bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disparities in dolutegravir utilisation in children, adolescents and young adults (0-24 years) living with HIV. An analysis of the IeDEA Paediatric West African cohort
Authors: Desmonde Sophie , Dame Joycelyn , Malateste Karen , David Agatha , Amorissani-Folquet Madeleine , N'Gbeche Sylvie , Sylla Mariam , Takassi Elom , Eboua Francois Tanoh , Kouakou Kouadio , Bagnan Tossa Lehila , Yonaba Caroline , Leroy Valeriane
Published: May 2024

Introduction: We describe the 24-month incidence of Dolutegravir (DTG)-containing antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiation since its introduction in 2019 in West Africa. Methods: We included all patients aged 0-24 years on ART from nine clinics in Cote d Ivoire (n=4), Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Benin, and Burkina Faso. Baseline varied by clinic and was defined as date of first DTG prescription; patients were followed up until database closure/death/loss to follow-up (LTFU, no visit 7 ≥ months), whichever came first. We computed the cumulative incidence function for DTG initiation; associated factors were explored in a shared frailty model, accounting for clinic heterogeneity. Results: Since 2019, 3,350 patients were included; 47.2% were female;78.9% had been on ART ≥ 12 months. Median baseline age was 12.5 years (Interquartile range[IQR]: 8.4-15.8). Median follow-up was 14 months (IQR: 7-22). The overall cumulative incidence of DTG initiation reached 22.7% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 21.3-24.2) and 56.4% (95% CI: 54.4-58.4) at 12 and 24 months, respectively. In univariate analyses, those aged <5 years and females were overall less likely to switch. Adjusted on ART line and available viral load (VL) at baseline, females >10 years were less likely to initiate DTG compared to males of the same age (adjusted Hazard Ratio [HR] among 10-14 years: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.54-0.72; among ≥ 15 years: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.36-0.50), as were those with detectable VL (> 50 copies/mL) compared to those in viral suppression (aHR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.77-0.97) and those on protease inhibitors compared to those on non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (aHR after 12 months of roll-out: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.65-0.86). Conclusion: Paediatric DTG uptake was incomplete and unequitable in West African settings: DTG use was least likely in children <5years, females ≥ 10 years and those with detectable viral load. Maintained monitoring and support of treatment practices is required to better ensure universal and equal uptake.
KIPK and KIPK-LIKE1 suppress overbending during negative hypocotyl gravitropic growth
Authors: Xiao Yao , Zourelidou Melina , Bassukas Alkistis E. Lanassa , Weller Benjamin , Janacek Dorina P. , Schulz Lukas , Brajkovic Sarah , Šimura Jan , Ljung Karen , Kuster Bernhard , Hammes Ulrich Z. , Li Jia , Schwechheimer Claus
Published: May 2024

Plants use environmental cues, such as the direction of gravity or the direction, quantity and quality of light, to orientate organ and plant growth. During germination of angiosperm seeds in the soil, hypocotyl elongation is directed by negative gravitropism responses such that the seedling can reach the light for photosynthesis and autotrophic growth. Hypocotyl elongation in the soil, however, also requires mechanisms to efficiently grow around obstacles such as soil particles. Here, we identify KIPK (KINESIN-LIKE CALMODULIN-BINDING PROTEIN INTERACTING PROTEIN KINASE) and the paralogous KIPKL1 (KIPK-LIKE1) as genetically redundant regulators of hypocotyl bending, in that KIPK and KIPKL1 are required to efficiently align hypocotyl growth with the gravity vector after obstacle avoidance. At the same time, we find that the highly homologous KIPKL2 (KIPK-LIKE2) must be functionally distinct. We further find that KIPK, and likely also KIPKL1, phosphorylate BRXL2 (BREVIS RADIX LIKE2) and ARKs (ARMADILLO REPEAT KINESINs), that mutants of both KIPK phosphorylation substrates share the overbending phenotype withkipk kipkl1mutants, and thatKIPKandKIPKL1act synergistically with the ARK-regulatoryNEK6(NIMA-RELATED PROTEIN KINASE6). We propose that KIPK and KIPKL1 regulate ARK kinesins and thereby cortical microtubules for efficient gravitropic hypocotyl bending.
Clonal spheroids capture functional and genetic heterogeneity of head and neck cancer
Authors: Pandey Jyoti , Malik Md. Zubbair , Shyanti Ritis K , Parashar Palak , Kujur Praveen K , Mishra Deepali , Tailor Dhanir , Lee Jee Min , Kataria Tejinder , Gupta Deepak , Verma Hitesh , Malhotra Sanjay V , Kateriya Suneel , Tandon Vibha , Chaturvedi Rupesh , Singh Rana P
Published: May 2024

Head and neck cancer squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells exhibit both structural and functional diversity, making them valuable models for understanding tumor heterogeneity at clinical levels. In this study, we generated single-cell-derived spheroids (SCDS) from HNSCC cell lines and patient tumor cells using scaffold- and non-scaffold-based methods to assess this variability. A distinct structural variability among these SCDS, categorized as hypo- and hyperproliferative spheroids based on size, was observed. Hyperproliferative spheroids demonstrated heightened proliferative and tumorigenic potential and increased sensitivity to cisplatin and radiation, while hypoproliferative spheroids exhibited enhanced migratory capabilities. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of hypo- and hyperproliferative spheroids provided insights into the transcriptional landscape of HNSCC cells, validating the observed structural and functional heterogeneities within primary tumors. These functionally and genetically characterized spheroids offer valuable tools for the development of next-generation therapeutics.

Statement of Significance

Establishment and characterization of single-cell-derived spheroids from head and neck cancer cells, employing scaffold and non-scaffold materials, demonstrate functional and genetic heterogeneity. Single-cell analysis reveals correlations between genetic diversity and spheroid functionality. These characterized spheroids offer potential for advancing therapeutics development.
A microfluidic platform forin situstudies of bacteria electroporation
Authors: Volkov Ivan L. , Khaji Zahra , Johansson Magnus , Tenje Maria
Published: May 2024

Electroporation of dye-labelled bio-molecules has proven to be a valuable alternative to fluorescent protein fusion for single-molecule tracking in living cells. However, control over cell viability, electroporation efficiency and environment conditions before, during and after electroporation is difficult to achieve in bulk experiments. Here, we present a microfluidic platform capable of single-cell electroporation within situmicroscopy and demonstrate delivery of DNA into bacteria. Via real time observation of the electroporation process, we find that the effect of electrophoresis plays an important role when performing electroporation in a miniaturized platform and show that its undesired action can be balanced by using bipolar electrical pulses. We suggest that a low temperature of the sample during electroporation is important for cell viability due to temperature-dependant viscoelastic properties of the cell membrane. We further found that the presence of low conductive liquid between cells and the electrodes leads to a voltage divider effect which strongly influences the success of on-chip electroporation. Finally, we conclude that electroporation is intrinsically a highly stochastic process that is difficult to fully control via external parameters and envision that the microfluidic system presented here, capable of single-cell read-out, can be used for further fundamental studies to increase our understanding of the electroporation process.
Developmental and conditional regulation of DAF-2/INSR ubiquitination inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Falsztyn Ivan B. , Taylor Seth M. , Baugh L. Ryan
Published: May 2024

Insulin/IGF signaling (IIS) regulates developmental and metabolic plasticity. Conditional regulation of insulin-like peptide expression and secretion promotes different phenotypes in different environments. However, IIS can also be regulated by other, less-understood mechanisms. For example, stability of the only known insulin/IGF receptor inC. elegans, DAF-2/INSR, is regulated by CHIP-dependent ubiquitination. Disruption ofchn-1/CHIPreduces longevity inC. elegansby increasing DAF-2/INSR abundance and IIS activity in adults. Likewise, mutation of a ubiquitination site causesdaf-2(gk390525)to display gain-of-function phenotypes in adults. However, we show that this allele displays loss-of-function phenotypes in larvae, and that its effect on IIS activity transitions from negative to positive during development. In contrast, the allele acts like a gain-of-function in larvae cultured at high temperature, inhibiting temperature-dependent dauer formation. Disruption ofchn-1/CHIPcauses an increase in IIS activity in starved L1 larvae, unlikedaf-2(gk390525). CHN-1/CHIP ubiquitinates DAF-2/INSR at multiple sites. These results suggest that the sites that are functionally relevant to negative regulation of IIS vary in larvae and adults, at different temperatures, and in nutrient-dependent fashion, revealing additional layers of IIS regulation.

ARTICLE SUMMARY

Insulin-like signaling plays a critical role in helping animals adapt to different environmental conditions. Differences in abundance of insulin molecules drive differences in insulin signaling, affecting growth, metabolism, and resistance to stressful conditions. Previous work in the roundwormC. elegansshowed that targeted degradation of the insulin receptor also regulates insulin signaling. We show here that this process is affected by developmental stage, nutrient availability, and temperature, revealing additional ways that insulin-like signaling is regulated in this valuable animal model.
Structural basis of promiscuous inhibition ofListeriavirulence activator PrfA by oligopeptides
Authors: Hainzl Tobias , Scortti Mariela , Lindgren Cecilia , Grundström Christin , Krypotou Emilia , Vázquez-Boland José A. , Sauer-Eriksson A. Elisabeth
Published: May 2024

The facultative pathogenListeria monocytogenesuses a master regulator, PrfA, to tightly control the fitness-costly expression of its virulence factors. We found that PrfA activity is repressed via competitive occupancy of the binding site for the PrfA-activating cofactor glutathione by exogenous nutritional oligopeptides. The inhibitory peptides show different sequence and physicochemical properties, but how such wide variety of oligopeptides can bind PrfA was unclear. Using crystal structure analysis of PrfA complexed with inhibitory tri- and tetrapeptides, we show here that the binding promiscuity is due to the ability of PrfA β5 in the glutathione-binding tunnel to establish parallel or antiparallel β-sheet-like interactions with the peptide backbone. Spacious tunnel pockets provide additional flexibility for unspecific peptide accommodation while providing selectivity for hydrophobic residues. Hydrophobic contributions from two adjacent peptide residues appears to be critical for PrfA inhibitory binding. In contrast to glutathione, peptide binding prevents the conformational change required for PrfA activation and formation of the DNA-binding helix-turn-helix motifs, effectively inhibiting virulence expression.
Functional Heterogeneity of Voice-Encoding Cortex Revealed by Clinical Language Mapping
Authors: Harford Emily E. , Rupp Kyle M. , Welch William P. , Al-Ramadhani Ruba , Ghuman Avniel , Holt Lori L. , Abel Taylor J.
Published: May 2024

Regions in the superior temporal sulcus and gyrus have been heavily implicated in voice-selective responses in human auditory cortex. Despite an apparent specialization for the encoding of human voice, research outside the auditory domain suggests that these areas likely participate in additional neural processes including speech processing and production. The aim of the current study was to combine results of electrophysiological recording and clinical stimulation mapping procedures in patients undergoing stereoelectroencephalography (sEEG) to explore potential functional heterogeneity in voice-encoding cortex. Both channels that demonstrated voice-encoding properties and channels critically implicated in language functioning were heavily concentrated in the left STG/S. Analysis of functional overlap revealed channels in the posterior STG/S that appear to be involved in both voice encoding and language. Strength of voice encoding in these functionally diverse sites was not significantly different from sites that were implicated in voice encoding alone. Our findings add to prior observations of functional heterogeneity in the STG/S and contribute to proposed models of speech perception. We discuss these results in the context of the utility of electrophysiological methods in mapping cortical networks and identifying regions essential for functioning.
Homomorphic Encryption: An Application to Polygenic Risk Scores
Authors: Knight Elizabeth , Yolou Israel , Li Jiaqi , Kockan Can , Jensen Matthew , Gerstein Mark
Published: May 2024

Background

Polygenic risk scores (PRS) have emerged as a powerful tool in precision medicine, enabling personalized risk assessments for complex diseases. However, using sensitive genomic data in PRS calculations raises concerns about privacy and security. Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) offers a promising solution by allowing computations on encrypted data, preserving the privacy of both genomic information and PRS models.

Results

In this study, we present a novel application of FHE for secure and private PRS calculations using the CKKS protocol within the Lattigo library. Our approach involves a three-party system: clients (doctors with sensitive genetic data), modelers developing a PRS (academics or a company), and evaluators (a “local hospital” running the models while maintaining data confidentiality). We demonstrate the feasibility and accuracy of our protocol by applying it to synthetic datasets of various sizes and a robust 110k-SNP model for schizophrenia. The normal PRS calculation results are essentially identical to the encrypted calculation: between the two resultsR2is .999 & MSE is 2.27×10−6. Moreover, while the encrypted calculation is roughly 1000 times slower than conventional non-encrypted ones (when only considering the core PRS calculation), it is quite feasible on a single-CPU node - e.g. running on ° 1100 individuals with ° 110k SNPS took six minutes and°65G memory on a laptop computer. In addition, we investigate the impact of encryption parameters (modulus) on this computational time and accuracy in detail.

Conclusion

By enabling secure PRS calculations on encrypted genomic data, our approach addresses the pressing need for privacy-preserving solutions in the era of precision medicine. The ability to perform accurate risk assessments while maintaining patient confidentiality paves the way for broader adoption of PRS and personalized medicine in healthcare, particularly with the advent of large-scale computing power.
Oxydifficidin, a potentNeisseria gonorrhoeaeantibiotic due to DedA assisted uptake and ribosomal protein RplL sensitivity
Authors: Kan Jingbo , Morales Adrian , Hernandez Yozen , Ternei Melinda A. , Lemetre Christophe , Maclntyre Logan W. , Biais Nicolas , Brady Sean F.
Published: May 2024

Gonorrhea, which is caused byNeisseria gonorrhoeae, is the second most reported sexually transmitted infection worldwide. The increasing appearance of isolates that are resistant to approved therapeutics raises the concern that gonorrhea may become untreatable. Here, we serendipitously identified oxydifficidin as a potentN. gonorrhoeaeantibiotic through the observation of aBacillus amyloliquefacienscontaminant in a lawn ofN. gonorrhoeae. Oxydifficidin is active against both wild- type and multidrug-resistantN. gonorrhoeae. It’s potent activity results from a combination of DedA- assisted uptake into the cytoplasm and the presence of an oxydifficidin-sensitive ribosomal protein L7/L12 (RplL). Our data indicates that oxydifficidin binds to the ribosome at a site that is distinct from other antibiotics and that L7/L12 is uniquely associated with its mode of action. This study opens a potential new avenue for addressing antibiotic resistant gonorrhea and underscores the possibility of identifying overlooked natural products from cultured bacteria, particularly those with activity against previously understudied pathogens.
The C-terminal tails of GroEL and its mitochondrial and chloroplastic homologs adopt polyproline II helices
Authors: Rodríguez Cristian Segura , López-Sánchez Rubén , Laurents Douglas Vinson
Published: May 2024

The chaperonin GroEL and its mitochondrial and chloroplastic homologs mHsp60 and Cpn60 are large barrel-like oligomeric proteins. Chaperonins facilitate folding by isolating nascent chains in their hollow interior and undergoing conformational transitions driven by ATP hydrolysis. Due to their vital importance, the structure of GroEL and its homologs have been extensively studied by X-ray crystallography and CryoEM, revealing one or two rings each of which contains seven subunits. Each subunit has three folded domains and a twenty-four residue C-terminal extension. Whereas this C-terminal tail has been reported to bind and stimulate the folding of the client protein, it appears to be invisible or blurry, which suggests disorder. The objective of this study is to characterize conformational preferences in the C-terminal tails of GroEL, mHsp60 and representative Cpn60s using circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies. The tails of GroEL and mHsp60 consist of two segments. The first is rich in residues typical of intrinsically disordered proteins and the second segment consists exclusively (GroEL) or almost entirely (mHsp60) of Gly and Met residues. The spectroscopic results evince that these C-terminal extensions are not wholly disordered but adopt polyproline II helices whose populations are higher in the second Gly/Met-rich segment. Whereas the C-terminal segments of chloroplastic chaperonins are Gly-poor, they are rich in proline and also adopt polyproline II helix conformations. These results provide insight into the function of chaperonin C-terminal tails.
Thermal variation influences the transcriptome of the major malaria vectorAnopheles stephensi
Authors: Pathak Ashutosh K , Quek Shannon , Sharma Ritu , Shiau Justine C , Thomas Matthew B. , Hughes Grant L. , Murdock Courtney C
Published: May 2024

The abundance and distribution of ectotherms is being shaped at unprecedented scales by human-induced climate change. Unraveling molecular adaptations to thermal variation is prescient. Vector-borne diseases are of particular concern and although mosquitoes are responsible for most of the 621 million cases annually, their response to temperature is not well characterized. We describe the transcriptome of the major vector for human malaria,Anopheles stephensimaintained under a diurnal temperature regime (DTR) totaling 9°C and daily means of 20°C, 24°C and 28°C respectively. Gene expression profiles were examined in the midguts and carcasses of adult mosquitoes from one to 19 days post-blood meal. Differences in temporal expression profiles at each temperature revealed a total of 3,106 and 3,590 genes in the carcasses and midguts respectively and analyzed further to make three inferences. First, we identified genes with shared temporal expression profiles across all three temperatures, suggesting their indispensability to mosquito life history. Second, tolerance to 20 DTR 9°C and 28 DTR 9°C was associated with a larger and more diverse repertoire of gene products compared to 24 DTR 9°C; assuming physiological costs scale accordingly, this finding could explain the fitness trade-offs underlying the unimodal effect of temperature. Third, the long duration of our study revealed two general trends in gene expression, representative of a coordinated, tissue- and temperature-specific response to blood meal digestion, managing oxidative stress, and reproduction. Our results suggest how temperature could regulate the mosquito’s capacity to transmitPlasmodiumparasites and offer a reference point for understanding ectotherm adaptation.
Microtubule dynamic instability is sensitive to specific biological viscogensin vitro
Authors: Molines Arthur T. , Edrington Claire H. , Tetlalmatzi Sofía Cruz , Chang Fred , Brouhard Gary J.
Published: May 2024

Cytoplasm is a viscous, crowded, and heterogeneous environment, and its local viscosity and degree of macromolecular crowding have significant effects on cellular reaction rates. Increasing viscosity slows down diffusion and protein conformational changes, while increasing macromolecular crowding speeds up reactions. As a model system for cellular reactions, microtubule dynamics are slowed downin vivowhen cytoplasm concentration is increased by osmotic shifts, indicating a dominant role for viscosity in microtubule reaction pathways. In the cell, viscosity is determined by diverse species of “biological viscogens”, including glycerol, trehalose, intermediate metabolites, proteins, polymers, organelles, and condensates. Here we showin vitrothat microtubule dynamic instability is sensitive to specific viscogen species, particularly glycerol. We found that increasing viscosity with glycerol or trehalose slowed microtubule growth, slowed microtubule shrinkage, and increased microtubule lifetimes, similar to the “freezing” observed previouslyin vivo. Increasing viscosity with a globular protein, bovine serum albumin, increased microtubule growth rates, as its viscous effects may be balanced against its macromolecular crowding effects. At matched viscosities, glycerol had an outsized effect on microtubule lifetimes, rescues, and nucleation compared to other viscogens. Increasing viscosity did not, however, increase the intensity of EB3-GFP comets, indicating that GTP hydrolysis is unaffected by buffer conditions. We propose that glycerol exerts its distinct effect on microtubule dynamic instability by stabilizing the microtubule lattice after phosphate release. Effects of specific viscogens may modulate many cellular reaction rates within local environments of cytoplasm.
Microfluidic droplet pinch-off modified by hard and soft colloids: A scaling transition
Authors: Chagot Loïc , Migliozzi Simona , Angeli Panagiota
Published: May 2024

This Letter explores the influence of colloids at liquid-liquid interfaces on droplet pinch-off dynamics in microfluidic devices, examining hard polystyrene particles and soft pNIPAM microgels. We uncover a significant deviation in droplet formation time compared to pure systems, similarly to surfactant-laden systems, yet notably, colloids exert minimal impact on droplet size, indicating potential nonlinear effects. The dynamics of neck thinning without colloids agree with the classic pendant drop scaling laws, while particle presence replaces traditional viscous and inertial-viscous regimes with a single power law, suggesting an elastic behavior driven by soft particle interactions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
An alternative conformation of the N-terminal loop of human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase drives binding to a potent antiproliferative agent
Authors: Alberti Marta , Poli Giulio , Broggini Luca , Sainas Stefano , Rizzi Menico , Boschi Donatella , Ferraris Davide M. , Martino Elena , Ricagno Stefano , Tuccinardi Tiziano , Lolli Marco L. , Miggiano Riccardo
Published: May 2024

Over the years, human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (hDHODH), which is a key player in the de novo pyrimidine-biosynthesis pathway, has been targeted in the treatment of several conditions, including autoimmune disorders and acute myelogenous leukaemia, as well as in host-targeted antiviral therapy. A molecular exploration of its inhibitor-binding behaviours yielded promising candidates for innovative drug design. A detailed description of the enzymatic pharmacophore drove the decoration of well-established inhibitory scaffolds, thus gaining further in vitro and in vivo efficacy. In the present work, using X-ray crystallography, an atypical rearrangement was identified in the binding pose of a potent inhibitor characterized by a polar pyridine-based moiety (compound 18). The crystal structure shows that upon binding compound 18 the dynamics of a protein loop involved in a gating mechanism at the cofactor-binding site is modulated by the presence of three water molecules, thus fine-tuning the polarity/hydrophobicity of the binding pocket. These solvent molecules are engaged in the formation of a hydrogen-bond mesh in which one of them establishes a direct contact with the pyridine moiety of compound 18, thus paving the way for a reappraisal of the inhibition of hDHODH. Using an integrated approach, the thermodynamics of such a modulation is described by means of isothermal titration calorimetry coupled with molecular modelling. These structural insights will guide future drug design to obtain a finer K
d/logD7.4 balance and identify membrane-permeable molecules with a drug-like profile in terms of water solubility.
Sensory qualities and hydration kinetics of instant-extruded cereals with flaxseed and amaranth
Authors: Tobías-Espinoza Jazmin Leticia , Amaya-Guerra Carlos Abel , Ruíz-Gutiérrez Martha Graciela , Sánchez-Madrigal Miguel Ángel , Neder-Suárez David , Quintero-Ramos Armando
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the addition of flaxseed and amaranth at different proportions on the hydration kinetics, colour and sensory qualities of instant-extruded cereals, important aspects related to the functionality and acceptability of food products.

Design/methodology/approach

Instant-extruded cereals were made with different proportions of flaxseed (6.6–9.3%), amaranth (18.7–33.1%), and maize grits (63.8–67.3%); and characteristics such as hydration kinetics, colour parameters and sensory properties were evaluated.

Findings

The kinetics of milk absorption showed that the extruded cereals maintained their texture and crispness for a sufficiently long time (≤20 min). The L*, a* and chroma* values of the extruded cereals were significantly affected (p < 0.05) by the flaxseed content. Sensory evaluation showed that all the extrudates had good acceptance in terms of flavour, texture, and colour attributes in relation to high-fibre commercial cereals; according to the preference test, they were as acceptable as commercial extruded cereals when consumed with milk. The addition of high-fibre and protein-containing grains such as flaxseed (8.6–9.3%) and amaranth (18.7–22.9%) in instant-extruded cereals allowed the production of products with acceptable physical and sensory characteristics.

Originality/value

In this study a novel instant-extruded cereal with flaxseed and amaranth was developed. The evaluation of the physical and sensory characteristics of instant-extruded cereals is essential to guarantee consumer acceptability, especially if functional ingredients with a high content of dietary fibre and protein are added.
Assessing the role of organizational strategic factors in stimulating green innovation performance: moderating effects of green absorptive capacity
Authors: Riaz Muhammad , Jie Wu , Sherani  , Ali Sher , Chang Sang
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study investigates the interaction between organizational strategic factors (Leadership and management support [LMS] and green learning orientation [GLO]) and green innovation performance (GIP), through the lens of resource-based view (RBV) theory. It examines both the direct and indirect impacts of these factors on GIP via green knowledge management (GKM), and explores how green absorptive capacity (GAC) enhances these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and moderated mediation analysis, we analyzed responses from 419 individuals across 154 manufacturing firms in Pakistan to understand these dynamics.

Findings

Results show that LMS and GLO significantly affect GIP, both directly and indirectly, through GKM. Furthermore, GAC intensifies the impact of GLO on GKM and the influence of GKM on GIP, indicating a moderated mediation effect.

Practical implications

Highlighting the importance of LMS, GLO, GKM, and GAC, the study suggests that focusing on these areas can help firms align their strategies with sustainability goals, enhancing their GIP. These insights can guide policymakers in creating supportive strategies for businesses to improve their GAC, facilitating better knowledge adoption and application.

Originality/value

The research contributes to the RBV theory by clarifying the role of strategic organizational factors in enhancing GIP within manufacturing firms, offering a clearer path to achieving sustainability goals.
How do self-direction and values-drive of protean career orientation determine career outcomes?
Authors: Fryczyńska Marzena , Pleśniak Agnieszka
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The article shows partial proof for the protean paradox existing outside of the Anglo-Saxon part of the world. We pose questions about the impact of each protean career orientation (PCO) dimension on career outcomes, i.e. objective career success (OCS) and subjective career success including career satisfaction (CS) and perceived employability (PE) of studying employees.

Design/methodology/approach

We collected data among postgraduate students (N=239) using a paper-and-pencil questionnaire. We estimated the model using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The self-direction of PCO improves CS and PE, but only if a person achieves OCS in the organization. We found the same mediation pattern for the values-drive of PCO but in the opposite direction, i.e. greater orientation on personal rather than organizational values – values-drive of PCO was associated with lesser career outcomes. Interestingly, values-drive had a small and direct impact on PE.

Originality/value

This study helps us understand how both dimensions of PCO affect career outcomes differently: objective success and subjective factors like CS and PE among employees who are studying.
Mapping learning and development literature in healthcare organizations: Need for digital health and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) training
Authors: Singh Ankit , Kulkarni Meenal , Dubey Dharmendra
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Mapping the landscape of healthcare education is essential, particularly when examining the prevailing trends in learning and development (L&D) for healthcare workers.

Design/methodology/approach

The Scopus dataset was searched on 25th November 2023 for relevant files, and analysis was done using Bibilioshiny and VOSviewer.

Findings

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Deep Learning (DL) are increasingly being adopted in healthcare organizations. Moreover, simulation-based team training enhancing interprofessional communication and sensitizing healthcare workers (HCWs) towards equity, diversity, and inclusion is increasingly reflected in organizations’ L&D practices.

Originality/value

The study identifies prevailing themes in L&D in healthcare organizations in the last decade.
Does facility-maintenance service quality drive tenants’ willingness to pay higher rent? Evidence from Indian residential real estate infrastructure
Authors: Kumar Ashish
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to empirically investigate the effect of facility–maintenance service quality on tenants’ satisfaction and their subsequent willingness to pay higher rent in the National Capital Region (NCR), India.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for this study was collected from 1,692 tenants in NCR, India. SmartPLS4.0 was used to analyze the data using structured equation modeling.

Findings

The study findings indicate that all parameters of facility–maintenance service quality (tangibles, service personnel quality and empathy) positively impact tenants’ satisfaction. Further, satisfied tenants are willing to pay higher rentals. In addition, customer satisfaction partially mediates the relationship between facility–maintenance service quality and willingness to pay higher rent.

Research limitations/implications

The study extends evidence-based research in the service industry to provide empirical evidence that facility–maintenance service quality positively impacts customer satisfaction in real estate settings in emerging markets (India). This research will guide future researchers to explore other dimensions to support evidence-based research in real estate settings.

Practical implications

Based on the data collected online after personal interaction in residents’ meetings, the study findings provide significant insights for stakeholders such as policymakers, practitioners, landlords, associations and builders. With rising housing demand because of rural migrations toward urban or metro locations coupled with the government’s inability to expand the infrastructure simultaneously, the government has enhanced the role of public–private partnership (PPP) in housing development. The findings will help policymakers incorporate the service angle into key performance indicators in PPP contracts. Additionally, with rising competition in the housing sector, understanding these factors will help landlords and resident associations improve service quality standards, thus enhancing the residential societies’ word-of-mouth publicity and attracting high-paying residents.

Originality/value

To the best of author’s knowledge, this is a pioneer study to empirically investigate the impact of facility–maintenance service quality standards on tenants’ satisfaction and willingness to pay higher rent in a residential setting in India.
Cashier-free checkout system: to improve in-store shopping experience
Authors: Agrawal Shiv Ratan , Mittal Divya
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The present paper explores the concept of a cashier-free checkout system from customers' perspective. Thus, the study attempts to find out the overall sentiment of people towards cashier-free checkout retail stores.

Design/methodology/approach

The study culled 7,348 comments from 10 videos about the Amazon Go store available on YouTube. The paper extracted positive and negative sentiments as well as their affective scores from the comments using Python 3.10.

Findings

The results revealed that all key service attributes of Amazon Go stores have a positive impact on customers' overall in-store shopping experience except pay. Similarly, the viewpoints expressed about these stores positively influence their overall in-store shopping experiences except for job. The job has an adverse effect on the outcome variable compared to like and support.

Originality/value

This paper states how a cashier-free checkout system is a better and more innovative retailing solution than in-store cash counter practices. Additionally, the paper provides guidance on how to deal with textual data and quantitative ratings separately when establishing empirical relationships.
Industrial data-driven modeling for imbalanced fault diagnosis
Authors: Lin Kuo-Yi , Jamrus Thitipong
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Motivated by recent research indicating the significant challenges posed by imbalanced datasets in industrial settings, this paper presents a novel framework for Industrial Data-driven Modeling for Imbalanced Fault Diagnosis, aiming to improve fault detection accuracy and reliability.

Design/methodology/approach

This study addressing the challenge of imbalanced datasets in predicting hard drive failures is both innovative and comprehensive. By integrating data enhancement techniques with cost-sensitive methods, the research pioneers a solution that directly targets the intrinsic issues posed by imbalanced data, a common obstacle in predictive maintenance and reliability analysis.

Findings

In real industrial environments, there is a critical demand for addressing the issue of imbalanced datasets. When faced with limited data for rare events or a heavily skewed distribution of categories, it becomes essential for models to effectively mine insights from the original imbalanced dataset. This involves employing techniques like data augmentation to generate new insights and rules, enhancing the model’s ability to accurately identify and predict failures.

Originality/value

Previous research has highlighted the complexity of diagnosing faults within imbalanced industrial datasets, often leading to suboptimal predictive accuracy. This paper bridges this gap by introducing a robust framework for Industrial Data-driven Modeling for Imbalanced Fault Diagnosis. It combines data enhancement and cost-sensitive methods to effectively manage the challenges posed by imbalanced datasets, further innovating with a bagging method to refine model optimization. The validation of the proposed approach demonstrates superior accuracy compared to existing methods, showcasing its potential to significantly improve fault diagnosis in industrial applications.
Online review data analytics to explore factors affecting consumers’ airport recommendations
Authors: Kim Cheong , Lee Jungwoo , Lee Kun Chang
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The main objective of this study is to determine the factors that have the greatest impact on travelers' opinions of airports.

Design/methodology/approach

11,656 customer reviews for 649 airports around the world were gathered following the COVID-19 outbreak from the website that rates airport quality. The dataset was examined using hierarchical regression, PLS-SEM, and the unsupervised Bayesian algorithm-based PSEM in order to verify the hypothesis.

Findings

The results showed that people’s intentions to recommend airports are significantly influenced by their opinions of how well the servicescape, staff, and services are.

Practical implications

By encouraging air travelers to have positive intentions toward recommending the airports, this research offers airport managers decision-support implications for how to improve airport service quality. This will increase the likelihood of retaining more passengers.

Originality/value

This study also suggests a quick-to-implement visual decision-making mechanism based on PSEM that is simple to understand.
Strategy planning and business performance: the moderating roles of market sensing and tolerance for failure
Authors: Gnizy Itzhak , Asseraf Yoel
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relevance of strategic marketing planning in this agile era and its effect on firms’ international performance and explores conditions under which the influence of planning changes.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on contingency theory, a conceptual model is tested based on survey data from internationalizing firms. Data were analyzed using partial least squares -structural equation modeling.

Findings

Marketing strategy planning is (still) associated with enhanced performance, and depends on external and internal contingencies. While the planning−performance relationship is amplified by market sensing (external contingency), surprisingly, it is decreased in presence of high tolerance for failure (internal contingency).

Practical implications

Findings seek to transform marketing planning in international business practice by requiring that its implementation receives the attention of senior management.

Originality/value

Marketing strategy planning should not be deemphasized. While planning appears to be undergoing an identity crisis, practitioners’ attention to marketing planning is warranted.
UK national newspapers’ representation of cancer patients and their care during the early part of the COVID‐19 pandemic: Invoking and undermining solidarity?
Authors: Barkas Betsy , Kerr Anne , Hawkton Gavin , Kish Claire
Published: May 2024

During the COVID‐19 pandemic media narratives of solidarity often cast nations like the UK as if at war, while acclaiming health‐care workers as heroic and beloved. However, this solidarity was often fragile and fleeting, as concerns and criticism about workers, citizens and services also circulated. In this article we explore these dynamics of solidarity in more depth, analysing framings of cancer patient suffering, private and public provision of health care in news media during the early part of the COVID‐19 pandemic. We explore how cancer patients were positioned as victims of failure and abandonment by the state and its health‐care providers, and how the private health‐care system was presented in a saviour role. We conclude by reflecting on the implications of new media’s alignment of appeals to solidarity with highly individualised forms of care and the consequences for state‐based services founded on principles of solidarity.
“Restoration” and representation: Legislative consequences of Black disfranchisement in the American South, 1879–1916
Authors: Olson Michael P.
Published: May 2024

The elimination of Black voting in the U.S. South after Reconstruction is the most significant instance of democratic backsliding in American history. I use newly collected state legislative roll call data from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, consisting of more than 19,400 unique roll calls, to explore Black disfranchisement's consequences for legislative representation. Using ideal point estimates in a panel design, I demonstrate that disfranchisement is associated with substantial changes in roll call voting. In states where competition between Democrats and Republicans structured roll call voting, disfranchisement precipitated shifts away from more‐Republican roll call records. In states already dominated by Democrats before disfranchisement, disfranchisement often led to relative shifts toward the agrarian, reform wing of the Democratic Party. These results demonstrate the centrality of Black disfranchisement for the creation of the Solid South and the significant impact of Black suffrage on southern politics in the years following Reconstruction.
Editorial: ARFI‐based techniques are better than VCTE for diagnosing advanced fibrosis in severe obesity
Authors: Roccarina Davide , Ferraioli Giovanna
Published: May 2024

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Vuijk et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18019 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18043
Risk Committee and Integrated Reporting Practice: Evidence from Australian Companies
Authors: Perera Luckmika , Dissanayake Thusitha , Kanapathippillai Sutharson , Dellaportas Steven
Published: May 2024

This study investigates the relationship between the risk committee (existence and effectiveness) and the quality of integrated reports of the top 200 listed companies on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). A composite ordinal proxy for the firms’ integrated reporting was constructed using data that were hand‐collected from annual reports. The main result reports that the existence of a standalone risk committee is negatively and significantly associated with the quality of integrated reporting; however, integrated reporting is positively associated with firms adopting a combined risk and audit committee and risk committee effectiveness.
Beyond the incident: Influences on the perception of multiple instances of discrimination
Authors: Heineck Paul‐Michael , Deutsch Roland
Published: May 2024

This article seeks to enhance the theoretical understanding of discrimination perception, especially in contexts with relevant statistical information. Previous research has provided important insights into the perception of single, ambiguous instances of discrimination. However, the generalizability of these insights to scenarios involving multiple, repeated instances of discrimination remains unclear. The current research aims to reduce this uncertainty by investigating whether three key determinants of discrimination perception in single instances – perpetrators' prototypicality, victims' control, and system‐justifying beliefs (SJB) – also influence observers' perceptions of repeated discrimination. In Experiments 1 and 2, participants perceived stronger discrimination when perpetrators were prejudiced members of the advantaged group. In Experiments 3 and 4, perceived discrimination intensified when victims had low control, a trend significantly noted in tabular presentations but not in sequential ones. In Experiments 5 and 6, a negative correlation between SJB and discrimination perception was observed. The theoretical and practical implications of these results, as well as open questions, are discussed. Overall, these studies advance our knowledge of discrimination perception in multiple instances. They highlight the intricate interplay between statistical data, moral judgements, and individual belief systems, paving the way for a more nuanced exploration of the underlying psychological processes of discrimination perception.
Profitable environmental corporate social responsibility under managers’ relative profit performance competition
Authors: Xing Mingqing , Lee Sang‐Ho
Published: May 2024

When managers face relative profit performance competition, we formulate a green managerial delegation contract where the owners impose profit‐oriented environmental corporate social responsibility (ECSR) on their managers. We show that the owner adopts ECSR as a commitment device to reduce outputs under quantity competition if the degree of relative profit performance competition is sufficiently high, which can increase not only industry profits but also environmental quality. We also examine an endogenous choice of ECSR and find that the profitable level of ECSR in the asymmetric ECSR case is higher than that in the symmetric ECSR case while both firms undertake ECSR in equilibrium if the severity of competition is sufficiently high.
Low anterior resection syndrome phenotypes—Different symptom profiles for different patients
Authors: Koneru Sireesha , Cornish Julie , Chapuis Pierre H. , Keshava Anil , Rickard Matthew J. F. X. , Ng Kheng‐Seong
Published: May 2024

Aim

Attention is increasingly being turned to functional outcomes as being central to colorectal cancer (CRC) survivorship. The current literature may underestimate the impact of evacuatory dysfunction on patient satisfaction with bowel function after anterior resection (AR) for CRC. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of post‐AR symptoms of storage and evacuatory dysfunction on patient satisfaction and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL).

Method

A cross‐sectional study was performed at an Australian hospital of patients post‐AR for CRC (2012–2021). The postoperative bowel function scores used were: low anterior resection syndrome (LARS), St Mark's incontinence, Cleveland Clinic constipation and Altomare obstructive defaecation syndrome scores. Eight ‘storage’ and ‘evacuatory’ dysfunction symptoms were derived. A seven‐point Likert scale measured patient satisfaction. The SF36v2® measured HRQoL. Linear regression assessed the association between symptoms, patient satisfaction and HRQoL.

Results

Overall, 248 patients participated (mean age 70.8 years, 57.3% male), comprising 103 with rectal cancer and 145 with sigmoid cancer. Of the symptoms that had a negative impact on patient satisfaction, six reflected evacuatory dysfunction, namely excessive straining (p < 0.001), one or more unsuccessful bowel movement attempt(s)/24 h (p < 0.001), anal/vaginal digitation (p = 0.005), regular enema use (p = 0.004), toilet revisiting (p = 0.004) and >10 min toileting (p = 0.004), and four reflected storage dysfunction, namely leaking flatus (p = 0.002), faecal urgency (p = 0.005), use of antidiarrhoeal medication (p = 0.001) and incontinence‐related lifestyle alterations (p < 0.001). A total of 130 patients (53.5%) had ‘no LARS’, 56 (23.1%) had ‘minor LARS’ and 57 (23.4%) had ‘major LARS’. Fifty‐seven (44.5%) patients classified as having ‘no LARS’ had evacuatory dysfunction.

Conclusion

Postoperative storage and evacuatory dysfunction symptoms have an adverse impact on patient satisfaction and HRQoL post‐AR. The importance of comprehensively documenting symptoms of evacuatory dysfunction is highlighted. Further research is required to develop a patient satisfaction‐weighted LARS‐specific HRQoL instrument.