bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distinctive modularity and resilience of structural covariance network in first-episode antipsychotic-naive psychoses
Authors: Lewis Madison , Santini Tales , Theis Nicholas , Muldoon Brendan , Dash Katherine , Keshavan Matcheri S. , Prasad Konasale M.
Published: October 2021

Objective

Divergent findings in structural brain alterations in psychoses suggest that often-observed regions may exist within a network of susceptible regions. We built structural covariance networks (SCN) of volumes, cortical thickness, and surface area using the Human Connectome Project atlas-based parcellation of 358 regions on structural MRI data from 79 first-episode antipsychotic-naive psychosis patients (FEAP) and 68 controls.

Methods

Using graph theoretic methods, we obtained representative graph metrics of integration, segregation, resilience, centrality, importance, community structure, and hub distribution for all 3-morphometric features. We compared networks for resilience by simulated removal (“attacks”) of nodes and hubs, and simulated replacement of correlations among nodes in FEAP with that of controls using DeltaCon metric.

Results

Volume and thickness SCNs of FEAP showed differences in many graph metrics in opposite directions compared to controls but not surface area SCN. Network resilience did not show differences in the replacement simulation and hub “attacks, but betweenness centrality-based node “attacks” showed FEAP network disintegrating with relatively fewer node removals with preserved global efficiency compared to controls. In FEAP, communities consisted of regions from different lobes and hubs were more distributed than in controls.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest decreased heterogeneity and less differentiated community structure of FEAP network that may not be attributed to illness chronicity and medications. Contribution of cortical thickness but not surface area suggests that disease/developmental processes may preferentially affect cortical thickness. Near-similar resilience of FEAP and control networks may shield controls from developing illness but may prevent fuller long-term recovery in FEAP.
Time-resolved, integrated analysis of clonally evolving genomes
Authors: Legrand Carine , Andriantsoa Ranja , Lichter Peter , Lyko Frank
Published: October 2021

Clonal genome evolution is a key aspect for parthenogenetic species and cancer. While many studies describe precise landscapes of clonal evolution in cancer, few determine the underlying evolutionary parameters from molecular data, and even fewer integrate theory with data. We derived theoretical results linking mutation rate, time, expansion dynamics, and clinical parameters. We then inferred time-resolved estimates of evolutionary parameters from mutation accumulation, mutational signatures and selection. Using this framework, we traced the speciation of the clonally evolving marbled crayfish population to a time window between 1986 and 1990, which is consistent with biological records. We also used our framework to analyze a published dataset of glioblastoma samples, which identified tumor expansion patterns, cell survival at resection, and selective forces as important factors for tumor development. In conclusion, our framework allowed a time-resolved, integrated analysis of key parameters in clonally evolving genomes, and provided novel insights into the evolutionary age of marbled crayfish and the progression of glioblastoma.
Single Cell App: An App for Single Cell RNA-sequencing Data Visualization, Comparison and Discovery
Authors: Lewsey Mathew G. , Yi Changyu , Berkowitz Oliver , Ayora Felipe , Bernado Maurice , Whelan James
Published: October 2021

The Single Cell App is a cloud-based application that allows visualisation and comparison of scRNA-seq data and is scalable according to use. Users upload their own or publicly available scRNA-seq datasets after pre-processing to be visualised using a web browser. The data can be viewed in two colour modes, Cluster - representing cell identity, and Values – level of expression, and data queried using keyword or gene identification number(s). Using the app to compare four different studies we determined that some genes frequently used as cell-type markers are in fact study specific. Phosphate transporter and hormone response genes were exemplary investigated with the app. This showed that the apparent cell specific expression of PHO1;H3 differed between GFP-tagging and scRNA-seq studies. Some phosphate transporter genes were induced by protoplasting, they retained cell specificity, indicating that cell specific stress responses (i.e. protoplasting). Examination of the cell specificity of hormone response genes revealed that 132 hormone responsive genes display restricted expression and that the jasmonate response gene TIFY8 is expressed in endodermal cells which differs from previous reports. It also appears that JAZ repressors have cell-type specific functions. These differences, identified using the Single Cell App, highlight the need for resources to enable researchers to find common and different patterns of cell specific gene expression. Thus, the Single Cell App enables researchers to form new hypothesis, perform comparative studies, allows for easy re-use of data for this emerging technology to provide novel avenues to crop improvement.
Tear miRNAs identified in a murine model of Sjögren’s Syndrome as potential diagnostic biomarkers and indicators of disease mechanism
Authors: Kakan Shruti Singh , Edman Maria C. , Yao Alexander , Okamoto Curtis T. , Hjelm Brooke E. , Hamm-Alvarez Sarah F.
Published: October 2021

Objective

The tear miRNAome of the male NOD mouse, a model of ocular symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome (SS), was analyzed to identify possible tear biomarkers of the disease.

Methods

Male NOD mice, aged 12-14 weeks, were used to identify tear miRNAs associated with development of autoimmune dacryoadenitis. Age-matched female NOD mice that do not develop the autoimmune dacryoadenitis characteristic of SS were used as negative controls while age- and sex-matched male BALB/c mice served as healthy controls. Total RNA was isolated from stimulated tears pooled from 5 mice per sample and tear miRNAs were sequenced and analyzed. Putative miRNA hits were validated using RT-qPCR in a separate mouse cohort, and the pathways influenced by the validated hits were identified using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis.

Results

In comparison to tears from both healthy (male BALB/c) and negative control (female NOD) mice, initial analysis identified 7 upregulated and 7 downregulated miRNAs in male NOD mouse tears. Of these, 8 were subsequently validated by RT-qPCR in tears from additional mouse cohorts. miRNAs previously implicated in SS pathology included mmu-miR-146a/b-5p, which were significantly downregulated in the male NOD mouse tears, as well as mmu-miR-150-5p and mmu-miR-181a-5p, which were upregulated in the male NOD mouse tears. All other validated hits including the upregulated miR-181b-5p and mmu-miR-203-3p, as well as the downregulated mmu-miR-322-5p and mmu-miR-503-5p, represent novel putative indicators of autoimmune dacryoadenitis in SS.

Conclusions

A panel of differentially expressed miRNAs were identified in tears of SS model male NOD mice, including some never previously linked to SS. These may have potential utility as diagnostic biomarkers for ocular symptoms of SS; evaluation of the pathways influenced by these dysregulated miRNAs may also provide further insights into SS pathogenesis.
Inbreeding is associated with shorter early-life telomere length in a wild passerine
Authors: Le Pepke Michael , Niskanen Alina K. , Kvalnes Thomas , Boner Winnie , Sæther Bernt-Erik , Ringsby Thor Harald , Jensen Henrik
Published: October 2021

Inbreeding can have negative effects on survival and reproduction, which may be of conservation concern in small and isolated populations. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying inbreeding depression are not well-known. The length of telomeres, the DNA sequences protecting chromosome ends, has been associated with health or fitness in several species. We investigated effects of inbreeding on early-life telomere length in two small island populations of wild house sparrows (Passer domesticus) known to be affected by inbreeding depression. Using genomic and pedigree-based measures of inbreeding we found that inbred nestling house sparrows have shorter telomeres. This negative effect of inbreeding on telomere length may have been complemented by a heterosis effect resulting in longer telomeres in individuals that were less inbred than the population average. Furthermore, we found some evidence of stronger effects of inbreeding on telomere length in males than females. Thus, telomere length may reveal subtle costs of inbreeding in the wild and demonstrate a route by which inbreeding negatively impacts the physiological state of an organism already at early life-history stages.
Waning grasslands: a quantitative temporal evaluation of the grassland habitats across human-dominated upper Gangetic Plains, north India
Authors: Paul Shrutarshi , Saha Sohini , Nigam Parag , Ali SK Zeeshan , Page Navendu , Khan Aamer Sohel , Kumar Mukesh , Habib Bilal , Mohan Dhananjai , Pandav Bivash , Mondol Samrat
Published: October 2021

Grassland habitats currently face severe anthropogenic exploitations leading to cascading effects on the survival of grassland-dependent biodiversity globally, particularly in non-protected areas. Significant amount of such biodiversity-rich grasslands in India are found outside protected areas but lack quantitative information on their status. We evaluated the current and historical (30 years) status of the grasslands using a combination of intensive field surveys and GIS tools across one of the most fertile, human-dominated region: the upper Gangetic Plains of north India. On-ground mapping and visual classifications revealed 57% decline in grassland habitats between 1985 (418 km2) and 2015 (178km2), mostly driven by conversion to croplands (74% contribution). Radio-telemetry data from the largest endemic cervid swamp deer (n=2) showed grassland-dominated average home range (50% BBMM) size of 1.02 km2. The animals highly preferred these patches (average Ivlev’s index- 0.85) and showed highest temporal continuity (88%) compared to other LULC classes. Camera trapping within the core habitats suggests critical use of these patches as fawning/breeding grounds. Habitat suitability analysis indicates only ∼18% of the entire area along Ganges is suitable for swamp deer. Accurate mapping (86% accuracy) and characterization of four major grass species revealed a total 144.04 km² vegetation area, dominted bySaccharumsp. (35%). We recommend protection and recovery of these critical grassland patches to maintain ‘dynamic corridors’ and other appropriate management strategies involving multiple stakeholders to ensure survival of this critical ecosystem. Such evaluations, if spatially expanded, would be critical to restore this rapidly vanishing ecosystem worldwide.
Walking strides direct rapid and flexible recruitment of visual circuits for course control inDrosophila
Authors: Fujiwara Terufumi , Brotas Margarida , Chiappe M Eugenia
Published: October 2021

Flexible mapping between activity in sensory systems and movement parameters is a hallmark of successful motor control. This flexibility depends on continuous comparison of short-term postural dynamics and the longer-term goals of an animal, thereby necessitating neural mechanisms that can operate across multiple timescales. To understand how such body-brain interactions emerge to control movement across timescales, we performed whole-cell patch recordings from visual neurons involved in course control inDrosophila. We demonstrate that the activity of leg mechanosensory cells, propagating via specific ascending neurons, is critical to provide a clock signal to the visual circuit for stride-by-stride steering adjustments and, at longer timescales, information on speed-associated motor context to flexibly recruit visual circuits for course control. Thus, our data reveal a stride-based mechanism for the control of high-performance walking operating at multiple timescales. We propose that this mechanism functions as a general basis for adaptive control of locomotion.
Early mitochondrial stress and metabolic imbalance lead to photoreceptor cell death in retinal degeneration
Authors: Jiang Ke , Mondal Anupam Kumar , Adlakha Yogita K. , Gumerson Jessica , Aponte Angel , Gieser Linn , Kim Jung-Woong , Boleda Alexis , Brooks Matthew J. , Nellissery Jacob , Fox Donald A. , Balaban Robert , Covian Raul , Swaroop Anand
Published: October 2021

Neurodegenerative diseases exhibit extensive genetic heterogeneity and complex etiology with varying onset and severity. To deduce the mechanism leading to retinal degeneration, we adopted a temporal multi-omics approach and examined molecular and cellular events before the onset of photoreceptor cell death in the widely-used Pde6brd1/rd1 (rd1) mouse model. Transcriptome profiling of neonatal and developing rods revealed early downregulation of genes associated with anabolic pathways and energy metabolism. Quantitative proteomics of rd1 retina showed early changes in calcium signaling and oxidative phosphorylation, with specific partial bypass of complex I electron transfer, which precede the onset of cell death. Concurrently, we detected alterations in central carbon metabolism, including dysregulation of components associated with glycolysis, pentose phosphate and purine biosynthesis. Ex vivo assays of oxygen consumption and transmission electron microscopy validated early and progressive mitochondrial stress and abnormalities in mitochondrial structure and function of rd1 rods. These data uncover mitochondrial over-activation and related metabolic alterations as early determinants of pathology and implicate dysregulation of calcium signaling as the initiator of higher mitochondrial stress, which then transitions to mitochondrial damage and photoreceptor cell death in retinal degeneration. Our studies support the “one hit model” arguing against the cumulative damage hypothesis but suggest that cell death in neurodegenerative disease is initiated by specific rather than a random event.
International collaboration formation in entrepreneurial food industry: evidence of an emerging economy
Authors: Razavi Hajiagha Seyed Hossein , Alaei Saeed , Amoozad Mahdiraji Hannan , Yaftiyan Fatemeh
Published: October 2021

Purpose

International collaboration is a crucial requirement of entrepreneurship, particularly in developing emerging economies. This collaboration seems so necessary in the food industry as a major contributor to environmental, social and economic problems. This paper aims to identify, analyse the influential network relationship and prioritise the key success factors (KSFs) of international collaboration formation in the entrepreneurial food industry with a case study on Iran's emerging economy.

Design/methodology/approach

To identify a list of KSFs, a qualitative method, literature review, is initially used. A quantitative method, fuzzy-Delphi, then is employed to finalise the main KSFs based on the entrepreneurial food industry experts' opinion. To analyse the causal relationship, and prioritise the KSFs, a fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL)-analytic network process (ANP) methodology, i.e. FDANP, is applied. At the first stage, the cause–effect diagram of KSFs is extracted using fuzzy DEMATEL and then, the KSFs weights and priorities are evaluated using a fuzzy ANP.

Findings

The results illustrate that the characteristics of effective development workers are the leading dimension of a successful international collaboration that directly affects other dimensions. On the other hand, increased marketing and trading is the most important KSF that is directly related to international entrepreneurial collaboration team capabilities and professionalism. The leading and casual role of team members also plays a vital role in strategic and communication issues affecting the collaboration success, e.g. market research and new product development. Availability of financial resources and the ability of partners in continuous financing is also a crucial and required factor for a successful collaboration.

Originality/value

Using an extensive review of the literature to extract the KSFs of international entrepreneurial collaboration and finalising them using a fuzzy-Delphi method and examining the cause-effect relations between them, as well as prioritising the KSFs are the main contributions of this paper.
How do I become a Servant Leader? A practitioner’s approach to Servant Leadership development
Authors: Gupta Sonakshi , Nambudiri Ranjeet
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the article is to discuss the characteristics of a Servant Leader and assist practitioners in developing Servant Leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper focuses on ten characteristics of a Servant leader as discussed by Greenleaf & Spears and discusses ways in which one can develop these characteristics.

Findings

The crucial contribution of the paper is to present a framework that would help practitioners and managers in Servant Leadership development.

Research limitations/implications

The implications of the paper are focused on managers and practitioners who are interested in Servant Leadership Development.

Originality/value

The paper develops a framework that focuses on the development of Servant Leadership based on Spears and Greenleaf’s characterization of Servant Leadership.
E-learning adoption by undergraduate architecture students: facilitators and inhibitors
Authors: Tandon Urvashi , Mittal Amit , Bhandari Harveen , Bansal Kanika
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study identifies the facilitators and inhibitors for the adoption of e-learning for the undergraduate students of architecture. Nine constructs are identified as facilitators and five constructs are identified as inhibitors to the adoption of online learning systems in the context of the study. These constructs were used to propose a research model.

Design/methodology/approach

596 architecture undergraduates responded to a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was finalized after a pilot study and included standard scale items drawn from previous studies. An exploratory factor analysis was followed by structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the proposed model.

Findings

All the identified facilitators emerged significant except social influence and price value. Furthermore, technology risk emerged insignificant while all other inhibitors had significant impact on Behavioral Intention to adopt e-learning.

Research limitations/implications

The study has strong implications in academia as HEIs in developing countries need to make their students computer proficient, boost the implications of e-learning services by mitigating risks and motivating students to acquire knowledge through flexible e-learning modules.

Originality/value

The COVID-19 pandemic forced educational institutions to switch to online modes of learning. For students of architectural programs in a developing country like India, this has been unprecedented and has brought in a new set of challenges and opportunities. With the extension of the pandemic induced lockdown in educational institutions, students – and other stakeholders – have no choice but to adapt to this new normal of dependence on remote learning.
Delee, transforming cancer detection and treatment
Authors: Güemes-Castorena David , Téllez-Girón Barrera Alejandro
Published: October 2021

Case overview

Delee founders aimed to change the way cancer radically was detected, monitored, and treated. They created CytoCatch™, a highly sensitive automated benchtop device for the rapid isolation and analysis of circulating tumor cells from blood samples to make this possible. Strategic alliances with Stanford University, Tecnologico de Monterrey, and UANL strengthened this innovative company’s purpose. Nevertheless, some questions arose when selecting a suitable business strategy to accomplish Delee’s vision. Liza Velarde, Delee’s CEO, was preparing the agenda for the company’s 2025 planning in November 2020. The journey has been challenging, and Liza Velarde faced critical decision-making milestones. What could be the most promising customer segment for her technology? What business model may work better for such a market? How can Delee reduce the time-to-market for their technology? Furthermore, how can Delee fund their development for the following years until FDA approves?

Learning objectives

With the application of this case, the teacher aspires that students understand the following crucial insights: to understand the impact of a business model strategy, identify different possible business models, and explore options; in this sense, intellectual property can offer options to the strategy; to identify and analyze the gender gap in entrepreneurship and its strategic implications; and to identify the relevance of reducing the time to market for a technological product.

Social implications

Gender inclusiveness in entrepreneurship.

Complexity academic level

Undergraduate and graduate-level.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CCS 3: Entrepreneurship.
Same but different: meaning-making among refugee and non-refugee youths
Authors: Dybdahl Ragnhild , Sørensen Torgeir , Hauge Hans A. , Røsvik Kjersti , Lien Lars , Eide Ketil
Published: October 2021

Purpose

There is substantial research on the experiences, needs and well-being of unaccompanied refugee adolescents, but less is known about existential aspects of their lives. The purpose of the current study is to explore existential meaning-making among unaccompanied refugee children.

Design/methodology/approach

The informants in this study are young unaccompanied refugees (n = 30) living in Norway, and young Norwegians (n = 46). The authors undertook a secondary analysis of in-depth qualitative refugee interview data and a quantitative analysis of questionnaire data from Norwegian informants.

Findings

Both the refugee youths and the Norwegian youths expressed that social relationships and connections to others were most important for meaning. Moreover, both groups emphasized the importance of relatedness and generativity, i. e. commitment to worldly affairs beyond one’s immediate needs. The main differences between the two groups were related to the significance attached to religion and to loneliness.

Research limitations/implications

The comparison between the two groups is only possible to some degree. Secondary analyses have some limitations, as well as strengths.

Practical implications

The findings may be useful for supporting young refugees, as they provide insights into less-studied aspects of their lives.

Originality/value

The originality of this study lies in the focus on and broad interpretation of meaning, of secondary data analyses, and of comparisons between youths that are refugees versus non-refugees.
Leadership styles in supply chain disruptions: a multimethod evaluation based on practitioner insights
Authors: Azadegan Arash , Shaheen Iana , Linderman Kevin , Fereidooni Alireza
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The authors empirically determine the stages and leadership styles that enhance the effectiveness of firm response and recovery efforts during each stage.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use an inductive exploratory approach and mixed-method research design. Study 1 uses a combination of qualitative data gathered through two rounds of exploratory focus groups (26 managers and executives), Q-sorting (60 participants) and a confirmatory focus group (6 experts) to highlight how expert practitioners perceive the staged progression of a supply chain disruption. Study 2 uses responses from 90 experienced managers in an experimental vignette to determine the most effective leadership style during each stage.

Findings

Expert practitioners are strongly partial to a two-staged disruption model that includes an early/response and late/recovery stage. They consider decisiveness to be the most effective style in the response stage. However, in the recovery stage, a style that combines decisiveness and task-centered leadership is perceived to be the most effective. Further, effective leadership hinges on applying distinct styles depending on the progression of events during supply chain disruptions.

Originality/value

Empirical evidence and validation of conceptual models on leadership behavior during crises are essentially nonexistent in the literature. This study is likely the first to pursue the subject of leadership during stages of crises and the first to offer empirical evidence thereof. Relatedly, the authors contribute to the growing research on crisis management, which is likely to receive even more attention as the frequency and size of crises facing organizations increase.
Halal destination attributes and revisits intention: the role of destination attractiveness and perceived value
Authors: Mursid Ali , Anoraga Pandji
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The growing numbers of Muslims visiting halal destinations motivated this study to explore halal destination attributes and revisit intention. This study aims to investigate how halal destination attributes affect destination attractiveness. Hence, it identifies the influence of halal destination attributes on perceived value, including functional and emotional value. It also verifies the effect of destination attractiveness on both functional value and emotional value. Finally, this framework verifies the effect of functional value and emotional value on revisit intention.

Design/methodology/approach

This study collects data from visitors who have visited a halal destination located in three cities of Central Java Province in the past two years (2019–2020) using purposive sampling methods. A total of 314 respondents participated in this study and the data are analyzed by using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The result showed that halal destination attributes positively and significantly impact destination attractiveness. Moreover, halal destination attributes positively and significantly affect both functional and emotional value. Destination attractiveness positively and significantly affects functional value, as well as emotional value. Concerning the effect of functional value and emotional value on revisit intention, only emotional value positively and significantly affects revisit intention while functional value does not.

Originality/value

This study contributes to city tourism by elucidating halal destination attributes based on the means-ends theory. The results of this study reported the importance of halal destination attributes and the role of halal destination attractiveness and emotional value in enhancing Muslim travelers’ revisit intention to halal destination.
Integrating Industry 4.0 and circular economy: a review
Authors: Sahu Abhishek , Agrawal Saurabh , Kumar Girish
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Industry 4.0 and circular economy are the two major areas in the current manufacturing industry. However, the adoption and implementation of Industry 4.0 and circular economy worldwide are still in the nascent stage of development. To address this gap, the purpose of this article is to conduct a systematic literature review on integrating Industry 4.0 and circular economy. Further, identify the research gaps and provide the future scope of work in this area.

Design/methodology/approach

Content-based analysis was adopted for reviewing the research articles and proposed a transition framework that comprises of four categories, namely, (1) Transition from Industry 3.0 to Industry 4.0 and integration with circular economy; (2) Adoption of combined factors and different issues; (3) Implementation possibilities such as front-end technologies, integration capabilities and redesigning strategies; (4) Current challenges. The proposed study reviewed a total of 204 articles published from 2000 to 2020 based on these categories.

Findings

The article presents a systematic literature review of the last two decades that integrates Industry 4.0 and circular economy concepts. Findings revealed that very few studies considered the adoption and implementation issues of Industry 4.0 and circular economy. Moreover, it was found that Industry 4.0 technologies including digitalization, real-time monitoring and decision-making capabilities played a significant role in circular economy implementation. The major elements are discussed through the analysis of the transition and integration framework. The study further revealed that a limited number of developing countries like India have taken preliminary initiatives toward Industry 4.0 and circular economy implementation.

Research limitations/implications

The study proposes a transition and integration framework that identifies adoption and implementation issues and challenges. This framework will help researchers and practitioners in implementation of Industry 4.0 and circular economy.

Originality/value

Reviews of articles indicated that there are very few studies on integrating Industry 4.0 and circular economy. Moreover, there are very few articles addressing adoption and implementation issues such as legal, ethical, operational and demographic issues, which may be used to monitor the organization's performance and productivity.
Studying gendered embodied consumption with poststructuralist feminist hermeneutics
Authors: Drake Carly , Radford Scott K.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to consider how research methodologies and methods can afford holistic inquiry into gendered embodied consumption. Noting the salience of gender in past and present discourse surrounding the body and building on poststructuralist feminist hermeneutic philosophy and practice, the authors introduce a novel methodological framework situated within three considerations borne of the current socio-cultural landscape: the politics of embodiment, embodied identity and intersectionality.

Design/methodology/approach

To assist scholars and practitioners in interpreting themes of gendered embodiment in textual data surrounding consumption topics, the authors orient the framework around three principles of listening, questioning and hospitality. This framework fosters embodied empathy by linking the researcher’s body to those of research participants. To illustrate the method, the authors interpret consumption narratives extracted from semi-structured interviews with 26 women-identified recreational runners on the topics of embodiment, sport and media.

Findings

The interpretations of gendered consumption narratives show that using the principles of listening, questioning and hospitality invites an understanding of consumers as multifaceted, contradictory and agentic. The authors argue that consumers’ everyday experiences are often simple and quiet but embedded in history wherein bodies are both biological and inescapably social.

Originality/value

The methodological framework allows both the researcher’s and research participants’ embodiment to play a role in the research process. It also illuminates the entanglement of embodiment and consumption in a fraught, politicized context. The authors show that by listening to consumers, questioning their narratives and traditional interpretations thereof and inviting consumers to feel comfortable and heard, researchers can see what other approaches may overlook.
Examining the structural relationship between employee branding, TQHRM and sustainable employability outcome in Indian organized retail
Authors: Itam Urmila Jagadeeswari , Swetha Merla
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to examine the structural relationships of employee branding (EB), total quality human resource management (TQHRM) and sustainable employability outcome variables (employee performance, satisfaction and loyalty) by identifying the suitable measurement scale which captures the service employee perceptions in selected Indian organized lifestyle retail stores.

Design/methodology/approach

The four hypotheses given in this study were evaluated using data gathered from employees in chosen retail shops operated in India. In addition, the structural equation modelling has been used to study the link between the variables suggested by evaluating the measurement and the structural models.

Findings

The study revealed that robust measurement techniques were used to measure EB, TQHRM and sustainable employability outcome variables. The initial findings of the investigation showed that three of the hypotheses suggested were supported. Furthermore, the study concluded that TQHRM partially mediates the EB effect on sustainable employability outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

Consultants, practitioners and management can leverage the results of this research for sustainable employability through the integration of TQHRM and employee branding strategies.

Originality/value

The study explored the dynamics of employee quality management practices (EB and HRM) on service employee attitudes and behaviours through a mediating variable (TQHRM) practices. This is a unique contribution to the organized retailers in increasing the level of implementation of TQHRM practices, which can balance the attrition rates.
Plant litter influences the temporal stability of plant community biomass in an alpine meadow by altering the stability and asynchrony of plant functional groups
Authors: Ma Zhouwen , Zeng Yifeng , Wu Jing , Zhou Qingping , Hou Fujiang
Published: October 2021

The stability of a plant community is defined as its ability to resist and be resilient to changes. Plant community stability can be driven by a range of external perturbations as well as by plant community traits. Plant litter traits (species or mass) are widely recognized drivers for plant community composition and diversity changes in grasslands. Yet, the effects of litter traits on the temporal stability of plant communities in natural grasslands are largely unknown.

In this study, a field experiment was conducted at an alpine meadow on the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau to quantify the effects of litter from Elymus nutans, Kobresia setchwanensis and Ligularia virgaurea on the temporal stability of plant community biomass at five different mass levels (0, 100, 200, 400 and 600 g/m2). The experiment was conducted over the period from the pre‐growth to peak‐growth stage between 2017 and 2019, during which temporal stability of plant community biomass was assessed in relation to plant community characteristics.

The effects of litter on temporal stability of plant community biomass were mainly driven by the litter mass rather than the litter species. A hump‐shaped relationship between litter mass and temporal stability of plant community biomass was found, with the highest stability under intermediate litter mass treatment (200 g/m2). A structural equation model identified that this response was driven by the indirect effects of litter mass on the temporal stability of the biomass of the dominant (forbs) and subdominant (grasses) functional groups in the community and the asynchrony of plant functional groups.

The results of this study demonstrate that plant litter traits are important drivers for maintaining plant community stability in natural grasslands, highlighting the importance of grassland management decisions (e.g. grazing intensity) relating to the quantity and quality of litter accumulation.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
A ‘time bomb’ in the human intestine—the multiple emergence and spread of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria
Authors: Zhang Yuling , Xu Siyang , Yang Yijun , Chou Shan‐Ho , He Jin
Published: October 2021

Antibiotics have a strong killing effect on bacteria and are the first choice for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infectious diseases. Therefore, they have been widely used in the medical field, animal husbandry and planting industry. However, with the massive use of antibiotics, more and more antibiotic‐resistant bacteria (ARB) have emerged. Because human intestines are rich in nutrients, have suitable temperature, and are high in bacterial abundance, they can easily become a hotbed for the spread of ARB and antibiotic‐resistant genes (ARGs). When opportunistic pathogenic bacteria in the intestine acquire ARGs, the infectious diseases caused by such opportunistic pathogens will become more difficult to treat, or even impossible to cure. Therefore, ARB in the human intestine are like a ‘time bomb’. In this review, we discuss the sources of intestinal ARB and the transmission routes of ARGs in the human intestine from the perspective of One Health. Further, we describe various methods to prevent the emergence of ARB and inhibit the spread of ARGs in the human intestine. Finally, we may be able to overcome ARB in the human intestine using an interdisciplinary ‘One Health’ approach.
Trends and challenges of biopolymer‐based nanocomposites in food packaging
Authors: Taherimehr Masoumeh , YousefniaPasha Hassan , Tabatabaeekoloor Reza , Pesaranhajiabbas Ehsan
Published: October 2021

The ultimate goal of new food packaging technologies, in addition to maintaining the quality and safety of food for the consumer, is to consider environmental concerns and reduce its impacts. In this regard, one of the solutions is to use eco‐friendly biopolymers instead of conventional petroleum‐based polymers. However, the challenges of using biopolymers in the food packaging industry should be carefully evaluated, and techniques to eliminate or minimize their disadvantages should be investigated. Many studies have been conducted to improve the properties of biopolymer‐based packaging materials to produce a favorable product for the food industry. This article reviews the structure of biopolymer‐based materials and discusses the trends and challenges of using these materials in food packaging technologies with the focus on nanotechnology and based on recent studies.
Food safety considerations and research priorities for the cultured meat and seafood industry
Authors: Ong Kimberly J. , Johnston Jeremiah , Datar Isha , Sewalt Vincent , Holmes Dwayne , Shatkin Jo Anne
Published: October 2021

Cell‐cultured meat and seafood offer a sustainable opportunity to meet the world's increasing demand for protein in a climate‐changed world. A responsible, data‐driven approach to assess and demonstrate safety of cell‐cultured meat and seafood can support consumer acceptance and help fully realize the potential of these products. As an initial step toward a thorough demonstration of safety, this review identifies hazards that could be introduced during manufacturing, evaluates applicability of existing safety assessment approaches, and highlights research priorities that could support safe commercialization. Input was gathered from members of the cultured meat and seafood industry, researchers, regulators, and food safety experts. A series of workshops were held with 87 industry representatives and researchers to create a modular manufacturing process diagram, which served as a framework to identify potential chemical and biological hazards along the steps of the manufacturing process that could affect the safety of a final food product. Interviews and feedback on draft documents validated the process diagram and supported hazard identification and evaluation of applicable safety methods. Most hazards are not expected to be novel; therefore, safety assessment methods from a range of fields, such as conventional and novel foods, foods produced from biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and so forth, are likely to be applicable. However, additional assessment of novel inputs or products with significant differences from existing foods may be necessary. Further research on the safety of the inputs and associated residues, potential for contamination, and development of standardized safety assessment approaches (particularly animal‐free methods) is recommended.
Higher quality of care in emergency departments with physiotherapy service models
Authors: Strudwick Kirsten , Martin Romany , Coombes Fiona , Bell Anthony , Martin‐Khan Melinda , Russell Trevor
Published: October 2021

Objective

To investigate the quality of care provided by EDs with physiotherapy services compared to those without, using established musculoskeletal process and outcome quality indicators (QIs).

Methods

An analysis was undertaken of prospective observational and chart audit data collected from 628 patients who presented with a musculoskeletal injury in any of the eight participating EDs in Queensland in 2016–2017. The care provided was scored against 46 musculoskeletal QIs. Quality of care was first compared between EDs with physiotherapists to EDs with a limited physiotherapy service, and second between EDs with primary contact physiotherapists to EDs without. χ2 and Fisher's exact tests were used to identify significant results.

Results

In the first comparison, EDs with physiotherapists performed significantly higher on 15 QIs and EDs with only limited physiotherapy performed higher on two QIs. In the second comparison, EDs with primary contact physiotherapists performed significantly higher on 17 QIs when compared to EDs without and three QIs demonstrated significance in favour of EDs without primary contact physiotherapists. Performance differences occurred across both process and outcome QIs, including musculoskeletal assessment, diagnostics, pain assessment and management, fracture management, medication safety, mobility, patient information, referrals and follow‐up, re‐presentations and patient experience.

Conclusions

EDs with physiotherapists provide at least equivalent or higher quality of care for patients with musculoskeletal injuries than those EDs with limited access to physiotherapists. This may be because of their specialised training in musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment, as well as the impact of teaching and mentoring for other ED clinicians.
An enquiry into the crippling gout affecting Pacific Islander and Māori men in Western Sydney
Authors: Coleman William , Spencer David , Wong Peter , Manolios Nicholas
Published: October 2021

Aim

Despite the effectiveness and availability of urate‐lowering therapies (ULT), we continue to see a number of advanced cases of tophaceous gout in the Pacific Islander and Māori population in Western Sydney. Although the high prevalence and increased severity of gout in this cohort has been well documented, there has been little qualitative research undertaken in Australia into the lived experience of this group of people. It is this gap in the research that our study aimed to address.

Methods

Participants were recruited from the rheumatology clinics at Westmead and Blacktown Hospitals. Those eligible to participate were Pacific Islander and Māori patients with tophaceous gout currently living in the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD). Data collection took the form of 10 semi‐structured interviews, which were subsequently transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis of the data was then performed.

Results

Thematic analysis identified 6 key themes: lack of understanding of the disease and its potential effects; missed opportunities for intervention and disjointed care; chronic reliance upon corticosteroids; trivialization of gout as a nuisance illness; the substantial financial impact of chronic illness; and the all‐consuming nature of severe gout.

Conclusion

The human cost of severe tophaceous gout in this cohort is immense. All 10 participants exemplified the disease's devastating social effects. We propose 4 key recommendations: improved education regarding diagnosis and management; immediate prescription of ULT at first presentation; a lower threshold for out‐of‐hospital rheumatologist referral; and improved follow‐up through a nurse‐ and pharmacist‐led collaborative gout management program.
Voluntary alcohol binge‐drinking in adolescent C57Bl6 mice induces delayed appearance of behavioural defects in both males and females
Authors: Van Hees Laura , Didone Vincent , Charlet‐Briart Manon , Van Ingelgom Théo , Alexandre Alysson , Quertemont Etienne , Nguyen Laurent , Laguesse Sophie
Published: October 2021

Adolescence is a developmental period characterized by significant changes in brain architecture and behaviour. The immaturity of the adolescent brain is associated with heightened vulnerability to exogenous agents, including alcohol. Alcohol is the most consumed drug among teenagers, and binge‐drinking during adolescence is a major public health concern. Studies have suggested that adolescent alcohol exposure may interfere with the maturation of frontal brain regions and lead to long‐lasting behavioural consequences. In this study, by using a slightly modified version of the Drinking in the Dark paradigm, adolescent C57Bl6 mice reach high blood alcohol concentration after voluntary binge‐drinking. In order to assess short‐ and long‐term consequences of adolescent alcohol exposure (AAE), a battery of behavioural tests was performed during late adolescence and during adulthood. We showed that AAE had no short‐term effect on young mice behaviour but rather increased anxiety‐ and depressive‐like behaviours, as well as alcohol consumption during adulthood. Moreover, alcohol binge‐drinking during adolescence dramatically decreased recognition memory performances and behavioural flexibility in both adult males and females. Furthermore, we showed that voluntary consumption of alcohol during adolescence did not trigger any major activation of the innate immune system in the prefrontal cortex. Together, our data suggest that voluntary alcohol binge‐drinking in adolescent mice induces a delayed appearance of behavioural impairments in adulthood.
Cross‐cultural comparison of engagement in ultimate and immanent justice reasoning
Authors: Murayama Aya , Miura Asako , Furutani Kaichiro
Published: October 2021

We investigated direct cross‐cultural differences in individuals’ immanent and ultimate justice reasoning about others’ misfortunes, focusing on deservingness as a mediating variable. Participants from the United States and Japan read a scenario describing a subject’s misfortune. The target subject’s moral worth was manipulated as that of a respected person or a thief. After reading the scenario, participants completed questionnaires containing items on immanent and ultimate justice reasoning as well as deservingness of receiving the misfortune and of future restitution. The analysis revealed that Japanese respondents tended to engage more in immanent justice reasoning than did American respondents when the target subject was of low moral worth, while American participants overall engaged more in ultimate justice reasoning compared with Japanese. Our hypotheses on the mediation effect of deservingness on the relationship between country and justice reasoning were partly supported. These findings suggest that an exploration of cultural differences in justice reasoning, incorporating the role of deservingness, can contribute to extending and strengthening the theory of justice reasoning.