bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mathematical modeling of ion homeostasis & cell volume stabilization: impact of ion transporters, impermeant molecules, & Donnan effect
Authors: Aminzare Zahra , Kay Alan R.
Published: December 2022

The pump-leak mechanism (PLM) first, described by Tosteson and Hoffman (1960), demonstrates how the activity of theNa+−K+ATPase (NKA) can counteract the osmotic influx of water stimulated by the presence of impermeant intracellular molecules. We derive analytical solutions for the steady state ion concentrations, voltage, and volume of a cell, by including impermeant extracellular molecules, variable impermeant charge, and Cation-Chloride Co-transporters (CCC). We demonstrate that impermeant extracellular molecules could stabilize a cell without NKA activity but argue that it is unlikely to play a significant rolein vivo. Significantly we have shown that the precise form of the NKA is unimportant for determining the steady state in PLMs. We have derived an analytical expression for the steady state of the PLM with one of the Cation-Chloride Co-transporters, either KCC, NCC, or NKCC, active. Notably, we have demonstrated that NCC at high pump rates can destabilize cells, which could account for the rarity of this co-transporter. In addition, we show that the reversal of any of the CCCs is unlikely. Importantly, we link the thermodynamics of the NKA to the PLM to show that there is a natural limit to the energy utilized by the PLM that prevents futile cycles. We show that the average charge on the intracellular impermeant molecules influences ion distributions but has no impact on energy utilization. Our study shows that analytical mathematical solutions from physically well-grounded models provide insight into ion transport systems that could only be obtained from numerical simulations with great difficulty.

Significance Statement

The regulation of cell volume is fundamental to the stability of all tissue. Animal cells regulate their volume by actively pumping sodium and potassium ions, preventing the water’s osmotic influx from blowing up the cell. Based on the physical laws that determine ion and water fluxes, we derive equations that allow one to predict how pump rates and ion conductances combine to stabilize cell volume. The action of the sodium pump consumes about 30% of a cell’s energy budget, and we demonstrate the rate of ion pumping is constrained so that cells do not consume excessive energy. Our work also demonstrates the power of closed-form mathematical equations in characterizing such pump-leak systems.
Social tolerance as strategy to resolve group conflicts: an experimental study on tug-of-war competition of burying beetles
Authors: Ma Long , Wang Wenxia , Roffel Denise , van der Velde Marco , Komdeur Jan
Published: December 2022

In animal groups with dominance hierarchies, there often occurs a tug-of-war competition over resources and reproduction between dominants and subordinates, because neither is able to fully control the other. Consequently, individuals may mitigate within-group conflict, either by fighting others or by signalling their willingness to tolerate others. Nevertheless, how such a tolerance interaction evolves remains unclear. Here, we addressed this knowledge gap and tested the tug-of-war competition hypothesis, by investigating whether subordinates pay to stay in the group by helping dominants (pay-to-stay), and whether dominants pay costs by living with subordinates in the group (pay-from-staying). We used the burying beetles,Nicrophorus vespilloides, which compete with intra- and inter-specifics for valuable carcasses that are needed for reproduction. Multiple conspecifics can reproduce together through communal breeding, thereby enhancing benefits in terms of reproduction and resource defence against competitors. In communal associations, larger individuals are often dominant in carcass use and reproduction, whereas subordinates have restricted access to the carcass. Our findings show that cooperative subordinates paid costs by helping dominant breeders in carcass preparation in order to be tolerated (i.e. increased access towards the carcass) by dominant breeders, but subordinates did not increase their reproductive success by helping. Such tolerance was eliminated by a high interspecific competition with blowfly maggots. Our results also show that dominant males, but not dominant females, benefitted more from the presence of subordinates, partly due to a sex difference in the compensation strategy of dominants. Overall, our study demonstrates that a social tolerance occurring in situations with a tug-of-war competition could be a common strategy to resolve conflicts in animal societies.
Birthweight, Childhood Obesity, Adulthood Obesity and Body Compositions, and Gastrointestinal Diseases: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Yuan Shuai , Ruan Xixian , Sun Yuhao , Fu Tian , Zhao Jianhui , Deng Minzi , Chen Jie , Li Xue , Larsson Susanna C.
Published: December 2022

Background

Obesity has been established as a risk factor for several gastrointestinal diseases, whether the associations are causal is uncertain. In addition, the associations of obesity-related factors with gastrointestinal diseases have been scarcely explored. This Mendelian randomization aimed to investigate the associations of birth weight, childhood body mass index (BMI), adulthood BMI and waist-hip ratio, and body composition with the risk of 24 gastrointestinal diseases.

Methods

Independent genetic instruments associated with the exposures at the genome-wide significance level (P<5×10−8) were selected from corresponding large-scale genome-wide association studies. Summary-level data for gastrointestinal diseases were obtained from the UK Biobank and large consortia.

Results

Genetically predicted higher levels of birth weight was associated with a lower risk of gastroesophageal reflux. Genetically predicted higher childhood BMI was associated with an increased risk of duodenal ulcer, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cholelithiasis. However, the associations did not persist after adjusting for genetically predicted adulthood BMI. Genetically predicted higher adulthood BMI and waist-hip ratio were associated with 19 and 17 gastrointestinal diseases, respectively. Genetically predicted greater visceral adiposity was associated with an increased risk of 18 gastrointestinal diseases. There were no strong associations between genetically predicted whole body fat and fat-free mass indices with gastrointestinal diseases.

Conclusion

This study suggests that greater adulthood adiposity, measured as either BMI, waist-hip ratio, or visceral adipose tissue, is causally associated with an increased risk of a broad range of gastrointestinal diseases.
Identification of a protein expression signature distinguishing early from organising diffuse alveolar damage in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Ashwin Helen , Milross Luke , Wilson Julie , Majo Joaquim , Hang Lee Jimmy Tsz , Calder Grant , Hunter Bethany , James Sally , Lagos Dimitris , Signoret Nathalie , Filby Andrew , Bayraktar Omer Ali , Fisher Andrew J. , Kaye Paul M.
Published: December 2022

Diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) is a histopathological finding associated with severe viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2. However, the mechanisms mediating progression of DAD are poorly understood. Applying protein digital spatial profiling to lung tissue obtained from a cohort of 27 COVID-19 autopsy cases from the UK, we identified a protein signature (ARG1, CD127, GZMB, IDO1, Ki67, phospho-PRAS40 (T246), and VISTA that distinguishes early / exudative DAD from late / organising DAD with good predictive accuracy. These proteins warrant further investigation as potential immunotherapeutic targets to modulate DAD progression and improve patient outcome.
Whole-genome sequencing across 449 samples spanning 47 ethnolinguistic groups provides insights into genetic diversity in Nigeria
Authors: Joshi Esha , Biddanda Arjun , Popoola Jumi , Yakubu Aminu , Osakwe Oluyemisi , Attipoe Delali ,   54gene Team, NCD-GHS Consortium, Dogbo Estelle , Salako Babatunde , Nash Oyekanmi , Salako Omolola , Oyedele Olubukunola , Eze-Echesi Golibe , Fatumo Segun , Ene-Obong Abasi , O’Dushlaine Colm
Published: December 2022

African populations have been drastically underrepresented in genomics research and failure to capture the genetic diversity across the numerous ethnolinguistic groups (ELGs) found in the continent has hindered the equity of precision medicine initiatives globally. Here, we describe the whole-genome sequencing of 449 Nigerian individuals across 47 unique self-reported ELGs. Population structure analysis reveals genetic differentiation amongst our ELGs, consistent with previous findings. From the 36 million SNPs and INDELs discovered in our dataset, we provide a high-level catalog of both novel and medically-relevant variation present across the ELGs. These results emphasize the value of this resource for genomics research, with added granularity by representing multiple ELGs from Nigeria. Our results also underscore the potential of using these cohorts with larger sample sizes to improve our understanding of human ancestry and health in Africa.
It takes neurons to understand neurons: Digital twins of visual cortex synthesize neural metamers
Authors: Cobos Erick , Muhammad Taliah , Fahey Paul G. , Ding Zhiwei , Ding Zhuokun , Reimer Jacob , Sinz Fabian H. , Tolias Andreas S.
Published: December 2022

Metamers, images that are perceived as equal, are a useful tool to study representations of natural images in biological and artificial vision systems. We synthesized metamers for the mouse visual system by inverting a deep encoding model to find an image that matched the observed neural activity to the original presented image. When testing the resulting images in physiological experiments we found that they most closely reproduced the neural activity of the original image when compared to other decoding methods, even when tested in a different animal whose neural activity was not used to produce the metamer. This demonstrates that deep encoding models do capture general characteristic properties of biological visual systems and can be used to define a meaningful perceptual loss for the visual system.
The benefits and perils of import in small cattle breeding programs
Authors: Obšteter J. , Jenko J. , Pocrnic I. , Gorjanc G.
Published: December 2022

Small breeding programs are limited in achieving competitive genetic gain and prone to high rates of inbreeding. Thus, they often import genetic material to increase genetic gain and to limit the loss of genetic variability. However, the benefit of import depends on the strength of genotype by environment interaction. It also also diminishes the relevance of domestic selection and the use of domestic breeding animals. Introduction of genomic selection has potentially execerbated this issue, but is also opening the potential for smaller breeding program.

The aim of this paper was to determine when and to what extent do small breeding programs benefit from import. We simulated two cattle breeding programs differing in selection parameters representing a large foreign and a small domestic breeding program that differ in the initial genetic mean and annual genetic gain. We evaluated a control scenario without the use of foreign sires in the domestic breeding program and 20 scenarios that varied the percentage of domestic dams mated with foreign sires, the genetic correlation between the breeding programs (0.8 or 0.9), and the time of implementing genomic selection in the domestic compared to the foreign breeding program (concurrently or with a 10-year delay). We compared the scenarios based on the genetic gain and genic standard deviation. Finally, we partitioned breeding values and genetic trends of the scenarios to quantify the contribution of domestic selection and import to the domestic genetic gain.

The simulation revealed that when both breeding programs implemented genomic selection simultaneously, the use of foreign sires increased domestic genetic gain only when genetic correlation was 0.9. In contrast, when the domestic breeding program implemented genomic selection with a 10-year delay, genetic correlation of 0.8 sufficed for a positive impact of import. In that scenario, domestic genetic gain increased with the increasing use of foreign sires but with a diminishing return. The partitioning analysis revealed that the contribution of import expectedly increased with the increased use of foreign sires. However, the increase did not depend on the genetic correlation and was not proportional to the increase in domestic genetic gain. This means that a small breeding program could be overly relying on import with diminishing returns for the genetic gain and marginal benefit for the genetic variability.

The benefit of import depends on an interplay of genetic correlation, extent of using foreign sires, and a breeding scheme. It is therefore crucial that small breeding programs assess the possible benefits of import beyond domestic selection. The benefit of import should be weighted against the perils of decreased use of domestic sires and decreased contribution and value of domestic selection.
A mechanistic model towards ecological inclusion for a better plant growth understanding
Authors: Nasti Lucia , Del Dottore Emanuela , Tedone Fabio , Palladino Michele , Mazzolai Barbara , Marcati Pierangelo
Published: December 2022

Plants growth is a complex and delicate balance among different factors involving environmental and physiological conditions. In this context, we propose a mechanistic model that considers the main internal processes of plant growth and reproduces a wide range of plant behaviors observed experimentally. In particular, we describe the model plant ofArabidopsis thalianain a realistic environment with a day-and-night cycle, which considers different inputs as light, water, phosphorus, nitrogen, starch and sucrose. In addition, we propose a new function that describes the affinity between the plant and a specific nutrient, and a novel feedback signal to model how plants have the remarkable capacity to distribute resources among their organs. The result is an efficient tool applicable in ecological and agricultural studies, which can estimate several parameters, simulate several soil conditions and analyze how limiting or toxic resources can affect the plant development. We improve our understanding of plant adaptive strategies, reproducing results in line with experiments.
OSpRad; an open-source, low-cost, high-sensitivity spectroradiometer
Authors: Troscianko Jolyon
Published: December 2022

Spectroradiometery is a vital tool in a wide range of biological, physical, astronomical and medical fields, yet its cost and accessibility are frequent barriers to use. Research into the effects of artificial light at night (ALAN) further compounds these difficulties with requirements for sensitivity to extremely low light levels across the ultraviolet to human-visible spectrum. Here I present a open-source spectroradiometry (OSpRad) system that meets the design challenges of typical ALAN research. The system utilises an affordable miniature spectrometer chip: the Hamamatsu C12880MA, and combines it with an automated shutter and cosine-corrector, microprocessor controller, and graphical user interface "app" that can be used with smartphones or desktop computers. The system is designed to be user-friendly, adaptable, and suitable for automation/data-logging. All code and 3D printed parts are made available open-source. I constructed 5 units and tested their linearity, spectral sensitivity, cosine-corrector performance, and low-light performance. There were modest unit-specific differences in spectral sensitivity, implying calibration is required for maximal accuracy. However, depending on the application, it may be acceptable to use a default calibration template together with careful experimental design considerations to mitigate unit-specific differences. All other performance characteristics were highly consistent. The OSpRad system was able to measure spectral irradiance down to around 0.005 lx, and spectral radiance down to 0.001 cd.m-2, meaning it would be able to measure night-time lighting under the vast majority of real-world conditions. The OSpRad system's low cost and high sensitivity make it well suited to a range of spectrometry tasks in general, and ALAN research in particular.
Microscale geometrical features in the plant leaf epidermis confer enhanced resistance to mechanical failure
Authors: Bidhendi Amir J. , Lampron Olivier , Gosselin Frédérick P. , Geitmann Anja
Published: December 2022

In many plant species, epidermal tissues of leaves and petals feature irregular wavy cell geometries forming jigsaw puzzle patterns. At the origin of plant tissues are simple polyhedral progenitor cells that divide and grow into a kaleidoscopic array of morphologies that underpin plant organ functionality. The wide prevalence and great diversity of the wavy cell shape in the plant kingdom point to the significance of this trait and its tunability by environmental pressures. Despite multiple attempts to explain the advent of this complex cell geometry by evolutionary relevant functionality, our understanding of this peculiar tissue patterning preserved through evolution remains lacking. Here, by combining microscopic and macroscopic fracture experiments with computational fracture mechanics, we show that wavy epidermal cells toughen the plants’ protective skin. Based on a multi-scale approach, we demonstrate that, biological and synthetic materials alike can be toughened through an energy-efficient patterning process. Our data reveal a ubiquitous and tunable structural-mechanical mechanism employed in the macro-scale design of plants to protect them from the detrimental effects of surface fissures and to enable and guide the direction of beneficial fractures. We expect these data to inform selective plant breeding for traits enhancing plant survival under changing environmental conditions. From a materials engineering perspective, this work exemplifies that plants hold sophisticated design principles to inspire human-made materials.
Does it pay to pay? A comparison of the benefits of open-access publishing across various sub-fields in Biology
Authors: Clark Amanda D. , Myers Tanner C. , Steury Todd D. , Krzton Ali , Yanes Julio A. , Barber Angela , Barry Jacqueline L. , Barua Subarna , Eaton Katherine M. , Gosavi Devadatta , Nance Rebecca L. , Pervaiz Zahida H. , Ugochukwu Chidozie G. , Hartman Patricia , Stevison Laurie S.
Published: December 2022

Authors are often faced with the decision of whether to maximize impact or minimize costs when publishing the results of their research. For example, to potentially improve impact via increased accessibility, many subscription-based journals now offer the option of paying a fee to publish open access (i.e., hybrid journals), but this solution excludes authors who lack the capacity to pay to make their research accessible. Here, we tested if paying to publish open access in a subscriptionbased journal benefited authors by conferring more citations relative to closed access articles. We identified 146,415 articles published in 152 hybrid journals in the field of biology from 2013-2018 to compare the number of citations between various types of open access and closed access articles. In a simple generalized linear model analysis of our full dataset, we found that publishing open access in hybrid journals that offer the option confers an average citation advantage to authors of 17.8 citations compared to closed access articles in similar journals. After taking into account the number of authors, journal impact, year of publication, and subject area, we still found that open access generated significantly more citations than closed access (p< 0.0001). However, results were complex, with exact differences in citation rates among access types impacted by these other variables. This citation advantage based on access type was even similar when comparing open and closed access articles published in the same issue of a journal (p< 0.0001). However, by examining articles where the authors paid an article processing charge, we found that cost itself was not predictive of citation rates (p= 0.14). Based on our findings of access type and other model parameters, we suggest that, in most cases, paying for access does confer a citation advantage. For authors with limited budgets, we recommend pursuing open access alternatives that do not require paying a fee as they still yielded more citations than closed access. For authors who are considering where to submit their next article, we offer additional suggestions on how to balance exposure via citations with publishing costs.
A Tri-light Warning System for Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: Credibility-based Risk Stratification under Data Shift
Authors: Xu Chuanjun , Xu Qinmei , Liu Li , Zhou Mu , Xing Zijian , Zhou Zhen , Zhou Changsheng , Li Xiao , Wang Rong , Wu Yanjun , Wang Jiangtao , Zhang Longjiang , Zhan Xianghao , Gevaert Olivier , Lu Guangming
Published: December 2022

OBJECTIVE

To develop a tri-light warning system for the early warning of novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) and stratification of patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The system extracts radiomic features from CT images and integrates clinical record information to output a prediction probability and credibility of each prediction. It classifies patients in the general ward into red (high risk), yellow (uncertain risk), and green (low risk) labels. The system was tested using a multi-center cohort of 8,721 patients.

RESULTS

The system demonstrated reliability and performance validation under data distribution shifts, and was applicable to both the original strain and variant strains of COVID-19.

DISCUSSION

The tri-light warning system has the potential to improve patient stratification performance and identify epidemiological risks early, thus allowing for timely treatment and optimization of medical resource allocation.

CONCLUSION

The tri-light warning system based on conformal prediction is a reliable and effective method for the early warning and stratification of COVID-19 patients.
Antibiotic Treatment Duration for Bacterial Infections - A Systematic Review and Critical Appraisal
Authors: Mo Yin , Tan Wei Cong , Cooper Ben S.
Published: December 2022

Reducing antibiotic treatment duration is a key stewardship intervention to mitigate antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We performed a systematic review of antibiotic duration randomised controlled trials for treatment or prevention of bacterial infections in humans, appraised their methodologies and identified gaps in evidence. All randomised trials indexed in MEDLINE and EMBASE up to October 2022 which compared different treatment durations were included. We found 296 trials, of which 85% showed equivalence or non-inferiority. The majority (73%) considered treatment for respiratory tract infections, genitourinary infections, and post-surgical prophylaxis. Few trials studied severe infections, such as bloodstream infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Trial designs shifted from superiority (74%, 178/242 before 2016) to non-inferiority (74%, 40/54 after 2016). 94% of the trials that defined a per- protocol population reported non-adherence, which may increase the probability of concluding non-inferiority. Only 9 trials collected data to demonstrate the effect of antibiotic duration on AMR colonisation.

Registration

PROSPERO 2021 CRD42021276209

Funding

National Research Foundation Singapore Central Gap Fund; National Medical Research Council, Singapore; Medical Research Council, UK
Evaluating the Significance of Atypical and Malignant Breast Lesions Arising in Fibroadenoma of the Breast
Authors: Sham Sunder , Morrar Doaa , Al-Refai Reham , Bandari Ahmed , Garajayev Azar , Hajiyeva Sabina
Published: December 2022

Context

While fibroadenomas (FAs) are the most common benign neoplasm of the breast, little data exists about the clinical characteristics and prognostic value of FAs found to be directly associated with atypical and malignant lesions.

Objective

Cases of FA of the breast were reviewed to establish the exact clinical significance of these lesions involved by atypia and malignancy.

Design

All FA cases diagnosed on core needle biopsy (CNB) between 2013 and 2022 were screened to identify atypical and malignant lesions {(atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH), lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), flat epithelial atypia (FEA), ductal carcinoma in situ

(DCIS), invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC)} arising in FA. The relationship between CNB and excisional findings for each case was reviewed.

Results

A total of 1500 cases of FA diagnosed on CNB were identified. Among these, 23 cases showed atypical and/or malignant lesions within FA. The median age at diagnosis was 53 years. Of those 23 cases, five were LCIS, one was LCIS+ILC, one was LCIS+ALH, one DCIS+IDC, one was LCIS+DCIS, three were ADH, seven were ALH, and four were DCIS. For LCIS, the excision showed LCIS (2/5), LCIS + ALH (1/5), LCIS + DCIS (1/5), LCIS + DCIS + ALH (1/5). For DCIS, excisions showed Invasive carcinoma with mixed ductal and lobular features (1/4), LCIS + DCIS (1/4), LCIS + DCIS + IDC [classic and pleomorphic type] (1/4), no residual carcinoma (1/4). For ALH, excision showed ALH (2/7), no residual ALH (2/7), ALH+IDP (Intraductal Papilloma) (2/7), LCIS (1/7). For ADH, DCIS (1/3), and benign findings (2/3). For LCIS+ILC and DCIS+IDC, the excisional findings were the same. For LCIS+ ALH, the excisional findings showed benign findings with the radial scar (1/1).

Conclusion

There is a low percentage of FA harboring atypia or carcinoma. Due to the high upgrade rate following excision, complete excision of these lesions may guide recommended method of clinical management
The fast diffusion of NKCC1 along the axon is driven by glutamatergic activity
Authors: Côme Etienne , Pol Erwan , Merlaud Zaha , Gouhier Juliette , Russeau Marion , Marques Xavier , Scotto-Lomassese Sophie , Moutkine Imane , Lévi Sabine
Published: December 2022

NKCC1 and KCC2 transporters regulate neuronal chloride homeostasis and thus synaptic inhibition. KCC2 activity is tuned by diffusion-capture in an activity-dependent manner. The mechanisms controlling NKCC1 in neurons are unknown. We found using super-resolution imaging that NKCC1 like KCC2 form nanodomains in the somato-dendritic membrane at extrasynaptic sites and at the periphery of excitatory and inhibitory synapses. NKCC1 nanoclusters are half the size and density in molecules than KCC2 clusters. This is accompanied by a higher mobility of NKCC1 compared to KCC2 in the dendritic membrane, suggesting a weaker NKCC1 anchoring to the cytoskeleton. In contrast, NKCC1, but not KCC2, is confined to endocytic zones, which would explain its controlled surface expression and the fact that endocytic zones would provide a reservoir from which NKCC1 could be released into the membrane. Finally, we show an increased confinement of NKCC1 in axons but not in dendrites upon glutamatergic activity blockade, indicating a selective mechanism of regulation in the axon. We propose that a rapid regulation of NKCC1 by lateral diffusion in the axon would control presynaptic glutamate release and the firing of action potentials.
Salmonellainfection induces the reorganisation of follicular dendritic cell networks concomitant with the failure to generate germinal centres
Authors: Marcial-Juárez Edith , Perez-Toledo Marisol , Nayar Saba , Pipi Elena , Alshayea Areej , Persaud Ruby , Jossi Sian E. , Lamerton Rachel , Barone Francesca , Henderson Ian R. , Cunningham Adam F.
Published: December 2022

Germinal centres (GCs) are sites where plasma and memory B cells form to generate high-affinity, Ig class switched antibodies. Specialised stromal cells called follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) are essential for GC formation. During systemicSalmonellaTyphimurium (STm) infection GCs are absent, whereas extensive extrafollicular switched antibody responses are maintained. The mechanisms that underpin the absence of GC formation are incompletely understood. Here, we show that STm-induces a reversible disruption of niches within the splenic microenvironment, including the T and B cell compartments and the marginal zone. Alongside to these effects post-infection, mature FDC networks are strikingly absent, whereas immature FDC precursors, including marginal sinus pre-FDCs (MadCAM-1+) and perivascular Pre-FDCs (PDGFRβ+) are enriched. As normal FDC networks re-establish, extensive GCs become detectable throughout the spleen. Therefore, the reorganisation of FDC networks and the loss of GC responses are key, parallel features of systemic STm infections.

Graphical abstract
The Geographical Gap in Leading Medical Journals - a Computational Audit
Authors: Brück Oscar
Published: December 2022

Background

Auditing geographical representation in medical publishing could help to mitigate possible national and regional disparities.

Methods

Using the Web of Science indexing database, we collected bibliometric data of original research articles published between 2010-2019 inThe New England Journal of Medicine, Nature Medicine, Journal of the American Medical Association, The BMJ, andThe Lancet. We studied the corresponding authors’ geolocation in regard to publication and citation count, their temporal evolution, and the journals’ and citing organizations’ nationality.

Results

We identified 10,558 articles. Based on the nationality of the corresponding authors’ institutes, only 32 countries published more than 10 publications in 10 years equaling to 98.9% of all publications. English-speaking countries USA (48.2%), UK (15.9%), Canada (5.3%), and Australia (3.2%) were most represented, but with a declining trend in recent years. Normalized to their accumulated citations, 9/32 countries were associated with ≥10% publication excess, of which USA (n=1,174 publications) and UK (n=410) accounted for 85.7%. Similar findings were replicated at the municipal level where all top 10 most productive cities were located in USA (n=7), UK (n=2), or Canada (n=1), and 21 out of 25 most productive cities published more articles than predicted based on their accumulated citations. Finally, we discovered that both journals published, and researchers cited more commonly research conducted in the same country.

Discussion

The audit revealed Anglocentric dominance, domestic preference occurring in both journals and citation selection, and increased geographical representation in recent years in medical publishing.
Identifying and preventing fraudulent responses in online public health surveys: Lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Wang June , Calderon Gabriela , Hager Erin R. , Edwards Lorece V. , Berry Andrea A. , Liu Yisi , Dinh Janny , Summers Amber C. , Connor Katherine A. , Collins Megan E. , Pritchett Laura , Marshall Beth R. , Johnson Sara B.
Published: December 2022

Web-based survey data collection has become increasingly popular, and limitations on in-person data collection during the COVID-19 pandemic have fueled this growth. However, the anonymity of the online environment increases the risk of fraud, which pose major risks to data integrity. As part of a study of COVID-19 and the return to in-person school, we implemented a web-based survey of parents in Maryland, USA, between December 2021 and July 2022. Recruitment relied, in part, on social media advertisements. Despite implementing many existing best practices, the survey was challenged by sophisticated fraudsters. In this paper, we describe efforts to identify and prevent fraudulent online survey responses and provide specific, actionable recommendations for identifying and preventing online survey fraud. Some strategies can be deployed within the web-based data collection platform such as Internet Protocol address logging to identify duplicate responses and comparison of client-side and server-side time stamps to identify responses that may have been completed by respondents outside of the survey’s target geography. Additional approaches include the use of a 2-stage survey design, repeated within-survey and cross-survey validation questions, the addition of “speed bump” questions to thwart careless or computerized responders, and the use of optional open-ended survey responses to identify irrelevant responses. We describe best practices for ongoing survey data review and verification, including algorithms to simplify aspects of this review.
Physical Activity and Academic Achievement among Omdurman Islamic University Medical Students 2021
Authors: Abdelrahman Mohammed Ahmed , Abuelgasim Alaa , Hassan Marouf Hiba Allah , Alalim Abrar Mohamed
Published: December 2022

Background

Physical activity is important for the prevention of non-communicable diseases and for growth, development and general health.

there is evidence that has emerged from university studies suggesting, that physical activity may have a positive effect on student’s academic achievement.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between physical activity and academic achievement among Omdurman Islamic University Medical Students in 2021.

Materials and methods

A des sectional University based study done on faculty of medicine in Omdurman Islamic university. The sample of 295 medical students was taken from the first, second and third year in the Faculty of Medicine in Omdurman Islamic University who studied during the academic years of 2018-2019. The students are between the ages of 18-23 years old and are physically healthy (both active and inactive candidates).A systematic random technique sample was taken from the students during the year 2020.Data Collected through a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire The data was coded and analyzed by a statistician using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23.

Results

shows that most students (56.3%) were physically active and the most types of physical activity practiced by the physically active students were walking (42.8%) and play football (25.9%)), and the barriers of being physically active among those physically inactive students were the study load in most of the students (22.4%). the results indicate that there is no direct association between physical activity and academic achievement (P value= o.7).

Conclusion

Many factors overlap in affecting the academic achievement of students, some of them have a great effect, while student’s physical activity level appears have a lesser effect.

Recommendations

Expanding the study to include a number of universities and majors with a recommendation for Omdurman Islamic University to include the importance of physical activity in its curricula.

Conflict of interest

No conflict of interest.
Multilocus typing ofLachancea thermotoleransfor wine fermentation monitoring
Authors: Vicente Javier , Navascués Eva , Benito Santiago , Marquina Domingo , Santos Antonio
Published: December 2022

Climate change is causing a lack of acidity during winemaking and oenologists use several solutions to cope with such a problem.Lachancea thermotolerans, which has the potential to tolerate the harsh physicochemical conditions of wine, has emerged as a promising alternative for pH management during winemaking and, currently, it is the most valuable yeast used for acidity control in wine. In this work an amenable method forL. thermotoleransgenotyping based on a multiplexed microsatellite amplification in 6 different loci was developed. This specific and sensitive method was used to distinguish between 103 collection strains obtained from different geographical and isolation sources, and then challenged against a 429L. thermotoleransisolates from several wineries and harvests. The procedure was also tested for fermentation monitoring and strain implantation. The procedure was conceived to simplify the methodology available forL. thermotoleransgenotyping, making it easy for applying in wine-related laboratories. This method can be applied to distinguish betweenL. thermotoleransstrains in selection programs and to follow implantation of inoculated strains during winemaking with optimal results.
Yew Chian Haw: the internationalization journey of a developing country’s small-medium enterprise
Authors: Tham Siew Yean , Goh Soo Khoon , Teoh Ai Ping
Published: December 2022

Learning outcomes

(i) To determine the push and pull factors for a developing country SME to internationalize via exports. (ii) To evaluate the use of social networks in the internationalization journey of Yew Chian Haw (YCH). (iii) To analyse how a developing country SME adapts to local conditions in order to sustain and grow the business in a foreign country.

Case overview/synopsis

Yew Chian Haw (YCH) was a small and medium enterprise (SME) producing herbal and healthcare products in Penang, Malaysia. This case study traced the company's internationalization journey, focusing on how the owner used his social networks based on common ethnic ties and language to penetrate the external markets by establishing trading companies in each of his export destinations, from Singapore to Hong Kong and later to Taiwan and China. These internationalization activities also helped him cultivate deeper local networks and enhance his business opportunities in each investment destination. The social network approach has important implications for SME firms such as YCH. The network strength helped to overcome entry barriers to foreign markets and enabled YCH to tap into local complementary resources such as local networks to sustain the internationalization process. Yew’s successful internationalization journey prompted him to focus on the external market for his company’s herbal soup products. But now he must decide whether to continue the internationalization journey in the existing external markets he has penetrated or to expand towards other markets such as Northeast Asian markets like Japan and Korea, as these countries have high income and purchasing power. However, Yew has no extensive social network in both countries, especially in terms of ethnic ties and common language. Yew therefore, had a dilemma: should he just continue expanding the existing external markets he has successfully penetrated, or should he move forward and seek to enter new markets where his current social networks may be weak or non-existent?

Complexity academic level

This case study is relevant for DBA, MBA, Master and undergraduate (International Business and Business Economics) students

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 5: International Business
Yun Dong Jia: find a silver lining on “cloud” during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Chen Caleb Huanyong , Li Yuen Wah , Chan Allan K.K. , Huang Yilin
Published: December 2022

Learning outcomes

This case provides detailed information about digital technologies and business practices that may help offline retailers catch up with the trend of new retail. After studying the case and working on the assignment questions, students will be able to:▪ Understand new features of smart cash registers, including facial-recognition payment, purchase-sales-inventory management, customer profile and store management, which all are important for the long-term development of the retail business in the age of “new retail”.▪ Identify opportunities, practices and impacts of digital technologies, such as big data and artificial intelligence, on contemporary retail businesses.▪ Identify problems of traditional retail and suggest solutions by applying the concepts and tools learned above.▪ Apply digital marketing approaches and tools (e.g., social media, livestreaming and online word-of-mouth) to design marketing campaigns; students should include basic elements such as the 6Ms for effective marketing communications (market, mission, message, media, money and measure).

Case overview/synopsis

This case describes difficult situations facing Leo Shoudong Pan, the founder and CEO of Yun Dong Jia Technologies Co Ltd (YDJ), in marketing communications. With a motto of “Making it easy to open stores anywhere”, YDJ develops and sells smart cash registers, which provide a self-developed operating system and cloud computing services. Pan targets small and micro retailers, who are technology laggards when digital transitions had swept the world. His goal is to build a network of 100,000 pieces of smart cash registers across China, but he has only sold 8,000 pieces since he founded YDJ in 2016. He must make a breakthrough in the business. To drive leads and sales, he feels the urgency of conducting effective marketing communications with target customers and enhance their understanding on the value that YDJ creates for them. Monetary incentives are tangible but not yet fully demonstrated YDJ’s value. With the traditional retail approach, brick-and-mortar stores, especially those small-scaled ones, are not able to meet the market change; instead, they must adopt digital techniques to catch up with the trend of new retail, which is necessary for a long-term business development rather than just a temporary measure during the Covid-19 pandemic. Pan must craft more compelling messages. What customer value should be chosen as incentives to motivate the target market? How to conduct effective marketing communications correspondingly?

Complexity academic level

Senior undergraduate; Postgraduate; MBA; EMBA.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing.
Exploration versus exploitation: how interorganizational power dependence influences SME product innovation? An empirical study in China
Authors: Wu Zhengyang , Yang Feng , Wei Fangqing
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Interorganizational power dependence has become an increasingly important factor for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to improve product innovation. This paper examines the role of power dependence in SMEs' product innovation trade-offs between exploration and exploitation. The article further studies the mediating effect of supply chain adaptability and the moderating effect of knowledge acquisition on the relationship between power dependence and product innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study proposes a model to verify the impact of power dependence on SMEs' product innovation trade-offs based on social network theory. Two conceptually independent constructs, “availability of alternatives (ALTRN)” and “restraint in the use of power (RSPTW),” are used to evaluate the power dependence. The model also analyzed how these effects are mediated by supply chain adaptability and moderated by knowledge acquisition. The authors test these relationships using data collected from 224 SMEs in China.

Findings

The empirical analysis shows that ALTRN has a more substantial effect on exploration for product innovation, while RSTPW has a more significant impact on exploitation for product innovation. Moreover, empirical data indicate a partial mediating effect by supply chain adaptability between power dependence and product innovation of SMEs. The results also show that knowledge acquisition positively moderates the relationship between ALTRN/RSTPW, supply chain adaptability and product innovation.

Originality/value

Overall, the findings of the study advance the understanding of the roles of power dependence in product innovation for SMEs. In addition, the research also uncovers the impact mechanisms of existing theoretical frameworks and extends the boundaries of the theory.
Investigating the determinants of performance of artificial intelligence adoption in hospitality industry during COVID-19
Authors: Chen Yuangao , Hu Yuqing , Zhou Shasha , Yang Shuiqing
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Drawing on the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework, this study aims to investigate determinants of performance of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in hospitality industry during COVID-19 and identifies the relative importance of each determinant.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-stage approach that integrates partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with artificial neural network (ANN) is used to analyze survey data from 290 managers in the hospitality industry.

Findings

The empirical results reveal that perceived AI risk, management support, innovativeness, competitive pressure and regulatory support significantly influence the performance of AI adoption. Additionally, the ANN results show that competitive pressure and management support are two of the strongest determinants.

Practical implications

This research offers guidelines for hospitality managers to enhance the performance of AI adoption and presents policy-making insights to promote and support organizations to benefit from the adoption of AI technology.

Originality/value

This study conceptualizes the performance of AI adoption from both process and firm levels and examines its determinants based on the TOE framework. By adopting an innovative approach combining PLS-SEM and ANN, the authors not only identify the essential performance determinants of AI adoption but also determine their relative importance.
Public perceptions of governance and tax evasion: insights from developed and developing economies
Authors: Nimer Khalil , Bani-Mustafa Ahmed , AlQudah Anas , Alameen Mamoon , Hassanein Ahmed
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how the role of the perception of good public governance reduces tax evasion (TE). Besides, this study investigates whether the nexus of public governance and TE differs between developed and developing economies.

Design/methodology/approach

Apart from the ordinary least squares (OLS) model, this study uses the linear mixed modeling technique. The World Governance Indicators and the multiple causes estimation (MIMIC) method are used to measure public governance. The shadow economy is used as a proxy for TE.

Findings

The results show that people's perceptions of public governance and the quality of government institutions are core elements that influence tax-evasion behavior. Besides, the rule of law (RoL) and political stability (PS) significantly impact tax-evasion behavior in developing countries. Nevertheless, the RoL, the control of corruption and PS are the most critical tax-evasion determinants among public governance indicators for developed countries. Regulatory quality shows a substantial positive relationship with TE in developed but not developing countries.

Practical implications

This paper provides a guide for policymakers on reducing tax-evasion behavior by paying more attention to maintaining the RoL and PS and fighting corruption. Additionally, this study highlights the importance of people's perceptions of the government's pursuit of the above policy-related improvements, which, in turn, affect their tax behavior.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to explore the role of people's perceptions of improvements in public governance and how this can reduce TE behavior in developed and developing economies. Unlike prior studies, this study used the linear mixed model method, which is more advantageous than OLS and produces robust estimators.