bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autophagy alterations in white and brown adipose tissues of mice exercised under different training protocols
Authors: Tamargo-Gómez Isaac , Fernández-Sanjurjo Manuel , Codina-Martínez Helena , Tomás-Zapico Cristina , Iglesias-Gutiérrez Eduardo , Fernández Álvaro F. , Fernández-García Benjamín
Published: September 2022

Autophagy is a conserved catabolic process that promotes cellular homeostasis and health. Although exercise is a well-established inducer of this pathway, little is known about the effects of different types of training protocols on the autophagy levels of tissues that are tightly linked to the obesity pandemic (like brown adipose tissue) but not easily accessible in humans. Here, we take advantage of animal models to assess the effects of short- and long-term resistance and endurance training in both white and brown adipose tissue, reporting distinct alterations on autophagy proteins LC3B and p62. For instance, both short-term endurance and resistance training protocols increased the levels of these proteins in white adipose tissue before this similarity diverges during long training, while autophagy regulation appears to be far more complex in brown adipose tissue. Additionally, we also analyzed the repercussion of these interventions in fat tissues of mice lacking autophagy protease ATG4B, further assessing the impact of exercise in these dynamic, regulatory organs (which are specialized in energy storage) when autophagy is limited. In this regard, only resistance training could slightly increase the presence of lipidated LC3B, while p62 levels increased in white adipose tissue after short-term training but decreased in brown adipose tissue after long-term training. Altogether, our study suggests an intricated regulation of exercise-induced autophagy in adipose tissues that is dependent on the training protocol and the autophagy competence of the organism.
The effect of short-term activation of AHL15 on long-term plant developmental change and transcriptome profile
Authors: Karami Omid , Henkel Christiaan , Offringa Remko
Published: September 2022

We have previously documented that overexpression of the Arabidopsis nuclear protein AHL15 leads to reprogramming of somatic cells to embryonic cells (Karami et al., 2021) and to suppression of plant ageing (Karami et al., 2020). Here we show that transient (4 hours) activation of overexpressed AHL15-GR in Arabidopsis seedlings has long-term effects on plant development. RNA sequencing analysis detected an extensive reprogramming of the transcriptome 4 hours after AHL15-GR activation, with respectively 540 and 1107 genes showing more than 2-fold up- and down-regulation. AHL15 seemed to act in a transcription leveldependent manner, activating predominantly low expressed genes and repressing mostly highly expressed genes. Rapid decondensation of heterochromatin was observed after AHL15 activation in leaf primordia and axillary meristems, indicating that the global reprogramming of the transcriptome by transient activation of this AT-Hook domain protein might be caused by extensive modulation of the chromatin configuration. We also found that co-activated or co-repressed genes were often physically linked in small chromosomal clusters, which is in line with regulation at the chromatin level.
Meningeal IL-17 producing T cells mediate cognitive impairment in salt-sensitive hypertension
Authors: Santisteban Monica M. , Schaeffer Samantha , Anfray Antoine , Faraco Giuseppe , Lopez David Brea , Wang Gang , Sobanko Melissa , Sciortino Rose , Racchumi Gianfranco , Waisman Ari , Park Laibaik , Anrather Josef , Iadecola Costantino
Published: September 2022

Hypertension, a disease afflicting over one billion individuals worldwide, is a leading cause of cognitive impairment, the mechanisms of which remain poorly understood. In a mouse model of hypertension, we found that the neurovascular and cognitive dysfunction depends on IL-17, a cytokine elevated in hypertensive individuals. However, neither circulating IL-17 or brain angiotensin signaling could account in full for the dysfunction. Rather, IL-17 produced by T-cells in the dura mater was the major culprit by reaching the cerebrospinal fluid and activating IL-17 receptors on brain associated macrophages. Accordingly, depleting brain macrophages, deleting IL17-RA in brain macrophages, or suppressing meningeal T cells completely rescued cognitive function without attenuating blood pressure elevation, circulating IL-17 or brain angiotensin signaling. The data unveil a critical role of meningeal T-cells and macrophage IL-17 signaling in the neurovascular and cognitive dysfunction of hypertension and suggest novel therapies to counteract the devastating effects of hypertension on cognitive health.
ExoJ: an ImageJ2/Fiji plugin for automated spatiotemporal detection and analysis of exocytosis
Authors: Liu Junjun , Verweij Frederik Johannes , Van Niel Guillaume , Galli Thierry , Danglot Lydia , Bun Philippe
Published: September 2022

Exocytosis is a dynamic physiological process that enables the release of biomolecules to the surrounding environment via the fusion of membrane compartments to the plasma membrane. Understanding its mechanisms is crucial, as defects can compromise essential biological functions. The development of pH-sensitive optical reporters alongside fluorescence microscopy enables the assessment of individual vesicle exocytosis events at the cellular level. Manual annotation represents, however, a time-consuming task, prone to selection biases and human operational errors. Here, we introduce ExoJ, an automated plugin based on ImageJ2/Fiji. ExoJ identifies user-defined genuine populations of exocytic events, recording quantitative features including intensity, apparent size and duration. We designed ExoJ to be fully user-configurable, making it suitable to study distinct forms of vesicle exocytosis regardless of the imaging quality. Our plugin demonstrates its capabilities by showcasing distinct exocytic dynamics among tetraspanins and vesicular SNAREs protein reporters. Assessment of performance on synthetic data demonstrated ExoJ is a robust tool, capable to correctly identify exocytosis events independently of signal-to-noise ratio conditions. We propose ExoJ as a standard solution for future comparative and quantitative studies of exocytosis.
IL-33 Involved in the Progression of Liver Fibrosis Through Innate Immunity Cells (Mφ) Regulated by ICOS/ICOSL Signaling in Early Stage of Mice Schistosomiasis
Authors: Liu Lei , Wang Peng , Xie Shi-Qi , Pu Wen-Jie , Xu Jing , Xia Chao-Ming
Published: September 2022

Schistosomiasis liver fibrosis is characterized by the foci of a classical type 2 granulomatous inflammation in response to egg soluble antigen. The inducible costimulator (ICOS)/ICOSL signaling can mediate Th2 polarization and regulate the disease process of chronic schistosomiasis by adaptive immune response. ICOS/ICOSL signaling could regulate innate immune cells, including B cells and macrophage (Mφ), and participate in pulmonary fibrosis. The purpose of the study was to identify whether ICOS/ICOSL signaling could regulate the polarization of Mφ, and to explore the potential role of IL-33 in ICOSL knockout (ICOSL-KO) mice with schistosomiasis. Firstly, the expression level of CD86, CD206 and IL-33 was checked respectively in ICOSL-KO and WT mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum). Then recombinant IL-33 (rIL-33) was injected into ICOSL-KO mice infected with S. japonicum. Our experiments showed that the liver Mφ was successfully polarized toward to classical activated Mφ (M1) and the expression of IL-33 was inhibited in ICOSL-KO mice. Furthermore, the injection of rIL-33 successfully aggravated liver fibrosis in ICOSL-KO mice, increased the numbers of lymphocyte antigen 6C (Ly6C)hi, enhanced the expression of C-C chemokine ligand (CCL)2,, CCL5 and C-X-C motif chemokine 2 (CXCL2), and promoted polarization of T helper (Th) cells to Th2 cells, as well as induced the autophagy and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Overall, the liver fibrosis was alleviated in ICOSL-KO mice along with the reduced expression of IL-33, which could skew the polarization of Mφ toward to M1, induce Th cells activation, HSCs apoptosis and autophagy through Smad2/3 and TGF-β signaling pathway, thus participated in the homeostasis of liver fibrosis of schistosomiasis.
Photoelectrochemical imaging of action potentials for single cardiomyocytes through contact force manipulation of organoids
Authors: Jacques Rachel , Zhou Bo , Marhuenda Emilie , Gorecki Jon , Das Anirban , Iskratsch Thomas , Krause Steffi
Published: September 2022

Accurate monitoring of cardiomyocyte action potentials (APs) is essential to understand disease propagation and for trials of novel therapeutics. Patch clamp techniques offer ‘gold standard’ measurements in this field, but are notoriously difficult to operate and only provide measurements of a single cell. Here we propose photoelectrochemical imaging (PEI), in conjunction with a setup for controlling the contact force between the cardiomyocyte organoids and the sensor surface, for measuring APs with high sensitivity. The method was validated through the use of drugs, and the results successfully visualized the expected electrophysiological changes to the APs. PEI allows for several cells to be monitored simultaneously, opening further research to the electrophysiological interactions of adjoining cells. This method expands the applications of PEI to three-dimensional geometries and provides the fields of stem cell research, drug trials and heart disease modelling with an invaluable tool to further investigate the role of APs.
Multi-Echo Investigations of Positive and Negative CBF and Concomitant BOLD Changes
Authors: Devi Ratnamanjuri , Lepsien Jöran , Lorenz Kathrin , Schlumm Torsten , Mildner Toralf , Möller Harald E.
Published: September 2022

Unlike the positive blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) response (PBR), commonly taken as an indication of an ‘activated’ brain region, the physiological origin of negative BOLD signal changes (i.e. a negative BOLD response, NBR), also referred to as ‘deactivation’ is still being debated. In this work, an attempt was made to gain a better understanding of the underlying mechanism by obtaining a comprehensive measure of the contributing cerebral blood flow (CBF) and its relationship to the NBR in the human visual cortex, in comparison to a simultaneously induced PBR in surrounding visual regions. To overcome the low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of CBF measurements, a newly developed multi-echo version of a center-out echo planar-imaging (EPI) readout was employed with pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL). It achieved very short echo and inter-echo times and facilitated a simultaneous detection of functional CBF and BOLD changes at 3 T with improved sensitivity. Evaluations of the absolute and relative changes of CBF and the effective transverse relaxation rate, , the coupling ratios, and their dependence on CBF at rest, CBFrest, indicated differences between activated and deactivated regions. Analysis of the shape of the respective functional responses also revealed faster negative responses with more pronounced post-stimulus transients. Resulting differences in the flow-metabolism coupling ratios were further examined for potential distinctions in the underlying neuronal contributions.

Highlights

Introduction of multi-echo center-out EPI for investigating concomitant CBF and BOLD changes in regions of positive (PBR) and negative BOLD response (NBR).

ΔCBF timecourses closely follow those of with negative signals exhibiting faster responses and more pronounced post-stimulus transients.

Decreases in CBF appear to warrant a larger change in NBR than CBF increases in PBR regions.

Consideration of baseline CBF values is important in comparisons of relative coupling ratios (δsBOLD/δcbf) between brain regions.

Discussion of potential excitatory and inhibitory neuronal feed forward control of CBF and CMRO2 in PBR and NBR.
A selective force driving metabolic genes clustering
Authors: Fondi Marco , Pini Francesco , Riccardi Christopher , Gemo Pietro , Brilli Matteo
Published: September 2022

The evolution of operons has puzzled evolutionary biologists since their discovery and many theories exist to explain their emergence and spreading. The presence of several plausible hypotheses dealing with operon emergence/evolution/spreading is indicative of the absence of a universal causal factor for this evolutionary process. Here, we argue that the way in which DNA replication and cell division are coupled in microbial species introduces an additional selective force that may be responsible for the clustering of functionally related genes on chromosomes. We interpret this as a preliminary and necessary step in operon formation. Specifically, we start from the observation that during DNA replication differences in copy number of genes that are found at distant loci on the same chromosome arm exist. We provide theoretical considerations suggesting that, when genes of the same metabolic process are far away on the chromosome, this results in perturbations to metabolic homeostasis. By formalizing the effect of DNA replication on metabolic homeostasis based on Metabolic Control Analysis, we show that the above situation provides a selective force that can drive the formation of gene clusters and operons. Finally, we confirmed that, in present-day genomes, this force is significantly stronger in those species where the average number of active replication forks is larger and quantify the theoretical contribution of this feature on the distribution of extant gene clusters and operons.
mtHsp70 converts mitochondrial proteostasis distress into impaired protein import
Authors: Banerjee Rupa , Trauschke Vanessa , Bertram Nils , Aretz Ina , Osman Christof , Lamb Don C. , Mokranjac Dejana
Published: September 2022

Functional mitochondria are essential for cell viability and depend on protein import from the cytosol. Impaired protein import initiates various well-characterized cellular programs that rescue or remove dysfunctional mitochondria. However, the molecular mechanism that underlies the initial reduction of protein import into defective mitochondria remained unknown. Here, we found that the redistribution of mtHsp70, mitochondrial chaperone that is involved in both protein import and protein folding, regulates the efficiency of protein import. During early mitochondrial stress, before rescue programs are initiated and membrane potential is affected, mtHsp70-dependent import was specifically impaired and association of mtHsp70 with the import complex reduced. Even under non-stress conditions, the majority of mtHsp70 is found in a substrate-bound state. We propose that the availability of free mtHsp70 limits protein import into mitochondria during stress.
Structural basis for membrane attack complex inhibition by CD59
Authors: Couves Emma C. , Gardner Scott , Voisin Tomas B. , Bickel Jasmine K. , Stansfeld Phillip J. , Tate Edward W. , Bubeck Doryen
Published: September 2022

CD59 is an abundant immuno-regulatory receptor that protects human cells from damage during complement activation. Here we show how the receptor binds complement proteins C8 and C9 at the membrane to prevent insertion and polymerization of membrane attack complex (MAC) pores. We present cryoelectron microscopy structures of two inhibited MAC precursors known as C5b8 and C5b9. We discover that in both complexes, CD59 binds the pore-forming ◻-hairpins of C8 to form an intermolecular ◻-sheet that prevents membrane perforation. While bound to C8, CD59 deflects the cascading C9 ◻-hairpins, rerouting their trajectory into the membrane. Preventing insertion of C9 restricts structural transitions of subsequent monomers and indirectly halts MAC polymerization. We combine our structural data with cellular assays and molecular dynamics simulations to explain how the membrane environment impacts the dual roles of CD59 in controlling pore formation of MAC, and as a target of bacterial virulence factors which hijack CD59 to lyse human cells.
A continuous vibration-based virtual tactile motion across fingertips
Authors: Adibi Mehdi
Published: September 2022

Motion is one of the fundamental qualities not only of vision, but also of touch. Manipulation and exploration of objects involves different forms of movement between the skin and objects. A different form of tactile motion from remote sources is through substrate vibrations, and is present in arthropods such as insects and spiders, enabling them to localise approaching preys and predators. Here, we quantify the extent to humans perceive tactile motion based on vibrations sensed by fingertips. We employed a novel stimulation paradigm in which a pair of vibrations (100 Hz) with sinusoidal envelopes (0.5 cycle/s) and various phase differences between the two vibrations were delivered to two fingertips. The phase difference between the vibrations generated perception of a virtual motion across the fingertips. The findings suggest that human tactile system possesses the sensory channel for detection of motion through substrate vibrations, which is fundamentally different from tactile motion mechanisms during active surface exploration. We propose two potential neural computations underlying processing this form of motion; one based on phase difference or time delay detection, and the second based on temporal order and interval duration processing.
RNA-deficient TDP-43 causes loss of free nuclear TDP-43 by sequestration
Authors: Keating Sean S. , Bademosi Adekunle T. , Gil Rebecca San , Walker Adam K.
Published: September 2022

Dysfunction and aggregation of the RNA-binding protein, TDP-43, is the unifying hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Mechanisms and relative contributions of concurrent TDP-43 nuclear depletion, cytoplasmic accumulation, and post-translational modification to neurodegeneration remain unresolved. We employed CRISPR/Cas9-mediated fluorescent tagging to investigate how disease-associated stressors and pathological TDP-43 alter abundance, localisation, self-assembly, aggregation, solubility, and mobility dynamics of endogenous TDP-43 over time. Oxidative stress stimulated TDP-43 liquid-liquid phase separation into droplets or spherical shell-like ‘anisosomes’, which were not formed by over-expressed wild-type TDP-43. Further, nuclear RNA-binding-ablated or acetylation-mimicking TDP-43 rapidly formed anisosomes and inclusions that readily sequestered and depleted free normal nuclear TDP-43. The majority of total endogenous TDP-43 was sequestered into anisosomes, but retained high protein mobility and solubility. However, cytoplasmic RNA-deficient TDP-43 formed large phosphorylated inclusions that occasionally sequestered endogenous TDP-43, rendering it insoluble and immobile, indicating irreversible pathological transition. These findings suggest that post-translational modification and RNA-binding deficiency exacerbate TDP-43 aggregation and dysfunction by driving sequestration, mislocalisation, and depletion of normal nuclear TDP-43 in ALS and FTD.
Identifying Lymph Node Metastasis-related Factors in Breast Cancer using Differential Modular and Mutational Structural Analysis
Authors: Liu Xingyi , Yang Bin , Huang Xinpeng , Yan Wenying , Hu Guang
Published: September 2022

Complex diseases are generally caused by disorders of biological networks and/or mutations in multiple genes. Network theory provides useful tools to study the underlying laws governing complex diseases. Within this framework, comparisons of network topologies, including the node, edge, and community, between different disease states can highlight key factors within these dynamic processes. Here, we propose a differential modular analysis approach that integrates protein-protein interactions with gene expression profiles for modular analysis, and introduces inter-modular edges and date hubs to identify the “core network module” that quantifies the significant phenotypic variation. Then, based on this core network module, key factors including functional protein-protein interactions, pathways, and drive mutations are predicted by the topological-functional connection score and structural modeling. We applied the approach to analyze the lymph node metastasis (LNM) process in breast cancer. The functional enrichment analysis showed that both inter-modular edges and date hubs play important roles in cancer metastasis and invasion, and in metastasis hallmarks. The structural mutation analysis suggested that the LNM of breast cancer may be the outcome of the dysfunction of rearranged during transfection (RET) proto-oncogene-related interactions and the non-canonical calcium signaling pathway via an allosteric mutation of RET. We believe that the proposed method can provide new insights into disease progression such as cancer metastasis.

Author summary

Metastasis is the hallmark of cancer that is responsible for the greatest number of cancer-related deaths. However, it remains poorly understood. PPI networks not only provide a static picture of cellular function and biological processes, but also have emerged as new paradigms in the study of the dynamic process of disease progression, including cancer metastasis. Herein, a network-based strategy was proposed based on the integration of expression profiles with protein interactions, by filtering with “date hubs” and “inter-modular edges”, demonstrating that different network modules may provide robust predictors to represent the dynamic mechanisms involved in metastasis formation. Furthermore, the mapping of protein structure and mutation data on the network module level provides insight into signaling mechanisms; helps understand the mechanism of disease-related mutations; and helps in drug discovery. The application of our method to study the LNM in breast cancer highlights network modules defining protein communities that respond to therapeutics, and the implications of detailed structural and mechanistic insight into oncogenic activation and how it can advance allosteric precision oncology.
Stepwise evolution ofE. coliC and ΦX174 reveals unexpected lipopolysaccharide (LPS) diversity
Authors: Dherbey Jordan Romeyer , Parab Lavisha , Gallie Jenna , Bertels Frederic
Published: September 2022

Phage therapy is a promising method for the treatment of multi-drug-resistant bacterial infections. However, its long-term efficacy depends on understanding the evolutionary effects of the treatment. Current knowledge of such evolutionary effects is lacking, even in well-studied systems. We used the bacteriumEscherichia coliC and its bacteriophage ΦX174, which infects cells using host lipopolysaccharide (LPS) molecules. We first generated 31 bacterial mutants resistant to ΦX174 infection. Based on the genes disrupted by these mutations, we predicted that theseE. coliC mutants collectively produce eight unique LPS structures. We then developed a series of evolution experiments to select for ΦX174 mutants capable of infecting the resistant strains. During phage adaptation, we distinguished two types of phage resistance: one that was easily overcome by ΦX174 with few mutational steps (“easy” resistance), and one that was more difficult to overcome (“hard” resistance). We found that increasing the diversity of the host and phage populations could accelerate the adaptation of phage ΦX174 to overcome the hard resistance phenotype. From these experiments, we isolated 16 ΦX174 mutants that, together, can infect all 31 initially resistantE. coliC mutants. Upon determining the infectivity profiles of these 16 evolved phages, we uncovered 14 distinct profiles. Given that only eight profiles are anticipated if the LPS predictions are correct, our findings highlight that the current understanding of LPS biology is insufficient to accurately forecast the evolutionary outcomes of bacterial populations infected by phage.
From Gradient to Sectioning in CUBE: Workflow for Generating and Imaging Organoid with Localized Differentiation
Authors: Koh Isabel , Hagiwara Masaya
Published: September 2022

Advancements in organoid culture methods have led to a widespread availability of various in vitro mini-organs that mimic native tissues in many ways. Yet, the bottleneck remains to generate complex organoids with body axis patterning, as well as keeping the orientation of organoid samples during post-experiment analysis processes. In this paper, we present a workflow for culturing organoids with gradient using a previously developed CUBE culture device, then sectioning samples with the CUBE to retain information on the gradient direction of the sample. We show that hiPSC spheroids cultured with separate differentiation media on two opposing ends of the CUBE resulted in localized expressions of the respective differentiation markers, in contrast to homogeneous distribution of markers in controls with the same media on both ends. We also describe the processes for cryo and paraffin sectioning of gradient-cultured spheroids in CUBE to retain gradient orientation information. This workflow from gradient culture to sectioning with CUBE can provide researchers with a convenient tool to generate increasingly complex organoids and study their developmental processes in vitro.
Molecular docking: Bioactive compounds ofMimosa pudicaas an inhibitor ofCandida albicansSap 3
Authors: Gholam Gusnia Meilin , Firdausy Iman Akhyar , Artika I. Made , Abdillah Ramadhani Malik , Firmansyah Ridwan Putra
Published: September 2022

Candida albicans(C. albicans) is a commensal microbiota that resides in humans. However, in certain cases, C. albicans can infect and cause several diseases to humans. This study aimed to investigate the interaction between Mimosa pudica bioactive compounds andC. albicansSap 3. Molecular docking analysis was carried out using YASARA structure. The procedures involved preparation of ligands and target receptor, molecular docking, data analysis and visualization. All 3D ligands were downloaded from PubChem NCBI, while target receptor was downloaded from RCSB PDB. The interaction between Mimosa pudica bioactive compounds against Sap 3 resulted in a binding energies ranges from 5,168 – 7,480 kcal/mol and most of the interactions formed were relatively strong. Furthermore, the test ligands had contact with the catalytic residues and substrate binding site pockets S1/S2/S3/S4 on the target receptor. Bioactive compounds of Mimosa pudica have relatively good interactions in inhibitingC. albicansSap 3.
Refinements for Bragg coherent X-ray diffraction imaging: electron backscatter diffraction alignment and strain field computation
Authors: Yang David , Lapington Mark T. , He Guanze , Song Kay , Zhang Minyi , Barker Clara , Harder Ross J. , Cha Wonsuk , Liu Wenjun , Phillips Nicholas W. , Hofmann Felix
Published: September 2022

Bragg coherent X-ray diffraction imaging (BCDI) allows the 3D measurement of lattice strain along the scattering vector for specific microcrystals. If at least three linearly independent reflections are measured, the 3D variation of the full lattice strain tensor within the microcrystal can be recovered. However, this requires knowledge of the crystal orientation, which is typically attained via estimates based on crystal geometry or synchrotron microbeam Laue diffraction measurements. Presented here is an alternative method to determine the crystal orientation for BCDI measurements using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) to align Fe–Ni and Co–Fe alloy microcrystals on three different substrates. The orientation matrix is calculated from EBSD Euler angles and compared with the orientation determined using microbeam Laue diffraction. The average angular mismatch between the orientation matrices is less than ∼6°, which is reasonable for the search for Bragg reflections. The use of an orientation matrix derived from EBSD is demonstrated to align and measure five reflections for a single Fe–Ni microcrystal via multi-reflection BCDI. Using this data set, a refined strain field computation based on the gradient of the complex exponential of the phase is developed. This approach is shown to increase accuracy, especially in the presence of dislocations. The results demonstrate the feasibility of using EBSD to pre-align BCDI samples and the application of more efficient approaches to determine the full lattice strain tensor with greater accuracy.
An exploration of high performance computing cloud contract for SMEs: a systematic literature review
Authors: Lu Qin , Damij Nadja , Whalley Jason
Published: September 2022

Purpose

High performance computing (HPC) is used to solve complex calculations that personal computing devices are unable to handle. HPC offers the potential for small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) to engage in product innovation, service improvement and the optimization of resource allocation (Borstnar and Ilijas, 2019). However, the expensive infrastructure, maintenance costs and resource knowledge gaps that accompany the use of HPC can make it inaccessible to SMEs. By moving HPC to the cloud, SMEs can gain access to the infrastructure without the requirement of owning or maintaining it, but they will need to accept the terms and conditions of the cloud contract. This paper aims to improve how SMEs access HPC through the cloud by providing insights into the terms and conditions of HPC cloud contracts.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a systematic literature review by implementing a four-step approach. A comprehensive search was undertaken and results synthesized to enable this paper’s objectives to be met.

Findings

This paper proposes that SMEs could gain competitive advantage(s) by understanding their own needs and improving their contract negotiation abilities, service management skills and risk management abilities before accepting the terms and conditions of the cloud contract. Furthermore, a checklist, service-level agreement, easily ignored elements and risk areas are presented as guidance for SMEs when reviewing their HPC cloud contract(s).

Originality/value

While HPC cloud contracts are a niche research topic, it is one of the key factors influencing the ability of SMEs to access HPC through the cloud. It is, however, by no means a level playfield with SMEs at a distinct disadvantage because of not influencing the writing up of the HPC cloud contract. The added value of the paper is that it contributes to our overall understanding of the terms and conditions of HPC cloud contracts.
Designing of cost-effective and sustainable logistics system: Whirlpool case
Authors: Yumurtacı Hüseyinoğlu Işık Özge , Kurtay Deniz , Aşar İrem , Dilmaç Serra
Published: September 2022

Learning outcomes

In this case study, the alternative route designs were observed to significantly decrease transportation costs and the total distance traveled. This decrease in logistics requirements almost halved the annual number of shipments and the time needed for operation and documentation activities. In addition, reduced carbon emissions made this an environmentally friendly transportation model, in line with trends in society.

Case overview/synopsis

The basis for this case study was the analysis of Whirlpool Turkey’s transportation system for materials used in the production of white goods. Data obtained through fieldwork and cooperation with company consultants showed that some suppliers have high annual logistics costs. This inefficiency causes time loss and increases the total distance traveled and thus carbon emissions. In the case study, the current application created inefficiency in cost and time management, and therefore, after determining the factors that increase costs, different transportation solutions were developed accordingly.

Complexity academic level

This case is particularly designed for undergraduates in the final semester of management courses that specialize in supply chain and operation management.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 9: Operations and logistics.
Factors influencing technology adoption amongst small retailers: insights from thematic analysis
Authors: Aithal Rajesh K. , Choudhary Vikram , Maurya Harshit , Pradhan Debasis , Sarkar Dev Narayan
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The present study aims to understand small retailers' current use of various low-cost technologies and the factors responsible for small retailers' adoption. Furthermore, these factors of adoption were mapped back to beliefs within the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), and an attempt was made to understand if some of the beliefs dominated over the others and their implications.

Design/methodology/approach

The study takes a qualitative approach comprising in-depth semi-structured interviews and direct observation. The qualitative data were analysed through a thematic analysis to identify technology adoption factors.

Findings

Amongst the various technologies (mobile apps), payment and procurement apps were the most widely used. The authors identified eight factors influencing technology adoption: the top being customer demand for payment apps and convenience and cost-saving for procurement apps. The study also highlights the role of the dominant beliefs in technology adoption, which managers could use to improve adoption rates.

Research limitations/implications

The current study is a cross-sectional study and the sample was predominantly of grocery retailers, limiting the generalisability of the results.

Social implications

Small retailers face stiff competition from organised retail and e-commerce platforms which threatens small retailers' existence. Small retailers' survival is vital as many people depend on the small retail sector for livelihood. Increased use of technology seems the only way for them to stay competitive and increase profitability. The study's outcome could help increase technology adoption amongst small retailers and increase small retailers' competitiveness.

Originality/value

Despite the widespread presence of small retailers in emerging economies, few studies have examined technology adoption amongst them. This study is also the first to use the TPB theory in the small retailer technology adoption context.
Strategic responses of the family businesses in accommodation industry: lessons for overcoming crises
Authors: Crespo Nuno Fernandes , Crespo Cátia Fernandes , Calado Maria
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is threefold: 1) to examine the relevance of specific strategic orientations for family businesses in the context of an intense crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic; 2) to investigate the role of a family adaptability in surviving the crisis; and 3) to assess how proactive strategic responses connected with marketing or retrenchment responses connected with reducing costs relate to the expected survival of the crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

The method adopted is a quantitative research approach. The theoretical framework uses a partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) for the data collected from an online survey of a sample of 544 family businesses in the accommodation industry.

Findings

This paper makes three main findings. First, family businesses that invest in operational marketing actions as a strategic response to the crisis have a high expectation of surviving the crisis. Second, family businesses that reduce their operational and labor costs as a strategic response have a low expectation of surviving the crisis. Third, the family business’s adaptability is also fundamental to their expectation of survival.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to identify the possible reactions of family businesses to the COVID-19 crisis. the authors show that there are proactive or retrenchment strategic responses, and the authors relate those responses to the expectancy of surviving the crisis. This is also the first study to examine the relevance of family adaptability as a measure of the resilience of family businesses and, therefore, as a determinant of the expectation of surviving the crisis.
An investigation of the conflict management strategies in international construction joint ventures of Sri Lanka
Authors: Thilakarathne Namal , Rathnasinghe Akila Pramodh , Kulatunga Udayangani , Thurairajah Niraj , Weerasinghe Lichini
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Most developing countries, such as Sri Lanka (SL), are now looking for the support of foreign construction companies for large-scale infrastructure projects in return for expertise and resources. Thus, foreign companies may enter into agreements with local contractors through joint ventures (JVs). However, the priorities of construction project stakeholders may differ, which may ultimately end up in conflicts. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the most suitable conflict management strategies for international construction JVs (ICJVs) considering the SL context.

Design/methodology/approach

The mixed method was used for the research choice by selecting a questionnaire survey and expert interviews. Completed questionnaires (n = 78) were analysed using statistical techniques. The expert interviews with six industry practitioners were piloted to increase the validity and credibility of survey findings through a triangulation process where the collected data was analysed through content analysis.

Findings

The findings confirm that JV parties should first seek collaborative solutions in a conflict and seek legal redress only when those efforts are unsuccessful. Collaborating and compromising were recommended as the most appropriate tactics if an informal approach to conflict management was chosen. Alternative dispute resolution and litigation were identified as formal conflict management strategies.

Originality/value

This study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, will be the first of its kind in SL, which will lead to a better understanding of conflict management in IJCVs and will encourage other researchers to extend this study through further work.
Hong Kong academic librarians' attitudes toward robotic process automation
Authors: Lin Chia-Hua , Chiu Dickson K.W. , Lam Ki Tat
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This research investigates Hong Kong academic librarians' attitudes toward robotic process automation (RPA) and their willingness to learn this technology.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study collected data through one-on-one semi-structured interviews conducted with video conferencing software. After participants received basic RPA information and three existing library application cases, they answered questions based on the interview guide. This research used the inductive thematic analysis method to analyze the collected data.

Findings

Regarding Hong Kong academic librarians' attitudes towards RPA, 19 themes were identified. Although all participants did not have previous knowledge of RPA, most showed positive attitudes toward implementing RPA in their libraries and some willingness to learn it. Besides, among all identified themes, negative attitudes mainly comprised “Affect” and “Cognition” factors, hindering RPA deployment in academic libraries.

Originality/value

This research helps librarians and RPA vendors make better decisions or strategies for implementing RPA for libraries, which has not been explored, especially in East Asia.
Exploring the ability of child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) to respond to new valuable knowledge: the influence of professionals and internal organisational processes
Authors: Efstathopoulou Lida , Sanderson Paul , Bungay Hilary
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Health policies in England highlight the need for child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) to embed new knowledge in practice, yet evidence remains scarce about the services’ ability to learn from the external environment. This paper aims to present a critical analysis of the CAMHS’ ability to implement new knowledge through the lens of absorptive capacity, an organisation’s ability to identify, assimilate and use new valuable knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff from the CAMHS department of a mental health organisation in England to explore the services’ absorptive capacity.

Findings

Professionals were identified having an impact on the main absorptive capacity components in the following ways: professional background and perceived reliability of knowledge sources appeared to affect knowledge identification; informal communication was found to facilitate knowledge assimilation and exploitation; trust was found to enable knowledge exploitation, particularly between senior management and frontline professionals. At an organisational level, team meetings and internal reporting were identified as enablers to knowledge assimilation and exploitation, while organisational hierarchy and patient data management systems were identified as barriers to knowledge assimilation. No organisational processes were found regarding knowledge identification, indicating an imbalanced investment in the main components of absorptive capacity.

Practical implications

Investing in these underpinning factors of absorptive capacity can assist CAMHS with capitalising on new knowledge that is valuable to service provision.

Originality/value

This study offers novel insights into the learning ability of CAMHS through the lens of absorptive capacity.
Association between COVID-19 vaccine side effects and history of nutritional supplement intake and body mass index (BMI): a retrospective study
Authors: Ebrahimian Setayesh , Amini Shirin , Aghoun Zahra
Published: September 2022

Purpose

As the development and vaccination of the COVID 19 vaccine is accelerating worldwide, it is important to investigate the ways to improve immunity and immune responses to vaccines. This study aims to investigate the association between history of nutritional supplements intake and body mass index (BMI) in the severity of COVID-19 vaccine side effects after vaccination.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 465 vaccinated participants with the Sinopharm vaccine (females and males in the 18–65 age range) participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements were taken on the first visit. In addition, nutrient supplement history and demographic information were collected. Moreover, the participants’ phone numbers were collected and they were contacted. Participants were asked to report if they experienced systemic (whole-body) and/or local side effects after vaccination, in the following eight days. Then, participants were grouped into four categories: no symptoms (n= 232), mild symptoms (n= 121), moderate symptoms (n= 55) and severe symptoms (n= 57).

Findings

There was a significant difference between the consumption of nutritional supplements by different groups of participants in the last six months (considering the severity of the symptoms) (p< 0.001). The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the incidence of side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine increased in the Q3 of BMI (range 22.94–26.34) in Modes 2 and 3: [OR: 1.85, (95% CI: 1.14– 3.00),p-for trend = 0.08] and [OR: 1.89, (95% CI: 1.16– 3.09),p-for trend = 0.09] based on logistic regression models.

Originality/value

In this study, the history of nutrient supplement intake affects the severity of side effects after the vaccination with COVID-19. Furthermore, based on logistic regression models, side effects were more prevalent in the BMI range 22.9–26.3 when compared to BMI < 20.2 so further study is necessary.
Albert Bourla: leading Pfizer’s successful vaccine rollout to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Faheem Hadiya , Dutta Sanjib
Published: September 2022

Research methodology

This case study was prepared through secondary research. The secondary data was collected in electronic format from the internet. Archived data from the company sources as well as other resources available online was used. Financial reporting about Pfizer Inc. (Pfizer) was done using data from the company’s annual reports.

Case overview/synopsis

This case discusses US-based pharmaceutical giant Pfizer’s successful rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine under the leadership of its Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla (Bourla). In March 2020, when the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic, leaders of pharmaceutical giants worldwide were in no way prepared to find a cure for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. On the other hand, Bourla stood up like a true leader and sought to do something to address the problem. Bourla’s huge gamble paid off. In December 2020, the Food and Drug Administration approved the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer. Pfizer was ready with 50 million vaccine doses for global distribution.

Complexity academic level

This case is intended for use in MBA/MS level programs as part of the curriculum on Effective Leadership and Decision-making, and Crisis Management.
Older people’s perceptions and self-reported usage of the mobile app, “Hear Me Now”: a feasibility study
Authors: Cook Glenda , Hand Annette , Wales Jill , Kirton Alexandra
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Mobile technology and applications offer a new approach to personalised care for older people. Hear Me Now (HMN), developed by Maldaba Ltd, is an application for smartphones and tablets. Although originally conceived and co-produced by individuals with learning disabilities and their supporters, anecdotal evidence from specialist practitioners indicated that older people with chronic health conditions and frailty might also benefit from use of the HMN app. This feasibility study sought to explore whether older people could use the HMN app and examine their usage. The aim of this feasibility study was to explore whether older people could use HMN and to examine their usage of this application.

Design/methodology/approach

A purposive sample of six individuals (M = 4; F = 2) aged between 65 and 90 years was recruited for the study. Following training, the participants used HMN at home for different purposes over three months. Concurrently, the participants took part in an online interview every three weeks (N = 5 interviews). They also completed the Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) questionnaire during Weeks 1 and 12 and the system usability scale during Week 12 to assess usability of HMN.

Findings

The participants used the HMN app for a range of purposes and indicated that their confidence and skills increased when using HMN. Though the participants reported diverse experiences of using HMN for different purposes, it was clear the majority considered this app helpful in managing daily life and their health conditions; however, they also experienced barriers in its use such as dexterity and visual problems.

Research limitations/implications

This is a small feasibility study that was restricted to older people using the HMN app. Though valuable insights were obtained from the participants, the evidence that older people could use HMN to support their personal activities and to self-manage health conditions remains anecdotal. Further research is therefore warranted following adaptation of HMN for use by older people.

Originality/value

This study indicates that patient self-management apps such as HMN have the potential to enable older adults with long-term health conditions to play an active role in managing their condition.