bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DIP2BCGG repeat expansion in siblings with neurodevelopmental disability and progressive movement disorder
Authors: Théberge Emilie T. , Durbano Kate , Demailly Diane , Huby Sophie , Mohajeri Arezoo ,   Care4Rare Canada Consortium, van Karnebeek Clara , Horvath Gabriella A. , Usdin Karen , Lehman Anna , Cif Laura , Richmond Phillip A.
Published: June 2024

Background

Trinucleotide repeat expansions are an emerging class of genetic variants associated with several movement disorders. Unbiased genome-wide analyses can reveal novel genotype-phenotype associations and provide a diagnosis for patients and families.

Objectives

To identify the genetic cause of a severe progressive movement disorder phenotype in two affected brothers.

Methods

A family of two affected brothers and unaffected parents had extensive phenotyping and natural history followed since birth. Whole-genome and long-read sequencing methods were used to characterize genetic variants and methylation status. Results: We describe a CGG repeat expansion in the 5’-untranslated region ofDIP2Bin two affected male siblings presenting with a novelDIP2Bphenotype including neurodevelopmental disability, dysmorphic traits, and a severe progressive movement disorder (prominent chorea, dystonia, and ataxia).

Conclusions

This is the first report of a severe progressive movement disorder phenotype attributed to a CGG repeat expansion in theDIP2B5’-UTR.
Absence of nonfatal suicidal behavior preceding suicide death reveals differences in clinical risks
Authors: Coon Hilary , Shabalin Andrey , DiBlasi Emily , Monson Eric T. , Han Seonggyun , Kaufman Erin A. , Chen Danli , Kious Brent , Molina Nicolette , Yu Zhe , Staley Michael , Crockett David K. , Colbert Sarah M. , Mullins Niamh , Bakian Amanda V. , Docherty Anna R. , Keeshin Brooks
Published: June 2024

Nonfatal suicidality is the most robust predictor of suicide death. However, only ∼10% of those who survive an attempt go on to die by suicide. Moreover, ∼50% of suicide deaths occur in the absence of prior known attempts, suggesting risks other than nonfatal suicide attempt need to be identified. We studied data from 4,000 population-ascertained suicide deaths and 26,191 population controls to improve understanding of risks leading to suicide death. This study included 2,253 suicide deaths and 3,375 controls with evidence of nonfatal suicidality (SUI_SI/SB and CTL_SI/SB) from diagnostic codes and natural language processing of electronic health records notes. Characteristics of these groups were compared to 1,669 suicides with no prior nonfatal SI/SB (SUI_None) and 22,816 controls with no lifetime suicidality (CTL_None). The SUI_None and CTL_None groups had fewer diagnoses and were older than SUI_SI/SB and CTL_SI/SB. Mental health diagnoses were far less common in both the SUI_None and CTL_None groups; mental health problems were less associated with suicide death than with presence of SI/SB. Physical health diagnoses were conversely more often associated with risk of suicide death than with presence of SI/SB. Pending replication, results indicate highly significant clinical differences among suicide deaths with versus without prior nonfatal SI/SB.
Gender based disparities in Medicare physician reimbursement persist across years and specialty
Authors: Sekimitsu Sayuri , Halawa Omar Alaa , Boland Michael V. , Zebardast Nazlee
Published: June 2024

Introduction

The gender pay gap is wide in medicine but the extent of this disparity across specialties and over time have not been elucidated. Here we evaluate differences in Medicare reimbursement between men and women physicians over time and by specialty, controlling for physician and practice characteristics.

Methods

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Payment Data was used to determine total reimbursements and number of services submitted by physicians practicing in the US between 2013 and 2019. Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) were used to determine average income, unemployment rates, poverty rates, income, and educational attainment levels by zip code for each physician’s practice location.

Results

Among the 3,831,504 physicians included in this analysis from 2013-2019, 2,712,545 (70.8%) were men and 1,118,859 (29.2%) were women. Overall, men received more in Medicare reimbursements ($58,815 ± $104,772 vs. $32,205 ± $60,556, p<0.001) and billed more services (864 ± 1,780 vs. 505 ± 1,007, p<0.001) compared to women. The median Medicare reimbursement for men decreased from 2013 to 2019 from $59,710 to $57,874, while the median Medicare reimbursement for women increased from $30,575 to $33,456. Men were reimbursed more than women across all specialties with the greatest disparity in procedure-heavy specialties. The specialties with the highest difference in median Medicare reimbursement between men and women were ophthalmology ($99,452), dermatology ($84,844), cardiology ($64,112), nephrology ($62,352), and pulmonary medicine ($47,399). In linear regression models controlling for calendar year, years of experience, total number of services, and ACS zip-code-level variables, men received a higher amount of Medicare reimbursement in all specialties, as compared to women (p<0.01 for all). The percentage of top earning men (range: 65.0%-99.5%) surpassed the proportion of men in each specialty (range: 46.1%-94.6%), except public health and preventive medicine.

Conclusions and Relevance

Women physicians continue to receive lower total Medicare reimbursements than men physicians, particularly in procedure-heavy specialties. Lower clinical volume and fewer procedural services among women physicians partially contribute to the disparities in reimbursement.
Functional and structural maturation of auditory cortex from 2 months to 2 years old
Authors: Chen Yuhan , Green Heather L. , Berman Jeffery I. , Putt Mary E. , Otten Katharina , Mol Kylie L. , McNamee Marybeth , Allison Olivia , Kuschner Emily S. , Kim Mina , Bloy Luke , Liu Song , Yount Tess , Roberts Timothy P.L. , Edgar J. Christopher
Published: June 2024

In school-age children, the myelination of the auditory radiation thalamocortical pathway is associated with the latency of auditory evoked responses, with the myelination of thalamocortical axons facilitating the rapid propagation of acoustic information. Little is known regarding this auditory system function-structure association in infants and toddlers. The present study tested the hypothesis that maturation of auditory radiation white-matter microstructure (e.g., fractional anisotropy (FA); measured using diffusion-weighted MRI) is associated with the latency of the infant auditory response (P2m measured using magnetoencephalography, MEG) in a cross-sectional (2 to 24 months) as well as longitudinal cohort (2 to 29 months) of typically developing infants and toddlers. In the cross-sectional sample, non-linear maturation of P2m latency and auditory radiation diffusion measures were observed. After removing the variance associated with age in both P2m latency and auditory radiation diffusion measures, auditory radiation still accounted for significant variance in P2m latency. In the longitudinal sample, latency and FA associations could be observed at the level of a single child. Findings provide strong support for a contribution of auditory radiation white matter to rapid cortical auditory encoding processes in infants.
Structural basis for synthase activation and cellulose modification in theE. coliType II Bcs secretion system
Authors: Anso Itxaso , Zouhir Samira , Sana Thibault G. , Krasteva Petya Violinova
Published: June 2024

Bacterial cellulosic polymers constitute a prevalent class of biofilm matrix exopolysaccharides that rely on conserved cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP)-dependent cellulose synthases. Polymer structure and modifications, however, depend on the ensemble of synthase modules and accessory subunits, thus defining several types of bacterial cellulose secretion (Bcs) systems. InE. coli, a BcsRQABEFG macrocomplex, encompassing the inner membrane and cytosolic subunits, and an outer membrane porin, BcsC, secure the biogenesis of phosphoethanolamine (pEtN)-modified cellulose. Resolution-limited studies have proposed different macrocomplex stoichiometries and its assembly and regulation have remained elusive. Using cryo-EM, we visualize the molecular mechanisms of BcsA-dependent recruitment and stabilization of a trimeric BcsG pEtN-transferase for polymer modification and a dimeric BcsF-dependent recruitment of an otherwise cytosolic BcsE2R2Q2regulatory complex. We further demonstrate that BcsE, a secondary c-di-GMP sensor, remains dinucleotide-bound and retains the essential-for-secretion BcsRQ partners onto the synthase even in the absence of direct c-di-GMP-synthase complexation, likely lowering the threshold for c-di-GMP-dependent synthase activation. Such ‘activation-by-proxy’ mechanism could allow Bcs secretion system activation even in the absence of dramatic intracellular c-di-GMP increase and is reminiscent of other widespread synthase-dependent polysaccharide secretion systems where c-di-GMP sensing and/or synthase stabilization are carried out by key co-polymerase subunits.
Locally released somatostatin triggers cAMP and Ca2+signaling in primary cilia to modulate pancreatic β-cell function
Authors: Incedal Nilsson Ceren , Dumral Özge , Sanchez Gonzalo , Xie Beichen , Müller Andreas , Solimena Michele , Ren Huixia , Idevall-Hagren Olof
Published: June 2024

Somatostatin is produced and released from δ-cells within pancreatic islets of Langerhans and constitutes one of the most important negative regulators of islet hormone secretion. Somatostatin receptors (SSTR) are abundantly expressed in the islet cells and coupled to Gαi and lowering of intracellular cAMP. We find that both SSTR3 and SSTR5 localize to primary cilia of β-cells, and that activation of these receptors lowers the ciliary cAMP concentration. cAMP produced in the cytosol can enter the cilium through diffusion, but activation of ciliary SSTR3 specifically counteracts the rise of cAMP in the cilium. Moreover, we find that islet δ-cells are positioned near primary cilia of the other islet cell types and that somatostatin secretion is directed towards primary cilia. While acute exposure to somatostatin caused a rapid lowering of ciliary cAMP, sustained exposure promoted nuclear entry of the cilia-dependent transcription factor GLI2 through a mechanism that operated in parallel with the canonical Hedgehog pathway and depended on ciliary Ca2+signaling. We also find that primary cilia length is reduced in islets from human donors with type-2 diabetes, which is associated with a reduction in cilia-δ-cell interactions. Our findings show that islet cell primary cilia constitute an important target of somatostatin action that endows it with the ability to regulate islet cell function beyond the acute suppression of hormone release.
TheCaenorhabditis elegansbacterial microbiome influences microsporidia infection through nutrient limitation and inhibiting parasite invasion
Authors: El Jarkass Hala Tamim , Castelblanco Stefanie , Kaur Manpreet , Wan Yin Chen , Ellis Abigail E. , Sheldon Ryan D. , Lien Evan C. , Burton Nick O. , Wright Gerard D. , Reinke Aaron W.
Published: June 2024

Microsporidia are eukaryotic obligate intracellular parasites that infect most animals including humans. To understand how the microbiome can impact microsporidia infection, we tested how bacterial isolates that naturally occur withCaenorhabditis elegansinfluence infection by the microsporidianNematocida parisii. Nematodes exposed to two of these bacteria,Chryseobacterium scopthalmumandSphingobacterium multivorum, exhibit reduced pathogen loads. Using untargeted metabolomics, we show that unsaturated fatty acid levels are disrupted by growth on these bacteria and that supplementation with the polyunsaturated fatty acid linoleic acid can restore full parasite growth in animals cultured onS. multivorum. We also found that two isolates,Pseudomonas luridaandPseudomonas mendocina,secrete molecules that inactivateN. parisiispores. We determined thatP. luridainhibitsN. parisiithrough the production of massetolides. We then measured 53 additionalPseudomonasstrains, 64% of which significantly reducedN. parisiiinfection. A mixture ofPseudomonasspecies can greatly limit the amount of infection inC. eleganspopulations over many generations. Our findings suggest that interactions between bacteria andN. parisiiare common and that these bacteria both modulate host metabolism and produce compounds that inhibit microsporidia infection.
Subgenomic flaviviral RNAs and human proteins:in silicoexploration of anti-host defense mechanisms
Authors: Ponti Riccardo Delli , Vandelli Andrea , Tartaglia Gian Gaetano
Published: June 2024

Background

Flaviviruses pose significant global health threats, infecting over 300 million people annually. Among their evasion strategies, the production of subgenomic flaviviral RNAs (sfRNAs) from the 3’ UTR of viral genomes is particularly notable. These sfRNAs interact with human proteins, disrupting key cellular processes such as RNA splicing and the interferon response.

Results

Utilizing a comprehensivein silicoapproach with thecatRAPID algorithm, we analyzed over 300,000 interactions between sfRNAs and human proteins derived from more than 8,000 flavivirus genomes, including Dengue, Zika, Yellow Fever, West Nile, and Japanese Encephalitis viruses. Our study not only validated known interactions but also revealed novel human proteins that could be involved in sfRNA-mediated host defense evasion, including helicases, splicing factors, and chemokines. We propose that sfRNAs function as molecular sponges, sequestering specific proteins indicative of sfRNA-forming regions across flaviviruses. These findings represent a valuable resource for diagnostic and therapeutic developments.

Conclusions

Our findings significantly expand the known interactome of sfRNAs with human proteins, underscoring their role in modulating host cellular pathways. By providing the first extensive atlas of sfRNA interactions, we offer new insights into how flaviviruses can manipulate host cellular machinery to facilitate viral survival and persistence. Intriguingly, we predict interaction with stress granules, a critical component of the cellular response to viral infection, suggesting a mechanism by which flaviviruses inhibit their formation to evade host defenses. This atlas not only serves as a resource for exploring therapeutic targets but also aids in the identification of sfRNA biomarkers for improved flavivirus diagnostics.
Expression and regulation of SETBP1 in the song system of male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) during singing
Authors: Grönberg Dana , Pinto de Carvalho Sara Luisa , Dernerova Nikola , Norton Phillip , Wong Maggie M. K. , Mendoza Ezequiel
Published: June 2024

Rarede novoheterozygous loss-of-functionSETBP1variants lead to a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by speech deficits, indicating a potential involvement of SETBP1 in human speech. However, the expression pattern of SETBP1 in brain regions associated with language remains poorly understood, along with the underlying molecular mechanisms linking it to speech. In this study, we examined SETBP1 expression in the brain of male zebra finches, a well-established model for studying vocal production learning. We demonstrated that zebra finch SETBP1 exhibits a greater number of exons and isoforms compared to its human counterpart. We characterized a SETBP1 antibody and showed that SETBP1 colocalized with FoxP1, FoxP2, and Parvalbumin in key song nuclei. Moreover, SETBP1 expression in neurons in Area X is significantly higher in zebra finches singing alone, than those singing courtship song to a female, or non-singers. Importantly, we found a distinctive neuronal protein expression of SETBP1 and FoxP2 in Area X only in zebra finches singing alone, but not in the other conditions. We demonstrated SETBP1’s regulatory role on FoxP2 promoter activityin vitro. Taken together, these findings provide compelling evidence for SETBP1 expression in brain regions to be crucial for vocal learning and its modulation by singing behavior.
A combinatorial neural code for long-term motor memory
Authors: Kim Jae-Hyun , Daie Kayvon , Li Nuo
Published: June 2024

Motor skill repertoire can be stably retained over long periods, but the neural mechanism underlying stable memory storage remains poorly understood. Moreover, it is unknown how existing motor memories are maintained as new motor skills are continuously acquired. Here we tracked neural representation of learned actions throughout a significant portion of a mouse’s lifespan, and we show that learned actions are stably retained in motor memory in combination with context, which protects existing memories from erasure during new motor learning. We used automated home-cage training to establish a continual learning paradigm in which mice learned to perform directional licking in different task contexts. We combined this paradigm with chronic two-photon imaging of motor cortex activity for up to 6 months. Within the same task context, activity driving directional licking was stable over time with little representational drift. When learning new task contexts, new preparatory activity emerged to drive the same licking actions. Learning created parallel new motor memories while retaining the previous memories. Re-learning to make the same actions in the previous task context re-activated the previous preparatory activity, even months later. At the same time, continual learning of new task contexts kept creating new preparatory activity patterns. Context-specific memories, as we observed in the motor system, may provide a solution for stable memory storage throughout continual learning. Learning in new contexts produces parallel new representations instead of modifying existing representations, thus protecting existing motor repertoire from erasure.
Sero-epidemiological investigation and risk factors associated with camelpox in pastoral areas of Somali region, eastern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Arog Hassan Abdi , Ahad Abdullahi Adan , Fesseha Haben
Published: June 2024

Camelpox is a highly significant viral disease that has a major economic impact on camels in Ethiopia. However, the epidemiology of the disease in the country, particularly in Somali region, is currently not well understood. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of camelpox and identify associated risk factors in order to implement effective disease control measures in the study area. A cross-sectional design was employed from January 2023 to July 2023, involving a sample of 374 camels from 75 households in two districts and six peasant associations (PAs). Serum samples were tested using a competitive enzyme immunoassay (c-ELISA) to detect camelpox-specific antibodies. The overall seroprevalence of camelpox infection in the study area was found to be 16.0%. We administered structured questionnaires to camel owners to gather additional information on potential risk factors. Variables such as age, sex, and seasonal patterns were found to have a significant association with camelpox seropositivity. Female camels exhibited 3.2 times higher odds of infection compared to male camels, while young dromedaries aged between 6 months and 4 years were found to have a 2.3 times higher risk of infection than adults, indicating susceptibility to the age factor. Furthermore, the risk of infection was found to be 26 times higher during the rainy season than to the dry period. Thus, by identifying contributing factors, effective preventative measures, such as an appropriate vaccination strategy, can be developed to reduce the spread of camelpox and the associated economic losses. This study provides valuable insights for disease control and management practices.
Herbicidal interference: glyphosate drives both the ecology and evolution of plant-herbivore interactions
Authors: Zhang Grace M. , Baucom Regina S.
Published: June 2024

The coevolution of plants and their insect herbivores reflects eco-evolutionary dynamics at work— ecological interactions influence adaptive traits, which feed back to shape the broader ecological community. However, novel anthropogenic stressors like herbicide, which are strong selective agents, can disrupt these dynamics. Little is known about how the evolution of herbicide resistance may impact plant-herbivore interactions. We performed a common garden field experiment usingIpomoea purpurea(common morning glory) and the herbicide glyphosate (Roundup) to investigate the ecological effects of herbicide exposure on insect herbivory patterns and assess the potential evolutionary consequences. We find that plants treated with glyphosate experienced higher levels of herbivory and altered chewing herbivory damage patterns. Additionally, we found that glyphosate resistance is positively associated with herbivory resistance, and uncovered positive selection for increased glyphosate resistance, suggesting that selection for increased glyphosate resistance has the potential to lead to increased herbivory resistance. Positive selection for glyphosate resistance, coupled with the detection of genetic variation for this trait, suggests there is potential for glyphosate resistance—and herbivory resistanceviahitchhiking— to further evolve. Our results show that herbicides can not just influence, but potentially drive the eco-evolutionary dynamics of plant-herbivore interactions.
Transcription templated assembly of the nucleolus in theC. elegansembryo
Authors: Kodan Nishant , Hussaini Rabeya , Weber Stephanie C. , Kondev Jane , Mohapatra Lishibanya
Published: June 2024

The nucleolus is a multicomponent structure made of RNA and proteins that serves as the site of ribosome biogenesis within the nucleus. It has been extensively studied as a prototype of a biomolecular condensate whose assembly is driven by phase separation. While the steady-state size of the nucleolus is quantitatively accounted for by the thermodynamics of phase separation, we show that experimental measurements of the assembly dynamics are inconsistent with a simple model of a phase-separating system relaxing to its equilibrium state. Instead, we show that the dynamics are well described by a model in which the transcription of ribosomal RNA actively drives nucleolar assembly. We find that our model of active transcription-templated assembly quantitatively accounts for the rapid kinetics observed in early embryos at different developmental stages, and for different RNAi perturbations of embryo size. Our model predicts a scaling of the time to assembly with the volume of the nucleus to the one-third power, which is confirmed by experimental data. Our study highlights the role of active processes such as transcription in controlling the placement and timing of assembly of membraneless organelles.

Significance statement

How membraneless organelles like nucleolus assemble within cells is not well understood. Recent experiments suggest that transcription of ribosomal RNA actively drives nucleolar assembly. Our proposed model of active transcription-templated assembly quantitatively accounts for the rapid kinetics observed in early worm embryos at different developmental stages. Further, it predicts a scaling of the time to assembly with the volume of the nucleus that is confirmed by experimental data. This work describes how active processes such as transcription can control the placement and timing of assembly of membraneless organelles.
Opposition flow control for reducing skin-friction drag of a turbulent boundary layer
Authors: Dacome Giulio , Mörsch Robin , Kotsonis Marios , Baars Woutijn J.
Published: June 2024

This work explores the dynamic response of a turbulent boundary layer to large-scale reactive opposition control, at a friction Reynolds number of Reτ≈2240. A surface-mounted hot-film is employed as the input sensor, capturing large-scale fluctuations in the wall-shear stress, and actuation is performed with a single on/off wall-normal blowing jet positioned 2.4δ downstream of the input sensor, operating with an exit velocity of vj=0.4U∞. Our study builds upon the work of Abbassi [] and includes a control-calibration experiment and a performance assessment using PIV- and PTV-based flow field analyses. With the control-off calibration-experiment conducted , a transfer kernel is identified so that the velocity fluctuations that are to-be-controlled can be estimated. The controller targets large-scale high-speed zones in an “opposing” mode and low-speed zones in a “reinforcing” mode. A desynchronized mode was tested for reference and consisted of a statistically similar control mode, but without synchronization to the incoming velocity fluctuations. An energy-attenuation of about 40 % is observed for the opposing control mode in the frequency band corresponding to the passage of large-scale motions. This proves the effectiveness of the control in targeting large-scale motions: an energy-intensification of roughly 45% occurs for the reinforcing control mode instead, while no change in energy, within the wall-normal range targeted, appears with the desynchronized control mode. Moreover, direct measures of the skin-friction drag are inferred from PTV data. Results indicate that the opposing control logic yields the lowest wall-shear stress (3% lower than the desynchronized control, and 10% lower than the uncontrolled flow). Finally, a FIK-decomposition of the skin-friction coefficient revealed that the off-the-wall turbulence follows a consistent trend with the PTV-based wall-shear stress measurements, although biased by an increased shear in the wake of the boundary layer given the formation of a plume due to the jet-in-crossflow actuation.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
The impact of entrepreneurial characteristics and competencies on business performance in the creative industry in Indonesia
Authors: Gunawan Ayumi Fitriani
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of the characteristics and competencies of entrepreneurs on business performance within the creative industry in Indonesia. By creative industry, is refer to market-oriented enterprises that use creativity and intellectual capital to create, produce, distribute and disseminate creative goods and services through media channels.

Design/methodology/approach

This study measured six entrepreneurial characteristics: creative and innovative, risk-taking, need for achievement, leadership, autonomy and proactiveness. In addition, it measured five entrepreneurial competencies: opportunity, strategy, relationship, organization and learning. Data collection was conducted using a questionnaire administered to 294 entrepreneurs operating businesses within the creative industry in Java, Sumatra and Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Findings

The findings of this study demonstrated that entrepreneurial characteristics and competencies had a significantly positive effect on business performance. Creativity and innovation emerged as the most influential characteristics, whereas strategy stood out as the most influential competency.

Originality/value

This study aimed to examine whether the personal qualities of entrepreneurs as identified within conventional industries − specifically their entrepreneurial characteristics and competencies − had an impact on business performance in the creative industry in Indonesia. Conventional industries, unlike creative industries, are characterized by the production and distribution of physical goods or basic services, with less emphasis on creative innovation as the core driver.
The Indus Bakers: recipe for resilience
Authors: Memon Ubedullah , Aziz Qamarunnisa , Arain Nabeela , Zahra Maham , Ali Masroor
Published: June 2024

Learning outcomes

After reading this case study, the students will be able to analyze an external environment using the PESTLE framework for identifying key factors and assessing their impact on strategic decision-making, evaluate the importance of the company, competitors and customers in strategic decision-making and how the 3Cs model provides useful insights in a competitive environment and get useful insights from PESTLE and the Ansoff matrix for making well-informed strategic growth decisions.

Case overview/synopsis

The Indus Bakers, led by Suresh Kumar, Ajeet Kumar and Kareem Ahmed, faced stagnant sales in Sukkur’s bustling bakery industry. Expanding from Larkana, the bakery grapples with fierce competition from newcomers and home-based bakers. Managers discuss concerns over market shifts and cost constraints, placing Suresh in a pivotal decision-making role. He must decide whether to introduce specialized dietary offerings, set up kiosks at transport hubs, explore local tea culture or target corporate clients. Each path poses challenges and opportunities. As the Indus Bakers stand at this critical juncture, Kumar’s choices will define its role in Sukkur’s evolving bakery landscape, blending tradition with adaptability in a dynamic market.

Complexity academic level

This case study is suitable for teaching the graduates of management sciences, Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration programs, particularly in the courses of corporate strategy, marketing management and entrepreneurship. It offers valuable insights to students and helps in strategic decision-making within the business landscape, emphasizing the consideration of both macro and micro environmental factors. This case study equips learners to digest how companies navigate competitive markets and adapt their strategies in response to changing market dynamics. Through exploring the challenges faced by the Indus Bakers and their strategic responses, students can glean practical lessons in corporate strategy, environmental analysis, competitive strategy, market analysis and business resilience. This approach prepares students to tackle real-world business scenarios, fostering critical thinking and strategic acumen essential for future business leaders.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
Fail forward: the relationship between innovation failure and breakthrough innovation in the context of knowledge- based capabilities
Authors: Hu Siyuan , Gong Hong , Li Shuai
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the impact mechanism of the degree of innovation failure on breakthrough innovation in Chinese listed companies, and examines the moderating effect of the company’s own knowledge-based capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on organizational learning theory and using the innovation failure data of invention patents from Chinese A-share listed companies on the main board from 2003 to 2017 as research samples, this study constructs and examines a comprehensive framework and its impact on breakthrough innovation regarding “what kind of innovation failure will promote breakthrough innovation”, focusing on innovation failure, enterprise knowledge base, and breakthrough innovation.

Findings

Empirical research has found a U-shaped relationship between innovation failure and breakthrough innovation. In other words, both a low level of failure and an extremely high level of failure can significantly promote breakthrough innovation in enterprises. Furthermore, when the depth of enterprise knowledge is high, it further strengthens the non-linear relationship between innovation failure and breakthrough innovation.

Originality/value

The research results enrich the study of the failure predicament and breakthrough innovation of Chinese technology innovation enterprises, revealing effective paths for Chinese technology innovation enterprises to get rid of the passive situation of innovation failure, and providing theoretical support and practical reference for “breaking new ground and achieving breakthrough innovation”.
Livelihood resilience among street hawkers during Covid-19 lockdown in the Awutu Senya East Municipality, Ghana
Authors: Poku Adjoa Afriyie , Sarkodie Kofi , Mensah Joe , Sam-Mensah Richard , Quayson Jesse Jones , Poku Kwasi
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The study assesses the livelihood resilience strategies among street hawkers during COVID-19 lockdown in the Awutu Senya East Municipality in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the explanatory case study approach, 12 participants (hawkers) were sampled with the aid of the purposive and convenience sampling techniques. An interview guide was used to collect data.

Findings

The study found that street hawking business, prior to the COVID-19 lockdown was a lucrative venture. The COVID-19 lockdown however had mental, psychological and economic effects on the street hawkers in ASEM causing stress, anxiety. loneliness, loss of business capital, and loss of jobs. Hawkers nevertheless demonstrated resilience in their psychological well-being by adopting strategies such as patronizing digital/social media platforms for funny content and entertainment. Hawkers also showed economic resilience through selling products on digital/social media platforms, relied on personal savings, received social support from family members and religious bodies. Government policies and interventions in the form of free water and electricity played a crucial role in building resilience of street hawkers during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Practical implications

The study shows that hawking is a vital avenue for entrepreneurial engagement reducing barriers to entry in formal trading, hence should be considered as key economic venture in the country’s economy. Again, the findings of the study deepen the understanding of stakeholders on the effects of COVID-19 on the psychological and economic life of street hawkers and offers insights into managing both psychosocial and financial stress during crises, emphasizing the potential benefits of resilient strategies for more effective crisis management. The study findings provide insights for government and policymakers on the experiences and coping mechanisms of the vulnerable groups and communities, particularly hawkers during the pandemic.

Originality/value

The study qualitatively assesses the psychological and economic effects of the COVID-19 lockdown and the livelihood resilience strategies employed by street hawkers during the COVID-19 lockdown in ASEM, Ghana.
Discovery and analysis of global studies trend on digital transformation strategy: exploring challenges and opportunities
Authors: Khoshroo Mina , Talari Mohammad
Published: June 2024

Purpose

With the advent of transformational and digital technologies, companies are striving to integrate digital transformation strategy (DTS) into their business models to stay competitive. However, in many cases, the implementation of DTS fails because managers lack knowledge about the opportunities and challenges associated with this strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a bibliometric analysis was conducted with data related to DTS from the Scopus database for the period 2011–2023 to identify scientific trends in the field of DTS. Subsequently, 2,363 documents were collected and analyzed using Vosviewer software. Finally, the opportunities and challenges within the field of DTS were identified as one of the latest trends through a meta-synthesis method.

Findings

The findings of this research highlight the current scientific trends in the field of DTS. Also, the challenges of implementing the DTS are lack of instructions and rules, financial weakness, lack of alignment, inappropriate organizational structure, lack of digital organizational culture, challenges related to employees, lack of a digital leader and cyber threats. In addition, DTS implementation opportunities can be divided into three groups: improving customer experience, improving business processes and strategic renewal and creation of new business models.

Originality/value

The present research introduces two key innovations. The first is to offer a summary of prior research in the field of DTS. The second is identifying the opportunities and challenges associated with adopting this strategy, which is one of the latest trends.
Restoring frequent fire to dry conifer forests delays the decline of subalpine forests in the southwest United States under projected climate
Authors: Remy Cécile C. , Krofcheck Dan J. , Keyser Alisa R. , Hurteau Matthew D.
Published: June 2024

In southwestern US forests, the combined impact of climate change and increased fuel loads due to more than a century of human‐caused fire exclusion is leading to larger and more severe wildfires. Restoring frequent fire to dry conifer forests can mitigate high‐severity fire risk, but the effects of these treatments on the vegetation composition and structure under projected climate change remain uncertain.

We used a forest landscape model to assess the impact of thinning and prescribed burns in dry conifer forests across an elevation gradient, encompassing low‐elevation pinyon‐juniper woodlands, mid‐elevation ponderosa pine and high‐elevation mixed‐conifer forests.

Our results demonstrated that the treatments decreased the probability of high‐severity fires by 42% in the study area. At low elevation, the treatments did not prevent loss in forest cover and biomass with decreases in Pinus edulis and Juniperus monosperma abundances. At mid‐elevation, changes in fire effects maintained a greater diversity of tree species by favouring the maintenance of cohorts of old trees, in particular Pinus ponderosa which accumulated 5.41 Mg ha−1 more above‐ground biomass than without treatments by late‐century. Treatments in dry conifer forests modified fire effects beyond the treated area, resulting in increased cover and biomass of old Picea englemannii and Abies lasiocarpa cohorts.

Synthesis and applications: Our findings indicate that thinning and prescribed burning can enhance tree species diversity in dry conifer forests by protecting old cohorts from stand‐replacing fires. Moreover, our results suggest that treatments mainly implemented in dry pine forests with high risk of high‐severity fires can be beneficial for subalpine species conservation by reducing the chance that high‐severity fire at mid‐elevation is transmitted into high‐elevation forest.
ABHD5 regulates midgut‐specific lipid homeostasis in Bombyx mori
Authors: Xing Zhiping , Zhang Yuting , Kang Hongxia , Dong Hui , Zhu Dalin , Liu Yutong , Sun Chenxin , Guo Peilin , Hu Bo , Tan Anjiang
Published: June 2024

Lipids are an important energy source and are utilized as substrates for various physiological processes in insects. Comparative gene identification 58 (CGI‐58), also known as α/β hydrolase domain‐containing 5 (ABHD5), is a highly conserved and multifunctional gene involved in regulating lipid metabolism and cellular energy balance in many organisms. However, the biological functions of ABHD5 in insects are poorly understood. In the current study, we describe the identification and characterization of the ABHD5 gene in the lepidopteran model insect, Bombyx mori. The tissue expression profile investigated using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) reveals that BmABHD5 is widely expressed in all tissues, with particularly high levels found in the midgut and testis. A binary transgenic CRISPR/Cas9 system was employed to conduct a functional analysis of BmABHD5, with the mutation of BmABHD5 leading to the dysregulation of lipid metabolism and excessive lipid accumulation in the larval midgut. Histological and physiological analysis further reveals a significant accumulation of lipid droplets in the midgut of mutant larvae. RNA‐seq and RT‐qPCR analysis showed that genes related to metabolic pathways were significantly affected by the absence of BmABHD5. Altogether, our data prove that BmABHD5 plays an important role in regulating tissue‐specific lipid metabolism in the silkworm midgut.
The Sporting Paper and the Culture of Popular Conservatism in Edwardian Britain*
Authors: Cocks H.G.
Published: June 2024

Late‐Victorian and Edwardian Popular Conservatism is now mainly seen as a cultural‐ideological form, and this article aims to reconstruct one aspect of this ethos by focusing on the use of sport, especially horse racing, as a means of political differentiation and a method of attracting a new mass electorate to the Tory cause. The sporting paper focusing on horse racing was one way of doing this. Weeklies like the Sporting Times and the Winning Post tried to sell high Tory ideals to a mass electorate and thereby to knit together an older aristocratic party with newer urban, white‐collar, and working‐class voters. The political outgrowth of this element of popular conservatism was the Sporting League (established 1894) and also the later National Sporting League (1905). Both of these organisations took aim at Radical Liberals, and especially their attempt to restrict betting, and did so by exerting pressure at national and local elections from 1895 to 1914. Some of those involved with the Sporting Leagues and the racing paper became Conservative candidates. Although it is difficult to estimate the actual electoral impact of both Sporting Leagues, they nevertheless created a political style that might have a broad appeal, especially to a white‐collar class and working people.
The Status Importance Scale: Development and validation of a self‐report questionnaire for measuring how much people care about status
Authors: Rigoli Francesco , Mirolli Marco
Published: June 2024

Although substantial research indicates that considerations about status can lead to anxiety and other negative outcomes, a valid measure of the importance individuals attribute to status is lacking. This paper introduces the Status Importance Scale (SIS), a mono‐factorial 10‐item self‐report questionnaire that quantifies how important a person deems status to be. Five studies validate the scale showing that it has excellent internal reliability and acceptable test–retest reliability, it correlates with several related measures (supporting convergent validity), it shows little correlation with theoretically unrelated constructs (supporting discriminant validity), it is the best predictor of conspicuous consumption compared with other potential candidates (supporting concurrent validity), and it can help predicting which activities one gives importance to (further supporting concurrent validity). Finally, as hypothesized by previous literature, the last study reveals that the SIS can predict status anxiety. The SIS can contribute to research regarding important phenomena such as the detrimental psychological effects of income inequality.
InverseVis: Revealing the Hidden with Curved Sphere Tracing
Authors: Lawonn Kai , Meuschke Monique , Günther Tobias
Published: June 2024

Exploratory analysis of scalar fields on surface meshes presents significant challenges in identifying and visualizing important regions, particularly on the surface's backside. Previous visualization methods achieved only a limited visibility of significant features, i.e., regions with high or low scalar values, during interactive exploration. In response to this, we propose a novel technique, InverseVis, which leverages curved sphere tracing and uses the otherwise unused space to enhance visibility. Our approach combines direct and indirect rendering, allowing camera rays to wrap around the surface and reveal information from the backside. To achieve this, we formulate an energy term that guides the image synthesis in previously unused space, highlighting the most important regions of the backside. By quantifying the amount of visible important features, we optimize the camera position to maximize the visibility of the scalar field on both the front and backsides. InverseVis is benchmarked against state‐of‐the‐art methods and a derived technique, showcasing its effectiveness in revealing essential features and outperforming existing approaches.
Instantaneous Visual Analysis of Blood Flow in Stenoses Using Morphological Similarity
Authors: Eulzer P. , Richter K. , Hundertmark A. , Wickenhöfer R. , Klingner C.M. , Lawonn K.
Published: June 2024

The emergence of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) enabled the simulation of intricate transport processes, including flow in physiological structures, such as blood vessels. While these so‐called hemodynamic simulations offer groundbreaking opportunities to solve problems at the clinical forefront, a successful translation of CFD to clinical decision‐making is challenging. Hemodynamic simulations are intrinsically complex, time‐consuming, and resource‐intensive, which conflicts with the time‐sensitive nature of clinical workflows and the fact that hospitals usually do not have the necessary resources or infrastructure to support CFD simulations. To address these transfer challenges, we propose a novel visualization system which enables instant flow exploration without performing on‐site simulation. To gain insights into the viability of the approach, we focus on hemodynamic simulations of the carotid bifurcation, which is a highly relevant arterial subtree in stroke diagnostics and prevention. We created an initial database of 120 high‐resolution carotid bifurcation flow models and developed a set of similarity metrics used to place a new carotid surface model into a neighborhood of simulated cases with the highest geometric similarity. The neighborhood can be immediately explored and the flow fields analyzed. We found that if the artery models are similar enough in the regions of interest, a new simulation leads to coinciding results, allowing the user to circumvent individual flow simulations. We conclude that similarity‐based visual analysis is a promising approach toward the usability of CFD in medical practice.
Autism and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Dravet syndrome
Authors: Brunklaus Andreas
Published: June 2024

This commentary is on the original article by Reilly et al. on pages 1457–1465 of this issue.
Associations of upper‐ and lower‐limb muscle strength, mass, and quality with health‐related quality of life in community‐dwelling older adults
Authors: da Costa Pereira Jarson Pedro , Freire Yuri Alberto , da Silva Alana Monteiro Bispo , de Lucena Alves Charles Phillipe , de Melo Silva Raíssa , Câmara Marcyo , Browne Rodrigo Alberto Vieira , Costa Eduardo Caldas , Trussardi Fayh Ana Paula
Published: June 2024

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the associations between upper‐ and lower‐limb muscle strength, mass, and quality and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) among community‐dwelling older adults.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted with 428 Brazilian community‐dwelling older adults aged 60 to 80 years. Upper‐ and lower‐limb muscle strength were evaluated through the handgrip strength (HGS) test and the 30‐s chair stand test, respectively. Muscle mass was assessed by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Muscle quality was evaluated using the muscle quality index (MQI). HRQoL was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version questionnaire.

Results

Lower‐limb, but not upper‐limb, muscle strength and quality were independently associated with HRQoL, particularly within the domains of physical capacity, environment, and overall HRQoL for both males and females (P < 0.05). DXA‐ and BIA‐derived analyses provided similar results in relation to muscle mass and muscle quality.

Conclusions

Lower‐limb, but not upper‐limb, muscle strength and quality were independently associated with HRQoL among community‐dwelling older adults. Moreover, the results obtained from both BIA and DXA were similar, highlighting that BIA can serve as a viable surrogate method for estimating body composition in resource‐limited clinical settings. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 683–692.