bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TheC. elegansMyc-family of transcription factors coordinate a dynamic adaptive response to dietary restriction
Authors: Cornwell Adam , Zhang Yun , Thondamal Manjunatha , Johnson David W. , Thakar Juilee , Samuelson Andrew V.
Published: November 2023

Dietary restriction (DR), the process of decreasing overall food consumption over an extended period of time, has been shown to increase longevity across evolutionarily diverse species and delay the onset of age-associated diseases in humans. InCaenorhabditis elegans, the Myc-family transcription factors (TFs) MXL-2 (Mlx) and MML-1 (MondoA/ChREBP), which function as obligate heterodimers, and PHA-4 (orthologous to forkhead box transcription factor A) are both necessary for the full physiological benefits of DR. However, the adaptive transcriptional response to DR and the role of MML-1::MXL-2 and PHA-4 remains elusive. We identified the transcriptional signature ofC. elegansDR, using theeat-2genetic model, and demonstrate broad changes in metabolic gene expression ineat-2DR animals, which requires bothmxl-2andpha-4. While the requirement for these factors in DR gene expression overlaps, we found many of the DR genes exhibit an opposing change in relative gene expression ineat-2;mxl-2animals compared to wild-type, which was not observed ineat-2animals withpha-4loss. We further show functional deficiencies of themxl-2loss in DR outside of lifespan, aseat-2;mxl-2animals exhibit substantially smaller brood sizes and lay a proportion of dead eggs, indicating that MML-1::MXL-2 has a role in maintaining the balance between resource allocation to the soma and to reproduction under conditions of chronic food scarcity. Whileeat-2animals do not show a significantly different metabolic rate compared to wild-type, we also find that loss ofmxl-2in DR does not affect the rate of oxygen consumption in young animals. The gene expression signature ofeat-2mutant animals is consistent with optimization of energy utilization and resource allocation, rather than induction of canonical gene expression changes associated with acute metabolic stress -such as induction of autophagy after TORC1 inhibition. Consistently,eat-2animals are not substantially resistant to stress, providing further support to the idea that chronic DR may benefit healthspan and lifespan through efficient use of limited resources rather than broad upregulation of stress responses, and also indicates that MML-1::MXL-2 and PHA-4 may have different roles in promotion of benefits in response to different pro-longevity stimuli.
Genome-Wide Exploration of the OpportunisticProvidencia stuartiiUnveils the Novel Genetic Interactions with the Virulence Gene of Diarrheal Pathogens
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Uzzal , Hossain Md. Shahadat , Rahman A.B.Z Naimur , Dey Shajib , Chowdhury Zeshan Mahmud , Bhattacharjee Arittra , Ahammad Ishtiaque , Aziz Md. Abdul , Hashem Abu , Das Keshob Chandra , Keya Chaman Ara , Salimullah Md.
Published: November 2023

Diarrhea typically indicates an intestinal disorder, which can occur from viruses, parasites or bacterial infection. Along with the common diarrhea-causing pathogens, opportunistic bacteria may also play a role in the etiology of diarrheal disease. One of the opportunist’s bacteria that can cause diarrhea in both children and adults isProvidencia stuartii. Therefore, the goal of this study is to explore the genetic mechanism of the opportunisticP. stuartiiin microbial interactions with common diarrheal pathogens. Hence,P. stuartiiwas identified by utilizing the morphological observation and molecular techniques. Afterwards, the entire genome ofP. stuartiiwas sequenced, assembled and annotated to explore the genomic insights. In addition, the virulence genes of 100 whole genome sequences from ten prevalent diarrhea-causing bacteria were identified and prioritized. Finally, the system biology approach was used to predict the protein-protein interaction network betweenP. stuartiiand the virulence genes. The results of the present study suggests that complete genome sequencing of this bacteria contains 4011 proteins, which are crucial for this bacterium to survive. Additionally, 16 gene clusters provide 207 interacting genes that could interact with biological and molecular function, subcellular localization and pathway. The microbial interaction accompanying the virulence gene was found in all 10 diarrhea-causing bacteria exceptClostridium difficile. These findings of this study could aid in the exploration ofProvidencia stuartiias the major causative agent of diarrhea. Additionally, the pathophysiology of diarrhea can be investigated using the microbial interactions betweenP. stuartiiand the typical diarrheal bacteria. The results of this study may therefore be used to determine the most effective therapeutic targets for the development of medications to treat diarrhea.
In the murine and bovine maternal mammary gland signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 is activated in clusters of epithelial cells around the day of birth
Authors: Hardwick Laura J. A. , Davies Benjamin P. , Pensa Sara , Burge-Rogers Maedee , Davies Claire , Baptista André Figueiredo , Knott Robert , McCrone Ian , Po Eleonora , Strugnell Benjamin W. , Waine Katie , Wood Paul , Khaled Walid T. , Summers Huw D. , Rees Paul , Wills John W. , Hughes Katherine
Published: November 2023

Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STATs) regulate mammary gland development. Here we investigate the expression of pSTAT3 in the murine and bovine mammary gland around the day of birth. We identify polarisation of mammary alveoli towards either a low- or high-proportion of pSTAT3 positive alveolar epithelial cells. We present localised colocation analysis applicable to other mammary studies where identification, quantification and interrogation of significant, spatially congregated events is required. We demonstrate that pSTAT3-positive events are multifocally clustered in a non-random and statistically significant fashion. This finding represents a new facet of mammary STAT3 biology meriting further functional investigation.
An Environmental Restriction impairs HIV-1 virion fusion and triggers innate immune recognition
Authors: Ahmed Samy Sid , Zimmerman Liv , Imle Andrea , Wuebben Katrin , Tibroni Nadine , Rauch-Wirth Lena , Münch Jan , Chlanda Petr , Graw Frederik , Fackler Oliver T.
Published: November 2023

In vivo, HIV-1 replicates within 3D tissues, yet the impact of tissue-like environments on viral spread is largely unknown. Our previous research identified that synthetic 3D environments impose anEnvironmental Restriction to cell-free Virus Infectivity(ERVI) that diminishes HIV-1 particle infectivity. Here, mechanistic studies reveal that ERVI is implemented within minutes, saturable and induced by different adhesive tissue-like 3D matrices. ERVI reduces infectivity across a wide range of primary HIV-1 strains and virions bearing distinct viral glycoproteins but does not damage virion morphology or affect their binding to target cells. Rather, ERVI impairs virion fusion with target cells and infectivity enhancing peptide nanofibrils can restore efficient infection. In addition, ERVI sensitizes HIV-1 particles for recognition by monocyte-derived macrophages via toll-like receptors 4 and 8, triggering pronounced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion. These results suggest that ERVI represents a broadly acting, tissue-intrinsic barrier to virus spread that reduces the fusogenicity of cell-free virions and sensitizes them for innate immune recognition.
A genome-wide segmentation approach for the detection of selection footprints
Authors: Mary-Huard Tristan , Rigaill Guillem
Published: November 2023

Motivation

In population genetics, the detection of genomic regions under positive selection is essential to understand the genetic basis of locally adaptive trait variation. We propose a principled approach to detect those regions that combines a robust moment basedFSTestimator with a segmentation algorithm.

Results

Our approach allows for pairwise comparisons of populations and does not require any prior knowledge about the size of the regions to be detected. The procedure runs within seconds even for large genome datasets with millions of SNPs, and provides a complete landscape of theFSTdistribution over the chromosome. The procedure comes with a grounded estimator of the baselineFSTlevel, allowing the detection of regions exhibiting high departures from this reference value. The potential of our procedure is illustrated in two applications in animal and human population genetics. We were able to recover in a matter of seconds regions known to be under selection, often with greater precision than what was reported in previous studies.

Availability

Our approach is implemented in thefst4pgR package available from the CRAN repository. The Sheep dataset is downloadable from the Zenodo repositoryhttps://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.237116. The 1000 Genome dataset is downloadable fromftp.1000genomes.ebi.ac.uk/vol1/ftp/release/20130502
MitoTracer facilitates the identification of informative mitochondrial mutations for precise lineage reconstruction
Authors: Yu Xuexin , Hu Jing , Tan Yuhao , Pan Mingyao , Zhang Hongyi , Li Bo
Published: November 2023

Mitochondrial (MT) mutations serve as natural genetic markers for inferring clonal relationships using single cell sequencing data. However, the fundamental challenge of MT mutation-based lineage tracing is automated identification of informative MT mutations. Here, we introduced an open-source computational algorithm called “MitoTracer”, which accurately identified clonally informative MT mutations and inferred evolutionary lineage from scRNA-seq or scATAC-seq samples. We benchmarked MitoTracer using the ground-truth experimental lineage sequencing data and demonstrated its superior performance over the existing methods measured by high sensitivity and specificity. MitoTracer is compatible with multiple single cell sequencing platforms. Its application to a cancer evolution dataset revealed the genes related to primary BRAF-inhibitor resistance from scRNA-seq data of BRAF-mutated cancer cells. Overall, our work provided a valuable tool for capturing real informative MT mutations and tracing the lineages among cells.

Teaser

MitoTracer enables automatically and accurately discover informative mitochondrial mutations for lineage tracing.
Selective activation of intracellular β1AR using a spatially restricted antagonist
Authors: Liccardo Federica , Morstein Johannes , Lin Ting-Yu , Pampel Julius , Shokat Kevan M. , Irannejad Roshanak
Published: November 2023

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate several physiological and pathological processes and represent the target of approximately 30% of FDA-approved drugs. GPCR-mediated signaling was thought to occur exclusively at the plasma membrane. However, recent studies have unveiled their presence and function at subcellular membrane compartments. There is a growing interest in studying compartmentalized signaling of GPCRs. This requires development of novel tools to separate GPCRs signaling at the plasma membrane from the ones initiated at intracellular compartments. We took advantage of the structural and pharmacological information available for β1-adrenergic receptor (β1AR), an exemplary GPCR that functions at subcellular compartments, and rationally designed spatially restricted antagonists. We generated a cell impermeable β1AR antagonist by conjugating a suitable pharmacophore to a sulfonate-containing fluorophore. This cell-impermeable antagonist only inhibited β1AR on the plasma membrane. In contrast, a cell permeable β1AR agonist containing a non-sulfonated fluorophore, efficiently inhibited both the plasma membrane and Golgi pools of β1ARs. Furthermore, the cell impermeable antagonist selectively inhibited the phosphorylation of downstream effectors of PKA proximal to the plasma membrane in adult cardiomyocytes while β1AR intracellular pool remained active. Our tools offer promising avenues for investigating compartmentalized β1AR signaling in various context, potentially advancing our understanding of β1AR-mediated cellular responses in health and disease. They also offer a general strategy to study compartmentalized signaling for other GPCRs in various biological systems.
An EPHB4-RASA1 signaling complex inhibits shear stress-induced Ras-MAPK activation in lymphatic endothelial cells to promote the development of lymphatic vessel valves
Authors: Chen Di , Wiggins David , Sevick Eva M. , Davis Michael J. , King Philip D.
Published: November 2023

EPHB4 is a receptor protein tyrosine kinase that is required for the development of lymphatic vessel (LV) valves. We show here that EPHB4 is necessary for the specification of LV valves, their continued development after specification, and the maintenance of LV valves in adult mice. EPHB4 promotes LV valve development by inhibiting the activation of the Ras-MAPK pathway in LV endothelial cells (LEC). For LV specification, this role for EPHB4 depends on its ability to interact physically with the p120 Ras-GTPase-activating protein (RASA1) that acts as a negative regulator of Ras. Through physical interaction, EPHB4 and RASA1 dampen oscillatory shear stress (OSS)-induced Ras-MAPK activation in LEC, which is required for LV specification. We identify the Piezo1 OSS sensor as a focus of EPHB4-RASA1 regulation of OSS-induced Ras-MAPK signaling mediated through physical interaction. These findings contribute to an understanding of the mechanism by which EPHB4, RASA1 and Ras regulate lymphatic valvulogenesis.
Proteomic mapping of macrophages in response to the clearance of apoptotic cells reveals a unique reprogramming profile
Authors: Raymond Benjamin Bernard Armando , Frey Andrew Michael , Trost Matthias
Published: November 2023

During the daily process of healthy cellular turnover, billions of cells undergo apoptosis in the human body. These cells are removed by phagocytic cells, namely macrophages through a process known as efferocytosis, which triggers a cascade of reprogramming events in the cell, with a shift towards a pro-resolving or ‘wound healing’ phenotype. To date, no study has attempted to investigate these phenotypic changes from a proteomic perspective. Here, we present a novel and robust workflow for the investigation of proteome and secretome changes in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) following efferocytosis using stable isotope labelling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) combined with data-independent acquisition (DIA) mass spectrometry. We show that using this workflow we can dissect the mixed proteomes of BMDMs and apoptotic cells to specifically map the reprogramming events occurring in macrophages in the later stages of efferocytosis. Specifically, we find that efferocytic macrophages adopt an alternatively activated phenotype underpinned by an increase in efferocytic and anti-inflammatory markers. We also show that the secretome contains factors that can reprogram naïve BMDMs towards an efferocytosis-like, pro-resolving, phenotype. Our results provide an unprecedented view of the efferocytic landscape of macrophages and will aid in further understanding this important immunological process in the larger context of immune homeostasis and inflammatory disorders.
The Sec61/TRAP Translocon Scrambles Lipids
Authors: Javanainen Matti , Karki Sudeep , Tranter Dale , Biriukov Denys , Paavilainen Ville O.
Published: November 2023

Cell growth relies on the rapid flip–flop of newly synthesized lipids across the ER membrane. This process is facilitated without the need for ATP by specific membrane proteins—scramblases—a few of which have been very recently identified in the ER. We have previously resolved the structure of the translocon-associated protein (TRAP) bound to the Sec61 translocon in the ER membrane, and found this complex to render the membrane locally thinner. Moreover, Sec61 and TRAP each contain a crevice rich in polar residues that can shield a lipid head group as it traverses the hydrophobic membrane environment. We thus hypothesized that both Sec61 and TRAP act as ER scramblases. Here, we characterized the scrambling activity of Sec61 and TRAP using extensive molecular dynamics simulations. We observed that both Sec61 and TRAP efficiently scramble lipidsviaa credit card mechanism. We analyzed the kinetics and thermodynamics of lipid scrambling and demonstrated that local membrane thinning provides a key contribution to scrambling efficiency. Both proteins appear seemingly selective towards phosphatidylcholine lipids over phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine, yet this behavior rather reflects the trends observed for these lipids in a protein-free membrane. The identified scrambling pathway in Sec61 structure is physiologically rarely unoccupied due to its role in protein translocation. Furthermore, we found that the scrambling activity of this pathway might be impeded by the presence of ions at a physiological concentration. However, the trimeric bundle of TRAPβ, TRAPγ, and TRAPδmight provide scrambling activity insensitive to the functional state of the translocon and the solvent conditions.
Tagging of water masses with covariance of trace metals and prokaryotic taxa in the Southern Ocean
Authors: Zhang Rui , Blain Stéphane , Baudet Corentin , Planquette Hélène , Vivier Frédéric , Catala Philippe , Crispi Olivier , Guéneuguès Audrey , Marie Barbara , Debeljak Pavla , Obernosterer Ingrid
Published: November 2023

Marine microbes are strongly interrelated to trace metals in the ocean. How the availability of trace metals selects for prokaryotic taxa and the potential feedbacks of microbial processes on the trace metal distribution in the ocean remains poorly understood. We investigate here the potential reciprocal links between diverse prokaryotic taxa and iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni) as well as apparent oxygen utilization (AOU) across 12 well-defined water masses in the Southern Indian Ocean (SWINGS-South West Indian Ocean GEOTRACES GS02 Section cruise). Applying Partial Least Square Regression (PLSR) analysis we show that the water masses are associated with particular latent vectors that are a combination of the spatial distribution of prokaryotic taxa, trace elements and AOU. This approach provides novel insights on the potential interactions between prokaryotic taxa and trace metals in relation to organic matter remineralization in distinct water masses of the ocean.
Neuronal dynamics of cerebellum and medial prefrontal cortex in adaptive motor timing
Authors: Ren Zhong , Wang Xiaolu , Angelov Milen , De Zeeuw Chris I. , Gao Zhenyu
Published: November 2023

Precise temporal control of sensorimotor coordination and adaptation is a fundamental basis of animal behavior. How different brain regions are involved in regulating the flexible temporal adaptation remains elusive. Here we investigated the neuronal dynamics of cerebellar interposed nucleus (IpN) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) neurons during temporal adaptation between delay eyeblink conditioning (DEC) and trace eyeblink conditioning (TEC). When mice trained for either DEC or TEC and subsequently subjected to a new paradigm, their conditioned responses (CRs) adapted virtually instantaneously. Changes in the activity of the IpN neurons to CR timing were prominent during DEC-to-TEC adaptation, but less so during TEC-to-DEC adaptation. In contrast, mPFC neurons could rapidly alter their modulation patterns during both adaptation paradigms. Accordingly, silencing of mPFC blocked the adaptation of CR timing. These results illuminate how cerebral and cerebellar mechanisms may play differential roles during adaptive control of associative motor timing.
SmERF6 promotes the expression of terpenoid pathway in Salvia officinalis and improves the production of high value abietane diterpenes, carnosol and carnosic acid
Authors: Bharadwaj Revuru , Thashanamoorthi Gayathri , Demiwal Pratibha , Sircar Debabrata , Ramalingam Sathishkumar
Published: November 2023

Carnosol (CO) and carnosic acid (CA) are pharmaceutically important diterpenes predominantly produced in members of Lamiaceae,Salvia officinalis,Salvia fruticosaandRosmarinus officinalis. Nevertheless, availability of these compounds in plant system is very low.

With an effort to improve thein plantacontent of these diterpenes,SmERF6(Salvia miltiorrhiza Ethylene Responsive Factor 6) transcription factor was expressed inS. officinalisheterologously. SmERF6 is known to bind at the promoter regions ofCopalyl diphosphate synthase(CPS) andKaurene synthase like(KSL) genes and improve ferruginol content, a common precursor for abietane diterpenes inSalviagenus.

Transient expression ofSmERF6exhibited the inter-specific activity in promoting differential accumulation of diterpenes inS. officinalis. Overexpression studies showed elevation in the levels of CO (10-folds) and CA (8-folds). Further, in infiltrated leaves levels of ferruginol (50%) and CA derivatives (rosmanol, epirosmanal, methyl carnosic acid) were significantly upregulated along with the other signature terpenes. While, knockdown of homologousERF6resulted in drastic reduction of the metabolite content.

Finally, stable transgenic lines ofS. officinalisdeveloped throughin planta Agrobacteriummediated genetic transformation method accumulated higher levels of CO (4-folds) and CA (3-folds) as compared to wild plants.

Overall, the present study is the first report on improving the content of pharmaceutically important diterpenes inS. officinalisby overexpressing pathway specific transcription factor. The current results showed convincing evidence for the concept of improving the content of specialized metabolite(s) in medicinal plants by manipulating the expression of key transcription factors.
A survey study of Iraqi auditors' adoption of blockchain technology
Authors: Majeed Rasha H. , Taha Alaa A.D.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This paper seeks to investigate the factors influencing auditors' behavioural intentions towards blockchain technology (BT) adoption in Iraqi government banks. It also highlights the relationships between these factors to determine if the proposed model can provide a more comprehensive means of comprehending how auditors in government banks have adopted BT.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology and expands it by incorporating five external constructs: “system trust”, “cost”, “transparency”, “security” and “auditor's skill.” This study employed a quantitative and exploratory methodology through the gathering and examination of data from 300 auditors. For the evaluation of the measurement and structural models, the authors adopted the partial least squares structural equation modelling approach with SmartPLS v4.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that “auditor's skill and four government features of BT adoption” are major factors in government bank auditors' adoption of BT. Additionally, the findings indicate that social influence is a potent indicator of one's intention to adopt BT in the banking industry.

Research limitations/implications

One limit of this study is the selection of governmental perspective. This study is limited to auditors' opinions, who work at the government banks. Further studies may consider other perspectives in order to provide an in-depth analysis of blockchain.

Practical implications

This paper offers valuable insights into the factors influencing the adoption of blockchain technology in Iraqi governmental banks. It provides empirical evidence supporting auditing units and internal auditors in enhancing their job performance through the adoption of such technology.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature on technology adoption within the audit profession, specifically examining the use of blockchain technology. By exploring the features of technology adoption within government institutions in the auditing field, it introduces a new perspective, emphasizing the importance of auditor skills.
Does social proof and herd behaviour drive food choices of consumers?
Authors: Begho Toritseju , Liu Shuainan
Published: November 2023

Purpose

People often look to the opinions and actions of others to guide their food choices, especially when they are uncertain or unfamiliar with a particular food. This influence can be positive or negative depending on the context and can have an impact on food consumption and health outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analysed data from 500 young adult consumers in China and employed a multi-study design to examine various aspects of social proof and herd behaviour in food choices. Experiment 1 examined the influence of testimonials from an influential person on buying decisions and eating behaviour. Experiment 2 explored whether herd behaviour drives food options. Experiment 3 assessed the influence of social proof on food choices. Chi-square tests of independence were conducted to examine the relationship between social proof and food choice, as well as herd behaviour and food decision-making. Several logit regression analyses were performed to identify the factors that drive consumers' susceptibility to social proof and herding.

Findings

The results indicated that the source of feedback, whether from an influential person or a family member, did not have a statistically significant effect on the likelihood of following the food guide recommendations. The preference for a healthier food option was stronger than following the herd. In contrast, social proof in the form of reviews and ratings influenced participants' choices. The paper highlights the usefulness for stakeholders and policymakers seeking to promote healthier eating habits.

Originality/value

The originality lies in its comprehensive approach, combining multiple experiments and analytical methods.
Consumers’ attributions in performance- and values-related brand crises
Authors: Wang Liangyan , Chan Eugene Y. , Gohary Ali
Published: November 2023

Purpose

During a brand crisis, consumers construct attributions to understand the cause of the crisis and to assign blame, with attributions of blame to firms consequently lowering brand attitudes. The purpose of this paper is to explore attributions of blame in performance- versus values-related brand crisis. Do consumers assign different levels of blame to values- versus performance-related brand crises?

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted three experimental studies, plus one pilot study, with American, British and Australian participants in which they manipulated the type of brand crisis as values- or performance-related to determine the extent to which consumers attribute blame to the firm and the effects of those attributions on consumers’ brand attitudes.

Findings

Findings indicated that consumers assign more blame to firms for a values-related brand crisis than for a performance-related brand crisis.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study explain how consumers are harsher towards firms that violate some moral or social standards than those that exhibit product defects.

Practical implications

For branding and public relations officials, finding greater internal attribution for values-related brand crises offers implications for how and what information about such crises ought to be conveyed to manage consumer response and brand reputation.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the findings are the first to explore attributions in blame toward values- and performance-related brand crises.
Advancing customer experience through service design in mega shopping malls
Authors: Junaid Muhammad , Rasheed Muhammad Faisal , Goudarzi Kiane , Tariq Asma
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This research aims to conceptualize and validate the mall service design as a multidimensional construct and then test a conceptual framework by investigating the impact of mall service design on customer mall experience and its subsequent outcomes, that is, intention to revisit and desire to stay in mega shopping malls.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey data of 455 shopping visitors in Pakistan were collected using a mall intercept technique and tested through structural equation modeling in AMOS.

Findings

The study reveals that service design significantly impacts customer experience and subsequent outcomes. Customer mall experience mediates the relationships between mall service design and the intention to revisit and desire to stay at malls.

Research limitations/implications

Data from a collectivist culture country (Pakistan) were collected. To explore the impact of service design on customer mall experience, researchers should conduct similar studies in individualistic societies like Europe and North America. Additionally, the authors recommend assessing the effect of each dimension of service design on customer experience separately.

Practical implications

The research provides policy guidelines for the owners and operators of mega shopping malls in developing experience-oriented retailing strategies based on service design.

Originality/value

The research conceptualizes and validates the mall service design as a multidimensional construct using the service theater model and empirically tests its relationship with the customer mall experience.
Aggressive investment choices – Do cultural values and past investing experiences play a role?
Authors: Singh Nidhi
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The study assesses impact of individual cultural values on investment choices (aggressive or conservative), of 450 investors with behavioural biases and risk propensity in serial as mediators in the relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used serial mediation analysis using Hayes model 6 for creating six models.

Findings

Findings of the study indicated that individualism traits are inclined to aggressive investment choices due to presence of overconfidence biases. Uncertainty avoidance and longtermism traits of investors resulted in aggressive investment choices due to presence of herd mentality bias. The moderating impact of past investing experiences was found significant.

Originality/value

The study indicates the importance of cultural values and past investing experiences of investors that may develop biases to assess investment choices and decisions of investors.
Netflix: rise, fall and recovery
Authors: de Zilwa Deanna Kathleen
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Netflix is the market leader in the streaming entertainment industry. In 2020 and 2021, Netflix’s subscriber numbers and revenue increased. During the first two quarters of 2022, Netflix lost millions of subscribers, revenue and profit declined and its share price and market capitalization deteriorated. The purpose of this study is to investigate how and why a company with such a strong track record as Netflix can experience this crisis and, most importantly, how it overcame the crisis and returned to growth.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study investigates Netflix’s rise, fall and recovery between 2020 and 2023 using qualitative research methods. It examines earnings calls, transcripts and letters to shareholders as well as the views of investment analysts, journalists and academics.

Findings

Netflix turned its fortunes around because its leaders faced the crisis head-on. They acknowledged that previous strategic decisions were no longer working, that no advertisements were on the platform and that there was no account sharing and they reversed these decisions. Netflix also realized that it needed to innovate, so it partnered with Microsoft to execute its go-to-market with advertising. It also launched games, made strategic acquisitions of gaming studios and developed its capabilities with new products.

Originality/value

This is a valuable case study. Investigating how a company as successful as Netflix can encounter a severe decline and how it changed its strategies and tactics to reverse the decline provides important lessons for other companies.
Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on consumer mobility and recovery from a distance perspective: a mobile phone data application
Authors: Kim Woo-Hyuk , Park Eunhye (Olivia) , Chae Bongsug (Kevin)
Published: November 2023

Purpose

In this study, to investigate tourist mobility (i.e. hotel visits) during the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors developed three objectives with reference to protection motivation theory: (1) to examine changes in travel distances in the USA before and during the pandemic, (2) to identify distinct travel patterns across different regions during the pandemic; and (3) to explore threat- and coping-related factors influencing tourist mobility.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used two primary sources of data. First, smartphone data from SafeGraph provided hotel-specific variables (e.g. location and visitor counts) and travel distances for 63,610 hotels in the USA. Second, state-level data representing various factors associated with travel distance were obtained from COVID-19 Data Hub and the US Census Bureau. The authors analyzed changes in travel distances over time at the state and regional levels and investigated clinical, policy and demographic factors associated with such changes.

Findings

The findings reveal actual travel movements and intraregional variances across different stages of the pandemic, as well as the roles of health-related policies and other externalities in shaping travel patterns amid public health risks.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to empirically examine changes in travel distances to hotels as destinations using smartphone data along with state-level data on COVID-19 and demographics. The findings suggest that tourism enterprises and stakeholders can proactively adapt their strategies by considering threat appraisals and coping mechanisms, both of which are influenced by externalities such as health-related policies.
Closing the entrepreneurial attitude-intention-behavior gap: the direct and moderating role of entrepreneurship education
Authors: Tran Van Hoa , Vu Trong Nghia , Pham Huong Thao , Nguyen Thi Phuong Thu , Duong Cong Doanh
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to adopt the theory of planned behavior to close the entrepreneurial attitude–intention–behavior gap in the entrepreneurship field as well as test the key moderators of the entrepreneurial process, starting from entrepreneurial attitude and intention to behavior to engage in entrepreneurial activities – namely, entrepreneurship education.

Design/methodology/approach

The research used a sample of 2,566 students from 16 universities in Vietnam. First, Cronbach’s alpha and confirmatory factor analysis have been used to test the reliability and validity of scales. Then the coefficient paths in the conceptual framework were tested through structural equation modeling, and indirect associations were estimated via the PROCESS bootstrapping approach.

Findings

The research illustrated that both attitudes toward entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intention serve as the central antecedents in the formation of entrepreneurial behavior. Also, when students are more entrepreneurially educated, the linkage between attitude toward entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial behavior was hypothesized to become stronger, yet the relation between entrepreneurial intention and behavior was weakened.

Practical implications

This research suggests useful recommendations for educators and policymakers to encourage university students’ favorable attitudes toward entrepreneurial activities, their intention to engage in them and their subsequent entrepreneurial behavior.

Originality/value

This research is expected to make a significant contribution to the entrepreneurship literature by closing the entrepreneurial attitude–intention–behavior gap as well as enriching our understanding of the influence of entrepreneurship education on the entrepreneurial process. Importantly, this research reveals that entrepreneurial education significantly moderates the effects of attitude toward entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intention on entrepreneurial behavior.
The Platt 3p (P3p) model of mental health interventions
Authors: Platt Ian Andrew
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce the Platt 3p model (P3p), an innovative framework aiming to address the mental health needs of young people. The model comprises three dimensions: past, present and potential, on which any mental health intervention should act to improve mental health outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual analysis is made that uses an interdisciplinary approach to draw on existing research and theories from psychology, developmental science and educational interventions to create the P3p model.

Findings

The P3p model presents a multi-layered approach that considers subjective, individual and group-level variables that should be considered in comprehensive mental health interventions. It accommodates systemic barriers and individual differences, thus creating the potential for more targeted, effective interventions.

Research limitations/implications

Though every effort has been made to provide a robust theoretical foundation, the model has yet to be empirically validated. Future research is taking place to apply the model in school settings to assess its practical efficacy.

Originality/value

The P3p model is novel in its integrative approach, fusing elements from disparate theories into a singular framework. This flexibility allows for person-centred, adaptable interventions that are tailored to individual needs.
“What have YOU done in the past few years?” Deaf BSL users’ experiences of caring for people with dementia during COVID-19
Authors: Ferguson-Coleman Emma , Young Alys
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Deaf people, who are British Sign Language (BSL) users, are, at times, carers for their parent or spouse when they have dementia. This can be a challenging role for the wider population, but if the common language in service provision is not one you share, then this care can be impacted by the lack of formal structures that support the Deaf caring role. This study aims to explore the experiences of Deaf carers supporting people with dementia, in an unpaid role, during the COVID-19 pandemic to understand more about their potential support preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

Online interviews with seven Deaf carers sharing their experiences of supporting their family member with dementia happened during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was used to qualitatively examine each Deaf carers’ stories.

Findings

Findings included Deaf carers’ lack of access to information, surrendering their autonomy to hearing family members to communicate with health-care professionals, with overarching isolation within local communities and online. Findings show a widespread infrastructural failure to meet the linguistic and specific support needs of this minority population.

Research limitations/implications

Seven Deaf carers took part in this study. This means the findings may not be generalisable.

Practical implications

Health-care professionals and social care structures need to develop robust clear communication pathways for Deaf carers to receive the support needed to provide effective care.

Social implications

If health-care professionals undertake training about Deaf people and BSL, that will mean Deaf carers will receive effective support to be able to care for a person living with dementia. This means that their Deaf identity will be recognised within the mainstream and the care provided will be much more effective for the person with dementia.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, these are the first interviews undertaken with Deaf carers of people with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent lockdowns. Understanding everyday barriers and social care limitations in terms of language access will enable Deaf carers to assert their rights and for care professionals to adapt their communication to match the individuals involved in the care package.
Prescription patterns in unipolar depression: A nationwide Danish register‐based study of 113,175 individuals followed for 10 years
Authors: Jorgensen Anders , Larsen Emma Neble , Sloth Mathilde Marie Brünnich , Kessing Lars Vedel , Osler Merete
Published: November 2023

Background

Evidence‐based use of antidepressant medications is of major clinical importance. We aimed to uncover precription patterns in a large cohort of patients with unipolar depression.

Material and Methods

Using Danish nationwide registers, we identified individuals with a first‐time hospital diagnosis of unipolar depression between January 1st, 2001, and December 31st, 2016. Redemeed prescriptions of antidepressants from five years before to five years after diagnosis were retreived. Lithium and relevant antipsychotics were included. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics including sunburst plots. Cox regressions were used to rank the risk of treatment failure according to antidepressant category and depression severity, as measured by hazard ratios of drug shift.

Results

The full study population consisted of 113,175 individuals. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors was the predominantly prescribed first‐line group, both before (55.4%) and after (47.7%) diagnosis and across depression severities. Changes of treatment strategy were frequent; 60.8%, 33.7%, and 17.1% reached a second, third, and fourth treatment trial after the hospital diagnosis, respectively. More than half of patients continued their pre‐diagnosis antidepressant after diagnosis. The risk of change of treatment strategy was generally lower in mild–moderate depression and higher in severe depression, with tricyclic antidepressants carrying the highest risk in the former and the lowest risks in the latter. Overall, prescribing were often not in accordance with guidelines.

Conclusion

These findings uncover a potential for improving the clinical care for patients with unipolar depression through optimization of the use of marketed antidepressants.
The association between epidural labour analgesia and postpartum depression: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Tan H. S. , Tan C. W. , Sultana R. , Chen H. Y. , Chua T. , Rahman N. , Gandhi M. , Sia A. T. H. , Sng B. L.
Published: November 2023

There is conflicting evidence regarding the association between epidural labour analgesia and risk of postpartum depression. Most previous studies were observational trials with limited ability to account for confounders. We aimed to determine if epidural analgesia was associated with a significant change in the incidence of postpartum depression in this randomised controlled trial. We enrolled women aged 21–50 years old with a singleton fetus ≥ 36 weeks gestation. Patients were advised regarding available labour analgesic modalities during enrolment (epidural block; intramuscular pethidine; nitrous oxide; or intravenous remifentanil). On request for analgesia, patients were offered the modality that they had been allocated randomly to first. Blinded investigators recorded patient and obstetric characteristics within 24 h of delivery and assessed for postpartum depression at 6–10 weeks following delivery using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (score ≥ 13 considered positive for postpartum depression). The modified intention‐to‐treat population consisted of all patients who received any form of labour analgesia, while per‐protocol consisted of patients who received their randomised modality as their first form of labour analgesia. Of 881 parturients allocated randomly (epidural n = 441, non‐epidural n = 440), we analysed 773 (epidural n = 389, non‐epidural n = 384); 62 (15.9%) of women allocated to epidural group developed postpartum depression compared with 65 (16.9%) women allocate to the non‐epidural group. There were no significant differences in the incidence of postpartum depression between the two groups (adjusted risk difference (95%CI) 1.6 (‐3.0–6.3%), p = 0.49). Similar results were obtained with per‐protocol analysis (adjusted risk difference (95%CI) ‐1.0 (‐8.3–6.3%), p = 0.79). We found no significant difference in the risk of postpartum depression between patients who received epidural labour analgesia and those who utilised non‐epidural analgesic modalities.
Does virtual reality in the preoperative setting for colorectal cancer surgery improve patient understanding? A randomized pilot study
Authors: Shepherd Talia , Trinder Matthew , Theophilus Mary
Published: November 2023

Background

Virtual reality (VR) enhanced radiology could help improve communication with colorectal cancer patients and therefore increase understanding in the perioperative setting. The objective of this pilot trial is to assess the feasibility of conducting a randomized control trial in terms of recruitment, use and acceptability of the VR technology and validity of data collection methods.

Methods

A prospective, single‐centre randomized control trial was conducted at St John of God Midland Hospital in Western Australia from November to December 2021. After standard informed consent with their surgeon, elective patients planned for resection of colorectal cancer were randomized to either ‘standard consent’ (shown computed tomography (CT) images only) or ‘VR consent’ (shown CT images and immersive VR models).

Results

Nine patients were recruited (four control; five intervention). There was a trend towards improved patient reported understanding without reaching statistical significance. Most patients preferred the use of VR as compared to CT as an educational tool during the consent process (P = 0.03). There were no adverse effects.

Conclusion

VR was well tolerated and patients enjoyed using the technology. Its use in an outpatient clinic setting for elective colorectal cancer surgery is feasible. Improvement in patient understanding using VR compared to standard consent processes in colorectal surgery should be tested in a statistically powered, high quality study design.
The value of radiographic features in predicting postoperative facial nerve function in vestibular schwannoma patients: A retrospective study and nomogram analysis
Authors: Shi Xudong , Liu Yuyang , Zhang Zehan , Tao Bingyan , Zhang Ding , Jiang Qingyu , Chen Guilin , Ma Hengchao , Feng Yaping , Xie Jiaxin , Zheng Xuan , Zhang Jun
Published: November 2023

Objective

The purpose of this study was to identify significant prognostic factors associated with facial paralysis after vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery and develop a novel nomogram for predicting facial nerve (FN) outcomes.

Methods

Retrospective data were retrieved from 355 patients who underwent microsurgery via the retrosigmoid approach for VS between December 2017 and December 2022. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to construct a radiographic features‐based nomogram to predict the risk of facial paralysis after surgery.

Results

Following a thorough screening process, a total of 185 participants were included. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that tumor size (p = 0.005), fundal fluid cap (FFC) sign (p = 0.014), cerebrospinal fluid cleft (CSFC) sign (p < 0.001), and expansion of affected side of internal auditory canal (IAC) (p = 0.033) were independent factors. A nomogram model was constructed based on these indicators. When applied to the validation cohort, the nomogram demonstrated good discrimination and favorable calibration. Then we generated a web‐based calculator to facilitate clinical application.

Conclusion

Tumor size, FFC and CSFC sign, and the expansion of the IAC, serve as good predictors of postoperative FN outcomes. Based on these factors, the nomogram model demonstrates good predictive performance.