bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IgG autoantibodies in bullous pemphigoid directly induce a pathogenic MyD88-dependent pro-inflammatory response in keratinocytes
Authors: Bao Lei , Juarez Christian F. Guerrero , Li Jing , Pigors Manuela , Emtenani Shirin , Liu Yingzi , Ahmed Aadil , Ishii N , Hashimoto T , White Bethany E. Perez , Green Stefan , Kunstman Kevin , Nowak Nicole C , Cole Connor , Macias Virgilia , Sverdlov Maria , McAlexander M. Allen , McCrae Christopher , Nazaroff Christopher D. , Schmidt Enno , Amber Kyle T.
Published: October 2024

Abstract

While autoantibodies in bullous pemphigoid (BP) are known to activate the innate immune response, their direct effect on keratinocytes, and the contribution of BP-IgG autoantibody-dependent keratinocyte responses to BP pathology is largely unknown. Herein, we performed multiplex immunoassays and bulk RNA-seq on primary keratinocytes treated with IgG from BP patients or controls. We identified a pro-inflammatory and proteolytic response with release of several cytokines (IL-6, IL-24, TGF-β1), chemokines (CXCL16, CTACK, MIP-3β, RANTES), C1s, DPP4, and MMP-9. We further validated this response using spatial transcriptomics and scRNA-seq of diseased and control skin. Blistering itself appeared to be major driver of this inflammatory response, with attached BP skin and spongiotic dermatitis revealing highly similar transcriptomes. Based on elevated levels of MyD88 and MyD88-dependent cytokines, we studied the impact of MyD88 deficiency in keratinocytes and demonstrated that MyD88 regulates BP-IgG-induced expression of IL-8, IL-24, and MMP-9. Induction of experimental BP in mice withKrt14-specificMyd88knockout revealed significantly decreased disease severity with decreased serum levels of IL-1β, IL-4, and IL-9 indicating the contributory role of keratinocyte-derived skin inflammation towards systemic response. Our work demonstrates the key contributions of keratinocyte and MyD88 dependent signaling in response to autoantibodies in BP.

Key Messages

-IgG antibodies from bullous pemphigoid (BP) patients induce significant upregulation of several inflammatory markers in keratinocytes including cytokines (IL-6, IL-24, TGF-β1), chemokines (CXCL16, CTACK, MIP-3β, RANTES), C1s, DPP4, and MMP9. Several of these markers, including IL-8, IL-24, and MMP9 are regulated by MyD88.

-Spatial transcriptomics reveals that BP patient blistered skin demonstrated similar transcriptomic profiles to BP-IgG-treated keratinocytes. With attached skin demonstrating a comparable transcriptome to that seen in spongiotic dermatitis.

-In a mouse BP model, keratinocyte-specific MyD88 deficiency results in decreased disease severity with a subsequent decrease in serum IL-1β, IL-4, and IL-9 levels.

Capsule summary

IgG from patients with bullous pemphigoid (BP) induces a pro-inflammatory response in keratinocytes, indicating their direct role in driving the inflammatory response in BP.
Spatial variations in sap flow rates in mature tree stems before and after drilling treatment
Authors: Umebayashi Toshihiro , Saitoh Taku M. , Tsuruta Kenji , Otieno Dennis
Published: October 2024

The dye uptake and heat transfer methods are used to understand sap movement in mature tree stems, but correlation of results between both methods is weak. The circumferential variation of sap movement is detected generally in the heated transfer method. On the other hand, the tangential movement such as helical ascent is tracked in dye uptake method. It is still unclear whether the circumferential and the tangential movements in both methods mean same and/or related phenomenon. In this study, we monitored sap flux density (Fd) on the east and west sides in intact stems ofBetula ermaniiCham. using the thermal-dissipation method to identifyFdresponse to the creation of artificial flows through severed vessels by drill treatments. We then tracked sap flow by injecting dye solution. TheFdvalues in east side tended to be higher than that in west side before drilling treatment. SimilarFdvalues in both sides were detected after drilling treatments, and dye heights were similar toFdvalues after drilling in any sides. Simple comparison of water ascent using both methods can lead to errors, because water ascent from severed vessels may differ from water ascent via roots.
In vivotwo-photon FLIM resolves photosynthetic properties of maize bundle sheath cells
Authors: Chen Zhufeng , Li Jing , Wang Baichen , Tian Lijin
Published: October 2024

Maize (Zea maysL.) performs highly efficient C4photosynthesis by dividing photosynthetic metabolism between mesophyll and bundle sheath cells.In vivophysiological measurements are indispensable for C4photosynthesis research as any isolated cells or sectioned leaf often show interrupted and abnormal photosynthetic activities. Yet, directin vivoobservation regarding bundle sheath cells in the delicate anatomy of the C4leaf is still challenging. In the current work, we used two-photon fluorescence-lifetime imaging microscopy (two-photon-FLIM) to access the photosynthetic properties of bundle sheath cells on intact maize leaves. The results provide spectroscopic evidence for the diminished total PSII activity in bundle sheath cells at its physiological level and show that the single PSIIs could undergo charge separation as causal. We also report an acetic acid-induced chlorophyll fluorescence quenching on intact maize leaves, which might be a physiological state related to the nonphotochemical quenching mechanism.
Opioid receptors reveal a discrete cellular mechanism of endosomal G protein activation
Authors: Fisher Nicole M. , von Zastrow Mark
Published: October 2024

Many GPCRs initiate a second phase of G protein-mediated signaling from endosomes, which inherently requires an increase in G protein activity on the endosome surface. Gs-coupled GPCRs are thought to achieve this by internalizing and allosterically activating cognate G proteins again on the endosome membrane. Here we demonstrate that the μ-opioid receptor (MOR), a Gi-coupled GPCR, increases endosomal G protein activity in a different way. Leveraging conformational biosensors, we resolve the subcellular activation dynamics of endogenously expressed MOR and Gi/o-subclass G proteins. We show that MOR activation triggers a transient increase of active-state Gi/oon the plasma membrane that is followed by a prolonged increase on endosomes. Contrary to the Gs-coupled GPCR paradigm, however, we show that the MOR-induced increase of active-state Gi/oon endosomes requires neither internalization of MOR nor activation of MOR in the endosome membrane. We propose a distinct and additional cellular mechanism for GPCR-triggered elevation of G protein activity on endosomes that is mediated by regulated trafficking of the activated G protein rather than its activating GPCR.
The effects of conditional loss of myosin binding protein H-like on cardiac function
Authors: Burnham Hope V. , Peña Alex , Gandhi Shreeya , Fritzmann Geena , Barefield David Y
Published: October 2024

Mutations in the myosin-binding protein H-like (MyBP-HL) gene,MYBPHL, are linked to hereditary dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), atrial fibrillation, and atrioventricular arrhythmias. MyBP-HL is a sarcomeric protein that is highly expressed in the atria with only scarce, distinct clusters of MyBP-HL positive cells within and surrounding the ventricular conduction system. Constitutive knock-out of MyBP-HL in mice causes atrial dilation, arrhythmia, and DCM. Whether MyBP-HL plays a developmental role, or if knock-down in adulthood will recapitulate a similar phenotype has yet to be examined. Moreover, the significance of the MyBP-HL expressing ventricular cells, or the functional need for differential thick filament regulation is currently unknown.

We used a conditional floxedMybphlmouse to further elucidate the role of MyBP-HL. We crossed this mouse with a ROSA26-Cre(ERT2) LoxP mouse to conditionally knock-downMybphlafter tamoxifen treatment. We also crossed theMybphlflox mouse with a Contactin-2-Cre mouse that deletesMybphlsolely in the cardiac conduction system from birth. Echocardiography was used to measure contractile function, and conscious telemetry allowed for monitoring of heart rhythm and electrical signal conduction changes.

We demonstrate that mice with conditional decrease of MyBP-HL in adulthood develop a hypertrophic phenotype with atrial contractile changes, increased total heart weight to body weight, and increased heart rate variability. Deletion ofMybphlsolely within the cardiac conduction system trends toward mild hypercontractility, lower heart rates, and interventricular septal thickening. These data show that MyBP-HL is essential for proper cardiac function, and even minor alteration in protein levels cause a diseased cardiac phenotype.
Mesoscale regulation of MTOCs by the E3 ligase TRIM37
Authors: Yeow Zhong Y. , Sarju Sonia , Breugel Mark v. , Holland Andrew J.
Published: October 2024

Centrosomes ensure accurate chromosome segregation during cell division. Although the regulation of centrosome number is well-established, less is known about the suppression of non-centrosomal MTOCs (ncMTOCs). The E3 ligase TRIM37, implicated in Mulibrey nanism and 17q23-amplified cancers, has emerged as a key regulator of both centrosomes and ncMTOCs. Yet, the mechanism by which TRIM37 achieves enzymatic activation to target these mesoscale structures had remained unknown. Here, we elucidate TRIM37’s activation process, beginning with TRAF domain-directed substrate recognition, progressing through B-box domain-mediated oligomerization, and culminating in RING domain dimerization. Using optogenetics, we demonstrate that TRIM37’s E3 activity is directly coupled to the assembly state of its substrates, activating only when centrosomal proteins cluster into higher-order assemblies resembling MTOCs. This regulatory framework provides a mechanistic basis for understanding TRIM37-driven pathologies and, by echoing TRIM5’s restriction of the HIV capsid, unveils a conserved activation blueprint among TRIM proteins for controlling mesoscale assembly turnover.
Evaluating the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in non-endemic regions: A dynamic modeling approach
Authors: Stollenwerk Nico , Mateus Luís , Steindorf Vanessa , Guerrero Bruno V. , Blasco-Aguado Rubén , Cevidanes Aitor , Bidaurrazaga Van-Dierdonck Joseba , Aguiar Maíra
Published: October 2024

Mosquito-borne diseases are spreading into temperate zones, raising concerns about local outbreaks driven by imported cases. Using stochastic methods, we developed a vector-host model to estimate the risk of import-driven autochthonous outbreaks in non-endemic regions. The model explores key factors such as imported cases and vector abundance. Our analysis shows that mosquito population abundance significantly affects the probability and timing of outbreaks. Even with moderate mosquito populations, isolated or clustered outbreaks can be triggered, highlighting the importance of monitoring vector abundance for effective public health planning and interventions.
Effects of oral contraceptive pills on brain networks: A replication and extension
Authors: Haase Gino , Liu Jason , Jordan Timothy , Rapkin Andrea , London Edythe D. , Petersen Nicole
Published: October 2024

Neuroimaging research has identified significant effects of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) on brain networks. A wide variety of approaches have been employed, largely in observational samples, with few converging results. This study therefore was designed to test for replication and extend this previous work using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial of the effects of OCPs on brain networks. Using functional MRI, we focused on brain regions identified in prior studies. Our analyses did not strictly replicate previously reported effects of OCPs on functional connectivity. Exploratory analyses suggested that traditional seed-based approaches may miss broader, network-level effects of OCPs on brain circuits. We applied data-driven, multivariate techniques to assess these network-level changes, A deeper understanding of neural effects of OCPs can be important in helping patients make informed decisions regarding contraception, mitigating unwanted side effects. Such information can also identify potentially confounding effects of OCPs in other neuroimaging investigations.
Tumor suppressor miR-317 and lncRNA Peony are expressed from a polycistronic non-coding RNA locus that regulates germline differentiation and testis morphology
Authors: Carney Travis D. , Shcherbata Halyna R.
Published: October 2024

This research focuses on investigating the impact of non-coding RNAs on stem cell biology and differentiation processes. We found thatmiR-317plays a role in germline stem cell progeny differentiation.miR-317and its neighbor, the lncRNAPeony,originate and are co-expressed from a singular polycistronic non-coding RNA locus. Alternative polyadenylation is implicated in regulation of their differential expression. While the increased expression of the lncRNAPeonyresults in the disruption of the muscle sheath covering the testis, the absence ofmiR-317leads to the emergence of germline tumors in young flies. The deficiency ofmiR-317increases Notch signaling activity in the somatic cyst cells, which drives germline tumorigenesis. Germline tumors also arise from upregulation of several predicted targets ofmiR-317, among which are regulators of the Notch pathway. This implicatesmiR-317as a novel tumor suppressor that modulates Notch signaling strength.
Sanfetrinem, an oral β-lactam antibiotic repurposed for the treatment of tuberculosis
Authors: Ramón-García Santiago , González del Río Rubén , Arenaz-Callao María Pilar , Boshoff Helena , Rullás Joaquín , Anca Sara , Izquierdo Mónica Cacho , Porras de Francisco Esther , Herrán Esther Pérez , Santos-Villarejo Angel , Mendoza-Losana Alfonso , Ferrer-Bazaga Santiago , Thompson Charles J. , Aguirre David Barros , Bates Robert H.
Published: October 2024

Tuberculosis (TB) is historically the world’s deadliest infectious disease. New TB drugs that can avoid pre-existing resistance are desperately needed. The β-lactams are the oldest and most widely used class of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections but, for a variety of reasons, they were largely ignored until recently as a potential treatment option for TB. Recently, a growing body of evidence indicates that later-generation carbapenems in the presence of β-lactamase inhibitors could play a role in TB treatment. However, most of these drugs can only be administered intravenously in the clinic.

We performed a screening of β-lactams against intracellularMycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)and identified sanfetrinem cilexetil as a promising oral β-lactam candidate. Preclinicalin vitroandin vivostudies demonstrated that: (i) media composition impacts the activity of sanfetrinem againstMtb, being more potent in the presence of physiologically relevant cholesterol as the only carbon source, compared to the standard broth media; (ii) sanfetrinem shows broad spectrum activity againstMtbclinical isolates, including MDR/XDR strains; (iii) sanfetrinem is rapidly bactericidalin vitroagainstMtbdespite being poorly stable in the assay media; (iv) there are strongin vitrosynergistic interactions with amoxicillin, ethambutol, rifampicin and rifapentine and, (v) sanfetrinem cilexetil is active in anin vivomodel of infection. These data, together with robust pre-clinical and clinical studies of broad-spectrum carbapenem antibiotics carried out in the 1990s by GSK, identified sanfetrinem as having potential for treating TB and catalyzed a repurposing proof-of-concept Phase 2a clinical study (NCT05388448) currently underway in South Africa.
Plasma Exosomes in Insulin Resistant Obesity Exacerbate Progression of Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Llevenes Pablo , Chen Andrew , Lawton Matthew , Qiu Yuhan , Seen Michael , Monti Stefano , Denis Gerald V.
Published: October 2024

Breast cancer, the most common cancer among women worldwide, continues to pose significant public health challenges. Among the subtypes of breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is particularly aggressive and difficult to treat due to the absence of receptors for estrogen, progesterone, or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, rendering TNBC refractory to conventional targeted therapies. Emerging research underscores the exacerbating role of metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes and obesity, on TNBC aggressiveness. Here, we investigate the critical cellular and molecular factors underlying this link. We explore the pivotal role of circulating plasma exosomes in modulating the tumor microenvironment and enhancing TNBC aggressiveness. We find that plasma exosomes from diet-induced obesity mice induce epithelial- mesenchymal transition features in TNBC cells, leading to increased migrationin vitroand enhanced metastasisin vivo. We build on our previous reports demonstrating that plasma exosomes from obese, diabetic patients, and exosomes from insulin-resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes, upregulate key transcriptional signatures of epithelial- mesenchymal transition in breast cancer. Bioinformatic analysis reveals that TNBC cells exhibit higher expression and activation of proteins related to the Rho-GTPase cascade, particularly the small Ras-related protein Rac1. Our approach suggests novel therapeutic targets and exosomal biomarkers, ultimately to improve prognosis for TNBC patients with co-morbid metabolic disorders.
An atypical E3 ligase safeguards the ribosome during nutrient stress
Authors: Douglas Todd , Zhang Jiasheng , Wu Zhiping , Abdallah Kyrillos , McReynolds Meghan , Gilbert Wendy V. , Iwai Kazuhiro , Peng Junmin , Young Lawrence H. , Crews Craig M.
Published: October 2024

Metabolic stress must be effectively mitigated for the survival of cells and organisms. Ribosomes have emerged as signaling hubs that sense metabolic perturbations and coordinate responses that either restore homeostasis or trigger cell death. As yet, the mechanisms governing these cell fate decisions are not well understood. Here, we report an unexpected role for the atypical E3 ligase HOIL-1 in safeguarding the ribosome. We find HOIL-1 mutations associated with cardiomyopathy broadly sensitize cells to nutrient and translational stress. These signals converge on the ribotoxic stress sentinel ZAKα. Mechanistically, mutant HOIL-1 excludes a ribosome quality control E3 ligase from its functional complex and remodels the ribosome ubiquitin landscape. This quality control failure renders glucose starvation ribotoxic, precipitating a ZAKα-ATF4-xCT-driven noncanonical cell death. We further show HOIL-1 loss exacerbates cardiac dysfunction under pressure overload. These data reveal an unrecognized ribosome signaling axis and a molecular circuit controlling cell fate during nutrient stress.
Arginine methylation coordinates with phosphorylation to regulate NADP+synthesis
Authors: Zhu Yue , Zhang Wanjun , Hu Mengxue , Xing Xiaoke , Li Yanze , Zhang Hemeng , Zhao Yuanyuan , Chen Luojun , Zhang Chunmin , Chen Yali , Qin Weijie , Han Suxia , Pei Huadong , Zhang Pingfeng
Published: October 2024

NADK is the sole cytosolic enzyme responsible for synthesizing NADP+from NAD+within cells. The homeostasis of NAD+/NADP+is controlled by NADK, usually dysregulated in various cancers, yet the precise underlying regulatory mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we discover that PRMT6 methylates NADK at R39, R41, and R45, resulting in the suppression of NADK kinase activity and NADP+synthesis. Mutations of these sites promote cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth. PRMT6-mediated methylation of NADK coordinates with Akt-mediated phosphorylation to regulate NADK, which stimulates its activity to increase NADP+production through relief of an autoinhibitory function inherent to its amino terminus. PRMT6 also inhibits NADK activity in a phosphorylation-independent manner. Furthermore, NADK methylation is upregulated by RB1/E2F pathway in high-fat diet mice. Downregulation of NADK methylation in HCC enhances NADP+production to promote cancer development. Our findings illuminate the molecular regulatory mechanisms governing NAD+/NADP+homeostasis, suggesting that the PRMT6-NADK axis emerges as a direct player in high energy state. Furthermore, our research suggests potential therapeutic targets through chemical and genetic interventions.

Significance

Previous studies revealed that phosphorylation of NADK activates its activity in response to nutrient or other signaling pathways. Here, we discovered that PRMT6 methylates NADK at residues R39, R41, and R45, leading to the suppression of NADK kinase activity and NADP+synthesis. This PRMT6-mediated methylation works in conjunction with Akt-mediated phosphorylation to regulate NADK. Additionally, we found that NADK methylation is upregulated by the RB1/E2F pathway in mice on a high-fat diet. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the downregulation of NADK methylation enhances NADP+production, thereby promoting cancer development. Our findings provide a significant breakthrough in understanding the regulation of NADK and its response to environmental factors.
Student conceptual resources for understanding electric circuits
Authors: Bauman Lauren C. , Hansen Brynna , Goodhew Lisa M. , Robertson Amy D.
Published: October 2024

Physics Education Research has a rich history of identifying common student ideas about specific physics topics. In the context of electric circuits, existing research on students’ ideas has primarily focused on misconceptions, misunderstandings, and difficulties. In this paper, we take a resource-oriented approach to identifying common student ideas about circuits by characterizing ideas we see as generative “seeds of science” that could form the basis of more sophisticated understandings. Based on our analysis of 1557 university physics student responses to five conceptual questions, we identify four common resources for understanding circuits.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
A salt from biologically active compounds pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic (quinolinic) acid and cytosine
Authors: Książkiewicz Olga
Published: October 2024

Biologically active compounds are highly sought-after materials for developing novel structures applicable to industry. Cytosine and pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (quinolinic acid) are notably significant environmentally. Cytosine, a pyrimidine derivative, features a six-membered ring with a ketone and an amino group, constituting a fundamental nitrogenous base found in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The present synthesis yielded a salt of dipyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid with cytosine, wherein a proton was transferred from a carboxyl group of quinolinic acid to a ring N atom in the cytosine molecule giving the salt 6-amino-2-oxo-2,3-dihydropyrimidin-1-ium 3-carboxypyridine-2-carboxylate, C4H6N3O+·C7H4NO4
−. A Hirshfeld surface analysis was conducted to examine the contribution of contacts within the salt. The structure of the salt was compared to other structures containing quinolinic acid in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD).
Building personal and relational readiness for collaborative teacher mentoring through the intellectual virtues
Authors: Larsen Ellen , Curtis Elizabeth , Mai Nguyen Hoa Thi , Loughland Tony
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Contemporary early career teacher (ECT) mentoring approaches have largely aspired to shift towards a more non-hierarchic and mutually beneficial learning partnership approach. Such mentoring can be challenging to achieve. We report on a project that sought to further understand how intellectual virtues, such as intellectual courage, open-mindedness and humility, may be mobilised to prepare ECTs and mentors for more collaborative mentoring conversations.

Design/methodology/approach

Using qualitative case study research design, we collected data from 31 mentors and ECTs across two states in Australia engaged in professional learning focused on developing mentors’ and ECTs’ understanding of intellectual virtues as a resource for mentoring conversations. Data were generated from online professional learning activities, a questionnaire and field notes from school site visits and thematically analysed.

Findings

ECTs and mentors reported an increased self-awareness of their dispositional strengths and limitations and heightened confidence to engage in conversations that were more equal and open. Teachers perceived the deployment of intellectual virtues for mentoring to have personal, relational and learning benefits.

Originality/value

Numerous mentoring studies have espoused the value of mentoring that takes a co-constructivist and deeply relational approach, yet there is limited guidance provided to teachers as to how such an approach may be achieved. This paper innovatively draws on intellectual virtues as a cognitive construct to explore this issue and makes an empirical contribution to understanding how to prepare mentors and early career teachers for non-hierarchical and relational mentoring conversations.
Why do refugees live near to each other? A utility-based model for spatial segregation of Syrian refugees in Türkiye: 2016–2023 period
Authors: Akgül Taylan , Elitaş Zeynep
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The main purpose of this research is to understand and explain the clustering and/or segregation patterns of the rapid, massive and unexpected flow of Syrian refugees to Türkiye.

Design/methodology/approach

The analytical framework we use consists of three parts. In the first stage, we created a two-group model in which utility is assumed to be a function of consumption and the proportion of the population belonging to the same group living in their neighborhood. We show that equilibrium utility can be reduced to a univariate function that is the population proportion of the group to which one belongs. Then, with the help of a Python-based simulation, we analyze the redistribution dynamics of the groups and clustering patterns. In the final stage, we compute the dissimilarity index to determine the degree of clustering.

Findings

Although the dilution policy has been implemented, a relatively high spatial segregation of refugees still exists. The dissimilarity index we compute using the latest data shows that almost half of Syrians need to be displaced for a homogeneous geographical distribution.

Research limitations/implications

By obtaining neighborhood-based housing data, it will be possible to conduct a more detailed analysis at the city level. This will improve policymakers' understanding of refugee policy at both local and national levels.

Originality/value

It is the first study in which a dissimilarity index is computed for Syrian refugees in Türkiye.
Policy improvement of the dynamical movement primitives and stiffness primitives framework for robot learning variable stiffness manipulation
Authors: Ren Danmei , Bian Feifei
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Human beings are able to adjust their arm stiffness in daily life tasks. This paper aims to enable a robot to learn these human-like variable stiffness motor skills autonomously.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a reinforcement learning method to enable a robot to learn variable stiffness motor skills autonomously. Firstly, the variable stiffness motor skills are encoded by the previously proposed dynamical movement primitives and stiffness primitives (DMP-SP) framework, which is able to generate both motion and stiffness curves for robots. The admittance controller is then used to make a robot follow the motion and stiffness curves. The authors then use the policy improvement with path integrals (PI2) algorithm to optimize the robot motion and stiffness curves iteratively.

Findings

The performance of the proposed method is evaluated on an UR10 robot by two different tasks: a) via-point task, b) sweeping the floor. The results show that after training, the robot is capable of accomplishing the tasks safely and compliantly.

Practical implications

The method can help the robots walk out of the isolated environment and accelerate their integration into human being’s daily life.

Originality/value

This paper uses reinforcement learning method to improve DMP-SP framework, thus allowing the robots to learn variable stiffness motor skills autonomously with no need for extra sensors.
How differently do cognitive and affective country image affect brand loyalty
Authors: Nguyen Ngoc Minh , Hoang Giang Huong , Vu Ngoc Thi Minh , Bui Linh Duy , Ta Anh Son
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how differently cognitive and affective country image affects brand loyalty of smartphone brands from two developed countries in Vietnam and how product image mediates these effects.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used the cross-sectional design. Data was collected via questionnaires and 517 responses were left after refining. The confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were applied to analyze the collected data.

Findings

The effects of the cognitive country image on brand loyalty are totally transmitted through product image. The effects of affective country image on brand loyalty are divided into direct and indirect effects transmitted through product image.

Research limitations/implications

Affective country image and product image have complementary effects, whereas cognitive country image and product image have substituting effects on brand loyalty.

Practical implications

International companies from countries with unfavorable country images should concentrate more on improving their product images to improve brand loyalty in foreign markets.

Originality/value

The findings support previous studies, which have shown that cognitive and affective country images are distinctive dimensions of country image and affect consumer cognition and responses toward products/brands through different mechanisms.
The effect of business owners’ personal characteristics on enterprises’ human resource management strategies – a multigroup comparison model based on micro, small and medium-sized private enterprises
Authors: Li Chengyan , Huang Chongrong , Sun Liuqi , Song Tingting
Published: October 2024

Purpose

It has been proven that the characteristics of top management in an organization have an impact on the organization’s employee management strategies. In micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, the business owner’s influence is constructive. However, there has been little discussion about the influence of business owners’ personal characteristics on enterprises’ human resource management (HRM) strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, two complementary experimental designs – quantitative research and qualitative research – were adopted to verify the theoretical framework.

Findings

The results show that business owners with masculine characteristics tend to adopt the strategies of internal development and external acquisition, while those with feminine characteristics tend to adopt the strategies of internal development. Significant differences were found between the female business owner group and the male business owner group in terms of the relationship paths of gender role orientation, leadership style and gender role orientation and HRM strategies.

Originality/value

Firstly, this is the first time to discuss human resource management strategies from the perspective of gender roles. Secondly, the data of this research is collected from entrepreneurs, which is another advantage of this research. Finally, this research has obtained more valuable research findings. This study found that feminine bosses tend to adopt internally developed human resource strategies, while masculine bosses value internally developed human resource management strategies and also tend to adopt external acquisition strategies. Studies have shown that companies that adopt defensive strategies rely more on internally developed human resource management strategies, while those with exploratory strategies are more inclined to externally acquired human resource management strategies. So, does the boss’s gender role orientation match the organizational strategy, that is, feminine bosses adopt defensive strategies, while masculine bosses adopt defensive and exploratory organizational strategies? This point provides new research ideas for the development of private enterprises.
The impact of project-related failures on team members and support mechanisms – a narrative analysis
Authors: Chiponde Danstan Bwalya , Gledson Barry , Greenwood David
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Past studies on project-related failures (PRF) have focused more on developing criteria for measuring project success and failure and achieving project outputs without addressing the impact of PRF on team members. Therefore, this study aims to focus on reviewing the impact of PRF on team members and the support offered by leaders.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research approach was adopted, and data was collected through interviews involving 15 construction professionals. The data was analysed using the narrative data analysis method whilst adopting just culture theory as a theoretical lens.

Findings

Failure impacts team members’ emotions and morale negatively in form of grief, stress and in some cases death. Family and personal relationships are strained due to the financial burden of losing employment. Support offered to team members mostly increased training and supervision with a focus on meeting the project outputs (time, cost and quality) without addressing the emotional and morale-related impact of failure on team members. Instead team members are blamed and punished, which demonstrates a prevalence of a retributive response to failure.

Research limitations/implications

Considering the limited number of participants, the study’s findings cannot be generalised. Hence, future studies with a large population are encouraged.

Practical implications

The implications for practice are that team members should be supported emotionally besides retraining/upskilling and supervision. Accordingly, there is need to adopt a just culture which focuses on who are affected and how they can be supported instead of focusing on who to blame.

Originality/value

Unlike studies that focus on the criteria for measuring and mitigating project with the view of achieving project outputs, this study encourages providing emotional support to team members.
A comprehensive framework of visual elements in brand logos: content analysis of top 500 global brands
Authors: Trehan Shruti , Kalro Arti D.
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Designers must recognise the significance of a brand logo’s visual elements as they convey various meanings. While studies have attempted to collate visual elements, efforts have often been limited to specific types of visual elements (e.g. typefaces) or restricted to certain product categories. This study aims to conceptualise a comprehensive list of visual elements used in brand logos and to validate it based on the top 500 global brand logos across eight product categories.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive list was conceptualised through a combination of literature review, interviews with experts and observations of real brand logos. Using this exhaustive compilation, content analysis of the top 500 global brand logos was conducted to discern the prevalent trends of the visual elements in logos across various product categories.

Findings

The content analysis results highlighted an extensive preference for use of wordmark, no outline and horizontal proportion in brand logos. Overall, 42.6% and 31% of brands preferred using cool and neutral colours, respectively. Moreover, the preference for colour categories (warm/cool/neutral), font types (organic/geometric) and stacking of elements (horizontal/vertical/diagonal) varied across product categories.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by creating a comprehensive guidebook of visual elements of logos. It also offers guidance to in-house and third-party designers of companies for logo design to better understand the nuances of intellectual property related to logo elements and assists managers in comparing their brands’ visual identity with those of their competitors.
The role of family support on the effects of paramedic role overload on resilience, intention to leave and promotive voice
Authors: Meacham Hannah , Holland Peter , Pariona-Cabrera Patricia , Kang Haiying , Tham Tse Leng , Bartram Timothy , Cavanagh Jillian
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Paramedics have played a critical role in the health care system response to the COVID-19 pandemic as frontline responders. However, in comparison to other health care workers (i.e. nurses), less research has been conducted on how paramedic work has been undertaken and how they manage their resources in the context of high workloads. This study examines several factors that deplete paramedic resources as well as the importance of family support in buffering the effects of low levels of resilience that can impact paramedic intention to leave and promotive voice.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 648 paramedics employed by Ambulance Victoria, Australia, during the COVID-19 pandemic. We examine five hypotheses: (1) resilience mediates the relationship between role overload and intention to leave; (2) resilience mediates the relationship between role overload and promotive voice; (3) family support moderates the relationship between role overload and resilience; (4) family support moderates the indirect effect of role overload on intention to leave via resilience and (5) family support moderates the indirect effect of role overload on promotive voice via resilience.

Findings

We found that when family support was low, the impact of role overload on turnover intention via resilience was significant. When family support was low, the negative impact of role overload on promotive voice via resilience was significant. When family support was high, such a negative indirect effect was not significant in predicting employee promotive voice via resilience.

Practical implications

We suggest that organisations should focus human resource management (HRM) policies and practices on family-friendly initiatives to further enhance family support resources to benefit individuals, families and organisations.

Originality/value

Our findings demonstrate the importance of family support as a buffer to the negative effects of role overload on employee resilience and promotive voice. There is clear importance of the contextual elements of family support as a resource, and its absence may result in resource depletion and can act as a catalyst in a resource depletion spiral. This demonstrates the importance of organisations understanding and learning to utilise external resources to complement organisational and individual resources to reduce intention to leave and support promotive employee voice. We suggest that organisations should focus HRM policies and practices on family-friendly initiatives to further enhance family support resources to benefit individuals, families and organisations.
Exploring child marriage in Yemen: a critical analysis of an Arab media corpus
Authors: Mohammed Tawffeek A.S.
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study adopts a qualitative approach to a critical media analysis of the multifaceted aspects of child marriage in the Yemeni context as an example of the broader Arab context. It seeks to provide a deeper understanding of the current situation, underlying causes and consequences of child marriage, as well as efforts to curb the practice.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilizes a thematic analysis approach, examining various textual and multimodal sources on child marriage. A corpus of Arab media, including news and opinion articles, online discussions and public comments, was compiled and analyzed. Additionally, sentiment analysis techniques were employed to examine a YouTube report about Nujood Ali, a victim of child marriage in Yemen, to gauge the emotional tone and attitudes of viewers towards the media coverage and the practice itself.

Findings

This study identifies prevalent themes, narratives and perspectives related to child marriage in Yemen, highlighting the diverse journalism genres addressing the issue. The thematic analysis of the media corpus reveals several themes that align with findings from other studies, particularly those discussing the practice, its causes and its prevalence. The sentiment analysis of a YouTube report on Nujood Ali reveals significant insights into the public’s emotional response and attitude towards child marriage.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to the content available in the compiled corpus and the specific methodologies employed, including thematic and sentiment analysis. These limitations might influence the generalizability of the findings.

Originality/value

This study is distinctive in its comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to examining child marriage in Yemen and the broader Arab context. It employs a selection of digital humanities software to attempt a systematic, critical media analysis on child marriage in Yemen. Thematic analysis has uncovered unique insights, such as the inadvertent consequences of legislation intended to protect children, which have instead exacerbated the problem. In addition, the media has highlighted the negative role played by some religious scholars in Yemeni Parliament. These scholars have used their political power and immunity to obstruct efforts to end the practice, either directly or by mobilizing their supporters. A sentiment analysis of YouTube comments clearly indicates that the practice of child marriage is not widely accepted within the Yemeni community, despite some perceptions to the contrary.
Prurigo chronica multiformis: Expert consensus of the Japanese Dermatological Association
Authors: Satoh Takahiro , Murota Hiroyuki , Aoyama Yumi , Hashimoto Takashi , Ishiuji Yozo , Hatano Yutaka , Nakahara Takeshi , Kabashima Kenji , Takamori Kenji , Katayama Ichiro
Published: October 2024

Prurigo chronica multiformis is a commonly used diagnostic designation for a peculiar subtype of prurigo in Japan, although the disease entity might not be well‐recognized in other countries. Experts approved by the Japanese Dermatological Association attempted to build a common consensus on prurigo chronica multiformis, agreeing that it is a unique and important disease entity in elderly patients. Skin lesions are characterized by intensely pruritic, edematous, urticarial papules, or small macules, which gradually become solid papules/small nodules. The papules tend to aggregate and occasionally coalesce into polygonal lichenified plaques. The most commonly affected sites are the lower abdomen and lower back, although the chest, thighs, and upper back might also be involved. Common histopathological features of prurigo chronica multiformis include infiltration of lymphocytes and eosinophils in the upper dermis, with minimal epidermal changes. Basophil infiltration is also observed. The epidemiological incidence, differences in clinical manifestations by geographical location, and disease placement among other forms of prurigo and/or related skin diseases need to be further elucidated. Dermatologists should be aware of the clinical characteristics of prurigo chronica multiformis.
Where do parties interact? Issue engagement in press releases and tweets
Authors: IVANUSCH CHRISTOPH
Published: October 2024

To what extent political parties engage in debates about the same issues and how they respond to each other is highly relevant to democratic processes. Existing research on issue engagement has uncovered several interesting patterns and factors, but has neglected one important feature of contemporary democracies: nowadays, political actors have a wide range of communication channels at their disposal with the use of ‘newer’ forms of political communication (e.g., social media) potentially transforming discursive power relations between political actors. However, it remains largely unclear whether the extent and nature of issue engagement varies between more ‘traditional’ and ‘newer’ forms of political communication. To fill this gap, I apply unsupervised topic modelling to press releases and tweets from political parties in Austria, Germany and Switzerland (January 2019–September 2021). The statistical analysis shows substantial differences in issue engagement between political parties in press releases and on Twitter, now X. First, I find a higher likelihood of issue engagement between parties in tweets. Second, Twitter appears to moderate the influence of party‐level factors on issue engagement compared to press releases. The results show that for issue engagement in tweets, the importance of party size is smaller and the role of government parties is larger than in press releases, while the role of ideological distance does not seem to change. These findings add important insights to our understanding of the potential transformative effect of new communication technologies on party competition and political discourse.
Medicaid managed care restrictions on medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder
Authors: Stewart Maureen T. , Andrews Christina M. , Feltus Sage R. , Hodgkin Dominic , Horgan Constance M. , Thomas Cindy Parks , Nong Thuong
Published: October 2024

Objective

To examine whether Medicaid managed care plan (MCP) utilization management policies for buprenorphine–naloxone and injectable naltrexone are related to key state Medicaid program policy decisions.

Data Sources and Study Setting

We abstracted data on state Medicaid regulatory and policy information from publicly available sources and publicly available insurance benefit documentation from all 241 Medicaid MCPs operating in 2021.

Study Design

In this cross‐sectional study, we used bivariate and multivariate analyses to examine whether Medicaid MCP prior authorization and quantity limits on receipt of buprenorphine and injectable naltrexone were associated with key state Medicaid choices to leverage federal funds to expand coverage and eligibility (Medicaid expansion, 1115 waivers) and to regulate Medicaid MCPs (uniform preferred drug lists, medical loss ratio remittance). Models were adjusted for MCP characteristics, including profit status, behavioral health contracting arrangement, National Committee for Quality Assurance accreditation, size, market share, and state opioid overdose death rates. Average marginal effects (AME) were reported.

Principal Findings

Utilization management was common among MCPs, and restrictions were more commonly applied to buprenorphine than injectable naltrexone, despite its higher cost. States that required MCPs to comply with utilization management policies stipulated in a uniform preferred drug list were more likely to require prior authorization for buprenorphine (AME: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.15–0.42) and injectable naltrexone (AME: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.12–0.38). MCPs in states that required plans to pay back earnings above a certain threshold were less likely to require prior authorization for buprenorphine (AME: −0.30, 95% CI: −0.43 to −0.18).

Conclusions

Restrictions on medications for opioid use disorder are widespread among MCPs and vary by medication. State Medicaid regulatory and policy characteristics were strongly linked to MCPs' utilization management approaches. State Medicaid policy and contracting approaches may be levers to eliminate utilization management restrictions on medications for opioid use disorder.