bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-throughput Automated Muropeptide Analysis (HAMA) Reveals Peptidoglycan Composition of Gut Microbial Cell Walls
Authors: Hsu Ya-Chen , Su Pin-Rui , Huang Lin-Jie , Cheng Kum-Yi , Chen Chun-hsien , Hsu Cheng-Chih
Published: April 2023

Peptidoglycan (PGN), a net-like polymer constituted by muropeptides, provides protection for microorganisms and has been one of the major targets for antibiotics for decades. Researchers have explored host-microbiome interactions through PGN recognition systems and discovered key muropeptides modulating host responses. However, most common characterization techniques for muropeptides are labor-intensive and require manual analysis of mass spectra due to the complex cross-linked PGN structures. Each species has unique moiety modifications and inter-/intra-bridges, which further complicates the structural analysis of PGN. Here, we developed a high-throughput automated muropeptide analysis (HAMA) platform leveraging tandem mass spectrometry andin silicomuropeptide MS/MS fragmentation matching to comprehensively identify muropeptide structures, quantify their abundance, and infer PGN cross-linking types. We demonstrated the effectiveness of the HAMA platform using well-characterized PGNs fromE. coliandS. aureusand further applied it to common gut bacteria including species ofBifidobacterium, Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus,andAkkermansia.We thoroughly explored their PGN structures accurately identified muropeptide mono-/multi-mers, and even unambiguously discriminated the structural isomers via the HAMA platform. Furthermore, we found that the cell stiffness may be correlated to the compactness of the PGN structures through the length of interpeptide bridges or the site of transpeptidation withinBifidobacteriumspecies. In summary, the HAMA framework exhibits an automated, intuitive, and accurate analysis of PGN compositions, which may serve as a potential tool to investigate the post-synthetic modifications of saccharides, the variation in interpeptide bridges, and the types of cross-linking within bacterial PGNs.
Phase-dependent word perception emerges from region-specific sensitivity to the statistics of language
Authors: Oever Sanne Ten , Titone Lorenzo , Rietmolen Noémie te , Martin Andrea E.
Published: April 2023

Neural oscillations reflect fluctuations in excitability, which biases the percept of ambiguous sensory input. Why this bias occurs is still not fully understood. We hypothesized that neural populations representing likely events are more sensitive, and thereby become active on earlier oscillatory phases, when the ensemble itself is less excitable. Perception of ambiguous input presented during less-excitable phases should therefore be biased towards frequent or predictable stimuli that have lower activation thresholds. Here, we show with computational modelling, psychophysics, and magnetoencephalography such a frequency bias in spoken word recognition; a computational model matched the double dissociation found with MEG, where the phase of oscillations in the superior temporal gyrus (STG) and medial temporal gyrus (MTG) biased word-identification behavior based on phoneme and lexical frequencies, respectively. These results demonstrate that oscillations provide a temporal ordering of neural activity based on the sensitivity of separable neural populations.
Discovery of broadly-neutralizing antibodies against brown recluse spider and Gadim scorpion sphingomyelinases using consensus toxins as antigens
Authors: Rivera-de-Torre Esperanza , Lamparidou Stefanos , Bohn Markus F. , Kazemi Seyed Mahdi , Laustsen Andreas H.
Published: April 2023

Broadly-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies are becoming increasingly important tools for treating infectious diseases and animal envenomings. However, designing and developing broadly-neutralizing antibodies can be cumbersome using traditional low-throughput iterative protein engineering methods. Here, we present a new high-throughput approach for the standardized discovery of broadly-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies relying on phage display technology and consensus antigens representing an average sequence of related proteins. We showcase the utility of this approach by applying it to toxic sphingomyelinases from the venoms of very distant orders of the animal kingdom, the recluse spider and Gadim scorpion. First, we designed a consensus sphingomyelinase and performed three rounds of phage display selection, followed by DELFIA-based screening and ranking, and benchmarked this to a similar campaign involving cross-panning against recombinant versions of the native toxins. Second, we identified two scFvs that not only bind the consensus toxins, but which can also neutralize sphingomyelinase activityin vitro. Finally, we conclude that the phage display campaign involving the use of the consensus toxin was more successful in yielding cross-neutralizing scFvs than the phage display campaign involving cross-panning.
A single inactivating amino acid change in the SARS-CoV-2 NSP3 Mac1 domain attenuates viral replication and pathogenesisin vivo
Authors: Taha Taha Y. , Suryawanshi Rahul K. , Chen Irene P. , Correy Galen J. , O’Leary Patrick C. , Jogalekar Manasi P. , McCavitt-Malvido Maria , Diolaiti Morgan E. , Kimmerly Gabriella R. , Tsou Chia-Lin , Martinez-Sobrido Luis , Krogan Nevan J. , Ashworth Alan , Fraser James S. , Ott Melanie
Published: April 2023

Despite unprecedented efforts, our therapeutic arsenal against SARS-CoV-2 remains limited. The conserved macrodomain 1 (Mac1) in NSP3 is an enzyme exhibiting ADP-ribosylhydrolase activity and a possible drug target. To determine the therapeutic potential of Mac1 inhibition, we generated recombinant viruses and replicons encoding a catalytically inactive NSP3 Mac1 domain by mutating a critical asparagine in the active site. While substitution to alanine (N40A) reduced catalytic activity by ∼10-fold, mutations to aspartic acid (N40D) reduced activity by ∼100-fold relative to wildtype. Importantly, the N40A mutation rendered Mac1 unstablein vitroand lowered expression levels in bacterial and mammalian cells. When incorporated into SARS-CoV-2 molecular clones, the N40D mutant only modestly affected viral fitness in immortalized cell lines, but reduced viral replication in human airway organoids by 10-fold. In mice, N40D replicated at >1000-fold lower levels compared to the wildtype virus while inducing a robust interferon response; all animals infected with the mutant virus survived infection and showed no signs of lung pathology. Our data validate the SARS-CoV-2 NSP3 Mac1 domain as a critical viral pathogenesis factor and a promising target to develop antivirals.
A change in biophysical properties accompanies heterochromatin formation in mouse embryos
Authors: Guthmann Manuel , Qian Chen , Gialdini Irene , Nakatani Tsunetoshi , Ettinger Andreas , Schauer Tamas , Kukhtevich Igor , Schneider Robert , Lamb Don C. , Burton Adam , Torres-Padilla Maria-Elena
Published: April 2023

The majority of our genome is composed of repeated DNA sequences that assemble into heterochromatin, a highly compacted structure that constrains their mutational potential. How heterochromatin forms during development and how its structure is maintained are not fully understood. Here, we show that mouse heterochromatin phase-separates after fertilization, during the earliest stages of mammalian embryogenesis. Using high-resolution quantitative imaging and molecular biology approaches, we show that pericentromeric heterochromatin displays properties consistent with a liquid-like state at the two-cell stage, which change at the four-cell stage, when chromocenters mature and heterochromatin becomes silent. Disrupting the condensates results in altered transcript levels of pericentromeric heterochromatin, suggesting a functional role for phase separation in heterochromatin function. Thus, our work shows that mouse heterochromatin forms membrane-less compartments with biophysical properties that change during development and provides new insights into the self-organization of chromatin domains during mammalian embryogenesis.
A single-cell transcriptome atlas of the maturing zebrafish telencephalon
Authors: Pandey Shristi , Moyer Anna J. , Thyme Summer B.
Published: April 2023

The zebrafish telencephalon is composed of highly specialized subregions that regulate complex behaviors such as learning, memory, and social interactions. The transcriptional signatures of the neuronal cell types in the telencephalon and the timeline of their emergence from larva to adult remain largely undescribed. Using an integrated analysis of single-cell transcriptomes of approximately 64,000 cells obtained from 6-day-postfertilization (dpf), 15-dpf, and adult telencephalon, we delineated nine main neuronal cell types in the pallium and eight in the subpallium and nominated novel marker genes. Comparing zebrafish and mouse neuronal cell types revealed both conserved and absent types and marker genes. Mapping of cell types onto a spatial larval reference atlas created a resource for anatomical and functional studies. Using this multiage approach, we discovered that although most neuronal subtypes are established early in the 6-dpf fish, some emerge or expand in number later in development. Analyzing the samples from each age separately revealed further complexity in the data, including several cell types that expand substantially in the adult forebrain and do not form clusters at the larval stages. Together, our work provides a comprehensive transcriptional analysis of the cell types in the zebrafish telencephalon and a resource for dissecting its development and function.
Standardized extract ofGinkgo bilobatreatment and novelty on the weak encoding of spatial recognition memory in rats
Authors: de Andrade Carla Vitor , Soliani Andressa Gabriela , Cerutti Suzete Maria
Published: April 2023

Long-term memory (LTM) formation is dependent on neurochemical changes that guarantee that a recently formed memory (short-term memory [STM]) remains in the specific neural circuitry via the consolidation process. The persistence of recognition memory has been evidenced by using behavioral tagging in young adult rats, but it has not been effective on aging. Here, we investigated the effects of treatment with a standardized extract ofGinkgo biloba(EGb) associated with novelty on the consolidation of object location memory (OLM) and its persistence after weak training of spatial object preference in young adult and aged rats. The object location task used in this study included two habituation sessions, training sessions associated or not associated with EGb treatment and contextual novelty, and short-term or long-term retention testing sessions. Altogether, our data showed that treatment with EGb associated with novelty close to the time of encoding resulted in STM that lasted for 1 h and persisted for 24 h for both young adult and aged rats. In aged rats, the cooperative mechanisms induced robust long-term OLM. Our findings support and extend our knowledge about recognition memory in aged rats and the modulating effects of EGb treatment and contextual novelty on the persistence of memory.
A topological approach to reconstructive solid-state transformations and its application for generation of new carbon allotropes
Authors: Kabanov Artem A. , Bukhteeva Ekaterina O. , Blatov Vladislav A.
Published: April 2023

A novel approach is proposed for the description of possible reconstructive solid-state transformations, which is based on the analysis of topological properties of atomic periodic nets and relations between their subnets and supernets. The concept of a region of solid-state reaction that is the free space confined by a tile of the net tiling is introduced. These regions (tiles) form the reaction zone around a given atom A thus unambiguously determining the neighboring atoms that can interact with A during the transformation. The reaction zone is independent of the geometry of the crystal structure and is determined only by topological properties of the tiles. The proposed approach enables one to drastically decrease the number of trial structures when modeling phase transitions in solid state or generating new crystal substances. All crystal structures which are topologically similar to a given structure can be found by the analysis of its topological vicinity in the configuration space. Our approach predicts amorphization of the phase after the transition as well as possible single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations. This approach is applied to generate 72 new carbon allotropes from the initial experimentally determined crystalline carbon structures and to reveal four allotropes, whose hardness is close to diamond. Using the tiling model it is shown that three of them are structurally similar to other superhard carbon allotropes, M-carbon and W-carbon.
Experimental and numerical investigation of flow and thermal characteristics of aluminum block exchanger using surface-modified and recycled nanofluids
Authors: Gülmüş Berrak , Muratçobanoğlu Burak , Mandev Emre , Afshari Faraz
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to numerically and experimentally survey the thermal efficiency of a block-type heat exchanger operated in different working conditions by using pure water and two nanofluids as heat transfer fluids.

Design/methodology/approach

An aluminum block-type heat exchanger integrated with Peltier thermoelectric element was designed and installed to operate in a cycle, and the thermal performance of the heat exchanger, heat transfer rate, Nusselt and heat transfer coefficient variations were examined at different bath water temperatures by using recycled nanofluids. New generation surface-modified Fe3O4@SiO2-mix-(CH2)3Cl@Imidazol/water nanofluid was used as heat transfer fluid in the cycle. In addition, CFD simulation was performed using ANSYS/Fluent to investigate the temperature distribution and fluid flow structure in the used heat exchanger.

Findings

Experiments were carried out by using numerical and experimental methods. In the experiments, the operating conditions such as flow rate, volume fraction of the nanofluid and water bath temperature were changed to find the effect of each parameter on the thermal efficiency. The Reynolds number varied depending on the test conditions, which was calculated in the range of approximately 100 < Re < 350. In addition, Nusselt number and heat transfer coefficient of test fluids were very close to each other. For 0.4% nanofluid, the maximum h value was obtained as 3837.1, when the Reynolds number was measured as 314.4.

Originality/value

In the scientific articles published in the field of heat exchangers operated by nanofluids, little attention has been paid to the stability of the nanofluids and sedimentation of particles in the base fluids. In addition, in most cases, experiments were implemented using an electrical resistance as a heat source. In this research, stable surface-modified nanofluids were used as heat transfer fluids, and it was found that the Peltier thermoelectric can be used as heat sources with acceptable efficiency in flat-type heat exchangers and even non-circular channels.
Exploring open innovation engagement process of hotel brand community members: motivation, empowerment and consequences
Authors: Shin Hakseung
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the open innovation engagement process in terms of how online community members create and share knowledge for open innovation and the consequences of engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methods approach based on netnography (Study 1), qualitative interviews (Study 2) and surveys (Study 3) was adopted in three studies.

Findings

The results of Study 1 show that hotel brand community members actively create and share their knowledge by evaluating hotel policies, providing service suggestions and creating new service ideas. The results of Study 2 identified enjoyment and empowerment as major antecedents of the engagement and brand loyalty and a sense of brand community as major consequences. In Study 3, the relationships among them were quantitatively examined.

Research limitations/implications

This research provides empirical knowledge on online engagement and identifies the innovation value of online platforms. The research also provides knowledge on the engagement process for open innovation by online community members in terms of its antecedents and consequences. As a main limitation of the study, this research only focuses on a single online brand community.

Originality/value

While most existing tourism research analyzes the role of user-generated content in customer decision-making, this research provides a fresh insight into the innovation value of customer knowledge.
Transformative service research approaches for visitor experiences in major sporting events
Authors: Steriopoulos Effie , Ooi Can-Seng
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This research conceptualises the hallmark event, Melbourne Cup in Australia, as a major sporting brand experience. While numerous studies have explored consumer engagement and experiences in major sporting events, few research studies highlight the negative issues, such as alcoholism, gambling and violence, that may affect consumer engagement and experience. This article addresses the challenges and opportunities of providing immersive and transformative experiences through transformative service research (TSR) approaches when such negative issues are swirling around.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is conceptual. It uses the example of Melbourne Cup to illuminate aspects of the conceptual framework.

Findings

The article unpacks a myriad of positive and negative immersive brand experiences and contributes a conceptual framework to understand the sporting brand experience phenomenon and shows how authentically responsible marketing approaches can improve the sport spectator experience.

Research limitations/implications

Insights from the extended TSR framework presents implications for various organisations that are involved with strategic destination marketing approaches. It guides key stakeholders to engage in dialogue and collaborate in order to improve the attendee transformative experience. Inviting collaborators will facilitate the exchange of ideas that will improve event organisation. Consistent approaches among hospitality service providers would improve alcohol service and create a safe environment for attendees. The TSR framework guides players of the experience to engage in meaningful dialogue with a common goal to improve consumer wellbeing. Education and training therefore are key elements in the consumer sporting brand experience.

Practical implications

The adapted TSR framework offers insights to destination marketers such as sporting agencies, tour operators and sporting organisations/clubs. Marketers may promote bigger sporting events and organise tours via travel agencies and ignore key elements that may influence attendee decision. Destination marketing organisations (DMOs) can use the framework to promote effective planning and the key initiatives that the iconic event is involved with. The framework can be used as a guide to manage similar international events. Events of major or mega size and international reputation need specific frameworks that address crowd behaviours of similar sizes.

Originality/value

An extended transformative service approach is being conceptualised for major sporting brand experiences. Practical implications are also highlighted for DMOs when raising the profile of city brands.
Recovery from plant-level supply chain disruptions: supply chain complexity and business continuity management
Authors: Guntuka Laharish , Corsi Thomas M. , Cantor David E.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of our study is to investigate how a manufacturing plant’s internal operations along with its network of connections (upstream and downstream) can have an impact on its recovery time from a disruption. The authors also examine the inverse-U impact of complexity. Finally, the authors test the moderating role that business continuity management plans (BCP) at the plant level have on recovery time.

Design/methodology/approach

To test our hypotheses, the authors partnered with Resilinc Corporation, a Silicon Valley-based provider of supply chain risk management solutions to identify focal firms’ suppliers, customers and plant-level data including information on parts, manufacturing activities, bill of materials, alternate sites and formal business continuity plans. The authors employed censored data regression technique (Tobit).

Findings

Several important findings reveal that the plant’s internal operations and network connections impact recovery time. Specifically, the number of parts manufactured at the plant as well as the number of internal plant processes significantly increase disruption recovery time. In addition, the number of supply chains (upstream and downstream) involving the plant as well as the echelon distance of the plant from its original equipment manufacturer significantly increase recovery time. The authors also find that there exists an inverted-U relationship between complexity and recovery time. Finally, the authors find partial support that BCP will have a negative moderating effect between complexity and recovery time.

Originality/value

This research highlights gaps in the literature related to supply chain disruption and recovery. There is a need for more accurate methods to measure recovery time, more research on recovery at the supply chain site level and further analysis of the impact of supply chain complexity on recovery time.
Toyota's production efficiency improvement management: best practice for productivity evaluation and operation improvement
Authors: Minh Nguyen Dat
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to introduce an enterprise's productivity management named “Production efficiency improvement - PEFF”. This study shows the way of developing the management system to keep their shop floor “flexible to change” and “continuously controlling and improving” from the different levels and in various factories.

Design/methodology/approach

This study refers to Toyota's PEFF management system in the context of productivity enhancement through detailed management processes including yearly management, monthly management, daily management and its application in a case study from another sector as a model case of PEFF expansion. The methodology of this study is to introduce a method for production efficiency analysis, measure and select standard time through PEFF calculation.

Findings

Toyota's PEFF management can be extremely effective at developing management's ability to conduct day-to-day shop-floor management, know-how sharing and how Toyota applies PEFF to develop the world-standard on manpower efficiency for their factories. Besides, this study shows the applicable of PEFF improvement has successfully conducted in other manufacturers in a flexible way to achieve the improvement targets.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study will aid the managers in production lines to find the method of calculating and evaluating production efficiency through Toyota's management techniques such as PEFF, YIP, WVACT and standard time. However, the approach for this paper was from a synchronized system as Toyota is limited to generalized to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Originality/value

This paper is introducing the original Toyota's management technique to sustainable enhance their manpower performance and efficiency and answer the question of why TPS still exists in the age of digital management. PEFF management serves as an example of a value management process to help manufacturers to set guidelines to improve their productivity.
Testing the “holy grail” of industrial psychology as a non-recursive bow pattern model in higher education using the PLSe2 method
Authors: Ghasemy Majid , Gaskin James Eric , Elwood James A.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The direction of causality between job satisfaction and job performance (known as the holy grail of industrial psychologists) is undetermined and related research findings in different organizational contexts are mixed. Based on the ample literature, mainly from Western countries, on the relationship between job satisfaction and job performance, a non-recursive bow pattern model was utilized to investigate the direct relationship between these two variables in an Asia–Pacific higher education system.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is quantitative in approach and survey in design. Additionally, to meet the statistical requirements of non-recursive bow pattern analysis, the authors added welfare as a theory-driven instrumental variable to introduce exogenous variability. Using the efficient partial least squares (PLSe2) estimator, the authors fitted the model to the data collected from 2008 academics affiliated with Malaysian public universities and polytechnics.

Findings

The results showed that while job satisfaction is considerably influenced by welfare, it is not a significant predictor of job performance directly. In addition, a meaningful positive correlation between the disturbance terms of job satisfaction and job performance was observed, suggesting the existence of other factors that could increase both job satisfaction and job performance. The findings' theoretical and practical implications are discussed, and a list of theory-driven evidenced-based policies in this regard is provided.

Originality/value

This is the first study to test a non-recursive bow pattern model and examine the holy grail of industrial psychology based on the PLSe2 methodology, as a parametric approach to partial least squares (PLS), in a higher education context. This study also provides higher education researchers with the advantages of the PLSe2 method, especially in causal-predictive modeling, in the context of applied higher education research.
A nomological framework of antecedents and postcedents to satisfaction in purchase and sales business relationships
Authors: Guan Jyh-Liang , Lee Tzong-Ru , Mostert Pierre , Svensson Göran , Høgevold Nils M.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to verify whether a nomological framework of antecedents and postcedents to satisfaction is valid and reliable in both purchase and sales business relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study snowball sampling was used to identify relevant purchase and sales managers to collect data from two cross-industrial samples in Taiwan pertaining to purchase and sales business relationships.

Findings

The results display the validity and reliability of the nomological framework in both purchase and sales business relationships.

Research limitations/implications

This study verifies the results in previous studies based on purchase business relationships and that the framework also appears to be valid and reliable in sales business relationships.

Practical implications

This study provides purchase and sales managers with insights to assess both their firms' inbound and outbound business relationships in purchases and sales.

Originality/value

This study creates a connection between purchase and sales business literature offering opportunities for further research.
“Influencers” – a study investigating the messages people receive about coercive control on social media
Authors: Haase Ruby , Worthington Rachel
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Coercive control (which is a form of intimate partner violence [IPV]) is a significant public health concern affecting millions of people throughout the world. Whilst exposure to IPV in childhood and adolescence has been shown to contribute to the intergenerational transmission of IPV, this alone does not explain IPV. A range of bio-psycho-social factors contribute to IPV which includes exposure to peer influence on social media platforms, whereby research has shown this online expression of views and opinions can change off-line behaviour. This has extended to not only purchasing products but also influencing attitudes in relation to illegal behaviour such as sexual harassment and sexual assault. The purpose of this study was to explore what young people are being exposed to online, through social media, surrounding coercive controlling behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

According to Fazel et al. (2021), real-time social media data can provide important information about trends in public attitudes and attitudes towards events in the news. This study used data from Twitter to explore what adolescents are being exposed to online surrounding coercive and controlling behaviour. The data was subsequently analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Findings

Three overarching themes were found in relation to coercive control: the Educator; Gaslighter; and the Comedian. Two of these were forms of secondary victimisation.

Practical implications

Social media provides a powerful platform through which people’s attitudes and behaviours may be influenced both positively and negatively in relation to socio-political issues (Lozano-Blasco et al., 2022). The implications of the findings in this study are discussed with recommendations for how social media platforms could be supported to act prevent them from being used as a tool to facilitate the distribution of hate speech in relation to IPV and instead be used as a platform for psycho-education.

Originality/value

Previous research in this field has tended to focus on the impact of IPV and the prevalence rates of IPV in young people, but not on the different types of information young people may be exposed to surrounding relationships on social media platforms.
Antecedents and consequences of customer inspiration: a framework in the context of electronic device brands
Authors: Hernani-Merino Martin , Libaque-Saenz Christian Fernando , Dávalos Jorge
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to propose and empirically validate a framework of antecedents and consequences of customer inspiration.

Design/methodology/approach

This study consisted of a survey administered to consumers who are current users of Samsung or Apple electronic devices. The survey targeted only users who had some level of university studies to homogenize the sample’s characteristics. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Results support the two-step nature of customer inspiration, with “inspired by” (activation) as the first step followed by “inspired to” (intention). In addition, the results highlighted the role of brand experience and openness to experience as antecedents to customer inspiration, while customer satisfaction, brand engagement in self-concept, brand affect, word of mouth and repurchase intention were validated as its consequences.

Originality/value

This study aids understanding of the role of customer inspiration as a conceptual and empirical construct in consumer behavior by including brand experience as an inspiration stimulus, as well as other constructs that relate to inspiration. This study also describes possible strategic implications when using brands of electronic devices as sources of inspiration.
Innovative curriculum design and evaluation for achieving diversity, equity and inclusion in the Indian higher education system
Authors: Chakrabarty Arindam , Singh Anil Kumar
Published: April 2023

Purpose

India has been withstanding increasing pressure of enrolment in the higher education system, resulting in the creation of new universities in consonance with the recommendations of the Knowledge Commission (2007). Barring a few institutions of paramount excellence, the mushrooming universities fail to conform to equitability of quality and standards, that is teaching-learning-dissemination and research, except for accommodating higher gross enrolment ratio. It has resulted in an asymmetric and sporadic development of human resources, leaving a large basket of learners out of the pursuit for aspiring higher academic, research and professional enrichment. The country needs to develop an innovative common minimum curriculum and evaluation framework, keeping in view the trinity of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) across the Indian higher education system to deliver human resources with equitable knowledge, skill and intellectual acumen.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper has been developed using secondary information.

Findings

The manuscript has developed an innovative teaching-learning framework that would ensure every Indian HEI to follow a common minimum curriculum and partial common national evaluation system so that the learners across the country would enjoy the essence of equivalence.

Originality/value

This research has designed a comprehensive model to integrate the spirit of the “DEI” value proposition in developing curriculum and gearing common evaluation. This would enable the country to reinforce the spirit of social equity and the capacity to utilise resources with equitability and perpetuity.
A scoping review of indoor air quality assessment in refurbished buildings
Authors: Goodarzi Fatemeh , Palaniappan Kavitha , Pillay Manikam , Ershadi Mahmoud
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Exposure to poor indoor air in refurbished buildings is a matter of health concern due to the growing concentrations of various contaminants as a result of building airtightness without amendment of ventilation, or the use of building materials such as glue, paint, thinner and varnishes. Recent studies have been conducted to measure indoor air pollutants and assess the health risks affecting the quality of life, productivity and well-being of human beings. However, limited review studies have been recently conducted to provide an overview of the state of knowledge. This study aims to conduct a scoping review of indoor air quality (IAQ) in the context of refurbished or energy-retrofitted buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic screening process based on the PRISMA protocol was followed to extract relevant articles. Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar and PubMed were searched using customised search formulas. Among 276 potentially relevant records, 38 studies were included in the final review covering a period from 2015 to 2022.

Findings

Researchers mapped out the measured compounds in the selected studies and found that carbon dioxide (CO2) (11%) and total volatile organic compounds (11%) were among the most commonly measured contaminants. Two trends of research were found including (1) the impact of ventilative properties on IAQ and (2) the impact of introducing building materials on IAQ.

Originality/value

The contribution of this study lies in summarising evidence on IAQ measurements in refurbished buildings, discussing recent advancements, revealing significant gaps and limitations, identifying the trends of research and drawing conclusions regarding future research directions on the topic.
Nondairy food applications of whey and milk permeates: Direct and indirect uses
Authors: O'Donoghue Laura T. , Murphy Eoin G.
Published: April 2023

Permeates are generated in the dairy industry as byproducts from the production of high‐protein products (e.g., whey or milk protein isolates and concentrates). Traditionally, permeate was disposed of as waste or used in animal feed, but with the recent move toward a “zero waste” economy, these streams are being recognized for their potential use as ingredients, or as raw materials for the production of value‐added products. Permeates can be added directly into foods such as baked goods, meats, and soups, for use as sucrose or sodium replacers, or can be used in the production of prebiotic drinks or sports beverages. In‐direct applications generally utilize the lactose present in permeate for the production of higher value lactose derivatives, such as lactic acid, or prebiotic carbohydrates such as lactulose. However, the impurities present, short shelf life, and difficulty handling these streams can present challenges for manufacturers and hinder the efficiency of downstream processes, especially compared to pure lactose solutions. In addition, the majority of these applications are still in the research stage and the economic feasibility of each application still needs to be investigated. This review will discuss the wide variety of nondairy, food‐based applications of milk and whey permeates, with particular focus on the advantages and disadvantages associated with each application and the suitability of different permeate types (i.e., milk, acid, or sweet whey).
Higher glucose fluctuation is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease: Insights from pooled results among patients with diabetes
Authors: Li Feng , Zhang Lei , Shen Yun , Liu Huan‐Huan , Zhang Zhen‐Ye , Hu Gang , Wang Ru‐Xing
Published: April 2023

Background

The relationship between glucose fluctuation and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with diabetes remains elusive. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) variability is a key parameter of glucose fluctuation.

Methods

PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase were searched up to 1 July 2022. Studies reporting associations of HbA1c variability (HbA1c‐SD), coefficient of variation of HbA1c (HbA1c‐CV), and HbA1c variability score [HVS] with the risk of CVD among patients with diabetes were included. We used three different insights (a high‐low value meta‐analysis, a study‐specific meta‐analysis, and a non‐linear dose–response meta‐analysis) to explore the relationship between HbA1c variability and CVD risk. A subgroup analysis was also performed to screen the potential confounding factors.

Results

A total of 14 studies with 254 017 patients with diabetes were eligible. The highest HbA1c variability was significantly associated with increased risks of CVD (HbA1c‐SD, risk ratio [RR] 1.45; HbA1c‐CV, RR 1.74; HVS, RR 2.46; all p < .001) compared to the lowest HbA1c variability. The RRs of CVD for per HbA1c variability were significantly >1 (all p < .001). The subgroup analysis for per HbA1c‐SD found a significant exposure‐covariate interaction in the types of diabetes (p = .003 for interaction). The dose–response analysis showed a positive association between HbA1c‐CV and CVD risk (P for nonlinearity <.001).

Conclusions

Our study suggests that the higher glucose fluctuation is significantly associated with the higher CVD risk in diabetes patients based on HbA1c variability. The CVD risk associated with per HbA1c‐SD might be higher among patients type 1 diabetes than patients with type 2 diabetes.
A narrative systematic review of the gender inclusivity of measures of harmful drinking and their psychometric properties among transgender adults
Authors: Dermody Sarah S. , Uhrig Alexandra , Moore Annabelle , Raessi Tara , Abramovich Alex
Published: April 2023

Background and Aims

Experiencing higher rates of stigma, marginalization and discrimination puts transgender individuals at risk for alcohol use and associated harms. Measures of harmful drinking were designed with cisgender people in mind, and some rely on sex‐ and gender‐based cut‐offs. The applicability of these measures for gender diverse samples remains unknown. The present study had two aims: (i) identify gender‐non‐inclusive language and cut‐offs in measures of harmful drinking, and (ii) systematically review research reporting psychometric properties of these measures in transgender individuals.

Methods

We reviewed 22 measures of harmful drinking for gendered language and sex‐ and gender‐based cut‐off values and provided suggestions for revision when warranted. We also conducted a systematic narrative review, including eight eligible studies, summarizing the psychometric properties of measures of harmful drinking in transgender populations.

Results

Six of 22 measures of harmful drinking were not gender inclusive, because of gendered language in the measure itself or use of sex‐ or gender‐based cut‐off scores. Only eight published studies reported psychometric data for these measures in transgender people. Apart from in one study, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption (AUDIT‐C) appear reliable for transgender adults (Cronbach’s α: AUDIT [0.81–0.87] and AUDIT [0.72–0.8)]). There is initial support for using uniform cut‐offs for transgender people for the AUDIT‐C (≥3) and binge drinking (≥5 drinks in a sitting).

Conclusions

Most existing measures of harmful drinking appear to be gender inclusive (containing gender neutral language and uniform cut‐off scores across sex and gender groups) and some that are not easily adapted to be gender inclusive.
Identifying and describing trajectories of alcohol use frequency and binge drinking frequency among those aged 15–30 years in a national cohort of US adolescents: A group‐based trajectory modeling approach
Authors: Ranker Lynsie R. , Ross Craig S. , Rudolph Abby E. , Weuve Jennifer , Xuan Ziming
Published: April 2023

Background and Aims

Analyzing long‐term trajectories of alcohol use has the potential to strengthen policy and intervention priorities and timing. We identified and described trajectories of alcohol use and binge drinking frequency from mid‐adolescence to early adulthood and measured the association of the role of early drinking initiation with trajectory membership.

Design, Setting, Participants

This was a longitudinal cohort study conducted in the United States. The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 is a nationally representative cohort of youth aged 12–16 years at baseline. The analytic sample included individuals who participated in two or more annual interviews between ages 15 and 30 years (n = 8809).

Measurements

Participants self‐reported the number of days in the past 30 days they: (1) drank alcohol and (2) binge drank (five or more drinks on one occasion). We used group‐based trajectory modeling to identify distinct trajectories from ages 15–30 years of past 30‐day drinking and past 30‐day binge drinking. Using multinomial logistic regression, we evaluated associations between early drinking initiation (≤ 14 years) and key demographics with trajectory membership.

Findings

We identified five past 30‐day drinking groups: late‐escalating (16.0%), moderate frequency (19.0%), high frequency (11.2%), low frequency (35.4%) and no/infrequent (18.4%). Early drinking initiation (versus later) was associated with higher odds of membership in the moderate [adjusted multinomial odds ratio (aMOR) = 4.88; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.00, 5.94] and high‐frequency groups (aMOR = 4.68; 95% CI = 3.74, 5.86) than in the no/infrequent comparator trajectory. We identified five groups with distinct binge drinking frequency patterns: later escalating (9.9%), high frequency (3.9%), low frequency (28.7%), earlier onset (9.5%) and no/infrequent (48.0%). Early initiation was associated with increased odds of membership in earlier‐onset and high‐frequency groups compared with the no/infrequent group. For both outcomes, additional differences in probability of group membership were identified by gender, racial identity, parental factors (religiosity, high school completion) and household characteristics (household size, income, and region of residence).

Conclusions

Youth in the United States appear to follow heterogeneous drinking and binge drinking trajectories from adolescence into adulthood. These may include higher‐use trajectories as well as trajectories with different escalation timing (e.g. earlier versus later). Early initiation of drinking may increase risk of membership in higher‐ and earlier‐use trajectory groups.
Effects of mask use and other‐race on face perception, emotion recognition, and social distancing during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Gülbetekin Evrim , Fidancı Arda , Altun Enes , Er Muhammed Nurullah , Gürcan Esin
Published: April 2023

We tested the effect of mask use and other‐race effect on (a) face recognition, (b) recognition of facial expressions, and (c) social distance. Caucasian subjects were tested in a matching‐to‐sample paradigm with either masked or unmasked Caucasian and Asian faces. The participants exhibited the best performance in recognizing an unmasked face condition and the poorest to recognize a masked face that they had seen earlier without a mask. Accuracy was poorer for Asian faces than Caucasian faces. The second experiment presented Asian or Caucasian faces having emotional expressions, with and without masks. The participants' emotion recognition performance decreased for masked faces. From the most accurately to least accurately recognized emotions were as follows: happy, neutral, disgusted, fearful. Performance was poorer for Asian stimuli compared to Caucasian. In Experiment 3 the same participants indicated the social distance they would prefer with each pictured person. They preferred a wider distance with unmasked faces compared to masked faces. Distance from farther to closer was as follows: disgusted, fearful, neutral, and happy. They preferred wider social distance for Asian compared to Caucasian faces. Altogether, findings indicated that during the COVID‐19 pandemic mask wearing decreased recognition of faces and emotional expressions, negatively impacting communication among people from different ethnicities.
Tracing the structural consequences of colonialism in rural Yucatán, Mexico
Authors: Dedrick Maia , McAnany Patricia A. , Batún Alpuche Adolfo Iván
Published: April 2023

Archaeologists from the United States working in what is referred to as the Maya area have paid insufficient attention to the structural violence of colonial rule and how their own narratives may perpetuate it. This article addresses the pervasive effects of colonial violence on farming communities in Yucatán, Mexico, which resulted in the undercutting of sustainable livelihoods and the imposition of hierarchies leading to systemic racism. The interpretation of archaeological and historical evidence can reveal the challenges that colonialism and its consequences posed for Indigenous peoples in their daily lives and also distinguish tactics that they used to achieve well‐being. Following an account of colonial policies and their outcomes, we demonstrate how closely linked archaeological practice has been with colonial and imperial interests in Yucatán and suggest how archaeologists can reckon with the violence of colonialism and its resonances in archaeology today. [agriculture, archaeology, colonialism, imperialism, Yucatán]
Ocular geometry in adults born small, appropriate or large for gestational age at term
Authors: Fieß Achim , Schultheis Anna , Mildenberger Eva , Urschitz Michael S. , Stoffelns Bernhard , Pfeiffer Norbert , Schuster Alexander K.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Intrauterine growth restriction leading to a birth weight (BW) which is too low for gestational age (GA) is a known risk factor for various altered organ morphologies and dysfunction in later life. This study aimed to determine for the first time the effects of being small (SGA) or large for gestational age (LGA) on the ocular geometry of adults born at term.

Methods

All participants were examined with optical biometry (LenStar 900, Haag Streit) to compare the corneal curvature, white‐to‐white distance, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness and axial length between former moderate (BW percentile 3rd to <10th) and severe (BW <3rd percentile) SGA, controls (BW 10th‐90th percentile) and former moderate (BW >90th to 97th percentile) and severe (BW >97th percentile) LGA. Multivariable linear regression was used to analyse associations with GA, BW percentile categories, placental insufficiency, preeclampsia and breastfeeding after adjustment for age and sex.

Results

In total, 589 eyes of 296 individuals born at term (aged 30.0 ± 9.4 years, 156 females) were examined, including 40 severe SGA, 38 moderate SGA, 140 with normal BW, 38 moderate LGA and 40 severe LGA. There was an association between a steeper corneal curvature with moderate (B = −0.201; p < 0.001) and severe SGA (B = −0.199; p < 0.001), with extreme SGA associated with smaller white‐to‐white (B = −0.263; p = 0.001) and a shorter axial length (B = −0.524; p = 0.031).

Conclusions

Severe and moderate prenatal growth restriction in adults born at term leads to an altered ocular geometry, namely a steepening of the cornea and a smaller corneal diameter.