bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gene-edited primary muscle stem cells rescue dysferlin-deficient muscular dystrophy
Authors: Escobar Helena , di Francescantonio Silvia , Marg Andreas , Zhogov Alexej , Krishna Supriya , Metzler Eric , Petkova Mina , Daumke Oliver , Kühn Ralf , Spuler Simone
Published: February 2024

Dystrophy-associated fer-1-like protein (dysferlin) conducts plasma membrane repair. Mutations in theDYSFgene cause a panoply of genetic muscular dystrophies. We targeted a frequent loss-of-function,DYSFexon 44, founder frameshift mutation with mRNA-mediated delivery of SpCas9 in combination with a mutation-specific sgRNA to primary muscle stem cells from two homozygous patients. We observed a consistent >60% exon 44 re-framing, rescuing a full-length and functional dysferlin protein. A new mouse model harboring a humanizedDysfexon 44 with the founder mutation, hEx44mut, recapitulated the patients’ phenotype and an identical re-framing outcome in primary muscle stem cells. Finally, gene-edited murine primary muscle stem-cells were able to regenerate muscle and rescued dysferlin when transplanted back into hEx44mut hosts. These findings are the first to show that a CRISPR-mediated therapy can ameliorate dysferlin deficiency. We suggest that gene-edited primary muscle stem cells could exhibit utility, not only in treating dysferlin deficiency syndromes, but also perhaps other forms of muscular dystrophy.
DNA Methylome Regulates Virulence and Metabolism inPseudomonas syringae
Authors: Huang Jiadai , Chen Fang , Lu Beifang , Sun Yue , Li Youyue , Hua Canfeng , Deng Xin
Published: February 2024

Bacterial pathogens employ epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, to adapt to environmental changes, and these mechanisms play important roles in various biological processes.Pseudomonas syringaeis a model phytopathogenic bacterium, but its methylome is less well known than that of other species. In this study, we conducted single-molecule real-time sequencing to profile the DNA methylation landscape in three model pathovars ofP. syringae. We identified one Type-I restriction-modification system (HsdMSR), including the conserved sequence motif associated with N6-methyladenine (6mA). About 25%–40% of the genes involved in DNA methylation were conserved in two or more of the strains, revealing the functional conservation of methylation inP. syringae. Subsequent transcriptomic analysis highlighted the involvement of HsdMSR in virulent and metabolic pathways, including the Type III secretion system, biofilm formation, and translational efficiency. The regulatory effect of HsdMSR on transcription was dependent on both strands being fully 6mA methylated. Overall, this work illustrated the methylation profile inP. syringaeand the critical involvement of DNA methylation in regulating virulence and metabolism. Thus, this work contributes to a deeper understanding of epigenetic transcriptional control inP. syringaeand related bacteria.
EnteropathogenicE. colieffector Map regulates the depletion of the tight junction proteins occludin and claudin-4 via cathepsin B and Rab13-mediated mechanisms
Authors: Mandal Anupam , Walling Pangertoshi , Kansal Kritika , Aijaz Saima
Published: February 2024

Infections by EnteropathogenicE. coli(EPEC) cause acute diarrheal disease in infants accounting for severe morbidity and mortality. One of the underlying causes of the disease is the break-down of the intestinal barrier maintained by the tight junctions (TJs). EPEC uses a type 3 secretion system to translocate more than twenty effectors into infected cells which disrupt several functions of the host cells. The effectors EspF, Map, EspG1/G2 and NleA have been reported to disrupt the TJs and cause the leakage of charged ions and uncharged molecules through the barrier. We have reported earlier that EspF and Map cause the depletion of TJ proteins claudin-1, claudin-4 and occludin through both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. Here, we show that the EPEC effector Map modulates the lysosomal protease, cathepsin B to deplete claudins and occludin. Expression of mutant Map proteins that lacked the mitochondrial targeting sequence (MTS) completely restored the total levels of occludin and its localization at the TJs and partially restored claudin-4 levels and its junctional localization. We also identified a novel interaction of Map with the GTPase Rab13. As Rab13 has been reported to mediate the recycling of occludin to the plasma membrane, its interaction with Map has important implications for the loss of TJ integrity in EPEC pathogenesis. Occludin regulates the passage of water and uncharged solutes through TJs and Map may block its recycling to compromise the TJs thus causing excessive leakage through the barrier.
Soil microbial community response to corrinoids is shaped by a natural reservoir of vitamin B12
Authors: Hallberg Zachary F. , Nicolas Alexa M. , Alvarez-Aponte Zoila I. , Mok Kenny C. , Sieradzki Ella T. , Pett-Ridge Jennifer , Banfield Jillian F. , Carlson Hans K. , Firestone Mary K. , Taga Michiko E.
Published: February 2024

Soil microbial communities perform critical ecosystem services through the collective metabolic activities of numerous individual organisms. Most microbes use corrinoids, a structurally diverse family of cofactors related to vitamin B12. Corrinoid structure influences the growth of individual microbes, yet how these growth responses scale to the community level remains unknown. Analysis of metagenome-assembled genomes suggests corrinoids are supplied to the community by members of the archaeal and bacterial phylaThermoproteota,Actinobacteria, andProteobacteria. Corrinoids were found largely adhered to the soil matrix in a grassland soil, at levels exceeding those required by cultured bacteria. Enrichment cultures and soil microcosms seeded with different corrinoids showed distinct shifts in bacterial community composition, supporting the hypothesis that corrinoid structure can shape communities. Environmental context influenced both community and taxon-specific responses to specific corrinoids. These results implicate corrinoids as key determinants of soil microbiome structure and suggest that environmental micronutrient reservoirs promote community stability.
Spatial pattern of all cause excess mortality in Swiss districts during the pandemic years 1890, 1918 and 2020
Authors: Matthes Katarina L , Floris Joël , Merzouki Aziza , Junker Christoph , Weitkunat Rolf , Rühli Frank , Keiser Olivia , Staub Kaspar
Published: February 2024

Background

Every pandemic is embedded in specific spatial and temporal context. However, spatial patterns have almost always only been considered in the context of one individual pandemic. Until now, there has been limited consideration of spatial similarities or differences between pandemics.

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine spatial pattern of excess mortality in Swiss districts during the pandemic years 1890, 1918 and 2020. In addition, determinants that could explain the difference between districts were analyzed.

Methods

Excess mortality rate was estimated using a Bayesian spatial model for disease mapping. A robust linear regression was used to assess the association between ecological determinants and excess mortality.

Results

The highest excess mortality rate in all districts occurred during the 1918 pandemic, the lowest excess mortality rate was seen for the 1890 pandemic. Moreover, this analysis revealed heterogeneous spatial patterns of excess mortality in each pandemic year. Different socio-demographic determinants, in each pandemic, might have favored excess mortality. While the age composition, cultural and area-based socio-economic position differences and the proximity to France and Italy were the main determinants of excess mortality during the Covid-19 pandemic, the mobility, preexisting health issues (i.e. TB) or the remoteness location in the mountains played crucial roles during the historical pandemics.

Contribution

The analysis of spatial patterns in pandemics is important for public health interventions in future pandemics or outbreaks since it helps to identifying patterns of transmission. Identifying and understanding geographic hotspots informs precise interventions, aids in public health implementation, and contributes to tailored health policies for the region.
Complementary Cytoskeletal Feedback Loops Control Signal Transduction Excitability and Cell Polarity
Authors: Kuhn Jonathan , Banerjee Parijat , Haye Andrew , Robinson Douglas N. , Iglesias Pablo A. , Devreotes Peter N.
Published: February 2024

To move through complex environments, cells must constantly integrate chemical and mechanical cues. Signaling networks, such as those comprising Ras and PI3K, transmit chemical cues to the cytoskeleton, but the cytoskeleton must also relay mechanical information back to those signaling systems. Using novel synthetic tools to acutely control specific elements of the cytoskeleton inDictyosteliumand neutrophils, we delineate feedback mechanisms that alter the signaling network and promote front- or back-states of the cell membrane and cortex. First, increasing branched actin assembly increases Ras/PI3K activation while reducing polymeric actin levels overall decreases activation. Second, reducing myosin II assembly immediately increases Ras/PI3K activation and sensitivity to chemotactic stimuli. Third, inhibiting branched actin alone increases cortical actin assembly and strongly blocks Ras/PI3K activation. This effect is mitigated by reducing filamentous actin levels and in cells lacking myosin II. Finally, increasing actin crosslinking with a controllable activator of cytoskeletal regulator RacE leads to a large decrease in Ras activation both globally and locally. Curiously, RacE activation can trigger cell spreading and protrusion with no detectable activation of branched actin nucleators. Taken together with legacy data that Ras/PI3K promotes branched actin assembly and myosin II disassembly, our results define front- and back-promoting positive feedback loops. We propose that these loops play a crucial role in establishing cell polarity and mediating signal integration by controlling the excitable state of the signal transduction networks in respective regions of the membrane and cortex. This interplay enables cells to navigate intricate topologies like tissues containing other cells, the extracellular matrix, and fluids.
Delineating the shape of COPII coated membrane bud
Authors: Paul Sanjoy , Audhya Anjon , Cui Qiang
Published: February 2024

Curvature-generating proteins that direct membrane trafficking assemble on the surface of lipid bilayers to bud transport intermediates, which move protein and lipid cargoes from one cellular compartment to another. Our recent study on the COPII protein Sar1 showed that the inserted volume of the protein into the membrane determines the degree of membrane bending. However, it is unclear what controls the overall shape of the membrane bud once curvature induction has begun. In vitro experiments showed that excessive concentrations of Sar1 promoted the formation of membrane tubules from synthetic vesicles, while COPII-coated transport intermediates in cells are generally more spherical or lobed in shape. To understand the origin of these morphological dissimilarities, we employ atomistic, coarse-grained (CG), and continuum mesoscopic simulations of membranes in the presence of multiple curvature-generating proteins. We first demonstrate the membrane bending ability of amphipathic peptides derived from the amino terminus of Sar1, as a function of inter-peptide angle and concentration using an atomistic bicelle simulation protocol. Then, we employ CG (MARTINI) simulations to reveal that Sec23 and Sec24 control the relative spacing between Sar1 protomers and form the inner-coat unit through an attachment with Sar1. Finally, using Dynamical Triangulated Surface (DTS) simulations based on the Helfrich Hamiltonian we demonstrate that the uniform distribution of spacer molecules among curvature-generating proteins is crucial to the spherical budding of the membrane. Overall, we show that Sec23 and Sec24 act as a spacer to preserve a dispersed arrangement of Sar1 protomers and to help determine the overall shape of the membrane bud.
Multipurpose platform for analog quantum simulation
Authors: Jin Shuwei , Dai Kunlun , Verstraten Joris , Dixmerias Maxime , Alhyder Ragheed , Salomon Christophe , Peaudecerf Bruno , de Jongh Tim , Yefsah Tarik
Published: February 2024

Atom-based quantum simulators have had many successes in tackling challenging quantum many-body problems, owing to the precise and dynamical control that they provide over the systems' parameters. They are, however, often optimized to address a specific type of problem. Here, we present the design and implementation of a Li6-based quantum gas platform that provides wide-ranging capabilities and is able to address a variety of quantum many-body problems. Our two-chamber architecture relies on a robust combination of gray molasses and optical transport from a laser-cooling chamber to a glass cell with excellent optical access. There, we first create unitary Fermi superfluids in a three-dimensional axially symmetric harmonic trap and characterize them using thermometry, reaching temperatures below 20 nK. This allows us to enter the deep superfluid regime with samples of extreme diluteness, where the interparticle spacing is sufficiently large for direct single-atom imaging. Second, we generate optical lattice potentials with triangular and honeycomb geometry in which we study diffraction of molecular Bose-Einstein condensates, and show how going beyond the Kapitza-Dirac regime allows us to unambiguously distinguish between the two geometries. With the ability to probe quantum many-body physics in both discrete and continuous space, and its suitability for bulk and single-atom imaging, our setup represents an important step towards achieving a wide-scope quantum simulator.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Using quantum annealing to design lattice proteins
Authors: Irbäck Anders , Knuthson Lucas , Mohanty Sandipan , Peterson Carsten
Published: February 2024

Quantum annealing has shown promise for finding solutions to difficult optimization problems, including protein folding. Recently, we used the D-Wave Advantage quantum annealer to explore the folding problem in a coarse-grained lattice model, the HP model, in which amino acids are classified into two broad groups: hydrophobic (H) and polar (P). Using a set of 22 HP sequences with up to 64 amino acids, we demonstrated the fast and consistent identification of the correct HP model ground states using the D-Wave hybrid quantum-classical solver. An equally relevant biophysical challenge, called the protein design problem, is the inverse of the above, where the task is to predict protein sequences that fold to a given structure. Here, we approach the design problem by a two-step procedure implemented and executed on a D-Wave machine. In the first step, we perform a pure sequence-space search by varying the type of amino acid at each sequence position, and seek sequences which minimize the HP-model energy of the target structure. After mapping this task onto an Ising spin-glass representation, we employ a hybrid quantum-classical solver to deliver energy-optimal sequences for structures with 30–64 amino acids, with a 100% success rate. In the second step, we filter the optimized sequences from the first step according to their ability to fold to the intended structure. In addition, we try solving the sequence optimization problem using only the quantum processing unit (QPU), which confines us to sizes ≤20, due to exponentially decreasing success rates. To shed light on the pure QPU results, we investigate the effects of control errors caused by an imperfect implementation of the intended Hamiltonian on the QPU, by numerically analyzing the Schrödinger equation. We find that the simulated success rates in the presence of control noise semiquantitatively reproduce the modest pure QPU results for larger chains.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Mechanosensitive bonds induced complex cell motility patterns
Authors: Lo Jen-Yu , Tseng Yuan-Heng , Chen Hsuan-Yi
Published: February 2024

The one-dimensional crawling movement of a cell is considered in this theoretical study. Our active gel model shows that a moving cell with weakly mechanosensitive adhesion complexes tends to move at constant velocity. As the mechanosensitivity of the adhesion complexes increases, a cell with sufficiently strong myosin contractile or high actin polymerization rate can exhibit stick-slip motion. Finally, a cell with highly mechanosensitive adhesion complexes exhibits periodic back-and-forth migration. A simplified model that assumes that the cell crawling dynamics are controlled by the evolution of the myosin density dipole and the asymmetry of adhesion complex distribution captures the motility behaviors of crawling cells qualitatively. It suggests that complex cell crawling behaviors could result from the interplay between the distribution of contractile force and mechanosensitive bonds.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Geometrical Structure of Bifurcations during Spatial Decision-Making
Authors: Gorbonos Dan , Gov Nir S. , Couzin Iain D.
Published: February 2024

Animals must constantly make decisions on the move, such as when choosing among multiple options, or “targets,” in space. Recent evidence suggests that this results from a recursive feedback between the (vectorial) neural representation of the targets and the resulting motion defined by this consensus, which then changes the egocentric neural representation of the options, and so on. Here we employ a simple model of this process both to explore how its dynamics accounts for the experimentally observed abruptly branching trajectories exhibited by animals during spatial decision-making, and to provide new insights into spatiotemporal computation. Essential neural dynamics, notably local excitation and long-range inhibition, are captured in our model via spin-system dynamics, with groups of Ising-spins representing neural “activity bumps” corresponding to target directions (as in a neural ring-attractor network, for example). Analysis, employing a novel “mean-field trajectory” approach, reveals the nature of the spontaneous symmetry breaking bifurcations in the model that result in literal bifurcations in trajectory space—and how it results in new geometric principles for spatiotemporal decision-making. We find that all bifurcation points, beyond the very first, fall on a small number of “bifurcation curves.” It is the spatial organization of these curves that is shown to be key to determining the shape of the trajectories, such as self-similar or space filling, exhibited during decision-making, irrespective of the trajectory's starting point. Furthermore, we find that a non-Euclidean (neural) representation of space (effectively an elliptic geometry) considerably reduces the number of bifurcation points in many geometrical configurations (including from an infinite number to only three), preventing endless indecision and promoting effective spatial decision-making. This suggests that a non-Euclidean neural representation of space may be expected to have evolved across species in order to facilitate spatial decision-making.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
The multi-slit very small angle neutron scattering instrument at the China Spallation Neutron Source
Authors: Zuo Taisen , Han Zehua , Ma Changli , Xiao Songwen , Lin Xiong , Li Yuqing , Wang Fangwei , He Yongcheng , He Zhenqiang , Zhang Junsong , Wang Guangyuan , Cheng He
Published: February 2024

A multi-slit very small angle neutron scattering (MS-VSANS) instrument has been finally accepted at the China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS). It is the first spallation neutron source based VSANS instrument. MS-VSANS has a good signal-to-noise ratio and can cover a wide scattering vector magnitude range from 0.00028 to 1.4 Å−1. In its primary flight path, a combined curved multichannel beam bender and sections of rotary exchange drums are installed to minimize the background downstream of the instrument. An exchangeable multi-slit beam focusing system is integrated into the primary flight path, enabling access to a minimum scattering vector magnitude of 0.00028 Å−1. MS-VSANS has three modes, namely conventional SANS, polarizing SANS and VSANS modes. In the SANS mode, three motorized high-efficiency 3He tube detectors inside the detector tank cover scattering angles from 0.12 to 35° simultaneously. In the polarizing SANS mode, a double-V cavity provides highly polarized neutrons and a high-efficiency 3He polarization analyser allows full polarization analysis. In the VSANS mode, an innovative high-resolution gas electron multiplier detector covers scattering angles from 0.016 to 0.447°. The absolute scattering intensities of a selection of standard samples are obtained using the direct-beam technique; the effectiveness of this method is verified by testing the standard samples and comparing the results with those from a benchmark instrument. The MS-VSANS instrument is designed to be flexible and versatile and all the design goals have been achieved.
What triggers consumers to purchase eco-friendly food? The impact of micro signals, macro signals and perceived value
Authors: Cao Cong , Zhang Xinghua
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The problem of environmental pollution is becoming increasingly severe, and international consensus confirms the need for eco-friendly consumption. Worldwide, the eco-friendly food market is booming, so understanding consumers’ motivations to purchase these foods is crucial. This paper aimed to construct a model explaining consumers’ intentions to purchase eco-friendly food by combining stimuli-organism-response (SOR) and signalling theories and exploring the mechanisms by which macro- and micro-signals impact perceptions of value and consumers’ subsequent willingness to purchase eco-friendly food.

Design/methodology/approach

An online questionnaire was distributed through the Qualtrics platform, and the completed questionnaires were collected in March and April 2023. The study used partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to analyse the 331 valid responses received.

Findings

The results indicated that trustworthy eco-labels for high-quality and health-promoting products, as conveyed in macro signals, significantly enhanced consumers’ perceptions of functional value. The peer effect and a moderate level of food anthropomorphism conveyed in micro-signals substantially improved their perceptions of social value, whilst the perceived value of products significantly and positively influenced their purchase intentions.

Originality/value

This study explains consumers’ motivations to purchase eco-friendly products. This provides an explanation for the effect of macro- and micro-signals on value perceptions. By integrating the different dimensions of these signals to create a unified research perspective, the paper provides an integrated model, thereby filling a research gap concerning the influence of two-dimensional signals on purchase intention. By supporting eco-friendly food use, the paper contributes to environmental protection and sustainable development.
Consumers’ intention to purchase renting products: role of consumer minimalism, environmental consciousness and consumer scepticism
Authors: Malhotra Gunjan , Fatehpuria Navneet
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper examines the understanding of various factors that influence consumer purchase intentions of renting products as a result of growth in the sharing economy. In addition, the study examines the notion of consumer minimalism, the mediating role of environmental consciousness and the moderating role of consumer scepticism to explain consumer rental consumption intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The research used a survey questionnaire to collect data from Indian consumers (N = 259). Data analysis involved using structural equation modelling with AMOS v25 and PROCESS macro. Structural equation modelling was employed to test the models involving mediation, moderation and moderated mediation.

Findings

The findings link consumer minimalism and the intention to rent products. This research contributed to the existing body of knowledge by incorporating the concepts of consumer minimalism and consumer scepticism into consumers' decisions regarding renting products. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that environmental consciousness enhances consumers' inclination to rent products, shedding light on the factors influencing this preference.

Originality/value

This research extends the existing literature on consumer purchase intentions for rented products by investigating how consumer minimalism, mediated by environmental consciousness and moderated by consumer scepticism, influences these intentions. The results offer valuable insights for both theoretical understanding and practical applications, guiding marketing developers and brands that cater to minimalist consumers interested in renting products. Additionally, it suggests future research avenues in this domain.
Managing human capital in major league soccer: an empirical study of internal development and external acquisition
Authors: Harris Christopher M. , Brown Lee Warren , Spence Mark B.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study examines factors that influence organizations’ choices of an internal human capital development strategy and an external human capital acquisition strategy. The human resource architecture indicates that organizations will use different human capital acquisition strategies. Following the resource-based view, human capital theory and the human resource architecture, we examine factors that impact the choices of different human capital acquisition strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

We examine these important human capital decisions in the context of Major League Soccer. Data to test the hypotheses were collected from a variety of publicly available sources. We tested the hypotheses with regression analyses.

Findings

We find that while organizations employ both internal and external human capital strategies, organizations may have one dominant human capital strategy and the other strategy may be used to supplement the human capital needs of organizations. Additionally, our results indicate that organizations with an older workforce tend to use an internal human capital development strategy, while higher performing organizations are less likely to use an internal human capital development strategy.

Originality/value

This study makes contributions by examining the choices between internal and external human capital strategies and factors that influence the choice of an internal or external human capital strategy.
Clinicians’ experience with technology within the physical environment of trauma rooms: a focus group study
Authors: Aghaei Parsa , Bayramzadeh Sara
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how trauma team members perceive technological equipment and tools in the trauma room (TR) environment and to identify how the technological equipment could be optimized in relation to the TR’s space.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 21 focus group sessions were conducted with 69 trauma team members, all of whom worked in Level I TRs from six teaching hospitals in the USA.

Findings

The collected data was analyzed and categorized into three parent themes: imaging equipment, assistive devices and room features. The results of the study suggest that trauma team members place high importance on the availability and versatility of the technological equipment in the TR environment. Although CT scans are a usual procedure necessity in TRs, few facilities were optimized for easy access to CT-scanners for the TR. The implementation of cameras and screens was suggested as an improvement to accommodate situational awareness. Rapid sharing of data, such as imaging results, was highly sought after. Unorthodox approaches, such as the use of automatic doors, were associated with slowing down the course of actions.

Practical implications

This study provides health-care designers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions when designing TRs. It will cover key considerations such as room layout, equipment selection, lighting and controls. Implementing the strategies will help minimize negative patient outcomes.

Originality/value

Level I TRs are a critical element of emergency departments and designing them correctly can significantly impact patient outcomes. However, designing a TR can be a complex process that requires careful consideration of various factors, including patient safety, workflow efficiency, equipment placement and infection control. This study suggests multiple considerations when designing TRs.
The impacts of a high commitment work system on well-being: the mediating role of organization support and employee work-life balance
Authors: Alzadjali Badreya , Ahmad Syed Zamberi
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of a high commitment work system (HCWS) on employee well-being and the mediating role of organizational support and work–life balance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using structural equation modeling (SEM) for analysis, a quantitative approach was adopted to collect data from the 235 employees from the public sector in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Findings

Results show that HCWSs have a significant influence on organizational support and employee work–life balance. Therefore, there is a significant positive effect on employee well-being. The consequence of HCWS on well-being is not mediated by organizational support. Organization and work–life balance do not support the idea of reducing the negative effects of high-commitment work systems on well-being. There is a significant influence of work–life balance on employee behaviors to have well-being.

Originality/value

Managers can devise a strategy to involve the employees to join participating in decision-making. The research advances knowledge of how HCWS improves employee well-being and emphasizes the significance of organizational support in the environment of public organizations. Organizations are expecting to develop new strategies that help employees engage with their environment and increase their confidence. In this perspective, the present study has identified a crucial key factor of HCWS affecting of organization support and employee work–life balance, which can help propelling employees well-being. The research expands the knowledge of the organizational and cultural elements that influence employee behavior and performance in this setting by evaluating the effects of HCWS on employee well-being in the UAE.
Digital competence and students’ engagement: a comprehensive analysis of smartphone utilization, perceived autonomy and formal digital learning as mediators
Authors: Hidayat-Ur-Rehman Imdadullah
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The integration of digital technologies into education has brought about a profound transformation, fundamentally reshaping the learning landscape. The purpose of this study is to underscore the importance of investigating the factors influencing students’ engagement (SE) in this evolving digital era, particularly within formal digital learning environments. To address this need, the study is grounded in self-determination theory (SDT) and presents a comprehensive model comprising interconnected elements: digital competence (DC), smartphone use (SPU), perceived autonomy (PA), digital formal learning (DFL) and SE.

Design/methodology/approach

The research conducted an investigation within Saudi Arabian universities, collecting a robust data set of 392 cases. This data set underwent rigorous analysis to validate the proposed model. To untangle the intricate relationships within the framework, the study used partial least squares structural equation modelling. Given the distinct dimensions of the two constructs under study, the researcher used a disjoint two-stage approach to establish reflective-formative higher-order constructs (HOC).

Findings

The findings revealed that digital literacy and digital skills (DS) constitute the foundational constituents of DC. Simultaneously, the study identified facilitation, distraction and connectedness as integral components of SPU. Importantly, the study established that DC, SPU, PA and DFL significantly influence SE. Furthermore, the research illuminated the mediating roles played by SPU, PA and DFL in the complex relationship between DC and SE.

Originality/value

This study advances the literature by delineating the dynamic interplay between DC, SPU and SE in digital learning. It extends SDT within educational contexts, emphasizing the role of internal motivations and DS. Methodologically, it innovates through reflective-formative HOCs, deepening the analysis of complex educational constructs. Managerially, it guides institutions in enhancing DC and integrating smartphones effectively into learning, advocating for tailored strategies to foster engaging and autonomous digital learning environments, thereby enriching both theoretical understanding and practical application in education.
The UTAUT approach to Indonesia’s behavioral intention to use mobile health apps
Authors: Candra Sevenpri , Frederica Edith , Putri Hanifa Amalia , Loang Ooi Kok
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the effects of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions on the behavioral intention of using mobile health applications, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was developed using an online survey platform and distributed to Indonesian consumers for three weeks, and 149 usable responses were obtained. The principal component analysis, linear regression and analysis of variance tests were performed to test the validity and reliability of the measurement model and the hypothesized relationships among constructs.

Findings

Surprisingly, unlike previous studies on IT adoption, the findings show that social influence has no significant impact on behavioral intention. Facilitating conditions have a very weak to almost no significant impact on behavioral intention to use mobile health applications.

Research limitations/implications

This research is conducted during pandemic COVID-19 where using mobile health apps is a must. In the future this research can be expanded as comparison study after the pandemic COVID-19 stated.

Practical implications

The result implies that digital technologies adoption intention is strongly affected by performance expectancy and effort expectancy, with performance expectancy as the most significant predictor. Nonetheless, the interaction of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions influences behavioral intention significantly. Therefore, social influence and facilitating conditions are still important even with very insignificant effects.

Originality/value

To improve consumers’ behavioral intention to use mobile health applications, application providers should promote mobile health applications as useful telemedicine tools by primarily focusing on the application performance and usage experience.
Social entrepreneurship: empirical evidence on its contribution to the realization of the sustainable development goals in Uganda
Authors: Turyakira Peter , Sendawula Kasimu , Nanyanzi Marion , Nantale Hanifah , Tamale Joyce Namirimo
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study explores the contribution of social entrepreneurship to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Uganda.

Design/methodology/approach

We employed a qualitative approach and a multiple-case design to engage 20 participants. Specifically, semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather the perceptions and views of the participants regarding the study phenomenon.

Findings

Study findings indicate that social entrepreneurs support a number of people and undertake activities that solve social, environmental and economic problems. However, environmental issues receive less focus when compared to other sustainability aspects. It is also evident that social entrepreneurs are financially constrained with limited managerial skills, undermining their potential to fulfill their social mission. Despite these challenges, social entrepreneurs have significantly contributed to the attainment of SDGs 1, 4, 5, 8 and 10 in Uganda.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature on social entrepreneurship and sustainable development. Specifically, it provides initial empirical evidence on the social entrepreneurial activities, the beneficiaries and challenges being addressed by social entrepreneurs and contribution to the attainment of the SDGs in Uganda.
Influences of entrepreneurship skills and universities on the promotion of entrepreneurial intentions of students; mediating role of business simulation games
Authors: Shabbir Muhammad Salman , Pallares-Venegas Ebetuel
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Entrepreneurship has become a widely accepted concept in the past few decades due to its prominent role in economic activity and economic development of a nation. Promotion of entrepreneurship can be ensured with the help of entrepreneurship teaching and learning through higher education institutions. Similarly, entrepreneurship skills play a significant role in the promotion of students’ intentions to become entrepreneurs. This study aims to examine the role of universities and entrepreneurship skills on the entrepreneurial intentions of students.

Design/methodology/approach

Business simulation games is taken as mediator between university role and entrepreneurial intentions as well as entrepreneurship skills and entrepreneurial intentions. This research has used Smart PLS to perform a PLS-SEM technique with a data of 378 students from higher education institutions of Malaysia.

Findings

The results of data analysis show a positive role of universities and entrepreneurship skills in the promotion of student’s entrepreneurial intentions. Moreover, business simulation games positively mediates the relationship between dependent and independent variables.

Originality/value

Results of this research prove that entrepreneurial skills and university support have a significant part in the promotion of entrepreneurship intentions of students. As students use the electronic resources such as business simulation games, their skills, attitude and practical knowledge is positively enhanced and eventually it positively impacts the intention of students to become entrepreneurs. Therefore, it is believed that promotion of entrepreneurial skills in students via business simulation games and positive role of universities in promoting entrepreneurship will have a significant positive influence on the students’ entrepreneurial intentions.
Maintaining an Aberrant Practice in a Contradictory Environment: The Case of Doping in Professional Road Cycling
Authors: Forbes Tom , Fincham Robin
Published: February 2024

Sports doping is a practice that continues, despite hostile public opinion and counter‐efforts to close it down. In this paper we explore the maintenance of doping in the sport of professional road cycling. While studies of controversial practices find that they often benefit from levels of acceptance and even perceived value, we supplement such research by providing one of the few studies of practices that are subject to powerful social controls. In our case, the continual threat from anti‐doping organizations means that the maintenance and disruption of doping represents a kind of dialectical pair. We utilize and extend a model of types of institutional work that has advantages as an analytical tool, exploring the support required in this setting. Sustaining work was highly dynamic, relying on distinct groups within cycling teams to marshal organizational skills and cope with disruption, while repairing internal defences and concealing activities.
Effects of the protective and therapeutic effect of yogurt enriched with Citrus sinensis essential oil against ibuprofen‐induced gastric ulcer in elderly rats
Authors: Polat Zübeyde , Erol Zeki , Yalçın Halil , Özbek Mehmet , Karaca Harun
Published: February 2024

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Citrus sinensis essential oil (EO) on the proximate composition of yogurt over a 28‐day shelf life and to investigate the therapeutic and prophylactic effects of functional yogurt on ibuprofen‐induced gastric ulcers in a rat model. It was observed that the yogurt group containing C. sinensis EO had higher acidity, total solids, and ash values. Histologic evaluation of the stomachs of rats with gastric ulcers revealed that rats fed with functional yogurt had fewer lesions compared to the control group. The treatment group had fewer lesions than the positive control (p > 0.05). Lesions in the glandular mucosa of the prophylactic group were significantly lower than those in the positive control group (p < 0.05). Yogurt with C. sinensis EO may be beneficial in reducing the severity of ulcers and improving overall health.
Dynamic structural equation models synthesize ecosystem dynamics constrained by ecological mechanisms
Authors: Thorson James T. , Andrews Alexander G. , Essington Timothy E. , Large Scott I.
Published: February 2024

Ecological analyses typically involve many interacting variables. Ecologists often specify lagged interactions in community dynamics (i.e. vector‐autoregressive models) or simultaneous interactions (e.g. structural equation models), but there is less familiarity with dynamic structural equation models (DSEM) that can include any simultaneous or lagged effect in multivariate time‐series analysis.

We propose a novel approach to parameter estimation for DSEM, which involves constructing a Gaussian Markov random field (GMRF) representing simultaneous and lagged path coefficients, and then fitting this as a generalized linear mixed model to missing and/or non‐normal data. We provide a new R‐package dsem, which extends the ‘arrow interface’ from path analysis to represent user‐specified lags when constructing the GMRF. We also outline how the resulting nonseparable precision matrix can generalize existing separable models, for example, for time‐series and species interactions in a vector‐autoregressive model.

We first demonstrate dsem by simulating a two‐species vector‐autoregressive model based on wolf–moose interactions on Isle Royale. We show that DSEM has improved precision when data are missing relative to a conventional dynamic linear model. We then demonstrate DSEM via two contrasting case studies. The first identifies a trophic cascade where decreased sunflower starfish has increased urchin and decreased kelp densities, while sea otters have a simultaneous positive effect on kelp in the California Current from 1999 to 2018. The second estimates how declining sea ice has decreased cold‐water habitats, driving a decreased density for fall copepod predation and inhibiting early‐life survival for Alaska pollock from 1963 to 2023.

We conclude that DSEM can be fitted efficiently as a GLMM involving missing data, while allowing users to specify both simultaneous and lagged effects in a time‐series structural model. DSEM then allows conceptual models (developed with stakeholder input or from ecological expertise) to be fitted to incomplete time series and provides a simple interface for granular control over the number of estimated time‐series parameters. Finally, computational methods are sufficiently simple that DSEM can be embedded as component within larger (e.g. integrated population) models. We therefore recommend greater exploration and performance testing for DSEM relative to familiar time‐series forecasting methods.
Symptom clusters and their impact on quality of life in multiple myeloma survivors: Secondary analysis of BMT CTN 0702 trial
Authors: Brazauskas Ruta , Flynn Kathryn , Krishnan Amrita , Landau Heather , Giralt Sergio , Pasquini Marcelo C. , Stadtmauer Edward A. , D'Souza Anita
Published: February 2024

Autologous haematopoietic cell transplantation (autoHCT) and continuous post‐transplant maintenance therapy are the standard of care in transplant‐eligible multiple myeloma (MM) patients. We sought to describe symptom burden and identify symptom clusters occurring in MM patients after autoHCT using data from the BMT CTN 0702 randomized controlled trial comparing the outcomes of three treatment interventions after an autoHCT in 758 MM patients. We analysed individual transplant‐related symptoms assessed via the FACT‐BMT questionnaire at enrolment and annually for 4‐year post‐autoHCT. We also described the effect the individual symptoms and symptom clusters have on quality of life (QoL). We identified three stable symptom clusters: malaise symptom cluster (lack of energy, feeling ill, having pain, experiencing nausea, loss of appetite), physical symptom cluster (having skin problems, tremors, worsening eyesight, change in taste, shortness of breath, frequent colds) and emotional symptom cluster (feeling sad, being nervous, experiencing sleep problems). Malaise and emotional symptom clusters have a greater impact on QoL than the physical symptoms cluster. Identifying these symptoms warrant additional support in terms of psychosocial support, in addition to treatment of the physical symptoms themselves.
Network pharmacology and in vitro experiments reveal sophoridine‐induced apoptosis and G1 phase arrest via ROS‐dependent PI3K/Akt/FoxO3a pathway activation in human bladder cancer cells
Authors: Su Yao , Chen Lin , Yang Jin
Published: February 2024

Bladder cancer (BLCA), a common primary malignancy, exhibits resistance to conventional chemotherapeutic agents. Sophoridine (SR) is a quinoline alkaloid derived from the traditional Chinese herb Sophora alopecuroides L., which belongs to the legume family Sophoraceae. SR is reported to exert growth‐inhibitory effects against several cancers. However, the mechanisms underlying the growth‐inhibitory effects of SR on BLCA have not been elucidated. This study performed molecular and cellular experiments to verify the growth‐inhibitory effects of SR on BLCA and the underlying mechanisms. SR inhibited cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis and G1‐phase arrest through the PI3K/AKT/FoxO3a signaling pathway. More interestingly, the effects of SR can be attributed to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vivo. ROS may be the upstream factor of this pathway. Additionally, SR inhibited the migration and invasion of BLCA cells in a concentration‐dependent or time‐dependent manner. This is the first study to demonstrate the ROS‐dependent PI3K/AKT/FoxO3a pathway‐mediated anticancer effect of SR and the anticancer mechanism of SR in BLCA. The correlation between SR‐induced ROS‐dependent cell proliferation inhibition, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and PI3K/AKT/FoxO3a suggests that SR is a promising novel therapeutic for BLCA.
Gender differences in retinal diseases: A review
Authors: Tillmann Anne , Ceklic Lala , Dysli Chantal , Munk Marion R.
Published: February 2024

Gender medicine is a medical specialty that addresses gender differences in health and disease. Traditionally, medical research and clinical practice have often been focused on male subjects and patients. As a result, gender differences in medicine have been overlooked. Gender medicine considers the biological, psychological, and social differences between the genders and how these differences affect the development, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. For ophthalmological diseases epidemiological differences are known. However, there are not yet any gender‐based ophthalmic treatment approaches for women and men. This review provides an overview of gender differences in retinal diseases. It is intended to make ophthalmologists, especially retinologists, more sensitive to the topic of gender medicine. The goal is to enhance comprehension of these aspects by highlighting fundamental gender differences. Integrating gender medicine into ophthalmological practice helps promote personalized and gender‐responsive health care and makes medical research more accurate and relevant to the entire population.