bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mental health problems, stressful life events and relapse in urinary incontinence in primary school-age childhood: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Warne Naomi , Heron Jon , von Gontard Alexander , Joinson Carol
Published: August 2022

Emotional/behaviour problems and exposure to stressful life events are thought to contribute to relapses in urinary incontinence (UI) amongst children who have attained bladder control. However, very few prospective studies have examined these associations. We assessed whether mental health problems and stressful life events were associated with subsequent relapse in UI using multivariable logistic regression in a prospective UK cohort (n=6,408). Mothers provided information on their child’s symptoms of common mental disorders (Development and Wellbeing Assessment, 7 years), stressful life events (7-8 years) and wetting (day and night, 9 years). There was strong evidence that separation anxiety symptoms were associated with UI relapse in the fully adjusted model (OR (95% CI) = 2.08 (1.39, 3.13), p<0.001). Social anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and oppositional defiant disorder symptoms were associated with UI relapse, but these associations attenuated following adjustment for child developmental level and earlier emotional/behaviour problems. There was weak evidence for a sex interaction with stressful life events (p=0.065), such that females experiencing more stressful life events were at higher risk of UI relapse (fully adjusted model OR (95% CI) = 1.66 (1.05, 2.61), p=0.029) but there was no association in males (fully adjusted model OR (95% CI) = 0.87 (0.52, 1.47), p=0.608). These results suggest that early treatment of separation anxiety and intervening to reduce the negative outcomes associated with stressful life events (in girls) may help to reduce risk of UI relapse.
Innovation and elaboration on the avian tree of life
Authors: Guillerme Thomas , Bright Jen A. , Cooney Christopher R. , Hughes Emma C. , Varley Zoë K. , Cooper Natalie , Beckerman Andrew P. , Thomas Gavin H.
Published: August 2022

1

Widely documented, megaevolutionary jumps in phenotypic diversity continue to perplex researchers because it remains unclear whether these dramatic changes can emerge from microevolutionary processes. Here we tackle this question using new approaches for modeling multivariate traits to evaluate the magnitude and distribution of elaboration and innovation in the evolution of bird beaks. We find that elaboration, evolution along the major axis of phenotypic change, is common at both macro- and megaevo-lutionary scales whereas innovation, evolution away from the major axis of phenotypic change, is more prominent at megaevolutionary scales. Indeed, the major axis of phenotypic change among species beak shapes at megaevolutionary scales is an emergent property of innovation across clades. Our analyses suggest that the reorientation of phenotypes via innovation is a ubiquitous route for divergence that can arise through gradual change alone, opening up new avenues for evolution to explore.
Pre-mRNA splicing order is predetermined and maintains splicing fidelity across multi-intronic transcripts
Authors: Choquet Karine , Koenigs Autum , Dülk Sarah-Luisa , Smalec Brendan M. , Rouskin Silvi , Churchman L. Stirling
Published: August 2022

Combinatorially, intron excision within a given nascent transcript could proceed down any of thousands of paths, each of which would expose different dynamic landscapes of cis-elements and contribute to alternative splicing. In this study, we found that post-transcriptional multi-intron splicing order in human cells is largely predetermined, with most genes spliced in one or a few predominant orders. Strikingly, these orders were conserved across cell types and stages of motor neuron differentiation. Introns flanking alternatively spliced exons were frequently excised last, after their neighboring introns. Perturbations to the spliceosomal U2 snRNA altered the preferred splicing order of many genes, and these alterations were associated with the retention of other introns in the same transcript. In one gene, early removal of specific introns was sufficient to induce delayed excision of three proximal introns, and this delay was caused by two distinct cis-regulatory mechanisms. Together, our results demonstrate that multi-intron splicing order in human cells is predetermined, is influenced by a component of the spliceosome, and ensures splicing fidelity across long pre-mRNAs.
Variations in Atlantic water influx and sea-ice cover drive taxonomic and functional shifts in Arctic marine bacterial communities
Authors: Priest Taylor , Appen Wilken-Jon von , Oldenburg Ellen , Popa Ovidiu , Torres-Valdés Sinhué , Bienhold Christina , Metfies Katja , Fuchs Bernhard M. , Amann Rudolf , Boetius Antje , Wietz Matthias
Published: August 2022

The Arctic Ocean is experiencing unprecedented changes as a result of climate warming, necessitating detailed analyses on the ecology and dynamics of biological communities to understand current and future ecosystem shifts. Here we show the pronounced impact that variations in Atlantic water influx and sea-ice cover have on bacterial communities in the East Greenland Current (Fram Strait) using two, 2-year high-resolution amplicon datasets and an annual cycle of long-read metagenomes. Densely ice-covered polar waters harboured a temporally stable, resident microbiome. In contrast, low-ice cover and Atlantic water influx shifted community dominance to seasonally fluctuating populations enriched in genes for phytoplankton-derived organic matter degradation. We identified signature populations associated with distinct oceanographic conditions and predicted their ecological niches. Our study indicates progressing “Biological Atlantification” in the Arctic Ocean, where the niche space of Arctic bacterial populations will diminish, while communities that taxonomically and functionally resemble those in temperate oceans will become more widespread.
Latent human herpesvirus 6 is reactivated in chimeric antigen receptor T cells
Authors: Lareau Caleb A. , Yin Yajie , Maurer Katie , Sandor Katalin D. , Yagnik Garima , Peña José , Crawford Jeremy Chase , Spanjaart Anne M. , Gutierrez Jacob C. , Haradhvala Nicholas J. , Abay Tsion , Stickels Robert R. , Verboon Jeffrey M. , Liu Vincent , Southard Jackson , Song Ren , Li Wenjing , Shrestha Aastha , Parida Laxmi , Getz Gad , Maus Marcela V. , Li Shuqiang , Moore Alison , Amado Rafael G. , Talleur Aimee C. , Thomas Paul G. , Dehghani Houman , Pertel Thomas , Kundaje Anshul , Gottschalk Stephen , Roth Theodore L. , Kersten Marie J. , Wu Catherine J. , Majzner Robbie G. , Satpathy Ansuman T.
Published: August 2022

Cell therapies have yielded durable clinical benefits for patients with cancer, but the risks associated with the development of therapies from manipulated human cells are still being understood. For example, we currently lack a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of neurotoxicity observed in patients receiving T cell therapies, including recent reports of encephalitis caused by human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) reactivation1. Here, via petabase-scale viral RNA data mining, we examine the landscape of human latent viral reactivation and demonstrate that HHV-6B can become reactivated in human CD4+ T cells in standardin vitrocultures. Using single-cell sequencing, we identify a rare population of HHV-6 ‘super-expressors’ (~1 in 300-10,000 cells) that possess high viral transcriptional activity in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell culture before spreading to infect other cellsin vitro. Through the analysis of single-cell sequencing data from patients receiving cell therapy products that are FDA-approved2or used in clinical studies3,4, we identify the presence of CAR+, HHV-6 super-expressor T cellsin vivo. Together, our study implicates cell therapy products as a source of lytic HHV-6 reported in clinical trials1,5–7and has broad implications for the design, production, and monitoring of cell therapies.
Metabolic demands of the posteromedial default mode network are shaped by dorsal attention and frontoparietal control networks
Authors: Godbersen GM , Klug S , Wadsak W , Pichler V , Raitanen J , Rieckmann A , Stiernman L , Cocchi L , Breakspear M , Hacker M , Lanzenberger R , Hahn A
Published: August 2022

Although BOLD signal decreases in the default mode network (DMN) are commonly observed during attention-demanding tasks, their neurobiological underpinnings are not fully understood. Previous work has shown decreases but also increases in glucose metabolism that match with or dissociate from these BOLD signal decreases, respectively. To resolve this discrepancy, we analyzed functional PET/MRI data from 50 healthy subjects during the performance of the visuo-spatial processing game Tetris® and combined this with previously published data sets of working memory as well as visual and motor stimulation. Our findings show that the glucose metabolism of the posteromedial DMN is dependent on the metabolic demands of the correspondingly engaged task-positive brain networks. Specifically, the dorsal attention (involved in Tetris®) and frontoparietal networks (engaged during working memory) shape the glucose metabolism of the posteromedial DMN in opposing directions. External attention-demanding tasks lead to a downregulation of the posteromedial DMN with consistent decreases in the BOLD signal and glucose metabolism, whereas working memory is subject to metabolically expensive mechanisms of BOLD signal suppression. We suggest that the former finding is mediated by decreased glutamate signaling, while the latter results from active GABAergic inhibition, regulating the competition between self-generated and task-driven internal demands. The results demonstrate that the DMN relates to cognitive processing in a flexible manner and does not always act as a cohesive task-negative network in isolation.
Small non-coding vault RNA1-2 modulates expression of cell membrane proteins through nascent RNA silencing
Authors: Alagia Adele , Terenova Jana , Ketley Ruth F. , Di Fazio Arianna , Chelysheva Irina , Gullerova Monika
Published: August 2022

Gene expression can be regulated by transcriptional or post-transcriptional gene silencing. Recently, we described nuclear nascent RNA silencing (NRS) that is mediated by Dicer dependent tRNA-derived small RNA molecules. In addition to tRNA, RNA polymerase III also transcribes Vault RNA, a component of the ribonucleoprotein complex Vault.

Here, we show that Dicer dependent small vault RNA1-2 (svtRNA1-2) associate with Argonaute 2 (Ago2). Whilst endogenous vtRNA1-2 is present mostly in cytoplasm, svtRNA1-2 localises predominantly in nucleus. Furthermore, in Ago2 and Dicer knockdown cells, a subset of genes which are upregulated at the nascent level were predicted to be targeted by svtRNA1-2 in the intronic region. Genomic deletion of vtRNA1-2 results in impaired cellular proliferation and the upregulation of genes associated with cell membrane physiology and cell adhesion. Silencing activity of svtRNA1-2 molecules is dependent on seed-plus-complementary-paired hybridisation features and the presence of a 5-nucleotide loop protrusion on target RNAs.

Our data reveal a role for Dicer dependent svtRNA1-2, possessing unique molecular features, in modulation of expression of membrane associated proteins at the nascent RNA level.
Antisense oligonucleotide therapy for the common Stargardt disease type 1-causing variant in ABCA4
Authors: Kaltak Melita , de Bruijn Petra , Piccolo Davide , Lee Sang-Eun , Dulla Kalyan , Hoogenboezem Thomas , Beumer Wouter , Webster Andrew R. , Collin Rob W.J. , Cheetham Michael E. , Platenburg Gerard , Swildens Jim
Published: August 2022

The c.5461-10T>C p.[Thr1821Aspfs*6,Thr1821Valfs*13] variant has been identified as the most common severe Stargardt disease type 1 (STGD1)-associated variant in ABCA4. STGD1 is the most recurrent hereditary form of maculopathy and so far, no treatment is available for STGD1. In STGD1 patients homozygous for this variant, the onset of the disease typically is in childhood and patients are legally blind by early adulthood. The variant leads to exon skipping and generates out-of-frame ABCA4 transcripts that prevent the translation of functional ABCA4 protein.

We applied antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) to restore the wild-type RNA splicing in ABCA4 c.5461-10T>C. The effect of AONs was investigated in vitro using an ABCA4 midigene model and 3D human retinal organoids (ROs) homozygous for the ABCA4 c.5461-10T>C variant. The mRNA in untreated ROs contained only disease-associated isoforms, whereas the organoids treated with the lead AON sequence showed 53% splicing correction and restoration of ABCA4 protein.

Collectively, these data identified the lead candidate QR-1011 as a potent splice-correcting AON to be further developed as therapeutic intervention for patients harboring the severe ABCA4 c.5461-10T>C variant.
Most protein domains exist as variants with distinct functions across cells, tissues, and diseases
Authors: Vitting-Seerup Kristoffer
Published: August 2022

Background

Protein domains are the active subunits that provide proteins with specific functions through precise three-dimensional structures. Such domains facilitate most protein functions, including molecular interactions and signal transduction. Currently, these protein domains are described and analyzed as invariable molecular building blocks with fixed functions.

Results

I show that most human protein domains exist as multiple distinct variants that I term “domain isotypes”. Different domain isotypes are used in a cell, tissue, and disease-specific manner and have surprisingly different 3D structures. Accordingly, I find that domain isotypes, compared to each other, modulate or abolish the functionality of protein domains.

Conclusions

My results challenge the current view of protein domains as invariable building blocks and have significant implications for both wet- and dry-lab workflows. The extensive use of protein domain isotypes within protein isoforms adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that the sciences should move from the current gene-centric research paradigm toward an isoform-centric research paradigm.
Sphingosine kinases promote Ebola virus infection and can be targeted to inhibit filoviruses, coronaviruses, and arenaviruses using late endocytic trafficking to enter cells
Authors: Stewart Corina M. , Bo Yuxia , Fu Kathy , Chan Mable , Kozak Robert , Apperley Kim Yang-Ping , Laroche Geneviève , Beauchemin André , Kobinger Gary , Kobasa Darwyn , Côté Marceline
Published: August 2022

Entry of enveloped viruses in host cells requires the fusion of the viral and host cell membranes, a process that is facilitated by viral fusion proteins protruding from the viral envelope. For fusion, viral fusion proteins need to be triggered by host factors and for some viruses, such as Ebola virus (EBOV) and Lassa fever virus, this event occurs inside endosomes and/or lysosomes. Consequently, these ‘late-penetrating viruses’ must be internalized and delivered to entry-conducive intracellular vesicles. Because endocytosis and vesicular trafficking are tightly regulated cellular processes, late penetrating viruses also depend on specific host factors, such as signaling molecules, for efficient viral delivery to the site of fusion, suggesting that these could be targeted for antiviral therapy. In this study, we investigated a role for sphingosine kinases (SKs) in viral entry and found that chemical inhibition of sphingosine kinase 1 (SK1) and/or SK2 and knockdown of SK1 or SK2, inhibited entry of EBOV into host cells. Mechanistically, inhibition of SK1 and/or SK2 prevented EBOV from reaching late-endosomes and lysosomes that are positive for the EBOV receptor, Niemann Pick C1 (NPC1). Furthermore, we present evidence that suggests the trafficking defect caused by SK1/2 inhibition occurs independently of S1P signaling through cell-surface S1PRs. Lastly, we found that chemical inhibition of SKs prevents entry of other late-penetrating viruses, including arenaviruses and coronaviruses, in addition to inhibiting infection by replication competent EBOV and SARS-CoV-2 in Huh7.5 cells. In sum, our results highlight an important role played by SKs in endocytic trafficking which can be targeted to inhibit entry of late-penetrating viruses. SK inhibitors could serve as a starting point for the development of broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics.
Negative cooperativity underlies dynamic assembly of the Par complex regulators Cdc42 and Par-3
Authors: Vargas Elizabeth , Prehoda Kenneth E.
Published: August 2022

The Par complex polarizes diverse animal cells through the concerted action of multiple regulators. Binding to Par-3 couples the complex to cortical flows that construct the Par membrane domain. Once localized properly, the complex is thought to transition from Par-3 to the Rho GTPase Cdc42 to activate the complex. While this transition is a critical step in Par-mediated polarity, little is known about how it occurs. Through a biochemical reconstitution approach utilizing purified, intact Par complex and qualitative binding assays, we found that Par-3 and Cdc42 exhibit strong negative cooperativity for the Par complex. We show that the interactions between the second and third PDZ protein interaction domains of Par-3 and the aPKC Kinase-PBM (PDZ binding motif) mediate the displacement of Cdc42 from the Par complex. Our results indicate that Par-3, Cdc42, Par-6, and aPKC are the minimal components that are sufficient for this transition to occur and that no external factors are required. Our findings provide the mechanistic framework for understanding a critical step in the regulation of Par complex polarization and activity.
Lack of specificity in Geobacter periplasmic electron transfer
Authors: Choi Sol , Chan Chi Ho , Bond Daniel R.
Published: August 2022

Reduction of extracellular acceptors requires electron transfer across the periplasm. In Geobacter sulfurreducens, three separate cytoplasmic membrane cytochromes are utilized for menaquinone oxidation depending on redox potential, and at least five cytochrome conduits span the outer membrane. Because G. sulfurreducens produces 5 structurally similar triheme periplasmic cytochromes (PpcABCDE) that differ in expression level, midpoint potential, and heme biochemistry, separate periplasmic carriers could be needed for specific redox potentials, terminal acceptors, or growth conditions. Using a panel of marker-free single, quadruple, and quintuple mutants, the role of ppcA and its four paralogs was examined. Three quadruple mutants containing only one paralog (PpcA, PpcB, and PpcD) reduced Fe(III) citrate and Fe(III) oxide at the same rate and extent, even though PpcB and PpcD were at much lower levels than PpcA in the periplasm. Mutants containing only PpcC and PpcE showed defects, but were nearly undetectable in the periplasm. When expressed sufficiently, PpcC and PpcE supported wild type Fe(III) reduction. PpcA and PpcE from G. metallireducens similarly restored metal respiration in G. sulfurreducens. PgcA, an unrelated extracellular triheme c-type cytochrome, also participated in periplasmic electron transfer. While triheme cytochromes were important for metal reduction, sextuple ΔppcABCDE ΔpgcA mutants still grew near wild type rates and displayed normal cyclic voltammetry profiles when using anodes as electron acceptors. These results reveal broad promiscuity in the periplasmic electron transfer network of metal-reducing Geobacter, and suggests an as-yet undiscovered periplasmic mechanism supports electron transfer to electrodes.

Importance

Many inner and outer membrane redox proteins used by Geobacter for electron transfer to extracellular acceptors are known to have specific functions. However, how these are connected by periplasmic redox carriers remains poorly understood. Since Geobacter sulfurreducens contains multiple paralogous triheme periplasmic cytochromes, each with their own unique biochemical properties and expression profiles, it has been hypothesized that each cytochrome is involved in different respiratory pathways depending on redox potential or energy conservation needs. Here we show that instead of being specific for single conditions, the many periplasmic cytochromes of Geobacter show evidence of being highly promiscuous. Surprisingly, while any one of 6 triheme cytochromes could support similar growth with soluble or insoluble metals, none of these were required when cells utilized electrodes. These findings could simplify construction of synthetic electron transfer pathways.
SNAP-tag and HaloTag fused proteins for HaSX8-inducible control over synthetic biological functions in engineered mammalian cells
Authors: Dotson Hannah L. , Ngo John T.
Published: August 2022

Drug-inducible systems allow biological processes to be regulated through the administration of exogenous chemical inducers. Such methods can be used to study native biological activities, or to control synthetically engineered ones, with temporal and dose-dependent control. However, the number of existing drug-inducible systems is limited, and there remains a need for synthetic biology components that can be combined with the existing toolset and regulated with independent and orthogonal control. Here, we describe new cell engineering components that can be regulated via a heterodimerization of SNAP-tag and HaloTag domains using a selective small molecule crosslinker termed “HaXS8.” The construction and validation of multiple HaXS8-sensitive components are described, including systems for regulating transcription, Cre recombinase activity, and caspase-9 activity in mammalian cells. The systems elaborate the ability to control gene expression, DNA recombination, and apoptosis in cell engineered systems.
The small RNA landscape is stable with age and resistant to loss of dFOXO signaling in Drosophila
Authors: Gartland Siobhan , Marr Michael T.
Published: August 2022

Aging can be defined as the progressive loss of physiological homeostasis that leads to a decline in cellular and organismal function. In recent years, it has become clear that small RNA pathways play a role in aging and aging related phenotypes. Small RNA pathways regulate many important processes including development, cellular physiology, and innate immunity. The pathways illicit a form of posttranscriptional gene regulation that relies on small RNAs bound by the protein components of the RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISCs), which inhibit the expression of complementary RNAs. In Drosophila melanogaster, Argonaute 1 (Ago1) is the core RISC component in microRNA (miRNA) silencing, while Argonaute 2 (Ago2) is the core RISC component in small interfering RNA (siRNA) silencing. The expression of Ago1 and Ago2 is regulated by stress response transcription factor Forkhead box O (dFOXO) increasing siRNA silencing efficiency. dFOXO plays a role in multiple stress responses and regulates pathways important for longevity. Here we use a next-generation sequencing approach to determine the effects of aging on small RNA abundance and RISC loading in male and female Drosophila. In addition, we examine the impact of the loss of dFOXO on these processes. We find that the relative abundance of the majority of small RNAs does not change with age. Additionally, under normal growth conditions, the loss of dFOXO has little effect on the small RNA landscape. However, we observed that age affects loading into RISC for a small number of miRNAs.
The potential of the Beauveria bassiana MHK isolate for mosquito larval control
Authors: Tawidian Patil , Kang Qing , Michel Kristin
Published: August 2022

The African malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae Giles (Diptera: Culicidae), and the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus Skuse (Diptera: Culicidae) are of public health concern due to their ability to transmit disease-causing parasites and pathogens. Current mosquito control strategies to prevent vector-borne diseases rely mainly on the use of chemicals. However, insecticide resistance in mosquito populations necessitates alternative control measures, including biologicals such as entomopathogenic fungi. Here we report the impact of a Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Hyprocreales: Cordycipitaeceae) isolate, MHK, isolated from field-collected Ae. albopictus larvae on mosquito survival and development. Larval infection bioassays using three B. bassiana conidial doses were performed on the second and third larval instars of An. gambiae and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes. Larvae were monitored daily for survival and development to pupae and adults. Our results show that B. bassiana MHK was more effective in killing An. gambiae than Ae. albopictus larvae. We further observed delays in development to pupae and adults in both mosquito species exposed the varying doses of B. bassiana as compared to the water control. In addition, larval exposure to B. bassiana reduced adult male and female survival in both mosquito species, further contributing to mosquito population control. Thus, this study identifies the locally isolated fungus, B. bassiana MHK, as a possible biological control agent of two mosquito species of public health concern, increasing the arsenal for integrated mosquito control.
The Administration Effect of Lactic Acid Bacteria Reducing Environmental Alkyl and Fatty Acid Hydroperoxides on Piglets in the Absence of Antimicrobial Agents and in the Presence of Iron
Authors: Noguchi Tatsuo , Watanabe Akio , Sagane Yoshimasa , Nomoto Kouji , Terao Junji , Suzuki Tomonori , Uchino Masataka , Abe Akira , Niimura Youichi , Ikeda Shuhei
Published: August 2022

A lactic acid bacterium, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P1-2 (LpP1-2), can reduce environmental fatty acid hydroperoxides. The administration of LpP1-2 to oxygen-sensitive short-lived nematode mutants and iron-overloaded rats reduced the oxidative stress-related index. Since young piglets have a weak defense system against oxidative stress and are vulnerable to environmental stress, antimicrobial agents have been administered in the rearing. Based on these results, we investigated the effect of LpP1-2 administration to prepartum sows and infant piglets until weaning without antimicrobial agents on the growth of young piglets.

The group including both sows and piglets that were administrated with lactic acid bacteria containing LpP1-2 (LABLp) until the end of lactation showed the growth-promoting effect of piglet from lactation to early regular rearing, and even in late regular rearing. Blood biochemical markers were in the normal ranges in both LABLp-administrated and non-administrated groups, but various disease-related markers tended to decrease in the administrated group.

To investigate the effects of LABLp administration on postpartum piglets, the piglets born from prenatally LABLp-administrated sows were divided into two groups and then administrated with or without LABLp. The piglets in the LABLp-administrated group tended to grow very slightly higher than those in the non-administrated group from lactation to early regular rearing. After that, the growth in both groups was almost the same. These results suggest that LABLp administration to prepartum sows is essential for the growth-promoting effect.

The postnatal LABLp-administrated piglets showed a lower serum lipid peroxidation index than the non-administrated piglets, and had higher numbers of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria in feces at the end of LABLp treatment. In fattening performances, the LABLp-administrated group showed a significant improvement in meat quality.

We also discuss the growth and physiological effects by LpP1-2 administration with iron on piglets because iron administration is another important issue in piglet farming.
A scoping review of disparities in health and health-care service provisions experienced by adults with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Sidhu Harsimran Kaur , Greene M. Claire
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more likely to have a poor health status because of being diagnosed with a range of physical and mental health conditions and experience disparities in health care. The purpose of this study is to find barriers to health care experienced by adults with ASD and find gaps in health care which health-care providers can work to fill.

Design/methodology/approach

This scoping review aimed to identify studies that report on disparities in health and health-care service provisions experienced by adults with ASD. The authors included articles that described health-care disparities for patients with ASD and were published in peer-reviewed journals between January 2010 and April 2022. The authors searched the following databases and medical journals to search for eligible studies: Google Scholar, Pubmed, Elsevier, Sage Publications and Embase. The authors comprehensively searched key terms related to ASD, health care and disparities.

Findings

The core defining features of ASD, which include communication and social impairments and deficits in sensory processing, were found to be barriers in the health-care experience of adults with ASD. Continued research and changes in health care, such as developing interventions to empower patients, adequately training providers and increasing the accessibility of the health-care system, are necessary to ensure adults with ASD receive adequate medical care.

Research limitations/implications

Additionally, clarifying the current literature on this topic can guide future research efforts to explore the influence of factors such as gender and the spectrum of autism itself leading to various levels of abilities and their influence on the health-care experience of adults with ASD.

Practical implications

Overall, the findings from this scoping review underline the importance of providing readily accessible evidence-based, age-appropriate primary and hospital health care for adults with ASD.

Social implications

Further interventions are needed to empower patients, adequately train providers, increase the accessibility of the health-care system, increase support for ASD patients and decrease discrimination.

Originality/value

This paper is a scoping literature review of the original work done by researchers in the field of developmental disorders and health care.
Stylometric features in librarian’s responses to user queries: implications for user interaction in digital information services
Authors: Park Jung Ran , Poole Erik , Li Jiexun
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore linguistic stylometric patterns encompassing lexical, syntactic, structural, sentiment and politeness features that are found in librarians’ responses to user queries.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 462 online texts/transcripts comprising answers of librarians to users’ questions drawn from the Internet Public Library were examined. A Principal Component Analysis, which is a data reduction technique, was conducted on the texts and transcripts. Data analysis illustrates the three principal components that predominantly occur in librarians’ answers: stylometric richness, stylometric brevity and interpersonal support.

Findings

The results of the study have important implications in digital information services because stylometric features such as lexical richness, structural clarity and interpersonal support may interplay with the degree of complexity of user queries, the (a)synchronous communication mode, application of information service guideline and manuals and overall characteristics and quality of a given digital information service. Such interplay may bring forth a direct impact on user perceptions and satisfaction regarding interaction with librarians and the information service received through the computer-mediated communication channel.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the stylometric features encompassing lexical, syntactic, structural, sentiment and politeness using Principal Component Analysis have not been explored in digital information/reference services. Thus, there is an emergent need to explore more fully how linguistic stylometric features interplay with the types of user queries, the asynchronous online communication mode, application of information service guidelines and the quality of a particular digital information service.
Linear regression model and least square method for experimental identification of AMBU bag in simple ventilator
Authors: Truong Cong Toai , Huynh Kim Hieu , Duong Van Tu , Nguyen Huy Hung , Pham Le An , Nguyen Tan Tien
Published: August 2022

Purpose

In the COVID-19 outbreak periods, people's life has been deranged, leading to disrupt the world. Firstly, the number of deaths is growing and has the potential to surpass the highest level at any time. Secondly, the pandemic broke many countries' fortified lines of epidemic prevention and gave people a more honest view of its seriousness. Finally, the pandemic has an impact on life, and the economy led to a shortage in medical, including a lack of clinicians, facilities and medical equipment. One of those, a simple ventilator is a necessary piece of medical equipment since it might be useful for a COVID-19 patient's treatment. In some cases, the COVID-19 patients require to be treated by modern ventilators to reduce lung damage. Therefore, the addition of simple ventilators is a necessity to relieve high work pressure on medical bureaucracies. Some low-income countries aim to build a simple ventilator for primary care and palliative care using locally accessible and low-cost components. One of the simple principles for producing airflow is to squeeze an artificial manual breathing unit (AMBU) iterative with grippers, which imitates the motion of human fingers. Unfortunately, the squeezing angle of grippers is not proportional to the exhaust air volume from the AMBU bag. This paper aims to model the AMBU bag by a mathematical equation that enables to implement on a simple controller to operate a bag-valve-mask (BVM) ventilator with high accuracy performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a curvature function to estimate the air volume exhausting from the AMBU bag. Since the determination of the curvature function is sophisticated, the coefficients of the curvature function are approximated by a quadratic function through the experimental identification method. To obtain the high accuracy performance, a linear regression model and a least square method are employed to investigate the characteristic of the BVM ventilator's grippers angle with respect to the airflow volume produced by the AMBU bag.

Findings

This paper investigates the correlation between the exhausting airflow of the AMBU bag and the grippers angle of the BVM ventilator.

Originality/value

The experimental results validated that the regression model of the characteristic of the exhausting airflow of the AMBU bag with respect to the grippers' angle has been fitted with a coefficient over 98% within the range of 350–750 ml.
Understanding urban festival attendees’ involvement in Hong Kong dragon boat festival
Authors: Otoo Felix Elvis , Ngwira Cecilia , Kankhuni Zandivuta
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of involvement, satisfaction and festival attachment on urban Dragon Boat Festival (DBF) attendees’ future intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 307 participants of the Hong Kong DBF using a survey instrument. Data was analysed using a series of analytical tools including factor analysis, structural equation modelling and bootstrap mediation.

Findings

Results indicate that festival attendees’ involvement and satisfaction directly influenced future intentions with the DBF, but this was not the case for festival attachment. Consequently, satisfaction is a key puzzle piece for understanding why DBF attendees may not revisit despite a positive attachment to the DBF.

Research limitations/implications

The study draws implications for DBF promotion as an urban cultural event.

Originality/value

This study sheds light on the key drivers of attendees’ future intentions among both residents and tourists to urban festivals. A noble contribution to knowledge in this regard is that attachment alone is not sufficient to induce loyalty among DBF patrons. Essentially, satisfaction is a vital element for repeat visits. The study also makes important distinctions in determining elements of attachment.
Mobile wallets in cash-based economies during COVID-19
Authors: Okonkwo Chinedu Wilfred , Amusa Lateef Babatunde , Twinomurinzi Hossana , Fosso Wamba Samuel
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic altered business and personal activities globally especially stimulating contactless financial transactions. However, despite the similar national lockdowns in cash-based economies, the adoption of contactless transactions through the widely available mechanism, mobile wallets, remained low. This research aimed to identify the factors surrounding this peculiarity.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was investigated using a composite model based on the diffusion of innovation theory (DIT), technology acceptance model (TAM) and information systems success model (ISSM). Data were collected from 621 Cameroonian mobile wallet users and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation (PLS-SEM) modeling.

Findings

The key findings revealed that the usage of mobile wallets, in the current form, were not affected by the perceived ease of use and did not match the existing lifestyle of users in Cameroon (no compatibility). The branding of mobile wallets (image) which was based on global messaging did not appeal to Cameroonians; in fact, the branding gave mobile wallets a negative image.

Originality/value

These key findings reveal the dangers of assuming that global strategies which have been effective in dealing with the pandemic will be effective in low-income or cash-based economies. The findings suggest that considering essential contextual dispositions is critical.
Effects of age and income moderation on adoption of mobile payments in Brazil
Authors: Abegao Neto Fernando Luis , Figueiredo Julio César Bastos de
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to measure the effects of moderation by age and income in mobile payment systems' intended use as predictors of performance expectation, effort expectation, social influence, risk and perceived costs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a survey that generated a sample of 1,742 Brazilian users that responded to the measurement scale. The research data were analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation model.

Findings

All proposed latent variables were significant, with income positively moderating the performance expectation and negatively moderating the perceived cost and perceived risk. In addition, age positively moderates performance expectation and negatively moderates cost perception.

Originality/value

The findings evolved previous literature by understanding moderating effects that make it possible for companies operating in mobile payments to generate segmented communication and engagement plans for users of different income and age brackets.
Balancing strategic renewal, cost and efficiency: a case study in digital transformation
Authors: Wang Ke , Zhang Zhichao , Xiong Jie , Li Hongwei , Liu Haibo , Ma Huimin
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Recent studies have indicated that digital transformation can benefit an organization’s strategic renewal. However, there is little knowledge on how business executives engage in digital transformation for this purpose, especially in the service sectors of emerging markets. Therefore, this study aims to examine how business managers accomplish strategic renewal through digital transformation in emerging markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a longitudinal single case study of a leading business firm in China’s real estate industry, China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd. (COLI). Results of the analysis of semistructured interviews and rich secondary data allowed us to better understand how business managers react to changing customer demands by building and implementing divergent digital tools to fulfill strategic renewal.

Findings

The results showed that business executives of COLI developed the Whole Life Cycle Management System, to achieve strategic renewal. The system benefits resource allocation and potential adjustments to strategic goals. This study also helps update the organizational structure of the marketing and consumer services departments, helping better satisfy consumers’ demands and waste fewer resources. Thus, COLI accomplished structural, contextual and leadership-based ambidexterity.

Originality/value

This study provides a fresh understanding of the link between digitalization and strategic renewal by providing a fine-grained analysis of leading service providers in emerging markets. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to investigate the role of digital transformation in strategic renewal from an ambidexterity perspective.
Assessing the adaptive reuse of heritage houses in Sultanate of Oman
Authors: Nasr Eman Hanye Mohamed , Khalil Mohamed Ali Mohamed
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Oman has a rich built heritage due to its strategic location, making its history full of events, which resulted in remarkable cultural and social heritage. The government works on preserving the built environment through the adaptive reuse strategy of abandoned buildings or sites, which is considered a comprehensive approach to sustainability. The adaptive reuse process often involves complex factors especially through decision-making, which influence the success of the generated project. The research aims at proposing an assessment strategy that offers guidelines that can help to achieve comprehensive adaptive reuse.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyzes and assesses adaptive reuse interventions of selected five heritage projects in Oman. The assessment was conducted based on semi-structured interviews with stakeholders and local community representatives, as well as onsite observations, documentation and relevant data analyses.

Findings

The results display that a comprehensive sustainable management plan for adaptive reuse projects is essential to ensure the success of the new uses in promoting the local economy, enhancing social values, preserving the cultural identity and adapting to the local environment.

Originality/value

This contribution proposes a comprehensive strategy for assessing the adaptive reuse projects' performance that can be used as a checklist for achieving more social, cultural, environmental and economic benefits. This strategy can be further developed by extending to include more categories.
The enforceability of non-compete agreements and different types of entrepreneurship: evidence from Utah and Massachusetts
Authors: Can Ege , Fossen Frank M.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to expand the empirical literature on the association between non-compete agreement (NCA) enforceability and entrepreneurship by investigating how NCA policies affect different types of entrepreneurship with incorporated and unincorporated businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors estimate difference-in-differences regressions based on individual-level data. This allows to control for heterogeneity at the individual level. Additionally, the authors provide graphical evidence using the synthetic control method (SCM).

Findings

The authors' findings show that the decrease in the enforceability of NCAs in Massachusetts resulted in a higher rate of unincorporated entrepreneurship among low-wage workers. At the same time, there was no sizable effect on the rate of incorporated entrepreneurship. For Utah, the authors' results indicate that the reform increased both types of entrepreneurship. The findings imply that states can promote entrepreneurial activity by reducing the enforceability of NCAs. The way of changing the enforceability of NCAs matters, as different provisions encourage different types of entrepreneurship in a given state.

Originality/value

The authors contribute to the literature on NCA enforceability effects on entrepreneurship in three ways. First, the authors utilize two quasi-experiments, the NCA policy changes in Utah in 2016 and Massachusetts in 2018, limiting NCAs to one year for all workers. Second, to the authors' knowledge, this is the first individual-level analysis that separates self-employment with incorporated and unincorporated businesses as two different types of entrepreneurship to analyze potentially heterogeneous effects of NCAs. Third, this is the first study to utilize American Community Survey (ACS) data in this literature.
Influence of digital government innovation on transformational government in resource-constrained contexts
Authors: Ndlovu Njabulo , Ochara Nixon Muganda , Martin Robert
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of digital government innovation on transformational government. Digital government innovation is ordinarily implemented as means for the creation of public value. However, realisation of benefits from the digital government platforms has proved to be a challenge, and great discrepancy has been observed in the extent of public value generated, pointing to lack of innovativeness in resource-constrained environments. This research investigates the influence of digital government ambidexterity as an innovation strategy in enhancing transformational government (T-Gov). The authors develop hypotheses relating to digital government ambidexterity with two factors of innovation for enhancing T-Gov: exploitation incremental digital innovation and exploration radical digital innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses are tested using a sample size of 690 citizens interacting through digital government platforms. The authors identify exploitation incremental digital innovation and exploration radical digital innovation as factors, and how these factors of digital government ambidexterity influence information quality for public value creation. The success of T-Gov is associated to the implementation of digital government policy which moderate the relationship between digital government ambidexterity and information quality.

Findings

The empirical outcomes suggest that exploitation incremental digital innovation and exploration radical digital innovation positively influence information quality, thereby leading to public value, and this result become successful if there is implementation of digital government policy. Treating the two factors of digital government innovation as complementary leads to public value creation.

Research limitations/implications

Limited time and funds to conduct a country comparative study. The study only focused on urban municipalities, of which it would be interesting to explore rural municipalities.

Practical implications

Adoption of MunINFORQUAL model for promoting digital government platform utilisation by citizens.

Social implications

The utilisation of digital government platforms would improve citizens’ lives in a number of ways. For instance, citizen municipal interaction for service delivery and social benefits through instant notifications of developmental projects.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the research literature on digital government innovation particularly from resource-constrained environments. Also, the study provides new empirical test using a data set of 690 citizens interacting through digital government platforms.