Copper trafficking in eukaryotic systems: current knowledge from experimental and computational efforts

Copper plays a vital role in fundamental cellular functions, and its concentration in the cell must be tightly regulated, as dysfunction of copper homeostasis is linked to severe neurological diseases and cancer. This review provides a compendium of current knowledge regarding the mechanism of copper transfer from the blood system to the Golgi apparatus; this mechanism involves the copper transporter hCtr1, the metallochaperone Atox1, and the ATPases ATP7A/B. We discuss key insights regarding the structural and functional properties of the hCtr1-Atox1-ATP7B cycle, obtained from diverse studies relying on distinct yet complementary biophysical, biochemical, and computational methods. We further address the mechanistic aspects of the cycle that continue to remain elusive. These knowledge gaps must be filled in order to be able to harness our understanding of copper transfer to develop therapeutic approaches with the capacity to modulate copper metabolism

Social media revenge: A typology of online consumer revenge

The main purpose of this study is to present a detailed typology of online revenge behaviors that identifies the differential factors affecting this behavior in terms of triggers, channels, and emotional outcomes across two countries: Jordan and Britain. Based on a qualitative approach from a sample of Jordanian and British customers who had previously committed acts of online revenge (N = 73), this study identified four main types of online avengers: materialistic, ego-defending, aggressive, and rebellious. The findings show that British consumers were motivated by core service malfunction failures and employee failures. In contrast, Jordanian consumers’ acts of revenge were triggered by wasta service failures and contract breach failures. Moreover, Jordanian consumers tended to employ more aggressive and sometimes illegal ways to get revenge, whereas British consumers often used social media platforms and review websites. The findings have implications for the prevalence of online consumer revenge acts and for extending theoretical understanding of why and how consumers employ the Internet for revenge after a service failure in addition to how to respond to each avenger

Examining the impact of mobile interactivity on customer engagement in the context of mobile shopping

YesPurpose – This study aims to examine the impact of mobile interactivity dimensions (active control, personalization, ubiquitous connectivity, connectedness, responsiveness, and synchronicity) on customer engagement. Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative field survey study was conducted to collect the required data from actual users of mobile shopping in three countries: Jordan, the United Kingdom (UK) and Saudi Arabia. Findings – The results are based on structural equation modelling and support the impact of five dimensions of mobile interactivity: active control, personalization, ubiquitous connectivity, responsiveness, and synchronicity. Research limitations/implications – This study only considered the shopping activities conducted by mobile channels, while other channels (e.g. online channels, traditional channels, and social media shopping channels) are not considered. Furthermore, the current model does not consider the impact of personal factors (e.g. technology readiness, self-efficacy, user experience). The results of the current study present a foundation that can guide marketers and practitioners in the area of mobile shopping. Originality/value – This study enriches the current understanding of the impact of mobile interactivity on mobile shopping, as well as how mobile interactivity can enhance the level of customer engagement

The effect of telepresence, social presence and involvement on consumer brand engagement: An empirical study of non-profit organizations

YesAlthough there are several marketing implications that have been considered in the context of social media marketing, less attention has been paid to the influence of antecedents of consumer brand engagement (telepresence, social presence and involvement) and their consequences for non-profit organizations. Thus, the main purpose of current research is to examine the influence of telepresence, social presence and involvement on consumer brand engagement (CBE) (second-order), which in turn affects electronic word of mouth and willingness to donate. To test the proposed model, this paper used social media platforms. We employed a Facebook page that presents non-profit organizations (brands) using a sample of non-students. We found that telepresence, social presence and involvement positively impact CBE, which in turn impacts electronic word of mouth and willingness to donate. The findings of our research demonstrate how CBE is formed in this particular context and what outcomes are to be expected, with important implications for both marketing theory and practice

Absorption and transport enhancement by Ag nanoparticle plasmonics for organic optoelectronics

The organic films such as P3HT/PCBM incorporating Ag metal nanoparticles are fabricated and experimentally characterized. Due to the excited surface plasma induced by Ag metal nanoparticles, the absorption of the active organic material layer is increased by around 30%. The broadened absorption spectrum to the 260-650nm wavelength range is also observed from our measurements because of the enhanced scattering cross section by Ag metal nanoparticles. Furthermore, by incorporating Ag nanoparticles into the active layer, the mobility have also been improved. Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) simulations confirm the increase in transmission of electromagnetic radiation at visible wavelength. The hopping model is proposed to explain the transport mechanism for the device operations. These observations suggest a variety of approaches for improving the performance of general organic optoelectronic devices

Speckle Tracking Echocardiography for the Assessment of the Athlete's Heart: Is It Ready for Daily Practice?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To describe the use of speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in the biventricular assessment of athletes' heart (AH). Can STE aid differential diagnosis during pre-participation cardiac screening (PCS) of athletes? RECENT FINDINGS: Data from recent patient, population and athlete studies suggest potential discriminatory value of STE, alongside standard echocardiographic measurements, in the early detection of clinically relevant systolic dysfunction. STE can also contribute to subsequent prognosis and risk stratification. Despite some heterogeneity in STE data in athletes, left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) and right ventricular longitudinal strain (RV ɛ) indices can add to differential diagnostic protocols in PCS. STE should be used in addition to standard echocardiographic tools and be conducted by an experienced operator with significant knowledge of the AH. Other indices, including left ventricular circumferential strain and twist, may provide insight, but further research in clinical and athletic populations is warranted. This review also raises the potential role for STE measures performed during exercise as well as in serial follow-up as a method to improve diagnostic yield