bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased epithelial mTORC1 activity in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps
Authors: Huang George X. , Hallen Nils R. , Lee Minkyu , Zheng Kelly , Wang Xin , Mandanas Michael V. , Djeddi Sarah , Fernandez Daniela , Hacker Jonathan , Ryan Tessa , Bergmark Regan W. , Bhattacharyya Neil , Lee Stella , Maxfield Alice Z. , Roditi Rachel E. , Buchheit Kathleen M. , Laidlaw Tanya M. , Gern James E. , Hallstrand Teal S. , Ray Anuradha , Wenzel Sally E. , Boyce Joshua A. , Gutierrez-Arcelus Maria , Barrett Nora A. 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe airway epithelium plays a central role in the pathogenesis of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), but the mechanisms by which airway epithelial cells (EpCs) maintain inflammation are poorly understood.ObjectiveWe hypothesized that transcriptomic assessment of sorted airway EpCs across the spectrum of differentiation would allow us to define mechanisms by which EpCs perpetuate airway inflammation.MethodsEthmoid sinus EpCs from adult patients with CRS were sorted into 3 subsets, bulk RNA sequenced, and analyzed for differentially expressed genes and pathways. Single cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) datasets from eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic CRSwNP and bulk RNA-seq of EpCs from mild/moderate and severe asthma were assessed. Immunofluorescent staining andex vivofunctional analysis of sinus EpCs were used to validate our findings.ResultsAnalysis within and across purified EpC subsets revealed an enrichment in glycolytic programming in CRSwNP vs CRSsNP. Correlation analysis identified mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) as a potential regulator of the glycolytic program and identified EpC expression of cytokines and wound healing genes as potential sequelae. mTORC1 activity was upregulated in CRSwNP, andex vivoinhibition demonstrated that mTOR is critical for EpC generation of CXCL8, IL-33, and CXCL2. Across patient samples, the degree of glycolytic activity was associated with T2 inflammation in CRSwNP, and with both T2 and non-T2 inflammation in severe asthma.ConclusionsTogether, these findings highlight a metabolic axis required to support epithelial generation of cytokines critical to both chronic T2 and non-T2 inflammation in CRSwNP and asthma.KEY MESSAGESEpithelial mTORC1 activity is upregulated in CRSwNP.mTOR regulates EpC cytokine generation.Epithelial metabolic reprograming correlates with T2 inflammation in CRSwNP, and with both T2 and non-T2 inflammation in asthma.CAPSULE SUMMARYmTORC1 mediates EpC cytokine generation in CRSwNP.
Perovskite-related structures of Ba2YAlO5 and the β and α phases of Ba6Y2Al4O15 containing AlO4 tetrahedra
Authors: Simura Rayko , Suzuki Yamato , Yamane Hisanori 
Published: October 2023

Single crystals of Ba2YAlO5 and of the α and β phases of Ba6Y2Al4O15 suitable for X-ray structure analysis were obtained via grain growth of polycrystalline samples prepared by solid-state reactions. Ba2YAlO5 was found to have a monoclinic crystal structure, with lattice parameters a = 7.2333 (7), b = 6.0254 (5), c = 7.4294 (7) Å and β = 117.249 (3)°, and to belong to the space group P21/m, while α-Ba6Y2Al4O15 was determined to be monoclinic, with a = 5.9019 (2), b = 7.8744 (3), c = 9.6538 (3) Å and β = 107.7940 (10)°, and the space group Pm, and β-Ba6Y2Al4O15 was found to be monoclinic, with a = 7.8310 (2), b = 5.8990 (2), c = 18.3344 (6) Å and β = 91.6065 (11)°, and the space group P2/c. In each of these compounds, BO6 octahedra in ABO3 perovskite-type structures were replaced by AlO4 tetrahedra and YO6 octahedra. Polycrystalline samples in which some Y atoms were replaced with Eu exhibited orange–red luminescence in the range 580–730 nm in response to exposure to radiation having a wavelength of approximately 250 nm.
Short- and long-run relationship between financial development and economic competitiveness in WAEMU: does institutional quality matter?
Authors: Sigue Moussa , Drabo Désiré , Woni Soumaïla , Sirpe Gnanderman , Ouedraogo Aminata 
Published: October 2023

Purpose
This paper aims to assess the short- and long-run effects of the interaction between institutional quality and financial development (FD) on the competitiveness of the WAEMU economy over the period 2007–2018.

Design/methodology/approach
The methodology consisted of cross-referencing a synthetic indicator of FD with indicators of institutional quality and then estimating an auto regressive distributed lag model.

Findings
The results of the pooled mean group and dynamic fixed effect estimation show a positive and significant impact of this interaction on the competitiveness of the economy in the long run. In the short run, the results are quite similar to those in the long run for the direct effects but different for the crosses. Also, the analysis of country specificity shows that the results are similar to those in the short run since the interaction between FD and institutional quality (political stability and government effectiveness) negatively affects the competitiveness of Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Mali, and positively affects the competitiveness of Benin and Senegal.

Social implications
These results suggest the need for effective policies to improve the quality of institutions to enhance the mobilization of financial resources through FD to ensure the competitiveness of economies. Improving the quality of the political and institutional environment is a prerequisite for economic competitiveness.

Originality/value
The paper is in line with the New Institutional Economics that developed in the 1970s. This referential framework is a heterogeneous body of work that encompasses works whose common point is the determination of the role of institutions in economic coordination. Unlike previous studies, which have focused on the contribution of the interaction between institutional quality variables and FD on economic growth, this paper analyzes the effects of this interaction on economic competitiveness. It, therefore, constitutes a contribution to this literature and aims primarily to fill this gap.
Marks of usage: discerning information literacy practices from medieval European manuscripts
Authors: Whitworth Andrew 
Published: October 2023

PurposeThis study aims to discern medieval information literacy (IL) practices through scrutiny of medieval manuscripts: both the content and the “marks of usage” evident therein.Design/methodology/approachAnalysis of the writing of scribes. Engagement with selected primary texts (manuscripts) and prior scholarly investigations.FindingsAmple evidence exists of the practice of IL in the medieval era, and how it was transmitted and negotiated across time and space. Popular guides for scholars, including Hugh of St. Victor's Didascalicon, and the marks of usage left on manuscripts by readers/scribes, are evidence of how members of scholarly communities engaged in collaborative metacognitive work, helping each other with tasks such as understanding the ordinatio (organisation) of texts; cross-referencing; locating information; and making judgments about relevance, amongst others. New practices were stimulated by key historical transitions, particularly the shift from ecclesiastical to secular settings for learning.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a preliminary study only, intended to lay foundations and suggest directions for more detailed future investigations of primary texts. The scope is Eurocentric, and similar work might be undertaken with the records of practice available elsewhere, e.g. the Arab world, South and East Asia.Originality/valueSome previous work (e.g. Long, 2017) has investigated medieval scholarly communities by retrospectively applying notions from practice theory, but no prior work has specifically focused upon IL as the practice under investigation.
Challenges affecting bank consumers’ intention to adopt green banking technology in the UAE: a UTAUT-based mixed-methods approach
Authors: Bouteraa Mohamed , Raja Hisham Raja Rizal Iskandar , Zainol Zairani 
Published: October 2023

Purpose
Sustainability has become a global need for survival in every field since the side effects of financial development have resulted in environmental devastation. Green banking (GB) has been proposed as a way to reduce the carbon footprint caused by banking operations by promoting paperless financial services through the intensive use of technology. However, the adoption level of GB technology remains unsatisfactory among customers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Therefore, using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), this study aims to comprehensively investigate the challenges affecting the intention of bank consumers in the UAE to adopt GB technology.

Design/methodology/approach
This study used exploratory sequential mixed-methods research. Preliminary semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten banking professionals using a purposive sampling technique to explore the challenges affecting consumers’ intention to adopt GB technology. Sequentially, the study tested various factors through a quantitative cross-sectional online survey of a sample of 332 bank customers and used the convenience sampling technique to obtain further empirical support for the research framework. Thematic content analysis using NVivo 11 was used for the qualitative data analysis. Meanwhile, partial least square structural equation modelling in Smart PLS 3.3 was used for the quantitative data analysis.

Findings
The qualitative analysis identified six new challenges affecting customers’ intention to adopt GB technology, including customer awareness, personal innovativeness, bank reputation, security and privacy, system quality and government support. The preliminary qualitative findings were confirmed mainly through quantitative data analysis, whereby customer awareness, personal innovativeness, system quality and bank reputation were found to significantly impact customers’ intention to adopt GB technology. However, the effects of security and privacy and government support were insignificant.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to propose a comprehensive model that considers individual, technological, organisational and environmental factors to address the issue of customers’ low GB technology adoption rates in the UAE. Meanwhile, this study extends the UTAUT by integrating new factors. This paper is also among the first to investigate customers’ GB technology adoption intention using a mixed-methods approach, which combines the strengths of quantitative and qualitative methods within the same study to offer better insights than a single-method approach.
How productive is liquid waste management practices in Indian informal micro, small and medium enterprises?
Authors: Posti Lokesh , Bhamoriya Vaibhav , Kumar Rahul , Khare Rajan 
Published: October 2023

PurposeWaste management is a crucial aspect of sustainable development, but is it economically sustainable for marginalized informal firms? The study tries to answer this question by revisiting the Porter–Wagner dilemma about the association between environmental management (EM) and firm performance (FP). The study looks into the various liquid waste management practices (LWMPs) adopted by them and the overall impact of LWMPs on firms' economic performance.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses the latest available cross-sectional data source on Indian informal firms by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), 73rd survey round 2015–16. First, ordered logistic regression was used to analyse the factors that impact a firm's adoption of a particular LWMP. Subsequently, to capture the heterogeneity among the firms based on productivity and size, a quantile regression (QR) was employed to analyse the impact of LWMPs on firm productivity. Additionally, the propensity score matching technique was used to address endogeneity concerns.FindingsThe authors find that bigger, urban-located and female-owned firms adopt cleaner LWMPs that positively impact their economic performance. Furthermore, the QR analysis observed that the most productive firms could extract higher returns from adopting cleaner LWMPs, indicating the relevance of the Porter–Wagner dilemma, i.e. environmental and economic sustainability are possibly symbiotic, thus having a feedback mechanism.Originality/valueTo the authors’ limited knowledge, this is the first study analysing the relationship between EM and FP among the informal sector firms, which are away from any regulations or obligations. Since sustainability is a two-way process, policies should be devised that incentivise sustainable business practices.
Marketing communications’ dimensions and brand loyalty in the banking sector
Authors: Quayson Agartha , Issau Kassimu , Gnankob Robert Ipiin , Seidu Samira 
Published: October 2023

PurposeThe study investigated the effect of marketing communications’ dimensions on brand loyalty in the banking sector.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted the quantitative research approach which relied on the explanatory design due to the nature of the hypotheses tested. The convenience sampling technique was used to pull 377 customers of a branch of a commercial bank in Ghana. Furthermore, the PLS-SEM technique was deployed to assess the measurement model and test the research hypotheses.FindingsResults show that the following dimensions of marketing communications are significant predictors of brand loyalty: direct marketing, public relations and sales promotion. The exception is advertising, which had an inverse relation with brand loyalty.Practical implicationsThe results provide significant pointers to banks’ management that they should deploy a variety of marketing communication channels other than intensive advertising to reach and persuade customers.Originality/valueThe study illustrates the latest effort to extensively provide insights into how commercial banks could leverage marketing communication tools to sustain loyalty in an emerging economy that is intensively competitive.
Plant functional traits are dynamic predictors of ecosystem functioning in variable environments
Authors: Huxley Jared D. , White Caitlin T. , Humphries Hope C. , Weber Soren E. , Spasojevic Marko J. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

A central goal at the interface of ecology and conservation is understanding how the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function (B–EF) will shift with changing climate. Despite recent theoretical advances, studies which examine temporal variation in the functional traits and mechanisms (mass ratio effects and niche complementarity effects) that underpin the B–EF relationship are lacking.

Here, we use 13 years of data on plant species composition, plant traits, local‐scale abiotic variables, above‐ground net primary productivity (ANPP), and climate from the alpine tundra of Colorado (USA) to investigate temporal dynamics in the B–EF relationship. To assess how changing climatic conditions may alter the B–EF relationship, we built structural equation models (SEMs) for 11 traits across 13 years and evaluated the power of different trait SEMs to predict ANPP, as well as the relative contributions of mass ratio effects (community‐weighted mean trait values; CWM), niche complementarity effects (functional dispersion; FDis) and local abiotic variables. Additionally, we coupled linear mixed effects models with Multimodel inference methods to assess how inclusion of trait–climate interactions might improve our ability to predict ANPP through time.

In every year, at least one SEM exhibited good fit, explaining between 19.6% and 57.2% of the variation in ANPP. However, the identity of the trait which best explained ANPP changed depending on winter precipitation, with leaf area, plant height and foliar nitrogen isotope content (δ15N) SEMs performing best in high, middle and low precipitation years, respectively. Regardless of trait identity, CWMs exerted a stronger influence on ANPP than FDis and total biotic effects were always greater than total abiotic effects. Multimodel inference reinforced the results of SEM analysis, with the inclusion of climate–trait interactions marginally improving our ability to predict ANPP through time.

Synthesis. Our results suggest that temporal variation in climatic conditions influences which traits, mechanisms and abiotic variables were most responsible for driving the B–EF relationship. Importantly, our findings suggest that future research should consider temporal variability in the B–EF relationship, particularly how the predictive power of individual functional traits and abiotic variables may fluctuate as conditions shift due to climate change.
Consequences of light spectra for pigment composition and gene expression in the cryptophyte Rhodomonas salina
Authors: Schomaker Rachel A. , Richardson Tammi L. , Dudycha Jeffry L. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAlgae with a more diverse suite of pigments can, in principle, exploit a broader swath of the light spectrum through chromatic acclimation, the ability to maximize light capture via plasticity of pigment composition. We grew Rhodomonas salina in wide‐spectrum, red, green, and blue environments and measured how pigment composition differed. We also measured expression of key light‐capture and photosynthesis‐related genes and performed a transcriptome‐wide expression analysis. We observed the highest concentration of phycoerythrin in green light, consistent with chromatic acclimation. Other pigments showed trends inconsistent with chromatic acclimation, possibly due to feedback loops among pigments or high‐energy light acclimation. Expression of some photosynthesis‐related genes was sensitive to spectrum, although expression of most was not. The phycoerythrin α‐subunit was expressed two‐orders of magnitude greater than the β‐subunit even though the peptides are needed in an equimolar ratio. Expression of genes related to chlorophyll‐binding and phycoerythrin concentration were correlated, indicating a potential synthesis relationship. Pigment concentrations and expression of related genes were generally uncorrelated, implying post‐transcriptional regulation of pigments. Overall, most differentially expressed genes were not related to photosynthesis; thus, examining associations between light spectrum and other organismal functions, including sexual reproduction and glycolysis, may be important.
Dosimetric comparison of five different radiotherapy treatment planning approaches for locally advanced non‐small cell lung cancer with sequential plan changes
Authors: Saito Masahide , Komiyama Takafumi , Marino Kan , Aoki Shinichi , Akita Tomoko , Matsuda Masaki , Sano Naoki , Suzuki Hidekazu , Koji Ueda , Nemoto Hikaru , Onishi Hiroshi 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to compare the dosimetric characteristics of five different treatment planning techniques for locally advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (LA‐NSCLC) with sequential plan changes.MethodsA total of 13 stage III NSCLC patients were enrolled in this study. These patients had both computed tomography (CT) images for initial and boost treatment plans. The latter CT images were taken if tumor shrinkage was observed after 2 weeks of treatment. The prescription dose was 60 Gy/30 Fr (initial: 40 Gy/20 Fr, and boost: 20 Gy/10 Fr). Five techniques (forward‐planed 3‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy [F‐3DCRT] on both CT images, inverse‐planned 3DCRT [I‐3DCRT] on both CT images, volumetric modulated arc therapy [VMAT] on both CT images, F‐3DCRT on initial CT plus VMAT on boost CT [bVMAT], and hybrid of fixed intensity‐modulated radiotherapy [IMRT] beams and VMAT beams on both CT images [hybrid]) were recalculated for all patients. The accumulated doses between initial and boost plans were compared among all treatment techniques.ResultsThe conformity indexes (CI) of the planning target volume (PTV) of the five planning techniques were 0.34 ± 0.10, 0.57 ± 0.10, 0.86 ± 0.08, 0.61 ± 0.12, and 0.83 ± 0.11 for F‐3DCRT, I‐3DCRT, VMAT, bVMAT, and hybrid, respectively. In the same manner, lung volumes receiving >20 Gy (V20Gy) were 21.05 ± 10.56%, 20.86 ± 6.45, 19.50 ± 7.38%, 19.98 ± 10.04%, and 17.74 ± 7.86%. There was significant improvement about CI and V20Gy for hybrid compared with F‐3DCRT (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe IMRT/VMAT hybrid technique for LA‐NSCLC patients improved target CI and reduced lung doses. Furthermore, if IMRT was not available initially, starting with 3DCRT might be beneficial as demonstrated in the bVMAT procedure of this study.
Form follows function: Nuclear morphology as a quantifiable predictor of cellular senescence
Authors: Belhadj Jakub , Surina Surina , Hengstschläger Markus , Lomakin Alexis J. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractEnlarged or irregularly shaped nuclei are frequently observed in tissue cells undergoing senescence. However, it remained unclear whether this peculiar morphology is a cause or a consequence of senescence and how informative it is in distinguishing between proliferative and senescent cells. Recent research reveals that nuclear morphology can act as a predictive biomarker of senescence, suggesting an active role for the nucleus in driving senescence phenotypes. By employing deep learning algorithms to analyze nuclear morphology, accurate classification of cells as proliferative or senescent is achievable across various cell types and species both in vitro and in vivo. This quantitative imaging‐based approach can be employed to establish links between senescence burden and clinical data, aiding in the understanding of age‐related diseases, as well as assisting in disease prognosis and treatment response.
Measuring the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on colorectal cancer presentation: a retrospective comparative study
Authors: Fullard Kirsten , Steffens Daniel , Solomon Michael , Shin Joo‐Shik , Koh Cherry 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundsThe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic provided challenges to surgical care in Australia. This study aimed to measure the potential impact of COVID‐19 on colorectal cancer presentation through surgical volume and cancer staging at a major tertiary referral hospital in the city of Sydney Australia.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was performed using routinely collected data from consecutive colorectal cancer patients undergoing surgery during the COVID‐19 period (1 March 2020 to 1 October 2021) and compared with the pre‐COVID‐19 period (1 March 2018 to 1 October 2019). The main outcomes included patient demographics, surgical volume (including overall, elective and emergency) and cancer staging. Differences in outcomes between the two studied periods were compared using Pearson's chi‐squared test, Fisher test or t‐test.ResultsA total of 381 patients composed the COVID‐19 group (Mean age = 62.4 years) and 364 patients composed the pre‐COVID‐19 group (Mean age = 65.6 years; P<0.001). No significant differences were observed for overall, elective or emergency surgical volumes. Patients in the COVID‐19 group had a reduction in Stage I and an increase in Stage II and III disease, with Stage IV and recurrent disease being similar with a variation of <1% when compared to the pre‐COVID‐19 group (P<0.001).ConclusionsDisruptions in patient screening, diagnosis and management from elective surgery restrictions and patient hesitancy may not have resulted in observed changes to surgical volume, however, it may have contributed to an increase in Stages II and III colorectal cancer during COVID‐19.