bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship between intragastric meal distribution, gastric emptying and gastric neuromuscular dysfunction in chronic gastroduodenal disorders
Authors: Varghese Chris , Gharibans Armen A , Foong Daphne , Schamberg Gabriel , Calder Stefan , Ho Vincent , Anand Reena , Andrews Christopher N , Maurer Alan H , Abell Thomas , Parkman Henry P , O’Grady Greg 
Published: February 2025

AbstractBackgroundChronic gastroduodenal symptoms arise from heterogenous gastric motor dysfunctions. This study applied multimodal physiological testing using gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES) with intragastric meal distribution (IMD) and Gastric Alimetry® body surface gastric mapping (BSGM) to define motility and symptom associations.MethodsPatients with chronic gastroduodenal symptoms underwent simultaneous supine GES and BSGM with 30 m baseline, 99mTC-labelled egg meal, and 4 h postprandial recording. IMD (ratio of counts in the proximal half of the stomach to the total gastric counts) was calculated immediately after the meal (IMD0), with <0.568 defining impaired accommodation. BSGM phenotyping followed a consensus approach, based on normative spectral reference intervals.ResultsAmong 67 patients (84% female, median age 40, median BMI 24), median IMD0 was 0.76 (IQR 0.69-0.86) with 5 (7.5%) meeting impaired accommodation criteria. Delayed gastric emptying (n=18) was associated with higher IMD0 (median 0.9 vs 0.7, p=0.004). On BSGM, 15 patients had abnormal spectrograms (5 [7.5%] high frequency and 10 (14.9%) low rhythm stability and/or amplitude); and in these patients, higher IMD0 (proximal retention) strongly correlated to delayed BSGM meal responses (R=-0.71, p=0.003). Lower IMD, indicating antral distribution, correlated with higher gastric frequencies (R=-0.27, p=0.03). BSGM abnormalities paired with impaired accommodation were associated with worse dyspeptic symptoms.ConclusionProximal retention of food as assessed by intragastric meal distribution correlated with delayed emptying, and in the presence of neuromuscular spectral abnormalities (abnormal frequencies or rhythms), delayed motility responses on BSGM. Patients with multiple motor abnormalities experience worse dyspeptic symptoms.
Impact of Ebola and COVID-19 pandemic on patterns in uptake of short-acting and long-acting contraceptive methods in Sierra Leone: a country-wide observational study
Authors: Kamara Idrissa Mohamed , Molleh Bailah , Lakoh Sulaiman , Sevalie Stephen , Kenneh Sartie M. , Chan Adrienne K. , Mishra Sharmistha , Moses Francis , Bah Abdulai Jawo 
Published: February 2025

AbstractBackgroundThe Ebola epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic disrupted essential healthcare services globally, including family planning, but the extent of disruptions in Sierra Leone is largely unknown. This study aimed to evaluates the impact of these crises on the uptake of contraceptive methods—short-acting contraceptives (SAC) and long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC)— among adolescent girls and women ages 10-45 years in Sierra Leone from 2013 to 2022.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional study using aggregated DHIS2 data from adolescent girls and women aged 10-45 years. We describe and visualize the trends in the uptake of SAC and LARC before Ebola (March 2013 to April 2014), during Ebola (May 2014 to February 2016), after Ebola and before COVID-19 (March 2016 to February 2020), and during COVID-19 (March 2020 to February 2022). Proportional shifts and age-specific patterns were assessed to identify changes in contraceptive preferences.ResultsDuring the Ebola outbreak (2014–2016), SAC uptake declined temporarily while LARC uptake modestly increased. A recovery in SAC uptake followed during the inter-epidemic period (2016–2019). Conversely, the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022) saw an initial spike in SAC uptake, which subsequently returned to pre-pandemic levels. In contrast, LARC uptake consistently increased throughout both pandemics and the post-pandemic period. Notably, a proportional shift toward LARC methods was observed. Trends across age groups were variable, with adolescents demonstrating resilience in their use of contraceptives during the COVID-19 pandemic.ConclusionLARC services demonstrated remarkable stability during health emergencies, underscoring the resilience of long-term methods and the adaptability of women in making informed choices about their reproductive health amidst disruptions. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening healthcare systems to ensure continued access to reliable contraceptive options, particularly during crises.
Using a stable protein scaffold to display peptides that bind to alpha-synuclein fibrils
Authors: Bismut Samuel , Schneider Matthias M. , Miyasaki Masashi , Feng Yuqing , Wilde Ellis J. , Gunawardena M. Dylan , Knowles Tuomas P.J. , Kaminski Schierle Gabrielle S. , Itzhaki Laura S. , Kumita Janet R. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractAmyloid fibrils are ordered aggregates that are a pathological hallmark of many neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease. The process of amyloid formation involves a complex cascade by which soluble monomeric protein converts to insoluble, ordered aggregates (amyloid fibrils). Although inhibiting the aggregation pathway is a key target for therapeutic development, the heterogeneous collection of aggregation-prone species formed in this process, including oligomers, protofibrils and fibrils, represent other targets for modifying disease pathology. Developing molecules that can bind to amyloid fibrils and potentially disrupt the harmful interactions between the fibrils and the cellular components would be advantageous. Designing peptide modulators for α-synuclein aggregation is of great interest, however effective inhibitory peptides are often hydrophobic and hence difficult to handle; therefore, developing strategies to display these peptides in a soluble scaffold would be very beneficial. Here we demonstrate that the ultra-stable consensus-designed tetratricopeptide repeat (CTPR) protein scaffold can be grafted with “KLVFF” derived peptides previously identified to inhibit protein aggregation and interact with amyloid fibrils, to produce proteins that bind along the surface of α-synuclein fibrils with micromolar affinity. Given the ability to insert hydrophobic peptides to produce soluble, CTPR-based binders, this method may prove beneficial in screening for peptide modulators of protein aggregation.Short statementConsensus-designed tetratricopeptide repeat (CTPR) proteins can be endowed with additional functionality including specific client recruitment. Here we created stable, soluble CTPR-based binders that recognise α-synuclein fibrils with micromolar affinity. The CTPR scaffold provides a facile way to test potential fibril-binding or aggregation-modulating peptides and to probe their mechanisms of action.
Post-transcriptional Modifications of the Large Ribosome Subunit Assembly Intermediates inE. coliExpressing Helicase-Inactive DbpA Variant
Authors: Gracia Mazuca Luis A. , Mohl Jonathon E. , Cho Samuel S. , Koculi Eda 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTRNA post-transcriptional modifications are ubiquitous across all organisms and serve as fundamental regulators of cellular homeostasis, growth, and stress adaptation. Techniques for the simultaneous detection of multiple RNA modifications in a high-throughput, single-nucleotide-resolution manner are largely absent in the field, and developing such techniques is of paramount importance. We used theEscherichia coliribosome as a model system to develop novel techniques for RNA post-transcriptional modification detection, leveraging its extensive and diverse array of modifications. For modification detection, we performed reverse transcriptase reactions in the presence of Mn2⁺ and quantified the reverse transcriptase deletions and misincorporations at modification positions using Illumina next-generation sequencing. We simultaneously detected the following modifications in ribosomal RNA (rRNA): 1-methylguanosine (m1G), 2-methylguanosine (m2G), 3-methylpseudouridine, N6,N6-dimethyladenosine, and 3-methyluridine, without chemical treatment. Furthermore, subjecting the rRNA samples to 1-cyclohexyl-3-(2-morpholinoethyl) carbodiimide metho-p-toluenesulfonate followed by alkaline conditions allowed us to simultaneously detect pseudouridine, 7-methylguanosine (m7G), 5-hydroxycytidine (OH5C), 2-methyladenosine, and dihydrouridine (D). Finally, subjecting the rRNA samples to KMnO4followed by alkaline conditions allowed us to simultaneously detect m7G, OH5C, and D. Our results reveal that m1G, m2G, m7G, and D are incorporated prior to the accumulation of the 27S, 35S, and 45S large subunit intermediates in cells expressing the helicase-inactive R331A DbpA construct. These intermediates belong to three distinct stages and pathways of large subunit ribosome assembly. Therefore, our results identify the time points in three pathways at which m1G, m2G, m7G, and D are incorporated into the large ribosome subunit and provide a framework for broader studies on RNA modification dynamics.
Transcription can be sufficient, but is not necessary, to advance replication timing
Authors: Vouzas Athanasios E. , Sasaki Takayo , Rivera-Mulia Juan Carlos , Turner Jesse L. , Brown Amber N. , Alexander Karen E. , Brueckner Laura , van Steensel Bas , Gilbert David M. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTDNA replication timing (RT) is correlated with transcription during cell fate changes but there are many exceptions and our understanding of this relationship suffers from a paucity of reductionist approaches. Here, we manipulated length and strength of transcription in hybrid-genome mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) at a single locus upstream of the silent, late replicating, Pleiotrophin (Ptn) gene, directly comparing RT to nascent transcription rates at engineered vs. wild-type alleles. First, we inserted four reporter genes that differ only in their promoter. Two promoters transcribed the reporter gene at high rates and advanced RT. The other two transcribed at lower rates and did not advance RT. Since these promoters may prove useful in applications where effects on RT are undesirable, we confirmed the inability of one of them to advance RT at numerous ectopic sites. We next juxtaposed these same four promoters upstream of the Ptn transcription start site where they all transcribed the 96kb Ptn gene and advanced RT to different extents correlated with transcription rates. Indeed, a doxycycline-responsive promoter, which could not advance RT when induced as a small reporter gene, elicited a rapid and reversible RT advance proportional to the rate of transcription, providing direct evidence that transcription itself can advance RT. However, deletion of the Ptn promoter and enhancer, followed by directed differentiation to neural precursors, eliminated induction of transcription throughout the entire Ptn replication domain, without preventing the switch to early replication. Our results provide a solid empirical base with which to re-evaluate many decades of literature, demonstrating that length and strength of transcription is sufficient but not necessary to advance RT. Our results also provide a robust system in which to rapidly effect an RT change, permitting mechanistic studies of the role of transcription in RT and the consequences of RT changes to epigenomic remodeling.
Inhibiting disulphide bonding in truncated tau297-391 results in enhanced self-assembly of tau into seed-competent assemblies
Authors: Oakley Sebastian S. , Marshall Karen E. , Meisl Georg , Copsey Alice , Maina Mahmoud B. , Milton Robert , Vorley Thomas , Storey John M. D. , Harrington Charles R. , Wischik Claude , Xue Wei-Feng , Serpell Louise C. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractTau undergoes fibrillogenesis in a group of neurodegenerative diseases termed tauopathies. Each tauopathy is characterized by tau fibrils with disease-specific conformations, highlighting the complexity of tau self-assembly. This has led to debate surrounding the precise mechanisms that govern the self-assembly of tau in disease, especially the involvement of disulphide bonding (DSB) between cysteine residues. In this study, we use a truncated form of tau, dGAE, capable of forming filaments identical to those in disease. We reveal the impact of DSB in dGAE assembly and propagation by resolving the global mechanisms that dominate its assembly. We found evidence for surface-mediated secondary nucleation and fragmentation being active in dGAE assembly. The inhibition of DSB during dGAE assembly leads to an enhanced aggregation rate through a reduced lag phase, but with no effect on the global assembly mechanisms. We suggest this is due to the formation a dominant, seed-competent species in the absence of DSB that facilitates elongation and secondary nucleation resulting in enhanced assembly.In vitroseeding assays reveal the recruitment of endogenous tau in a cell model only when using dGAE species formed under conditions that inhibit DSB. Our results further support the use of thein vitrodGAE tau aggregation model for investigating the mechanism of tau assembly, the effect of varying conditions on tau assembly and how these conditions affect the resultant species. Further studies may utilise dGAE and its aggregates to investigate tau seeding, propagation and to highlight or test potential targets for therapies that reduce the spread of pathologic tau throughout the brain.
A data-driven problem-solving approach to performance improvement in healthcare systems: a case study in Tehran heart center hospital
Authors: Nakhostin Mohammad Masoud , Jolai Fariborz , Hadavandi Esmaeil , Chavosh Nejad Mohammad 
Published: February 2025

PurposeThe primary goal of this research is to introduce a data-driven Problem-Solving Approach for Performance Improvement in Healthcare Systems (DPAPIH). This approach combines process mining and data mining techniques to enhance operational efficiency by identifying bottlenecks in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) procedures, particularly focusing on variability in Length of Stay (LOS) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The study, implemented at Tehran Heart Center, aims to optimize patient flow, reduce ICU congestion and improve hospital efficiency by predicting and managing the occurrence of postoperative Atrial Fibrillation (AF), a significant cause of prolonged ICU stays.Design/methodology/approachThe study introduces a data-driven problem-solving approach that integrates process mining and data mining techniques to improve performance in healthcare systems. Focusing on coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at Tehran Heart Center, the approach identifies bottlenecks, particularly variability in ICU length of stay (LOS) and predicts postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF). A mixed-methods approach is employed, combining quantitative process mining analyses with qualitative insights from expert consultations. The CHAID decision tree algorithm, alongside other models, is used to predict AF, enabling preemptive interventions, improving patient flow and optimizing resource allocation to reduce hospital congestion and costs.FindingsThe study reveals that postoperative Atrial Fibrillation (AF) significantly increases the length of stay (LOS) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), creating bottlenecks that delay subsequent surgeries and elevate hospital costs. A predictive model developed using CHAID decision tree algorithms achieved a prediction accuracy of 71.4%, allowing healthcare providers to anticipate AF occurrences. This capability enables proactive measures to reduce ICU congestion, improve patient flow and optimize resource allocation. The findings emphasize the importance of AF management in enhancing operational efficiency and improving patient outcomes in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) procedures.Originality/valueThis study presents an innovative integration of fuzzy process mining and data mining algorithms to address performance bottlenecks in healthcare systems, specifically within the coronary artery bypass surgery process. By identifying atrial fibrillation as a key factor in length of stay fluctuations and developing a robust predictive model, the research offers a novel, data-driven approach to performance improvement. The implementation at Tehran Heart Center validates the model’s practical applicability, demonstrating significant potential for enhancing patient outcomes, optimizing resource allocation and informing decision-making in healthcare management.
Going beyond tomato a fruit or vegetable debate: economic and policy challenges in tomato farming in India
Authors: Koyilathumpaday Sujit Sukumaran , M. Nandini 
Published: February 2025

Learning outcomes
The case was an application of a market demand and supply mechanism and its impact on the product’s price and focus on the following objectives:▪ Analyze the vegetable market in India and the challenges faced by the farmers (tomatoes) using demand and supply concepts.▪ Examine the impact of price elasticity on the revenue of the farmers.▪ Assess the challenges faced by the government in controlling prices of vegetables and food inflation.▪ Evaluate diversification strategies in agriculture to mitigate risk.

Case overview/synopsis
The market for tomatoes was highly cyclical because of erratic rainfall, and farmers went through a difficult time, especially when the prices fell below the cost of production. They moved out for crops that had stable prices. They expected government support for price stability. Government and policymakers considered price fluctuations a short-term phenomenon that required limited interventions when prices were high. This case was about Dilip, a farmer who was into farming tomatoes on a large scale in Karnataka, India. He was facing a dilemma as to whether he had to continue or move to other crops because of the low price of tomatoes in May 2023 or to diversify into some small but related business. He was worried at the same time, curious to understand the volatility in the prices of tomatoes, government responses, risks and returns associated with the cultivation of this crop and Agri-supply chain. Based on his understanding, he should make decisions to continue or diversify into some other farming or related business.

Complexity academic level
This case was written for microeconomics and managerial economics of undergraduate and postgraduate students. This case demonstrates the application of the demand and supply mechanism for a perishable product such as tomatoes. Price fluctuations are common in these markets because of various uncontrollable factors such as rain, pests and natural calamities. The case could show the relationship between the firm’s elasticities and revenue. This case also highlights the policy constraints in controlling the prices in the short run. This case could also be used for understanding macroeconomic concepts such as food inflation and its impact on general price inflation. The students or target audience with a background in the functioning of the markets could very well relate to the concepts discussed.

Supplementary material
Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject Code
CSS: Entrepreneurship (3); Management Science (7).
To persist or not to persist: understanding student team responses to effectuation in the higher education classroom
Authors: Günzel-Jensen Franziska , Neergaard Helle , Robinson Sarah 
Published: February 2025

Purpose Entrepreneurship education is transforming from traditional teacher-led classrooms to student-centred learning environments, where effectuation principles are increasingly adopted as a pedagogical framework. Yet despite its promise for developing real-world entrepreneurial capabilities, the implementation of effectuation principles in classrooms reveals a striking pattern: while some student teams excel, others struggle or even revert to passive learning approaches. Such variation in team responses raises an important question about the underlying mechanisms influencing team responses. This article aims to fill that gap by understanding why some student teams excel and others struggle in the higher education (HE) effectuation classroom.Design/methodology/approach A multiple case study involving 29 student teams enrolled in an undergraduate entrepreneurship class that is based on effectuation principles at a HE institution was conducted.Findings The study identifies three distinct responses among student teams. The first group displays apathy, and the second group rejects the process after a few classroom sessions. Both groups encounter student-centred learning identity threats. In contrast, the third group, despite facing similar identity threats, manages to persist.Originality/value This study argues that teaching and learning effectuation is more complex than generally depicted in the literature. It uncovers necessary and sufficient conditions related to students overcoming student-centred learning identity threats. By doing so, the study contributes to the understanding of why the connection between teaching effectuation and learning effectual behaviour is more intricate than previously understood. Additionally, it offers important practical implications for entrepreneurship educators and programme designers at HE institutions.
A cyber-physical system based unmanned ground vehicles for safety inspection and rescue support in an underground mine
Authors: Behera Laxmidhar , Agarwal Siddhartha , Sandhan Tushar , Sharma Pratibha , Kumar Ashish , Ranjan Ayush , Watsa Sidhartha , Singh Atul , Kasina Jyothi Swaroop 
Published: February 2025

PurposeThe unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) described in this manuscript is a robot designed by the authors to map the underground mine environments. The UGV works to develop a computational intelligence-based cyber-physical system (CPS)-based analytical framework for mining operations. The UGV demonstrated excellent semi-autonomous navigation capabilities in the absence of GNSS signals. The UGV has a suite that works in unison to provide relevant information. These sensors are integrated to form a robust sensor fusion-based architecture, creating a CPS with a wide range of capabilities such as data acquisition and navigation in challenging underground environments. UGVs can be used to enhance the efficacy of safety inspections, rescue during underground emergencies and assist miners in hazardous conditions.Design/methodology/approachIn this research, an UGV was constructed whose operations are enabled by sensors including a D415i Red Blue Green (RGB) depth camera, a LiDAR, a FLIR C5 infrared camera and smart air quality sensors. This sensor fusion-based architecture forms a CPS. Data obtained remotely are processed by deep learning algorithms to achieve overall capabilities such as real-time image analysis for miner identification, object detection, posture analysis and identifying threats of roof falls and overhangs. Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) algorithms create a 3D map, facilitate autonomous navigation and build a decision support system for delivering mine rescue support.FindingsThe aim of this study is to include this capacity in training situations when it has been validated and authorized by the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) Indian government regulatory agency for safety in mines and oil fields. The longwall demo mine, at IIT (ISM) is being used as the site of the first operations. Once approved by the respective enforcement agencies, this technology and the accompanying rescue and training process can be used in underground operations.Originality/valueIn fact, this paper is the first attempt at remotely operated UGVs based on CPSs, the CPS–UGV in Indian mine conditions, so as to revolutionize Indian mines based on the idea of Industry 4.0.