bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PXPermute: Unveiling staining importance in multichannel fluorescence microscopy
Authors: Boushehri Sayedali Shetab , Kornivetc Aleksandra , Waibel Domink J. E. , Kazeminia Salome , Schmich Fabian , Marr Carsten
Published: May 2023

Imaging Flow Cytometry (IFC) enables rapid acquisition of thousands of single-cell images per second, capturing information from multiple fluorescent channels. However, the conventional process of staining cells with fluorescently labeled conjugated antibodies for IFC analysis is labor-intensive, costly, and potentially detrimental to cell viability. To streamline experimental workflows and reduce expenses, it is imperative to identify the most relevant channels for downstream analysis. In this study, we present PXPermute, a user-friendly and powerful method that assesses the significance of IFC channels for a given task, such as cell profiling. Our approach evaluates channel importance by permuting pixel values within each channel and analyzing the resulting impact on the performance of machine learning or deep learning models. Through rigorous evaluation on three multi-channel IFC image datasets, we demonstrate the superiority of PXPermute in accurately identifying the most informative channels, aligning with established biological knowledge. To facilitate systematic investigations of channel importance and aid biologists in optimizing their experimental designs, we have released PXPermute as an easy-to-use open-source Python package.
Mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of Semen Cuscutae in treating Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking
Authors: Zheng Wenfei , Lei Manshu , Yao Yao , Zhan Jingqiong , Zhang Yiming , Huang Feng
Published: May 2023

Background

This paper aims to analyze the active components of SC by network pharmacology and screen the most stable compounds with TNF-a by molecular docking, to explore the mechanism of SC treatment of RSA and provide theoretical basis for drug development.

Methods

Active compounds ofSCand the potential inflammatory targets of RSA were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systematic Pharmacology Database and GeneCard, respectively. The interaction network of RSA–SC-target gene was accomplished and Visualizing by STRING database and Cytoscape software.GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were obtained from DAVID to further explore the RSA mechanism and therapeutic effects ofSC. Interactions between TNF-α and active compounds were analyzed by molecular docking.

Results

10 active ingredients and 128 target genes were screened fromSC, and 79 of them intersected with RSA target inflammatory genes,which were considered to be potential therapeutic targets. Network pharmacological analysis showed that Sesamin, matrine, matrol and other SC active components had good correlation with the inflammatory target genes of RSA.Related genes include PGR, PTGS1, PTGS2, TGFB1 and CHRNA7. Multiple signaling pathways are involved in RSA pathogenesis,sunh as TNF-α signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, estrogen signaling pathway, proteoglycans in cancer, FoxO signaling pathway, etc. Molecular docking results suggested that sesamin was the most appropriate natural TNFis.

Conclusion

Our findings provide an important role and basis for further research on the molecular mechanism of SC treatment of RSA and drug development of TNFis.
Enhanced late blight resistance by engineering an EpiC2B-insensitive immune protease
Authors: Schuster Mariana , Eisele Sophie , Armas-Egas Liz , Kessenbrock Till , Kourelis Jiorgos , Kaiser Markus , van der Hoorn Renier A. L.
Published: May 2023

Crop protection strategies relying on the improvement of the natural plant immune system via genetic engineering are sustainable solutions against the pathogen thread on food security. Here we describe a novel way to improve the plant immune system by immune protease engineering. As proof of concept, we increased resistance against the late blight pathogenPhytopththora infestansby rendering the tomato secreted immune protease Pip1 insensitive to theP. infestans-secreted inhibitor Epic2B. This concept can be applied to secreted immune proteases in crops by precision breeding.
BCL6 is a context-dependent mediator of the glioblastoma response to irradiation therapy
Authors: Tribe Anna K.W. , Peng Lifeng , Teesdale-Spittle Paul H. , McConnell Melanie J.
Published: May 2023

Glioblastoma is a rapidly fatal brain cancer with no cure. The resistance of glioblastoma tumours to available therapies means that more effective treatments are desperately needed. Previous research showed that the transcriptional repressor protein BCL6 is upregulated by chemo– and radiotherapy in glioblastoma and that inhibition of BCL6 enhances the effectiveness of these therapies. Therefore, BCL6 is a promising target to improve the efficacy of available treatments for glioblastoma. BCL6 is known as a transcriptional repressor in germinal centre B cells and is an oncogene in lymphoma, as well as in other cancers. However, previous research indicated that BCL6 induced by chemotherapy or irradiation in glioblastoma may not act as a transcriptional repressor. This study aimed to clarify the role of BCL6 in the response of glioblastoma to irradiation. The effect of BCL6 inhibition on the whole proteome response of glioblastoma cells to fractionated and acute irradiation treatment was investigated. Acute irradiation appeared to cause BCL6 to switch from a repressor of the DNA damage response to a promoter of stress response signalling. Rapid immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry of endogenous proteins enabled identification of proteins associated with BCL6 in untreated and irradiated glioblastoma cells. BCL6 associated with transcriptional coregulators in untreated glioblastoma and its association with the corepressor NCOR2 was validated using proximity ligation assays. However, the association of BCL6 with transcriptional regulatory proteins was lost in response to acute irradiation. This was accompanied by the irradiation-induced association of BCL6 with synaptic and plasma membrane proteins. Overall, these results reveal that the activity of BCL6 in glioblastoma therapy responses is context-dependent and may be mediated by the intensity of cellular stress.
Red blood cell-derived extracellular vesicles with miR-204 mimic loading for pediatric neuroblastoma treatment
Authors: Chiangjong Wararat , Panachan Jirawan , Keadsanti Sujitra , Newburg David S. , Morrow Ardythe L. , Hongeng Suradej , Chutipongtanate Somchai
Published: May 2023

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in pediatric population with a high degree of heterogeneity in clinical outcomes, ranging from spontaneous remission to rapid progression and death. Upregulation of a tumor suppressor miR-204 in patient-derived neuroblastoma tumors was associated with good prognosis independent of known risk factors. While miR-204 is recognized as a therapeutic candidate, its delivery was unavailable. This study aimed to develop red blood cell-derived extracellular vesicles (RBC-EVs) as the miR-204 carrier and evaluate the inhibitory activity against neuroblastoma cell lines and spheroids. MiR-204 mimics were loaded into RBC-EVs (RBC-EVmiR-204) by electroporation with the optimized parameters of 250 V, 20 ms, 10 pulsing times. RBC-EVmiR-204, but not the native RBC-EVs, could inhibit cell viability, migration and spheroid formation and growth of MYCN-amp and MYCN non-amplification (MYCN-NA) NB cells, even though the suppressive effects were more preferable in MYCN-amp NB. For the mechanistic insight, SWATH-proteomics suggested that RBC-EVmiR-204induced dysregulation of ribosomal proteins and alterations in RNA metabolism, leading to inhibiting neuroblastoma progression. This study developed RBC-EVmiR-204as an alternative/adjunct therapy of pediatric neuroblastoma. The therapeutic efficacy of RBC-EVmiR-204should be further investigated in preclinical models and clinical studies.
Chikungunya virus glycoproteins transform macrophages into productive viral dissemination vessels
Authors: Yao Zhenlan , Ramachandran Sangeetha , Huang Serina , Jami-Alahmadi Yasaman , Wohlschlegel James A. , Li Melody M.H.
Published: May 2023

Despite their role as innate sentinels, macrophages are cellular reservoirs for chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a highly pathogenic arthropod-borne alphavirus that has caused unprecedented epidemics worldwide. Here, we took interdisciplinary approaches to elucidate the CHIKV determinants that subvert macrophages into virion dissemination vessels. Through comparative infection using chimeric alphaviruses and evolutionary selection analyses, we discovered for the first time that CHIKV glycoproteins E2 and E1 coordinate efficient virion production in macrophages with the domains involved under positive selection. We performed proteomics on CHIKV-infected macrophages to identify cellular proteins interacting with the precursor and/or mature forms of viral glycoproteins. We uncovered two E1-binding proteins, signal peptidase complex subunit 3 (SPCS3) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 (eIF3k), with novel inhibitory activities against CHIKV production. These results highlight how CHIKV E2 and E1 have been evolutionarily selected for viral dissemination likely through counteracting host restriction factors, making them attractive targets for therapeutic intervention.
Reconstitution ofC9orf72(GGGGCC) repeat-associated non-AUG translation with purified components
Authors: Ito Hayato , Machida Kodai , Ueyama Morio , Nagai Yoshitaka , Imataka Hiroaki , Taguchi Hideki
Published: May 2023

Nucleotide repeat expansion of GGGGCC (G4C2) in the non-coding region ofC9orf72is the most common genetic cause underlying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Transcripts harboring this repeat expansion undergo the translation of dipeptide repeats via a non-canonical process known as repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation. In order to ascertain the essential components required for RAN translation, we successfully recapitulated G4C2-RAN translation using an in vitro reconstituted translation system comprising human factors, namely the human PURE system. Our findings conclusively demonstrate that the presence of fundamental translation factors is sufficient to mediate the elongation from the G4C2repeat. Additionally, we observed ribosomal frameshifting from the poly Gly-Ala dipeptide frame to other frames during the elongation process. Furthermore, the initiation mechanism proceeded in a 5’ cap-dependent manner, independent of eIF2A or eIF2D. In contrast to cell lysate-mediated RAN translation, where longer G4C2repeats enhanced translation, we discovered that the expansion of the G4C2repeats inhibited translation elongation using the human PURE system. These results suggest that the repeat RNA itself functions as a repressor of RAN translation. Taken together, our utilization of a reconstituted RAN translation system employing minimal factors represents a distinctive and potent approach for elucidating the intricacies underlying RAN translation mechanism.

Significance statement

Every cellular protein undergoes synthesis through a process known as translation. While the fundamental aspects of translation have been established, recent advancements have unveiled various noncanonical translation pathways, including the translation originating from “noncoding” RNAs. Within this context, certain neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are linked to the translation of noncoding RNAs, referred to as repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation, the underlying mechanism of which remains controversial. To dissect the complicated nature of RAN translation, this study employs a reconstituted cell-free translation system comprised of human translation factors. By reconstituting RAN translation utilizing a minimal set of factors, this bottom-up approach not only facilitates the elucidation of its mechanism but also offers a distinctive avenue for pharmaceutical development.
Development of a SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody panel and its applicability as a reagent in high-throughput fluorescence reduction neutralization and immunohistochemistry assays
Authors: Coelho Gabriela Mattoso , Cataneo Allan Henrique Depieri , Raboni Sonia Mara , Nogueira Meri Bordignon , Vaz de Paula Caroline Busatta , Simões Flórido Almeida Ana Clara , Rogerio Vanessa Zulkievicz , Zanchin Nilson T. , de Noronha Lucia , Zanluca Camila , Duarte dos Santos Claudia Nunes
Published: May 2023

Since its emergence in late 2019, infection by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 disease) has quickly spread worldwide, leading to a pandemic that has caused millions of deaths and huge socio-economic losses. Although vaccination against COVID-19 has significantly reduced disease mortality, it has been shown that protection wanes over time, and that circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants may escape vaccine-derived immunity. Therefore, serological studies are still necessary to assess protection in the population and better guide vaccine booster programs. A common measure of protective immunity is the presence of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs). However, the gold standard method for measuring nAbs (plaque reduction neutralization test, or PRNT) is laborious and time-consuming, limiting its large-scale applicability. In this study, we developed a high-throughput fluorescence reduction neutralization assay (FRNA) to detect SARS-CoV-2 nAbs. Because the assay relies on immunostaining, we also developed and characterized in-house monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to lower assay costs and reduce the vulnerability of the test to reagent shortages. Using samples collected before the pandemic and from individuals vaccinated against COVID-19, we showed that the results of the FRNA we developed using commercial and in-house mAbs strongly correlated with those of the standard PRNT method while providing results in 70% less time. In addition to providing a fast, reliable, and high-throughput alternative for measuring nAbs, the FRNA can be easily customized to assess other SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs).
Study design features increase replicability in cross-sectional and longitudinal brain-wide association studies
Authors: Kang Kaidi , Seidlitz Jakob , Bethlehem Richard A.I. , Xiong Jiangmei , Jones Megan T. , Mehta Kahini , Keller Arielle S. , Tao Ran , Randolph Anita , Larsen Bart , Tervo-Clemmens Brenden , Feczko Eric , Dominguez Oscar Miranda , Nelson Steve ,   Lifespan Brain Chart Consortium,   3R-BRAIN,   AIBL,   Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative,   Alzheimer’s Disease Repository Without Borders Investigators,   CALM Team,   CCNP,   COBRE,   cVEDA,   Harvard Aging Brain Study,   IMAGEN,   POND,   The PREVENT-AD Research Group, Schildcrout Jonathan , Fair Damien , Satterthwaite Theodore D. , Alexander-Bloch Aaron , Vandekar Simon
Published: May 2023

Brain-wide association studies (BWAS) are a fundamental tool in discovering brain-behavior associations. Several recent studies showed that thousands of study participants are required for good replicability of BWAS because the standardized effect sizes (ESs) are much smaller than the reported standardized ESs in smaller studies. Here, we perform analyses and meta-analyses of a robust effect size index using 63 longitudinal and cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging studies from the Lifespan Brain Chart Consortium (77,695 total scans) to demonstrate that optimizing study design is critical for increasing standardized ESs and replicability in BWAS. A meta-analysis of brain volume associations with age indicates that BWAS with larger variability in covariate have larger reported standardized ES. In addition, the longitudinal studies we examined reported systematically larger standardized ES than cross-sectional studies. Analyzing age effects on global and regional brain measures from the United Kingdom Biobank and the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, we show that modifying longitudinal study design through sampling schemes improves the standardized ESs and replicability. Sampling schemes that improve standardized ESs and replicability include increasing between-subject age variability in the sample and adding a single additional longitudinal measurement per subject. To ensure that our results are generalizable, we further evaluate these longitudinal sampling schemes on cognitive, psychopathology, and demographic associations with structural and functional brain outcome measures in the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development dataset. We demonstrate that commonly used longitudinal models can, counterintuitively, reduce standardized ESs and replicability. The benefit of conducting longitudinal studies depends on the strengths of the between-versus within-subject associations of the brain and non-brain measures. Explicitly modeling between-versus within-subject effects avoids averaging the effects and allows optimizing the standardized ESs for each separately. Together, these results provide guidance for study designs that improve the replicability of BWAS.
Robotic process automation deployments: a step-by-step method to investment appraisal
Authors: Ylä-Kujala Antti , Kedziora Damian , Metso Lasse , Kärri Timo , Happonen Ari , Piotrowicz Wojciech
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Robotic process automation (RPA) has recently emerged as a technology focusing on the automation of repetitive, frequent, voluminous and rule-based tasks. Despite a few practical examples that document successful RPA deployments in organizations, evidence of its economic benefits has been mostly anecdotal. The purpose of this paper is to present a step-by-step method to RPA investment appraisal and a business case demonstrating how the steps can be applied to practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology relies on design science research (DSR). The step-by-step method is a design artefact that builds on the mapping of processes and modelling of the associated costs. Due to the longitudinal nature of capital investments, modelling uses discounted cashflow and present value methods. Empirical grounding characteristic to DSR is achieved by field testing the artefact.

Findings

The step-by-step method is comprised of a preparatory step, three modelling steps and a concluding step. The modelling consists of compounding the interest rate, discounting the investment costs and establishing measures for comparison. These steps were applied to seven business processes to be automated by the case company, Estate Blend. The decision to deploy RPA was found to be trivial, not only based on the initial case data, but also based on multiple sensitivity analyses that showed how resistant RPA investments are to changing circumstances.

Practical implications

By following the provided step-by-step method, executives and managers can quantify the costs and benefits of RPA. The developed method enables any organization to directly compare investment alternatives against each other and against the probable status quo where many tasks in organizations are still carried out manually with little to no automation.

Originality/value

The paper addresses a growing new domain in the field of business process management by capitalizing on DSR and modelling-based approaches to RPA investment appraisal.
Promoting technology innovation performance through high involvement HRM, technology adaptation and innovativeness
Authors: Rubel Mohammad Rabiul Basher , Kee Daisy Mui Hung , Rimi Nadia Newaz
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how high involvement HRM (HIHRM), technology adaptation and innovativeness influence employees to respond to technology innovation performance – that is, radical innovation performance and incremental innovation performance – in distinct ways.

Design/methodology/approach

The purposive judgmental sample technique is used to assess the perceptions of 545 IT employees in Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) industry. The partial least square-structural equation modeling (SEM-PLS) method is applied to analyze and interpret the data.

Findings

Findings of the analysis show that HIHRM, technology adaptation and innovativeness influence employees to exhibit technology innovation performance. Furthermore, both technology adaptation and innovativeness show the significant mediating effects between HIHRM and technology innovation performance.

Practical implications

First, this study’s findings contribute to HIHRM and technology innovation performance within the context of the resource-based theory. Second, the RMG organizations would acknowledge the role of HIHRM on employee technology adaptability and innovation capability in this regard. A future study might point to the models' ability to create the best work environments, which can help organizations to boost employee productivity through adaptation and innovation.

Originality/value

The study would offer a distinctive perspective on higher-order HIHRM and how they affect IT employees in RMG organizations in Bangladesh that could be approached in other labor-intensive and developing nations. This study also expands the research on technology adaptation and innovativeness by exploring the mediating roles between HIHRM and employee technology innovation performance in the organization.
Multi-pyramid-based hierarchical template matching for 6D pose estimation in industrial grasping task
Authors: Chai Ziqi , Liu Chao , Xiong Zhenhua
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Template matching is one of the most suitable choices for full six degrees of freedom pose estimation in many practical industrial applications. However, the increasing number of templates while dealing with a wide range of viewpoint changes results in a long runtime, which may not meet the real-time requirements. This paper aims to improve matching efficiency while maintaining sample resolution and matching accuracy.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-pyramid-based hierarchical template matching strategy is proposed. Three pyramids are established at the sphere subdivision, radius and in-plane rotation levels during the offline template render stage. Then, a hierarchical template matching is performed from the highest to the lowest level in each pyramid, narrowing the global search space and expanding the local search space. The initial search parameters at the top level can be determined by the preprocessing of the YOLOv3 object detection network to further improve real-time performance.

Findings

Experimental results show that this matching strategy takes only 100 ms under 100k templates without loss of accuracy, promising for real industrial applications. The authors further validated the approach by applying it to a real robot grasping task.

Originality/value

The matching framework in this paper improves the template matching efficiency by two orders of magnitude and is validated using a common template definition and viewpoint sampling methods. In addition, it can be easily adapted to other template definitions and viewpoint sampling methods.
An analysis of BIM-related job requirements based on text mining in China
Authors: Liu Jiahao , Xu Xi , Liu Jing
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Although building information modeling (BIM) has brought competitive advantages and many new jobs, the BIM-related job market is still confusing in China, which will undermine the adoption of BIM. This paper aims to show what kinds of BIM-related jobs are there in China, what employers require and whether all BIM engineers are the same kind.

Design/methodology/approach

A text mining approach, structural topic model, was used to process the job descriptions of 1,221 BIM-related online job advertisements in China, followed by a cluster analysis based on it.

Findings

First, 10 topics of requirements with the impact of experience and educational background to them were found, namely, rendering software, international project, design, management, personal quality, experience, modeling, relation and certificate. Then, six types were clustered, namely, BIM modeler, BIM application engineer, BIM consultant, BIM manager, BIM developer and BIM designer. Finally, different kinds of BIM engineers proved this title was an expediency leading to confusion.

Originality/value

This paper can provide a clear and insightful look into the confusing and unheeded BIM-related job market in China and might help to cope with the abuse of job titles. It could also benefit both employers and candidates in their recruitment for better matching.
Governance characteristics and sustainable longevity of family firms: the role of long-term orientation
Authors: Grissa Lobna , Lakhal Lassaad
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The aim of this research is to study the direct and indirect effects among governance characteristics, long-term orientation and sustainable longevity of family firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 108 family firms operating in different sectors using survey questionnaires. The authors used the partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine the hypotheses of the study.

Findings

Results indicate that governance characteristics influence long-term orientation and sustainable longevity. Furthermore, results also suggest that long-term orientation partially mediates the impact of governance characteristics on sustainable longevity. These findings provide critical implications for both theory and practice.

Originality/value

The findings of the study fill gaps in the existing literature and contribute to the body of knowledge in strategic management literature by providing additional evidence of the internal drivers of corporate sustainable longevity, particularly for family SMEs in developing economies.
Does mandatory CSR disclosure affect audit efficiency? Evidence from China
Authors: Wang Yonghai , Wang Jiawei
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the causal relationship between mandatory CSR disclosure and financial audit efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the unique institutional setting of China, where a subset of listed firms are mandated to disclose their corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports. The authors use propensity score matching and difference-in-differences approaches to compare audit efficiency in the pre- and post-mandatory CSR disclosure periods between the treatment and control groups. The regression models are estimated with robust standard errors clustered at the firm level.

Findings

This study finds that following China’s adoption of the mandatory disclosure of CSR, audit report lags decreased by 6% on average, suggesting that audit efficiency improved greatly following mandatory CSR disclosure. Moreover, this association is stronger when firms have better CSR performance, higher CSR report preparation costs, more earnings management before disclosure regulations and better internal controls and when firms belong to high-profile industries and in Big 4 (Big 10) accounting firms. Moreover, neither audit quality nor audit fees decrease when shorter audit lags occur for firms with mandatory CSR disclosures. Overall, the evidence suggests that mandatory CSR disclosure has a positive effect on audit efficiency and that the improvement of audit efficiency does not come as a consequence of reducing audit fees or deteriorating audit quality.

Research limitations/implications

The results reported in this study have practical and policy implications for policymakers, accounting firms and auditors to pay more attention to CSR information.

Originality/value

This study provides evidence of the causal relationship between mandatory CSR disclosure regulation and audit efficiency. It enriches the research on audit service production efficiency from the perspective of nonfinancial information disclosure.
Exploring the integration of ChatGPT in education: adapting for the future
Authors: Elbanna Said , Armstrong Loreta
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This article aims to explore the advantages of integrating a new generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology in education. It investigates the use of ChatGPT in personalized learning, assessment and content creation and examines ways to manage its limitations and some ethical considerations. The purpose is to stimulate discussion on the effective application of ChatGPT as a tool for learning and skill development while remaining mindful of the ethical issues involved.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology in this article includes four steps: a literature search, screening and selection, analysis and synthesis. The literature was thoroughly screened and selected on the basis of its relevance to the research question, before selected material were carefully read and analyzed. The insights gained from this analysis were then synthesized to identify key considerations in integrating ChatGPT in education.

Findings

The study concludes that ChatGPT can be effectively integrated into education to automate routine tasks and enhance the learning experience for students, ultimately increasing productivity and efficiency and fostering adaptive learning. However, the limitations of ChatGPT, even when updated, must be borne in mind, including factual inconsistencies, potential bias promotion, lack of in-depth understanding and safety concerns. The study nevertheless highlights the benefits of responsibly integrating ChatGPT within the field of education.

Practical implications

This study has practical implications for educators and policymakers who are interested in the integration of AI technology in education. The study provides insights of using ChatGPT in education.

Originality/value

This article contributes to the existing literature by specifically examining the advantages of integrating ChatGPT in higher education and offering recommendations for its responsible use. Moreover, the article emphasizes ethical considerations in the context of ChatGPT integration.
Does workplace ostracism negatively affect family life during a pandemic?
Authors: Sarwar Ambreen , Imran Muhammad Kashif , Hafeez Hira , Zaheer Muhammad , Fatima Tehreem
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The study aims to investigate the impact of workplace ostracism (WO) and fear of the COVID-19 pandemic on the family life of restaurant employees. This research is based on the conservation of resources (COR) theory and work–family interface model to understand the theoretical underpinnings of mistreatment in the food sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilized a survey with a structured questionnaire to collect time-lagged data from 238 restaurant employees in the central region of Punjab province in Pakistan. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS tool with modern-day techniques like bootstrapping, process macro and SmartPLS.

Findings

The study reveals that perceived stress levels of the employees increase due to ostracism, leading to work–family conflict. Furthermore, the study found that employees who fear COVID-19 are less stressed by ostracism.

Originality/value

The study's significant contribution lies in demonstrating that the impact of ostracism in the workplace is quite different from what was expected. The results have shown that ostracism can reduce the perceived stress levels of employees, leading to a decrease in work–family conflict, especially in the presence of fear of COVID-19.
A case of progressive crossed hemiatrophy mistaken as panniculitis
Authors: Li Daishi , Chen Junchen , Chen Mingliang , Tang Yan , Su Juan
Published: May 2023

Progressive crossed hemiatrophy is an extremely rare clinical type of facial hemiatrophy that presents primarily as unilateral facial atrophy and contralateral trunk or limb involvement. The undistinguishable clinical manifestation and pathological changes complicate diagnosis, especially at the onset of the disease when presenting with less clinical evidence. Here, we report a case of a 9‐year‐old boy started with left scalp induration, following with subcutaneous tissues atrophy on the right trunk. He was mistaken as panniculitis based on the pathologic findings and treated with topical tacrolimus without any improvement. Immune‐related tests were implemented to exclude connective tissues. Imaging examinations such as magnetic resonance was conducted to evaluate the range and degree of the involvement of the skin, soft tissue, and cranial changes. Although no effective treatment to hold back the progress has been reported so far, surgeries might work to restore the appearance to some extent or improve central nerves symptoms if they exist.
Capture and neutralization of SARS‐CoV‐2 and influenza virus by algae‐derived lectins with high‐mannose and core fucose specificities
Authors: Nazmul Tanuza , Lawal‐Ayinde Basirat M. , Morita Tomoko , Yoshimoto Reiko , Higashiura Akifumi , Yamamoto Akima , Nomura Toshihito , Nakano Yukiko , Hirayama Makoto , Kurokawa Hiroshi , Kitamura Yasuyuki , Hori Kanji , Sakaguchi Takemasa
Published: May 2023

We first investigated the interactions between several algae‐derived lectins and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). We created lectin columns using high‐mannose (HM)–type glycan‐specific lectins OAA and KAA‐1 or core fucose–specific lectin hypninA‐2 and conducted binding experiments with SARS‐CoV‐2. The results showed that these lectins were capable of binding to the virus. Furthermore, when examining the neutralization ability of nine different lectins, it was found that KAA‐1, ESA‐2, and hypninA‐2 were effective in neutralizing SARS‐CoV‐2. In competitive inhibition experiments with glycoproteins, neutralization was confirmed to occur through HM‐type or core fucose–type glycans. However, neutralization was not observed with other lectins, such as OAA. This trend of KAA‐1 and ESA‐2 having the neutralizing ability and OAA not having it was also similar to influenza viruses. Electron microscopy observations revealed that KAA‐1 and hypninA‐2 strongly aggregated SARS‐CoV‐2 particles, while OAA showed a low degree of aggregation. It is believed that the neutralization of SARS‐CoV‐2 involves multiple factors, such as glycan attachment sites on the S protein, the size of lectins, and their propensity to aggregate, which cause inhibition of receptor binding or aggregation of virus particles. This study demonstrated that several algae‐derived lectins could neutralize SARS‐CoV‐2 and that lectin columns can effectively recover and concentrate the virus.
Reforming the Private Rental Sector: Challenges in the 2020s and Beyond
Authors: Hulse Kath , Goodall Zoë
Published: May 2023

Researchers, policy‐makers and the media all highlight a crisis in the Australian private rental sector. Often, proposed rental reforms that centre tenants are claimed to cause property owner disinvestment and have a negative impact on the rental market. Recent research which we co‐authored found these claims are not substantiated by evidence. In this article, we argue that further reforms are needed to improve the functioning of the rental market for tenants. We examine some of the most contentious issues in rental regulation and assess the evidence of their impacts, drawing from our own research as well as that of others.
Hospital‐physician integration and clinical volume in traditional Medicare
Authors: Post Brady , Hollenbeck Brent K. , Norton Edward C. , Ryan Andrew M.
Published: May 2023

Objective

To test the effect of hospital‐physician integration on primary care physicians' (PCP) clinical volume in traditional Medicare.

Data Sources and Study Setting

Nationwide retrospective longitudinal study using Medicare claims and other data sources from 2010 to 2016.

Study Design

We identified 70,000 PCPs, some of whom remained non‐integrated and some who became hospital‐integrated during this study period. We used an event study design to identify the effect of integration on key measures of physicians' clinical volume, including the number of claims, work‐relative value units (RVUs), professional revenue generated, number of patients treated, and facility fee revenue generated.

Principal Findings

Per‐physician clinical volume declined by statistically and economically significant margins. Relative to the comparison group who remained non‐integrated, work RVUs fell by 7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: −8.6% to −5.5%); the number of patients treated fell by 4% (95% CI: −5.8% to −2.6%); and claims volume among PCPs who became hospital‐integrated fell by over 15% (95% CI: −16.8% to −13.5%). Though professional revenue declined by $29,165 (95% CI: −$32,286 to −$26,044), this loss was almost entirely offset by increased facility fee revenue of $28,556 (95% CI: 26,909 to 30,203).

Conclusions

Hospital‐physician integration may affect the quantity of clinical services delivered by PCPs to traditional Medicare beneficiaries. Reductions in clinical volume associated with integration may have long‐term consequences for the supply of physician services and patient access to primary care. Future research on physician time use and patient access following hospital integration would further add to the evidence base.
Synergistic effect of ultrahigh pressure and allicin on gel properties, flavor characteristics, and myosin structure of the obturator muscle of the scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis)
Authors: Tong Shengnan , Liu Rui , Wang Wei , Lv Xinran , Xu Yongxia , Mi Hongbo , Li Jianrong , Yi Shumin , Li Xuepeng
Published: May 2023

The synergistic effects of the combination of ultrahigh pressure (UHP) with allicin on the gel properties, flavor characteristics, and myosin structure of scallops were investigated. The results indicated that chewiness reached maximum, uniform, and dense microstructures at B‐300 MPa, and scallops with favorable gel properties. In addition, the electronic nose and tongue could clearly distinguish the olfactory and gustatory properties of scallops, and the interaction of UHP and allicin increased the variety of volatile compounds in scallops, which mainly included 1‐hydroxy‐2‐propanone, 1‐hexenal, 2‐butanone‐D, and 1‐octen‐3‐ol. The main performance was fruit aroma and a plantlike aroma and mushroomlike odor. UHP and allicin changed the microenvironment of tryptophan residues, and allicin formed larger aggregates by forming disulfides with myosin. The sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis results could show that myosin had low degradation in B‐300 MPa. Thus, comprehensively viewed, UHP and allicin play a role in gel formation of myosin from obturator muscle at 300 MPa, whereas allicin and myosin form disulfides as the main factor of myosin gelation.

Practical Application

To enhance the diversity of scallop preparation methods and improve the quality of the obtained product, UHP and allicin treatment result in scallops with satisfactory chewiness and flavor, which provides application prospects for scallop processing.
Sensory profiling of natural sweeteners and sucrose–sweetener binary mixtures
Authors: Mora Margaux , Wijaya Fiwany , Jiang Glycine , Gibney Patrick , Dando Robin
Published: May 2023

Overconsumption of added sugars is associated with higher incidences of obesity, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Alternative sweeteners have long been relied on as a strategy to reduce consumption of added sugars; however these alternatives differ notably from sucrose in their sensory properties. Recently, consumers have also been looking to reduce consumption of ingredients deemed “artificial,” seeking natural alternatives despite poor definitions of these terms on the whole. Wider knowledge of the sensory properties of natural sweeteners would greatly aid in this goal. Descriptive analysis and time–intensity scaling were used to characterize the temporal profile and off‐flavors of allulose, erythritol, rebaudioside (Reb) A, Reb D, Reb M, monk fruit, and thaumatin, as compared to sucrose. Further, each was blended to reduce sucrose by 50% and 75% in binary mixtures. Where significant off‐flavors were frequently reported with sweeteners, when delivered in binary mixtures for partial sugar reduction, these were much mitigated, while also bringing temporal profiles closer to that of sucrose. This suggests that partial sugar reduction may be an effective way of reducing caloric intake while not compromising sensory experience.

Practical Application

The use of both descriptive analysis and time–intensity scaling allows for a more complete understanding of the sensory properties of natural alternative sweeteners. Understanding their sensory deficits and ways to improve these sweeteners plays a critical role in creating healthier products that will be accepted by consumers.
The persistence of blue ash in the aftermath of emerald ash borer may be due to adult oviposition preferences and reduced larval performance
Authors: Cipollini Don , Morton Emily
Published: May 2023

We examined the health of mature blue ash, Fraxinus quadrangulata, in two forests in southwestern Ohio in relation to that of mature white ash, F. americana, and examined the potential importance of oviposition preferences and larval resistance in the persistence of blue ash.

Both blue ash and white ash were largely unaffected by emerald ash borer in 2012. By 2018, nearly 90% of the blue ash trees observed in these forests had full or nearly full canopies, as opposed to less than 20% of the white ash encountered in our studies. In 2021, blue ash maintained a similar degree of canopy health as in 2018, but no standing live mature white ashes remained.

Bark removals revealed no current or past larval feeding attempts in blue ash in 2018 or 2021, except for one attacked and killed tree in 2018. All white ash trees examined were attacked. In a laboratory bioassay with cut stems, emerald ash borer larvae fed less and grew significantly more slowly on blue ash than on white ash.

Both reduced larval performance and reduced adult oviposition likely contribute to the persistence of blue ash in forests devastated by emerald ash borer.
Obesity is associated with an increased risk of undergoing hip replacement in Australia
Authors: Truong Anthony P. , Wall Christopher J. , Stoney James D. , Graves Stephen E. , Lorimer Michelle F. , de Steiger Richard N.
Published: May 2023

Background

Obesity is a known risk factor for the development of hip osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether obesity is associated with the risk of undergoing total hip replacement (THR) in Australia.

Methods

A cohort study was conducted comparing data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR) from 2017 to 2018. Body mass index (BMI) data for patients undergoing primary total hip replacement and resurfacing for osteoarthritis were obtained from the AOANJRR. The distribution of THR patients by BMI category was compared to the general population, in age and sex sub‐groups.

Results

During the study period, 32 495 primary THR were performed for osteoarthritis in Australia. Compared to the general population, there was a higher prevalence of Class I, II and III obesity in patients undergoing THR in both sexes aged 35–74 years. Class III obese females and males aged 55–64 years were 2.9 and 1.7 times more likely to undergo THR, respectively (P < 0.001). Class III obese females and males underwent THR on average 5.7 and 7.0 years younger than their normal weight counterparts, respectively.

Conclusion

Obese Australians are at increased risk of undergoing THR, and at a younger age.
On the lowest rung of the ladder: How social exclusion, perceived economic inequality and stigma increase homeless people's resignation
Authors: Marinucci Marco , Riva Paolo , Lenzi Michela , Lasagna Camilla , Waldeck Daniel , Tyndall Ian , Volpato Chiara
Published: May 2023

Despite the relevance of social exclusion and economic inequality for homelessness, empirical studies investigating how these issues relate to homeless people's psychological well‐being are scarce. We aimed to fill this gap by conducting two quasi‐experimental studies on homeless and non‐homeless groups. The first study (N = 200) showed that homeless (vs. non‐homeless) people presented higher levels of resignation, characterized by depression, alienation, helplessness, and unworthiness (Williams, 2009). The second study (N = 183) replicated the findings from Study 1 and showed that perceived economic inequality could increase homeless people's resignation by emphasizing perceptions of social exclusion. Additional analyses found that identification with the stigmatized homeless group could mediate the relationship between perceived inequality and social exclusion, increasing the resignation. Overall, the results showed that chronic social exclusion of homeless people is associated with higher levels of resignation. Moreover, they showed the role of perceived economic inequality and homeless group stigmatized identification as group‐specific mechanisms favouring social exclusion and ultimately worsening psychological well‐being.
How do socioeconomic attainment gaps in early mathematical ability arise?
Authors: James‐Brabham Ella , Loveridge Toni , Sella Francesco , Wakeling Paul , Carroll Daniel J. , Blakey Emma
Published: May 2023

Socioeconomic attainment gaps in mathematical ability are evident before children begin school, and widen over time. Little is known about why early attainment gaps emerge. Two cross‐sectional correlational studies were conducted in 2018–2019 with socioeconomically diverse preschoolers, to explore four factors that might explain why attainment gaps arise: working memory, inhibitory control, verbal ability, and frequency of home mathematical activities (N = 304, 54% female; 84% White, 10% Asian, 1% black African, 1% Kurdish, 4% mixed ethnicity). Inhibitory control and verbal ability emerged as indirect factors in the relation between socioeconomic status and mathematical ability, but neither working memory nor home activities did. We discuss the implications this has for future research to understand, and work towards narrowing attainment gaps.
Nonmedical barriers and needs of rural children with disabilities and their families in Asia: A scoping review
Authors: Fu Linyun , Mei Brenden , Wu Yifei , Liu Grace , Ma Zhiying
Published: May 2023

Children with disabilities encounter unique challenges in rural Asia, where community resources are often lacking. This study is the first scoping review to understand nonmedical barriers and needs perceived by rural children with disabilities and their families in Asian countries. A literature search was conducted among six major databases for peer‐reviewed articles published between 1 January 2010 and 21 June 2022 and written in English. Based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 23 studies were identified and included in this review. The barriers and needs experienced by rural disabled children and their relatives are classified into family, school, community, and service levels. The review also highlights potential practice, policy, and research implications. To break down barriers and meet their needs, it is essential to take a holistic approach by supporting the family as a whole. In addition, to promote gender equity and prevent societal stigmatization and discrimination, policies and support programmes must be developed and implemented at the school and community levels. This review also identifies extant research gaps and suggests directions for future research, calling for more quantitative and mixed‐method studies, the inclusion of experiences from all Asian countries, a focus on intersectionality, and more research on the pandemic's effects on these marginalized individuals.