bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Variables Correlate with Serum Neutralizing Antibody Titers after COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination in an Adult, US-based Population
Authors: Zhao Min , Slotkin Rebecca , Sheth Amar H. , Pischel Lauren , Kyriakides Tassos C. , Emu Brinda , McNamara Cynthia , Shi Qiaosu , Delgobbo Jaden , Xu Jin , Marhoffer Elizabeth , Mercer-Falkoff Aleagia , Holleck Jürgen , Ardito David , Sutton Richard E. , Gupta Shaili 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundWe studied whether comorbid conditions impact strength and duration of immune responses after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in a US-based, adult population.MethodsSera (pre-and-post-BNT162b2 vaccination) were tested serially up to 12 months after two doses of vaccine for SARS-CoV-2-anti-Spike neutralizing capacity by pseudotyping assay in 124 individuals; neutralizing titers were correlated to clinical variables with multivariate regression. Post-booster (third dose) effect was measured at 1 and 3 months in 72 and 88 subjects respectively.ResultsAfter completion of primary vaccine series, neutralizing antibody IC50 values were high at one month (14-fold increase from pre-vaccination), declined at six months (3.3-fold increase), and increased at one month post-booster (41.5-fold increase). Three months post-booster, IC50 decreased in COVID-naïve individuals (18-fold increase) and increased in prior COVID-19+ individuals (132-fold increase). Age >65 years (β=-0.94, p=0.001) and malignancy (β=-0.88, p=0.002) reduced strength of response at 1 month. Both strength and durability of response at 6 months, respectively, were negatively impacted by end-stage renal disease [(β=-1.10, p=0.004); (β=-0.66, p=0.014)], diabetes mellitus [(β=-0.57, p=0.032); (β=-0.44, p=0.028)], and systemic steroid use [(β=-0.066, p=0.032); (β=-0.55, p=0.037)]. Post-booster IC50 was robust against WA-1 and B.1.617.2, but the immune response decreased with malignancy (β =-0.68, p=0.03) and increased with prior COVID-19 (p-value < 0.0001).ConclusionMultiple clinical factors impact the strength and duration of neutralization response post-primary series vaccination, but not the post-booster dose strength. Prior COVID-19 infection enhances the booster-dose response except in individuals with malignancy, suggesting a need for clinically guiding vaccine dosing regimens.SummaryMultiple clinical factors impact the strength and duration of neutralization response post-primary series vaccination. All subjects, irrespective of prior COVID infection, benefited from a third dose. Malignancy decreased response following third dose, suggesting the importance of clinically guided vaccine regimens.
A Miniaturized 3D-Printed Pressure Regulator (μPR) for Microfluidic Cell Culture Applications
Authors: Hsu Meng-Chun , Mansouri Mehran , Ahamed Nuzhet N.N. , Joshi Indranil M. , Ahmed Adeel , Borkholder David A. , Abhyankar Vinay V. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractControlled fluid flows are the hallmark feature of microfluidic culture systems and provide precise definition over the biophysical and biochemical microenvironment. Flow control is commonly achieved using displacement-based (e.g., syringe or peristaltic pumps) or pressure-based techniques. These methods offer complex flow capabilities but can be challenging to integrate into incubators or other confined environments due to their large form factors and accompanying peripheral equipment. Since many microfluidic cell culture studies use a single controlled flow rate to maintain or stimulate cells, a portable flow control platform that fits easily into an incubator will benefit the microfluidic community. Here, we demonstrate that a tunable, 3D printed micro pressure regulator (μPR), combined with a battery-powered miniature air pump, can operate as a stand-alone pneumatic flow control platform for microfluidic applications. We detail the design and fabrication of the μPR and demonstrate: i) a tunable outlet pressure range relevant for microfluidic applications (1-10 kPa), ii) highlight dynamic control in a microfluidic network, and iii) maintain human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in a multi-compartment membrane-based culture device under continuous flow conditions. We anticipate that our 3D-printed fabrication approach and open access designs will allow other laboratories to rapidly customize μPRs to support a broad range of applications.
Kinetic and Redox Characterization of KRAS G12C Inhibition
Authors: Huynh Minh V. , Parsonage Derek , Forshaw Tom E. , Chirasani Venkata R. , Hobbs G. Aaron , Wu Hanzhi , Lee Jingyun , Furdui Cristina M. , Poole Leslie B. , Campbell Sharon L. 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACTThe development of mutant-selective inhibitors for the KRASG12C allele has generated considerable excitement. These KRASG12C inhibitors covalently engage the mutant C12 thiol located within the phosphoryl binding loop of RAS, locking the KRASG12C protein in an inactive state. While clinical trials of these inhibitors have been promising, mechanistic questions regarding the reactivity of this thiol remain, motivating the present studies. Measurement of the C12 thiol pKa by NMR and an independent biochemical assay found a depressed pKa (relative to free cysteine) of 7.6 consistent with its susceptibility to chemical ligation. Using a novel and validated fluorescent KRASY137W variant amenable to stopped-flow spectroscopy, we characterized the kinetics of KRASG12C fluorescence changes upon addition of ARS-853 or AMG 510, noting that ARS-853 addition at 5°C elicited both a rapid first phase (attributed to binding, yielding a Kd of 36.0 ± 0.7 μM), and a second, slower pH-dependent phase taken to represent covalent ligation. Consistent with the lower pKa of the C12 thiol, we found that reversible and irreversible oxidation of KRASG12C occurred readily both in vitro and in the cellular environment, preventing the covalent binding of ARS-853. Moreover, we found that oxidation of the KRASG12C thiol to sulfinic acid alters RAS conformation and dynamics to be more similar to KRASG12D in comparison to the unmodified protein, as assessed by molecular dynamics simulations. Taken together, these findings provide insight for future KRASG12C drug discovery efforts as well as identifying the occurrence of G12C oxidation with currently unknown biological ramifications.
Growth rate controls the sensitivity of gene regulatory circuits
Authors: Julou Thomas , Gervais Théo , de Groot Daan , van Nimwegen Erik 
Published: April 2022

AbstractUnicellular organisms adapt to their changing environments by gene regulatory switches that sense chemical cues and induce specific target genes when the inducing signal is over a critical threshold. Using mathematical modeling we here show that, because growth rate sets the dilution rate of intracellular molecules, the sensitivity of gene regulatory switches automatically couples to growth rate, in a way that can be exploited by natural selection. We confirm the modeling predictions by experimentally demonstrating that, as nutrient quality is varied, the concentration of inducer required for activating thelacoperon inE. coliincreases quadratically with the population’s growth rate. Our theory further predicts that, when growth rate is instead modulated by translation inhibition, critical inducer levels are invariant, and we experimentally validate this prediction as well. Moreover, we establish that this growth-coupled sensitivity allows bacteria to implement concentration-dependent sugar preferences, in which a new carbon source is used only if its concentration is high enough to improve upon the current growth rate of the cells. Using microfluidics in combination with time-lapse microscopy, we validate experimentally that this strategy governs how mixtures of glucose and lactose are used inE. coliat single-cell level. Overall, growth-coupled sensitivity provides a general mechanism through which cells can ‘mute’ external signals in beneficial conditions when growth is fast, and become highly sensitive to alternative nutrients or stresses when growth is slow or arrested.
Linking cohort data and Welsh routine health records to investigate children at risk of delayed primary vaccination
Authors: Walton Suzanne , Cortina-Borja Mario , Dezateux Carol , Griffiths Lucy J , Tingay Karen , Akbari Ashley , Bandyopadhyay Amrita , Lyons Ronan A , Roberts Richard , Bedford Helen 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACTBackgroundDelayed primary vaccination is one of the strongest predictors of subsequent incomplete immunisation. Identifying children at risk of such delay may enable targeting of interventions, thus decreasing vaccine preventable illness.ObjectivesTo explore socio-demographic factors associated with delayed receipt of the Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTP) vaccine.MethodsWe included 1,782 children, born between 2000 and 2001, participating in the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS) and resident in Wales, whose parents gave consent for linkage to National Community Child Health Database records at the age seven years contact. We examined child, maternal, family and area characteristics associated with delayed receipt of the first dose of the DTP vaccine.Results98.6% received the first dose of DTP. The majority, 79.6% (n=1,429) received it on time (between 8 and 12 weeks of age), 14.2% (n=251) received it early (prior to 8 weeks of age) and 4.8% (n=79) were delayed (after 12 weeks of age); 1.4% (n=23) never received it. Delayed primary vaccination was more likely among children with older natural siblings (risk ratio 3.82, 95% confidence interval (1.97, 7.38)), children admitted to special/intensive care (3.15, (1.65, 5.99)), those whose birth weight was >4Kg (2.02, (1.09, 3.73)) and boys (1.53, (1.01, 2.31)). There was a reduced risk of delayed vaccination with increasing maternal age (0.73, (0.53, 1.00) per 5 year increase) and for babies born to graduate mothers (0.27, (0.08, 0.90)).ConclusionsAlthough the majority of infants were vaccinated in a timely manner, identification of infants at increased risk of early or delayed vaccination will enable targeting of interventions to facilitate timely immunisation. This is to our knowledge the first study exploring individual level socio-demographic factors associated with delayed primary vaccination in the UK and demonstrates the benefits of linking cohort data to routinely-collected child health data.
Anatomy and Symbiosis of the digestive system of the vent shrimps Rimicaris exoculata and Rimicaris chacei revealed through imaging approaches
Authors: Guéganton Marion , Rouxel Ouafae , Durand Lucile , Cueff-Gauchard Valérie , Gayet Nicolas , Pradillon Florence , Cambon-Bonavita Marie-Anne 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe shrimps Rimicaris exoculata and Rimicaris chacei are visually dominant fauna co-occurring at deep-sea hydrothermal sites of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR). Their co-existence was related to contrasted life-history traits, among which differences in their diet and reliance on chemoautotrophic symbionts at adult stage. Both shrimps are colonized by diversified chemosynthetic symbiotic microbial communities in their cephalothoracic cavity. Symbiotic association with bacteria was also evidenced in their digestive system, and the major lineages were identified through sequencing (Mycoplasmatales lineages mainly in the foregut and Deferribacteres lineages mainly in the midgut) but their clear distribution within each host species was not assessed. For the first time, we used Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) to visualize these lineages. Then, we described their association with digestive structures of both Rimicaris species. The aim was to identify possible differences between host species that could be related to their different life-history traits. For this purpose, we first developed specific FISH probes targeting Deferribacteres and Mycoplasmatales lineages identified in the digestive system of these shrimps. After signal specificity validation for each the new probe, we showed a partitioning of the bacterial lineages according to the digestive organ. Despite morphological differences between the foregut of R. exoculata and R. chacei that could be related to the adult diet, our FISH results showed overall similar distribution of digestive symbionts for the two host species. However, a more comprehensive study is needed with specimens at different life or molt stages to bring potentially host specific patterns out. Such comparative approach using FISH is now warranted thanks to our newly designed probes. These will be valuable tools to track symbiont lineages in the environment, allowing a better understanding of their relationship with their host along its life cycle, including acquisition mechanisms.
Consumer segmentation and motives for choice of cultured meat in two Chinese cities: Shanghai and Chengdu
Authors: Wang Ou , Scrimgeour Frank 
Published: April 2022

PurposeThe widespread dietary adoption of cultured meat could provide important benefits to animal welfare, the environment, food safety and security. This study examines consumer segmentation and consumer motives for choice of cultured meat in China.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected by means of a web-based questionnaire (n = 608) distributed in the two cites of Shanghai and Chengdu. Factor analysis, cluster analysis and path analysis were employed for data analysis.FindingsThree consumer segments were identified with regard to the acceptance of cultured meat in China: Conservatives (25.7%), Acceptors (41.9%) and Pioneers (32.4%). Significant differences were recognised in age, household income, education and household size between the three consumer segments. The following meat choice motives (MCMs) have significant influences on Chinese participants’ attitudes and/or purchase intentions towards cultured meat: usually eat, environmental concern, societal concern, mood, purchase convenience and price.Originality/valueThis is the first study to develop a factorial construct of MCMs based on a previous theoretical model of food choice motives (FCMs) in China. The study contributes understanding of choice motives for cultured meat in a non-Western setting, particularly in China - the country consuming the largest quantity of pork. Further, this is the first study to recognise segments that are directly based on consumer attitudes and purchase intentions towards cultured meat. The findings of this study will help global producers and policymakers to create effective promotion strategies and policies for this innovative product in developing countries, particularly in China.
The effect of logistical immediacy on logistics service providers' (LSPs') business
Authors: Vivaldini Mauro 
Published: April 2022

PurposeThis study discusses the influence of logistical immediacy on logistics service providers' (LSPs’) business. Specifically, its role in the face of the emerging business scenario (e-commerce, disruptive technologies, and new models of logistical services) is examined.Design/methodology/approachAs logistical immediacy is a nascent topic, this study utilizes a systematic literature review focusing on academic articles from the last five years related to logistical outsourcing to understand the changes imposed by logistical immediacy on LSPs.FindingsThe impact of transformations arising from an increasingly digital virtual world (DVW) on LSPs is contextualized. A theoretical view of the factors affecting LSPs' shift towards more immediate operations is presented, and how logistical immediacy impacts LSPs is discussed. Finally, a research agenda is presented as the study's main contribution.Research limitations/implicationsDue to the timeframe chosen, the restriction to a single database (Scopus), the specific search terms used related to LSPs, and limiting the search parameters to operations management, some relevant work may have been overlooked.Practical implicationsThe article help LSPs' and contracting companies' managers to understand the influence of the immediacy expected in logistics operations. Possible logistics services trends and how they may impact companies are discussed.Originality/valueThis is one of the first articles in the area of operations and supply chains that addresses the issue of logistical immediacy and its impact on LSPs.
Wax and wane: a case study of Flying Colours
Authors: Faridi Mohammad Rishad , Patni Arun , Ebad Ryhan , Patni Neelima 
Published: April 2022

Learning outcomes
At the end of the case study discussion, students will able to state the importance of outsourcing with comparing pros and cons in business decision-making; review the value bestowed to the community in using sustainable raw material while at the same time conserving the ancient style of artwork particular to the area; discuss the utility of the products manufactured by “Flying Colours,” especially for the lockdown period which was because of the pandemic; and demonstrate and interpret the use of shark and mosquito bite matrix.

Case overview/synopsis
Arun Kumar Patni, 47, and his wife Neelima Patni, 43, are co-founders of Flying Colours, a start-up company based in Jaipur, in the state of Rajasthan, India. Their enterprise was engaged in the manufacturing and marketing of bird products and accessories, including bird feeders, bird houses, earthen water bowls, etc. In July 2020, post-lockdown, they were desperate to hire carpenters to restart their factory. However, COVID-19 posed a serious challenge, making it very difficult to replace their skilled carpenters, who had returned to their native places and had not come back. This disrupted production and order fulfilment. Keeping this situation in perspective in anticipation of the continuing pandemic crisis, Neelima was in favour of outsourcing basic production and designing the birdfeed decoration and artwork in-house. Meanwhile, Arun instead favoured continuing full in-house production as before, by hiring replacement carpenters. Yet for an in-house full-scale production, procuring raw material was a difficult task because of the lockdown. The situation had earlier taken a turn for the worse when Arun had advertised an exchange marketing policy to let customers return their old bird feeders for a 20% discount on a new one. This campaign was a huge success and resulted in a sales spike but unfortunately it caused a huge stock of returned products in their warehouse. Arun initially planned to repair and resell them as refurbished products. It now seemed impossible, because local carpenters demanded higher labour charges than the regular carpenters did. Flying Colours had provided skills workshops and hired external trainers to train unskilled carpenters prior to lockdown, so now all the training investment was in vain. Cash liquidity, sales, marketing, etc. were almost at a standstill.

Complexity academic level
This case particularly focuses on undergraduate-level students pursuing business or commerce programs, especially those studying core course: Entrepreneurial Strategic Management.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code
CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
Feeling the love? How consumer's political ideology shapes responses to AI financial service delivery
Authors: Riedel Aimee , Mulcahy Rory , Northey Gavin 
Published: April 2022

PurposeThis paper aims, first, to examine artificial intelligence (AI) vs human delivery of financial advice; second, to examine the serial mediating roles of emotion and trust between AI use in the financial service industry and their impact upon marketing outcomes including word of mouth (WOM) and brand attitude; and third, to examine how political ideology moderates' consumers' reactions to AI financial service delivery.Design/methodology/approachA review of the extant literature is conducted, yielding seven hypotheses underpinned by affect-as-information theory. The hypotheses are tested via three online scenario-based experiments (n = 801) using Process Macro.FindingsThe results of the three experiments reveal consumers experience lower levels of positive emotions, specifically, affection, when financial advice is provided by AI in comparison to human employees. Secondly, across the three experiments, conservative consumers are shown to perceive somewhat similar levels of affection in financial advice provided by AI and human employees. Whereas liberal consumers perceive significantly lower levels of affection when serviced by AI in comparison to conservatives and human employee financial advice. Thirdly, results reveal affection and trust to be serial mediators which explain consumers' WOM and brand attitudes when financial services are provided by AI. Fourthly, the investment type plays an important role in consumers’ reactions to the use of AI.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is one of the first to study political ideology as a potential moderator of consumers’ responses to AI in financial services, providing novel contributions to the literature. It further contributes unique insights by examining emotional responses to AI and human financial advice for different amounts and types of investments using a comprehensive approach of examining both valence and discrete emotions to identify affection as a key explanatory emotion. The study further sheds insights relating to how emotions (affection) and trust mediate the relationship between AI and WOM, and brand attitudes, demonstrating an affect-attitude psychological sequence that explains consumers’ reactions to AI in financial services.
Key investor information disclosure regulation and retail mutual fund flows in the Finnish market
Authors: Turtiainen Matti , Saastamoinen Jani , Suhonen Niko , Kainulainen Tuomo 
Published: April 2022

PurposeIn the European Union, the Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities Directive (UCITS IV) requires fund management companies to provide a Key Investor Information Document (UCITS KIID) for investors. This papers uses archival data from the Finnish mutual fund market to test how the regulation's information disclosure requirements concerning past performance, risk and fund fees are associated with mutual fund flows.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses archival data on the mutual funds market in Finland to test how the regulation relating to retail investors' information requirements is associated with mutual fund flows.FindingsOur findings suggest that the UCITS KIID predicts retail investors' fund flows. While past performance is associated with fund flows throughout the observation period, retail investors appear to have become more sensitive to fund fees and invest in less risky funds following the adoption of the UCITS IV period.Practical implicationsInformation relating to fund fees and risk appears to be relevant to retail investors, which should be acknowledged in future iterations of short-form disclosure and in mutual fund marketing.Originality/valueThis paper is the first to assess the significance of KIID in actual market environment.