bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative single-cell analyses identify shared and divergent features of human and mouse kidney development
Authors: Kim Sunghyun , Koppitch Kari , Parvez Riana K. , Guo Jinjin , Achieng MaryAnne , Schnell Jack , Lindström Nils O. , McMahon Andrew P.
Published: May 2023

Mammalian kidneys maintain fluid homeostasis through the cellular activity of nephrons and the conjoined collecting system. Each epithelial network originates from distinct progenitor cell populations that reciprocally interact during development. To extend our understanding of human and mouse kidney development, we profiled chromatin organization (ATAC-seq) and gene expression (RNA-seq) in developing human and mouse kidneys. Data were analyzed at a species level and then integrated into a common, cross-species multimodal data set. Comparative analysis of cell types and developmental trajectories identified conserved and divergent features of chromatin organization and linked gene activity, revealing species- and cell-type specific regulatory programs. Identification of human-specific enhancer regions linked through GWAS studies to kidney disease highlights the potential of developmental modeling to provide clinical insight.
Xylazine co-self-administration suppresses fentanyl consumption during self-administration and induces a unique sex-specific withdrawal syndrome that is not altered by naloxone in rats
Authors: Khatri Shailesh N. , Sadek Safiyah , Kendrick Percell T. , Bondy Emma O. , Hong Mei , Pauss Sally , Luo Dan , Prisinzano Thomas E. , Dunn Kelly E. , Marusich Julie A. , Beckmann Joshua S. , Hinds Terry D. , Gipson Cassandra D.
Published: May 2023

Prescription and illicit opioid use are a public health crisis, with the landscape shifting to fentanyl use. Since fentanyl is 100-fold more potent than morphine, its use is associated with a higher risk of fatal overdose that can be remediated through naloxone (Narcan) administration. However, recent reports indicate that xylazine, an anesthetic, is increasingly detected in accidental fentanyl overdose deaths. Anecdotal reports suggest that xylazine may prolong the fentanyl “high”, alter the onset of fentanyl withdrawal, and increase resistance to naloxone-induced reversal of overdose. To date no preclinical studies have evaluated the impacts of xylazine on fentanyl self-administration (SA; 2.5 μg/kg/infusion) or withdrawal to our knowledge. We established a rat model of xylazine/fentanyl co-SA and withdrawal and evaluated outcomes as a function of biological sex. When administered alone, chronic xylazine (2.5 mg/kg, IP) induced unique sex-specific withdrawal symptomatology whereby females showed delayed onset of signs and a possible enhancement of sensitivity to the motor-suppressing effects of xylazine. Xylazine reduced fentanyl consumption both male and female rats regardless of whether it was experimenter-administered or added to the intravenous fentanyl product (0.05. 0.10, and 0.5 mg/kg/infusion) when compared to fentanyl SA alone. Interestingly, this effect was dose-dependent when self-administered intravenously. Naloxone (0.1 mg/kg, SC) did not increase somatic signs of fentanyl withdrawal, regardless of the inclusion of xylazine in the fentanyl infusion in either sex; however, somatic signs of withdrawal were higher across timepoints in females after xylazine/fentanyl co-SA regardless of naloxone exposure as compared to females following fentanyl SA alone. Together, these results indicate that xylazine/fentanyl co-SA dose-dependently suppressed fentanyl intake in both sexes, and induced a unique withdrawal syndrome in females which was not altered by acute naloxone treatment.
Participant perceptions and experiences of a novel community-based pilot respiratory longitudinal sampling method in Liverpool, UK
Authors: German E.L. , Nabwera H.M. , Robinson R. , Shiham F. , Liatsikos K. , Parry C.M. , McNamara C. , Kattera S. , Carter K. , Howard A. , Pojar S. , Hamilton J. , Matope A. , Read J. , Allen S.J. , Hill H. , Hawcutt D.B. , Urban B.C. , Collins A.M. , Ferreira D.M. , Nikolaou E.
Published: May 2023

Longitudinal, community-based sampling is important for understanding prevalence and transmission of respiratory pathogens. Using a minimally invasive sampling method, the FAMILY Micro study monitored the oral, nasal and hand microbiota of families for 6 months. Here, we explore participant experiences and opinions.

A mixed methods approach was utilised. A quantitative questionnaire was completed after every sampling timepoint to report levels of discomfort and pain, as well as time taken to collect samples. Participants were also invited to discuss their experiences in a qualitative structured exit interview.

We received questionnaires from 36 families. Most adults and children >5y experienced no pain (94% and 70%) and little discomfort (73% and 47% no discomfort) regardless of sample type, whereas children ≤5y experienced variable levels of pain and discomfort (48% no pain but 14% hurts even more, whole lot or worst; 38% no discomfort but 33% moderate, severe, or extreme discomfort). The time taken for saliva and hand sampling decreased over the study.

We conducted interviews with 24 families. Families found the sampling method straightforward, and adults and children >5y preferred nasal sampling using a synthetic absorptive matrix over nasopharyngeal swabs. It remained challenging for families to fit sampling into their busy schedules. Adequate fridge/freezer space and regular sample pick-ups were found to be important factors for feasibility. Messaging apps proved extremely effective for engaging with participants.

Our findings provide key information to inform the design of future studies, specifically that self-sampling at home using minimally invasive procedures is feasible in a family context.
Tsunami-resilient building guidelines for Sri Lankan coastal belt: a critical review and consolidation based on significant institutional perceptions
Authors: Gunarathna Udari , Bandara Chaminda Senarathna , Dissanayake Ranjith , Munasinghe Harsha
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The lessons learned from the 2004 tsunami phenomenon fueled the government and other local authorities to strengthen the legitimate background to mitigate such devastation in future events. This study aims to propose a standardized tsunami-resilient construction guideline for Sri Lanka by integrating existing local and international standards.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive literature survey was carried out to undertake the study, with a wide-ranging content and thematic analysis of existing tsunami-resilient construction aspects in Sri Lanka. Integrating all existing guidelines with international standards, finally, a consolidated guideline with significant tsunami-resilient building aspects was proposed for stakeholders involved with the resilient built environment in tsunami-prone areas, particularly during the building construction in the coastal belt.

Findings

The existing tsunami-resilient guidelines in Sri Lanka follow similar aspects but in different dimensions. Compared to the international standards, few significant aspects create a gap in local guidelines. Thus, the findings demonstrated that the existing local guidelines must be modified and strengthened by mainstreaming into international practices.

Research limitations/implications

Existing guidelines are more concerned with structural aspects. Nevertheless, proper integration of local and international guidelines would be more favorable to minimizing existing local guidelines’ gaps. Further, a standardized tsunami-resilient building guideline would be a referring document for all stakeholders in tsunami-resilient constructions.

Practical implications

By aligning local guidelines with international standards, the reliability of the guidelines will be increased and direct the built environment to quality disaster-resilient constructions.

Social implications

Through a standardized guideline, the community can rely on tsunami-resilient construction in coastal cities.

Originality/value

The consolidated guideline further contains the essentials of city resilience in tsunamis and would be an excellent reference for relevant stakeholders than aligning with several guidelines.
Employee innovative job performance and firms' financial performance: a multilevel insight with big data analytics and entrepreneurial orientation
Authors: Mahmood Faisal , Saleem Maria , Ariza-Montes Antonio , Han Heesup
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The present research developed and investigated a multilevel theoretical framework by underpinning a resource-based view (RBV) that uncovers how and when academic researchers and organizational practitioners can strategically attain a competitive edge and increase their financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

To consider the dynamic and ever-challenging business environment, this research examined the contingency of big data analytics (BDA) and entrepreneurial orientation (EO). The multi-source and multilevel data used for this research were gathered from 195 manufacturing firms listed on the Pakistan stock exchange by employing a time-lagged design and survey strategy. Additionally, for hypothesis testing, multilevel path analysis was conducted in MPlus.

Findings

The authors uncovered the sequential mediation mechanisms of organizational innovation (OI) and competitive advantage (CA) on the relationship between individual-level employee innovative job performance (EIJP) and firms' financial performance (FFP) based on the resource-based view. The authors noted positive and significant sequential mediation of OI and CA on the effect of EIJP on FFP. Similarly, the relationship between EIJP and OI was found to be stronger when the boundary conditions of BDA and EO were higher than when they were lower.

Originality/value

This research offers new practical insights for managers and organizational practitioners to better value their EIJP, and due diligence is required when employing BDA and EO to attain a competitive edge over competitors and increase financial performance.
Influence of film destination placement on travel intention: mediating effect of involvement and place attachment
Authors: Chen Pei-Ti
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the public’s acceptance of film-induced tourism and develops the relationship among placement marketing, involvement, place attachment and travel intention. The film Your Love Song shot in the Hualien and Taitung regions in Taiwan was selected as the case study.

Design/methodology/approach

An online sample survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire, and statistical tests and overall structural equation modeling analysis using the SPSS and AMOS statistical software packages, respectively, were performed.

Findings

This study results demonstrate that destination placement marketing has a significant positive effect on the level of destination involvement, place attachment and travel intention of viewers. Moreover, the level of involvement has some intermediary effect on the interrelationship between placement marketing and travel intention. Hence, this study suggests that relevant government agencies and tourism operators should promote local tourism through films and television shows and attract more tourists by retaining the original shooting scenes.

Originality/value

While previous studies have only analyzed two or three of the four concepts of film-induced tourism, placement marketing, travel intention, involvement and place attachment, this study completely integrates these four concepts and proves the correlation between them.
Assessing the Zoom learning experience of the elderly under the effects of COVID in Hong Kong: application of the IPO model
Authors: Ching Larry K.W. , Lee Carol Y.K. , Wong Chris K.P. , Lai Michael T.H. , Lip Amy
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the perceptions of elderly learners in experiencing Zoom learning under the effects of COVID in the case of Hong Kong.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey and focus group interviews have been conducted with quantitative and qualitative approaches, respectively. The survey design was based on the input-process-output (IPO) model conceptual framework and used to assess students’ perceptions regarding their Zoom learning experiences at the Elder Academy of Hong Kong Metropolitan University. Thereafter, selected students were invited to participate in focus group interviews to offer more in-depth comments for analysis purposes. Statistical Product and Service Solutions software and SmartPLS were used for data analysis of the survey, and content analysis was used to summarize opinions from the focus group interviews; thus, a comprehensive picture of elderly learners’ learning experiences on Zoom is presented.

Findings

An overall positive perception was the result of elderly learners’ Zoom learning journeys, particularly in the “input” and “process” stages of the IPO model. Yet, their perception of the “learning outcomes achieved” level in the “output” stage was lower among the rest, thus strongly affected by the factors of “interactions” and “teaching” experienced by elderly learners on Zoom. Although the perception of the youngest age group was more positive, none have agreed that Zoom learning was more favourable when compared with the traditional face-to-face mode.

Originality/value

Given Zoom as the short-term replacement option under the COVID pandemic, this study will provide recommendations for educators/institutions to improve their design of the whole learning process for elderly learners on the Zoom platform.
University faculty’s informal learning and professional reflections: text mining for processing interviews
Authors: Park Kyung Hee , Li He , Liu Chang
Published: May 2023

Purpose

As university faculty faced new challenges, such as rapid digital social and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response, this study aimed to identify the daily changes in the interaction between the faculty and the organizational environment (colleague, policy and new issue) by exploring their recent dynamic educational efforts and the professional development.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a study wherein perceptions of 20 faculty from 15 universities and colleges were collected through in-depth online interviews. The authors analyzed interview data by arranging and visualizing the analyzed data using network clustering. Further, they applied the Latent Dirichlet allocation of the topic modeling to monitor the appropriate number of clusters, ultimately determined as four clusters using partial clustering.

Findings

The results showed that university faculty spontaneously tried to solve the problems through informal learning while the commitment to peer learning was deepening, reflecting the collectivist orientation nature of Chinese culture. Besides, the faculty also required support to reflect on their daily efforts for professional development. These results about their various learning routines prove the justification for the faculty's professional development to be discussed from the “learning by doing” perspective of lifelong learning.

Originality/value

This study proved the significance of informal learning for university faculty's professional development and the reasonable value of peer learning, and provided insights into how the Chinese context may influence university faculty's informal learning experience.
Investigating the self-employed: the South African perspective
Authors: Muchemwa Marifa , Odimegwu Clifford
Published: May 2023

Purpose

In a country that is marred by an excessively high unemployment rate, there is a need for policymakers to prioritise entrepreneurship in South Africa. The study aims to explore the determinants of self-employment among the youth in South Africa and in the process answer the following question: Who are the self-employed youths in South Africa?

Design/methodology/approach

Different potential predictors of self-employment empirically used in the literature were used in this study. A probit regression model was used with the binary self-employment variable as the dependent variable and a host of independent variables. A nationally representative survey consisting of youths was used in the analysis.

Findings

The findings show that financial literacy increases the odds of being self-employed. Secondly, the odds of being self-employed increase with age as mature people are expected to have gathered enough networks and wisdom over the years. Thirdly, being male decreases the odds of being self-employed. When it comes to education, the only category that statistically increases the odds of being self-employed compared with no schooling is the tertiary level of education. The other educational levels are all statistically insignificant. From a policy perspective, the government should promote self-employment by investing in financial literacy as well as increasing access to tertiary education among disadvantaged groups.

Originality/value

The study is one of the first, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to examine the characteristics of the self-employed using a nationally representative survey in South Africa.
Modelling the operational maturity challenges faced by online food ordering and delivery enterprises during Covid-19 lockdown in Oman: a fuzzy interpretive structural modelling approach
Authors: Abbas Haidar , Fatima Paikar , Akaak Abdul-Aziz Mustahil Ahmed Ali , Frederico Guilherme F. , Kumar Vikas
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This research aims to ascertain the various operational maturity challenges faced by the online food ordering and delivery enterprises (OFODE), their nature and their interactive relationships. In particular, this paper aims to (a) identify the most relevant operational maturity challenges faced by the OFODE during the COVID-19 lockdown in Oman, (b) explore and establish any likely structural relationship among these challenges and (c) put them into logical clusters.

Design/methodology/approach

Experts helped to reduce the 18 initially identified maturity challenges to 13 most pressing ones. Mutual relationships, dominance of interactions and their classifications were explored using fuzzy interpretive structural modeling (FISM) and fuzzy MICMAC analysis.

Findings

The study of situation-specific operational maturity challenges convinced the authors to propose a distinct FISM model that depicts the relationship among these challenges. Keeping commissions and fees reasonable emerges as the challenge which all other challenges seemingly culminate into. One of the most important situation-specific challenges (i.e. customer confidence about infection free delivery) emerges as a linkage challenge which aggravates as well as is aggravated by certain challenges.

Research limitations/implications

Besides enriching literature, the proposed model has implications for practitioners particularly when the similar lethal waves are experienced anywhere. The number of respondents, subjective approach, specific context as well as the geographical area coverage are the key limitations.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first known scientific effort which attempts to model the operational maturity challenges faced by the OFODE during COVID-19 lockdown period. The authors used the FISM modeling approach to forge these interrelated challenges into a structural model.
A research agenda at the intersection of sport sponsorship and service
Authors: Cornwell T. Bettina , Frank Abby , Miller-Moudgil Rachel
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this work is (1) to supply a framework of actors in sport sponsorship and articulate the service relationships that support these partnerships and (2) to propose research questions in this space that are unaddressed and forward-looking.

Design/methodology/approach

Sponsorship is part of a complex network of actors and service relationships found in sport. The sports team, activity, or event is a sport property, often with long-term and dynamic service relationships. The authors consider how a sponsor's relationship with the sport property intersects with organizing bodies, venues, communities and society. The authors identify clusters of actors that interact with and influence other clusters (e.g. governing bodies, media, host community and venue/teams/fans) within an ecosystem, paying special attention to aspects of co-creation and co-destruction and the feedback loops that cause them.

Findings

Through this analysis, the authors identify areas of needed research at the intersection of sport sponsorship and service. The model synthesizes the literature from service-dominant logic, sports, sponsorship, systems thinking and co-creation/co-destruction research areas. Using the model and relevant cases, the authors can better understand the complexities of sport service relationships and advance research at the intersection of sport sponsorship and service.

Originality/value

This is the first sport sponsorship service ecosystem model. It is also the first integration of systems thinking with constructs in sport sponsorship and services.
UK commercial real estate valuation practice: does it now build in sustainability considerations?
Authors: Hossain Syeda Marjia , van de Wetering Jorn , Devaney Steven , Sayce Sarah
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper investigates the extent to which commercial property valuers in the UK refer to Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) professional standards and guidance on the inclusion of sustainability in valuation reports. Data collection, analysis and reporting related to sustainability attributes is examined, as well as the perceived importance of these attributes to clients and any value impacts that are associated with them.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey of UK commercial property valuers was conducted from July to September 2019. The survey included both structured and open-ended questions.

Findings

Reference to RICS standards and guidance on sustainability has improved since earlier research. However, progress on data collection is still limited. At the time of the survey, UK valuers indicated that sustainability attributes were of more importance to owner-occupiers than investors and lenders. UK valuers also indicated that, out of a range of sustainability attributes, only certification was influencing market value (MV) and investment value (IV) to any great extent.

Research limitations/implications

The online survey had 53 responses and this limited the ability to draw definitive conclusions. Hence, whilst the results may be indicative of the perceptions of some valuers of the significance of sustainability-related matters in the UK, the sample is not large enough to be considered representative of the opinions of property valuers per se in the UK.

Practical implications

Explicit reflection of sustainability in market or investment values is still limited in the UK valuation practice, but there are challenges faced by valuers that need further investigation, including difficulties in pricing sustainability attributes.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical investigation of the perception of sustainability by valuers in the UK commercial property market since the 2012 survey reported by Michl et al. (2016).
Enhancing affective commitment through gamified services of luxury brands: role of game mechanics and self-congruity
Authors: Saxena Garima , Jain Sheetal , Mishra Sita
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of consumers’ gaming motivations on customer–brand engagement and the potential of this engagement to develop self–brand connections and affective commitment toward luxury brands. Second, it explores if the setup game mechanics and self-congruity with the brand can strengthen the effectiveness of motivation to engage with gamification on customer–brand engagement and self-brand connection.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through the survey method using a structured questionnaire. The sample comprised 249 millennial luxury consumers in India. Data analysis was conducted using AMOS 25 and PROCESS Macro for SPSS.

Findings

The findings support the mediating role of customer–brand engagement and self–brand connection in the relationship between motivation to engage with gamification and affective commitment. While setup game mechanics and self-congruity with brand positively moderate the effect of motivation to engage with gamification on affective commitment via self–brand connection, a similar effect is not found for the relationship via customer–brand engagement. This study presents important implications for both marketers and academicians.

Originality/value

This study applies the mechanics–dynamics–emotions framework and social exchange theory to explain gamified services as a cocreation process between consumers and luxury brands, fostering customer engagement, connection and commitment with the brands. It highlights the role of setup game mechanics and self-congruity in strengthening the effect of luxury consumers’ gaming motivations on engagement and connection with the brand.
The influence of users’ perspective factors on mobile banking adoption in Indonesia
Authors: Rahmi Ridha Aulia , Handayani Putu Wuri
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The low adoption of mobile banking (m-banking) in Indonesia and limited research on the adoption of m-banking motivate this research to understand the factors needed in developing m-banking to support the achievement of the national digital economy strategy in creating a digital ecosystem in Indonesia. This study aims to analyze the individual perspective factors that influence the adoption of m-banking applications in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a quantitative approach using an online questionnaire to survey 444 respondents who used m-banking applications in Indonesia. The data obtained were processed using covariance-based structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results showed that health consciousness, the availability of resources, personal innovativeness and perceived information quality factors influenced the adoption of mobile banking applications in the static stage. In addition, this study found that one adoption stage could positively impact another adoption stage in adopting m-banking applications.

Practical implications

The development of m-banking can be promoted by considering the readiness of operational support infrastructure, regulations and application development, including functionality, security and user experience. Superior m-banking has implemented an end-to-end banking process with integrated customer relationship management (CRM) that supports cross-selling features according to user needs.

Originality/value

This study addresses the knowledge gap on individual perspectives that influence m-banking applications adoption. The authors integrate the e-government adoption model and CRM model in this study.
Towards a trajectory for sustainable policies and market strategies governing building lifecycle energy performance
Authors: Tinarwo Benonia , Rahimian Farzad , Abi Ghanem Dana
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to discuss a selection of policy strategies, regional initiatives and market approaches to uncover the realities of twenty-first-century building energy performance. A position that market-based approaches, human influence and policy interventions are part of an ecosystem of building energy performance is presented.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory search of secondary sources spanning the last three decades was conducted. Both peer-reviewed and grey literature were included to capture a broader understanding of the discourse in literature. Research questions guided the literature search, and a data extraction tool was designed to categorise the literature. The primary limitation of this study is that only a few applications could be discussed in a condensed format.

Findings

Several challenges about the current status quo of building energy performance were identified and summarised as follows. (1) Inconsistencies in measurement and verification protocols, (2) Impacts of market approaches, (3) National policy priorities that are at variance with regional targets and (4) Ambiguous reporting on environmental impacts of energy efficiency (EE) technologies.

Practical implications

The practical implications of the findings in this paper for practice and research are that as part of the building energy performance ecosystem, national responses through government interventions must become adaptive to keep up with the fast-paced energy sector and social trends. Simultaneously, before market-based approaches overcome the messiness of socio-economic dynamics, institutional conditions and cultural nuances, they ought to transparently address environmental impacts and the infringement of several SDGs before they can become viable solutions to building energy performance.

Originality/value

This paper presents building energy performance as an ecosystem comprising human influence, market-based approaches and policy interventions which form interdependent parts of the whole. However, evidence in the literature shows that these aspects are usually investigated separately. By presenting them as an ecosystem, this paper contributes to the discourse by advocating the need to re-align building energy performance to socio-economic-political dynamics and contextually viable solutions.
Plant–hummingbird pollination networks exhibit limited rewiring after experimental removal of a locally abundant plant species
Authors: Leimberger Kara G. , Hadley Adam S. , Betts Matthew G.
Published: May 2023

Mutualistic relationships, such as those between plants and pollinators, may be vulnerable to the local extinctions predicted under global environmental change. However, network theory predicts that plant–pollinator networks can withstand species loss if pollinators switch to alternative floral resources (rewiring). Whether rewiring occurs following species loss in natural communities is poorly known because replicated species exclusions are difficult to implement at appropriate spatial scales.

We experimentally removed a hummingbird‐pollinated plant, Heliconia tortuosa, from within tropical forest fragments to investigate how hummingbirds respond to temporary loss of an abundant resource. Under the rewiring hypothesis, we expected that behavioural flexibility would allow hummingbirds to use alternative resources, leading to decreased ecological specialization and reorganization of the network structure (i.e. pairwise interactions). Alternatively, morphological or behavioural constraints—such as trait‐matching or interspecific competition—might limit the extent to which hummingbirds alter their foraging behaviour.

We employed a replicated Before‐After‐Control‐Impact experimental design and quantified plant–hummingbird interactions using two parallel sampling methods: pollen collected from individual hummingbirds (‘pollen networks’, created from >300 pollen samples) and observations of hummingbirds visiting focal plants (‘camera networks’, created from >19,000 observation hours). To assess the extent of rewiring, we quantified ecological specialization at the individual, species and network levels and examined interaction turnover (i.e. gain/loss of pairwise interactions).

H. tortuosa removal caused some reorganization of pairwise interactions but did not prompt large changes in specialization, despite the large magnitude of our manipulation (on average, >100 inflorescences removed in exclusion areas of >1 ha). Although some individual hummingbirds sampled through time showed modest increases in niche breadth following Heliconia removal (relative to birds that did not experience resource loss), these changes were not reflected in species‐ and network‐level specialization metrics.

Our results suggest that, at least over short time‐scales, animals may not necessarily shift to alternative resources after losing an abundant food resource—even in species thought to be highly opportunistic foragers, such as hummingbirds. Given that rewiring contributes to theoretical predictions of network stability, future studies should investigate why pollinators might not expand their diets after a local resource extinction.
Novel antimicrobial strategies to treat multi‐drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections
Authors: Douglas Edward J. A. , Wulandari Sri W. , Lovell Scott D. , Laabei Maisem
Published: May 2023

Antimicrobial resistance is a major obstacle for the treatment of infectious diseases and currently represents one of the most significant threats to global health. Staphylococcus aureus remains a formidable human pathogen with high mortality rates associated with severe systemic infections. S. aureus has become notorious as a multidrug resistant bacterium, which when combined with its extensive arsenal of virulence factors that exacerbate disease, culminates in an incredibly challenging pathogen to treat clinically. Compounding this major health issue is the lack of antibiotic discovery and development, with only two new classes of antibiotics approved for clinical use in the last 20 years. Combined efforts from the scientific community have reacted to the threat of dwindling treatment options to combat S. aureus disease in several innovative and exciting developments. This review describes current and future antimicrobial strategies aimed at treating staphylococcal colonization and/or disease, examining therapies that show significant promise at the preclinical development stage to approaches that are currently being investigated in clinical trials.
The role of oceanic currents in the dispersal and connectivity of the mangrove Rhizophora mangle on the Southwest Atlantic region
Authors: Madeira André Guilherme , Tsuda Yoshiaki , Nagano Yukio , Iwasaki Takaya , Zucchi Maria Imaculada , Kajita Tadashi , Mori Gustavo Maruyama
Published: May 2023

Dispersal is a crucial mechanism to living beings, allowing them to reach new resources such that populations and species can occupy new environments. However, directly observing the dispersal mechanisms of widespread species can be costly or even impractical, which is the case for mangrove trees. The influence of ocean currents on mangrove dispersal is increasingly evident; however, few studies mechanistically relate the patterns of population distribution with the dispersal by oceanic currents under an integrated framework. Here, we evaluate the role of oceanic currents on connectivity of Rhizophora mangle along the Southwest Atlantic. We inferred population genetic structure and migration rates, simulated the displacement of propagules and tested our hypotheses with Mantel tests and redundancy analysis. We observed populations structured in two major groups, north and south, which is corroborated by other studies with Rhizophora and other coastal plants. Inferred recent migration rates do not indicate ongoing gene flow between sites. Conversely, long‐term migration rates were low across groups and contrasting dispersal patterns within each one, which is consistent with long‐distance dispersal events. Our hypothesis tests suggest that both isolation by distance and isolation by oceanography (derived from the oceanic currents) can explain the neutral genetic variation of R. mangle in the region. Our findings expand current knowledge of mangrove connectivity and highlight how the association of molecular methods with oceanographic simulations improve the interpretation of the dispersal process. This integrative approach is a cost‐ and time‐efficient strategy to include dispersal and connectivity data into marine protected areas planning and management.
Absent in melanoma 2 mediates aging‐related cognitive dysfunction by acting on complement‐dependent microglial phagocytosis
Authors: Ye Lei , Shu Shu , Jia Junqiu , Sun Min , Xu Siyi , Bao Xinyu , Bian Huijie , Liu Yi , Zhang Meijuan , Zhu Xiaolei , Bai Feng , Xu Yun
Published: May 2023

Pattern separation (PS) dysfunction is a type of cognitive impairment that presents early during the aging process, and this deficit has been attributed to structural and functional alterations in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus. Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) is an essential component of the inflammasome. However, whether AIM2 plays a role in aging‐associated cognitive dysfunction remains unclear. Here, we found that PS function was impaired in aging mice and was accompanied by marked synaptic loss and increased expression of AIM2 in the DG. Subsequently, we used an AIM2 overexpression virus and mice with AIM2 deletion to investigate the role of AIM2 in regulating PS function and synaptic plasticity and the mechanisms involved. Our study revealed that AIM2 regulates microglial activation during synaptic pruning in the DG region via the complement pathway, leading to impaired synaptic plasticity and PS function in aging mice. These results suggest a critical role for AIM2 in regulating synaptic plasticity and PS function and provide a new direction for ameliorating aging‐associated cognitive dysfunction.
Pharmacological augmentation of serotonin reuptake inhibitors in patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder: A network meta‐analysis
Authors: Maiti Rituparna , Mishra Archana , Srinivasan Anand , Mishra Biswa Ranjan
Published: May 2023

Objectives

The augmentation of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) can be achieved by add‐on therapy with different pharmacological agents in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) for a better clinical outcome. This network meta‐analysis (NMA) was conducted to evaluate and compare the effects of available augmentation agents for SRIs in OCD.

Method

The data was extracted from 59 relevant clinical trials after a literature search on MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane databases and clinical trial registries. PRISMA guidelines were followed in data extraction, analysis and reporting. Random effects Bayesian NMA was done to pool the effects across the interventions for the change in Yale‐Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) scoring from baseline to the end of the study. Network graph was built, consistency model was run, node splitting analysis was performed, treatments were ranked as per SUCRA score and meta‐regression was done for refractoriness to SRIs and duration of augmentation therapy as the predictor variables.

Results

The drugs showing significant reduction in YBOCS scoring were pregabalin (MD:−8.1;95% CrI: −16, −0.43), memantine (MD:−6.2;95% CrI: −9.9, −2.3), lamotrigine (MD:−6;95% CrI: −12, −0.47), ondansetron (MD:−5.7;95% CrI: −11, −0.67), granisetron (MD:−5.6;95% CrI: −11, −0.44), aripiprazole (MD:−5.4;95% CrI:−9.1, −1.6), risperidone (MD:−3.3;95% CrI: −6.4, −0.20) and topiramate (MD:−5.3;95% CrI: −9.6, −0.97). The node‐split analysis showed that direct and indirect pooled effect sizes for all comparisons were comparable. Meta‐regression showed a statistically non‐significant association between YBOCS score reduction with the duration of augmentation therapy, but significant with SRI‐refractory status. Finally, the results were sorted based on certainty of evidence.

Conclusion

Memantine was found to be most effective augmentation agent for SRIs in OCD, followed by lamotrigine, ondansetron and granisetron with moderate certainty of evidence. The augmentation agents showed better symptom reduction in patients with SRI‐refractory OCD in comparison to non‐refractory OCD.

PROSPERO registration

CRD42022360110.
The distribution and current state of biobanking in Indonesian wildlife: a systematic review
Authors: Sushadi P. S.
Published: May 2023

The Indonesian archipelago, where the tropical rainforest ecosystem is home to 15% of the world's vertebrate species, has been the hardest hit by deforestation in Southeast Asia for the last decade. This situation makes ex situ conservation strategies, particularly biobanks, more important than ever to supplement in situ efforts which are becoming increasingly difficult. This study examines the status and future of biobanking implementation in Indonesian wildlife. The results show that current biobanking efforts in Indonesian wildlife are still limited, with a non‐uniform distribution among taxa, sex and geographical origin. Current work is largely focused on mammals, while avifauna, reptiles and amphibians, particularly from the eastern region, are generally neglected. Cryopreservation is primarily used as a low‐cost preservation method, but success rates are strongly influenced by intra‐ and interspecific characteristics, making the development of species‐specific protocols essential. This report identifies the challenges and suggests ways to establish a national biobanking facility and collaborate with stakeholders to promote sustainable biobanking in Indonesia.
Siberian and Russian sturgeon natal origin in South America: Fish farm or established population?
Authors: Avigliano Esteban , Leisen Mathieu , Duquenoy Camille , Liotta Jorge , Volpedo Alejandra
Published: May 2023

Sturgeon (Acipenser baerii and A. gueldenstaedtii) specimens, native to the northern hemisphere, were reported in different environments of the La Plata Basin (South America). The objectives of this study were to provide the first insights into the natal origin and habitat use of these sturgeon species in the La Plata Basin through geochemical analysis (87Sr/86Sr) of fin spines and to review historical catch reports. Spine core‐to‐edge 87Sr/86Sr ratios were measured by LA‐MC‐ICPMS. A Quadratic Discriminant Analysis model based on water 87Sr/86Sr baseline of the La Plata Basin was run to infer the natal origin. The isotopic profiles indicate a common origin, compatible with the location of the fish farms in the Uruguay Basin. The A. baerii isotopic time series suggested that the fish moved towards the Paraná Basin months before capture, while A. gueldenstaedtii would have survived a longer time (perhaps years). Seventeen reports of sturgeons were recorded and preserved in museum collections between 1998 and 2020. Sturgeons were collected from Río de la Plata Estuary, Paraná and Uruguay basins and Atlantic coastal lagoons. It is recommended to closely monitor sturgeon catches, paying special attention to the appearance of specimens of reproductive age, in order to generate management and management plans if necessary.
Diameter of the shunt vessel in dogs with incidental extrahepatic portosystemic shunts
Authors: Tanaka Toshiyuki , Wada Yusuke , Tomihari Mizuki , Nishida Hidetaka , Akiyoshi Hideo
Published: May 2023

Clinical signs of extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (EHPSS) depend on the amount of blood shunted. In this study, dogs with EHPSS without noticeable clinical signs including 34 left gastro‐phrenic, 3 left gastro‐azygos and 2 left spleno‐gonadal shunts were evaluated. In dogs with EHPSS without noticeable clinical signs, the median maximum diameter of the shunt vessel was significantly smaller compared to PV (p < 0.005). Whenever the diameter of the EHPSS is small in relation to the diameter of the PV, it seems likely that no obvious clinical signs of EHPSS are observed by the owners.
When forgiveness beats permission: Exploring the scholarly ethos of clinical faculty in economics
Authors: Mixon Franklin G. , Upadhyaya Kamal P.
Published: May 2023

The concept of the “clinical professor” – sometimes referred to as a “professor of practice,” or something similar – is in widespread use in academe. Economics and business disciplines all now entertain the prospect of teaching specialists. This study extends prior research on economics scholarship at liberal arts colleges by examining whether clinical economics faculty are invested in a program of research. After discussing conceptual arguments for why one should expect to see clinical economics faculty engaging in research, we examine citations data for clinical faculty in economics who are affiliated with what U.S. News & World Report classifies as national colleges and universities. That examination reveals that the 206 clinical faculty employed across the 90 institutions have produced academic scholarship that has garnered about 125,000 citations. Moreover, a deeper exploration suggests that the research ethos pervading the clinical economics faculties employed by America's large research universities appears to be quite similar to that characterizing the economics departments at liberal arts colleges.
Comparison of quality of life, symptom and functional outcomes following surgical treatment for colorectal neoplasia
Authors: Georges Christine , Yap Raymond , Bell Stephen , Farmer Keith Chip , Cohen Lauren C. L. , Wilkins Simon , Centauri Suellyn , Engel Rebekah , Oliva Karen , McMurrick Paul J.
Published: May 2023

Background

Colorectal surgical procedures can have a significant impact on quality‐of‐life (QoL), functional and symptom outcomes. This retrospective study conducted in a tertiary care center evaluated the influence of four colorectal surgical procedures on patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs).

Methods

512 patients undergoing colorectal neoplasia surgery between June 2015 and December 2017 were identified via the Cabrini Monash Colorectal Neoplasia database. Primary outcomes measured were the mean changes in PROMs following surgery utilizing the International Consortium of Health Outcome Measures colorectal cancer (CRC) PROMs.

Results

242 patients from 483 eligible patients responded (50% participation rate). Responders and non‐responders were comparable in median age (72 vs. 70 years), gender (48% vs. 52% male), time from surgery (<1 and >1 year), overall stage at diagnosis and type of surgery. Respondents underwent either a right hemicolectomy, ultra‐low anterior resection, abdominoperineal resection or a transanal endoscopic microsurgery/transanal minimally invasive surgery. Right hemicolectomy patients reported the best post‐operative function and reduced symptoms, significantly better (P < 0.01) than ultra‐low anterior resection patients who reported the worst outcomes in multiple areas (body image, embarrassment, flatulence, diarrhoea, stool frequency). Furthermore, patients undergoing an abdominoperineal resection reported the worst scores for body image, urinary frequency, urinary incontinence, buttock pain, faecal incontinence and male impotence.

Conclusions

The differences in PROMs in CRC surgical procedures is demonstrable. The worst post‐operative functional and symptom scores were reported after either an ultra‐low anterior resection or an abdominoperineal resection. Implementation of PROMs will identify and aid early patient referral to allied health and support services.
Are governments bad entrepreneurs? On productivity and public ownership in Central European post‐Communist countries
Authors: Steinbrunner Philipp
Published: May 2023

Although Central European post‐communist countries have considerably liberalized energy sectors, privatizations have been poorly implemented establishing legal monopolies and retaining governments' pervasive influence. This study examines the effects of state ownership on productivity and Lerner indices, using a dataset on Central European firms, operating in industries of general interest, from 2009 to 2017. This study contributes to the literature by estimating production functions of energy companies, establishing a link between government ownership, and productivity and Lerner indices, applying continuous measures of state ownership, and evaluating impacts across quantiles. The overall results highlight that state ownership is associated with significant productivity losses, which increase over quantiles, and lower market power.