bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autoantibodies in COVID-19 correlate with anti-viral humoral responses and distinct immune signatures
Authors: Taeschler Patrick , Cervia Carlo , Zurbuchen Yves , Hasler Sara , Pou Christian , Tan Ziyang , Adamo Sarah , Raeber Miro E. , Bächli Esther , Rudiger Alain , Stüssi-Helbling Melina , Huber Lars C. , Brodin Petter , Nilsson Jakob , Probst-Müller Elsbeth , Boyman Onur
Published: January 2022

Background

Several autoimmune features occur during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with possible implications for disease course, immunity, and autoimmune pathology. In this study, we longitudinally screened for clinically relevant systemic autoantibodies to assess their prevalence, temporal trajectory, and association with immunity, comorbidities, and severity of COVID-19.

Methods

We performed highly sensitive indirect immunofluorescence assays to detect anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), along with serum proteomics and virome-wide serological profiling in a multicentric cohort of 175 COVID-19 patients followed-up to one year after infection, eleven vaccinated individuals, and 41 unexposed controls.

Results

Compared to healthy controls, similar prevalence and patterns of ANA were present in patients during acute COVID-19 and recovery. However, paired analysis revealed a subgroup of patients with transient presence of certain ANA patterns during acute COVID-19. Furthermore, patients with severe COVID-19 exhibited a high prevalence of ANCA during acute disease. These autoantibodies were quantitatively associated with higher SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody titers in COVID-19 patients and in vaccinated individuals, thus linking autoantibody production to increased antigen-specific humoral responses. Notably, the qualitative breadth of antibodies cross-reactive with other coronaviruses was comparable in ANA-positive and ANA- negative individuals during acute COVID-19. In autoantibody-positive patients, multiparametric characterization demonstrated an inflammatory signature during acute COVID-19 and alterations of the B cell compartment after recovery.

Conclusion

Highly sensitive indirect immunofluorescence assays revealed transient autoantibody production during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, while the presence of autoantibodies in COVID-19 patients correlated with increased anti-viral humoral immune responses and inflammatory immune signatures.
Estimation of the test to test distribution as a proxy for generation interval distribution for the Omicron variant in England
Authors: Abbott Sam , Sherratt Katharine , Gerstung Moritz , Funk Sebastian
Published: January 2022

Background

Early estimates from South Africa indicated that the Omicron COVID-19 variant may be both more transmissible and have greater immune escape than the previously dominant Delta variant. The rapid turnover of the latest epidemic wave in South Africa as well as initial evidence from contact tracing and household infection studies has prompted speculation that the generation time of the Omicron variant may be shorter in comparable settings than the generation time of the Delta variant.

Methods

We estimated daily growth rates for the Omicron and Delta variants in each UKHSA region from the 23rd of November to the 23rd of December 2021 using surveillance case counts by date of specimen and S-gene target failure status with an autoregressive model that allowed for time-varying differences in the transmission advantage of the Delta variant where the evidence supported this. By assuming a gamma distributed generation distribution we then estimated the generation time distribution and transmission advantage of the Omicron variant that would be required to explain this time varying advantage. We repeated this estimation process using two different prior estimates for the generation time of the Delta variant first based on household transmission and then based on its intrinsic generation time.

Results

Visualising our growth rate estimates provided initial evidence for a difference in generation time distributions. Assuming a generation time distribution for Delta with a mean of 2.5-4 days (90% credible interval) and a standard deviation of 1.9-3 days we estimated a shorter generation time distribution for Omicron with a mean of 1.5-3.2 days and a standard deviation of 1.3-4.6 days. This implied a transmission advantage for Omicron in this setting of 160%-210% compared to Delta. We found similar relative results using an estimate of the intrinsic generation time for Delta though all estimates increased in magnitude due to the longer assumed generation time.

Conclusions

We found that a reduction in the generation time of Omicron compared to Delta was able to explain the observed variation over time in the transmission advantage of the Omicron variant. However, this analysis cannot rule out the role of other factors such as differences in the populations the variants were mixing in, differences in immune escape between variants or bias due to using the test to test distribution as a proxy for the generation time distribution.
The skin we live in: pigmentation traits and tanning behaviour in British young adults, an observational and genetically-informed study
Authors: Bonilla Carolina , Mejia-Lancheros Cilia
Published: January 2022

Background

Skin cancer incidence has been increasing worldwide, representing a particularly high burden for populations of European ancestry. Outdoor and indoor tanning using ultraviolet radiation (UVR) devices are major risk factors for skin cancer. While tanning behaviours can be modified by targeted interventions to reduce skin cancer rates, there is insufficient evidence on the motivations for tanning preferences and their relationship with pigmentation phenotypes. The present observational and genetically- informed study investigates motives for tanning and the role that pigmentation phenotypes play on outdoor and indoor tanning behaviour in British young adults.

Methods

This study included 3722 participants from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children in South West England. Skin, hair and eye colour features, and tanning ability and preferences were collected using a questionnaire applied when participants were ∼25 years of age. Genotypes for 41 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with pigmentation were obtained from a subset of participants who provided a biological sample, and used to estimate the probability of having particular pigmentation traits with the HIrisPlex-S system.

Results

Liking to tan and outdoor tanning were strongly influenced by skin, hair and eye pigmentation, and tanning ability. However, the association of these traits with UV indoor tanning was weaker. Conversely, females, participants of lower socioeconomic position, individuals who were unhappy with their pigmentation phenotype during adolescence, and participants who believed that tanning helps prevent sunburn were more likely to have used UVR-based tanning devices.

Conclusion

Our results provide evidence to support the implementation of skin cancer preventative interventions that consider individual biological characteristics and motives for undergoing outdoor and indoor tanning.
Angle-angle diagrams in the assessment of locomotion in persons with multiple sclerosis: A preliminary study
Authors: Giminiani Riccardo Di , Lorenzo Davide Di , Russo Luca , Greca Stefano La , Masedu Francesco , Totaro Rocco , Padua Elvira
Published: January 2022

Gait analysis is clinically relevant in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and consists of several joint angular displacement-time relationships and spatiotemporal parameters. However, it lacks representation by means of diagrams in which knee angle-hip angle and knee angle-ankle angle variations are plotted against each other at the same instants of time. Three-dimensional kinematic analysis was performed on 20 subjects (10 PwMS/10 healthy controls, HCs), and the knee-angle/hip-angle and knee-angle/ankle-angle diagrams of both lower limbs were determined in the sagittal plane while walking on a motorized treadmill. The area (a quantifier of conjoint range of motion) and the perimeter (a quantifier of coordination) of angle-angle diagram loops were calculated. PwMS showed reduced knee-angle/ankle-angle loops compared to HCs (P<0.05, ES = 0.80), whereas the hip-angle/ankle-angle loops between the PwMS and HCs was not significant (P> 0.05). Similarly, the activation of leg muscles showed significant differences between PwMS and HCs (p ranged from 0.05-to 0.001; ES ranged from 1.30 to 1.89). The results indicate that the proposed knee-angle/hip-angle diagram is feasible and could be applied as a reliable tool in future studies aimed at assessing the acute and long-term effects of specific exercise programmes and/or pharmacological treatment in PwMS.
Sun, Sleep, and Satisfaction: Mediating Role of Depression and Source of Endogeneity among Middle-aged and Older Adults in China
Authors: Han Xiao , Li Jun
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To examine: (i) depression as a mediator in effects of sleep duration and quality on life satisfaction (LS), (ii) source of endogeneity in self-reported data on sleep, and (iii) predictive power of sleep duration and quality on LS.

Methods

Panel data of 22,674 observations from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (2015 & 2018) was used. Sleep was assessed with self-reported duration and quality. Depression was measured by the 10-question version of the Center for Epidemiological Survey - Depression. LS was rated by five scales. Fixed-effects ordered logit models were used to determine the effect of sleep duration and quality on life satisfaction and the mediating role of depression. We used instrumental variable strategy to explore the source of endogeneity. Information value and random forest model were used to examine the predictive power of sleep measures duration and quality.

Results

Sleep duration and quality were found to improve life satisfaction via lower depression score. Non-agricultural employed population with urban hukou (household registration) accounted for the endogeneity, but the instrument variable sunset failed the weak instrument test. Sleep measures were found to predict life satisfaction, especially for the lower life satisfaction groups.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest the importance of sleep and the study of the associations between solar cues, social schedules, and sleep. Policy makers of social care of older adults might consider sleep intervention among this population.
Connectome-wide mega-analysis reveals robust patterns of atypical functional connectivity in autism
Authors: Ilioska Iva , Oldehinkel Marianne , Llera Alberto , Chopra Sidhant , Looden Tristan , Chauvin Roselyne , van Rooij Daan , Floris Dorothea , Tillmann Julian , Moessnang Carolin , Banaschewski Tobias , Holt Rosemary J. , Loth Eva , Charman Tony , Murphy Declan G. M. , Ecker Christine , Mennes Maarten , Beckmann Christian F. , Fornito Alex , Buitelaar Jan K. ,   EU-AIMS LEAP Group
Published: January 2022

Neuroimaging studies on functional connectivity (FC) in autism have been hampered by small sample sizes and inconsistent findings with regard to whether connectivity is increased or decreased in individuals with autism, whether these alterations affect focal systems or reflect a brain-wide pattern, and whether these are age- and/or sex-dependent. The study included resting-state fMRI and clinical data from the LEAP and the ABIDE I and II initiatives, of 1824 (796 with autism) participants with age range 5-58 years. Between-group differences in FC were assessed, and associations between FC and clinical symptom ratings were investigated through canonical correlation analysis.
Autism was associated with a brain-wide pattern of hypo- and hyperconnectivity. Hypoconnectivity predominantly affected sensory and higher-order attentional networks and correlated with social impairments, restrictive and repetitive behavior (RRB), and sensory processing. Hyperconnectivity was observed primarily between the default mode network and the rest of the brain, and between cortical and subcortical systems. This pattern was strongly associated with social impairments and sensory processing. Interactions between diagnosis and age or sex were not statistically significant.
The FC alterations observed in this study, which primarily involve hypoconnectivity of primary sensory and attention networks and hyperconnectivity of the DMN and subcortex with the rest of the brain, do not appear to be age or sex-dependent and correlate with clinical dimensions of social difficulties, RRBs, and alterations in sensory processing. These findings suggest that the observed connectivity alterations are stable, trait-like features of autism that are related to the three main symptom domains.
Clinical and Genetic Associations of Deep Learning-Derived Cardiac Magnetic Resonance-Based Left Ventricular Mass
Authors: Khurshid Shaan , Lazarte Julieta , Pirruccello James P. , Weng Lu-Chen , Choi Seung Hoan , Hall Amelia W. , Wang Xin , Friedman Samuel , Nauffal Victor , Biddinger Kiran J. , Aragam Krishna G. , Batra Puneet , Ho Jennifer E. , Philippakis Anthony A. , Ellinor Patrick T. , Lubitz Steven A.
Published: January 2022

Increased left ventricular (LV) mass (LVM) and LV hypertrophy (LVH) are risk markers for adverse cardiovascular events, and may indicate an underlying cardiomyopathy. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is the gold standard for LVM estimation, but is challenging to obtain at scale, which has limited the power of prior genetic analyses. In the current study, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of CMR-derived LVM indexed to body surface area (LVMI) estimated using a deep learning algorithm within nearly 50,000 participants from the UK Biobank. We identified 12 independent associations (1 known atTTNand 11 novel) meeting genome-wide significance, implicating several candidate genes previously associated with cardiac contractility and cardiomyopathy. Greater CMR-derived LVMI was associated with higher risk of incident dilated (hazard ratio [HR] 2.58 per 1-SD increase, 95% CI 2.10-3.17) and hypertrophic (HR 2.62, 95% CI 2.09-3.30) cardiomyopathies. A polygenic risk score (PRS) for LVMI was also associated with incident hypertrophic cardiomyopathy within a separate set of UK Biobank participants (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.01-1.12) and among individuals in an external Mass General Brigham dataset (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.01-1.37). In summary, using CMR-derived LVM available at scale, we have identified 12 common variants associated with LVMI (11 novel) and demonstrated that both CMR-derived and genetically determined LVMI are associated with risk of incident cardiomyopathy.

Journal Subject Terms

machine learning, left ventricular hypertrophy, genetics
Time-Specific Associations of Wearable, Sensor-Based Cardiovascular and Behavioral Readouts with Disease Phenotypes in the Outpatient Setting of the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC)
Authors: Lahens Nicholas F. , Rahman Mahboob , Cohen Jordana B. , Cohen Debbie L. , Chen Jing , Weir Matthew R. , Feldman Harold I. , Grant Gregory R. , Townsend Raymond R. , Skarke Carsten
Published: January 2022

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at risk of developing cardiovascular disease. To facilitate out-of-clinic evaluation, we piloted wearable device-based analysis of heart rate variability and behavioral readouts in patients with CKD participating in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort and (n=49) controls. Time-specific partitioning of HRV readouts indicate higher parasympathetic nervous activity during the night (mean RR at night 14.4±1.9 ms versus 12.8±2.1 ms during active hours; n=47, ANOVA q=0.001). The α2 long-term fluctuations in the detrended fluctuation analysis, a parameter predictive of cardiovascular mortality, significantly differentiated between diabetic and non-diabetic patients (prominent at night with 0.58±0.2 versus 0.45±0.12, respectively, adj. p=0.004). Both diabetic and nondiabetic CKD patients showed loss of rhythmic organization compared to controls, with diabetic CKD patients exhibiting deconsolidation of peak phases between their activity and SDNN (standard deviation of interbeat intervals) rhythms (mean phase difference CKD 8.3h, CKD/T2DM 4h, controls 6.8h). This work provides a roadmap toward deriving actionable clinical insights from the data collected by wearable devices outside of highly controlled clinical environments.
Altered plasma, urine, and tissue profiles of sulfatides and sphingomyelins in patients with renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Jirásko Robert , Idkowiak Jakub , Wolrab Denise , Kvasnička Aleš , Friedecký David , Polański Krzysztof , Študentová Hana , Študent Vladimír , Melichar Bohuslav , Holčapek Michal
Published: January 2022

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents the most common type of kidney cancer and, despite the progress of surgical and medical management, is associated with high mortality. In this study, we demonstrate that RCC-related processes change body fluids sphingolipid concentrations, which may be used to monitor tumor presence using non-invasive lipid-based blood and urine tests. We investigate 674 plasma, urine, and tissue samples from 369 RCC patients and controls. For the first time, we show the significant concentration changes of low abundant sulfatides in plasma and urine of RCC patients. Elevated concentrations of lactosylsulfatides, decreased concentrations of sphingomyelins with long saturated N-fatty acyls and sulfatides with hydroxylated fatty acyls are the crucial alternations in RCC. These changes are stage-dependent and are more emphasized in late-stage RCC. Similar trends in body fluids and tissues indicate that RCC widely influences lipid metabolism and highlights the potential of lipidomic profiling for cancer detection.
Improved evaluation of left ventricular hypertrophy using the spatial QRS-T angle by electrocardiography
Authors: Maanja Maren , Schlegel Todd T , Kozor Rebecca , Bacharova Ljuba , Wong Timothy C. , Schelbert Erik B , Ugander Martin
Published: January 2022

Background

Conventional electrocardiographic (ECG) signs of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) lack sensitivity. The aim was to identify LVH based on an abnormal spatial peaks QRS-T angle, and evaluate its diagnostic and prognostic performance compared to that of conventional ECG criteria for LVH.

Methods

This was an observational study with four cohorts, all with a QRS duration <120 ms: (1) Healthy volunteers to define normality (n=921), (2) Separate healthy volunteers to compare test specificity (n=461), (3) Patients with at least moderate LVH by cardiac imaging (Imaging-LVH) to compare test sensitivity (n=225), and (4) Patients referred for cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate the combined outcome of hospitalization for heart failure or all-cause death (Clinical-Consecutive, n=783).

Results

An abnormal spatial peaks QRS-T angle was defined as exceeding the upper limit of normal, which was found to be ≥ 40° for females and ≥ 55° for males. In healthy volunteers, the specificity of the QRS-T angle to detect LVH was 96% (females) and 98% (males). In Imaging-LVH, the QRS-T angle had a higher sensitivity to detect LVH than conventional ECG criteria (93–97% vs 13–56%, p<0.001 for all). In Clinical-Consecutive, of those who did not have any LVH, 238/556 (43%) had an abnormal QRS-T angle, suggesting it can occur even without LVH. There was an association with outcomes in univariable analysis for the QRS-T angle, Cornell voltage, QRS duration, and Cornell product (hazard ratios 1.68–2.5, p<0.01 for all) that persisted in multivariable analysis only for the QRS-T angle and QRS duration (p<0.001 for both).

Conclusions

An increased QRS-T angle rarely occurred in healthy volunteers, was a mainstay of moderate or greater LVH, was common in clinical patients without LVH but with cardiac co-morbidities, and associated with outcomes. Thus, an increased QRS-T angle identifies left ventricular electrical remodeling that can occur in the absence of LVH detected by imaging. The improved diagnostic and independent prognostic performance for the QRS-T angle suggests that it should be investigated when ECGs are evaluated.
Cellular and humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2 infection in multiple sclerosis patients on ocrelizumab and other disease-modifying therapies: a multi-ethnic observational study
Authors: Kister Ilya , Patskovsky Yury , Curtin Ryan , Pei Jinglan , Perdomo Katherine , Rimler Zoe , Voloshyna Iryna , Samanovic Marie I. , Cornelius Amber R. , Velmurugu Yogambigai , Nyovanie Samantha , Kim Joseph , Tardio Ethan , Bacon Tamar E. , Ryerson Lana Zhovtis , Raut Pranil , Pedotti Rosetta , Hawker Kathleen , Raposo Catarina , Priest Jessica , Cabatingan Mark , Winger Ryan C. , Mulligan Mark J. , Krogsgaard Michelle , Silverman Gregg J.
Published: January 2022

Objective

To determine the impact of MS disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) on the development of cellular and humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods

MS patients aged 18-60 were evaluated for anti-nucleocapsid and anti-Spike RBD antibody with electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay; antibody responses to Spike protein, RBD, N-terminal domain with multiepitope bead-based immunoassays (MBI); live virus immunofluorescence-based microneutralization assay; T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 Spike using TruCulture ELISA; and IL-2 and IFNγ ELISpot assays. Assay results were compared by DMT class. Spearman correlation and multivariate analyses were performed to examine associations between immunologic responses and infection severity.

Results

Between 1/6/2021 and 7/21/2021, 389 MS patients were recruited (mean age 40.3 years; 74% female; 62% non-White). Most common DMTs were ocrelizumab (OCR) - 40%; natalizumab - 17%, Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor (S1P) modulators −12%; and 15% untreated. 177 patients (46%) had laboratory evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection; 130 had symptomatic infection, 47 - asymptomatic. Antibody responses were markedly attenuated in OCR compared to other groups (p≤ 0001). T-cell responses (IFNγ were decreased in S1P (p=0.03), increased in natalizumab (p<0.001), and similar in other DMTs, including OCR. Cellular and humoral responses were moderately correlated in both OCR (r=0.45, p=0.0002) and non-OCR (r=0.64, p<0.0001). Immune responses did not differ by race/ethnicity. COVID-19 clinical course was mostly non-severe and similar across DMTs; 7% (9/130) were hospitalized.

Interpretation

DMTs had differential effects on humoral and cellular immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Immune responses did not correlate with COVID-19 clinical severity in this relatively young and non-disabled group of MS patients.
Protective effect of a first SARS-CoV-2 infection from reinfection: a matched retrospective cohort study using PCR testing data in England
Authors: Lacy Joanne , Mensah Anna , Simmons Ruth , Andrews Nick , Siddiqui M. Ruby , Bukasa Antoaneta , O’Boyle Shennae , Campbell Helen , Brown Kevin
Published: January 2022

The duration of immunity after first SARS-CoV-2 infection and the extent to which prior immunity prevents reinfection is uncertain and remains an important question within the context of new variants.

Using a retrospective population-based matched observational study approach, we identified cases with a first PCR positive test between 01 March 2020 and 30 September 2020 and cases were matched by age, sex, upper tier local authority of residence and testing route to individuals testing negative in the same week (controls) by PCR. After a 90-day pre-follow up period for cases and controls, any subsequent positive tests up to 31 December 2020 and deaths within 28 days of testing positive were identified, this encompassed an essentially vaccine-free period.

There were 517,870 individuals in the matched cohort with 2,815 reinfection cases and 12,098 first infections. The protective effect of a prior SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive episode was 78% (OR 0.22, 0.21-0.23). Protection rose to 82% (OR 0.18, 0.17-0.19) after a sensitivity analysis excluded 934 individuals with a first test between March and May and a subsequent positive test between June and September 2020.

Amongst individuals testing positive by PCR during follow-up, reinfection cases had 77% lower odds of symptoms at the second episode (adjusted OR 0.23, 0.20-0.26) and 45% lower odds of dying in the 28 days after reinfection (adjusted OR 0.55, 0.42-0.71).

Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection offered protection against reinfection in this population. There was some evidence that reinfections increased with the Alpha variant compared to the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 variant highlighting the importance of continued monitoring as new variants emerge.
Experimental Methods of Investigating Airborne Indoor Virus-Transmissions Adapted to Several Ventilation Measures
Authors: Siebler Lukas , Calandri Maurizio , Rathje Torben , Stergiaropoulos Konstantinos
Published: January 2022

This study introduces a principle, which unifies two experimental methods for airborne indoor virus-transmissions adapted to several ventilation measures. A first-time comparison of mechanical/natural ventilation and air purifiers with regard to infection risks is achieved. Effortful computational fluid dynamics demand detailed boundary conditions for accurate calculations of indoor airflows, which are often unknown. Hence a suitable, simple and generalized experimental set up for identifying the spatial and temporal infection risk for different ventilation measures is required. A trace gas method is suitable for mechanical and natural ventilation with outdoor air exchange. For an accurate assessment of air purifiers based on filtration a surrogate particle method is appropriate. The release of a controlled rate of either trace gas or particles simulates an infectious person releasing virus material. Surrounding substance concentration measurements identify the neighborhood exposure. One key aspect of the study is to prove that the requirement of concordant results of both methods is fulfilled. This is the only way to ensure that the comparison of different ventilation measures described above is reliable. Two examples (a two person office, several classrooms) show how practical both methods are and how the principle is applicable for different types and sizes of rooms.
Structure solution of the Al69.2Cu20Cr10.8 ϕ phase
Authors: Samuha Shmuel , Tamari Rimon , Grushko Benjamin , Meshi Louisa
Published: January 2022

The stable ϕ phase that forms below ∼923 K around the Al69.2Cu20.0Cr10.8 composition was found to be hexagonal [P63, a = 11.045 (2), c = 12.688 (2) Å] and isostructural to the earlier reported Al6.2Cu2Re X phase [Samuha, Grushko & Meshi (2016). J. Alloys Compd.
670, 18–24]. Using the structural model of the latter, a successful Rietveld refinement of the XRD data for Al69.5Cu20.0Cr10.5 was performed. Both ϕ and X were found to be structurally related to the Al72.6Cu11.0Cr16.4 ζ phase [P63/m, a = 17.714, c = 12.591 Å; Sugiyama, Saito & Hiraga (2002). J. Alloys Compd.
342, 148–152], with a close lattice parameter c and a τ-times-larger lattice parameter a (τ is the golden mean). The structural relationship between ζ and ϕ was established on the basis of the similarity of their layered structures and common features. Additionally, the strong-reflections approach was successfully applied for the modeling of the ϕ phase based on the structural model of the ζ phase. The latter and the experimental structural model (retrieved following Rietveld refinement) were found to be essentially identical.
SGTools: a suite of tools for processing and analyzing large data sets from in situ X-ray scattering experiments
Authors: Zhao Nie , Yang Chunming , Bian Fenggang , Guo Daoyou , Ouyang Xiaoping
Published: January 2022

In situ synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is a powerful tool for studying dynamic processes during material preparation and application. The processing and analysis of large data sets generated from in situ X-ray scattering experiments are often tedious and time consuming. However, data processing software for in situ experiments is relatively rare, especially for grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS). This article presents an open-source software suite (SGTools) to perform data processing and analysis for SAXS and GISAXS experiments. The processing modules in this software include (i) raw data calibration and background correction; (ii) data reduction by multiple methods; (iii) animation generation and intensity mapping for in situ X-ray scattering experiments; and (iv) further data analysis for the sample with an order degree and interface correlation. This article provides the main features and framework of SGTools. The workflow of the software is also elucidated to allow users to develop new features. Three examples are demonstrated to illustrate the use of SGTools for dealing with SAXS and GISAXS data. Finally, the limitations and future features of the software are also discussed.
On the legitimacy and apoliticality of public sector performance audit: exploratory evidence from Canada and Denmark
Authors: Hazgui Mouna , Triantafillou Peter , Elmer Christensen Signe
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The increasing uptake of performance auditing (PA), which entails both the facilitation and the control of government policies, has seriously challenged state auditors' claims that they are apolitical. This article aims to understand how supreme audit institutions (SAIs) operate to maintain and nurture the political neutrality and legitimacy of their PA.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw on Suchman's typology on legitimacy (1995) to analyze the PA reports of two countries with a long history of both performance auditing and accusations of political interference, namely Canada and Denmark. Documentary analysis and interview methods are employed.

Findings

This study shows how the two SAIs have been pursuing pragmatic, moral and cognitive legitimacy through the professionalization and standardization of both the form and the content of their PA reports. Engaging and maintaining the dialogue with the audited administration, triangulating recognized social science methods, and emphasizing the “public interest” basis of PA reflect some of the tools adopted to navigate the “grey zone” between objective, relevant and politically sensitive audits.

Research limitations/implications

The paper's explorative approach limits the possibility for robust testing of the causal forces impinging on SAIs' choices of legitimation strategies. Nevertheless, variations between the Canadian and Danish SAIs in the strategic use of some legitimacy tools such as the media suggest a difference in the role of Public Accounts Committee in the two countries that can be investigated in future research.

Originality/value

Much research exists questioning the political neutrality of PA, yet there has not been much discussion on how SAIs have been able to develop and preserve the prevalent legitimacy of their PA amid the criticism. More specifically, our research reveals the tendency of both the Canadian and Danish SAIs to strategically underline the “public interest” dimension of their performance audits in an attempt to increase both their legitimacy and political neutrality.
Tradition or innovation? Cafe Galavis, a brand with an international vision
Authors: Perez Perez Juan Ernesto
Published: January 2022

Research methodology

An interview was conducted with the general manager and semi-structured interviews with Likert scale to the main clients, collaborators and suppliers to establish the key competencies of the firm. Secondary information was collected through the organization’s historical and strategic documents.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the case study, students will be able to learn international marketing, innovation, strategic management, international business strategy; analyze the brand equity construct through the associative neural network model for decision-making; determine the internationalization strategy using the dual pressures model and sources of competitive advantage for international marketing management; and propose the innovation of a product by applying creativity techniques or innovation models to enter international markets.

Case overview/synopsis

Café Galavis is a family business leader in the production and commercialization of roasted and ground coffee for 103 years in Colombia. The new chief executive officer recovered the financial stability during his management during the period from 2015 to 2019, implementing internationalization processes. However, the sanitary crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 in Colombia, generated an economic recession, which led to a decrease in coffee consumption. How to innovate in the development of a product or service in times of pandemic? What internationalization strategy implement? These are the challenges that the new management and its collaborators will confront.

Complexity academic level

The teaching case is aimed at students of postgraduate academic programs in areas Management or MBA. In the modules of Marketing the case allows the orientation of the concepts of brand equity or branding. Likewise, in the modules of International Management, the definition of the internationalization strategy through the analysis of dual pressures and sources of competitive advantage. Finally, in the modules of Innovation different methodologies or techniques for innovation can be applied such as: SCAMPER, Design thinking or the Stage Gate Model.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 5: International Business
Impact of work-study conflict on workplace outcomes: supervisor support for juggling many balls
Authors: Shahzad Khurram , Iqbal Rimsha , Javed Basharat , Hashmi Syed Danial
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Drawing on conservation of resource theory, this study aims to examine the impact of work-study conflict (WSC) on workplace outcomes (job performance, job satisfaction, burnout and turnover intention). The study also investigated whether these relationships were contingent on the level of supervisor support at the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected in two-time lags from 752 studying professionals (non-traditional students) through a convenient sampling technique.

Findings

Results showed that WSC enhances burnout and turnover intention but has no significant direct relationship with job performance and job satisfaction. It was also found that the relationships between WSC and workplace outcomes, i.e. job performance, job satisfaction and burnout were conditional on the level of supervisor support.

Originality/value

The research contributes to WSC literature by being the first to empirically investigate the direct and interactive effects of WSC and supervisor support on important workplace outcomes of those adults who were primarily working and then decided to study further for career development rather than on full-time students.
Reconciling social enterprise: beyond the paradox perspective
Authors: White Gareth Reginald Terence , Samuel Anthony , Peattie Ken , Doherty Bob
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The paper aims to critically review the increasingly taken-for-granted view of social enterprise (SE) as inherently paradoxical and tackles the research question as follows: are the tensions experienced by SE and social entrepreneurs (SEnt) actually paradoxical and if not, what are the implications for theory and practice?

Design/methodology/approach

A paradox theory (PT) approach has been utilized to explore the implications, validity and helpfulness of the paradox perspective in understanding and managing the tensions that are inherent in SE.

Findings

Conceptualizing the primary tension of doing social good through commercial activity as a paradox is argued to be a limiting misnomer that conspires to reify and perpetuate the tensions that SE and SEnt have to manage. Drawing upon PT, the findings of the paper reconceptualize these tensions as myths, dilemmas and dialectics, which are subsequently used to develop a more complete ontological framework of the challenges that arise in SE and for SEnt.

Practical implications

Reconceptualizing the “inherent paradoxes” of SE as either dilemmas or dialectics affords a means of pursuing their successful resolution. Consequently, this view alleviates much of the pressure that SE managers and SEnt may feel in needing to pursue commercial goals alongside social goals.

Originality/value

The work presents new theoretical insights to challenge the dominant view of SE as inherently paradoxical.
How knowledge acquisition creates a competitive edge? A qualitative inquiry from international consultancy alliance
Authors: Aslam Muhammad Shakeel , Ali Imran , Qammar Ahmad , Kiwan Lea , Dhir Amandeep
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The current study attempts to bridge the existing gap related to the role of knowledge acquisition from international alliance partners to improve competitiveness by examining the distinct processes of knowledge acquisition and the challenges confronted in this learning process in order to enhance local and international market performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Following case-study approach based on systematic combining, the study presents a case of knowledge acquisition and learning in the context of an international consultancy alliance between leading Pakistani and Chinese engineering firms using six in-depth interviews of key engineers to explore the dynamic mechanisms for knowledge acquisition and learning from the Chinese firm. Grounded analysis drawn upon the Straussian version of grounded theory (GT) {{Strauss, 1990 #136} Strauss, 1998 #139} is used for data analysis in this research.

Findings

It was found that the processes of explicit and implicit knowledge acquisition from Chinese firms are integrated consultancy working, social and technical adaptability and seeking confirmation about the work done and knowledge/theories and models used in work. However, these processes are quite complex, posing serious challenges for National Engineering Services, Pakistan to acquire the required knowledge, which can be addressed through partners' motivation to share and acquire knowledge, cultural intelligence and friendship and informal association. The study also found that the knowledge acquired from technologically advanced international organizations by the host partner in the international strategic alliance not only provides a competitive edge to the local host in its local market but also builds its capacity to undertake similar projects in other parts of the world, substantially enhancing its market success.

Originality/value

Adding up to the current literature that focuses on knowledge acquisition in a parent-subsidiary relationship, the current research proposes a framework for knowledge acquisition in the unique context of international strategic alliances. The research provides managerial guidelines to manage knowledge acquisition for gaining a competitive edge that would be helpful for the managers in the era of growing interdependence among the organizations across the borders.
CRM system implementation and firm performance: the role of consultant facilitation and user involvement
Authors: Suoniemi Samppa , Zablah Alex , Terho Harri , Olkkonen Rami , Straub Detmar , Makkonen Hannu
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The current research aims to answer the following question: To what extent and under what conditions does hiring consultants to implement a customer relationship management (CRM) system produce performance gains for companies? To answer this question, this research delves into the critical interdependent roles of CRM consultant resources (CR) and user involvement (UI) in overcoming CRM’s technological and organizational implementation challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative field study methodology was used to empirically test the research hypotheses. Cross-sectional data (N = 126) were collected from large client companies using CRM technology. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling was used to estimate the significance levels of the structural model.

Findings

The findings indicate that the extent to which CRM consultants improve CRM system quality (SQ) and, ultimately, firm performance, largely depends on UI, which acts as the key facilitating mechanism to cope with application complexity (APP) and requirements uncertainty (REQ).

Originality/value

This research probes into the largely unexplored interactions between CRM CR, UI, APP and REQ. Using these parameters, this model successfully predicts CRM SQ and firm performance.
Differential effects of rude coworkers and patients on nurses' safety performance: an emotional labor perspective
Authors: Andel Stephanie A. , Porter Christopher O.L.H. , Amber Brittney , Lukjan Kristyn P.X.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This paper examines how nurses differentially respond, both emotionally and behaviorally, to incivility from coworkers (i.e. other healthcare staff) and from their patients. Specifically, the authors explore how coworker and patient incivility distinctly influence the extent to which nurses engage in emotional labor, which in turn, may impact nurses' safety performance. The authors further examine how nurses' hostile attribution biases exacerbate and mitigate these effects.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-week longitudinal study was conducted with 187 nurses in which they reported their experiences with incivility, surface and deep acting, hostile attribution biases and safety performance (i.e. safety compliance and participation).

Findings

Patient incivility led to more surface acting across all nurses. Further, the effects of coworker incivility on emotional labor strategies were conditional on nurses' hostile attribution biases (HAB). Specifically, coworker incivility led to more surface acting among nurses higher on HAB, and coworker incivility led to less deep acting among those lower on HAB. Finally, surface acting was associated with reduced safety participation, and deep acting was associated with greater safety compliance and safety participation.

Originality/value

The nursing context allowed the current research to extend understanding about how incivility affects an unexplored outcome—safety performance. The current research also offers a rare examination of the effects of incivility from multiple sources (i.e. coworkers and patients) and demonstrates the different processes through which incivility from these different sources impacts nurses' ability to perform safely.
Effects of managerial coaching on employees' creative performance: cross-level moderating role of a climate for innovation
Authors: Zheng Lixun , Wang Yanfei , Guo Zisheng , Zhu Yu
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of managerial coaching (MC) on employee creative performance (CP) based on the knowledge transfer theory and the roles of creative process engagement (CPE) and climate for innovation (IC) in the relationship between MC and CP.

Design/methodology/approach

A moderated mediation model was developed and tested on a dyadic sample of 74 leaders and 292 employees working in South China firms.

Findings

The results show that CPE mediates the relationship between MC and CP and IC amplifies the indirect relationship between MC and CP via CPE.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the MC and innovation literature by clarifying the linking role of engagement in transferring MC into employees' CP from a knowledge transfer perspective and identifies the critical role of IC in effectuating the impact of MC on CP.
E-fulfillment across product type: a review of literature (2000–2020)
Authors: Titiyal Rohit , Bhattacharya Sujoy , Thakkar Jitesh J.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to review the literature on “E-fulfillment” with respect to marketing and operations issues in the current dynamic and complex e-tailing environment and thereby generate significant insights.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a systematic literature review on e-fulfillment focusing on marketing and operations issues therein. This systematic literature review consists of a critical review on e-fulfillment under planning (review question initialisation), searching (literature search), screening (literature evaluation), extraction and synthesis and reporting phases to conceptualise e-fulfillment. A total of 122 research articles have been reviewed to explore e-fulfillment and to develop key constructs and propositions.

Findings

This review provides the following three outcomes. First, the varied-fulfillment definitions have been critically reviewed, leading to synthesis, and thereby, an e-fulfillment definition is provided. Further, the variations for e-fulfillment across product types, which have been identified as a key variable for e-fulfillment, have been explored. Second, authors find five e-fulfillment components at the marketing and operations interface: website quality, customisation strategy, distribution strategy, last mile delivery and return management. Continuing with the e-fulfillment interface with marketing, the linkages between e-fulfillment and select post-purchase consumer behaviours measures across different product types have been reviewed. The paper thus with a focus on synthesising e-fulfillment literature from a process perspective emphasises the consumer behaviour metric for measuring e-fulfillment performance.

Practical implications

This study would help academicians, researchers, e-tailers and practitioners to understand e-fulfillment from a process perspective. For the researcher, it presents areas for future research by giving possible research directions in this emerging area. This study also brings out the impact of e-fulfillment according to product type on the post-purchase consumer behaviour measures, which will help e-tailers to link e-fulfillment to consumer behaviour metrics.

Originality/value

The paper classifies the fragmented literature to develop constructs and propositions for e-fulfillment. This is the first kind of study on e-fulfillment process and its impact on select post-purchase consumer behaviour measures across product types.
Promoting sustainability on Instagram: How sponsorship disclosures and benefit appeals affect the credibility of sinnfluencers
Authors: Schorn Anna , Vinzenz Friederike , Wirth Werner
Published: January 2022

Purpose

When promoting sustainable products on Instagram, influencer marketing can be an effective tool when they are perceived as credible because consumers usually cannot verify the sustainability of products themselves. However, when they disclose their posts as an ad, their credibility might be weakened which can lead to less interest in the product. Moreover, influencer marketing strategies usually focus on personal benefits and experiences, while advertisements for sustainable products emphasize altruistic motives. The purpose of this study is to investigate if the interest in the product and the credibility might be affected by such different benefit appeals.

Design/methodology/approach

A 2 (sponsorship: no disclosure vs disclosure) × 2 (benefit: ecological vs personal) between-subjects experiment with influencer posts promoting a sustainable travel accommodation was conducted to investigate how ad disclosures and benefits appeals affect the credibility of sustainability influencers and the interest in sustainable products among young consumers.

Findings

Disclosures and benefits appeals have no direct impact on the interest in further information about the product but on the credibility of the influencer. If an Instagram post for a sustainable accommodation was labeled as sponsored, the perceived expertise and likeability of the influencer were diminished. However, highlighting personal benefits instead of ecological benefits increased the influencers’ credibility compared to appeals emphasizing benefits for the environment.

Originality/value

In addition to sponsorship disclosures, other strategies of advertising literacy might be required to show young consumers how to cope with influencer advertising. Furthermore, it seems to be more important that influencers are popular and liked by their followers than that they are trusted.