bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interaction of amisulpride with GLUT1 at the blood-brain barrier. Relevance to Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Boyanova Sevda T. , Lloyd-Morris Ethlyn , Corpe Christopher , Rahman K. Miraz , Farag Doaa B. , Page Lee K. , Wang Hao , Fleckney Alice L. , Gatt Ariana , Troakes Claire , Barrena Gema Vizcay- , Fleck Roland , Reeves Suzanne J. , Thomas Sarah A.
Published: May 2023

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction may be involved in the increased sensitivity of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients to antipsychotics, including amisulpride. Studies indicate that antipsychotics interact with facilitated glucose transporters (GLUT), including GLUT1, and that GLUT1 BBB expression decreases in AD. We tested the hypotheses that amisulpride (charge: +1) interacts with GLUT1, and that BBB transport of amisulpride is compromised in AD.

GLUT1 substrates and inhibitors, and GLUT-interacting antipsychotics were identified by literature review and their physicochemical characteristics summarised. Interactions between amisulpride, and GLUT1 were studied usingin silicoapproaches and the human cerebral endothelial cell line, hCMEC/D3. Brain distribution of [3H]amisulpride was determined usingin situperfusion in wild type (WT) and 5xFamilial AD (5xFAD) mice. With transmission electron microscopy (TEM) we investigated brain capillary degeneration in WT and 5xFAD mice, and human samples. Western blots determined BBB transporter expression in mouse and human.

Literature review revealed that, although D-glucose has no charge, charged molecules can interact with GLUT1. GLUT1 substrates are smaller (184.95±6.45g/mol) than inhibitors (325.50±14.40g/mol), and GLUT-interacting antipsychotics (369.38±16.04). Molecular docking showed beta-D-glucose (free energy binding: –15.39kcal/mol) and amisulpride (–29.04kcal/mol) interact with GLUT1. Amisulpride did not affect [14C]D-glucose accumulation in hCMEC/D3. 5xFAD mice showed increased brain [3H]amisulpride uptake, and no cerebrovascular space changes compared to WT. TEM revealed brain capillary degeneration in human AD. There was no significant effect of AD on mouse GLUT1 and P-gp BBB expression, and in human GLUT1 expression. In contrast, caudate P-glycoprotein expression was decreased in human AD capillaries versus controls.

This study provides new details about the BBB transport of amisulpride, evidence that amisulpride interacts with GLUT1, and that BBB transporter expression is altered in AD. This suggests that antipsychotics exacerbate the cerebral hypometabolism in AD. Further research into the mechanism of amisulpride transport by GLUT1 is important for improving antipsychotics safety.
Transcription factor exchange enables prolonged transcriptional bursts
Authors: Pomp Wim , Meeussen Joseph V.W. , Lenstra Tineke L.
Published: May 2023

Single-molecule imaging inside living cells has revealed that transcription factors (TFs) bind to DNA transiently, but a long-standing question is how this transient binding is related to transcription activation. Here, we devised a microscopy method to simultaneously measure transient TF binding at a single locus and the effect of these binding events on transcription. We show that DNA binding of the yeast TF Gal4 activates transcription of a target gene within a few seconds, with at least∼20% efficiency and with a high initiation rate of∼1 RNA/s. Gal4 DNA dissociation decreases transcription rapidly. Moreover, at a gene with multiple binding sites, individual Gal4 molecules only rarely stay bound throughout the entire burst, but instead frequently exchange during a burst to increase the transcriptional burst duration. Our results suggest a mechanism for enhancer regulation in more complex eukaryotes, where TF cooperativity and exchange enable robust transcription activation.
On the Quina side: A Neanderthal bone industry at Chez-Pinaud site, France
Authors: Baumann Malvina , Plisson Hugues , Maury Serge , Renou Sylvain , Coqueugnio Hélène , Vanderesse Nicolas , Kolobova Ksenyia , Shnaider Svetlana , Rots Veerle , Guérin Guillaume , Rendu William
Published: May 2023

Did Neanderthal produce a bone industry? The recent discovery of a large bone tool assemblage at the Neanderthal site of Chagyrskaya (Altai, Siberia, Russia) and the increasing discoveries of isolated finds of bone tools in various Mousterian sites across Eurasia stimulate the debate. Assuming that the isolate finds may be the tip of the iceberg and that the Siberian occurrence did not result from a local adaptation of easternmost Neanderthals, we looked for evidence of a similar industry in the Western side of their spread area. We assessed the bone tool potential of the Quina bone-bed level currently under excavation at chez Pinaud site (Jonzac, Charente-Maritime, France) and found as many bone tools as flint ones: not only the well-known retouchers but also beveled tools, retouched artifacts and a smooth-ended rib. Their diversity opens a window on a range of activities not expected in a butchering site and not documented by the flint tools, all involved in the carcass processing. The re-use of 20% of the bone blanks, which are mainly from large ungulates among faunal remains largely dominated by reindeer, raises the question of blank procurement and management. From the Altai to the Atlantic shore, through a multitude of sites where only a few objects have been reported so far, evidence of a Neanderthal bone industry is emerging which provides new insights on Middle Paleolithic subsistence strategies.
Chemobiosis reveals tardigrade tun formation is dependent on reversible cysteine oxidation
Authors: Smythers Amanda L , Joseph Kara M , O'Dell Hayden M , Clark Trace A , Crislip Jessica R , Flinn Brendin B , Daughtridge Meredith H , Stair Evan R , Mubarek Saher N , Lewis Hailey C , Kolling Derrick RJ , Hicks Leslie M
Published: May 2023

Tardigrades, commonly known as waterbears, are eight-legged microscopic invertebrates renowned for their ability to withstand extreme stressors, including high osmotic pressure, freezing temperatures, and complete desiccation. Limb retraction and expelling their internal water stores results in the tun state, greatly increasing their ability to survive. Emergence from the tun state and/or activity regain follows stress removal, where resumption of life cycle occurs as if stasis never occurred. However, the mechanism(s) through which tardigrades initiate tun formation is yet to be uncovered. Herein, we use chemobiosis to demonstrate that tardigrade tun formation is mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). We further reveal that tuns are dependent on reversible cysteine oxidation, and that this reversible cysteine oxidation is facilitated by the release of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). We provide the first empirical evidence of chemobiosis and map the initiation and survival of tardigrades via osmobiosis, chemobiosis, and cryobiosis. In vivo electron paramagnetic spectrometry suggests an intracellular release of reactive oxygen species following stress induction; when this release is quenched through the application of exogenous antioxidants, the tardigrades can no longer survive osmotic stress. Together, this work suggests a conserved dependence of reversible cysteine oxidation across distinct tardigrade cryptobioses.
KIS counteracts PTBP2 and regulates alternative exon usage in neurons
Authors: Moreno-Aguilera Marcos , Mendoza Mònica B. , Neher Alba M. , Dodel Martin , Mardakheh Faraz K. , Ortiz Raúl , Gallego Carme
Published: May 2023

Alternative RNA splicing is an essential and dynamic process to control neuronal differentiation and synapse maturation, and dysregulation of this process has been associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies have revealed the importance of RNA-binding proteins in the regulation of neuronal splicing programs. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the control of these splicing regulators are still unclear. Here we show that KIS, a brain-enriched kinase with a domain shared by splicing factors, controls exon usage in differentiated neurons at a genome-wide level. KIS phosphorylates the splicing regulator PTBP2 complex and markedly counteracts its role in exon exclusion. At the molecular level, phosphorylation of unstructured domains within PTBP2 causes its dissociation from key co-regulators and hinders its RNA-binding capacity. Taken together, our data provide new insights into the post-translational control of splicing regulators and uncover an essential role of KIS in setting alternative exon usage in neurons.
Host-aware RNA-based control of synthetic microbial consortia
Authors: Boo Alice , Mehta Harman , Amaro Rodrigo Ledesma , Stan Guy-Bart
Published: May 2023

Microbial consortia have been utilised for centuries to produce fermented foods and have great potential in applications such as therapeutics, biomaterials, fertilisers, and biobased production. Working together, microbes become specialized and perform complex tasks more efficiently, strengthening both cooperation and stability of the microbial community. However, imbalanced proportions of microbial community members can lead to unoptimized and diminished yields in biotechnology. To address this, we developed a burden-aware RNA-based multicellular feedback control system that stabilises and tunes coculture compositions. The system consists of three modules: a quorum sensing-based communication module to provide information about the densities of cocultured strains, an RNA-based comparator module to compare the ratio of densities of both strains to a pre-set desired ratio, and a customisable growth module that relies either on heterologous gene expression or on CRISPRi knockdowns to tune growth rates. We demonstrated that heterologous expression burden could be used to stabilise composition in a two-memberE. colicoculture. This is the first coculture composition controller that does not rely on toxins or syntrophy for growth regulation and uses RNA sequestration to stabilise and control coculture composition. This work provides a fundamental basis to explore burden-aware multicellular feedback control strategies for robust stabilisation of synthetic community compositions.
Antagonism and selective modulation of the human glucocorticoid receptor both reduce recruitment of p300/CBP and the Mediator complex
Authors: Van Moortel Laura , Verhee Annick , Houtman René , Melchers Diana , Delhaye Louis , Thommis Jonathan , Gevaert Kris , Eyckerman Sven , De Bosscher Karolien
Published: May 2023

Exogenous glucocorticoids are frequently used to treat inflammatory disorders and as adjuncts for treatment of solid cancers. However, their use is associated with severe side effects and therapy resistance. Novel glucocorticoid receptor (GR) ligands with a patient-validated reduced side effect profile have not yet reached the clinic. GR is a member of the nuclear receptor family of transcription factors and heavily relies on interactions with coregulator proteins for its transcriptional activity. To elucidate the role of the GR interactome in the differential transcriptional activity of GR following treatment with agonists, antagonists, or lead selective GR agonists and modulators (SEGRAMs), we generated comprehensive interactome maps by high-confidence proximity proteomics in lung epithelial carcinoma cells. We found that the GR antagonist RU486 and the SEGRAM Dagrocorat both reduced GR interaction with CREB-binding protein (CBP)/p300 and the Mediator complex when compared to the full GR agonist Dexamethasone. Our data offer new insights into the role of differential coregulator recruitment in shaping ligand-specific GR-mediated transcriptional responses.

In Brief

Glucocorticoids are commonly prescribed for the treatment of inflammatory disorders but are associated with severe side effects. Novel glucocorticoid receptor (GR) ligands with strong anti-inflammatory effects but reduced side effects are still sought after. Despite decades-long GR research, there is still an incomplete understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving context-specific GR activity. Using proximity labeling proteomics, we identified CREB-binding protein (CBP), p300 and the Mediator complex as potential crucial GR coregulators driving ligand-induced changes in GR’s transcriptional activity.

Highlights

Glucocorticoids (GCs), potent anti-inflammatory agents, can elicit side effects

More selective GCs, causing less side effects, are currently still unavailable

Lack of fundamental insights on context-specific actions of the GC receptor (GR)

We mapped ligand-specific GR interactomes using proximity labeling proteomics

p300/CBP and Mediator undergo ligand-dependent changes in interaction with GR
Inferring multi-locus selection in admixed populations
Authors: Ayala Nicolas M. , Corbett-Detig Russell
Published: May 2023

Admixture, the exchange of genetic information between distinct source populations, is thought to be a major source of adaptive novelty. Unlike mutation events, which periodically generate single alleles, admixture can introduce many selected alleles simultaneously. As such, the effects of linkage between selected alleles may be especially pronounced in admixed populations. However, existing tools for identifying selected mutations within admixed populations only account for selection at a single site, overlooking phenomena such as interference among proximal selected alleles. Here, we develop and extensively validate a method for identifying and quantifying the individual effects of multiple linked selected sites on a chromosome in admixed populations. Our approach numerically calculates the expected local ancestry landscape in an admixed population for a given multi-locus selection model, and then maximizes the likelihood of the model. After applying this method to admixed populations ofDrosophila melanogaster,we found that the impacts between linked sites may be an important contributor to natural selection in admixed populations. Furthermore, for the situations we considered, the selection coefficients and number of selected sites are overestimated in analyses that do not consider the effects of linkage among selected sites. Our results imply that linkage among selected sites may be an important evolutionary force in admixed populations. This tool provides a powerful generalized method to investigate these crucial phenomena in diverse populations.
Robust differential expression testing for single-cell CRISPR screens at low multiplicity of infection
Authors: Barry Timothy , Mason Kaishu , Roeder Kathryn , Katsevich Eugene
Published: May 2023

Single-cell CRISPR screens (perturb-seq) link genetic perturbations to phenotypic changes in individual cells. The most fundamental task in perturb-seq analysis is to test for association between a perturbation and a count outcome, such as gene expression. We conduct the first-ever comprehensive benchmarking study of association testing methods for low multiplicity-of-infection (MOI) perturb-seq data, finding that existing methods produce excess false positives. We conduct an extensive empirical investigation of the data, identifying three core analysis challenges: sparsity, confounding, and model misspecification. Finally, we develop an association testing method — SCEPTRE low-MOI — that resolves these analysis challenges and demonstrates improved calibration and power.
Hierarchical syntax models of music predict theta power during music listening
Authors: Herff Steffen A. , Bonetti Leonardo , Cecchetti Gabriele , Vuust Peter , Kringelbach Morten L. , Rohrmeier Martin A.
Published: May 2023

Linguistic research showed that the depth of syntactic embedding is reflected in brain theta power. Here, we test whether this also extends to non-linguistic stimuli, specifically music. We used a hierarchical model of musical syntax to continuously quantify two types of expert-annotated harmonic dependencies throughout a piece of Western classical music: prolongation and preparation. Prolongations can roughly be understood as a musical analogue to linguistic coordination between constituents that share the same function (e.g., ‘pizza’ and ‘pasta’ in ‘I ate pizza and pasta’). Preparation refers to the dependency between two harmonies whereby the first implies a resolution towards the second (e.g., dominant towards tonic; similar to how the adjective implies the presence of a noun in ‘I like spicy…’). Source reconstructed MEG data of sixty-eight participants listening to the musical piece was then analysed. We used Bayesian Mixed Effects models to predict theta envelope in the brain, using the number of open prolongation and preparation dependencies as predictors whilst controlling for audio envelope. We observed that prolongation and preparation both carry independent and distinguishable predictive value for theta band fluctuation in key linguistic areas such as the Angular, Supramarginal, Superior Temporal and Heschl’s Gyri, or their right-lateralised homologues, with preparation showing additional predictive value for areas associated with the reward system and prediction. Musical expertise further mediated these effects in language-related brain areas. Results show that predictions of precisely formalised music-theoretical models are reflected in the brain activity of listeners.
Mapping nanocrystal orientations via scanning Laue diffraction microscopy for multi-peak Bragg coherent diffraction imaging
Authors: Zhang Yueheng , Porter J. Nicholas , Wilkin Matthew J. , Harder Ross , Cha Wonsuk , Suter Robert M. , Liu He , Schnebly Landon , Sandberg Richard L. , Miller Joshua A. , Tischler Jon , Pateras Anastasios , Rollett Anthony D.
Published: May 2023

The recent commissioning of a movable monochromator at the 34-ID-C endstation of the Advanced Photon Source has vastly simplified the collection of Bragg coherent diffraction imaging (BCDI) data from multiple Bragg peaks of sub-micrometre scale samples. Laue patterns arising from the scattering of a polychromatic beam by arbitrarily oriented nanocrystals permit their crystal orientations to be computed, which are then used for locating and collecting several non-co-linear Bragg reflections. The volumetric six-component strain tensor is then constructed by combining the projected displacement fields that are imaged using each of the measured reflections via iterative phase retrieval algorithms. Complications arise when the sample is heterogeneous in composition and/or when multiple grains of a given lattice structure are simultaneously illuminated by the polychromatic beam. Here, a workflow is established for orienting and mapping nanocrystals on a substrate of a different material using scanning Laue diffraction microscopy. The capabilities of the developed algorithms and procedures with both synthetic and experimental data are demonstrated. The robustness is verified by comparing experimental texture maps obtained with Laue diffraction microscopy at the beamline with maps obtained from electron back-scattering diffraction measurements on the same patch of gold nanocrystals. Such tools provide reliable indexing for both isolated and densely distributed nanocrystals, which are challenging to image in three dimensions with other techniques.
Are intermediate school meals a real contribution to improve a healthy and sustainable diet?
Authors: Melo Rita , Lima João , Baltazar Ana Lúcia , Pinto Ezequiel , Fialho Sónia
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose is to analyse the nutritional adequacy and carbon footprint of intermediated meals provided to preschool children and primary-level students in a Portuguese municipality.

Design/methodology/approach

An observational cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sampling consisting of school snacks from a Portuguese municipality. The nutritional assessment used food labels and a Portuguese food composition table. The literature review for carbon footprint assessment was conducted by searching for the products under analysis or similar ones.

Findings

The results showed that 80% of snacks have a higher energy value than recommended. The majority of options are below recommendations for protein and fat and above recommendations for carbohydrates. The intermediated meals with more dairy products in composition have the highest carbon footprint. The carbon footprint included the packaging of the products, and it wasn't possible to determine the influence of non-food products.

Research limitations/implications

This study has limitations in the fact that we do not know the carbon footprint of Portuguese products and we had to compare them with others, from different countries, with possibly different types of production.

Practical implications

Intermediate meals are inadequate, and the carbon footprint is higher when the intermediated meals include products of animal origin – the reason why the composition of intermediated meals should be redesigned considering the achievement of these targets.

Social implications

The promotion of intermediated meals that promote the Mediterranean eating pattern contributes to health and well-being and is a vehicle for nutrition education and healthy food consumption in schools.

Originality/value

Many studies have been conducted to analyse the carbon footprint and environmental impact of school meals, but commonly lunch is the meal evaluated and the assessment of intermediated meals' impact is an open field.
Predict the priority of end-users’ maintenance requests and the required technical staff through LSTM and Bi-LSTM recurrent neural networks
Authors: D’Orazio Marco , Bernardini Gabriele , Di Giuseppe Elisa
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to develop predictive methods, based on recurrent neural networks, useful to support facility managers in building maintenance tasks, by collecting information coming from a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies data-driven and text-mining approaches to a CMMS data set comprising more than 14,500 end-users’ requests for corrective maintenance actions, collected over 14 months. Unidirectional long short-term memory (LSTM) and bidirectional LSTM (Bi-LSTM) recurrent neural networks are trained to predict the priority of each maintenance request and the related technical staff assignment. The data set is also used to depict an overview of corrective maintenance needs and related performances and to verify the most relevant elements in the building and how the current facility management (FM) relates to the requests.

Findings

The study shows that LSTM and Bi-LSTM recurrent neural networks can properly recognize the words contained in the requests, thus correctly and automatically assigning the priority and predicting the technical staff to assign for each end-user’s maintenance request. The obtained global accuracy is very high, reaching 93.3% for priority identification and 96.7% for technical staff assignment. Results also show the main critical building elements for maintenance requests and the related intervention timings.

Research limitations/implications

This work shows that LSTM and Bi-LSTM recurrent neural networks can automate the assignment process of end-users’ maintenance requests if trained with historical CMMS data. Results are promising; however, the trained LSTM and Bi-LSTM RNN can be applied only to different hospitals adopting similar categorization.

Practical implications

The data-driven and text-mining approaches can be integrated into the CMMS to support corrective maintenance management by facilities management contractors, i.e. to properly and timely identify the actions to be carried out and the technical staff to assign.

Social implications

The improvement of the maintenance of the health-care system is a key component of improving health service delivery. This work shows how to reduce health-care service interruptions due to maintenance needs through machine learning methods.

Originality/value

This study develops original methods and tools easily integrable into IT workflow systems (i.e. CMMS) in the FM field.
How small organisations develop sustainability-oriented strategies: evidence from northwest Himalayas
Authors: Gonibeed Aparna , Kah Sally , Wanjiru Roseline
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Using Gibson and Tarrant's (2010) resilience triangle model, this study explores how small northwest Himalayan organisations respond to contextual challenges and opportunities and embed sustainability strategies in the organisations' operational values.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative exploratory design through individual and group interviews with owner-managers and employees was held in five small northwest Himalayan organisations.

Findings

The findings reveal multiple contextual challenges facing small organisations in northwest Himalayas, including ecological conditions, remoteness, underdeveloped infrastructure and human competencies. The investigated organisations respond to these challenges through reactive and innovation-based services like eco-tourism, conservation and educational initiatives. The organisations engage communities through participatory and educational activities. Owner-managers adjust the respective vision and mission statements, train employees on sustainability values and lobby the government on policy changes to embed sustainability strategies. Some organisations invest in resources and capabilities and others in process capabilities.

Practical implications

Small organisations can improve how the organisations predict contextual issues by developing the organisations' process capabilities, specifically by creating practical tools with parameters relevant to ecological conditions. These organisations can set the tools through participatory actions with the broader communities to ensure the (un)intended consequences of environmental issues are considered. Furthermore, improvements in process and human capabilities will provide new approaches to raising business opportunities, especially in post-pandemic business environments.

Originality/value

This study develops a framework that enhances the understanding of how process capabilities, leadership, people and knowledge capabilities are critical to developing and embedding sustainability strategies in small organisations.
Conducting educational escape rooms during a global pandemic
Authors: Ross Robert , Hall Richard , Ross Sarah
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Escape room-based learning is a new educational game-based learning trend which embeds student learning within an exciting escape room scenario. Ordinarily these educational escape rooms are in a table-top format which involves learners decoding clues together around a table. In the age of a global pandemic [coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)] with stringent social distancing and lock-downs, this normal game modality was not possible and so an alternate online approach was required. Thus, this paper aims to study escape room activities during global pandemics.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors outline how these escape room activities have been taken online, in an synchronous virtual environment and evaluate the student perception of these escape rooms, in contrast to previous cohorts of students who completed escape rooms together in person.

Findings

The authors' results indicate that although students enjoy the escape room game-based learning environment, the remote nature of the activity means the students take longer to solve the puzzles. The students are also more likely to struggle in the activity and find them less engaging than the in-person escape room challenges.

Originality/value

Although educational escape rooms have been devised for a variety of subjects and can be run through several different modalities (table-top, full rooms and online), this study compares different modalities (online vs table-top) for identical puzzles taken over different cohorts of students.
Opaque decision-making in organizations
Authors: Mastrogiorgio Antonio , Lattanzi Nicola
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Many decision rules are rational but opaque, and many others are irrational but transparent. This paper aims to propose a theoretical framework to operationalize opacity in decision-making – the degree to which a decision rule is intelligible to the decision maker.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors operationalize opacity and discuss the implication of opaque decision-making in organizational settings through a typology, where decision rules can be rational or irrational and opaque or transparent.

Findings

The authors show that opacity is asymmetric as different organizational actors possess different degrees of knowledge about how the decision rules work. Organizational actors often opacify the decision rules to increase their power (based on asymmetric knowledge). Opacity also presents a significant impact on organizational accountability, as transparent organizations are more reputable.

Originality/value

This contribution represents the first theoretical and methodological articulation of opacity in decision-making, within a bounded and ecological rationality framework; it also sheds new light on the role of cognitive biases in organizational settings.
Using necessary condition analysis in managerial psychology research: introduction, empirical demonstration and methodological discussion
Authors: Ding Haien , Kuvaas Bård
Published: May 2023

Purpose

In this paper, the authors aim to present a novel methodological tool – necessary condition analysis (NCA) to aid managerial psychology researchers in properly testing necessity statements.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ NCA to analyze whether three basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness are necessary for work engagement.

Findings

The authors illustrate the value and application of NCA by revealing that basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness are necessary for work engagement, as proposed by self-determination theory (SDT).

Originality/value

The authors illustrate the importance of the sufficiency-necessity distinction and the relevance of a necessity logic in managerial psychology. They also discuss NCA's methodological implications for managerial psychology research, theory and practice.
How strategic design abilities address unmet value in service engagement strategies
Authors: Bouman Nijs , Simonse Lianne
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Engaging with customers and addressing unmet value have become increasingly challenging within multi-stakeholder environments of service innovation. Therefore, this paper aims to address this challenge by studying how strategic design abilities address unmet value in service engagement strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a qualitative inductive study at a multinational corporation and interviewed marketing and design professionals on their innovation practices in service engagement strategies.

Findings

From the inductive analysis, this study identified three strategic design abilities that effectively contribute to addressing unmet value throughout the co-evolving process of service engagement: envisioning value, modelling value and engaging value. Based on this, this study proposes the emerging co-evolving loop framework of service engagement strategies.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this emerging theory is a lack of broad generalizability with mutual exclusivity or collective exhaustiveness across industries. A theoretical implication of the framework is the integration of strategic design and services marketing towards co-created engagement strategies.

Practical implications

The service engagement loop framework can be of great value to service innovation processes, for which an integrated, cross-functional approach is often missing.

Social implications

The findings further suggest that next to a methodological skillset, strategic design abilities consist of a distinct mindset.

Originality/value

This paper introduces strategic design abilities to address unmet value and proposes a novel co-evolving loop framework of service engagement strategies.
The objectivity of accounting professionals based in India
Authors: Bailey Cristina , Brody Richard G. , Gupta Gaurav , Nash Jonathan
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the objectivity of accounting professionals based in India.

Design/methodology/approach

To examine the objectivity of accountants based in India, this study performs an experiment using a well-established instrument from prior literature. The authors asked accounting professionals based in India to act as either the seller or buyer in a hypothetical acquisition scenario. Participants were asked to evaluate the obsolescence of an apparel company’s inventory, assessing both the probability of inventory obsolescence and the likelihood they would propose an inventory write-down.

Findings

The results indicate external auditors and tax professionals were able to remain objective, reflected in the consistency of their assessments across the buyer and seller conditions. Internal auditors were less objective, evaluating inventory obsolescence as more likely when their client was considering buying a subsidiary than when their client was considering selling a subsidiary. Internal auditors were also more likely to recommend an inventory write-down adjustment when hired by the buyer than when hired by the seller.

Originality/value

This study informs regulators and accounting professionals. Offshoring has “prompt(ed) questions regarding the factors that affect the quality of work in India” (Dickey et al., 2022, p. 680). While the authors do not prescribe specific actions, this study provides evidence on the decision-making process of accounting professionals based in India that regulators might use to craft policy. Furthermore, this study responds to calls for additional evidence on the decision-making process of accounting professionals based in India (Spilker et al., 2016; Mohapatra et al., 2015), and for evidence on the objectivity of internal auditors (Burt and Libby, 2021; Stewart and Subramaniam, 2010).
Exploring the psychometric properties of the digital citizenship scale among Indian students
Authors: Verma Shivangi , Garg Naval
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Previous studies highlighted a shortage of scale to measure digital citizenship among Indians. Accordingly, this study examined the psychometric properties of Jones and Mitchell’s (2016) digital citizenship scale in the Indian context with the help of two independent studies.

Design/methodology/approach

In the first study, the factorial validity of the scale was determined using the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). In the second study, Cronbach’s alpha (CA) and composite reliability (CR) values checked the internal consistency reliability of the scale. Also, convergent, discriminant and criterion validity were examined.

Findings

EFA recommended a two-factor structure explaining 58.219% of the total variance. The item loadings varied from 0.540 to 0.793. The Indian version of the scale showed one variation. In the original digital citizenship scale, the seventh statement (“I like to present myself online as someone was making positive choices”) was part of factor 1 (online respect); however, this study suggested that the seventh statement should be included in factor 2 (online civic engagement). In the second study, the acceptable (>0.70) values of CA and CR concluded the internal consistency reliability of the scale. The convergent validity was suggested by average variance explained values (>0.50). In addition, as expected, the Indian version of the digital citizenship scale reported a statistically significant positive correlation with Internet self-efficacy and a considerable negative relationship with cyberbullying. These findings concluded the criterion validity of the scale.

Originality/value

The Indian version of the digital citizenship scale showed appreciable psychometric properties among Indian students.
Distance to healthcare facilities, healthcare use and health outcomes: The case of Papua New Guinea
Authors: Mahal Ajay , Mulou Navy , Ishida Marie
Published: May 2023

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has among the worst maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes in the Asia–Pacific region. Improving population access to and use of health services is a key government priority. However, it is unclear from the international evidence whether the observed inverse relationship between distance to health facilities and health outcomes is due to health service use. This article first seeks to estimate the relationship between distance to health facilities, the use of MCH services and health outcomes in PNG. The second goal is to assess whether the observed relationship between distance to health services and health outcomes occurs due to health service use. Cross‐sectional data from the Demographic and Health Survey 2016–18 for PNG were used to estimate the association between distance to health facilities, indicators of health service use and indicators of child health outcomes, using regression methods. Causal mediation methods were used to assess whether the observed associations between health outcomes and distance to health facilities were explained by health service use, or not. We find an inverse association between distance to health facilities and utilisation of MCH services; and between distance to health facilities and child health. However, our analyses do not support causal mediation via impact of distance on health service use. At odds with a large literature that implicitly assumes that health service use improves health outcomes, our findings reflect broader concerns about quality of care in PNG.
Activism online: Exploring how crises are communicated visually in activism campaigns
Authors: Fagerholm Anna‐Sara , Göransson Karina , Thompson Linda , Hedvall Per‐Olof
Published: May 2023

During the past years, activist movements have increasingly turned to social media to raise awareness and critically discuss current development and future scenarios. As a contribution to the discussion of new social movements and activism in the digital age, this study aims to explore and critically discuss how environmental risks and crisis are visually communicated in activism campaigns on Instagram, through a case study on Extinction Rebellion Sweden (XRsv). The study is delimited to the first 334 posts on XRsv's Instagram between November 14, 2018 and March 1, 2020. Methods used are interview and content analysis. In conclusion, XRsv has adopted aspects of design activism including visual tactics of Informing, Activating and Explaining. These three visual aspects are used by XRsv in an online context enabling interactivity and participatory actions, which in turn forms the core of design activism.
Optimal conditions for the production of exopolysaccharide by Pediococcus acidilactici and impact of the bacterium, its EPS and dextran on the quality of Kariesh cheese
Authors: Ghanimah Mohamed , El‐Ghaish Shady , Salah Soha , Swelam Seham
Published: May 2023

The effect of some growth conditions on the production of exopolysaccharide (EPS) by Pediococcus acidilactici was studied. Furthermore, the impact of utilisation of the isolated EPS, dextran and P. acidilactici on some properties of Kariesh cheese was investigated. The maximum EPS production by P. acidilactici was obtained after 10 h of incubation at 37°C in MRS medium with an initial pH of 7. Kariesh cheese manufactured with dextran or P. acidilactici exhibited the highest (P ≤ 0.05) moisture content and the lowest hardness values. Protein, fat, ash, total bacterial and yeast and mould counts were not significantly affected by the applied treatments. However, the body and texture of Kariesh cheese were significantly improved.
Institutional quality, financial development and sustainable economic growth among lower income countries
Authors: Pradhan Rudra P. , Nair Mahendhiran S. , Arvin Mak B. , Hall John H.
Published: May 2023

This article postulates strong endogenous relationships in lower income countries between institutional quality, financial development and sustained economic growth. These associations were investigated using the vector‐error correction model (VECM) and Granger causality method for a sample of 79 countries from 2005 to 2022. The findings show that (1) these variables reinforce each other in the short run. (2) In the long run, both institutional quality and financial development can fuel economic growth. (3) The positive effect of institutional quality on economic growth is greater than that of financial development. Policy implications of these findings are that careful attention should be paid to co‐development policies to enhance the institutional quality and the financial system in these economies. Policies should also consider economic growth strategies to enable sustainable economic growth rates.
The effect of various washing methods on pesticide residues, toxic and essential elements removal in rice
Authors: Alqahtani Dalal , Alnabati Khulood , Al‐Mutairi Mohammed A. , Alajmi Rakan , Alsaleem Taghreed , Almanna Sara , Alowaifeer Abdullah M.
Published: May 2023

This study examined the effects of various treatments on removing pesticide residues and toxic elements in rice. In parallel, nutritional elements, magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and phosphorous (P), were measured to investigate the effect of these washing treatments on the nutritional value of rice. A naturally contaminated rice sample containing five widespread used pesticides (azoxystrobin, buprofezin, carbendazim, and propiconazole) and toxic elements, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and essential elements, was washed using several washing agents, including boiling water, 5% sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), 5% acetic acid (vinegar), 5% citric acid, and 5% sodium chloride (salt). The washing method was chosen based on its availability and widespread usage; soaking for 10 min was assumed to be reasonable. Our results showed that using 5% acetic acid significantly reduced azoxystrobin by 63%, buprofezin by 70%, carbendazim by 75%, and propiconazole by 61%. However, As and Cd were significantly reduced in sodium chloride by 57% and 32%, respectively. Furthermore, a significant reduction in essential nutrient elements was found in Mg (42%), K (37%), and P (23%) when rice was treated with 5% citric acid. Overall, washing agents reduced analytes in the following manners pesticides, toxic elements, and essential elements when using acetic acid, sodium chloride, and citric acid separately.
Familial traits of bipolar disorder: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Scott Katie , Nunes Abraham , Pavlova Barbara , Meier Sandra , Alda Martin
Published: May 2023

Background

Genetic studies of bipolar disorder (BD) have shown varied results, which is in part because of the heterogeneity of the disorder. Identifying clinical phenotypes of BD could reduce variability and benefit research. Since BD has a robust genetic component, studies can investigate clinical traits that cluster in families to identify phenotypes with a probable genetic basis.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of the current literature on familial clinical traits of BD. Text screening and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers, and random effects meta‐analysis was used.

Results

Of 1117 unique records, 16 studies met inclusion criteria. These studies indicated 14 potentially familial traits of BD: age of onset (OR: 4.50; 95% CI: [3.25, 6.22]), bipolar type (OR: 2.05 [1.50, 2.79]), lithium response (OR: 3.71 [1.28, 10.82]), polarity at onset (OR: 1.17 [1.03, 1.34]), psychotic features (OR: 2.20 [1.51, 3.20]), mood‐incongruent psychosis (OR: 2.52 [1.66, 3.83]), puerperal psychosis (OR: 6.54 [2.55, 16.77]), rapid cycling (OR: 4.95 [0.96, 25.40]), suicide attempt (OR: 1.04 [0.65, 1.67]), alcoholism (OR: 1.53 [1.09, 2.16]), obsessive–compulsive disorder (OR: 3.10 [1.31; 7.09]), panic disorder (OR: 2.69 [1.12; 6.48]), social anxiety disorder (OR: 1.00 [0.39, 2.55]), and specific phobia (OR: 1.94 [0.95; 3.96]). For most traits, tests of heterogeneity were significant and publication bias was likely.

Conclusion

The results of our review and meta‐analysis highlight the lack of studies investigating familial clinical traits of BD, despite the need to address heterogeneity. The large degree of variability between studies must be reduced for future research.
Mesenchymal stem cells‐ an excellent therapeutic agent for cancer
Authors: TomyTomcy Anjilikal , Sindhu Edakkadath Raghavan
Published: May 2023

Despite rapid advancement in research of diagnostics and therapeutics, cancer is the most dangerous disease‐causing millions of deaths worldwide. Many of the conventional anticancer therapies can even lead to developing resistance to therapy and recurrence of cancer. To find a new, alternative treatment strategy for a variety of ailments scientists and researchers have turned their attention to cell therapies and regenerative medicine. Stem cells are now being researched for their extensive potential application in therapy for several incurable illnesses including cancer. One of the most often employed cell types for regenerative medicine is mesenchymal stem cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are considered a promising source of stem cells in personalized cell‐based therapies. The inherent tumor tropic and immune‐modulatory properties of MSCs can be used to target cancer cells. This review aims to focus on the anticancer properties of MSCs and their effect on different signaling pathways. Later on, we discuss the advantages of engineered MSCs over non‐engineered MSCsin cancer therapy.
Successful treatment of classic pyoderma gangrenosum with intralesional infliximab injection: A case report
Authors: Ahmadi Kourosh , Aflaki Elham , Akbarzade Jahromi Mojgan , Dastgheib Ladan
Published: May 2023

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare dermatological disease characterized by the rapid development of painful skin ulcers. While systemic infliximab is considered a standard treatment for patients with PG, herein, we report our success with the use of intralesional infliximab in a 40‐year‐old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and PG.
Children as participants in health research in South Africa: A response to Labuschaigne, Mahomed and Dhai
Authors: Donnelly Dusty‐Lee , Thaldar Donrich W
Published: May 2023

A complex network of ethico‐legal rules makes it difficult for health researchers in South Africa to lawfully recruit adolescents to the kinds of sensitive studies where it may be ethically appropriate to proceed without notifying parents or obtaining parental consent. This article responds to a recent proposal to amend the blanket requirement for mandatory parental consent presently contained in section 71 the South African National Health Act 61 of 2003 [NHA]. The proposed amendment is intended to bring the NHA into alignment with South Africa's 2015 Department of Health Guidelines on Ethics in Health Research by permitting greater flexibility for a health research ethics committee to waive parental consent, and permit adolescents to consent independently. A lacuna in this proposal is highlighted with reference to the requirements of South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 [POPIA]: Even if the NHA is amended as proposed, the goal of aligning South African law with prevailing ethics norms in South Africa would not necessarily be attained, as parental consent may still be required by POPIA. This article investigates whether this goal (of aligning the law with ethics) can be attained in a way that is compliant with POPIA. It is concluded that this is indeed possible in a number of ways, and that the best way to attain this goal is by requesting the South African Information Regulator to issue a guidance note to the effect that all health research projects that are approved by institutional health research ethics committees are to be regarded as being in the public interest, which would qualify such health research projects to be exempted from POPIA's consent requirements.