bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gastrula-premarked posterior enhancer primes posterior tissue development through cross-talk with TGF-β signaling pathway
Authors: Chen Yingying , Tan Fengxiang , Fang Qing , Zhang Lin , Liao Jiaoyang , Shen Penglei , Qian Yun , Wen Mingzhu , Song Rui , Fu Yonggao , Xu He Jax , Wang Ran , Li Cheng , Shao Zhen , Li Jinsong , Jing Naihe , Yang Xianfa
Published: April 2024

The regulatory mechanisms governing cell fate determination, particularly lineage diversification during mammalian embryonic development, remain poorly understood with in-depth regulatory paradigms yet to be fully elucidated. Here, leveraging the epigenetic landscape of mouse gastrula, we identified p-Enh, a pre-marked enhancer in primitive streak region, as pivotal regulator for posterior tissue development in mouse embryos. Morphological and single-cell transcriptomic analyses confirmed embryonic lethality phenotype with disrupted posterior tissue development trajectories in p-Enh-KO embryos. Molecularly, apart from regulating the neighboring coding-geneCdx2 in cis, our findings suggest that p-Enh also modulate the global transcriptome and epigenomic landscape, which might through the transient production of eRNAin trans. Further investigation revealed p-Enh participate in the regulatory cascades of TGF-β signaling. Chemical modulation of TGF-β signaling can largely rescue the posterior development deficiency inin vitrogastruloids through aCdx2-independent mechanism. Thus, we propose a potential model in which the broadly distributed p-Enh transcripts within the nucleus could serve as essential cross-modular coordinators, priming the posterior development of mouse embryo.
Enhancing system empathy within a UK Emergency Department: A feasibility interprofessional priority setting exercise
Authors: Howick Jeremy , Ward Andy , Grantham Charlotte , Bennett-Weston Amber
Published: April 2024

Background

System-level barriers inhibit empathy in healthcare, and this can harm patients and practitioners. The barriers include burnout-inducing administrative workloads, burdensome protocols, lack of wellbeing spaces, un-empathic leadership, and not emphasising empathy as an institutional value. A workshop aimed at enhancing empathic systems was successfully delivered in Canada but has not been tested in the UK National Health Service (NHS) setting.

Aim

To test the feasibility of an empathic systems workshop within the UK NHS setting.

Methods

We conducted an interprofessional group of an emergency department (ED). We used a modified nominal group technique to prioritise actions to enhance empathy in the ED system. Satisfaction with the workshop and confidence that the workshop would lead to change were measured on a 10-point Likert scale.

Results

Twenty-eight participants representing the following stakeholder groups attended the workshop: leaders, consultants, nurses, security, and porters. The group agreed to generating a better wellbeing action plan and implementing an effective secondary triage system. Seventy-three percent (73%) rated their satisfaction with the workshop as 8 or higher out of ten, and 63% reported being confident that the workshop would lead to positive change.

Limitations

A doctors strike limited the range of stakeholders who were able to attend, and long-term follow up was not conducted.

Conclusions

Participants in a UK setting were satisfied with a previously developed system empathy workshop and reported being confident that it would lead to positive change. Participants were able to prioritise changes that would improve system empathy and were confident that the changes would be effective.
Inhospital Mortality, Readmission, and Prolonged Length of Stay Risk Prediction Leveraging Historical Electronic Health Records
Authors: Bopche Rajeev , Gustad Lise Tuset , Afset Jan Egil , Ehrnström Birgitta , Damås Jan Kristian , Nytrø Øystein
Published: April 2024

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate predictive capabilities of historical records of patients maintained at hospitals towards predicting an impending adverse outcomes such as, mortality, readmission, and prolonged length of stay (PLOS).

Methods

Leveraging a de-identified dataset from a tertiary care university hospital, we developed a eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) framework combining tree-based and traditional ML models with interpretations, and statistical analysis of predictors of mortality, readmission, and PLOS.

Results

Our framework demonstrated exceptional predictive performance with notable Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUROC) of 0.9625 and Area Under the Precision-Recall Curve (AUPRC) of 0.8575 for 30-day mortality at discharge and an AUROC of 0.9545 and AUPRC of 0.8419 at admission. For the readmission and PLOS risk the highest AUROC achieved were 0.8198 and 0.9797 repectively. The tree-based machine learning (ML) models consistently outperformed the traditional ML models in all the four prediction tasks. The key predictors were age, derived temporal features, routine laboratory tests, and diagnostic and procedural codes.

Conclusion

The study underscores the potential of leveraging medical history for enhanced predictive analytics in hospitals. We present a accurate and intuitive framework for early warning models that can be easily implemented in the current and developing digital health platforms to accurately predict adverse outcomes.
Design of antigens to present a tumor-specific cryptic epitope
Authors: Xu Huafeng , Palpant Timothy , Wang Qi , Shaw David E.
Published: April 2024

In many cancers, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene is amplified, mutated, or both. The monoclonal antibody mAb806 binds selectively to cancer cells that overexpress EGFR or express the truncated mutant EGFRvIII, but not to normal cells. This suggests that a promising avenue for developing cancer vaccines may be to design antigens that elicit mAb806-like antibodies. In this study, we designed antigens that present the mAb806-binding epitope in the same conformation as in overexpressed or truncated EGFR. We first used molecular dynamics simulations to identify conformations of EGFR in which the residues of the mAb806-binding epitope are accessible. We then designed antigens by substituting that epitope in place of a structurally similar loop in a different protein and generating mutants that could potentially stabilize the mAb806-binding conformation in this new context. Two mutants in which the epitope remained stable in subsequent simulations were chosen for evaluation in vitro. Binding kinetics experiments with these designed antigens provided strong evidence that the epitope was successfully stabilized in the mAb806-binding conformation, suggesting that they could potentially form the basis of vaccines that elicit cancer-selective antibodies.
GōMartini 3: From large conformational changes in proteins to environmental bias corrections
Authors: Souza Paulo C. T. , Borges-Araújo Luís , Brasnett Chris , Moreira Rodrigo A. , Grünewald Fabian , Park Peter , Wang Liguo , Razmazma Hafez , Borges-Araújo Ana C. , Cofas-Vargas Luis Fernando , Monticelli Luca , Mera-Adasme Raúl , Melo Manuel N. , Wu Sangwook , Marrink Siewert J. , Poma Adolfo B. , Thallmair Sebastian
Published: April 2024

Coarse-grained modeling has become an important tool to supplement experimental measurements, allowing access to spatio-temporal scales beyond all-atom based approaches. The GōMartini model combines structure- and physics-based coarse-grained approaches, balancing computational efficiency and accurate representation of protein dynamics with the capabilities of studying proteins in different biological environments. This paper introduces an enhanced GōMartini model, which combines a virtual-site implementation of Gō models with Martini 3. The implementation has been extensively tested by the community since the release of the new version of Martini. This work demonstrates the capabilities of the model in diverse case studies, ranging from protein-membrane binding to protein-ligand interactions and AFM force profile calculations. The model is also versatile, as it can address recent inaccuracies reported in the Martini protein model. Lastly, the paper discusses the advantages, limitations, and future perspectives of the Martini 3 protein model and its combination with Gō models.
Genetic basis of reproductive isolation in Torrey pine (Pinus torreyana Parry): insights from hybridization and adaptation
Authors: Di Santo Lionel N , Mead Alayna , Wright Jessica , Hamilton Jill
Published: April 2024

Tree species are often locally adapted to their environments, but the extent to which environmental adaptation contributes to incipient speciation is unclear. One of the rarest pines in the world, Torrey Pine (Pinus torreyana Parry), persists naturally across one island and one mainland population in southern California. The two populations are morphologically and genetically differentiated, but experience some connectivity, making it an ideal system for assessing the evolution of reproductive isolation. Previous work has found evidence of heterosis in F1 mainland-island hybrids, suggesting genetic rescue could be beneficial in the absence of reproductive barriers. Using ddRADseq and GWAS for a common garden experiment of island, mainland, and F1 individuals, we identified candidate loci for environmentally-driven reproductive isolation, their function, and their relationship to fitness proxies. By simulating neutral evolution and admixture between the two populations, we identified loci that exhibited reduced heterozygosity in the F1s, evidence of selection against admixture. SNPs with reduced F1 heterozygosity were enriched for growth and pollination functions, suggesting genetic variants that could be involved in the evolution of reproductive barriers between populations. One locus with reduced F1 heterozygosity exhibited strong associations with growth and reproductive fitness proxies in the common garden, with the mainland allele conferring increased fitness. If this locus experiences divergent selection in the two natural populations, it could promote their reproductive isolation. Finally, although hybridization largely reduced allele fixation in the F1s initially, indicating heterosis is likely due to the masking of deleterious alleles, the emergence of reproductive isolation between populations may diminish the longer-term benefits of genetic rescue in F2 or advanced-generation hybrids. As Torrey pine is a candidate for interpopulation genetic rescue, caution is warranted where longer-term gene flow between diverged populations may result in reduced fitness if barriers have evolved.
Relaxin Modulates the Genomic Actions and Biological Effects of Estrogen in the Myometrium
Authors: Tripathy Sudeshna , Nagari Anusha , Chiu Shu-Ping , Nandu Tulip , Camacho Cristel V. , Mahendroo Mala , Lee Kraus W.
Published: April 2024

Estradiol (E2) and relaxin (Rln) are steroid and polypeptide hormones, respectively, with important roles in the female reproductive tract, including myometrium. Some actions of Rln, which are mediated by its membrane receptor RXFP1, require or are augmented by E2 signaling through its cognate nuclear steroid receptor, estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). In contrast, other actions of Rln act in opposition to the effects of E2. Here we explored the molecular and genomic mechanisms that underlie the functional interplay between E2 and Rln in the myometrium. We used both ovariectomized female mice and immortalized human myometrial cells expressing wild-type or mutant ERα (hTERT-HM-ERα cells). Our results indicate that Rln modulates the genomic actions and biological effects of estrogen in the myometrium and myometrial cells by reducing phosphorylation of ERα on serine 118 (S118), as well as by reducing the E2-dependent binding of ERα across the genome. These effects were associated with changes in the hormone-regulated transcriptome, including a decrease in the E2-dependent expression of some genes and enhanced expression of others. The inhibitory effects of Rln cotreatment on the E2-dependent phosphorylation of ERα required the nuclear dual-specificity phosphatases DUSP1 and DUSP5. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of Rln were reflected in a concomitant inhibition of the E2-dependent contraction of myometrial cells. Collectively, our results identify a pathway that integrates Rln/RXFP1 and E2/ERα signaling, resulting in a convergence of membrane and nuclear signaling pathways to control genomic and biological outcomes.
Comparative accuracy of five screening tools for sarcopenia in community older adults:a systematic review and a network meta-analysis
Authors: Li Jie , Yang Yujie , Gao Menglin , Yuan Huaihong
Published: April 2024

Background

Sarcopenia, a prevalent and serious condition among community older adults, often remains unnoticed. The use of systematic screening has the potential to enhance detection rates; however, there is currently no consensus on the most effective approach. This study ai med to assess the diagnostic test accuracy of five simple sarcopenia screening tools and determine which test has the highest accuracy.

Objective

To assess and compare the accuracy of five screening tools for sarcopenia in community older adults.

Design

A systematic review and a network meta analysis.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in various databases including Pubmed, The Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and Sinomed up to September 2023. Studies reporting on the accuracy of diagnostic testing for sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults using one or more of the following sarcopenia screening tools were included: Sarcopenia Simple Five-Item Rati ng Scale (SARC-F), SARC-F combined with calf circumference (SA RC-CalF), SARC-F combined with older adults and BMI (SARC-F+ EBM), Mini sarcopenia risk assessment-5 (MSRA-5), and Mini sarcopenia risk assessment-7 (MSRA-7). The reference standard was the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia (AWGS), the European Working Group on Sarcopenia on Older People (EWGSOP), the Foundation for National Institutes of Health (FNIH), or the International Working Group on Sarcopenia (IWGS). Random-effects bivariate binomial model meta-analyses, meta-regressions and a network meta-analysis were used to estimate the pooled and relative sensitivities and specificities.

Results

We identified and evaluated 22 papers focused on SARC-F, S ARC-CalF, MSRA-5, and MSRA-7. Traditional meta-analysis sorting results showed summary sensitivities of 0.25, 0.59, 0.43, 0.82, and 0.51, summary specificities of 0.94, 0.82, 0.81, 0.39, and 0.85, summary AUC of 0.80, 0.76, 0.70, 0.68, and 0.75, and summary DOR of 5, 7, 3, 3, and 6. The network meta-analysis ranking results showed that MRSA-5 had the highest sensitivity (92.27) and SARC-F had the highest specificity (99.81) under the cumulative ranking.

Linking evidence to action

The MSRA can be used as a tool for screening sarcopenia in community older adults, while the SARC-F can be used for first-time diagnosis of sarcopenia in this population. However, it is important to interpret the results with caution due to the variability among different studies analyzing the accuracy of this diagnostic test. Future research should focus on obtaining additional evidence from large sample sizes and high-quality studies.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b Virus detected in dairy cattle
Authors: Hu Xiao , Saxena Anugrah , Magstadt Drew R. , Gauger Phillip C. , Burrough Eric , Zhang Jianqiang , Siepker Chris , Mainenti Marta , Gorden Patrick J. , Plummer Paul , Li Ganwu
Published: April 2024

The global emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses poses a significant global public health threat. Until March 2024, no outbreaks of this virus clade had occurred in domestic cattle. We genetically characterize HPAI viruses from dairy cattle showing an abrupt drop in milk production. They share nearly identical genome sequences, forming a new genotype B3.13 within the 2.3.4.4b clade. B3.13 viruses underwent two reassortment events since 2023 and exhibit critical mutations in HA, M1, and NS genes but lack critical mutations in PB2 and PB1 genes, which enhance virulence or adaptation to mammals. The PB2 E627K mutation in a human case underscores the potential for rapid evolution post-infection, highlighting the need for continued surveillance to monitor public health threats.
The Natural Material Evolution and Stage-wise Assembly of Silk Along the Silk Gland
Authors: Brookstein Ori , Shimoni Eyal , Eliaz Dror , Dezorella Nili , Biran Idan , Rechav Katya , Sivan Ehud , Kozell Anna , Shimanovich Ulyana
Published: April 2024

Silk fibers, with their highly ordered structure and mechanically superb properties, are produced in arthropod glands at minimal energy input and ambient conditions, a remarkable feat yet to be achieved synthetically. Due to the high instability and shear sensitivity of the silk protein feedstock, understanding silk fiber formation has been largely limited toin-vitrostudies of certain gland sections, offering only a fragmented view of this process. Here, we monitor the whole silk feedstock processingin-situ, at the nano- to micron-scales, through imaging its progressive macromolecular assemblies and phase transitions along the entireBombyx morisilkworm silk gland. This is done by combining state-of-the-art microscopy techniques, such as cryogenic sample preparation, fixation, and imaging. Our work reveals that fibroin assembles into micron-sized spherical storage “compartments” in the posterior and middle gland sections, a state that ensures its stability and avoids premature fibrillation. These compartments undergo several structural transformations along the gland and eventually disassemble at the entry to the anterior section, before the silk feedstock spinning begins. The spinning itself commences via a series of structural transitions, from the alignment of protein chains in liquid feedstock, through the formation of several fibrillated nano-structures and, in the final stage, a network of cross-linked nano-bundles, which determines the structure and properties of the final microfiber. Importantly, the length of the anterior section of the silk gland enables such gradual and balanced structural transitions. This direct imaging of silk’s natural formation process can help formulate a template for the transformation of fibrillar proteins into synthetic bio-fibers.

Dedication

This work is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Eyal Shimoni, who was a valued colleague and a dear friend. Eyal was a vital part of this research and was essential in shaping its direction. He will be deeply missed for his intellect, mindfulness, creativity, and unwavering dedication to scientific development. Though he is no longer with us, his influence and spirit continue to inspire us in our scientific pursuits. May his passion for discovery and commitment to excellence live on through this work.
Effects of gene dosage on cognitive ability: A function-based association study across brain and non-brain processes
Authors: Huguet Guillaume , Renne Thomas , Poulain Cécile , Dubuc Alma , Kumar Kuldeep , Kazem Sayeh , Engchuan Worrawat , Shanta Omar , Douard Elise , Proulx Catherine , Jean-Louis Martineau , Saci Zohra , Mollon Josephine , Schultz Laura M , Knowles Emma E M , Cox Simon R. , Porteous David , Davies Gail , Redmond Paul , Harris Sarah E. , Schumann Gunter , Dumas Guillaume , Labbe Aurélie , Pausova Zdenka , Paus Tomas , Scherer Stephen W , Sebat Jonathan , Almasy Laura , Glahn David C , Jacquemont Sébastien
Published: April 2024

Genomic Copy Number Variants (CNVs) that increase risk for neurodevelopmental disorders are also associated with lower cognitive ability in general population cohorts. Studies have focussed on a small set of recurrent CNVs, but burden analyses suggested that the vast majority of CNVs affecting cognitive ability are too rare to reach variant-level association. As a result, the full range of gene-dosage-sensitive biological processes linked to cognitive ability remains unknown.

To investigate this issue, we identified all CNVs >50 kilobases in 258k individuals from 6 general population cohorts with assessments of general cognitive abilities. We performed a CNV-GWAS and functional burden analyses, which tested 6502 gene-sets defined by tissue and cell-type transcriptomics as well as gene ontology disrupted by all rare coding CNVs.

CNV-GWAS identified a novel duplication at 2q12.3 associated with higher performance in cognitive ability. Among the 864 gene-sets associated with cognitive ability, only 11% showed significant effects for both deletions and duplication. Accordingly, we systematically observed negative correlations between deletion and duplication effect sizes across all levels of biological observations. We quantified the preferential effects of deletions versus duplication using tagDS, a new normalized metric. Cognitive ability was preferentially affected by cortical, presynaptic, and negative-regulation gene-sets when duplicated. In contrast, preferential effects of deletions were observed for subcortical, post-synaptic, and positive-regulation gene-sets. A large proportion of gene-sets assigned to non-brain organs were associated with cognitive ability due to low tissue specificity genes, which were associated with higher sensitive to haploinsufficiency. Overall, most biological functions associated with cognitive ability are divided into those sensitive to either deletion or duplications.
Cytoadhesion ofPlasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells changes the expression of cytokine-, histone- and antiviral protein-encoding genes in brain endothelial cells
Authors: Allweier Johannes , Bartels Michael , Torabi Hanifeh , Martinez Tauler Maria del Pilar , Metwally Nahla Galal , Roeder Thomas , Gutsmann Thomas , Bruchhaus Iris
Published: April 2024

Malaria remains a significant global health problem, mainly due toPlasmodium falciparum, which is responsible for most fatal infections. Infected red blood cells (iRBCs) evade spleen clearance by adhering to endothelial cells (ECs), triggering capillary blockage, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and altered vascular permeability, prompting an endothelial transcriptional response. The iRBCIT4var04/HBEC-5i model, where iRBCs present IT4var04 (VAR2CSA) on their surface, was used to analyse the effects of iRBC binding on ECs at different temperature (37°C vs. 40°C). Binding of non-infected RBCs (niRBCs) and fever alone altered the expression of hundreds of genes in ECs. Comparing the expression profile of HBEC-5i cells cultured either in the presence of iRBCs or in the presence of niRBCs revealed significant upregulation of genes linked to immune response, nucleosome assembly, NF-kappa B signaling, angiogenesis, and antiviral immune response/interferon-alpha/beta signaling. Raising the temperature to 40°C, simulating fever, led to further upregulation of many genes, particularly those involved in cytokine production and angiogenesis. In summary, the presence of iRBCs stimulates ECs, activating several immunological pathways and affecting antiviral (- parasitic) mechanisms and angiogenesis. Our data uncovered the induction of the interferon-alpha/beta signaling pathway in ECs in response to iRBCs.
Secretion and Periplasmic Activation of a Potent Endonuclease in E. coli
Authors: Soltani Mehran , Swartz James R.
Published: April 2024

Sm Endonuclease (SmEn) is a promiscuous, highly active nuclease widely used in protein purification, 2D protein gels, and gene and cell therapy. We aimed to recombinantly and economically produce this reagent using E. coli. Despite widespread application of E. coli for recombinant production of proteins, cytoplasmic expression of this protein resulted in no activity accumulation. We therefore investigated translocation of SmEn to the periplasm of E. coli by evaluating several signal sequences, E. coli host cells, and incubation conditions. For rapid feedback, we developed a crude lysate-based nuclease activity assay that enabled convenient screening and identified suitable conditions for active SmEn accumulation. Signal sequence selection was most influential with additional benefit gained by slowing synthesis either using the transcriptionally weakened strain, C43 (DE3) or by reducing incubation temperature. While our study provides valuable insights for optimizing a nuclease translocation and reducing production costs, more research is needed to explore the influence of mRNA secondary structure at the translation initiation region on protein expression and translocation. Overall, our rapid screening assay facilitated the development of an effective production process for a protein with potential cytoplasmic toxicity as well as the need of disulfide bond formation.
Simple recombinant monoclonal antibody production fromE. coli
Authors: Baker Karen , Eastwood Tara A. , Garcia Esther , Lennon Christopher , Mulvihill Daniel P.
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Antibodies are valuable biological reagents used in a wide range of discovery research, biotechnology, diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Currently both commercial and lab scale antibody production is reliant on expression from mammalian cells, which can be time consuming and requires use of specialist facilities and costly growth reagents. Here we describe a simple, rapid and cheap method for producing and isolating functional monoclonal antibodies and antibody fragments from bacterial cells that can be used in a range of laboratory applications. This simple method only requires access to basic microbial cell culture and molecular biology equipment, making scalable in-house antibody production accessible to the global diagnostics, therapeutics and molecular bioscience research communities.
Non-Hermitian
p
-wave superfluid and effects of the inelastic three-body loss in a one-dimensional spin-polarized Fermi gas
Authors: Tajima Hiroyuki , Sekino Yuta , Inotani Daisuke , Dohi Akira , Nagataki Shigehiro , Hayata Tomoya
Published: April 2024

We theoretically investigate non-Hermitian p-wave Fermi superfluidity in one-dimensional spin-polarized Fermi gases which is relevant to recent ultracold atomic experiments. Considering an imaginary atom-dimer coupling responsible for the three-body recombination process in the Lindblad formalism, we discuss the stability of the superfluid state against the atomic loss effect. Within the two-channel non-Hermitian BCS-Eagles-Leggett theory, the atomic loss is characterized by the product of the imaginary atom-dimer coupling and the p-wave effective range. Our results indicate that for a given imaginary atom-dimer coupling, a smaller magnitude of the effective ranges of p-wave interaction is crucial for reaching the non-Hermitian p-wave Fermi superfluid state. Moreover, our theoretical framework for many-body systems with the three-body loss, which is inevitable in ultracold atoms, would promote further progress in non-Hermitian cold-atomic physics.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Stacked tree construction for free-fermion projected entangled pair states
Authors: He Yuman , Li Kangle , Zhang Yanbai , Po Hoi Chun
Published: April 2024

The tensor network representation of a state in higher dimensions, say a projected entangled-pair state (PEPS), is typically obtained indirectly through variational optimization or imaginary-time Hamiltonian evolution. Here, we propose a divide-and-conquer approach to directly construct a PEPS representation for free-fermion states admitting descriptions in terms of filling exponentially localized Wannier functions. Our approach relies on first obtaining a tree tensor network description of the state in local subregions. Next, a stacking procedure is used to combine the local trees into a PEPS. Lastly, the local tensors are compressed to obtain a more efficient description. We demonstrate our construction for states in one and two dimensions, including the ground state of an obstructed atomic insulator on the square lattice.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Doubly precarious immigrant academics: professional identities and work integration of a highly skilled precariat in Canadian higher education
Authors: Hari Amrita , Nardon Luciara , Palic Dunja
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Educational institutions are investing heavily in the internationalization of their campuses to attract global talent. Yet, highly skilled immigrants face persistent labor market challenges. We investigate how immigrant academics experience and mitigate their double precarity (migrant and academic) as they seek employment in higher education in Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

We take a phenomenological approach and draw on reflective interviews with nine immigrant academics, encouraging participants to elaborate on symbols and metaphors to describe their experiences.

Findings

We found that immigrant academics constitute a unique highly skilled precariat: a group of professionals with strong professional identities and attachments who face the dilemma of securing highly precarious employment (temporary, part-time and insecure) in a new academic environment or forgoing their professional attachment to seek stable employment in an alternate occupational sector. Long-term, stable and commensurate employment in Canadian higher education is out of reach due to credentialism. Those who stay the course risk deepening their precarity through multiple temporary engagements. Purposeful deskilling toward more stable employment that is disconnected from their previous educational and career accomplishments is a costly alternative in a situation of limited information and high uncertainty.

Originality/value

We bring into the conversation discussions of migrant precarity and academic precarity and draw on immigrant academics’ unique experiences and strategies to understand how this double precarization shapes their professional identities, mobility and work integration in Canadian higher education.
Visitor’s emotional experience in predicting destination image, satisfaction and intention to revisit: a spa tourism perspective
Authors: Suban Syed Ahamed
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study intend to investigate a theoretical model looking at how particular tourist emotions, such as “joy,” “love,” and “positive surprise,” might predict their behavior by looking at how satisfied they are with their whole experience when visiting spas, and to examine the relationship of emotional experience, destination image, satisfaction and intention to revisit for spa tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 345 individuals who traveled to Alleppey as domestic tourists participated in the research study. A non-probability (purposive) sampling method in this study. The structural model was analyzed using Structural Equation modeling (SEM), and the path coefficients were examined to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results supported the hypotheses, indicating that specific emotions, image of the destination, and satisfaction significantly impacted tourists' intentions to revisit Alleppey as a spa tourism destination. This study demonstrated that “emotions of joy, love, and positive surprise” have a considerable influence on the image of the destination and satisfaction. The findings reveal a substantial correlation between satisfaction and behavioral intention (“Intention to revisit”). The research suggests that a higher degree of satisfaction would encourage visitors to revisit the location.

Research limitations/implications

The research suggests that a higher degree of satisfaction would encourage visitors to revisit the location. This research offers vital information for developing, planning, and putting into practice tourism policies in the spa tourism sector. This article focuses on domestic travelers who travel to Alleppey, so the conclusions may not be relevant to research utilizing foreign tourists.

Originality/value

According to the literature study, and to the authors` knowledge, only limited number of studies that look at spa tourism from a wellness perspective. Additionally, Alleppey is used in the study as the study’s setting, providing insight into the visitor experiences of this expanding spa tourism business. This study gives understanding about how emotional experience predicts behavioral intentions.
Study on a smart knee sleeve based on piezoresistive strain sensing for stride estimation
Authors: Raji Rafiu King , Wei Yini , Diao Guiqiang , Tang Zilun
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Devices for step estimation are body-worn devices used to compute steps taken and/or distance covered by the user. Even though textiles or clothing are foremost to come to mind in terms of articles meant to be worn, their prominence among devices and systems meant for cadence is overshadowed by electronic products such as accelerometers, wristbands and smart phones. Athletes and sports enthusiasts using knee sleeves should be able to track their performances and monitor workout progress without the need to carry other devices with no direct sport utility, such as wristbands and wearable accelerometers. The purpose of this study thus is to contribute to the broad area of wearable devices for cadence application by developing a cheap but effective and efficient stride measurement system based on a knee sleeve.

Design/methodology/approach

A textile strain sensor is designed by weft knitting silver-plated nylon yarn together with nylon DTY and covered elastic yarn using a 1 × 1 rib structure. The area occupied by the silver-plated yarn within the structure served as the strain sensor. It worked such that, upon being subjected to stress, the electrical resistance of the sensor increases and in turn, is restored when the stress is removed. The strip with the sensor is knitted separately and subsequently sewn to the knee sleeve. The knee sleeve is then connected to a custom-made signal acquisition and processing system. A volunteer was employed for a wearer trial.

Findings

Experimental results establish that the number of strides taken by the wearer can easily be correlated to the knee flexion and extension cycles of the wearer. The number of peaks computed by the signal acquisition and processing system is therefore counted to represent stride per minute. Therefore, the sensor is able to effectively count the number of strides taken by the user per minute. The coefficient of variation of over-ground test results yielded 0.03%, and stair climbing also obtained 0.14%, an indication of very high sensor repeatability.

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted using limited number of volunteers for the wearer trials.

Practical implications

By embedding textile piezoresistive sensors in some specific garments and or accessories, physical activity such as gait and its related data can be effectively measured.

Originality/value

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first application of piezoresistive sensing in the knee sleeve for stride estimation. Also, this study establishes that it is possible to attach (sew) already-knit textile strain sensors to apparel to effectuate smart functionality.
Determinants of investment-related FinTech services among retail investors of India: a multi-group analysis using PLS-SEM
Authors: Jha Shweta , Dangwal Ramesh Chandra
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors affecting behaviour intention (BI) to use and actual usages of investment-related FinTech services among the zoomers (Gen Z) and millennials (Gen M) retail investors of India.

Design/methodology/approach

The study explores the predictive relevance of actual adoption behaviour among the two different age categories of Indian retail investors. It uses the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology-2 and the prospect theory framework as guiding frameworks. Data has been collected from 294 retail investors, actively engaged in the investment-related FinTech services. The multi-group analysis using variance-based partial least square structured equation modelling has been used to compare the two groups. The invariance between the two groups was achieved through measurement invariance assessment.

Findings

The study reveals distinct factors significantly affecting BI to use investment-related FinTech services among Gen Z and Gen M retail investors are performance expectancy (PE) to BI, perceived risk (PR) to BI, price value (PV) to BI and PR to service trust (ST).

Research limitations/implications

This study provides insights for financial providers and policymakers, emphasizing different factors influencing BI to use investment-related FinTech services in both age groups. Notably, habit emerges as a common factor influencing the actual usage of investment-related FinTech services across Gen M and Gen Z retail investors in India.

Originality/value

This study explores the heterogeneous behaviour of the heterogenous population in the domain of technological adoption of investment-related FinTech services in India.
Digital technologies and the evolution of the management accounting profession: a grounded theory literature review
Authors: Arkhipova Daria , Montemari Marco , Mio Chiara , Marasca Stefano
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to critically examine the accounting and information systems literature to understand the changes that are occurring in the management accounting profession. The changes the authors are interested in are linked to technology-driven innovations in managerial decision-making and in organizational structures. In addition, the paper highlights research gaps and opportunities for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopted a grounded theory literature review method (Wolfswinkel et al., 2013) to achieve the study’s aims.

Findings

The authors identified four research themes that describe the changes in the management accounting profession due to technology-driven innovations: structured vs unstructured data, human vs algorithm-driven decision-making, delineated vs blurred functional boundaries and hierarchical vs platform-based organizations. The authors also identified tensions mentioned in the literature for each research theme.

Originality/value

Previous studies display a rather narrow focus on the role of digital technologies in accounting work and new competences that management accountants require in the digital era. By contrast, the authors focus on the broader technology-driven shifts in organizational processes and structures, which vastly change how accounting information is collected, processed and analyzed internally to support managerial decision-making. Hence, the paper focuses on how management accountants can adapt and evolve as their organizations transition toward a digital environment.
Stress response and phytoextraction potential of two Noccaea caerulescens populations in multicontaminated soil
Authors: Sherri Mohammad Chafik , Sirguey Catherine , Kanso Ali , Hamze Kassem , Ouvrard Stéphanie
Published: April 2024

Multicontamination of soils by various organic and inorganic pollutants is considered as an obstacle for the development of hyperaccumulator plants and phytoextraction of metals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in combination with trace elements on the antioxidant response and phytoextraction efficiency of two populations of the hyperaccumulator Noccaea caerulescens from either a metalliferous (Ganges) or a nonmetalliferous (Chavignée) site. Plants were grown for 17 days in soil containing moderate concentrations of trace elements and under the effect of phenanthrene (PHE), a PAH stress model. In general, exposure to PHE resulted in a reduction of growth parameters, together with the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes and compounds and limitations in nutrient uptake and heavy metal extraction in N. caerulescens. Variations were observed in the extent of enzymatic activities and the amount of metals extracted between the two populations studied. Plants from Chavignée exhibited a slightly more tolerant response to PHE stress than those from Ganges. The presence of PHE in the soil proved highly toxic to N. caerulescens, resulting in low numbers of survivors. Nevertheless, the differences observed between the two populations with regard to growth, metal extraction, and antioxidant defense responses suggest that the difference in defense capacity may ensure different tolerance. This difference may be linked to adaptations acquired by each population according to the soil type from which it originates. However, these results need to be confirmed by further experiments.
Institutional quality and environmental sustainability nexus: Fresh evidence of most polluted countries in a CS–ARDL framework
Authors: Alharthi Majed , Hassan Muhammad Shahid , Huang Jianjie , Mahmood Haider , Arshad Hassan
Published: April 2024

Institutional quality (IQ) would contribute to environmental sustainability and could be helping to verify the Environmental Kuznets curve in any economy. To test whether IQ is sufficient enough to control pollution in the most polluted economies, the present research investigates the effects of IQ on CO2 emissions controlling economic growth, globalization, and energy proxies in the models of the 33 most polluted countries from 1990 to 2021 by using cross‐sectional dependence techniques. The long‐run results corroborate the Environmental Kuznets curve in the sample countries. Moreover, clean energy reduces and fossil fuels increase CO2 emissions. Furthermore, globalization and regulatory quality reduce CO2 emissions. The short‐run findings also validate the long‐run results. In addition, we also find the bidirectional causality of CO2 emissions with economic growth, clean energy, fossil fuels, and globalization. Moreover, one‐way causality is found from CO2 emissions to regulatory quality and political stability. We recommend promoting trade globalization, clean energy usage, and regulatory quality to support environmental sustainability.
Endoscopic ultrasound for the diagnosis and treatment of primary hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Jian Xiang , Lu Lun Gen , Cai Xiao Bo
Published: April 2024

Chronic liver disease has emerged as a significant global concern, with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) representing a critical consequence of this disease. However, early detection of HCC remains challenging in clinical practice. Recently, there has been a growing interest in applying endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) as a diagnostic tool for gastrointestinal diseases. Nevertheless, using EUS to diagnose and treat HCC is uncommon. In this review we described the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of EUS in primary HCC and evaluated its clinical significance. The diagnostic procedures primarily involve EUS‐guided fine‐needle biopsy or aspiration, assessment of metastatic lymph nodes and portal vein thrombosis, portal pressure monitoring, and portal vein blood collection. Treatment mainly includes EUS‐guided tumor ablation, brachytherapy, injectable chemotherapy, and managing variceal hemorrhage related to portal hypertension.
The OPI•AID Zone Tool as a composite outcome for postoperative pain management quality—A protocol for an observational pilot study
Authors: Karlsen Anders Peder Højer , Tran Trang Xuan Minh , Mathiesen Ole , Jakobsen Janus Christian , Meyhoff Christian S. , Lunn Troels Haxholdt , Olsen Markus Harboe
Published: April 2024

Background

Managing postoperative pain while minimizing opioid‐related adverse drug events (ORADEs) remains a significant challenge. The OPI•AID Zone Tool is proposed as a novel clinical decision support tool that ‐ both graphically and in a scoring‐system ‐ represents the relationship between pain management and the occurrence of ORADEs, aiming to enhance patient outcomes in postoperative care. The OPI•AID Zone Tool places pain score on the x‐axis and an ORADE score on the y‐axis, and stratifies patients into five zones to reflect the composite impact of pain severity and ORADEs on the quality of postoperative patient care. The study will have two key aims: (1) to explore whether the OPI•AID Zone Tool can function as a composite outcome measure for postoperative pain and ORADEs, and (2) to evaluate the use of the OPI•AID Zone Tool in visual presentations and for evaluation of patients’ postoperative pain management quality.

Methods

This prospective observational cohort study will include 200 adults undergoing various surgical procedures in general anesthesia with a subsequent stay in the post‐anesthesia care unit (PACU) at Bispebjerg Hospital, Denmark.

Substudy 1 primary outcome: To assess whether a zone score in the OPI•AID Zone Tool is associated with patient‐perceived health (EQ VAS), quality of recovery (QoR‐PACU), and time to discharge readiness in PACU, and if the zone score has a stronger association than pain and ORADE score in themselves.

Substudy 2 primary outcome: To assess how the use of intraoperative non‐opioid analgesics impact where patients are placed in the OPI•AID Zone Tool's XY scatterplot right after surgery.

To assess if patients who receive more comprehensive non‐opioid analgesic basic regimens, generally fall into lower zones.

Conclusion

The OPI•AID Zone Tool could potentially be a valuable clinical decision‐making tool for optimizing postoperative care by simultaneously addressing pain management and the risk of ORADEs. By computing a composite measure of these two critical outcomes, the tool could guide more nuanced and patient‐centered analgesic regimens, potentially improving patient satisfaction and operational efficiency in postoperative settings. The tool's applicability will be explored in this observational pilot and followed up in a planned series of studies (opiaid.dk).
True significance of the number of retrieved lymph nodes in stage II colon cancer resected by minimally invasive surgery: Influence of tumor sidedness
Authors: Iguchi Kenta , Sugiyama Atsuhiko , Mushiake Hiroyuki , Hasegawa Seiji , Rino Yasushi , Saito Aya , Shiozawa Manabu
Published: April 2024

Background

In patients with stage II colon cancer (CC) undergoing minimally invasive surgery, the association between the clinical significance of lymph node yield and tumor localization remains unknown. We aimed to determine the optimal number of lymph nodes to be retrieved based on tumor localization in patients with stage II CC undergoing minimally invasive surgery.

Methods

This was a multicenter retrospective study. Overall, 263 patients with stage II CC who underwent laparoscopic surgery between January 1, 2008 and December 31 were enrolled. The primary outcome was the optimal number of lymph nodes retrieved based on tumor localization.

Results

The median number of retrieved lymph nodes was 30 and 26 in the right‐(n = 125) and left‐sided (n = 138) CC groups, respectively (p = .0007). Inadequate dissection (<12 nodes) occurred in 4.2% of patients: 1.6% in the right‐sided CC group and 6.5% in the left‐sided CC group. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed a decreasing trend in adjusted hazard ratios with increasing nodes, with an optimal cutoff of 15 lymph nodes in the left‐sided CC group (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.868; 95% confidence interval, 1.247–27.62; p = .02). Lymph node yield was not independently associated with survival in the right‐sided CC group.

Conclusions

For patients with left‐sided stage II CC undergoing laparoscopic surgery, aiming for at least 15 retrieved lymph nodes may be optimal for accurate staging and prognostic assessment. The optimal lymph node yield likely varies based on tumor location, requiring further investigation in right‐sided CC.