bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The environmentally-regulated interplay between local three-dimensional chromatin organisation and transcription ofproVWXinE. coli
Authors: Rashid Fatema-Zahra M. , Crémazy Frédéric G.E. , Hofmann Andreas , Forrest David , Grainger David C. , Heermann Dieter W. , Dame Remus T.
Published: July 2023

Nucleoid associated proteins (NAPs) maintain the architecture of bacterial chromosomes and regulate gene expression. Thus, their role as transcription factors may involve three-dimensional chromosome re-organisation. While this model is supported by in vitro studies, direct in vivo evidence is lacking. Here, we use RT-qPCR and 3C-qPCR to study the transcriptional and architectural profiles of the H-NS-regulated, osmoresponsiveproVWXoperon ofEscherichia coliat different osmolarities and provide in vivo evidence for transcription regulation by NAP-mediated chromosome re-modelling in bacteria. We show that activation ofproVWXin response to a hyperosmotic shock involves the destabilization of H-NS-mediated bridges anchored between theproVWXdownstream and upstream regulatory elements (DRE and URE), and between the DRE andygaYthat lies immediately downstream ofproVWX. The re-establishment of these bridges upon adaptation to hyperosmolarity represses the operon. H-NS and H-NS-like proteins are wide-spread amongst bacteria, suggesting that chromosome re-modelling may be a typical feature of transcriptional control in bacteria.
De novogenome assembly and comparative genomics for the colonial ascidianBotrylloides violaceus
Authors: Sumner Jack T. , Andrasz Cassidy L. , Johnson Christine A. , Wax Sarah , Anderson Paul , Keeling Elena L. , Davidson Jean M.
Published: July 2023

Ascidians have the potential to reveal fundamental biological insights related to coloniality, regeneration, immune function, and the evolution of these traits. This study implements a hybrid assembly technique to produce a genome assembly and annotation for the botryllid ascidian,Botrylloides violaceus. A hybrid genome assembly was produced using Illumina, Inc. short and Oxford Nanopore Technologies long-read sequencing technologies. The resulting assembly is comprised of 831 contigs, has a total length of 121 Mbp, N50 of 1 Mbp and a BUSCO score of 96.1%. Genome annotation identified 13K protein-coding genes. Comparative genomic analysis with other tunicates reveals patterns of conservation and divergence within orthologous gene families even among closely related species. Characterization of the Wnt gene family, encoding signaling ligands involved in development and regeneration, reveals conserved patterns of subfamily presence and gene copy number among botryllids. This supports the use of genomic data from non-model organisms in the investigation of biological phenomena.
Repeated evolution of herbicide resistance inLolium multiflorumrevealed by haplotype-resolved analysis of acetyl-CoA carboxylase
Authors: Brunharo Caio A. C. G. , Tranel Patrick J.
Published: July 2023

Herbicide resistance in weeds is one of the greatest challenges in modern food production. The grass speciesLolium multiflorumis an excellent model species to investigate convergent evolution under similar selection pressure because populations have repeatedly evolved resistance to many herbicides, utilizing a multitude of mechanisms to neutralize herbicide damage. In this work, we investigated the gene that encodes acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase), the target-site of the most successful herbicide group available for grass weed control. We sampledL. multiflorumpopulations from agricultural fields with history of intense herbicide use, and studied their response to three ACCase-inhibiting herbicides under controlled conditions. To elucidate the mechanisms of herbicide resistance and the genetic relationship among sampled populations, we resolved the haplotypes of 97 resistant and susceptible individuals by performing an amplicon-seq analysis using long-read DNA sequencing technologies, focusing on the DNA sequence encoding the carboxyl-transferase domain of ACCase. Our dose-response data indicated the existence of many, often unpredictable, resistance patterns to ACCase-inhibiting herbicides, where populations exhibited as much as 37-fold reduction in herbicide response. The majority of the populations exhibited resistance to all three herbicides studied. Phylogenetic and molecular genetic analyses revealed multiple evolutionary origins of resistance-endowingACCasehaplotypes, as well as widespread admixture in the region regardless of cropping system. The amplicons generated were very diverse, with haplotypes exhibiting 26 to 110 polymorphisms. Polymorphisms included insertions and deletions 1-31 bp in length, none of which were associated with the resistance phenotype. We also found evidence that some populations have multiple mechanisms of resistance. Our results highlight the astounding genetic diversity inL. multiflorumpopulations, and the potential for convergent evolution of herbicide resistance across the landscape that challenges weed management and jeopardizes sustainable weed control practices. We provide an in-depth discussion of the evolutionary and practical implications of our results.
MicroRNA-375 is induced during astrocyte-to-neuron reprogramming and promotes survival of reprogrammed neurons when overexpressed
Authors: Chen Xuanyu , Sokirniy Ivan , Wang Xin , Jiang Mei , Mseis-Jackson Natalie , Williams Christine , Mayes Kristopher , Jiang Na , Puls Brendan , Du Quansheng , Shi Yang , Li Hedong
Published: July 2023

While astrocyte-to-neuron (AtN) reprogramming holds great promise in regenerative medicine, the molecular mechanisms that govern this unique biological process remain elusive. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, play crucial roles during development and under various pathological conditions. To understand the function of miRNAs during AtN reprogramming process, we performed RNA-seq of both mRNAs and miRNAs on human astrocyte (HA) cultures upon NeuroD1 overexpression. Bioinformatics analyses showed that NeuroD1 not only activates essential neuronal genes to initiate reprogramming process but also induces miRNA changes in HA. Among the upregulated miRNAs, we identified miR-375 and its targets,neuronal ELAVLgenes (nELAVLs), which encode a family of RNA-binding proteins and are also upregulated by NeuroD1. We further showed that manipulating miR-375 level regulatesnELAVLsexpression during NeuroD1-mediated reprogramming. Interestingly, miR-375/nELAVLsare also induced by reprogramming factors Neurog2 and ASCL1 in HA suggesting a conserved function to neuronal reprogramming, and by NeuroD1 in the mouse astrocyte culture and spinal cord. Functionally, we showed that miR-375 overexpression improves NeuroD1-mediated reprogramming efficiency by promoting cell survival at early stages in HA even in cultures treated with the chemotherapy drug Cisplatin. Moreover, miR-375 overexpression doesn’t appear to compromise maturation of the reprogrammed neurons in long term HA cultures. Lastly, overexpression of miR-375-refractory ELAVL4 induces apoptosis and reverses the cell survival-promoting effect of miR-375 during AtN reprogramming. Together, we demonstrate a neuro-protective role of miR-375 during NeuroD1-mediated AtN reprogramming and suggest a strategy of combinatory overexpression of NeuroD1 and miR-375 for improving neuronal reprogramming efficiency.
TBSS++: A novel computational method for Tract-Based Spatial Statistics
Authors: Karimi Davood , Kebiri Hamza , Gholipour Ali
Published: July 2023

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) is widely used to assess the brain white matter. One of the most common computations in dMRI involves cross-subject tract-specific analysis, whereby dMRI-derived biomarkers are compared between cohorts of subjects. The accuracy and reliability of these studies hinges on the ability to compare precisely the same white matter tracts across subjects. This is an intricate and error-prone computation. Existing computational methods such as Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) suffer from a host of shortcomings and limitations that can seriously undermine the validity of the results. We present a new computational framework that overcomes the limitations of existing methods via (i) accurate segmentation of the tracts, and (ii) precise registration of data from different subjects/scans. The registration is based on fiber orientation distributions. To further improve the alignment of cross-subject data, we create detailed atlases of white matter tracts. These atlases serve as an unbiased reference space where the data from all subjects is registered for comparison. Extensive evaluations show that, compared with TBSS, our proposed framework offers significantly higher reproducibility and robustness to data pertur-bations. Our method promises a drastic improvement in accuracy and reproducibility of cross-subject dMRI studies that are routinely used in neuroscience and medical research.
Genome assembly ofHibiscus sabdariffaL. provides insights into biosynthetic pathways of medicinal natural products
Authors: Kim Taein , Lee Jeong Hun , Seo Hyo Hyun , Moh Sang Hyun , Choi Sung Soo , Kim Jun , Kim Sang-Gyu
Published: July 2023

Hibiscus sabdariffaL. is a widely cultivated herbaceous plant with diverse applications in food, tea, fiber, and medicine. In this study, we present a high-quality genome assembly ofH. sabdariffausing more than 33 Gbps of high-fidelity (HiFi) long-read sequencing data at 20X coverage. The primary assembly and haplotype-resolved genomes exhibit an N50 contig length of 26.25 Mbps, 11.96 Mbps, and 14.50 Mbps, with a coverage of 141.3%, 86.0%, and 88.6%, respectively. By aligning 26 Gbps of total RNA sequencing data (PE100) extracted from leaves, we predicted 154k, 79k, and 87k genes in the respective genome. The completeness of the genomes and predicted genes was confirmed by benchmarking universal single-copy orthologs analysis on a eudicots_odb10 database, with a 99.3% complete rate for the primary assembly. The high-quality genome resource allowed the construction of genetic networks for phenylpropanoid and flavonoid metabolism, thereby facilitating the identification of candidate genes involved in the biosynthesis of key intermediates for roselle-specific medicinal natural products. Comprehensive genomic and functional analysis opens avenues for further exploration and application of valuable natural products derived fromH. sabdariffa.
The heterogeneity and effect of diabetes and hypertension on spectral characteristics of vasomotion
Authors: Zhao Liangjing , Liu Shuhong , Liu Yang , Tang Hui
Published: July 2023

Vasomotion refers to the spontaneous oscillation of blood vessels within a frequency range of 0.01 to 1.6 Hz. Various disease states, including hypertension and diabetes, have been associated with alterations in vasomotion at the finger, indicating potential impairment of skin microcirculation. Due to the non-linear nature of human vasculature, the modification of vasomotion may vary across different locations for different diseases. In this study, Laser Doppler Flowmetry was used to measure blood flow motion at acupoints LU8, LU5, SP6, and PC3 among 49 participants with or without diabetes and/or hypertension. Fast Fourier Transformation was used to analyze noise type while Hilbert-Huang Transformation and wavelet analysis were applied to assess Signal Noise Ratio (SNR) results. Statistical analysis revealed that different acupoints exhibit distinct spectral characteristics of vasomotion not only among healthy individuals but also among patients with diabetes and hypertension. The results showed strong heterogeneity of vasomotion among blood vessels, indicating that the vasomotion measured at a certain point may not reflect the real status of microcirculation.
Hyperparameter optimisation in differential evolution using Summed Local Difference Strings, a rugged but easily calculated landscape for combinatorial search problems
Authors: Pannu Husanbir Singh , Kell Douglas B.
Published: July 2023

We analyse the effectiveness of differential evolution hyperparameters in large-scale search problems, i.e. those with very many variables or vector elements, using a novel objective function that is easily calculated from the vector/string itself. The objective function is simply the sum of the differences between adjacent elements. For both binary and real-valued elements whose smallest and largest values are min and max in a vector of length N, the value of the objective function ranges between 0 and(N-1) × (max-min)and can thus easily be normalised if desired. This provides for a conveniently rugged landscape. Using this we assess how effectively search varies with both the values of fixed hyperparameters for Differential Evolution and the string length. String length, population size and generations for computational iterations have been studied. Finally, a neural network is trained by systematically varying three hyper-parameters, viz population (NP), mutation factor (F) and crossover rate (CR), and two output target variables are collected (a) median and (b) maximum cost function values from 10-trial experiments. This neural system is then tested on an extended range of data points generated by varying the three parameters on a finer scale to predict bothmedianandmaximumfunction costs. The results obtained from the machine learning model have been validated with actual runs using Pearson’s coefficient to justify the reliability to motivate the use of machine learning techniques over grid search for hyper-parameter search for numerical optimisation algorithms. The performance has also been compared with SMAC3 and OPTUNA in addition to grid search and random search.
Long-term memory formation depends on an astrocyte-to-neuron H2O2signaling
Authors: Rabah Yasmine , Sagar Nisrine , Pasquer Laure , Plaçais Pierre-Yves , Preat Thomas
Published: July 2023

Astrocytes interact with neurons during cognitive processes1. In particular, astrocytes help neurons to fight oxidative stress2, a needed function since active neurons are prone to reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage due to their high mitochondrial activity and relatively poor antioxidant defenses3. ROS also play major physiological functions4,5, but it remains unknown how neuronal ROS signaling is activated during memory formation and if astrocytes play a role in that process. We discovered in Drosophila an astrocyte-to-neuron H2O2signaling cascade essential for long-term memory formation. Stimulation of astrocytes by acetylcholine induces an intracellular calcium increase that triggers the formation of extracellular O2°−by astrocytic NADPH oxidase. Superoxide dismutase 3 secreted by astrocytes converts O2°−into H2O2, which is imported into neurons of the olfactory memory center (the mushroom body), as revealed byin vivoH2O2imaging using an ultrasensitive sensor. Importantly, SOD3 activity requires Cu2+, which we show is delivered by the neuronal Amyloid Precursor Protein. Furthermore, we found that human amyloid-ß peptide, involved in Alzheimer’s disease, inhibits the astrocytic cholinergic receptor and hampers memory formation by preventing H2O2import into neurons. These findings could have major implications for the understanding of Alzheimer’s disease etiology, as soluble synaptic Aß42 correlates better with the pattern of cognitive decline in AD than amyloid plaques6, and since early pathology in cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain predicts memory defects7,8.
Differential acclimation kinetics of the two forms of Type IV chromatic acclimaters occurring in marineSynechococcuscyanobacteria
Authors: Dufour Louison , Gouriou Bastian , Clairet Julia , Ratin Morgane , Garczarek Laurence , Partensky Frédéric
Published: July 2023

Synechococcusis one of two most abundant phytoplanktonic organisms of the Ocean and also displays the widest variety of pigmentation of all marine oxyphotrophs, which makes it ideally suited to colonize the variety of spectral niches occurring in the upper-lit layer of oceans. SevenSynechococcuspigment types (PTs) have been described based on the composition and chromophorylation of their light-harvesting complexes, called phycobilisomes (PBS). The most sophisticated and abundantSynechococcusPT (3d) gathers cells capable of Type IV chromatic acclimation (CA4), i.e. to reversibly modify the ratio of the blue light-absorbing phycourobilin (PUB) to the green light-absorbing phycoerythrobilin (PEB) in PBS in order to match the ambient light color. Although two genetically distinct types of CA4-capable strains, so-called PTs 3dA and 3dB, have been evidenced and found to be equally abundant in the Ocean, reasons for their prevalence in naturalSynechococcuspopulations remain obscure. Here, acclimation experiments in different blue to green ratios of representatives of these two PTs showed that in mixed blue-green light conditions, PT 3dB strains displayed significantly higher PUB:PEB ratios than their PT 3dA counterparts. Thus, PTs 3dA and 3dB seem to differ in the ratio of blue to green light required to trigger the CA4 process. Furthermore, shift experiments between 100% BL and 100% GL conditions, and conversely, also revealed discrepancies in the acclimation pace between the two types of chromatic acclimaters, which may explain their co-occurrence in some blue green light niches.
Remodelling of cytoskeleton and plasma membrane proteins contributes to drought sensitivity of Arabidopsisrhd2mutant
Authors: Takáč Tomáš , Kuběnová Lenka , Šamajová Olga , Dvořák Petr , Haberland Jan , Bundschuh Sebastian T. , Tomančák Pavel , Ovečka Miroslav , Šamaj Jozef
Published: July 2023

NADPH oxidases are enzymes localised in the plasma membrane and emitting superoxide to the extracellular space. By production of superoxide as one type of reactive oxygen species (ROS), they exert pleiotropic functions in plant development and various stress responses.Arabidopsis thalianaRESPIRATORY BURST OXIDASE HOMOLOG PROTEIN C/ROOT HAIR DEFECTIVE 2 (AtRBOHC/RHD2) is an NADPH oxidase with preferential gene expression in roots. Polar localisation and ROS production by this enzyme are essential for root hair elongation. However, the proteome-wide and physiological consequences ofRBOHC/RHD2mutations are unknown. To find out potential new functions of AtRBOHC/RHD2, we employed a differential proteomic analysis of Arabidopsisrhd2-1mutant, carrying a loss-of-function mutation inRBOHC/RHD2. Proteomic analyses that were validated with independent biochemical, phenotypical and advanced microscopy methods, showed quantitative deregulation of proteins involved in abiotic and biotic stress response, metabolism, vesicular transport and cell wall modification. Considerable differences in the differential proteomes between roots and above-ground parts were found in the mutant. The altered abundance of aquaporins and homeostasis of transmembrane pumps and transporters most likely determine the higher sensitivity of Arabidopsisrhd2-1mutant to drought.

Highlight

Proteomics and advanced microscopy reveal that the drought sensitivity of Arabidopsis mutant inROOT HAIR DEFECTIVE 2is linked to altered homeostasis of plasma membrane proteins and cytoskeleton remodelling.
fastlin: an ultra-fast program forMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex lineage typing
Authors: Derelle Romain , Lees John , Phelan Jody , Lalvani Ajit , Arinaminpathy Nimalan , Chindelevitch Leonid
Published: July 2023

Lineage typing of theMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex (MTBC) has evolved from traditional phenotypic methods to advanced molecular and genomic techniques. In this study we present fastlin, a bioinformatics tool designed for rapid MTBC lineage typing. Fastlin utilises an ultra-fast alignment-free approach to detect previously identified barcode single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with specific MTBC lineages directly from fastq files. In a comprehensive benchmarking against existing tools, fastlin demonstrated high accuracy and significantly faster running times. Analysis of large MTBC datasets revealed fastlin’s capability not only to predict MTBC lineages, but also to detect mixed-lineage strain mixtures and estimate their proportions. Fastlin offers a user-friendly and efficient solution for MTBC lineage typing, complementing existing tools and facilitating large-scale analysis.
The distribution of fitness effects of plasmid pOXA-48 in clinical enterobacteria
Authors: Fernandez-Calvet Ariadna , Toribio-Celestino Laura , Valle Aida Alonso-del , Sastre-Dominguez Jorge , Valdes-Chiara Paula , Millan Alvaro San , DelaFuente Javier
Published: July 2023

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria is a major public health problem. The main route for AMR acquisition in clinically important bacteria is the horizontal transfer of plasmids carrying resistance genes. AMR plasmids allow bacteria to survive antibiotics, but they also entail physiological alterations in the host cell. Multiple studies over the last years indicate that these alterations can translate into a fitness cost when antibiotics are absent. However, due to technical limitations, most of these studies are based on analysing new associations between plasmids and bacteria generatedin vitro, and we know very little about the effects of plasmids in their native bacterial hosts. In this study, we used a CRISPR-Cas9-tool to selectively cure plasmids from clinical enterobacteria to overcome this limitation. Using this approach, we were able to study the fitness effects of the carbapenem resistance plasmid pOXA-48 in 35 pOXA-48-carrying isolates recovered from hospitalised patients. Our results revealed that pOXA-48 produces variable effects across the collection of wild type enterobacterial strains naturally carrying the plasmid, ranging from fitness costs to fitness benefits. Importantly, the plasmid was only associated with a significant fitness reduction in 4 out of 35 clones, and produced no significant changes in fitness in the great majority of isolates. Our results suggest that plasmids produce neutral fitness effects in most native bacterial hosts, helping to explain the great prevalence of plasmids in natural microbial communities.
Highly efficient cellular expression of circular mRNA enables prolonged protein expression
Authors: Unti Mildred J. , Jaffrey Samie R.
Published: July 2023

A major problem with mRNA therapeutics is the limited duration of protein expression due to the short half-life of mRNA. New approaches for generating highly stable circular mRNA in vitro have allowed increased duration of protein expression. However, it remains difficult to genetically encode circular mRNAs in mammalian cells, which limits the use of circular mRNA in cell-derived therapeutics. Here we describe the adaptation of the Tornado (Twister-optimized RNA for durable overexpression) system to achieve in-cell synthesis of circular mRNAs. We identify the promoter and internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) that result in high levels of protein expression in cells. We then show that these circular mRNAs can be packaged into virus-like particles (VLPs) thus enabling prolonged protein expression. Overall, these data describe a platform for synthesis of circular mRNAs and how these circular mRNAs can markedly enhance the ability of VLPs to function as a mRNA delivery tool.
Purification of functional mouse skeletal muscle mitochondria using Percoll density gradient centrifugation
Authors: Anunciado-Koza Rea Victoria P. , Guntur Anyonya R. , Vary Calvin P. , Gartner Carlos A. , Nowak Madeleine , Koza Robert A.
Published: July 2023

Objective

Our goal was to isolate purified mitochondria from mouse skeletal muscle using a Percoll density gradient and to assess bioenergetic function and purity via Seahorse Extracellular Flux (XF) Analyses and mass spectrometry.

Results

Mitochondria isolated from murine quadriceps femoris skeletal muscle using a Percoll density gradient method allowed for minimally contaminated preparations with time from tissue harvest to mitochondrial isolation and quantification in about 3-4 hours. Percoll purification from 100-200 mg fresh tissue yielded ∼200-400 ug protein. Mitochondrial bioenergetics evaluated using the Seahorse XFe96 analyzer, a high-throughput respirometry platform, showed optimum mitochondrial input at 500 ng with respiratory control ratio ranging from 3.9-7.1 using various substrates demonstrating a high degree of functionality. Furthermore, proteomic analysis of Percoll-enriched mitochondria isolated from skeletal muscle using this method showed significant enrichment of mitochondrial proteins indicating high sample purity. This study established a methodology that ensures sufficient high quality mitochondria for downstream analyses such as mitochondrial bioenergetics and proteomics.
Crystal structure of a GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase from Lactobacillus curiae
Authors: Fleming Jennifer R. , Hauth Franziskus , Hartig Jörg S. , Mayans Olga
Published: July 2023

Members of the GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase (GNAT) family are found in all domains of life and are involved in processes ranging from protein synthesis and gene expression to detoxification and virulence. Due to the variety of their macromolecular targets, GNATs are a highly diverse family of proteins. Currently, 3D structures of only a small number of GNAT representatives are available and thus the family remains poorly characterized. Here, the crystal structure of the guanidine riboswitch-associated GNAT from Lactobacillus curiae (LcGNAT) that acetylates canavanine, a structural analogue of arginine with antimetabolite properties, is reported. LcGNAT shares the conserved fold of the members of the GNAT superfamily, but does not contain an N-terminal β0 strand and instead contains a C-terminal β7 strand. Its P-loop, which coordinates the pyrophosphate moiety of the acetyl-coenzyme A cosubstrate, is degenerated. These features are shared with its closest homologues in the polyamine acetyltransferase subclass. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed a central role of the conserved residue Tyr142 in catalysis, as well as the semi-conserved Tyr97 and Glu92, suggesting that despite its individual substrate specificity LcGNAT performs the classical reaction mechanism of this family.
Crystal structure of Prp16 in complex with ADP
Authors: Garbers Tim Benedict , Enders Marieke , Neumann Piotr , Ficner Ralf
Published: July 2023

DEAH-box helicases play a crucial role in pre-mRNA splicing as they are responsible for major rearrangements of the spliceosome and are involved in various quality-ensuring steps. Prp16 is the driving force during spliceosomal catalysis, remodeling the C state into the C* state. Here, the first crystal structure of Prp16 from Chaetomium thermophilum in complex with ADP is reported at 1.9 Å resolution. Comparison with the other spliceosomal DEAH-box helicases Prp2, Prp22 and Prp43 reveals an overall identical domain architecture. The β-hairpin, which is a structural element of the RecA2 domain, exhibits a unique position, punctuating its flexibility. Analysis of cryo-EM models of spliceosomal complexes containing Prp16 reveals that these models show Prp16 in its nucleotide-free state, rendering the model presented here the first structure of Prp16 in complex with a nucleotide.
3-Methyl-2-(4-methylphenoxy)benzoic acid
Authors: Lu Kangkang , Long Sihui
Published: July 2023

In the title compound, C15H14O3, the dihedral angle between the aromatic rings is 86.7 (9)°. In the crystal, carboxylic acid inversion dimers linked by pairwise O—H...O hydrogen bonds are formed.
A technopreneurial venture’s dilemma with product selection
Authors: Pujari Purvi , Gupta Nimit , Kumar Anuj
Published: July 2023

Learning outcomes

This case is designed to provide learners with strategic decision-making skills. It also introduces the various nuances of establishing a technopreneurial venture and creating and sustaining a competitive advantage. The setting allows learners to comprehend the significance of assessing the business environment and the advantage of being a first mover in any business sector. The case allows a rare glimpse into the strategic decision framework of a scale-wise relatively much small tech firm that is competing with global giants and creating waves, and winning accolades for its performance. The case also allows learners to understand the analysis and decision-making parameters studied by a company while selecting a product. After working through and discussing this case, learners should be able to identify the strategic decision framework in which Aeron undertakes a product selection decision; analyze the conditions in the operating environment that made Aeron possess a competitive advantage; and design the product choice strategy for Aeron.

Case overview/synopsis

This case is about the journey of two friends, Abhijeet Bokil and Ashwani Shukla, who started a company together in Pune, India, in 2008 and achieved great success. The case discusses their tryst with different products and industrial sectors. It unfolds the journey of their startups and their finding the desired product category. It also discusses the various hurdles they face while establishing the business. The journey was tough as it occurred in the unpredictable background of the dynamic international technology and policy environment. The common challenges to entrepreneurship were present throughout their journey. The team encountered various financial and technological trials during these years. The case explains how excellent strategic choices made the team overcome those challenges. The biggest dilemma faced by the team was to select between two of their products. The one who gave them visibility and success or the new upcoming one with more entry barriers. The case deals with the issue of product selection in the sectors of telematics and weather monitoring.

Complexity academic level

The case is appropriate for courses in Business management, Strategy management programs & innovation and Entrepreneurship management courses. The case would suit BBA and MBA students learning various management models.

Supplementary material

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
Agency appraisal of emotions and brand trust
Authors: Sung Billy , La Macchia Stephen , Stankovic Michelle
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine how the appraisal of both incidental and direct positive other-agency emotions (vs self-agency emotions) enhances brand trust and, subsequently, brand attitudes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents three experiments that examine the effect of other-agency emotions (vs self-agency emotions) on brand trust and brand attitudes by both Australian and USA consumers. Studies 1 and 2 compared the effect of self- and other-agency emotions evoked through an irrelevant reflective task. Study 3 used real-world marketing communication to evoke self- or other-pride.

Findings

Gratitude (Study 1) and other-pride (Study 2) evoked through an irrelevant, reflective task enhanced brand trust and attitudes for both familiar and unfamiliar brands. The authors replicated these effects using marketing communications that evoked other-pride (Study 3) and showed how these findings can be applied in a marketing context.

Research limitations/implications

There are contradictory findings in the literature on how positive emotions influence brand trust and attitudes. The findings show that other-agency appraisal is a crucial appraisal within a marketing context and reveals why not all positively valenced emotions increase brand trust and brand attitudes. The findings highlight the importance of examining the effects of emotions on brand trust and attitudes beyond the consideration of their valence.

Practical implications

The research provides significant implications for marketers to improve brand trust and brand attitudes through the elicitation of other-agency emotions. The findings also demonstrate that different components of emotions, such as appraisal structure, may influence consumer trust and attitudes towards marketing and branding communications.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first to empirically demonstrate how other-agency appraisals of emotions can influence consumer brand trust and attitudes in a marketing context.
Teachers' TPACK during the Covid-19 crisis: an ecological perspective on Arab and Jewish teachers in Israel
Authors: Masry-Herzallah Asmahan , Stavissky Yuliya
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This research examined correlations between contextual factors: frequency of online teaching (OT) (number of hours per week), Transformational Leadership Style (TLS) and TPACK (TPACK) among Arab and Jewish teachers in Israel after more than a year of teaching online during the Covid-19 crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative methodology elicited data from 437 questionnaires. An online questionnaire was first sent to Israeli Arab and Jewish teachers studying for M.A degrees in three randomly selected higher education institutes in Israel, and then the questionnaire was sent to other teachers, selected through the snowball method. After data collection common method variance was precluded.

Findings

The findings of this research indicated a positive correlation between frequency of OT, TLS and TPACK among Israeli teachers. Major differences were found between Arab and Jewish teachers: Arab teachers (AT) reported more improvement of TPACK, although they taught fewer hours than Jewish teachers (JT). In addition, TLS and sector (Arab/Jewish) moderated the positive correlation between the frequency of OT and TPACK among ATs.

Originality/value

The findings of this research validate the opportunity created by the Covid-19 crisis for cultivation of teachers’ TPACK through OT. This research contributes to extant relevant literature and practice concerning the influence of contextual factors on teachers' improvement of their TPACK while performing OT during the Covid-19 crisis and can inform the design of ecological and culturally appropriate education policies in the post-COVID-19 period. The research was built on the theories of TLS, which is a crucial component supporting the influence of technology integration. The findings strengthen existing knowledge on the unique capacity of TLS to buffer negative external influences imposed on teachers' TPACK and motivate them.
Fabrication of CNTs-reinforced poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposite film with tailored structural, surface chemical and optical properties
Authors: Lateef Abdul , Raza Zulfiqar Ali , Aslam Muhammad , Rehman Muhammad Shoaib Ur , Iftikhar Asma , Zahir Abdul
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to fabricate multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-mediated polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite films using the solution casting approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The prepared films were evaluated for diverse structural, surface, optical and electrical attributes using advanced analytical techniques, i.e. electron microscopy for surface morphology, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for tracing chemical functionalities, x-ray diffraction (XRD) for crystal patterns, water contact angle (WCA) analysis for surface wettability and UV visible spectroscopy for optical absorption parameters. The specimens were also investigated for certain rheological, mechanical and electrical properties, where applicable.

Findings

The surface morphology results expressed a better dispersion of MWCNTs in the resultant PVA-based nanocomposite film. The XRD analysis exhibited that the nanocomposite film was crystalline. The surface wettability analysis indicated that with the inclusion of MWCNTs, the WCA of the resultant nanocomposite film improved to 89.4° from 44° with the pristine PVA film. The MWCNTs (1.00%, w/w) incorporated PVA-based film exhibited a tensile strength of 54.0 MPa as compared to that of native PVA as 25.3 MPa film. There observed a decreased bandgap (from 5.25 to 5.14 eV) on incorporating the MWCNTs in the PVA-based nanocomposite film.

Practical implications

The MWCNTs’ inclusion in the PVA matrix could enhance the AC conductivity of the resultant nanocomposite film. The prepared nanocomposite film might be useful in designing certain optoelectronic devices.

Originality/value

The results demonstrated the successful MWCNTs mediation in the PVA-based composite films expressed good intercalation of the precursors; this resulted in decreased bandgap, usually, desirable for optoelectronic applications.
Digitization of Indigenous knowledge systems in Africa: the case of South Africa’s National Recorded System (NRS)
Authors: Balogun Tolulope
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to highlight the indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) preservation efforts in South Africa, with a focus on the National Recordal System and the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Documentation Centres (IKSDCs) across South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

Anchored in the interpretivist paradigm, the qualitative research approach was adopted to explore the objectives of the study. The multiple case study method was considered appropriate and adopted for the study. The data for this study was collected through comprehensive face-to-face interviews and Web content analysis. The population of the study consisted of the staff at the IKSDCs in the selected academic institutions. The purposive sampling technique was used to select the following set of participants in each academic institution: IKS managers/coordinators, digitization officers and online collection administrators.

Findings

The findings provide an in-depth understanding of the IKS landscape in South Africa. The findings and recommendations of this paper would be useful to researchers who wish to know more about digitization efforts in South Africa. It would also be useful to all stakeholders and policymakers.

Originality/value

The paper brings to the fore the efforts of the South African government in preserving IKS through documentation and digitization. The paper highlights the sources of indigenous knowledge, types of indigenous knowledge captured, how the indigenous knowledge is ingested in the repositories and how the data is captured. Generally, the roles of the IKSDCs in the capture and preservation of IKS are highlighted.
Reproductive strategies of native plant populations altered by a plant invasion
Authors: Dostál Petr
Published: July 2023

Invasive plant transformers substantially change the abiotic environment of invaded ecosystems and thus habitat suitability to resident species. Post‐invasion environmental alteration can also modify the selective pressure acting on native plants. Here, I explored whether the decrease in light availability due to an invasion of Heracleum mantegazzianum drives evolution of reproductive strategies of Veronica chamaedrys, a perennial plant combining sexual and clonal reproduction.

Using a common garden experiment with plant material of V. chamaedrys from 23 sites with distinct invasion history and light conditions, I searched for changes in reproductive allocation. I also asked whether evolution of the two modes can be constrained by the genetic trade‐off between them. Furthermore, the phenotypic trade‐off between the two modes was explored in a field experiment.

I found that invaded populations increased investments in clonal reproduction, a shift that was driven by decreased light availability, particularly in the early invasion phases. However, as light availability rebounded in the more advanced phases of invasion, so decreased allocation to clonal structures. In terms of relative allocation, increased investment in ramets was paralleled by reduced seed production, and the changes were underpinned by genetic trade‐off. Finally, the phenotypic trade‐off was demonstrated in the field experiment by showing that plants producing more ramets were also less likely to flower.

These results suggest that an exotic plant invasion can drive evolution of reproductive allocation, here observed on a timescale of tens of years. This knowledge is important not only for the prediction of long‐term invasion impacts, but also, more generally, for the provision of novel insights into the process of adaptation of plants to changing abiotic conditions.

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Parental experiences of accessing assessments for special educational needs
Authors: Starkie Zoe
Published: July 2023

An individual is considered to have special educational needs (SEN) if they require special educational provision to enable them to access education (British Educational Research Journal, 2011, 37, 421). In 2014, a new SEN code of conduct was established, which saw further amendments the following year (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/398815/SEND_Code_of_Practice_January_2015.pdf, 2015). Research has suggested that, prior to these reforms, many parents were dissatisfied with the process of accessing SEN assessments. Literature focusing on parental experiences since the reforms remains limited and often only relates to children with an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP). This phenomenological research aims to provide an insight into the experiences of parents who have tried to access assessments for their child's possible SEN since the 2014 SEN reforms. Five participants, who had engaged with the SEN system, were selected using purposive sampling. Semi‐structured interviews were used to gain in‐depth qualitative data surrounding their experiences. Thematic analysis of the data indicates that parents are having to persistently fight to access assessments, which can affect the well‐being of the whole family.
Automated detection of regions of interest in cartridge case images using deep learning
Authors: Le Bouthillier Marie‐Eve , Hrynkiw Lynne , Beauchamp Alain , Duong Luc , Ratté Sylvie
Published: July 2023

This paper explores a deep‐learning approach to evaluate the position of circular delimiters in cartridge case images. These delimiters define two regions of interest (ROI), corresponding to the breech face and the firing pin impressions, and are placed manually or by an image‐processing algorithm. This positioning bears a significant impact on the performance of the image‐matching algorithms for firearm identification, and an automated evaluation method would be beneficial to any computerized system. Our contribution consists in optimizing and training U‐Net segmentation models from digital images of cartridge cases, intending to locate ROIs automatically. For the experiments, we used high‐resolution 2D images from 1195 samples of cartridge cases fired by different 9MM firearms. Our results show that the segmentation models, trained on augmented data sets, exhibit a performance of 95.6% IoU (Intersection over Union) and 99.3% DC (Dice Coefficient) with a loss of 0.014 for the breech face images; and a performance of 95.9% IoU and 99.5% DC with a loss of 0.011 for the firing pin images. We observed that the natural shapes of predicted circles reduce the performance of segmentation models compared with perfect circles on ground truth masks suggesting that our method provide a more accurate segmentation of the real ROI shape. In practice, we believe that these results could be useful for firearms identification. In future work, the predictions may be used to evaluate the quality of delimiters on specimens in a database, or they could determine the region of interest on a cartridge case image.
Medical student deployment to a single metropolitan hospital during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A mixed methods analysis
Authors: Mazzochi Katelyn , Aldridge Emogene , Hackett Liam , Miller Joseph , Leach Deborah , Lukins Jane , Jordan Peter , Buntine Paul
Published: July 2023

Objectives

To explore student and staff satisfaction with the use of medical students as a surge workforce during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Method

We conducted a mixed methods analysis of staff and student experiences with the medical student workforce at a single metropolitan ED over an 8‐month period between December 2021 and July 2022, using an online survey tool. Students were invited to complete the survey fortnightly, whereas senior medical and nursing staff were invited weekly.

Results

There was a 32% response rate for surveys sent to medical student assistants (MSAs) and 18% and 15% for medical and nursing staff, respectively. Most students felt well prepared and supported in the role and would recommend it to other students. They reported that the role allowed them to gain experience and confidence within the ED, especially after much of their learning had moved online throughout the pandemic. Senior nurses and doctors found MSAs to be useful members of the team, largely through their assistance with task completion. Both staff and students recommended a more comprehensive orientation, changes to the supervision model and increased clarity in the students' scope of practice.

Conclusions

The results of the present study provide insight into the use of medical students as an emergency surge workforce. Responses from medical students and staff suggested that the project was beneficial for both groups as well as for overall departmental performance. These findings are likely to be translatable beyond the COVID‐19 pandemic setting.
The effect of diabetes mellitus on tuberculosis in eastern China: A decision‐tree analysis based on a real‐world study
Authors: Ling Yuxiao , Chen Xinyi , Zhou Meng , Zhang Mengdie , Luo Dan , Wang Wei , Chen Bin , Jiang Jianmin
Published: July 2023

Objectives

The public health system faces major challenges due to the double burden of diabetes mellitus (DM) and tuberculosis (TB) in China. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and impact of diabetes on patients with TB.

Methods

Stratified cluster sampling was used to select 13 counties as study sites in the Zhejiang province. Patients who visited designated TB hospitals in these areas participated in this study between 1 January 2017 and 28 February 2019. Multiple logistic regression models were performed to investigate the association between DM and bacteriological and imaging results. A decision tree was used to predict the bacteriology and imaging results under the influence of DM.

Results

Of 5920 patients with newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis, 643 (12.16%) had DM. Patients with pulmonary TB and DM were more likely to have pulmonary cavities (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.81; 95% confidence intervals [95% CI]: 2.35–3.37) and higher rates of positive bacteriological tests (aOR, 2.32; 95% CI:1.87–2.87). Decision‐tree analysis showed similar results.

Conclusions

Concurrence of DM and pulmonary TB makes patients more likely to have positive bacteriological results and pulmonary cavities. Therefore, appropriate measures are necessary to promptly identify and manage patients with TB and DM.
In Situ Rb‐Sr Dates of Muscovite and Sulfur Isotope of Pyrite from the Yangshan Gold Deposit in Western Qinling, China
Authors: HUANG Yong , QI Xianmao , WU Qingsong , LI Jianzhong , REN Minghua , DUAN Liu'an , XIONG Tao , YANG Zhonghu , ZHAO Yang , CIREN Lamu , WEI Wei , DUAN Jilin , YAN Mengmeng
Published: July 2023

Located along the southern part of the West Qinling orogenic belt, the Yangshan gold deposit is one of the largest in China. The major gold ores of Yangshan are disseminated in metasedimentary host rocks with minor native gold amounts in stibnite‐gold quartz veins. Pyrite and arsenopyrite are the major Au‐bearing minerals. Hydrothermal muscovite from gold‐bearing quartz veins was dated using the in situ Rb‐Sr method to determine the formation age of the Yangshan gold deposit. The Rb‐Sr isochron date of the muscovite yielded 210.1 ± 5.6 Ma (MSWD = 1.2). This date is near the lower end of the period of the mineralized granitic dykes (210.49–213.10 Ma). Two stages of gold enriching process are recognized in the gold‐bearing pyrite: the first is incorporated with the Co, Cu, As, Ni enrichment; and the second is accompanied by Bi, Co, Ni, Pb, Cu, Sb concentration. The in‐situ sulfur isotopic values of pyrites show a restricted Δ34s range of –1.43 ‰ to 2.86 ‰ with a mean value of 0.43 ‰. Trace‐element mapping and in‐situ sulfur isotopic analysis of pyrite suggest that the sulfur deposits are likely derived from a magmatic source and likely assimilated by sulfur from the sedimentary bedrock. Thus, magmatism plays a critical role in the formation of the Yangshan gold deposit.