bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gaucher Disease Protects Against Tuberculosis
Authors: Fan Jingwen , Hale Victoria L. , Lelieveld Lindsey T , Whitworth Laura J. , Busch-Nentwich Elisabeth M. , Troll Mark , Edelstein Paul H. , Cox Timothy M. , Roca Francisco J. , Aerts Johannes M.F.G. , Ramakrishnan Lalita
Published: October 2022

Biallelic mutations in the glucocerebrosidase (GBA1) gene cause Gaucher disease, characterized by lysosomal accumulation of glucosylceramide and glucosylsphingosine in macrophages. This and other lysosomal diseases occur with high frequency in Ashkenazi Jews. It has been proposed that the underlying mutations confer a selective advantage, in particular conferring protection against tuberculosis. Here, using a zebrafish Gaucher disease model, we find that the mutationGBA1N370S, predominant among Ashkenazi Jews, increases resistance to tuberculosis through the microbicidal activity of glucosylsphingosine in macrophage lysosomes. Consistent with lysosomal accumulation occurring only in homozygotes, heterozygotes remain susceptible to tuberculosis. Thus, our findings reveal a mechanistic basis for protection against tuberculosis byGBA1N370S and provide biological plausibility for its selection if the relatively mild deleterious effects in homozygotes were offset by significant protection against tuberculosis, a rampant killer of the young in Europe through the Middle Ages into the 19thcentury.

Significance Statement

Gaucher disease is a recessively inherited disorder in which the lipids glucosylceramide and glucosylsphingosine accumulate in lysosomes of macrophages. Macrophages are the first immune cells to engulf infecting bacteria and we find that glucosylsphingosine increases their ability to killMycobacterium tuberculosisthat causes tuberculosis. Gaucher disease due to a particular mutation is frequent in Ashkenazi Jews. Since from the middle ages they were often confined to areas of high tuberculosis prevalence, it has been proposed that the mutation prevailed because heterozygotes, who do not accumulate lipids nor manifest Gaucher disease, were protected. Our findings raise the possibility that selection operated on homozygotes manifesting mild forms of Gaucher disease who were protected against tuberculosis which would often have been fatal.
A survey of naturally-occurring molecules as new endoplasmic reticulum stress activators with selective anticancer activity
Authors: da Silva Daniela Correia , Valentão Patrícia , Pereira David M.
Published: October 2022

The last century has witnessed the establishment of neoplastic disease as the second cause of death in the world. Nonetheless, the road towards desirable success rates of cancer treatments is still long and paved with uncertainty. With this work, we aim to select natural products that actviaendoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, since the latter is known to be a vulnerability of malignant cells, and display selective toxicity against cancer cell lines.

Starting from a chemical library of over 90 natural products, nontoxic molecules towards non-cancer cells were selected to be assessed for their toxicity towards cancer cells, namely the human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line AGS and the lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549. The active molecules towards at least one of these cell lines were studied in a battery of ensuing assays designed to show the involvement of ER stress in the observed cytotoxic effect, for instance, by evaluating ER stress-related gene expression or caspase activation. We show that several natural products are selectively cytotoxic against malignant cell lines, with their cytotoxicity relying on ER stress and activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Berberine and emodin are proposed as potential leads for the development of more potent ER stressors to be used as selective anticancer agents. Berberine was effective against the two cell models we worked with, disrupting Ca2+homeostasis, inducing UPR target gene expression and ER-resident caspase-4 activation, standing out as the most promising candidate to aid in the development of novel ER stress-based strategies against neoplastic disease.
Identification of a weight loss-associated causal eQTL inMTIF3and the effects ofMTIF3deficiency on human adipocyte function
Authors: Huang Mi , Coral Daniel , Ardalani Hamidreza , Spégel Peter , Saadat Alham , Claussnitzer Melina , Mulder Hindrik , Franks Paul W. , Kalamajski Sebastian
Published: October 2022

Background

Genetic variation at theMTIF3(Mitochondrial Translational Initiation Factor 3) locus has been robustly associated with obesity in humans, but the functional basis behind this association is not known.

Methods

Here, we applied luciferase reporter assay to map potential functional variants in the haplotype block tagged by rs1885988 and used CRISPR-Cas9 to edit the potential functional variants to confirm the regulatory effects onMTIF3expression. We further conducted functional studies on MTIF3-deficient differentiated human white adipocyte cell line (hWAs-iCas9), generated through inducible expression of CRISPR-Cas9 combined with delivery of syntheticMTIF3-targeting guide RNA.

Results

We demonstrate that rs67785913-centered DNA fragment (in LD with rs1885988, r2>0.8) enhances transcription in a luciferase reporter assay, and CRISPR/Cas9 edited rs67785913 CTCT cells show significantly higherMTIF3expression than rs67785913 CT cells. PerturbedMTIF3expression changed the expression of mitochondrial DNA-encoded genes, and reduced mitochondrial respiration, as well as altered endogenous fatty acid oxidation. Furthermore, after glucose restriction, theMTIF3knockout cells retained more triglycerides than control cells.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates an adipocyte function-specific role ofMTIF3, which originates in the maintenance of mitochondrial function, providing potential explanations for whyMTIF3genetic variation at rs67785913 is associated with body corpulence and response to weight loss interventions.
The Impact of Protein Dynamics on Residue-Residue Coevolution and Contact Prediction
Authors: Fung Alexander , Koehl Antoine , Jagota Milind , Song Yun S.
Published: October 2022

The need to maintain protein structure constrains evolution at the sequence level, and patterns of coevolution in homologous protein sequences can be used to predict their 3D structures with high accuracy. Our understanding of the relationship between protein structure and evolution has traditionally been benchmarked by computational models’ ability to predict contacts from a single representative, experimentally determined structure per protein family. However, proteinsin vivoare highly dynamic and can adopt multiple functionally relevant conformations. Here we demonstrate that interactions that stabilize alternate conformations, as well those that mediate conformational changes, impose an underappreciated but significant set of evolutionary constraints. We analyze the extent of these constraints over 56 paralogous G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs),β-arrestin and the human SARS-CoV2 receptor ACE2. Specifically, we observe that contacts uniquely found in molecular dynamics (MD) simulation data and alternate-conformation crystal structures are successfully predicted by unsupervised language models. In GPCRs, adding these contacts as positives increases the percentage of top contacts classified as true positives, as predicted by a state-of-the-art language model, from 69% to 87%. Our results show that protein dynamics impose constraints on molecular evolution and demonstrate the ability of unsupervised language models to measure these constraints.
Viral infectivity in pediatric SARS-CoV-2 clinical samples does not vary by age
Authors: Schmidt Madaline M , Despres Hannah W , Shirley David J , Bose Michael E , McCaul Kate C , Crothers Jessica W , Henrickson Kelly J , Lee Benjamin , Bruce Emily A
Published: October 2022

During the early months of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, notable uncertainty emerged regarding the role of children in transmission dynamics. With time, it became more clear that children were susceptible to infection with SARS-CoV-2, but that the vast majority of children experienced mild symptoms with lower incidence of severe disease. This pattern remained consistent despite the later emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Delta and Omicron, even among children <5 ineligible for vaccination. The relative lack of severe disease in the pediatric population raised questions regarding viral kinetics and infectivity in children versus adults. We hypothesized that unique virologic features in children could explain this apparent decrease in symptoms and transmissibility early in the pandemic.
Dynamic Modulation of Pulsatile Activities of Oxytocin Neurons in Lactating Wild-type Mice
Authors: Yaguchi Kasane , Hagihara Mitsue , Konno Ayumu , Hirai Hirokazu , Yukinaga Hiroko , Miyamichi Kazunari
Published: October 2022

Breastfeeding, which is essential for the survival of mammalian infants, is critically mediated by pulsatile secretion of the pituitary hormone oxytocin from the central oxytocin neurons located in the paraventricular and supraoptic hypothalamic nuclei of mothers. Despite its importance, the molecular and neural circuit mechanisms of the milk ejection reflex remain poorly understood, in part because a mouse model to study lactation was only recently established. In our previous study, we successfully introduced fiber photometry-based chronic imaging of the pulsatile activities of oxytocin neurons during lactation. However, the necessity of Cre recombinase-based double knock-in mice substantially compromised the use of various Cre-dependent neuroscience toolkits. To overcome this obstacle, we developed a simple Cre-free method for monitoring oxytocin neurons by an adeno-associated virus vector driving GCaMP6s under a 2.6 kb mouseoxytocinmini-promoter. Using this method, we monitored calcium ion transients of oxytocin neurons in the paraventricular nucleus in wild-type C57BL/6N and ICR mothers without genetic crossing. By combining this method with video recordings of mothers and pups, we found that the pulsatile activities of oxytocin neurons require physical mother–pup contact for the milk ejection reflex. Notably, the frequencies of photometric signals were dynamically modulated by mother–pup reunions after isolation and during natural weaning stages. Collectively, the present study illuminates the temporal dynamics of pulsatile activities of oxytocin neurons in wild-type mice and provides a tool to characterize maternal oxytocin functions.
Efficient simulation of neural development using shared memory parallelization
Authors: De Schutter Erik
Published: October 2022

The Neural Development Simulator, NeuroDevSim, is a Python module that simulates the most important aspects of development: growth, migration and pruning. It uses an agent-based modeling approach inherited from the NeuroMaC software. Each cycle, agents called fronts execute code. In the case of a growing dendritic or axonal front this will be a choice between extension, branching or growth termination. Somatic fronts can migrate to new positions and any front can be retracted to prune parts of neurons.

NeuroDevSim is a multi-core program that uses an innovative shared memory approach to achieve parallel processing without messaging. We demonstrate close to linear strong scaling for medium size models for up to 32 cores and have run large models successfully on 128 cores. Most of the shared memory parallelism is achieved without memory locking. Instead cores have write privileges to private sections of arrays only, while being able to read the entire shared array. Memory conflicts are avoided by a coding rule that allows only active fronts to use methods that need writing access. The exception is collision detection, which is needed to avoid growth of physically overlapping structures. Here a locking mechanism was necessary to control access to grid points that register the location of nearby fronts. A custom approach using a serialized lock broker was able to manage both read and write locking.

NeuroDevSim allows easy modeling of neural development for models ranging from a few complex to thousands of simple neurons or a mixture of both.
Killer Toxins for the Control of Diastatic Yeasts in Brewing
Authors: Zhong Victor , Garcia Ximena , Ketchum Nicholas , Rowley Paul A.
Published: October 2022

Secondary fermentation in craft beers by diastatic yeasts can result in undesirable consequences, such as off-flavors, increased alcohol content, gushing, and the explosion of packaging. Currently, there are no strategies for inhibiting diastatic yeasts once they have invaded a commercial brewing process. Many strains of yeasts can naturally produce “killer” toxins that inhibit the growth of competing yeasts. Testing the effectiveness of canonical toxins against diastatic yeasts revealed that most (90%) strains are susceptible to the K1 killer toxin. Only two diastatic strains’ resistance to killer toxins was due to toxin production and associated immunity. Four diastatic strains resistant to K1 and K2 toxins were screened against a library of 192 novel killer yeasts to discover novel antifungal activities. This identified novel K2 killer yeasts that were more potent at inhibiting diastatic yeasts than the canonical killer yeast. As proof-of-principle for the control of diastatic yeasts during fermentation, killer yeasts were found to be effective at inhibiting hyperattenuation after a simulated diastatic contamination in a 1,000-liter industrial-style fermentation.
Collagen breaks at weak sacrificial bonds taming its mechanoradicals
Authors: Rennekamp Benedikt , Karfusehr Christoph , Kurth Markus , Ünal Aysecan , Riedmiller Kai , Gryn’ova Ganna , Hudson David M. , Gräter Frauke
Published: October 2022

Collagen is a force-bearing, hierarchical structural protein important to all connective tissue. In tendon collagen, high load even below macroscopic failure level creates mechanoradicals by homolytic bond scission, similar to polymers. The location and type of initial rupture sites critically decide on both the mechanical and chemical impact of these micro-ruptures on the tissue, but are yet to be explored. We here use scale-bridging simulations supported by gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry to determine breakage points in collagen. We find collagen crosslinks, as opposed to the backbone, to harbor the weakest bonds, with one particular bond in trivalent crosslinks as the most dominant rupture site. We identify this bond as sacrificial, rupturing prior to other bonds while maintaining the material’s integrity. Also, collagen’s weak bonds funnel ruptures such that the potentially harmful mechanoradicals are readily stabilized. Our results suggest this unique failure mode of collagen to be tailored towards combatting an early onset of macroscopic failure and material ageing.
A network of small RNAs regulates sporulation initiation inC. difficile
Authors: Fuchs Manuela , Lamm-Schmidt Vanessa , Lenče Tina , Sulzer Johannes , Bublitz Arne , Gerovac Milan , Strowig Till , Faber Franziska
Published: October 2022

The obligate anaerobic, enteric pathogenClostridioides difficilepersists in the intestinal tract by forming antibiotic resistant endospores that contribute to relapsing and recurrent infections. Despite the importance of sporulation forC. difficilepathogenesis, environmental cues, and molecular mechanisms regulating sporulation initiation remain ill defined. Here, using RIL-seq to capture the Hfq-dependent RNA-RNA interactome, we discovered a network of small RNAs that bind to mRNAs encoding sporulation-related genes. We show that two of these small RNAs, SpoX and SpoY, regulate translation of the master regulator of sporulation, Spo0A, in an opposing manner, which ultimately leads to altered sporulation rates. Infection of antibiotic-treated mice with SpoX and SpoY deletion mutants revealed a global effect on gut colonization and intestinal sporulation. Our work uncovers an elaborate RNA-RNA interactome controlling the physiology and virulence ofC. difficileand identifies a complex post-transcriptional layer in the regulation of spore formation in this important human pathogen.
Cell size contributes to single-cell proteome variation
Authors: Lanz Michael C. , Valenzuela Lucas , Elias Joshua E. , Skotheim Jan M.
Published: October 2022

Accurate measurements of the molecular composition of single cells will be necessary for understanding the relationship between gene expression and function in diverse cell types. One of the most important phenotypes that differs between cells is their size, which was recently shown to be an important determinant of proteome composition in populations of similarly sized cells. We therefore sought to test if the effects of cell size on protein concentrations were also evident in single cell proteomics data. Using the relative concentrations of a set of reference proteins to estimate a cell’s DNA-to-cell volume ratio, we found that differences in cell size explain a significant amount of cell-to-cell variance in two published single cell proteome datasets.
Cellular and environmental dynamics influence species-specific extents of organelle gene retention
Authors: García Pascual Belén , Nordbotten Jan M. , Johnston Iain G.
Published: October 2022

Mitochondria and plastids rely on many nuclear-encoded genes, but retain small subsets of the genes they need to function in their own organelle DNA (oDNA). Different species retain different numbers of oDNA genes, and the reasons for these differences are not completely understood. Here we use a mathematical model to explore the hypothesis that the energetic demands imposed by an organism’s changing environment influence how many oDNA genes it retains. The model couples the physical biology of cell processes of gene expression and transport to a supply-and-demand model for the environmental dynamics to which an organism is exposed. The tradeoff between fulfilling metabolic and bioenergetic environmental demands, and retaining genetic integrity, is quantified for a generic gene encoded either in oDNA or in nuclear DNA. Species in environments with high-amplitude, intermediate-frequency oscillations are predicted to retain the most organelle genes, whereas those in less dynamic or noisy environments the fewest. We discuss support for, and insight from, these predictions with oDNA data across eukaryotic taxa, including high oDNA gene counts in sessile organisms exposed to day-night and intertidal oscillations (including plants and algae) and low counts in parasites and fungi.
Surface phenotyping and quantitative proteomics reveal differentially enriched proteins of brain-derived extracellular vesicles in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Arab Tanina , Huang Yiyao , Nagaraj Rajini , Gizzie Evan , Redding-Ochoa Javier , Troncoso Juan C. , Pletnikova Olga , Boronina Tatiana , Cole Robert N. , Mahairaki Vasiliki , Routenberg David A. , Witwer Kenneth W.
Published: October 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are produced by all cell types and are found in all tissues and biofluids. EV proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids are a “nano-snapshot” of the parent cell that may be used for novel diagnostics of various diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders. Currently, diagnosis of the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder, Parkinson’s disease (PD), relies on manifestations of late-stage progression, which may furthermore associate with other neurodegenerative diseases such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Here, we profiled surface markers and other protein contents of brain-derived extracellular vesicles (bd-EVs) from PD (n= 24), PSP (n=25) and control (n=24). bdEVs displayed tetraspanins and certain microglia, astrocyte, and neuron markers, while quantitative proteomics revealed enrichment of several proteins in PD vs. control and/or PSP, including clathrin heavy chain 1 and 14-3-3 protein gamma. This characterization of EVs in the source tissue provides insights into local dynamics as well as biomarker candidates for investigation in peripheral fluids.
Three-dimensional model of a split-crystal X-ray and neutron interferometer
Authors: Sasso C. P. , Mana G. , Massa E.
Published: October 2022

The observation of neutron interference using a crystal interferometer having a separate analyser opens the way to the construction and operation of interferometers with vast arm separation and length. Setting the design specifications requires a three-dimensional dynamical theory model of their operation. This paper develops the required three-dimensional mathematical framework, which also comprises coherent and incoherent illuminations; it is applied to study the visibility of the interference fringes.
A WISER way for simulating the performance of gratings
Authors: Manfredda Michele , Raimondi Lorenzo , Cocco Daniele
Published: October 2022

Soft X-ray monochromators for synchrotron radiation sources have been continuously developed over the years, improving energy resolution and stability. Great effort has been made in improving the surface quality of the optics involved, reaching values permitting diffraction-limited images. Still, one problem has not been solved, nor fully understood, yet: groove placing errors. Nowadays, these are one of the major factors responsible for resolving the power reduction of diffraction-gratings-based X-ray monochromators. Despite decades of use of gratings, there is not yet a universally established method for predicting and simulating the effect of groove placing errors on monochromator performance. This is especially important in the new scenario of high-coherent X-ray sources, i.e. diffraction-limited storage rings and free-electron lasers. To address this problem, in this article an approach based on WISER (Wavefront propagatIon Simulation codE libRary) is presented. WISER is a physical optics simulation package, also available in the user-friendly Orange Synchrotron Radiation Suite – OASYS. Even though it was originally conceived to assess the focusing performance of X-ray mirrors in the presence of height defects, it perfectly simulates the performance of a periodic (or quasi-periodic) structure like a diffraction grating. In this article, the way to use WISER and its application to a specific case, e.g. the design of a monochromator for the upgrade of a beamline at the Advanced Light Source, are shown. A simple rule for estimating how well the grooves are placed on a grating, based on calculation of the Strehl ratio, is also presented.
Associated tolerance optimization approach using manufacturing difficulty coefficients and genetic algorithm
Authors: Ghali Maroua , Elghali Sami , Aifaoui Nizar
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish a tolerance optimization method based on manufacturing difficulty computation using the genetic algorithm (GA) method. This proposal is among the authors’ perspectives of accomplished previous research work to cooperative optimal tolerance allocation approach for concurrent engineering area.

Design/methodology/approach

This study introduces the proposed GA modeling. The objective function of the proposed GA is to minimize total cost constrained by the equation of functional requirements tolerances considering difficulty coefficients. The manufacturing difficulty computation is based on tools for the study and analysis of reliability of the design or the process, as the failure mode, effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) and Ishikawa diagram.

Findings

The proposed approach, based on difficulty coefficient computation and GA optimization method [genetic algorithm optimization using difficulty coefficient computation (GADCC)], has been applied to mechanical assembly taken from the literature and compared to previous methods regarding tolerance values and computed total cost. The total cost is the summation of manufacturing cost and quality loss. The proposed approach is economic and efficient that leads to facilitate the manufacturing of difficult dimensions by increasing their tolerances and reducing the rate of defect parts of the assembly.

Originality/value

The originality of this new optimal tolerance allocation method is to make a marriage between GA and manufacturing difficulty. The computation of part dimensions difficulty is based on incorporating FMECA tool and Ishikawa diagram This comparative study highlights the benefits of the proposed GADCC optimization method. The results lead to obtain optimal tolerances that minimize the total cost and respect the functional, quality and manufacturing requirements.
It's a gift – Samuel Pepys and Sir William Warren, an account of gifts, bribes and kickbacks
Authors: McBride Karen
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate an individual’s boundary crossing with regard to bribery, gifts and favouritism in rewarding contracts. Samuel Pepys’s diary was written in the 17th century and through detailed accounts gives insight into his inherent professionalism and his negative opinions around bribery but also his acceptance of “gifts” and awarding of contracts to “friends”.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses a narrative approach to study a detailed and reflective personal diary identifying the diarist’s self-exploration and attitudes around the receipt of gifts and the awarding of contracts. This microhistory is presented with a narrative account of a case study of the relationship between the diarist, Pepys and a supplier, Sir W. Warren.

Findings

The diary illustrates how Pepys crosses these boundaries and how the lack of accountability within his role enables him to do this. This detailed study enables answers to questions that with time, legislation and lack of acceptability, have become more difficult to ask and to answer, about the crossing of boundaries and ethical decisions around the acceptance of bribes and kickbacks.

Originality/value

A contribution of this paper is the use of a diary, at least a diary as self-reflective as Pepys’s written up as a narrative account. The use of a detailed diary in an accounting microhistory of this nature gives insight and assists in answering difficult to ask questions around personal motivations for bribery and corruption and contributes in this area. The research contributes in developing research around boundaries and the corruption equation using the insight gleaned from this narrative account.
Moral identity, consumption values and green purchase behaviour
Authors: Rana S.M. Sohel , Solaiman Mohammad
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore the determinants of the green purchase behaviour (GPB) of environment-friendly and energy-efficient electronic products market. It specifically examines the moderating effect of consumers’ moral identity on the relationships between the consumption values and GPB of environment-friendly and energy-efficient electronic products market. It also examines the direct relationship between consumption values and GPB.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the theory of consumption values is combined with the moral identity of consumers. A structured questionnaire mall-intercept survey was used to collect data from 396 respondents, which was subsequently processed using the smart PLS software for partial least square structural equation modelling analysis.

Findings

Findings reveal that functional value, social value, conditional value and epistemic value are the significant predictors of GPB of the environment-friendly and energy-efficient electronic products market. The moral identity of consumers also appears to positively moderate the relationships between functional, emotional and conditional values and the GPB.

Originality/value

The energy efficiency of electronic products is included in this study as an additional feature of functional value, while government support and business promotional initiatives are incorporated as the new elements of conditional value. Therefore, the inclusion and evaluation of the moral identity of consumers, alongside new elements of functional and conditional values in the theory of consumption values, could be considered a significant theoretical addition. The study uncovered certain customer insights that could help accelerate the adoption of green electronic products, which may result in better energy savings, reduced carbon emissions and environmental safety.
Resources and capabilities for Industry 4.0 implementation: evidence from proactive Portuguese SMEs
Authors: Santos Beatrice , Dieste Marcos , Orzes Guido , Charrua-Santos Fernando
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper seeks to shed light on the resources and capabilities required by SMEs to successfully implement Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and to explore how these resources and capabilities can be acquired and/or developed.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employed an exploratory multiple case study approach to analyze five Portuguese SMEs that have implemented I4.0 technologies. Data were primarily collected through direct semi-structured interviews with managers from different departments and areas. Moreover, a technology, organization and environment (TOE) framework approach was adopted to analyze the resources and capabilities needed for I4.0 implementation in SMEs.

Findings

Research findings suggest that the analyzed Portuguese SMEs did not require all the considered I4.0 resources and capabilities. Therefore, results may support practitioners to recognize and prioritize the resources and capabilities needed to successfully embrace all the benefits of I4.0. In this regard, SMEs can develop these resources and capabilities needed both internally (e.g. through the process and product innovation focused on digital technologies, human resource management practices and top management commitment) and externally (e.g. hiring skilled employees and through innovative collaboration networks).

Originality/value

Using the TOE framework, this study shows how SMEs could acquire and develop their resources and capabilities to accelerate I4.0 implementation and maximize its benefits.
Online service failure: antecedents, moderators and consequences
Authors: Adil Mohd , Sadiq Mohd , Jebarajakirthy Charles , Maseeh Haroon Iqbal , Sangroya Deepak , Bharti Kumkum
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present a systematic review of the online service failure (OSF) literature and conduct an exhaustive analysis of academic research on this emerging research area.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study has adopted a structured systematic literature review approach to synthesize and assess the OSF literature. Further, the study uses the Theory-Context-Characteristics-Methodology (TCCM) framework to propose future research directions in the OSF domain.

Findings

This systematic review shows that OSF research is still developing and remains mainly incoherent. Further, the study develops a conceptual framework integrating the frequently reported antecedents, mediators, moderator and consequences in the extant literature. This review also synthesizes the theoretical perspectives adopted for this domain.

Research limitations/implications

The study followed specific inclusion and exclusion criteria to shortlist articles. Further, articles published only in the English language were considered. Hence, the findings of this review cannot be generalized to all OSF literature.

Practical implications

This systematic review has classified antecedents into customers' and service providers' roles which will enable online service providers to understand all sets of factors driving OSF. It also synthesizes and presents service recovery strategies and emphasizes the role of online customer support to fix OSF.

Originality/value

The OSF literature is still developing and remains highly incoherent, suggesting that a synthesized review is needed. This study has systematically reviewed and synthesized the OSF literature to study its development over time and proposes a framework which provides a comprehensive understanding of OSF.
Pay-for-performance, procedural justice, OCB and job performance: a sequential mediation model
Authors: Gupta Vishal , Mittal Shweta , Ilavarasan P. Vigneswara , Budhwar Pawan
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Building on the arguments of expectancy theory and social exchange theory, the present study provides insights into the process by which pay-for-performance (PFP) impacts employee job performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a sample size of 226 employees working in a technology company in India, the study examines the relationships between PFP, procedural justice, organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and employee job performance. Data on perceptions of PFP and procedural justice were collected from the employees, data on OCB were collected from the supervisors and the data on employee job performance were collected from organizational appraisal records.

Findings

The study found support for the positive relationship between PFP and job performance and for the sequential mediation of the relationship between PFP and job performance via procedural justice and OCB. Further, procedural justice was found to mediate the relationship between PFP and OCB.

Research limitations/implications

The study was cross-sectional, so inferences about causality are limited.

Practical implications

The study tests the relationship between PFP and employee job performance in the Indian work context. The study shows that the existence of PFP is positively related to procedural justice which, in turn, is positively related to OCB. The study found support for the sequential mediation of PFP-job performance relationship via procedural justice and OCB.

Originality/value

The study provides an insight into the underlying process through which PFP is related to employee job performance. To the best of our knowledge, such a study is the first of its kind undertaken in an organizational context.
Evaluation of effect and optimizing of process parameters for fused deposition modeling parts on tensile properties via Taguchi method
Authors: Demir Sermet , Yüksel Caner
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of printing parameters on the mechanical properties of standard dog bone specimens manufactured by fused deposition modeling.

Design/methodology/approach

Polylactic acid (PLA) specimens were printed and tested according to the ASTM standard. The effect of five important printing parameters, layer height, raster angle, printing speed, nozzle temperature and nozzle diameter, was examined on ultimate tensile strength (UTS), elongation and apparent density. Five levels were attended for each parameter, and a high number of required experiments were reduced by applying the L25 Taguchi design of the experiment.

Findings

The effect of each parameter on outputs and optimal values for maximum tensile strength were determined. The most influential parameter is the raster angle of 64.96%. Nozzle temperature has a low effect of 1.76%, but nozzle diameter contribution is 9.77%. The experiment results are validated by analysis of variance analysis, and the optimal predicted level for parameters is 90° raster angle, 0.2 mm layer height, 100 mm/s printing speed, 200°C nozzle temperature and 0.8 mm nozzle diameter. The maximum UTS observed is 48.70 MPa for 0.8 mm nozzle diameter, whereas the minimum is 18.49 for 0.2 mm nozzle diameter.

Originality/value

This paper is a very extensive experimental research report on the effect of the parameters for the tensile property of 3D printed PLA specimens by the Taguchi method. The documented results can be further developed for an optimization model to obtain a desired mechanical property with less variation and uncertainty in a product.
Sundaic elephants prefer habitats on the periphery of protected areas
Authors: de la Torre J. Antonio , Cheah Cheryl , Lechner Alex M. , Wong Ee Phin , Tuuga Augustine , Saaban Salman , Goossens Benoit , Campos‐Arceiz Ahimsa
Published: October 2022

Protected areas (PAs) are a cornerstone of global conservation strategies. PAs, however, are not equally effective for all threatened taxa, and it is important to understand taxa‐specific effectiveness of PAs networks.

In this study, we evaluate the role of the PAs network on the protection of Asian elephants Elephas maximus and their habitats in Southeast Asia's Sundaic region. Since Asian elephants tend to prefer secondary forests or forest gaps, we predicted that PAs would not represent the species preferred habitats. We conducted the most comprehensive analysis of Asian elephant space and habitat use to date through home range estimations and step selection function analyses using over 600,000 Global Positioning System locations from 102 different elephants from Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo.

Our results revealed important similarities in the habitat use of elephants in both regions, with both females and males in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah preferring secondary forest, forest gaps and areas of regrowth and new plantations.

Our results supported our prediction that PAs do not represent Asian elephants' preferred habitats, since for most of the elephants, more than half of their ranges were outside PAs and the probability of selection values for both sexes in both geographical areas were lower inside than outside the PAs.

Synthesis and applications. Our analysis suggests that conservation strategies need to acknowledge that the long‐term survival of Asian elephants in the Sundaic region relies on our capacity to promote human–elephant coexistence at the boundaries of PAs. We advocate that Asian elephant conservation strategies should be based on the following three key points: (1) large PAs with core areas where elephants can find safety and potentially survive in the long term; (2) promoting connectivity among PAs using a system of wildlife corridors; and (3) effective human–elephant conflict management outside PAs.
Marx on the Reciprocal Interconnections between the Soil and the Human Body: Ireland and Its Colonialised Metabolic Rifts
Authors: Slater Eamonn , Flaherty Eoin
Published: October 2022

Marx’s writings on Ireland are widely known, but less appreciated is their centrality to the formation of his ecological thought. We show how Marx’s understanding of metabolic rift evolved in line with his writings on colonial Ireland, revealing a concept more holistic than the “classic” metabolic rift of the soil. We recover and extend this concept to the corporeal metabolic rift, showing how both are inherent in Marx’s various writings on Ireland. Whilst the rift of the soil concerns the extraction and consumption of organic soil constituents, the corporeal rift describes processes of depopulation, and their effects on demography and family formation. These “rifted” processes are interconnected such that depleted soil impacts on the health of those who consume food grown on those “rifted” soils. We argue that the presence of these rifts substantiates Ireland’s inability to sustain itself both economically and organically, which determined its persistent post‐Famine underdevelopment.
Resistance in health and healthcare: Applying Essex conceptualisation to a multiphased study on the experiences of Australian nurses and midwives who provide abortion care to people victimised by gender‐based violence
Authors: Mainey Lydia , O'Mullan Cathy , Reid‐Searl Kerry
Published: October 2022

In this article, we explore the act of resistance by nurses and midwives at the nexus of abortion care and gender‐based violence. We commence with a brief overview of a multiphased extended grounded theory doctoral project that analysed the individual, situational and socio‐political experiences of Australian nurses and midwives who provide abortion care to people victimised by gender‐based violence. We then turn to Essex's conceptualisation of resistance in health and healthcare and draw upon these concepts to tell a unifying and cohesive story about how nurses and midwives exercise their politics. Vignettes taken from the three study phases are provided for demonstrative purposes. Finally, we discuss the potential of resistance in health and healthcare as a postmodern feminist research tool to analyse acts by nurses and midwives that could be categorised as political.
Multiple drug transporters contribute to the brain transfer of levofloxacin
Authors: Cen Yuying , Shan Yuheng , Zhao Jiahua , Xu Xiaojiao , Nie Zhiyong , Zhang Jiatang
Published: October 2022

Aims

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the major transporters at blood–brain barrier and blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier on levofloxacin (LVFX) pharmacokinetics in rat. To explore the different effects of transporters on drug concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain extracellular fluid (ECF).

Methods

High‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with microdialysis was used to continuously and synchronously measure unbound concentrations of LVFX in rat blood, hippocampal ECF, and lateral ventricle CSF for comprehensive characterization of brain pharmacokinetics. The role of transporters in the brain efflux mechanism of LVFX was analyzed in the absence and presence of various transporter inhibitors.

Results

Following LVFX (50 mg/kg) administration, the unbound partition coefficient of LVFX in brain ECF and CSF (Kp,uu,ECF and Kp,uu,CSF) were 34.0 ± 1.7% and 41.2 ± 2.4%, respectively. When probenecid was coadministered with LVFX, the AUC and the mean residence time (MRT) in rat blood increased significantly (p < 0.05). After MK571 intervention, 1.35‐fold and 1.16‐fold increases in Kp,uu,ECF and Kp,uu,CSF were observed, respectively (p < 0.05). Treatment with Ko143 increased the levels of LVFX in brain ECF. The difference in LVFX concentration in brain ECF and CSF was <3‐fold with or without treatment with transporter inhibitors.

Conclusion

Efflux of LVFX from the central nervous system (CNS) involves multidrug resistance‐associated proteins (MRPs), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), and organic anion transporters (OATs). MRPs play an important role in mediating the brain/CSF‐to‐blood efflux of LVFX. LVFX concentrations in CSF can be used as a surrogate to predict the concentrations inside brain parenchyma.
Protected areas still used to produce Brazil's cattle
Authors: West Thales A. P. , Rausch Lisa , Munger Jacob , Gibbs Holly K.
Published: October 2022

Cattle production inside Brazil's protected areas (PAs), including indigenous lands, continues to contaminate Amazonian supply chains more than a decade after efforts to reform the sector were launched with the signing of the zero‐deforestation cattle agreements (CAs). During 2013–2018, nearly 1.1 million cattle head were sold directly from private properties inside PAs to slaughterhouses in Mato Grosso, Pará, and Rondônia states. Another 2.2 million head were linked via indirect suppliers located in PAs. Most of these 3.3 million slaughtered head were originated in to sustainable‐use areas (72%), where cattle ranching may be permitted in certain cases; however, production also occurred in strictly protected units (20%) and indigenous lands (8%), where commercial grazing activities are illegal and prohibited by the CAs. Nearly half of the PA properties linked to cattle transactions from 2013 to 2018 also had deforestation. We estimate that approximately 2.8 million cattle head from properties in PAs were sold to slaughterhouses participating in the CAs (86% of the total cattle from indirect suppliers in PAs). Controlling commercial cattle production inside of PAs is crucial to both ensure Brazil's access to international beef markets and protect critical biodiversity regions in the Amazon rainforest.
Advancing a causal role of type 2 diabetes and its components in developing macro‐ and microvascular complications via genetic studies
Authors: Ahmed Altayeb , Sattar Naveed , Yaghootkar Hanieh
Published: October 2022

The role of diabetes in developing microvascular and macrovascular complications has been subject to extensive research. Despite multiple observational and genetic studies, the causal inference of diabetes (and associated risk factors) on those complications remains incomplete. In this review, we focused on type 2 diabetes, as the major form of diabetes, and investigated the evidence of causality provided by observational and genetic studies. We found that genetic studies based on Mendelian randomization provided consistent evidence of causal inference of type 2 diabetes on macrovascular complications; however, the evidence for causal inference on microvascular complications has been somewhat limited. We also noted high BMI could be causal for several diabetes complications, notable given high BMI is commonly upstream of type 2 diabetes and the recent calls to target weight loss more aggressively. We emphasize the need for further studies to identify type 2 diabetes components that mostly drive the risk of those complications. Even so, the genetic evidence summarized broadly concurs with the need for a multifactorial risk reduction approach in type 2 diabetes, including addressing excess adiposity.
Rising Longevity, Increasing the Retirement Age, and the Consequences for Knowledge‐based Long‐run Growth
Authors: Kuhn Michael , Prettner Klaus
Published: October 2022

We assess the long‐run growth effects of rising longevity and increasing the retirement age when growth is driven by purposeful research and development. In contrast to economies in which growth depends on learning‐by‐doing spillovers, raising the retirement age fosters economic growth. How economic growth changes in response to rising life expectancy depends on the retirement response. Employing numerical analysis, we find that the requirement for experiencing a growth stimulus from rising longevity is fulfilled by the USA, nearly met by the average OECD economy, but missed by the European Union and by Japan.
Big data and machine learning to tackle diabetes management
Authors: Pina Ana F. , Meneses Maria João , Sousa‐Lima Inês , Henriques Roberto , Raposo João F. , Macedo Maria Paula
Published: October 2022

Background

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) diagnosis is based solely on glycaemia, even though it is an endpoint of numerous dysmetabolic pathways. Type 2 Diabetes complexity is challenging in a real‐world scenario; thus, dissecting T2D heterogeneity is a priority. Cluster analysis, which identifies natural clusters within multidimensional data based on similarity measures, poses a promising tool to unravel Diabetes complexity.

Methods

In this review, we scrutinize and integrate the results obtained in most of the works up to date on cluster analysis and T2D.

Results

To correctly stratify subjects and to differentiate and individualize a preventive or therapeutic approach to Diabetes management, cluster analysis should be informed with more parameters than the traditional ones, such as etiological factors, pathophysiological mechanisms, other dysmetabolic co‐morbidities, and biochemical factors, that is the millieu. Ultimately, the above‐mentioned factors may impact on Diabetes and its complications. Lastly, we propose another theoretical model, which we named the Integrative Model. We differentiate three types of components: etiological factors, mechanisms and millieu. Each component encompasses several factors to be projected in separate 2D planes allowing an holistic interpretation of the individual pathology.

Conclusion

Fully profiling the individuals, considering genomic and environmental factors, and exposure time, will allow the drive to precision medicine and prevention of complications.
Phenotypic Plasticity & Evolution: Causes, Consequences, Controversies David W. Pfennig (ed). xxxi + 404 pp., index. Evolutionary Cell Biology. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 2021. $230 (hardback); Open Access (pdf).
Authors: Love Alan C. , Wagner Günter P.
Published: October 2022

Highlights

Details the important contributions and significance of this edited volume for the field.

Describes key conceptual questions that remain outstanding.