bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ComputAgeBench: Epigenetic Aging Clocks Benchmark
Authors: Kriukov Dmitrii , Efimov Evgeniy , Kuzmina Ekaterina , Dudkovskaia Anastasiia , Khrameeva Ekaterina E. , Dylov Dmitry V. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe success of clinical trials of longevity drugs relies heavily on identifying integrative health and aging biomarkers, such as biological age. Epigenetic aging clocks predict the biological age of an individual using their DNA methylation profiles, commonly retrieved from blood samples. However, there is no standardized methodology to validate and compare epigenetic clock models as yet. We proposeComputAgeBench, a unifying framework that comprises such a methodology and a dataset for comprehensive benchmarking of different clinically relevant aging clocks. Our methodology exploits the core idea that reliable aging clocks must be able to distinguish between healthy individuals and those with aging-accelerating conditions. Specifically, we collected and harmonized 66 public datasets of blood DNA methylation, covering 19 such conditions across different ages, and tested 13 published clock models. Additionally, we compiled 46 separate datasets to facilitate the training of new aging clocks. We believe our work will bring the fields of aging biology and machine learning closer together for the research on reliable biomarkers of health and aging.Codehttps://github.com/ComputationalAgingLab/ComputAgeDatasethttps://huggingface.co/datasets/computage/computage_bench
Differentiating mechanism from outcome for ancestry-assortative mating in admixed human populations
Authors: Massey Dashiell J. , Szpiech Zachary A. , Goldberg Amy 
Published: June 2024

AbstractPopulation genetic theory, and the empirical methods built upon it, often assume that individuals pair randomly for reproduction. However, natural populations frequently violate this assumption, which may potentially confound genome-wide association studies, selection scans, and demographic inference. Within several recently admixed human populations, empirical genetic studies have reported a correlation in global ancestry proportion between spouses, referred to as ancestry-assortative mating. Here, we use forward genomic simulations to link correlations in global ancestry proportion between mates to the underlying mechanistic mate-choice process. We consider the impacts of two types of mate-choice model, using either ancestry-based preferences or social groups as the basis for mate pairing. We find that multiple mate-choice models can produce the same correlations in global ancestry proportion between spouses; however, we also highlight alternative analytic approaches and circumstances in which these models may be distinguished. With this work, we seek to highlight potential pitfalls when interpreting correlations in empirical data as evidence for a particular model of human mating practices, as well as to offer suggestions toward development of new best practices for analysis of human ancestry-assortative mating.
Experimental evolution ofEscherichia colion semi-dry silver, copper, stainless steel, and glass surfaces
Authors: Rosenberg Merilin , Park Sandra , Umerov Sigrit , Ivask Angela 
Published: June 2024

AbstractTo study bacterial adaptation to antimicrobial metal surfaces in application-relevant conditions,Escherichia coliwas exposed to copper and silver surfaces for thirty exposure cycles in low-organic dry or high-organic humid conditions. The evolved populations demonstrated increased metal surface tolerance without concurrent increase in MBC and MIC values of respective metal ions or selected antibiotics. Mutation analysis did not detect increased mutation accumulation nor mutations incop, cus, cue, sil, pcoor general efflux genes known to actively maintain copper/silver homeostasis. Instead, during cyclic exposure mutations in genes related to cellular barrier functions and sulfur metabolism were enriched potentially suggesting that reducing bioavailability and passively restricting uptake of the toxic metals rather than active efflux is selected for on copper and silver surfaces. The changes detected in the evolved populations did not indicate an increased risk of antibiotic cross-resistance as a result of copper or silver surface exposure. However, rapid emergence of mutations insilSactivated the crypticsilefflux locus during silver ion challenge in liquid MBC assay with the evolved populations. ThesilSmutants showed no benefit on copper and silver surfaces but demonstrated decreased sensitivity to ampicillin and ciprofloxacin as well as copper and silver ions in liquid tests indicating that efflux might be specific to granting heavy metal tolerance in liquid but not surface exposure format. Our findings highlight the critical importance of appropriate exposure conditions not only in efficacy assessment but also risk assessment of antimicrobial surface applications.ImportanceThis study examines the evolutionary adaptations ofEscherichia coliafter semi-dry exposure to copper and silver surfaces, leading to an increase in surface tolerance but no increase in mutation accumulation or substantially enhanced metal ion tolerance in standard tests. Notably, enriched mutations indicate a shift toward more energy-passive mechanisms of metal tolerance. Additionally, while enhanced silver efflux was rapidly selected for in a single round of silver exposure in liquid tests and substantially increased copper and silver ion tolerance in conventional test formats, the causal mutations did not improve viability on silver and copper surfaces, underscoring the different fitness scenarios of tolerance mechanisms dependent on exposure conditions. These findings emphasize the need for appropriate exposure conditions in evaluating of both efficacy and the potential risks of using antimicrobial surfaces, as the results from conventional liquid-based tests may not apply in solid contexts.
Laboratory horror stories: Poison in the agars
Authors: Davidson Mari K. , Protacio Reine U. , Helmlinger Dominique , Wahls Wayne P. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe fission yeastSchizosaccharomyces pombeis a single-celled eukaryote that can be cultured as a haploid or as a diploid. Scientists employ mating, meiosis, and the plating of ascospores and cells to generate strains with novel genotypes and to discover biological processes. Our two laboratories encountered independently sudden-onset, major impediments to such research. Spore suspensions and vegetative cells no longer plated effectively on minimal media. By systematically analyzing multiple different media components from multiple different suppliers, we identified the source of the problem. Specific lots of agar, from different suppliers, were toxic. Interestingly, the inhibitory effect was attenuated on rich media. Consequently, quality control checks that use only rich media can provide false assurances on the quality of the agar. Lastly, we describe likely sources of the toxicity and we provide specific guidance for quality control measures that should be applied by all vendors as preconditions for their sale of agar.Graphical AbstractTake-awaySporadically, batches of agar from different suppliers strongly inhibit the plating efficiency ofS. pombespores and vegetative cells on minimal media.Quality control checks that are not quantitative or that use only rich media can provide false assurances on the quality of the agar.Vendors should conduct rigorous, thorough, organism-specific tests for potential toxicity of each lot of agar as a pre-condition for its sale.
An AI-based approach to predict delivery outcome based on measurable factors of pregnant mothers
Authors: Owusu-Adjei Michael , Ben Hayfron-Acquah James , Gaddafi Abdul-Salaam , Frimpong Twum 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACTThe desire for safer delivery mode that preserves the lives of both mother and child with minimal or no complications before, during and after childbirth is the wish for every expectant mother and their families. However, the choice for any particular birth delivery mode is determined primarily by a number of factors that feed into the ultimate decision of choice. Some of these include maternal birth history, maternal and child health conditions prevailing before and during labor onset. Predictive modeling has been used extensively to determine important contributory factors influencing delivery choice. However, missing among a myriad of features used in various research studies for this determination is maternal history of spontaneous, threatened and inevitable abortion(s) and how its inclusion can impact delivery outcomes. This research work therefore takes measurable maternal features that include real time information on administered partographs to predict delivery type. This is achieved by adopting effective feature selection technique to estimate variable relationship with the target variable. Three supervised learning techniques are used and evaluated for performance. Prediction accuracy score of area under the curve obtained show Gradient Boosting classifier achieved 91% accuracy, Logistic Regression 93% and Random Forest 91%. Balanced accuracy score for the same learning techniques obtained were; Gradient Boosting 82.73%, Logistic Regression 84.62% and Random Forest 83.02%. Correlation statistic for variable independence among input variables showed that delivery type as an output is associated with gestational age and the progress of maternal cervix dilatation during labor onset.
Assessment of
ϒ
-states above
BB¯
-threshold using a constituent-quark-model based meson-meson coupled-channels framework
Authors: Ortega P. G. , Entem D. R. , Fernández F. , Segovia J. 
Published: June 2024

The ϒ(10753) state has been recently observed by the Belle and Belle II collaborations with enough global significance to motivate an assessment of the high-energy spectrum usually predicted by any reasonable quark model. In the framework of a constituent quark model which satisfactorily describes a wide range of properties of conventional hadrons containing heavy quarks, the quark-antiquark and meson-meson degrees of freedom have been incorporated with the goal of elucidating the influence of open-bottom meson-meson thresholds into the ϒ states whose masses are within the energy range of the ϒ(10753)’s mass. It is well known that such effects could be relevant enough as to dynamically generate new states and thus provide a plausible explanation of the nature of the ϒ(10753) state. In particular, we have performed a coupled-channels calculation in which the bare states ϒ(4S), ϒ(3D), ϒ(5S), and ϒ(4D) are considered together with the threshold channels BB¯, BB¯*, B*B¯*, BsB¯s, BsB¯s*, and Bs*B¯s*. Among the results we have described, the following are of particular interest: (i) a richer complex spectrum is gained when thresholds are present and bare bound states are sufficiently nonrelativistic; (ii) those poles obtained in the complex energy plane do not have to appear as simple peaks in the relevant cross sections; and (iii) the ϒ(10753) candidate is interpreted as a dressed hadronic resonance whose structure is an equally mixture of a conventional bb¯ state and B*B¯* molecule.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Is Sub-Saharan Africa ready to serve as an alternative apparel-sourcing destination to Asia for US Fashion companies? A product-level analysis
Authors: Lu Sheng 
Published: June 2024

Purpose
The prospect of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) as an apparel-sourcing base for US fashion companies has been a growing heated debate among academia, industry practitioners and policymakers. This study aims to evaluate SSA countries’ readiness to serve as an alternative sourcing destination to Asia for US fashion companies, focusing on comparing the similarities and differences of US apparel imports from these two regions at the product level.

Design/methodology/approach
This study was based on a statistical analysis of detailed product features and assortment information of thousands of apparel items at the stock-keeping unit level sold by US retailers between January 2021 and December 2023.

Findings
US fashion companies seemed to leverage SSA countries as suppliers of “niche products,” such as those relatively simple and basic apparel categories containing African cultural elements and targeting the luxury and premium market segment. However, the range of apparel products available for US fashion companies to source from the SSA region remained significantly more limited than those from Asia. Also, US apparel imports from SSA countries were primarily made of cotton and polyester, with less use of other fiber types, including nylon, rayon, viscose, wool and those made from recycled textile materials.

Originality/value
The study’s findings provided fresh insights into why US fashion companies sourced from SSA countries and the specific types of products they were sourcing, going beyond existing studies based on macro trade statistics. The results also deepened the understanding of SSA countries’ competitiveness as an apparel-sourcing destination and their potential to serve as an alternative to sourcing from Asia, particularly from a unique product perspective.
How and for whom abusive supervision influences organizational citizenship behavior: the roles of burnout and workplace friendship
Authors: Gümüştaş Cihangir , Karataş Gümüştaş Nilgün 
Published: June 2024

Purpose
Although many studies have investigated the link between abusive supervision and employee organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), most of them have been performed in isolation, resulting in inconsistent findings and a lack of a systematic structure for understanding how abusive supervision affects OCB. Building on the conservation of resources theory, this study aims to investigate the impact of abusive supervision on OCB through the mediating role of burnout. Additionally, the moderating influence of workplace friendship on the link between abusive supervision and burnout was examined.

Design/methodology/approach
We used data from a two-wave survey of 316 employees with a time interval of 4 weeks. We conducted a mediated moderation analysis to test our model using PROCESS (Hayes, 2013), a statistical macro for SPSS, to examine moderated mediation models' direct and indirect effects.

Findings
The findings revealed that burnout completely mediated the association between abusive supervision and OCB. Additionally, workplace friendships strengthen employees' social networks, providing them with increased resources and support when facing abusive supervision compared to those lacking such friendships. The results have both theoretical and practical implications, which are discussed.

Originality/value
First, this study examined the moderating role of workplace friendship and the mediating role of burnout in the relationship between abusive supervision and OCB. This is a novel contribution to the literature, as previous research has not examined these factors. Previous research has shown that abusive supervision can lead to decreased effort, but the mechanisms that affect job performance have attracted relatively little attention.
Navigating gender and culture in constructing network ties: perceptions and behaviors of women founders in Jordanian digital businesses
Authors: Alakaleek Wejdan , Cooper Sarah Yvonne , Orser Barbara , Harrison Richard 
Published: June 2024

PurposeThis study sought to examine how women founders navigate gender and cultural influences in constructing network ties in Jordan.Design/methodology/approachIn-depth interviews document the experiences of 14 women founders operating digital technology-based businesses in Amman, Jordan.FindingsGender homogenous ties were perceived to be of diminished quality, limiting the ability of the women founders to acquire resources while risking isolation from diverse networks. Formal professional, male-centric ties were perceived to offer more business impact due to the applicability and usefulness of information. Formal communication, use of intermediaries and industry events were used to develop network ties. These approaches enable founders to respect gendered collectivist norms, such as adhering to family members’ expectations about occupational roles, while meeting new business associates. The strength of network ties emerged as a continuum with strong, weak and midpoint ties. Midpoint ties offered valued encouragement and emotional support but were perceived to be less effective and provided fewer resources compared to strong network ties.Originality/valueMechanisms of gender inequality are evidenced in how gender, culture and social networks operate in relation to each other. Perceptions reflect culturally situated, within-group stereotypes, informing how women founders discount other women’s knowledge and experience.
Building sustainable performance through green supply chain management
Authors: El Mokadem Mohamed , Khalaf Magdy 
Published: June 2024

PurposeThe aim of this research is to examine the relationship between green supply chain management and sustainability performance in a manufacturing context.Design/methodology/approachA survey approach was adopted to collect data from 163 manufacturing organizations to test the research hypotheses. A structural equation modeling (SEM) using the technique of path analysis with bootstrapping is used to test the hypothesized relationships.FindingsThe research findings provide supporting evidence for the importance of implementing green supply chain management (GSCM) as a holistic system that includes internal and external green practices. Besides, the findings highlight the direct effect of GSCM on environmental, social and operational performance. Finally, the findings provide supporting evidence that GSCM could only be translated into better economic returns through the improvement of environmental and operational performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe nature of the surveyed sample and the use of a single informant might limit the ability to generalize the research findings outside the research context.Practical implicationsThe research findings help managers understand that GSCM must be implemented as a holistic system and that the real benefits of its implementation extend beyond the mere environmental benefits to include operational, social as well as economic benefits.Originality/valueThe paper’s contribution to knowledge is twofold. First, the study identifies how GSCM is conceptualized and how its effect is translated into improved economic performance. Second, the research explains the contradicting findings in previous studies regarding the relationship between GSCM and economic performance.
Exploring the effects of quality signals on search advertising performance: the moderating role of keyword attributes
Authors: Li Xinjian , Zhang Yu , Wang Juan , Li Xiaoling 
Published: June 2024

PurposeIn online exchange platforms' sponsored search advertising, the array of product quality signals within a keyword search results list plays a crucial role in shaping buyers' purchasing decisions. This research seeks to explore the impact of various quality signals – namely, ranking position, seller reputation and product price – on ad clicks. Additionally, it examines the role of keyword attributes, such as specificity and popularity, in modulating the effects of these quality signals on advertising clicks.Design/methodology/approachA total of 5,763 effective data points were collected from a leading B2B electronic platform company, and we employed negative binomial regression with Heckman correction methods to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results indicate that in online exchange platforms, search ad clicks are significantly and positively affected by displayed signals such as ranking position, seller reputation and product price information. Notably, a U-shaped relationship emerges between product price and ad clicks. Furthermore, keyword specificity and popularity distinctly moderate the impact of these displayed signals on ad clicks within online exchange platforms.Originality/valueThis paper addresses the gap in existing research on search advertising by methodically analyzing the impact of various signals displayed in search results and how keyword attributes moderate ad clicks, all through a signaling theory lens.
The ties that bind: innovation configurations in low- and middle-income healthcare delivery settings
Authors: Glover Wiljeana Jackson , Jacques Sabrina JeanPierre , Obounou Rebecca Rosemé , Barthélemy Ernest , Richard Wilnick 
Published: June 2024

PurposeThis study examines innovation configurations (i.e. sets of product/service, social and business model innovations) and configuration linkages (i.e. factors that help to combine innovations) across six organizations as contingent upon organizational structure.Design/methodology/approachUsing semi-structured interviews and available public information, qualitative data were collected and examined using content analysis to characterize innovation configurations and linkages in three local/private organizations and three foreign-led/public-private partnerships in Repiblik Ayiti (Haiti).FindingsOrganizations tend to combine product/service, social, and business model innovations simultaneously in locally founded private organizations and sequentially in foreign-based public-private partnerships. Linkages for simultaneous combination include limited external support, determined autonomy and shifting from a “beneficiary mindset,” and financial need identification. Sequential combination linkages include social need identification, community connections and flexibility.Research limitations/implicationsThe generalizability of our findings for this qualitative study is subject to additional quantitative studies to empirically test the suggested factors and to examine other health care organizations and countries.Practical implicationsLocally led private organizations in low- and middle-income settings may benefit from considering how their innovations are in service to one another as they may have limited resources. Foreign based public-private partnerships may benefit from pacing their efforts alongside a broader set of stakeholders and ecosystem partners.Originality/valueThis study is the first, to our knowledge, to examine how organizations combine sets of innovations, i.e. innovation configurations, in a healthcare setting and the first of any setting to examine innovation configuration linkages.