bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
No evidence for detectable direct effects of magnetic field on cellular autofluorescence
Authors: Uzhytchak Mariia , Smolková Barbora , Frtús Adam , Stupakov Alexandr , Lunova Mariia , Scollo Federica , Hof Martin , Jurkiewicz Piotr , Sullivan Gareth John , Dejneka Alexandr , Lunov Oleg
Published: May 2022

Dramatically increased levels of electromagnetic radiation in the environment have raised concerns over the potential health hazards of electromagnetic fields. Various biological effects of magnetic fields have been proposed. Despite decades of intensive research, the molecular mechanisms procuring cellular responses remain largely unknown. The current literature is conflicting with regards to evidence that magnetic fields affect functionality directly at cellular level. Therefore, a search for potential direct cellular effects of magnetic fields represents a cornerstone that may propose an explanation for potential health hazards associated with magnetic fields. Recently, it was postulated that autofluorescence of HeLa cells is magnetic field sensitive, relying on single-cell imaging kinetic measurements. Here, we explore the utility of this approach by undertaking a screen for magnetic sensitivity of cellular autofluorescence in statistically relevant numbers (90-107) of HeLa cells. We did not observe any changes in cellular autofluorescence decay, when a modulated magnetic field was applied. We present a number of arguments indicating weak points in the analysis of magnetic field effects based on the imaging of cellular autofluorescence decay. Our work indicates that new methods are required to elucidate the effects of magnetic fields at the cellular level.
Oversharing by honey bees and the spread of viruses
Authors: Lamas Zachary S. , Ryabov Eugene V. , Hawthorne David J. , Evans Jay D.
Published: May 2022

Deformed wing virus (DWV) is an emerging insect pathogen efficiently transmitted through communicable and vector-borne routes with Apis mellifera. Continual transmission of DWV between hosts and vectors is required for maintenance of the pathogen within the population, and this vector-host-pathogen system offers unique disease transmission dynamics for pathogen maintenance between vector and a social host. In a series of experiments, we study how vector-vector, host-host and host-vector transmission routes maintain DWV in a honey bee population. We found co-infestations on shared hosts allowed for movement of DWV from mite to mite. Additionally, two social behaviors of the honeybee, trophallaxis and cannibalization of pupae, provide routes for communicable transmission from bee to bee. Communicable circulation of the virus solely amongst hosts was then shown to act as a reservoir of DWV for naïve Varroa to acquire and subsequently vector the pathogen. Our findings illustrate communicable transmission between hosts can maintain and influence the future acquisition and vectoring of a pathogen by a vector. There are a handful of other infectious diseases, both zoonotic and which impact human health, that have potentially similar transmission dynamics.
The spatiotemporal dynamics of recognition memory for complex versus simple auditory sequences
Authors: Fernández Rubio G. , Brattico E. , Kotz S. A. , Kringelbach M. L. , Vuust P. , Bonetti L.
Published: May 2022

Differently from visual recognition, auditory recognition is a process relying on the organization of single elements that evolve in time. Here, we aimed to discover the spatiotemporal dynamics of this cognitive function by adopting a novel strategy for varying the complexity of musical sequences. We selected traditional tonal musical sequences and altered the distance between pitches to obtain matched atonal sequences. We then recorded the brain activity of 71 participants using magnetoencephalography (MEG) while they listened to and later recognized auditory sequences constructed according to simple (tonal) or complex (atonal) conventions. Results reveal qualitative changes in neural activity dependent on stimulus complexity: recognition of tonal sequences engaged hippocampal and cingulate areas, whereas recognition of atonal sequences mainly activated the auditory processing network. Our findings highlight the involvement of a cortico-subcortical brain network for auditory recognition and support the idea that stimulus complexity qualitatively alters the neural pathways of recognition memory.
Novel synergistic combinations of last-line antibiotics and FDA-approved drugs against Klebsiella pneumoniae revealed by in vitro synergy screenings
Authors: Gómara-Lomero Marta , Aínsa José Antonio , Ramón-García Santiago
Published: May 2022

Treatment of infections caused by multi-drug resistant (MDR) enterobacteria remains challenging due to the limited therapeutic options. Drug repurposing could accelerate the development of urgently needed successful interventions. This work aimed to identify and characterize novel drug combinations againstKlebsiella pneumoniaebased on the concepts of synergy and drug repurposing. We performed a semi-qualitative high-throughput synergy screening (sHTSS) with tigecycline, colistin and fosfomycin (last-line antibiotics against MDR Enterobacteriaceae) combined with an FDA-library containing 1,430 clinically approved drugs. Selected hits were further validated by secondary checkerboard (CBA) and time-kill (TKA) assays. Our sHTSS results yielded 37, 31 and 41 hits showing synergy with tigecycline, colistin and fosfomycin, respectively. Most hits (75%) were known antibiotics. Non-antibiotic compounds included other anti-infective agents (7%), antineoplastics (7%) or antipsychotics (3%). Overall, 15.09% and 65.85% of hits were further confirmed by CBA and TKA, respectively, indicating that TKA is more useful than CBA for the validation of synergistic combinations. Accordingly, TKA were used for synergy classification based on determination of the bactericidal activities at 8, 24 and 48 hours. Twenty-seven combinations were validated with effective synergistic activity againstK. pneumoniaeby TKA, six of them novel non-antibiotic combinations. Based on our observations we conclude that repurposing approaches allowed to enhance the activity of last-line antibiotics in the treatment of MDRK. pneumoniae. sHTSS paired to TKA was a powerful tool for the identification of novel synergistic drug combinations againstK. pneumoniae. Further pre-clinical studies might support the translational potential of these novel combinations.
Insights into plastic biodegradation: community composition and functional capabilities of the superworm (Zophobas morio) microbiome in styrofoam feeding trials
Authors: Sun Jiarui , Prabhu Apoorva , Aroney Samuel , Rinke Christian
Published: May 2022

Plastics are inexpensive and widely used organic polymers, but their high durability hinders biodegradation. Polystyrene, including extruded polystyrene also known as styrofoam, is among the most commonly produced plastics worldwide and is recalcitrant to microbial degradation. In this study, we assessed changes in the gut microbiome of superworms (Zophobas morio) reared on bran, polystyrene, or under starvation conditions over a three weeks’ time period. Superworms on all diets were able to complete their life cycle to pupae and imago, although superworms reared on polystyrene had minimal weight gains, resulting in lower pupation rates. The change in microbial gut communities from baseline differed considerably between diet groups, with polystyrene and starvation groups characterized by a loss of microbial diversity and the presence of opportunistic pathogens. Inferred microbial functions enriched in the polystyrene group included transposon movements, membrane restructuring, and adaptations to oxidative stress. We detected several encoded enzymes with reported polystyrene and styrene degradation abilities, supporting previous reports of polystyrene degrading bacteria in the superworm gut. By recovering metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) we linked phylogeny and functions and identified genera includingPseudomonas, RhodococcusandCorynebacterium, that possess genes associated with polystyrene degradation. In conclusion, our results provide the first metagenomic insights into the metabolic pathways used by the gut microbiome of superworms to degrade polystyrene. Our results also confirm that superworms can survive on polystyrene feed, however, this diet has considerable negative impacts on host gut microbiome diversity and health.

Impact Statement

Increasing plastic pollution is a major environmental problem, and a recently proposed way to counteract this trend is to embrace a circular economy, in which used materials are recycled, rather than disposed of. An important step to facilitate this process is to invent new approaches for upcycling of plastic waste to desirable consumer products. Microbial plastic degradation and conversion is likely to play a considerable part in shaping a circular economy, by engineering microbes or their enzymes to bio-upcycle plastic waste. A first step towards actualizing this goal is to identify microbes that can degrade polystyrene and to investigate the enzymes and pathways involved. Our study represents the first metagenomic analysis of an insect gut microbiome on a polystyrene diet. It identifies bacteria with polystyrene and styrene degrading abilities, and infers enzymes and pathways involved in these reactions. Therefore, our results contribute towards understanding microbial polystyrene degradation and will provide a base for future investigations into microbial upcycling of plastic waste.
Mannose metabolism inhibition sensitizes acute myeloid leukemia cells to cytarabine and FLT3 inhibitor therapy by modulating fatty acid metabolism to drive ferroptotic cell death
Authors: Woodley Keith , Dillingh Laura S , Giotopoulos George , Madrigal Pedro , Rattigan Kevin M , Philippe Celine , Dembitz Vilma , Magee Aoife M.S , Asby Ryan , van de Lagemaat Louie N , Mapperley Christopher , James Sophie C , Prehn Jochen H.M , Tzelepis Konstantinos , Rouault-Pierre Kevin , Vassiliou George S , Kranc Kamil R , Helgason G Vignir , Huntly Brian J.P , Gallipoli Paolo
Published: May 2022

Resistance to standard and novel therapies remains the main obstacle to cure in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and is often driven by metabolic adaptations which are therapeutically actionable. Here we identify inhibition of mannose-6-phosphate isomerase (MPI), the first enzyme in the mannose metabolism pathway, as a sensitizer to both cytarabine and FLT3 inhibitors across multiple AML models. Mechanistically, we identify a connection between mannose metabolism and fatty acid metabolism, that is mediated via preferential activation of the ATF6 arm of the unfolded protein response (UPR). This in turn leads to cellular accumulation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, lipid peroxidation and ferroptotic cell death in AML cells. Our findings provide further support to the role of rewired metabolism in AML therapy resistance, unveil a novel connection between two apparently independent metabolic pathways and support further efforts to achieve eradication of therapy-resistant AML cells by sensitizing them to ferroptotic cell death.
The Vibrio cholerae Seventh Pandemic islands act in tandem to defend against a circulating phage
Authors: O’Hara Brendan J , Alam Munirul , Ng Wai-Leung
Published: May 2022

The current circulating pandemic El Tor biotype of Vibrio cholerae has persisted for over sixty years and is characterized by its acquisition of two unique genomic islands called the Vibrio Seventh Pandemic Islands 1 and 2 (VSP-I and VSP-II). However, the functions of most of the genes on VSP-I and VSP-II are unknown and the advantages realized by El Tor through these two islands are not clear. Recent studies have broadly implicated these two mobile genetic elements with phage defense. Still, protection against phage infection through these islands has not been observed directly in any V. cholerae El Tor biotype. Here we report the isolation of a circulating phage from a cholera patient stool sample and demonstrate that propagation of this phage in its native host is inhibited by elements in both VSP-I and VSP-II, providing direct evidence for the role of these genomic islands in phage defense. Moreover, we show that these defense systems are regulated by quorum sensing and active only at certain cell density. Finally, we have isolated a naturally occurring phage variant that is resistant to the defense conferred by the VSP islands, illustrating the countermeasures used by phages to evade these defense mechanisms. Together, this work demonstrates a functional role for the VSPs in V. cholerae and highlights the key regulatory and mechanistic insights that can be gained by studying anti-phage systems in their native contexts.

SIGNIFICANCE (AUTHOR SUMMARY)

The current pandemic strain of Vibrio cholerae carries two unique genomic islands. How these two islands confer evolutionary advantage to the pathogen is unknown. We show here the identification of a circulating phage that is sensitive to the defense systems present on these two islands and demonstrate how phage variants can evade these defenses. Our studies provide the first direct evidence showing the importance of these genomic islands in defending against phage in their native environments; and in doing so provide novel insight into the mechanisms of these highly conserved defense elements.
Ultrastructure Expansion Microscopy reveals the nanoscale cellular architecture of budding and fission yeast
Authors: Hinterndorfer Kerstin , Laporte Marine. H. , Mikus Felix , Petrozzi Lucas Tafur , Bourgoint Clélia , Prouteau Manoel , Dey Gautam , Loewith Robbie , Guichard Paul , Hamel Virginie
Published: May 2022

The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe have served as invaluable model organisms to study various fundamental and highly conserved cellular processes. While super-resolution (SR) microscopy has in recent years paved the way to a better understanding of the spatial organization of molecules in cells, its wide use in yeast models has remained limited due to the specific know-how and specialized instrumentation required, contrasted with the relative ease of endogenous tagging and live cell fluorescence microscopy in these systems. To facilitate SR microscopy in yeasts, we have extended the ultrastructure expansion microscopy (U-ExM) method to both S. cerevisiae and S. pombe, enabling 4-fold isotropic expansion in both systems. We demonstrate here that U-ExM allows the nanoscale imaging of the microtubule cytoskeleton and its associated spindle pole body (SPB), notably unveiling a conserved Sfi1p/Cdc31p spatial organization on the appendage bridge structure. In S. pombe, we validate the method by quantifying the homeostatic regulation of nuclear pore complex (NPC) number through the cell cycle. Combined with pan-labelling (NHS ester), which provides a global cellular context, U-ExM unveils the subcellular organization of the eukaryote yeast models S. cerevisiae and S. pombe. This easy-to-implement imaging with conventional microscopes provides nanoscale resolution and adds a powerful new method to the already extensive yeast toolbox.
Engineered Riboswitch Nano-carriers as a Possible Disease-Modifying Treatment for Metabolic Disorders
Authors: Zilberzwige-Tal Shai , Gazit Danielle , Adsi Hanaa , Gartner Myra , Behl Rahat , Bar-Yosef Dana Laor , Gazit Ehud
Published: May 2022

Both DNA- and RNA-based nanotechnologies are remarkably useful for in vitro molecular-scale device engineering and are applied in a vast array of applications. However, while the function of nucleic acid nanostructures is robust under in vitro settings, their implementation in real-world conditions requires overcoming their inherent degradation sensitivity and subsequent loss of function. Viruses are minimalistic yet sophisticated supramolecular assemblies, able to protect their nucleic acid content in inhospitable biological environments. Inspired by this natural ability, we engineered RNA-virus-like particles (VLPs) nanocarriers (NCs). We showed that the VLPs can serve as an excellent protective shell against nuclease-mediated degradation. We then harnessed biological recognition elements and demonstrated how engineered riboswitch NCs can act as a possible disease-modifying treatment for genetic metabolic disorders. The functional riboswitch is capable of selectively and specifically binding metabolites and preventing their self-assembly process and its downstream effects. When applying the riboswitch nano-carriers to an in vivo yeast model of adenine accumulation and self-assembly, significant inhibition of the sensitivity to adenine feeding was observed. In addition, using an amyloid-specific dye, we proved the riboswitch nano-carriers ability to reduce the level of intracellular amyloid-like cytotoxic structures. The potential of this RNA therapeutic technology does not stop at metabolic disorders, as it can be easily fine-tuned to be applied to other conditions and diseases.
Foxe1 orchestrates thyroid and lung cell lineage divergence in mouse stem cell-derived organoids
Authors: Fonseca Barbara F. , Barbée Cindy , Romitti Mirian , Eski Sema Elif , Gillotay Pierre , Monteyne Daniel , Morga David Perez , Refetoff Samuel , Singh Sumeet Pal , Costagliola Sabine
Published: May 2022

Patterning of endoderm into lung and thyroid lineages depends upon a correct early expression of a homeobox domain-containing transcription factor, Nkx2-1. However, the gene networks distinguishing the differentiation of those lineages remain largely unknown. In the present work, by using mouse embryonic stem cell lines, single-cell RNA sequencing, and transcriptomic and chromatin accessibility profiling, we show that knockout of Foxe1 drastically impairs Nkx2-1+ cells differentiation and maturation into thyroid follicular-like cells. Concomitantly, a subset of Foxe1 null/Nkx2-1+ cells have a remarkable ability in vitro to undergo a lung epithelial differentiation program and form lung-like organoids harboring cells transcriptionally similar with mouse fetal airway and alveolar cell types. These results demonstrate, for the first time, lung lineage derivation at the expense of thyroid lineage, by a simple removal of a transcription factor, and provide insights into the intricated mechanisms of fate decisions of endodermal cell types.

Highlights

- Forward programming of mESCs with transient Nkx2-1 and Pax8 overexpression, followed by c-AMP treatment, leads to differentiation of functional thyroid follicles in vitro;

- In absence of Foxe1, thyroid follicle-like structures, derived from mESCs, are scarce and non-functional;

- Concomitantly, a subset of Nkx2-1-expressing cells generated from Foxe1KO mESCs spontaneously form lung organoids containing multiple differentiated lung cell types;

- ATACseq analyses show higher chromatin remodeling in Nkx2-1-expressing cells in control compared to Foxe1KO cells, especially for genes involved in thyroid maturation and maintenance of the 3D structure of the follicle.
Plyometric training enhances strength and precision of the finger movements in pianists
Authors: Muramatsu Kaito , Oku Takanori , Furuya Shinichi
Published: May 2022

Stability of timing and force production in repetitive movements characterizes skillful motor behaviors such as surgery and playing musical instruments. However, even trained individuals such as musicians undergo further extensive training for the improvement of these skills. Previous studies that investigated the lower extremity movements such as jumping and sprinting demonstrated enhancement of the maximum force and rate of force development immediately after the plyometric exercises. However, it remains unknown whether the plyometric exercises enhance the stability of timing and force production of the dexterous finger movements in trained individuals. Here we address this issue by examining the effects of plyometric-like training specialized for finger movements on piano performance by well-trained pianists. The training demonstrated a decrease of the variation in timing and velocity of successive keystrokes, along with a concomitant increase in the rate of force development of the four fingers, but not the thumb, although there was no change in the finger muscular activities through the training. By contrast, such a training effect was not evident following a conventional repetitive piano practice. In addition, a significant increase in the forearm muscle temperature was observed specifically through performing the plyometric exercise with the fingers, implying its association with improved performance. These results indicate effectiveness of the plyometric exercises for improvement of strength, precision, and physiological efficiency of the finger movements even in expert pianists, which implicates a role of ways of practicing in enhancing experts’ expertise.
Brain-wide imaging of an adult vertebrate with image transfer oblique plane microscopy
Authors: Hoffmann Maximilian , Henninger Jörg , Richter Lars , Judkewitz Benjamin
Published: May 2022

Optical imaging is a powerful tool to visualise and measure neuronal activity. However, due to the size and opacity of vertebrate brains it has until now been impossible to simultaneously image neuronal circuits at cellular resolution across the entire adult brain. This is true even for the smallest known vertebrate brain in the teleost Danionella, which is still too large for existing volumetric imaging approaches. Here we introduce image transfer oblique plane microscopy, which uses a new optical refocusing solution via a custom fibre-optical faceplate, enabling a large field-of-view of up to 4 mm3 at a volume rate of 1 Hz. We demonstrate the power of this method with the first brain-wide recording of neuronal activity in an adult vertebrate.
Late-onset glaucoma in Yap conditional knockout mouse
Authors: Bitard Juliette , Grellier Elodie-Kim , Lourdel Sophie , Filipe Helena Prior , Hamon Annaïg , Fenaille François , Castelli Florence Anne , Chu-Van Emeline , E. Roger Jérôme , Locker Morgane , Perron Muriel
Published: May 2022

Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy often referred to as “the silent thief of sight”, due to its late diagnosis, which is generally made when degeneration of the optic nerve and retinal ganglion cells is already well under way. It is thus of utmost importance to have a better understanding of the disease, and to investigate more deeply the early causes of glaucoma. The transcriptional coactivator YAP recently emerged as an important regulator of eye homeostasis and is drawing attention in the glaucoma research field. Here we show that Yap conditional knockout mice (Yap cKO), in which the deletion of Yap is induced in both Müller glia (i.e. the only retinal YAP-expressing cells) and the non-pigmented epithelial cells of the ciliary body, exhibit breakdown of the aqueous-blood barrier accompanied by progressive collapse of the ciliary body as we observed in human uveitic patients. In addition, aged Yap cKO mice harbor glaucoma features, including alteration of glutamate recycling, deregulation of key homeostatic Müller-derived proteins, retinal vascular defects, optic nerve degeneration, and retinal ganglion cell death. Together, our findings reveal the essential role of YAP in preserving the ciliary body and the retinal ganglion cells, thereby preventing the onset of glaucoma features.
Inactivation of Vascular Stem Cells Suppresses Intimal Hyperplasia in Vein Grafts
Authors: Wu Weiwei , Zang Huimei , Qi Lei , Nagarkatti Mitzi , Nagarkatti Prakash , Sánez-Garcia Isidro , Weiser-Evans Mary C.M , Cui Taixing
Published: May 2022

Chronic vein graft (VG) failure (VGF) is associated with VG intimal hyperplasia characterized by abnormal proliferation and accumulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), which are derived predominantly from pre-existing vascular SMCs via a process of vascular SMC dedifferentiation.1 Therapeutic approaches focused on vascular SMCs, however, have not changed chronic VGF rates,2 indicating additional and yet unrecognized causes of chronic VGF. Herein, we uncover a novel diagram in which after transplantation, recipient vascular stem cells (VSCs) expressing Sca1 are activated and accumulated in the adventitia of VGs, and they do not differentiate into SMCs but promote intimal hyperplasia via paracrine enforcement of medial SMC dedifferentiation into synthetic SMCs in VGs, suggesting that VSCs may be a novel target for the treatment of chronic VGF.
Mindin differentially regulates fibroblast subpopulations via distinct members of the Src family kinases during fibrogenesis
Authors: Kataria Sunny , Rana Isha , Badarinath Krithika , Zaarour Rania F , Kansagara Gaurav , Zirmire Ravindra K , Dam Binita , Kumar Pankaj , Gulyani Akash , Jamora Colin
Published: May 2022

Fibrosis is the result of excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins leading to tissue hardening and loss of organ function. A central player driving fibrosis is the activated fibroblast, which exhibits enhanced migration, proliferation, contraction, and ECM production. However, this raises an interesting puzzle of whether the same fibroblast performs all of the processes that fall under the umbrella term of “activation”. Given the heterogeneity of fibroblasts in connective tissues, there are subpopulations of fibroblasts that perform specific functions that are under different regulatory controls. Using a transgenic mouse model of skin fibrosis, we find that the secretion of Mindin from Snail transgenic keratinocytes differentially alters the characteristic of distinct fibroblast subpopulations. Mindin induces migration and inflammatory gene expression of the Sca1+ subpopulation of dermal fibroblasts in a Fyn kinase-dependent manner. On the other hand, Mindin increases the contractile behaviour and collagen production in the papillary CD26+ dermal fibroblasts via c-Src. Moreover, in the context of the fibrotic microenvironment of the tumour stroma, we found that differential responses of resident fibroblasts subpopulations to Mindin extend to the generation of functionally heterogeneous cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Overall, this work highlights the importance of Mindin in mediating the cellular and signalling heterogeneity of dermal fibroblasts in skin fibrosis and cancer.
Towards performing high-resolution inelastic X-ray scattering measurements at hard X-ray free-electron lasers coupled with energetic laser drivers
Authors: Descamps A. , Ofori-Okai B. K. , Baldwin J. K. , Chen Z. , Fletcher L. B. , Glenzer S. H. , Hartley N. J. , Hasting J. B. , Khaghani D. , Mo M. , Nagler B. , Recoules V. , Redmer R. , Schörner M. , Sun P. , Wang Y. Q. , White T. G. , McBride E. E.
Published: May 2022

High-resolution inelastic X-ray scattering is an established technique in the synchrotron community, used to investigate collective low-frequency responses of materials. When fielded at hard X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) and combined with high-intensity laser drivers, it becomes a promising technique for investigating matter at high temperatures and high pressures. This technique gives access to important thermodynamic properties of matter at extreme conditions, such as temperature, material sound speed, and viscosity. The successful realization of this method requires the acquisition of many identical laser-pump/X-ray-probe shots, allowing the collection of a sufficient number of photons necessary to perform quantitative analyses. Here, a 2.5-fold improvement in the energy resolution of the instrument relative to previous works at the Matter in Extreme Conditions (MEC) endstation, Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), and the High Energy Density (HED) instrument, European XFEL, is presented. Some aspects of the experimental design that are essential for improving the number of photons detected in each X-ray shot, making such measurements feasible, are discussed. A careful choice of the energy resolution, the X-ray beam mode provided by the XFEL, and the position of the analysers used in such experiments can provide a more than ten-fold improvement in the photometrics. The discussion is supported by experimental data on 10 µm-thick iron and 50 nm-thick gold samples collected at the MEC endstation at the LCLS, and by complementary ray-tracing simulations coupled with thermal diffuse scattering calculations.
Social marketing, social media and eudaimonic well-being: a qualitative exploration
Authors: Abuhussein Tala , Magatef Sima
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This research considers the role of social media platforms and their impact on individuals' eudaimonic well-being, and aims to help develop a social marketing programme in the future that would enable students in Jordanian universities to flourish, by focussing on their social media drivers and overcoming their challenges in an attempt to improve their psychological well-being (PWB).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used qualitative research examining lived experiences and behaviours around social media use. The authors conducted 39 semi-structured interviews with students at various universities across Jordan, alongside an online survey with open-ended questions, which were based on six PWB dimensions: environmental mastery, personal growth, purpose in life, self-acceptance, autonomy and positive relationships with others.

Findings

Social media use and advertising were found to positively impact students' self-acceptance and relationships with others but to negatively impact their autonomy. They were found to have different impacts on students' sense of purpose in life and personal growth, depending on the content shared on their platforms.

Originality/value

The ethical debate surrounding social media amongst students indicates that such social marketing programmes might stimulate individuals' sense of control over their environment, encourage openness to new experiences, and give their lives a beneficial direction. The study makes recommendations for the creation of an evidence-based social marketing programme that is extrinsically focussed on increasing resilience, creating an audience persona and building awareness of PWB.
Evaluating the global research productivity on domestic violence: a bibliometric visualisation analysis
Authors: Trivedi Dharmendra , Majumder Navaneeta , Pandya Mayuri , Bhatt Atul , Chaudhari Shanti P.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to explore the bibliometric features of scientific publications in the area of domestic violence (an important global social problem) for the period 2011–2020; thus, enabling the scientific community to understand the research progress on the topic.

Design/methodology/approach

The data of the scientific publications were retrieved from the Scopus database. The keyword “Domestic Violence” was applied as a topic term to search articles published during the study period. The statistical analysis was conducted by using the RStudio and VOSviewer tools along with MS Excel.

Findings

A total of 11,899 scientific works were published during the study period. The annual percentage growth of publication in the area of domestic violence in the study period is 74.97%. The majority of the papers (74.72%) were published as journal articles. USA and UK have the highest numbers of scientific publications and citations. Together they account for more than half of the publications (58.38%) and citations (67 per pub). However, the highest average citation per publication has been recorded by Switzerland (34 per pub). Feder G. (UK) is the most cited author, and the Journal of Interpersonal Violence (Sage publications) has the highest number of publications, citations and source title impact ratio in the domain of domestic violence.

Practical implications

One can find numerous bibliometric studies in the domain of natural science, but not many studies have been conducted in the field of social sciences. In this light, the scientific community can gain from the bibliometric information regarding the scientific publications in the area of domestic violence, which is one of the dominant areas of study in social sciences.

Originality/value

The study will provide significant information on the trends of academic publications in the study area. It is one of the most comprehensive studies on domestic violence, which will aid the potential researchers in identifying the most prominent contributions, county-wise research distribution, author and journal productivity and other related indicators. The findings of the study will be also helpful to library authorities in reviewing and updating collection development policy.
Evaluation of Fay and Riddell formula under hypersonic flight conditions
Authors: Lee Sanghoon , Yang Yosheph , Kim Jae Gang
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The Fay and Riddell (F–R) formula is an empirical equation for estimating the stagnation-point heat flux on noncatalytic and fully catalytic surfaces, based on an assumption of equilibrium. Because of its simplicity, the F–R has been used extensively for reentry flight design as well as ground test facility applications. This study aims to investigate the uncertainties of the F-R formula by considering velocity gradient, chemical species at the boundary layer edge, and the thermochemical nonequilibrium (NEQ) behind the shock layer under various hypersonic NEQ flow environments.

Design/methodology/approach

The stagnation-point heat flux calculated with the F–R formula was evaluated by comparison with thermochemical NEQ calculations and existing flight experimental values.

Findings

The comparisons showed that the F–R underestimated the noncatalytic heat flux, because of the chemical composition at the surface. However, for fully catalytic heat flux, the F–R results were similar to values of surface heat flux from thermochemical NEQ calculations, because the F–R formula overestimates the diffusive heat flux. When compared with the surface heat flux results obtained from flight experimental data, the F–R overestimated the fully catalytic heat flux. The error was 50% at most.

Originality/value

The results provided guidelines for the F–R calculations under hypersonic flight conditions and for determining the approximate error range for noncatalytic and fully catalytic surfaces.
Temporary housing site selection in Soffeh Mountain, District 5 of Isfahan, Iran
Authors: Hosseini Sabzevari Sayed Arash , Mottaki Zoheir , Hassani Atoosa , Zandiyeh Somayeh , Aslani Fereshteh
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Finding an appropriate place for temporary housing after an earthquake is one of the main challenges of disaster risk management, especially in developing countries. Therefore, it is necessary to create pre-disaster location plans for the homeless population. This study aims to systematically find safe places and select suitable sites according to influential factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology used is a descriptive–analytical method. A field survey with a quantitative–qualitative approach is applied to recognize physical vulnerabilities and select suitable sites for temporary settlements. Due to the occurrence of several earthquakes in recent decades around the city of Isfahan, Iran, this area has been studied. Fuzzy analytic hierarchy process, geographic information system and rapid visual screening have been used for data analysis.

Findings

According to the site selection and vulnerability criteria and their prioritization, the findings indicate that 60% of the study area is vulnerable. Moreover, vacant lots, stadiums and public green spaces that can be used as multi-purpose sites are the most appropriate options for the temporary settlement.

Practical implications

The research criteria are generalizable and can be used for decision-making, concerning urban fabric vulnerability and site selection of temporary housing in cities exposed to earthquake risk.

Originality/value

Cultural features, accessibility, land conditions, the slope and type of land, availability and construction materials were addressed in locating temporary settlements. In addition to vacant lots and open spaces, safe buildings were also identified for temporary housing, and religious minorities and similar communities were considered.
What is a smart office environment? An exploratory study from a user perspective
Authors: Tuzcuoğlu Deniz , de Vries Bauke , Yang Dujuan , Sungur Aslı
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the meaning of smart office environments from a user perspective by investigating user preferences and expectations.

Design/methodology/approach

Eleven semi-structured interviews with the users after moving into a smart office building of a Dutch Municipality and an observation as complementary data were conducted. The data were analysed based on the grounded theory and thematic analysis, combining a reflexive approach to the literature review.

Findings

Two main themes were revealed addressing user expectations and preferences for smart office environments: “enhanced interaction” with the social and physical office environment and “sense-making” of the smart concept (or smartness). Within these themes, basic and smart office aspects were identified and classified based on their association with smart office concepts or technology.

Practical implications

The findings reveal the meaning of the smart office concepts from a user perspective by highlighting the importance of user experience on enhanced interaction and sense-making of the smart office concept, equipped with basic and smart aspects.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to qualitatively examine drivers underlying the meaning of smart office concepts from a user point of view. Organisations, environmental psychologists, designers and managers can use the findings of this study to develop guidelines for a successful smart office design.
Assessing the digitalisation level of the Tanzanian apparel industry: Industry 4.0 perspectives
Authors: Nhelekwa Lucas B. , Mollel Joshua Z. , Taifa Ismail W.R.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Industry 4.0 has an inimitable potential to create competitive advantages for the apparel industry by enhancing productivity, production, profitability, efficiency and effectiveness. This study, thus, aims to assess the digitalisation level of the Tanzanian apparel industry through the Industry 4.0 perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods-based approach was deployed. This study deployed semi-structured interviews, document review and observation methods for the qualitative approach. For the quantitative approach, closed-ended questionnaires were used to ascertain the digitalisation levels and maturity level of the textiles and apparel (T&A) factories and small and medium-sized textile enterprises in Tanzania. The sample size was 110, with participants engaged through the purposive sampling technique.

Findings

Industry 4.0 frameworks evolved into practices mainly since 2011 in several service and manufacturing industries globally. For Tanzania, the findings indicate that the overall maturity level of the T&A industries is 2.5 out of 5.0, demonstrating a medium level of adoption. Thus, the apparel industries are not operating under the industry 4.0 framework; they are operating within the third industrial revolution – Industry 3.0 – framework. For such industries to operate within the fourth industrial revolution – Industry 4.0 – that is only possible if there is significantly well-developed industrial infrastructure, availability of engineering talent, stable commercial partnerships, demand from the marketplace and transactional relationship with customers.

Research limitations/implications

This study’s limitations include: firstly, Industry 4.0 is an emerging area; this resulted in limited theoretical underpinnings in the Tanzanian perspectives. Secondly, the studied industries may not suffice the need to generalise the findings for the entire country, thus needing another study.

Originality/value

Although Industry 4.0 conceptual frameworks have been on trial in several industries since 2011, this is amongst the first empirical research on Industry 4.0 in the Tanzanian apparel industry that assesses the digitalisation levels.
The state of digital records preservation in South Africa’s public sector in the 21st century: a literature review
Authors: Matlala Mpubane Emanuel , Ncube Thandukwazi Richman , Parbanath Steven
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to assess the status of the digital records preservation practices in the South African public sector at the national department level. It set out to establish to what extent digital preservation policies have been implemented in South Africa’s public sector, to determine the related skills and competency of public sector staff, and to make any necessary recommendations of the basis of the results.

Design/methodology/approach

A content review of Southern Africa literature dealing with the preservation of digital records, its importance and related factors over the past 20 years was conducted.

Findings

The current state of preservation of South African digital records suggests serious consequences of existing knowledge and training gaps. Addressing those gaps may provide the knowledge needed to support new ways of working. Records management professionals in the South African public sector at the national department level are currently ill-equipped to adequately preserve digital records. This complicates the application of tools offered by the information and communication technologies that have resulted in increased creation of digital records.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to only the public sector of South Africa.

Practical implications

The study makes practical implications concerning the policy framework for improving the state of digital preservation in South Africa so as to ensure long-term preservation of digital records. For instance, government departments are recommended to formulate and implement in-house policy frameworks, guidelines and plans that address digital preservation of records.

Social implications

Sufficient funding and resource allocation ought to be provided to advance electronic records management programmes. In addition, the formulation of proper strategies needed to preserve digital records should incorporate technological tools and media software in the existing operations for the creation, capturing, appraising and preserving of digital records.

Originality/value

This study offers informed recommendations to address the challenges of preserving digital records in South Africa so that future losses may be avoided and allow readers to see changes over the 20-year period.
Development of efficiency analysis for I-beam steel section with web opening via numerical method
Authors: De´nan Fatimah , Hashim Nor Salwani , Mahinder Singh Amarpreet Kaur
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Due to the enormous increase in economic development, structural steel material gives an advantage for the construction of stadiums, factories, bridges and cities building design. The purpose of this study is to investigate the behaviour of bending, buckling and torsion for I-beam steel section with and without web opening using non-linear finite element analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The control model was simulated via LUSAS software with the four main parameters which included opening size, layout, shape and orientation. The analysis used a constant beam span which is 3.5 m while the edge distance from the centre of the opening to the edge of the beam is kept constant at 250 mm at each end.

Findings

The analysis results show that the optimum opening size obtained is 0.65 D while optimum layout of opening is Layout 1 with nine web openings. Under bending behaviour, steel section with octagon shapes of web opening shows the highest yield load, yield moment and thus highest structural efficiency as compared to other shapes of openings. Besides, square shape of web opening has the highest structural efficiency under buckling behaviour. The lower buckling load and buckling moment contribute to the higher structural efficiency.

Originality/value

Further, the square web opening with counter clockwise has the highest structural efficiency under torsion behaviour.
Relation of leaf terpene contents to terpene emission profiles in Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)
Authors: Saito Takuya , Kusumoto Norihisa , Hiura Tsutom
Published: May 2022

Plants protect themselves against various stresses by using volatile terpenes, which are also key precursors of climate‐relevant constituents in the atmosphere. Conifers store terpenes in storage pools, which serve as emission sources. However, how leaf terpene contents influence the quantity and composition of emissions is uncertain. Here, we examined whether they explain the profile of terpene emissions by using the measurements of 6 monoterpenes and 2 diterpenes stored in and emitted from the same branches of 10 local populations in Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), a common conifer in Japan. We estimated partial pressures of terpenes from leaf terpene contents by using a thermodynamic algorithm. The estimates correlated well with emissions of monoterpenes, suggesting the release of monoterpenes from the storage pools. High tree‐to‐tree variations in emissions of individual terpenes did not correlate with variations in concentrations of corresponding terpenes in leaves. Diterpenes (ent‐kaurene and phyllocladene) were emitted in most cases when individual trees held corresponding diterpenes, suggesting a linkage between emissions and storage pools, but the emissions were not explained by the algorithm owing to their low vapor pressure.
Never ‘one‐size‐fits‐all’: Mick Marchington's unique voice on voice, from micro‐level informality to macro‐level turbulence
Authors: Budd John W. , Johnstone Stewart , Lamare J. Ryan
Published: May 2022

Mick Marchington's contributions to employee voice, participation, and involvement are broad and deep. This scholarship is consistently distinguished by a rejection of ‘one‐size‐fits‐all’ approaches in favour of complex, multi‐layered understandings. We reflect on some of Marchington's key contributions to employee voice, participation, and involvement, with an emphasis on the importance of internal actors who are conditioned by diverse internal and external influences. We also illustrate the lasting importance of this approach by applying it to the COVID‐19 health crisis currently unfolding.
Accuracy of electronic apex locators using heat‐treatedNi‐Tifile
Authors: Heo Kang‐Young , Hwang Ho‐Keel , Jo Hyoung‐Hoon
Published: May 2022

This study investigated the accuracy of two electronic apex locators (DentaPort and Bingo) using heat‐treated nickel‐titanium files. The true root canal length of 30 single‐rooted teeth was determined using K files. Next, the electronically measured length was determined using two nickel‐titanium files (ProGlider and HyFlex EDM Glide Path File) with two electronic apex locators at the ‘APEX’ marks. The accuracy of the electronic apex locator was evaluated by comparing the true root canal length and electronically measured length for each measurement. There was no significant difference between the measurements with two nickel‐titanium files, and all differences between true root canal length and electronically measured length were within ±0.5 mm regardless of the type of nickel‐titanium files or electronic apex locators. Based on the results, the heat treatment of the nickel‐titanium files showed no adverse effects on the working length determination using electronic apex locators.