bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PyZebraScope: an open-source platform for brain-wide neural activity imaging in zebrafish
Authors: Barbara Rani , Kantharaju Madhu Nagathihalli , Haruvi Ravid , Harrington Kyle , Kawashima Takashi
Published: February 2022

Understanding how neurons interact across the brain to control animal behaviors is one of the central goals in neuroscience. Recent developments in fluorescent microscopy and genetically-encoded calcium indicators led to the establishment of whole-brain imaging methods in zebrafish, which records neural activity across a brain-wide volume with single-cell resolution. Pioneering studies of whole-brain imaging used custom light-sheet microscopes, and their operation relied on commercially developed and maintained software that is not available globally. Hence it has been challenging to disseminate and develop the technology in the research community. Here, we present PyZebrascope, an open-source Python platform designed for neural activity imaging in zebrafish using light-sheet microscopy. PyZebrascope has intuitive user interfaces and implements essential features for whole-brain imaging, such as two orthogonal excitation beams and eye damage prevention. Its modular architecture allows the inclusion of advanced algorithms for microscope control and image processing. As a proof of concept, we implemented an automatic algorithm for maximizing the image resolution in the brain by precisely aligning the excitation beams to the image focal plane. PyZebrascope enables whole-brain neural activity imaging in fish behaving in a virtual reality environment with a stable high data throughput and low CPU and memory consumption. Thus, PyZebrascope will help disseminate and develop light-sheet microscopy techniques in the neuroscience community and advance our understanding of whole-brain neural dynamics during animal behaviors.
The V-type H+-ATPase is targeted in anti-diuretic hormone control of the Malpighian ‘renal’ tubules
Authors: Sajadi Farwa , Vergara-Martínez María Fernanda , Paluzzi Jean-Paul V.
Published: February 2022

Like other insects, secretion by mosquito Malpighian tubules (MTs) is driven by the V-type H+-ATPase (VA) localized in the apical membrane of principal cells. InAedes aegypti, the anti-diuretic neurohormone CAPA inhibits secretion by MTs stimulated by select diuretic hormones; however, the cellular effectors of this inhibitory signaling cascade remain unclear. Herein, we demonstrate that the VA inhibitor bafilomycin selectively inhibits serotonin (5HT)- and calcitonin-related diuretic hormone (DH31)-stimulated secretion. VA activity increases in DH31-treated MTs, whereas CAPA abolishes this increase through a NOS/cGMP/PKG signaling pathway. A critical feature of VA activation involves the reversible association of the cytosolic (V1) and membrane (Vo) complexes. Indeed, higher V1protein abundance was found in membrane fractions of DH31-treated MTs whereas CAPA significantly decreased V1abundance in membrane fractions while increasing it in cytosolic fractions. V1immunolocalization was observed strictly in the apical membrane of DH31treated MTs whereas immunoreactivity was dispersed following CAPA treatment. VA complexes colocalized apically in female MTs shortly after a blood-meal consistent with the peak and post-peak phases of diuresis. Comparatively, V1immunoreactivity in MTs was more dispersed and did not colocalize with the Vocomplex in the apical membrane at 3 hours post blood-meal, representing a timepoint after the late phase of diuresis has concluded. Therefore, CAPA inhibition of MTs involves reducing VA activity and promotes complex dissociation hindering secretion. Collectively, these findings reveal a key target in hormone-mediated inhibition of MTs countering diuresis that provides a deeper understanding of this critical physiological process necessary for hydromineral balance.

Significance Statement

The V-type H+ATPase (VA), or proton pump, provides the driving force for transepithelial ion and fluid secretion in insect Malpighian tubules (MTs). While studies have shown diuretic stimulation activates various signaling pathways, including cAMP and downstream effectors promoting increased VA activity, our understanding of anti-diuretic signaling and its potential regulation of the VA remains rudimentary. Herein, we show that CAPA neuropeptide acts through the NOS/cGMP/PKG pathway to inhibit DH31-stimulated VA activity, supporting the notion that the anti-diuretic regulation is achieved through dissociation of the VA complexes. These results demonstrate a critical role of VA inhibition and trafficking necessary for anti-diuretic signaling and advances our understanding of the complex neuroendocrine control of the MTs in this important human disease-vector mosquito.
Users’ Reactions on Announced Vaccines against COVID-19 Before Marketing in France: Analysis of Twitter posts
Authors: Dupuy-Zini Alexandre , Audeh Bissan , Gagneux-Brunon Amandine , Bousquet Cedric
Published: February 2022

Background

Within a few months, the COVID-19 pandemic has spread to many countries and has been a real challenge for health systems all around the world. This unprecedented crisis has led to a surge of online discussions about potential cures for the disease. Among them, vaccines have been at the heart of the debates, and have faced lack of confidence before marketing in France.

Objective

This study aims to identify and investigate the opinion of French Twitter users on the announced vaccines against COVID-19 through sentiment analysis.

Methods

This study was conducted in two phases. First, we filtered a collection of tweets related to COVID-19 from February to August 2020 with a set of keywords associated with vaccine mistrust using word embeddings. Second, we performed sentiment analysis using deep learning to identify the characteristics of vaccine mistrust. The model was trained on a hand labeled subset of 4,548 tweets.

Results

A set of 69 relevant keywords were identified as the semantic concept of the word “vaccin” (vaccine in French) and focus mainly on conspiracies, pharmaceutical companies, and alternative treatments. Those keywords enabled to extract nearly 350k tweets in French. The sentiment analysis model achieved a 0.75 accuracy. The model then predicted 16% of positive tweets, 41% of negative tweets and 43% of neutral tweets. This allowed to explore the semantic concepts of positive and negative tweets and to plot the trends of each sentiment. The main negative rhetoric identified from users’ tweets was that vaccines are perceived as having a political purpose, and that COVID-19 is a commercial argument for the pharmaceutical companies.

Conclusions

Twitter might be a useful tool to investigate the arguments of vaccine mistrust as it unveils a political criticism contrasting with the usual concerns on adverse drug reactions. As the opposition rhetoric is more consistent and more widely spread than the positive rhetoric, we believe that this research provides effective tools to help health authorities better characterize the risk of vaccine mistrust.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Commercially Available Tests for Respiratory Syncytial Virus: A Scoping Literature Review in the COVID-19 Era
Authors: Bernstein David I. , Mejias Asuncion , Rath Barbara , Woods Christopher W. , Deeter Jamie Phillips
Published: February 2022

Background

Non-pharmaceutical interventions to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 also decreased the spread of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza. Viral diagnostic testing in patients with respiratory tract infections (RTI) is a necessary tool for patient management; therefore, sensitive and specific tests are required. This scoping literature review evaluated the analytical validity of commercially available sample-to- answer RSV diagnostic tests in different contexts.

Content

PubMed and Embase were queried for studies reporting on the analytical validity of tests for RSV in patients with RTI (published January 2005–January 2021). Sensitivity and specificity of RSV tests and information on study design, patient, and setting characteristics were extracted from 77 studies that met predefined inclusion criteria. A literature gap was identified for studies of RSV tests conducted in adult-only populations (5.3% of total sub- records), and in outpatient (7.5%) or household (0.8%) settings. Overall, RSV tests with analytical time >30 min had higher sensitivity (62.5–100%) versus RSV tests with analytical time ≤ 30 min (25.7–100%), this sensitivity range could be partially attributed to the different modalities (antigen versus molecular) used. Molecular-based rapid RSV tests had higher sensitivity (66.7–100%) and specificity (94.3–100%) than antigen-based RSV tests (25.7– 100%; 80.3–100%).

Molecular-based RSV tests should be considered for first-line use when possible, given their high sensitivity and specificity and that adults with RTI typically have low viral load, necessitating a highly sensitive test. This review benefits healthcare professionals by summarizing the diagnostic accuracy data available for commercially available RSV tests.

IMPACT STATEMENT

Viral diagnostic testing in patients with respiratory tract infection is a powerful tool for patient management. This scoping literature review included 77 studies reporting the analytical validity of commercially available respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) diagnostic tests (published January 2005–January 2021) and examined the characteristics of such studies. The data suggest that molecular-based RSV tests have higher sensitivity and specificity than antigen-based tests, thus should be considered for first-line use for timely diagnosis and to detect infections in adults with low level viral load. Future studies should investigate the diagnostic accuracy of RSV tests in adults and in outpatient/household settings.
Pilotins are mobile T3SS components involved in assembly and substrate specificity of the bacterial type III secretion system
Authors: Wimmi Stephan , Fleck Moritz , Helbig Carlos , Brianceau Corentin , Langenfeld Katja , Szymanski Witold G. , Angelidou Georgia , Glatter Timo , Diepold Andreas
Published: February 2022

In animal pathogens, assembly of the type III secretion system injectisome requires the presence of so-called pilotins, small lipoproteins that assist the formation of the secretin ring in the outer membrane. Using a combination of functional assays, interaction studies, proteomics, and live-cell microscopy, we determined the contribution of the pilotin to the assembly, function, and substrate selectivity of the T3SS and identified potential new downstream roles of pilotin proteins. In absence of its pilotin SctG,Yersinia enterocoliticaforms few, largely polar injectisome sorting platforms and needles. In line, most export apparatus subcomplexes are mobile in these strains, suggesting the absence of fully assembled injectisomes. Remarkably, while absence of the pilotin all but prevents export of early T3SS substrates, such as the needle subunits, it has little effect on secretion of late T3SS substrates, including the virulence effectors. We found that pilotins transiently interact with other injectisome components such as the secretin in the outer membrane, but mostly form transient mobile clusters in the bacterial membrane, which do not colocalize with assembled injectisomes. Together, these findings provide a new view on the role of pilotins during and after assembly of type III secretion injectisomes.
The impact of the soluble protein fraction and kernel hardness on wheat flour starch digestibility
Authors: Wu Jia , Warren Frederick J.
Published: February 2022

Wheat is the staple crop for 35% of the world’s population, providing a major source of calories for much of the world’s population. Starch is the main source of energy in wheat flour, but the digestibility of wheat starch varies greatly between different flours and wheat products. This has relevance from a health perspective because wheat starch products that are rapidly digested and elicit large post-prandial glucose peaks are associated with a host of cardiac and metabolic disorders. In this study, we investigate the impact of protein on starch digestion in three commercially sourced flours with different grain hardness. Grain hardness impacted on flour particle size, but not significantly on starch digestion. A soluble extract of wheat proteins was found to dramatically reduce starch digestion, even following gastric proteolysis. Proteomic analysis revealed that this soluble extract was enriched in proteinaceous α-amylase inhibitors which were partially degraded during gastric proteolysis. Therefore, we conclude that the soluble proteins of wheat flour have a significant contribution towards retarding starch digestion, even following gastric digestion.
Climate Change Impacts on Broussenetia papyrifera Pollens - Metabolome Investigations and Prospects of Allergy Prevalence
Authors: Humayun Muhammad , Naseem Saadia , Goodman Richard E. , Ali Zahid
Published: February 2022

Broussonetia papyrifera (B. papyrifera) is an allergenic plant in the mulberry family that grows at varied elevations and climatic conditions worldwide. In northern Pakistan, B. papyrifera is abundant and it produces a substantial amount of pollen that disperses in the air causing allergies in some humans. Climate change affects pollen production. To investigate potential changes in pollens development and potential allergenicity, B. papyrifera pollens were collected in summer and in spring from different regions in Pakistan. Study samples were subjected to morphological analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis for biochemical differences, and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) for metabolome analysis. Morphological studies of the dried pollen by light microscopy showed seasonal and regional differences in pollens size and exine morphology. FTIR analysis showed inter-regional and inter-seasonal differences in the metabolome of the pollen. Differences in lipid and protein functional groups of pollen from different regions showed variation in the FTIR spectra. These differences in FTIR spectra correlated with the changing climatic conditions. Metabolome analysis of targeted pollen samples identified 33 organic compounds of seven different groups. Four unsaturated fatty acids were identified that have a potential role in allergic responses. The findings in this study are unique in demonstrating climatic variables that effect B. papyrifera pollen physiology (FTIR analysis) which also confirms differences in pollen-associated lipid metabolites identified by LCMS analysis. These results demonstrate information that may be used to predict potential changes in allergy risks from pollens of B. papyrifera in the future. The findings may provide a model for predicting variation in pollen structure and associated allergies in response to climate changes for other species.
Loss of Neurodevelopmental Gene CASK Disrupts Neural Connectivity in Human Cortical Excitatory Neurons
Authors: McSweeney Danny , Gabriel Rafael , Jin Kang , Pang Zhiping P. , Aronow Bruce , Pak ChangHui
Published: February 2022

Loss-of-function (LOF) mutations in CASK cause severe developmental phenotypes, including microcephaly with pontine and cerebellar hypoplasia, X-linked intellectual disability, and autism. Unraveling the pathogenesis of CASK-related disorders has been challenging due to limited human cellular models to study the dynamic roles of this molecule during neuronal and synapse development. Here, we generated CASK knockout (KO) isogenic cell lines from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) using CRISPR/Cas9 and examined gene expression, morphometrics, and synaptic function of induced neuronal cells during development. While young (immature) CASK KO neurons show robust neuronal outgrowth, mature CASK KO neurons displayed severe defects in synaptic transmission and synchronized burst activity without compromising neuronal morphology and synapse numbers. In developing human cortical neurons, CASK functioned to promote both structural integrity and establishment of cortical excitatory neuronal networks. These results lay the foundation for future studies to identify suppressors of such phenotypes relevant to human patients.

Highlights

CASK LOF mutations increase neuronal complexity in immature developing neurons

CASK LOF does not alter synapse formation and neurite complexity in mature neurons

Synaptic transmission and network synchronicity are compromised in CASK KO neurons

Differential gene expression analysis reveals enrichment of synaptic gene networks in mature CASK KO neurons
Neural correlates of multisensory enhancement in audiovisual narrative speech perception: a fMRI investigation
Authors: Ross Lars A. , Molholm Sophie , Butler John S. , Del Bene Victor A. , Foxe John J.
Published: February 2022

This fMRI study investigated the effect of seeing articulatory movements of a speaker while listening to a naturalistic narrative stimulus. It had the goal to identify regions of the language network showing multisensory enhancement under synchronous audiovisual conditions. We expected this enhancement to emerge in regions known to underlie the integration of auditory and visual information such as the posterior superior temporal gyrus as well as parts of the broader language network, including the semantic system. To this end we presented 53 participants with a continuous narration of a story in auditory alone, visual alone, and both synchronous and asynchronous audiovisual speech conditions while recording brain activity using BOLD fMRI. We found multisensory enhancement in an extensive network of regions underlying multisensory integration and parts of the semantic network as well as extralinguistic regions not usually associated with multisensory integration, namely the primary visual cortex and the bilateral amygdala. Analysis also revealed involvement of thalamic brain regions along the visual and auditory pathways more commonly associated with early sensory processing. We conclude that under natural listening conditions, multisensory enhancement not only involves sites of multisensory integration but many regions of the wider semantic network and includes regions associated with extralinguistic sensory, perceptual and cognitive processing.
Chlorocobalt complexes with pyridylethyl-derived diazacycloalkanes
Authors: Addison Anthony W. , Jaworski Stephen J. , Jasinski Jerry P. , Turnbull Mark M. , Xiao Fan , Zeller Matthias , O'Connor Molly A. , Brayman Elizabeth A.
Published: February 2022

Syntheses are described for the blue/purple complexes of cobalt(II) chloride with the tetradentate ligands 1,4-bis[2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]piperazine (Ppz), 1,4-bis[2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]homopiperazine (Phpz), trans-2,5-dimethyl-1,4-bis[2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]piperazine (Pdmpz) and tridentate 4-methyl-1-[2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]homopiperazine (Pmhpz). The CoCl2 complexes with Ppz, namely, {μ-1,4-bis[2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]piperazine}bis[dichloridocobalt(II)], [Co2Cl4(C18H24N4)] or Co2(Ppz)Cl4, and Pdmpz (structure not reported as X-ray quality crystals were not obtained), are shown to be dinuclear, with the ligands bridging the two tetrahedrally coordinated CoCl2 units. Co2(Ppz)Cl4 and {dichlorido{4-methyl-1-[2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-1,4-diazacycloheptane}cobalt(II) [CoCl2(C13H21N3)] or Co(Pmhpz)Cl2, crystallize in the monoclinic space group P21/n, while crystals of the pentacoordinate monochloro chelate 1,4-bis[2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]piperazine}chloridocobalt(II) perchlorate, [CoCl(C18H24N4)]ClO4 or [Co(Ppz)Cl]ClO4, are also monoclinic (P21). The complex {1,4-bis[2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-1,4-diazacycloheptane}dichloridocobalt(II) [CoCl2(C19H26N4)] or Co(Phpz)Cl2 (P\overline{1}) is mononuclear, with a pentacoordinated CoII ion, and entails a Phpz ligand acting in a tridentate fashion, with one of the pyridyl moieties dangling and non-coordinated; its displacement by Cl− is attributed to the solvophobicity of Cl− toward MeOH. The pentacoordinate Co atoms in Co(Phpz)Cl2, [Co(Ppz)Cl]+ and Co(Pmhpz)Cl2 have substantial trigonal–bipyramidal character in their stereochemistry. Visible- and near-infrared-region electronic spectra are used to differentiate the two types of coordination spheres. TDDFT calculations suggest that the visible/NIR region transitions contain contributions from MLCT and LMCT character, as well as their expected d–d nature. For Co(Pmhpz)Cl2 and Co(Phpz)Cl2, variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility data were obtained, and the observed decreases in moment with decreasing temperature were modelled with a zero-field-splitting approach, the D values being +28 and +39 cm−1, respectively, with the S = 1/2 state at lower energy.
Investigation of electromagnetic wave propagation in the bicomplex 3D-FEM using a wavenumber Whitney Hodge operator
Authors: Reum Thomas , Toepfer Hannes
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show the applicability of a discrete Hodge operator in the context of the De Rham cohomology to bicomplex-valued electromagnetic wave propagation problems. It was applied in the finite element method (FEM) to get a higher accuracy through conformal discretization. Therewith, merely the primal mesh is needed to discretize the full system of Maxwell equations.

Design/methodology/approach

At the beginning, the theoretical background is presented. The bicomplex number system is used as a geometrical algebra to describe three-dimensional electromagnetic problems. Because we treat rotational field problems, Whitney edge elements are chosen in the FEM to realize a conformal discretization. Next, numerical simulations regarding practical wave propagation problems are performed and compared with the common FEM approach using the Helmholtz equation.

Findings

Different field problems of three-dimensional electromagnetic wave propagation are treated to present the merits and shortcomings of the method, which calculates the electric and magnetic field at the same spatial location on a primal mesh. A significant improvement in accuracy is achieved, whereas fewer essential boundary conditions are necessary. Furthermore, no numerical dispersion is observed.

Originality/value

A novel Hodge operator, which acts on bicomplex-valued cotangential spaces, is constructed and discretized as an edge-based finite element matrix. The interpretation of the proposed geometrical algebra in the language of the De Rham cohomology leads to a more comprehensive viewpoint than the classical treatment in FEM. The presented paper may motivate researchers to interpret the form of number system as a degree of freedom when modeling physical effects. Several relationships between physical quantities might be inherently implemented in such an algebra.
Measurement and modeling of effective cable parameters of unshielded conductors
Authors: Hollaus Karl , Bauer Susanne , Leumüller Michael , Türk Christian
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Cables are ubiquitous in electronic-based systems. Electromagnetic emission of cables and crosstalk between wires is an important issue in electromagnetic compatibility and is to be minimized in the design phase. To facilitate the design, models of different complexity and accuracy, for instance, circuit models or finite element (FE) simulations, are used. The purpose of this study is to compare transmission line parameters obtained by measurements and simulations.

Design/methodology/approach

Transmission line parameters were determined by means of measurements in the frequency and time domain and by FE simulations in the frequency domain and compared. Finally, a Spice simulation with lumped elements was performed.

Findings

The determination of the effective permittivity of insulated wires seems to be a key issue in comparing measurements and simulations.

Originality/value

A space decomposition technique for a guided wave on an infinite configuration with constant cross-section has been introduced, where an analytic representation in the direction of propagation is used, and the transversal fields are approximated by FEs.
Simulation of heat and fluid flow in porous medium and fractures by material point method
Authors: Wang Guilin , Sun Fan , Wang Runqiu , Zhang Liang , Cao Tianci , Li Boyi
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The material point method (MPM)is a particle-based numerical method suitable for solid–liquid simulation and large deformation problems. However, MPM is generally used in solid deformation at present, to develop a multi-physics coupling MPM; the purpose of this study is to extend the MPM to simulate the heat and fluid flow and address the thermal-hydrological (TH) coupling problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The porous medium was discretized into two sets of Lagrangian points, and the motion of fluid points follows the Darcy’s law. Two sets of heat transport equations were established for the heat conduction and heat exchange in the pore fluid and solid skeleton. Fractures were considered by adding the porosity gradient term in the governing equations; also a transition function was introduced to smoothen the fracture boundary.

Findings

Four cases of heat and fluid flow in porous medium and fractures were presented to verify the feasibility of the proposed method. And the effects of fractures on heat and fluid flow were investigated. Additionally, a case of geothermal extraction was solved and the importance of the interstitial convective heat transfer coefficient was analyzed.

Originality/value

The proposed method extends the conventional MPM, using two sets of material points and two sets of heat transport equations to simulate the heat and fluid flow and address the TH coupling problems, which can be applied in both porous medium and fractures.
Using hotel reviews to assess hotel frontline employees’ roles and performances
Authors: Hu Feng , Trivedi Rohit , Teichert Thorsten
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore how marketers can use text mining to analyze actors, actions and performance effects of service encounters by building on the role theory. This enables hotel managers to use introduced methodology to measure and monitor frontline employees’ role behavior and optimize their service.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors’ approach links text mining and importance-performance analysis with role theory’s conceptual foundations taking into account the hotel industry’s specifics to assess the effect of frontline hotel employees’ actions on consumer satisfaction and to derive specific management implications for the hospitality sector.

Findings

This study identifies different actors involved in hotel frontline interactions revealing distinct role behaviors that characterize consumers’ perspectives of service encounters with different role types associated with front-office employees. This research also identifies role performance related to role behavior to improve service encounters.

Practical implications

Customer–employee interactions can be assessed by user-generated contents (UGC). Performance evaluations relate to frontline employee roles associated with distinct role scripts, whereby different hotel segments require tailored role designs. Insights of this study can be used for service optimization, market positioning as well as for improving human resource management practices in the hotel industry.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the service encounter literature by applying role theory in the text mining of UGC to assess frontline employees as actors and the effects of their actions on service quality delivery.
Empowering undergraduate students to take action: an empathetic mindset toward education for sustainable development
Authors: Lin Chi-I , Li Yuh-Yuh
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the potential of an empathetic mindset aimed at empowering undergraduate students to work toward sustainable development (SD), addressing both theoretical and practical dimensions.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed quantitative and qualitative research method was used in this study. Cross-sectional quantitative survey data on students’ mindsets and actions toward SD was collected to examine the theoretical relationship between belief and behavior. Qualitative inquiry using focus-group interviews explored students’ on-site learning experiences.

Findings

This study provides evidence for the impact of an empathetic mindset on education for sustainable development (ESD). Results showed that students with a more empathetic mindset showed better attitudes and behaviors toward SD actions. Findings suggest that developing an empathetic mindset improves students’ attitudes toward taking substantial action to protect the environment.

Originality/value

This study introduces a novel perspective extending the application of empathetic mindset in ESD.
High-contact services of the transient and high-uncertainty type: managing customer experience
Authors: Yee Rachel W.Y. , Choi Thomas Y. , Yeung Andy C.L. , Cheng T.C.E.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Many small-to-medium sized service shops (e.g. jewelry shops, fine-dining restaurants etc.) operate in a unique service environment. They often face customers in transit (i.e. transient delivery) and with minimal information of their preferences (i.e. high uncertainty). This study investigates how such shops create service experience to customers by focusing on three constructs, namely, customer orientation, management commitment to service quality and quality of leader-member exchange in service systems with the uncertain and transient nature. Building on a systems approach of service experience design, the authors examine all possible effects (main effects and two-way and three-way interaction effects) on customer experience. Specifically, to frame the two-way and the three-way interaction effects, the authors adopt the contingency and configuration approaches, respectively.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a multiple respondent approach involving managers, employees and customers to collect data from 225 service shops in Hong Kong. Hierarchically moderated regression analysis is employed to analyze the collected data.

Findings

Contrary to our initial conceptualization, most of the direct effects and two-way interaction effects among the three constructs are insignificant. The authors do, however, uncover a significant effect of the three-way interaction term. The authors analyze the results from the configuration perspective.

Originality/value

The finding suggests that the configuration approach is necessary to determine the configuration concerning how design elements align with one another to generate an integrative effect on customer experience. The authors conclude that for high-contact services of the transient and high-uncertainty type, all three constructs must operate simultaneously to evoke favorable customer experience. Customer experience is holistically developed in a service system with high-uncertainty and transient nature, requiring simultaneous alignment across a range of design choices among those involved in service delivery (manager, employee and customer).
Credit rating announcement and bond liquidity: the case of emerging bond markets
Authors: Saadaoui Amir , Elammari Anis , Kriaa Mohamed
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study examines the effect of the informational content of local credit rating announcements in emerging markets on the liquidity of their bond markets. This study analyses the liquidity of bonds in various emerging bond markets using a sample of nine countries: Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Hungary, Poland, Spain, Turkey, Hong Kong and Greece. The sample includes daily data on sovereign bonds that go from July 2009 to July 2017. The main focus is on the period before and after the sovereign debt crisis. This study notes that the bond liquidity is affected due to the sign of the rating granted by the rating agencies for each country.

Design/methodology/approach

This study aims to question the sources of liquidity problem of sovereign bonds issued by the emerging countries. The study’s database consists of daily data of all nine emerging countries for the period from July 2009 to July 2017. Panel data were collected from the Datastream database.

Findings

This study first directly tests the information content of bond ratings announcements and their effect on bond market liquidity. Next, the impact of rating changes on sovereign bond liquidity around the rating announcements is studied. Rating changes can affect sovereign bond's price, trading and liquidity around the announcement date. In particular the rating changes that move the bonds out of the investment grade category can elicit selling pressure or even fire sale of the fallen angels.

Originality/value

This research aims to present data on the prices of sovereign bonds that react to changes in credit rating by studying the price movements around the announcement of changes in credit rating. The literature is very rich in studies on credit rating changes on stocks and corporate bonds, but this study is perhaps the first attempt on sovereign bonds.
Exploring British advertising and marketing history through records of The National Archives of the UK
Authors: Howells Katherine Margaret
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to showcase the range of historical records held at The National Archives of the UK which are potentially highly useful to researchers in marketing and advertising history, but have so far been under-appreciated in these fields.

Design/methodology/approach

By taking key record collections, primarily intellectual property records and records of government publicity, and examining them from the perspective of different fields of study, the potential of these collections is brought to light. This paper also draws out key examples of past research with these collections to show both the effectiveness of these records as sources for research and at the same time the limited way they have so far been approached by academics.

Findings

This review of the records demonstrates how researchers working in advertising and marketing history fields might supplement their research or open up new research avenues with the benefit of new sources. It shows how assumptions about government archives need to be reconsidered to avoid missing research opportunities.

Practical implications

Sharing knowledge and increasing connections between government archives and academics in these fields may encourage archives to improve their own approaches to archival practice and academic engagement, to make records more accessible to these new research audiences. This would of course be beneficial both to researchers and government archives.

Originality/value

This paper provides a detailed examination of government records in the specific context of the field of marketing history. This unique focus makes a valuable contribution to the literature exploring historical sources for this field.
Viewpoint: shaping resilient service ecosystems in times of crises – a trans-Tasman perspective
Authors: Fehrer Julia A. , Bove Liliana L.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a holistic understanding for the shaping of resilient service ecosystems that considers tactics that act as stabilizing forces, and tactics that promote diversity and change and act as destabilizing forces – both central for service ecosystems to bounce forward in times of crises and beyond.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper draws on theory on complex adaptive service ecosystems and work on organizational resilience and resilient systems. With a focus on Australia and New Zealand, stalwarts of the top three economies in Bloomberg’s COVID Resilience Ranking before the arrival of the Delta variant, this study illustrates how resilient service ecosystems can be shaped.

Findings

This study explicates complexity related to navigating service ecosystems toward a new order in response to the pressures of major crises. It points to the importance of understanding both, how service ecosystems stabilize and change over time. It documents a portfolio of tactics that service organizations can use to influence resilience in the service ecosystems of which they are part. It further reflects on the potential downside of resilient service ecosystems, as they tilt toward rigid structures, failure to learn and an inability to transform or alternatively chaos.

Originality/value

Service research has made progress in explicating how a service ecosystems perspective can inform crises management. This paper extends this work and explains how service ecosystems can be shaped to bounce not only back from the imposed pressures of a disruptive event but also forward toward a new order.
Thermal properties of woven fabric as a function of its structural parameters: experimentation and modeling
Authors: Umair Muhammad , Javaid Muhammad Usman , Nawab Yasir , Jabbar Madeha , Riaz Shagufta , Abid Hafiz Affan , Shaker Khubab
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the influence of picking sequence, weave design and weft yarn material on the thermal conductivity of the woven fabrics.

Design/methodology/approach

This work includes the development of 36 woven samples with two weave designs (1/1 plain and 3/1 twill), three picking sequences (single, double and three pick insertion) and six different weft yarn materials (cotton, polyester having 48 filaments, polyester with 144 filaments, spun coolmax having Lycra in core and coolmax in sheath, filament coolmax and polypropylene). The thermal conductivity was measured using ALAMBETA tester.

Findings

The results showed that weft yarn material, weave design and picking sequence have a meaningful impact on the thermal conductivity of woven fabric. The value of thermal conductivity was lowest for the fabrics with three pick insertion and 3/1 twill weave in all weft yarn materials.

Research limitations/implications

Plain woven fabric with single pick insertion is feasible for summer wear to enhance the comfort of wearer. By changing the warp yarn grouping and material, improved thermal conductivity/resistance can also be achieved.

Originality/value

The authors have studied the combined effect of different weft yarn materials with different picking sequences and different weave designs on thermal conductivity of the woven fabrics.
The moderating effect of communication on congruence and incongruence of openness to change: is communication always beneficial for learning organization culture and knowledge sharing?
Authors: Koo Yohan , Kim Soo Jung , Song Ji Hoon
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore the moderating role of communication in the relationship between person-organization fit (P-O fit) of openness to change, learning organization and knowledge sharing.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 1,015 faculty and staff participants from three private universities in South Korea was included in the analysis. Individual and organizational aspects of openness to change were examined based on the P-O fit theory. Moderated polynomial regression and response surface methodology were used for data analysis.

Findings

At a higher level of communication, the congruence of openness to change between the individual and organization showed a positive fit effect on learning organization. The incongruence of openness to change between individual and organization, in which the organizations’ openness to change was higher than that of individuals, decreased the level of knowledge sharing when the level of communication was higher.

Originality/value

The results of this study support the theory and practice that consideration of P-O fit on openness to change and a strategic approach of communication are needed to succeed in organizational change.
Continuous veno‐venous hemodiafiltration in neonates with maple syrup urine disease
Authors: Deger İbrahim , Çelik Muhittin , Taş İbrahim , Samancı Serhat
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Herein, we aimed to discuss our experience in 16 newborn patients with Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) who were treated with urgent renal replacement therapy (RRT).

Methods

The patients underwent continuous veno‐venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) as renal replacement therapy.

Results

Eleven (68.75%) patients underwent CVVHDF and five (31.25%) underwent peritoneal dialysis. The median leucine reduction rate per hour was 2.56% (1.75–7.6) in the CVVHDF group, 0.78% (0.54–1.83) in the PD group, and was significantly higher in the CVVHDF group (p = 0.001). Posttreatment plasma leucine levels were found to be 198 (20–721) μmol/L in the CVVHDF group and 600 (250–967) μmol/L in the PD group, and CVVHDF was found to be significantly lower (p = 0.08). Complications such as hypotension, electrolyte imbalance, and filter obstruction occurred in the CVVHDF group.

Conclusion

This study showed that CVVHDF is more effective than PD for rapidly eliminating elevated leucine levels caused by MSUD in the newborn and it is not associated with increased complication rates.
Chicken muscle hydrolysate reduces blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats, upregulates ACE2, and ameliorates vascular inflammation, fibrosis, and oxidative stress
Authors: Fan Hongbing , Liao Wang , Spaans Floor , Pasha Mazhar , Davidge Sandra T. , Wu Jianping
Published: February 2022

Spent hens are egg‐laying chicken reaching the end of their egg‐laying cycle and are seen as a by‐product to the egg industry. A spent hen muscle protein hydrolysate prepared by food‐grade thermoase PC10F (SPH‐T) has previously shown antihypertensive potential. In the present work, we further investigated its antihypertensive effect and underlying mechanisms in spontaneously hypertensive rats. There are three groups: untreated, low dose (250 mg SPH‐T/kg/day body weight), and high dose (1,000 mg SPH‐T/kg/day body weight). Oral administration of SPH‐T over a period of 20 days reduced systolic blood pressure by 25.7 mm Hg (p < 0.001) and 11.9 mm Hg (p < 0.05), respectively, for the high‐ and low‐dose groups. The high‐dose treatment decreased the circulating level of angiotensin II (from 25.0 to 5.7 pg/ml) while increased angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) (from 1.3 to 3.3 IU/ml) and angiotensin (1–7) (from 37.0 to 70.1 pg/ml) significantly (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the high‐dose group doubled the aortic expression of ACE2 while reduced the expression of angiotensin (Ang) II type 1 receptor (by 35%). Circulating inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 as well as vascular inflammatory proteins including inducible nitric oxide synthase and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 were attenuated by ∼15%–50% by the treatment; nitrosative stress (35%) and type I collagen synthesis (50%) in the aorta were also attenuated significantly (p < 0.05). Moreover, SPH‐T possessed an umami taste (no obvious bitter taste) as analyzed by electronic tongue.

Practical Application

Hypertension is a global health concern, afflicting more than 20% of adults worldwide. Uncovering the antihypertensive effect of spent hen protein hydrolysate underpinned its functional food nutraceutical applications for the prevention and treatment of hypertension.
A systematic review of clinical practice guidelines for persons with osteoarthritis. A “Best Evidence for Rehabilitation” (be4rehab) paper to develop the WHO’s Package of Interventions for Rehabilitation
Authors: Oral Aydan , Arman Sina , Tarakci Ela , Patrini Michele , Arienti Chiara , Etemadi Yasaman , Rauch Alexandra , Negrini Stefano
Published: February 2022

Aim

Identifying existing interventions for rehabilitation and related evidence presents a crucial step in developing the World Health Organization's (WHO) Package of Interventions for Rehabilitation. This paper reports the results of a systematic search that aimed to identify clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) relevant to the rehabilitation of people with osteoarthritis and presents the CPG recommendations and the current state of evidence available for the interventions in the CPGs.

Methods

This paper is part of the “Best Evidence for Rehabilitation” (be4rehab) series, developed according to the methodology presented in the WHO's Package of Interventions for Rehabilitation introductory paper by Rauch et al, published in 2019. It is a systematic review of the existing CPGs on osteoarthritis published between 2009 and 2019. Identified CPGs were screened taking into consideration conflict of interest, the provision of information regarding the strength of recommendation(s), and quality to be selected. Quality of CPGs was assessed using the AGREE II tool.

Results

After title and abstract screening, 51 CPGs were identified. Considering the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 26 CPGs were selected. After checking for quality, comprehensiveness, multi‐professionality, and publication date, five CPGs were finally included in the review. The strong recommendations for people with knee and hip osteoarthritis consistently included in all the selected CPGs, sometimes called “core treatments”, were patient education, exercise training, and weight reduction if overweight or obese. Generally, recommendations overlap in the CPGs.

Conclusion

The systematic search revealed high‐quality CPGs on osteoarthritis for the identification of “Best Evidence for Rehabilitation (be4rehab)” regarding interventions for rehabilitation of people with osteoarthritis.
Comparative effectiveness and safety of antipsychotic drugs in patients with schizophrenia initiating or reinitiating treatment: A Real‐World Observational Study
Authors: Brodeur Sébastien , Vanasse Alain , Courteau Josiane , Stip Emmanuel , Lesage Alain , Fleury Marie‐Josée , Courteau Mireille , Roy Marc‐André
Published: February 2022

Objective

To compare the effectiveness and safety of various second‐generation antipsychotics (SGAs), newer oral and long‐acting injectable (LAI) SGAs, and first‐generation antipsychotics (FGAs) treatments in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (SCZ).

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included medical administrative information for patients with a diagnosis of SCZ living in Quebec (Canada), initiating or reinitiating at least one antipsychotic (AP) drug (with a clearance baseline period of 12 months without any APs). Effectiveness was defined by a reduced risk of hospitalization for mental disorder and discontinuation, and safety by a reduced risk of all‐cause death and hospitalization for non‐mental disorder, 2 years after AP initiation or reinitiation. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the events associated with different antipsychotics compared with oral olanzapine.

Results

The study cohort included 19,615 patients initiating or reinitiating an antipsychotic drug between January 2006 and December 2015. Results showed better effectiveness of clozapine (adjusted HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.30–0.42, p < 0.0001) and LAI SGAs (adjusted HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.51–0.61, p < 0.0001) compared with oral olanzapine when adding discontinuation to hospitalizations for mental disorder as a composite measure of effectiveness, as opposed to oral FGAs (adjusted HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.27–1.46, p < 0.0001) and LAI FGAs (adjusted HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.12–1.32, p < 0.0001). Most APs were as safe as oral olanzapine.

Conclusion

The effectiveness of LAI SGAs and clozapine appears to justify their use and are as safe as a recognized treatment (oral olanzapine) in Quebec (Canada).