bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combining models to generate consensus medium-term projections of hospital admissions, occupancy and deaths relating to COVID-19 in England
Authors: Manley Harrison , Bayley Thomas , Danelian Gabriel , Burton Lucy , Finnie Thomas , Charlett André , Watkins Nicholas A , Birrel Paul , De Angelis Daniela , Keeling Matt , Funk Sebastian , Medley Graham , Pellis Lorenzo , Baguelin Marc , Ackland Graeme J , Hutchinson Johanna , Riley Steven , Panovska-Griffiths Jasmina
Published: November 2023

Mathematical modelling has played an important role in offering informed advice during the COVID-19 pandemic. In England, a cross government and academia collaboration generated Medium-Term Projections (MTPs) of possible epidemic trajectories over the future 4-6 weeks from a collection of epidemiological models.In this paper we outline this collaborative modelling approach and evaluate the accuracy of the combined and individual model projections against the data over the period November 2021-December 2022 when various Omicron subvariants were spreading across England. Using a number of statistical methods, we quantify the predictive performance of the model projections for both the combined and individual MTPs, by evaluating the point and probabilistic accuracy. Our results illustrate that the combined MTPs, produced from an ensemble of heterogeneous epidemiological models, were a closer fit to the data than the individual models during the periods of epidemic growth or decline, with the 90% confidence intervals widest around the epidemic peaks. We also show that the combined MTPs increase the robustness and reduce the biases associated with a single model projection. Learning from our experience of ensemble modelling during the COVID-19 epidemic, our findings highlight the importance of developing cross-institutional multi-model infectious disease hubs for future outbreak control.
Endogenous Retroelement Expression in the Gut Microenvironment of People Living with HIV-1
Authors: Dopkins Nicholas , Fei Tongyi , Michael Stephanie , Liotta Nicholas , Guo Kejun , Mickens Kaylee L. , Barrett Brad S. , Bendall Matthew L. , Dillon Stephanie M. , Wilson Cara C. , Santiago Mario L. , Nixon Douglas F.
Published: November 2023

Background

Endogenous retroelements (EREs), including human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) and long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs), comprise almost half of the human genome. HIV-1 infects a target cell already possessing ancient retroviral genetic material, and exogenous HIV-1 infection modulates the expression of cell associated EREs. Following initial HIV-1 infection, there is a rapid destruction of CD4+ cells in the gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). Our previous studies of the interferome in the gut suggest potential mechanisms regarding how IFNb may drive HIV-1 gut pathogenesis. As ERE activity is suggested to partake in type 1 immune responses and is incredibly sensitive to viral infections, we sought to elucidate underlying interactions between ERE expression and GALT dynamics in PLWH.

Methods

ERE expression profiles from bulk RNA sequencing of colon biopsies and PBMC were compared between a cohort of PLWH prior to or within 7 days of initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) (n=19) and uninfected controls (n=13). Individual EREs were then compared with the profiling of uninfected gut CD4+ T cells activated with type 1 interferons (IFN-Is) (n=3) to elucidate potential mechanisms for their induction in PLWH.

Findings

59 EREs were differentially expressed in the colon of PLWH when compared to uninfected controls (Wald’s Test with Benjamin-Hochberg correction: padj < 0.05 and FC ≤ −1 or ≥ 1). Of these 59, 12 EREs were downregulated in PLWH and 47 were upregulated. Colonic expression of the ERE loci LTR19_12p13.31 and L1FLnI_1q23.1s showed significant correlations with CD8+ T Cells and dendritic cell subset frequencies in the GI tract (Spearman’s Correlation: p value < 0.05). Furthermore L1FLnI_1q23.1s showed a significant upregulation in the blood of PLWH when compared to uninfected controls (T test: p <0.05) suggesting a common mechanism of differential ERE expression in PBMC and GALT.

Interpretation

ERE activity has been largely understudied in genomic characterizations of human pathologies. We show that the activity of certain EREs in the GI tract of PLWH is deregulated, supporting our hypotheses that their underlying activity could function as (bio)markers and potential mediators of pathogenesis in HIV-1 reservoirs.

Funding

NCI CA260691 (DFN) and NIAID UM1AI164559 (DFN).
Anorexia nervosa polygenic risk, beyond diagnoses: relationship with adolescent disordered eating and behaviours in an Australian female twin population
Authors: Curtis Madeleine , Colodro-Conde Lucia , Medland Sarah E. , Gordon Scott , Martin Nicholas G. , Wade Tracey D. , Cohen-Woods Sarah
Published: November 2023

Background

It is well established that there is a substantial genetic component to eating disorders. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) can be used to quantify cumulative genetic risk for a trait at an individual level. Recent studies suggest PRS for Anorexia Nervosa (AN) may also predict risk for other disordered eating behaviours, but no study has examined if PRS for AN can predict disordered eating as a global continuous measure. This study aimed to investigate whether PRS for AN predicted overall levels of disordered eating, or specific lifetime disordered eating behaviours, in an Australian adolescent female population.

Methods

PRS were calculated based on summary statistics from the largest Psychiatric Genomics Consortium AN genome-wide association study to date. Analyses were performed using GCTA to test the associations between AN PRS and disordered eating global scores, avoidance of eating, objective bulimic episodes, self-induced vomiting, and driven exercise in a sample of Australian adolescent female twins recruited from the Australian Twin Registry (N = 383).

Results

After applying the false discovery rate correction, the AN PRS was significantly associated with all disordered eating outcomes.

Conclusions

Findings suggest shared genetic aetiology across disordered eating presentations and provide insight into the utility of AN PRS for predicting disordered eating behaviours, and individuals at risk, in the general population. In the future, PRSs for eating disorders may have clinical utility in early disordered eating risk identification, prevention, and intervention.
Combined blockade of CXCR4 and PD-1 enhances intratumoral dendritic cell activation and immune responses against HCC
Authors: Morita Satoru , Shigeta Kohei , Lei Pin-Ji , Kobayashi Tatsuya , Kikuchi Hiroto , Matsui Aya , Huang Peigen , Pittet Mikael , Duda Dan G.
Published: November 2023

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed systemic therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nevertheless, their efficacy is limited to a small percentage of patients, leaving an opportunity for enhancement through synergistic combination therapies. We tested here the combined blockade of programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) and CXCR4, a receptor for CXCL12 and a key mediator of immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment in orthotopic grafted and autochthonous models of HCC. We evaluated tumor growth and survival outcomes and examined the underlying mechanisms using immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, RNA-sequencing, and transgenic mice experiments. Combined anti-CXCR4/PD-1 therapy had a robust impact on tumor growth and significantly prolonged survival in all murine preclinical models. The combination treatment successfully reprogrammed antigen-presenting cells, revealing the role of conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s) in the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, DC reprogramming enhanced anti-cancer immunity by facilitating CD8 T-cell accumulation and activation in the HCC tissue. The effectiveness of the anti-CXCR4 antibody/ICI combination treatment was compromised entirely inBatf3-KO mice deficient in cDC1 cells. Thus, combined ICI therapy with an anti-CXCR4 antibody has the potential to augment the anti-cancer effects and improve survival outcomes in HCC via reprogramming intra-tumoral cDC1 cells.
The Bundles of Intercrossing Fibers of the Extensor Mechanism of the Fingers Greatly Influence the Transmission of Muscle Forces
Authors: Dogadov Anton A , Valero-Cuevas Francisco J , Serviere Christine , Quaine Franck
Published: November 2023

The extensor mechanism is a tendinous structure that plays an important role in finger function. It transmits forces from several intrinsic and extrinsic muscles to multiple bony attachments along the finger via sheets of collagen fibers. The most important attachments are located at the base of the second and third phalanges (proximal and distal attachments, respectively). How the forces from the muscles contribute to the forces at the attachment points, however, is not fully known. In addition to the well-accepted medial and lateral bands, there exist two layers of intercrossing fiber bundles (superficial interosseous medial fiber layer and deeper extensor lateral fiber layer), connecting them. In contrast to its common idealization as a minimal network of distinct strings, we built a numerical model consisting of fiber bundles to evaluate the role of multiple intercrossing fibers in the production of static finger forces. We compared this more detailed model of the extensor mechanism to the idealized minimal network that only includes the medial and lateral bands. We find that including bundles of intercrossing fibers significantly affects force transmission, which itself depends on finger posture. In a mid-flexion posture (metacarpal joint MCP = 45°; proximal interphalangeal joint PIP = 45°; distal interphalangeal joint DIP = 10°) the force transmitted by the lateral fibers is 40% lower than in a more pronounced flexed posture (MCP = 90°; PIP = 90°; DIP = 80°). We conclude that the intercrossing fiber bundles — traditionally left out in prior models since Zancolli’s simplification — play an important role in force transmission and variation of the latter with posture.
Transcriptome analysis of the mouse fetal and adult rete ovarii and surrounding tissues
Authors: Anbarci Dilara N. , O’Rourke Rebecca , Xiang Yu , Peters Derek T. , Capel Blanche , McKey Jennifer
Published: November 2023

The rete ovarii (RO) is an epithelial structure that arises during fetal development in close proximity to the ovary and persists throughout adulthood in mice. However, the functional significance of the RO remains elusive, and it has been absent from recent discussions of female reproductive anatomy. The RO comprises three distinct regions: the intraovarian rete (IOR) within the ovary, the extraovarian rete (EOR) in the periovarian tissue, and the connecting rete (CR) linking the EOR and IOR. We hypothesize that the RO plays a pivotal role in maintaining ovarian homeostasis and responding to physiological changes. To uncover the nature and function of RO cells, we conducted transcriptome analysis, encompassing bulk, single-cell, and nucleus-level sequencing of both fetal and adult RO tissues using thePax8-rtTA; Tre- H2B-GFPmouse line, where all RO regions express nuclear GFP. This study presents three datasets, which highlight RO-specific gene expression signatures and reveal differences in gene expression across the three RO regions during development and in adulthood. The integration and rigorous validation of these datasets will advance our understanding of the RO’s roles in ovarian development, female maturation, and adult female fertility.

Short narrative

This study employs comprehensive bulk, single cell and single nucleus transcriptome analysis to uncover gene expression signatures of the fetal and adult rete ovarii (RO).
Fluorescent Peptide-based Probe for the Detection of Alpha-synuclein Aggregates in the Gut
Authors: Sim Rachel , Lee Jeremy , Chieng Joey , Tan Ko Hui , Lim Grace , Foo Aaron , Wong Sunny Hei , Lim Kah Leong , Liang Kaicheng
Published: November 2023

Background

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is diagnosed clinically by motor symptoms, with no molecular diagnostic test currently available. By the time motor symptoms manifest, significant irreversible neurodegeneration has already occurred, limiting the effectiveness of neuroprotective therapies and drug interventions. Recent identification of pathological alpha-synuclein (α-syn) aggregates in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of prodromal PD patients offer a potential avenue for early disease diagnosis. This study aims to explore specific fluorescence labelling of α-syn aggregates in the GI tract using a peptide-based probe for early diagnosis of PD.

Methods

We used primary hippocampal neuronal cells and wild-type mouse tissues with the addition of pre-formed α-syn fibrils to identify the most suitable peptide fluorescent probe (P1) for staining α-syn aggregates in cells and tissues. We validated the probe labelling in GI tract tissues from three mouse models, including PFF-injected mice and two transgenic PD mouse strains. We quantified labelling accuracy by confocal imaging and protein analysis.

Results

We found thatP1labelled α-syn aggregates with high accuracy (87% in comparison to Serine129-phosphorylated α-syn antibody) and high specificity for labelling their aggregated forms over monomeric forms. In GI tract tissues,P1labelled α-syn aggregates across tissue layers (mucosa, sub-mucosa, muscularis externa) and achieved comparable performance to antibody staining. Higher degree of probe labelling was found in older mice due to increased accumulation of α-syn aggregates with ageing. Notably, α-syn aggregates were readily detectable in the colonic mucosae usingP1, indicating the potential use of this probe for early PD diagnosis during colonic examinations like colonoscopy.

Conclusion

We have developed a peptide-based fluorescent probe and demonstrated its rapid and specific labelling of α-syn aggregates. We highlight the probe’s ability to label these aggregates rapidly over α-syn monomers and survey the abundance of α-syn aggregates throughout the entire length of the GI tract. These support the further development ofP1as a specific fluorescent imaging biomarker for colonic α-syn aggregates for the early detection of PD.
A modular toolbox for the optogenetic deactivation of transcription
Authors: Muench Philipp , Fiumara Matteo , Southern Nicholas , Coda Davide , Aschenbrenner Sabine , Correia Bruno , Gräff Johannes , Niopek Dominik , Mathony Jan
Published: November 2023

Light-controlled transcriptional activation is a commonly used optogenetic strategy that allows researchers to regulate gene expression with high spatiotemporal precision. The vast majority of existing tools are, however, limited to light-triggered induction of gene expression. Here, we inverted this mode of action and created two complementary optogenetic systems capable of efficiently terminating transcriptional activation in response to blue light. First, we designed highly compact regulators, by photo-controlling VP16 transactivation peptide exposure. Then, applying a two-hybrid strategy, we engineered LOOMINA (lightoff-operatedmodularinductor of transcriptionalactivation), a versatile transcriptional control platform for mammalian cells that is highly adaptable and compatible with various effector proteins. Leveraging the flexibility of CRISPR systems, we integrated LOOMINA with Cas9 as a DNA-binding domain to control transcription from various endogenous promoters with exceptionally high dynamic ranges in multiple cell lines, including neuron-like cells. Both functionally and mechanistically, LOOMINA represents a valuable addition to the optogenetic repertoire for transcriptional regulation.
Fast, lightweight, and accurate metagenomic functional profiling using FracMinHash sketches
Authors: Rahman Hera Mahmudur , Liu Shaopeng , Wei Wei , S. Rodriguez Judith , Ma Chunyu , Koslicki David
Published: November 2023

Motivation: Functional profiling of metagenomic samples is essential to decipher the functional capabilities of microbial communities. Traditional and more widely used functional profilers in the context of metagenomics rely on aligning reads against a known reference database. However, aligning sequencing reads against a large and fast-growing database is computationally expensive. In general,k-mer-based sketching techniques have been successfully used in metagenomics to address this bottleneck, notably in taxonomic profiling. In this work, we describe leveraging FracMinHash (implemented in sourmash, a publicly available software), ak-mer-sketching algorithm, to obtain functional profiles of metagenome samples. Results: We show how pieces of the sourmash software (and the resulting FracMinHash sketches) can be put together in a pipeline to functionally profile a metagenomic sample. We named our pipeline fmh-funprofiler. We report that the functional profiles obtained using this pipeline demonstrate comparable completeness and better purity compared to the profiles obtained using other alignment-based methods when applied to simulated metagenomic data. We also report that fmh-funprofiler is 39-99x faster in wall-clock time, and consumes up to 40-55x less memory. Coupled with the KEGG database, this method not only replicates fundamental biological insights but also highlights novel signals from the Human Microbiome Project datasets. Reproducibility: This fast and lightweight metagenomic functional profiler is freely available and can be accessed here: https://github.com/KoslickiLab/fmh-funprofiler. All scripts of the analyses we present in this manuscript can be found on GitHub
Neuronal functional connectivity is impaired in a layer dependent manner near the chronically implanted microelectrodes
Authors: Chen Keying , Forrest Adam , Gonzalez Burgos Guillermo , Kozai Takashi D.Y.
Published: November 2023

Objective

This study aims to reveal longitudinal changes in functional network connectivity within and across different brain structures near the chronically implanted microelectrode. While it is well established that the foreign-body response (FBR) contributes to the gradual decline of the signals recorded from brain implants over time, how does the FBR impact affect the functional stability of neural circuits near implanted Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) remains unknown. This research aims to illuminate how the chronic FBR can alter local neural circuit function and the implications for BCI decoders.

Approach

This study utilized multisite Michigan-style microelectrodes that span all cortical layers and the hippocampal CA1 region to collect spontaneous and visually-evoked electrophysiological activity. Alterations in neuronal activity near the microelectrode were tested assessing cross-frequency synchronization of LFP and spike entrainment to LFP oscillatory activity throughout 16 weeks after microelectrode implantation.

Main Results

The study found that cortical layer 4, the input-receiving layer, maintained activity over the implantation time. However, layers 2/3 rapidly experienced severe impairment, leading to a loss of proper intralaminar connectivity in the downstream output layers 5/6. Furthermore, the impairment of interlaminar connectivity near the microelectrode was unidirectional, showing decreased connectivity from Layers 2/3 to Layers 5/6 but not the reverse direction. In the hippocampus, CA1 neurons gradually became unable to properly entrain to the surrounding LFP oscillations.

Significance

This study provides a detailed characterization of network connectivity dysfunction over long-term microelectrode implantation periods. This new knowledge could contribute to the development of targeted therapeutic strategies aimed at improving the health of the tissue surrounding brain implants and potentially inform engineering of adaptive decoders as the FBR progresses. Our study’s understanding of the dynamic changes in the functional network over time opens the door to developing interventions for improving the long-term stability and performance of intracortical microelectrodes.
Dynamic Fading Memory and Expectancy Effects in Monkey Primary Visual Cortex
Authors: Yiling Yang , Klon-Lipok Johanna , Shapcott Katharine , Lazar Andreea , Singer Wolf
Published: November 2023

In order to investigate the involvement of primary visual cortex (V1) in working memory (WM), parallel, multisite recordings of multiunit activity were obtained from monkey V1 while the animals performed a delayed match-to-sample (DMS) task. During the delay period, V1 population firing rate vectors maintained a lingering trace of the sample stimulus that could be reactivated by intervening impulse stimuli that enhanced neuronal firing. This fading trace of the sample did not require active engagement of the monkeys in the DMS task and likely reflects the intrinsic dynamics of recurrent cortical networks in lower visual areas. This renders an active, attention-dependent involvement of V1 in the maintenance of working memory contents unlikely. By contrast, population responses to the test stimulus depended on the probabilistic contingencies between sample and test stimuli. Responses to tests that matched expectations were reduced which agrees with concepts of predictive coding.
Neural correlates of perisaccadic visual mislocalization in extrastriate cortex
Authors: Weng Geyu , Akbarian Amir , Clark Kelsey , Noudoost Behrad , Nategh Neda
Published: November 2023

When interacting with the visual world using saccadic eye movements (saccades), the perceived location of visual stimuli becomes biased, a phenomenon called perisaccadic mislocalization, which is indeed an exemplar of the brain’s dynamic representation of the visual world. However, the neural mechanism underlying this altered visuospatial perception and its potential link to other perisaccadic perceptual phenomena have not been established. Using a combined experimental and computational approach, we were able to quantify spatial bias around the saccade target (ST) based on the perisaccadic dynamics of extrastriate spatiotemporal sensitivity captured by statistical models. This approach could predict the perisaccadic spatial bias around the ST, consistent with the psychophysical studies, and revealed the precise neuronal response components underlying representational bias. These findings also established the crucial role of response remapping toward ST representation for neurons with receptive fields far from the ST in driving the ST spatial bias. Moreover, we showed that, by allocating more resources for visual target representation, visual areas enhance their representation of the ST location, even at the expense of transient distortions in spatial representation. This potential neural basis for perisaccadic ST representation, also supports a general role for extrastriate neurons in creating the perception of stimulus location.
Change in RhoGAP and RhoGEF availability drives transitions in cortical patterning and excitability inDrosophila
Authors: Jackson Jonathan A. , Denk-Lobnig Marlis , Kitzinger Katherine A. , Martin Adam C.
Published: November 2023

Actin cortex patterning and dynamics are critical for cell shape changes. These dynamics undergo transitions during development, often accompanying changes in collective cell behavior. While mechanisms have been established for individual cells’ dynamic behaviors, mechanisms and specific molecules that result in developmental transitions in vivo are still poorly understood. Here, we took advantage of two developmental systems inDrosophila melanogasterto identify conditions that altered cortical patterning and dynamics. We identified a RhoGEF and RhoGAP pair whose relocalization from nucleus to cortex results in actomyosin waves in egg chambers. Furthermore, we found that overexpression of a different RhoGEF and RhoGAP pair resulted in actomyosin waves in the early embryo, during which RhoA activation precedes actomyosin assembly and RhoGAP recruitment by ∼4 seconds. Overall, we showed a mechanism involved in inducing actomyosin waves that is essential for oocyte development and is general to other cell types.
Hyperactivation of MEK1 in cortical glutamatergic neurons results in projection axon deficits and aberrant motor learning
Authors: Bjorklund George R. , Rees Katherina P. , Balasubramanian Kavya , Hewitt Lauren T. , Nishimura Kenji , Newbern Jason M.
Published: November 2023

Abnormal Extracellular Regulated Kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling is linked to multiple neurodevelopmental diseases, especially the RASopathies, which typically exhibit ERK1/2 hyperactivation in neurons and non-neuronal cells. To better understand how excitatory neuron-autonomous ERK1/2 activity regulates the development of the mouse motor cortex, we conditionally expressed a hyperactive MEK1S217/221Evariant usingNex/NeuroD6:Cre. Our results show that MEK1S217/221Eexpression led to persistent hyperactivation of ERK1/2 in neocortical axons, but not excitatory neuron somas or nuclei. We noted reduced axonal arborization of multiple subcortical target domains in mutants and reduced cortical expression of the activity dependent gene, ARC. These changes did not coincide with significant differences in voluntary locomotor activity or motor performance in the accelerating rotarod task. However, motor learning in a single-pellet retrieval task was significantly diminished inNex/NeuroD6:Cre;MEK1S217/221Emutants. Restriction of MEK1S217/221Eexpression to layer V cortical neurons recapitulated axonal outgrowth deficits, however, had no effect on motor learning. Collectively, these results indicate that within the cortex, glutamatergic neuron-autonomous hyperactivation of MEK1 is sufficient to drive deficits in axon outgrowth, activity dependent gene expression, and skilled motor learning.

Summary statement

MEK-ERK1/2 hyperactivation in developing cortical excitatory neurons is sufficient to decrease long-range axonal outgrowth, which coincides with reduced Arc expression and deficits in aspects of skilled motor learning by adulthood.
Calculating the reference intensity ratio of crystalline phases with unknown atomic arrangements using the lattice parameters and chemical information
Authors: Li Hui , He Meng
Published: November 2023

The reference intensity ratio (RIR) is the intensity ratio of a specified peak of the target crystalline phase to a certain peak of the reference phase in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern of a mixture of the target and reference phases in a weight ratio of 1:1. The RIR represents the diffraction power of the target phase compared with that of the reference phase. A quantitative phase analysis (QPA) can be readily made on the basis of only a powder pattern when the RIR values of all component phases in the mixture are available. The RIR of a target phase can be measured experimentally or calculated in accordance with its crystal structure. RIR values are given in most powder diffraction files (PDFs) published by the International Centre for Diffraction Data, but there are still more than 110 000 PDFs for which the RIR is absent. Newly discovered phases may be present in a mixture as components of unknown weight fractions, for which the RIR values can be neither measured nor calculated with the currently available method. Herein is presented a new method of calculating the RIR of a crystalline phase from its lattice parameters, the chemical content of the unit cell and a list of normalized intensities of reflections over a sufficiently large diffraction angle range. The new method can be used to calculate not only the absent RIRs in the PDFs but also the RIR of a component phase of a mixture of unknown weight fraction when the lattice parameters and chemical content of the unit cell of the corresponding phase are known.
A high-pressure single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of potassium guaninate hydrate, K+·C5H4N5O−·H2O
Authors: Gaydamaka Anna A. , Rashchenko Sergey V. , Semerikova Anna I. , Smirnova Ekaterina S. , Ivanova Anna G. , Arkhipov Sergey G. , Zakharov Boris A. , Bogdanov Nikita E. , Boldyreva Elena V.
Published: November 2023

The crystal structure of potassium guaninate hydrate, K+·C5H4N5O−·H2O, was studied in the pressure range of 1 atm to 7.3 GPa by single-crystal diffraction using synchrotron radiation and a laboratory X-ray diffraction source. Structural strain was compared to that of the same salt hydrate on cooling, and in 2Na+·C5H3N5O2−·7H2O under hydrostatic compression and on cooling. A polymorphic transition into a new, incommensurately modulated, phase was observed at ∼4–5 GPa. The transition was reversible with a hysteresis: the satellite reflections disappeared on decompression to ∼1.4 GPa.
Order–disorder (OD) polytypism of K3FeTe2O8(OH)2(H2O)1+x
Authors: Wolflehner Tobias , Stöger Berthold
Published: November 2023

K3FeTe2O8(OH)2(H2O)2 was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions from Te(OH)6, FeSO4·7H2O and 85 wt% KOH in a 1:2:6 molar ratio. The crystal structure is built of a triperiodic network. One disordered water molecule per formula unit is located in a channel and can be partially removed by heating. Systematic one-dimensional diffuse scattering indicates a polytypic character, which is best described by application of the order–disorder theory. The major polytype is monoclinic with pseudo-orthorhombic metrics. It is interrupted by fragments of an orthorhombic polytype. The diffraction intensities are analyzed using structure factor calculations.
What happens after product rebranding: understanding the interrelational effect of brand attachment, brand distinctiveness and consumer attitudes on brand loyalty
Authors: Mensah Isaac , Brew Yaw
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Product rebranding is increasingly popular, but brand managers are sceptical about its implications on brand loyalty (BL). Given the limited empirical literature on the subject, this study examines the interrelational effect of brand attachment (BA), brand distinctiveness (BD) and consumer attitudes (CA) towards product rebranding on brand loyalty (BL).

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted the quantitative survey design and used questionnaire to gather data from 349 consumers of rebranded water, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data. This study integrates psychology theories into brand management research to propose and test a holistic model.

Findings

The study found a significant effect of BA on CA toward product rebranding, and CA toward product rebranding fully mediates the relationship between BA and BL. Furthermore, BD has a significant effect on BL, and further moderates the relationship between BA and BL.

Originality/value

This study offers a fresh theoretical foundation, conceptual clarity and understanding of how rebranding specific brand elements affect the attitudes and BL of consumers who are emotionally connected to a brand. This paper offers practical insights into the implication of product rebranding on CA, BD and BL. It reveals a holistic guidance to brand managers on how to use their unique knowledge about their consumers to create distinctive brands and emotional affection, passion and connections to their brands.
A closer look at geographical indicators: how food labels influence product values, authenticity and willingness to pay premium prices
Authors: Ho Kenneth Fu Xian , Liu Fang , Tarabashkina Liudmila
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The effects of country-of-origin (COO) cues on product evaluations are well documented. However, research on the relative effects of COO compared to other geographical indicators, such as region-of-origin (ROO), on food purchases is still limited. This study investigates how geographical origin labels influence consumers' perceptions of product value and authenticity of foreign food, as well as subsequent purchase intention (PI) and willingness to pay premium prices (WTPPP). The moderating role of health consciousness on these relationships is also examined due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a between-subjects experimental design conducted with 300 middle- and high-income Chinese consumers aged between 25 and 50 years. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling.

Findings

Whilst under both COO and ROO cues, all five product values positively influenced consumers' WTPPP, only functional, economic and novelty values influenced PI. The ROO cue performed significantly better than the COO cue in eliciting functional, economic and novelty value perceptions, which triggered stronger PI and willingness to pay a premium price. These relationships were mediated by product authenticity (PA) and moderated by consumers' health consciousness (HC).

Practical implications

Because food labels provide salient product information that facilitates consumers' evaluation of products, marketers should assess which product value perceptions they wish to enhance and then choose the appropriate geographical indicators for their labelling strategies.

Originality/value

This study identifies the effects of COO and ROO cues on product values, authenticity, PI and WTPPP. It also provides valuable insights into the role of HC on consumers' purchase decisions, which also aids in understanding the impact of global crises on food purchases.
Do Indian banks perform better in corporate governance than other SAARC nations? An empirical analysis
Authors: Alam Mahfooz , Akhtar Shakeb , Al-Faryan Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the role of corporate governance on the bank profitability of Indian banks vis-à-vis South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations.

Design/methodology/approach

For the Corporate Governance Index, the authors examined board accountability, transparency and disclosure and audit committee, while Tobin’s Q, return on equity and return on assets are used to measure the bank’s profitability. The study used a two-stage analysis based on balanced panel data for robust findings. Sample of this study consists of 60 commercial banks from India and 60 banks from SAARC nations for the period of 2009–2021. This study used panel regression and a generalized method of moment approach using the CAMELS framework on banking industry-specific variables to determine their respective impacts.

Findings

The findings of this study suggest that board accountability is positive and significantly affects the profitability of banks as indicated by return on assets, return on equity and Tobin’s Q. In contrast, the audit committee has a positive and insignificant impact on return on assets, return on equity and Tobin’s Q, while transparency and disclosure have a negative and significant impact on these metrics. Furthermore, the country dummy result shows a significant positive impact on all the bank performance parameters, implying that Indian banks have the highest degree of convergence with corporate governance as compared to other SAARC nations.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides insight to the regulators, policymakers and financial institutions to evaluate the role of corporate governance in emerging economies. However, the findings of the study should be interpreted with caution, as the results are sensitive to the disparity between India and other SAARC nations' government policies, climatic circumstances and cultural or religious traditions.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to gauge the performance of Indian banks vis-à-vis SAARC nations using the CAMELS framework approach. Further, findings of this study suggest some novel evidence tying corporate governance quality with the profitability of banks among SAARC nations.
Asymmetric air gap fault detection in linear permanent magnet Vernier machines
Authors: Arianborna Mohammadhossein , Faiz Jawad , Ghods Mehrage , Erfani-Nik Amirhossein
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to introduce an accurate asymmetric fault index for the diagnosis of the faulty linear permanent magnet Vernier machine (LPMVM).

Design/methodology/approach

Three-dimensional finite element method is applied to model the LPMVM. The geometrical and physical properties of the machine, the effect of stator and translator teeth, magnetic saturation of core and nonuniform air gap due to asymmetric fault are taken into account in the simulation. The air gap asymmetric fault is proposed. This analytical method estimates the air gap flux density of an LPMVM.

Findings

This paper presents an analytical method to predict the performance of a healthy and faulty LPMVM. The introduced index is based on the frequency patterns of the stator current. Besides, the robustness of the index in different loads and fault severity is addressed.

Originality/value

Introducing index for air gap asymmetry fault diagnosis of LPMVM.
Value creation for online collaboration between doctors and medical institutions: empirical evidence from online health communities
Authors: Zhang Manyang , Yang Han , Yan Zhijun , Jia Lin
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Doctor–medical institution collaboration (DMIC) services are an emerging service mode in focal online health communities (OHCs). This new service mode is anticipated to affect user satisfaction and doctors' engagement behaviors. However, whether and how DMIC occurs is still ambiguous because the topic is rarely examined. To bridge this gap, this study explores doctors' participation in DMIC services and its effects on their online performance, as well as its effect on patients' evaluation of them on OHC platforms.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose hypotheses based on structural holes theory. A unique dataset obtained from one of the most popular OHCs in China is used to test the hypotheses, and difference-in-differences estimation is adopted to test the causality of the relationship.

Findings

The results demonstrate that providing DMIC services improves doctors' online consultation performance and patients' evaluations of them but has no significant effect on doctors' knowledge-sharing performance on OHC platforms. Doctors' knowledge-sharing performance and consultation performance mediate the relationship between participation in DMIC services and patients' evaluation of doctors. Regarding doctors' participation in DMIC services, its impact on doctors' consultation performance and patients' evaluation of them is weaker for doctors with higher professional titles than for doctors with lower professional titles.

Originality/value

The findings clarify the value creation mechanisms of online collaboration between doctors and medical institutions and thereafter facilitate doctors' participation in DMIC services and enhance the sustainable development of OHCs.
Politically connected business and real earnings management: the moderating role of family control and audit quality
Authors: Baig Mushahid Hussain , Jin Xu , Ali Rizwan
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study examines whether real earnings management (REM) choices are connected with the ownership structure of politically connected businesses (PCBs). The authors also discuss the moderating role of audit quality (AQ) and family control (FC) on the relationship between PCBs and REM.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors' study sample comprises firms registered on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSE). The sample examines the financial data of the firms that remained listed for the last eight years, i.e. from 2011 to 2018, excluding nonfinance companies and firms with incomplete data. The authors test the hypothesis using feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) regression methods.

Findings

The authors find that PCBs show a high level of involvement in income-decreasing REM compared to nonPCBs due to lower litigation risk in REM. However, the authors' results also show that two monitoring mechanisms, AQ and FC, curb the opportunistic behavior of PCBs and reduce the intensity of REM in PCBs.

Practical implications

The findings of the study are beneficial in decision-making for both internal and external stakeholders, such as creditors, shareholders and competitors. In countries like Pakistan, which fall in the category of emerging economies, PCBs show involvement in income-decreasing REM to change the accurate picture of financial information to attain personal goals, and investors in such countries have a low level of knowledge about earnings management strategies; thus, this study offers detailed knowledge and information to investors and shareholders about political connections and REM. This plays a crucial role for regulators in stiffening the rules and regulations to further assist in more secure financial reporting.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by providing a nuanced understanding of the interplay between political connections, REM, FC and AQ in the business context. Second, family-controlled businesses often exhibit distinct characteristics and governance structures compared to nonfamily-controlled firms. Exploring the moderating role of FC in the following relationship could provide valuable insights into how family dynamics influence the financial reporting practices of PCBs. Third, AQ is a critical factor in ensuring financial reporting transparency. However, the interaction between AQ, political connections, and REM remains relatively unexplored. This study explains how audit oversight affects the earnings management behavior of PCBs.
Exploring consumers’ social media engagement in addressing plastic pollution
Authors: Sharma Shavneet , Singh Gurmeet
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Plastic pollution is a major issue that plagues modern society. Scholars are interested in comprehending consumers’ behavioural actions to address plastic pollution. This study aims to delve into the determinants of consumers’ engagement with social media as a medium to address plastic pollution.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model is developed that extends the behavioural reasoning theory (BRT). Using a quantitative approach, 476 responses underwent structural equation modelling analysis.

Findings

Results indicate that “reasons for” positively correlate with attitude and intention towards socially responsible engagement. Contrarily, “Reasons against” demonstrated a positive association with socially responsible engagement intention. Attitudes favouring socially responsible engagement correlate positively with the underlying intention. The moderation analysis underscores the positive relation of social return on social media with consumers’ attitude and their “reasons for” leaning towards socially responsible engagement intention. Notably, a positive connection was established between socially responsible engagement intention and the trifecta of consumption, contribution and content creation behaviours.

Originality/value

By enhancing the BRT, this research sheds light on novel perspectives regarding consumers’ engagement on social media platforms. Distinctively, it is among the handful of studies probing the influence of behavioural intention across diverse behavioural outcomes. The insights gained from this study, grounded in empirical evidence from an emerging market, are poised to guide policymakers, governmental agencies and industry practitioners in formulating effective strategies to combat plastic pollution. Additionally, the study can assist in achieving the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs), specifically SGD 12, SGD 13, SDG 14 and SGD 17.
Review article: Feasibility of brachiocephalic vein central venous access for the resuscitation of shocked adult trauma patients: A literature review
Authors: Green Madeline L , Kim Yesul , Hendel Simon , Groombridge Christopher J , Fitzgerald Mark
Published: November 2023

Venous access is a key component of managing haemorrhagic shock. Obtaining intravenous access in trauma patients is challenging due to circulatory collapse in shock. This literature review examines the feasibility of direct puncture and cannulation of the brachiocephalic veins (BCVs) for intravenous access in shocked adult trauma patients. Three literature searches were conducted. OVID Medline was searched for articles on the use of the BCVs for venous access in adults and on the BCVs in shock. A third systematic search of OVID Medline, OVID Embase and Cochrane Library was conducted on the use of the BCVs for access in shocked trauma patients. After full‐text review, 18 studies were selected for inclusion for the search on the use of the BCVs for access in adults. No studies met the inclusion criteria for the search on the BCVs in shock and BCV access in shocked trauma patients. The BCVs are currently used for central venous access, haemodialysis and totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) in adults. There is a preference for the right BCV (RBCV) over the left as the RBCV is more superficial, straighter, larger, has less anatomical variation and avoids the risk of thoracic duct puncture. The BCVs appear to be stabilised in shock by surrounding bony structures. The BCVs may provide a site for initial, rapid access in trauma resuscitation. Further research is required to determine if the BCVs collapse in shock and if venous access using the BCVs is feasible in a trauma resuscitation setting.
Juvenile hormone induces reproduction via miR‐1175‐3p in the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta
Authors: Chen Jie , Guan Ziying , Ma Yunjie , Shi Qingxing , Chen Ting , Waris Muhammad Irfan , Lyu Lihua , Lu Yongyue , Qi Guojun
Published: November 2023

Juvenile hormone (JH) acts in the regulation of caste differentiation between queens and workers (i.e., with or without reproductive capacity) during vitellin synthesis and oogenesis in social insects. However, the regulatory mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. Here, we identified a highly expressed microRNA (miRNA), miR‐1175‐3p, in the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. We found that miR‐1175‐3p is prominently present in the fat bodies and ovaries of workers. Furthermore, miR‐1175‐3p interacts with its target gene, broad‐complex core (Br‐C), in the fat bodies. By utilizing miR‐1175‐3p agomir, we successfully suppressed the expression of the Br‐C protein in queens, resulting in reduced vitellogenin expression, fewer eggs, and poorly developed ovaries. Conversely, decreasing miR‐1175‐3p levels led to the increased expression of Br‐C and vitellogenin in workers, triggering the “re‐development” of the ovaries. Moreover, when queens were fed with JH, the expression of miR‐1175‐3p decreased, whereas the expression of vitellogenin‐2 and vitellogenin‐3 increased. Notably, the suppression of fertility in queens caused by treatment with agomir miR‐1175‐3p was completely rescued by the increased vitellogenin expression induced by being fed with JH. These results suggest the critical role of miR‐1175‐3p in JH‐regulated reproduction, shedding light on the molecular mechanism underlying miRNA‐mediated fecundity in social insects and providing a novel strategy for managing S. invicta.