bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Interpersonal Hypersensitivity Formulation of Good Psychiatric Management as a Psychoeducational Intervention for Borderline Personality Disorder
Authors: Greiner Christian , Charbon Patrick , De Néris Mélanie , El Rassi Layla , Prada Paco , Choi-Kain Lois
Published: May 2024

Interpersonal hypersensitivity (IHS) is a core organizing concept of Good Psychiatric Management, a generalist treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD) that relies on basic tools most clinicians already employ yet is informed by an organized and evidence-based framework, developed for dissemination in various mental health care settings. We work in an inpatient psychiatric unit that specializes in the management of suicidal crises at the University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland. Because we see numerous patients with previously undiagnosed BPD during their first hospitalization, we have developed techniques and instruments to promote efficient and easy-to-implement psychoeducation. In this article, we propose a practical and user-friendly measure of IHS that is well-suited for use by multidisciplinary inpatient staff or outpatient nursing-based staff, the IHS Ruler, which is based on a visual analog scale. It is a pragmatic tool for preliminary psychoeducation for patients with BPD and their caregivers. Its ease of use and structured way of presenting the inner experience of these patients in relation to their current interpersonal environment allows caregivers to establish a framework for internal reflection and sharing, discuss the causes of current transactions, and illuminate larger patterns in the causes of the patient’s crises. Ultimately, this process can help patients and the clinical staff supporting them anticipate future problems.
Cerebral Anoxia in an 18-year-old Patient Being Treated for Major Depressive Disorder: How Forensic Detective Work Uses Medical Knowledge Including Clinical Pharmacology to Solve Cases
Authors: Preskorn Sheldon H. , Masolak David D.
Published: May 2024

This column is the first of a 3-part series illustrating the importance of medical knowledge, including clinical pharmacology, in a forensic context. This first case involved an 18-year-old high school student who suffered an anoxic brain injury and remained in a state of permanent decorticate posture, unresponsive except for grunts and primitive movements until he died several years later. Our investigation began by ruling out plausible causes that were suggested by the defense in the malpractice suit. Once those possibilities were eliminated, the focus was on what accounted for the damage to the patient using general medical knowledge and clinical pharmacology. The 4 Ds of forensic psychiatry (duty, damages, dereliction, and direct cause) are the 4 elements that the plaintiff is required to prove in civil court to prevail in a malpractice suit and are applied to this case with a special focus on dereliction and direct cause. This catastrophic outcome was due to 3 factors. First, the patient had physiologically significant dehydration to the point that he had developed a reflex tachycardia to maintain his blood pressure. Second, the patient had been switched from extended to immediate-release quetiapine, resulting in a doubling of the peak concentration of the drug, which produced higher occupancy of alpha-1 adrenergic, histamine-1, and dopamine-2 receptors, causing a further drop in his blood pressure as well as increased sedation and impairment of his gag reflex. These effects occurred quickly because of the faster absorption of the IR formulation of the drug. Third, the patient had gone to sleep in a reclining chair so that his brain was above his heart and his lower extremities were below his heart, resulting in an increased “steal” of cardiac output going to his brain. These 3 factors together led the patient to aspirate and suffer a hypoxic brain injury after an episode of vomitus. This column explains the process by which the cause of this sad outcome was determined, how it was related to a dereliction of duty to the patient, and how other proposed causes were ruled out.
A Comprehensive Approach to Addressing the Burnout Crisis Among US Health Care Workers: The Houston Methodist Experience
Authors: Bourassa Katelynn A. , Rohr Jessica C. , Bartek Nicole , Miller Susan M. , Jones Wood Stephanie , Vasquez Namrata N. , Head John , Robert-Ibarra Segundo , Moore Kula , Marder Kate , Freeland Diana , Matthews Laura , Weinstein Benjamin L. , Madan Alok
Published: May 2024

Health care workers experience high rates of burnout and psychiatric distress. A large health care system in the southwest United States developed a comprehensive mental health service model for employees. Services offered range from traditional benefits (eg, Employee Assistance Program), resiliency and well-being initiatives, and innovative technology solutions, to access to peer support services for professional practice issues. The latest innovation in services is a free, self-insured outpatient mental health clinic designed exclusively for health care workers and their dependents. In this article, the authors describe the development of expanded mental health programming for health care workers and discuss how this unique service model proactively reduces common barriers to the receipt of high-quality care. This approach to caring for the workforce may serve as a model for other health care organizations across the United States. By providing mental health support to employees, health care organizations are mitigating the risk of burnout and related consequences to the system.
Atypical Antipsychotic Prescribing in Australian Children and Adolescents: A Survey of Medical Practitioners
Authors: Rao Pradeep , Wilson Hayden , Mahfouda Simone , Wong Janice W. Y. , Morandini Hugo A. E. , Zepf Florian D.
Published: May 2024

Objective:

Prescriptions for atypical antipsychotics in children and adolescents are increasing globally. However, a precise understanding of the clinical variables and evidence that prescribers consider before using these agents is lacking. While empirical literature on the long-term safety and efficacy of these medications is available, the literature concerning their use in these younger age groups is relatively sparse. In this study, we examined the current prescribing patterns of medical professionals employed by a public health service in Australia.

Methods:

A survey examining their current practice when prescribing atypical antipsychotics to children and adolescents was completed by 103 physicians. Questions were asked about commonly prescribed atypical antipsychotics, indications, dose ranges, target symptoms, duration of treatment, and the evidence base(s) used when making treatment decisions.

Results:

Physicians prescribed atypical antipsychotics for a wide range of indications in this age group, with the most common agents being risperidone, quetiapine, and olanzapine. Adverse effects were reported as the main reason for treatment discontinuation. More than half of the respondents indicated that the most common source of guidance/evidence they referred to when initiating prescriptions were peers or expert opinion.

Conclusions:

Children and adolescents were prescribed a number of atypical antipsychotics for a variety of indications, with variable perceived confidence and a relatively heavy reliance on “own or peer experience” as opposed to good quality evidence. Challenges exist for both prescribers and policymakers, and further “head-to-head” studies are needed in this age group to ensure that a balance is maintained between therapeutic benefit and safety.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy in persons living with HIV
Authors: Rubinstein Paul G. , Galvez Carlos , Ambinder Richard F.
Published: May 2024

Purpose of review

Summarize the latest research of both stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy and present the implications with respect to persons with HIV (PWH), hematologic malignancies, and HIV-1 cure.

Recent findings

Allogeneic (alloSCT) and autologous (autoSCT) stem cell transplantation have been shown to be well tolerated and effective regardless of HIV-1 status. AlloSCT leads to a decrease in the HIV-1 latently infected reservoir orders of magnitude below that achieved with antiretroviral therapy (ART) alone. Utilization of CCR5Δ2/Δ32 donors in an alloSCT has resulted in HIV-1 cures. In the last 12 months, three cases of cure have been published, giving further insight into the conditions required for HIV-1 control. Other advances in the treatment of hematological cancers include chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CART) therapy, which are active in PWH with lymphoma.

Here we discuss the advances in SCT and cellular therapy in PWH and cancer. Additionally, we discuss how these technologies are being utilized to achieve HIV-1 cure.
Effect of a Bladder Control Self-Management Program Delivered Through a Health Kiosk
Authors: Zhang Yuchen , Engberg Sandra J. , Courtney Karen L. , Kariuki Jacob K. , Matthews Judith Tabolt
Published: May 2024

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of delivering a bladder control self-management program through a multiuser health kiosk and to evaluate the program’s effect on urinary incontinence (UI) and incontinence-specific quality of life (QoL).

DESIGN:

Secondary analysis of data collected during participants’ interactions with the Bladder Control Module (BCM) from the parent study.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING:

One hundred eleven participants from the parent study were eligible to be included in this secondary analysis. Their mean age was 72.8 years, and most were female (n = 95, 85.6%); 81 (75.7%) identified themselves as Caucasian. Each participant could access the BCM at a health kiosk situated at one of several sites: senior centers, subsidized senior housing, retirement communities, and a public library.

METHODS:

The BCM comprised 6 sessions self-administered at least 1 week apart. The content focused on lifestyle modification, pelvic floor muscle training, and bladder (habit) retraining, with encouragement of behavioral self-monitoring between sessions. The feasibility of delivering the intervention was measured by the proportion of participants completing each session. The effect of the BCM on incontinence episodes and incontinence-specific QoL was measured, respectively, by a 7-day bladder diary and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire Short Form.

RESULTS:

Sixty-one of the 111 eligible participants accessed the BCM. Participants recording incontinence episodes in their baseline bladder diary and completing at least 3 BCM sessions experienced significant decreases in median total UI (P = .01), urge UI (P < .001), and stress UI (P = .02) episodes per day. Incontinence-related QoL significantly improved (P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS:

Our findings support the potential effectiveness of providing community-based, kiosk-enabled access to a conservative behavioral intervention designed to improve incontinence-related outcomes among older adults with UI. Additional research with a larger sample is warranted.
Ostomy Information on the Internet—Is It Good Enough?
Authors: Zhou Zheyi , Besson Alex J. , Hayes Diana , Yeung Justin M.C.
Published: May 2024

PURPOSE:

The aim of this study was to determine which internet search engines and keywords patients with ostomies utilize, to identify the common websites using these terms, to determine what aspects of information they wanted, and to perform a quality and readability assessment for these websites.

DESIGN:

A cross-sectional survey of persons with ostomies to identify search engines and terms, followed by a structured assessment of the quality and readability of the identified web pages.

SUBJECT AND SETTINGS:

The sample comprised 20 hospitalized patients with ostomies cared for on a colorectal surgical ward of a tertiary care hospital located in Melbourne, Australia. There were 15 (75%) adult males and 5 (25%) adult females; their mean age was 52.2 years. Participants were surveyed between August and December 2020.

METHODS:

Patients with newly formed ostomies were surveyed about which search engines and keywords they would use to look for information and for which questions regarding ostomies they wanted answers. In addition, 2 researchers then performed independent searches using the search terms identified by patient participants. These searches were conducted in August 2021, with the geographical location set to Australia. The quality of the websites was graded using the DISCERN, Ensuring Quality Information for Patients, and Quality Evaluation Scoring Tool scoring assessments, and their readability was graded using the Flesch Reading Ease Score tool.

RESULTS:

Participants used Google as their primary search engine. Four keywords/phrases were identified: stoma for bowel surgery, ileostomy, colostomy, and caring for stoma. Multiple web pages were identified, 8 (21%) originated from Australia, 7 (18%) were from the United Kingdom, and 23 (61%) were from the United States. Most web pages lacked recent updates; only 18% had been undated within the last 12 months. The overall quality of the online information on ostomies was moderate with an average level of readability, deemed suitable for patient educational purposes.

CONCLUSIONS:

Information for persons living with an ostomy can be obtained from multiple web pages, and many sites have reasonable quality and are written at a suitable level. Unfortunately, these websites are rarely up-to-date and may contain advice that may not be applicable to individual patients.
Evolutionary divergence of induced versus constitutive antiviral gene expression between primates and rodents
Authors: Schneor Lilach , Hagai Tzachi
Published: May 2024

Background

Hundreds of genes are upregulated in response to viral infection. These genes’ sequences often diverge across mammals, to counteract rapid virus evolution. However, the transcriptional divergence of these genes, their relative levels before and after infection in different host species, remains poorly understood.

Results

We studied this divergence by comparing gene expression before and after viral stimulation in cells from primates and rodents. We developed a method to identify orthologs upregulated in one species that are unchanged in response to stimulus in another species. Using human and mouse data, we detected 578 transcriptionally divergent orthologous genes. While most divergent genes do not belong to the same cellular process, several pathways and protein complexes are enriched in this set, suggesting that divergence in immune responses between closely related mammals is limited to specific modules rather than involving entire pathways. Transcriptional divergence between human and mouse orthologs was also observed when ortholog expression from different primates and rodents were compared, when responses were studied in several cell types, and was recapitulated at the chromatin level, using histone mark patterns that denote active promoter regions.

Conclusions

In summary, we found genes whose orthologs diverge between primates and rodents in response to immune stimulation. Some of these genes are constitutively expressed in one species even before infection, potentially facilitating rapid antiviral activity, and suggesting clade-specific adaptation to confer greater resistance against viruses. Further comparative studies on diverse infections can point to additional species-specific responses and how they enable different species to overcome infection.
Limited evidence for probabilistic cueing effects on grating-evoked event-related potentials and orientation decoding performance
Authors: den Ouden Carla , Kashyap Máire , Kikkawa Morgan , Feuerriegel Daniel
Published: May 2024

We can rapidly learn recurring patterns that occur within our sensory environments. This knowledge allows us to form expectations about future sensory events. Several influential predictive coding models posit that, when a stimulus matches our expectations, the activity of feature-selective neurons in visual cortex will be suppressed relative to when that stimulus is unexpected. However, after accounting for known critical confounds, there is currently scant evidence for these hypothesised effects from studies recording electrophysiological neural activity. To provide a strong test for expectation effects on stimulus-evoked responses in visual cortex, we performed a probabilistic cueing experiment while recording electroencephalographic (EEG) data. Participants (n=488) learned associations between visual cues and subsequently presented gratings. A given cue predicted the appearance of a certain grating orientation with 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, or 90% validity. We did not observe any stimulus expectancy effects on grating-evoked event-related potentials. Bayes factors generally favoured the null hypothesis throughout the time-courses of the grating-evoked responses. Multivariate classifiers trained to discriminate between grating orientations performed better when classifying 10% compared to 90% probability gratings. However, classification performance did not substantively differ across any other stimulus expectancy conditions. Our findings provide very limited evidence for modulations of prediction error signalling by probabilistic expectations as specified in contemporary predictive coding models.
Nutrition and density dependence of spontaneous female-biased dispersal inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Halder Subhasish , Bhore Utkarsh , Nandy Bodhisatta
Published: May 2024

Dispersal is often essential for the attainment of Darwinian fitness, especially for species living on spatially structured, heterogeneous habitats. Theoretically, sex-specific resource requirement can drive the two sexes to disperse differently, resulting in sex biased dispersal (SBD). Understanding ecological factors affecting SBD is important. Using an experimental two-patch dispersal setup we measured spontaneous dispersal in laboratory adapted populations ofDrosophila melanogasterunder a set of common, interlinked ecological scenarios relating to – (a) dietary ecology and (b) adult density. We found deteriorating overall nutritional quality of food affects strength of SBD, and female dispersal is particularly sensitive to availability of protein. Adult density had sex specific effect on dispersal. Female dispersal was found to be density independent but males showed increased dispersal at higher density. Female tend to disperse more from male biased patch likely to avoid male harassment whereas absence of female drives male dispersal solidifying mate-finding dispersal hypothesis. These evidences of dispersal suggest that variation in dietary ecology and intraspecific competition can affect the degree and strength of existing SBD and thereby male-female interactions in a patch potentially affecting fitness components and population dynamics.
Dopamine-mediated plasticity preserves excitatory connections to direct pathway striatal projection neurons and motor function in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Brague Joe C. , Sinha Ghanshyam P. , Henry David A. , Headrick Daniel J. , Hamdan Zane , Hooks Bryan M. , Seal Rebecca P.
Published: May 2024

The cardinal symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) such as bradykinesia and akinesia are debilitating, and treatment options remain inadequate. The loss of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons in PD produces motor symptoms by shifting the balance of striatal output from the direct (go) to indirect (no-go) pathway in large part through changes in the excitatory connections and intrinsic excitabilities of the striatal projection neurons (SPNs). Here, we report using two different experimental models that a transient increase in striatal dopamine and enhanced D1 receptor activation, during 6-OHDA dopamine depletion, prevent the loss of mature spines and dendritic arbors on direct pathway projection neurons (dSPNs) and normal motor behavior for up to 5 months. The primary motor cortex and midline thalamic nuclei provide the major excitatory connections to SPNs. Using ChR2-assisted circuit mapping to measure inputs from motor cortex M1 to dorsolateral dSPNs, we observed a dramatic reduction in both experimental model mice and controls following dopamine depletion. Changes in the intrinsic excitabilities of SPNs were also similar to controls following dopamine depletion. Future work will examine thalamic connections to dSPNs. The findings reported here reveal previously unappreciated plasticity mechanisms within the basal ganglia that can be leveraged to treat the motor symptoms of PD.
Heterogeneous brain region-specific responses to astrocytic mitochondrial DNA damage in mice
Authors: Ayala Daniela A. , Matarazzo Anthony , Seaberg Bonnie L. , Patel Misha , Tijerina Eliana , Matthews Camryn , Bizi Gabriel , Brown Ashton , Ta Alan , Rimer Mendell , Srinivasan Rahul
Published: May 2024

Astrocytes use Ca2+signals to regulate multiple aspects of normal and pathological brain function. Astrocytes display context-specific diversity in their functions, and in their response to noxious stimuli between brain regions. Indeed, astrocytic mitochondria have emerged as key players in governing astrocytic functional heterogeneity, given their ability to dynamically adapt their morphology to regional demands on their ATP generation and Ca2+buffering functions. Although there is reciprocal regulation between mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial Ca2+signaling in astrocytes, the extent of this regulation into the rich diversity of astrocytes in different brain regions remains largely unexplored. Brain-wide, experimentally induced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) loss in astrocytes showed that mtDNA integrity is critical for proper astrocyte function, however, few insights into possible diverse responses to this noxious stimulus from astrocytes in different brain areas were reported in these experiments. To selectively damage mtDNA in astrocytes in a brain-region-specific manner, we developed a novel adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based tool, Mito-PstI, which expresses the restriction enzyme PstI, specifically in astrocytic mitochondria. Here, we applied Mito-PstI to two distinct brain regions, the dorsolateral striatum, and the hippocampal dentate gyrus, and we show that Mito-PstI can induce astrocytic mtDNA lossin vivo, but with remarkable brain-region-dependent differences on mitochondrial dynamics, spontaneous Ca2+fluxes and astrocytic as well as microglial reactivity. Thus, AAV-Mito-PstI is a novel tool to explore the relationship between astrocytic mitochondrial network dynamics and astrocytic mitochondrial Ca2+signaling in a brain-region-selective manner.
Single-cell dissection of prognostic architecture and immunotherapy response inHelicobacter pyloriinfection associated gastric cancer
Authors: Zhang Xin , Zhang Guangyu , Sang Shuli , Fei Yang , Cao Xiaopeng , Song Wenge , Liu Feide , Che Jinze , Tao Haoxia , Wang Hongwei , Zhang Lihua , Guan Yiyan , Rong Shipeng , Pei Lijuan , Yao Sheng , Wang Yanchun , Zhang Min , Liu Chunjie
Published: May 2024

Most of the gastric cancer (GC) worldwide are ascribed toHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infections, which have a detrimental effect on the immunotherapy’s efficacy. Comprehensively dissecting the key cell players and molecular pathways associated with cancer immunotherapies is critical for developing novel therapeutic strategies againstH. pyloriinfection associated GC. We performed a comprehensive single-cell transcriptome analysis of nine GC with currentH. pyloriinfection (HpGC), three GC with previousH. pyloriinfection (ex-HpGC), six GC withoutH. pyloriinfection (non-HpGC), and six healthy controls (HC). We also investigated key cell players and molecular pathways associated with GC immunotherapy outcomes. We revealed the molecular heterogeneity of different cell components in GC including epithelium, immune cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) at the single-cell level. The malignant epithelium of HpGC exhibited high expression level of inflammatory and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signature, HpGC and ex-HpGC were enriched with VEGFA+ angiogenic tumor-associated macrophages (Angio-TAM) and IL11+ inflammatory CAF (iCAF), characterized by high expression levels of NECTIN2 and VEGFA/B. Additionally, we found significant correlations between the abundance of iCAF with Angio-TAM and TIGIT+ suppressive T cells, and iCAF interacted with Angio-TAM through the VEGF and ANGPTL angiogenic pathways. We also developed an immune signature and angiogenic signature and demonstrated that the iCAF abundance and angiogenic signature could predict poor immunotherapy outcomes in GC.We revealed the transcriptome characteristics and heterogeneity of various cellular constituents of HpGC and demonstrated that a synergistic combination of immunotherapy and anti-angiogenic targeted therapy may be an effective therapeutic modality for HpGC.
Higgs-Confinement Continuity and Matching of Aharonov-Bohm Phases
Authors: Hayashi Yui
Published: May 2024

Some gauge theories with a spontaneously broken U(1) symmetry exhibit fractional Aharonov-Bohm (AB) phases around vortices in the Higgs regime. We discuss continuity between confining and Higgs regimes in such gauge theories with fundamental matter fields, focusing on the AB phases. By explicit calculations in relevant lattice models, we demonstrate that the AB phase is smoothly connected between the confining and Higgs regimes, supporting the Higgs-confinement continuity. This result provides new insight into phase structures of gauge theories with superfluidity, such as dense QCD.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
The concept for hard X-ray beamline optics at SLS 2.0
Authors: Roesner Benedikt , Raabe Joerg , Willmott Philip R. , Flechsig Uwe
Published: May 2024

In the scope of the latest upgrade of the Swiss Light Source, five hard X-ray beamlines will be constructed or rebuilt. To use synergies between these beamline projects, a concept is developed here for hard X-ray beamlines that is tailored to the new storage ring. Herein, this concept is described from the source, via the front end, to the beamline optics. The latter will be outlined in detail, including a new and modular concept for hard X-ray monochromators, focusing optics and heat-load management. With a simple, easy-to-operate and robust beamline design, the new beamlines will greatly profit from the increased brilliance of the new storage ring. The performance increase is up to four orders of magnitude, while the beamline concept allows for the broad application of experimental techniques, from propagation-based methods, such as phase-contrast tomography, to imaging techniques with nanometre resolution. At the same time, spectroscopy experiments are possible as well as high-performance serial X-ray crystallography.
Developing an in situ LED irradiation system for small-angle X-ray scattering at B21, Diamond Light Source
Authors: Jones Beatrice E. , Fitzpatrick Ann , Fowell Kieran , Edwards-Gayle Charlotte J. C. , Khunti Nikul , Inoue Katsuaki , Daniels Steven , Williams Eugene , Blayo Camille , Evans Rachel C. , Cowieson Nathan
Published: May 2024

Beamline B21 at the Diamond Light Source synchrotron in the UK is a small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) beamline that specializes in high-throughput measurements via automated sample delivery systems. A system has been developed whereby a sample can be illuminated by a focused beam of light coincident with the X-ray beam. The system is compatible with the highly automated sample delivery system at the beamline and allows a beamline user to select a light source from a broad range of wavelengths across the UV and visible spectrum and to control the timing and duration of the light pulse with respect to the X-ray exposure of the SAXS measurement. The intensity of the light source has been characterized across the wavelength range enabling experiments where a quantitative measure of dose is important. Finally, the utility of the system is demonstrated via measurement of several light-responsive samples.
In situ XAFS–XRD study of the Zr–Y2O3 interaction at extra-high temperatures
Authors: Itoh Ayumi , Matsuo Satoru , Yoshida Kenta , Konashi Kenji , Ikuta Rikuto , Niino Keisuke , Arita Yuji , Kobata Masaaki , Fukuda Tatsuo , Kobayashi Tohru , Tanida Hajime , Yaita Tsuyoshi
Published: May 2024

The in situ measurement technique for a metal/metal-oxide mixture at extra-high temperature above 2000 K has been desired in the field of nuclear safety engineering. In the present study, we succeeded in simultaneous XAFS–XRD measurements of the Zr oxidation [Zr + O → Zr(O) + ZrO2] up to 1952 K and ZrO2–Y2O3 reaction from 1952 to 2519 K. The chemical shift during Zr oxidation was observed in the absorption spectra around the Zr K-edge, and the interatomic cation–cation and cation–oxygen distances obtained by the fitting analysis of EXAFS during the Y2O3–ZrO2 reaction are explained. Also, the temperature dependency of the anharmonic effect was investigated by comparing the fitted second- and third-order cumulants with the theoretical ones in which the Morse potential was applied as an interatomic potential, giving a good explanation about the local structure dynamics. Finally, the applicability of the developed system to investigation of nuclear fuel materials, such as UO2–Zr, is discussed.
Crystal structure of 1-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)thiourea
Authors: Sow Salif , Thiam Mariama , Odame Felix , Thiam Elhadj Ibrahima , Diouf Ousmane , Ellena Javier , Gaye Mohamed , Tshentu Zenixole
Published: May 2024

The chemical reaction of 4-bromobenzoylchloride and 2-aminothiazole in the presence of potassium thiocyanate yielded a white solid formulated as C15H10BrN3OS2, which consists of 4-bromobenzamido and 2-benzothiazolyl moieties connected by a thiourea group. The 4-bromobenzamido and 2-benzothiazolyl moieties are in a trans conformtion (sometimes also called s-trans due to the single bond) with respect to the N—C bond. The dihedral angle between the mean planes of the 4-bromophenyl and the 2-benzothiazolyl units is 10.45 (11)°. The thiourea moiety, —C—NH—C(=S) —NH— fragment forms a dihedral angle of 8.64 (12)° with the 4-bromophenyl ring and is almost coplanar with the 2-benzothiazolyl moiety, with a dihedral angle of 1.94 (11)°. The molecular structure is stabilized by intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds, resulting in the formation of an S(6) ring. In the crystal, pairs of adjacent molecules interact via intermolecular hydrogen bonds of type C—H...N, C—H...S and N—H...S, resulting in molecular layers parallel to the ac plane.
Structural characterization of the supramolecular complex between a tetraquinoxaline-based cavitand and benzonitrile
Authors: Pinalli Roberta , Massera Chiara
Published: May 2024

The structural characterization is reported of the supramolecular complex between the tetraquinoxaline-based cavitand 2,8,14,20-tetrahexyl-6,10:12,16:18,22:24,4-O,O′-tetrakis(quinoxaline-2,3-diyl)calix[4]resorcinarene (QxCav) with benzonitrile. The complex, of general formula C84H80N8O8·2C7H5N, crystallizes in the space group P\overline{1} with two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit, displaying very similar geometrical parameters. For each complex, one of the benzonitrile molecules is engulfed inside the cavity, while the other is located among the alkyl legs at the lower rim. The host and the guests mainly interact through weak C—H...π, C—H...N and dispersion interactions. These interactions help to consolidate the formation of supramolecular chains running along the crystallographic b-axis direction.
Promoting customer satisfaction and reuse intention using ride-hailing taxi services: role of consumer perceived value, personal innovativeness and corporate image
Authors: Vu Tuan Duong , Nguyen Bach Khoa , Vu Phuong Thao , Nguyen Thi My Nguyet , Hoang Cao Cuong
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of several factors on customer satisfaction and intention of reusing ride-hailing services that is a new type of passenger urban transport service.

Design/methodology/approach

This research applied the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling analysis method to examine the measurement scale and to analyze the primary data collected from 388 passengers in Vietnam.

Findings

This study demonstrates that three dimensions of perceived value, namely, functional value, hedonic value and economic value, positively influence customer satisfaction. The other dimension of perceived value, which is social value, has an ambiguous effect on satisfaction. In addition, personal innovativeness promotes all dimensions of perceived value. In particular, this study highlights that customer satisfaction and corporate image positively impact reuse intention, and corporate image moderates the relationship between customer satisfaction and reuse intention.

Originality/value

This study enriches knowledge about customer behavior using services based on the sharing economy business model. In particular, theoretical and practical implications are provided for researchers and enterprises to find suitable strategies for business.
Finding solace in work-family culture as a predictor of work-family enrichment; does gender matter?
Authors: Adu Isaac Nyarko , Owusu Boakye Kwame , Kyei-Frimpong Michael
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This current study examines the moderating role of gender in the nexus between the dimensions of work-family culture and work-family enrichment in the hospitality industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a cross-sectional survey approach to conveniently gather data from a sample of 296 respondents in the Ghanaian hospitality industry. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to examine the data received from the respondents with the aid of IBM SPSS Statistics (V26.0) software and the PROCESS macro for SPSS (V3.5).

Findings

As hypothesised in the study, the dimensions of work-family culture significantly predicted work-family enrichment. Further, the results revealed that gender moderated the nexus between the dimensions of work-family culture and work-family enrichment.

Practical implications

The findings of this study imply that hotels in the hospitality industry should foster a working environment that embraces a positive work and family culture that ultimately influences the quality of work and family life of an employee, taking into consideration their gender.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this current study is amongst the first to examine the moderating role of gender in the nexus between the dimensions of work-family culture and work-family enrichment in the hospitality industry.
When words are key: negotiating meaning in information research
Authors: Tulloch Bonnie J. , Kaczmarek Michelle , Shankar Saguna , Nathan Lisa P.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This project set out to explore information scholars’ perceptions of the influence of their keyword selections and the implications of their linguistic choices on possibilities for and perceptions of the field of Information Science. We trialed a narrative methodological approach to investigate the multiple stories told with specific keywords, how they relate to larger discourses within the field and the impact they have on the lives of information researchers.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on Arthur Frank’s narrative analysis to consider keywords as stories, which shape one’s sense of professional identity and belonging. The analysis, which is informed by insights from multi-disciplinary scholars of keywords, employs data from a keywords-oriented workshop with Information School faculty and students, as well as an online questionnaire sent to heads of Information Schools.

Findings

We did not find a singular definitive story of information science scholars’ experiences with keywords. Rather we identify tensions surrounding common and contested understandings of discipline, canon and information, engaging the complexity of interdisciplinary, international, intellectual and moral claims of the field. This research offers insight into the experiential factors that shape scholars’ engagement with keywords and the tensions they can create.

Originality/value

A wealth of bibliometric analyses of keywords focuses on finding the “right” words to describe the scholarship you seek or the work you want others to discover. However, this study offers information researchers a novel approach, creating space to acknowledge the generative tensions of keywords, beyond the extractive logic of search and retrieval.
Faith in metaverse: understanding adoption intentions of metaverse amongst the Muslim students
Authors: Azhar Mohd , Ali Ruksar , Naz Ariba , Sujood Sujood
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the antecedents of metaverse adoption intention amongst Muslim students by expanding the technology acceptance model (TAM) to incorporate factors viz. perceived cyber risk (PCR), perceived enjoyment (PE), personal innovativeness in IT (PIT), self-efficacy (SE), trust (TR) and religiosity (RL).

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was circulated using a Google questionnaire to gather information on the study constructs. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were adopted to reach the targeted students. The proposed associations were examined through the application of structural equation modelling with the use of AMOS software.

Findings

The findings suggest that the empirical results derived from the study present a compelling and effective model, and the model is designed to elucidate the intentions of Indian Muslim students regarding their willingness to embrace or adopt the metaverse. The research has identified and showcased a robust conceptual framework that provides insights into the factors influencing the metaverse adoption intentions among Muslim students.

Research limitations/implications

This research adds value to the existing literature by expanding the understanding of metaverse adoption amongst Muslim students. This thorough framework offers an intricate comprehension of metaverse adoption, offering a theoretical framework beyond traditional technological determinants. This study provides important insights that can assist educationists, administrators and policymakers in various ways in chalking out essential strategies, policies and programmes related to metaverse adoption amongst Muslim students.

Originality/value

This study is unique as the six additional constructs, viz. PCR, PE, PIT, SE, TR and RL, are included in the original TAM model, thus filling the literature gap. It also augments the comprehension of the metaverse and unfolds the antecedents of metaverse adoption intention amongst Muslim societies through the lens of students.
Using complex adaptive systems (CAS) framework to assess success factors that lead to successful organizational change: a new way to understand change implementation for success
Authors: Riaz Shoaib , Morgan Damian , Kimberley Nell
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the success factors in a large organization that contributed to the success of organizational transformation (OT) through business diversification using a complex adaptive systems (CAS) framework. This assessment is done to determine how well the CAS framework can explain the success factors that contribute to the success of large-scale organizational change in complex organizations. If the CAS framework is capable of explaining the organizational factors that lead to the success of change implementation, the managers can employ this framework to increase the likelihood of success while implementing change.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses qualitative research methodology. The data were collected from the case study organization (CSO) through 40 in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic deductive analysis approach.

Findings

The CAS framework explains the success factors that contribute to the success of OT through business diversification.

Practical implications

This paper provides a comprehensive guide for change implementation by combining the insights from the CAS framework with identified success factors (for change implementation) from the case organization.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper lies in extending the principles of existing change models, for successful change implementation by using the CAS framework. The prescribed change models and the CAS framework/complexity theory are two distinct sets of literature; this paper successfully merges the two to develop a comprehensive set of guidelines for change implementation. By doing so, this paper highlights the fact that alternative, non-linear, change approaches, instead of conventional multistep change models, can be effective in implementing large-scale organizational change successfully given the complexities of current organizational environments.
Influencer marketing: explaining the effects of influencer self-presentation strategies on brand responses through source credibility
Authors: van Reijmersdal Eva A. , Walet Marieke , Gudmundsdóttir Andrea
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Self-presentation is an important aspect of influencer marketing. Drawing upon self-presentation theory and source credibility theory, this study aimed to unravel how the self-presentation strategies of a layperson, opinion leadership and micro-celebrity influence source credibility (i.e. trustworthiness, expertise, physical attractiveness and social attractiveness) and how source credibility, in turn, affects brand responses.

Design/methodology/approach

An online experiment among female participants (N = 229) was conducted. Participants were shown a sponsored blog in which the influencer presented herself as either a layperson, an opinion leader or a micro-celebrity.

Findings

The study demonstrated that the presentation strategy of a layperson was more persuasive than a micro-celebrity presentation because of higher levels of (1) trust and (2) social attractiveness. In addition, opinion leaders were perceived as having more expertise than laypeople and, therefore, positively enhanced brand responses.

Research limitations/implications

The current findings provide relevant insights into the theoretical mechanisms (i.e. expertise, trustworthiness and social attractiveness) that explain the effects of self-presentation strategies on brand responses.

Practical implications

Our findings imply that credibility perceptions determine the persuasiveness of the SMI. This study showed that layperson and opinion leadership self-presentation strategies are relatively more persuasive.

Originality/value

This study is the first to show that influencers’ self-presentation strategies determine how people respond to the brands that influencers promote. In addition, we show that these effects are explained by the influencers’ trust, social attractiveness and expertise.
Will irresistible force overcome immovable object?
Authors: Quiggin John
Published: May 2024

Looking at the role of solar photovoltaics in the energy transition is reminiscent of the paradox arising from the clash of an irresistible force and an immovable object. In this note, it will be argued that the irresistible force of low‐cost solar generation will win out over the apparently immovable obstacles.
Mapping the immune cell landscape of severe atopic dermatitis by single‐cell RNA‐seq
Authors: Jin Seon‐Pil , Lee Kyungchun , Bang Yoon Ji , Jeon Yun‐Hui , Jung Sunyoung , Choi So‐Jung , Lee Ji Su , Kim Junhan , Guttman‐Yassky Emma , Park Chung‐Gyu , Kim Hyun Je , Hong Seunghee , Lee Dong Hun
Published: May 2024

Background

Efforts to profile atopic dermatitis (AD) tissues have intensified, yet comprehensive analysis of systemic immune landscapes in severe AD remains crucial.

Methods

Employing single‐cell RNA sequencing, we analyzed over 300,000 peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 12 severe AD patients (Eczema area and severity index (EASI) > 21) and six healthy controls.

Results

Results revealed significant immune cell shifts in AD patients, including increased Th2 cell abundance, reduced NK cell clusters with compromised cytotoxicity, and correlated Type 2 innate lymphoid cell proportions with disease severity. Moreover, unique monocyte clusters reflecting activated innate immunity emerged in very severe AD (EASI > 30). While overall dendritic cells (DCs) counts decreased, a distinct Th2‐priming subset termed “Th2_DC” correlated strongly with disease severity, validated across skin tissue data, and flow cytometry with additional independent severe AD samples. Beyond the recognized role of Th2 adaptive immunity, our findings highlight significant innate immune cell alterations in severe AD, implicating their roles in disease pathogenesis and therapeutic potentials.

Conclusion

Apart from the widely recognized role of Th2 adaptive immunity in AD pathogenesis, alterations in innate immune cells and impaired cytotoxic cells have also been observed in severe AD. The impact of these alterations on disease pathogenesis and the effectiveness of potential therapeutic targets requires further investigation.
Differentiating placenta accreta spectrum from scar dehiscence with underlying, non‐adherent placenta: A systematic review of scoring systems and primary data analysis
Authors: Adu‐Bredu Theophilus K. , Aryananda Rozi Aditya , Arkorful Joseph , Matthewlynn Sam , Collins Sally L.
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Accurate discrimination between placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) and scar dehiscence with underlying non‐adherent placenta is challenging both on prenatal ultrasound and intraoperatively. This can lead to overdiagnosis of PAS and unnecessarily aggressive management of scar dehiscence which increases the risk of morbidity. Several scoring systems have been published which combine clinical and ultrasound information to help diagnose PAS in women at high risk. This research aims to provide insights into the reliability and utility of existing accreta scoring systems in differentiating these two closely related but different conditions to contribute to improved clinical decision making and patient outcomes.

Material and Methods

A literature search was performed in four electronic databases. The references of relevant articles were also assessed. The articles were then evaluated according to the predefined inclusion criteria. Primary data for testing each scoring system were obtained retrospectively from two hospitals with specialized PAS services. Each scoring system was used to evaluate the predicted outcome of each case.

Results

The literature review yielded 15 articles. Of these, eight did not have a clearly described diagnostic criteria for accreta, hence were excluded. Of the remaining seven studies, one was excluded due to unorthodox diagnostic criteria and two were excluded as they differed from the other systems hindering comparison. Four scoring systems were therefore tested with the primary data. All the scoring systems demonstrated higher scores for high‐grade PAS compared to scar dehiscence (p < 0.001) with an excellent Area Under the receiver operator characteristic Curve ranging from 0.82 (95% CI 0.71–0.92) to 0.87 (95% CI 0.79–0.96) in differentiating between these two conditions. However, no statistically significant differences were noted between the low‐grade PAS and scar dehiscence on all scoring systems.

Conclusions

Most published scoring systems have no clearly defined diagnostic criteria. Scoring systems can differentiate between scar dehiscence with underlying non‐adherent placenta from high‐grade PAS with excellent diagnostic accuracy, but not for low‐grade PAS. Hence, relying solely on these scoring systems may lead to errors in estimating the risk or extent of the condition which hinders preoperative planning.