bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Individual behavioral trajectories shape whole-brain connectivity in mice
Authors: Lopes Jadna Bogado , Senko Anna N. , Bahnsen Klaas , Geisler Daniel , Kim Eugene , Bernanos Michel , Cash Diana , Ehrlich Stefan , Vernon Anthony C. , Kempermann Gerd
Published: March 2022

It is widely assumed that our actions shape our brains and that the resulting connections determine who we are. To test this idea in a reductionist setting, in which genes and environment are controlled, we investigated differences in neuroanatomy and structural covariance by ex vivo structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in mice whose behavioral activity was continuously tracked for 3 months in a large, enriched environment. We confirmed that environmental enrichment increases mouse hippocampal volumes. Stratifying the enriched group according to individual longitudinal behavioral trajectories, however, revealed striking differences in mouse brain structural covariance in continuously highly active mice compared to those whose trajectories showed signs of habituating activity. Network-based statistics identified distinct sub-networks of murine structural covariance underlying these differences in behavioral activity. Together, these results reveal that differentiated behavioral trajectories of mice in an enriched environment are associated with differences in brain connectivity.
Production of a functionally active recombinant SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) 3C-Like protease and a soluble inactive 3C-like protease-RBD chimeric in a prokaryotic expression system
Authors: De Marco Verissimo Carolina , Lopez-Corrales Jesus , Dorey Amber L. , Cwiklinski Krystyna , Lalor Richard , Calvani Nichola Eliza Davies , Jewhurst Heather L. , Doyle Sean , Dalton John P.
Published: March 2022

During the SARS-CoV-2 intracellular life-cycle, two large polyproteins, pp1a and pp1ab, are produced. Processing of these by viral cysteine proteases, the papain-like protease (PLpro) and the chymotrypsin-like 3C-like protease (3CL-pro) release non-structural proteins necessary for the establishment of the viral replication and transcription complex (RTC), crucial for viral replication. Hence, these proteases are considered prime targets against which anti-COVID-19 drugs could be developed. Here, we describe the expression of a highly soluble and functionally active recombinant 3CL-pro using Escherichia coli BL21 cells. In addition, we assessed the ability of our 3CL-pro to function as a carrier for the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of the Spike protein. The co-expressed chimeric protein, 3CLpro-RBD, did not exhibit 3CL-pro activity, but its enhanced solubility made purification easier and improved RBD antigenicity when tested against serum from vaccinated individuals in ELISAs. When used to immunise mice, the 3CLpro-RBD chimer elicited antibodies mainly to the 3CL-pro portion of the molecule indicating that a different chimeric composition (i.e., RBD/full Spike-3CLpro) or expression system (i.e., mammalian cells), might be required to produce and deliver a RBD with immunogenicity similar to the native protein. Chimeric proteins containing the 3CL-pro could represent an innovative approach to developing new COVID-19 vaccines.
Differential Hebbian learning with time-continuous signals for active noise reduction
Authors: Möller Konstantin , Kappel David , Tamosiunaite Minija , Tetzlaff Christian , Porr Bernd , Wörgötter Florentin
Published: March 2022

Spike timing-dependent plasticity, related to differential Hebb-rules, has become a leading paradigm in neuronal learning, because weights can grow or shrink depending on the timing of pre- and post-synaptic signals. Here we use this paradigm to reduce unwanted (acoustic) noise. Our system relies on heterosynaptic differential Hebbian learning and we show that it can efficiently eliminate noise by up to −140 dB in multi-microphone setups under various conditions. The system quickly learns, most often within a few seconds, and it is robust with respect to different geometrical microphone configurations, too. Hence, this theoretical study demonstrates that it is possible to successfully transfer differential Hebbian learning, derived from the neurosciences, into a technical domain.
Passionately attached or properly matched? The effect of self-congruence on grocery store loyalty
Authors: Liu Hao , Mu Yu , Fu Xinhong , Liu Yuying
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Fresh products' homogeneity makes it difficult for grocery stores to differentiate themselves by improving product or service quality. This study analysed grocery store loyalty from the perspective of self-congruence and compared the relative importance of affective attachment and lifestyle matching, which acts as a mediating mechanism in influencing customer loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

Individuals in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Beijing and Xi'an; representative cities of China's east, south, west, north and central regions, responded to questionnaires. Altogether, 282 valid responses were obtained; structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings show that lifestyle congruence has a greater mediating effect than emotional attachment in the relationship between store-self congruence and grocery store loyalty. Furthermore, social self-congruence was the dominant dimension of store-self congruence that affects grocery store loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

The first important academic contribution of this study is the provision of knowledge on the issue of whether to focus on generating grocery store loyalty via the mediating effect of emotional attachment or lifestyle congruence. Furthermore, the empirical findings further clarify the boundary of brand attachment theory, demonstrating the limitation of this theory in explaining the mediating mechanism for self-congruence on loyalty in a context that sells low-involvement products in a collectivistic culture. Another academic contribution focuses on the examination of dominant dimensions of self-congruence.

Practical implications

This study provides a new strategy for grocery store managers to avoid the trap of homogeneous competition, namely, to clearly define consumers' social rather than personal identity. Additionally, grocery stores should focus on matching their image with target customers' lifestyles when building customer loyalty.

Social implications

This study's findings also shed light on public policy. Some implications could be increasing the layout rationality of retail commercial outlets to facilitate the interaction between grocery stores and community consumers and promoting the matching of grocery stores and consumer lifestyles. Such policies may boost grocery sales, which in turn would boost farmers' incomes.

Originality/value

Compared to previous studies, this study analysed the customer loyalty of grocery stores from the perspective of self-congruence, analysed the mechanisms by which self-congruence influences customer loyalty via the mediating effects of emotional attachment and lifestyle congruence and compared the relative significance of these two paths. Furthermore, this study clarified the relative importance of self-congruence dimensions in influencing grocery store loyalty.
Evaluating logistics outsourcing: a survey conducted with Brazilian industries
Authors: Doratiotto Kaique , Vidal Vieira Jose Geraldo , da Silva Lucas Eric , Fávero Luiz Paulo
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This research aims to evaluate the factors that influence logistics outsourcing, including the impact of logistics outsourcing on measuring companies' logistics performance. This research provides interactions among the various factors (constructs) such as “financial”, “collaboration and process characteristics”, “external influencer”, and “logistics performance”.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate the interaction between the constructs, structural equation modelling is proposed to understand what the relevant criteria are while outsourcing logistics. Data were acquired from surveys conducted with 129 managers from Brazilian companies in the industry sector.

Findings

The factor “collaboration and process characteristics” is what most influences the “logistics performance” of companies, highlighting the importance of managing contractors; and the “financial” factor also contributes to the logistic outsourcing decision.

Research limitations/implications

Some limitations of this study need to be clarified. First, the model could test the moderate and mediate aspects by using variables inspired on RBV and TCE. Second, the sample is relatively small and restricted to the Brazilian industries' case, although the results may be useful for other countries in the world. Third, the responses represent viewpoints of the people who work in the companies. To address this issue, the authors asked respondents to fill out the questionnaire from the perspective of the organisation.

Practical implications

Most 3PL come from developed countries and find different requirements in Brazil. Then, this new knowledge may help 3L providers better understand the needs of the local or foreign companies that operate in the local market. The measurement model may also help to construct a new organisational process, as it sheds light on the main elements necessary for gathering logistics performance outcomes.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, the literature lacks studies on the interaction among these logistics outsourcing constructs, mainly in emerging markets where significant growth opportunities have led to logistics activities being outsourced. The literature that examines the impact of these constructs on logistics performance is also limited. Therefore, this research contributes to providing a model that measures these impacts according to the company's point of view.
Two-decade journey of green human resource management research: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Bahuguna Prakash Chandra , Srivastava Rajeev , Tiwari Saurabh
Published: March 2022

Purpose

During the past decade, the green workplace has attracted the attention of academics and industry alike. As a result, new research areas like green human resource management (GHRM) started emerging. Green workplace means greening of traditional business functions, namely, human resource management, marketing, operations and supply chain. GHRM can play a strategic role in enabling organizations to implement and formulate sustainable strategies and help them achieve corporate sustainability. This paper helps understand the GHRM scholarship and provides an up-to-date account of GHRM practices.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors have adopted the bibliometric analysis method to analyse and draw inferences from 247 articles retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) database for the time horizon of almost two decades: 2005 to June 2021. The methodology's schematic view comprises four steps: data collection, data analysis, data visualization and interpretation. The present study intends to understand GHRM scholarship using Bibliometric R-package and VOSviewer software.

Findings

The study offers some interesting insights that may help scholars, line managers and top management to conceptualize the GHRM practices in their organization, which is currently limited to a few HR practices (hiring, training and reward), geographies, developed countries and industries. These can be extended to other HR practices (e.g. industrial relations). In addition, this paper contributes to the GHRM literature in identifying the keywords, authors, journals, intellectual, conceptual and social structure.

Research limitations/implications

The study underpins the research in the area of GHRM in order to understand the trends on this topic over the past 17 years in terms of prolific authors, most impactful journals, key themes and the field's intellectual and social structure. The study indicates that this field is still in its development stage. Hence, there is a need for more arduous research on the topic to help develop a better understanding of this new field.

Originality/value

The paper helps understand green practices in human resource functions, focusing on corporate sustainability goals. It helps the line managers and top management make GHRM a central function for achieving sustainability goals. In addition, these findings can be a road map for the researchers to investigate the field of GHRM further.
Government subsidies, R&D expenditures and overcapacity: empirical analysis in photovoltaic companies
Authors: Chen Jing , Wang Tianchi
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between government subsidies, R&D expenditures and overcapacity, and to explore the heterogeneity effects in different time periods and different types of companies. It can provide theoretical and practical guidance for the development of the photovoltaic industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper constructs a mediation model to explore the impact of government subsidies on overcapacity and on R&D expenditures, and to propose an indirect way to disentangle the impact of government subsidies on the creation of overcapacity from the positive aspect of increased R&D expenditures. A total of 94 listed enterprises in the Chinese photovoltaic industry were selected as the sample over the period 2012–2019.

Findings

There was significant overcapacity in the photovoltaic industry. Government subsidies had a positive effect in promoting overcapacity and R&D expenditures. The influence of government subsidies on excess capacity increased and on R&D expenditures decreased over time. Compared with large enterprises, government subsidies the small enterprises received had a greater positive impact on the overcapacity and a smaller positive impact on R&D expenditure. R&D expenditures restrained the influence of government subsidies on overcapacity, but the suppression effect was limited and decreased over time. The indirect effect in small enterprises was greater than that of large enterprises.

Originality/value

This paper studied government subsidies, R&D expenditure and overcapacity in the same framework and used bias-corrected bootstrapping to explore the path of “government subsidies–R&D expenditures–overcapacity”. The heterogeneous effects in different periods and different types of firms are discussed.
Thin Plates Spline Based Differential Quadrature for numerical solution of groundwater flow
Authors: Behroozi Abdol Mahdi , Vaghefi Mohammad
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is presenting Thin Plates Spline-based Differential Quadrature (TPS-DQM) as a meshless numerical method to solve the steady and transient groundwater equation in complex geometry.

Design/methodology/approach

The computational nodes are randomly distributed in domain, and the governing equations of groundwater flow are solved, relying on the capability of present model for solving the partial differential equations (PDEs) in irregular domains. To show the accuracy of the proposed model, several seepage problems in both homogenous and non-homogenous soils are solved, and the results are compared with those existing analytical solution and well-known finite element-based software SEEP/W.

Findings

The results indicate that the present meshless method is capable of simulating steady-state and unsteady seepage problems, especially in complex geometry and it provides sufficient accuracy and reliability, despite the low computational effort and no need for additional parameters like shape factor.

Originality/value

The main advantage of the method is its meshless characteristic, which does not require structured grid generation and able to solve governing equation in arbitrary geometry.
An optimal derivative-free King's family for multiple zeros and its dynamics
Authors: Rani Litika , Kansal Munish
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to develop and analyze a new derivative-free class of higher-order iterative methods for locating multiple roots numerically.

Design/methodology/approach

The scheme is generated by using King-type iterative methods. By employing the Traub-Steffensen technique, the proposed class is designed into the derivative-free family.

Findings

The proposed class requires three functional evaluations at each stage of computation to attain fourth-order convergency. Moreover, it can be observed that the theoretical convergency results of family are symmetrical for particular cases of multiplicity of zeros. This further motivates the authors to present the result in general, which confirms the convergency order of the methods. It is also worth mentioning that the authors can obtain already existing methods as particular cases of the family for some suitable choice of free disposable parameters. Finally, the authors include a wide variety of benchmark problems like van der Waals's equation, Planck's radiation law and clustered root problem. The numerical comparisons are included with several existing algorithms to confirm the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed methods.

Originality/value

The numerical results demonstrate that the proposed scheme performs better than the existing methods in terms of CPU timing and absolute residual errors.
Exploring relationships of urban seismic resilience assessment indicators with a fuzzy total interpretive structural model method
Authors: Zhao Yonggang , Yang Xiaodong , Zhai Changhai , Wen Weiping
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate relationships of urban seismic resilience assessment indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this aim, construction of the urban seismic resilience assessment indicators system was conducted and 20 indicators covering five dimensions, namely building and lifeline infrastructure, environment, society, economy and institution were identified. Following this, this study used evidence fusion theory and intuitionistic fuzzy sets to process the information from experts then developed the fuzzy total interpretive structure model.

Findings

A total of 20 urban seismic resilience assessment indicators are reconstructed into a hierarchical and visual system structure including five levels. Indicators in the bottom level including debris flow risk, landslide risk, earthquake experience and demographic characteristics are fundamental indicators that significantly impact other indicators. Indicators in the top level including open space, gas system and public security are direct indicators influenced more by other indicators. Other indicators are in middle levels. Results of MICMAC analysis visually categorize these indicators into independent indicators, linkage indicators, autonomous indicators and dependent indicators according to driving power and dependence.

Originality/value

This paper attempts to explore relationships of urban seismic resilience assessment indicators with the interpretive structural model method. Additionally, Fuzzy total interpretive structure model is developed combined with evidence fusion theory and intuitionistic fuzzy sets, which is the extension of total interpretive structure model. Research results can assist the analytic network process method in assessing urban seismic resilience in future research.
Assessing sustainable tourism development through service supply chain process maturity and service quality model
Authors: Balouei Jamkhaneh Hadi , Shahin Reza , Shahin Arash
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study aims to propose a framework for identifying and measuring the gaps between evaluation and goal setting in service supply chain (SSC) processes towards planning and development of sustainable tourism aligned with the firm's real conditions and capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

By the concept of the service quality gap model, the existing gaps between auditors' evaluation and the managers' goals in SSC processes maturity were examined. Then, each of the designed gaps was measured considering the goals addressed by managers’ and auditors' evaluation. Finally, the strategy and priority of sustainable tourism planning and development were determined based on importance–performance analysis (IPA).

Findings

The gaps caused by the expectations and perceptions of the firm about the dissatisfaction of managers regarding their addressed goals and the evaluation of auditors in the planning and development of sustainable tourism can be classified into three categories of goals gap, assessment gap and main gap. To improve the performance of the firm in each of the evaluation criteria under the results of IPA analysis, solutions were provided.

Practical implications

Realistic evaluation and recognition of the capabilities of the organization's processes through the proposed framework can be effective in goal setting and sustainable tourism development policies.

Originality/value

The framework proposed in this study can be a suitable approach for the balanced growth of all aspects of the firm in planning and developing sustainable tourism and helps firms in setting the right and logical goals.
A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis of factors influencing successful shared service center implementation
Authors: Plugge Albert , Nikou Shahrokh , Janssen Marijn
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Organizations nowadays require services supplied by shared service centers (SSCs) to achieve organizational responsiveness. Previous contributions focused on distinct qualitative-explorative factors for explaining successful SSC implementation but failed to consider the interdependencies and combined effects between factors.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on complexity and configuration theories, this research employed a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). A unique dataset of 121 international firms was obtained to examine the combined effects of five conditions (factors), namely, modularization, standardization, decision-rights, portfolio and customer-orientation .

Findings

The findings show that multiple configurations of conditions (or solutions) can lead to successful SSC implementation. The fsQCA results indicated that portfolio and standardization are perceived as core conditions in all configurations. Firms that focus on portfolio and continuous evaluation of customer-orientation are more likely to be successful. Furthermore, in some configurations, the size of the firm size matters.

Research limitations/implications

The cross-sectional survey data might be a potential limitation. In future research, a more extensive survey can be collected to help generalize the results.

Practical implications

Success factors are dependent on the SSC configuration. Standardization, portfolio management and regular evaluations of changing customer services by executive management are needed.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, there is no academic study that examines SSC implementation based on salient conditions using a configurational thinking approach. As such, the findings of the research allow us to better understand the causal complexity and interdependencies between essential SSC factors.
Historical inclusion and exclusion: New Zealand archives as primary resources for historical research
Authors: Kennedy Ann-Marie , Krisjanous Jayne , Welland Sarah
Published: March 2022

Purpose

In response to the special issue call for papers on international sources for advertising and marketing history, this paper aims to provide information, this paper provides information on two prominent New Zealand archives: Archives New Zealand and the Alexander Turnbull Library (ATL).

Design/methodology/approach

Archives New Zealand and the ATL were chosen as they are the two largest archives in New Zealand, and both have different but complementary roles – one for the preservation of government records and the other for the preservation of private collections. The history of each is provided as well as a discussion of relevant materials for marketing historians. This is followed by a discussion of the limitations of the archives with regards to their colonial contexts and potential for ignoring the “other” over the years.

Findings

Archives New Zealand houses official government documents and thus occupational registrations, licences, trademarks, patents and copyright records are held, along with unique product design registration files and the complete history of health promotion in New Zealand. The ATL houses personal and thus biographically useful photographs, society records and minutes, personal letters and diaries, photos and glass plate negatives, portraits and paintings, architectural works and music.

Originality/value

For researchers pursuing historical research in marketing, the archival documents offered by government archives and donated private collections from throughout the world provide invaluable resources. This paper also provides a discussion of the colonial focus on record-keeping and potential bias stemming from colonial structures of government and lack of representation of marginalised groups.
Consumer privacy and distribution contract
Authors: Wang Min , Du Jiahao
Published: March 2022

Purpose

In the Information Age, an increasing number of firms and researchers focus on consumer privacy. Meanwhile, many firms that collect consumer information through, information disclosure, consumer privacy, agency model, distribution contracts products or services often adopt the agency contract or the wholesale contract to sell through the online platform. This study aims to examine how different distribution contracts affect supply chain decisions when the firm can profit from disclosing consumer information.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use Stackelberg model to describe the relationship between consumer privacy and distribution contracts. Solve the model and analyze the monotonicity of the equilibrium results. The optimal contract choice and win-win conditions are obtained by comparing the profits under different contracts.

Findings

The authors find that when consumers’ maximal valuation is low in the market, the firm prefers to profit from disclosing consumer information under both the agency contract and the wholesale contract. As consumers’ maximal valuation increases, the firm turns to profit from product sales. Under the agency contract, the platform only generates profit when the consumers’ maximal valuation is high. By comparing the profits of the platform under the two types of contracts, the authors find the platform’s optimal contract choice under different consumers’ maximal valuations and platform commission rates. Combined with the comparison results of the firm’s profit, the authors provide the win-win conditions under the agency contract and wholesale contract.

Originality/value

This study analyzes the supply chain decision under the agency contract and wholesale contract, and it helps deepen the understanding of the interaction between consumer information disclosure and channel distribution contract.
Toward a framework for a maintenance architecture
Authors: Sigsgaard Kristoffer Vandrup , Soleymani Iman , Mortensen Niels Henrik , Khalid Waqas , Hansen Kasper Barslund
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how the product architecture and service architecture methodology can be applied in strategic maintenance optimization to reduce the non-value-adding variance of maintenance, decrease the complexity and ensure alignment in maintenance practices in asset-intensive companies. The proposed maintenance architecture model will make it possible to make data-driven decisions regarding how the equipment should be grouped and maintained.

Design/methodology/approach

The research approach is considered exploratory, and the main research strategy is a case study. The maintenance architecture model is developed based on the product architecture methodology and then tested in three different cases in the oil and gas sector.

Findings

Through the maintenance architecture model, it is possible to pair a quantitative data-driven approach with qualitative understanding of dependencies between equipment, maintenance actions and maintenance work management processes, enabling a more holistic and top-down data-driven approach to improving maintenance, than what currently exists in literature.

Originality/value

The proposed model provides a contribution to the understanding of maintenance and is positioned at a detailed level, different from other maintenance improvement models. This model is focused on the main drivers of maintenance that can be utilized at the strategic level compared to optimization of maintenance for individual pieces of equipment.
Biomimicry in the built environment: energy-saving assessment of a novel biomimetic window system
Authors: Son Juntae Jake , Kim Suk-Kyung , Syal M.G. Matt
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the energy savings in the indoor environment, using strategies that adopt the characteristics of nature, called biomimetic solutions. This research designed a biomimetic window system to bring daylight into interior spaces in educational buildings where daylight cannot be reached. Specifically, this study assessed how the daylight that was achieved via a biomimetic window system would affect energy savings using an energy simulation method.

Design/methodology/approach

This study explored how biomimetic methods would affect the building environment and which biomimetic method would involve the building's energy saving with daylight. The research intended to develop a novel biomimetic window system that can bring daylight to the basement floor of an existing building on a university campus to find out how much the biomimetic window system would affect the energy savings of the building. Referring to the existing building's layout and structure, energy simulation models were developed, and the energy consumptions were estimated.

Findings

Simulation models proved that the biomimetic window system has sufficient performance to bring more daylight to the basement floor of the building. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the use of the biomimetic window system for the building could reduce energy usage compared to the actual energy usage of the current building without biomimetic windows.

Research limitations/implications

First, this study was adopted as a computer-designed simulation method instead of using a real-world system. Although this study designed the biomimetic window system based on previous studies, it should be considered the possibility of other problems when the system is actually built in. Second, it is necessary to predict how much an initial budget is required when the system is built. It means that this study did not calculate the lifecycle cost of the biomimetic window system. It will also be necessary to compare energy consumption to the required initial budget. Lastly, this study was simulated based on weather data in cold regions, and it did not compare/analyze different climate regions. Different results may be predicted if the biomimetic window system is built in different climatic regions.

Originality/value

This research showed new practical ways to capture and transmit solar heat and light using a biomimetic solution. Furthermore, using the proposed novel biomimetic window system, the amount of energy reduction can be calculated, and this method could be applied in the interior non-window spaces of academic and related types of buildings.
GIS mapping used as supplementary tool to experimentally investigated subgrade soil for robust pavement design in rural area of Ethiopia
Authors: Anka Eldana Ayka , Dasho Defaru Katise , Dirate Democracy Dilla , Lohani Tarun Kumar
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to present physical and geotechnical study in terms of experimental field and laboratory investigations of the subgrade soils in severely damaged and highly degraded road section with numerous potholes between Chencha to Ezo towns of Ethiopia needs to be addressed for a robust pavement.

Design/methodology/approach

Eighteen soil samples were collected from 18 km road stretch at a kilometer interval by considering variation and composition of soils along the road alignment. The field density with dry density, natural moisture content, consistency limit, compaction and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) were determined.

Findings

Soils were classified predominantly as silty-clay that replicates its expansive nature, characterized as bad to medium subgrade. The average optimum moisture content and maximum dry density are 17.18% and 1.83 g/cc, whereas the average CBR and swell as 8.40% and 1.49%, respectively. The investigated results indicated that the indispensable way for a stable and durable road subgrade in the existing silty clayey soil requires a capping layer. The results were uploaded into ArcGIS platform to create interactive maps for spatial distribution, composition and strength of the subgrade properties.

Originality/value

Experimental investigation of subgrade soils by scientific procedures and presenting important properties through integrated approach using ArcGIS Mapping for the road pavement design and construction purpose of under developed areas like Chencha-Ezo. ArcGIS-based mapping of all required and numerical subgrade properties with a single click using ArcGIS tool is the main significance and contribution of this study. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is original, and all the references are properly cited.
Potential role of green tea amino acid l‐theanine in the activation of innate immune response by enhancing expression of cytochrome b558 responsible for the reactive oxygen species‐generating ability of leukocytes
Authors: Kikuchi Hidehiko , Harata Kaori , Akiyoshi Sumiko , Sagara Takefumi , Madhyastha Harishkumar , Kuribayashi Futoshi
Published: March 2022

l‐Theanine (N‐ethyl‐
l‐glutamine) is an analog of
l‐glutamine and
l‐glutamic acid, accounts for up to 50% of all free amino acids in green tea, and elicits an umami taste. As
l‐theanine also shows various physiological activities including immune response‐modifying activities, it is expected to be an excellent health‐promoting phytochemical agent. To know the influences of
l‐theanine on the human innate immune response, we investigated the effect of
l‐theanine on the superoxide anion (O2−)‐generating system of leukocytes using U937 cells. The O2−‐generating system in leukocytes consists of membrane cytochrome b558 protein (a complex of p22‐phox and gp91‐phox proteins) and cytosolic p40‐phox, p47‐phox, and p67‐phox proteins. Addition of 500 μM
l‐theanine caused remarkable enhancement of the all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA)‐induced O2−‐generating activity (to ~470% of ATRA‐treated cells), but not
l‐glutamine and
l‐glutamic acid. Semiquantitative RT‐PCR showed that the transcription level of gp91‐phox is significantly increased in ATRA and
l‐theanine‐co‐treated cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed that
l‐theanine enhances acetylations of Lys‐9 and Lys‐14 residues of histone H3 within the chromatin surrounding the promoter region of the gp91‐phox gene. Immunoblotting demonstrated that membrane cytochrome b558 proteins remarkably accumulate in ATRA + 
l‐theanine‐treated cells. These results suggested that
l‐theanine brings about a remarkable accumulation of cytochrome b558 protein via upregulating the transcription of the gp91‐phox gene during leukocyte differentiation, resulting in marked augmentation of the O2−‐generating ability, which is one of the most important functions of leukocytes responsible for the innate immune system.
Critical assessment of methods for measurement of temperature profiles and heat load history in microwave heating processes—A review
Authors: Kalinke Isabel , Kubbutat Peter , Taghian Dinani Somayeh , Ambros Sabine , Ozcelik Mine , Kulozik Ulrich
Published: March 2022

Limitations of microwave processing due to inhomogeneities of power input and energy absorption have been widely described. Over‐ and underheated product areas influence reproducibility, product quality, and possibly safety. Although a broad range of methods is available for temperature measurement and evaluation of time/temperature effects, none of them is sufficiently able to detect temperature differences and thermally induced effects within the product caused by inhomogeneous heating.

The purpose of this review is to critically assess different methods of temperature measurement for their suitability for different microwave applications, namely metallic temperature sensors, thermal imaging, pyrometer measurement, fiber optic sensors, microwave radiometry, magnetic resonance imaging, liquid crystal thermography, thermal paper, and biological and chemical time‐temperature indicators. These methods are evaluated according to their advantages and limitations, method characteristics, and potential interference with the electric field. Special attention is given to spatial resolution, accuracy, handling, and purpose of measurement, that is, development work or online production control. Differences of methods and examples of practical application and failure in microwave‐assisted food processing are discussed with a special focus on microwave pasteurization and microwave‐assisted drying. Based on this assessment, it is suggested that infrared cameras for measuring temperature distribution at the product surface and partially inside the product in combination with a chemical time/temperature indicator (e.g., Maillard reaction, generating heat‐induced color variations, depending on local energy absorption) appear to be the most appropriate system for future practical application in microwave food process control, microwave system development, and product design. Reliable detection of inhomogeneous heating is a prerequisite to counteracte inhomogeneity by a targeted adjustment of process and product parameters in microwave applications.
Purple sweet potato anthocyanin extract regulates redox state related to gut microbiota homeostasis in obese mice
Authors: Liu Dong , Ji Yanglin , Wang Kexin , Guo Yatu , Wang Huali , Zhang Hua , Li Liwei , Li Heyu , Cui Steve W. , Wang Hao
Published: March 2022

This study explored the advantageous effects of purple sweet potato anthocyanin extract (PSPAE) on redox state in obese mice. The normal chow diet (NCD) group, high‐fat/cholesterol diet (HCD) group, and three groups based on HCD and added with low, middle, and high dose of PSPAE (PAL, PAM, and PAH) were raised for 12 weeks. High dose of PSPAE treatment decreased the elevations of the body weight by 24.7%, serum total cholesterol by 48.3%, serum triglyceride by 42.4%, and elevated serum activities of glutathione peroxidase by 53.3%, superoxide dismutase by 57.8%, catalase by 75.4%, decreased serum contents of malondialdehyde by 27.1% and lipopolysaccharides by 40.5%, as well as increased caecal total short‐chain fatty acid by 2.05‐fold. Additionally, PSPAE depressed toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR‐4), nuclear factor kappa‐B (NF‐κB), interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor α, and preserved nuclear factor erythroid‐2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) gene expression. Similarly, the protein expression of Nrf2 was enhanced, while TLR‐4 and p‐NF‐κB/NF‐κB were depressed by PSPAE treatment. Moreover, PSPAE administration promoted the protection of intestinal barrier function and rebuilt gut microbiota homeostasis by blooming g_Akkermansia, g_Bifidobacterium, and g_Lactobacillus. Furthermore, antibiotic interference experiments showed that the gut microbiota was indispensable for preserving the redox state of PSPAE. These results suggested that PSPAE administration could be an opportunity for improving HCD‐induced obesity and the redox state related to gut dysbiosis.

Practical Application

Purple sweet potato anthocyanin has diverse pharmacological properties. It is applicable for individuals to consume extracts (as pills or other forms) from raw purple sweet potato if they want to improve obesity or redox state.
Synthetic biology for improved hydrogen production in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: King Samuel J. , Jerkovic Ante , Brown Louise J. , Petroll Kerstin , Willows Robert D.
Published: March 2022

Hydrogen is a clean alternative to fossil fuels. It has applications for electricity generation and transportation and is used for the manufacturing of ammonia and steel. However, today, H2 is almost exclusively produced from coal and natural gas. As such, methods to produce H2 that do not use fossil fuels need to be developed and adopted. The biological manufacturing of H2 may be one promising solution as this process is clean and renewable. Hydrogen is produced biologically via enzymes called hydrogenases. There are three classes of hydrogenases namely [FeFe], [NiFe] and [Fe] hydrogenases. The [FeFe] hydrogenase HydA1 from the model unicellular algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has been studied extensively and belongs to the A1 subclass of [FeFe] hydrogenases that have the highest turnover frequencies amongst hydrogenases (21,000 ± 12,000 H2 s−1 for CaHydA from Clostridium acetobutyliticum). Yet to date, limitations in C. reinhardtii H2 production pathways have hampered commercial scale implementation, in part due to O2 sensitivity of hydrogenases and competing metabolic pathways, resulting in low H2 production efficiency. Here, we describe key processes in the biogenesis of HydA1 and H2 production pathways in C. reinhardtii. We also summarize recent advancements of algal H2 production using synthetic biology and describe valuable tools such as high‐throughput screening (HTS) assays to accelerate the process of engineering algae for commercial biological H2 production.
Sensemaking and Sustainable Development: Chinese Overseas Acquisitions and the Globalisation of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Authors: Wang Peng , Xing Eugenia Yijun , Zhang Xiaotao , Liu Yipeng
Published: March 2022

Despite the increasing attention paid to sustainability management and the wide prevalence of the United Nation's SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) in the discourse of business and society, there is little nuanced understanding of the impact of culture on sustainable development in international contexts, and on the globalisation of emerging economies in particular. By juxtaposing the literature streams of sensemaking, micro‐foundations, and collaborative partnerships, this paper presents an investigation into how culture and sensemaking influence sustainable development. Our research context – Chinese globalisation endeavours – includes Chinese overseas acquisitions and the globalisation of traditional Chinese medicine. This paper illuminates the role played by sensemaking and Taoist philosophy with regard to sustainable development. Taking a micro‐foundational perspective, we show how both cultural and institutional contexts can influence sustainable development in Chinese globalisation endeavours enacted in the form of collaborative partnerships.
Conservative vs. liberal fluid therapy in septic shock – Protocol for secondary Bayesian analyses of the CLASSIC trial
Authors: Sivapalan Praleene , Meyhoff Tine S. , Hjortrup Peter B. , Lange Theis , Møller Morten Hylander , Perner Anders , Granholm Anders
Published: March 2022

Background

Clinical equipoise exists regarding intravenous (IV) fluid volumes in sepsis. The Conservative vs. Liberal Approach to fluid therapy of Septic Shock in Intensive Care (CLASSIC) trial investigates the effect of restricted vs. standard IV fluid therapy in 1554 adult intensive care unit patients with septic shock.

Methods

This protocol describes secondary Bayesian analyses of the primary outcome (90‐day all‐cause mortality) and three secondary outcomes at day 90. We will analyse all binary outcomes with adjusted Bayesian logistic regressions and present results as conditional relative risks and risk differences with 95% credibility intervals (CrIs). The secondary count outcome will be analysed using adjusted Bayesian linear regression with results summarised as conditional mean differences and ratios of means with 95% Crls. We will use weakly informative priors for the primary analyses, and sceptical and evidence‐based priors in the sensitivity analyses. Exact probabilities will be presented for any benefit/harm, clinically important benefit/harm and no clinically important difference. We will assess whether heterogeneity of treatment effects on mortality is present using Bayesian hierarchical models in subgroups and on the continuous scale using models with interactions according to five baseline variables assessing the overall severity of illness and the degree of circulatory and renal impairment.

Discussion

The outlined analyses will supplement the primary analysis of the CLASSIC trial by describing probabilities of beneficial and harmful effects and evaluating heterogeneity of treatment effects in a framework that may be easier to interpret for researchers and clinicians.
Increased risk of ventilator‐associated pneumonia in patients after cardiac arrest treated with mild therapeutic hypothermia
Authors: Hasslacher Julia , Steinkohl Fabian , Ulmer Hanno , Lehner Georg , Klein Sebastian , Mayerhoefer Timo , Joannidis Michael
Published: March 2022

Background

We aimed at investigating the incidence, characteristics and outcome of ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients after cardiac arrest (CA) and its potential association with mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH). We hypothesized, that MTH might increase the risk of VAP.

Methods

Prospective observational study including comatose adult patients after successful resuscitation from out‐of‐hospital or in‐hospital CA with presumed cardiac cause admitted to ICU and treated with MTH at 33°C for 24 h or normothermia (NT) with treatment of fever ≥38°C by pharmacological means. The primary outcome measure was the development of VAP. VAP diagnosis included mechanical ventilation >48 h combined with clinical and radiologic criteria. For a microbiologically confirmed VAP (mcVAP), a positive respiratory culture was required.

Results

About 23% of 171 patients developed VAP, 6% presented with mcVAP. VAP was associated with increased ICU‐LOS (9 (IQR 5–14) vs. 6 (IQR 3–9) days; p < .01), ventilator‐dependent days (6 (IQR 4–9) vs. 4 (IQR 2–7) days; p < .01) and duration of antibiotic treatment (9 (IQR 5–13) vs. 5 (IQR 2–9) days; p < .01), but not with mortality (OR 0.88 (95% CI: 0.43–1.81); p = .74). Patients treated with MTH (47%) presented higher VAP (30% vs. 17%; p = .04) and mcVAP rates (11% vs. 2%; p = .03). MTH was associated with VAP in multivariable logistic regression analysis with an OR of 2.67 (95% CI: 1.22–5.86); p = .01.

Conclusions

VAP appears to be a common complication in patients after CA, accompanied by more ventilator‐dependent days, prolonged antibiotic treatment, and ICU‐LOS. Treatment with MTH is significantly associated with development of VAP.