bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SLAM/SAP signaling regulates discrete γδ T cell developmental checkpoints and shapes the innate-like γδ TCR repertoire
Authors: Mistri Somen K , Hilton Brianna M. , Horrigan Katherine J. , Andretta Emma S. , Savard Remi , Dienz Oliver , Hampel Kenneth J , Gerrard Diana L. , Rose Joshua T. , Sidiropoulos Nikoletta , Majumdar Devdoot , Boyson Jonathan E.
Published: January 2024

During thymic development, most γδ T cells acquire innate-like characteristics that are critical for their function in tumor surveillance, infectious disease, and tissue repair. The mechanisms, however, that regulate γδ T cell developmental programming remain unclear. Recently, we demonstrated that the SLAM-SAP signaling pathway regulates the development and function of multiple innate-like γδ T cell subsets. Here, we used a single-cell proteogenomics approach to identify SAP-dependent developmental checkpoints and to define the SAP-dependent γδ TCR repertoire. SAP deficiency resulted in both a significant loss of an immatureGzma+Blk+Etv5+Tox2+γδT17 precursor population, and a significant increase inCd4+Cd8+Rorc+Ptcra+Rag1+thymic γδ T cells. SAP-dependent diversion of embryonic day 17 thymic γδ T cell clonotypes into the αβ T cell developmental pathway was associated with a decreased frequency of mature clonotypes in neonatal thymus, and an altered γδ TCR repertoire in the periphery. Finally, we identify TRGV4/TRAV13-4(DV7)-expressing T cells as a novel, SAP-dependent Vγ4 γδT1 subset. Together, the data suggest that SAP-dependent γδ/αβ T cell lineage commitment regulates γδ T cell developmental programming and shapes the γδ TCR repertoire.

Abstract Figure
The functional role of locus coeruleus microglia in the female stress response
Authors: Smiley Cora E , Pate Brittany S , Bouknight Samantha J , Harrington Evelynn N , Jasnow Aaron M , Wood Susan K
Published: January 2024

Neuropsychiatric disorders that result from stress exposure are highly associated with central inflammation. Our previous work established that females selectively exhibit heightened proinflammatory cytokine production within the noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC) along with a hypervigilant behavioral phenotype in response to witnessing social stress, and ablation of microglia using pharmacological techniques prevents this behavioral response. These studies were designed to further investigate the impact of stress-induced neuroimmune signaling on the long-term behavioral and neuronal consequences of social stress exposure in females using chemogenetics. We first characterized the use of an AAV-CD68-Gi-DREADD virus targeted to microglia within the LC and confirmed viral transduction, selectivity, and efficacy. Clozapine-n-oxide (CNO) was used for the suppression of microglial reactivity during acute and chronic exposure to vicarious/witness social defeat in female rats. Chemogenetic-mediated inhibition of microglial reactivity during stress blunted the neuroimmune response to stress and prevented both acute and long-term hypervigilant behavioral responses. Further, a history of microglial suppression during stress prevented the heightened LC activity typically observed in response to stress cues. These studies are among the first to use a chemogenetic approach to inhibit microglia within the female brain in vivo and establish LC inflammation as a key mechanism underlying the behavioral and neuronal responses to social stress in females.
Atrial Proteomic Profiling Reveals a Switch Towards Profibrotic Gene Expression Program in CREM-IbΔC-X Mice with Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Zhao Shuai , Hulsurkar Mohit M. , Lahiri Satadru K. , Aguilar-Sanchez Yuriana , Munivez Elda , Müller Frank Ulrich , Jain Antrix , Malovannaya Anna , Yiu Kendrick , Reilly Svetlana , Wehrens Xander H.T.
Published: January 2024

Background

Overexpression of the CREM (cAMP response element-binding modulator) isoform CREM-IbΔC-X in transgenic mice (CREM-Tg) causes the age-dependent development of spontaneous AF.

Purpose

To identify key proteome signatures and biological processes accompanying the development of persistent AF through integrated proteomics and bioinformatics analysis.

Methods

Atrial tissue samples from three CREM-Tg mice and three wild-type littermates were subjected to unbiased mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics, differential expression and pathway enrichment analysis, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis.

Results

A total of 98 differentially expressed proteins were identified. Gene ontology analysis revealed enrichment for biological processes regulating actin cytoskeleton organization and extracellular matrix (ECM) dynamics. Changes in ITGAV, FBLN5, and LCP1 were identified as being relevant to atrial fibrosis and remodeling based on expression changes, co-expression patterns, and PPI network analysis. Comparative analysis with previously published datasets revealed a shift in protein expression patterns from ion-channel and metabolic regulators in young CREM-Tg mice to profibrotic remodeling factors in older CREM-Tg mice. Furthermore, older CREM-Tg mice exhibited protein expression patterns that resembled those of humans with persistent AF.

Conclusions

This study uncovered distinct temporal changes in atrial protein expression patterns with age in CREM-Tg mice consistent with the progressive evolution of AF. Future studies into the role of the key differentially abundant proteins identified in this study in AF progression may open new therapeutic avenues to control atrial fibrosis and substrate development in AF.

Graphical abstract

Graphical abstract summarizing key findings of this paper. The atrial proteome in 9-month-old CREM- Tg mice with chronic persistent AF (perAF) was compared with age-matched WT littermates. In addition, proteome changes in these old CREM-Tg mice were compared with proteome changes previously identified in young CREM-Tg mice with paroxysmal AF (pAF). Moreover, an interspecies comparison was performed between old CREM-Tg mice and human patients with perAF. The major findings are that in pAF, key changes were identified in proteins involved in metabolism, energy production, DNA synthesis, and cell proliferation and growth. On the other hand, in mice and humans with perAF, key changes were found in the expression of proteins involved in collagen production, extracellular matrix remodeling, actin cytoskeleton organization, and tissue repair.
Single-step generation of homozygous knock-out/knock-in individuals in an extremotolerant parthenogenetic tardigrade using DIPA-CRISPR
Authors: Kondo Koyuki , Tanaka Akihiro , Kunieda Takekazu
Published: January 2024

Tardigrades are small aquatic invertebrates known for their remarkable tolerance to diverse extreme stresses. To elucidate thein vivomechanisms underlying this extraordinary resilience, the genetic manipulation methods in tardigrades have long been desired. Despite our prior success in somatic cell gene-editing by microinjecting Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) into the body cavity of tardigrades, the generation of gene-edited individuals remained elusive.

In this study, employing an extremotolerant parthenogenetic tardigrade species,Ramazzottius varieornatus, we established conditions conductive to generating gene-edited tardigrade individuals. Drawing inspiration from the direct parental CRIPSR (DIPA-CRISPR) technique employed in several insects, we simply injected a concentrated Cas9 RNP solution into the body cavity of parental females shortly before their initial oviposition. This approach yielded gene-edited G0 progeny. Notably, only a single allele was predominantly detected at the target locus for each G0 individual, indicative of homozygous mutations. Through co-injecting single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ssODNs) with Cas9 RNPs, we achieved the generation of homozygously knocked-in G0 progeny and these edited-alleles were inherited by G1/G2 progeny.

This establishment of a simple method for generating homozygous knock-out/knock-in individuals not only facilitatesin vivoanalyses of molecular mechanisms underpinning extreme tolerance but also opens avenues for exploring various topics, including Evo-Devo, in tardigrades.
Incidence of occult cancer in patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in situ by cervical punch biopsy or endocervical curettage
Authors: Kwon Byung-Su , Suh Dong Hoon , Lim Myong Cheol , Kim Kidong , Lee Chae Hyeong , Chung Hyun Hoon , Kim Yong-Beom
Published: January 2024

Objectives

To investigate the incidence of occult cancer in patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in situ through punch biopsy or endocervical curettage.

Methods

We examined the clinicopathological characteristics of patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in situ using punch biopsy or endocervical curettage at four institutes in the Republic of Korea from 2003 to 2011. We investigated the incidence of occult cancer in conization or hysterectomy specimens and whether the occult cancer was detected through conization.

Results

Twenty patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in situ through punch biopsy or endocervical curettage were enrolled. Six out of the 20 patients had occult cervical cancer, and four out of the six patients had cervical cancer at or greater than stage 1A1 with lymphovascular space invasion. Two out of four patients were diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer through conization and underwent radical hysterectomy without adjuvant radiotherapy. The other two patients underwent extrafascial hysterectomy without preoperative conization and received adjuvant radiotherapy.

Conclusion

A significant number of patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in situ through punch biopsy or endocervical curettage have occult cancer. Conization should be performed to identify occult cancer and optimize the extent of surgery.
APNet, an explainable sparse deep learning model to discover differentially active drivers of severe COVID-19
Authors: Gavriilidis George I. , Vasileiou Vasileios , Dimitsaki Stella , Karakatsoulis George , Giannakakis Antonis , Pavlopoulos Georgios A. , Psomopoulos Fotis
Published: January 2024

Motivation

Computational analyses of plasma proteomics provide translational insights into complex diseases such as COVID-19 by revealing molecules, cellular phenotypes, and signaling patterns that contribute to unfavorable clinical outcomes. Currentin silicoapproaches dovetail differential expression, biostatistics, and machine learning, but often overlook nonlinear proteomic dynamics, like post-translational modifications, and provide limited biological interpretability beyond feature ranking.

Results

We introduce APNet, a novel computational pipeline that combines differential activity analysis based on SJARACNe co-expression networks with PASNet, a biologically-informed sparse deep learning model to perform explainable predictions for COVID-19 severity. The APNet driver-pathway network ingests co-expression and classification weights to aid result interpretation and hypothesis generation. APNet outperforms alternative models in patient classification across three COVID-19 proteomic datasets, identifying predictive drivers and pathways, including some confirmed in single-cell omics and highlighting under-explored biomarker circuitries in COVID-19.

Availability and Implementation

APNet’s R, Python scripts and Cytoscape methodologies are available athttps://github.com/BiodataAnalysisGroup/APNet

Contact

ggeorav@certh.gr

Supplementary information

Supplementary information can be accessed in Zenodo (10.5281/zenodo.10438830).
Polarised subcellular activation of ROPs by specific ROPGEFs drives pollen germination inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Bouatta Alida Melissa , Lepper Andrea , Denninger Philipp
Published: January 2024

During plant fertilisation, excess male gametes compete for a limited number of female gametes. The dormant male gametophyte, encapsulated in the pollen grain, consists of two sperm cells enclosed in a vegetative cell. After reaching the stigma of a compatible flower, quick and efficient germination of the vegetative cell to a tip-growing pollen tube is crucial to ensure fertilisation success. RHO OF PLANTS (ROP) signalling and their activating ROP GUANINE NUCLEOTIDE EXCHANGE FACTORS (ROPGEFs) are essential for initiating polar growth processes in multiple cell types. However, which ROPGEFs activate pollen germination is unknown. We investigated the role of ROPGEFs in initiating pollen germination and the required cell polarity establishment. Of the five pollen-expressed ROPGEFs, we found that GEF8, GEF9, and GEF12 are required for pollen germination and male fertilisation success, asgef8;gef9;gef12triple mutants showed almost complete loss of pollen germinationin vitroand had a reduced allele transmission rate. Live cell imaging and spatiotemporal analysis of subcellular protein distribution showed that GEF8 and GEF9, but not GEF12, displayed transient polar protein accumulations at the future site of pollen germination minutes before pollen germination, demonstrating specific roles for GEF8 and GEF9 during the initiation of pollen germination. Furthermore, this novel GEF accumulation appears in a biphasic temporal manner and can shift its location. We showed that the C-terminal domain of GEF8 and GEF9 confers this protein accumulation and demonstrated that GEFs locally activate ROPs and alter Ca2+signalling, which is required for pollen tube germination. We demonstrated that GEFs do not act redundantly during pollen germination and described for the first time a polar domain with spatiotemporal flexibility, which is crucial for thede novoestablishment of a polar growth domain within a cell and, thus, for pollen function and fertilisation success.
PUFA stabilizes a conductive state of the selectivity filter in IKs channels
Authors: Golluscio Alessia , Eldstrom Jodene , Jowais Jessica J. , Perez-Rodriguez Marta E. , Cunningham Kevin P. , de la Cruz Alicia , Wu Xiaoan , Corradi Valentina , Tieleman D. Peter , Fedida David , Larsson H. Peter
Published: January 2024

In cardiomyocytes, the KCNQ1/KCNE1 channel complex mediates the slow delayed-rectifier current (IKs), pivotal during the repolarization phase of the ventricular action potential. Mutations in IKs cause Long QT Syndrome (LQTS), a syndrome with a prolonged QT interval on the ECG, which increases the risk of ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. One potential therapeutical intervention for LQTS is based on targeting IKs channels to restore channel function and/or the physiological QT interval. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are potent activators of KCNQ1 channels and activate IKs channels by binding to two different sites, one in the voltage sensor domain (VSD) – which shifts the voltage dependence to more negative voltages– and the other in the pore domain (PD) – which increases the maximal conductance of the channels (Gmax). However, the mechanism by which PUFAs increase the Gmax of the IKs channels is still poorly understood. In addition, it is unclear why IKs channels have a very small single channel conductance and a low open probability or whether PUFAs affect any of these properties of IKs channels. Our results suggest that the selectivity filter in KCNQ1 is normally unstable, contributing to the low open probability, and that the PUFA-induced increase in Gmax is caused by a stabilization of the selectivity filter in an open-conductive state.
Defining the contribution ofTroy-positive progenitor cells to the mouse esophageal epithelium
Authors: Grommisch David , Wang Menghan , Eenjes Evelien , Svetličič Maja , Deng Qiaolin , Giselsson Pontus , Genander Maria
Published: January 2024

Progenitor cells adapt their behavior in response to tissue demands. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling esophageal progenitor decisions remain largely unknown. Here we demonstrate the presence of aTroy(Tnfrsf19)-expressing progenitor subpopulation localized to defined regions along the mouse esophageal axis. Lineage tracing and mathematical modelling demonstrate thatTroy-positive progenitor cells are prone to undergoing symmetrical fate choices and contribute to esophageal tissue homeostasis long-term. Functionally, TROY inhibits progenitor proliferation and enables commitment to differentiation without affecting fate symmetry. WhereasTroyexpression is stable during esophageal homeostasis, progenitor cells downregulateTroyin response to tissue stress, enabling proliferative expansion of basal cells refractory to differentiation and reestablishment of tissue homeostasis. Our results demonstrate functional, spatially restricted, progenitor heterogeneity in the esophageal epithelium and identify how dynamic regulation ofTroycoordinates tissue generation.
Sequence-Dependent Conformational Transitions of Disordered Proteins During Condensation
Authors: Wang Jiahui , Sundaravadivelu Devarajan Dinesh , Kim Young C. , Nikoubashman Arash , Mittal Jeetain
Published: January 2024

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) can form biomolecular condensates through phase separation. It is recognized that the conformation of IDPs in the dense and dilute phases as well as at the interfaces of condensates can critically impact the resulting properties associated with their functionality. However, a comprehensive understanding of the conformational transitions of IDPs during condensation remains elusive. In this study, we employ a coarse-grained polyampholyte model, comprising an equal number of oppositely charged residues—glutamic acid and lysine—whereby conformations and phase behavior can be readily tuned by altering the protein sequence. By manipulating the sequence patterns from perfectly alternating to block-like, we obtain chains with ideal-like conformations to semi-compact structures in the dilute phase, while in the dense phase, the chain conformation is approximately that of an ideal chain, irrespective of the protein sequence. By performing simulations at different concentrations, we find that the chains assemble from the dilute phase through small oligomeric clusters to the dense phase, accompanied by a gradual swelling of the individual chains. We further demonstrate that these findings are applicable to several naturally occurring proteins involved in the formation of biological condensates. Concurrently, we delve deeper into the chain conformations within the condensate, revealing that chains at the interface show a strong sequence dependence, but remain more collapsed than those in the bulk-like dense phase. This study addresses critical gaps in our knowledge of IDP conformations within condensates as a function of protein sequence.

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Solving protein structures by combining structure prediction, molecular replacement and direct-methods-aided model completion
Authors: Li Zengru , Fan Haifu , Ding Wei
Published: January 2024

Highly accurate protein structure prediction can generate accurate models of protein and protein–protein complexes in X-ray crystallography. However, the question of how to make more effective use of predicted models for completing structure analysis, and which strategies should be employed for the more challenging cases such as multi-helical structures, multimeric structures and extremely large structures, both in the model preparation and in the completion steps, remains open for discussion. In this paper, a new strategy is proposed based on the framework of direct methods and dual-space iteration, which can greatly simplify the pre-processing steps of predicted models both in normal and in challenging cases. Following this strategy, full-length models or the conservative structural domains could be used directly as the starting model, and the phase error and the model bias between the starting model and the real structure would be modified in the direct-methods-based dual-space iteration. Many challenging cases (from CASP14) have been tested for the general applicability of this constructive strategy, and almost complete models have been generated with reasonable statistics. The hybrid strategy therefore provides a meaningful scheme for X-ray structure determination using a predicted model as the starting point.
Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and energy frameworks of 1-[(E)-2-(2-fluorophenyl)diazan-1-ylidene]naphthalen-2(1H)-one
Authors: Akkache Hibet Errahmane Meroua , Hamdouni Noudjoud , Boudjada Ali , Medjroubi Mohamed larbi , Mili Assia , Jeannin Olivier
Published: January 2024

The title compound, C16H11N2OF, is a member of the azo dye family. The dihedral angle subtended by the benzene ring and the naphthalene ring system measures 18.75 (7)°, indicating that the compound is not perfectly planar. An intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond occurs between the imino and carbonyl groups. In the crystal, the molecules are linked into inversion dimers by C—H...O interactions. Aromatic π–π stacking between the naphthalene ring systems lead to the formation of chains along [001]. A Hirshfeld surface analysis was undertaken to investigate and quantify the intermolecular interactions. In addition, energy frameworks were used to examine the cooperative effect of these intermolecular interactions across the crystal, showing dispersion energy to be the most influential factor in the crystal organization of the compound.
trans-Dichloridobis[(S)-(−)-1-(4-methylphenyl)ethylamine-κN]palladium(II)
Authors: Hernández Téllez Guadalupe , Moreno Morales Gloria E. , Sharma Pankaj , Gonzalez Rodary , Anzaldo Bertin
Published: January 2024

The title complex, [PdCl2(C9H13N)2], comprises a single molecule in the asymmetric unit. The PdII atom is tetracoordinated by two N atoms from two trans-aligned organic ligands and two Cl ligands, forming a square-planar metal coordination environment. The distances from the ortho-H atoms on the phenyl ring to the central PdII atom fall within the range 4.70–5.30 Å, precluding any significant intramolecular Pd...H interactions.
Evaluating the impact of an incentive scheme to encourage pregnant people to set a quit-smoking date
Authors: Allison Seamus , Akbar M. Bilal , Allison Claire , Padley Karla , Wormall Stephen
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aims to demonstrate the evaluation of an incentive scheme to encourage pregnant people to set a quit-smoking date.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper outlines a collaborative approach, working with pregnant people, clinicians, tobacco dependency practitioners and academics to gain insights into their perspectives and experiences. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed.

Findings

The incentive scheme and appropriate support from clinicians have been shown to encourage pregnant people to set a quit date. The tobacco dependency practitioners helped remove barriers, such as the perception of the stigmatisation of smoking when pregnant. The practitioners also helped pregnant people make informed decisions to support successful behaviour change. The impact of the scheme resulted in improved infant health indicators. The scheme’s evaluation also supported establishing stakeholder knowledge exchange and learning processes.

Research limitations/implications

This is a single-site study among a relatively small group of people designed to achieve a specific evaluation objective. Caution in generalising to wider settings should be exercised.

Practical implications

This study highlights the efficacy of an incentive scheme, complemented with support from clinicians, and the significance of knowledge exchange and collaboration between stakeholders in health care with significance in similar settings.

Originality/value

The paper details the incentive scheme input, actions, output, outcomes and impact involving a wider range of stakeholders, including the emotional consequences for participants, clinicians and academics.
Educational innovation practices in primary and secondary schools during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Bouranta Nancy , Psomas Evangelos
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Due to the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, primary and secondary schools worldwide are deploying online teaching/learning practices, fostering and thus innovation practices. The purpose of this study is to determine the degree to which practices reflecting educational innovation are implemented in the Greek public primary and secondary schools operating under conditions characterized by the COVID-19 pandemic. Determining the relationship among these educational innovation practices is also an aim of the present study.

Design/methodology/approach

A research study was conducted in the Greek public primary and secondary schools. 522 teachers fully completed a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were applied to analyze the data.

Findings

The findings reveal that administration-related innovation practices, teaching-related innovation practices and online teaching/learning practices are implemented to some extent in primary and secondary schools in Greece, but there is still scope for continued development. The online teaching/learning practices set the foundations for further developing a culture of fully adopting other educational innovation practices in these schools to improve education.

Originality/value

Limited research concerning educational innovation practices has focused on primary and secondary schools. The need for more studies on teaching and learning innovations that have resulted from the COVID-19 crisis is highlighted by the literature. The results of this study support the fact that online teaching/learning implemented in primary and secondary schools is positively associated with administration-related and teaching-related innovation practices, concluding that this forced change in the educational process can act as a catalyst for more changes and innovative actions.
An empirical study of students' perceptive on e-learning systems success
Authors: Banu Ruksana , Shrivastava Preeti , Salman Mohamed
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The effect of e-learning success relies on the learning management system and its effectiveness provided to the learners. As a result, higher education institutions (HEIs) are expanding using various e-learning platforms and focusing on system and information quality. This study adopts the ISS (information system success) model to assess students' perception of e-learning system success (e-LSS).

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research approach was used to analyse 151 students' perceptions collected from HEIs in Oman. The survey instrument was built on prior research related to DeLone and McLean’s ISS model, and expert opinion was involved for validation. The snowball sampling method was used to collect the data, and participants' anonymity and confidentiality were maintained as part of the ethical process. The reliability of data was tested using Cronbach's alpha analysis. A statistical tool like correlation was used to examine the relationship between the study variables (system quality, information quality, user satisfaction and e-LSS).

Findings

This study’s results revealed that students positively perceived system usage, and users' satisfaction with e-learning systems (e-LSs) was high. Moreover, the correlation results indicated that the system and information quality aspects of e-learning significantly influence e-LSS.

Practical implications

The study results on students' perspective towards e-learning information systems can be advantageous to HEIs and various stakeholders like policymakers, and e-learning platforms. It may support and assist the HEIs and corporate firms in deciding on e-learning platforms for students and learners, respectively. Moreover, the consolidated findings will contribute to the existing literature on e-learning success factors from students’ perspectives.

Originality/value

This study examines the students' perception of e-LSS in Oman HEIs and advocates prospects for further in-depth study and analysis.
Consumer religiosity, cosmopolitanism and ethnocentrism in Indonesia
Authors: Jin Byoungho Ellie , Shin Daeun Chloe , Yang Heesoon , Jeong So Won , Chung Jae-Eun
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Little is known about Indonesian consumers' acceptance of global brands despite their huge retail market potential. Drawing from Festinger’s (1957) cognitive dissonance theory and Schwartz’s (1992) value system, this study aims to examine the effect of Indonesian consumers' religiosity, cosmopolitanism and ethnocentrism on their preference for and purchase intention towards global brands.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 316 female consumers aged 20 years or older living in Indonesia via a professional online survey firm. The firm sent prospective participants an email invitation with a survey URL. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling were conducted using AMOS 24.0 to test hypotheses.

Findings

The analyses revealed that Indonesian consumers' religiosity increased their ethnocentrism but not cosmopolitanism. Further, ethnocentrism decreased global brand preference without affecting purchase intention towards Korean cosmetics, whereas cosmopolitanism increased both global brand preference and purchase intention towards Korean cosmetics.

Originality/value

The findings show that cosmopolitanism has a stronger influence on global brand preference than ethnocentrism, suggesting ethnocentrism’s diminishing relevance in predicting purchase intention for foreign products. Additionally, religiosity’s effect on ethnocentrism was confirmed.
Intercultural transfer over the Atlantic in early 20th century – How the European cooperative banking system travelled to Quebec: the case of Desjardins Group
Authors: Barmeyer Christoph , Rodrigue Tobi
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to study historical intercultural transfer by examining the case of the Mouvement Desjardins, a Quebec, Canada-based cooperative bank founded in 1900 by Alphonse Desjardins. The aim of the cooperative was to support the hitherto marginalized French–Canadian population and to initiate their economic and entrepreneurial activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors focus on a historical single-case analysis. This conducts them to analyse primary data from letters exchanged between Alphonse Desjardins and European actors, as well as company documents of the Groupe Desjardins.

Findings

The intercultural transfer of the cooperative bank model and its implementation in North America as a successful, self-sustaining model is owing to recontextualization and strategic decisions of the social entrepreneur Alphonse Desjardins based on intensive written correspondence with European bank directors who promoted the cooperative system.

Research limitations/implications

This research instigates an impulse to extend our knowledge of intercultural transfer by looking into other historical cases to provide validation or add subtleties to our understanding of intercultural transfer dynamics.

Originality/value

This paper expands the current understanding of intercultural transfer and its powerful influence, namely, how an implemented cooperative bank system can contribute through successful recontextualization to institutional change and societal improvements. It also provides new insights into the creation and growth of social enterprises based on shared values within communities and coordinated strategic intentions across communities.
How does technological complexity affect manufacturers' innovation? Based on the perspective of vertical separation structure
Authors: Zhao Mingming , Wu Fuxiang , Xu Xia
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Complex technology not only provides potential economic benefits but also increases the difficulty of application. Whether and how upstream technological complexity affects downstream manufacturers' innovation through vertical separation structure is worth discussing, but it has not been effectively discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

Through theoretical analysis and empirical testing, this article discusses the cost effect and market competition effect caused by upstream technological complexity on downstream manufacturers and further elucidates the impact of upstream technological complexity on downstream manufacturers' innovation.

Findings

Research has found that the impact of upstream technological complexity on the downstream manufacturers' innovation depends on the cost effect and market competition effect. The cost effect caused by the complexity of upstream technology inhibits the innovation of downstream manufacturers. In contrast, the market competition effect promotes the innovation of downstream manufacturers. There are differences in the cost effect and market competition effect of upstream technological complexity on different types of downstream manufacturers, so there is also significant heterogeneity in the impact of upstream technological complexity on innovation of different types of downstream manufacturers.

Originality/value

The conclusions of this article improve the understanding of the relationship between upstream technological complexity and downstream innovation and provide helpful implications for industrial chain innovation.
An interactive possibilistic programming approach for sustainable supplier selection and inventory management problem in the physical internet
Authors: Zhao Pengyun , Ji Shoufeng , Ji Yuanyuan
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce a novel structure for the physical internet (PI)–enabled sustainable supplier selection and inventory management problem under uncertain environments.

Design/methodology/approach

To address hybrid uncertainty both in the objective function and constraints, a novel interactive hybrid multi-objective optimization solution approach combining Me-based fuzzy possibilistic programming and interval programming approaches is tailored.

Findings

Various numerical experiments are introduced to validate the feasibility of the established model and the proposed solution method.

Originality/value

Due to its interconnectedness, the PI has the opportunity to support firms in addressing sustainability challenges and reducing initial impact. The sustainable supplier selection and inventory management have become critical operational challenges in PI-enabled supply chain problems. This is the first attempt on this issue, which uses the presented novel interactive possibilistic programming method.
Incorporating sustainability in organizational strategy: a framework for enhancing sustainable knowledge management and green innovation
Authors: Rasheed Mohsin , Liu Jianhua , Ali Ehtisham
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study investigates the crucial link between sustainable practices and organizational development, focusing on sustainable knowledge management (SKM), green innovation (GI) and corporate sustainable development (CSD) in diverse Pakistani organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a comprehensive research methodology involving advanced statistical techniques, such as confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling and hierarchical linear modeling. These methods are instrumental in exploring the complex interrelationships between SKM, GI, moderating factors and CSD.

Findings

This research generates significant findings and actively contributes to sustainable development. The following sections (Sections 4 and 5) delve into the specific findings and in-depth discussions, shedding light on how industry regulation, organizational sustainability priorities, workplace culture collaboration and alignment between green culture and knowledge management practices influence the relationships between SKM, GI and CSD. These findings provide valuable insights for the research community and organizations striving for sustainability.

Practical implications

The study’s findings have practical implications for organizations seeking to enhance their sustainability efforts and embrace a socially and environmentally conscious approach to organizational growth.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on sustainable practices and organizational development. Researchers and business people can learn a lot from it because it uses advanced econometric models in new ways and focuses on the link between knowledge management, GI and sustainable corporate development.
How to make a collaborative videography using Phygital affordances to study sensitive topics
Authors: Cavusoglu Lena , Belk Russell W.
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The physical filmmaking landscape has been transformed by the emergence of digital platforms that foster interaction and dialogue. The accessibility and affordability of mobile production tools have empowered anyone with a mobile phone to become a media content creator. Accordingly, this paper aims to present a multi-method approach for creating phygital projects that involve people as active participants rather than mere subjects who collaborate with the researchers to tell their stories.

Design/methodology/approach

Research participants can embrace diverse roles, serving as co-researchers, content creators, curators and collaborators. The authors use various engagement strategies with the research participants, who are often marginalized or underrepresented, to encourage their participation and give them agency and creative control. Thus, we also use a participatory action research approach to help advocate for the participants’ facial equality concerns.

Findings

Collaborative videography embraces the mosaic of voices expressing intricate social issues. In this project, research participants with “facial differences” explain their experiences in facing society.

Originality/value

By experimenting with participatory frameworks and combining physical interactions (such as in-person meetings) with digital platforms like Zoom and social media, the authors suggest a multi-method approach that honors the authentic stories of the research participants, effectively engages the audience and explains how phygital research methodologies can be used in interpretive consumer research, particularly in co-creating films that capture strong visuals.
Food relief providers as care infrastructures: Sydney during the pandemic
Authors: Williams Miriam J. , Pilkington Alinta , Parker Chloe
Published: January 2024

Australia has a hidden but growing problem with household food insecurity, revealing the failure of conventional food infrastructures to support human flourishing. Disruptions to employment and livelihoods due to pandemic lockdowns have exacerbated household food insecurity, evincing the uneven geography of food access in countries globally, including Australia. Increasing demand for food relief had been observed prior to the COVID‐19 pandemic and has been met by food relief providers, which we consider as infrastructures of care addressing growing levels of hunger. This paper reveals COVID‐19’s many impacts on the food relief sector across Metropolitan Sydney, New South Wales. It analyses both a questionnaire of food relief providers in 2022 and media articles, social media posts, reports, and websites. It provides much‐needed insights into the impacts of pandemic lockdowns on the demand for food, interruptions to food provisioning, changes to food supply, and alterations made to suppliers’ ways of operating. Those insights show how infrastructures of care are place‐based, responsive, dynamic, and constrained by caring capacities. Such insights are increasingly important for understanding infrastructural failures, documenting the real extent of household food insecurity, and challenging dominant discourses of Australia as a food‐secure nation.
NOAA's National Water Model: Advancing operational hydrology through continental‐scale modeling
Authors: Cosgrove Brian , Gochis David , Flowers Trey , Dugger Aubrey , Ogden Fred , Graziano Tom , Clark Ed , Cabell Ryan , Casiday Nick , Cui Zhengtao , Eicher Kelley , Fall Greg , Feng Xia , Fitzgerald Katelyn , Frazier Nels , George Camaron , Gibbs Rich , Hernandez Liliana , Johnson Donald , Jones Ryan , Karsten Logan , Kefelegn Henok , Kitzmiller David , Lee Haksu , Liu Yuqiong , Mashriqui Hassan , Mattern David , McCluskey Alyssa , McCreight James L. , McDaniel Rachel , Midekisa Alemayehu , Newman Andy , Pan Linlin , Pham Cham , RafieeiNasab Arezoo , Rasmussen Roy , Read Laura , Rezaeianzadeh Mehdi , Salas Fernando , Sang Dina , Sampson Kevin , Schneider Tim , Shi Qi , Sood Gautam , Wood Andy , Wu Wanru , Yates David , Yu Wei , Zhang Yongxin
Published: January 2024

The National Weather Service (NWS) Office of Water Prediction (OWP), in conjunction with the National Center for Atmospheric Research and the NWS National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) implemented version 2.1 of the National Water Model (NWM) into operations in April of 2021. As with the initial version implemented in 2016, NWM v2.1 is an hourly cycling analysis and forecast system that provides streamflow guidance for millions of river reaches and other hydrologic information on high‐resolution grids. The NWM provides complementary hydrologic guidance at current NWS river forecast locations and significantly expands guidance coverage and water budget information in underserved locations. It produces a full range of hydrologic fields, which can be leveraged by a broad cross section of stakeholders ranging from the emergency responder and water resource communities, to transportation, energy, recreation and agriculture interests, to other water‐oriented applications in the government, academic and private sectors. Version 2.1 of the NWM represents the fifth major version upgrade and more than doubles simulation skill with respect to hourly streamflow correlation, Nash Sutcliffe Efficiency, and bias reduction, over its original inception in 2016. This paper will discuss the driving factors underpinning the creation of the NWM, provide a brief overview of the model configuration and performance, and discuss future efforts to improve NWM components and services.
Case study of continental‐scale hydrologic modeling's ability to predict daily streamflow percentiles for regulatory application
Authors: Gutenson Joseph L. , Sparrow Kent H. , Brown Stephen W. , Wahl Mark D. , Gordon Kyle B.
Published: January 2024

Regulatory practitioners use hydroclimatic data to provide context to observations typically collected through field site visits and aerial imagery analysis. In the absence of site‐specific data, regulatory practitioners must use proxy hydroclimatic data and models to assess a stream's hydroclimatology. One intent of current‐generation continental‐scale hydrologic models is to provide such hydrologic context to ungaged watersheds. In this study, the ability of two state‐of‐the‐art, operational, continental‐scale hydrologic modeling frameworks, the National Water Model and the Group on Earth Observation Global Water Sustainability (GEOGloWS) European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Streamflow Model, to produce daily streamflow percentiles and categorical estimates of the streamflow normalcy was examined. The modeled streamflow percentiles were compared to observed daily streamflow percentiles at four United States Geological Survey stream gages. The model's performance was then compared to a baseline assessment methodology, the Antecedent Precipitation Tool. Results indicated that, when compared to baseline assessment techniques, the accuracy of the National Water Model (NWM) or GEOGloWS ECMWF Streamflow Model was greater than the accuracy of the baseline assessment methodology at four stream gage locations. The NWM performed best at three of the four gages. This work highlighted a novel application of current‐generation continental‐scale hydrologic models.
Sex hormones and the total testosterone:estradiol ratio as predictors of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in hospitalized men
Authors: Ruiz‐Ochoa David , Guerra‐Ruiz Armando‐Raúl , García‐Unzueta María‐Teresa , Muñoz‐Cacho Pedro , Rodriguez‐Montalvan Bryan , Amado‐Diago Carlos Antonio , Lavín‐Gómez Bernardo‐Alio , Cano‐García María‐Eliecer , Pablo‐Marcos Daniel , Vázquez Luis Alberto
Published: January 2024

Background

The predictive ability of the early determination of sex steroids and the total testosterone:estradiol ratio for the risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 or the potential existence of a biological gradient in this relationship has not been evaluated.

Objectives

To assess the relationship of sex steroid levels and the total testosterone:estradiol ratio with the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in men, defined as the need for intensive care unit admission or death, and the predictive ability of each biomarker.

Materials and methods

This was a prospective observational study. We included all consecutive adult men with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections in a single center admitted to a general hospital ward or to the intensive care unit. Sex steroids were evaluated at the centralized laboratory of our hospital.

Results

We recruited 98 patients, 54 (55.1%) of whom developed severe coronavirus disease in 2019. Compared to patients with nonsevere coronavirus disease 2019, patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 had significantly lower serum levels of total testosterone (111 ± 89 vs. 191 ± 143 ng/dL; p < 0.001), dehydroepiandrosterone (1.69 ± 1.26 vs. 2.96 ± 2.64 ng/mL; p < 0.001), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (91.72 ± 76.20 vs. 134.28 ± 98.261 μg/dL; p = 0.009), significantly higher levels of estradiol (64.61 ± 59.35 vs. 33.78 ± 13.78 pg/mL; p = 0.001), and significantly lower total testosterone:estradiol ratio (0.28 ± 0.31 vs. 0.70 ± 0.75; p < 0.001). The lower the serum level of androgen and the lower the total testosterone:estradiol ratio values, the higher the likelihood of developing severe coronavirus disease 2019, with the linear trend in the adjusted analyses being statistically significant for all parameters except for androstenedione (p = 0.064). In the receiver operating characteristic analysis, better predictive performance was shown by the total testosterone:estradiol ratio, with an area under the curve of 0.77 (95% confidence interval 0.68–0.87; p < 0.001).

Discussion and conclusion

Our results suggest that men with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, decreased androgen levels and increased estradiol levels have a higher likelihood of developing an unfavorable outcome. The total testosterone:estradiol ratio showed the best predictive ability.