bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“It's Like Your Whole Body Hates You”
Authors: Gray Emily , Wilson Marian , Landis Tullamora T. , Little-Gott Angela
Published: May 2023

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted concurrent with a larger study investigating the effects of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on withdrawal symptoms for adults receiving daily methadone for opioid use disorder. The aims of this study were to (a) evaluate the perceptions of withdrawal symptoms and sleep characteristics of study participants and (b) explore the experiences of participation in the parent trial of hyperbaric oxygen treatment.

Adults with opioid use disorder can experience distressing symptoms related to withdrawal as well as co-occurring symptoms; sleep impairment is frequently reported. Few studies have examined how adults who receive medication for opioid use disorder experience sleep. A preliminary study of adults receiving daily methadone found that withdrawal symptoms were improved after hyperbaric oxygen treatment. This study explores the narrative of opioid users who report their overall experiences with withdrawal and sleep as well as their experiences of hyperbaric therapy.

A convenience sample of six participants was recruited, who represented a small subgroup of participants who completed the larger hyperbaric treatment study. Data were collected via semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed using the qualitative content analysis guidelines proposed by Schreier (2012). All participants described poor overall sleep hygiene and disturbed sleep. More than half of the respondents reported improved or eliminated withdrawal symptoms, and all reported improvement in sleep quality after participation in the sleep study.

This companion study confirms that subjective sleep disturbance may be prevalent for adults with opioid use disorder. Participants felt the experience of hyperbaric oxygen treatment produced a positive effect on sleep.
Anomalous circumflex artery: a benign variant generating a malignant potential after valve surgery
Authors: Papakonstantinou Nikolaos A. , Leontiadis Evangelos , Katsaridis Sotirios D. , Milonakis Michael , Avgerinos Dimitrios , Papadopoulos Kyrillos , Malakos Ioannis , Stavridis Georgios T.
Published: May 2023

Coronary artery anomalies are a diverse group of congenital disorders presenting with highly variable clinical manifestations. The anomalous origin of left circumflex artery from the right coronary sinus following a retro-aortic trajectory is a well-recognized anatomic variation. Despite its benign course, it can prove lethal in association with valvular surgery. When single aortic valve replacement or combined with mitral valve replacement is performed, the aberrant coronary vessel may be compressed by or between the prosthetic rings triggering postoperative lateral myocardial ischemia. If left untreated, the patient is at risk of sudden death or myocardial infarction with its detrimental complications. Skeletonization and mobilization of the aberrant coronary artery is the most widely accepted intervention, but valve downsizing or concomitant surgical or transcatheter revascularization have also been described. However, large series are lacking from the literature. Therefore, no guidelines exist. This study is a thorough review of the literature concerning the aforementioned anomaly in association with valvular surgery.
Simple design and analysis strategies for solving problems in observational orthopaedic clinical research
Authors: Brown Kelsey E. , Flores Michael J. , Slobogean Gerard , Shearer David , Gitajn Ida Leah , Morshed Saam
Published: May 2023

Randomized controlled trials are the gold standard to establishing causal relationships in clinical research. However, these studies are expensive and time consuming to conduct. This article aims to provide orthopaedic surgeons and clinical researchers with methodology to optimize inference and minimize bias in observational studies that are often much more feasible to undertake. To mitigate the risk of bias arising from their nonexperimental design, researchers must first understand the ways in which measured covariates can influence treatment, outcomes, and missingness of follow-up data. With knowledge of these relationships, researchers can then build causal diagrams to best understand how to control sources of bias. Some common techniques for controlling for bias include matching, regression, stratification, and propensity score analysis. Selection bias may result from loss to follow-up and missing data. Strategies such as multiple imputation and time-to-event analysis can be useful for handling missingness. For longitudinal data, repeated measures allow observational studies to best summarize the impact of the intervention over time. Clinical researchers familiar with fundamental concepts of causal inference and techniques reviewed in this article will have the power to improve the quality of inferences made from clinical research in orthopaedic trauma surgery.
Micromonospora solifontis sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from hot spring soil
Authors: Duangupama Thitikorn , Pansomsuay Rawirat , Pittayakhajonwut Pattama , Intaraudom Chakapong , Suriyachadkun Chanwit , He Ya-Wen , Tanasupawat Somboon , Thawai Chitti
Published: May 2023

An actinobacterium strain, PPF5-17T, was isolated from hot spring soil collected from Chiang Rai province, Thailand. The strain exhibited morphological and chemotaxonomic properties similar to those of members of the genus

Micromonospora

. Colonies of PPF5-17T were strong pinkish red and turned black after sporulation in ISP 2 agar medium. Cells formed single spores directly on the substrate mycelium. Growth was observed from 15 to 45 °C and at pH 5–8. Maximum NaCl concentration for growth was 3 % (w/v). PPF5-17T was found to have meso-diaminopimelic acid, xylose, mannose and glucose in the whole-cell hydrolysate. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositolmannosides were observed as the membrane phospholipids. MK-10(H6), MK-9(H6), MK-10(H4) and MK-9(H4) were the major menaquinones. The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. PPF5-17T shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with

Micromonospora fluminis

LMG 30467T (99.3 %). A genome-based taxonomic study revealed that PPF5-17T was closely related to Micromonospora aurantinigra DSM 44815T in the phylogenomic tree with an average nucleotide identity by blast (ANIb) of 87.7 % and a digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) value of, 36.1 % which were below the threshold values for delineation of a novel species. Moreover, PPF5-17T could be distinguished from its closest neighbours,

M. fluminis

LMG 30467T and M. aurantinigra DSM 44815T, with respect to a broad range of phenotypic properties. Thus, PPF5-17T represents a novel species, for which the name Micromonospora solifontis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PPF5-17T (= TBRC 8478T = NBRC 113441T).
Effect of Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir (Paxlovid) on Hospitalization among Adults with COVID-19: an EHR-based Target Trial Emulation from N3C
Authors: Bhatia Abhishek , Preiss Alexander J. , Xiao Xuya , Brannock M. Daniel , Alexander G. Caleb , Chew Robert F. , Fitzgerald Megan , Hill Elaine , Kelly Elizabeth P. , Mehta Hemalkumar B. , Madlock-Brown Charisse , Wilkins Kenneth J. , Chute Christopher G. , Haendel Melissa , Moffitt Richard , Pfaff Emily R. ,   The N3C Consortium
Published: May 2023

This study leverages electronic health record data in the National COVID Cohort Collaborative’s (N3C) repository to investigate disparities in Paxlovid treatment and to emulate a target trial assessing its effectiveness in reducing COVID-19 hospitalization rates. From an eligible population of 632,822 COVID-19 patients seen at 33 clinical sites across the United States between December 23, 2021 and December 31, 2022, patients were matched across observed treatment groups, yielding an analytical sample of 410,642 patients. We estimate a 65% reduced odds of hospitalization among Paxlovid-treated patients within a 28-day follow-up period, and this effect did not vary by patient vaccination status. Notably, we observe disparities in Paxlovid treatment, with lower rates among Black and Hispanic or Latino patients, and within socially vulnerable communities. Ours is the largest study of Paxlovid’s real-world effectiveness to date, and our primary findings are consistent with previous randomized control trials and real-world studies.
What happened to health labour markets during COVID-19? Insights from a survey of medical doctors in Brazil
Authors: Alves de Oliveira Bruno Luciano Carneiro , Scheffer Mário , Cassenote Alex , Russo Giuliano
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Background

Limited evidence exists on impacts and adaptations of global health markets during COVID-19. We examined physicians’ perceptions of changing employment opportunities in Brazil, to gain an insight into labour markets in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) during the pandemic.

Methods

We conducted secondary analysis of a dataset from a representative cross-sectional survey of 1,183 physicians in São Paulo and Maranhão states in Brazil. We estimated prevalence and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) for proxy variables of demand and supply of doctors, and prices of medical services for facilities of practice in the two States, stratified by public, private, and dual practice physicians.

Results

Most doctors reported increased job opportunities in the public sector (59.0%, 95% CI 56.1-61.9), particularly in Maranhão state (66.4%, 95% CI 62.3-70.3). For the private sector, increased opportunities were reported only in large private hospitals (51.4%, 95% CI 48.4-54.4), but not in smaller clinics. We recorded perceptions of slight increases in availability of doctors in Maranhão, particularly in the public sector (54.1%, 95 CI 45.7-62.3). Younger doctors recounted increased vacancies in the public sector (64%, 95 CI 58.1-68.1); older doctors only in walk-in clinics in Maranhão (47.5%, 95 CI 39.9-55.1). Those working directly with COVID-19 saw opportunities in public hospitals (65%, 95 CI 62.3-68.4), and in large private ones (55%, 95 CI 51.8-59.1)

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that health labour markets in (LMICs) may not necessarily shrink during epidemics, and that impacts will depend on the balance of public and private services in national health systems.

Key messages

What is already known on this topi

Health labour markets are believed to shrink during epidemics, with fewer services and jobs available because of lockdowns and reduced demand.

What this study adds

The doctors we surveyed in Brazil noticed increased job opportunities in the public sector during COVID-19, particularly in Maranhão state. For the private sector, increased vacancies were reported in large private hospitals but not in smaller clinics.

How this study might affect research, practice or policy

The complementary roles of health markets and publicly or privately funded systems during a health emergency might need re-examining to improve pandemic preparedness in LMICs.
Identification of the conservediolgene cluster involved in rhizosphere competence inPseudomonas
Authors: Sánchez-Gil Juan J. , Poppeliers Sanne W. M. , Vacheron Jordan , Zhang Hao , Odijk Bart , Keel Christoph , de Jonge Ronnie
Published: May 2023

ThePseudomonasgenus has shown great potential as a sustainable solution to support agriculture through its plant-growth promoting and biocontrol activities. However, their efficacy as bioinoculants is limited by unpredictable colonization in natural conditions. Our study identifies theiollocus, a gene cluster inPseudomonasinvolved in inositol catabolism, as a feature enriched among superior root colonizers in natural soil. Further characterization revealed that theiollocus increases competitiveness by inducing swimming motility and fluorescent siderophore production in response to inositol, a plant-derived compound. Public data analyses indicate that theiollocus is broadly conserved in thePseudomonasgenus and linked to diverse host-microbe interactions. Our findings suggest theiollocus as a potential target for developing more effective bioinoculants, given its conservation and association with diverse host-microbe interactions.
Single-cell mutation rate of turnip crinkle virus (-)-strand replication intermediates
Authors: Carvalho Camila Perdoncini , Han Junping , Khemson Khwannarin , Ren Ruifan , Camargo Luis Eduardo Aranha , Miyashita Shuhei , Qu Feng
Published: May 2023

Viruses with single-stranded, positive-sense (+) RNA genomes incur high numbers of errors during replication, thereby creating diversified genome populations from which new, better adapted viral variants can emerge. However, a definitive error rate is known for a relatively few (+) RNA plant viruses, due to challenges to account for perturbations caused by natural selection and/or experimental set-ups. To address these challenges, we developed a new approach that exclusively profiled errors in the (-)-strand replication intermediates of turnip crinkle virus (TCV), in singly infected cells. A series of controls and safeguards were devised to ensure errors inherent to the experimental process were accounted for. This approach permitted the estimation of a TCV error rate of 8.47 X 10−5substitution per nucleotide site per cell infection. Importantly, the characteristic error distribution pattern among the 50 copies of 2,363-base-pair cDNA fragments predicted that nearly all TCV (-) strands were products of one replication cycle per cell. Furthermore, some of the errors probably elevated error frequencies by lowering the fidelity of TCV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and/or permitting occasional re-replication of progeny genomes. In summary, by profiling errors in TCV (-)-strand intermediates incurred during replication in single cells, this study provided strong support for a stamping machine mode of replication employed by a (+) RNA virus.

Author Summary

Most (+) RNA viruses introduce replication errors at relatively high frequencies. As a result, it is of vital importance for these viruses to purge lethal errors in a timely manner. TCV, a plant-infecting small (+) RNA virus, was proposed to encode a Bottleneck, Isolate, Amplify, Select (BIAS) mechanism that compel swift clearance of lethal errors by bottlenecking the number of replicating genome copies to one per cell. A crucial prediction of this BIAS model is that such bottlenecking also acts on progeny genome copies, preventing them from repeating replication in the cells of their own genesis. The current study tested this prediction by developing a carefully controlled, readily reproducible approach to profile errors and error distributions in (-)-stranded replication intermediates of TCV. We found that most of replication-generated (-) strands descended from the primary (+) strands through a single replication cycle. This finding adds fresh support to the BIAS model.
Structural and functional insights in flavivirus NS5 proteins gained by the structure of Ntaya virus polymerase and methyltransferase
Authors: Krejčová Kateřina , Krafcikova Petra , Klima Martin , Chalupska Dominika , Chalupsky Karel , Zilecka Eva , Boura Evzen
Published: May 2023

Flaviviruses are single-stranded positive-sense RNA (+RNA) viruses that are responsible for several (re)emerging diseases such as Yellow, Dengue or West Nile fevers. The Zika epidemic highlighted their dangerousness when a relatively benign virus known since the 1950s turned into a deadly pathogen. The central protein for their replication is NS5 (non-structural protein 5), which is composed of the N-terminal methyltransferase (MTase) domain and the C-terminal RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp) domain. It is responsible for both, RNA replication and installation of the 5’ RNA cap. We structurally and biochemically analyzed the Ntaya virus MTase and RdRp domains and we compared their properties to other flaviviral NS5s. The enzymatic centers are well conserved acrossFlaviviridae, suggesting that the development of drugs targeting all flaviviruses is feasible. However, the enzymatic activities of the isolated proteins were significantly different for the MTase domains.
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Microbacterium forte sp. nov.,a mutualistic association that favor sustainable hydrogen production
Authors: Fakhimi Neda , Torres María Jesus , Fernandez Emilio , Galván Aurora , Dubini Alexandra , González-Ballester David
Published: May 2023

A multispecies bacterial community includingMicrobacterium fortesp. nov.,Stenotrophomonas goyisp. nov., andBacillus cereusgreatly promoted sustained hydrogen production by the microalgaChlamydomonas reinhardtiiwhen cocultivated in mannitol- and yeast extract-containing medium (up to 313 mL·L-1). Alga viability was also largely prolonged in the cocultures (>45 days) without any nutrient supplementation. Among the bacterial community,Microbacterium fortesp. nov. was the main responsible for the hydrogen production improvement. Nonetheless, the use of the entire bacterial community allowed a better growth of the alga during hydrogen production.Chlamydomonas reinhardtiiandMicrobacterium fortesp. nov. established a mutualistic association, based on the release of ammonium and acetic acid from the bacterium, while the alga provided sulfur-containing metabolites and complemented the bacterial auxotrophy for biotin and thiamine. This study uncovers the potential of the Chlamydomonas-bacteria consortia for durable and stable H2production while allowing the simultaneous production of biomass.
Broadband visual stimuli improve neuronal representation and sensory perception
Authors: Balla Elisabeta , Nabbefeld Gerion , Wiesbrock Christopher , Linde Jenice , Graff Severin , Musall Simon , Kampa Bjoern
Published: May 2023

Natural scenes consist of complex feature distributions that shape neural responses and perception. However, in contrast to single features like stimulus orientations, the impact of broadband feature distributions remains unclear. We, therefore, presented visual stimuli with parametrically-controlled bandwidths of orientations and spatial frequencies to awake mice while recording neural activity in their primary visual cortex (V1). Increasing orientation but not spatial frequency bandwidth strongly increased the number and response amplitude of V1 neurons. This effect was not explained by single-cell orientation tuning but rather a broadband-specific relief from center-surround suppression. Moreover, neurons in deeper V1 and the superior colliculus responded much stronger to broadband stimuli, especially when mixing orientations and spatial frequencies. Lastly, broadband stimuli increased the separability of neural responses and improved the performance of mice in a visual discrimination task. Our results show that surround modulation increases neural responses to complex natural feature distributions to enhance sensory perception.
Evolutionary Insights from a Large-scale Survey of Population-genomic Variation
Authors: Ye Zhiqiang , Wei Wen , Pfrender Michael , Lynch Michael
Published: May 2023

Results from data on>1000 haplotypes distributed over a nine-year period from a natural population of the microcrustaceanDaphnia pulexreveal evolutionary-genomic features at a refined scale, including key population-genetic properties that are obscured in studies with smaller sample sizes. Background selection, resulting from the recurrent introduction of dele-terious alleles, appears to strongly influence the dynamics of neutral alleles, inducing indirect negative selection on rare variants and positive selection on common variants. Fluctuating selection increases the persistence of nonsynonymous alleles with intermediate frequencies, while reducing standing levels of variation at linked silent sites. Combined with the results from an equally large metapopulation survey of the study species, regions of gene structure that are under strong purifying selection and classes of genes that are under strong positive selection in this key species can be confidently identified. Most notable among rapidly evolvingDaph-niagenes are those associated with ribosomes, mitochondrial functions, sensory systems, and lifespan determination.
ADARs regulate cuticle collagen expression to promote survival to pathogen infection
Authors: Dhakal Alfa , Salim Chinnu , Skelly Mary , Amichan Yarden , Lamm Ayelet T. , Hundley Heather A.
Published: May 2023

Background

In all organisms, the innate immune system defends against pathogens through basal expression of molecules that provide critical barriers to invasion and inducible expression of effectors that combat infection. The adenosine deaminase that act on RNA (ADAR) family of RNA binding proteins has been reported to influence innate immunity in metazoans. However, studies on the susceptibility of ADAR mutant animals to infection are largely lacking.

Results

Here, by analyzingadr-1andadr-2null mutants in well-established slow-killing assays, we find that bothCaenorhabditis elegansADARs are important for organismal survival to gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, all of which are pathogenic to humans. Furthermore, our high-throughput sequencing and genetic analysis reveal that ADR-1 and ADR-2 function in the same pathway to regulate collagen expression. Consistent with this finding, our scanning electron microscopy studies indicateadr-1;adr-2mutant animals also have altered cuticle morphology prior to pathogen exposure.

Conclusions

Our data uncover a critical role of theC. elegansADAR family of RNA binding proteins in promoting cuticular collagen expression, which represents a new post-transcriptional regulatory node that influences the extracellular matrix. In addition, we provide the first evidence that ADAR mutant animals have altered susceptibility to infection with several opportunistic human pathogens, suggesting a broader role of ADARs in altering physical barriers to infection to influence innate immunity.
Parallel genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 screens uncouple human pluripotent stem cell identity versus fitness
Authors: Rosen Bess P. , Li Qing V. , Cho Hyein S. , Liu Dingyu , Yang Dapeng , Graff Sarah , Yan Jielin , Luo Renhe , Verma Nipun , Damodaran Jeyaram R. , Kale Hanuman T. , Kaplan Samuel J. , Beer Michael A. , Sidoli Simone , Huangfu Danwei
Published: May 2023

Pluripotent stem cells are defined by their self-renewal capacity, which is the ability of the stem cells to proliferate indefinitely while maintaining the pluripotent identity essential for their ability to differentiate into any somatic cell lineage. However, understanding the mechanisms that control stem cell fitness versus the pluripotent cell identity is challenging. To investigate the interplay between these two aspects of pluripotency, we performed four parallel genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 loss-of-function screens interrogating stem cell fitness in hPSC self-renewal conditions, and the dissolution of the primed pluripotency identity during early differentiation. Comparative analyses led to the discovery of genes with distinct roles in pluripotency regulation, including mitochondrial and metabolism regulators crucial for stem cell fitness, and chromatin regulators that control pluripotent identity during early differentiation. We further discovered a core set of factors that control both stem cell fitness and pluripotent identity, including a network of chromatin factors that safeguard pluripotency. Our unbiased and systematic screening and comparative analyses disentangle two interconnected aspects of pluripotency, provide rich datasets for exploring pluripotent cell identity versus cell fitness, and offer a valuable model for categorizing gene function in broad biological contexts.
Engineering of a biosensor for intracellular aspartate
Authors: Hellweg Lars , Pfeifer Martin , Chang Lena , Tarnawski Miroslaw , Bergner Andrea , Kress Jana , Hiblot Julien , Reinhardt Jürgen , Johnsson Kai , Leippe Philipp
Published: May 2023

Aspartate is a limiting metabolite in proliferating cells with its production closely linked to glutamine and mitochondrial metabolism. To date, measuring aspartate concentrations in live cells was deemed impossible. We present iAspSnFR, a genetically-encoded biosensor for intracellular aspartate, engineered by displaying and screening biosensor libraries in HEK293 cells. In live cells, iAspSnFR exhibits a dynamic range of 130% fluorescence change and detects reduced aspartate levels upon glutamine deprivation or glutaminase inhibition. Furthermore, iAspSnFR tracks aspartate uptake by excitatory amino acid transporters, or of asparagine after co-expression of an asparaginase. Importantly, iAspSnFR reports aspartate depletions upon electron transport chain inhibition, and therefore it can serve as a proxy for mitochondrial respiration. Consequently, iAspSnFR can dissect the major cellular pathways of aspartate production, offering immediate applications, particularly in cancer biology, such as screening small molecules targeting aspartate and glutamine metabolism.
ARID1B controls transcriptional programs of axon projection in the human corpus callosum
Authors: Martins-Costa Catarina , Pham Vincent A. , Wiegers Andrea , Sidhaye Jaydeep , Doleschall Balint , Novatchkova Maria , Lendl Thomas , Piber Marielle , Peer Angela , Möseneder Paul , Stuempflen Marlene , Chow Siu Yu A. , Seidl Rainer , Prayer Daniela , Höftberger Romana , Kasprian Gregor , Ikeuchi Yoshiho , Corsini Nina S. , Knoblich Jürgen A.
Published: May 2023

Mutations inARID1B, a member of the mSWI/SNF complex, cause severe neurodevelopmental phenotypes with elusive mechanisms in humans. The most common structural abnormality in the brain of ARID1B patients is agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC). This condition is characterized by a partial or complete absence of the corpus callosum (CC), an interhemispheric white matter tract that connects distant cortical regions. Using human neural organoids, we identify a vulnerability of callosal projection neurons (CPNs) toARID1Bhaploinsufficiency, resulting in abnormal maturation trajectories and dysregulation of transcriptional programs of CC development. Through a novelin vitromodel of the CC tract, we demonstrate thatARID1Bmutations reduce the proportion of CPNs capable of forming long-range projections, leading to structural underconnectivity phenotypes. Our study uncovers new functions of the mSWI/SNF during human corticogenesis, identifying cell-autonomous defects in axonogenesis as a cause of ACC in ARID1B patients.

Abstract Figure

Graphical abstract

Human callosal projection neurons are vulnerable toARID1Bhaploinsufficiency.

(Top)During healthy development, callosal projection neurons (CPNs) project long interhemispheric axons, forming the corpus callosum (CC) tract, which can be modeledin vitro.(Bottom)In ARID1B patients, transcriptional dysregulation of genetic programs of CC development reduces the formation of long-range projections from CPNs, causing CC agenesisin vivoand underconnectivity phenotypesin vitro.
Critical exploration of AI-driven HRM to build up organizational capabilities
Authors: Böhmer Nicole , Schinnenburg Heike
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Human resource management (HRM) processes are increasingly artificial intelligence (AI)-driven, and HRM supports the general digital transformation of companies' viable competitiveness. This paper points out possible positive and negative effects on HRM, workplaces and workers’ organizations along the HR processes and its potential for competitive advantage in regard to managerial decisions on AI implementation regarding augmentation and automation of work.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review that includes 62 international journals across different disciplines and contains top-tier academic and German practitioner journals was conducted. The literature analysis applies the resource-based view (RBV) as a lens through which to explore AI-driven HRM as a potential source of organizational capabilities.

Findings

The analysis shows four ambiguities for AI-driven HRM that might support sustainable company development or might prevent AI application: job design, transparency, performance and data ambiguity. A limited scholarly discussion with very few empirical studies can be stated. To date, research has mainly focused on HRM in general, recruiting and HR analytics in particular.

Research limitations/implications

The four ambiguities' context-specific potential for capability building in firms is indicated, and research avenues are developed.

Originality/value

This paper critically explores AI-driven HRM and structures context-specific potential for capability building along four ambiguities that must be addressed by HRM to strategically contribute to an organization's competitive advantage.
Beyond water scarcity and efficiency? Water sustainability disclosures in corporate reporting
Authors: Morris Jonathan , Sassen Remmer , McGuinness Martina
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This research aims to understand how companies communicate their understanding of water-related challenges and their responses to identify new pathways for addressing this challenge to further advance rising interest in water sustainability strategies of corporations.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a content analysis of corporate disclosures, this paper identifies the actions and challenges reported by 35 FTSE 100 companies. These are analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively to explore variations in the subject of disclosure and the narrative framing.

Findings

The findings identify a clear split across the types of water sustainability reporting according to the industrial sector and subject of disclosure, linking to different narratives used according to legitimacy pressures.

Practical implications

This paper finds that energy, materials and consumer staples sectors consistently outperform other sectors on the reporting of water issues and the scope which is covered. This has implications for the design of regulations and incentives to increase water sustainability management activities in large companies, which currently under-report.

Social implications

This paper highlights the need for policy implementation to further integrate water-related topics into company reporting and identifies situations where the narrative disclosed may distort the underlying situation that is being communicated.

Originality/value

This paper explores the narratives used in company reporting to identify the challenges related to water sustainability and the actions taken in response. This can contribute to developing a pathway towards increased water sustainability (e.g. through new policy design).
miRNA expression in serum and PBMCs isolated from middle‐aged and elderly patients during asthma exacerbation
Authors: Wardzyńska Aleksandra , Pawełczyk Małgorzata , Rywaniak Joanna , Makowska Joanna S. , Kowalski Marek L. , Chałubiński Maciej
Published: May 2023

microRNAs are short, noncoding RNA molecules involved in many inflammatory processes including bronchial asthma. Rhinoviruses are the main cause of acute asthma attack and may be involved in miRNA profile dysregulation. The aim of the study was to investigate the serum miRNA profile during asthma exacerbation in middle‐aged and elderly patients. We also evaluated in this group in vitro response to rhinovirus 1b exposure. Seventeen middle‐aged and elderly asthmatics were admitted to an outpatient clinic during asthma exacerbation and within a period of 6–8 weeks later. Blood samples were collected from the subjects and PBMCs were isolated. Cells were cultured in the presence of Rhinovirus 1b and with the medium only, and, after 48 h. miRNA expression (miRNA‐19b, ‐106a, 126a, and ‐146a) isolated from serum and PBMCs (cultures) was evaluated with RT‐PCR. Cytokines (INF‐γ, TNF‐α, IL6, and Il‐10) in culture supernatants were evaluated with flow cytometry. On exacerbation visit patients demonstrated higher expression of serum miRNA‐126a and ‐146a as compared to follow‐up visit. There was a positive correlation between asthma control test results and miRNA‐19, ‐126a, ‐146a. There was no other significant association between patient characteristics and the miRNA profile. Rhinovirus exposure did not changed miRNA expression in PBMCs as compared to medium on both visits. Cytokine production in culture supernatants significantly increased after rhinovirus infection. The group of middle‐aged and elderly patients demonstrated changed levels serum miRNA during asthma exacerbation as compared to follow‐up visit; however, correlations between their expression and clinical features were hardly noticeable. Rhinovirus did not affect expression of miRNA in PBMCs; yet, it induced cytokine production.
Manual versus rigid intraoperative maxillo‐mandibular fixation in the surgical management of mandibular fractures: A European prospective analysis
Authors: Sobrero Federica , Roccia Fabio , Vilaplana Valentines , Roig Antonio Mari , Raveggi Elisa , Ramieri Guglielmo , Goetzinger Maximilian , Bottini Gian Battista , Rizvi Ali O. , Laverick Sean , Knežević Predrag , Dediol Emil , Kordić Mario , Sivrić Anamaria , Ganasouli Dimitra , Zanakis Stylianos N. , Jelovac Drago , Konstantinovic Vitomir S. , Birk Anže , Vesnaver Aleš , Rabufetti Alessandro , Scolozzi Paolo , Derkuş Fatma Eriş , Yilmaz Utku Nezih , Politis Constantinus , Dubron Kathia
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Intraoperative stabilisation of bony fragments with maxillo‐mandibular fixation (MMF) is an essential step in the surgical treatment of mandibular fractures that are treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). The MMF can be performed with or without wire‐based methods, rigid or manual MMF, respectively. The aim of this study was to compare the use of manual versus rigid MMF, in terms of occlusal outcomes and infective complications.

Materials and Methods

This multi‐centric prospective study involved 12 European maxillofacial centres and included adult patients (age ≥16 years) with mandibular fractures treated with ORIF. The following data were collected: age, gender, pre‐trauma dental status (dentate or partially dentate), cause of injury, fracture site, associated facial fractures, surgical approach, modality of intraoperative MMF (manual or rigid), outcome (minor/major malocclusions and infective complications) and revision surgeries. The main outcome was malocclusion at 6 weeks after surgery.

Results

Between May 1, 2021 and April 30, 2022, 319 patients—257 males and 62 females (median age, 28 years)—with mandibular fractures (185 single, 116 double and 18 triple fractures) were hospitalised and treated with ORIF. Intraoperative MMF was performed manually on 112 (35%) patients and with rigid MMF on 207 (65%) patients. The study variables did not differ significantly between the two groups, except for age. Minor occlusion disturbances were observed in 4 (3.6%) patients in the manual MMF group and in 10 (4.8%) patients in the rigid MMF group (p > .05). In the rigid MMF group, only one case of major malocclusion required a revision surgery. Infective complications involved 3.6% and 5.8% of patients in the manual and rigid MMF group, respectively (p > .05).

Conclusion

Intraoperative MMF was performed manually in nearly one third of the patients, with wide variability among the centres and no difference observed in terms of number, site and displacement of fractures. No significant difference was found in terms of postoperative malocclusion among patients treated with manual or rigid MMF. This suggests that both techniques were equally effective in providing intraoperative MMF.
The quality matters: Assessing the roles of patch quality and configuration on the abundance of an invading cerambycid species through a multi‐model inference approach
Authors: Fachinetti Romina , Grilli Mariano P.
Published: May 2023

Landscape ecology studies are based on the concept that most local phenomena cannot be completely understood without considering the role of the surrounding landscape. A key factor in landscape ecology is the heterogeneous distribution of resources that different species use for food and reproduction. In this paper, we analyse the role of patch quality together with landscape attributes on the distribution and abundance of Arhopalus rusticus in the central west of Córdoba Province in Argentina.

Land cover was estimated using Landsat 8 scenes. Landscape was quantified by estimating the focal patch area, the distance to nearest pine patch and the quality of the patch through the enhanced vegetation index obtained from the MODIS satellite. Generalised linear mixed models were employed to analyse the relationship between the independent variables and A. rusticus abundance. A multi‐model inference approach was employed to select the best model.

The distance to nearest pine patch and the enhanced vegetation index of the previous year showed a negative relationship with A. rusticus abundance, while the relationship with the focal patch area and the enhanced vegetation index of the year in which the sampling took place was positive.

Our results show that although landscape pattern of pine patches affects the invading capability of A. rusticus in a direct way, the forest patch quality is an important factor that limits the capability of the insect to establish itself in an area.
Priority acute and preventive migraine treatment benefits: Results of the Migraine Clinical Outcome Assessment System (MiCOAS) qualitative study of people living with migraine
Authors: Mangrum Rikki , Gerstein Maya T. , Hall Calvin J. , Buse Dawn C. , Houts Carrie R. , McGinley James S. , McCarrier Kelly P. , Lipton Richard B. , Wirth R. J.
Published: May 2023

Background

There is renewed emphasis on including patients in determining, defining, and prioritizing outcomes for migraine treatment.

Objectives

To obtain insights directly from people living with migraine on their priorities for treatment.

Methods

A total of 40 qualitative interviews were conducted as part of the Migraine Clinical Outcome Assessment System project, a United States Food and Drug Administration grant‐funded program to develop a core set of patient‐centered outcome measures for migraine clinical trials. Interviews included a structured exercise in which participants rank‐ordered pre‐defined lists of potential benefits for acute and preventive migraine therapy. The 40 study participants who reported being diagnosed with migraine by a clinician ranked the benefits and explained their rationale.

Results

Study participants consistently ranked either pain relief or absence of pain as their top priority for acute treatment. Relief/absence of other migraine symptoms and improved functioning were also prioritized. For preventive treatment, participants prioritized reductions in migraine frequency, symptom severity, and attack duration. Few differences were found between participants with episodic migraine and those with chronic migraine. However, participants with chronic migraine ranked “increased predictability of attacks” much higher than those with episodic migraine. Participants' rankings were influenced by prior expectations and experiences of migraine treatments, which caused many participants to deprioritize desired benefits as unrealistic. Participants also identified several additional priorities, including limited side‐effects and reliable treatment efficacy in both acute and preventive treatments.

Conclusion

The results showed the participants prioritized treatment benefits aligned with existing core clinical outcomes used in migraine research, but also valued benefits that are not typically assessed, such as predictability. Participants also deprioritized important benefits when they believed treatment was unlikely to deliver those outcomes.
Capacity overhang and corporate disinvestment decisions
Authors: Karaca Ilker , Sapp Travis R. A.
Published: May 2023

We use a stochastic frontier model to estimate a firm's capacity overhang. We find that excess capacity is positively related to a drop in new capital expenditures, an accumulation of depleted long‐term assets, and outright sales of investment assets. However, the sale of long‐term assets (property, plant, and equipment [PP&E]) peaks for intermediate levels of excess capacity and then declines. We attribute this to growth options. We test for evidence of a preference ordering in the firm's choice of responding to excess capacity and find evidence for a pecking order in firm disinvestment, where sales of long‐term assets are a measure of last resort.
Assessing the impact of stakeholder pressure and green data analytics on firm's environmental performance – understanding the role of green knowledge management and green technological innovativeness
Authors: Sahoo Saumyaranjan
Published: May 2023

This research investigates the direct and indirect effects of stakeholder pressure, green data analytics, green knowledge management, green technological innovativeness, and the environmental performance of Indian manufacturers. Data were acquired from 569 manufacturers in India using a survey questionnaire. The study's hypotheses were examined through partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS‐SEM). The findings of the investigation substantially support the notion that stakeholder pressure greatly influences a firm to develop organizational capabilities of green data analytics, green knowledge management, and green technological innovativeness. Interestingly, stakeholder pressure was found to have a significant indirect impact on a firm's environmental performance. Furthermore, the findings show that green data analytics is critical to the firm's capacity to manage green knowledge and innovate greenly. The study has important implications for both theory and practice in the area of strategic knowledge management centered on environmental issues.
Patterns of (party competition in) democracy: Voter certainty and party strategy in different institutional settings
Authors: Kim Gidong
Published: May 2023

Objectives

While some argue that parties reduce voter uncertainty to attract more votes, others claim that parties increase vote shares when beclouding their policy positions. To address the puzzle, I argue that as the degree of consensual characteristics increases, strategic uncertainty is electorally more helpful because parties in consensus models should consider the governing coalition and facilitate cooperation with other parties due to multiparty systems.

Methods

Using the Comparative Study of Electoral Systems, I employ multilevel modeling to analyze 335 parties in 32 countries including both advanced and postcommunist democracies.

Results

I find empirical evidence that as the political institutions have more consensus models, it is more beneficial (or less costly at least) for parties to pursue voter uncertainty with broad appealing strategies primarily in advanced democracies.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that democratic institutional settings shape the incentives for parties to adopt either broad or narrow appeals in the context of party competition.
Experimental Performance of a Nonlinear Control Strategy to Regulate Temperature of a High-Temperature Solar Reactor
Authors: Alsahlani Assaad , Ozalp Nesrin
Published: May 2023

Despite the significant potential of solar thermochemical process technology for storing solar energy as solid-state solar fuel, several challenges have made its industrial application difficult. It is important to note that solar energy has a transient nature that causes instability and reduces process efficiency. Therefore, it is crucial to implement a robust control system to regulate the process temperature and tackle the shortage of incoming solar energy during cloudy weather. In our previous works, different model-based control strategies were developed namely a proportional integral derivative controller (PID) with gain scheduling and adaptive model predictive control (MPC). These methods were tested numerically to regulate the temperature inside a high-temperature tubular solar reactor. In this work, the proposed control strategies were experimentally tested under various operation conditions. The controllers were challenged to track different setpoints (500 °C, 1000 °C, and 1450 °C) with different amounts of gas/particle flowrates. Additionally, the flow controller was tested to regulate the reactor temperature under a cloudy weather scenario. The ultimate goal was to produce 5 kg of reduced solar fuel magnesium manganese oxide (MgMn2O4) successfully, and the controllers were able to track the required process temperature and reject disturbances despite the system's strong nonlinearity. The experimental results showed a maximum error in the temperature setpoint of less than 0.5% (6 °C), and the MPC controller demonstrated superior performance in reducing the control effort and rejecting disturbances.
Strength of target source segregation cues affects the outcome of speech-on-speech masking experiments
Authors: Roverud Elin , Villard Sarah , Kidd Gerald
Published: May 2023

In speech-on-speech listening experiments, some means for designating which talker is the “target” must be provided for the listener to perform better than chance. However, the relative strength of the segregation variables designating the target could affect the results of the experiment. Here, we examine the interaction of two source segregation variables—spatial separation and talker gender differences—and demonstrate that the relative strengths of these cues may affect the interpretation of the results. Participants listened to sentence pairs spoken by different-gender target and masker talkers, presented naturally or vocoded (degrading gender cues), either colocated or spatially separated. Target and masker words were temporally interleaved to eliminate energetic masking in either an every-other-word or randomized order of presentation. Results showed that the order of interleaving had no effect on recall performance. For natural speech with strong talker gender cues, spatial separation of sources yielded no improvement in performance. For vocoded speech with degraded talker gender cues, performance improved significantly with spatial separation of sources. These findings reveal that listeners may shift among target source segregation cues contingent on cue viability. Finally, performance was poor when the target was designated after stimulus presentation, indicating strong reliance on the cues.
Protocol Standardization May Improve Precision Error of InBody 720 Body Composition Analysis
Authors: Herberts Tia , Slater Gary J. , Farley Ava , Hogarth Luke , Areta Jose L. , Paulsen Gøran , Garthe Ina
Published: May 2023

Background: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a popular technique which can be used to track longitudinal changes in body composition. However, precision of the technique has been questioned, especially among athletic populations where small but meaningful changes are often observed. Guidelines exist which attempt to optimize precision of the technique but fail to account for potentially important variables. Standardization of dietary intake and physical activity in the 24 hr prior to assessment has been proposed as an approach to minimizing the error of impedance-derived estimates of body composition. Methods: Eighteen recreational athletes, male (n = 10) and female (n = 8), underwent two consecutive BIA tests to quantify within-day error, and a third test (the day before or after) to quantify between-day error. All food and fluid intake plus physical activity from the 24 hr prior to the first BIA scan was replicated during the following 24 hr. Precision error was calculated as the root mean square standard deviation, percentage coefficient of variation, and least significant change. Results: There were no significant differences in precision error of within- and between-day fat-free mass, fat mass, and total body water. Differences in precision error of fat-free mass and total body water, but not fat mass, were less than the smallest effect size of interest. Conclusion: The 24-hr standardization of dietary intake and physical activity may be an effective approach to minimizing precision error associated with BIA. However, further research to confirm the validity of this protocol compared to nonstandardized or randomized intake is warranted.