bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interleukin-33 stimulates stress in the endoplasmic reticulum of the human myometrium via an influx of calcium during initiation of labor
Authors: Chen Li , Song Zhenzhen , Cao Xiaowan , Fan Mingsong , Zhou Yan , Zhang Guoying 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundInflammation is currently recognized as one of the major causes of premature delivery. As a member of the IL-1β family, interleukin-33 (IL-33) has been shown to be involved in a variety of pregnancy-related diseases. This study aims to investigate the potential function of IL-33 in uterine smooth muscle cells during labor.MethodsSamples of myometrium from term pregnant (≥37 weeks gestation) women were frozen or cells were isolated and cultured. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting were used to identify the distribution of IL-33. Cultured cells were incubated with LPS to mimic inflammation as well as 4μ8C to block endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and BAPTA-AM, a calcium chelator.ResultsSimilar with onset of labor, LPS could reduce the expression of nuclear IL-33 in a time-limited manner and induced ER stress. Meanwhile, Knockdown of IL-33 increased LPS-induced calcium concentration, ER stress and phosphorylation of NF-κB and p38. In addition, siRNA IL-33 further simulates LPS enhanced COX-2 expression via NF-κB and p38 pathways. IL-33 expression was decreased in the nucleus with the onset of labor. LPS induced ER stress and increased expression of the labor-associated gene, COX-2, as well as IL-6 and IL-8 in cultured myometrial cells. IL-33 also increased COX-2 expression. However, after IL-33 was knockdown, the stimulating effect of LPS on calcium was enhanced. 4μ8C also inhibited the expression of COX-2 markedly. The expression of calcium channels on the membrane and intracellular free calcium ion were both increased accompanied by phosphorylated NF-κB and p38.ConclusionsThese data suggest that IL-33 may be involved in initiation of labor by leading to stress of the ER via an influx of calcium ions in human uterine smooth muscle cells.FundingThis study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 81300507).
COVID-19: a study about the impact of coronavirus on physicians of La Plata, Argentina
Authors: Croce María Virginia , Chiappa Elsa , Moiso Adriana , Rabassa Martin E 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundIn Argentina, the burden of COVID-19 on health systems and physicians was substantial with difficulties on daily triage decisions which have to be made in the context of grave shortages of basic equipment and consumables.Purposethis study was performed to understand what physicians were experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic in La Plata (capital city of Buenos Aires province, Argentina).MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed; a questionnaire was sent by e-mail to physicians who work in this city during November 2020. The questionnaire was made based on Medscape US and International Physicians’ COVID-19 Experience Report: Risk, Burnout, Loneliness.Statistical analysistest for normality was performed employing the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test while Chi-square test of independence to examine the relationship between sex and workplace with nominal variables. For categorical variables, Kendall’s tau correlation was performed to test for independence. ANOVA was developed to examine differences between physician’s age. Statistical significance was set to p < 0.05 in all cases. All statistical analysis was done employing SPSS Statistics, Version 24 (IBM, USA).Results203 physicians answered the questionnaire; the majority of physicians (96%) considered stressful their experience during pandemic and reported distress episodes being for more than 60% the most stressful of their practices, 30% presented depression and were medically treated, while 32.7% felt loneliness with 4 physicians with suicidal thoughts.ConclusionThe results highlight the need to protect the psychological well-being of the healthcare community, and to invest resources to significantly promote the mental health of professionals.
Glomerular function and urinary biomarker changes between vancomycin and vancomycin plus piperacillin-tazobactam in a translational rat model
Authors: Chang Jack , Pais Gwendolyn , Valdez Kimberly , Marianski Sylwia , Barreto Erin F. , Scheetz Marc H. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractClinical studies have reported additive nephrotoxicity associated with the combination of vancomycin (VAN) and piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP). This study assessed differences in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urinary biomarkers between rats receiving VAN and those receiving VAN+TZP. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=26) were randomized to receive 96 hours of intravenous VAN at 150mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal TZP at 1400 mg/kg/day, or VAN+TZP. Kidney function was evaluated using fluorescein-isothiocyanate sinistrin and a transdermal sensor to estimate real-time glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Kidney injury was evaluated via urinary biomarkers including kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), clusterin, and osteopontin. Compared to a saline control, only rats in the VAN group showed significant declines in GFR by day 4 (−0.39 mL/min/100 g body weight, 95% CI: -0.68 to -0.10, p=0.008). When the VAN+TZP and VAN alone treatment groups were compared, significantly higher urinary KIM-1 was observed in the VAN alone group on day 1 (18.4 ng, 95% CI: 1.4 to 35.3, p=0.03), day 2 (27.4 ng, 95% CI: 10.4 to 44.3, p=0.002), day 3 (18.8 ng, 95% CI: 1.9 to 35.8, p=0.03), and day 4 (23.2 ng, 95% CI: 6.3 to 40.2, p=0.007). KIM-1 was the urinary biomarker that most correlated with decreasing GFR on day 3 (Spearman’s rho: -0.45, p = 0.022) and day 4 (Spearman’s rho: - 0.41, p = 0.036). Kidney function decline and increased KIM-1 were observed among rats that received VAN only, but not TZP or VAN+TZP. Addition of TZP to VAN does not worsen kidney function or injury in a validated translational rat model.
Coordinated conformational changes in the V1 complex during V-ATPase reversible dissociation
Authors: Vasanthakumar Thamiya , Keon Kristine A. , Bueler Stephanie A. , Jaskolka Michael C. , Rubinstein John L. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractVacuolar-type ATPases (V-ATPases) are rotary enzymes that acidify intracellular compartments in eukaryotic cells. These multi-subunit complexes consist of a cytoplasmic V1 region that hydrolyzes ATP and a membrane-embedded VO region that transports protons. V-ATPase activity is regulated by reversible dissociation of the two regions, with the isolated V1 and VO complexes becoming autoinhibited upon disassembly and subunit C subsequently detaching from V1. In yeast, assembly of the V1 and VO regions is mediated by the RAVE complex through an unknown mechanism. We used cryoEM of yeast V-ATPase to determine structures of the intact enzyme, the dissociated but complete V1 complex, and the V1 complex lacking subunit C. Upon separation, V1 undergoes a dramatic conformational rearrangement, with its rotational state becoming incompatible for reassembly with VO. Loss of subunit C allows V1 to match the rotational state of VO, suggesting how RAVE could reassemble V1 and VO by recruiting subunit C.
Design of D-amino acids SARS-CoV-2 Main protease inhibitors using the cationic peptide from rattlesnake venom as a scaffold
Authors: Eberle Raphael J. , Gering Ian , Tusche Markus , Ostermann Philipp N. , Müller Lisa , Adams Ortwin , Schaal Heiner , Olivier Danilo S. , Amaral Marcos S. , Arni Raghuvir K. , Willbold Dieter , Coronado Mônika A. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe C30 Endopeptidase (3C-like protease; 3CLpro) is essential for the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2) since it plays a pivotal role in viral replication and transcription and is hence a promising drug target. Molecules isolated from animals, insects, plants or microorganisms can serve as a scaffold for the design of novel biopharmaceutical products. Crotamine, a small cationic peptide from the venom of the rattlesnakeCrotalus durissus terrificushas been the focus of many studies since it exhibits activities such as analgesic, in vitro antibacterial and hemolytic activities. The crotamine derivative L-peptides (L-CDP) that inhibit the 3CL protease in the low µM range were examined since they are susceptible to proteolytic degradation; we explored the utility of their D-enantiomers form. Comparative uptake inhibition analysis showed D-CDP as a promising prototype for a D-peptide-based drug. We also found that the D-peptides can impair SARS-CoV-2 replicationin vivo, probably targeting the viral protease 3CLpro.
Hedonic shopping experience, subjective well-being and brand luxury: a comparative discussion of physical stores and e-retailers
Authors: Kumagai Ken , Nagasawa Shin'ya 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThe study explores the influence of shopping channels on the hedonic shopping experience, contributing to subjective well-being (SWB) based on the purchased branded product. It also assesses the variations in these effects according to brand luxury. The purpose of the paper is to provide strategic suggestions for building luxury apparel distribution tactics that balance maintaining brand luxury with business growth through both physical stores and digital stores (e-retail).Design/methodology/approachBased on 418 samples collected in Japan, consumers' perceptions of hedonic shopping value and SWB are examined according to two channel factors, such as physical retail vs e-retail and mono-brand stores vs multi-brand stores. Additionally, the moderation effects of brand luxury are discussed.FindingsMulti-group path analyses reveal that physical mono-brand stores contribute to hedonic shopping value. In addition, this experiential value is found to increase SWB, especially when the brand luxury level is high.Practical implicationsThese findings suggest that managers should place a high level of importance on consumers' shopping experiences via physical direct retail especially in the case of a higher luxury level, even in today's highly developed digital environment.Originality/valueThe current study uniquely discusses the effects of shopping channels and experiences on SWB based on an acquired branded product, i.e., an evaluation of the outcome of shopping behavior and product acquisition. The study also reinforces the importance of physical stores suggested in previous luxury research.
Measuring paper industry's ecological performance in an imprecise and vague scenario: a fuzzy DEA-based analytical framework
Authors: Jauhar Sunil Kumar , Singh Natthan , Rajeev A. , Pant Millie 
Published: November 2021

PurposeProductivity improvement is key to sustainability performance improvements of organizations. In a real-world scenario, the nature of inputs and outputs is likely to be imprecise and vague, leading to complexity in comparing firms' efficiency measurements. Implementation of fuzzy-logic based measurement systems is a method for dealing with such cases. This paper presents a fuzzy weight objective function to solve Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) CCR model for measuring paper mills' performance in India for 15 years.Design/methodology/approachAn integrated methodology is proposed to solve DEA models having fuzzy weights. The fuzzy DEA methodology is an extended version of the DEA approach that researchers have used for performance measurement purposes in imprecise and vague scenarios. The ecological performance of the paper industry is evaluated, considering some desirable and undesirable outputs. The effect of non-discretionary input on the performance of a paper mill is also analyzed.FindingsAnalysis suggests that the productivity of the paper industry is improving consistently throughout the period. The comparative evaluation of methods suggests that a diverse cluster of DMUs and integration of DEA with the fuzzy logic increases the diversity in the efficiency score while DEA-DE imitates the results of CCR DEA.Originality/valueProposed a fuzzy DEA-based analytical framework for measuring the paper industry's ecological performance in an imprecise and vague scenario. The model is tested on data from the paper industry in a developing country context and comparative performance analysis using DEA, fuzzy DEA and DE algorithm is done.
Use of empirical and diffusion models in the description of the process of water absorption by rice
Authors: Pereira Joan Carlos Alves , da Silva Wilton Pereira , da Silva Renato Costa , e Silva Cleide Maria Diniz P.S. , Gomes Josivanda Palmeira 
Published: November 2021

PurposeTo describe water absorption by the rice grains over time, diffusion and empirical models were used. Also, an optimization software was developed in this study to determine parameters and their uncertainties for the diffusion models (LS Optimizer, for partial differential equations). Parameters (and their uncertainties) for empirical models were determined by LAB Fit Curve Fitting Software.Design/methodology/approachHeat and mass diffusion phenomena are found in various processes of technological interest, including pasteurization, drying and water immersion of agricultural products, among others. The objective of this work was to study the process of water absorption by rice grains with and without husk, using diffusion and empirical models to describe the absorption kinetics. Rice grains were immersed (approximately 10 g for each experiment) in drinking water maintained at constant temperatures of 28, 40 and 50 C. In the experiments, the water contents absorbed by rice grains over time were obtained by the gravimetric method.FindingsAmong empirical models, Peleg was the most satisfactory to describe the kinetics of water absorption by rice without husk, while the Silva et alii model had the best statistical indicators for rice with husk. It was also verified that a diffusion model with boundary condition of the first kind showed the best (or equivalent) results in the description of all processes of kinetics of water absorption by rice grains, with and without husk. For grains without husk, the effective mass diffusivities were (1.186 ± 0.045) × 10−9, (1.312 ± 0.024) × 10−9and (2.133 ± 0.028) × 10−9 m2 min−1, for the immersion temperatures of 28, 40 and 50C, respectively. For grains with husk, diffusivities were (0.675 ± 0.011) × 10−9and (1.269 ± 0.017) × 10−9 m2 min−1, for temperatures of 28 and 50 C, respectively.Originality/valueThis work developed a solver for the diffusion equation in cylindrical geometry and presented the LS Optimizer software developed to determine differential equation parameters through experimental data sets.
Do authoritarian leaders also have “fans”? The relationship between authoritarian leadership and employee followership behavior in the Chinese context
Authors: Wang Yiming , Xie Yuhua , Xie Hua Qing 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThe existing research rarely explains the value of authoritarian leadership in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The purpose of this study is to explore how authoritarian leadership facilitates employee followership behaviors of the SMEs in China by considering the moderating effects of cooperative goal interdependence and leader behavioral integrity.Design/methodology/approachThis research tested hypotheses with a two-wave survey from a sample of 258 respondents from SMEs in China. Hypotheses are tested using hierarchical regression analyses.FindingsFindings of the study have indicated the instrumental function of authoritarian leadership in facilitating employee followership behavior in SMEs. In particular, this study shows that the influence of authoritarian leadership on followership behavior was positively related when employees have high cooperative goal interdependence with authoritarian leaders, and when employees perceive a leader's high behavioral integrity.Practical implicationsThe study will help SMEs to understand that authoritarian leadership should seek optimal levels of cooperative goals with employees and integrate achievement goals into their career development strategy to enhance their followership behavior. In addition, authoritarian leadership should strive to take actions consistent with their words to guarantee the relationship between achieving goals and sharing mutual goals with employees.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the literature by addressing an important yet under-researched area, i.e. the effectiveness of authoritarian leadership in SMEs. Authoritarian leadership, a demanding and controlling leadership style, is often criticized by scholars. This study elaborates on a three-way interaction implied by self-determination theory in predicting followership behavior. It specifies the different roles of two situational factors (cooperative goal interdependence and leader behavior integrity) in affecting employees' followership behavior.
Assessing an academic library performance before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a case study in UAE
Authors: Kaba Abdoulaye 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this case study is to assess and compare the performance of an academic library, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on data collected from the library management system, usage reports of online databases, and monthly reports and archives to evaluate and assess library performance in managerial activities, collection development, collection treatment, collection circulation, usage of digital resources, quality control, reference services and information literacy activities. Frequency distributions and non-parametric tests were used in identifying differences and testing hypotheses.FindingsThe study found that library performance before the COVID-19 pandemic outperformed library performance during the pandemic in collection development, collection treatment, collection circulation, access and use of digital resources, quality control and information literacy. On the other hand, the library demonstrated higher performance in managerial activities and reference services during the COVID-19 pandemic than that of before the pandemic period. Interestingly, the analysis of the Wilcoxon signed-ranks test revealed statistically no significant difference in the library performance before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results supported all the eight hypotheses stated in this study.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a case study based on data collected from an academic library in the UAE before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings may not be generalized and may differ if more data are analyzed from many academic libraries.Practical implicationsCOVID-19 pandemic is a turning point for library managers to increase the number of digital resources and services, to ensure that library staff are equipped with essential and up-to-date information and communication technology (ICT) skills and knowledge, to ensure that library users are equipped with essential and up-to-date information literacy skills and knowledge. These will enable them to satisfy users' information needs and ensure library operation in disasters and crisis periods.Originality/valueThis is one of the few studies conducted in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to evaluate library performance before and during COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of the study could be an important reference in understanding how libraries responded to COVID-19 pandemic in the Middle East. The results of the study may contribute to the provision of digital resources and services during the pandemic and disasters in the UAE and the Arab world.
A new look at the meeting clustering effect
Authors: Pardo Ángel , Santandreu Eddie 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThe study aims to test the existence of a meeting clustering effect in the Spanish Stock Exchange (SSE).Design/methodology/approachThis paper studies the relationship between the clustering of annual general meetings and stock returns in the SSE. A multivariate analysis is carried out in order to analyse the relationship between monthly returns and the clustering of general meetings in the SSE.FindingsThe authors show that meeting clustering exists and that some months exhibit significant and positive additional returns related to the holding of ordinary or extraordinary general meetings.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors have explored some possible explanations for the meeting clustering effect, such as a potential link with the “Halloween” effect or the presence of higher-than-normal levels of volatility, trading volumes or investor attention. However, none of these can explain the meeting clustering effect that emerges as a new anomaly in the SSE.Practical implicationsThe authors have documented significant and positive abnormal returns in some months that coincide with the holding of general meetings. Therefore, the holding of ordinary and/or extraordinary meetings in some months involves the release of relevant information for investors.Originality/valueThis study complements the financial literature because it is focused on the clustering of meetings and its effect on a stock market whose legal order is based on civil law. This fact allows us to shed new light on meeting clustering and its effect on other types of markets.
Framing and control for sustainability of industries
Authors: Saxena Rahul , Kishore Sanjeev , Srivastava Vandana 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThe paper attempts to frame the challenge of managing the transition to a sustainable economy by way of a conceptual model consisting of a zero-footprint regulatory regime and a sustainability fund.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual model of the sustainable industrial revolution has been developed based on the learnings from industries such as originators (mining), farming, pharmaceuticals, pesticides and chemicals and long-lasting artefacts against an overall perspective.FindingsIt is suggested to have an institutional structural mechanism in place to ensure that footprint is minimized through recycling including refurbishing, resale or transformation. This includes management of recycling businesses through execution of a zero-waste regulatory regime that will build and use a sustainability fund.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of the paper are arising out of the topic being an issue of gigantic proportions with immense complexity. An attempt has been made to bring out the inescapability and the imperative of a sustainable industrial revolution.Practical implicationsThis paper presents practical aspects such as collusion between trash and recycling businesses, land use and social aspects of criticality of public support. If implemented, the suggested model can make a paradigm shift in the way firms, industry and governments can handle the challenge of sustainability.Originality/valueThe value of this conceptual paper lies in an attempt to extend the learning organization framework to the concept of a regulatory model for sustainability that is not limited to the definition of a firm but stands extended to industries and to the economics, land use and demographics of the planet.