bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Programmable enveloped delivery vehicles for human genome engineeringin vivo
Authors: Hamilton Jennifer R. , Chen Evelyn , Perez Barbara S. , Sandoval Espinoza Cindy R. , Kang Min Hyung , Trinidad Marena , Doudna Jennifer A.
Published: August 2022

Viruses and virally-derived particles have the intrinsic capacity to deliver molecules to cells, but the difficulty of readily altering cell-type selectivity has hindered their use for therapeutic delivery. Here we show that cell surface marker recognition by antibody fragments displayed on membrane-derived particles encapsulating CRISPR-Cas9 protein and guide RNA can target genome editing tools to specific cells. These Cas9-packaging enveloped delivery vehicles (Cas9-EDVs), programmed with different displayed antibody fragments, confer genome editing in target cells over bystander cells in mixed cell populations bothex vivoandin vivo.

This strategy enabled the generation of genome-edited chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in humanized mice, establishing a new programmable delivery modality with widespread therapeutic utility.

One-Sentence Summary

Cell-specific molecular delivery with enveloped delivery vehicles (EDVs) enables genome editingex vivoandin vivo.
Volume regulation in adhered cells: roles of surface tension and cell swelling
Authors: Adar Ram M. , Vishen Amit Singh , Joanny Jean-François , Sens Pierre , Safran Samuel A.
Published: August 2022

The volume of adhered cells has been shown experimentally to decrease during spreading. This effect can be understood from the pump-leak model, which we have extended to include mechano-sensitive ion transporters. We identify a novel effect that has important consequences on cellular volume loss; cells that are swollen due to a modulation of ion transport rates are more susceptible to volume loss in response to a tension increase. This effect explains in a plausible manner the discrepancies between three recent, independent experiments on adhered cells, between which both the magnitude of the volume change and its dynamics varied substantially. We suggest that starved and synchronized cells in two of the experiments were in a swollen state and, consequently, exhibited a large volume loss at steady state. Non-swollen cells, for which there is a very small steady-state volume decrease, are still predicted to transiently lose volume during spreading due to a relaxing viscoelastic tension that is large compared with the steady-state tension. We elucidate the roles of cell swelling and surface tension in cellular volume regulation and discuss their possible microscopic origins.
FBXW7 triggers degradation of WDR5 to prevent mitotic slippage
Authors: Hänle-Kreidler Simon , Richter Kai T. , Hoffmann Ingrid
Published: August 2022

During prolonged mitotic arrest induced by anti-microtubule drugs, cell fate decision is determined by two alternative pathways, one leading to cell death, the other inducing premature escape from mitosis by mitotic slippage. FBWX7, a member of the F-box family of proteins and substrate-targeting subunit of the SCF (SKP1-CUL1-F-Box) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex promotes mitotic cell death and prevents mitotic slippage. In this study, we report that WDR5, a component of the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) complex of Histone 3 Lysine 4 (H3K4) methyltransferases is a substrate of FBXW7. WDR5 binds to FBXW7 in vivo and in vitro and its ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation is mediated by FBXW7. Furthermore, we find that WDR5 depletion counteracts FBXW7 loss-of-function by reducing mitotic slippage and polyploidization. Our data elucidate a new mechanism in mitotic cell fate regulation which might contribute to prevent chemotherapy resistance in patients after anti-microtubule drug treatment.
Leptospiral lipopolysaccharide dampens inflammation through upregulation of autophagy adaptor p62 and NRF2 signaling in macrophages
Authors: Bonhomme Delphine , Santecchia Ignacio , Escoll Pedro , Papadopoulos Stylianos , Vernel-Pauillac Frédérique , Boneca Ivo G. , Werts Catherine
Published: August 2022

Leptospira interrogansare pathogenic bacteria responsible for leptospirosis, a worldwide zoonosis. All vertebrates can be infected, and some species like humans are susceptible to the disease whereas rodents such as mice are resistant and become asymptomatic renal carriers. Leptospires are stealth bacteria that are known to escape several immune recognition pathways and resist killing mechanisms. We recently published that leptospires may survive intracellularly and exit macrophages, in part by escaping xenophagy, a pathogen-targeting form of autophagy. Interestingly, autophagy is one of the antimicrobial mechanisms often highjacked by bacteria to evade the host immune response. In this study we therefore explored whether leptospires subvert the key molecular players of autophagy to facilitate the infection. We showed in macrophages that leptospires triggered a specific accumulation of autophagy-adaptor p62 in puncta-like structures, without major alteration of autophagy flux. Unlike active bacterial mechanisms described to date, we demonstrated that leptospires trigger p62 accumulation using a passive mechanism of LPS signaling via TLR4/TLR2. p62 is a central pleiotropic protein, not only involved in autophagy, but also mediating cell stress and death,viathe translocation of transcription factors. We demonstrated thatLeptospira-driven accumulation of p62 induced the translocation of transcription factor NRF2. However, NRF2 translocation uponLeptospirainfection did not result as expected in antioxydant response, but dampened the production of inflammatory mediators such as iNOS/NO, TNF and IL6. Overall, these findings highlight a novel passive bacterial mechanism linked to p62/NRF2 signaling that decreases inflammation and contributes to the stealthiness of leptospires.
Conformational change of the Plasmodium TRAP I domain is essential for sporozoite migration and transmission of malaria
Authors: Braumann Friedrich , Klug Dennis , Kehrer Jessica , Lu Chafen , Springer Timothy A. , Frischknecht Friedrich
Published: August 2022

Eukaryotic cell adhesion and migration relies on surface adhesins connecting extracellular ligands to the intracellular actin cytoskeleton.Plasmodiumsporozoites are transmitted by mosquitoes and rely on adhesion and gliding motility to colonize the salivary glands and to reach the liver after transmission. During gliding the essential sporozoite adhesin TRAP engages actin filaments in the cytoplasm of the parasite., while binding ligands on the substrate through its inserted (I)-domain. Crystal structures of TRAP from differentPlasmodiumspecies revealed the I-domain in closed and open conformations. Here, we probe the importance of these two conformational states by generating parasites expressing versions of TRAP with the I-domain stabilized in either the open or closed state with disulfide bonds. Strikingly, both mutations impact sporozoite gliding, mosquito salivary gland entry and transmission. Absence of gliding in sporozoites expressing the open TRAP I-domain could be partly rescued by adding a reducing agent. This suggests that dynamic conformational change is required for ligand binding, gliding motility and organ invasion and hence sporozoite transmission from mosquito to mammal.
The use of Statin-class compounds to suppress methanogenesis in lake sediment inoculated microbial fuel cells
Authors: Jayathilake Chamindu , Dilangani Gayani P. , Bandara Sampath , Nazeer Zumaira , Thilini Nirath , Bandara Wijendra , Herath Ajith C. , Kyazze Godfrey , Fernando Eustace Y.
Published: August 2022

Methanogenesis conducted by archaea acts as a competing metabolic pathway that diverts available carbon and electrons away from exo-electrogenic metabolism in mixed culture inoculated microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Statin-class compounds are known to selectively inhibit eukaryotic and archaeal versions of HMG Co-A reductase (class-I) enzyme and the bacterial version of the same enzyme (class-II) is known to be unresponsive to statins. The results of this study demonstrated that the two model statin compounds Simvastatin and Atorvastatin were effective in suppressing methanogenesis in MFCs when applied in moderate concentrations (5 mg/L and 40 mg/L respectively) in MFC anodes. Power densities increased 2 fold compared to control (to 63 ± 1.8 mW/m2) and 2.5 fold (to 69.5 ± 1.8 mW/m2) with Simvastatin and Atorvastatin addition respectively. There was an almost complete suppression of CH4 production with the addition of both statins into MFC anodes as shown by gas composition analysis. Quantitative FISH (qFISH) analysis showed that methanogens Methanosarcina, Metanobacteria and Methanomicrobiales together with all archaea were almost completely suppressed when statins were supplemented into MFC anodes. This study demonstrated that the statins addition can be used to boost power densities in MFCs.
A genome-wide atlas of recurrent repeat expansions in human cancer
Authors: Erwin Graham S. , Gürsoy Gamze , Al-Abri Rashid , Suriyaprakash Ashwini , Dolzhenko Egor , Zhu Kevin , Hoerner Christian R. , White Shannon M. , Ramirez Lucia , Vadlakonda Ananya , Vadlakonda Alekhya , von Kraut Konor , Park Julia , Brannon Charlotte M. , Sumano Daniel A. , Kirtikar Raushun A. , Erwin Alicia A. , Metzner Thomas J. , Yuen Ryan K. C. , Fan Alice C. , Leppert John T. , Eberle Michael A. , Gerstein Mark , Snyder Michael P.
Published: August 2022

Expansion of a single repetitive DNA sequence, termed a tandem repeat (TR), is known to cause more than 50 diseases. However, repeat expansions are often not explored beyond neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. In some cancers, mutations accumulate in short tracts of TRs (STRs), a phenomenon termed microsatellite instability (MSI); however larger repeat expansions have not been systematically analyzed in cancer. Here, we identified TR expansions in 2,622 cancer genomes, spanning 29 cancer types. In 7 cancer types, we found 160 recurrent repeat expansions (rREs); most of these (155/160) were subtype specific. We found that rREs were non-uniformly distributed in the genome with an enrichment near candidate cis-regulatory elements, suggesting a role in gene regulation. One rRE located near a regulatory element in the first intron of UGT2B7 was detected in 34% of renal cell carcinoma samples and was validated by long-read DNA sequencing. Moreover, targeting cells harboring this rRE with a rationally designed, sequence-specific DNA binder led to a dose-dependent decrease in cell proliferation. Overall, our results demonstrate that rREs are an important but unexplored source of genetic variation in human cancers, and we provide a comprehensive catalog for further study.
Antibiotic heteroresistance generated by multi-copy plasmids
Authors: Hernandez-Beltran JCR , Rodríguez-Beltrán J , Aguilar-Luviano B , Velez-Santiago J , Mondragón-Palomino O , MacLean RC , Fuentes-Hernández A , Millán A San , Peña-Miller R
Published: August 2022

Heteroresistance – in which a clonal bacterial population contains a cell subpopulation with higher resistance to antibiotics than the main population – is a growing clinical problem that complicates susceptibility determination and threatens therapeutic success. Despite the high prevalence of heteroresistance in clinical settings, the underlying genetic mechanisms that stably maintain heterogeneous bacterial populations are poorly understood. Using fluorescence microscopy, single-cell microfluidics, and quantitative image analysis, we show that random replication and segregation of multicopy plasmids produce populations of bacterium Escherichia coli MG1655 in which cells with low-and high-plasmid copy numbers stably co-exist. By combining stochastic simulations of a computational model with high-throughput single-cell measurements of blaTEM-1 expression, we show that copy number variability confers the bacterial population with transient resistance to a lethal concentration of a β -lactam antibiotic. Moreover, this surviving, high plasmid copy minority is capable of regenerating a heterogeneous bacterial population with low and high plasmid copy numbers through segregational instability, rapidly alleviating the fitness burden of carrying large numbers of plasmids. Our results provide further support for the tenet that plasmids are more than simple vehicles for horizontal transmission of genetic information between cells, as they can also drive bacterial adaptation in dynamic environments by providing a platform for rapid amplification and attenuation of gene copy number that can accelerate the rate of resistance adaptation and can lead to treatment failure.
Intentions to get vaccinated against Monkeypox in Healthcare workers in France and Belgium correlates with attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination
Authors: Gagneux-Brunon Amandine , Dauby Nicolas , Launay Odile , Botelho-Nevers Elisabeth
Published: August 2022

Abstract text

Background

Front-line healthcare workers (HCWs) could be at-risk for Monkeypox infections. Vaccine hesitancy also affects HCWs and has an impact on their own attitudes toward vaccination. In the context of the exhaustion due to COVID-19 pandemic, we aimed to evaluate intentions to get vaccinated against Monkeypox in HCWs in France and Belgium.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study (snowball sampling) using a self-administered online questionnaire to evaluate intentions to get vaccinated against Monkeypox in HCWs if a recommendation for HCWs vaccination was made. We compared demographics characteristics, vaccine readiness, eagerness for COVID-19 vaccine, and confidence in HCW with Chi-square tests, student-t and performed a binary regression.

Results

Amon the 397 respondents, if a specific recommendation was made for HCWs vaccination against Monkeypox was made, 55.4 % will probably get the vaccine, while 79 % would accept the vaccine if recommended to the general population. COVID-19 vaccine eagerness and having concerns about Monkeypox epidemics were associated with favorable attitude toward Monkeypox vaccination in HCWs with respective adjusted odds ratio and 95 % Confidence Interval 2.5 (1.03-6.1), 2.6 (1.3-5.3). Forty-four HCWs (11 %) self-identified as at-risk for Monkeypox infections.

Conclusion

Acceptance of Monkeypox vaccination in HCWs is probably moderate, HCWs are probably complacent and did not perceive the risk of Monkeypox infections in the context of professional exposure.
Deciphering the alphabet of disorder — Glu and Asp act differently on local but not global properties
Authors: Roesgaard Mette Ahrensback , Lundsgaard Jeppe E. , Newcombe Estella A. , Jacobsen Nina L. , Pesce Francesco , Tranchant Emil E. , Lindemose Søren , Prestel Andreas , Hartmann-Petersen Rasmus , Lindorff-Larsen Kresten , Kragelund Birthe B.
Published: August 2022

Compared to folded proteins, the sequences of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are enriched in polar and charged amino acids. Glutamate is one of the most enriched amino acids in IDPs, while the chemically similar amino acid aspartate is less enriched. So far, the underlying functional differences of glutamates and aspartates in IDPs remain poorly understood. In this study, we examine the differential effects of aspartate and glutamates in IDPs by comparing the function and conformational ensemble of glutamate and aspartate variants of the disordered protein Dss1, using a range of assays, including interaction studies, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, small angle X-ray scattering and molecular dynamics simulation. First, we analyze the sequences of the rapidly growing data base of experimentally verified IDPs (DisProt) and show that the glutamate enrichment is not caused by a taxonomy bias in IDPs. From analyses of local and global structural properties as well as cell growth and protein-protein interactions using a model acidic IDP from yeast and three Glu/Asp variants, we find that while Glu/Asp support similar function and global dimensions, the variants differ in their binding affinities and population of local transient structural elements. We speculate that these local structural differences may play roles in functional diversity where glutamates can support increased helicity important for folding and binding, while aspartates support extended structures and form helical caps, as well as playing more relevant roles in e.g., transactivation domains and ion-binding.
Hydrogen-bond-driven supramolecular helical assembly of a coumarin-substituted phthalonitrile derivative: synthesis andin vitroanticancer activity against colorectal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Topkan Füsun , Özdemir Mücahit , Özkan Beyza Nur , Bozali Kübra , Güler Eray Metin , Zorlu Yunus , Bulut Mustafa , Görgülü Ahmet Orhan , Yalçın Bahattin
Published: August 2022

Phthalonitrile derivatives are generally reported to crystallize in space groupsP21/candP1in the literature. In this study, 7-hydroxy-4,8-dimethyl-3-pentylcoumarin (2) and its phthalonitrile derivative (2d) were crystallized;2dcrystallized in the rare trigonal space groupR3. In the phthalonitrile derivative (2d), weak C—H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions promoted the formation of supramolecular double helices, and these supramolecularPandMdouble helices came together to form a honeycomb-like architectural motif involving one-dimensional tubular channels.In silicomolecular-docking studies were performed to support the experimental processes and the results agree with each other.In vitrostudies of compounds2and2dwere performed in LoVo colorectal adenocarcinoma and CCD18Co healthy human cell lines using flow cytometry. For compounds2and2d, there was a statistically significant increase (p< 0.001) in both early and late apoptosis with respect to the control in a dose-dependent manner.
Family involvement and proactive tax management behaviour in private family SMEs
Authors: Clemente-Almendros José Antonio , González-Cruz Tomás
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper investigates whether board composition, a family chief executive officer (CEO) and the firm's managerial capabilities affect proactive tax management in family small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The main statement is that the professionalisation of corporate government and management practices explains the difference in tax avoidance behaviour in closely held family SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the 2012 Spanish thin-capitalisation rule as a quasi-experiment, the authors estimate panel regressions with firm fixed effects and robust standard errors. This model represents a triple difference-in-differences combined with propensity score matching (PSM-DID).

Findings

Analysis shows that having a high proportion of non-family board members and a high endowment of managerial capabilities lead to tax liability optimisation in family SMEs. Conversely, familial boards and family SMEs with low managerial capabilities lack enough expertise to weigh the costs of tax avoidance over the benefits, resulting in a reluctance to engage in tax optimisation behaviours. Alike, results show no significant relation between CEO's family affiliation and tax management behaviour.

Practical implications

When implementing fiscal policies, the specific needs of family SMEs should be considered, and how these needs interact with corporate governance and managerial mechanisms. Moreover, policymakers need a deeper understanding of family SMEs in order to develop policies appropriate to their characteristics. A more comprehensive knowledge of how family firm heterogeneity affects corporate decisions, such as indebtedness and fiscal decisions, may improve public policies.

Originality/value

This study addresses the issue of tax behaviour in family SMEs in a particular event that implies a specific logic to weigh the pros and cons of each alternative: reducing debt or paying more taxes. This study’s conclusions are based on a model that deals with potential endogeneity problems, which avoids bias in the findings.
Market integration and volatility spillover across major East Asian stock and Bitcoin markets: an empirical assessment
Authors: Zeng Hongjun , Ahmed Abdullahi D.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to provide new perspectives on the integration of East Asian stock markets and the dynamic volatility transmission to the Bitcoin market utilising daily data from 2014 to 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors undertake comprehensive analyses of the dependency dynamics, systemic risk and volatility spillover between major East Asian stock and Bitcoin markets. The authors employ a vine-copula-CoVaR framework and a VAR-BEKK-GARCH method with a Wald test.

Findings

(a) With exception of KS11 and N225; HSI and SSE; HSI and KS11, which have moderate dependence, dependencies among other markets are low. In terms of tail risk, the upper tail risk is more significant in capturing strong common variation. (b) Two-way and asymmetric risk spillover effects exist in all markets. The Hong Kong and Japanese stock markets have significant risk spillovers to other markets, and quite notably, the Chinese stock market is the largest recipient of systemic risk. However, the authors observe a more significant risk spillover from the Chinese stock market to the Bitcoin market. (c) The VAR-BEKK-GARCH results confirm that the Korean market is a significant emitter of volatility spillovers. The Bitcoin market does provide diversification benefits. Interestingly, the Chinese stock market has an intriguing relationship with Bitcoin. (d) An increase in spillovers in East Asia boosts spillovers to Bitcoin, but there is no intuitive effect of Bitcoin spillovers on East Asian spillovers.

Originality/value

For the first time, the authors examine the dynamic linkage between Bitcoin and the major East Asian stock markets.
Key drivers, challenges and strategies towards successful low-carbon campus: the case of UiTM Shah Alam campus
Authors: Mustaffa N.K. , Kudus S.A. , Aziz M.F.H.A.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

There is a growing awareness of the dangers of climate change and global warming due to increasing energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions. Campus universities are critical for implementing low-carbon development efficiently, given the large population and socio-economic activities concentrated on campus. This paper aims to explore the existing campus management initiatives and recommends holistic driving elements towards successful low-carbon campus development.

Design/methodology/approach

This study’s triangulation of information was supplemented by contributions from 116 respondents on the UiTM Shah Alam campus and eight professional interviews with stakeholders involved in low-carbon campus projects.

Findings

The study reported that low-carbon strategies had been implemented on the UiTM Shah Alam campus, with most existing programmes and activities focusing on low-hanging fruit initiatives. Moreover, the findings indicate that financial, cultural, behavioural, organisational and physical constraints are critical challenges to effectively implementing low-carbon approaches. The proposed techniques suggest that generating green funding, defining clear targets, developing standard procedures for carbon assessment and monitoring, also boosting education and outreach programmes lead to the improvement of low-carbon campus efforts.

Practical implications

The outcomes of this paper offer perspective to campus administration and community into an evaluation of current approaches and strategies for merging low-carbon systems. The effectiveness of low-carbon implementation was ensured by addressing issues concerning low-carbon uptake and fostering low-carbon improvement.

Originality/value

Besides providing a better understanding of techniques to implementing low-carbon development in Malaysia, the critical hurdles and driving factors, the output from this study adds to the existing knowledge available concerning the campus community’s existing comprehension.
The direct effect of B2B sellers' skills on relative and absolute sales performance: a dual measurement approach
Authors: Rodriguez Rocio , Høgevold Nils M. , Otero-Neira Carmen , Svensson Göran
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the direct effect of B2B sellers' skills on relative and absolute sales performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a questionnaire survey and deductive approach. A total of 236 useable questionnaires out of 315 are returned, generating a response rate of 74.9%.

Findings

Only one out of twelve hypothesized relationships in the research model of the direct effect of B2B sellers' skills on relative and absolute sales performance turned out to be significant.

Research limitations/implications

Indicate that the researchers’ current understanding of the effect of sales performance indicators on sales performance, based on B2B sellers' skills, is narrow and simplistic.

Practical implications

Results indicate that there are skills other than the tested ones (i.e. interpersonal, adaptiveness and selling-related knowledge), that can have direct effects on B2B sellers' relative and absolute sales performance.

Originality/value

Sheds light on the ambiguous direct effect of B2B sellers' skills on sales performance and the almost non-existent direct effect on B2B sellers' relative and absolute sales performance.
The impact of market information use on entrepreneurial performance: insights from the UK food industry
Authors: Didonet Simone Regina , Fearne Andrew
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper explores the nuanced relationship between individual and firm performance through the lens of market information use, in the specific context of small businesses, shedding light on the specificity of information use and impact of information use on both types of performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixture of subjective and objective data from a sample of small food producers engaged in an action research project with a major UK supermarket was used to test hypotheses developed from the information management, marketing and small business literature.

Findings

The results suggest that the effective use of market information has a significant impact on the performance of both the individual and the organization but independently of each other. The result provides evidence of the potential “disconnection” between individual and organizational levels of performance and the tension that exists in small businesses between operational and strategic decision-making and the use of market information therein.

Research limitations/implications

While the author's study benefits from access to individual decision-makers and objective organizational performance data, the study is not without its limitations. Chief among these is the small sample size. Moreover, while there are clear benefits to working with a homogeneous sample of small food producers supplying the same key customer in the same market, generalizing to small food businesses operating in other distributions channels and small businesses in other sectors is also difficult.

Practical implications

When analyzing the performance of marketing managers, owner-managers should pay attention to the incentives for them to invest time and effort in the effective use of market information as the disconnection between individual and firm performance can have negative implications for their personal development and the overall firm performance.

Originality/value

This study explores a missing link in the extant body of small business literature, i.e., the role played by key individuals with responsibility for the marketing function within small businesses and the relationship between small businesses' approach to the use of market information and performance at a functional level and the overall firm performance.
An examination of tourists’ national identity, place attachment and loyalty at a dark tourist destination
Authors: Dandotiya Ravi , Aggarwal Arun
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The question of whether tourist destinations established in the aftermath of a disaster will attract visitors remains unanswered. This study attempts to answer this question by examining the effect of nation identity on tourists' loyalty in dark heritage tourism through place attachment using the social identity and attachment theory.

Design/methodology/approach

In this quantitative study, data were collected from 622 tourists through a survey method at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, India. Data analysis was performed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling.

Findings

The findings of the study suggest that tourists' national identity is a very important variable, not only in retaining the tourists at a destination but also in increasing their attachment towards that particular destination. Place attachment is found to be a predictor of tourist loyalty at a dark tourist destination. Finally, results of the mediation analysis show that place attachment mediates the relationship between national identity and tourist loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of the study contribute to the research knowledge about a dark heritage tourist destination by exploring the role of national identity in explaining the place attachment and tourist loyalty towards a dark heritage tourist destination. The practical implications for site managers have also been discussed.

Originality/value

The study used the social identity theory and attachment theory to come up with an empirical model of place attachment for a dark heritage tourist destination. This study adds value to understanding national identity, place attachment and tourists' loyalty by exploring their inter-relationship. The focus on diverse characteristics of place attachment is what makes this study unique.
Assessing and developing an organization’s innovation competency profile
Authors: Liedtka Jeanne , Billing Adam , Eldridge Jessica , Hold Karen , Kuhne Brooke , Tong El
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Like the management of quality in the 1970s, innovation has become everyone’s job and requires the management talents of every function. But the authors’ research demonstrates that innovation success also requires a complex bundle of diverse and often disparate skills, and finding individuals who possess them is a daunting task. Leaders must learn to diagnose skill deficiencies, develop a portfolio of competencies at both individual and team levels in the organization, and then drive a culture of innovation from the top.

Design/methodology/approach

Leaders must learn to diagnose innovation skill deficiencies, develop a portfolio of competencies at both individual and team levels in the organization, and then drive a culture of innovation from the top. The authors have identified five unique bundles of behaviors that, taken together, comprise an innovation capability.

Findings

The Innovation Mindsets Assessment tool is a questionnaire for assessing 44 behaviors underlying the five skills.

Practical implications

Obtaining accurate feedback requires that an innovator be able to vividly ‘presence’ the future, to be able to make it feel real to peers, potential customers and partners.

Originality/value

Now that innovation has become everyone’s job and requires the management talents of every function, defining and assessing the capabilities of all team members so that individual and group skill gaps can be remedied is a priority.
What innovations would enable the tourism and hospitality industry in India to re-build?
Authors: Khan Shaheed , Freeda Maria Swarna M.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to explore the challenges and opportunities that the Indian Tourism and Hospitality faces to rebuild itself. The questions discussed include: what is to be done, the role of the Government at the Federal and Provincial level and how should the stakeholders of the tourism ecosystem play out?

Design/methodology/approach

The 2020 expectation for Indian Tourism was for a bumper year, a year that would be remembered, but then the pandemic proved to be devastating. This article is based on secondary literature and discussions with industry representatives, which provide guidance and pointers for future preparedness.

Findings

The industry went from a difficult situation during the lockdowns, to a scenario of hope and opportunity initiated by domestic travellers, who provided a ray of hope for tourism stakeholders.

Social implications

In the wake of the pandemic, businesses suffered from a lack of business; people lost jobs, travel came to a standstill and so it was mitigation that was important. The way the tourism ecosystem sought to return to normal and build on it for future has a number of implications for relevant changes to society.

Originality/value

Resilience, restructuring and renewal have characterised the tourism business in India and this paper investigates new dimensions for innovatively managing the situation.
Erythematous flexural eruption in a young man
Authors: Kuo Yi-Wen
Published: August 2022

A young man presented with a 2-week history of well-defined erythematous plaques symmetrically distributed in multiple intertriginous areas. He had received topical corticosteroids, antifungals and oral prednisolone without improvement. Histopathological examination revealed confluent parakeratosis with retention of basophilic keratohyalin granules within the stratum corneum.

Click here for the corresponding questions to this CME article.
Home to Stay: A randomized controlled trial protocol to assess use of a mobile app to reduce readmissions following colorectal surgery
Authors: Anpalagan Tharani , Schmocker Selina , Raval Manoj , Baxter Nancy N. , Brar Mantaj S. , Easson Alexandra , Feldman Liane S. , Lee Lawrence , Liberman Alexander S. , Scales Damon C. , Kennedy Erin D.
Published: August 2022

Aim

Patients undergoing colorectal surgery face high rates of emergency room visits and readmission to hospital. These unplanned hospital visits lead to both increased patient anxiety and health care costs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of mobile application to support patients undergoing colorectal surgery following discharge from hospital.

Method

This study is a randomized controlled trial in which the control group will receive standard follow‐up care following discharge after surgery and the intervention group will receive standard follow‐up care in addition to the mobile application. The primary outcome is the proportion of patients with unplanned hospital visits within 30 days of discharge. The secondary outcomes are patient‐reported outcomes on validated scales evaluating their quality of recovery following discharge. A sample size of 670 subjects is planned. For the primary outcome, the control and intervention groups will be compared using a generalized linear model to account for clustering of patients within centres. For the secondary outcomes, the overall scores on the Quality of Recovery 15 and Patient Activation Measure will be analysed using a linear regression model.

Results

It is expected that the results of this study will show that the mobile app will lead to significant improvements in unplanned hospital visits as well as improved quality of recovery for patients.

Conclusion

If the trial is successful, the mobile app can be easily adopted more widely into clinical practice to support patients at home following surgery.
Sex mismatch following heart transplantation in the United States: Characteristics and impact on outcomes
Authors: Doulamis Ilias P. , Tzani Aspasia , Kourek Christos , Kampaktsis Polydoros N. , Inampudi Chakradhari , Kilic Ahmet , Briasoulis Alexandros
Published: August 2022

Background

Available literature indicates the possible detrimental effect of sex mismatching on mortality in patients undergoing heart transplantation. Our objective was to examine the role of sex and heart mass (predicted heart mass [PHM]) mismatch on mortality and graft rejection in patients undergoing heart transplantation in the US.

Methods

Data on adult patients who underwent heart transplantation between January 2015 and October 2021 were queried from the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) registry. The main outcomes were all‐cause mortality, 1‐year all‐cause mortality and treated acute rejection.

Results

A total of 19 805 adult patients underwent heart transplant during the study period. 92.2% of the patients in the female graft to male group had a PHM mismatch <25%, while only 38.5% had such a mismatch in the male graft to female group. In male to male and female to female groups, 79% and 76% of the patients had a PHM mismatch <25% (p = .122). Proportion of PHM mismatch was similar throughout the study period. Unadjusted analysis showed that male recipients of female grafts had increased risk for all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.13; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.02, 1.27; p = .026) and 1‐year mortality (HR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.45; p = .002) compared to male recipients of male grafts. Graft failure incidence was also higher (HR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.25; p = .041). However, all these associations were non‐ significant after risk factor adjustment.

Conclusions

Sex mismatching is associated with post‐transplant mortality with transplantation of female donor grafts to male recipients demonstrating worse outcomes, although this association disappears after risk factor adjustment. Further research is required to elucidate the need for potential changes in clinical practice.
Impact of glycaemic technologies on quality of life and related outcomes in adults with type 1 diabetes: A narrative review
Authors: Speight Jane , Choudhary Pratik , Wilmot Emma G. , Hendrieckx Christel , Forde Hannah , Cheung Wai Yee , Crabtree Thomas , Millar Bekki , Traviss‐Turner Gemma , Hill Andrew , Ajjan Ramzi A.
Published: August 2022

Aims

To explore the association between the use of glycaemic technologies and person‐reported outcomes (PROs) in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Methods

We included T1D and technology publications reporting on PROs since 2014. Only randomised controlled trials and cohort studies that used validated PRO measures (PROMs) were considered.

Results

T1D studies reported on a broad range of validated PROMs, mainly as secondary outcome measures. Most studies examined continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), intermittently scanned CGM (isCGM), and the role of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), including sensor‐augmented CSII and closed loop systems. Generally, studies demonstrated a positive impact of technology on hypoglycaemia‐specific and diabetes‐specific PROs, including reduced fear of hypoglycaemia and diabetes distress, and greater satisfaction with diabetes treatment. In contrast, generic PROMs (including measures of health/functional status, emotional well‐being, depressive symptoms, and sleep quality) were less likely to demonstrate improvements associated with the use of glycaemic technologies. Several studies showed contradictory findings, which may relate to study design, population and length of follow‐up. Differences in PRO findings were apparent between randomised controlled trials and cohort studies, which may be due to different populations studied and/or disparity between trial and real‐world conditions.

Conclusions

PROs are usually assessed as secondary outcomes in glycaemic technology studies. Hypoglycaemia‐specific and diabetes‐specific, but not generic, PROs show the benefits of glycaemic technologies, and deserve a more central role in future studies as well as routine clinical care.
Experimental investigation of fiber content and length on curing time‐dependent mode‐I fracture behavior and properties of cemented paste backfill and implication to engineering design
Authors: Fang Kun , Cui Liang
Published: August 2022

The inclusion of fiber in cemented paste backfill (CPB) can significantly alter the mechanical response of the CPB body. The intrinsic defects in CPB and the potential dynamic loading condition make it necessary to investigate the fracture properties of fiber‐reinforced CPB (FR‐CPB). The mode‐I fracture behavior and properties are crucial to the successful engineering application of FR‐CPB technology used in underground mines. The contribution of fiber length and content to the evolutive mode‐I fracture behavior and properties of FR‐CPB was examined in this study. The results show that the addition of fiber reduces the prepeak stiffness but improves the mode I fracture toughness (KIc), and the improvement in KIc increases with fiber length. In contrast, the initial increase in fiber content (from 0% to 0.5%) benefits the KIc acquisition, while a further increase in fiber content from 0.5% to 0.75% poses a negative influence on the KIc development. Moreover, with the adoption of the cement hydration model, four predictive functions are proposed to describe the contribution of fiber length and content to the development of fracture properties. In addition, KIc is identified as a more reliable fracture property for assessing the immediate ground support role played by the FR‐CPB structure. The findings are helpful when it comes to the determination of the fiber length and content in FR‐CPB design.
A rookie's guide to the academic job market in finance: The labor market for lemons
Authors: Butler Alexander W. , Crack Timothy Falcon
Published: August 2022

Twenty years ago, we circulated our first “Rookie's Guide” to the academic labor market for finance Ph.D. students. Labor market logistics are easier now due to technological change, but the basic informational frictions that made it difficult for rookies to learn the ropes still exist, as do the fundamental market frictions that make bilateral matching between labor demand (hiring schools) and labor supply (the rookies) awkward and challenging. We recapitulate basic advice from previous guides, provide modern updates for the intense interview process, and discuss what to do after you accept an offer and during your first year of employment.
The effect of heating rate on sintering mechanism of alumina nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Dangqiang , Mei Hai , Liu Lisheng , Zhang Jinyong
Published: August 2022

The densification process of sintered alumina is mainly controlled by surface, lattice, and interface diffusion, and many experimental researches show that heating rate can affect the transfer of matter. Thus, to further reveal the effect of heating rate on sintering mechanism of alumina nanoparticle, molecular dynamic simulations were performed at five different heating rates to examine the migration of atoms and evolution of microstructure in heating stage. Results show that the sintering process of heating is a typical thermal activation process. High displacement response temperature is caused by high heating rate, which results in the mechanism of atomic migration quickly changing from surface diffusion to overlapping of surface, interface, and lattice diffusion. Nonuniform microstructure and asymmetrical sintered neck forms due to unstable and nonuniform mass transfer. Sintered neck with small radius of curvature leads to high shrinkage rate and large driving force. The sintering mechanism is expected to be helpful for understanding or developing new fast sintering methods for ceramics.
Cosputtered SnO2–ZnO composite nanofilms with improved dual function
Authors: Liang Yuan‐Chang , Yu Shao‐You
Published: August 2022

SnO2–ZnO composite thin films were grown by radio‐frequency and direct‐current cosputtering of ceramic ZnO and metallic Sn targets, respectively. During the cosputtering film growth, the SnO2 matrix sputtering power was fixed at 20 W, while the additive ZnO sputtering power was varied in the range of 40–80 W. Structural and compositional analysis results showed that the ZnO sputtering power increased the relative ZnO phase content in the composite film and its surface grain size. Compared to the single‐constituent compounds, the as‐synthesized SnO2–ZnO composite films exhibited enhanced photoelectrocatalytic performances for the degradation of methyl orange dyes under irradiation. The SnO2–ZnO composite film obtained at a ZnO sputtering power of 60 W (SZ60; Zn/Sn = 11.2%) exhibited the highest photoelectrocatalytic activity among the various samples. In addition, SZ60 exhibited superior ethanol gas‐sensing performances among the various thin‐film sensors. Owing to the formation of a suitable number of SnO2/ZnO heterojunctions, SZ60 exhibited a highly efficient photo‐induced charge separation and appropriate potential barrier height to improve the gas‐sensing ability. The experimental results demonstrate a promising approach to design oxide composite films with desirable photoelectrocatalytic and gas‐sensing functions by controlling the relative content of ZnO and SnO2 in the composite film through a cosputtering process.
Effects of burial powder configuration on the microstructure, composition, and ion conductivity of perovskite Li3xLa1/3‐xTaO3 ion conductors
Authors: Brummel Ian A. , Wynne Kevin , Lanford William A. , Ihlefeld Jon F.
Published: August 2022

A combustion synthesis methodology for the preparation of perovskite Li3xLa1/3‐xTaO3 lithium‐ion conductors with x = 0.033 is presented. Bulk ceramic specimens were sintered under combinations of burial powder and cover crucibles to provide different lithium vapor overpressure conditions. A maximum total lithium ion conductivity of 6 × 10‐6 S cm‐1 at room temperature was found for the pellet covered by a crucible whose lip was sealed using parent powder (moderate overpressure), with agreement to the maximum in the intergranular ion conductivity. Intragranular conductivity was maximized at the low overpressure condition. The trend in ion conductivity was found to correspond to the lithium content in the samples through a combination nuclear reaction analysis and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy phase constitution measurements. The mechanism impacting ion conductivity was determined to be changes in the amount of LaTaO4 secondary phase as driven by the processing conditions during sintering.
Mapping the distribution and extent of India's semi‐arid open natural ecosystems
Authors: Madhusudan M. D. , Vanak Abi Tamim
Published: August 2022

Aim

Non‐forested open natural ecosystems (ONEs) support high biodiversity as well as livelihoods of millions of pastoralists, but are highly threatened due to land conversion. To improve the recognition of their value, we generated a high‐resolution (30 m) map of ONEs in the low elevation arid and semi‐arid regions of India.

Location

Indian subcontinent.

Taxon

Open natural ecosystems, consisting of a range of non‐forested habitats.

Methods

We used public datasets in the Google Earth Engine catalogue to identify and mask out pixels with non‐ONE land‐cover types, and biophysical attributes outside the environmental envelopes of ONEs. We used 181,812 ONE and 116,447 non‐ONE training points along with the input composite image to train random forest classifiers to estimate the probability of a pixel being an ONE. We developed a series of local classifiers for each of eight regions of interest and created a mask of pixels with ≥50% probability of being an ONE.

Results

The overall classification accuracy for this map was 85%, with a Kappa statistic of 0.70. We find that ONEs cover approximately 320,000 km2 (10%) of India's land surface, but <5% of ONEs are covered under the existing protected area network of India. ONE areas vary greatly by region, from 6 km2 in New Delhi (0.4% area) to 115,069 km2 in Rajasthan (33% area).

Main Conclusions

A large proportion of India's geographical area represents an ecosystem that is un‐recognized and under‐protected. This open data source can be used by policy makers and planners to exclude these habitats when considering the location of renewable energy, tree planting for carbon sequestration and other development projects that negatively impact ONEs. We encourage further refinement of ONE maps in India, incorporating vegetation and floristic characteristics, as well as further consideration of these vulnerable neglected ecosystems in other regions of the world.