bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The oncofetal protein IMP1 regulates the transcriptomic landscape to drive early events in pancreatic cancer progression and growth
Authors: Haçariz Orçun , Messina-Pacheco Julia , Goodfellow Elliot , Leibovitch Matthew , Lowy Andrew M. , Perrino Stephanie , Jean-Claude Bertrand , Gao Zu-Hua , Gregorieff Alex , Brodt Pnina 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTBackground & AimsPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a dismal 5-year survival rate of 12% - the lowest of all malignancies. This is partially due to late diagnosis, as early stages of the disease, including the process of acinar to ductal metaplasia (ADM) are not presently detectable. Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein (IMP)1 is an oncofetal protein implicated in cancer progression. Here, we aimed to determine its role in the early stages of PDAC development and in the maintenance of the malignant phenotype.MethodsIMP1 expression was analyzed in surgical PDAC specimens and in pancreatic tissue derived from KPC mice. Murine ductal organoids expressing the KrasG12Dmutant were treated with the IMP1 inhibitor BTYNB and RNAseq performed. The function of IMP1 targets was analyzed in an ADM model and the effect of IMP1 silencing on the growth of PDAC cells was evaluatedin vivo.ResultsWe found high expression of IMP1 in precancerous lesions of human and murine PDAC, but not in the normal pancreas. Blockade of IMP1 function impeded murine ADM and ductal organoid growth and profoundly altered the transcriptional landscape of the organoids, reducing the expression of cytokine-cytokine receptor interactors, cell adhesion and cell invasion mediators such asCard11, Gkn3,Il13ra2,Mmp9, andVcam1. Gastrokine-3 and IL-13 in turn, enhanced the ADM process. Finally, IMP1 silencing in PDAC cells inhibited their metastatic outgrowth in mice.ConclusionsIMP1 is a master regulator of early events in PDAC progression and a potential biomarker and target for this disease.
The fully activated open state of KCNQ1 controls the cardiac “fight-or-flight” response
Authors: Hou Panpan , Zhao Lu , Zhong Ling , Shi Jingyi , Wang Hong Zhan , Gao Junyuan , Liu Huilin , Zuckerman Joan , Cohen Ira S. , Cui Jianmin 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe cardiac KCNQ1+KCNE1 (IKs) channel regulates heart rhythm in both normal and stress conditions. Under stress, the β-adrenergic stimulation elevates the intracellular cAMP level, leading to KCNQ1 phosphorylation by protein kinase A and increased IKs, which shortens action potentials to adapt to accelerated heart rate. An impaired response to the β-adrenergic stimulation due to KCNQ1 mutations is associated with the occurrence of a lethal congenital long QT syndrome (type 1, also known as LQT1). However, the underlying mechanism of β-adrenergic stimulation of IKsremains unclear, impeding the development of new therapeutics. Here we find that the unique properties of KCNQ1 channel gating with two distinct open states are key to this mechanism. KCNQ1’s fully activated open (AO) state is more sensitive to cAMP than its’ intermediate open (IO) state. By enhancing the AO state occupancy, the small molecules ML277 and C28 are found to effectively enhance the cAMP sensitivity of the KCNQ1 channel, independent of KCNE1 association. This finding of enhancing AO state occupancy leads to a potential novel strategy to rescue the response of IKsto β-adrenergic stimulation in LQT1 mutants. The success of this approach is demonstrated in cardiac myocytes and also in a high-risk LQT1 mutation. In conclusion the present study not only uncovers the key role of the AO state in IKschannel phosphorylation, but also provides a new target for anti-arrhythmic strategy.Significance statementThe increase of IKspotassium currents with adrenalin stimulation is important for “fight-or-flight” responses. Mutations of the IKs channel reducing adrenalin responses are associated with more lethal form of the type-1 long-QT syndrome (LQT). The alpha subunit of the IKs channel, KCNQ1 opens in two distinct open states, the intermediate-open (IO) and activated-open (AO) states, following a two-step voltage sensing domain (VSD) activation process. We found that the AO state, but not the IO state, is responsible for the adrenalin response. Modulators that specifically enhance the AO state occupancy can enhance adrenalin responses of the WT and LQT-associated mutant channels. These results reveal a mechanism of state dependent modulation of ion channels and provide an anti-arrhythmic strategy.
Flexible EMG arrays with integrated electronics for scalable electrode density
Authors: Anschutz Philip M. , Zia Muneeb , Lu Jiaao , Williams Matthew J. , Jacob Amanda L. , Sober Samuel J. , Bakir Muhannad S. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractRecent developments in electrode technology have demonstrated the power of flexible microelectrode arrays (FMEAs) for measuring muscle activity at high resolution. We recently introduced the Myomatrix array, a FMEA optimized for measuring the activity of individual motor units (the collection of muscle fibers innervated by a single motor neuron) [1] in freely behaving animals. Although FMEAs are fundamentally changing the way EMG is acquired, the number of recording channels is limited by the size of the plug that interfaces with the digital amplifier hardware and the density of electrode connections on the array. Increasing EMG channel count and supporting electrophysiological studies in smaller animals depends on two seemingly incompatible goals: reducing device size while increasing the number of recording channels. The solution to this is to increase channel density, which is currently limited by requiring that separate headstage and FMEA components be used simultaneously. In our prior devices [1], each FMEA had a dedicated wire output for every electrode input, creating a channel density is 1 : 1. To improve this channel density, we have developed a novel device integrating a digital amplifier (bare-die RHD2216 chip, Intan, Inc. [6]) directly onto an FMEA. This new design reduces the device’s backend footprint by 74% and relocates the intan bare die from the headstage to the FMEA itself, creating a channel density of 1 : 3.2. Our methodology combines standard FMEA microfabrication with wire-bonding and surface-mounted components, enabling direct integration into a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) connection into the device itself, without any separate headstage. With this initial device we see a 1 : 3.2 channel density, but our method allows for using other bare die amplifiers (Intan, Inc., USA) for a channel density of 1 : 12.8. Our findings present a robust technique for chip embedding in custom FMEAs, applicable to in-vivo electrophysiology
What theories can be used to study hospitality and tourism consumers in the post-pandemic era?
Authors: Xu Jing Bill , Yan Libo 
Published: July 2024

Purpose
This paper aims to highlight unconventional or underused theories that can be considered for the study of hospitality and tourism consumers. The authors discuss how these theories can be applied.

Design/methodology/approach
This research paper is conceptual and descriptive in nature. The authors address the proposed theories by applying the Delphi method.

Findings
Theories such as dramaturgical theory, persuasion theory, script theory, customer inspiration theory and segmented assimilation theory are underused but can be applied to studies of hospitality and tourism consumers’ behavior. They can be helpful for understanding various aspects of consumer behavior, such as their decision-making, motivations, attitudes and perceptions, in hospitality and tourism.

Originality/value
Consumer behavior is more diverse and complex in the post-pandemic era. The authors draw attention to theories that are underused but have explanatory power with regards to hospitality and tourism consumers’ behaviors. These non-conventional theories can provide new theoretical perspectives and offer new insights.
Settlement and stress analysis in stabilized slab- and pile-supported embankment based on double-equal settlement plane
Authors: Wang Ying , Wang Chaojie , Hu Zhenhua , Chen Yonghui , Min Bo 
Published: July 2024

PurposeThe soft stabilized slab and pile-supported (SSPS) embankment is an improvement technique to increase the efficiency of resources in road construction. To capture the effects of stabilized slabs on the stress transfer mechanism, the differential settlements and the lateral displacement of the embankment completely. A theoretical model of SSPS is proposed by considering the effect of soil arching and the interaction between the embankment fill, stabilized soil, pile, foundation soil and bearing stratum.Design/methodology/approachIn the theoretical model, the stress and strain coordination relationship of the system was analyzed in view of the minimum potential energy theory and equal settlement plane theory. Subsequently, the theoretical method was applied to field tests for comparison. Finally, the influence of the elastic modulus and the thickness of the stabilized slab on the stress concentration ratio and foundation settlement were examined.FindingsIn addition to the experimental findings, the method has been revealed to be reasonable and feasible, considering its ability to effectively exploit the stabilized slab effect and improve the bearing capacity of soil and piles. An economical and reasonable arrangement scheme for the thickness and strength of stabilized slabs was obtained. The results reveal that the optimum elastic modulus was chosen as 28 MPa–60 MPa, and the optimum thickness of the stabilized slab was selected as 1.5 m–2.1 m using the parameters of field tests, which can provide guidance to engineering design.Originality/valueAn optimization calculation method is established to analyze the load transfer mechanics of the SSPS embankment based on a double-equal settlement plane. The model’s rationality was analyzed by comparing the settlement and stress concentration ratios in the field tests. Subsequently, the influence of the elastic modulus and the thickness of the stabilized slab on the stress concentration ratio and settlement were examined. An economical and reasonable arrangement scheme for the thickness and elastic modulus of stabilized slabs was obtained, which can provide a novel approach for engineering design.
Assessing internship learning performance and its predictors: moderation of learning climate
Authors: Lin Chieh-Peng 
Published: July 2024

PurposeThis research aims to elucidate the complex relationships among internship learning performance, problem-solving efficacy, and their determinants by simultaneously examining a key variable that may moderate these relationships.Design/methodology/approachThis study carried out its empirical examination by surveying graduate students at a prestigious university in Taiwan. The investigation selected two programs from the College of Management and another two from the College of Engineering within the university through a random sampling approach. The selection of research participants from the domains of management and engineering is well-suited to this study’s objectives, given the pronounced prevalence of internships in these fields. Of the 280 questionnaires, 234 usable questionnaires were finally collected for a response rate of 83.57%.FindingsThe findings of this study show that learning goal orientation and communication skill learning both represent critical motivations that directly dominate the growth of problem-solving efficacy to ultimately boost learning performance. At the same time, the positive moderation of learning climate suggests the learning climate as an accelerator for learning autonomy that boosts interns’ problem-solving efficacy more strongly.Originality/valueThis study presents an expansion of the social learning theory’s conventional focus on general self-efficacy beliefs by delving into the realm of internships as a unique research context to explore problem-solving efficacy as a distinct facet of self-efficacy. Within this context, the study integrates the mediating role of problem-solving efficacy into the learning dynamics of internships, where interns engage in both learning goal orientation and communication skill learning. By concentrating on the internship setting within the workplace, this study effectively bridges the domains of management education and vocational psychology, extending insights beyond the classroom to comprehensively grasp the impact of learning goal orientation and communication skill learning.
Developing new healthcare practice learning environments through a third-space reflective practice approach: a case study
Authors: Griffiths Marc , Monaghan Kaz , Monaghan Mke , Tompkins Verna 
Published: July 2024

PurposeThe creation of new practice learning environments for healthcare students promotes the development of professional judgement skills and decision-making. Through the modelling of established practices across other subject disciplines, Healthcare Technicians designed and created the Clinical Skills Lounge to support student learning outside of scheduled classes.Design/methodology/approachThe design and development of a new learning and simulation space for healthcare students was created following feedback from students. Using a model of learning support for students across the creative subject disciplines, the creation of the Clinical Skills Lounge provided an opportunity to create a space where practical techniques could be practiced and support provided by Technicians.FindingsStudent feedback highlights the importance and flexibility of the Clinical Skills Lounge design and opportunities to learn and practice key skills outside of timetabled sessions. Greater confidence and opportunities to further develop decision-making skills were reported by students who use this space.Originality/valueThis particular type of learning environment promotes greater reflection, provides the opportunity for students to learn alongside their peers and encourages inter-professional learning. The opportunities for greater decision-making, confidence building and preparation for clinical placements.
Trends and challenges in research into the human aspects of ransomware: a systematic mapping study
Authors: Murray Garret , Falkeling Malin , Gao Shang 
Published: July 2024

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the trends and challenges relating to research into the human aspects of ransomware.

Design/methodology/approach
A systematic mapping study was carried out to investigate the trends in studies into the human aspects of ransomware, identify challenges encountered by researchers and propose directions for future research. For each of the identified papers from this study, the authors mapped the year of publication, the type of paper, research strategy and data generation method, types of participants included, theories incorporated and lastly, the authors mapped the challenges encountered by the researchers.

Findings
Fifty-nine papers published between 2006 and 2022 are included in the study. The findings indicate that literature on the human aspects of ransomware was scarce prior to 2016. The most-used participant groups in this area are students and cybersecurity professionals, and most studies rely on a survey strategy using the questionnaire to collect data. In addition, many papers did not use theories for their research, but from those that did, game theory was used most often. Furthermore, the most reported challenge is that being hit with ransomware is a sensitive topic, which results in individuals and organisations being reluctant to share their experiences.

Research limitations/implications
This mapping study reveals that the body of literature in the area of human aspects of ransomware has increased over the past couple of years. The findings highlight that being transparent about ransomware attacks, when possible, can help others. Moreover, senior management plays an important role in shaping the information security culture of an organisation, whether to have a culture of transparency or of secrecy.

Originality/value
This study is the first of its kind of systematic mapping studies contributing to the body of knowledge on the human aspects of ransomware.
Residential transformations and real estate market trends associated with tourism activity in urban popular sectors: Ciudad Bolívar in Bogotá
Authors: Camargo Sierra Angélica 
Published: July 2024

Purpose
This study aims to identify the transformations of the residential landscape and trends in the popular real estate market associated with tourist activity in a low-income neighborhood in Bogotá.

Design/methodology/approach
The methodology was mainly qualitative, although the author analyzed some quantitative data. The author conducted three guided tourist tours in the area and systematically compared photographs taken in 2022 with satellite images in 2019 before starting the tourist activity. To analyze the real estate market, the author uses data on housing offers for sale and rent. Finally, the author conducted semi-structured interviews with tour guides, residents and other key actors in the sector.

Findings
This study identified some dynamics of change in the real estate market, particularly associated with an increase in housing sales and rental prices, as well as a possible effect on the increase of new informal growth processes. The author found a growing transformation of the urban and residential landscape associated with the painting of facades by the local administration and mural painting processes by community organizations. There are evident housing investment processes, some associated with verticalization and other use changes for tourism activities. It is necessary to reflect on these processes’ effects on the city’s sociospatial dynamics.

Originality/value
This study makes an empirical contribution to the relationship between residential real estate markets in low-income sectors and tourism activity. Although analyses of community-based tourism in popular areas have been conducted, less is known about the effects on the real estate market and the associated sociospatial transformations.
People-centric variables in the fourth industrial revolution: an application of SWARA methodology
Authors: Ojha Ravindra , Agarwal Alpana 
Published: July 2024

PurposeThe accelerating business transformation through Industry 4.0 (I4.0) is expected to create significant value in the manufacturing industry by delivering considerably high productivity, superior quality, better efficiency and effectiveness. However, its evolutionary processes have far-reaching challenging for humanity. This has triggered a need to analyze the impact of I4.0 on various people-centric variables (PCVs).Design/methodology/approachThis paper attempts to analyze the interrelationship dynamics between the PCVs in the current digital-industry ecosystem using a focus-group approach and causal loop diagrams. Application of the SWARA (stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis) methodology has provided its prioritized ranking in terms of importance.FindingsThe study has highlighted that I4.0 has a significant influence on five of the 13 PCVs – human quality of life, digital dexterity, high-skilled talent, low-skilled employment and creativity which contribute to 80% of the total impact.Originality/valueThe prioritized weights of the human factors from the SWARA approach have facilitated the assessment of the Human Resource Development Index (HRDI). The study is also contributing in enriching the literature on the human impact of the growing I4.0 and triggered the researchers to study further its adverse impact on critical human factors.Key pointsThe paper pertains to debates on a very critical issue of impact of integration of the current intelligent digital technologies in manufacturing and services to transform businesses to be more flexible and agile.This paper features I4.0 as a technology that allows integration of new products in the existing production lines, one-off manufacturing runs and high mix manufacturing.The paper also highlights major adjustments in operational activities, processes, supply chain, and organizational redesign due to I4.0 adoption.The current research study has significantly enriched the literature on the I4.0 impact on people-centric variables (PCVs) using the SWARA method. The use of the Causal Loop Diagram has very aptly brought out the type of causality (polarity) between the different PCVs in the growth of I4.0.
An investigation of the masculinity of entrepreneurial orientation in family business
Authors: Forster-Holt Nancy , Davis James H. 
Published: July 2024

PurposeMiller (2011) revisited his influential 1983 work on entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and remarked that its underlying drivers are fully open to debate, fresh scholarship and connection with new theories. Indeed, the genealogy of the EO construct is rarely questioned. We take a “making masculinity visible” approach, engaging with a lens of masculinity, precarious manhood theory (PMT) and double standards of competency, to define and test the masculine elements of EO in the setting of family business CEOs.Design/methodology/approachUsing the 2019 Successful Transgenerational Entrepreneurship Project (STEP) dataset, a comprehensive database of family business chief executive officers (CEOs), we examined the construct of EO, in whole and in its masculine elements. Stepwise multiple regression method was used to test the hypotheses of this study. Control variables entered the equation first, followed by the variable of interest for this study.FindingsWe find differences by gender when EO is tested as a whole construct. Further in testing its masculine dimensions, we find that being male is significant to the elements of autonomy and competitive aggressiveness and that gender is not significant to risk-taking.Originality/valueAlthough research on the widespread and influential EO continues to proliferate (Covin and Wales, 2019), there is not an understanding of its applicability across genders (Fellnhofer et al., 2016). It is possible that EO may not explain how women do business. Our study contributes to the understanding of between-gender differences in EO, and our findings suggest that the masculine elements of EO vary by gender.
Abusive supervision and helping behavior among nursing staff: a moderated mediation model
Authors: Asim Muhammad , Zhiying Liu , Ghani Usman , Nadeem Muhammad Athar , Yi Xu 
Published: July 2024

PurposeThis study aims to explore the adverse impacts of abusive supervision on helping behaviors among employees, as mediating by intention to leave and moderating by Islamic work ethics (IWE).Design/methodology/approachA quantitative approach was employed, and the sample consisted of 283 nurses working in various public sector hospitals in Pakistan. The data analysis was conducted using SPSS and AMOS with the PROCESS macro.FindingsThe results suggest that abusive supervision diminishes helping behavior among nurses. Additionally, the study reveals that intention to leave mediates the relationship of abusive supervision and nurses' helping behavior. Moreover, the introduction of IWE as a boundary condition reveals that the mediated link is weaker when IWE is higher, and vice versa.Practical implicationsThis study provides valuable insights for hospital authorities to develop intervention strategies and policies aimed at reducing abusive supervision in hospitals. Hospital management should also be aware of the detrimental effects of abusive supervision on nurses' helping behaviors, which can be mitigated by promoting ethical values aligned with IWE.Originality/valueThis study makes a valuable contribution to the limited research on the link between abusive supervision and helping behaviors in hospital settings. It offers new perspectives by incorporating the Conservation of Resources theory, particularly within the healthcare sector. Furthermore, this research expands the current knowledge by investigating the mediating influence of intention to leave and the moderating effect of IWE in mitigating the adverse impact of abusive supervision on nurses' helping behavior in Pakistan's public sector hospitals.