bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laboratory evolution of synthetic electron transport system variants reveals a larger metabolic respiratory system and its plasticity
Authors: Anand Amitesh , Patel Arjun , Chen Ke , Olson Connor A. , Phaneuf Patrick V. , Lamoureux Cameron , Hefner Ying , Szubin Richard , Feist Adam M. , Palsson Bernhard O.
Published: April 2022

Respiration requires organisms to have an electron transport system (ETS) for the generation of proton motive force across the membrane that drives ATP synthase. Although the molecular details of the ETS are well studied and constitute textbook material, few studies have appeared to elucidate its systems biology. The most thermodynamically efficient ETS consists of two enzymes, an NADH: quinone oxidoreductase (NqRED) and a dioxygen reductase (O2RED), which facilitate the shuttling of electrons from NADH to oxygen. However, evolution has produced variations within ETS which modulate the overall energy efficiency of the system even within the same organism 1–3. The system-level impact of these variations and their individual physiological optimality remain poorly determined. To mimic varying ETS efficiency we generated four Escherichia coli deletion strains (named ETS-1H, 2H, 3H, and 4H) harboring unbranched ETS variants that pump 1, 2, 3, or 4 proton(s) per electron respectively. We then used a combination of synergistic methods (laboratory evolution, multi-omic analyses, and computation of proteome allocation) to characterize these ETS variants. We found that: (a) all four ETS variants evolved to a similar optimized growth rate, (b) the evolution of ETS variants was enabled by specific rewiring of major energy-generating pathways that couple to the ETS to optimize their ATP production capability, (c) proteome allocation per ATP generated was the same for all the variants, (d) the aero-type, that designates the overall ATP generation strategy 4 of a variant, remained conserved during its laboratory evolution, with the exception of the ETS-4H variant, and (e) integrated computational analysis of then data supported a proton-to-ATP ratio of 10 protons per 3 ATP for ATP synthase for all four ETS variants. We thus have defined the Aero-Type System (ATS) as a generalization of the aerobic bioenergetics, which is descriptive of the metabolic systems biology of respiration and demonstrates its plasticity.
Melanoma cells release DEL-1 via small extracellular vesicles
Authors: Schnödl Marianne , Tuchmann Felix , Wenzina Judith , Neumüller Karin , Mitulović Goran , Gröger Marion , Heller Gerwin , Petzelbauer Peter
Published: April 2022

DEL-1 (developmental endothelial locus-1) induces integrin signaling and recognizes phosphatidylserine exposed on apoptotic cells. We show that DEL-1, which is thought to be a secreted molecule, is not found in melanoma cell culture supernatants but is exported by an endosomal pathway and released via small extracellular vesicles (sEV). Proteomics of DEL-1 positive sEV, but not of DEL-1 negative sEV contain proteins associated with poor survival in cancer. To determine whether DEL-1 is suitable to predict treatment responses, we isolated sEV from plasma of melanoma patients before and 90 days of treatment with checkpoint inhibitors. Although we could not detect DEL-1 in plasma sEV even in patients with progressive disease (most likely due to the very low protein yield from sEV isolated from 1ml plasma), the principal component analysis allowed a clear differentiation between controls and patients as well as between patients before and after treatment. Interestingly, in one patient with complete regression, in the post treatment sample, the protein expression profile remained in the pre-treatment cluster. The low protein yield of patient sEV and the low patient number are clear limitations of this study, but results demonstrate that this method could have the potential to predict treatment responses.
Electron tomography analysis of the prolamellar body and its transformation into grana thylakoids in the cryofixedArabidopsiscotyledon
Authors: Liang Zizhen , Yeung Wai-Tsun , Ma Juncai , Mai Keith Ka Ki , Liu Zhongyuan , Chong Yau-Lun Felix , Cai Xiaohao , Kang Byung-Ho
Published: April 2022

The para-crystalline structure of prolamellar bodies (PLBs) and light-induced etioplasts-to-chloroplasts transformation have been investigated with electron microscopy methods. However, these studies suffer from chemical fixation artifacts and limited volumes of three-dimensional reconstruction. We have examined Arabidopsis thaliana cotyledon cells with electron tomography (ET) to visualize etioplasts and their conversion into chloroplasts. We employed the scanning mode of ET for imaging large volumes and high-pressure freezing to improve sample preservation. PLB tubules were arranged in a zinc blende-type lattice like carbon atoms in diamonds. Within 2 hours after illumination, the lattice collapsed from the PLB exterior and the disorganized tubules merged to form thylakoid sheets, a.k.a. pre-granal thylakoids. These pre-granal thylakoids in PLB’s vicinity folded and overlapped with each other to create grana stacks. Since the nascent pre-granal thylakoids had curved membranes in their tips, we examined the expression and localization of CURT1 proteins.CURT1Atranscript was most abundant in de-etiolating cotyledon samples, and CURT1A concentrated to the PLB periphery. Incurt1aetioplasts, PLB-associated thylakoids were swollen and failed to form grana stacks. By contrast, PLBs had cracks in their lattices incurt1cetioplasts. Our data provide evidence that CURT1A is required for pre-granal thylakoid assembly from PLB tubules during de-etiolation, while CURT1C contributes to the cubic crystal growth under darkness.
NUMT PARSER: automated identification and removal of nuclear mitochondrial pseudogenes (numts) for accurate mitochondrial genome reconstruction in Panthera
Authors: de Flamingh Alida , Rivera-Colón Angel G. , Gnoske Tom P. , Peterhans Julian C. Kerbis , Catchen Julian , Malhi Ripan S. , Roca Alfred L.
Published: April 2022

Nuclear mitochondrial pseudogenes (numts) may hinder the reconstruction of mtDNA genomes and affect the reliability of mtDNA datasets for phylogenetic and population genetic comparisons. Here, we present the program Numt Parser, which allows for the identification of DNA sequences that likely originate from numt pseudogene DNA. Sequencing reads are classified as originating from either numt or true cytoplasmic mitochondrial (cymt) DNA by direct comparison against cymt and numt reference sequences. Classified reads can then be parsed into cymt or numt datasets. We tested this program using whole genome shotgun-sequenced data from two ancient Cape lions (Panthera leo), because mtDNA is often the marker of choice for ancient DNA studies and the genus Panthera is known to have numt pseudogenes. Numt Parser decreased sequence disagreements that were likely due to numt pseudogene contamination and equalized read coverage across the mitogenome by removing reads that likely originated from numts. We compared the efficacy of Numt Parser to two other bioinformatic approaches that can be used to account for numt contamination. We found that Numt Parser outperformed approaches that rely only on read alignment or Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) properties, and was effective at identifying sequences that likely originated from numts while having minimal impacts on the recovery of cymt reads. Numt Parser therefore improves the reconstruction of true mitogenomes, allowing for more accurate and robust biological inferences.
Millisecond timescale reactions observed via X-ray spectroscopy in a 3D microfabricated fused silica mixer. Corrigendum
Authors: Huyke Diego A. , Ramachandran Ashwin , Ramirez-Neri Oscar , Guerrero-Cruz Jose A. , Gee Leland B. , Braun Augustin , Sokaras Dimosthenis , Garcia-Estrada Brenda , Solomon Edward I. , Hedman Britt , Delgado-Jaime Mario U. , DePonte Daniel P. , Kroll Thomas , Santiago Juan G.
Published: April 2022

A figure in the article by Huyke et al. [(2021), J. Synchrotron Rad.
28, 1100–1113] is corrected.
Synthesis and crystal structure of anti-10-butyl-10,11,22,23-tetrahydro-9H,21H-5,8:15,12-bis(metheno)[1,5,11]triazacyclohexadecino[1,16-a:5,6-a′]diindole
Authors: Kubono Koji , Tani Keita , Kashiwagi Yukiyasu , Tani Fumito , Matsumoto Taisuke
Published: April 2022

The title compound, C33H33N3, is a carbazolophane, which is a cyclophane composed of two carbazole fragments. It has a planar chirality but crystallizes as a racemate in the space group P-1. The molecule adopts an anti-configuration, in which two carbazole fragments are partially overlapped. Both carbazole ring systems are slightly bent, with the C atoms at 3-positions showing the largest deviations from the mean planes. The dihedral angle between two carbazole fragments is 5.19 (3)°, allowing an intramolecular slipped π–π interaction [Cg...Cg = 3.2514 (8) Å]. In the crystal, the molecules are linked via intermolecular C—H...N hydrogen bonds and C—H...π interactions into a network sheet parallel to the ab plane. The molecules of different sheets form other C—H...π interactions, thus forming a three-dimensional network.
Physics informed neural networks for triple deck
Authors: Belkallouche Abderrahmane , Rezoug Tahar , Dala Laurent , Tan Kian
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce physics-informed neural networks (PINN) applied to the two-dimensional steady-state laminar Navier–Stokes equations over a flat plate with roughness elements and specified local heating. The method bridges the gap between asymptotics theory and three-dimensional turbulent flow analyses, characterized by high costs in analysis setups and prohibitive computing times. The results indicate the possibility of using surface heating or wavy surface to control the incoming flow field.

Design/methodology/approach

The understanding of the flow control mechanism is normally caused by the unsteady interactions between the aircraft structure and the turbulent flows as well as some studies have shown, surface roughness can significantly influence the fluid dynamics by inducing perturbations in the velocity profile.

Findings

The description of the boundary-layer flow, based upon a triple-deck structure, shows how a wavy surface and a local surface heating generate an interaction between the inviscid region and the viscous region near the flat plate.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the presented approach is especially original in relation to the innovative concept of PINN as a solver of the asymptotic triple-deck method applied to the viscous–inviscid boundary layer interaction.
Institutional isomorphism and social media adoption – a study within the microenterprise context
Authors: Osakwe Christian Nedu , Ikhide Juliet E.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Until now, very little empirical research has focused on social media adoption behavior within relatively small firms, and fewer still on adoption drivers within the specific context of microentrepreneurs, including that of micro-retailers. The purpose of this manuscript is to contribute to the study on social media adoption at the firm level by focusing on the specific role of institutional pressures, as captured by coercive, mimetic and normative pressures, in the initial adoption of social media in the context of micro-retailers.

Design/methodology/approach

This study, based on self-administered questionnaires, collected data from more than 200 micro-retailers in an emerging market and utilized the partial least squares modeling approach.

Findings

Findings reveal that normative and mimetic (not coercive) pressures are critical to initial adoption. Additional analysis, though not directly the center of attention in the study, indicates that both coercive and normative pressures are critical to continued adoption, especially for retailers who currently use social media to promote their businesses.

Originality/value

This study represents one of the few attempts to extend the institutional theory to study social media adoption behavior in the firm. In addition, it is the first in the literature to extend the theory to social media adoption within the context of microenterprises, primarily micro-retailers, who form the significant majority in the world.
Dynamic capabilities and SME performance in the COVID-19 era: the moderating effect of digitalization
Authors: Martins Albert
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Due to the adverse impact of COVID-19 on businesses, this study investigates how dynamic capabilities could influence SME performance through digitalization as a moderator in an emerging market.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research approach was adopted, where a cross-sectional survey design was employed to collect the data from 400 SME managers and supervisors in Ghana. Using Statistical Package for Social Science, the data was analyzed through descriptive statistics, correlation and hierarchical regression techniques.

Findings

The results reveal that the dynamic capabilities (sensing, seizing and transforming) distinctly positively affect SME performance. Furthermore, digitalization significantly augments the relationship between the three dynamic capabilities and SME performance. However, digitalization could only significantly moderate the relationship between transforming capability and SME performance.

Practical implications

The findings imply that digitalization strategies (such as constant inclusion of digital analytics, digital operations, digital marketing and sales, digital ecosystem, and digital products and services) must be part of the transforming process to enhance the impact of the dynamic capabilities on SMEs performance.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the extant literature by establishing the effectiveness of digitalization as a moderator on the relationship between transforming capability and SME performance in the new world of COVID-19.
Enhancing industry-ready competence and skills through design thinking integration: evidence from a CLIL-based hospitality course
Authors: Wang Mei-jung Sebrina , Munoz Kyrie Eleison , Tham Aaron
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue for the merits of design thinking as an approach to develop a content and language integrated learning (CLIL) course in hospitality education. This argument is primed to address the dynamic and ever-changing landscape of the tourism and hospitality industry prompts educators to emphasize on learners developing industry-readiness outcomes through integrating innovative methods.

Design/methodology/approach

A quasi-experimental approach was used to examine how design thinking enhances industry-ready competencies. A two-phase self-administered survey on design thinking and added instructional design were facilitated at the beginning of the semester and subsequently close to the end of the semester. Follow-up interviews were also conducted to give more meaning on the matter.

Findings

Findings of this study reveal that problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork and communication skills were enhanced as a result of integrating two teaching components related to design thinking.

Originality/value

This paper articulates the important and valuable role of design thinking to hospitality curriculum and provides tangible outcomes to explain how such a technique may be mapped onto a CLIL course.
Free vibration analysis of fiber-metal laminated composite plates using differential, generalized and harmonic quadrature methods: experimental and numerical studies
Authors: Maraş Sinan , Yaman Mustafa
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to demonstrate the numerical application of differential quadrature (DQ) methods and show the experimental application of free vibration analysis of fiber-metal laminated composite (FML) plates with various boundary conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The FMLs are hybrid structures consisting of fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites such as carbon, glass, aramid and different metal sheets, and are currently widely used in the automobile, aircraft and aerospace industries. Thus, free vibration analysis of these hybrid materials is necessary for the design process. The governing equations of motion are derived based on the classical plate theory. The DQ, generalized DQ (GDQ) and harmonic DQ (HDQ) differential quadrature methods have been used to solve the governing equations of an FML composite plate numerically. The accuracy and convergence of the numerical model have been verified by comparing the results available in the published literature with the results obtained from these methods. Moreover, an experimental procedure has been performed in order to compare the results against those of the numerical methods.

Findings

It is noteworthy that a high degree of similarity and accuracy was observed between the numerical results obtained by the DQ methods and the experimental results. Thus, the present study validates the applicability of the DQ methods for designing the FML composite plates.

Originality/value

In this study, the advantages of the DQ methods have been demonstrated differently from previous studies on the vibration analysis of the FML plates.
Marigold Beads: focused innovation in a Zimbabwean co-operative
Authors: Moore Amy Fisher
Published: April 2022

Learning outcomes

Following discussion and analysis of the case, students should be able to explore how an individual’s background affects his/her perspective on entrepreneurial opportunities; analyse leadership behaviours that support an innovation process; and understand that constraints can enhance innovation.

Case overview/Synopsis

This real-life case explores the main protagonist, Joni Brenner, an arts university professor at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, and how over the past 10 years she worked with a group of co-operative beaders in Zimbabwe who developed hand loomed necklaces that were sold locally and internationally, placed in the African section of museum stores.The case provides an opportunity to explore the evolution of the Marigold product, the characteristics of an entrepreneur and how innovation can come from a very focused and constrained approach. Brenner’s involvement with the co-operative involved the supply of materials, design innovation and product sales. Innovation had come through focusing on the evolution of the core product, through different designs and colour combinations, learning through mistakes and through other artistic collaborations. The case concludes with Brenner questioning whether the innovation approach should be adapted to meet the needs of a potential new customer.

Complexity academic level

This case is appropriate for undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate, MBA and executive education students focusing on entrepreneurship, small business development and/or innovation.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 7: Management Science.
Optimizing product trials by eliciting flow states: the enabling roles of curiosity, openness and information valence
Authors: Lavoie Raymond , Main Kelley
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Product trials are an effective way to influence consumer attitudes. While research has established several factors that influence whether consumers will try a product or not, it is less understood how marketers can optimize the trial experience itself. The purpose of this paper is to explore flow as an optimal state and the factors that give rise to it during a product trail.

Design/methodology/approach

This research consists of three experimental studies in which people trial new music. This paper explores the ability of curiosity to optimize consumers’ flow experience during the trial and their attitudes toward the trialed product. This paper manipulates curiosity before the trial using information about the music (Study 1) and music previews (Study 3) and also demonstrates that curiosity is naturally elevated among those high in openness to experience (Study 2).

Findings

The results demonstrate that curiosity before a product trial fosters an optimal experience during the trial in the form of flow states, defined as an enjoyable state of full engagement, which in turn mediates more positive attitudes toward the trialed product. This paper demonstrates that curiosity can be evoked using product information or a preview of the content and can vary based on individual differences in openness to experience. The relationship between curiosity and flow is moderated by the valence of the information that is used to elicit curiosity, such that negative-valence information thwarts the relationship.

Research limitations/implications

While the studies conducted by the authors focus on the positive influence of curiosity in the trial of music, the effects may be different for other products. These studies are also limited to two different manipulations of curiosity.

Practical implications

This research has implications for marketers, as it demonstrates the relevance of flow and how to enable it in product trials to optimize effectiveness. The manipulations also demonstrate how to manage the amount of information that is given to consumers before they trial a product.

Originality/value

This research reveals that flow states optimize the product trial experience. This research also advances the understanding of the relationship between curiosity and flow by moderating their relationship with the valence of information that elicits curiosity. The findings also broaden the relevance of curiosity and flow in marketing by demonstrating their benefits within product trials.
Does Michelin effect exist? An empirical study on the effects of Michelin stars
Authors: Bang Dohyung , Choi Kyuwan , Kim Alex Jiyoung
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Receiving Michelin stars is considered an effective marketing tool and a prestigious certification in the restaurant industry. However, the direct effects of Michelin stars on restaurant performance remain unclear. To bridge this gap, this study aims to empirically validate the “Michelin effect” on the consumption values of restaurant patrons before and after receiving Michelin stars.

Design/methodology/approach

The data, collected from OpenTable, consist of over 160,000 reviews written for 218 restaurants, including 109 Michelin-starred (treatment group) and 109 nonstarred restaurants (control group). The authors measure perceived consumption value using the collected user-generated review data. The authors estimate fixed-effect difference-in-differences regressions to validate the Michelin effect.

Findings

Michelin stars enhance social, hedonic and service quality values, which are nonfunctional values. However, no significant effects on functional consumption values, such as economic, food quality and ambience quality values, are observed, even though Michelin stars are pure awards for kitchen performance.

Practical implications

Michelin stars can be an effective marketing tool for fine-dining restaurants because customers consider emotional and nonfunctional benefits such as hedonic and social values, which are more important than functional benefits such as food value. Furthermore, Michelin effects are heterogeneous depending on the number of stars awarded, price range and customers’ gastronomic involvement. These offer a strong rationale for monitoring social media, which may help managers better understand their customers and improve their performance.

Originality/value

This study extends the current literature on the Michelin effect by quantifying consumption values using user-generated review data. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study offers the first empirical evidence that directly validates the Michelin effect.
Smart dining, smart restaurant, and smart service quality (SSQ)
Authors: Wong IpKin Anthony , Huang Jingwen , Lin Zhiwei (CJ) , Jiao Haoyue
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Have you been to a smart restaurant, and how were its services? A common limitation of hospitality studies stems from the lack of research on how service quality is shaped within smart technology. This study aims to fill this literature void not merely to reiterate the importance of technology but also to recast service quality through the lens of information technology. It synthesizes the 5-S model of smart service quality (AKA SSQ) as a new conceptualization of service quality application in smart hospitality contexts such as smart restaurants.

Design/methodology/approach

This study undertook a qualitative research design based on theoretical synthesis from service quality, information technology and attention restoration. Drawing from online review comments and semistructured interviews from smart restaurants, the authors improvised the SSQ model to identify the essence of smart service in smart dining establishments.

Findings

“5-S” reflects an extension of the literature to denote a new SSQ abstraction pertinent to s-servicescape, s-assurance, s-responsiveness, s-reliability and s-empathy. A nomological network was posited to better understand the importance of smart design and consequence of SSQ.

Research limitations/implications

The emergence of smart dining gives rise to smart restaurants, which puts technology at center stage. As consumers are becoming increasingly comfortable with self-service technology, auto-payment and ordering systems and robotic services, technology in foodservice will continue to play an essential role to better serve diners. Geared with advanced innovations and intelligent devices, smart restaurants are now more than mere eateries. It is a trend and a lifestyle.

Originality/value

This novel SSQ concept adds new nuances to the literature by acknowledging the technological essence in today’s hospitality industry. By integrating smart technology into the service quality paradigm, the authors are able to observe several interesting behaviors exhibited during smart dining, including tech-induced restoration, which opens a new avenue to understand how attention restoration could be attained through immersion in a technologically advanced setting. By synthesizing theoretical essence from service quality, attention restoration and information technology, the authors are able to create a new dialog that should warrant a forum of discussion in future studies.
Ethical work climate and its influence on work-related ethical behaviour among the Malaysian public sector auditors
Authors: Loke Chew Har , Ismail Suhaiza , Fatima A.H.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper are twofold. Firstly, it explores the extent to which ethical work climate (EWC) is prevalent among public sector auditors at the National Audit Department (NAD) of Malaysia. Secondly, it examines the relationship between EWC and the work-related ethical behaviour of public sector auditors in the NAD of Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a postal questionnaire survey, which was distributed to the public sector auditors in Malaysia. A total of 823 responses from public sector auditors in 213 audit teams was received, constituting a 66% and 78% response rate, respectively. To achieve the first research objective, the responses were analysed using descriptive statistical analysis, including mean values and mean value ranking. For the second objective, hierarchical linear modelling (HLM) statistical software was used for the cross-level data analysis.

Findings

The results reveal a moderate level of the overall EWC at the NAD. The overall EWC at the team level also has a positive significant influence on work-related ethical behaviour assessed at the individual level of auditors. In terms of the individual components of the EWC, multivariate regression analysis of HLM shows collective moral (CM) sensitivity and CM judgement have a significantly positive relationship with work-related ethical behaviour, whereas CM motivation has a negatively significant relationship with work-related ethical behaviour.

Practical implications

The empirical evidence on the level of EWC and its components implies that there is room for improvement in the ethical climate in the NAD. The finding is important for the NAD to design necessary measures to enhance the EWC, including tightening the auditors’ code of ethics and organizing ethics-related seminars, training and workshops for the auditors. The result on the positive influence of CM sensitivity and CM judgment of work-related ethical behaviour of public sector auditors is also crucial for the NAD to further inculcate moral sensitivity and moral judgment among the public sector auditors.

Originality/value

This study is among the initial research that uses Arnaud’s EWC model in assessing the influence of EWC on ethical behaviour, particularly in the context of public sector organization of a developing country, i.e. Malaysia.
Research on obstacle avoidance gait planning of quadruped crawling robot based on slope terrain recognition
Authors: Wang Peng , Song Chunxiao , Dong Renquan , Zhang Peng , Yu Shuang , Zhang Hao
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Aiming at the problem that quadruped crawling robot is easy to collide and overturn when facing obstacles and bulges in the process of complex slope movement, this paper aims to propose an obstacle avoidance gait planning of quadruped crawling robot based on slope terrain recognition.

Design/methodology/approach

First, considering the problem of low uniformity of feature points in terrain recognition images under complex slopes, which leads to too long feature point extraction time, an improved ORB (Oriented FAST and Rotated BRIEF) feature point extraction method is proposed; second, when the robot avoids obstacles or climbs over bumps, aiming at the problem that the robustness of a single step cannot satisfy the above two motions at the same time, the crawling gait is planned according to the complex slope terrain, and a robot obstacle avoidance gait planning based on the artificial potential field method is proposed. Finally, the slope walking experiment is carried out in the Robot Operating System.

Findings

The proposed method provides a solution for the efficient walking of robot under slope. The experimental results show that the extraction time of the improved ORB extraction algorithm is 12.61% less than the original ORB extraction algorithm. The vibration amplitude of the robot’s centroid motion curve is significantly reduced, and the contact force is reduced by 7.76%. The time it takes for the foot contact force to stabilize has been shortened by 0.25 s. This fact is verified by simulation and test.

Originality/value

The method proposed in this paper uses the improved feature point recognition algorithm and obstacle avoidance gait planning to realize the efficient walking of quadruped crawling robot on the slope. The walking stability of quadruped crawling robot is tested by prototype.
Link workers, activities and target groups in social prescribing: a literature review
Authors: Rothe Denis , Heiss Raffael
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Social prescribing is a model of integrated care, in which primary healthcare staff can link patients to the social care sector. However, social prescribing can occur in different forms. To better understand the concept of social prescribing, this literature review examines the role of the link workers, activities and target groups.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was conducted. Studies before May 2020 were considered. In total, 1,700 studies were identified using the databases Pubmed, PsycInfo, Cinahl, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. After eligibility checks, 16 studies were included in the final analysis.

Findings

A few studies warned of a deeper engagement of the link worker due to service dependency, but most studies encouraged an active and supportive role of the link worker. Participants engaged in social, physical and counseling activities. The majority of studies emphasized the importance of linking group activities with personal preferences and identity needs. The main target groups were composed of individuals with psychosocial needs, but some studies also included patients with physical or mental illnesses.

Originality/value

Social prescribing is widely advocated as an innovative model of integrated care. However, few studies have looked into the complex system of social prescribing. This study analyzes the linking processes, activities and target groups in extant social prescribing programs.
It’s a knowledge centric world! Does ethical leadership promote knowledge sharing and knowledge creation? Psychological capital as mediator and shared goals as moderator
Authors: Goswami Anil Kumar , Agrawal Rakesh Kumar
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of ethical leadership and psychological capital on knowledge sharing and knowledge creation in organizations. It also investigates the mediating effect of psychological capital and moderating effect of shared goals in the relationship between ethical leadership and knowledge sharing and between ethical leadership and knowledge creation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a quantitative research design wherein the survey questionnaire has been used to gather data from 700 respondents in public sector research organizations, information technology companies and central universities and colleges. Hypotheses of the study have been tested using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The findings unveil that ethical leadership and psychological capital have a positive impact on knowledge sharing and knowledge creation. Psychological capital mediates and shared goals moderates the relationships of ethical leadership with knowledge sharing and knowledge creation. Knowledge sharing mediates between ethical leadership and knowledge creation.

Research limitations/implications

The study exploits quantitative research methodology, which may be supplemented by other research methodologies by future researchers.

Practical implications

This study offers new insights into the sharing and creating of knowledge by employees under the influences of ethical leadership and psychological capital. It will encourage future researchers and practitioners to further explore these dimensions for a more detailed investigation and explanation at work place. This study suggests that organizational leaders should behave in an ethical manner and should emphasise on various organizational interventions to increase psychological capital and shared goals to strengthen knowledge sharing and knowledge creation.

Originality/value

This study is among early attempts for investigating the linkage of ethical leadership and psychological capital with knowledge sharing and knowledge creation.
Does group affiliation impact financial constraints? Evidence from India
Authors: Bhatia Prince , Chakrabarti Prasenjit
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to primarily investigate two vital questions: First, the authors examine whether group-affiliated firms are more (less) financially constrainedvis-à-visstandalone firms. The authors estimate working capital investment (WCI) to cash flow sensitivity to understand the nature of financial constraints. Second, the authors further investigate the impact of working capital level on firm values and risks between group-affiliated and standalone firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses balanced panel data set from the year 2012–2019. The authors employ propensity score matching to ascertain comparable firm attributes from business group and standalone firms. This process yields 280 firms (140 in each group) after controlling the firm heterogeneity between these two groups. All the models are estimated using fixed-effect regression.

Findings

The authors find that group affiliated firms are less financially constrained than standalone firms. The results show that WCI to cash flow sensitivity is higher in standalone firmsvis-a-visgroup-affiliated firms, implying that standalone firms are more financially constrained than group-affiliated firms. Second, the authors find that firm values are more sensitive to working capital level in standalone firms versus group-affiliated firms. Furthermore, the authors document that the risk of the standalone firms is less sensitive to working capital level than that of group-affiliated firms.

Originality/value

Most recent studies exploring the role of group affiliation in financing constraints have not controlled for heterogeneity among group-affiliated firmsvis-à-visstandalone firms, which may arise due to variation in firm characteristics. Unlike prior studies, this research design ascertains comparable firm attributes between business group and standalone firms, implying firms belonging to these two groups differ by the exogeneous affiliation (business group and standalone firms). The authors document that group-affiliated firms are less financially constrained than standalone firms controlling firm-level heterogeneity between group-affiliated and standalone firms. To the best of the authors' knowledge, no such work has been previously done in general (specifically in India).
Restoration promotes recovery of woodland birds in agricultural environments: A comparison of ‘revegetation’ and ‘remnant’ landscapes
Authors: Bennett Andrew F. , Holland Greg J. , Haslem Angie , Stewart Alistair , Radford James Q. , Clarke Rohan H.
Published: April 2022

Ecological restoration in rural environments is a global challenge for the 21st century. Restoration measures—such as agri‐environment activities, woodlots, natural regeneration and conservation plantings—collectively alter landscape structure with the aim of restoring conservation values that are characteristic of natural ecosystems. We tested the landscape‐scale benefits of restoration for woodland birds, species of conservation concern in southern Australia, by assessing the richness and composition of avian communities in rural landscapes along a gradient in habitat restoration, benchmarked against landscapes with comparable extent of native vegetation.

We selected 43 landscapes (each 8 km2) in Victoria, Australia, representing: (a) a trajectory of decline in the extent of remnant native wooded vegetation (‘remnant’ landscapes), (b) a trajectory of gain in planted vegetation (‘revegetation’ landscapes) and (c) a similar gradient comprising a mix of remnants and planted vegetation (‘mixed’ landscapes). In each landscape, repeat surveys of birds were undertaken at 12 sites, stratified in relation to land cover.

Species richness of all terrestrial and woodland birds showed similar positive responses to total wooded cover in each landscape type, but woodland birds had reduced richness in ‘revegetation’ relative to ‘remnant’ and ‘mixed’ landscapes. Across all landscapes, key factors influencing richness were the extent of wooded cover and proportion comprised of plantings, scattered trees in farmland and mean annual rainfall. The composition of woodland bird assemblages differed between ‘remnant’ and ‘revegetation’ landscapes with predictable differences associated with foraging traits.

Synthesis and applications. Restoration plantings stimulate recolonisation of otherwise‐depleted landscapes, effectively reversing a decline in woodland birds. Key insights include: (a) benchmarking ‘revegetation’ against ‘remnant’ landscapes provides a valuable means to quantify restoration outcomes at the landscape scale; (b) time‐lags in vegetation maturation contribute to a trajectory of recovery that differs from a trajectory of decline, in both richness and composition of the avifauna; (c) scattered trees have a critical role for avifaunal conservation in farm landscapes; (d) restoration plantings are most effective in ‘mixed’ landscapes, where complementary resources from remnant and planted vegetation are juxtaposed; and (e) restoration plantings on individual farms contribute to landscape‐scale biodiversity gains while also having socio‐ecological and production benefits.
Temporal dynamics in biotic and functional recovery following mining
Authors: Eldridge David J. , Oliver Ian , Powell Jeff R. , Dorrough Josh , Carrillo Yolima , Nielsen Uffe N. , Macdonald Catriona A. , Wilson Brian , Fyfe Christine , Amarasinghe Apsara , Kuginis Laura , Peake Travis , Robinson Trish , Howe Belinda , Delgado‐Baquerizo Manuel
Published: April 2022

Human‐induced disturbance has substantially influenced the structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems globally. However, the extent to which multiple ecosystem functions (multifunctionality) recover following anthropogenic disturbance (ecosystem recovery) remains poorly understood.

We report on the first study examining the temporal dynamics in recovery of multifunctionality from 3 to 12 years after the commencement of rehabilitation following mining‐induced disturbance, and relate this information to changes in biota. We examined changes in 57 biotic (plants, microbial) and functional (soil) attributes associated with biodiversity and ecosystem services at four open‐cut coal mines in eastern Australia.

Increasing time since commencement of rehabilitation was associated with increases in overall multifunctionality, soil microbial abundance, plant productivity, plant structure and soil stability, but not nutrient cycling, soil carbon sequestration nor soil nutrients. However, the temporal responses of individual ecosystem properties varied widely, from strongly positive (e.g. litter cover, fine and coarse frass, seed biomass, microbial and fungal biomass) to strongly negative (groundstorey foliage cover). We also show that sites with more developed biota tended to have greater ecosystem multifunctionality. Moreover, recovery of plant litter was closely associated with recovery of most microbial components, soil integrity and soil respiration. Overall, however, rehabilitated sites still differed from reference ecosystems a decade after commencement of rehabilitation.

Synthesis and applications. The dominant role of plant and soil biota and litter cover in relation to functions associated with soil respiration, microbial function, soil integrity and C and N pools suggests that recovering biodiversity is a critically important priority in rehabilitation programs. Nonetheless, the slow recovery of most functions after a decade indicates that rehabilitation after open‐cut mining is likely to protracted.
Contemporary Australian socio‐cultural factors and their influence on medical student rural career intent
Authors: Padley James , Gonzalez‐Chica David , Worley Paul , Morgan Katrina , Walters Lucie
Published: April 2022

Objective

To understand how contemporary socio‐cultural factors may impact medical students' rural career intent.

Design

Cross‐sectional study using data from the national Federation of Rural Australian Medical Educators survey.

Participants/setting

Medical students across 18 Australian universities who completed a full academic year of clinical training in rural areas in 2019.

Main outcome measure(s)

Preferred location of practice post‐training reported to be either: (i) a major city; (ii) a regional area or large town; or (iii) a small rural location.

Results

In total, 626 students completed the survey (70.1% response rate). A small rural location was the most preferred location of practice after graduation for 28.3% of the students (95% CI 21.6–36.0). Four socio‐cultural factors were positively associated with a preference for a rural career location: poor health status of rural people, motor vehicle traffic congestion in cities, rural generalist training opportunities in the state and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Other socio‐cultural factors, including specialists’ under‐employment, Medicare freeze effect on doctors' income, bullying/sexual harassment in hospitals, climate change/natural disasters or recognised rural health personalities did not influence the investigated outcome.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate a novel association between contemporary socio‐cultural factors and rural career intention in a cohort of Australian rural clinical school students. These findings advocate for further consideration of research exploring socio‐cultural factors shaping rural career intent and workforce outcomes.
Effects of altering prepartum and postpartum dietary cation–anion difference on calcium concentrations and blood metabolites of Holstein dairy cows
Authors: Hassanien Hazem E. M. , Galyean Michael L. , Ballou Michael A. , Mahmoud Awad M. M. , Abdel‐Raouf Elsayed M. , Eweedah Nabil M.
Published: April 2022

We determined effects of pre‐ and postpartum dietary cation–anion difference (DCAD) on urine pH, serum calcium and hormone concentrations, and milk production with 48 multiparous Holstein cows (average body weight = 706 ± 7.3 kg). Treatments were 3 prepartum DCAD concentrations (0, −100, or −180 mEq/kg dry matter [DM]) and 2 postpartum DCAD concentrations (+250 or +350 mEq/kg DM) starting 29 days before parturition through 90 days in milk. Prepartum urine pH was lower (p < 0.05) for −180 than for −100 or 0 DCAD, and postpartum urine pH was higher (p < 0.05) for +350 than for +250 DCAD. Prepartum serum total and ionized calcium and hydroxyproline were greater (p < 0.05) for −180 than for −100 and 0 DCAD, whereas parathyroid hormone was greater (p < 0.05) for 0 than for −100 and −180 DCAD. After calving, negative prepartum DCAD increased (p < 0.05) serum total and ionized calcium, but effects varied by sampling day. Pre‐ and postpartum DCAD did not affect milk yield or milk fat, but milk protein percent and total solids were increased (p < 0.05) by negative prepartum DCAD. Feeding an acidogenic diet prepartum improved postpartum calcium status without major effects on milk yield and composition.
A two‐part, single‐arm, multicentre, phase I study of zanubrutinib, a selective Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in Chinese patients with relapsed/refractory B‐cell malignancies
Authors: Song Yuqin , Sun Mingyuan , Qi Junyuan , Xu Wei , Zhou Jianfeng , Li Dengju , Li Jianyong , Qiu Lugui , Du Chenmu , Guo Haiyi , Huang Jane , Tang Zhiyu , Ou Ying , Wu Binghao , Yu Yiling , Zhu Jun
Published: April 2022

This single‐arm, multicentre, phase I study is the first study of zanubrutinib, a potent, specific, irreversible Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, in Chinese patients with relapsed/refractory B‐cell malignancies. The objectives were to evaluate safety and preliminary anti‐tumour activity. Forty‐four patients received zanubrutinib 320 mg once daily (QD) (n = 10) or 160 mg twice daily (BID) (n = 34) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. 29.5% of patients received zanubrutinib for at least two years. The most common adverse event (AE) and the most common grade 3 or higher AE was neutrophil count decreased (54.5% and 25.0% respectively). Two patients (4.5%) discontinued treatment due to AEs and one treatment‐emergent AE led to death. All haemorrhagic events were grade 1–2 (except for one non‐serious grade 3 purpura). No second primary malignancies, tumour lysis syndrome, or atrial fibrillation/flutter occurred. The overall response rate was 52.3% (complete response rate, 18.2%). Patients with all cancer subtypes benefited from treatment. BTK C481S/R or L528W mutations were found in zanubrutinib‐progressive patients. The safety/efficacy profiles of patients treated with 320 mg QD and 160 mg BID were comparable and similar daily area under the curve (AUC) was achieved. Overall, zanubrutinib was well tolerated and either of these two regimens is clinically practical. Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03189524, on 16 June 2017, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03189524).