bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Late-Stage Parkinson’s Disease in the US Health Care System: Insights from TriNetX
Authors: De Jesus Sol , Daya Annika , Blumberger Liba , Lewis Mechelle M. , Leslie Doug , Tabbal Samer D. , Dokholyan Rachel , Snyder Amanda M. , Mailman Richard B. , Huang Xuemei
Published: January 2024

Background

Patients in late-stage Parkinson’s disease (PDLS) are caregiver dependent, have low quality of life, and higher health care costs.

Objective

To estimate the prevalence of PDLSpatients in the current United States (US) health care system.

Methods

We downloaded the 2010-2022 data from the TriNetX Diamond claims network that consists of 92 USA health care sites. PD was identified using standard diagnosis codes, and PDLSwas identified by the usage of wheelchair dependence, personal care assistance and/or presence of diagnoses of dementia. Age of PDLSidentification, and survival information are obtained and stratified by demographic and the disability subgroups.

Results

We identified 1,031,377 PD patients in the TriNetX database. Of these, 18.8% fit our definition of PDLS(n=194,297), and 10.2% met two or more late-stage criteria. Among all PDLS, the mean age of PDLSidentification was 78.1 (±7.7), and 49% were already reported as deceased. PDLSpatients were predominantly male (58.5%), with similar distribution across PDLSsubgroups. The majority did not have race (71%) or ethnicity (69%) information, but for the available information, >90% (n=53,162) were white, 8.2% (n=5,121) Hispanic/Latino, 7.8% (n=4,557) black, and <0.01% (n=408) Asian. Of the PDLScohort, 71.6% identified with dementia, 12.9% had personal care assistance, and 4.8% were wheelchair bound.

Conclusions

Late-stage patients are a significant part of PD landscape in the current US healthcare system, and largely missed by traditional motor-based disability staging. It is imperative to include this population as a clinical, social, and research priority.
Estimating the impact of transfluthrin-treated eave ribbons, Suna traps and their combination on malaria case incidence, based on semi-field and field data
Authors: Denz Adrian , Njoroge Margaret M. , Tambwe Mgeni M. , Kamber Lars , Cavelan Aurélien , Smith Thomas A. , van Loon Joop J.A. , Hiscox Alexandra , Saddler Adam , Fillinger Ulrike , Moore Sarah J. , Chitnis Nakul
Published: January 2024

Global malaria incidence has been reduced drastically since the year 2000, primarily due to the widespread use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), which kill the bloodfeedingAnophelesmosquitoes vectoring the disease in addition to protecting individuals sleeping under them from bites. However, progress has stalled since the mid-2010s and malaria continues to kill more than half a million people globally each year. New, complementary vector control tools are needed to further reduce the residual malaria transmission and face a potential decline in ITN effectiveness due to insecticide resistance. Transfluthrin-treated eave ribbons are a promising spatial repellent to protect people when they are in or around the house but not under an ITN, while the odour-baited Suna trap may present an insecticide-free means of killing mosquitoes. In previous semi-field and field studies, we assessed the effect of the eave ribbon, the Suna trap and the combined push-pull system on mosquito-human contact and mosquito mortality. Here, we combine this evidence and predict the malaria case incidence reduction if these interventions were deployed at a large scale in two East African transmission settings under full uncertainty quantification by use of a stochastic, individual-based simulation platform of malaria epidemiology. Our simulations suggest that the transfluthrin-treated eave ribbon may substantially reduce malaria case incidence in settings with low-transmission or with low ITN use, especially in regions whereAnopheles funestusdominates among malaria vectors and primarily uses human hosts. However, by diverting mosquitoes from indoor to outdoor host-search, the eave ribbon may reduce the community-protective killing effect of ITNs. In addition, people neither protected by an ITN nor the eave ribbon may experience an increase in malaria incidence at high but imperfect coverage with the eave ribbon. The Suna trap only showed a marginal effect on case incidence and the effect of the combined push-pull system was similar to the effect of the eave ribbon alone. Hence, the eave ribbon appears to be a promising tool in settings difficult to reach with ITNs, such as migrant agricultural workers, but deployment alongside ITNs needs to be planned with care, and ensuring the highest possible use of ITNs remains crucial.
Trade-off Between Resistance and Persistence in High Cell DensityEscherichia ColiCultures
Authors: Beulig F. , Bafna-Rührer J. , Jensen P.E. , Kim S.H. , Patel A. , Kandasamy V. , Steffen C. S. , Decker K. , Zielinski D.C. , Yang L. , Özdemir E. , Sudarsan S. , Palsson B.O.
Published: January 2024

Microbes experience high cell density in many environments that come with diverse resource limitations and stresses. However, high density physiology remains poorly understood. We utilized well-controlled culturing systems to grow wild-type and metabolically engineeredEscherichia colistrains into high cell densities (50–80 g Cdry cell weightL-1) and determine the associated transcriptional dynamics. Knowledge-enriched machine-learning-based analytics reveal distinct stress-related gene expression patterns that are consistent with a fundamental trade-off between resistance and persistence. We suggest that this trade-off explains observed growth arrests in high-density cultures and that it results from the disruption of cellular homeostasis, due to reallocation of limited cellular resources from resistance functions towards maintenance requirements of engineered production pathways. This study deepens our understanding of high-density physiology and demonstrates its importance to fundamental biomanufacturing challenges.
Ataxia Telangiectasia patient-derived neuronal and brain organoid models reveal mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress
Authors: Leeson Hannah C , Aguado Julio , Gómez-Inclán Cecilia , Chaggar Harman Kaur , Taherian Fard Atefah , Hunter Zoe , Lavin Martin F , Mackay-Sim Alan , Wolvetang Ernst J
Published: January 2024

Ataxia Telangiectasia (AT) is a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in theATMgene and is characterized by oxidative stress, premature ageing, and progressive neurodegeneration of the cerebellum. The molecular mechanisms driving the neurological defects AT remain unclear, mainly due to lack of human neuronal models. Here, we use AT patient-derived pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and iPSC-derived neurons and brain organoids to comprehensively explore mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and senescence phenotypes. We identified mislocalisation of mitochondria, a prevailing reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased oxidative stress in AT patient-derived iPSC and neuronal cultures that was restored by ATM gene correction. Cortical brain organoids from AT patients also display extensive oxidative stress, increased levels of senescence, and impaired neuronal function that could be counteracted with antioxidant treatment. Transcriptomic analysis identified disruptions in regulatory networks related to mitochondrial function and maintenance, including alterations in the PARP/SIRT signalling axis and dysregulation of key mitophagy and mitochondrial fission-fusion processes. Our study reveals that progressive mitochondrial dysfunction and aberrant ROS production are hallmarks of AT, and lead us to conclude that ATM is a master regulator of mitochondrial homeostasis.
Xylan inhibition of cellulase binding and processivity observed at single-molecule resolution
Authors: Zexer Nerya , Paradiso Alec , Nong Daguan , Haviland Zachary K. , Hancock William O. , Anderson Charles T.
Published: January 2024

Efficient cellulose degradation by cellulase enzymes is crucial for using lignocellulosic biomass in bioenergy production. In the cell wall of plants, cellulose is bound by lignin and hemicellulose, which are key factors contributing to the recalcitrance of plant biomass. These non-cellulosic cell wall components are known to interfere with the function of cellulolytic enzymes. While the effects of lignin have been studied extensively, the contribution of xylan, the major hemicellulose in the secondary cell walls of plants, is often overlooked. To study those effects, we generated model cell wall composites by growing bacterial cellulose supplemented with varying concentrations of purified xylan. We used single-molecule microscopy to image and track fluorescently labeledTrCel7A, a commonly used model cellulase, as it binds and hydrolyses cellulose in these synthetic composites. We found that minute amounts of xylan are sufficient to significantly inhibit the binding of Cel7A to cellulose. The inclusion of xylan also reduced considerably the proportion of moving enzyme molecules, without affecting their velocity and run length. We suggest that, when available at low concentrations, xylan thinly coats cellulose fibrils, and incorporates as continuous patches when available at higher concentrations. Non-productive binding of Cel7A to xylan was not found to be a major inhibition mechanism. Our results highlight the importance of targeting xylan removal during biomass processing and demonstrate the potential of using single-molecule imagining to study the activity and limitations of cellulolytic enzymes.

Graphical abstract
The CD74 inhibitor DRhQ improves cognition and mitochondrial function in 5xFAD mouse model of Aβ accumulation
Authors: Gladen-Kolarsky Noah , Neff Cody J. , Hack Wyatt , Brandes Mikah S. , Wiedrick Jack , Meza-Romero Roberto , Lockwood Denesa R. , Quinn Joseph F. , Offner Halina , Vandenbark Arthur A. , Gray Nora E.
Published: January 2024

Neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction are early events in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and contribute to neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment. Evidence suggests that the inflammatory axis mediated by macrophage migration inhibitory factory (MIF) binding to its receptor, CD74, plays an important role in many central nervous system (CNS) disorders like AD. Our group has developed DRhQ, a novel CD74 binding construct that competitively inhibits MIF binding, blocks T-cell and macrophage activation and migration into the CNS, enhances anti-inflammatory microglia cell numbers and reduces pro-inflammatory gene expression. Here we evaluate its effects in β-amyloid (Aβ) overexpressing mice. 5xFAD mice and their wild type littermates were treated with DRhQ (100 µg) or vehicle for 4 weeks. DRhQ improved cognition and cortical mitochondrial function in both male and female 5xFAD mice. Aβ plaque burden in 5xFAD animals were not robustly impacted by DRhQ treatment nor was microglial activation, although in the hippocampus there was some evidence of a reduction in female 5xFAD mice. Future studies are needed to confirm this possible sex-dependent response on microglial activation as well as to optimize the dose, and timing of DRhQ treatment and gain a better understanding of its mechanism of action.
Highly Contiguous Genome Assembly ofDrosophila prolongata- a Model for Evolution of Sexual Dimorphism and Male-specific Innovations
Authors: Luecke David , Luo Yige , Krzystek Halina , Jones Corbin , Kopp Artyom
Published: January 2024

Drosophila prolongatais a member of themelanogasterspecies group andrhopaloasubgroup native to the subtropical highlands of southeast Asia. This species exhibits an array of recently evolved male-specific morphological, physiological, and behavioral traits that distinguish it from its closest relatives, making it an attractive model for studying the evolution of sexual dimorphism and testing theories of sexual selection. The lack of genomic resources has impeded the dissection of the molecular basis of sex-specific development and behavior in this species. To address this, we assembled the genome ofD. prolongatausing long-read sequencing and Hi-C scaffolding, resulting in a highly complete and contiguous (scaffold N50 2.2Mb) genome assembly of 220Mb. The repetitive content of the genome is 24.6%, the plurality of which are LTR retrotransposons (33.2%). Annotations based on RNA-seq data and homology to related species revealed a total of 19,330 genes, of which 16,170 are protein-coding. The assembly includes 98.5% of Diptera BUSCO genes, including 93.8% present as a single copy. Despite some likely regional duplications, the completeness of this genome suggests that it can be readily used for gene expression, GWAS, and other genomic analyses.
GenomeMUSter mouse genetic variation service enables multitrait, multipopulation data integration and analysis
Authors: Ball Robyn L. , Bogue Molly A. , Liang Hongping , Srivastava Anuj , Ashbrook David G. , Lamoureux Anna , Gerring Matthew W. , Hatoum Alexander S. , Kim Matthew J. , He Hao , Emerson Jake , Berger Alexander K. , Walton David O. , Sheppard Keith , El Kassaby Baha , Castellanos Francisco , Kunde-Ramamoorthy Govindarajan , Lu Lu , Bluis John , Desai Sejal , Sundberg Beth A. , Peltz Gary , Fang Zhuoqing , Churchill Gary A. , Williams Robert W. , Agrawal Arpana , Bult Carol J. , Philip Vivek M. , Chesler Elissa J.
Published: January 2024

Hundreds of inbred mouse strains and intercross populations have been used to characterize the function of genetic variants that contribute to disease. Thousands of disease-relevant traits have been characterized in mice and made publicly available. New strains and populations including consomics, the collaborative cross, expanded BXD, and inbred wild-derived strains add to existing complex disease mouse models, mapping populations, and sensitized backgrounds for engineered mutations. The genome sequences of inbred strains, along with dense genotypes from others, enable integrated analysis of trait–variant associations across populations, but these analyses are hampered by the sparsity of genotypes available. Moreover, the data are not readily interoperable with other resources. To address these limitations, we created a uniformly dense variant resource by harmonizing multiple data sets. Missing genotypes were imputed using the Viterbi algorithm with a data-driven technique that incorporates local phylogenetic information, an approach that is extendable to other model organisms. The result is a web- and programmatically accessible data service called GenomeMUSter, comprising single-nucleotide variants covering 657 strains at 106.8 million segregating sites. Interoperation with phenotype databases, analytic tools, and other resources enable a wealth of applications, including multitrait, multipopulation meta-analysis. We show this in cross-species comparisons of type 2 diabetes and substance use disorder meta-analyses, leveraging mouse data to characterize the likely role of human variant effects in disease. Other applications include refinement of mapped loci and prioritization of strain backgrounds for disease modeling to further unlock extant mouse diversity for genetic and genomic studies in health and disease.
Thermodynamics and fractal dynamics of a nematic spin ice: A doubly frustrated pyrochlore Ising magnet
Authors: Hallén Jonathan N. , Castelnovo Claudio , Moessner Roderich
Published: January 2024

The Ising antiferromagnets on the triangular and on the pyrochlore lattices are two of the most iconic examples of magnetic frustration, paradigmatically illustrating many exotic properties such as emergent gauge fields, fractionalization, and topological order. In this paper, we show that the two instances of frustration can, remarkably, be combined in a single system, where they coexist without inducing conventional long-range ordering. Our results indicate that the system undergoes a first-order phase transition upon lowering the temperature, into a yet different frustrated phase that we characterize to exhibit nematic order. We argue that an extensive degeneracy survives down to zero temperature, at odds with a customary Pauling estimate. Dynamically, we find evidence of anomalous noise in the power spectral density, arising from an effectively fractal anisotropic motion of monopoles at low temperature.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Lattice QCD study of
πΣ−K¯N
scattering and the
Λ(1405)
resonance
Authors: Bulava John , Cid-Mora Bárbara , Hanlon Andrew D. , Hörz Ben , Mohler Daniel , Morningstar Colin , Moscoso Joseph , Nicholson Amy , Romero-López Fernando , Skinner Sarah , Walker-Loud André ,   Baryon Scattering (BaSc) Collaboration
Published: January 2024

A lattice QCD computation of the coupled channel πΣ–K¯N scattering amplitudes in the Λ(1405) region is detailed. Results are obtained using a single ensemble of gauge field configurations with Nf=2+1 dynamical quark flavors and mπ≈200  MeV and

m

K

≈

487

 

 

MeV

. Hermitian correlation matrices using both single baryon and meson-baryon interpolating operators for a variety of different total momenta and irreducible representations are used. Several parametrizations of the two-channel scattering K-matrix are utilized to obtain the scattering amplitudes from the finite-volume spectrum. The amplitudes, continued to the complex energy plane, exhibit a virtual bound state below the πΣ threshold and a resonance pole just below the K¯N threshold.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Calculation of
cSW
at one-loop order for Brillouin fermions
Authors: Ammer Maximilian , Dürr Stephan
Published: January 2024

The Brillouin action is a Wilson-like lattice fermion action with a 81-point stencil, which was found to ameliorate the Wilson action in many respects. The Sheikholeslami-Wohlert coefficient cSW of the clover improvement term has a perturbative expansion cSW=cSW(0)+g02cSW(1)+O(g04). At tree-level cSW(0)=r holds for Wilson and Brillouin fermions alike. We present the Feynman rules for the Brillouin action in lattice perturbation theory, and employ them to calculate the one-loop coefficient

c

SW

(

1

)

with plaquette or Lüscher-Weisz gluons. Numerically its value is found to be about half that of the Wilson action.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
First frequency-domain phenomenological model of the multipole asymmetry in gravitational-wave signals from binary-black-hole coalescence
Authors: Ghosh Shrobana , Kolitsidou Panagiota , Hannam Mark
Published: January 2024

Gravitational-wave signals from binaries that contain spinning black holes in general include an asymmetry between the +m and −m multipoles that is not included in most signal models used in LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA analysis to date. This asymmetry manifests itself in out-of-plane recoil of the final black hole and its inclusion in signal models is necessary both to measure this recoil, but also to accurately measure the full spin information of each black hole. We present the first model of the antisymmetric contribution to the dominant coprecessing-frame signal multipole throughout inspiral, merger, and ringdown. We model the antisymmetric contribution in the frequency domain, and take advantage of the approximations that the antisymmetric amplitude can be modeled as a ratio of the (already modeled) symmetric amplitude, and analytic relationships between the symmetric and antisymmetric phases during the inspiral and ringdown. The model is tuned to single-spin numerical-relativity simulations up to mass-ratio 8 and spin magnitudes of 0.8, and has been implemented in a recent phenomenological model for use in the fourth LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA observing run. However, the procedure described here can be easily applied to other time- or frequency-domain models.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Signatures of Dynamically Dressed States
Authors: Boos Katarina , Kim Sang Kyu , Bracht Thomas , Sbresny Friedrich , Kaspari Jan M. , Cygorek Moritz , Riedl Hubert , Bopp Frederik W. , Rauhaus William , Calcagno Carolin , Finley Jonathan J. , Reiter Doris E. , Müller Kai
Published: January 2024

The interaction of a resonant light field with a quantum two-level system is of key interest both for fundamental quantum optics and quantum technological applications employing resonant excitation. While emission under resonant continuous-wave excitation has been well studied, the more complex emission spectrum of dynamically dressed states—a quantum two-level system driven by resonant pulsed excitation—has so far been investigated in detail only theoretically. Here, we present the first experimental observation of the complete resonance fluorescence emission spectrum of a single quantum two-level system, in the form of an excitonic transition in a semiconductor quantum dot, driven by finite Gaussian pulses. We observe multiple emerging sidebands as predicted by theory, with an increase of their number and spectral detuning with excitation pulse intensity and a dependence of their spectral shape and intensity on the pulse length. Detuning-dependent measurements provide additional insights into the emission features. The experimental results are in excellent agreement with theoretical calculations of the emission spectra, corroborating our findings.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Gender equity in physics labs
Authors: Doucette Danny , Singh Chandralekha
Published: January 2024

[This paper is part of the Focused Collection on Instructional labs: Improving traditions and new directions.] This review article provides an overview of research on the topic of gender equity in educational physics labs. As many institutions and instructors seek to evolve or transform physics lab learning, it is important that changes are made that improve equity for all students along multiple axes of identity, including gender. The studies highlighted in this review article describe the existence of complex gender-based differences, e.g., in opportunities to tinker with lab equipment, as well as differences in grades, conceptual understanding, and motivational outcomes across a broad range of lab curricula and contexts. The studies also illustrate and explore social interactions and structures that can impact students’ experiences based on their gender identities. Although there has been less scholarship focused on proposals to reduce gender-based inequities in labs, this review article also provides an overview of some relevant proposals as well as associated research results. This overview of research on gender equity in physics labs helps to make clear that future scholarship on equity in physics labs should adopt gender frameworks that allow researchers to transcend binary gender identities and student deficit framing of research results. Likewise, a case is made that future research is needed on equity along other axes of identity, as well as research that accounts for the intersectionality of different identities, in the physics lab context.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Fragment-based screening targeting an open form of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease binding pocket
Authors: Huang Chia-Ying , Metz Alexander , Lange Roland , Artico Nadia , Potot Céline , Hazemann Julien , Müller Manon , Dos Santos Marina , Chambovey Alain , Ritz Daniel , Eris Deniz , Meyer Solange , Bourquin Geoffroy , Sharpe May , Mac Sweeney Aengus
Published: January 2024

To identify starting points for therapeutics targeting SARS-CoV-2, the Paul Scherrer Institute and Idorsia decided to collaboratively perform an X-ray crystallographic fragment screen against its main protease. Fragment-based screening was carried out using crystals with a pronounced open conformation of the substrate-binding pocket. Of 631 soaked fragments, a total of 29 hits bound either in the active site (24 hits), a remote binding pocket (three hits) or at crystal-packing interfaces (two hits). Notably, two fragments with a pose that was sterically incompatible with a more occluded crystal form were identified. Two isatin-based electrophilic fragments bound covalently to the catalytic cysteine residue. The structures also revealed a surprisingly strong influence of the crystal form on the binding pose of three published fragments used as positive controls, with implications for fragment screening by crystallography.
Patient, productivity, and quality representation in healthcare non-financial disclosure
Authors: Malmmose Margit , Skjøtt Linneberg Mai
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The objective of this study is to examine developments in the discursive practice of non-financial reporting in the public healthcare sector. In doing so, the authors investigate how the main reform foci of productivity and quality are represented, with a specific focus on the patient.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on critical discourse analysis (CDA), the authors conduct a longitudinal study (2007–2018) of healthcare reporting foci across the five administrative regions responsible for public hospitals in Denmark. The study analyses sixty annual reports and draws on contemporary reform documents over this period. CDA enables a micro-textual analysis, combined with macro-insights and discussions on social practice.

Findings

The findings show complex webs of presentation strategies, but in particular two changes occur during the period. First, the patient is centred throughout but the framing changes from productivity and waiting lists to quality and dialogue. Second, in the first years, the regions present themselves as actively highlighting financial and quality concerns, which changes to a passive and indirect form of presentation steered by indicators and patient legislation enforced by central government. This enhances passivity and distance in healthcare regional non-financial reporting where the regions seek to conform to such demands. Simultaneously, however, the authors find a tendency to highlight very different local initiatives, which shows an attempt to go beyond a pure automatic mode of reporting found in earlier studies.

Originality/value

Responding to the literature on both healthcare and financial reporting, this study identifies novel links between micro-level texts and macro-level social practices, enabling insights into the potentially intertwined impacts of public-sector reporting. The authors offer insights into the complexity of the construction of non-financial reporting in the public sector, which has a wider impact and different intentions than private-sector reporting.
Employee development and employee engagement: a review and integrated model
Authors: Kwon Kibum , Jeong Shinhee , Park Jiwon , Yoon Seung Won
Published: January 2024

Purpose

In response to the lack of connection between employee development and employee engagement, this study explores the existing empirical findings regarding these two concepts. Based on the conservation of resources theory, the authors propose a novel theoretical framework that can better leverage the identified antecedents and relationships for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrative literature review of 64 empirical studies published in peer-reviewed journals was conducted.

Findings

Three different levels of antecedents, including the work environment, social exchange and individual characteristics, are identified. Employee development and employee engagement exhibit reciprocal relationships. Considering the role of job performance as a catalyst, the authors propose an upward gain spiral model to advance both research and practice.

Originality/value

This integrative literature review aims to facilitate discussions based on three distinct sub-dimensions: physical, emotional and cognitive energies, relevant to both employee development and employee engagement. Through this distinction, a more comprehensive understanding of the connection between employee development and employee engagement can be cultivated.
Challenges to adopt digital construction technologies in the Jordanian construction industry
Authors: Alwashah Zaid , Sweis Ghaleb J. , Abu Hajar Husam , Abu-Khader Waleed , Sweis Rateb J.
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the challenges facing the construction industry practitioners toward adopting digital construction technologies in the Jordanian construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative methods were used by reviewing the related literature to include 16 challenges that face the Jordanian construction industry in adopting digital construction. A questionnaire was used to achieve the desired study objectives for 373 respondents from various institutions and companies. The questionnaire was analyzed with SPSS using statistical tests such as mean score, Kruskal–Wallis H test and factor analysis.

Findings

After collecting the quantitative data, the study showed that the most challenges facing construction industry practitioners toward adopting digital construction techniques are lack of qualified workers, high requirement for computing equipment’s, high initial cost of bringing these technologies to the market and construction firms low investment in research and development. These challenges faced by respondents were divided into three main factors, namely, construction’s nature, financial constraints and poor management support.

Originality/value

This study provides information and statistics on the challenges that face individuals or companies toward adopting digital construction techniques in Jordan. It proposes recommendations and proper practical implantation strategies to overcome the challenges.
Investigating ICT adoption and public value of e-recruitment in the public sector: the role of social media use
Authors: AbdulKareem Abdulrazaq Kayode , Oladimeji Kazeem Adebayo , Ishola Abdulrasaq Ajadi , Bello Muhammed Lawan , Umar Abubakar Yaru , Adejumo Abdulhakeem
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study examines the adoption of information and communication technologies (ICT) for e-recruitment and its impacts on public value outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted with 213 public sector employees in the federal civil service using a questionnaire to test a conceptual model integrating the Technology Acceptance Model, Media Richness Theory and Public Value Theory using PLS-SEM analysis.

Findings

Results validate significant positive relationships between ICT adoption, social media use for e-recruitment and public value creation. Internet self-efficacy positively moderates public value outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

While this study makes valuable contributions, avenues remain to further expand generalizability, strengthen validity and incorporate additional institutional factors in the framework.

Practical implications

The study provides insights to guide policies and interventions aimed at improving ICT adoption success and public value gains from e-government investments in developing countries.

Originality/value

The research makes key contributions by operationalizing and empirically assessing the public value impacts of e-government innovations and examining adoption issues in an understudied developing country context.
Shipping containers and speed boats: exploring the contexts and relational spaces professionals navigate to safeguard young people from criminal exploitation
Authors: Langhoff Kristine , Lefevre Michelle , Larkin Rachel
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to present a mixed methods study of child criminal exploitation (CCE), particularly in the form of “county lines”, in three local authorities in southeast England. The data is analysed using a framework constructed from two relevant contextual and relational theories to understand experiences of CCE and the safeguarding responses undertaken to protect young people from harm.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were drawn from a survey (n = 118); interviews (n = 5) and focus groups (n = 15) with professionals; interviews with parents (n = 4); and from secondary analysis of eight interviews with young people affected by criminal exploitation. The analytic framework was applied to the data to answer two research questions: what is the role and significance of young people’s interactions with peers, parents and professionals in their CCE trajectories; and how do professionals understand and address risks within contexts in which young people are exposed to CCE? The mixed methods data collected by the authors were coded and analysed using this framework.

Findings

Although professionals were aware of contexts and relational power dynamics, the situated and temporal nature of CCE remained overlooked within safeguarding systems. Professionals required more space, time and support to fully and flexibly engage with young people and their families to increase safety.

Originality/value

There is limited research available that critically examines safeguarding responses to CCE in diverse geographic and cultural contexts. This paper contributes a critical account of how professionals might create connections and opportunities for change with young people, identifying structural constraints within practice systems alongside emerging examples of effective practice.
Avoiding food waste from restaurant tickets: a big data management tool
Authors: Gómez-Talal Ismael , González-Serrano Lydia , Rojo-Álvarez José Luis , Talón-Ballestero Pilar
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aims to address the global food waste problem in restaurants by analyzing customer sales information provided by restaurant tickets to gain valuable insights into directing sales of perishable products and optimizing product purchases according to customer demand.

Design/methodology/approach

A system based on unsupervised machine learning (ML) data models was created to provide a simple and interpretable management tool. This system performs analysis based on two elements: first, it consolidates and visualizes mutual and nontrivial relationships between information features extracted from tickets using multicomponent analysis, bootstrap resampling and ML domain description. Second, it presents statistically relevant relationships in color-coded tables that provide food waste-related recommendations to restaurant managers.

Findings

The study identified relationships between products and customer sales in specific months. Other ticket elements have been related, such as products with days, hours or functional areas and products with products (cross-selling). Big data (BD) technology helped analyze restaurant tickets and obtain information on product sales behavior.

Research limitations/implications

This study addresses food waste in restaurants using BD and unsupervised ML models. Despite limitations in ticket information and lack of product detail, it opens up research opportunities in relationship analysis, cross-selling, productivity and deep learning applications.

Originality/value

The value and originality of this work lie in the application of BD and unsupervised ML technologies to analyze restaurant tickets and obtain information on product sales behavior. Better sales projection can adjust product purchases to customer demand, reducing food waste and optimizing profits.
Measuring environmental efficiency in transportation sector based on a meta-frontier SBM approach: focusing on the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YEB) and Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (JingJinJi)
Authors: Na Joonho , Wang Qia , Lim Chaehwan
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the environmental efficiency level and trend of the transportation sector in the upper–mid–downstream of the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the JingJinJi region in China and assess the effectiveness of policies for protecting the low-carbon environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the meta-frontier slack-based measure (SBM) approach to evaluate environmental efficiency, which targets and classifies specific regions into regional groups. First, this study employs the SBM with the undesirable outputs to construct the environmental efficiency measurement models of the four regions under the meta-frontier and group frontiers, respectively. Then, this study uses the technology gap ratio to evaluate the gap between the group frontier and the meta-frontier.

Findings

The analysis reveals several key findings: (1) the JingJinJi region and the downstream of the YEB had achieved the overall optimal production technology in transportation than the other two regions; (2) significant technology gaps in environmental efficiency were observed among these four regions in China; and (3) the downstream region of the YEB exhibited the lowest levels of energy consumption and excessive CO2 emissions.

Originality/value

To evaluate the differences in environmental efficiency resulting from regions and technological gaps in transportation, this study employs the meta-frontier model, which overcomes the limitation of traditional environmental efficiency methods. Furthermore, in the practical, the study provides the advantage of observing the disparities in transportation efficiency performed by the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei regions.
Ideas that resonate: how ideology drives consumers’ firm-supportive market shaping
Authors: Wiebe Jeffrey
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand how and why consumers engage in market-shaping activities on behalf of firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a combination of archival, netnographic and interview methods to examine how consumers responded to the entry of Tesla into the U.S. automotive market.

Findings

Consumers are driven to engage in supportive institutional work by the culturally resonant ideologies embodied in Tesla’s strategic orientation. This work takes both discursive and practical forms and sees consumers adopting responsibilities typically associated with other actors, including activists and sales professionals.

Originality/value

In developing an account of an understudied phenomenon – consumers’ firm-supportive market shaping – this research extends theorization around institutional work and cultural branding.
Trophic regulation of soil microbial biomass under nitrogen enrichment: A global meta‐analysis
Authors: Xing Wen , Chen Xinli , Thakur Madhav P. , Kardol Paul , Lu Xiaoming , Bai Yongfei
Published: January 2024

Eutrophication, including nitrogen (N) enrichment, can affect soil microbial communities through changes in trophic interactions. However, a knowledge gap still exists about how plant resources (‘bottom‐up effects’) and microbial predators (‘top‐down effects’) regulate the impacts of N enrichment on microbial biomass at the global scale.

To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a global meta‐analysis using 2885 paired observations from 217 publications to evaluate the regulatory effects of plant biomass and soil nematodes on soil microbial biomass under N enrichment across terrestrial ecosystems.

We found that the effects of N enrichment on soil microbial biomass varied strongly across ecosystems. N enrichment decreased the soil microbial biomass of natural grasslands and forests due to soil acidification and the subsequent losses of predatory and microbivorous nematodes stimulating microbial growth. By contrast, N enrichment increased the microbial biomass of managed croplands mainly via increasing plant biomass production. Across diverse ecosystems, the short‐term N enrichment (experimental duration ≤5 years) could reduce microbial biomass via decreasing nematode abundance, whereas the long‐term N enrichment (experimental duration >5 years) mainly promoted microbial biomass via increasing plant biomass.

These findings highlight the critical roles of microbial predators and plant input in shaping microbial responses to N enrichment, which are highly dependent on ecosystem type and the period of N enrichment. Earth system models that predict soil microbial biomass and their linkages to soil functioning should consider the variations in plant biomass and soil nematodes under future scenarios of N deposition.

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Seq2Sat and SatAnalyzer toolkit: Towards comprehensive microsatellite genotyping from sequencing data
Authors: Liu Peng , Wilson Paul , Redquest Bridget , Keobouasone Sonesinh , Manseau Micheline
Published: January 2024

Accurate and efficient microsatellite loci genotyping is an essential process in population genetics that is also used in various demographic analyses. Protocols for next‐generation sequencing of microsatellite loci enable high‐throughput and cross‐compatible allele scoring, common issues that are not addressed by conventional capillary‐based approaches. To improve this process, we have developed an all‐in‐one software, called Seq2Sat (sequence to microsatellite), in C++ to support automated microsatellite genotyping. It directly takes raw reads of microsatellite amplicons and conducts read quality control before inferring genotypes based on depth‐of‐read, read ratio, sequence composition and length. We have also developed a module for sex identification based on sex chromosome–specific locus amplicons. To allow for greater user access and complement autoscoring, we developed SatAnalyzer (microsatellite analyzer), a user‐friendly web‐based platform that conducts reads‐to‐report analyses by calling Seq2Sat for genotype autoscoring and produces interactive genotype graphs for manual editing. SatAnalyzer also allows users to troubleshoot multiplex optimization by analysing read quality and distribution across loci and samples in support of high‐quality library preparation. To evaluate its performance, we benchmarked our toolkit Seq2Sat/SatAnalyzer against a conventional capillary gel method and existing microsatellite genotyping software, MEGASAT, using two datasets. Results showed that SatAnalyzer can achieve >99.70% genotyping accuracy and Seq2Sat is ~5 times faster than MEGASAT despite many more informative tables and figures being generated. Seq2Sat and SatAnalyzer are freely available on github (https://github.com/ecogenomicscanada/Seq2Sat) and dockerhub (https://hub.docker.com/r/rocpengliu/satanalyzer).
Deciding which ‘developing’ country list to use: A practical guide
Authors: Farias Deborah Barros Leal
Published: January 2024

Researchers, policymakers and organisations sometimes need to explicitly classify countries as ‘developing’ or ‘developed’. The problem is that there are too many possible solutions. This short piece explores the developing/developed binary from an empirical perspective. The goal is to provide practical advice for choosing which list to use. It compares seven lists frequently used as reference for this classification, all based on material from these international organisations: World Bank, International Monetary Fund, three separate United Nations lists, as well as membership to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Group of 77. These lists are compared by focusing on four elements: Purpose, Numbers, Criteria and Stability. Then, it compares these lists by explicitly outlining how each one classifies all countries in the world, per region. The piece fills a crucial empirical gap for those using the binary development‐based division by providing practical and useful advice for their decision‐making process.
Implications of metabolism on multi‐systems healthy aging across the lifespan
Authors: Yao Shanshan , Colangelo Laura A. , Perry Andrew S. , Marron Megan M. , Yaffe Kristine , Sedaghat Sanaz , Lima Joao A. C. , Tian Qu , Clish Clary B. , Newman Anne B. , Shah Ravi V. , Murthy Venkatesh L.
Published: January 2024

Aging is increasingly thought to involve dysregulation of metabolism in multiple organ systems that culminate in decreased functional capacity and morbidity. Here, we seek to understand complex interactions among metabolism, aging, and systems‐wide phenotypes across the lifespan. Among 2469 adults (mean age 74.7 years; 38% Black) in the Health, Aging and Body Composition study we identified metabolic cross‐sectionally correlates across 20 multi‐dimensional aging‐related phenotypes spanning seven domains. We used LASSO‐PCA and bioinformatic techniques to summarize metabolome‐phenome relationships and derive metabolic scores, which were subsequently linked to healthy aging, mortality, and incident outcomes (cardiovascular disease, disability, dementia, and cancer) over 9 years. To clarify the relationship of metabolism in early adulthood to aging, we tested association of these metabolic scores with aging phenotypes/outcomes in 2320 participants (mean age 32.1, 44% Black) of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. We observed significant overlap in metabolic correlates across the seven aging domains, specifying pathways of mitochondrial/cellular energetics, host‐commensal metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Across four metabolic scores (body composition, mental‐physical performance, muscle strength, and physical activity), we found strong associations with healthy aging and incident outcomes, robust to adjustment for risk factors. Metabolic scores for participants four decades younger in CARDIA were related to incident cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurocognitive performance, as well as long‐term cardiovascular disease and mortality over three decades. Conserved metabolic states are strongly related to domain‐specific aging and outcomes over the life‐course relevant to energetics, host‐commensal interactions, and mechanisms of innate immunity.
Rapid response of nail psoriasis to secukinumab in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis after 12 weeks of treatment with a total of 24 weeks of follow‐up
Authors: Go Gang Min , Hong Yong Jun , Lee Hyun Ji , Kim Miri
Published: January 2024

Background/Objectives

Nail psoriasis, a subtype of psoriasis, can cause significant pain, disability, and reduced quality of life. Despite the established efficacy of anti‐IL17 secukinumab in improving skin psoriasis, there is a lack of clinical trials focusing on nail psoriasis as primary endpoint. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of secukinumab in treating nail psoriasis in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.

Methods

We prospectively recruited patients newly diagnosed with moderate to severe psoriasis in single centre from January 2021 to January 2022 who were treated with secukinumab.

Results

A total of 16 patients consisting of 9 males and 7 females were included. Their mean age was 38.88 ± 10.29 years. They had an average initial Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) score of 45.06 ± 20.39 and an average NAPSI score at 12 weeks of 8.94 ± 13.50, showing a significant (p < 0.05) decrease of NAPSI score after 12 weeks of secukinumab treatment. After 24 weeks of treatment, NAPSI score was decreased to 5.12 ± 8.52.

Conclusion

Secukinumab rapidly improved nail psoriasis after 12 weeks of treatment, with further enhancement at 24 weeks, suggesting its potential as a potent therapeutic option for nail psoriasis.