bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Antibiotic Interaction on Antimicrobial Resistance Development in Wastewater
Authors: Sutradhar Indorica , Ching Carly , Desai Darash , Heins Zachary , Khalil Ahmad S. , Zaman Muhammad H. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractWhile wastewater is understood to be a critically important reservoir of antimicrobial resistance due to the presence of multiple antibiotic residues from industrial and agricultural runoff, there is little known about the effects of antibiotic interactions in the wastewater on the development of resistance. We worked to fill this gap in quantitative understanding of antibiotic interaction in constant flow environments by experimentally monitoringE. colipopulations under subinhibitory concentrations of combinations of antibiotics with synergistic, antagonistic, and additive interactions. We then used these results to expand our previously developed computational model to account for the complex effects of antibiotic interaction. We found that whileE. colipopulations grown in additively interacting antibiotic combinations grew predictably according to the previously developed model, those populations grown under synergistic and antagonistic antibiotic conditions exhibited significant differences from predicted behavior.E. colipopulations grown in the condition with synergistically interacting antibiotics developed less resistance than predicted, indicating that synergistic antibiotics may have a suppressive effect on antimicrobial resistance development. FurthermoreE. colipopulations grown in the condition with antagonistically interacting antibiotics showed an antibiotic ratio-dependent development of resistance, suggesting that not only antibiotic interaction, but relative concentration is important in predicting resistance development. These results provide critical insight for quantitatively understanding the effects of antibiotic interactions in wastewater and provide a basis for future studies in modelling resistance in these environments.ImportanceAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global threat to public health expected to impact 10 million people by 2050, driving mortality rates globally and with a disproportionate effect on low- and middle-income countries. Communities in proximity to wastewater settings and environmentally contaminated surroundings are at particular risk due to resistance stemming from antibiotic residues from industrial and agricultural runoff. Currently, there is a limited quantitative and mechanistic understanding of the evolution of AMR in response to multiple interacting antibiotic residues in constant flow environments. Using an integrated computational and experimental methods, we find that interactions between antibiotic residues significantly affect the development of resistant bacterial populations.
Integrated Constraint-Based Modeling ofE. coliCell-Free Protein Synthesis
Authors: Vilkhovoy Michael , Dammalapati Sruti , Vadhin Sandra , Adhikari Abhinav , Varner Jeffrey D. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractCell-free protein expression has become a widely used research tool in systems and synthetic biology and a promising technology for protein biomanufacturing. Cell-free protein synthesis relies onin-vitrotranscription and translation processes to produce a protein of interest. However, transcription and translation depend upon the operation of complex metabolic pathways for precursor and energy regeneration. Toward understanding the role of metabolism in a cell-free system, we developed a dynamic constraint-based simulation of protein production in the myTXTLE. colicell-free system with and without electron transport chain inhibitors. Time-resolved absolute metabolite measurements for ℳ = 63 metabolites, along with absolute concentration measurements of the mRNA and protein abundance and measurements of enzyme activity, were integrated with kinetic and enzyme abundance information to simulate the time evolution of metabolic flux and protein production with and without inhibitors. The metabolic flux distribution estimated by the model, along with the experimental metabolite and enzyme activity data, suggested that the myTXTL cell-free system has an active central carbon metabolism with glutamate powering the TCA cycle. Further, the electron transport chain inhibitor studies suggested the presence of oxidative phosphorylation activity in the myTXTL cell-free system; the oxidative phosphorylation inhibitors provided biochemical evidence that myTXTL relied, at least partially, on oxidative phosphorylation to generate the energy required to sustain transcription and translation for a 16-hour batch reaction.
An immune cell lipid atlas reveals the basis of susceptibility to ferroptosis
Authors: Pernes Gerard , Morgan Pooranee K , Huynh Kevin , Giles Corey , Paul Sudip , Smith Adam Alexander T , Mellett Natalie A , Veiga Camilla Bertuzzo , Collins Thomas JC , De Silva T Michael , Lee Man KS , Meikle Peter J , Lancaster Graeme I , Murphy Andrew J 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe cellular lipidome is comprised of thousands of unique lipid species. This complexity underpins the many roles of lipids in cellular biology. How lipidome composition varies between cell types and how such differences contribute to cell-specific functionality is poorly understood. Here, using mass spectrometry-based targeted lipidomics, we have characterised the cellular lipid landscape of the human and mouse immune systems (www.cellularlipidatlas.com). We find that myeloid and lymphoid cell lineages have unique lipid compositions, notably in the usage of ester and ether bonds within glycerophospholipids (PLs) and PL acyl chain composition. To determine if immune cell-specific lipid phenotypes promote cell-specific functional properties we focused on differences in poly-unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-containing PL, the levels of which are markedly higher in lymphoid cells relative to myeloid cells. We firstly show that differences in PUFA-PL content provides a mechanistic basis for previously described differences in immune cell susceptibility to ferroptosis, a form of cell death driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, and secondly, that the low PUFA-PL content of neutrophils restrains NADPH oxidase-driven ferroptosis. In summary, we show that the lipid landscape is a defining feature of immune cell identity and that cell-specific lipid phenotypes underpin aspects of immune cell physiology.
Business process management applicability to destination country-brand management
Authors: Miyamaru Letícia , Lourenção Marina , Dallavale de Pádua Silvia Inês , de Moura Engracia Giraldi Janaina 
Published: February 2023

PurposeThis study aims to analyze the business process management (BPM) applicability to a destination country-brand of a Latin American developing country and present a new process model for it.Design/methodology/approachThis is a qualitative exploratory study whose unit of analysis is the BPM applicability to the destination country-brand of a Latin American developing country. Primary data were obtained through in-depth interview with the developing country's tourism international promotion agency. The secondary data were government reports and research papers on country-brand studies. Data analysis was carried out using stakeholder business context model, architecture processes, pain/gain matrix and BPMN for modelling.FindingsThe results present a new process model for country-brand management to reduce existing barriers. Three steps were carried out: analysis and modelling of the current processes of country-brand management; presentation of the current processes' problems and analysis and modelling of future processes country-brand management.Research limitations/implicationsA theoretical contribution is provided in the literature on processes and country-brands since no previous studies relate these concepts and present a process-oriented management analysis for country-brands.Practical implicationsThe main practical contribution was to identify the country-brand management problems, propose solutions to them and generate a new process model for country-brands that can be used as a managerial tool for national tourism organizations to improve their brands.Originality/valueThe present study is original as it approaches the first analysis of country-brand development with an emphasis on its process management.
Performance at the cost of well-being? Testing the multi-level effects of HR practices on organisational performance via employee experiences and well-being
Authors: Sutton Anna , Atkinson Carol 
Published: February 2023

PurposeWhile the potential for HR practices (HRPs) to improve organisational performance is well-established, the mechanisms by which this occurs are complex. Individual HRPs may affect organisational performance either by mutual gains (improving both organisational performance and employee well-being) or by conflicting outcomes (organisational performance is improved at the expense of employee well-being). Models which combine HRPs may mask these differences and this study therefore tests pathways for four individual HRPs.Design/methodology/approachHRPs (employee involvement, pay, performance management and training) were hypothesised to influence organisational performance directly and indirectly via employee experiences of work (communication, autonomy) and employee well-being. The study used a large secondary dataset, the UK Workplace Employee Relations Survey 2011, to test these relationships in a multi-level model.FindingsEmployee experiences of work strongly predicted well-being. In addition, three different pathways from HRP to organisational performance were identified. Pay showed indirect negative effects, involvement had direct positive effects and performance management had a mixture of both positive direct and negative indirect effects on performance.Originality/valueUsing a disaggregated analysis of HRP and demonstrating their differing effects, this study questions the feasibility of a universal model of HRP effects. By using multi-level modelling (MLM), the study develops understanding of employee perspectives and integrates these into organisational-level models, demonstrating that performance effects are partially mediated by both employee experiences of work and employee well-being. Finally, the study highlights the complexity of performance effects achieved via both employee benefits and an intensification of employee experiences.
Parental unemployment and adolescents' academic performance
Authors: Drydakis Nick 
Published: February 2023

PurposeDuring the Great Recession, the increase in Greece's unemployment rate was the highest in the European Union (EU). However, there exists no multi-variate study which has assessed the association between parental unemployment and adolescents' grades. The present study aimed to examine whether parental unemployment is associated with deterioration in adolescents' grades during periods of economic decline.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilised panel data from the same upper high schools in the periods 2011–2013 and 2017–2019 to assess whether the grades of adolescents were associated with parental unemployment. A variety of empirical specifications and robustness tests were employed to offer better informed evaluations.FindingsThe exogeneity of parental unemployment with respect to adolescents' grade was confirmed. The analysis revealed that parental unemployment was associated with a decline in adolescents' grades. Periods of economic decline, i.e. in 2011–2013, were found to be associated with deterioration in adolescents' grades. Moreover, during periods of economic decline, parental unemployment was associated with deterioration in adolescents' grades. Furthermore, parental unemployment was associated with lower adolescents' grades for those households that were not homeowners and whose schools were located in working-class areas. The outcomes were found to be robust, even after including information for government expenditure on education and social protection.Originality/valueThis is the first Greek study, and amongst the first international studies, to evaluate whether parental unemployment can lead to a deterioration in adolescents' grades during an economic decline. The potential long-lasting effects of parental unemployment on children's human capital should be considered by policymakers, as should educational interventions to support households experiencing adverse economic conditions.
Tradeoff between well-being of students and cost of greening schools in arid regions
Authors: Elkhapery Basel , Kianmehr Peiman , Doczy Ryan 
Published: February 2023

PurposeSchools should be adequately built and operated to protect students' health. Green building rating systems, including Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), assist the construction industry in improving both the resource efficiency and indoor environmental quality of its buildings. Construction professionals may waive some green modifications and available optional credits due to their high costs or construction complexities. This study investigates whether cost-effective green modifications can adequately address the student health.Design/methodology/approachIn an effort to identify how school projects in Dubai, UAE prioritized LEED credits related to occupant well-being, the study identified eight LEED credits (called “Health and wellbeing” credits). Cost data from a sample of nine Dubai schools were used to develop an indicator, named the Feasibility Index Score (FIS), to quantify the attractiveness of LEED credits based on their cost and implementation complexity. Physical measurements taken from the sample schools give a window into current indoor environmental quality (IEQ) conditions of schools in the local region, while FIS provides insight into potential financial barriers towards improving these conditions.FindingsThe authors identified eight “Health and wellbeing” credits, which may net up to 14 points or 13% of all possible LEED points. Despite this, assessments of the sample schools revealed that six of the “Health and wellbeing” credits exhibited relatively low FIS values. This may cause these credits to be waived when lower tiers of LEED certifications are desired.Research limitations/implicationsA sample of nine schools was chosen for this research; further investigation using a greater sample size is recommended.Practical implicationsThe paper's IEQ assessment indicates the importance of health-related credits and suggests implementing them regardless of their FIS.Originality/valueThis paper recognizes the importance of providing more weight to credits that directly impact the health of occupants, particularly when upgrading existing structures.
Should I stay or should I go? Benefits of crowd-checking technology for a face-to-face shopping experience
Authors: Marikyan Davit , Pantano Eleonora , Scarpi Daniele 
Published: February 2023

PurposeLong sales periods (i.e. Christmas time, Black Friday, etc.) and the risk of contagion while shopping (i.e. during pandemics like COVID-19) showed the extent to which crowded shopping environments have negative effects on consumers’ behavior. Hence, using terror management theory (TMT) and stimulus–organism–response (S–O–R) approach, the authors aims to develop a new model to investigate the effect of crowd-checking technology on shopping anxiety, the perceived value of shopping experience and willingness to pay.Design/methodology/approachUsing a cross-sectional research design and with a help of an independent research company, the authors collected 1,000 valid responses from individuals residing in the UK.FindingsResults showed that crowd-checking technology cues reduce shopping anxiety, improve value perceptions and increase willingness to pay. In addition, the efficacy of technology in reducing shopping anxiety is moderated by customers’ shopping orientation.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first one investigating crowd monitoring systems used at the initial stage of consumers’ journey to show the number of consumers in-store in real-time. It contributes to the literature on technology applications in retailing by providing evidence that technology cues reduce shopping anxiety, which in turn enhances customer-perceived value from the shopping experience and increases the willingness to pay in stores with embedded crowd-checker technology. The study also extends the application of TMT in a new context.
Population‐specific effects of temperature and photoperiod on development and body mass in Cassida vibex (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Kutcherov Dmitry , Lopatina Elena B. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAn interplay of genetic divergence and phenotypic plasticity in shaping geographic variation is increasingly receiving attention in the entomological literature. Two major environmental variables that govern life histories are temperature and photoperiod. Studies of thermal and photoperiodic reaction norms help us understand how insect diversity evolved and how insects respond to environmental change. We studied survival, development, and body mass in three geographic populations of the beetle Cassida vibex reared in the laboratory under several combinations of constant temperature (16, 19, 22, 25, and 28 °C) and photoperiod (short‐day and long‐day). The three collection sites are situated along a climatic gradient and separated by hundreds of kilometers. Each population subtly but significantly differs in the absolute values of survival rate, developmental rate, and body mass as well as in the thermal and photoperiodic plasticity of these traits, but the geographic differences do not form a latitudinal cline. The southernmost population from a relatively warm climate survives worse at low temperatures than the other two, but the overall survival is lowest in the latitudinally intermediate population. Short‐day conditions tend to accelerate postembryonic development and increase the slope of the developmental rate–temperature relationship, especially so in the intermediate population, followed by the southernmost population and then by the northernmost population. The latter, which inhabits a harsh climate, has the fastest and most temperature‐sensitive development, regardless of photoperiod, and attains the largest body mass among the three populations. The intermediately located and photoperiodically plastic population, which lives in a cool but mild climate, in contrast, has the smallest body size. Hence, although the importance of short‐day conditions as a seasonal cue increases poleward, the photoperiodic responses do not always become more pronounced in colder, high‐latitude environments. Our results emphasize that insect life‐history traits can exhibit quite sophisticated patterns of variation along climatic gradients.
Improvement in bioconversion efficiency and reduction of ammonia emission by introduction of fruit fermentation broth in a black soldier fly larvae and kitchen waste conversion system
Authors: Li Lusheng , Chen Lifei , Shang Rongsheng , Wang Guiying , Zhang Jibin 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), is an insect commonly used for the bioconversion of various organic wastes. Not only can the BSF convert organic waste into macromolecular organic substances, such as insect proteins, but it can also lessen the pollution associated with these waste products by reducing ammonia emissions, for example. In this study, we measured the effects of adding fruit fermentation broth (Fer) and commercial lactic acid bacteria fermentation broth (Em) to kitchen waste (KW), as deodorizing auxiliary substances, on the growth performance of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), the intestinal flora structure of BSFL, the ammonia emission from the KW substrate, and the microbial community structure of the KW substrate. We found that the addition of Fer or Em increased the body weight of BSFL after 6 d of culture, increasing the growth rate by 9.96% and 7.96%, respectively. The addition of Fer not only reduced the pH of the KW substrate but also increased the relative abundance of probiotics, such as Lactobacillus, Lysinibacillus, and Vagococcus, which inhibited the growth of ammonifiers such as Bacillus, Oligella, Paenalcaligenes, Paenibacillus, Pseudogracilibacillus, and Pseudomonas, resulting in the reduction of ammonia emission in the KW substrate. Moreover, the addition of Fer or Em significantly increased the relative abundances of Bacteroides, Campylobacter, Dysgonomonas, Enterococcus, and Ignatzschineria in the gut of BSFL and increased the species diversity and richness in the KW substrate. Our findings provide a novel way to improve the conversion rate of organic waste and reduce the environmental pollution caused by BSF.
Port first vs. Tip first: does difference in portacath insertion techniques reduce complication rates
Authors: Tang Hannah , Bhutia Sherab 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundAccurate placement of central venous access devices is important to avoid complications such as infection, thrombosis and migration. This audit aims to determine if there is a difference in complication rates and accuracy of tip position between two different intravenous jugular (IVJ) port device insertion techniques: fixation of port first (PF) versus tip first (TF).MethodsPatients who underwent port device insertions from 2019 to 2021 at the Cairns Hospital were identified from the Australia Vascular Audit database. The primary outcome of accurate catheter tip placement (based on radiological criteria), secondary outcomes of line infection, thrombosis and other outcomes such as removal rates were gathered and compared between the 2 groups of port first (PF) versus tip first (TF) insertion.ResultsTwo‐hundred and twenty‐seven patients underwent port device insertions during the period of interest. 98 (43.2%) patients had a PF insertion technique and 129 (56.8%) had a TF insertion technique. In the PF group, 81.6% (P < 0.05) of lines were accurately placed compared to 69.8% (P < 0.05) in the TF group. The line related thrombosis rate was 1% (P < 0.05) in the PF group compared to 6.2% (P < 0.05) in the TF group. Rate of line infections in the PF group was 5.1% (P = 0.92) compared to 6.2% (P = 0.92) in the TF group.ConclusionThe port first technique for IVJ port device placement was associated with higher accuracy and lower thrombosis rates and this was statistically significant. Further studies should involve larger multicentre populations to compare results between practitioners.