by a reduction in home range size in the goose colony. As a result, the net interaction from the presence of geese was negative. Our results also showed that this interaction could lead to local exclusion of sandpipers over a range of adult sandpiper annual survival observed in the wild, which is coherent with previous observations of their co-distribution. Our approach takes into account diverse proximate mechanisms underpinning interaction strengths in a multi-prey system and generates novel insights on some of the predator behavioral responses that may influence prey coexistence (and the lack of) in vertebrate communities.
Biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships change in sign and magnitude across the Hill diversity spectrum
Authors: Roswell Michael , Harrison Tina , Genung Mark A.
Published: October 2022

Motivated by accelerating anthropogenic extinctions, decades of biodiversity-ecosystem function (BEF) experiments show that ecosystem function declines with species loss from local communities. Yet, at the local scale, changes in species’ total and relative abundances are more common than species loss. The consensus best biodiversity measures are Hill numbers, which use a scaling parameter, ℓ, to emphasize rarer versus more common species. Shifting that emphasis captures distinct, function-relevant biodiversity gradients beyond species richness. Here, we hypothesized that Hill numbers that emphasize rare species more than richness does may distinguish large, complex, and presumably higher-functioning assemblages from smaller and simpler ones. In this study, we tested which values of ℓ produce the strongest BEF relationships in community datasets of ecosystem functions provided by wild, free-living organisms. We found that ℓ values that emphasized rare species more than richness does most often correlated most strongly with ecosystem functions. As emphasis shifted to more common species, BEF correlations were often weak and/or negative. We argue that unconventional Hill diversities that shift emphasis towards rarer species may be useful for describing biodiversity change, and that employing a wide spectrum of Hill numbers can clarify mechanisms underlying BEF relationships.
Temperature as a likely driver shaping global patterns in mineralogical composition in bryozoans: Implications for marine calcifiers under Global Change
Authors: Figuerola Blanca , Griffiths Huw J. , Krzeminska Malgorzata , Piwoni-Piorewicz Anna , Iglikowska Anna , Kuklinski Piotr
Published: October 2022

The Southern Ocean is showing one of the most rapid responses to human-induced global change, thus acting as a sentinel of the effects on marine species and ecosystems. Ocean warming and acidification are already impacting benthic species with carbonate skeletons, but the magnitude of these changes to species and ecosystems remains largely unknown. Here we provide the largest carbonate mineralogical dataset to date for Southern Ocean bryozoans, which are diverse, abundant and important as carbonate producers, thus making them excellent for monitoring the effects of ocean warming and acidification. To improve our understanding of how bryozoans might respond to ocean warming and acidification, we assess latitudinal and seafloor temperature patterns of skeletal mineralogy using bryozoan species occurrences together with temperature data for the first time. Our findings, combining new mineralogical data with published data from warmer regions, show that the proportions of high-Mg calcite and bimineralic species increase significantly towards lower latitudes and with increasing seawater temperature. These patterns are consistent with the hypothesis that seawater temperature is likely a significant driver of variations in bryozoan mineralogy at a global scale.
An innovative 2D-mesh model to improve deltoid moment arms, muscle forces and glenohumeral joint reaction force estimations
Authors: Strzelczak Marta , Peixoto Margaux , Sins Lauranne , Begon Mickaël , Hagemeister Nicola
Published: October 2022

We proposed a 2D-mesh representation of the deltoid muscle to improve a realism of forces and moments predictions in a multibody shoulder model. Our 2D-mesh model was qualitatively compared to a commonly used via-point model during an arm elevation in the scapular plane and to previous in-vitro studies in terms of deltoid moment arms. The most notable improvement was observed for the moment arms of the anterior deltoid, which shows better agreement with in-vitro studies. Consequently, joint reaction force above 90° of arm elevation was more consistent with in-vivo data, validating the 2D-mesh representation of the deltoid muscle.
Acoustic and Neurophysiological Aspects of Lombard Effect
Authors: Castro Christian , Rivera Lucia Z , Prado Pavel , Cuadros Jhosmary , Cortés Juan Pablo , Weinstein Alejandro , Espinoza Victor , Zañartu Matías
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aims to describe variations in acoustic and electroencephalography measures when speaking in the presence of background noise (Lombard effect) in participants with typical voice and normal hearing.

Method

Twenty-one participants with typical voices and normal hearing uttered simple vocal tasks in three sequential background conditions: Baseline (in quiet), Lombard (in noise), and Recovery (five minutes after removing the noise). Acoustic and electroencephalography signals were recorded in all conditions. The noise used in the Lombard condition consisted of speech-shaped noise at 80 dB SPL sent by headphones. Acoustic measure, and ERP responses were analyzed.

Results

During the Lombard condition, the participants increased the intensity of their voice, accompanied by an increase in CPP, and a decrease in H1-H2. The cortical response was characterized by the increased N1-P2 complex amplitude of the ERP elicited by the subject’s own vocalizations in noise, The source localization showed neural activities in frontal and temporal cortical regions.

Conclusions

The variation in acoustic measures due to the Lombard Effect could be modulated by temporal, and cortical regions.
Nicotine Modifies Responding for Cocaine in a Concurrent Rodent Self-administration Model
Authors: Dawes Monica H. , Estave Paige M. , Albertson Stephen E. , Holleran Katherine M. , Jones Sara R.
Published: October 2022

Prevailing preclinical models of cocaine use have not resulted in an FDA-approved treatment for cocaine use disorder, potentially due to a focus on cocaine use in isolation, which may not translate well to polysubstance use in clinical populations. Clinically, nicotine has been shown to increase cocaine’s potency and reinforcing efficacy, but some preclinical studies suggest that non-contingent nicotine exposure is not sufficient to alter cocaine self-administration in rats; therefore, this experiment examined if the addition of nicotine to the cocaine solution would alter self-administration behavior. Male Sprague Dawley rats (N=7) were trained to self-administer cocaine (0.75mg/kg/inf), and tested on a long access, fixed ratio 1 schedule of reinforcement (6 hour sessions, unlimited inf, 5 days), for cocaine alone (0.75mg/kg/inf), followed by cocaine and nicotine (0.75mg/kg/inf cocaine+0.03mg/kg/inf nicotine). Finally, rats responded on a progressive ratio schedule for varied doses of cocaine with and without concurrent nicotine at a consistent dose (1.5, 0.75, 0.375, 0.19mg/kg/inf cocaine± 0.03mg/kg/inf nicotine). Unexpectedly, under long access conditions, rats self-administering cocaine and nicotine responded less than for cocaine alone, and did not escalate responding. However, under progressive ratio conditions, responding for cocaine and nicotine was greater than responding for cocaine alone across low and moderate cocaine doses, and decreased at high cocaine doses, indicating a leftward shift in the dose response curve. Together, these data highlight the importance of evaluating multiple outcome measures in nicotine + cocaine paradigms, and suggest that concurrent self-administration of cocaine and nicotine results in greater motivated responding than for cocaine alone.
Impact of abiotic conditions on Fungal Diversity and Comparative analysis of Soil quality of two distinct locations
Authors: Chauhan Sindhushri , Ganure Parashuram , Dandin Chethan J.
Published: October 2022

Soil fertility play a prominent role in biological sustenance in turn fungi are significant participants in bridging biotic and abiotic interactions between the components in the environment, and they involve in breakdown of organic/ inorganic materials during bioleaching/ bioconversion leading to bio-availability and thus recycling of nutrients. Local environmental factors (abiotic), such as the chemical and physical properties of the soil, greatly influence the composition of existing fungal communities and determine the diversity of soil fungi. A correlation study of the micro fungi found in ecologically two different regions (Karnataka state, India) of Uttara Kannada and Chitradurga districts. One being part of India’s Western Ghats, a biologically fertile ecosystem and the other being a dry, arid region of Deccan plateau with scanty rain fall. Soil samples were collected from various geographical locations in order to study and evaluate the role that certain soil physicochemical features play in fungi diversity. According to our findings, soil attributes (fertility) are related to the composition, richness, and diversity of fungi in soils and thus soil’s physico-chemical properties assessed were linked to fungal diversity measurements. This led us to indicate the role of abiotic factors effecting the fungal diversity in soil and their prominent role in soil fertility.

Importance of the Work

This work signifies the role of fungal diversity on soil fertility and the impact of abiotic and physico-chemical soil parameters on the same. Thus the work explores the importance of the each of these components and the wild fungal strain’s participation in value addition to their functional role in breakdown of organic/ inorganic materials during bioleaching/ bioconversion leading to bio-availability and thus recycling of nutrients. The work also highlights soil pH as one of key indicators to define the diversity of soil fungi and can provide a direct correlation between pH, bioconversion and fungal activity/ diversity. This work is first of a kind from southern India connecting the western ghat bio-diversity hot-spot fertile region with the neighbouring barren Bayaluseemae region of Karnataka State, South India with regards to abiotic factors, fungi and fertility.
Generalization and Transfer of Navigation Memory in Honeybees
Authors: Bullinger Eric , Greggers Uwe , Menzel Randolf
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Flying insects like the honeybee learn multiple features of the environment for efficient navigation. Here we ask whether the memory of such features is generalized to novel test conditions. Foraging bees from colonies located in 5 different home areas were tested in a common area for their search flights. Harmonic radar was used to track the search flights of the bees. The test area resembled partly or not at all the layout of landmarks in the respective home areas. Random search as the only guide for searching was excluded by two model calculations. The generalization and transfer effect was quantified by a partial least squares regression analysis of the guiding effect of the ground structures in the test area. Classification was performed with a support vector machine in order to account for optimal hyperplanes. A rank order of well separated clusters was found that partly resemble the graded differences between the ground structures of the home areas and the test area. We conclude that foragers guide their search flights by a generalization and transfer process that is based on their acquired navigation memory. The conclusion is discussed in the context of the learning and generalization process in an insect, the honeybee.

SummaryStatement

A new test procedure is applied to address the question whether a flying insect, the honeybee, uses a navigation memory that can be generalized to novel environmental conditions.
An EpCAM/Trop2 mechanostat differentially regulates collective behaviour of human carcinoma cells
Authors: Aslemarz Azam , Fagotto-Kaufmann Marie , Ruppel Artur , Fagotto-Kaufmann Christine , Balland Martial , Lasko Paul , Fagotto François
Published: October 2022

EpCAM and its close relative Trop2 are well-known markers of carcinoma, but the potential role of these cell surface proteins in cancer metastasis remains unclear. They are known, however, to downregulate myosin-dependent contractility, a key parameter involved in cell adhesion and migration. We investigate here the morphogenetic impact of the high EpCAM and Trop2 levels typically found in epithelial breast cancer cells, using spheroids of MCF7 cells as an in vitro model. Intriguingly, EpCAM depletion stimulated spheroid cohesive spreading, while Trop2 depletion had the opposite effect. Combining cell biological and biophysical approaches, we demonstrate that while EpCAM and Trop2 both contribute to moderate cell contractility, their depletions differentially impact on the process of “wetting” a substrate, here both matrix and neighboring cells, by affecting the balance of cortical tension at cell and tissue interfaces. These distinct phenotypes can be explained by partial enrichment at specific interfaces. Differential distribution and antagonistic loss-of-function phenotypes are also observed in two other breast cancer cell lines with very different characteristics, suggesting that these are general properties of these two regulators. Our data are consistent with a simple model in which the EpCAM-Trop2 pair acts as a mechanostat that tunes local cortical tension, thus influencing a spectrum of adhesive and migratory behaviours.
The origins of haplotype 58 (H58) Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi
Authors: Carey Megan E. , Thi Nguyen To Nguyen , Hoang Nhu Tran Do , Dyson Zoe A. , Duy Pham Thanh , Mylona Elli , Nair Satheesh , Chattaway Marie , Baker Stephen
Published: October 2022

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a serious threat to the clinical management of typhoid fever. AMR in Salmonella Typhi (S. Typhi) is associated with the H58 lineage, which arose comparatively recently before becoming globally disseminated. To better understand when and how this lineage emerged and became dominant, we performed detailed phylogenetic and phylodynamic analyses on contemporary genome sequences from S. Typhi isolated in the period spanning the emergence. Our dataset, which contains the earliest described H58 S. Typhi, indicates that the prototype H58 organisms were multi-drug resistant (MDR). These organisms emerged spontaneously in India in 1987 and became radially distributed throughout South Asia and then globally in the ensuing years. These early organisms were associated with a single long branch, possessing mutations associated with increased bile tolerance, suggesting that the first H58 organism was generated during chronic carriage. The subsequent use of fluoroquinolones led to several independent mutations in gyrA. The ability of H58 to acquire and maintain AMR genes continues to pose a threat, as extensively drug-resistant (XDR; MDR plus resistance to ciprofloxacin and third generation cephalosporins) variants, have emerged recently in this lineage. Understanding where and how H58 S. Typhi originated and became successful is key to understand how AMR drives successful lineages of bacterial pathogens. Additionally, these data can inform optimal targeting of typhoid conjugate vaccines (TCVs) for reducing the potential for emergence and the impact of new drug-resistant variants. Emphasis should also be placed upon the prospective identification and treatment of chronic carriers to prevent the emergence of new drug resistant variants with the ability to spread efficiently.
Statistical phasing of 150,119 sequenced genomes in the UK Biobank
Authors: Browning Brian L. , Browning Sharon R.
Published: October 2022

The first release of UK Biobank whole genome sequence data contains 150,119 genomes. We present an open-source pipeline for filtering, phasing, and indexing these genomes on the cloud-based UK Biobank Research Analysis Platform. This pipeline makes it possible to apply haplotype-based methods to UK Biobank whole genome sequence data. The pipeline uses BCFtools for marker filtering, Beagle for genotype phasing, and tabix for VCF indexing. We used the pipeline to phase 406 million single nucleotide variants on chromosomes 1-22 and X at a cost of 2,309 British pounds. The maximum time required to process a chromosome was 2.6 days. In order to assess phase accuracy, we modified the pipeline to exclude trio parents. We observed a switch error rate of 0.0016 on chromosome 20 in the White British trio offspring. If we exclude markers with nonmajor allele frequency < 0.1% after phasing, this switch error rate decreases by 80% to 0.00032.
Intracellular FUS protein accumulation leads to cytoskeletal, organelle and cellular homeostasis perturbations
Authors: Chung Chyi Wei , Zhou Alexandra J. , Mela Ioanna , Stephens Amberley D. , Miyashita Akinori , St George-Hyslop Peter H. , Kaminski Clemens F. , Knowles Tuomas P. J. , Kaminski Schierle Gabriele S.
Published: October 2022

The molecular mechanisms that connect the formation of aberrant cytoplasmic FUS condensates to biological malfunction are incompletely understood. Here, we develop an approach to determine the intracellular FUS viscosity in live mammalian cells and find that ALS-related mutant P525L-FUS forms the most viscous condensates and has impaired cytoskeletal mechanoproperties and increased euchromatin formation. We further show that some of the main cellular organelles, e.g., actin/tubulin, lysosomes, mitochondria, the endoplasmic reticulum, are significantly functionally/structurally impaired in the presence of FUS. These may be related to defects in the tubulin network, as the latter facilitates transport, formation, fusion and fission of organelles. We observe significant increases in lysosomal biogenesis, size and pH; moreover, intracellular FUS accumulation significantly promotes cytoplasmic-to-nuclear translocation of TFEB, i.e., the master gene for inducing autophagy. However, despite these, increased autophagy needed for protein aggregate clearance is not observed to occur. Our study reveals that the formation of highly viscous FUS condensates significantly impacts cytoskeletal/organelle function and cellular homeostasis, which are closely associated with cell ageing. This raises the intriguing question as to whether mutant FUS activates similar cell processes as those during cellular senescence.
Individual, job, and organizational dimensions of work engagement: evidence from the tourism industry
Authors: Monje Amor Ariadna , Calvo Nuria
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This qualitative study investigates how employees and managers perceive work engagement and the role of intangible factors (e.g. task variety, support, and clarity) involved in the motivational process of engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of employees working in four organizations in the tourism industry were interviewed. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze the results.

Findings

The results reveal that several intangible and contextual factors (e.g. challenging and varied tasks, good relationships at work, and inspiring leaders) are more relevant to work engagement than extrinsic motivators. Engaged individuals are positive, show a personal attachment to their work roles and colleagues, and have a cognitive aspect derived from their effort.

Originality/value

An integrated model of work engagement–disengagement underpinned by factors at the individual, job, and organizational level is suggested as a synthesis of the main research results and can serve as a solid foundation for creating better future workplaces. This study contributes to the understanding of employee behaviors and organizations at work by discussing and empirically exploring the role of work engagement as a driver of differentiation among companies in the tourism industry in Galicia (Spanish region).
Application of computer vision for construction progress monitoring: a qualitative investigation
Authors: Moragane H.P.M.N.L.B. , Perera B.A.K.S. , Palihakkara Asha Dulanjalie , Ekanayake Biyanka
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Construction progress monitoring (CPM) is considered a difficult and tedious task in construction projects, which focuses on identifying discrepancies between the as-built product and the as-planned design. Computer vision (CV) technology is applied to automate the CPM process. However, the synergy between the CV and CPM in literature and industry practice is lacking. This study aims to fulfil this research gap.

Design/methodology/approach

A Delphi qualitative approach was used in this study by conducting two interview rounds. The collected data was analysed using manual content analysis.

Findings

This study identified seven stages of CPM; data acquisition, information retrieval, verification, progress estimation and comparison, visualisation of the results and schedule updating. Factors such as higher accuracy in data, less labourious process, efficiency and near real-time access are some of the significant enablers in instigating CV for CPM. Major challenges identified were occlusions and lighting issues in the site images and lack of support from the management. The challenges can be easily overcome by implementing suitable strategies such as familiarisation of the workforce with CV technology and application of CV research for the construction industry to grow with the technology in line with other industries.

Originality/value

This study addresses the gap pertaining to the synergy between the CV in CPM literature and the industry practice. This research contributes by enabling the construction personnel to identify the shortcomings and the opportunities to apply automated technologies concerning each stage in the progress monitoring process.
Analysis of mechanical flux-weakening by using the end-cap of the switched flux permanent magnet machines
Authors: Zhao Qiang , Liu Xu
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a novel mechanical flux-weakening topology for the switched flux permanent magnet (SFPM) machine to extend the speed range, which will be suitable for the electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles.

Design/methodology/approach

The 3 dimensional mechanical flux-weakening model with flux adjusters (FAs) in the end-cap is established. Subsequently, the electromagnetic performance is compared between the SFPM machine with FAs in the end-cap and without FAs. The open circuit flux-linkage is calculated by finite element analysis (FEA) to investigate the influence of this mechanical flux-weakening topology together with the d/q-axis inductance. The flux-weakening capability and torque-speed curve is also calculated.

Findings

The proposed topology decreases the permanent magnet flux-linkage and increases the d-axis inductance, which improve the flux-weakening capability simultaneously. Subsequently, the speed range and constant power region are much wider than those without FAs. Finally, the prototype is fabricated and the measured result of the open circuit back electromotive force has good agreement with the FEA result.

Originality/value

This paper provides a novel mechanical flux-weakening topology with FAs in the end-cap for the SFPM machine, whose volume is smaller than another mechanical flux-weakening topology with FAs at the stator outside. Thus, higher torque and power density can be obtained compared with the SFPM machine with FAs at the stator outside.
Calculation of the thermal field of a linear induction motor (LIM) considering a discontinuous secondary plate
Authors: Fu Qiang , Lv Xiaojuan
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the linear induction motor (LIM) thermal field when the motor passes through the discontinuous area of the secondary plate in rail transit operation.

Design/methodology/approach

To study the thermal field when the LIM passes through the discontinuous area of the secondary plate, the two-dimensional (2D) electromagnetic field model of the motor is first established to calculate and analyze the electromagnetic field of the LIM, and then the motor thermal field is calculated according to the calculation results of the motor electromagnetic field. Finally, the heat source (the motor loss) and the heat dissipation coefficient are added to the thermal field calculation model to calculate the motor thermal field.

Findings

This study found that the discontinuity of the secondary board would lead to changes in the electromagnetic field of the linear induction motor to change, which would reduce the motor efficiency and increase the loss, resulting in a sudden increase in the temperature field of the motor.

Originality/value

The LIM temperature field calculation when the LIM passes through the discontinuous area of the secondary board could provide an early warning for the potential risks of the LIM in rail transit applications.
Can inconsistent media coverage increase hotel survival? The bright side of controversy
Authors: Yuan Kai-Qi , Li Hui , Liang Sai , Chen Qian-Xia
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The impact of a mixture of positive and negative media coverage on long-run hotel survival remains unknown. This paper aims to investigate how the mixed positive and negative media coverage, namely, inconsistent media coverage, influences long-run hotel survival.

Design/methodology/approach

A yearly panel data set covering 792 news-reported hotels in Guangdong province of China, over the period 2010–2020, is analyzed using an inconsistency analysis framework consisting of text mining and survival analysis. The estimates of exponential models on the same observations and Cox estimates on alternative observations are used for robustness checks.

Findings

The inconsistency calculation method proposed here can measure the controversy degree well. There exists a U-shaped relationship between inconsistency of media coverage and hotel longevity, and hotel survival is significantly reduced only when the degree of inconsistency is within the range of 17.8%–53.6%. The U-shaped relationship is moderated by negative hotel image and by online media coverage on hotel operation strategy topics.

Practical implications

This study provides suggestions for hotel managers to use media coverage inconsistency to increase long-run hotel survival in the digital era.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is one of the first to investigate long-run hotel survival factors from the perspective of media coverage inconsistency. It also proposes a method to calculate the degree of media coverage controversy, which helps to quantify the relationship between the degree of inconsistency and hotel survival.
Brand communication and the mass vaccination center: stadium, team and community perspectives
Authors: Sears Jackson , Cianfrone Beth A. , Kellison Timothy
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The usage of sport stadia for public service is increasingly common and may come in different forms. In the COVID-19 pandemic, this included sport entities hosting mass COVID-19 vaccinations at their stadiums. The purpose of this study was to examine the branding effects of a COVID-19 mass vaccination center as communicated by (1) a sport entity (i.e. stadium and its two teams) and (2) the public.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyzed the entity's social media messages related to the mass vaccination center for the three groups, the stadium and its two sports team tenants (N = 48) while comparing the public's social media content about the vaccination center (N = 187). An empirical material coding analysis was conducted.

Findings

The sport entity's posts revealed 12 codes, five categories and two themes communicated about their brand: In this together–community impact and showcasing brand attributes. The public posts analysis revealed 21 codes, eight categories and four themes, creating brand awareness, establishing/reaffirming brand attributes, affective response and in this together–community response.

Originality/value

The identification of the two organization themes and four public themes provided an initial examination of the mass vaccination efforts' impact on the sport entity's brand. With the rise of stadia being utilized as public service venues (e.g. voting centers and disaster shelters), the results of the study can provide guidance to communicating the host team's brand during these times. Results also suggest the public perception of such service reflected positive opportunities for brand exposure and subsequent effects for the teams.
Impact of emotional intensity of negative word-of-mouth on perceived helpfulness in social media
Authors: Chen Chunfeng , Zhang Depeng
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Negative word-of-mouth has a variety of negative effects on companies. Thus, how consumers process and evaluate negative word-of-mouth is an important issue for companies. This research aims to investigate the effect of emotional intensity of negative word-of-mouth on consumers' perceived helpfulness.

Design/methodology/approach

The research model was developed based on attribution theory. A four-study approach involving two field experiments and two online experiments was employed to examine the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that the emotional intensity of negative word-of-mouth negatively affects altruistic motive attributions, while altruistic motive attributions positively affect perceived helpfulness and plays a mediating role in the relationship between the emotional intensity of negative word-of-mouth and perceived helpfulness. Consumers' self-construal moderates the effects of emotional intensity of negative word-of-mouth on altruistic motive attributions and perceived helpfulness, with the negative effects of emotional intensity of negative word-of-mouth on altruistic motive attributions and perceived helpfulness being weaker for consumers with high interdependent self-construal than for those with high independent self-construal.

Originality/value

The findings not only have a significant theoretical contribution, deepening the understanding of the effects of negative word-of-mouth but also have useful implications for practitioners to improve the management of negative word-of-mouth.
The trickle-down effect of big data use to predict organization innovation: the roles of business strategy alignment and information sharing
Authors: Wang Yu , Ali Zulqurnain , Mehreen Aqsa , Hussain Khawar
Published: October 2022

Purpose

In this age of digitalization, organizations are generating large data from the organizations' manufacturing processes that are valuable for capturing a competitive edge. Chinese small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can bring organizations radical innovation by investing in innovation projects (i.e. big data use; BDU) using the SMEs' scarce resources. Thus, the authors' research aims to predict Chinese SMEs' radical innovation (RI) through BDU using the theoretical lenses of the resource-based view. Moreover, the authors' study also pursues to realize the undermining mediating process of business strategy alignment (BSA) and the buffering role of information sharing in BDU–RI linkage.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 297 Chinese SMEs entrepreneurs and managers were recruited from the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China using a survey approach. In Mplus 7.4, the authors tested the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The sample of 297 shows that BDU is directly and indirectly (via BSA) related to RI. Further, information sharing moderates the linkage between BDU and BSA and BSA and RI. The association between BSA and RI is only significant and stronger when information sharing is high.

Practical implications

This research is beneficial for SME entrepreneurs/managers to enhance the understanding of BDU, eliminate challenges of BSA via BDU and align business strategies to bring RI to Chinese SMEs.

Originality/value

SMEs always search for new ways to enhance SMEs' productivity using scarce resources. This is the first research that advances big data and innovation literature by predicting firm RI through BDU using a resource-based view. Moreover, this study is novel because the study investigates the mediation role of BSA and the moderating role of information sharing in the linkage between BDU and firm RI in Chinese SMEs.
A complex challenge with unclear improvement: the need for involvement, contextualization and facilitation when managers implement a leadership model
Authors: Lindberg Maria , Skytt Bernice , Lindberg Magnus , Wijk Katarina , Strömberg Annika
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Management and leadership in health care are described as complex and challenging, and the span of control is known to be a key component in the manager’s job demands. The implementation of change can be a challenge in health care, and managers often have roles as implementation leaders. Little attention has been given to how managers perceive the process of implementation. Thus, this study aims to explore second-line managers’ perceptions of, prerequisites for and experiences from the implementation of changes in their manager’s work conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

A grounded theory–based qualitative design was used. Data were collected from a purposive sample of nine second-line managers by individual semi-structured interviews. The three stages of initial coding, focus codes and axial coding were used in data analysis.

Findings

Three thematic areas were identified: engagement, facilitation and achievement. The second-line managers’ descriptions suggest that the change work entails a complex challenge with an unclear result. Involvement, consideration for the context and facilitation are needed to be able to conduct a cohesive implementation process.

Originality/value

This study findings outline that to succeed when implementing change in complex organizations, it is crucial that managers at different levels are involved in the entire process, and that there are prerequisites established for the facilitation and achievement of goals during the planning, implementation and follow-up.