bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deficits in neural encoding of speech in preterm infants
Authors: Novitskiy Nikolay , Chan Peggy H. Y. , Chan Mavis , Lai Chin Man , Leung Tak Yeung , Leung Ting Fan , Bornstein Marc H. , Lam Hugh S. , Wong Patrick C. M.
Published: May 2023

Preterm children show developmental cognitive and language deficits that can be subtle and sometimes undetectable until later in life. Studies of brain development in children who are born preterm have largely focused on vascular and gross anatomical characteristics rather than pathophysiological processes that may contribute to these developmental deficits. Neural encoding of speech as reflected in EEG recordings is predictive of future language development and could provide insights into those pathophysiological processes. We recorded EEG from 45 preterm (≤ 34 weeks of gestation) and 45 full-term (≥ 38 weeks) Chinese-learning infants 0 to 12 months of (corrected) age during natural sleep. Each child listened to three speech stimuli that differed in lexically meaningful pitch (2 native and 1 non-native speech categories). EEG measures associated with synchronization and gross power of the frequency following response (FFR) were examined. ANCOVAs revealed no main effect of stimulus nativeness but main effects of age, consistent with earlier studies. A main effect of prematurity also emerged, with synchronization measures showing stronger group differences than power. By detailing differences in FFR measures related to synchronization and power, this study brings us closer to identifying the pathophysiological pathway to often subtle language problems experienced by preterm children.
Novel Function of Transcription Factor TTF1 in UV Mediated DNA Damage Repair in Mammalian Cells
Authors: Tiwari Kumud , Bose Snehendu , Mishra Neelu , Singh Samarendra Kumar
Published: May 2023

Various DNA repair machineries have evolved in the cell to maintain the integrity of the genome for proper functioning of the same. Repair of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation mediated DNA damage occurs by nucleotide excision repair pathway through transcription coupled repair (TCR), a process in which the damage is repaired on transcriptionally active genic regions. This process requires various protein complexes including heterodimer DNA Damage Binding 1 (DDB1) protein. Defects in TCR have been found in patients with mutations in the Cockayne syndrome (CS) group A and group B genes and in the Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) group G gene. Transcription factors (TFs) play a very important role in regulation of TCR system, especially those TFs which binds to DNA at specific loci. Several TFs have been shown to modulate the repair of photolesions either by inducing or inhibiting the TCR. However, the mechanism behind their action is not very clear. Mammalian TTF1 is an essential multifunctional transcription factor involved in transcription initiation, termination, DNA fork blockage, chromatin remodelling etc., and has been shown to interact with CSB protein. Hence, to discover its role in TCR and to identify its interaction partners, we purified this protein and did a pull-down assay with HEK293T cell lysate followed by LC-MS and discovered DDB1 as one of its major interactors. This established our confidence that TTF1 protein might be playing a critical role in TCR. Further, we discovered that, upon UV mediated DNA damage in HEK293T cells the expression of TTF1 is significantly induced and is co-localized withγH2AX protein. To our surprise, we found that after knockdown of TTF1, DDB1 level decreases in HEK293T cells while knockdown of DDB1, increases TTF1 level in the cells. Hence, our study opens up a new avenue towards exploring a noble function of the transcription factor TTF1, which in turn could establish the potential to develop therapeutics towards cancers and other diseases.
Deletion of miR-146a enhances therapeutic protein restoration in model of dystrophin exon skipping
Authors: McCormack Nikki M. , Calabrese Kelsey A. , Sun Christina M. , Tully Christopher B. , Heier Christopher R. , Fiorillo Alyson A.
Published: May 2023

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive muscle disease caused by the absence of dystrophin protein. One current DMD therapeutic strategy, exon skipping, produces a truncated dystrophin isoform using phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs). However, the potential of exon skipping therapeutics has not been fully realized as increases in dystrophin protein have been minimal in clinical trials. Here, we investigate how miR-146a-5p, which is highly elevated in dystrophic muscle, impacts dystrophin protein levels. We find inflammation strongly induces miR-146a in dystrophic, but not wild-type myotubes. Bioinformatics analysis reveals that the dystrophin 3′UTR harbors a miR-146a binding site, and subsequent luciferase assays demonstrate miR-146a binding inhibits dystrophin translation. In dystrophin-nullmdx52mice, co-injection of miR-146a reduces dystrophin restoration by an exon 51 skipping PMO. To directly investigate how miR-146a impacts therapeutic dystrophin rescue, we generatedmdx52with body-wide miR-146a deletion (146aX). Administration of an exon skipping PMO via intramuscular or intravenous injection markedly increases dystrophin protein levels in146aXversusmdx52muscles; skipped dystrophin transcript levels are unchanged, suggesting a post-transcriptional mechanism-of-action. Together, these data show that miR-146a expression opposes therapeutic dystrophin restoration, suggesting miR-146a inhibition warrants further research as a potential DMD exon skipping co-therapy.
Alpha-180 spin-echo based line-scanning method for high resolution laminar-specific fMRI
Authors: Choi Sangcheon , Hike David , Pohmann Rolf , Avdievich Nikolai , Gomez-Cid Lidia , Man Weitao , Scheffler Klaus , Yu Xin
Published: May 2023

Laminar-specific functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been widely used to study circuit-specific neuronal activity by mapping spatiotemporal fMRI response patterns across cortical layers. Hemodynamic responses reflect indirect neuronal activity given limit of spatial and temporal resolution. Previous gradient-echo based line-scanning fMRI (GELINE) method was proposed with high temporal (50 ms) and spatial (50 µm) resolution to better characterize the fMRI onset time across cortical layers by employing 2 saturation RF pulses. However, the imperfect RF saturation performance led to poor boundary definition of the reduced region of interest (ROI) and aliasing problems outside of the ROI. Here, we propose α (alpha)-180 spin-echo-based line-scanning fMRI (SELINE) method to resolve this issue by employing a refocusing 180° RF pulse perpendicular to the excitation slice. In contrast to GELINE signals peaked at the superficial layer, we detected varied peaks of laminar-specific BOLD signals across deeper cortical layers with the SELINE method, indicating the well-defined exclusion of the large drain-vein effect with the spin-echo sequence. Furthermore, we applied the SELINE method with 200 ms TR to sample the fast hemodynamic changes across cortical layers with a less draining vein effect. In summary, this SELINE method provides a novel acquisition scheme to identify microvascular-sensitive laminar-specific BOLD responses across cortical depth.
Quantitative Comparison of Presenilin Protein Expression Reveals Greater Activity of PS2-γ-Secretase
Authors: Eccles Melissa , Main Nathan , Sabale Miheer , Roberts-Mok Brigid , Agostino Mark , Groth David , Fraser Paul E. , Verdile Giuseppe
Published: May 2023

γ-Secretase processing of APP has long been of interest in the pathological progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) due to its role in the generation of amyloid-β. The catalytic component of the enzyme are the presenilins of which there are two homologues, Presenilin-1 (PS1) and Presenilin-2 (PS2). The field has focussed on the PS1 form of this enzyme, as it is typically considered the more active at APP processing. However, much of this work has been completed without appropriate consideration of the specific levels of protein expression of PS1 and PS2. We propose that expression is an important factor in PS1- and PS2-γ-secretase activity, and that when this is considered, PS1 does not have greater activity than PS2. We developed and validated tools for quantitative assessment of PS1 and PS2 protein expression levels to enable direct comparison of PS protein in exogenous and endogenous expression systems, in HEK-293 PS1 and/or PS2 knockout cells. We show that exogenous expression of Myc-PS1-NTF is 5.5-times higher than and Myc-PS2-NTF. Quantitating endogenous PS protein levels using a novel PS1/2 fusion standard we developed showed similar results. When the marked difference in PS1 and PS2 protein levels is considered, we show that compared to PS1-γ-secretase, PS2-γ-secretase has equal or more activity on APP and Notch1. This study has implications for understanding the PS1 and PS2 specific contributions to substrate processing, and their potential influence in AD pathogenesis.
Hot-wiring dynein-2 uncovers roles for IFT-A in retrograde train assembly and motility
Authors: Gonçalves-Santos Francisco , De-Castro Ana R. G. , Rodrigues Diogo R. M. , De-Castro Maria J. G. , Gassmann Reto , Abreu Carla M. C. , Dantas Tiago J.
Published: May 2023

Intraflagellar transport (IFT) trains, built around IFT-A and IFT-B complexes, are carried by opposing motors to import and export ciliary cargo. While transported by kinesin-2 on anterograde IFT trains, the dynein-2 motor adopts an autoinhibitory conformation until it needs to be activated at the ciliary tip to power retrograde IFT. Growing evidence has linked the IFT-A complex to retrograde IFT; however, its roles in this process remain unknown.

Here, we used CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing to disable the dynein-2 autoinhibition mechanism inCaenorhabditis elegans, and assessed its impact on IFT with high-resolution live imaging and photobleaching analyses. Remarkably, this dynein-2 “hot-wiring” approach reignites retrograde motility inside IFT-A-deficient cilia, without triggering tug-of-war events. In addition to providing functional evidence that multiple mechanisms maintain dynein-2 inhibited during anterograde IFT, our data uncover key roles for IFT-A in: mediating motor-train coupling during IFT turnaround; promoting retrograde IFT initiation; and modulating dynein-2 retrograde motility.

Highlights

- Hot-wiring mutations enable dynein-2 to undergo retrograde movement in IFT-A-deficient cilia

- Disabling dynein-2 autoinhibition reveals that multiple mechanisms restrain dynein-2 activity during anterograde IFT

- IFT-A promotes retrograde IFT initiation and efficient dynein-2 motility

- IFT-A mediates dynein-2 coupling to retrograde IFT trains
The E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Nedd4L Acts as a Checkpoint Against Activation in Quiescent Muscle Stem Cells
Authors: Blackburn Darren M. , Sahinyan Korin , Hernández-Corchado Aldo , Lazure Felicia , Richard Vincent , Raco Laura , Zahedi René P. , Borchers Christoph H. , Lepper Christoph , Kawabe Hiroshi , Jahani-Asl Arezu , Najafabadi Hamed S. , Soleimani Vahab D.
Published: May 2023

Adult stem cells play a critical role in tissue repair and maintenance. In tissues with slow turnover, including skeletal muscle, these cells are maintained in a mitotically quiescent state yet remain poised to re-enter the cell cycle to replenish themselves and regenerate the tissue. Using a multiomics approach we identify the PAX7/NEDD4L axis as a checkpoint against muscle stem cell activation in homeostatic skeletal muscle. Our findings demonstrate that PAX7 transcriptionally activates the E3 ubiquitin ligase Nedd4L and that the conditional genetic deletion of Nedd4L impairs muscle stem cell quiescence, with an upregulation of cell cycle and myogenic differentiation genes. Loss of Nedd4L in muscle stem cells results in the expression of DCX which is only expressed during theirin vivoactivation. Together, this data establishes that the ubiquitin proteasome system, mediated by Nedd4L, is a key regulator of the muscle stem cell quiescent state in non-injured skeletal muscle.

Highlights

-

General inhibition of the ubiquitin proteasome system with MG132 results in muscle stem cells (MuSCs) breaking quiescence.

-

The E3 ubiquitin ligase Nedd4L is a transcriptional target of Pax7.

-

The Pax7/Nedd4l axis restricts MuSC activation in homeostatic skeletal muscle.

-

Genetic deletion of Nedd4L induces MuSCs’ transition towards activation.
Butt-seq: a new method for facile profiling of transcription
Authors: Yu Albert D. , Rosbash Michael
Published: May 2023

A wide range of sequencing methods has been developed to assess nascent RNA transcription and resolve the single-nucleotide position of RNA polymerase genome-wide. These techniques are often burdened with high input material requirements and lengthy protocols. We leveraged the template-switching properties of thermostable group II intron reverse transcriptase (TGIRT) and developed Butt-seq (bulk analysis of nascent transcript termini sequencing), which can produce libraries from purified nascent RNA in 6 h and from as few as 10,000 cells—an improvement of at least 10-fold over existing techniques. Butt-seq shows that inhibition of the superelongation complex (SEC) causes promoter-proximal pausing to move upstream in a fashion correlated with subnucleosomal fragments. To address transcriptional regulation in a tissue, Butt-seq was used to measure the circadian regulation of transcription from fly heads. All the results indicate that Butt-seq is a simple and powerful technique to analyze transcription at a high level of resolution.
Genomic profiling of a metastatic anaplastic melanocytic neuroectodermal tumor arising from a mature thymic teratoma as part of a mediastinal germ cell tumor
Authors: Mayeur Sylvain , Lhermitte Benoit , Gantzer Justine , Molitor Anne , Stemmelen Tristan , Meyer Sébastien , Kolmer Aline , Kurtz Jean-Emmanuel , Bahram Seiamak , Carapito Raphael
Published: May 2023

Following chemotherapy, a mediastinal germ cell tumor can lead to a mature teratoma that is composed of tissues derived from all three germ layers. Although teratoma is usually curable, in rare cases it can give rise to various somatic tumors and exceptionally it undergoes melanocytic neuroectodermal tumor (MNT) transformation, a process that is not well-described. We report a patient with a postchemotherapy thymic teratoma associated with an MNT component who, 10 years later, additionally presented a vertebral metastasis corresponding to an anaplastic MNT. Using exome sequencing of the mature teratoma, the MNT and its metastatic vertebral anaplastic MNT components, we identified 19 somatic mutations shared by at least two components. Six mutations were common to all three components, and three of them were located in the known cancer-related genesKRAS(p.E63K),TP53(p.P222X), andPOLQ(p.S447P). Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that the melanoma tumorigenesis pathway was enriched in mutated genes including the four major driver genesKRAS,TP53,ERBB4, andKDR, indicating that these genes may be involved in the development of the anaplastic MNT transformation of the teratoma. To our knowledge, this is the first molecular study realized on MNT. Understanding the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of these tumors is essential to better understand their development and to improve therapeutics.
Complete response to chemoimmunotherapy with bevacizumab in synchronous multiple primary cancers: pulmonary adenocarcinoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma
Authors: Garcia Diogo , Mambetsariev Isa , Fricke Jeremy , Schmolze Daniel , Afkhami Michelle , Mannan Rifat , Kim Pauline , Therese Dingal Shaira , Nguyen Bao , Babikian Razmig , Fong Yuman , Salgia Ravi
Published: May 2023

A small percentage of patients have multiple synchronous primary cancers at presentation. In the last five years, many regimens associated with immunotherapy and chemotherapy were approved for first-line metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and other solid tumors, but the study of immunotherapy when multiple cancers are present in one patient remains incomplete. Next-generation sequencing biomarkers and immunotherapy markers including PD-L1 can be effectively utilized in the diagnosis and treatment plan for multiple synchronous primary cancers. Immune biomarkers and PD-L1 expression warrant individualized treatments in synchronous primary adenocarcinoma and pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma. We describe the case of a patient with pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma, metastatic to brain de novo. The patient achieved a complete response after only three cycles of carboplatin, paclitaxel, bevacizumab, and atezolizumab and remains free of any evidence of disease after 18 mo of maintenance therapy.
Melanoma in a patient with DNMT3A overgrowth syndrome
Authors: Chen David Y. , Sutton Leslie A. , Ramakrishnan Sai Mukund , Duncavage Eric J. , Heath Sharon E. , Compton Leigh A. , Miller Christopher A. , Ley Timothy J.
Published: May 2023

Alterations in epigenetic regulators are increasingly recognized as early events in tumorigenesis; thus, patients with acquired or inherited variants in epigenetic regulators may be at increased risk for developing multiple types of cancer. DNMT3A overgrowth syndrome (DOS), caused by germline pathogenic variants in the DNA methyltransferase geneDNMT3A, has been associated with a predisposition toward development of hematopoietic and neuronal malignancies. DNMT3A deficiency has been described to promote keratinocyte proliferation in mice. Although altered DNA methylation patterns are well-recognized in melanoma, the role of DNA methyltransferases in melanoma pathogenesis is not clear. We report the case of an adult DOS patient with a germlineDNMT3Aloss-of-function mutation, who developed an early-onset melanoma with regional lymph node metastatic disease. Exome sequencing of the primary tumor identified an additional acquired, missenseDNMT3Amutation in the dominant tumor clone, suggesting that the loss of DNMT3A function was relevant for the development of this tumor.
Protein-to-structure pipeline for ambient-temperature in situ crystallography at VMXi
Authors: Mikolajek Halina , Sanchez-Weatherby Juan , Sandy James , Gildea Richard J. , Campeotto Ivan , Cheruvara Harish , Clarke John D. , Foster Toshana , Fujii Sotaro , Paulsen Ian T. , Shah Bhumika S. , Hough Michael A.
Published: May 2023

The utility of X-ray crystal structures determined under ambient-temperature conditions is becoming increasingly recognized. Such experiments can allow protein dynamics to be characterized and are particularly well suited to challenging protein targets that may form fragile crystals that are difficult to cryo-cool. Room-temperature data collection also enables time-resolved experiments. In contrast to the high-throughput highly automated pipelines for determination of structures at cryogenic temperatures widely available at synchrotron beamlines, room-temperature methodology is less mature. Here, the current status of the fully automated ambient-temperature beamline VMXi at Diamond Light Source is described, and a highly efficient pipeline from protein sample to final multi-crystal data analysis and structure determination is shown. The capability of the pipeline is illustrated using a range of user case studies representing different challenges, and from high and lower symmetry space groups and varied crystal sizes. It is also demonstrated that very rapid structure determination from crystals in situ within crystallization plates is now routine with minimal user intervention.
An evaluation of the environmental values, beliefs, norms, and behaviors of sport management students in higher education institutions
Authors: Pelcher Jamee , Trendafilova Sylvia , Graham Jeffrey Alexander
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the environmental values, beliefs, norms and behaviors of students in higher education institutions across North America, more specifically, undergraduate and graduate students in sport management programs.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was framed around Stern et al.’s (1999) value-belief-norm theory, which provides an explanation of the causes of the broad predisposition toward pro-environmental behavior. Furthermore, it was an extension of the work conducted by Casper and Pfahl (2012). Data collection was based on an online survey, comprising questions related to the students’ values, beliefs, norms and behaviors in relation to the natural environment.

Findings

Results indicated strong agreeance with the biospheric environmental statements that reflect the individuals’ personal ecological values, illustrating a moderate agreement with the degree of responsibility and obligation felt by the student to take environmental action. Findings also suggested that students hold sport organizations to a higher level of environmentalism than their personal environmental sustainability practices. Both groups, undergraduate and graduate students, have values, beliefs and norms moderately connected to pro-environmental stances.

Practical implications

It would be beneficial for educators to use this information as baseline from which to build and re-design their classes.

Originality/value

It would be beneficial for educators to use this information as baseline from which to build and re-design their classes. This study provides valuable information for faculty to create and frame curricula to better prepare future professionals for a career in the sports industry.
Flexible working during the COVID-19 pandemic: gains and strains in a Chinese state-owned organisation
Authors: Ren Xiaoni , Xu Hanlin
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to identify and analyse the gains and strains associated with flexible working practices (FWPs) introduced and adopted prior to and during the pandemic and consider how these experiences are likely to shape the future of workplace flexibility post-pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study research strategy was adopted to explore the FWPs implemented by a state-owned organisation in the Chinese publishing industry. A mixed data collection method was used. Quantitative data was collected from 50 valid questionnaires, which was followed by 7 qualitative interviews to gain rich insights into the availability and effectiveness of various FWPs and associated benefits and drawbacks.

Findings

While the results confirm positive effects FWPs have on employee engagement and retention and on business continuity and employee well-being during the pandemic, the empirical analysis highlights the performance-driven patterns in use and impacts of some FWPs, which caused concerns and dilemmas. Besides the increasing intense market competition, the changing face of state-owned enterprises and managerial attitudes have been found to have significant effects on the use of FWPs.

Originality/value

This paper has contributed to a better understanding of flexible working in an under-researched setting, reflected in changes before and during the pandemic, offering an insight into the commercialised nature of flexible working in the Chinese context. It has implications for organisations and HR practitioners as they envision future workplace flexibility.
Embracing green supply chain collaboration through technologies: the bridging role of advanced manufacturing technology
Authors: Akhtar Faheem , Huo Baofeng , Wang Qianwen
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The implementation of green collaboration has evolved from the interfirm level to the supply chain level, which requires more participation in information and manufacturing technologies. Despite many efforts to green supply chain collaboration (GSCC), the research on how to enhance it from a technological perspective remains unclear. Thus, this study aims to address this gap by exploring how to enhance green supplier, internal and customer collaboration through using information technology (IT) and advanced manufacturing technology (AMT), which further accelerates environmental and economic performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted based on survey data collected from 213 manufacturing firms from different industries. The direct effects of the conceptual model were tested using the method of structural equation modeling (SEM), whereas the bootstrapping method tested the mediation effects of AMT between IT and GSCC.

Findings

The results show that green supplier collaboration (GSC) is significantly associated with environmental performance, while green customer collaboration (GCC) is positively related to economic performance. Green internal collaboration not only enhances green supplier and customer collaboration but also boosts environmental and economic performance. IT directly improves green internal collaboration but is negatively related to GSC and insignificantly related to GCC. However, AMT not only enhances green internal, supplier and customer collaboration but also mediates the relationship between IT and green supplier and customer collaboration.

Originality/value

This study offers comprehensive and novel insights into GSCC from a technological perspective, giving rise to meaningful contributions to green practices for both scholars and practitioners.
Monetary policy effectiveness in Asian developing economies: the moderating role of financial sector development
Authors: Khan Muhammad Azam , Khan Zulfiqar , Saleem Sardar Fawad
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore the impact of monetary policy on bank lending rate with the moderating effects of financial sector development for eight Asian developing economics.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses panel autoregressive distributed lag/pooled mean group estimation over the period ranging from 1980 to 2020.

Findings

The empirical results exhibit an inverse link between monetary policy measured by broad money supply on the bank lending rate, indicating that the increase in the money supply by the central bank lowers the demand for loans and thereby lowers the cost of loan. Moreover, financial sector development decreases the lending rate and thus lowers cost of loan. It is also noted that the interactive term of monetary policy by lending broad money supply and financial sector development showed a positive impact on the lending rate in selected Asian developing countries during the period under the study.

Practical implications

The outcomes have many relevant policy implications that stronger financial development sector contributes to the efficiency of monetary policy. Regulators and policymakers are therefore recommended to pursue greater financial sector development to lower the cost for fund searchers and to lower the cost of loans, money supply increase is suggested.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the extant literature on the factors affecting lending rate with the prime aims of monetary policy effectiveness. This study also included financial sector development with some other variables and an interactive term of monetary policy with financial development to have new insight impact of both on the lending rate in developing Asian economies.
Do the macro and global economic factors drive the nonperforming loans in GCC economies?
Authors: Kumar Mukesh , Al-Romaihi Muna Ahmed , Aktan Bora
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The current study aims to investigate the determinants of nonperforming loans (NPLs) in the GCC economies during the period spanning 2000 to 2018. It also examines whether the worldwide financial crisis of 2007–2008, which brought the issue of non–performing loans to the greater attention of academics and policymakers, had a substantial impact on NPLs in this region.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 53 conventional banks from GCC countries, and the basic data for the study is obtained from various sources such as Bankscope, IMF World Economic Outlook, World Bank and Chicago Board of Options Exchange Market Volatility Index. The estimations were done by dynamic panel data regression modeling using system generalized methods of moments.

Findings

The findings reveal that both, the non-oil real GDP growth rate and inflation have favorable effects on NPLs. On the other hand, domestic credit to the private sector and the volatility index have an adverse effect on NPLs. Furthermore, the period-wise analysis shows that the relevance and significance of the determinants of NPLs vary between the precrisis and postcrisis periods. It is also reflected through the intercept dummy, which is found to be significant, indicating that the financial crisis, as a global economic factor, had a significant impact on NPLs. A number of robustness tests are applied, which indicate that the results are mostly robust and consistent in terms of the significance of the explanatory variables and the direction of their relationship with the dependent variable.

Practical implications

Policymakers and bank authorities must strive to maintain a healthy economy and implement macroprudential policies to improve the financial stability of banks and reduce credit risk.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is likely the first study that empirically investigates the influence of the financial crisis on NPLs in the context of GCC economies. In addition, the research spans 19 years to produce more conclusive results.
Exploring the factors influencing building sustainability of low-cost low-rise residential towards user satisfaction
Authors: Norazman Norsafiah , Mohd Nashruddin Siti Nurul Asma’ , Che-Ani Adi Irfan
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Urban population growth has increased housing density, which has expanded the construction of low-cost low-rise residential in urban areas. Good building performance and effective low-cost low-rise residential quality lead to higher user satisfaction and improve building sustainability. This study aims to focus on the factors influencing the sustainability of low-cost low-rise residential in the West Malaysia urban area to assess resident satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-mode approach with both qualitative and quantitative were used in this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 stakeholders to identify the common factors influencing sustainability in low-cost low-rise residential. Subsequently, questionnaire surveys were formed and distributed among building users to determine the satisfaction level with low-cost low-rise residential building performance.

Findings

The finding demonstrates that accessibility is the key factor to achieving sustainability of low-cost low-rise residential. The finding also related to the factor that influences both stakeholders and building user satisfaction levels. This study also identifies key areas that require attention to improve user satisfaction with building sustainability and building performance of low-cost low-rise residential.

Originality/value

This study aims to determine stakeholder and building user satisfaction levels in relation to the sustainable building factor. A few indicators have been set up to identify the factors that most influence the sustainability and environment of low-cost low-rise residential buildings. Each subchapter has a few recommendations to improve the performance of low-cost low-rise residential. Each of the factors mentioned is related to social, economic and environmental sustainability. In addition, the study discovered a strong connection between low-cost low-rise residential performance and user satisfaction.
Cultural intelligence and proactive service performance: mediating and moderating role of leader's collaborative nature, cultural training and emotional labor
Authors: Al Shaer Aisha Saif , Jabeen Fauzia , Jose Saju , Farouk Sherine
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Drawing on cultural intelligence and social exchange theories, this study examines cultural intelligence and its effects on proactive service performance and the mediating role of leader's collaborative nature and the moderating role of cultural training and emotional labor, particularly deep acting and surface acting, in the relationship between cultural intelligence and proactive service performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study sample comprised 510 healthcare practitioners. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that cultural intelligence positively influences proactive service performance. Additionally, leadership's collaborative nature influences proactive service performance. The moderating effect of cultural training and deep acting positively influences the relationship between cultural intelligence and proactive service performance. In contrast, surface acting reveals a reverse effect, thus exhibiting a positive effect on this relationship.

Research limitations/implications

These findings suggest that public healthcare organizations should pay more attention in improving deep acting, cultural training and leadership's collaborative nature for optimal service performance.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study lies in its presentation of an integrated framework based on cultural intelligence and social exchange theories that can solve the contemporary challenges facing healthcare firms operating in emerging markets in integrating cultural intelligence and service performance.
The nexus between empowering leadership, job engagement and employee creativity: role of creative self-efficacy in the hospitality industry
Authors: Peng Michael Yao Ping , Liang Zhidong , Fatima Ishrat , Wang Qian , Rasheed Muhammad Imran
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine job engagement and creativity of employees in the hospitality industry of Pakistan as outcomes of empowering leadership through the mediating role of creative self-efficacy.

Design/methodology/approach

An electronic survey was conducted to collect data from 373 employees of food-chain restaurants in Pakistan. The data was analyzed by applying structural equation modeling (SEM) through Smart PLS 3.

Findings

Results indicated that empowering leadership has a positive association with job engagement and employee creativity in the hospitality industry. Further, creative self-efficacy has been found as mediating the relationship of empowering leadership with job engagement and employee creativity.

Originality/value

The study has substantial implications for the employees, managers and organizations of the hospitality industry as well as for the scholars of services industry research.
Modeling the effect of word-of-mouth advertising on a mobile game installation based on the Bass diffusion model using system dynamics
Authors: Jafari Mostafa , Parsanejad Mohammadreza , Makki Mahshidsadat
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The basic purpose of this study is to increase the installation rate of mobile games and their life cycle. Little research has been conducted into the competitive market of mobile games and word-of-mouth (WOM), advertisement and quality simultaneously. In this paper, the authors aim to assist developers with a better understanding of how to invest in the game industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The primitive modeling has been made based on the Bass diffusion model and its extensions using features related to the game industry. Modeling and simulation have been performed using the system dynamics method.

Findings

The results show that if game developers only focus on advertising at the introduction of the game to the market, and neglect quality features, uninstall rate of adopters increases and the game life cycle decreases. And if developers only focus on the quality improvement of the game, and ignore advertisement, they couldn't create enough WOM and thus game installation wouldn't grow enough to create revenue. Furthermore, as long as the pleasure of the game is high for its adopters, developers shouldn't give up on investing in advertising to create even higher WOM. And also in communities with higher levels of variety-seeking among game players, quality is important at the start and advertisement is vital in the following steps of the game life cycle. And if the contact rate among people is high, developers could focus on quality more than the advertisement.

Originality/value

Even though WOM in mobile game installation is crucial, fewer studies have been done in this area and they only address the problem using qualitative or statistical methods. The quantitative system dynamics approach based on the Bass diffusion model, used in this research, fixes the shortcomings of the previous studies. Moreover, due to serious competition in the mobile game industry, only those developers can remain in the market who can predict the future trend of the game market. Furthermore, game development is a creative process and its key factors include engaging the gamers and monetizing.
Connecting the dots: uncovering the relationships between challenges confronting Africa's organ transplant supply chain systems
Authors: Akenroye Temidayo O. , Oyedijo Adegboyega , Rajan Vishnu C. , Zsidisin George A. , Mkansi Marcia , Baz Jamal El
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to develop a hierarchical model that uncovers the relationships between challenges confronting Africa's organ transplant supply chain systems.

Design/methodology/approach

Eleven challenges (variables) were identified after a comprehensive review of the existing literature. The contextual interactions among these variables were analysed from the perspectives of health-care stakeholders in two sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries (Nigeria and Uganda), using Delphi-interpretive structural modelling-cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) techniques.

Findings

The findings reveal that weak regulatory frameworks, insufficient information systems and a lack of necessary skills make it challenging for critical actors to perform the tasks effectively. The interaction effects of these challenges weaken organ supply chains and make it less efficient, giving rise to negative externalities such as black markets for donated organs and organ tourism/trafficking.

Research limitations/implications

This paper establishes a solid foundation for a critical topic that could significantly impact human health and life once the government or non-profit ecosystem matures. The MICMAC analysis in this paper provides a methodological approach for future studies wishing to further develop the organ supply chain structural models.

Practical implications

The study provides valuable insights for experts and policymakers on where to prioritise efforts in designing interventions to strengthen organ transplantation supply chains in developing countries.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to empirically examine the challenges of organ transplant supply chains from an SSA perspective, including theoretically grounded explanations from data collected in two developing countries.
How integrated store-service quality promotes omnichannel shoppers’ word-of-mouth behaviors: the moderating role of perceived relationship investment and the shopper’s perceived value
Authors: Natarajan Thamaraiselvan , Veera Raghavan Deepak Ramanan
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The post-purchase behavioral responses of omnichannel shoppers, who mainly rely on physical stores (acknowledged as a crucial channel in providing a seamless shopping experience and fulfilling the dynamic needs of the shoppers), are still understudied. The purpose of this paper is to examine how integrated store service quality (ISSQ) can contribute to a more optimal shopping experience (cognitive, affective and relational) and have a subsequent impact on shoppers’ psychological ownership toward the store, resulting in the generation of (face-to-face, online and social media) word of mouth (WOM).

Design/methodology/approach

The research is descriptive, quantitative and cross-sectional investigation. A purposive sampling technique was used for selecting the study respondents. The data were collected from 786 Indian omnichannel shoppers using a validated self-administered questionnaire. The proposed conceptual model was tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results indicate that all three dimensions of omnichannel customer experience (cognitive, affective and relational) positively mediate the relationship between ISSQ and psychological ownership, subsequently impacting all three WOM behaviors of omnichannel shoppers (face-to-face, online store and social media). The customer’s perceived value with the store and their perceived retailer relationship investment significantly moderated the relationship between ISSQ and different WOM behaviors (face-to-face, online store and social media). This research also demonstrated the direct impact of ISSQ on WOM and the indirect impact through different customer experience dimensions and psychological ownership.

Research limitations/implications

The sample used in the study was not probabilistic and, therefore, presents limitations for the possibility of generalizing the results. The study was performed in a cross-sectional methodology in the Indian context; there is a need for longitudinal investigation.

Originality/value

This study addresses the need to investigate different dimensions of omnichannel customer experience that might influence various post-purchase behavioral responses. This study is the first to show that ISSQ might affect omnichannel shoppers' online, offline and social media word-of-mouth behaviors through different customer experience dimensions and the customer’s sense of belongingness to the store. The moderating effect of customer perceived value with the retailer and their perception of retailers’ investment in a relationship on proposed hypotheses was also tested to give managerial recommendations.
Surrogate modelling of a detailed farm‐level model using deep learning
Authors: Shang Linmei , Wang Jifeng , Schäfer David , Heckelei Thomas , Gall Juergen , Appel Franziska , Storm Hugo
Published: May 2023

Technological change co‐determines agri‐environmental performance and farm structural transformation. Meaningful impact assessment of related policies can be derived from farm‐level models that are rich in technology details and environmental indicators, integrated with agent‐based models capturing dynamic farm interaction. However, such integration faces considerable challenges affecting model development, debugging and computational demands in application. Surrogate modelling using deep learning techniques can facilitate such integration for simulations with broad regional coverage. We develop surrogates of the farm model FarmDyn using different architectures of neural networks. Our specifically designed evaluation metrics allow practitioners to assess trade‐offs among model fit, inference time and data requirements. All tested neural networks achieve a high fit but differ substantially in inference time. The Multilayer Perceptron shows almost top performance in all criteria but saves strongly on inference time compared to a Bi‐directional Long Short Term Memory.
Genomic profile of Pancoast syndrome due to hepatocellular carcinoma: A case report
Authors: Bergman Drew T. , Zaki Lorraine , Pettus Jason R. , Zaki Bassem I. , Amin Manik
Published: May 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cancer and is frequently diagnosed at a late and unresectable stage with limited effective treatment options. Here, we present the fifth reported case of a 77 year‐old male with metastatic HCC presenting as a symptomatic superior sulcus lung tumor and discuss the genomic profile of this rare presentation of HCC for the first time, which included multiple classic mutations in HCC such as TERT, TP53, and WNT/β‐catenin signaling as well as in the DNA repair gene ATM. The patient was treated with palliative radiotherapy to the Pancoast tumor followed by atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and passed away 6 months after diagnosis. This rare case highlights the need for effective treatment in aggressive and unresectable HCC and the utility of early genomic studies to allow for targeted therapy such as poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP)‐inhibitors.
Comparison of the efficacy of macrocyclic lactone anthelmintics, either singly or in combination with other anthelmintic(s), in nine beef herds in southern NSW
Authors: Allworth MB , Goonan B , Nelson JE , Kelly G , McGrath SR , Woodgate RG
Published: May 2023

Anthelmintic resistance (AR) is a well‐recognized challenge in farmed ruminants. The use of anthelmintics in combination is one of the strategies recommended to slow the rate of AR development. Two studies were undertaken in 2017 and 2019 to assess the efficacy of single‐dose macrocyclic lactone (ML) anthelmintic and ML combination drenches. In total, 11 Faecal Egg Count Reduction Trials (FECRTs) were set up in 10 different beef herds, with results available from 10 of those FECRTs (9 herds). AR to a single ML anthelmintic was detected in all 9 herds, with resistance to Cooperia and Haemonchus spp on 9 farms, and resistance to Ostertagia and Trichostrongylus spp on 2 farms. In contrast, for the ML combination anthelmintics, all FECRTs resulted in efficacies of 99%–100%. The results suggest that cattle producers should strongly consider using combination drenches in their herds in preference to single actives.
The contribution of epidemiology to the understanding of neurodevelopmental disabilities
Authors: Paneth Nigel
Published: May 2023

Epidemiological approaches have played an important role in creating better understanding of developmental disabilities by delineating their frequency in populations and changes in their frequency over time, by identifying etiological factors, and by documenting pathways to prevention. Both cerebral palsy (CP) and mild intellectual disability are declining in frequency in high‐income countries. The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder has increased in recent decades, but much of this increase is a result of changing approaches to ascertainment and recording. Epidemiological studies have found that most CP is not of birth‐asphyxial origin, that most febrile seizures do not pose a major risk for epilepsy, and that folic acid deficiency may contribute to developmental disabilities apart from its effect on neural tube defects. Epidemiological research has shown that an important fraction of neural tube defects and virtually all cases of Reye syndrome are preventable, and recent trials have shown ways to prevent CP. Early psychoeducational interventions in children at risk for mild intellectual disability are an effective and valuable societal investment. Very large population‐based studies starting in pregnancy have been launched in Norway, Denmark, and Japan in recent years and these and other population studies promise to continue the epidemiological contribution to a better understanding of developmental disabilities.