bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterizing metabolism from bulk and single-cell RNA-seq data using METAFlux
Authors: Huang Yuefan , Mohanty Vakul , Dede Merve , Daher May , Li Li , Rezvani Katayoun , Chen Ken
Published: May 2022

Cells often alter metabolic strategies under nutrient-deprived conditions to support their survival and growth. Characterizing metabolic reprogramming in the TME (Tumor Microenvironment) is of emerging importance in ongoing cancer research and therapy development. Recent developments in mass spectrometry (MS)-based technologies allow simultaneous characterization of metabolic features of tumor, stroma, and immune cells in the TME. However, they only measure a subset of metabolites and cannot provide in situ measurements. Computational methods such as flux balance analysis (FBA) have been developed to estimate metabolic flux from bulk RNA-seq data and have recently been extended to single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) data. However, it is unclear how reliable the results are, particularly in the context of tissue TME characterization. To investigate this question and fill the analytical gaps, we developed a computational program METAFlux (METAbolic Flux balance analysis), which extends the FBA framework to infer metabolic fluxes from either bulk or single-cell transcriptomic TME data. We benchmarked the prediction accuracy of METAFlux using the exometabolomics data generated on the NCI-60 cell lines and observed significant improvement over existing approaches. We tested METAFlux in bulk RNA-seq data obtained from various tumor types including those in the TCGA. We validated previous knowledge, e.g., lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) has higher glucose uptake than lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). We also found a novel subset of LUAD samples with unique metabolic profiles and distinct survival outcome. We further examined METAFlux on scRNA-seq data obtained from coculturing tumor cells with CAR-NK cells and observed high consistency between the predicted and the experimental (i.e., Seahorse extracellular) flux measurements. Throughout our investigation, we discovered various modes of metabolic cooperation and competition between various cell-types in TMEs, which could lead to further target discovery and development.
Cell-to-cell variability of dynamic CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling and morphological processes in chemotaxis
Authors: Ho Kenneth K.Y. , Srivastava Siddhartha , Kinnunen Patrick C. , Garikipati Krishna , Luker Gary D. , Luker Kathryn E.
Published: May 2022

Chemotaxis drives critical processes in cancer metastasis. While commonly studied at the population scale, metastasis arises from small numbers of cells that successfully disseminate, underscoring the need to analyze chemotaxis at single-cell resolution. Here we focus on chemotaxis driven by the CXCL12-CXCR4 pathway, a signaling network that promotes metastasis in more than 20 different human cancers. CXCL12-CXCR4 activates ERK and Akt, kinases known to promote chemotaxis, but how cells couple signaling to chemotaxis remain poorly defined. To address this challenge, we implemented single-cell analysis of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells migrating in a chemotaxis device towards chemokine CXCL12. We integrated live, single-cell imaging with advanced computational analysis methods to discover processes defining subsets of cells that move efficiently toward a CXCL12 gradient. We identified dynamic oscillations in ERK and Akt signaling and associated morphological transitions as key determinants of successful chemotaxis. Cells with effective chemotaxis toward CXCL12 exhibit faster and more persistent movement than non-migrating cells, but both cell populations show similar random motion. Migrating cells exhibit higher amplitude fluctuations in ERK and Akt signaling and greater frequencies of generating lateral cell membrane protrusions. Interestingly, computational analysis reveals less correlated network coupling of signaling and morphological changes in migrating cells. These data reveal processing events that enable cells to convert a signaling input to chemotaxis and highlight how cells in a uniform environment produce heterogeneous responses.
Self-generation of goal-directed choices in a distributed dopaminergic and prefrontal circuit
Authors: Bousseyrol E , Didienne S , Takillah S , Solié C , Come M , Yahia T Ahmed , Mondoloni S , Vicq E , Tricoire L , Mourot A , Naudé J , Faure Ph
Published: May 2022

Goal-directed choices that are not triggered by external cues arise from internal representations of the outcomes. The use of a stimulus to specify when to act, which option to take, or whether to explore, has led to consider the reward circuit as a feedforward set of modules carrying independent computations. Here, we develop an uncued task in which mice self-determine the initiation, direction, vigor and pace of their actions based on their knowledge of the outcomes. Using electrophysiological recordings, pharmacology and optogenetics, we identify a sequence of oscillations and firing in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), orbitofrontal (OFC) and prefrontal cortices (PFC) that co-encodes and co-determines self-initiation and choices. This sequence appeared with learning as an unguided realignment of spontaneous dynamics. The interactions between the structures depended on the reward context, in particular regarding the uncertainty associated with the different options. We suggest that self-generated choices arise from a distributed circuit based on an OFC-VTA core setting whether to wait or to initiate actions, while the PFC is specifically engaged by reward uncertainty to participate in both the selection and pace of actions.

Highlights

Self-paced actions arise from contextual reorganization of mesocortical dynamics.

VTA, PFC and OFC complementarily encode predictions and errors about outcomes.

Distributed firing-then-oscillations dynamics set the goal, initiation and pace of actions.

VTA and PFC antagonistically promote and inhibit motivation by reward uncertainty.
Human intracranial pulsatility during the cardiac cycle: a computational modelling framework
Authors: Causemann Marius , Vinje Vegard , Rognes Marie E.
Published: May 2022

Background

Today’s availability of medical imaging and computational resources set the scene for high-fidelity computational modelling of brain biomechanics. The brain and its environment feature a dynamic and complex interplay between the tissue, blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and interstitial fluid (ISF). Here, we design a computational platform for modelling and simulation of intracranial dynamics, and assess the models’ validity in terms of clinically relevant indicators of brain pulsatility.

Methods

We develop finite element models of fully coupled cardiac-induced pulsatile CSF flow and tissue motion in the human brain environment. The three-dimensional model geometry is derived from magnetic resonance images (MRI), features a high level of detail including the brain tissue, the ventricular system, and the cranial subarachnoid space (SAS). We model the brain parenchyma at the organ-scale as an elastic medium permeated by an extracellular fluid network and describe flow of CSF in the SAS and ventricles as viscous fluid movement. Representing vascular expansion during the cardiac cycle, a pulsatile net blood flow distributed over the brain parenchyma acts as the driver of motion. Additionally, we investigate the effect of model variations on a set of clinically relevant quantities of interest.

Results

Our model predicts a complex interplay between the CSF-filled spaces and poroelastic parenchyma in terms of ICP, CSF flow, and parenchymal displacements. Variations in the ICP are dominated by their temporal amplitude, but with small spatial variations in both the CSF-filled spaces and the parenchyma. Induced by ICP differences, we find substantial ventricular and cranial-spinal CSF flow, some flow in the cranial SAS, and small pulsatile ISF velocities in the brain parenchyma. Moreover, the model predicts a funnel-shaped deformation of parenchymal tissue in dorsal direction at the beginning of the cardiac cycle.

Conclusions

Our model accurately depicts the complex interplay of ICP, CSF flow and brain tissue movement and is well-aligned with clinical observations. It offers a qualitative and quantitative platform for detailed investigation of coupled intracranial dynamics and interplay, both under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
Larger cerebral cortex is genetically correlated with greater frontal area and dorsal thickness
Authors: Makowski Carolina , Wang Hao , Srinivasan Anjali , Qi Anna , Qiu Yuqi , van der Meer Dennis , Frei Oleksandr , Zou Jingjing , Visscher Peter M. , Yang Jian , Chen Chi-Hua
Published: May 2022

Human cortical expansion has occurred non-uniformly across the brain. We assessed the genetic architecture of cortical global expansion and regionalization by comparing two sets of genome-wide association studies of 24 cortical regions with and without adjustment for global measures (i.e. total surface area, mean cortical thickness) using a genetically-informed parcellation in 32,488 adults. We found 393 and 756 significant loci with and without adjusting for globals, respectively, among which 8% and 45% loci were associated with more than one region. Results from analyses without adjustment for globals recounted loci associated with global measures. Genetic factors that contribute to total surface area of the cortex particularly expand anterior/frontal regions, whereas those contributing to thicker cortex predominantly increase dorsal/frontal-parietal thickness. Interactome-based analyses revealed significant overlap of global and regional genetic modules, enriched for neurodevelopmental and immune system pathways. Consideration of global measures is important in understanding the genetic variants underlying cortical morphology.
Mitochondrial genome recovery by ATFS-1 is essential for development following starvation
Authors: Naresh Nandhitha Uma , Shpilka Tomer , Yang Qiyuan , Du Yunguang , Haynes Cole M.
Published: May 2022

Nutrient availability regulates the C. elegans life cycle as well as mitochondrial physiology. Food deprivation significantly reduces mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) number and leads to aging-related phenotypes. Here, we demonstrate that the bZIP protein ATFS-1, a mediator of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), is required to promote growth and establish a functional germline following prolonged starvation. Surprisingly, we found that the recovery of mtDNA copy number and development following starvation required mitochondrial-localized ATFS-1 but not its nuclear transcription activity. Lastly, we found that the insulin-like receptor DAF-2, functions upstream of ATFS-1 to modulate mtDNA content. We demonstrate that reducing DAF-2 activity represses ATFS-1 nuclear function while causing an increase in mtDNA content partly mediated by mitochondrial-localized ATFS-1. Combined, our data indicate the importance of the UPRmt in recovering mitochondrial mass and suggests that atfs-1-dependent mtDNA replication precedes mitochondrial network expansion following starvation.
Combined omics unravels the molecular mechanism of golden-leaf coloration in Koelreuteria paniculata ‘jinye’
Authors: Guo Ting , Wu Ruqian , Yang Xiong , Huang Sai , Miao Deyu , Chen Tingting , Xue Yinxuan , Li Juan , Gao Kai , Guo Bin , An Xinmin
Published: May 2022

Koelreuteria paniculata is widely distributed in Asia and introduced to Europe and North America. K. paniculata ‘jinye’ is a mutant variety used in landscaping that has a golden leaf color phenotype. Although similar leaf color variants occur in plants, little is known of the underlying mechanism. We performed physiological, anatomical, microRNA sequencing, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses of the golden leaf variation in the mutant. Compared with the original green cultivar, the golden leaf mutant exhibited 76.05% and 44.32% decreased chlorophyll a (Chl a) and chlorophyll b (Chl b) contents, respectively, and significantly increased carotenoid content. Analysis of leaf ultrastructure revealed an abnormal chloroplast morphology and fewer lamellae in the mutant. Fifty-nine differentially expressed genes (DEGs), forty transcription factors (TFs) and forty-nine differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs) involved in pigment metabolism, chloroplast development, and photosynthesis were identified. The GLK and petC genes were downregulated and are involved in chloroplast development and chlorophyll synthesis, respectively. The upregulated PSY and PDS genes, and the downregulated NCED gene promote carotenoid accumulation. A variety of chalcones and flavonols were upregulated in the mutant. Consequently, the carotenoid to chlorophyll ratio increased by more than 75%, and the accumulation of chalcones and flavonols was responsible for the golden leaf phenotype of the mutant K. paniculata.
Using nanopore sequencing to obtain complete genomes from saliva samples
Authors: Baker Jonathon L.
Published: May 2022

Obtaining complete, high-quality reference genomes is essential to the study of any organism. Recent advances in nanopore sequencing, as well as genome assembly and analysis methods, have made it possible to obtain complete bacterial genomes from metagenomic (i.e. multispecies) samples, including those from the human microbiome. In this study, methods are presented to obtain complete bacterial genomes from human saliva using complementary Oxford Nanopore (ONT) and Illumina sequencing. Applied to 3 human saliva samples, these methods resulted in 11 complete bacterial genomes: 3 Saccharibacteria clade G6 (aka Ca. Nanogingivalaceae HMT-870), 1 Saccharibacteria clade G1 HMT-348, 2 Rothia mucilaginosa, 2 Actinomyces graevenitzii, 1 Mogibacterium diversum, 1 Lachnospiraceae HMT-096, 1 Lancefieldella parvula, and one circular chromosome of Ruminococcaceae HMT-075 (which likely has at least 2 chromosomes). The 4 Saccharibacteria genomes, as well as the Actinomyces graeventizii genomes, represented the first complete genomes from their respective bacterial taxa. Aside from the complete genomes, the assemblies contained 147 contigs of over 500,000 bp each and thousands of smaller contigs, together representing many additional draft genomes including many which are likely near-complete. The complete genomes enabled highly accurate pangenome analysis, which identified unique and missing features of each genome compared to its closest relatives with complete genomes available in public repositories. These features provide clues as to the lifestyle and ecological role of these bacteria within the human oral microbiota, which will be particularly useful in designing future studies of the specific taxa that have never been isolated or cultivated.
Effects of Familial Alzheimer’s Disease Mutations on the Folding Free Energy and Dipole-Dipole Interactions of the Amyloid β-Peptide
Authors: Davidson Darcy S. , Kraus Joshua A. , Montgomery Julia M. , Lemkul Justin A.
Published: May 2022

Familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD) mutations of the amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) are known to lead to early onset and more aggressive Alzheimer’s disease. FAD mutations such as “Iowa” (D23N), “Arctic” (E22G), “Italian” (E22K), and “Dutch” (E22Q) have been shown to accelerate Aβ aggregation relative to the wild-type (WT). The mechanism by which these mutations facilitate increased aggregation is unknown, but each mutation results in a change in net charge of the peptide. Previous studies have used nonpolarizable force fields to study Aβ, providing some insight into how this protein unfolds. However, nonpolarizable force fields have fixed charges that lack the ability to redistribute in response to changes in local electric fields. Here, we performed polarizable molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on the full-length Aβ42 of WT and FAD mutations and calculated folding free energies of the Aβ15-27 fragment via umbrella sampling. By studying both the full-length Aβ42 and a fragment containing mutations and the central hydrophobic cluster (residues 17-21), we were able to systematically study how these FAD mutations impact secondary and tertiary structure and the thermodynamics of folding. Electrostatic interactions, including those between permanent and induced dipoles, affected sidechain properties, salt bridges, and solvent interactions. The FAD mutations resulted in shifts in the electronic structure and solvent accessibility at the central hydrophobic cluster and the hydrophobic C-terminal region. Using umbrella sampling, we found that the folding of the WT and E22 mutants are enthalpically driven, whereas the D23N mutant is entropically driven, arising from a different unfolding pathway and peptide-bond dipole response. Together, the unbiased, full-length and umbrella sampling simulations of fragments reveal that the FAD mutations perturb nearby residues and others in hydrophobic regions to potentially alter solubility. These results highlight the role electronic polarizability plays in amyloid misfolding and the role of heterogeneous microenvironments that arise as conformational change takes place.
Impact of COVID-19 on people with Down syndrome in Japan based on regional differences frequency of emergency declarations
Authors: Kojima Michio
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to clarify the impact of adults with Down syndrome (DS) on COVID-19 and the status of efforts for new normal in Japan through a Web survey.

Design/methodology/approach

Parents’ associations’ representatives sent requests to members aged 18 years or older inviting them to participate in an Internet survey. A total of 141 people cooperated, and 126 people were included in the analysis.

Findings

As a result of examining the number of times the state of emergency was declared and its impact on COVID-19, the degree of anxiety felt when hearing information about new coronavirus infections on television or the internet was significantly higher in subjects for whom the state of emergency was declared four times than in subjects for whom the state of emergency was declared two and three times in the region. This was significantly higher than that of the subjects in the areas where the state of emergency had been declared four times and significantly lower than that of the subjects in the areas where the state of emergency had been declared one time for “smiling”. The results suggest that the effects on physical and mental health, although limited, are influenced by the number of times the state of emergency was declared. From the analysis of the free text, it was inferred that some, but not all, of the subjects with DS, had their physical and mental state affected by COVID-19 to the extent that they required medical care.

Originality/value

This study clarified the psychosomatic effects of COVID-19 in people with DS in adulthood, which has not yet been fully clarified in the world. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study in Japan to clarify the physical and mental effects of COVID-19 on people with DS and the status of new normal initiatives.
On the relationship between procedural justice and organizational citizenship behavior: a test of mediation and moderation effects
Authors: Nguyen Phan Dinh , Tran Lobel Trong Thuy
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study conceptualizes job engagement and satisfaction as a crucial mediating mechanism in the relationship between procedural justice and citizenship behavior at individual level (OCB) under the boundary conditions of perceived supervisor support (PSS) and rewards and recognition (RR).

Design/methodology/approach

The survey data were obtained from two periods of time. To reduce the potential bias, the authors approached respondents from different business units and measured RR and OCB from different points of time. The authors assessed the path significance at 95% bias-corrected confidence interval or more by the PLS algorithm and bootstrapping statistics.

Findings

Using an import-export company data, this study substantiates a positive effect of the proposed mediational mechanism of job engagement and satisfaction. In addition, the authors substantiate moderating roles of PSS and RR in the relationships between procedural justice and job satisfaction and, between job engagement and OCB, respectively.

Originality/value

This study is an important extension in enhancing the procedural justice and OCB relationship. The results do not only underscore the contributions of job engagement and satisfaction as vital mediators to the assumed relationship but also lend support to the inclusion of the moderating effects of PSS and RR.
Human resource development in SMEs in a context of labor shortage: a profile analysis
Authors: Deschênes Andrée-Anne
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) level of participation in human resource development activities during a labor shortage. Drawing on human capital theory, it examines whether SMEs’ profiles, determined according to their participation in different types of training activities, relate to perceived benefits of training, barriers to participation in training and learning culture.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies latent profile analysis (LPA) to 10 training practices of 427 SMEs in Quebec, Canada.

Findings

The LPA distinguished four profiles of SMEs, reflecting differing capacities for mobilizing training resources during a labor shortage. These four profiles show differences with regard to perceived training benefits, barriers to participation in training and learning culture.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to focus on the specific ability of SMEs to invest in their human capital in the unique and recent context of a labor shortage.
Fractional order interval optimization method based on perturbation bound and gamma function of a non-equidistant ROGM
Authors: Lian Yufeng , Feng Wenhuan , Li Pai , Lei Qiang , Ma Haitao , Sun Hongliang , Li Binglin
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a fractional order optimization method based on perturbation bound and gamma function of a DGM(r,1).

Design/methodology/approach

By analyzing and minimizing perturbation bound, the sub-optimal solution on fractional order interval is obtained through offline solving without iterative calculation. By this method, an optimized fractional order non-equidistant ROGM (OFONEROGM) is applied in fitting and prediction water quality parameters for a surface water pollution monitoring system.

Findings

This method can narrow fractional order interval in this work. In a surface water pollution monitoring system, the fitting and prediction performances of OFONEROGM are demonstrated comparing with integer order non-equidistant ROGM (IONEROGM).

Originality/value

A method of offline solving the sub-optimal solution on fractional order interval is proposed. It can narrow the optimized fractional order range of NEROGM without iterative calculation. A large number of calculations are eliminated. Besides that, optimized fractional order interval is only related to the number of original data, and convenient for practical application. In this work, an OFONEROGM is modeled for predicting water quality trend for preventing water pollution or stealing sewage discharge. It will provide guiding significance in water quality parameter fitting and predicting for water environment management.
A theoretical framework of smart supply chain innovation for going global companies: a multi-case study from China
Authors: Liu Weihua , Liang Yanjie , Lim Ming K. , Long Shangsong , Shi Xiaoran
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study explores the influencing factors of smart supply chain innovation (SSCI) for going global companies and designs a theoretical framework.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a multi-case study that includes a combination of exploratory and explanatory case studies.

Findings

First, the authors find that SSCI is embodied in product development and supply chain empowerment, which represent exploitative innovation and explorative innovation, respectively. Meanwhile, supply chain empowerment has a positive impact on product development. Second, the going global policy affects the transformation of supply chain empowerment to SSCI practices. Third, in terms of exploitative innovation, personalized demand positively affects SSCI through product development. Finally, explorative innovation, including emerging technology application and supply chain ecologicalization, has a positive effect on supply chain empowerment and thereby affects SSCI.

Originality/value

Supply chain innovation in the context of a smart economy has gained great popularity. This study sheds light on the influencing factors and mechanisms of SSCI from the exploitative and explorative aspects of innovations.
Supporting participatory innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparative study of enterprise social media use
Authors: Abhari Kaveh , Pesavento Michael , Williams David
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The need for accelerating innovation is exacerbated as organizations struggle to either adapt or perish in this unforgiving condition due to the COVID-19 disruption. To address this issue, many organizations have embraced employee-driven participatory innovation to survive and thrive albeit the uncertainties. This study aims to investigate the role of enterprise social media (ESM) in supporting and facilitating these efforts.

Design/methodology/approach

This study first identified the underlying mechanisms that allow ESM use to foster and maintain participatory innovation and then reexamined how these mechanisms played out during the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. The data was collected through a questionnaire in two phases, before and during work-from-home mandates, and the results were analyzed and compared to capture similarities and differences.

Findings

The results revealed that innovation culture and management support mediated the effects of ESM use on three measures of innovation productivity in both conditions. Interestingly, the effect of ESM use was more prominent in driving innovation in the work-from-home condition. This effect was not limited to the direct effect of ESM use on innovation productivity but on innovation culture and management support as well.

Originality/value

The results suggest that ESM offer a potentially useful path to support and enable employees to participate in the innovation processes, especially when they work remotely or in a distributed team. More generally, this paper should be of interest to researchers and practitioners interested in understanding, implementing and evaluating enterprise social software applications and encouraging employee-driven participatory innovation.
Wrestling with racism and anti-blackness: confronting legacies of coloniality in teacher education programs
Authors: Daniel CarolAnn
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This paper argues that to preserve black lives, teacher educators and teacher candidates need to develop a decolonial lens. A decolonial lens can provide clarity in understanding how the centering of Western epistemic perspectives perpetuate hierarchies and processes of racialization and invisibilized structures of domination that (re)produce differential learning experiences and outcomes for black students. This study aims to build on prior research to help teacher candidates more effectively recognize and challenge racism and anti-blackness in their schools and teaching practices.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the author discusses how racism and anti-blackness are perpetuated in schooling and why teacher educators must address them in our work with teacher candidates. Drawing upon existing literature on teacher education, my experiences as a teacher educator and social justice scholar, and insights from the decolonial scholarship, the discusses the importance of a decolonial lens for disrupting racism and anti-blackness, and I offer examples of how teacher educators and teacher candidates can engage in this work.

Findings

Multicultural education has done little to change the conditions of black students in schools. While most teacher education programs have made efforts to become more oriented toward social justice, there is a wide gap between program goals and teachers who can work effectively with the diversity of students that they serve.

Practical implications

This paper outlines an approach that teacher educators can use to further develop an antiracist decolonial teaching and research agenda and support teacher candidates regardless of their racial/ethnic group.

Social implications

A decolonial analysis can help teachers develop a better understanding of the structural and school inequalities that create disparate outcomes for black students and how to intervene. This is urgently necessary, as schooling remains a site of non-belonging and marginalization for black children and youth.

Originality/value

This paper offers a new race-conscious approach to disrupt systemic racism and anti-blackness in education.
The role of proximity in omnichannel customer experience: a service logic perspective
Authors: Dalla Pozza Ilaria
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This article proposes a new theoretical background against which to measure customer experience for omnichannel service deliveries and communications based on the concept of proximity. This represents a first step in developing a new measurement approach for omnichannel customer experience.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodological approach is based on literature review and theory development. Various streams of literature are integrated on the basis of their interactionist nature (service logic, psychological distance theory, and omnichannel customer experience literature), and theory is developed based thereon.

Findings

Successful omnichannel service deliveries and communications should build proximity with the customer during interactions at the different touchpoints. Proximity represents the value-in-use for the customer, who is coproducer of value at each interaction. Proximity can be applied to all touchpoints, thus strengthening seamlessness for omnichannel service deliveries and communications.

Originality/value

This research advances knowledge by integrating the concepts of omnichannel and proximity under the lenses of service logic. The author proposes a new theoretical background for the measurement of omnichannel customer experience that contributes to the literature. In modern omnichannel service deliveries and communications, a measurement approach based on proximity fulfills the need to reconcile customer experiences at both remote and physical touchpoints for a holistic and coherent customer experience. Use of the four proximity dimensions (social, temporal, spatial, and hypothetical) gives flexibility to managers to build proximity across remote and physical touchpoints in different industries.
Understanding viewers' information-sharing in live-streaming based on a motivation perspective
Authors: Chou Shih-Wei , Hsieh Ming-Chia , Pan Hui-Chun
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to understand how information-sharing in live-streaming is formed through a motivational perspective. The authors provide a framework to explain how live-streaming services and attachment affect viewers' information-sharing decision.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a survey-based method to collect data and partial least squares to analyze them.

Findings

The proposed hypotheses are largely supported. The results show that information-sharing intention is influenced by both attachment to a creator and attachment to a group. These attachments are positively affected by live-streaming services. The findings contribute to live-streaming literature by conceptualizing motivation and motivational feedback as service and attachment respectively.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that live-streaming managers emphasize social-technical features and relationship development with others (creators, group members) to motivate viewers' participation in live-streaming.

Originality/value

This study addresses the gap of lacking a systematic consideration of motivation in the live-streaming context. As such, the authors conducted empirical research that describes the information-sharing through the motivation from service and feedback from attachment.
Smart technologies in supermarket retail and their influence on citizens' quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Contreras Pinochet Luis Hernan , Souza Cesar Alexandre de , Viana Adriana Backx Noronha , Rodríguez-Abitia Guillermo
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This research aims to propose the development of a model that identifies, in essential services, the determining factors affecting the technological advances offered by different smart technologies in supermarket retail channels that influence citizens' quality of life, amidst the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected using a cross-sectional questionnaire survey (n = 469). The authors applied the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique to test the hypotheses, along with the partial least squares (PLS) method for estimating latent variables and combining with the necessary condition analysis (NCA) method.

Findings

According to the results of the NCA method, the results were adequate, and more attention should be paid to the quality of life construct after finding the bottleneck point of 50%. In this sense, adaptive resilience was characterized as the main necessary predictor construct for quality of life. In addition, Generation Z and Millennials have the highest frequency of use in all smart technologies, with “assisted purchase” being the most widely used.

Social implications

Finally, the effect of the pandemic changed the consumption routine with supermarkets, not being a mere option but a necessity in the context of a smart city.

Originality/value

As a result, the proposed model was consistent, showing that all direct and indirect SEM paths were validated, highlighting data security and privacy and resilience issues. In addition, the NCA method complemented the procedures performed in the SEM phase.
Review and synthesis of the global literature on domestic cat impacts on wildlife
Authors: Loss Scott R. , Boughton Brooke , Cady Samantha M. , Londe David W. , McKinney Caleb , O'Connell Timothy J. , Riggs Georgia J. , Robertson Ellen P.
Published: May 2022

A vast global literature documents that free‐roaming domestic cats (Felis catus) have substantial negative effects on wildlife, including through predation, fear, disease and competition‐related impacts that have contributed to numerous wildlife extinctions and population declines worldwide. However, no study has synthesized this literature on cat impacts on wildlife to evaluate its overarching biases and major gaps.

To direct future research and conservation related to cat impacts on wildlife, we conducted a global literature review that entailed evaluation and synthesis of patterns and gaps in the literature related to the geographic context, methods and types of impacts studied.

Our systematic literature search compiled 2245 publications. We extracted information from 332 of these meeting inclusion criteria designed to ensure the relevance of studies analysed.

This synthesis of research on cat impacts on wildlife highlights a focus on oceanic islands, Australia, Europe, and North America, and on rural areas, predation, impacts of unowned cats, and impacts at population and species levels. Key research advances needed to better understand and manage cat impacts include more studies in underrepresented, highly biodiverse regions (Africa, Asia, and South America), on cat impacts other than predation, and on methods designed to reduce impacts on wildlife.

The identified areas of needed research into cat impacts on wildlife will be critical to further clarifying the role of cats in global wildlife declines and to implementing science‐driven policy and management that benefit conservation efforts.
Birth asphyxia is under‐rated as a cause of preterm neonatal mortality in low‐ and middle‐income countries: A prospective, observational study from PURPOSe
Authors: Goldenberg Robert L. , Dhaded Sangappa , Saleem Sarah , Goudar Shivaprasad S. , Tikmani Shiyam Sunder , Trotta Marissa , Hwang Jackson Kay , Guruprasad Gowder , Kulkarni Vardendra , Kumar Sunil , Uddin Zeesham , Reza Sayyeda , Raza Jamal , Yasmin Haleema , Yogeshkumar S. , Somannavar Manjunath S. , Aceituno Anna , Parlberg Lindsay , Silver Robert M. , McClure Elizabeth M. ,   the PURPOSe Study Group
Published: May 2022

Objective

To assess respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) compared with birth asphyxia as the cause of death in preterm newborns, assigned by the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) physician at the time of death and assigned by a panel with complete obstetric history, placental evaluation, tissue histology and microbiology.

Design

Prospective, observational study.

Settings

Study NICUs in India and Pakistan.

Population

Preterm infants delivered in study facility.

Methods

A total of 410 preterm infants who died in the NICU with cause of death ascertained by the NICU physicians and independently by expert panels. We compared the percentage of cases assigned RDS versus birth asphyxia as cause of death by the physician and the panel.

Main outcome measures

RDS and birth asphyxia.

Results

Of 410 preterm neonatal deaths, the discharging NICU physicians found RDS as a cause of death among 83.2% of the cases, compared with the panel finding RDS in only 51.0%. In the same neonatal deaths, the NICU physicians found birth asphyxia as a cause of death in 14.9% of the deaths, whereas the panels found birth asphyxia in 57.6% of the deaths. The difference was greater in Pakistan were the physicians attributed 89.7% of the deaths to RDS and less than 1% to birth asphyxia whereas the panel attributed 35.6% of the deaths to RDS and 62.7% to birth asphyxia.

Conclusions

NICU physicians who reported cause of death in deceased preterm infants less often attributed the death to birth asphyxia, and instead more often chose RDS, whereas expert panels with more extensive data attributed a greater proportion of deaths to birth asphyxia than did the physicians.
Synergistic effects of oleogelators in tailoring the properties of oleogels: A review
Authors: Sivakanthan Subajiny , Fawzia Sabrina , Madhujith Terrence , Karim Azharul
Published: May 2022

Conventional solid fats play a crucial role as an ingredient in many processed foods. However, these fats contain a high amount of saturated fats and trans fats. Legislations and dietary recommendations related to these two types of fats set forth as a consequence of evidence showing their deleterious health impact have triggered the attempts to find alternate tailor‐made lipids for these solid fats. Oleogels is considered as a novel alternative, which has reduced saturated fat and no trans fat content. In addition to mimicking the distinctive characteristics of solid fats, oleogels can be developed to contain a high amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids and used to deliver bioactives. Although there has been a dramatic rise in the interest in developing oleogels for food applications over the past decade, none of them has been commercially used in foods so far due to the deficiency in their crystal network structure, particularly in monocomponent gels. Very recently, there is a surge in the interest in using of combination of gelators due to the synergistic effects that aid in overcoming the drawbacks in monocomponent gels. However, currently, there is no comprehensive insight into synergism among oleogelators reported in recent studies. Therefore, a comprehensive intuition into the findings reported on synergism is crucial to fill this gap. The objective of this review is to give a comprehensive insight into synergism among gelators based on recent literature. This paper also identifies the future research propositions towards developing oleogels capable of exactly mimicking the properties of conventional solid fats to bridge the gap between laboratory research and the food industry.
Dokha brand differentiation by elemental analysis measured by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry
Authors: Thomas Orianna , Belunis Amanda , Alibozek Rachel , Hondrogiannis Ellen M.
Published: May 2022

Dokha is a tobacco product commonly used in Middle Eastern and Northern African regions. It is available in three blends purportedly corresponding to the degree of “buzz” experienced by the user. The “buzz” has been linked in part to nicotine levels, which are higher than those found in cigarettes and is believed to be the reason dokha is abused as a “legal high.” There have been reports of seizure activity from dokha users, and elevated concentrations of toxic metals have been measured in dokha tobacco. The purpose of this work was to determine whether we could use dokha's elemental content, measured by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry, to link dokha back to its brand. This could aid investigators in identifying brands and/or distribution routes in the case of adverse effects resulting from dokha use. We measured the concentrations of Mg, K, Mn, Ni, Cu, Rb, Sr, and Ba in Medwakh, Nirvana, Scorpion, Enjoy, Kingdom, and Iconic dokha brands. Analysis of variance revealed statistical differences in concentrations of elements among groups. Discriminant function analysis (using leave‐one‐out classification) was 58.3% successful at differentiating brands. Enjoy dokha was the most, and Kingdom dokha the least, correctly classified among groups. Attempts to further link dokha blends back to light, medium, and heavy blends were less successful. These results indicate potential for using elemental content to discriminate among dokha brands. Our data may also help to understand the degree of additional processing and/or adulteration of dokha products available to users in the United States.
In vitro inhibition of starch digestive enzymes by ultrasound‐assisted extracted polyphenols from Ascophyllum nodosum seaweeds
Authors: Aleixandre Andrea , Gisbert Mauro , Sineiro Jorge , Moreira Ramón , Rosell Cristina M.
Published: May 2022

Seaweeds are gaining importance due to their antidiabetic characteristics. This study investigated the inhibitory effects of aqueous Ascophyllum nodosum extracts, obtained by ultrasound‐assisted extraction with different sonication powers (70–90 W/cm2) and subjected to resin purification, against α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase enzymes. Different inhibition methodologies were carried out, preincubating the extract either with the enzyme or the substrate. Chemical characterization, in terms of proximate analysis, antioxidant capacity (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picryl‐hydrazyl‐hydrate [DPPH] and FRAP), and polyphenols characteristics (reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography [RP‐HPLC] and 1H‐NMR) were carried out to explain inhibitory activities of extracts. Sonication power did not influence the proximal composition nor antiradical activity of extracts, but increasing sonication power increased inhibition capacity (>15%) against both starch digestive enzymes. The extract purification largely improved the inhibition efficiency decreasing the IC50 of α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase by 3.0 and 6.1 times, respectively. Seaweed extracts showed greater inhibition effect when they were preincubated with the enzyme instead of the substrate. RP‐HPLC together with 1H‐NMR spectra allowed relating the presence of uronic acids–polyphenols complexes and quinones in the extracts with the different inhibitory capacities of samples.

Practical Application

The study confirms that ultrasound‐assisted extracts from Ascophyllum nodosum can be used to inhibit digestive enzymes. This opens the alternative to be used in foods for modulating glycemic index.
Failure to attend radiation oncology appointments during COVID‐19: Analysis of data from an Australian public hospital
Authors: Wilson Carlene , Romaniuk Helena , Orellana Lilliana , White Victoria , Foroudi Farshad , Livingston Patricia M
Published: May 2022

Introduction

COVID‐19 has impacted lives worldwide. Public health guidance has advocated for minimisation of infection risk by encouraging social isolation and physical distancing. In response, many health services have changed delivery practices to increased use of telehealth. We undertook an audit of hospital attendance data collected from a radiation oncology service in a large public hospital in Victoria, Australia between January and September in 2019, and the same period in 2020. The aim was to discern the impact of COVID‐19 on attendance at appointments and whether attendance rates differed by appointment type.

Methods

Attendance data and appointment type for the two targeted periods (a total of 62,528 appointments for 3383 patients) were extracted from the database maintained by the radiation oncology service. Logistic generalised estimating equation (GEE) models were run with the final model including the COVID‐19 period (pre, during) and all patient and appointment characteristics.

Results

Results indicated a small decrease in attendance in 2020 (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.01–1.25, P = 0.026) with this predominantly reported for the non‐treatment appointments, which consisted of follow‐up appointments, nurse appointments, and treatment review appointments.

Conclusion

Attendance for radiation oncology treatment was largely unaffected by COVID‐19 although other services experienced slight reductions. Changes to work practices, specifically the increased use of telehealth, may have moderated the impact. Given the focus on one service in one location, it is not possible to generalise these results and future research should closely monitor both patient and staff satisfaction with services delivered via modified processes.
The impact of a web‐based mind map learning technique on students’ nursing knowledge of the nursing process
Authors: Ordu Yadigar , Caliskan Nurcan
Published: May 2022

OBJECTIVE

This research aims to investigate the effects of web‐based mind map learning techniques in the nursing process on students’ ability to investigate the nursing diagnosis, descriptive characteristics, and the etiological and risk factors.

DESIGN

In this experimental study, 91 nursing students enrolled in a state university in a city in Turkey in the 2020–2021 academic year were included.

METHODS

Data were collected using a test for determining the level of knowledge about the nursing diagnosis and the factors affecting the diagnosis, case sample, and care plan. In the teaching of the nursing process, the experimental group students (n = 42) experienced the web‐based mind map learning technique, while the control group students (n = 49) experienced the lecture and question‐answer teaching methods.

FINDINGS

The mean scores of the experimental group in terms of reaching the nursing diagnosis, descriptive characteristics, and the etiological and risk factors were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). The findings showed that the experimental group scored significantly higher than the control group in making accurate diagnoses (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The web‐based mind map learning technique used in teaching the nursing process favorably affected the students’ ability to determine the nursing diagnosis, descriptive characteristics, and etiological and risk factors. The findings suggest that the web‐based mind map learning technique should be used in teaching the nursing process.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Active learning in nursing process teaching should be promoted using different teaching techniques. Teaching the nursing process with different teaching techniques has the potential to to increase the knowledge and skills of students and thus improve the quality of nursing care.