bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ACE Configurator for ELISpot (ACE): Optimizing Combinatorial Design of Pooled ELISpot Assays with an Epitope Similarity Model
Authors: Lee Jin Seok , Karthikeyan Dhuvarakesh , Fini Misha , Vincent Benjamin G. , Rubinsteyn Alex
Published: September 2023

The ELISpot assay is a powerfulin vitroimmunoassay that enables cost-effective quantification of antigen-specific T-cell reactivity. It is widely used in the context of cancer and infectious diseases to validate the immunogenicity of epitopes. While technological advances in hardware and software have kept pace with the need for increased throughput, assay design and deconvolution methodology have largely remained stagnant. Current methods for designing multiplexed ELISpot assays are restricted to preset configurations, lack support for high-throughput scenarios, and ignore peptide identity during pool assignment. We introduce the ACE Configurator for ELISpot (ACE) to address these gaps. ACE generates optimized peptide-pool assignments from highly customizable user inputs and handles positive peptide deconvolution using assay readouts. We present a novel sequence-aware pooling strategy, powered by a fine-tuned ESM-2 deep sequence model to identify immunologically similar peptides, reducing the number of false positives and subsequent confirmatory assays. To validate the performance of ACE using real-world datasets, we conducted a comprehensive benchmark study against various design heuristics, deconvolution methods, and experimental conditions, contextualizing design parameter choices with their impact on precision and number of total pools. Our results demonstrate ACE’s capacity to further increase precision of identified immunogenic peptides, maximizing experimental efficiency at the bench-side. ACE is freely available as an executable with a graphical user interface and command-line interfaces athttps://github.com/pirl-unc/ace.
Reward expectation selectively boosts the firing of accumbens D1+ neurons during motivated approach
Authors: Faust Thomas W. , Mohebi Ali , Berke Joshua D.
Published: September 2023

The nucleus accumbens (NAc) helps govern motivation to pursue rewards. Two distinct sets of NAc projection neurons-expressing dopamine D1 versus D2 receptors-are thought to promote and suppress motivated behaviors respectively. However, support for this conceptual framework is limited: in particular the spiking patterns of these distinct cell types during motivated behavior have been largely unknown. We monitored identified D1+ and D2+ neurons in the NAc Core, as unrestrained rats performed an operant task in which motivation to initiate work tracks recent reward rate. D1+ neurons preferentially increased firing as rats initiated trials, and fired more when reward expectation was higher. By contrast, D2+ cells preferentially increased firing later in the trial especially in response to reward delivery - a finding not anticipated from current theoretical models. Our results provide new evidence for the specific contribution of NAc D1+ cells to self-initiated approach behavior, and will spur updated models of how we learn from rewards.
Approximate Bayesian Computation for Inferring Waddington Landscapes from Single Cell Data
Authors: Liu Yujing , Zhang Stephen Y. , Kleijn Istvan T. , Stumpf Michael P.H.
Published: September 2023

Single cell technologies allow us to gain insights into cellular processes at unprecedented resolution. In stem cell and developmental biology snapshot data allows us to characterise how the transcriptional state of cells changes between successive cell types. Here we show how approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) can be employed to calibrate mathematical models against single cell data. In our simulation study we demonstrate the pivotal role of the adequate choice of distance measures appropriate for single cell data. We show that for good distance measures, notably optimal transport distances, we can infer parameters for mathematical models from simulated single cell data. We show that the ABC posteriors can be used to characterise parameter sensitivity and identify dependencies between different parameters, and to infer representations of the Waddington or epigenetic landscape, which forms a popular and interpretable representation of the developmental dynamics. In summary, these results pave the way for fitting mechanistic models of stem cell differentiation to single cell data.
The RecBC complex protects single-stranded DNA gaps during lesion bypass
Authors: Philippin Gaëlle , Dupaigne Pauline , Chrabaszcz Élodie , Iturralde Maialen , Modesti Mauro , Le Cam Eric , Pagès Vincent , Laureti Luisa
Published: September 2023

Following encounter with an unrepaired DNA lesion, replication is halted and can restart downstream of the lesion leading to the formation of a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) gap. To complete replication, this ssDNA gap is filled in by one of the two lesion tolerance pathways: the error-prone Translesion Synthesis (TLS) or the error-free Homology Directed Gap Repair (HDGR). In the present work, we evidence a new role for the RecBC complex distinct from its canonical function in homologous recombination at DNA double strand breaks. We show that upon lesion encounter RecBC (independently of its catalytic activity and of the RecD subunit) is required to protect the nascent DNA in order to promote efficient lesion bypass. In the absence of RecBC, our data indicate that the nuclease ExoI can access and degrade the nascent DNA, affecting both TLS and HDGR mechanisms. We show that the recruitment of RecBC becomes particularly important at strong blocking lesions, when post-replicatively ssDNA gaps persist and are covered by the single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB). This protective role of RecBC is reminiscent of the role of BRCA2 in protecting the nascent DNA in human cells, highlighting once again the evolutionary conservation of DNA replication mechanisms across all living organisms.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

In the presence of unrepaired lesions, stalled replication can restart ahead of the lesion creating a single stranded DNA gap. To preserve genome stability, this gap needs to be later filled in by one of the two lesion tolerance pathways, Translesion Synthesis or Homology Directed Gap Repair. In this study, we unveil a role for the RecBC complex in protecting the nascent DNA blocked at the lesion site from degradation by the ExoI nuclease. This protection is essential for an efficient repair of the single-stranded DNA gap. In the absence of RecBC, both lesion tolerance pathways are affected and genome stability is compromised.
IndiumKα radiation from a MetalJet X-ray source: the long way to a successful charge-density investigation
Authors: Graw Nico , Ruth Paul Niklas , Ernemann Tobias , Herbst-Irmer Regine , Stalke Dietmar
Published: September 2023

The MetalJet X-ray source provides indiumKα radiation with a wavelength even shorter than Ag radiation. This paper reports on problematic spectral impurities and presents possible countermeasures so that collection of data with excellent quality up to a high resolution is possible. It is demonstrated that these data can be used in the refinement of a multipole model, the results of which are used for a topological analysis to assess the bonding situation in a sulfur ylide compound.
Benchmarking quality characteristics for road-mapping sustainability of higher educational institutes and capping Indian portfolio
Authors: Sahu Atul Kumar , Raut Rakesh D.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Educational policies, integrated practices, obliged strategies and notable benchmarks are always required by the higher educational institutions (HEIs) for operating business ventures into competent boundaries and to preside toward the overall new business density. The same are needed to be evaluated based on student's concerns for road-mapping sustainability. Accordingly, authors conducted present study to identify crucial quality characteristics (measures) under the origins of HEIs based on student's concerns using qualitative medium under Indian economy. The study is presenting critical dimensions and quality characteristics, which are seeking by the students for selecting HEIs for their studies.

Design/methodology/approach

Kano integrated-Grey-VIKOR approach is utilized in present study for road-mapping sustainability based on the determination of priority index and ranking. The study utilized three segments of methodology, where in the first segment, Kano technique is implicated to define priority index of quality characteristics. In the second segment, grey sets theory is implicated to capture the perceptions of the respondents. In the third segment, VIKOR technique is implicate to rank the HEIs.

Findings

The findings of the study will assist administrators in planning the prominent strategies that can embrace performance traits under HEI, which in turn will participate in growth and development of an economy. The findings have revealed “PPCS, ICMC, TSTR, PICM, AFEP, IMIS as Attractive performance characteristics,” “IEAF, OIAR, INET as One dimensional performance characteristics,” “QTCS, PORE, SIRD as Must-be performance characteristics” and “PQPE, PCTM as Indifferent performance characteristics.” Additionally, “Professional and placement characteristics of institute” is found as the most significant measure inspiring students for admiring engineering institutes. It is found that “Observance of institutional affiliation and recognition” and “Infrastructure, classroom management and control methods” are found as the second significant measures. “Patterns of question papers and evaluation medium” and “Personal characteristics of teacher and management” are found as the least competent characteristics admiring stakeholders for selecting HEI.

Originality/value

The present study can assist administrators in drafting refined policies and strategies for practising quality outputs by HEI. The study suggested critical quality characteristics, which in respond will aid in attracting more number of students toward educational institutes. A study under Indian context is demonstrated for presenting critical facts and attaining higher student's enrolment rates.
Workplace pressure, employee stress, mental well-being and resilience in response to COVID-19 in Singapore
Authors: Ditchburn Graeme , Koh Rachel Evangeline
Published: September 2023

Purpose

COVID-19 forced organizations to implement protective measures changing how employees worked; however, empirical evidence is needed to explore how employees responded. This study examines the impact of COVID-19-related organizational changes in Singapore on employees’ perceptions of work pressure, stress and mental well-being (MWB) and the mediating role of resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a cross-sectional, anonymous online survey of 157 full-time employees who had worked for at least one year.

Findings

The results found that work pressure and stress had increased, and MWB had declined. Resilience acted as a buffer against increases in work pressure and stress while promoting the maintenance of MWB. Resilience significantly mediated the relationship between stress and MWB.

Research limitations/implications

The study does not allow for an assessment of causality but infers possible, albeit probable, casual relationships. Furthermore, stress and well-being could be influenced by a multitude of factors beyond organizational change. Future research should seek to account for additional factors and establish the generalisability of the findings beyond Singapore.

Practical implications

This study supports the engagement of resilience-based interventions to improve employees’ MWB during pandemic related organizational change.

Social implications

Policies that promote work-life balance, positive interpersonal relations and staying connected are some of the ways employers can bolster MWB and work-life balance to support employees who are engaged in remote work.

Originality/value

Given the unique context of COVID-19, this study allows for a better understanding of how a novel worldwide pandemic has transformed employees' experience of work and its associated impacts.
Employee perceptions of disruption knowledge: the influence on career attitudes and behaviors
Authors: Brougham David , Haar Jarrod
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The world of work is changing rapidly as a result of technology, with more workers being impacted by automation, the gig economy and temporary work contracts. This study focusses on how employees perceive their disruption knowledge and how this perception impacts their career planning, career satisfaction and training behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use data from 1,516 employees across a broad range of industries and professions from the United States (n = 505), New Zealand (n = 505) and Australia (n = 506).

Findings

The authors find that an employee's knowledge and research into automation positively influence how employees plan their careers, their career satisfaction and their training behaviors. While career planning is positively related to career satisfaction and training behavior, career satisfaction is negatively related to training behaviors. The authors test mediation effects and find consistently significant indirect effects, and these findings are all largely replicated across the three countries.

Originality/value

This study highlights the importance of understanding the processes that employees go through when thinking about disruption knowledge, their careers and the impact on their training behaviors.
Reflections on fluidity and stability: a look at the formality vs informality debate
Authors: Zvonareva Olga , Holavins Arturs
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The distinction between formality and informality has been a topic central for many scholarly fields. Without rejecting the usefulness of this distinction, the authors argued that instead of analyzing an empirical situation in terms of what is formal and what is informal, it could sometimes be fruitful to focus on what is stable and what is fluid.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports the results of review and analysis of secondary sources on the distinction between formality and informality, followed by a conceptualization of an alternative distinction between fluidity and stability. This conceptualization was inspired by a science and technology studies (STS) understanding of relations, and was assessed through applying it to a case of patient organizations’ participation in patient councils in Russia.

Findings

Stability and fluidity do not map neatly into formality and informality; rather, the stability and fluidity cut across these categories. The authors propose a view of both stability and fluidity as kinds of relations between elements of the societal fabric. The distinction proposed here could be especially fruitful when applied to analyses of (1) complex bureaucracies where formal requirements are extensive and potentially in conflict with each other and (2) oppressive situations where significant power imbalances exist.

Originality/value

Instead of providing yet another line of demarcation between formality and informality, this paper proposes a shift in attention to what is stable and what is fluid. This novel distinction can help not only in discerning how things actually work but also in bringing to the fore hitherto unnoticed forms of creativity, responsiveness and inclusion.
Pandemic memoranda: how school district and teachers' union administrators modified collective bargaining agreements during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Marianno Bradley D. , Hemphill Annie A.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted changes to the terms and conditions of teachers' employment (e.g. working conditions), leading school districts to renegotiate collective bargaining agreements with teachers' unions. However, limited research has examined how these negotiations occur in times of crisis. This study aims to analyze how school district and teachers' union administrators adapted workplace policies to meet staff and student needs during the COVID-19 pandemic by using a panel dataset of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) negotiated in 187 large US school districts.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used the partial independence item response method to estimate MOU restrictiveness measures that captured the extent to which MOUs limited school administrator autonomy in setting the terms and conditions of teachers' employment. Descriptive analyses and ordinary least squares regression models showed how the scope of collective bargaining negotiations expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how restrictiveness varied across school districts based on district and union characteristics.

Findings

Results showed that school district and teachers' union administrators increased restrictions on school administrator autonomy in the spring of 2020, but these restrictions decreased by fall 2021. The level of restrictions agreed upon varied based on the strength of teachers' unions and political partisanship of school districts. The COVID-19 pandemic led to an expansion of collective bargaining negotiations to include previously unconsidered topics such as employee and student health and remote instruction.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to examine the modifications made to collective bargaining agreements during times of crisis by school district and teachers' union administrators. The findings suggest that there were considerable changes to the terms and conditions of teachers' employment during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that the strength of teachers' unions and political partisanship were associated with negotiation outcomes.
Do institutions impact differently inward greenfield FDI and cross-border M&A sales? A study of five institutional quality indicators in developed and developing countries
Authors: Doytch Nadia , Ashraf Ayesha
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to test the impact of different institutional quality indicators on two modes of foreign direct investment (FDI)-greenfield investment and cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) for a sample of 110 countries over the period 2003–2017.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors develop a model of well-known FDI determinants, such as market size and potential, openness, the value of the national currency and the quality of institutions. The authors examine one-by-one five different institutional factors: law and order, investment profile of the host country, control of corruption (anti-corruption); democratic accountability, and government stability, applying a generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator that assures no endogeneity and reverse causality of the key explanatory variables.

Findings

The results point out the fact that fertile institutional conditions for attracting greenfield FDI to developing countries require law and order, good investment conditions and a state of democracy, but not necessarily tight control of corruption and a stable government. On the other hand, the appropriate institutional environment for attracting cross-border M&A sales flows to developing countries includes strong law and order, good investment conditions, strict control of corruption and strong democratic accountability. The results for developed countries show overall smaller importance of institutions as a determinant of both types of FDI.

Originality/value

This is the first study to analyze the differentiated determinants of the two modes of investment. The study holds implications for crafting two different policies for attracting greenfield FDI and M&A sales.
How management accounting practices integrate with big data analytics and its impact on corporate sustainability
Authors: Abdelhalim Abeer M.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationships between big data analytics, management accounting practices and corporate sustainability and, more precisely, the impact of the integration between big data analytics and management accounting on corporate sustainability performance development.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative case study approach is used in this study with multiple collecting data tools as in-depth interviews and observations, in addition to the content analysis used of the annual reports for the year 2021, of Almarai manufacturing corporate (one of the leaders of food and beverage manufacturing corporates in Saudi Arabia and other countries).

Findings

Research findings provide good insights about the significant impact of the effective integration between big data analytics and management accounting on corporate sustainability performance development, big data can assist management accounting to form corporate value-added strategies and activities.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limitedly applied to one manufacturing corporate as a study case; therefore, the findings cannot be generalized. Thus, future research can examine the association between the current study variables with wide-scale applications and with different approaches and in different contexts to enrich the findings. Moreover, future research may focus on the integration between big data analytics and management accounting reports in the meta-verse environment to explore the benefits that corporates could gain from the features and capabilities of meta-verse technology.

Originality/value

There is a research gap regarding the impact of the integration between big data analytics and management accounting practices on corporate sustainability development, as most of the previous studies focused on two variables only of the current study variables; therefore, this study tries to investigate and give important insights about it.
Team reflexivity, thriving at work and employees' work-to-family enrichment: a multilevel perspective
Authors: Wang Zhining , Song Di , Ren Shuang , Rosenberg Benjamin D. , Cai Shaohan
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Based on the conservation of resources theory, the authors propose a research model depicting the positive relationship between team reflexivity and work-to-family enrichment via the mediation of thriving at work, with the moderation of transformational leadership. This paper aims to discuss the aforementioned idea.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data from 367 employees in 79 teams at three time points. The authors test the model by using a multilevel moderated mediation analysis.

Findings

Results of this paper indicate that thriving at work partially mediates the relationship between team reflexivity and work-to-family enrichment. Furthermore, transformational leadership enhances the positive relationship between team reflexivity and thriving at work.

Practical implications

Organizations are advised to encourage employees' involvement in team reflexivity, facilitate their thriving at work and raise managers' awareness of work-family issues. Exemplary measures include nurturing open communication and providing training programs that encourage positivity in the workplace. By doing so, organization could strengthen the relationship between team reflexivity and work-to-family enrichment.

Originality/value

This research demonstrates the positive relationship between team reflexivity and work-to-family enrichment, deepening theoretical understanding of the antecedents of the construct. The findings of moderated mediation analysis shed light on the mechanism through which team reflexivity affects work-to-family enrichment, and the role that transformational leadership plays.
Research on service frontline employees: a science – practice perspective
Authors: Solnet David , Golubovskaya Maria
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This article aims to build on the insights from the systematic reviews included in this special issue (SI) on frontline service employees (FLE) by adding practitioner perspectives. Its purpose is to gauge knowledge, awareness and practices from industry and government regarding topics related to frontline workers and to offer critical and, in places, provocative insights on the relevance of scholarly focus in serving the needs of industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Insights were developed through consultation with managers who are responsible for leading frontline employees, who offered insights on the important issues affecting their workforce as well as direct comments on each of the key topics covered in this SI articles. Additional insights were gathered through a review of policy document reviews with relevant government agencies and trade publications, a review of a body of conference topics and speakers and personal reflections developed over decades of consulting work.

Findings

This paper presents insights from industry about looming challenges facing managers of frontline service employees, including a forecasted worsening of labor force availability to perform many frontline jobs; growing competition for workers from other sectors; a relatively shallow understanding by industry of academic research topics on workforce in service; the emerging increased cooperation between industry and governments to address these challenges and a clear deficit in necessary frontline skills.

Originality/value

This paper provides rare and direct insights from industry practitioners about current and critical topics investigated by academic researchers and offers opportunities for further collaboration and collective thought on addressing global challenges faced by frontline service employees.
Strategic planning practices in policing: evidence from the field
Authors: McIntyre Michael Louis , Hodgkinson Tarah , Caputo Tullio
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to provide information concerning practices for creating strategic plans in municipal policing organizations and their use in practice.

Design/methodology/approach

This study surveyed a sample of Canadian police services, including four of the ten largest services in Canada, to investigate their planning practices and the study’s findings to the results of a content analysis of strategic plans reported by Rogers et al. (2020). This study did not conduct content analysis and therefore relied on the findings of Rogers et al. (2020).

Findings

Some respondents indicated they do not apply some practices generally considered advisable. Other respondents indicated they undertake a practice even though doing so is not evident from a review of the associated strategic plans.

Research limitations/implications

This study is based entirely on self-reported survey data. The study did not interview respondents to find out why they responded as they did.

Practical implications

This study points to specific improvements municipal policing organizations could adopt which offer the prospect of creating better strategic plans and better strategic planning outcomes.

Social implications

Policing organizations are important institutions in society. As a regular part of their activities, they interact with a broad cross-section of the society within which they operate. This paper presents ideas concerning how policing organizations can improve how they adapt themselves to their social environment to improve those interactions.

Originality/value

No other study collects self-reported data on how police services conduct strategic planning and use strategic plans at this level of detail.
Preparation and characterization of PSF/SPSF blended ultrafiltration membranes
Authors: Chen Liangbin , Zhao Lihong , Ding Keren
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to improve the permeability and antifouling of polysulfone (PSF) ultrafiltration membranes, the PSF matrix was modified by incorporating sulfonated polysulfone (SPSF).

Design/methodology/approach

Systematic investigations were conducted on the synergistic effects of a pore-forming agent, coagulation bath temperature and SPSF doping in the casting solution on blended ultrafiltration membranes. The chemical composition of the membranes was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphology and surface roughness of the membranes were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The hydrophilicity of the membrane surface was analyzed using a contact angle meter. The permeability and antifouling properties of the blended membranes were also investigated through filtration experiments.

Findings

The results indicated that the blended ultrafiltration membranes demonstrated an optimal overall performance when PVP-K30 content was 5.0 Wt.%, coagulation bath temperature was 30°C and SPSF content was 2.4 Wt.%. In comparison to a pure PSF ultrafiltration membrane, there was a significant increase in pure water flux (390.7 L·m−2·h−1) by 2.2 times, while bovine serum albumin retention slightly decreased to 93.8%. In addition, the flux recovery rate improved by 2.1 times (71.4%) compared to that of the original PSF ultrafiltration membrane.

Practical implications

The method provided a simple and practical solution for improving the antifouling and permeability of PSF ultrafiltration membranes.

Originality/value

SPSF was anticipated to serve as an excellent modification additive for the preparation of ultrafiltration membranes with superior properties.
Social media adoption and export intensity: the moderating role of firm size
Authors: Altinkaya Zelha , Yilmaz Mustafa Kemal , Aksoy Mine , Secme Zekeriya Oguz
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Social media (SM) networks offer a golden opportunity for firms that particularly engage in international activities to set up sustainable customer relationships and improve competitiveness. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of SM adoption on the export intensity (EI) of firms listed on Borsa Istanbul (BIST) for the years 2010–2020. The authors use social media index (SMI) to measure SM adoption and firm size (FSize) as a moderator on exploring the interaction of SM and EI.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 150 firms listed on the BIST Industrials Index, this study explores how the adoption of SM affects EI by using panel data analysis over the period of 2010–2020.

Findings

The results indicate that the SMI has a positive and significant effect on the EI. FSize positively moderates the interaction of SMI and EI, indicating that large firms benefit more from the SM in increasing export performance. The findings reflect high potential of EI improvement through adopting right SM policies in emerging markets.

Research limitations/implications

The sample covers only public companies listed on the BIST Industrials Index. Future studies may extend the coverage and include multiple emerging markets to draw generalized results for the export-oriented firms. This research also analyzes solely four SM networks, i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. However, there are many other SM networks that firms use in online marketing in foreign markets. Finally, this research did not discuss the potential factors that could influence the use of SM in emerging market firms.

Practical implications

This study denotes the significant role of SM adoption on the EI of firms in an emerging market setting from the perspective of resource-based view. It presents an insightful approach in understanding the mission played by SM networks in enhancing the EI of Turkish firms. Policymakers may use the findings to develop public support programs to promote the adoption and implementation of the SM among exporting firms in emerging markets.

Originality/value

The study provides evidence on the effects of SM adoption on the EI from the perspective of emerging countries. It also helps to gain a deeper understanding of how different SM platforms contribute to the internationalization of firms.
Sports consumption behaviors of football fans: the relationship between social identity, team loyalty and behavioral intention toward consumption
Authors: Kural Sercan , Özbek Oğuz
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The study aimed to establish football fans' levels of social identity, team loyalty, and behavioral intentions toward sports consumption and to determine the relationship between these variables using a structural equation model.

Design/methodology/approach

Research methods: The research model was tested by data analysis using AMOS 23.0. The study sample included 518 football fans with mean age 30.87 (±10.15) years. Data were collected using an online questionnaire delivered to football fans via social media.

Findings

The results supported the study hypotheses and showed that social identity and team loyalty had a significant effect on behavioral intention toward sport consumption for football teams. Social identity was found to have a direct effect on sport consumption behaviors. It was further established that team loyalty was a mediator in the relationship between the fans' social identity and behavioral intention toward sports consumption.

Research limitations/implications

The study planned to collect the data at the stadium entrance before the game; however, it was not possible to reach the fans face-to-face due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and therefore, the data were collected online.

Practical implications

By understanding how the extent of social identity affects sports consumption intention, sports club managers can achieve a higher level of fan loyalty to their teams.

Social implications

The present study provides additional insight into the available literature on team identification. It demonstrated that team identification was associated with social identity and that social identity had an impact on sports consumption behaviors.

Originality/value

This study is an original study in that it is a study in which the social identity scale is used together with the variables of team loyalty and sports consumption behavior intention. The findings of this study help understand the processes that shape the behavioral intentions of football fans toward sports consumption. Furthermore, the mediating role of the developed model was tested using team loyalty.
Plant mycorrhizal associations mediate the zoogeochemical effects of calving subsidies by a forest ungulate
Authors: Ferraro Kristy M. , Welker Les , Ward Elisabeth B. , Schmitz Oswald J. , Bradford Mark A.
Published: September 2023

Animals interact with and impact ecosystem biogeochemical cycling—processes known as zoogeochemistry. While the deposition of various animal materials (e.g. carcasses and faeces) has been shown to create nutrient hotspots and alter nutrient cycling and storage, the inputs from parturition (i.e. calving) have yet to be explored. We examine the effects of ungulate parturition, which often occurs synchronously during spring green‐up and therefore aligns with increased plant nitrogen demand in temperate biomes.

Impacts of zoogeochemical inputs are likely context‐dependent, where differences in material quality, quantity and the system of deposition modulate their impacts. Plant mycorrhizal associations, especially, create different nutrient‐availability contexts, which can modify the effects of nutrient inputs. We, therefore, hypothesize that mycorrhizal associations modulate the consequences of parturition on soil nutrient dynamics and nitrogen pools.

We established experimental plots that explore the potential of two kinds of zoogeochemical inputs deposited at ungulate parturition (placenta and natal fluid) in forest microsites dominated by either ericoid mycorrhizal (ErM) or ectomycorrhizal (EcM) plants. We assess how these inputs affect rates of nutrient cycling and nitrogen content in various ecosystem pools, using isotope tracers to track the fate of nitrogen inputs into plant and soil pools.

Parturition treatments accelerate nutrient cycling processes and increase nitrogen contents in the plant leaf, stem and fine root pools. The ecosystem context strongly modulates these effects. Microsites dominated by ErM plants mute parturition treatment impacts on most nutrient cycling processes and plant pools. Both plant–fungal associations are, however, equally efficient at retaining nitrogen, although retention of nitrogen in the parturition treatment plots was more than two times lower than in control plots.

Our results highlight the potential importance of previously unexamined nitrogen inputs from animal inputs, such as those from parturition, in contributing to fine‐scale heterogeneity in nutrient cycling and availability. Animal inputs should therefore be considered, along with their interactions with plant mycorrhizal associations, in terms of how zoogeochemical dynamics collectively affect nutrient heterogeneity in ecosystems.
Insufficient use of menopausal hormone therapy in Swedish women with early or premature menopause caused by bilateral oophorectomy: a register‐based study
Authors: Sundell Micaela , Brynhildsen Jan , Fredrikson Mats , Hoffmann Mikael , Spetz Holm Anna‐Clara
Published: September 2023

Objective

To investigate the use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) in premenopausal women after bilateral oophorectomy.

Design

Retrospective register‐based cohort study.

Setting

Sweden.

Population

Swedish women aged 35–44 years without malignancy who underwent bilateral oophorectomy in 2005–2020 were identified using The Swedish National Quality Register of Gynaecological Surgery (GynOp).

Methods

Data from GynOp were cross‐linked with data on dispensed drugs extracted from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register.

Main outcome measures

Proportion of women dispensed MHT at least once within 1 year after surgery. Repeated treatment episodes were defined, and the proportion of ‘person time’ covered by dispensations was analysed.

Results

In total, 1231 of all women (n = 1706) were dispensed MHT at some point after surgery, with 1177 women dispensed MHT within 1 year. This proportion increased from 64% in 2005 to 84% in 2019 (p < 0.001). In the total population, 4537 ‘treatment years’ transpired, corresponding to 43% of the mean time covered. In women dispensed MHT within 1 year, the proportion of time covered was 63%.

Conclusions

Only 69% of all women without malignancy of any kind who underwent bilateral oophorectomy were dispensed MHT within 1 year after surgery, and the duration of treatment was limited. It is important to study further the reasons behind the low dispensation rate in this group to increase adherence to current treatment guidelines, improve quality of life, and avoid increased morbidity and mortality.
Nature of property rights and motivation for blue growth: An empirical evidence from the fisheries industry
Authors: Alsaleh Mohd , Abdul‐Rahim A. S. , Liu Ru , Sun Qingru
Published: September 2023

If unauthorized resource use is prevented, managing marine resources by allocating property rights may match economic and environmental conservation incentives. However, because of the developing exploitation of marine resources and accompanying pollution, species' living conditions in Europe's waters are changing more quickly than before. By considering the roles of fisheries productivity, intellectual property rights, intellectual capital rights, market size, governance, and economic growth from 1990 to 2022, this paper aims to investigate the dynamic effect of property rights factors on the sustainability of the fisheries industry in 27 European countries. At higher quantiles, the findings showed a significant positive association between governance and fisheries sustainability adopting a new method, the MMQR with fixed effects, the Method of Moments Quantile Regression. In addition, in EU27 nations, the impact of intellectual property rights was favorable and statistically significant from the first to ninth quantiles. The findings show that the EU14 developed nations have more excellent governance and intellectual capital rights than the EU13 developing countries, significantly benefiting fisheries sustainability. In the same way that market size and economic growth condense fisheries sustainability in EU14 developed and EU13 developing countries, it has been discovered that intellectual property rights do the same across all quantiles, supporting the growth hypothesis for fisheries‐producing countries. The findings specifically show that the beneficial solid impact of intellectual property rights, market size, and economic development on the sustainability of fisheries is more significant in EU13 developing nations than in EU14 developed countries. These results provide policymakers with helpful information for promoting property rights aspects in EU14 and EU13 nations via effective green technologies in the fisheries sector to meet sustainable development objectives.
Delayed esophageal anastomotic complication and ramucirumab therapy: A case report
Authors: Roth Robert H. , Malfitano Madison J. , Reilley Matthew , Martin Linda W.
Published: September 2023

Current NCCN guidelines for second‐line therapy in recurrent or metastatic esophago‐gastric cancers recommend the use of VEGF inhibitors such as ramucirumab. VEGF inhibitors have been shown to be associated with gastrointestinal perforation in clinical trials and late colorectal anastomotic leaks in a few case reports. Here, we present a case of late esophageal anastomotic leak in a patient receiving ramucirumab. Case information was obtained from our institution's electronic medical records. The patient was found to have T4N1M0, poorly differentiated invasive adenocarcinoma and subsequently received neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by hybrid Ivor‐Lewis esophagectomy 6 weeks later. He recovered well with no leak or perioperative complications. The patient had disease progression 9 months postoperatively on CT and PET imaging. Sixteen months after surgery he began paclitaxel and ramucirumab and 16 weeks after ramucirumab initiation, he was found to have an esophago‐pulmonary fistula in the region of the anastomosis. Biopsies were negative for recurrence at the anastomosis. He died one week later from progressive pneumonia despite stenting. In conclusion, this is the only known report of delayed esophageal anastomotic complication associated with ramucirumab. VEGF inhibitor therapies such as bevacizumab have been associated with late (greater than 3 months postoperative) colorectal anastomotic complications including fistulas and leaks. Risk factors that have been associated are perioperative radiotherapy and history of early postoperative leak. These findings raise concern whether VEGF inhibitor therapy should be used in post‐esophagectomy patients with recurrence if these rare but catastrophic events are likely to be terminal.
Lymph node metastasis and its risk factors in T1 lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhang Wenhao , Mu Guang , Huang Jingjing , Bian Chengyu , Wang Hongchang , Gu Yan , Xia Yang , Chen Liang , Yuan Mei , Wang Jun
Published: September 2023

Background

In this study, the focus was primarily on examining the occurrence of lymph node metastasis in T1 lung adenocarcinoma, while also analyzing the relationship between clinical variables such as imaging characteristics, pathological classifications, and lymph node metastasis.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from patients with T1 lung adenocarcinoma who underwent lobectomy and lymph node dissection between January 2016 and December 2019. Utilizing univariate and multivariate analyses, we assessed the associations between lymph node metastasis and various clinical factors, including imaging characteristics, lesion location and depth, and pathological subtypes.

Results

Of the 433 patients with T1 lung adenocarcinoma, 139 had lymph node metastasis. Moreover, the incidence of node 1 (N1) lymph node, sequential, and node 2 (N2) skip metastases were 12.2%, 12.7%, and 7.2%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that tumor diameter, depth ratio, sex, invasive imaging features, and pathological subtype were significantly associated with lymph node metastasis. Multivariate analysis revealed that the tumor depth ratio, tumor diameter, pleural indentation or traction sign, nonvascular penetration sign, solid component, nonadherence, and micropapillary pathological subtype were risk factors for lymph node metastasis. In the multivariate analysis, the micropapillary pathological subtype was an independent risk factor for N2 skip metastasis.

Conclusions

In patients with clinical stage T1 lung adenocarcinoma, the risk of lymph node metastasis is higher for tumors located deep within the lung tissue with solid components, invasive preoperative imaging features, and larger diameters. For N2 skip lymph node metastasis, the micropapillary pathological subtype represents a significant high‐risk factor.
Activation of Epac in the BLA disrupts reconsolidation and attenuates heroin‐seeking behaviour
Authors: Huang Shihao , Shi Cuijie , Liu Fanglin , Si Yue , Shen Dan , Yang Liping , Gao Yujun , Liao Yiwei
Published: September 2023

The susceptibility to drug cravings evoked by stimuli poses a formidable hurdle in the treatment of addiction and the prevention of relapse. Pharmacological interventions targeting drug‐associated memories hold promise for curbing relapse by impeding the process of memory reconsolidation, predominantly governed by cAMP signalling. Exchange Protein Activated by cAMP (Epac) serves as a distinctive mediator of cAMP signalling, which has been implicated in reinforcing the effects of cocaine and facilitating the acquisition. Nonetheless, the role of Epac in heroin‐related memory and the subsequent seeking behaviour remains enigmatic. In this study, we explored the impact of Epac activation on the reconsolidation process of drug‐related memories associated with heroin self‐administration. Over the course of 10 consecutive days, rats underwent training, wherein they acquired the behaviour of nose poking to obtain heroin accompanied by a tone + light cue. This nose‐poking behaviour was subsequently extinguished when heroin infusion and cue presentation were discontinued. Subsequently, we administered 8‐pCPT‐cAMP (8‐CPT), an Epac‐specific activator, into the basolateral amygdala at various time points, either in the presence or absence of a conditioned stimulus. Our findings demonstrate that administering 8‐CPT immediately after memory retrieval effectively reduces cue‐ and heroin‐induced reinstatement, with the observed effects persisting significantly for a minimum of 28 days. However, infusion of 8‐CPT for a duration of 6 h following the memory retrieval trial, or without it altogether, had no discernible impact. Thus, these findings strongly suggest that Epac activation can disrupt the reconsolidation of heroin‐associated memory, thereby diminishing the reinstatement of heroin‐seeking behaviour.
Differences in mammal communities between forest fragments and restoration areas in the Atlantic Forest
Authors: Marques Fernanda Cristina , dos Anjos Luiz
Published: September 2023

The persistence of larger mammals in fragmented forest landscapes depends not only on the protection of remaining habitats but also on ecological restoration sites. It is known that the landscape context is an important predictor of species persistence, abundance and distribution. Here we evaluate how landscape characteristics influence the recovery of larger mammals in ecological restoration sites. We assess the richness and composition of mammals in forest fragments and restoration sites using landscape metrics such as forest cover and connectivity. Forest fragments and restoration sites present the same richness (n = 26), but differ in species composition. Some seed‐dispersing mammals were absent in restoration areas, such as Alouatta guariba (brown howler monkey) and Coendou spinosus (paraguayan hairy dwarf porcupine). The percentage of forest cover in the landscape was responsible for 29.09% of the variation in species composition between the evaluated forest formations, exerting a positive or negative influence depending on the species requirements. The results demonstrate the importance of considering not only landscape metrics in an ecological restoration plan, but also the historical landscape context, such as the fauna composition before the disturbance and how these species respond to environmental changes, thus improving the success of future ecological restoration measurements and policies.