bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combined effects of climate warming and pharmaceuticals on a tri-trophic freshwater food web
Authors: Duchet Claire , Grabicová Kateřina , Kolar Vojtech , Lepšová Olga , Švecová Helena , Csercsa Andras , Zdvihalová Barbora , Randák Tomáš , Boukal David S.
Published: April 2023

Multiple anthropogenic stressors influence the functioning of ponds and lakes, but their combined effects are often little understood. We ran two mesocosm experiments to evaluate the effects of warming (+4°C above ambient) and environmentally relevant concentrations of a mixture of commonly used pharmaceuticals, an emerging class of chemical contaminants, on tri-trophic food webs representative of pelagic communities in ponds and other small standing waters. We quantified the main and interactive effects of warming and pharmaceuticals on each trophic level and attributed them to the direct effects of both stressors and the indirect effects arising through biotic interactions. Warming and pharmaceuticals had stronger effects in the summer experiment, altering zooplankton community composition and causing delayed or accelerated emergence of top insect predators. In summer, both stressors and top predators reduced filter-feeding zooplankton biomass, while warming and pharmaceuticals had opposing effects on phytoplankton. In the winter experiment, the effects were much weaker and primarily limited to a positive effect of warming on phytoplankton biomass. Overall, we show that pharmaceuticals can exacerbate the effects of climate warming in freshwater ecosystems, especially during the warm season. Our results demonstrate the utility of community-level studies across different seasons for the risk assessment of multiple emerging stressors in freshwater ecosystems.
Systems analysis of miR-199a/b-5p and multiple miR-199a/b-5p targets during chondrogenesis
Authors: Patel K , Barter MJ , Soul J , Clark P , Proctor CJ , Clark IM , Young DA , Shanley DP
Published: April 2023

Changes in chondrocyte gene expression can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis (OA), and so recognition of the regulative processes during chondrogenesis can lead to a better understanding of OA. microRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression in chondrocytes/OA and we have used a combined experimental, bioinformatic, and systems biology approach to explore the multiple miRNA-mRNA interactions that regulate chondrogenesis. A longitudinal chondrogenesis bioinformatic analysis identified paralogues miR-199a-5p and miR-199b-5p as pro-chondrogenic regulators. Experimental work demonstrated alteration of miR-199a-5p or miR-199b-5p expression led to significant inverse modulation of key chondrogenic genes and extracellular matrix production. miR-199a/b-5p targetsFZD6, ITGA3andCAV1were identified by inhibition experiments and verified as direct targets by luciferase assay. The experimental work was used to generate and parameterize a multi-miRNA 14-day chondrogenesis kinetic model to be used as a repository for the experimental work and as a resource for further investigation of this system. This is the first multi-miRNA model of a chondrogenesis-based system, and highlights the complex relationships between regulatory miRNAs, and their target mRNAs.
Background environment modulates motor contagions in humans
Authors: Saito Hiroto , Fukuchi Kentaro , Inami Masahiko , Ganesh Gowrishankar
Published: April 2023

Motor contagions refer to implicit effects in one’s actions induced by the observation of actions made by others. A plethora of studies over the last two decades have exhibited that observed, as well as predicted, actions can induce various kinds of motor contagions in a human observer. However, motor contagion has always been investigated in regard to different features of an observed action and it remains unclear whether the environment, in which an observed action takes place, modulates motor contagions as well. Here we investigated the effect of the observed environment on motor contagions using an empirical hand steering task in which the participants were required to move a cursor through visual channels of different shapes. We observed the movement time of observers to be influenced by both the movement of the cursor they observed, as well as the background (channel shape) in which the cursor movement was observed. Observers consistently made faster movements after observing steering movements in a ‘narrowing’ channel compared to a ‘widening’ channel. These results show a distinct effect of the environment, in which an observed action occurs, on one’s own movement.
Rethinking data treatment: The sucrose preference threshold for anhedonia in stress-induced rat models of depression
Authors: Berrio Jenny P. , Kalliokoski Otto
Published: April 2023

Exposing rats to repeated unpredictable stressors is a popular method for modelling depression. The sucrose preference test is used to assess the validity of this method, as it measures a rat’s preference for a sweet solution as an indicator of its ability to experience pleasure. Typically, if stressed rats show a lower preference compared to unstressed rats, it is concluded they are experiencing stress-induced anhedonia. While conducting a systematic review, we identified 18 studies that used thresholds to define anhedonia and to distinguish “susceptible” from “resilient” individuals. Based on their definitions, researchers either excluded “resilient” animals from further analyses or treated them as a separate cohort. We performed a descriptive analysis to understand the rationale behind these criteria, and found that the methods used for characterizing the stressed rats were largely unsupported. Many authors failed to justify their choices or relied exclusively on referencing previous studies. When tracing back the method to its origins, we converged on a pioneering article that, although employed as a universal evidence-based justification, cannot be regarded as such. What is more, through a simulation study, we provided evidence that removing or splitting data, based on an arbitrary threshold, introduces statistical bias by overestimating the effect of stress. Caution must be exercised when implementing a predefined cut-off for anhedonia. Researchers should be aware of potential biases introduced by their data treatment strategies and strive for transparent reporting of methodological decisions.
Xylazine effects on opioid-induced brain hypoxia
Authors: Choi Shinbe , Irwin Matthew R. , Kiyatkin Eugene A.
Published: April 2023

Xylazine has emerged in recent years as an adulterant in an increasing number of opioid-positive overdose deaths in the United States. Although its exact role in opioid-induced overdose deaths is largely unknown, xylazine is known to depress vital functions and cause hypotension, bradycardia, hypothermia, and respiratory depression. In this study, we examined the brain-specific hypothermic and hypoxic effects of xylazine and its mixtures with fentanyl and heroin in freely moving rats. In the temperature experiment, we found that intravenous xylazine at low, human-relevant doses (0.33, 1.0, 3.0 mg/kg) dose-dependently decreases locomotor activity and induces modest but prolonged brain and body hypothermia. In the electrochemical experiment, we found that xylazine at the same doses dose-dependently decreases nucleus accumbens oxygenation. In contrast to relatively weak and prolonged decreases induced by xylazine, intravenous fentanyl (20 μg/kg) and heroin (600 μg/kg) induce stronger biphasic brain oxygen responses, with the initial rapid and strong decrease, resulting from respiratory depression, followed by a slower, more prolonged increase reflecting a post-hypoxic compensatory phase, with fentanyl acting much quicker than heroin. The xylazine-fentanyl mixture eliminated the hyperoxic phase of oxygen response and prolonged brain hypoxia, suggesting xylazine-induced attenuation of the brain’s compensatory mechanisms to counteract brain hypoxia. The xylazine-heroin mixture strongly potentiated the initial oxygen decrease, and the pattern lacked the hyperoxic portion of the biphasic oxygen response, suggesting more robust and prolonged brain hypoxia. These findings suggest that xylazine exacerbates the life-threatening effects of opioids, proposing worsened brain hypoxia as the mechanism contributing to xylazine-positive opioid-overdose deaths.
Spatial and seasonal variation in thermal sensitivity within North American bird species
Authors: Cohen Jeremy M. , Fink Daniel , Zuckerberg Benjamin
Published: April 2023

Responses of wildlife to climate change are typically quantified at the species level, but physiological evidence suggests significant intraspecific variation in thermal sensitivity (non-stationarity) given adaptation to local and seasonal environments. Non-stationarity carries important implications for climate change vulnerability; for instance, sensitivity to extreme weather may increase in specific regions or seasons. Here, we leverage high-resolution observational data from eBird to understand regional and seasonal variation in thermal sensitivity for 20 bird species. Across their ranges, most birds demonstrated spatial and seasonal variation in both thermal optimum and breadth, or the temperature and range of temperatures of peak occurrence. Some birds demonstrated constant thermal optima or breadths (stationarity) while others varied according to local and current environmental conditions (non-stationarity). Across species, birds typically invested in either geographic or seasonal adaptation to climate. Intraspecific variation in thermal sensitivity is likely an important but neglected aspect of organismal responses to climate change.
Response inhibition and error-monitoring in cystinosis (CTNS gene mutations): Behavioral and electrophysiological evidence of a diverse set of difficulties
Authors: Francisco Ana A. , Foxe John J. , Berruti Alaina , Horsthuis Douwe J. , Molholm Sophie
Published: April 2023

Cystinosis, a rare lysosomal storage disease, is characterized by cystine crystallization and accumulation within tissues and organs, including the kidneys and brain. Its impact on neural function appears mild relative to its effects on other organs, but therapeutic advances have led to substantially increased life expectancy, necessitating deeper understanding of its impact on neurocognitive function. Behaviorally, some deficits in executive function have been noted in this population, but the underlying neural processes are not understood. Using standardized cognitive assessments and a Go/No-Go response inhibition task in conjunction with high-density electrophysiological recordings (EEG), we sought to investigate the behavioral and neural dynamics of inhibition of a prepotent response and of error monitoring (critical components of executive function) in individuals with cystinosis, when compared to age-matched controls. Thirty-seven individuals diagnosed with cystinosis (7-36 years old, 24 women) and 45 age-matched controls (27 women) participated in this study. Analyses focused on N2 and P3 No-Go responses and error-related positivity (Pe). Atypical inhibitory processing was shown behaviorally. Electrophysiological differences were additionally found between the groups, with individuals with cystinosis showing larger No-Go P3s. Error-monitoring was likewise different between the groups, with those with cystinosis showing reduced Pe amplitudes.
Shifts in colour morph frequencies along an urbanisation gradient in the ground beetlePterostichus madidus
Authors: Dahirel Maxime , Audusseau Hélène , Croci Solène
Published: April 2023

Cities impose strong ecological constraints on many species. It is often difficult to know whether phenotypic responses to urbanisation are due to (adaptive) evolutionary responses, as opposed to e.g. plastic responses. A solution is to focus on traits for which variation is only or mostly genetic in origin, since changes are then likely to reflect evolutionary processes. For this purpose, we studied the leg-colour polymorphism of a common carabid beetle,Pterostichus madidus, along an urbanisation gradient. We observed that black-legged individuals were more frequent than red-legged individuals in urban areas. Whether these changes result from natural selection or non-selective evolutionary forces is uncertain. However, if this phenotypic change is adaptive in nature, higher urban temperatures are likely to be the driver. Specifically, our results are consistent with previous data showing that black-legged individuals have a behavioural advantage in warmer (micro)climates, and contradict the thermal melanism hypothesis that predicts they would experience stronger negative effects of higher temperatures in cities.
Eating an elephant, one bite at a time: predator interactions at carrion bonanzas
Authors: Morris Aaron W. , Smith Ian , Chakrabarti Stotra , Lala Fredrick , Nyagah Stephen , Bump Joseph K.
Published: April 2023

Resource specific competition between predators has typically been studied from their interactions at meso-herbivore carcasses, because such carcasses are abundant. Mega-carcasses like those of elephants are rare but unparalleled in the extent of carrion biomass they offer and the long durations they can persist. These rare resource bonanzas can thus provide unique opportunities to understand sympatric species interactions within likely relaxed competitive scenarios. Using remote cameras that were operational 24-h a day, we monitored two elephant carcasses in Tsavo, Kenya, from when they were discovered until they were completely consumed or became inaccessible. While we found high temporal overlaps in activity patterns between all predators, the terrestrial predator guild (lion/leopard/spotted hyena) was not observed to feed simultaneously, suggesting strong interference competition. Based on photo-analysis and video-evidence of exclusion from a carcass, interference competition within the terrestrial predator guild favored lions over hyenas, and hyenas over leopards. The carcass at the terrestrial-aquatic interface showed more simultaneous feeding bouts between predators (crocodile/spotted hyena), indicating either facilitation and/or higher coexistence between predators that typically occupy different niches. We also observed a hippopotamus scavenging from an elephant carcass, thereby documenting a rare instance of a megaherbivore feeding on a megaherbivore. Our results highlight the importance of monitoring such carcasses through remote cameras, which can significantly add to our existing understanding of food webs and carrion ecology.
A Database of Restriction Maps to Expand the Utility of Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes
Authors: Winden Eamon , Vasquez-Echeverri Alejandro , Calle-Casteneda Susana , Lian Yumin , Hernández-Ortiz Juan Pablo , Schwartz David C.
Published: April 2023

While Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes were once a key resource for the genomic community, they have been obviated, for sequencing purposes, by long-read technologies. Such libraries may now serve as a valuable resource for manipulating and assembling large genomic constructs. To enhance accessibility and comparison, we have developed a BAC restriction map database.
Intraprocedural Doppler and Invasive Hemodynamic Profiling Predict Clinical Outcomes After Mitral TEER
Authors: Zaid Syed , Wessly Priscilla , Hatab Taha , Khan Safi U , Faza Nadeen , Little Stephen H , Atkins Marvin D , Reardon Michael J , Kleiman Neal S , Zoghbi William A , Goel Sachin S
Published: April 2023

Background

Whether intraprocedural changes in left atrial pressure and Doppler Echocardiographic parameters are synergistic in predicting outcomes after mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) is not currently known. We sought to evaluate real-time changes in invasive hemodynamics and non-invasive Doppler to develop intraprocedural profiles and assess their impact on clinical outcomes after TEER for MR.

Methods

Intraprocedural changes in hemodynamics and Doppler flow with transesophageal echocardiography were assessed in 181 patients with significant MR (51.9% primary MR) undergoing TEER between 2014 and 2022. Independent predictors of the primary composite endpoint of 1-year mortality and heart failure hospitalization (HFH) were identified using multivariable Cox-regression. With receiver operating characteristic curve-derived thresholds for the predictors of the primary end-point, patients were stratified into hemodynamic profiles based on the number of predictors present, and their impact on outcomes was examined.

Results

Median follow-up was 21.3 months (IQR:11.3-36.5), with 1-year mortality and HFH rates of 19.3% and 12.7%, respectively. Residual mean left atrial pressure (mLAP) [HR=1.073/mmHg (1.03-1.12)], a lesser degree of MR reduction [HR=0.65/grade (0.45-0.93)], and lesser increment in PV systolic time velocity integral (S-VTI) [HR=0.95/cm (0.91-0.99)] were independent predictors of 1-year mortality/HFH. MR reduction by <3 grades (33.1%), S-VTI increment ≤8cm (33.9%), and residual mLAP >15mmHg (43.6%) were the most predictive thresholds. Optimal profile (0 predictors), Mixed (1 predictor) and Poor profile (≥2 predictors) were present in 28.7%, 39.2% and 32.0% of cases respectively. Two-year cumulative event-free survival was 60.1% overall, and higher in patients with optimal profile compared to mixed/poor groups (84.7% vs 55.5% vs 43.3%, P<0.001). There was an incremental risk of mortality/HFH with each profile overall [HR=1.75/profile (1.34-2.29)], and within primary MR [HR=1.64/profile (1.15-2.36)] and secondary MR [HR=1.77/profile (1.17-2.68)] cohorts. There was also an incremental risk of mortality alone with each profile [HR=1.65/profile (1.22-2.22)]. Hemodynamic profile was an independent predictor of 1-year mortality [HR=1.98/profile (1.21-3.25)] after TEER, along with baseline tricuspid regurgitation severity [HR=1.55/grade (1.10-2.19)], and post-procedural transmitral mean gradient>5mmHg [HR=2.32 (1.17-4.61)].

Conclusion

Intraprocedural hemodynamic profiling integrating changes in invasive hemodynamics and non-invasive doppler provide prognostic information in patients undergoing TEER and may provide real-time intraprocedural guidance to optimize long-term clinical outcomes.
Exploratory Study to Characterise the Individual Types of Health Literacy and Beliefs and Their Associations with Infection Prevention Behaviours amid the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Yagihashi Mao , Murakami Michio , Kato Mai , Yamamura Asayo , Miura Asako , Hirai Kei
Published: April 2023

Background

During a global infectious disease pandemic such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), individuals’ infection prevention/risk-taking behaviours are likely to differ depending on their health literacy and beliefs regarding the disease. To effectively promote infection prevention behaviours, it is necessary to enable information dissemination and risk communication that consider individuals’ health literacy and beliefs. In this study, we exploratorily characterised segments based on individual health literacy and beliefs regarding COVID-19 among the Japanese during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, and investigated whether infection prevention/risk-taking behaviours and fear of COVID-19 differed among these segments.

Methods

In this study, we conducted two web-based longitudinal surveys in Japan (PHASE 1, 1–30 November 2020, 6,000 participants; PHASE 2, 1–31 December 2020, 3,800 participants). We characterised segments of the target population using cluster analysis on health literacy and beliefs regarding COVID-19 obtained in PHASE 1. We further investigated the associations between the clusters and infection prevention/risk-taking behaviours and fear of COVID-19, obtained from PHASE 2.

Results

Five clusters were identified: ‘Calm/hoax denial’, ‘Hoax affinity/threat denial’, ‘Minority/indifference’, ‘Over vigilance’, and ‘Optimism’. There were significant differences in infection prevention/risk-taking behaviours and fear of COVID-19 among the five clusters. The belief in susceptibility to infection, rather than affinity for hoaxes and conspiracy theories, was coherently associated with infection prevention/risk-taking behaviours and fear of infection across clusters. This study provides foundational knowledge for creating segment-specific public messages and developing interactive risk communication to encourage infection prevention behaviours.
Explicit Motor Imaging Abilities are Similar in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Chronic Limb Pain and Healthy Individuals: a cross sectional study
Authors: Cohen-Aknine G. , Homs A.F. , Mottet D. , Mura T. , Jedryka F. , Dupeyron A.
Published: April 2023

Background

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition characterised by peripheral and central sensory and motor dysfunction. Implicit motor imagery is known to be impaired in these patients, but evidence is still lacking for explicit motor imagery. Using a self-rated questionnaire, this study aims to compare explicit motor imagery abilities between individuals with CRPS, with chronic limb pain (CLP) and healthy controls and also examine differences between affected and unaffected limbs.

Methods

In this single-centre observational study, 123 participants were recruited (CRPS = 40, chronic limb pain, CLP = 40, and healthy individuals = 43). Participants completed the Movement Imagery Questionnaire - Revised Second (MIQ-RS) once for each body side. The total MIQ-RS score, and the kinesthetic and visual subscores were compared between groups and between the affected and unaffected sides.

Results

The MIQ-RS revealed no significant differences in explicit motor imagery abilities, neither between groups nor between the affected and unaffected side. Null Hypothesis Bayesian Testing on kinesthetic motor imagery abilities indicated a sevenfold likelihood of no differences between groups and a more than fivefold likelihood of no differences between sides.

Conclusion

CRPS and chronic limb pain individuals showed preserved explicit motor imagery abilities, notably on the pain side. The preservation of these abilities supports the recommendation of mental imagery therapy to improve motor function and relieve pain in chronic pain patients.
Neuronal and Astrocyte Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Signaling Differentially Modulates Ischemic Stroke Damage
Authors: Hayes Cellas A. , Morgan Nyah I. , Thomas Kamryn C. , Pushie M. Jake. , Vijayasankar Akshaya , Ashmore Brandon G. , Wontor Kendall , De Leon Miguel A. , Ashpole Nicole M.
Published: April 2023

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, as therapeutic options for mitigating the long-term deficits precipitated by the event remain limited. Acute administration of the neuroendocrine modulator insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) attenuates ischemic stroke damage in preclinical models, and clinical studies suggest IGF-1 can reduce the risk of stroke and improve overall outcomes. The cellular mechanism by which IGF-1 exerts this protection is poorly defined, as all cells within the neurovascular unit express the IGF-1 receptor. We hypothesize that the functional regulation of both neurons and astrocytes by IGF-1 is critical in minimizing damage in ischemic stroke. To test this, we utilized inducible astrocyte-specific or neuron-specific transgenic mouse models to selectively reduce IGF-1R in the adult mouse brain prior to photothrombotic stroke. Acute changes in blood brain barrier permeability, microglial activation, systemic inflammation, and biochemical composition of the brain were assessed 3 hours following photothrombosis, and significant protection was observed in mice deficient in neuronal and astrocytic IGF-1R. When the extent of tissue damage and sensorimotor dysfunction was assessed for 3 days following stroke, only the neurological deficit score continued to show improvements, and the extent of improvement was enhanced with additional IGF-1 supplementation. Overall, results indicate that neuronal and astrocytic IGF-1 signaling influences stroke damage but IGF-1 signaling within these individual cell types is not required for minimizing tissue damage or behavioral outcome.
Using synchronized brain rhythms to bias memory-guided decisions
Authors: Stout J. J. , George A. E. , Kim S. , Hallock H. L. , Griffin A. L.
Published: April 2023

Functional interactions between the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, as revealed by strong oscillatory synchronization in the theta (6-11 Hz) frequency range, correlate with memory-guided decision-making. However, the degree to which this form of long-range synchronization influences memory-guided choice remains unclear. We developed a brain machine interface that initiated task trials based on the magnitude of prefrontal hippocampal theta synchronization, then measured choice outcomes. Trials initiated based on strong prefrontal-hippocampal theta synchrony were more likely to be correct compared to control trials on both working memory-dependent and -independent tasks. Prefrontal-thalamic neural interactions increased with prefrontal-hippocampal synchrony and optogenetic activation of the ventral midline thalamus primarily entrained prefrontal theta rhythms, but dynamically modulated synchrony. Together, our results show that prefrontal-hippocampal theta synchronization leads to a higher probability of a correct choice and strengthens prefrontal-thalamic dialogue. Our findings reveal new insights into the neural circuit dynamics underlying memory-guided choices and highlight a promising technique to potentiate cognitive processes or behavior via brain machine interfacing.
Adoption of the World Health Organization’s best practices in clinical trial registration and reporting among top public and philanthropic funders of medical research in the United States
Authors: Gamertsfelder Elise , Delgado Figueroa Netzahualpilli , Keestra Sarai , Silva Alan , Borana Ronak , Siebert Maximilian , Bruckner Till
Published: April 2023

Background/Aims

Clinical trial funders in the United States have the opportunity to promote transparency, reduce research waste, and prevent publication bias by adopting policies that require grantees to appropriately preregister trials and report their results, as well as monitor trialists’ registration and reporting compliance. This paper has three aims: a) to assess to what extent the clinical trial policies and monitoring systems of the 14 largest public and philanthropic medical research funders in the United States meet global best practice benchmarks as stipulated by the WHO Joint Statement;[1] b) to assess whether public or philanthropic funders have adopted more WHO Joint Statement elements on average; and c) to assess whether and how funders’ policies refer to CONSORT standards for clinical trial outcome reporting in academic journals.

Methods

The funders were assessed using an 11-item scoring tool based on WHO Joint Statement benchmarks. These 11 items fell into four categories: trial registration, academic publication, monitoring, and sanctions. An additional item captured whether and how funders referred to CONSORT within their trial policies. Each funder was independently assessed by 2-3 researchers. Funders were contacted to flag possible errors and omissions. Ambiguous or difficult to score items were settled by an independent adjudicator.

Findings

Our cross-sectional study of the 14 largest public and philanthropic funders in the US finds that on average, funders have only implemented 4.1/11 (37%) of World Health Organization best practices in clinical trial transparency. The most frequently adopted requirement was open access publishing (14/14 funders), and the least frequently adopted were (1) requiring trial ID to appear in all publications (2/14 funders, 14%) and (2) making compliance reports public (2/14 funders, 14%). Public funders, on average, adopted more policy elements (5.3/11 items, 48%) than philanthropic funders (2.8/11, 25%). Only one funder’s policy documents mentioned the CONSORT statement.

Conclusions

There is significant variation between the number of best practice policy items adopted by medical research funders in the United States. Many funders fell significantly short of WHO Joint Statement benchmarks. Each funder could benefit from policy revision and strengthening.
Mind the game you set for better website patronage
Authors: Krishna Kriti , Sivakumaran Bharadhwaj , Maheswarappa Satish S. , Jha Ankur
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a conceptual model to understand how different gamification designs (hedonic and utilitarian) evoke different emotions and impact subsequent patronage intentions for online consumers in different mindsets.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first conducted a content analysis study and then tested the model with two online experiments [both 2 × 2 factorial designs – gamification (hedonic/utilitarian) and mindset (implemental/deliberative), with different utilitarian and hedonic products].

Findings

Gamification with hedonic benefits influences website patronage intentions by evoking promotion emotions, while gamification with utilitarian benefits does so by evoking prevention emotions. Gamification with hedonic benefits has a stronger impact on consumers shopping with deliberative mindsets, while gamification with utilitarian benefits works better for those with implemental mindsets.

Research limitations/implications

Future research may extend the present work by considering other types of gamification.

Practical implications

Managerially, e-tailers may use gamification with hedonic aspects for consumers in deliberative mindsets and utilitarian aspects for those in implemental mindsets.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first to draw a link between mindsets and gamification. This research is also the first to operationalize gamification as hedonic and utilitarian based on their design characteristics and to establish emotional consequences as an important link between gamification and user behaviors.
CSR influence on job performance: the roles of psychological needs fulfillment and organizational identification among tourism firms
Authors: Guo Qianqian , Shen Huawen , Fan Daisy X.F. , Buhalis Dimitrios
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This research paper aims to explore whether and how perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) influences employee-associated outcomes in ways that are controllable by managers. Drawing from the theories of self-determination and social identity, this study investigates the mediating effects of psychological needs fulfillment and organizational identification in exploring the mechanisms that link perceived CSR to employee job performances of Chinese state-owned tourism companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey was used to collect original data from ten Chinese state-owned tourism companies to examine the proposed model. Data was analyzed through structural equation modeling.

Findings

Employees’ perceptions of CSR are found to demonstrate significantly effective associations with their job performance. Moreover, results support that the influences of CSR on staff’s job performance are also conveyed through psychological needs fulfillment (competence) and organizational identification (i.e. cognitive identification and affective identification).

Practical implications

Findings not only provide strategic ideas and operational tactics for tourism managers to devise CSR strategies and allocate CSR resources but also offer inspirations to integrate CSR initiatives with human resource management strategies.

Originality/value

This study diverts the research of CSR from the organizational level to the individual level. This study also explores the mechanism of psychological needs fulfillment and organizational identification underlying processes in the employee perceptions of CSR–job performance linkages.
Enhancing global supply chain resilience in the Indonesian medical device industry: a dynamic capability perspective
Authors: Pratono Aluisius Hery , Maharani Asri
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to understand how the global supply chain in the medical device industry embraces resilience by adopting agility approach following COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts an interpretative approach to examine the qualitative data drawn from interviews and observation under dynamic capability theory. The data collection concerned multiple stakeholders involved in purchasing and supply management in the medical device market: manufacturing suppliers, channel partners, hospital management and end-users. The coding analysis uses an application that helps the researchers categorise the nodes and extend the existing literature.

Findings

The findings show that global supply chain leaders leverage the dynamic capability by centralising the business process decision to respond to the shifting demand from the local governments to the national health ministry, shaping the partnership style from the area- to the funnel-based agreement, even though it exposes a risk of product acceptability from the end-users, encouraging the distributor to convert just-in-time approach into holding safety stock to avoid penalty from missing the procurement target even and restructuring the local partners’ debts to manage long-term performance.

Originality/value

This study extends the emerging literature in international business by underpinning dynamic capability theory.
Evaluating higher education (HE) work design to sustain academics' work–life balance
Authors: Badri Siti Khadijah Zainal
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine work design and the linkages of work design with the work–life balance of academics in higher education (HE).

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 307 academics was recruited for this study. The result was analysed using SPSS (statistical package of social science) and AMOS (analysis of moment structure) structural equation modelling (SEM).

Findings

This paper discovered that high autonomy, task significance, task identity and feedback were linked to greater work-to-family enrichment (W-FE) levels amongst academics, whilst, low job autonomy, task identity and task significance were linked to high work-to-family conflict (W-FC) levels.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the importance of promoting good academics' work–life balance by evaluating and improvising the academics' work design.
“I think sometimes the whole process is just a little bit intimidating”: modeling the health insurance decision-making process
Authors: Vardell Emily
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This qualitative study explores how individuals understand health insurance concepts and make health insurance purchase decisions. The study sought to develop a model of the health insurance decision-making process.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used semi-structured interview questions and the micro-moment time-line interview technique with newly hired employees to discuss the steps that individuals follow when making health insurance decisions. The researcher used an open coding approach to analyze the steps listed by each participant, and emergent themes were used to code all interview transcripts in Atlas.ti.

Findings

This study identified information tactics used by individuals when evaluating health insurance documentation. The findings also shed light on the personal reflection individuals undertake when making their health insurance choices.

Practical implications

The information needs and preferred information sources identified in this study will be of interest to information professionals and human resources officers providing assistance with health insurance enrolment.

Originality/value

The findings demonstrating that participants characterized their health insurance choice as a shared decision is a novel contribution of this study.
Linking LMX and happiness at work through symbolic interaction theory – The role of self-esteem and organizational embeddedness
Authors: Qamar Faisal , Soomro Shuaib Ahmed
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Drawing on the symbolic interaction theory, this research examines leader–member exchange (LMX) and employee’s happiness at work (HAW) with mediation of self-esteem (SE) and moderation of organizational embeddedness (OE).

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses data collected from a sample of 246 employees working in fast moving consumer goods companies (FMCGs) and applied SmartPLS to analyze the proposed model.

Findings

Findings reveal that LMX predicts HAW. Whereas, the follower’s SE fully transmitted the effect of LMX on employee’s HAW. Moreover, OE moderated the relationship between LMX and HAW.

Practical implications

Leaders should consider quality LMX interactions with their employees in prevailing global crises. LMX can improve the relationship with team members and boost their SE resulting in HAW. Furthermore, organizations should promote such practices which may enhance their employees' OE for enhanced workplace happiness.

Originality/value

The study is among the very few works which apply symbolic interaction as an overarching framework to explain the employees' HAW.
Demographic differences in attitude, subjective norms, behavioral intention, and knowledge sharing behavior: an empirical study of non-academic staff from India and the UAE
Authors: Kaba Abdoulaye , Eletter Shorouq , Ramaiah Chennupati K. , El Refae Ghaleb A.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to understand knowledge-sharing behavior of nonacademic staff. In relation to the theory of reasoned action (TRA), the study investigated demographic characteristic differences in attitude, subjective norms, behavioral intention and knowledge-sharing behavior of nonacademic staff from India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a survey method and questionnaire instrument to collect data from 467 participants. The participants were nonacademic staff working for two academic universities in India and the UAE. The two universities were Pondicherry University (266 respondents) and Al Ain University (201 respondents). The collected data were treated and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS software for statistical analyses and frequency distributions.

Findings

The findings of the study showed that nonacademic staff from India and the UAE have a positive attitude toward knowledge-sharing, subjective norms and positive behavioral intention and are frequently involved in knowledge-sharing behavior. In addition, the study’s findings indicated statistically significant demographic differences in attitude, subjective norms and behavior intense knowledge-sharing behavior of nonacademic staff from India and the UAE. Nonacademic participants from India expressed a higher positive attitude toward knowledge-sharing and demonstrated more involvement in knowledge-sharing behavior than the respondents from the UAE. The findings of the study accepted 8 out of 20 stated hypotheses. The accepted hypotheses support the TRA theory and suggest the impact of age, job position, tenure of work and geographical diversity on attitude, subjective norms, behavioral intention and knowledge-sharing behavior. The study’s results suggested that nonacademic staff of 50 and above age groups are more likely to share knowledge than the nonacademic staff of 49 and fewer age groups. Likewise, the findings of the study suggested that nonacademic staff with a long tenure of work experience are more likely to share their knowledge with their coworkers than those with a short tenure of work experience.

Originality/value

Studies targeting knowledge sharing among nonacademic staff are scarce as compared to academic staff and students. Nonacademic staff are different from students and academic staff in attitudes and behavior. This study contributes to the expansion of knowledge sharing through the investigation of knowledge-sharing behavior of nonacademic staff. Moreover, the study expands the understanding of knowledge-sharing behavior through the use of demographic characteristics in relation to the TRA theory. In addition, most of the previous studies are based on data collected from one country, and this study is based on data collected from two countries.
Priming citizens to think about public participation initiatives: Does it impact their view of government?
Authors: Thomsen Mette Kjærgaard , Opstrup Niels
Published: April 2023

Prior research has shown that public participation initiatives may have positive effects on how participating citizens view government. However, little is known about whether and how priming citizens to think about such initiatives influences the view of government among the larger public. Using a survey experiment, we find that the effect of priming citizens to think of a public participation initiative that includes a small group of citizens on their view of government is conditional on how proximate the service, which the initiative resolves around, is to citizens. Notably, across outcome measures we a find a negative priming effect among those for which the service is not proximate. These results are highly important, as they suggest that among the larger public, public participation initiatives—that involve few citizens—may have mixed results on the view of government, thus questioning the legitimacy of decisions reached by such initiatives.
The impact of Medicaid expansion on spending and utilization by older low‐income Medicare beneficiaries
Authors: Mellor Jennifer M. , McInerney Melissa , Garrow Renee C. , Sabik Lindsay M.
Published: April 2023

Objective

To examine indirect spillover effects of Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansions to working‐age adults on health care coverage, spending, and utilization by older low‐income Medicare beneficiaries.

Data Sources

2010–2018 Health and Retirement Study survey data linked to annual Medicare beneficiary summary files.

Study Design

We estimated individual‐level difference‐in‐differences models of total spending for inpatient, institutional outpatient, physician/professional provider services; inpatient stays, outpatient visits, physician visits; and Medicaid and Part A and B Medicare coverage. We compared changes in outcomes before and after Medicaid expansion in expansion versus nonexpansion states.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

The sample included low‐income respondents aged 69 and older with linked Medicare data, enrolled in full‐year traditional Medicare, and residing in the community.

Principal Findings

ACA Medicaid expansion was associated with a 9.8 percentage point increase in Medicaid coverage (95% CI: 0.020–0.176), a 4.4 percentage point increase in having any institutional outpatient spending (95% CI: 0.005–0.083), and a positive but statistically insignificant 2.4 percentage point change in Part B enrollment (95% CI: −0.003 to 0.050, p = 0.079).

Conclusions

ACA Medicaid expansion was associated with more institutional outpatient spending among older low‐income Medicare beneficiaries. Increased care costs should be weighed against potential benefits from increased realized access to care.
Design and validation of a virtual reality trainer for ultrasound‐guided regional anaesthesia
Authors: Chuan A. , Qian J. , Bogdanovych A. , Kumar A. , McKendrick M. , McLeod G.
Published: April 2023

Virtual reality is a form of high‐fidelity simulation that may be used to enhance the quality of medical education. We created a bespoke virtual reality trainer software using high resolution motion capture and ultrasound imagery to teach cognitive‐motor needling skills necessary for the performance of ultrasound‐guided regional anaesthesia. The primary objective of this study was to determine the construct validity between novice and experienced regional anaesthetists. Secondary objectives were: to create learning curves for needling performance; compare the virtual environment immersion with other high‐fidelity virtual reality software; and compare cognitive task loads imposed by the virtual trainer compared with real‐life medical procedures. We recruited 21 novice and 15 experienced participants, each of whom performed 40 needling attempts on four different virtual nerve targets. Performance scores for each attempt were calculated based on measured metrics (needle angulation, withdrawals, time taken) and compared between the groups. The degree of virtual reality immersion was measured using the Presence Questionnaire, and cognitive burden was measured using the NASA‐Task Load Index. Scores by experienced participants were significantly higher than novices (p = 0.002) and for each nerve target (84% vs. 77%, p = 0.002; 86% vs. 79%, p = 0.003; 87% vs. 81%, p = 0.002; 87% vs. 80%, p = 0.003). Log–log transformed learning curves demonstrated individual variability in performance over time. The virtual reality trainer was rated as being comparably immersive to other high‐fidelity virtual reality software in the realism, possibility to act and quality of interface subscales (all p > 0.06) but not in the possibility to examine and self‐performance subscales (all p < 0.009). The virtual reality trainer created workloads similar to those reported in real‐life procedural medicine (p = 0.53). This study achieved initial validation of our new virtual reality trainer and allows progression to a planned definitive trial that will compare the effectiveness of virtual reality training on real‐life regional anaesthesia performance.
Functional role of coupling the endothelial TRPV4 and KCa3.1 channels in regulating coronary vascular tone
Authors: Mao Aiqin , He Dongxu , Zhang Ka , Gao Mengru , Kan Hao , Wang Zhiwei , Tang Chunlei , Ma Xin
Published: April 2023

Background and Purpose

High‐fat diet (HFD) induces dysregulated pathways in coronary artery endothelial cells (CAECs), which leads to altered regulation of vascular tone, tissue perfusion and increases the risk of coronary artery diseases. Ca2+‐activated K+ (KCa) channels are known to be associated with transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, which are important for regulating endothelial function. But how TRPV4 channels interacts with KCa channels in regulating coronary vascular tone in HFD mice requires further exploration.

Experimental Approach

TRPV4 channel activity was assessed by fluorescent Ca2+ imaging. Interactions between TRPV4 and KCa3.1 channels were verified by co‐immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), and their binding site was found by site‐directed mutagenesis. Endothelium‐specific TRPV4 knockout (TRPV4EC−/−) mice were used to study the effect of the interactions between TRPV4‐KCa3.1 channels on coronary vascular tone. Coronary blood flow was measured by Doppler ultrasound device.

Key Results

TRPV4 channels were involved in regulating coronary vascular tone, through coupling with a Ca2+‐sensitive K+ channel (KCa3.1) in CAECs, affecting vasodilation and coronary blood flow. In mice fed a HFD diet, the coupling was damaged by a high concentration of plasma 1‐heptadecanoyl‐2‐hydroxy‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine. Using a bridging approach, we then identified folic acid as an effective drug to repair the uncoupled TRPV4‐KCa3.1 channels and to improve coronary arterial function.

Conclusion and Implications

Our data highlight the importance of coupling between TRPV4 and KCa3.1 channels in the regulation of coronary vascular tone and provide a novel strategy for developing new drugs to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events.