bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The plow technique: An alternative method for the transection of liver parenchyma
Authors: Cotsoglou Christian , Bruno Federica , Lomaglio Laura , Cuttin Maria Serena , Bovo Giorgio , Gjoni Elson , Germini Alessandro , Paleino Sissi , Granieri Stefano
Published: November 2023

Background:

Over the past 30 years, improvements in both technical skills and surgical equipment have been made to guarantee safe and effective liver parenchymal transection. In the present study, we propose a transection method, called “The Plow Technique” based on monopolar spray electrocoagulation in open hepatobiliary surgery.

Methods:

We conducted histological analyses on a cadaveric human liver measuring the diameters of all vascular structures at increasing depths of liver parenchyma. Furthermore, we retrospectively analyzed the data of 60 consecutive patients who underwent major and minor liver resections at our Institution.

Results:

The histological assessment of the distribution of vascular structures at different parenchymal depth points, failed to point out significant differences. Nevertheless, a trend toward an increased proportion of small caliber arterioles and centrilobular venules was found going from the Glissonian capsule to the deepest portion of liver parenchyma. All the hemorrhagic complications in our series were due to large caliber blood vessels spillage from the deeper parenchymal portions.

Conclusion:

The Plow technique may represent a feasible and safe technique for adequate coagulation and sealing of small vessels of the first 3 cm of the anterior surface of the liver. Besides its safety and effectiveness, it may help in speeding up parenchymal transection.
Survival benefit of liver resection following complete response to transarterial chemoembolization for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective, multicenter, cohort study
Authors: Hu Zili , Wang Xiaohui , Fu Yizhen , Yang Dinghua , Zhou Zhongguo , Chen Minshan , Song Xin , Zhang Yaojun
Published: November 2023

Background:

High rate of tumor recurrence jeopardized the long-term survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with complete response to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). This study aims to evaluate the survival benefit of liver resection (LR) following the complete response to TACE for intermediate-stage HCC.

Methods:

A total of 281 intermediate-stage HCC patients with complete response to TACE followed by persistent observation (TACE group) or LR (TLR group) from January 01, 2011 to December 31, 2021 from three institutions in China were included. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of patients were compared between the two groups by propensity score–matching (PSM).

Results:

After PSM, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 91.4%, 71.5%, and 57.1% in the TACE group, and 96.6%, 81.8%, and 72.1% in the TLR group. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year DFS rates were 50.6%, 22.6%, and 6.8% in the TACE group, and 77.3%, 56.3%, and 38.7% in the TLR group. Compared with the TACE group, the TLR group showed significantly longer OS (HR, 0.528; 95%CI, 0.315–0.887; P=0.014) and DFS (HR, 0.388; 95%CI, 0.260–0.580; P<0.001). In patients beyond up-to-7 criterion, no difference was observed with OS (HR, 0.708; 95% CI, 0.354–1.419; P=0.329). LR following the complete response to TACE was safety.

Conclusions:

This study suggests that intermediate-stage HCC patients could benefit from LR following the complete response to TACE, resulting in longer OS and DFS. In addition, patients beyond up-to-7 could not benefit from the LR treatments.
Exploring the activity and the essentiality of the putative Δ6-desaturase in the procyclic and bloodstream forms ofTrypanosoma brucei
Authors: Cerone Michela , Smith Terry K
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Trypanosomatids have been shown to possess an exclusive and finely regulated biosynthetic pathway forde novosynthesis of fatty acids (FAs) and particularly of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The key enzymes for the process of unsaturation are known as desaturases. In this work, we explored the biocatalytic activity of the putative Δ6-desaturase (Tb11.v5.0580) in the native organismT. brucei. Utilising fatty acid analysisviaGC-MS, we were able to elucidateviagenetic manipulation of the level of expression of Δ6-desaturases in both procyclic (PCF) and bloodstream (BSF) forms ofT. bruceiandviasupplementation of the media with various levels of FA sources, that docosahexaenoic acid (22:6) and/or docosapentaenoic acid (22:5), and arachidonic acid (20:4) and/or docosatetraenoic acid (22:4) are the products and the substrates respectively of this Δ6-desaturases. Interestingly, we were able to observe,vialipidomic analysis with ESI-MS/MS, an increase in inositol-phosphoryl ceramide (IPC) in response to the overexpression of Δ6-desaturases in low-fat media, both in PCF and rather surprisingly in BSF. The formation of IPC is normally only observed in the stumpy and procyclic forms ofT. brucei. Therefore, the expression levels of Δ6-desaturases, which varies between BSF and PCF, might be involved in the cascade(s) of metabolic events that cause these remodelling of the lipid pools and ultimately morphological changes, which are key to the transition between these life-cycle stages.

Author summary

Trypanosoma bruceiis a unicellular parasite that causes human and animal African trypanosomiasis. These parasites have the special ability to make their own pool of fat molecules by assembling and modifying the fatty acid building blocks that they take up from the human and animal hosts and from the insect vector. In this study, we investigated the unknown activity of a desaturase enzyme. By modulating its activity, we showed that it can make different levels of high-value long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) often known as omega-6 and omega-3. If we increase or reduce the fat sources available from the outer environment, the cells respond by making more or less LC-PUFAs and by forming different type of lipids and sphingolipids for their cellular membranes. We highlighted that by tuning the level of activity of the desaturase and varying the type and amounts of fat sources available to the cells,T. bruceican alter their morphology. This is key for the parasites to adapt to the various environments and the nutrients therein that are often constantly changing within the host, allowing the shift between different life-stages during the complex life cycle from the insect vector to the host and back.
The endogenousMtv8locus and the immunoglobulin repertoire
Authors: Beilinson Helen A. , Erickson Steven A. , Golovkina Tatyana
Published: November 2023

The vast diversity of mammalian adaptive antigen receptors allows for robust and efficient immune responses against a wide number of pathogens. The antigen receptor repertoire is built during the recombination and hypermutation of B and T cell receptor (BCR, TCR) loci. V(D)J recombination rearranges these antigen receptor loci, which are organized as an array of separate V, (D), and J gene segments. Transcription activation at the recombining locus leads to changes in the local three-dimensional architecture, which subsequently contributes to which gene segments are utilized for recombination. The endogenous retrovirus (ERV) mouse mammary tumor provirus 8 (Mtv8) resides on mouse chromosome 6 interposed within the large array of light chain kappa V gene segments. As ERVs contribute to changes in genomic architecture by driving high levels of transcription of neighboring genes, it was suggested thatMtv8could influence the BCR repertoire. We generatedMtv8-deficient mice to determine if the ERV influences V(D)J recombination to test this possibility. We find thatMtv8does not influence the BCR repertoire.
Canonical and noncanonical contribution of thyroid hormone receptor isoforms alpha and beta to cardiac hypertrophy and heart rate in male mice
Authors: Geist Daniela , Hönes G. Sebastian , Grund Susanne C. , Pape Janina , Siemes Devon , Spangenberg Philippa , Tolstik Elen , Dörr Stefanie , Spielmann Nadine , Fuchs Helmut , Gailus-Durner Valerie , Hrabe de Angelis Martin , Mittag Jens , Engel Daniel R. , Führer Dagmar , Lorenz Kristina , Moeller Lars C.
Published: November 2023

Background

Stimulation of ventricular hypertrophy and heart rate are two major cardiac effects of thyroid hormone (TH). Aim of this study was to determinein vivowhich TH receptor (TR), α or β, and which mode of TR action, canonical gene expression or DNA-binding independent noncanonical action, mediate these effects.

Material and methods

We compared global TRα and TRβ knockout mice (TRαKO; TRβKO) with WT mice to determine the TR isoform responsible for T3 effects. The relevance of TR DNA- binding was studied in mice with a mutation in the DNA-binding domain that selectively abrogates DNA binding and canonical TR action (TRαGS; TRβGS). Hearts were studied with echocardiography at baseline and after seven weeks T3-treatment. Gene expression was measured with real-time PCR. Heart rate was recorded with radiotelemetry transmitters for seven weeks in untreated, hypothyroid and T3-treated mice.

Results

T3 induced ventricular hypertrophy in WT and TRβKOmice, but not in TRαKOmice. Hypertrophy was also induced in TRαGSmice. Thus, hypertrophy is mostly mediated by noncanonical TRα action. Similarly, repression ofMhy7occurred in WT and TRαGSmice. Basal heart rate was largely dependent on canonical TRα action. But responsiveness to hypothyroidism and T3-treatment as well as expression of pacemaker geneHcn2were still preserved in TRαKOmice, demonstrating that TRβ could compensate for absence of TRα.

Conclusion

T3-induced cardiac hypertrophy could be attributed to noncanonical TRα action, whereas heart rate regulation was mediated by canonical TRα action. TRβ could substitute for canonical, but not noncanonical TRα action.
CryoET reveals actin filaments within platelet microtubules
Authors: Tsuji Chisato , Bradshaw Marston , Allen Megan , Jackson Molly L. , Mantell Judith , Borucu Ufuk , Poole Alastair W. , Verkade Paul , Hers Ingeborg , Paul Danielle M. , Dodding Mark P.
Published: November 2023

Crosstalk between the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons is essential for many cellular processes. Recent studies have shown that microtubules and F-actin can assemble to form a composite structure where F-actin occupies the microtubule lumen. Whether these cytoskeletal hybrids exist in physiological settings and how they are formed is unclear. Here, we show that the short-crossover Class I actin filament previously identified inside microtubules in human HAP1 cells is cofilin-bound F-actin. Lumenal F-actin can be reconstitutedin vitro, but cofilin is not essential. Moreover, actin filaments with both cofilin-bound and canonical morphologies reside within human platelet microtubules under physiological conditions. We propose that stress placed upon the microtubule network during motor-driven microtubule looping and sliding may facilitate the incorporation of actin into microtubules.
TRPS1 maintains luminal progenitors in the mammary gland by repressing SRF/MRTF activity
Authors: Tollot-Wegner Marie , Jessen Marco , Kim KyungMok , Sanz-Moreno Adrián , Spielmann Nadine , Gailus-Durner Valerie , Fuchs Helmut , de Angelis Martin Hrabe , von Eyss Björn
Published: November 2023

The transcription factor TRPS1 is a context-dependent oncogene in breast cancer [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]. In the mammary gland, TRPS1 activity is restricted to the luminal population and is critical during puberty and pregnancy [2]. Its function in the resting state remains however unclear. To evaluate whether it could be a target for cancer therapy, we investigated TRPS1 function in the healthy adult mammary gland using a conditional ubiquitous depletion mouse model where long-term depletion does not affect fitness. We show that TRPS1 activity is essential to maintain a functional luminal progenitor compartment. This requires the repression of both YAP/TAZ and SRF/MRTF activities, TRPS1 represses SRF/MRTF activity indirectly by modulating RhoA activity. Our work uncovers a hitherto undisclosed function of TRPS1 in luminal progenitors intrinsically linked to mechanotransduction in the mammary gland. It also provides new insights into the oncogenic functions of TRPS1 as luminal progenitors are likely the cells of origin of many breast cancers.

Significance statement

The transcription factor TRPS1 is a context-dependent oncogene in breast cancer. It is unclear how TRPS1 contributes to cancer development and whether it could be a target for therapy. Here we established a mouse model mimicking the systemic effect of TRPS1 drug targeting. With this model, we can show that TRPS1 depletion does not impact the fitness of the animals and that the role of TRPS1 is to maintain a functional luminal progenitor pool in the mammary gland. Mechanistically, TRPS1 represses a mechano-transduction program preventing their commitment to an alveolar fate. Because there is growing evidence that breast cancer originates from the expansion of altered luminal progenitors, our work provides valuable insights into the understanding of breast cancer initiation.
Chaperone-mediated autophagy is an overlooked pathway for mutant α1-antitrypsin Z degradation
Authors: Lin Jiayu , Lu Haorui , Wei Xinyue , Dai Yan , Wu Rihan , Yang Hao , Rao Lang
Published: November 2023

Chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) is a specific form of autophagy that selectively targets proteins containing a KFERQ-like motif and relies on the chaperone protein HSC70 for substrate recognition. In α1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), a disease characterized by the hepatic build-up of α1-Antitrypsin Z mutant (ATZ), CMA’s role had been unclear. This work demonstrates the critical role that CMA plays in preventing ATZ accumulation; suppressing CMA worsens ATZ accumulation, whilst activating it through chemical stimulation or LAMP2A overexpression promotes ATZ breakdown. Specifically, ATZ’s 121QELLR125 motif is critical for HSC70 recognition and LAMP2A’s charged C-terminal cytoplasmic tail is vital for substrate binding, facilitating CMA-mediated degradation of ATZ. This selective activation of CMA operates independently from other autophagy pathways and alleviate ATZ aggregates caused cellular stress. These findings highlight CMA’s critical function in cellular protein quality control of ATZ and place it as a novel target for AATD treatment approaches.
Efficient scar-free knock-ins of several kilobases by engineered CRISPR/Cas endonucleases
Authors: Schreiber Tom , Prange Anja , Schäfer Petra , Iwen Thomas , Grützner Ramona , Marillonnet Sylvestre , Tissier Alain
Published: November 2023

In plants and mammals, non-homologous end-joining is the dominant pathway to repair DNA double strand breaks, making it challenging to generate knock-in events. Using a transient assay inNicotiana benthamianawe identified two groups of exonucleases, respectively from the Herpes Virus and from the bacteriophage T7 families, hat confer up to 38-fold increase in HDR frequencies when fused to Cas9. We achieved precise and scar-free insertion of several kilobases of DNA both in transient and stable transformation systems. InArabidopsis thaliana, fusion of Cas9 to a Herpes Virus family exonuclease leads to 10-fold higher frequencies of knock-ins. Our results open perspectives for the routine production of knock-in and gene replacement events in plants.

One-Sentence Summary

Fusions of CRISPR endonucleases to specific 5′-exonucleases leads to significant increase in scar-free multikilobase knock-ins.
CRISPR/Cas9-induced double-strand breaks in huntingtin locus lead to CAG repeat contraction through the extensive DNA end resection and homology-mediated repair
Authors: Sledzinski Pawel , Nowaczyk Mateusz , Karwacka Marianna , Olejniczak Marta
Published: November 2023

Expansion of the CAG/CTG repeats in functionally unrelated genes is a causative factor in many inherited neurodegenerative disorders, including Huntington’s disease (HD), spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) and myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Despite many years of research, the mechanism responsible for repeat instability is unknown, and recent findings indicate the key role of DNA repair in this process. The repair of DSBs induced by genome editing tools results in the shortening of long CAG repeats in yeast models. Understanding this mechanism is the first step to developing a therapeutic strategy based on controlled shortening of repeats. The aim of this study was to characterize Cas9-induced DSB repair products in the endogenousHTTlocus in human cells and to identify factors affecting the formation of specific types of sequences. The location of the cleavage site and the surrounding sequence influence the outcome of DNA repair. DSBs within CAG repeats result in shortening of the repeats in frame in ∼90% of products. The mechanism of this contraction involves MRE11-CTIP and RAD51 activity and extensive DNA end resection reaching ∼5000 bp. We demonstrated that a DSB located upstream of CAG repeats induces polymerase theta-mediated end joining, resulting in deletion of the entire CAG tract. Furthermore, using unbiased proteomic analysis, we identified novel factors that may be involved in CAG sequence repair.

Graphical abstract

DNA double-strand break repair in the CAG repeat locus engages numerous factors from various repair pathways and depends mainly on DNA end resection, leading to tract shortening.
Running to remember: The effects of exercise on perineuronal nets, microglia, and hippocampal angiogenesis in female and male mice
Authors: Maheu Madeleine G. , James Noah , Clark Zach , Yang Alex , Patel Ridhi , Beaudette Shawn M. , MacPherson Rebecca E.K. , Duarte-Guterman Paula
Published: November 2023

Exercise is accepted as a positive health behaviour; however, the mechanisms of exercise on neuroprotection and cognitive health are not completely understood. The purpose of this study was to explore the neurobiological benefits of chronic treadmill exercise in female and male mice through its role in microglial content and morphology, cerebral vascularization, and perineuronal net (PNN) expression. We further examined how these neurobiological changes relate to spatial memory outcomes. Adult mice were assigned to a sedentary or treadmill exercise group for eight weeks. During the final week, all mice were trained on a spatial memory task (Barnes maze) and brains were collected for immunohistochemistry. Exercised mice made fewer errors than sedentary mice during the first two days of training and probe trial. Females, regardless of exercise training, made fewer errors during Barnes maze training and demonstrated a greater frequency of spatial strategy use compared to males. Exercised mice, regardless of sex, had fewer PNNs in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus compared to sedentary controls. The number of PNNs in the dorsal dentate gyrus was positively correlated with total errors during training. During the probe, greater errors correlated with more PNNs among the exercised group only. Microglia count and cerebral vascularization were not affected by exercise, although proportions of microglia type (ameboid, stout/thick, and thick/thin) were regulated by exercise in the ventral dentate gyrus. We conclude that exercise decreases PNNs in the dentate gyrus in both sexes and this may be related to better spatial learning and memory.
Energy Landscape near Glioma Decipher the Role of Glioma Stem Cells within Glioma Hierarchy
Authors: Yao Mengchao , Su Yang , Xiong Ruiqi , Zhang Xile , Zhu Xiao-Mei , Chen Yong-Cong , Ao Ping
Published: November 2023

Glioma stem cells (GSCs) have been recognized as key players in glioma recurrence and therapeutic resistance, presenting a promising target for novel treatments. However, the limited understanding of the role GSCs play in the glioma hierarchy has drawn controversy and hindered research translation into therapies. Despite significant advances in our understanding of gene regulatory networks, the dynamics of these networks and their implications for glioma remain elusive. This study employs a systemic theoretical perspective to integrate empirical knowledge into a core endogenous network model for glioma, thereby elucidating its energy landscape through network dynamics computation. The model identifies two stable states corresponding to astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma, connected by a transitional state associated with GSCs, indicating the instability of GSCsin vivoand providing negative proof of their role as the cellular origin for glioma. We also obtained various stable states further indicative of glioma’s multicellular origins and uncovered a group of transition states that could potentially induce tumor heterogeneity and therapeutic resistance. This research proposes that the transitional states linking both glioma stable states are central to glioma heterogeneity and therapy resistance, suggesting a combination of apoptosis-inducing and differentiation-promoting therapies as a potential strategy. Our approach holds promise for advancing glioma therapy by providing a new lens through which to view the complex landscape of glioma biology.
The identification of extensive samples of motor units in human muscles reveals diverse effects of neuromodulatory inputs on the rate coding
Authors: Avrillon Simon , Hug François , Enoka Roger , Caillet Arnault H. , Farina Dario
Published: November 2023

Movements are performed by motoneurons transforming synaptic inputs into an activation signal that controls muscle force. The control signal emerges from interactions between ionotropic and neuromodulatory inputs to motoneurons. Critically, these interactions vary across motoneuron pools and differ between muscles. To provide the most comprehensive framework to date of motor unit activity during isometric contractions, we identified the firing activity of extensive samples of motor units in the Tibialis Anterior (129±44 per participant; n=8) and the Vastus Lateralis (130±63 per participant; n=8) muscles during isometric contractions of up to 80% of maximal force. From this unique dataset, the rate coding of each motor unit was characterised as the relation between its instantaneous firing rate and the applied force, with the assumption that the linear increase in isometric force reflects a proportional increase in the net synaptic excitatory inputs received by the motoneuron. This relation was characterised with a natural logarithm function that comprised two stages. The initial stage was marked by a steep acceleration of firing rate, which was greater for low- than medium- and high-threshold motor units. The second stage comprised a linear increase in firing rate, which was greater for high- than medium- and low-threshold motor units. Changes in firing rate were largely non-linear during the ramp-up and ramp-down phases of the task, but with significant prolonged firing activity only evident for medium-threshold motor units. Contrary to what is usually assumed, our results demonstrate that the firing rate of each motor unit can follow a large variety of trends with force across the pool. From a neural control perspective, these findings indicate how motor unit pools use gain control to transform inputs with limited bandwidths into an intended muscle force.
The Dynamics of Context-Dependent Space Representations in Auditory Cortex
Authors: Myoga Michael H. , Amaro Diana , Kello Valerija , Gumbert Matthias , Leibold Christian , Pecka Michael , Grothe Benedikt
Published: November 2023

Auditory space is not mapped onto the receptor surface in the inner ear but results from complex neuronal computations by our brain. However, there is no consensus about the resulting neuronal representation of space in auditory cortex (AC) owing to contradicting reports: While many studies found a tuning preference for sound source positions in the contralateral hemisphere, others have observed an additional population of cells tuned to midline positions or even context-dependent dynamic changes in the tuning of individual cells. A fundamental difference across studies was the animals’ brain state, which might affect AC processing and thus the apparent nature of its spatial code. Yet no study to date investigated spatial tuning of identified AC neurons across brain states. Here, we employed longitudinal two-photon calcium imaging in the AC of mice under distinct states of wakefulness: anesthetized, idle awake, and during involvement in a go/no-go localization task. We find that previously reported differences in coding regimes are directly linked to wakefulness: A strong contralateral tuning bias is present under anesthesia, while pronounced and stable mid-line tuning appeared in awake but idle animals. Intriguingly, in localizing mice, tuning was different again with a large proportion of AC neurons responding to the position of the currently relevant sound-source. These population regimes remained stable across imaging sessions despite the spatial tuning of individual neurons being highly variable. Our findings resolve apparent contradictions in the literature and thus give a dynamical explanation for the multiple space representations in the AC.
COVID-19, destination image, and destination visit intention: unpacking the impacts of familiarity, generation, and gender amidst COVID-19
Authors: Hamdy Ahmed , Eid Riyad
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the moderating roles of familiarity, generation and gender on the impacts of coronavirus fear-uncertainty on the destination image and visiting intentions post-COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper seeks to provide evidence for a research conclusion by conducting a survey of 431 potential travelers of various nationalities who visited Egypt. The data were examined using structural equation modeling with a multigroup analysis and PROCESS MACRO.

Findings

The findings indicated that the links between coronavirus fear-uncertainty, the destination image and intention to visit were significantly different from one gender and generation group to another. Moreover, it showed that destination familiarity moderates the negative effects of coronavirus fear-uncertainty on the destination image and intention to visit.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to explore the moderating role of destination familiarity, generation and gender in the effects post-COVID-19 of coronavirus fear-uncertainty on the destination image and travelers’ intention to visit using generational cohort theory and gender schema theory.
Transcendence beyond sport: examining the dynamic power of sport human brand on national pride
Authors: Gulavani Susmit S. , Du James , James Jeffrey D.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Drawing upon social judgment theory, the research examines whether changes in psychological involvement with a sport human brand owing to their sporting success can generate spillover effects on people's national pride, a proxy for the collective level of well-being and whether the individual's behavioral engagement in sport spectating will moderate this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Leveraging a quasi-natural experiment grounded in the 2021 Indian Premier League championship, the authors solicit responses from 296 representative individuals residing in India twice using a two-wave panel design. The authors conducted confirmatory factor analysis, repeated measures T-test, latent change score analysis, and structural regression analysis to examine the relationship between psychological involvement with sport human brand and national pride.

Findings

The results demonstrate a positive association between psychological involvement with sport human brand and national pride. Further, the findings indicate that an increase in psychological involvement with sport human brand was associated with an increase in national pride due to the successful athletic endeavor involving the sport human brand. However, the relationship between psychological involvement with sport human brand and national pride was invariant irrespective of patrons' spectatorship behavior.

Originality/value

This research demonstrates that sport human brands possess transformative soft power that extends their prerogative cultural identity personified by their athletic ability and success, allowing them to shape public sentiments of national pride via their profound influence through and beyond the complex network of brand ecosystems.
Preventive conservation: environmentally friendly sustainable current practices in Asian libraries
Authors: Rachman Yeni Budi , Ratnasari Wiwit , Tambunan Shuri Mariasih Gietty
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aims to identify current practices of environmentally friendly sustainable preventive conservation in Asian libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a predominantly quantitative survey for data collection with a combination of open and closed questions. From 237 survey links sent, 22 responses were received from libraries in 16 Asian countries.

Findings

This study uncovers current practices in four areas of environmentally sustainable preventive conservation in Asia: collection preservation, environmental monitoring and management, integrated pest management, and collections care and handling. Challenges to implementing sustainable preventive conservation were also revealed.

Research limitations/implications

The response rate was relatively low, and responses were not received from all countries in Asia. As such, while the study provides a starting point for further research, it cannot be assumed that the findings are representative of Asian libraries in general. In addition, some aspects of preventive conservation (for example, disaster preparedness, exhibition) and library preservation management were excluded from the study, and research on these topics, together with environmental and economic factors, is encouraged, along with qualitative research methods.

Practical implications

This study highlights the environmentally friendly sustainable initiatives that libraries employ in their preservation programmes and increases awareness of challenges to implementing those initiatives.

Originality/value

To date there has been little research on environmentally sustainable preventive conservation practices within Asia's libraries. This study therefore makes a valuable contribution to understanding current practices of preventive conservation in Asia.
Leading well and staying psychologically healthy: the role of resources and constraints for managers in the healthcare sector
Authors: Gilbert Marie-Hélène , Dextras-Gauthier Julie , Boulet Maude , Auclair Isabelle , Dima Justine , Boucher Frédéric
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Maintaining a healthy and productive workforce is a challenge for most organizations. This is even truer for health organization, facing staff shortages and work overload. The aim of this study is to identify the resources and constraints that influence managers' mental health and better understand how they are affected by them.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach was chosen to document the resources, the constraints as well as their consequences on managers in their day-to-day realities. The sample included executive-, intermediate- and first-level managers from a Canadian healthcare facility. A total of 62 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The coding process was based on the IGLOO model of Nielsen et al. (2018) to which an employee-related level was added (IGELOO).

Findings

Results highlight the importance of considering both resources as well as constraints in examining managers' mental health. Overarching context, organizational constraints and the management of difficult employees played important roles in the stress experienced by managers.

Practical implications

The results offer a better understanding of the importance of intervening at different levels to promote better organizational health. Results also highlight the importance of setting up organizational resources and act on the various constraints to reduce them. Different individual strategies used by managers to deal with the various constraints and maintain their mental health also emerge from those results.

Originality/value

In addition to addressing the reality of healthcare managers, this study supplements a theoretical model and suggests avenues for interventions promoting more sustainable organizational health.
Why can’t we be friends? Bridging the academic/practitioner gap in social marketing
Authors: Foote Liz , Sherring Phill , Rundle-Thiele Sharyn
Published: November 2023

Purpose

In this paper we (a pracademic, a practitioner, and an academic) aim to explore the academic/practitioner gap in social marketing and offer recommendations to close it, while amplifying existing examples of best practice from within the field. We also propose a research agenda to spur dialog and guide further investigations in this area. Insights from prior research, coupled with the co-authors’ experience and observations, indicate that a disconnect does exist between academia and practice within social marketing, though it is admittedly and unsurprisingly not uniform across contexts and disciplinary areas. Given social marketing’s identity as a practice-oriented field, there are many existing examples of academic/practitioner collaboration and the successful linkage of theory and practice that deserve to be amplified. However, the challenges associated with the very different systems and structures affecting both worlds mean the disconnect is problematic enough to warrant systematic change to ensure the two worlds are more aligned.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper (a pracademic, a practitioner and an academic) explores the academic/practitioner gap in social marketing and offer recommendations to close it, while amplifying existing examples of best practice from within the field. The authors also propose a research agenda to spur dialog and guide further investigations in this area.

Findings

The authors suggest five key reasons that focus should be placed upon closing the academic/practitioner gap in social marketing: demonstrating societal value by contributing to practice; embedding and developing theories in practice; adding to the social marketing literature; contributing to social marketing teaching; and communicating the value and effectiveness of social marketing. To close the gap, the authors propose specific recommendations within four broad areas: marketing the academia and practitioner collaboration offer; building ongoing relationships; creating collaborative partnerships; and changing the publishing model ensuring communications are accessible to all. They also suggest ways for social marketing associations and peak bodies to play a role.

Originality/value

The concept of a disconnect between academia and practice is by no means new; it has been a pervasive issue across disciplines for decades. However, this issue has not been the subject of much discussion within the social marketing literature. Recommendations outlined in this paper serve as a starting point for discussion. The authors also acknowledge that due to long standing “bright spots” in the field, numerous examples currently exist. They place an emphasis upon highlighting these examples while illuminating a path forward.
How do transport companies execute strategies in a volatile environment? A qualitative inquiry
Authors: Ssekiziyivu Bob , Bagire Vincent , Ngoma Muhammed , Nkurunziza Gideon , Abaho Ernest , Hassan Bashir
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore how transport companies in Uganda execute strategies in a turbulent business environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted an exploratory qualitative methodology using the data collected through an open-ended instrument. Utilizing the qualitative data analysis software QSR NVivo9, the data were analyzed following the Gioia's methodology. Verbatim texts were used to explain the emergent themes.

Findings

The study's findings show that to successfully execute strategies, companies in Uganda communicate, coordinate and put control systems in their operations. The activities undertaken include customer care, timely settlement of complaints, comfortable seats, playing local music, partnerships with reliable fuel stations, setting up strategic offices, cost management, use of experienced drivers, sub-renting vehicles and inspections.

Originality/value

The study produces a pioneering result of how transport companies execute strategies in a turbulent business environment, an aspect that has not been adequately highlighted in previous studies.
Bots for mental health: the boundaries of human and technology agencies for enabling mental well-being within organizations
Authors: Dutta Debolina , Mishra Sushanta Kumar
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The importance of mental wellbeing and the need for organizations to address it is increasing in the post-pandemic context. Although Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly being adopted in HRM functions, its adoption and utility for enabling mental wellbeing is limited. Building on the Open System Theory (OST) and adopting the technology-in-practice lens, the authors examined the roles of human and technology agencies in enabling mental wellbeing.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted in two stages; in Stage 1, the authors adopted a case methodology approach to examine the feasibility of a technology company's offerings to assess mental wellbeing. In Stage 2, the authors followed the grounded theory approach and interviewed 22 key stakeholders and HR leaders of diverse organizations. The authors used Gioia's approach to analyze the data.

Findings

The study demonstrates the interdependence and inseparability of human activity, technological capability and structured context. Specifically, the authors observe that AI adoption is pushing the boundaries of how organizations could support employees' mental health and wellbeing. These technological advancements and adoption are likely to facilitate the evolution of agentic practices, routines and structures.

Research limitations/implications

This study carries two important implications. While the advent of cutting-edge technologies appears to affect employees' mental wellbeing, the study findings indicate the assistive role of technology in supporting mental wellbeing and facilitating changes in organizational practices. Second, the ontology of technology-in-practice shows how human–machine agencies gain newer relevance from the interactions that unite them. Specifically, per OST, technology (from an external context) can potentially change how mental wellbeing practices in organizations are managed. The authors extend the existing literature by suggesting that both human agents and internal contexts effectively limit the potential of technology agents to change existing structures significantly.

Originality/value

The authors address the need for more research on the technology-management interface, and the boundaries of technology-enabled wellbeing at work. While AI-HRM scholarship has primarily relied on micro-level psychological theories to examine impact and outcomes, the authors borrow from the macro-level theories, such as the OST and the technology-in-practice to explain how AI is shifting the boundaries of human and machine agencies for enabling mental wellbeing.
Addressing structural mentoring barriers in postdoctoral training: a qualitative study
Authors: Lambert W. Marcus , Nana Nanda , Afonja Suwaiba , Saeed Ahsan , Amado Avelino C. , Golightly Linnie M.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Structural mentoring barriers are policies, practices and cultural norms that collectively disadvantage marginalized groups and perpetuate disparities in mentoring. This study aims to better understand structural mentoring barriers at the postdoctoral training stage, which has a direct impact on faculty diversity and national efforts to retain underrepresented groups in research careers.

Design/methodology/approach

A diverse sample of postdoctoral scholars (“postdocs”) from across the USA were asked to participate in focus groups to discuss their training experiences. The authors conducted five 90-min focus groups with 32 biomedical postdocs, including 20 (63%) women and 15 (47%) individuals from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups (URG).

Findings

A social-ecological framework was used to categorize both the upstream and downstream manifestations of structural mentoring barriers, as well as mentoring barriers, overall. Notable structural barriers included: academic politics and scientific hierarchy; inequalities resulting from mentor prestige; the (over) reliance on one mentor; the lack of formal training for academic and non-academic careers; and the lack of institutional diversity and institutional mentor training. To overcome these barriers, postdocs strongly encouraged developing a network or team of mentors and recommended institutional interventions that create more comprehensive professional development, mentorship and belonging.

Originality/value

For postdoctoral scientists, structural mentoring barriers can permeate down to institutional, interpersonal and individual levels, impeding a successful transition to an independent research career. This work provides strong evidence for promoting mentorship networks and cultivating a “mentoring milieu” that fosters a supportive community and a strong culture of mentorship at all levels.
International students’ experiences in graduate programs during COVID-19 and recent sociopolitical climate in the USA
Authors: Aggarwal Pankhuri , Szkody Erica , Kapoulea Eleni , Daniel Katharine , Bootes Kirsten , Boland Jennifer , Washburn Jason , Peterman Amy
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the unique lived experiences of international graduate students in light of COVID-19 and the recent sociopolitical climate in the USA (e.g. Black Lives Matter movement, protests against anti-Asian hate crimes and gun violence).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used an exploratory qualitative design embedded within a constructivist/interpretivist paradigm. A total of 31 international health service psychology graduate students completed an online survey, 17 of whom participated in a 60-min one-on-one semi-structured interview.

Findings

Participants reported facing a range of difficulties (e.g. travel ban/inability to spend time with family, visa-related concerns, racism, decreased support) during the global pandemic and the recent sociopolitical climate in the USA. A total of 48 themes were identified and organized into six domains: COVID-19-related stress and worry, experiences of racism/discrimination, coping mechanisms, support received, recommendations for programs and higher learning institutions and advice for other international graduate students.

Originality/value

The recent sociopolitical climate in the US exacerbated some of the preexisting inequities for international graduate students due to their international student status and the global pandemic. Although few in number, students also spoke about some positive changes as a result of these major historical and political events. Implications for graduate education, clinical practice and policymaking are discussed.
Enhancing customer engagement through source appearance and self-influencer congruence in mobile advertising
Authors: Talha Muhammad , Tahir Zonaib , Mehroush Iqra
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study is to assess the mediating effect of source appearance (SA) and self-influencer congruence (SIC) on the relationship between visual content (VC) and customer engagement (CE) towards mobile advertisement.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a quantitative approach to test the proposed model based on the stimulus–organism–response (SOR) theory. The non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to collect data from Pakistani mobile users through a self-administered questionnaire.

Findings

The study results prove that VC alone cannot generate mobile users’ engagement. SA is the key in this regard, which has a relatively higher importance compared to SIC. Furthermore, the serial mediation effect of SA and SIC on CE shows that attractive sources are likely to induce higher SIC and subsequent CE.

Practical implications

The results reveal that without a pleasing SA and positive SIC, mobile users skip the ads by perceiving them to be irritating or interruptive. Mobile ads might cost relatively less, but the advertisers should understand the significance of the SA toward minimizing the mobile advertising skepticism.

Originality/value

Advertisers can enhance the user’s engagement on mobile devices by addressing both the SA and SIC in their VC. The combined effect of both the SA and SIC on CE has not been assessed before. Furthermore, this study has used the SOR mechanism to examine CE.
Building the Bioeconomy through Innovation, Monitoring and Science‐based Policies
Authors: Zilberman David , Wesseler Justus
Published: November 2023

Concerns about climate change, food security and biodiversity loss are challenging society and the scientific community to modify our modes of operation. This involves the transition from relying on non‐renewable resources to renewable resources, reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases, sequestering and storing carbon, and at the same time, improving the well‐being of much of humanity who live in poverty. Establishing a modern bioeconomy is essential for the transition. The BioMonitor Project highlights benefits of establishing a modern bioeconomy and the constraints slowing its development. We propose policies to overcome these constraints, emphasising the importance of monitoring its progress. We present some of its findings and recommendations to improve the performance of the EU bioeconomy. This includes a science‐based regulatory process to balance risk and benefit of new innovations, combined with effective liability rules and sound assessment of the side effects of new regulations without unnecessary delay and extra regulatory costs. Government support is crucial for agricultural and industrial research and development leading to the emergence of new supply chains. Since developing bioeconomy industries that increase productivity and reduce externalities provide public goods, some government support for infant bioeconomy sectors may be justified.
Predicting nitrate exposure from groundwater wells using machine learning and meteorological conditions
Authors: Etheridge Randall , Pascual‐Gonzalez Janire , Hochard Jacob , Peralta Ariane L. , Vogel Thomas J.
Published: November 2023

Private groundwater wells can be unmonitored sources of contaminated water that can harm human health. Developing models that predict exposure could allow residents to take action to reduce risk. Machine learning models have been successful in predicting nitrate contamination using geospatial information such as proximity to nitrate sources, but previous models have not considered meteorological factors that change temporally. In this study, we test random forest (regression and classification) and linear regression models to predict nitrate contamination using rainfall, temperature, and readily available soil parameters. We trained and tested models for (1) all of North Carolina, (2) each geographic region in North Carolina, (3) a three‐county region with a high density of animal agriculture, and (4) a three‐county region with a low density of animal agriculture. All regression models had poor predictive performance (R2 < 0.09). The random forest classification model for the coastal plain showed fair agreement (Cohen's κ = 0.23) when trying to predict whether contamination occurred. All other classification models had slight or poor predictive performance. Our results show that temporal changes in rainfall and temperature, or in combination with soil data, are not enough to predict nitrate contamination in most areas of North Carolina. The low level of contamination (<25%) measured during the study could have contributed to the poor performance of the models.