bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DeconV: Probabilistic Cell Type Deconvolution from Bulk RNA-sequencing Data
Authors: Gynter Artur , Meistermann Dimitri , Lähdesmäki Harri , Kilpinen Helena
Published: December 2023

Bulk RNA-Seq remains a widely adopted technique to profile gene expression, primarily due to the persistent challenges associated with achieving single-cell resolution. However, a key challenge is accurately estimating the proportions of different cell types within these bulk samples. To address this issue, we introduce DeconV, a probabilistic framework for cell-type deconvolution that uses scRNA-Seq data as a reference. This approach aims to mitigate some of the limitations in existing methods by incorporating statistical frameworks developed for scRNA-Seq, thereby simplifying issues related to reference preprocessing such as normalization and marker gene selection. We benchmarked DeconV against established methods, including MuSiC, CIBERSORTx, and Scaden. Our results show that DeconV performs comparably in terms of accuracy to the best-performing method, Scaden, but provides additional interpretability by offering confidence intervals for its predictions. Furthermore, the modular design of DeconV allows for the investigation of discrepancies between bulk-sequenced samples and artificially generated pseudo-bulk samples.
The Exon Junction Complex component EIF4A3 plays a splicing-linked oncogenic role in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Blázquez-Encinas Ricardo , Alors-Pérez Emilia , Moreno-Montilla María Trinidad , García-Vioque Víctor , Sánchez-Frías Marina Esther , Mafficini Andrea , López-Cánovas Juan L. , Bousquet Corinne , Gahete Manuel D. , Lawlor Rita T. , Luque Raúl M. , Scarpa Aldo , Arjona‐Sánchez Álvaro , Pedraza-Arevalo Sergio , Ibáñez-Costa Alejandro , Castaño Justo P.
Published: December 2023

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal cancers worldwide and further research on its biology is needed to fully understand the disease. Dysregulation of alternative RNA splicing is a common hallmark in cancer, including PDAC, which provides an emerging source of knowledge and of novel biomarkers and therapeutic tools. Here, we examined the role of EIF4A3, a core component of the Exon Junction Complex intimately linked to RNA splicing, in pancreatic cancer biology. EIF4A3 is overexpressed in PDAC tissue and associated to clinical parameters of malignancy and poorer patient survival. Mechanistically, exploration of PDAC RNA-seq data unveiled the link of EIF4A3 to diverse malignancy processes, in line with its association to key molecular pathways. Accordingly, EIF4A3 targetingin vitrodecreased essential functional tumor features such as proliferation, migration, colony formation and sphere formation, while itsin vivotargeting reduced tumor growth.EIF4A3silencing in PDAC cell lines severely altered its transcriptional and spliceosomic landscapes, as shown by RNA-seq analyses, suggesting a role for EIF4A3 in maintaining RNA homeostasis. Our results indicate that EIF4A3 dysregulation in PDAC has a pleiotropic regulatory role on RNA biology, influencing key cellular functions. This paves the way to explore its potential as a novel biomarker and actionable target candidate for this lethal cancer.
Tracing the evolutionary emergence of the temperature sensing prion-like domain in EARLY FLOWERING 3 across the plant kingdom
Authors: Zhu Zihao , Trenner Jana , Quint Marcel
Published: December 2023

Plants have evolved to anticipate and adjust their growth and development in response to environmental changes. To mitigate the negative influence of global climate change on crop production, understanding the key regulators of plant performance is imperative.EARLY FLOWERING 3(ELF3) is such a regulator involved in the circadian clock and thermomorphogenesis.Arabidopsis thalianaELF3 contains a prion-like domain (PrLD) that functions as a thermosensor, enabling its liquid-liquid phase separation at high ambient temperatures. To understand the conservation of this function across the plant kingdom, we traced the evolutionary emergence of ELF3 with a focus on PrLD existence. We observed that the presence of the domain within ELF3, mainly contributed by the length of polyglutamine (polyQ) repeats, is most prominentBrassicales. By analyzing 319 naturalArabidopsis thalianaaccessions, we detected a wide range of polyQ length variation in ELF3. However, it is only weakly associated with geographic origin, climate conditions and classic temperature-responsive phenotypes. Based on available prediction tools and limited experimental evidence, we conclude that although the emergence of PrLD is not likely to be a key driver of environmental adaptation, it adds an extra layer to ELF3’s role in thermomorphogenesis.
Sex-specific growth and lifespan effects of germline removal in the dioecious nematodeCaenorhabditis remanei
Authors: Lind Martin I , Mautz Brian S , Carlsson Hanne , Hinas Andrea , Gudmunds Erik , Maklakov Alexei A
Published: December 2023

Germline regulates the expression of life-history traits and mediates the trade-off between reproduction and somatic maintenance. However, germline maintenance in itself can be costly, and the costs can vary between the sexes depending on the number of gametes produced across the lifetime. We tested this directly by germline ablation using glp-1 RNAi in a dioecious nematodeCaenorhabditis remanei. Germline removal strongly increased heat-shock resistance in both sexes, thus confirming the role of the germline in regulating somatic maintenance. However, germline removal resulted in increased lifespan only in males. High costs of mating strongly reduced lifespan in both sexes and obliterated the survival benefit of germline-less males even though neither sex produced any offspring. Furthermore, germline removal reduced male growth before maturation but not in adulthood, while female growth rate was reduced both before and especially after maturation. Thus, germline removal improves male lifespan without major growth costs, while germline-less females grow slower and do not live longer than reproductively functional counterparts in the absence of environmental stress. Overall, these results suggest that germline maintenance is costlier for males than for females.
PHEIGES, all-cell-free phage synthesis and selection from engineered genomes
Authors: Levrier Antoine , Karpathakis Ioannis , Nash Bruce , Bowden Steven D. , Lindner Ariel B. , Noireaux Vincent
Published: December 2023

Bacteriophages constitute an invaluable biological reservoir for biotechnology and medicine. The ability to exploit such vast resources is hampered by the lack of methods to rapidly engineer, assemble, package genomes, and select phages. Cell-free transcription-translation (TXTL) offers experimental settings to address such a limitation. Here, we describe PHage Engineering by In vitro Gene Expression and Selection (PHEIGES) using T7 phage genome and Escherichia coli TXTL. Phage genomes are assembled in vitro from PCR-amplified fragments and directly expressed in batch TXTL reactions to produce up to 1011PFU/ml engineered phages within one day. We further demonstrate a significant genotype-phenotype linkage of phage assembly in bulk TXTL. This enables rapid selection of phages with altered rough lipopolysaccharides specificity from phage genomes incorporating tail fiber mutant libraries. We establish the scalability of PHEIGES by one pot assembly of such mutants with fluorescent gene integration and 10% length-reduced genome.
Phylogenomics reveals an almost perfect polytomy among the almost ungulates (Paenungulata)
Authors: Bowman Jacob , Enard David , Lynch Vincent J.
Published: December 2023

Phylogenetic studies have resolved most relationships amongEutherianOrders. However, the branching order of elephants (Proboscidea), hyraxes (Hyracoidea), and sea cows (Sirenia) (i.e., thePaenungulata) has remained uncertain since at least 1758, when Linnaeus grouped elephants and manatees into a single Order (Bruta) to the exclusion of hyraxes. Subsequent morphological, molecular, and large-scale phylogenomic datasets have reached conflicting conclusions on the branching order withinPaenungulates. We use a phylogenomic dataset of alignments from 13,388 protein-coding genes across 261Eutherianmammals to infer phylogenetic relationships withinPaenungulates. We find that gene trees almost equally support the three alternative resolutions ofPaenungulaterelationships and that despite strong support for aProboscidea+Hyracoideasplit in the multispecies coalescent (MSC) tree, there is significant evidence for gene tree uncertainty, incomplete lineage sorting, and introgression amongProboscidea,Hyracoidea, andSirenia. Indeed, only 8-10% of genes have statistically significant phylogenetic signal to reject the hypothesis of aPaenungulatepolytomy. These data indicate little support for any resolution for the branching orderProboscidea,Hyracoidea, andSireniawithinPaenungulataand suggest thatPaenungulatamay be as close to a real, or at least unresolvable, polytomy as possible.
Genetic architecture, spatial heterogeneity, and the coevolutionary arms race between newts and snakes
Authors: Caudill Victoria , Ralph Peter L.
Published: December 2023

Coevolution between two species can lead to exaggerated phenotypes that vary in a correlated manner across space. However, the conditions under which we expect such spatially varying coevolutionary patterns in polygenic traits are not well-understood. We investigate the coevolutionary dynamics between two species undergoing reciprocal adaptation across space and time, using simulations inspired by the Taricha newt - Thamnophis garter snake system. One striking observation from this system is that newts in some areas carry much more tetrodotoxin than in other areas, and garter snakes that live near more toxic newts tend to be more resistant to this toxin, a correlation seen across several broad geographic areas. Furthermore, snakes seem to be "winning" the coevolutionary arms race, i.e., having a high level of resistance compared to local newt toxicity, despite substantial variation in both toxicity and resistance across the range. We explore how possible genetic architectures of the toxin and resistance traits would affect the coevolutionary dynamics by manipulating both mutation rate and effect size of mutations across many simulations. We find that coevolutionary dynamics alone were not sufficient in our simulations to produce the striking mosaic of levels of toxicity and resistance observed in nature, but simulations with ecological heterogeneity (in trait costliness or interaction rate) did produce such patterns. We also find that in simulations, newts tend to "win" across most combinations of genetic architectures, although the species with higher mutational genetic variance tends to have an advantage.
Assessment of Mosquito Pollination
Authors: Peach Daniel A.H.
Published: December 2023

Adult mosquitoes, sometimes in vast numbers, visit flowers in their search for floral nectar. However, the ability of mosquitoes to pollinate the flowers they visit is often neglected and sometimes even presumptively dismissed. Despite this, mosquito pollination has been reported in many instances, although many questions linger about its extent, importance, and the breadth of floral species or mosquito species which may be involved. In this protocol, I describe methodology to assess whether mosquitoes pollinate a flowering plant they visit, which can create a foundation for future investigations into this topic.
Paint company’s entry decision into putty market
Authors: Laddha Seema
Published: December 2023

Learning outcomes

After completion of the case study, students will be able to understand the putty industry, consumer behaviour for putty, comparative advantage of putty to different industries and within industry and market entry strategy for newly introduced product.

Case overview/synopsis

Putty market in India grew at a compound annual growth rate of 15% over the period FY07–FY20. Many organized and unorganized players entered the putty market since its introduction. Putty was invented by cement companies to increase offtake of cement which otherwise declined owing to reduced use of marble. Painters are purchasing putty to be used before the paint to improve the texture of the walls and to fill cracks. Therefore, to take advantage of distribution channels and dealers’ network, paint companies introduced putty. Consumers, who use putty to improve aesthetics of their home, have very less knowledge about putty. They depend on painter or contractor for it. XYZ colourant company wanted to enter the white putty market to use the market opportunity along with coloured putty for economic project where cost is the constraint. This case study culminates with the probing question about the peculiarity of industry where two different industries are involved for the same product. This case study is designed to understand the target consumers’ behaviour and the entry decisions of the company to the growing market.

Complexity academic level

This case study is designed for use in second-year management programmes, especially for the students of strategic management and marketing strategy courses.

Supplementary material

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
Value Ingredients Private Limited: engaging farmers for achieving triple bottom line
Authors: Koride Padmavathi , Venkatagiri Sirish , L. Ganesh
Published: December 2023

Learning outcomes

After completion of this case study, students will be able to apply the triple bottom line concept to a spice manufacturing and export company (RBT 3); to examine the options before Value Ingredients Private Limited (VIPL), namely, to cultivate spices in the traditional way versus adopting integrated pest management (IPM) to cater to international markets (RBT 4); to analyse the returns for an IPM farmer vis-à-vis a conventional farmer, and to compare the returns therein (RBT 4); and to evaluate the ways and means of engaging farmers to change their way of cultivation (RBT 5)

Case overview/synopsis

The COVID-19 pandemic heightened awareness about the benefits of spices and buoyed its demand worldwide, which presented an opportunity to VIPL, a spice manufacturing company based in Chennai, to expand its business. However, the export markets demanded residue-free spices grown with little or no use of pesticides. Traditional farmers supplying spices to VIPL were accustomed to spraying pesticides whenever there was a pest attack. This case study discussed the options that the protagonist Mr Sijil Karim, managing director and CEO of VIPL, had, who wanted to onboard farmers for pesticide-free cultivation. The options before him were either to continue traditional farming or adopt IPM. This case study discussed the merits, demerits and challenges of each of these options.

The triple bottom line concept discussed three Ps – people, planet and prosperity – for this case as follows: The farmers and the consumers constituted the people in the spice supply chain. The farmers supplying organic, export-worthy spices under the guidance of VIPL gained 30% more than regular spice farmers, which were accrued through cost savings and better prices. The consumers benefitted from the pesticide-free, organic spices through accrued health gains. The manufacture of organic, pesticide-free spices helped the planet, as the process did not release hazardous chemicals into the atmosphere. VIPL manufactured pesticide-free spice with a focus on prosperity.

Complexity academic level

The case study can be introduced in a course on sustainability while discussing the triple bottom line concept. This case study showed how a for-profit company grew without losing sight of the planet or its focus on people. This case is best suited for students who have preliminary knowledge of supply chain management, operations and sustainability. Therefore, it is suited for sophomore-year students of MBA.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
The linkages between antecedents, processes and outcomes of internship
Authors: Poltimäe Helen , Rõigas Kärt , Lorenz Anneli
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify how different factors of antecedents and processes affect the outcomes of an internship, measured in terms of competency development.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used an internship questionnaire designed for the University of Tartu in Estonia. Responses were obtained from 178 students across different disciplines – humanities and the arts, social sciences, natural sciences and medicine – who had recently taken an internship. Based on current academic literature, the authors create a three-level model: antecedents-processes-outcomes. The antecedents and processes were both differentiated into three factors and tested with a structural equation model.

Findings

The model demonstrates that there are different antecedents that have an effect on internship outcomes, but these only work through internship processes. For example, the objective of the internship and clarity of instructions will only have a positive effect if there is relevant support from the supervisor at the employing company and if the student can use the knowledge and skills gained at university.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based on survey data filled in by students, i.e. based on self-perception. Based on the results of the study, the authors claim that an active role and initiative-taking by students in finding suitable internships should be further encouraged.

Originality/value

Whilst previous studies have used a two-level model of internship (or a three-level model for students satisfaction as an outcome) the authors create and test a three-level model measuring competency development as the outcome of an internship.
Worldwide research productivity on transformational learning: a scientometric study
Authors: Shekhar Suraj Kushe , Kandoth Sneha , Mohanan Mrudhusha
Published: December 2023

Purpose

A process of learning that goes beyond merely acquiring knowledge and supports significant ways in which learners intentionally create meaning in their lives is known as transformational learning. This study aims to contribute to the relevant body of knowledge by conducting a bibliometric analysis of transformational learning studies. The study analyzed the literature by covering established and new sectors and suggesting a greater focus on the thriving education sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

The research used Biblioshiny, a Web interface, to conduct a bibliometric analysis of transformational learning and related studies included in the Scopus database. The results were interpreted under sections like data set, sources, authors, documents, clustering, conceptual structure, intellectual structure and social structure.

Findings

The results indicated decent literature in the chosen field of research. The USA was the leading contributor to scientific production and research. Workplace learning and spirituality were the subjects that received the most significant attention and were at the center of the discipline. The primary topic of transformational learning denoted a crucial but underdeveloped sector. Issues like emotional intelligence, change management, transformational learning, etc. were developed very well with inside associations but feeble exterior associations and were of less importance.

Originality/value

This study maps the structure of transformational learning research and defines the important contributors in terms of authors, journals and organizations that may be used as input for future research. The report also proposes potential future research directions in the knowledge domain. The report also suggests the consequences and potential future research fields. The study outputs will aid researchers in developing evidence-based programs focusing on the learning communities’ benefit.
Comprehending the research on the gig economy: a bibliometric approach
Authors: Guduru Shravani , Santhanam Nivethitha , Pushparaj Nancyprabha
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to quantitatively explore the trends and patterns of the existing literature in the gig economy.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a total of 1,707 documents retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science databases, bibliometric analysis using R-Biblioshiny and VOSviewer software was performed to map the studies in the gig economy.

Findings

The paper provides information on the most productive authors, countries and journals, as well as the emerging themes in gig research. It highlights the most prolific authors, with a notable presence from the USA and the UK, which are also the countries with the most publications and citations. China has also emerged prominently, both in terms of the number of publications and its involvement in thematic clusters and trending topics. Through co-word analysis and thematic clustering, the study provides information about emerging themes in gig economy studies, such as labor, technology, management and precarity. The results provide insightful information for comprehending the effects of gig labor in the contemporary workforce.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides a comprehensive overview of the scholarly literature related to the gig economy, exploring the key insights by highlighting the evolving trends in gig research.

Originality/value

By mapping thematic clusters, tracking research evolution and identifying trending topics, it provides a unique perspective on the field's development and emerging areas of focus. It serves as a valuable means for addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by the gig economy.
Home, unsweet home – effect of homeownership on financial investments of Indian households
Authors: Lahiri Shreya , Biswas Shreya
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The study analyzes the relationship between homeownership and financial investment of households in the context of emerging markets like India. It also examines how homeownership affects the portfolio decisions of Indian households.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the nationally representative All-India Debt and Investment Survey of 2019 and employing an instrumental variable approach, the authors analyze the relationship between homeownership and the share of financial assets held by Indian households. The study also employs several sensitivity checks, including alternate estimation techniques and alternative definitions of the housing variables, and accounts for additional factors to ensure that the authors are able to capture the effect of homeownership on the outcome variable.

Findings

The analysis suggests homeownership crowds out financial investment in India due to high repair and maintenance costs. The negative effect is mainly observed in urban households. Further, the findings imply that homeownership leads households to reallocate their asset portfolio. Homeowners have a lower share in liquid short term deposits, indicating the high liquidity risk of their portfolios. On the other hand, homeownership increases the share of long term retirement funds along with no effect on risky asset share. The authors observe that the crowding out effect is more striking for younger households and poorer households with low income, and the effect is lower for indebted households.

Practical implications

The findings underscore the need for financial awareness programs so that housing does not crowd out liquid investments of households. Additionally, the results highlight that policies should first focus on young and poor households as the negative effect is more prominent for these groups. Finally, there is scope for policies to support repair and maintenance costs incurred by vulnerable households to reduce the negative effect of housing on liquid financial investments.

Originality/value

This paper is among the few studies that provide insights into how homeownership relates to financial investment and portfolio decisions in the context of an emerging economy. Furthermore, the heterogeneous effects based on poor economic status and age underscore the need for complementary policies.
Nexus of liquidity creation, profitability and bank stability with the moderating role of corruption: an empirical analysis
Authors: Javid Misbah , Chandia Khurram Ejaz , Zaman Malik Qamar Uz
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of liquidity creation (LC) on the profitability and stability of banks while considering the moderating role of corruption.

Design/methodology/approach

Panel data from 23 conventional banks and five Islamic banks in Pakistan spanning from 2008 to 2021 were used for analysis. The study used fixed effect and random effect models, along with the generalized method of moments estimation to ensure robustness of the results.

Findings

The study reveals a negative relationship between LC and banking profitability, but a positive association with banking stability. Additionally, corruption is found to play a moderating role in the relationship between LC, profitability and stability in the banking sector of Pakistan.

Research limitations/implications

The findings have practical implications for bank managers and investors, emphasizing the negative relationship between LC and profitability in Pakistan. Moreover, the study highlights the significant impact of corruption on bank performance, which can guide policymakers in formulating strategies to strengthen the banking sector and prevent financial turmoil in the future.

Originality/value

This study makes a significant contribution to the existing literature by examining the moderating role of corruption in the relationship between LC, profitability and stability in both conventional and Islamic banks.
Collaborative international online learning for the development of intercultural awareness: an experience with pre-service language teachers
Authors: Huertas-Abril Cristina A. , Palacios-Hidalgo Francisco Javier
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Considering the potential of Collaborative International Online Learning (COIL) for cross-boundaries interacting and collaborating effectively, this study aims to explore the intercultural awareness of pre-service language teachers after participating in a COIL project.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a quantitative research approach and an exploratory cross-sectional method, the authors administered a 13-item questionnaire to unveil the perceptions of 64 future language teachers from Spain after their online experience with counterparts from the USA.

Findings

Participants consider that COIL may have enhanced their intercultural and global awareness and equipped them with valuable skills and knowledge for the future, being women more positive than men. Moreover, the results also suggest that those participants who have not traveled abroad consider COIL to be a good opportunity to compensate for the lack of knowledge or experience with other cultures resulting from not having had the opportunity to visit other countries.

Practical implications

COIL needs to be seen as a powerful tool to promote global learning, intercultural understanding and the development of skills among students that will be vital for success in today’s interconnected world. Nevertheless, universities and teacher training centers need to rethink the preparation of future teachers for the increasing demands to prepare students for the requirements of the global world, and to do so, they need to consider that COIL may offer them significant benefits.

Originality/value

This work offers an interesting exploration of teachers’ attitudes toward COIL, providing insights into the potential of online collaboration for developing intercultural awareness.
Does a brief contact-based video intervention reduce public mental health stigma associated with psychosis in a collectivistic society? A randomised control study
Authors: Tan Audrina S.Y. , Mankiewicz Pawel D.
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Internationally, among mental health difficulties, psychosis appears most stigmatised. Yet, research on mental health education specific to psychosis, including stigma reduction strategies, is limited. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a brief empirically informed indirect contact-based intervention (CBI) on reducing stigma associated with psychosis in the context of a Southeast Asian society.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 168 young adults were randomised into three groups, two intervention conditions and one active control. Stigmatisation levels were measured at pre-intervention, post-intervention and at a 30-day follow-up. Group differences in attitudes were analysed using a 3 × 3 two-way mixed-subjects ANOVA.

Findings

Results revealed that there were no significant differences in declared stigma between the three conditions. However, a significant effect of time on the improvement of attitudes was observed at post-intervention. This effect was not sustained at follow-up.

Social implications

Individual psychoeducational CBIs implemented in the context of collectivistic societies do not produce sustainable effects in the reduction of stigma. Although a transient desirable improvement in the attitudes occurs among individuals, this is subsequently counteracted by the influence of stigma existing on a systemic level. Therefore, public mental health education in collectivistic cultures should address societal mechanisms maintaining unhelpful perceptions of those with psychosis.

Originality/value

The study examined the effect of brief CBIs on the reduction of stigma associated with psychosis in a collectivistic society and demonstrated systemic limitations of individually delivered psychoeducational interventions.
How job resources can shape perspectives that lead to better performance: a remote worker field study
Authors: Keeler Justin B. , Scuderi Noelle F. , Brock Baskin Meagan E. , Jordan Patricia C. , Meade Laura M.
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the complexity of how demands and stress are mitigated to enhance employee performance in remote working arrangements.

Design/methodology/approach

A time-lagged snowball sample of 223 full-time remote working adults in the United States participated in an online survey. Data were analyzed using R 4.0.2 and structural equation modeling.

Findings

Results suggest remote job resources involving organizational trust and work flexibility increase performance via serial mediation when considering information communication technology (ICT) demands and work–life interference (WLI). The findings provide insights into counterbalancing the negative aspects of specific demands and stress in remote work arrangements.

Practical implications

This study provides insights for managers to understand how basic job resources may shape perspectives on demands and WLI to impact performance. Specific to remote working arrangements, establishing trust with the employees and promoting accountability with their work flexibility can play an important part in people and their performance.

Originality/value

This study contributes theoretically to the literature by evidencing how components of the E-Work Life (EWL) scale can be used with greater versatility beyond the original composite measurement because of the job-demand resource (JD-R) framework and conservation of resources theory (COR). This study answers several calls by research to investigate how ICT demands and WLI play a complex role in work performance.
Properties of accrual accounts in public sector entities: evidence from the Italian National Health Service
Authors: Columbano Claudio , Biondi Lucia , Bracci Enrico
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to the debate over the desirability of introducing an accrual-based accounting system in the public sector by examining whether accrual-based accounting information is superior to cash-based information in the context of public sector entities.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper applies a quantitative research method to assess the degree of smoothness and relevance of the accrual components of income recorded by 302 entities of the Italian National Health Service (INHS) over the period 2014–2020.

Findings

The analysis reveals that net income is smoother than cash flows as a summary measure of economic results and that accounting for accruals improves the predictability of future cash flows. However, the authors' novel disaggregation of accrual accounts reveals that those accounts that contribute the most to making income smoother than cash flows – noncurrent assets and liabilities – are also those that contribute the least to predicting future cash flows.

Originality/value

The disaggregation of accrual accounts allows to identify the sources of the informational benefits of accrual accounting, and to document the existence of an informational “trade-off” between smoothness and relevance in the context of public sector entities.
Learning from experiments: exploring how short time-boxed experiments can contribute to organizational learning
Authors: Grosen Sidsel Lond , Edwards Kasper
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore how the involvement of workplace teams in experimenting with changes in their work practices through short, time-boxed, experiments (STBEs) can support organizational learning. It is explored how staffs’ experiences with experimental practices give rise to shared knowledge and how this is supported by the design of the STBE-procedure. Also explored is how the STBEs support knowledge retainment.

Design/methodology/approach

The study builds on the authors’ participation in a research and development project across seven financial enterprises in Denmark. Qualitative material was developed as part of the experiments. Theoretically emphasizing experience, knowledge creation through dialogue and knowledge retention, the material was analyzed, focusing on participants’ experiences and interactions, as well as on procedures.

Findings

The STBEs occasioned direct experience with new work practices for managers and employees. Supported by the STBE-procedure, these experiences generated new knowledge individually, collectively and on an organizational level. The procedure also created routines that can underpin the retainment of the new practices and knowledge related to incorporating it in the organization.

Research limitations/implications

The study implicates experience with changes in work practices to be understood as predominantly mindful in opposition to simple, even when the changes appear to be simple.

Practical implications

The STBEs are applicable when working with organizational learning related to new work practices. Procedures supporting dialogue and mindful processes appear to be advantageous in relation to learning from experiments.

Originality/value

Based on an original research and development project and unique qualitative material, the study adds to discussions on how to best conduct and learn from experiments in organizations.
The impacts of relational organizing for health system and community collaboration: Early evidence from a rapid multisite qualitative study
Authors: Tuepker Anaïs , Johnson Amanda , Manriquez Luis , Park Susan , Erin Rohanna , Zinler Katie Ashmore , Sciammas Chloe Liliane , Lacayo Benjamin A. , Park Brian
Published: December 2023

Objective

To understand the ways relational organizing practices impacted collaborations between independent or health system‐affiliated community health clinics, public health offices, and community groups during the early COVID‐19 pandemic.

Data Sources and Study Setting

Between November 2020 and June 2021, we interviewed clinical and public health workers, clinic‐based community organizers, and staff and volunteers at community organizations who participated in three COVID‐19 response collaborations in the Northwestern United States.

Study Design

This was a qualitative study employing participatory and rapid data collection and analysis methods.

Data Collection

Research team members invited key participants in organizing efforts to a semi‐structured virtual interview conducted by an independent health services researcher. A sensemaking team that included project participants analyzed interview data using an iterative, thematic approach and conducted a ripple effect mapping exercise to supplement interview data. A total of 19 people contributed data for analysis. Analysis was guided by the underlying research questions: whether and how relational organizing practices contributed to successful collaboration, and what challenges were encountered.

Principal Findings

Relational organizing was perceived to contribute to multiple positive project outcomes, including greater self‐efficacy in a time of crisis and enhanced sense of connection; these outcomes contributed to a sense of successful collaboration. Four mechanisms were identified that explained relational organizing's collaborative efficacy: (1) mobilizing existing relationships for rapid community engagement; (2) bringing concrete skills for enhancing trust among cross‐sector partners; (3) recognizing and addressing power dynamics; and (4) creating vehicles for exercising collective community power. Lack of trust and unsurfaced power dynamics were perceived as common challenges to sustained collaboration, which relational organizing could sometimes mitigate.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest relational organizing practices can be protective against common “pain points” faced by cross‐sectoral partnerships, especially in times of crisis. Further piloting of clinic‐based relational organizing is recommended, as is research on longer‐term impacts.
Assessing repeatability of spatial trajectories
Authors: Carrasco Josep L.
Published: December 2023

Repeatability involves the assessment of the agreement among repeated measurements from the same cluster of subjects, and this concept has been widely used in different scientific fields when data is structured in clusters. In the context of spatial trajectories, a degree of repeatability implies that individual trips can be distinguished from those of other individuals.

Repeatability is usually assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), which is defined as the proportion of the total variance accounted for by among‐subject variability. However, where data are spatial trajectories the common approach to estimate the ICC does not apply because data involves sets of ordered spatial locations rather than single values.

In this work, a novel approach based on spatial distances is proposed to estimate the ICC to assess the repeatability of spatial trajectories. The methodology is illustrated with a real case example of the flight trajectories of 36 Audouin's gulls (Ichthyaetus audouinii) moving through a heterogeneous landscape over a period of 18 days. Additionally, simulations were used to evaluate the performance of the approach under various scenarios.

I demonstrate that ICC can be estimated on complex, spatially ordered data such as spatial trajectories, when using the appropriate spatial distance.
Transcriptome‐wide analysis reveals GYG2 as a mitochondria‐related aging biomarker in human subcutaneous adipose tissue
Authors: Ham Mira , Cho Yeonju , Kang Tae‐Wook , Oh Taeyun , Kim Hyoung‐June , Kim Kyu‐Han
Published: December 2023

Subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), a vital energy reservoir and endocrine organ for maintaining systemic glucose, lipid, and energy homeostasis, undergoes significant changes with age. However, among the existing aging‐related markers, only few genes are associated with SAT aging. In this study, weighted gene co‐expression network analysis was used on a transcriptome of SAT obtained from the Genotype‐Tissue Expression portal to identify biologically relevant, SAT‐specific, and age‐related marker genes. We found modules that exhibited significant changes with age and identified GYG2 as a novel key aging associated gene. The link between GYG2 and mitochondrial function as well as brown/beige adipocytes was supported using additional bioinformatics and experimental analyses. Additionally, we identified PPARG as the transcription factor of GYG2 expression. The newly discovered GYG2 marker can be used to not only determine the age of SAT but also uncover new mechanisms underlying SAT aging.
Comparing the distal pancreatectomy fistula risk score (D‐FRS) and DISPAIR‐FRS for predicting pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy
Authors: Tang Bingjun , Wang Pengfei , Ma Jiming , Shi Jun , Yang Shizhong , Zeng Jianping , Xiang Canhong , Wang Xuedong
Published: December 2023

Backgrounds

Distal pancreatectomy fistula risk score (D‐FRS) and DISPAIR‐FRS has not been widely validated for predicting postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after distal pancreatectomy (DP).

Methods

We retrospectively analysed 104 patients undergoing DP. The predictive value of the D‐FRS and DISPAIR‐FRS were compared. Risk factors associated with POPF were investigated by multivariate analysis.

Results

Of the 104 patients, 23 (22.1%) were categorized into the POPF group (all grade B). The areas under the ROC (AUCs) of the D‐FRS (preoperative), D‐FRS (intraoperative), and DISPAIR‐FRS were 0.737, 0.809, and 0.688, respectively. Stratified by the D‐FRS (preoperative), the POPF rates in low‐risk, intermediate‐risk, and high‐risk groups were 5%, 22.6%, and 36.4%, respectively. By the D‐FRS (intraoperative), the POPF rates in low‐risk, intermediate‐risk, and high‐risk groups were 8.8%, 47.1%, and 47.4%, respectively. By the DISPAIR‐FRS, the POPF rates in low‐risk, intermediate‐risk, and extreme‐high‐risk groups were 14.8%, 23.8% and 62.5%, respectively. Body mass index and main pancreatic duct diameter were independent risk factors of POPF both in preoperative (P = 0.014 and P = 0.033, respectively) and intraoperative (P = 0.015 and P = 0.039) multivariate analyses.

Conclusion

Both the D‐FRS (preoperative), D‐FRS (intraoperative), and DISPAIR‐FRS has good performance in POPF prediction after DP. The risk stratification was not satisfactory in current Asian cohort.
Model averaged tail area confidence intervals in nested linear regression models
Authors: Kabaila Paul , Perera Ayesha
Published: December 2023

The performance, in terms of coverage and expected length, of the model averaged tail area (MATA) confidence interval, proposed by Turek & Fletcher (2012, Computational Statistics & Data Analysis, 56, 2809–2815), depends greatly on the data‐based model weights used in its construction. We generalise the computationally convenient exact formulae due to Kabaila, Welsh & Abeysekera (2016, Scandinavian Journal of Statistics, 43, 35–48) for the coverage and expected length of this confidence interval for two nested linear regression models to the case of two or more nested linear regression models. This permits the numerical assessment of the performance, in terms of coverage probability and scaled expected length, of the MATA confidence interval for any given data‐based model weights in the context of three or more nested linear regression models. We illustrate this numerical assessment of performance of the MATA confidence interval, for model weights based on any given Generalised Information Criterion, in the context of three nested linear regression models using the real life ‘Cholesterol’ data. This provides a very informative further exploration of the influence of these model weights on the performance of this confidence interval.
Prevalence and determinants of perinatal mental disorders in women with gestational diabetes in New Zealand: Findings from a national longitudinal study
Authors: Ohene‐Agyei Phyllis , Gamble Greg D. , Harding Jane E. , Crowther Caroline A.
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Concurrent diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus and mental disorders is associated with adverse outcomes for mother and child, but there is limited information about prevalence or which women are at risk.

Material and methods

This study was a prospective cohort study of women with gestational diabetes from 10 hospitals in New Zealand who reported anxiety (6‐item Spielberger State–Trait Anxiety Inventory), depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) and health‐related quality of life (36‐Item Short‐Form General Health Survey) at time of gestational diabetes diagnosis (baseline), 36 weeks’ gestation, and 6 months postpartum. Potential predictors were assessed using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Among 414 respondents, 17% reported anxiety, 16% vulnerability to depression and 27% poor mental health‐related quality of life at time of gestational diabetes diagnosis. At 36 weeks’ gestation, prevalence decreased for vulnerability to depression (8%) and poor mental health‐related quality of life (20%). Younger maternal age, Pacific ethnicity, previous history of gestational diabetes, and older gestational age at time of gestational diabetes diagnosis were associated with poorer mental health outcomes. At 6 months postpartum the prevalence of mental disorders did not differ from in late pregnancy and they were associated with later gestational age at time of gestational diabetes diagnosis and elevated 2‐hour postprandial glucose concentrations.

Conclusions

Perinatal mental disorders are common at time of diagnosis among women with gestational diabetes in New Zealand and had decreased by late pregnancy and at 6 months after birth. These disorders are more common among women with specific risk factors who may therefore benefit from additional support.
Ultrasonographic patterns of different regions of uterus according to pregnancy in cows and heifers
Authors: Olğaç Kemal Tuna , Yazlik Murat Onur , Kaya Ufuk , Tirpan Mehmet Borga
Published: December 2023

This study aimed to detect pregnancy within the first 20 days after artificial insemination by evaluating the ultrasonographic patterns of the different regions of uterus in Holstein heifers and cows. Animals were divided into subgroups according to pregnancy on 28th day as pregnant (heifer, n: 15; cow, n: 15) and non‐pregnant (heifer, n: 15; cow, n: 15). Images were taken from the ovulation‐side cornu uteri (OSC), non‐ovulation‐side cornu uteri (NOSC), and the corpus uteri (CU) on alternate days from D0 to D20. The images were evaluated by ImageJ software in terms of mean gray value (MGV), homogeneity (HOM), and contrast (CON) and endometrium thickness (ET). The mean MGV and G*T and P*T interactions, the mean CON and G*T and G*P interactions, the mean HOM and G*P interactions, and the mean ET and G*P interactions were statistically significant (p < 0.05). In receiver operating characteristic analyses, D2–D6 for CON and D2, D6, D8, D16, and D20 for HOM of OSC in cows and D8 and D10 MGV and D18 and D20 ET of OSC in heifers had high relationship with positive pregnancy (p < 0.05). The use of echogenicity evaluations and endometrium thickness measurements in reproductive management seems to be suitable for the prediction of pregnancy in cows and heifers.