bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationships between mediolateral step modulation and clinical balance measures in people with chronic stroke
Authors: Howard Keith E. , Reimold Nicholas K. , Knight Heather L. , Embry Aaron E. , Knapp Holly A. , Agne Alexa A. , Jacobs Camden J. , Dean Jesse C.
Published: April 2022

Background

Many people with chronic stroke (PwCS) exhibit walking balance deficits linked to increased fall risk and decreased balance confidence. One potential contributor to these balance deficits is a decreased ability to modulate mediolateral stepping behavior based on pelvis motion. This behavior, hereby termed mediolateral step modulation, is thought to be an important balance strategy but can be disrupted in PwCS.

Research Question

Are biomechanical metrics of mediolateral step modulation related to common clinical balance measures among PwCS?

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 93 PwCS walked on a treadmill at their self-selected speed for 3-minutes. We quantified mediolateral step modulation for both paretic and non-paretic steps by calculating partial correlations between mediolateral pelvis displacement at the start of each step and step width (ρSW), mediolateral foot placement relative to the pelvis (ρFP), and final mediolateral location of the pelvis (ρPD) at the end of the step. We also assessed several common clinical balance measures (Functional Gait Assessment [FGA], Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale [ABC], self-reported fear of falling and fall history). We performed Spearman correlations to relate each biomechanical metric of step modulation to FGA and ABC scores. We performed Wilcoxon rank sum tests to compare each biomechanical metric between individuals with and without a fear of falling and a history of falls.

Results

Only ρFP for paretic steps was significantly related to all four clinical balance measures; higher paretic ρFP values tended to be observed in participants with higher FGA scores, with higher ABC scores, without a fear of falling and without a history of falls. However, the strength of each of these relationships was only weak to moderate.

Significance

While the present results do not provide insight into causality, they justify future work investigating whether interventions designed to increase ρFP can improve clinical measures of post-stroke balance in parallel.
Self-similar tip growth links exocytosis profile with cell wall shape
Authors: Spinelli Kamryn , Wei Chaozhen , Vidali Luis , Wu Min
Published: April 2022

Exocytosis plays a crucial role in regulating the growth and migration of filamentous tip-growing cells. We present a mathematical framework that infers the spatial profile of exocytosis from the cell morphology in self-similar growing cells that elongate while preserving their apical domain shapes. By applying the framework to cell wall outline data from experiments across walled cell species, we find that while tapered cells have their exocytosis concentrated at the apex, cells with flatter tip shape beyond a threshold require exocytosis to peak in an annulus region away from the apex.
Diagnostic delay of Myositis: protocol for an integrated systematic review
Authors: Namsrai Tergel , Desborough Jane , Chalmers Anita , Lowe Christine , Cook Matthew , Phillips Christine , Parkinson Anne
Published: April 2022

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) described as “inflammatory myositis”, are a heterogeneous group of rare muscular autoimmune diseases characterized by skeletal muscle inflammation. Its complex characteristics with lack of accurate diagnostic tests, unified classification system, and comprehensive widely used diagnostic criteria could lead to diagnostic delay. This study will review diagnostic delay in Myositis and provide an overview and clearer insight of patients’ experiences, causes and consequences of diagnostic delay in Myositis.

Methods and analysis

The literature source will be a systematic search of PubMed/Medline, Scopus, ProQuest, and sources of grey literature, conducted from database inception to 15th of December 2021 without restrictions on publication date. All study types (qualitative and quantitative) except review articles, examining diagnostic delay, incorrect diagnosis, missed diagnosis or slow diagnosis of all types of myositis in all ages will be included. Evidence of patients’ experiences associated with diagnostic delay will also be examined. Studies in languages other than English, German and Indonesian will be excluded. Outcomes will be diagnostic delay time, patients’ experiences, and causes and consequences associated with diagnostic delay in Myositis. Two review authors will independently screen the titles and abstracts of search results against the inclusion criteria. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) will be used to appraise selected studies. Two independent authors will extract data using a pre-piloted data extraction tool. If sufficient quantitative data is available, a meta-analysis will be conducted along with subgroup analysis including pooled diagnostic delay in each type of Myositis. Qualitative data will be analysed in line with meta-aggregation methods. If data is insufficient, a narrative synthesis will be conducted.

Ethics and dissemination

As a systematic review, ethical approval was not required. Findings of the study will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and symposia.

PROSPERO Registration number

CRD42022289830

Strengths and limitations of this study

The protocol was developed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews.

Examination of both quantitative and qualitative literature will enable insight into the causes and consequences, and patients’ experiences associated with diagnostic delay of Myositis.

In some case studies, it will be necessary to manually calculate diagnostic delay according to the date of symptom onset and the date of diagnosis.

The primary limitation of this study is that it will not capture evidence that is not published, or from situations when an accurate diagnosis of Myositis is not made.

The review will be limited to English, German, and Indonesian studies.
Liposome-assisted in-situ cargo delivery to artificial cells and cellular subcompartments
Authors: Xue Lin , Stephenson Anna B. , Gözen Irep
Published: April 2022

We report on liposome-mediated targeted delivery of membrane-impermeable constituents into surface-adhered giant lipid compartments, employed as artificial cells. Soluble cargo compounds are delivered by means of an open-space microfluidic device, which perfuses selected lipid compartments with loaded small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) composed of cationic lipids. The SUV membranes fuse with the surface-adhered containers, merging their contents. We monitored the fusion process via Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) by labeling both the membranes of the SUVs and the target compartments with a fluorophore pair. We established that, upon fusion, water-soluble dyes, fluorescently labeled genetic polymers, sugars and proteins carried by the SUVs can be successfully internalized at high yield. Finally, by transferring carbonic anhydrase (CA) to the giant lipid compartments, enzymatic hydrolysis of the prefluorescent carboxyfluorescein diacetate (CFDA) is demonstrated by the emission intensity increase emanating from the product carboxyfluorescein (CF). Spontaneous subcompartmentalization occurred during liposomal delivery of the enzyme, leading to CF formation in an organelle-like subcompartment. The reported targeted delivery technique enables chemical reactions and cell-free gene expression in synthetic cell models with unprecedented ease and precision, and opens pathways to protocell architectures with distinct functional subcompartments in the context of origins of life research.
ConsAlign: simultaneous RNA structural aligner based on rich transfer learning and thermodynamic ensemble model of alignment scoring
Authors: Tagashira Masaki
Published: April 2022

Motivation

To capture structural homology in RNAs, predicting RNA structural alignments has been a fundamental framework around RNA science. Learning simultaneous RNA structural alignments in their rich scoring is an undeveloped subject because evaluating them is computationally expensive.

Results

We developed ConsTrain—a gradient-based machine learning method for rich structural alignment scoring. We also implemented ConsAlign—a simultaneous RNA structural aligner composed of ConsTrain’s learned scoring parameters. To aim for better structural alignment quality, ConsAlign employs (1) transfer learning from well-defined scoring models and (2) the ensemble model between the ConsTrain model and a mature thermodynamic scoring model. Keeping comparable running time, ConsAlign demonstrated competitive alignment prediction quality among current RNA structural aligners.

Availability and implementation

Our code and our data are freely available at https://github.com/heartsh/consalign.

Contact

heartsh@heartsh.io

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics
Micro-CT analyses of the lung in mice: Parameters influencing the radiation dose and acquisition quality
Authors: Körner Sandrina , Körbel Christina , Dzierma Yvonne , Speicher Katharina , Laschke Matthias W. , Rübe Christian , Menger Michael D. , Linxweiler Maximilian
Published: April 2022

Microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) is a frequently used imaging tool for a wide spectrum of in-vivo mouse models in basic and translational research. To allow an accurate interpretation of micro-CT images, high spatial resolution is necessary. However, this may also lead to a high radiation exposure of the animals. Therefore, animal welfare requires exact information about the expected radiation doses for experimental planning. To gain this, a mouse cadaver was herein used for micro-CT analyses under different conditions. For each radiation dose measurement, the cadaver was labeled with thermoluminescent dosimeter chips around the thoracic skin surface. Micro-CT scans of the thorax were performed with spatial resolutions of 35 µm, 18 µm and 9 µm in combination with Al0.5, Al1.0, CuAl and Cu filters. As a surrogate of image quality, the number of identifiable lung vessels was counted on a transversal micro-CT slice. Measured radiation doses varied from 0.09 Gy up to 5.18 Gy dependent on resolution and filter settings. A significant dose reduction of > 75% was achieved by a Cu filter when compared to an Al0.5 filter. However, this resulted in a markedly reduced image quality and interpretability of microstructures due to higher radiation shielding and lower spatial resolution. Thus, the right combination of distinct filters and several scan protocol settings adjusted to the individual requirements can significantly reduce the radiation dose of micro-CT leading to a higher animal welfare standard.
Testosterone eliminates strategic prosocial behavior through impacting choice consistency in healthy males
Authors: Kutlikova Hana H. , Zhang Lei , Eisenegger Christoph , van Honk Jack , Lamm Claus
Published: April 2022

Humans are strategically more prosocial when their actions are being watched by others than when they act alone. Using a psychopharmacogenetic approach, we investigated the endocrinological and computational mechanisms of such audience-driven prosociality. 192 male participants received either a single dose of testosterone (150 mg) or a placebo and performed a prosocial and self-benefitting reinforcement learning task. Crucially, the task was performed either in private or when being watched. Rival theories suggest that the hormone might either diminish or strengthen audience-dependent prosociality. We show that exogenous testosterone fully eliminated strategic, i.e., feigned, prosociality and thus decreased submission to audience expectations. We next performed reinforcement-learning drift-diffusion computational modeling to elucidate which latent aspects of decision-making testosterone acted on. The modeling revealed that testosterone compared to placebo did not deteriorate reinforcement learning per se. Rather, when being watched, the hormone altered the degree to which the learned information on choice value translated to action selection. Taken together, our study provides novel evidence of testosterone’s effects on implicit reward processing, through which it counteracts conformity and deceptive reputation strategies.
Conformational fingerprinting of allosteric modulators in metabotropic glutamate receptor 2
Authors: Liauw Brandon Wey-Hung , Foroutan Arash , Schamber Michael , Lu Weifeng , Afsari Hamid Samareh , Vafabakhsh Reza
Published: April 2022

Activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is an allosteric process. It involves conformational coupling between the orthosteric ligand binding site and the G protein binding site. Factors that bind at sites other than the orthosteric ligand binding site and alter this allosteric activation process are allosteric modulators and are important class of therapeutics. For many receptors, how modulation of signaling is represented at the structural level is unclear. Here, we developed FRET sensors to quantify receptor modulation at each of the three structural domains of metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2). We identified the conformational fingerprint for several allosteric modulators in live cells. This approach enabled us to derive a receptor-centric representation of allosteric modulation and to correlate structural modulation to the standard signaling modulation metrics. Single-molecule FRET analysis revealed that a NAM increases the occupancy of one of the intermediate states while a PAM increases the occupancy of the active state. Moreover, we found that the effect of allosteric modulators on the receptor dynamics is complex and depend on the orthosteric ligand. Collectively, our findings provide a structural mechanism of allosteric modulation in mGluR2 and suggest possible strategies for design of future modulators.
Metformin decreases Cyp26a1 to prevent hepatocarcinogenesis through down- regulating CD8+ T cells
Authors: He Weizhi , Chen Miaomiao , Li Chong , Wang Xicheng , Chen Wenjian , Pan Lili , Cui Yangyang , Yu Zhao , Wu Guoxiu , Yang Yang , Tang Qinghe , Wang Jinghan , He Zhiying
Published: April 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly heterogeneous cancer, which limits the selectivity of prevention and treatment. Preclinical and clinical studies suggested that in patients with diabetes, prolonged use of metformin, the AMPK activator, was associated with a reduction of HCC incidence. This association promotes us to investigate the possible functions and mechanisms of metformin in HCC without diabetes backgrounds. Here, we found that several unique pathways that changed during chronic liver injury of Fah-/- mice, including glucose metabolic process and retinol metabolism. Further, metformin suppressed the tumor formation in chronic liver injury of Fah-/- mice. RNA sequencing, in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that metformin suppressed Cyp26a1 gene expression of hepatocyte. Moreover, the down-regulation of Cyp26a1 leads to the increased level of all-trans-retinoic acid (atRA), which could suppress the tumor formation in our model. On the other hand, flow multicolor analysis showed that the cell number and proportion of cancer promoting (pro-tumor) CD8+ T cells increased significantly during chronic liver injury in Fah-/- mice, and both metformin and atRA treatment could reduce the number and proportion of pro-tumor CD8+ T cells. We also found metformin decreased the Cyp26a1 expression through the AMPK/JNK/c-Jun pathway. In short, the association between the metformin and atRA may explain the commonness of their anti-tumor activities. Our findings highlight the importance of targeting the precancerous microenvironment for the prognosis, prevention and treatment of HCC.
Domain motions, dimerization, and membrane interactions of the murine guanylate binding protein 2
Authors: Loschwitz Jennifer , Steffens Nora , Wang Xue , Schäffler Moritz , Pfeffer Klaus , Degrandi Daniel , Strodel Birgit
Published: April 2022

Guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs) are a group of GTPases that are induced by interferon-γ and are crucial components of cell-autonomous immunity against intracellular pathogens. Here, we examine murine GBP2 (mGBP2), which we have previously shown to be an essential effector protein for the control ofToxoplasma gondiireplication, with its recruitment through the membrane of the parasitophorous vacuole and its involvement in the destruction of this membrane likely playing a role. The overall aim of our work is to provide a molecular-level understanding of the mutual influences of mGBP2 and the parasitophorous vacuole membrane. To this end, we performed lipid-binding assays which revealed that mGBP2 has a particular affinity for cardiolipin. This observation was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy using giant unilamellar vesicles of different lipid compositions. To obtain an understanding of the protein dynamics and how this is affected by GTP binding, mGBP2 dimerization, and membrane binding, assuming that each of these steps are relevant for the function of the protein, we carried out standard as well as replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations with an accumulated simulation time of more than 30μs. The main findings from these simulations are that mGBP2 features a large-scale hinge motion in its M/E domain, which is present in each of the studied protein states. When bound to a cardiolipin-containing membrane, this hinge motion is particularly pronounced, leading to an up and down motion of the M/E domain on the membrane, which did not occur on a membrane without cardiolipin. Our prognosis is that this up and down motion has the potential to destroy the membrane following the formation of supramolecular mGBP2 complexes on the membrane surface.
IgaA protein, GumB, has a global impact on the transcriptome and surface proteome of Serratia marcescens
Authors: Stella Nicholas A. , Romanowski Eric G. , Brothers Kimberly M. , Shanks Robert M. Q.
Published: April 2022

Bacterial stress response signaling systems, like the Rcs system, can be triggered by membrane and cell wall damaging compounds including antibiotics and innate immune system factors. These regulatory systems help bacteria survive envelope stress by altering the transcriptome resulting in protective phenotypic changes that may also the influence the virulence of the bacterium. This study investigated the role of the Rcs stress response system using a clinical keratitis isolate of S. marcescens with a mutation in the gumB gene. GumB, an IgaA ortholog, inhibits activation of the Rcs system, such that mutants have overactive Rcs signaling. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that approximately 15% of all S. marcescens genes were significantly altered with two-fold or greater changes in expression in the ΔgumB mutant compared to the wild type indicating a global transcriptional regulatory role for GumB. We further investigated the phenotypic consequences of two classes of genes with altered expression in the ΔgumB mutant expected to contribute to infections: serralysin metalloproteases PrtS, SlpB and SlpE, and type I pili coded by fimABCD. Secreted fractions from the ΔgumB mutant had reduced cytotoxicity to a corneal cell line, and could be complemented by induced expression of prtS, but not cytolysin shlBA, phospholipase phlAB, or flagellar master regulator flhDC operons. Proteomic analysis, qRT-PCR, and type I pili dependent yeast agglutination indicated an inhibitory role for the Rcs system in adhesin production. Together these data demonstrate that GumB and the Rcs stress response system control S. marcescens virulence factors beyond the ShlA cytolysin.

IMPORTANCE

Previous studies indicate that the bacterial Rcs system is a key regulator of envelope stress. This study demonstrated that activation of the Rcs system had a global impact on the transcriptome of a clinical isolate of S. marcescens including decreased expression of cytotoxic serralysin metalloproteases and biofilm promoting type I pili. These results give mechanistic insight into how the Rcs system contributes to pathogenesis.
An Engineered Nanocomposite Copper Coating with Enhanced Antibacterial Efficacy
Authors: Nakhaie Davood , Williams Teresa C. , Velapatino Billie , Bryce Elizabeth A. , Charles Marthe K. , Asselin Edouard , Clifford Amanda M.
Published: April 2022

Contaminated surfaces are a major source of nosocomial infection. To reduce microbial bioburden and surface-based transmission of infectious disease, the use of antibacterial and self-sanitizing surfaces, such as copper (Cu), is being explored in clinical settings. Cu has long been known to have antimicrobial activity. However, Gram-positive microorganisms, a class that includes pathogens commonly responsible for hospital-acquired infection such as Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridioides difficile, are more resilient to its biocidal effect. Inspired by inherently bactericidal nanostructured surfaces found in nature, we have developed an improved Cu coating, engineered to contain nanoscale surface features and thus increase its antibacterial activity against a broader range of organisms. In addition, we have established a new method for facilitating the rapid and continuous release of biocidal metal ions from the coating, through incorporation of an antibacterial metal salt (ZnCl2) with a lower reduction potential than Cu. Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) was used to fabricate our coatings, which serves as a low-cost and scalable route for modifying existing conductive surfaces with complex shape. By tuning both the surface morphology and chemistry, we were able to create a nanocomposite Cu coating that decreased the microbial bioburden of Gram-positive S.aureus by 94% compared to unmodified Cu.

Table of Contents

Antimicrobial copper (Cu) products are being deployed in clinical settings to decrease microbial bioburden and prevent surface-based transmission of infectious disease. However, Gram-positive bacteria demonstrate increased resistance to Cu’s biocidal effects. To improve Cu’s antibacterial efficacy against Gram-positive bacteria, we have developed a hydrophobic Cu coating with cytotoxic nanotopography that facilitates the rapid and continuous release of biocidal metal ions.
Study on vapor phase corrosion inhibitor for E36 ship steel in marine atmospheric environment
Authors: Ren Jie , Xu Weichen , Yang Lihui , Wang Zhengquan , Li YanTao
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effect of vapor phase corrosion inhibitor (VCI) imidazoline, quinoline and urea on E36 ship steel in simulated marine atmospheric environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The inhibitive effect was investigated by weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance and Raman spectroscopy.

Findings

The corrosion process was inhibited by adsorption of the three VCIs on the surface of ship steel. The corrosion inhibition mechanism is the adsorption film type. The corrosion inhibitor adsorbs on the metal surface to prevent Cl- from reaching the surface of the substrate, so as to achieve the corrosion inhibition effect.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the work described was original research that has not been published previously and not under consideration for publication elsewhere, in whole or in part.
Does corporate governance induce green innovation? An emerging market evidence
Authors: Asni Nur , Agustia Dian
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effect of corporate governance (CG) mechanisms (board size, independent commissioner and ownership concentration) on green innovation (GI) in publicly traded companies of Indonesia as an emerging market.

Design/methodology/approach

Archival data relating to CG and GI were collected for five years (2016–2020). A total of 640 observations were obtained and analyzed using a random effect model.

Findings

The results indicate that effective governance mechanisms can encourage GI implementation to promote company sustainability. Respectively, the board size, independent commissioner and ownership concentration positively and significantly affect GI. These results imply that the optimal board size will result in effective coordination and cooperation in making GI decisions. Likewise, the proportional independent commissioners in the board structure will serve an effective oversight function. And concentrated ownership can influence executives to prefer innovation policies, such as GI.

Research limitations/implications

First, only a few CG mechanisms were used in this investigation. Therefore, further research needs to consider other mechanisms such as the number of commissioners, internal and external commissioners. Second, this research focused solely on Indonesia as an emerging market. Future research can be expanded to include countries with other emerging market characteristics. Third, different GI measurements from this study should be considered in future studies.

Practical implications

Practically, the results of this study are expected to provide policy recommendations, including optimizing the CG mechanisms as a control tool to achieve organizational sustainability through GI according to stakeholder expectations. This can be achieved by optimizing the size of the board of directors. The low value of the board size coefficient implies that optimization of board size is needed to encourage GI. The company can gain directors’ competence, experience and skill to increase innovation performance. In addition, maximizing the role of independent commissioners in overseeing is required for continuous innovation activities. Finally, the control of large shareholders is also necessary to encourage the implementation of GI because they could influence management to make innovative decisions.

Originality/value

This study extends and contributes to the extant CG and GI literature. There is little evidence that reveals how CG mechanisms affect GI, particularly in emerging market settings. The findings offer some important evidence for improving CG in driving GI implementation.
Applicable areas of biomimicry principles for sustainable construction in Nigeria
Authors: Adekunye Olusegun Johnson , Oke Ayodeji Emmanuel
Published: April 2022

Purpose

With over three billion years of existence of the world, researchers have seen the need to turn to nature to solve most of the problems faced in not only construction industry but in other industries. The principles of biomimicry are natural laws that has helped nature maintain its self-regenerating status over this long period of time of the world’s existence. This study investigates the areas of construction projects to which biomimicry principles can be applied with a view to enhance the delivery of sustainable projects.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted the use of quantitative approach, and well-structured questionnaires were administered to professionals in the construction industry who are responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of buildings. A total of 243 answered questionnaires were analysed for this study. The variables were analysed using both descriptive analysis and further grouped into components by using factor analysis.

Findings

Data analysis for this study revealed that the principles of biomimicry can be applied to all the stages of building projects development and operations; this implies that the principles of biomimicry can be adopted at both pre-construction (design) and construction phases of developmental projects.

Research limitations/implications

This study was limited to Nigeria, but the findings can be generalized for construction industry across the globe.

Originality/value

The study identified design stage of work, tiling and painting as the foremost aspects of construction projects where biomimicry principles are applicable. Furthermore, biomimicry principles are applicable to four major areas of construction, namely, early construction stage, finishing and services stage, foundation and frame stage and project planning stage.
An integrated duality theory framework (IDTF): marking pathways for consumer decision-making researchers in the hospitality and tourism industry
Authors: Stylos Nikolaos
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to critically review the underlying assumptions and theoretical conceptualizations of duality theories in general. In particular, the paper seeks to augment McCabe et al.’s (2016) reconceptualization of consumer decision-making in tourism. Additionally, the paper offers an integrated duality theory model.

Design/methodology/approach

A critical discussion of the basic assumptions, recent advances and constructive criticism of duality theories found in the extant literature prefaces a detailed account of McCabe et al.’s (2016) new general tourist choice model. The author enriches and expands the conceptualization of this model and offers an advanced dual-process theoretical framework for decision-making with a broader range of variables, greater versatility, and suggestions for future research.

Findings

The findings indicate mental processes with broader external inputs (stimuli) with possible outputs (decisions/behaviors) warrant inclusion and expansion in a fulsome dual-systems model of tourist decision-making.

Research limitations/implications

This research study adds to the literature of duality theories in consumer decision-making. While factors, contexts, personal preferences and other dimensions in the tourism industry are and will continue to be fluid over time, this study offers an integrated decision-making framework that provides clear linkages that mark pathways for new developments, future research and practitioner applications.

Originality/value

The integrated duality theory framework enables researchers and destination management organizations managers to acquire enhanced explanatory and predictive value of tourism decision-making, which can lead to offering improved products/services. The model’s emphasis on simultaneous engagement of both heuristic and analytic dual processes reflects fundamental human nature; decision-making can be “both/and” as well as “either/or” with heuristic and analytic processes.
Quality 4.0 – an evolution of Six Sigma DMAIC
Authors: Escobar Carlos Alberto , Macias Daniela , McGovern Megan , Hernandez-de-Menendez Marcela , Morales-Menendez Ruben
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Manufacturing companies can competitively be recognized among the most advanced and influential companies in the world by successfully implementing Quality 4.0. However, its successful implementation poses one of the most relevant challenges to the Industry 4.0. According to recent surveys, 80%–87% of data science projects never make it to production. Regardless of the low deployment success rate, more than 75% of investors are maintaining or increasing their investments in artificial intelligence (AI). To help quality decision-makers improve the current situation, this paper aims to review Process Monitoring for Quality (PMQ), a Quality 4.0 initiative, along with its practical and managerial implications. Furthermore, a real case study is presented to demonstrate its application.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed Quality 4.0 initiative improves conventional quality control methods by monitoring a process and detecting defective items in real time. Defect detection is formulated as a binary classification problem. Using the same path of Six Sigma define, measure, analyze, improve, control, Quality 4.0-based innovation is guided by Identify, Acsensorize, Discover, Learn, Predict, Redesign and Relearn (IADLPR2) – an ad hoc seven-step problem-solving approach.

Findings

The IADLPR2 approach has the ability to identify and solve engineering intractable problems using AI. This is especially intriguing because numerous quality-driven manufacturing decision-makers consistently cite difficulties in developing a business vision for this technology.

Practical implications

From the proposed method, quality-driven decision-makers will learn how to launch a Quality 4.0 initiative, while quality-driven engineers will learn how to systematically solve intractable problems through AI.

Originality/value

An anthology of the own projects enables the presentation of a comprehensive Quality 4.0 initiative and reports the approach’s first case study IADLPR2. Each of the steps is used to solve a real General Motors’ case study.
Gendered impact of COVID-19 on consumption of perishable and nonperishable food commodities in Pakistan
Authors: Shahbaz Pomi , Haq Shamsheer ul , Boz Ismet , Aziz Babar , Hafeez Abida
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Covid-19 is a serious threat to the dietary quality of vulnerable communities in developing countries with limited economic resources. This study explored the implications of COVID-19 on daily dietary behavior and food consumption patterns of perishable and nonperishable food commodities based on the gender of household headship in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

The data was collected through an online survey using the snowball sampling technique. A mixed design ANOVA, an independent t-test and a multivariate probit model were used to look at the data from 417 female-headed households and 1,131 male-headed households that were surveyed in the study.

Findings

Female-headed households experienced a greater decrease in their daily intake of perishable and nonperishable food commodities compared to male-headed households during COVID-19. The decrease in consumption of perishable food commodities was greater than the decrease in nonperishable food commodities for both female-headed and male-headed households. Female-headed households witnessed the largest decrease in daily intake of animal-derived foods, while male-headed households observed the highest diminution in consumption of fruits. Female-headed households and male-headed households reduced their consumption of perishable food commodities by more than one-third and one-fifth, respectively. Households with lower socioeconomic status reported higher reductions in their daily intakes of food commodities compared to households with higher socioeconomic status.

Research limitations/implications

The cross-sectional nature of the collected data does not allow the development of a causal relationship between COVID-19 implications and food consumption changes in daily dietary patterns.

Originality/value

Dietary and consumption patterns of populations are changing worldwide due to COVID-19. There is no study to assist policymakers in determining how COVID-19 is affecting the daily food consumption patterns of perishable and non-perishable food commodities of households based on gender in the developing world.
A bigger challenge: types of perceived corporate hypocrisy in employees and their resulting attitudes and turnover intentions
Authors: Goswami Saheli
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the comparative impacts of the four salient aspects of employees' perceived corporate hypocrisy (PCH), namely PCH based on psychological contract breach (CB), perceived lack of morality (MOR), double standards (DS) and word–action gap (WA), on employees' turnover intentions and attitudes towards corporations.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-reported online survey was designed to collect data from 520 retail employees using Qualtrics.

Findings

PCH-MOR had the most detrimental effect on employees' attitudes and turnover intentions compared to other PCH types. PCH-DS had the second highest negative impact on employees' attitudes, whereas PCH-WA was the second highest predictor of turnover intentions. Employees' negative responses were more concerning for PCH attributed to organizational aspects than the personnel aspects of corporations. PCH-CB was observed to have no significant impact on employees.

Practical implications

The study generated a deeper understanding of the multi-faceted PCH. It identified the types of PCH that need to be prioritized to guide corporations in attributing the correct areas of concern and determining the scopes of management.

Originality/value

While prior research conceptualized employees' PCH as a single-dimensional construct, this study is the first to acknowledge its multi-faceted nature. Although a few studies theoretically proposed its salient aspects, this study presented empirical evidence of this framework, comparing their varied impacts on employees. Contrary to the dominant notion of characterizing PCH as WA, this research presented evidence that employees' PCH characterized by a perceived lack of morality was more worrisome. This study presented empirical evidence for the organizational and individual levels of PCH, noting PCH attributed to organizational aspects as a bigger concern.
The impact of artificial intelligence stimuli on customer engagement and value co-creation: the moderating role of customer ability readiness
Authors: Gao Li , Li Gang , Tsai Fusheng , Gao Chen , Zhu Mengjiao , Qu Xiaopian
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This article analyzes the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) stimuli on customer engagement as well as on value co-creation. The moderating role played by customer ability readiness is also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

Total 426 questioners are collected from the customers who consumed intelligent service robot.

Findings

First, the perceived interactivity (PI) of AI stimuli have a significant positive impact on value co-creation; second, customer engagement plays a mediating effect on the relationship between PI and value co-creation; finally, customer ability readiness has a positive moderating effect on the relationship between AI stimuli, customer engagement and value co-creation.

Research limitations/implications

Firstly, the method of questionnaire survey has certain limitations, In future research, more advanced survey methods (such as social perception calculations) can be used to make survey samples more comprehensive and analysis results more accurate. Secondly, the paper used a single-dimensional test for the two variables of customer engagement and value co-creation. Future research should divide the dimensions of customer engagement and value co-creation into more specific way. Finally, this study lacks research on the regulatory effect of customer ability readiness and further division of customer readiness.

Practical implications

First, this paper uses the arousal theory to participate in marketing theory and value co-creation theory, which is the cross and fusion of theory, and also the enrichment and expansion of the existing theoretical research, with a certain theoretical innovation. Second, based on previous research, this research developed and designed a measurement scale for AI stimuli. Finally, through empirical research, it is found that the perceived personalization of AI stimuli does not have a significant direct effect on value co-creation, which is a new views and insight.

Social implications

First, when using intelligent customer service robots, companies should pay attention to improving the PI and personalization of intelligent customer service robots. Second, companies should attach importance to the development environment of customer engagement, proactively and effectively identify customer needs. Finally, companies should provide customers with a good support atmosphere, publicize and explain in advance the use of intelligent customer service robots to increase their confidence.

Originality/value

The study develops a scale of AI stimuli and is among the first to integrate and examine the inter-relationships between customer engagement, customer ability, and value co-creation from the increasingly important phenomenological perspective of AI.
The Sell-in-May effect in ESG indices
Authors: Pavlova Ivelina , Whitworth Jeff , de Boyrie Maria E.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study explores the “Sell-in-May” effect in environmental, social and governance (ESG) indices and compares the seasonal effects in ESG equity indices with conventional equity indices.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use ordinary least squares (OLS) models and M-estimation as a robustness check, as OLS estimates may be sensitive to outliers. The authors also employ bootstrap simulations to use the data efficiently and to test whether seasonal trading strategies can produce abnormal returns.

Findings

The regression results reveal that seasonal effects in USA ESG equity indices are similar to those in conventional equity indices. Higher returns are noticeable from November through April, mainly in ESG indices including small and medium capitalization stocks. When the authors extend the Sell-in-May strategy from October through April, the authors find that the seasonal effect is significant for multiple ESG indices, even after accounting for the January effect. Bootstrap simulations show that the Sell-in-May and Extended Sell-in-May strategies appear to beat a buy-and-hold strategy on a risk-adjusted basis and that this result is stronger in medium and small capitalization ESG indices.

Originality/value

Although previous research has considered the effectiveness of seasonal equity trading strategies and the general performance of ESG stocks, this is the first study to specifically examine the “Sell in May” effect in ESG indices. The authors also consider an “Extended” Sell-in-May strategy where stocks are purchased one month earlier and show that the strategy produces higher returns.
Commentary on “Brief report on six clinical cases of trauma in families who have children and adults who have a learning disability and/or are autistic”
Authors: Wigham Sarah
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this commentary is to explore some of the research on family carers of people who have a learning disability and/or are autistic.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is a narrative commentary.

Findings

Family carers of people who have a learning disability and/or are autistic may have needs related to mental health and well-being; however, formal systems of support and resources are limited.

Originality/value

The commentary explores and integrates perspectives from international research findings to provide a context/background of broader literature in which the paper by Blackman et al., is situated.
Understanding the impact of Green supply chain management practices on operational competitive capabilities
Authors: Huma Sehrish , Ahmed Siddiqui Danish , Ahmed Waqar
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this research is twofold: first, to investigate the impact of the adoption of green supply chain practices (GSCPs) on various parameters of competitive operational capabilities; second, to investigate the parameters that influence the market performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling analysis was done based on the collected data through a self-administrated questionnaire from managers of 120 manufacturing firms.

Findings

In this study, we suggest that the relationship of GSCPs is positively related to all competitive operational capabilities. Further, we recommend that operational capabilities are directly related to market performance.

Originality/value

This paper investigates the relationship between GSCPs, Operational Competitive Capabilities and market performance, a relatively unexplored area in the developing economy. Moreover, it also adds value to the nascent literature on GSCPs in developing countries.
Does Libertarianism Provide a Justification for Vaccine Hesitancy?
Authors: Butler Jethro , Sorell Tom
Published: April 2022

Libertarian ideas of self‐ownership and the priority of bodily autonomy have featured prominently in the political debate over vaccination programmes and the justifiability or otherwise of restricting the liberty of the unvaccinated. In this article we look at a selection of recent right‐libertarian literature to show that there is a considerable divergence between the application of consistent libertarian principles to this issue by academic libertarians and the strident opposition to vaccination programmes and vaccine mandates expressed by people who profess to be libertarians in the public‐political debate.
Generation of intra‐ and interspecific Saccharomyces hybrids with improved oenological and aromatic properties
Authors: Pérez Dolores , Denat Marie , Pérez‐Través Laura , Heras José María , Guillamón José Manuel , Ferreira Vicente , Querol Amparo
Published: April 2022

Non‐wine yeasts could enhance the aroma and organoleptic profile of wines. However, compared to wine strains, they have specific intolerances to winemaking conditions. To solve this problem, we generated intra‐ and interspecific hybrids using a non‐GMO technique (rare‐mating) in which non‐wine strains of S. uvarum, S. kudriavzevii and S. cerevisiae species were crossed with a wine S. cerevisiae yeast. The hybrid that inherited the wine yeast mitochondrial showed better fermentation capacities, whereas hybrids carrying the non‐wine strain mitotype reduced ethanol levels and increased glycerol, 2,3‐butanediol and organic acid production. Moreover, all the hybrids produced several fruity and floral aromas compared to the wine yeast: β‐phenylethyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, γ‐octalactone, ethyl cinnamate in both varietal wines. Sc × Sk crosses produced three‐ to sixfold higher polyfunctional mercaptans, 4‐mercapto‐4‐methylpentan‐2‐one (4MMP) and 3‐mercaptohexanol (3MH). We proposed that the exceptional 3MH release observed in an S. cerevisiae × S. kudriavzevii hybrid was due to the cleavage of the non‐volatile glutathione precursor (Glt‐3MH) to detoxify the cell from the presence of methylglyoxal, a compound related to the high glycerol yield reached by this hybrid. In conclusion, hybrid generation allows us to obtain aromatically improved yeasts concerning their wine parent. In addition, they reduced ethanol and increased organic acids yields, which counteracts climate change effect on grapes.
Effects of diet and antihyperglycemic drugs on erectile dysfunction: A systematic review
Authors: Defeudis Giuseppe , Mazzilli Rossella , Di Tommaso Alfonso Maria , Zamponi Virginia , Carlomagno Francesco , Tuccinardi Dario , Watanabe Mikiko , Faggiano Antongiulio , Gianfrilli Daniele
Published: April 2022

Background

Erectile dysfunction is recognized as one of the complications of diabetes mellitus. To date, a wide gap of knowledge is present on the efficacy of pharmacological treatments of diabetes mellitus on erectile function, acting not only through metabolic control. Similarly, the effects of different diet regimens on erectile dysfunction are still debated.

Objectives

We aimed to explore the effects of diet and antihyperglycemic drugs, considering both old and novel therapeutic approaches, on erectile function.

Materials/methods

We performed a systematic review, following the PRISMA guidelines. The research was conducted on studies reporting erectile dysfunction assessment in subjects with diabetes and the relationship with diet and antihyperglycemic drugs.

Results

The Mediterranean diet was effective in most studies for the protection of erectile function. Furthermore, antihyperglycemic drugs seem to show an overall protective role on erectile function.

Discussion/conclusion

Although encouraging results are present for all classes of antihyperglycemic drugs, several studies are needed in humans, mainly on acarbose, pioglitazone, dipeptidyl‐peptidase‐4 inhibitors, and sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors.