bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross regulation in a three-component cell envelope stress signaling system ofBrucella
Authors: Chen Xingru , Alakavuklar Melene A. , Fiebig Aretha , Crosson Sean
Published: April 2023

A multi-layered structure known as the cell envelope separates the controlled interior of bacterial cells from a fluctuating physical and chemical environment. The transcription of genes that determine cell envelope structure and function is commonly regulated by two-component signaling systems (TCS), comprising a sensor histidine kinase and a cognate response regulator. To identify TCS genes that contribute to cell envelope function in the intracellular mammalian pathogen,Brucella ovis, we subjected a collection of non-essential TCS deletion mutants to compounds that disrupt cell membranes and the peptidoglycan cell wall. Our screen led to the discovery of three TCS proteins that coordinately function to confer resistance to cell envelope stressors and to supportB. ovisreplication in the intracellular niche. This tripartite regulatory system includes the known cell envelope regulator, CenR, and a previously uncharacterized TCS, EssR-EssS, which is widely conserved inAlphaproteobacteria. The CenR and EssR response regulators bind a shared set of sites on theB. ovischromosomes to control transcription of an overlapping set of genes with cell envelope functions. CenR directly interacts with EssR and functions to stimulate phosphoryl transfer from the EssS kinase to EssR, while CenR and EssR control the cellular levels of each other via a post-transcriptional mechanism. Our data provide evidence for a new mode of TCS cross-regulation in which a non-cognate response regulator affects both the activity and protein levels of a cognate TCS protein pair.

Importance

As intracellular pathogens,Brucellamust contend with a variety of host-derived stressors when infecting a host cell. The inner membrane, cell wall, and outer membrane — i.e. the cell envelope — ofBrucellaprovides a critical barrier to host assault. A conserved regulatory mechanism known as two-component signaling (TCS) commonly controls transcription of genes that determine the structure and biochemical composition of the cell envelope during stress. We report the identification of previously uncharacterized TCS genes that determineB. ovisfitness in the presence of cell envelope disruptors and within infected mammalian host cells. Our study reveals a new molecular mechanism of TCS-dependent gene regulation, and thereby advances fundamental understanding of transcriptional regulatory processes in bacteria.
EGFR+lung adenocarcinomas coopt alveolar macrophage metabolism and function to support EGFR signaling and growth
Authors: Kuhlmann-Hogan Alexandra , Cordes Thekla , Xu Ziyan , Traina Kacie A. , Robles-Oteíza Camila , Ayeni Deborah , Kwong Elizabeth M. , Levy Stellar R. , Nobari Mathew , Cheng George Z. , Shaw Reuben , Leibel Sandra L. , Metallo Christian M. , Politi Katerina , Kaech Susan M.
Published: April 2023

The limited efficacy of currently approved immunotherapies in EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) underscores the need to better understand mechanisms governing local immunosuppression. Elevated surfactant and GM-CSF secretion from the transformed epithelium induces tumor-associated alveolar macrophages (TA-AM) to proliferate and support tumor growth by rewiring inflammatory functions and lipid metabolism. TA-AM properties are driven by increased GM-CSF—PPARγ signaling and inhibition of airway GM-CSF or PPARγ in TA-AMs suppresses cholesterol efflux to tumor cells, which impairs EGFR phosphorylation and restrains LUAD progression. In the absence of TA-AM metabolic support, LUAD cells compensate by increasing cholesterol synthesis, and blocking PPARγ in TA-AMs simultaneous with statin therapy further suppresses tumor progression and increases T cell effector functions. These results reveal new therapeutic combinations for immunotherapy resistant EGFR-mutant LUADs and demonstrate how such cancer cells can metabolically co-opt TA-AMs through GM-CSF—PPARγ signaling to provide nutrients that promote oncogenic signaling and growth.
Bird communities in a selectively logged tropical montane forest are dominated by small, low-elevation species
Authors: Chanda Ritobroto , Rai Shambu , Tamang Bharat , Munda Binod , Pradhan D.K. , Rai Mangal , Biswakarma Aman , Srinivasan Umesh
Published: April 2023

Tropical montane forests are critical centres of terrestrial biodiversity and endemism, and face a range of threats, including selective logging and climate change. However, few studies have explored the joint influence of these threats, particularly in tropical mountains, despite how crucial it is to understand the cumulative impact of forest loss and climate change on biodiversity. We used mist-netting and bird ringing data from a long-term (10-year) community and population monitoring program to examine how the composition of the mid-elevation Eastern Himalayan understorey bird community changed in the mid-elevation primary and logged forest. Because logged forest is warmer than primary forest, we hypothesised that the bird community would shift towards lower elevation species, with a faster transition in logged forest. Further, because logged forest has lower arthropod abundance, we hypothesised that the primary forest community would have larger species than the logged forest community. Our study shows that the bird community in the logged forest shifted towards lower-elevation species than in the primary forest (although this was not statistically significant). Moreover, we found that smaller species were better able to colonise warmer logged forest, whereas larger species reached higher densities in primary forest. These trends are likely to be driven by climate change causing upslope range shifts and logged forest selecting for species that are likely to tolerate the consequently altered abiotic (higher temperatures) and biotic (lower resources) environment. These findings have significant implications for understanding the impacts of forest loss and climate change on biodiversity, particularly in tropical montane forests.
Structural Adaptation of Fungal Cell Wall in Hypersaline Environment
Authors: Fernando Liyanage D. , Pérez-Llano Yordanis , Dickwella Widanage Malitha C. , Jacob Anand , Martínez-Ávila Liliana , Lipton Andrew S. , Gunde-Cimerman Nina , Latgé Jean-Paul , Batista-García Ramón Alberto , Wang Tuo
Published: April 2023

Halophilic fungi, which thrive in hypersaline habitats and face a range of extreme conditions. These fungal species have gained considerable attention due to their potential applications in harsh industrial processes, such as bioremediation and fermentation under unfavorable conditions of hypersalinity, low water activity, and extreme pH. However, the role of the cell wall in surviving these environmental conditions remains unclear. Here we employ solid-state NMR spectroscopy to compare the cell wall architecture ofAspergillus sydowiiacross salinity gradients. Analyses of intact cells reveal thatA. sydowiicell walls contain a rigid core comprising chitin, β-glucan, and chitosan, shielded by a surface shell composed of galactomannan and galactosaminogalactan. When exposed to hypersaline conditions,A. sydowiienhances chitin biosynthesis and incorporates α-glucan to create thick, stiff, and hydrophobic cell walls. Such structural rearrangements enable the fungus to adapt to both hypersaline and salt-deprived conditions, providing a robust mechanism for withstanding external stress. These molecular principles can aid in the optimization of halophilic strains for biotechnology applications.
XenopusSsbp2 is required for embryonic pronephros morphogenesis and terminal differentiation
Authors: Cervino Ailen S. , Collodel Mariano G. , Lopez Ivan A. , Hochbaum Daniel , Hukriede Neil A. , Cirio M. Cecilia
Published: April 2023

The nephron, functional unit of the vertebrate kidney, is specialized in metabolic wastes excretion and body fluids osmoregulation. Given the high evolutionary conservation of gene expression and segmentation patterning between mammalian and amphibian nephrons, theXenopus laevispronephric kidney offers a simplified model for studying nephrogenesis. The Lhx1 transcription factor plays several roles during embryogenesis, regulating target genes expression by forming multiprotein complexes with LIM binding protein 1 (Ldb1). However, few Lhx1-Ldb1 cofactors have been identified for kidney organogenesis. By tandem-affinity purification from kidney-inducedXenopusanimal caps, we identifiedsingle-stranded DNAbindingprotein2(Ssbp2) interacts with the Ldb1-Lhx1 complex. Ssbp2 is expressed in theXenopuspronephros, and knockdown prevents normal morphogenesis and differentiation of the glomus and the convoluted renal tubules. We demonstrate a role for a member of the Ssbp family in kidney organogenesis and provide evidence of a fundamental function for the Ldb1-Lhx1-Ssbp transcriptional complexes in embryonic development.
Systematic evaluation of intratumoral and peripheral BCR repertoires in three cancers
Authors: Krasik S.V. , Bryushkova E.A. , Sharonov G.V. , Myalik D.S. , Shurganova E.V. , Komarov D.V. , Shagina I.A. , Shpudeiko P.S. , Turchaninova M.A. , Vakhitova M.T. , Samoylenko I.V. , Marinov D.T. , Demidov LV , Zagainov V.E. , Chudakov D.M. , Serebrovskaya E.O.
Published: April 2023

The current understanding of humoral immune response in cancer patients suggests that tumors may be infiltrated with diffuse B cells of extra-tumoral origin or may develop organized lymphoid structures, where somatic hypermutation and antigen-driven selection occur locally. These processes are believed to be significantly influenced by the tumor microenvironment through secretory factors and biased cell-cell interactions. To explore the manifestation of this influence, we used deep unbiased immunoglobulin profiling and systematically characterized the relationships between B cells in circulation, draining lymph nodes (draining LNs), and tumors in 14 patients with three human cancers. We demonstrated that draining LNs are differentially involved in the interaction with the tumor site, and that significant heterogeneity exists even between different parts of a single lymph node (LN). Next, we confirmed and elaborated upon previous observations regarding intratumoral immunoglobulin heterogeneity. We identified B cell receptor (BCR) clonotypes that were expanded in tumors relative to draining LNs and blood and observed that these tumor-expanded clonotypes were less hypermutated than non-expanded (ubiquitous) clonotypes. Furthermore, we observed a shift in the properties of complementarity-determining region 3 of the BCR heavy chain (CDR-H3) towards less mature and less specific BCR repertoire in tumor-infiltrating B-cells compared to circulating B-cells, which may indicate less stringent control for antibody-producing B cell development in tumor microenvironment (TME). In addition, we found repertoire-level evidence that B-cells may be selected according to their CDR-H3 physicochemical properties before they activate somatic hypermutation (SHM). Altogether, our work outlines a broad picture of the differences in the tumor BCR repertoire relative to non-tumor tissues and points to the unexpected features of the SHM process.
Exact analysis of the subthreshold variability for conductance-based neuronal models with synchronous synaptic inputs
Authors: Becker Logan A. , Li Baowang , Priebe Nicholas J. , Seidemann Eyal , Taillefumier Thibaud
Published: April 2023

The spiking activity of neocortical neurons exhibits a striking level of variability, even when these networks are driven by identical stimuli. The approximately Poisson firing of neurons has led to the hypothesis that these neural networks operate in the asynchronous state. In the asynchronous state neurons fire independently from one another, so that the probability that a neuron experience synchronous synaptic inputs is exceedingly low. While the models of asynchronous neurons lead to observed spiking variability, it is not clear whether the asynchronous state can also account for the level of subthreshold membrane potential variability. We propose a new analytical framework to rigorously quantify the subthreshold variability of a single conductance-based neuron in response to synaptic inputs with prescribed degrees of synchrony. Technically we leverage the theory of exchangeability to model input synchrony via jump-process-based synaptic drives; we then perform a moment analysis of the stationary response of a neuronal model with all-or-none conductances that neglects post-spiking reset. As a result, we produce exact, interpretable closed forms for the first two stationary moments of the membrane voltage, with explicit dependence on the input synaptic numbers, strengths, and synchrony. For biophysically relevant parameters, we find that the asynchronous regime only yields realistic subthreshold variability (voltage variance ≃4−9mV2) when driven by a restricted number of large synapses, compatible with strong thalamic drive. By contrast, we find that achieving realistic subthreshold variability with dense cortico-cortical inputs requires including weak but nonzero input synchrony, consistent with measured pairwise spiking correlations. We also show that without synchrony, the neural variability averages out to zero for all scaling limits with vanishing synaptic weights, independent of any balanced state hypothesis. This result challenges the theoretical basis for mean-field theories of the asynchronous state.
Neural extracellular matrix regulates visual sensory motor integration
Authors: Reinhard Jacqueline , Mueller-Buehl Cornelius , Wiemann Susanne , Roll Lars , Luft Veronika , Shabani Hamed , Rathbun Daniel L. , Gan Lin , Kuo Chao-Chung , Franzen Julia , Joachim Stephanie C. , Faissner Andreas
Published: April 2023

Visual processing depends on sensitive and balanced synaptic neurotransmission. Extracellular matrix proteins in the environment of cells are key modulators in synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity. In the present study, we provide evidence that the combined loss of the four extracellular matrix components brevican, neurocan, tenascin-C and tenascin-R in quadruple knockout mice leads to severe retinal dysfunction and diminished visual motion processingin vivo. Remarkably, impaired visual motion processing was accompanied by a developmental loss of cholinergic direction-selective starburst amacrine cells. Additionally, we noted imbalance of inhibitory and excitatory synaptic signaling in the quadruple knockout retina. Collectively, the study offers novel insights into the functional importance of four key extracellular matrix proteins for retinal function, visual motion processing and synaptic integrity.

Graphical Abstract

In brief

In their study, Reinhard et al. show that the combined loss of the extracellular matrix components brevican, neurocan, tenascin-C and tenascin-R in quadruple knockout mice leads to retinal dysfunction, diminished visual motion processing, developmental loss of cholinergic direction-selective starburst amacrine cells and imbalance of inhibitory and excitatory synaptic integrity.

Highlights

Combined loss of the four extracellular matrix molecules brevican, neurocan, tenascin-C and tenascin-R causes retinal dysfunction

Impaired visual motion processing in quadruple, tenascin-C and tenascin-R knockout mice

Loss of cholinergic direction-selective starburst amacrine cells in the quadruple knockout retina

The matrisome influences inhibitory and excitatory synaptic balance
Dual spatio-temporal regulation of axon growth and microtubule dynamics by RhoA signaling pathways
Authors: Wojnacki José , Quassollo Gonzalo , Bordenave Martín D. , Unsain Nicolás , Martínez Gaby F. , Szalai Alan M. , Pertz Olivier , Gundersen Gregg G. , Bartolini Francesca , Stefani Fernando D. , Cáceres Alfredo , Bisbal Mariano
Published: April 2023

RhoA plays a crucial role in neuronal polarization, where its action restraining axon outgrowth has been thoroughly studied. We now report that RhoA has not only inhibitory but also a stimulatory effect on axon development depending on when and where exerts its action and the downstream effectors involved. In cultured hippocampal neurons, FRET imaging revealed that RhoA activity selectively localizes in growth cones of undifferentiated neurites, while in developing axons it displays a biphasic pattern, being low in nascent axons and high in elongating ones. RhoA-Rho kinase (ROCK) signaling prevents axon initiation but has no effect on elongation, while formin inhibition reduces axon extension without significantly altering initial outgrowth. Besides, RhoA-mDia promotes axon elongation by stimulating growth cone microtubule stability and assembly, as opposed to RhoA-ROCK that restrains growth cone microtubule assembly and protrusion. Finally, we show that similar mechanisms might operate during axonal regeneration, with RhoA-ROCK slowing axon regrowth after axotomy and RhoA-mDia favoring extension of regenerated axons.
Effect of the nitrogen content of sputtering gas during Ni deposition on Ni/Ti periodic multilayers and neutron supermirror performance
Authors: Zhang Qiya , Zhang Zhong , Ni Hangjian , Huang Qiushi , Li Xinxi , He Jialian , Wang Zhanshan
Published: April 2023

Neutron supermirrors are indispensable in neutron research devices. Their performance has been improved using reactive magnetron sputtering. This study investigates the effects of nitrogen content in a mixed sputtering gas during Ni deposition. Ni/Ti periodic multilayers with different d spacings and neutron supermirrors with m = 3 were prepared under different nitrogen partial pressures. Comparison of samples prepared under two different nitrogen contents (12 and 20%) showed that the interfacial roughness and the internal stresses of the periodic multilayer films with 20% nitrogen were smaller, the interface diffusion of the supermirrors with 20% nitrogen decreased, and the interface became clearer and more organized. Furthermore, the neutron reflectivity of the Ni/Ti supermirrors deposited under 20% nitrogen was 0.89 at m = 3.05.
Combining technology readiness and acceptance model for investigating the acceptance of m-learning in higher education in India
Authors: Kampa Raj Kishor
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The study aims to validate a mobile learning readiness scale through the technology readiness and acceptance model (TRAM), thereby assessing students' readiness to adopt m-learning in teaching and learning, including its acceptance.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was administered to open and distance learning (ODL) students in Odisha, India, to assess their readiness and acceptance of m-learning. 665 valid responses were collected, and collected data was analysed using statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS) and SmartPLS.

Findings

The findings of the study reveal that optimism contributes positively to perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU) of m-learning (β = 7.921, p < 0.001; β = 2.123, p < 0.05), whereas innovativeness positively contributes to PEOU of m-learning (β = 2.227, p < 0.05), but not PU of m-learning. ODL student's optimism improves his/her PEOU and PU of m-learning, but innovativeness improves only his/her PEOU. Further, the impact of innovativeness is higher than that of optimism in the TRAM and innovativeness is the strong predictor to adopt m-learning. It also shows that the PU of m-learning positively influences behavioural intention to use m-learning (β = 4.757, p < 0.001). Integrating technology readiness (TR) with technology acceptance model (TAM) to predict students' acceptance of m-learning is very useful.

Practical implications

The paper will help decision-makers to adopt and use m-learning in higher educational institutions.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to explore the readiness and acceptance of m-learning in higher education in India.
Mathematical modeling of optimal allocation of remote workforce: an interdisciplinary investigation with Hofstede's cultural factors and managerial ability
Authors: Sun Jie , Kim Sangahn , Zhao Fang
Published: April 2023

Purpose

As the pandemic begins to ease, many companies are figuring out that working remotely is the future of work and “a new normal”. This research focuses on strategic planning and practices inherent in remote work, and aims to identify the optimal balance between virtual and on-site working. Specifically, the authors investigate the moderating effects of managerial ability and Hofstede's cultural factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors build a mathematical model to locate the optimal balance between virtual and on-site working. A numerical study is presented, and additional sensitivity analysis is conducted to validate the proposed model.

Findings

This model provides organizations with a general guideline with recommended optimal percentages of remote workforce based on specific Hofstede's national scores. The authors also find that organizations with varying levels of managerial ability exhibit different adoption rates of remote working.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the chosen research approach, the proposed model may lack empirical verification and require further adjustment of parameters. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to empirically and statistically test the proposed model further.

Practical implications

This model equips organizations and practitioners with a general guideline to identify their desired portion of remote workforce. The incorporation of managerial ability and cultural factors makes our model applicable to various business structures across different sectors.

Originality/value

This proposed model addresses this optimization problem from a mathematical perspective with an interdisciplinary approach. The model also considers the moderating effects of managerial ability and Hofstede's cultural factors.

Highlights

The main contribution of this study is the theoretical development of our mathematical model that identifies the optimal balance between remote and on-site workforce in the context of managerial ability and Hofstede's cultural factors.

A numerical study is presented, and additional sensitivity analysis is conducted to validate the proposed model and highlight the moderating effect of managerial ability and cultural influence on the adopted percentages of remote working.

Our study suggests that organizational capabilities, managerial skills, and culturally suitable work arrangement are vital in successful development and implementation of remote working policy.

Practical managerial implications and general guidelines are offered to organizations and practitioners.
Industry 4.0 and Lean Manufacturing – a systematic review of the state-of-the-art literature and key recommendations for future research
Authors: Saad Sameh M. , Bahadori Ramin , Bhovar Chandan , Zhang Hongwei
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the current state of research to identify the link between Lean Manufacturing and Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies to map out different research themes, to uncover research gaps and propose key recommendations for future research, including lessons to be learnt from the integration of lean and I4.0.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review (SLR) is conducted to thematically analyse and synthesise existing literature on Lean Manufacturing–I4.0 integration. The review analysed 60 papers in peer-reviewed journals.

Findings

In total, five main research themes were identified, and a thematic map was created to explore the following: the relationship between Lean Manufacturing and I4.0; Lean Manufacturing and I4.0 implication on performance; Lean Manufacturing and I4.0 framework; Lean Manufacturing and I4.0 integration with other methodologies; and application of I4.0 technologies in Lean Manufacturing. Furthermore, various gaps in the literature were identified, and key recommendations for future directions were proposed.

Research limitations/implications

The integration of Lean Manufacturing and I4.0 will eventually bring many benefits and offers superior and long-term competitive advantages. This research reveals the need for more analysis to thoroughly examine how this can be achieved in real life and promote operational changes that ensure enterprises run more sustainably.

Originality/value

The development of Lean Manufacturing and I4.0 integration is still in its infancy, with most articles in this field published in the past two years. The five main research themes identified through thematic synthesis are provided in the original contribution. This provides scholars better insight into the existing literature related to Lean Manufacturing and I4.0, further contributing to defining clear topics for future research opportunities. It also has important implications for industrialists, who can develop more profound and richer knowledge than Lean and I4.0, which would, in turn, help them develop more effective deployment strategies and have a positive commercial impact.
The effects of social media use and consumer engagement on physician online return: evidence from Weibo
Authors: Yang Yabin , Guo Xitong , Wu Tianshi , Vogel Doug
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Social media facilitates the communication and the relationship between healthcare professionals and patients. However, limited research has examined the role of social media in a physicians' online return. This study, therefore, investigates physicians' online economic and social capital return in relation to physicians' use of social media and consumer engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression with fixed effects (FE) and panel data collected from Sina Weibo and Sina Health, this study analyzes the impact of physicians' social media use and consumer engagement on physicians' online return and the moderation effect of professional seniority.

Findings

The results reveal that physicians' use of social media and consumer sharing behavior positively affect physicians' online economic return. In contrast, consumer engagement positively impacts physicians' online social capital return. While professional seniority enhances the effect of physicians' social media use on online economic return, professional seniority only enhances the relationship between consumers' sharing behavior to the posts and physicians' online social capital return when professional seniority comes to consumer engagement.

Originality/value

This study reveals the different roles of social media use and consumer engagement in physicians' online return. The results also extend and examine the social media affordances theory in online healthcare communities and social media platforms.
Can augmented reality (AR) applications enhance students’ experiences? Gratifications, engagement and learning styles
Authors: tom Dieck M. Claudia , Cranmer Eleanor , Prim Alexandre , Bamford David
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The use of augmented reality (AR) and experiential learning go hand in hand. Although AR learning opportunities have been well discussed, there is limited empirical research on the use of AR within higher education settings. Drawing from the uses and gratifications theory (U>), this study aims to explore the use of AR for learning satisfaction and student engagement, while also examining differences in learning styles.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used experiments with higher education students in the UK to explore the use of AR as part of the learning experience. Data from 173 students who experienced AR as part of their learning experience were analysed using partial least square analysis.

Findings

The authors found that hedonic, utilitarian, sensual and modality gratifications influence AR learning satisfaction and student engagement. Furthermore, the authors found differences between active and passive learners with regards to utilitarian (information seeking, personalisation) and sensual gratifications (immersion, presence) and effects on learning satisfaction.

Originality/value

This study developed and validated a U> framework incorporating different learning styles rooted in Kolb’s learning cycle. Findings provide important implications for the use of commercial AR applications as part of the learning experience within higher education settings.
Self-defence against Fulani herders’ aggression: a demand for licenced firearms in Plateau state, Nigeria
Authors: Kasa Adamu Gayus , Egharevba Matthew E. , Jegede Ajibade E.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the clamour by the people of Plateau State, Nigeria, for more licences to bear firearms for self-defence because of the continuous failure of the Nigerian State to defend them against the Fulani herders’ aggression. More guns less crime deterrence theory served as the framework of analysis, which posits that because criminals are rational beings, they will choose not to attack when they know many people have legitimate firearms.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from four purposefully selected local government areas of the state. This study’s sample size was 400. Therefore, 400 copies of the Google Forms questionnaire were administered. In addition, seven key informant interviews and nine focus group discussions were also conducted.

Findings

This research results showed the following: while self-defence and issuance of more licenses were supported by 84.8% and 85.0% of respondents, respectively, they also argued that the insurgency would likely end if more people carried legally acquired firearms. Again, the study showed a positive correlation between the government’s failure in security and the demand for self-defence exercises against the Fulani herdsmen’s insurgency, this study recommends more licensed firearms for the people of Plateau State.

Originality/value

This study recommends more licenced firearms for the people of Plateau State.
Two decades of financial statement fraud detection literature review; combination of bibliometric analysis and topic modeling approach
Authors: Soltani Milad , Kythreotis Alexios , Roshanpoor Arash
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The emergence of machine learning has opened a new way for researchers. It allows them to supplement the traditional manual methods for conducting a literature review and turning it into smart literature. This study aims to present a framework for incorporating machine learning into financial statement fraud (FSF) literature analysis. This framework facilitates the analysis of a large amount of literature to show the trend of the field and identify the most productive authors, journals and potential areas for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a framework was introduced that merges bibliometric analysis techniques such as word frequency, co-word analysis and coauthorship analysis with the Latent Dirichlet Allocation topic modeling approach. This framework was used to uncover subtopics from 20 years of financial fraud research articles. Furthermore, the hierarchical clustering method was used on selected subtopics to demonstrate the primary contexts in the literature on FSF.

Findings

This study has contributed to the literature in two ways. First, this study has determined the top journals, articles, countries and keywords based on various bibliometric metrics. Second, using topic modeling and then hierarchy clustering, this study demonstrates the four primary contexts in FSF detection.

Research limitations/implications

In this study, the authors tried to comprehensively view the studies related to financial fraud conducted over two decades. However, this research has limitations that can be an opportunity for future researchers. The first limitation is due to language bias. This study has focused on English language articles, so it is suggested that other researchers consider other languages as well. The second limitation is caused by citation bias. In this study, the authors tried to show the top articles based on the citation criteria. However, judging based on citation alone can be misleading. Therefore, this study suggests that the researchers consider other measures to check the citation quality and assess the studies’ precision by applying meta-analysis.

Originality/value

Despite the popularity of bibliometric analysis and topic modeling, there have been limited efforts to use machine learning for literature review. This novel approach of using hierarchical clustering on topic modeling results enable us to uncover four primary contexts. Furthermore, this method allowed us to show the keywords of each context and highlight significant articles within each context.
Key factors in operational excellence for Industry 4.0: an empirical study and maturity model in emerging countries
Authors: Henriquez Rafael , Muñoz-Villamizar Andres , Santos Javier
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper proposes a maturity model to indicate the operational excellence (OE) implementation status of businesses in emerging countries, considering its importance in Industry 4.0.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involves four steps. First, undertake a study of the literature to identify the variables to consider in the maturity model; second, identify how to organize the variables found in the first step; third, structure a questionnaire to define the maturity model; and lastly, validate the variables found in the literature and the maturity levels.

Findings

A total of 23 variables were validated through interviews with general managers, operation managers and experts within organizations. Interviews were carried out in 49 companies from different sectors. Five maturity levels were defined in this study: basic level, beginner level, training level, innovative level and champion level.

Originality/value

Many businesses are implementing OE as a practice to remain competitive in their industries, targeting economic, environmental and social sustainability. However, OE implementation in companies from developing or emerging countries is far below the average level of that in developed companies due to cultural, political or economic constraints. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no model that indicates the status of OE implementation in companies from emerging countries or the different levels to implement OE. This study fills the mentioned gap.
Exploring teachers’ knowledge of students’ friend networks: what do they know and how do they use it for instruction
Authors: Wardrip Peter , Gomez Louis
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The study seeks to understand what teachers know about students’ friend networks and how they use that information for instruction.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study relied on interviews and sociograms that teachers drew of students’ friend networks.

Findings

Our data suggest that teachers’ awareness of their students’ friend networks varies by their experience and their exposure to students. Also, their use of this information for instruction coalesces around dimensions of grouping and social support.

Research limitations/implications

This study took place at one school. To more deeply understand what teachers perceive about their students’ friend networks and how they use that information for instruction, more studies could be done with teachers in more schools.

Practical implications

Implications might suggest developing teachers’ social competence to support their students’ learning and development.

Originality/value

While studies cited in this paper have explored teachers’ knowledge of students’ social networks, this study builds on this work by exploring how that information can be useful for instruction. In addition, this study explores the use of teachers drawing sociograms as representations of what they know about students’ friend networks.
Sensory modulation implementation strategies within inpatient mental health services: an organisational case study
Authors: Azuela Gilbert , Sutton Daniel , van Kessel Kirsten
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Sensory modulation is an emerging approach that aims to reduce distress and agitation in mental health service users and potentially avoid the necessity for coercive practices such as seclusion and restraint. Despite the growing use of this intervention, there has been limited research exploring the implementation of sensory modulation at an organisational level, both internationally and within the New Zealand context. The purpose of this study is to investigate the implementation of a sensory modulation programme in two New Zealand inpatient mental health services using an exploratory organisational case study design.

Design/methodology/approach

Organisational case study design methodology was used to explore the implementation of a sensory modulation programme in two New Zealand acute adult inpatient mental health services. This study explored how key organisational and staff factors (including policies and practices related to de-escalation and seclusion reduction) influence sensory modulation implementation. Cases were described and examined the pattern of findings.

Findings

Strategies found to support implementation were identified at environmental, organisational, group and individual staff levels. Aspects highlighted as being particularly important included taking an inter-professional approach in leadership and training, rostering flexibility and leeway in staffing levels to support training attendance and responsiveness to crises.

Practical implications

The facilitators and strategies highlighted in this study may be used to support the design and implementation of future sensory modulation programmes in New Zealand and internationally.

Originality/value

The complexity of factors that influenced the implementation of the sensory modulation approach within an inpatient setting made determining the effectiveness of the approach challenging. However, the general principles and strategies identified in this study offer useful insights for the design and implementation of future sensory modulation programmes.
Inclusive organizational behaviour – the dynamic rules of building new workplaces
Authors: Kar Subhasree , Yadav Mohit , Panda Tapan Kumar
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to reflect on the future of work dimensions through the new concept of inclusive organizational behaviour (IOB) and its practices.

Design/methodology/approach

This work is a reflective concept development paper that focuses on new dimensions of organizational behaviour (OB) exploring IOB practices in the new workplace which can broaden the concept of OB that fits into the future of work.

Findings

The IOB practices will adapt and help in adapting to the new work dynamics that can create more humane and stimulating workplaces, thereby benefiting society at large. Individual positive psychological traits, team dynamics and a fusion of digital corporate culture with a human-centric approach and sustainability are highlighted in the redefined IOB, expanding the concept of OB from the three levels of analysis (individual, group and the entire organization’s behaviour) in the new normal post-COVID situation.

Research limitations/implications

Limited research studies are being conducted to investigate the future of work dynamics in the new standard post-COVID environment, which is dominated by digitization. The lack of literature and the changing situations that impact OB are the limitations.

Practical implications

Corporate houses, policymakers and leaders who understand the workplace dynamics in the post-COVID scenario can effectively leverage the insights from this work and may chalk out a road map for future work through IOB practices.

Originality/value

This research extends knowledge pertaining to IOB practices and the changing dynamics that need to be followed in the future OB practices.
Spatial and ontogenetic variance in local densities modify selection on demographic traits
Authors: Mutz Jessie , Inouye Brian D.
Published: April 2023

Local density can affect individual performance by altering the strength of species interactions. Within many populations, local densities vary spatially (individuals are patchily distributed) or change across life stages, which should influence the selection and eco‐evolutionary feedback because local density variance affects mean fitness and is affected by traits of individuals. However, most studies on the evolutionary consequences of density‐dependent interactions focus on populations where local densities are relatively constant through time and space.

We investigated the influence of spatial and ontogenetic variance in local densities within an insect population by comparing a model integrating both types of local density variance with models including only spatial variance, only ontogenetic variance, or no variance. We parameterized the models with experimental data, then used elasticity and invasion analyses to characterize selection on traits that affect either the local density an individual experiences (mean clutch size) or individuals' sensitivity to density (effect of larval crowding on pupal mass).

Spatial and ontogenetic variance reduced population elasticity to effects of local density by 76% and 34% on average, respectively.

Spatial variance modified selection and adaptive dynamics by altering the tradeoff between density‐dependent and density‐independent vital rates. In models including spatial variance, strategies that maximized density‐dependent survival were favoured over fecundity‐maximizing strategies even at low population density, counter to predictions of density‐dependent selection theory. Furthermore, only models that included spatial variance, thus linking the scales of oviposition and density‐dependent larval survival, had an evolutionarily stable clutch size.

Ontogenetic variance weakened selection on mean clutch size and sensitivity to larval crowding by disrupting the relationship between trait values and performance during critical life stages.

We demonstrate that local density variance can strongly modify selection at empirically observed interaction strengths and identify mechanisms for the effects of spatial and ontogenetic variance. Our findings reveal the potential for local density variance to mediate eco‐evolutionary feedback by shaping selection on demographically important traits.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Early Cretaceous Thrust and Nappe Tectonics in North Qilian Shan, Northern Tibetan Plateau: Evidence from Field Mapping, Geochronology, and Deep Structural Analysis
Authors: HAN Lele , DING Weicui , CHEN Xuanhua , SHAO Zhaogang , ZHANG Da , XIAO Yongjun , HE Chengguang , WANG Zengzhen , LI Bing , ZHANG Yiping , XU Shenglin , WANG Ye
Published: April 2023

The North Qilian Shan fold and thrust belt, located at the northern Tibetan Plateau and southern margin of the Hexi Corridor, is a key tectonic unit to decode the formation and expansion of the plateau. Previous studies emphasize the Cenozoic deformation due to the far‐field response to the Indo–Asian collision, but the Mesozoic deformations are poorly constrained in this area. We conducted detailed field mapping, structural analysis, geochronology, and structural interpretation of deep seismic reflectional profiling and magnetotelluric (MT) sounding, to address the superposed results of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic deformation. The results recognized the North Qilian thrust and nappe system (NQTS), the root and the frontal belt are the North Qilian thrust (NQT), and the Yumu Shan klippe (YK), respectively. The middle belt is located between the NQT and the YK. Monzonitic granite zircon U‐Pb dating from the middle belt yields an age of ca. 415 Ma, which is similar to south NQT. The thrusting displacement is estimated at ca. 48 km by structural interpretation of deep profiles. The timing is constrained in the early stage of the Early Cretaceous by the formation of simultaneous growth strata. We suggest that the NQTS has resulted from the far‐field effect of the Lhasa–Qiangtang collision, and the Yumu Shan is uplifted by the superposed Cenozoic deformation.
Diagnostic and treatment preferences for cracked posterior teeth
Authors: Fong J. , Tan A. , Ha A. , Krishnan U.
Published: April 2023

Background

Longitudinal cracks in teeth are common and often present challenges in diagnosis and management. This study investigated the preferred diagnostic process and treatment modalities for these cracked teeth.

Methods

Dentists currently registered with Dental Board of Australia and practising within Australia were invited to complete an online Qualtrics‐based survey on their perspectives on the presentations, diagnosis, and treatment preferences for cracked teeth.

Results

Of respondents, 56.8% chose to place an indirect cuspal‐coverage restoration on an asymptomatic cracked vital tooth. When the tooth was mildly cold sensitive, direct cuspal‐coverage restoration was favoured (64.9%), while 36.8% preferred placing an orthodontic band in a tooth with biting pain. Respondents had higher odds of recommending indirect restoration when CAD–CAM milling was available on‐site or magnification was routinely used, regardless of presenting symptoms. Almost half (46.8%) preferred to extract if the tooth undergoing root canal treatment had a crack with a 5 mm probing pocket depth. Most (71.4%) demonstrated a poor understanding of cracked tooth biomechanics.

Conclusion

Australian dentists varied in their diagnostic and treatment preferences for cracked teeth, reflecting a need for more well‐controlled clinical studies in the diagnostic process, clinical biomechanics and treatment modalities for these teeth. © 2023 Australian Dental Association.
White coat color of a Black Angus calf attributed to an occurrence of the delR217 variant of MITF
Authors: Petersen Jessica L. , Sieck Renae L. , Steffen David J.
Published: April 2023

A white calf, with minimal pigmented markings, was born to two registered Black Angus parents. Given the possibility of an unknown recessive or de novo dominant mutation, whole‐genome sequencing was conducted on the trio of individuals. A 3‐bp in‐frame deletion in MITF was identified; this mutation was unique to the calf but identical to the delR217 variant reported in both humans and murine models of Waardenburg syndrome type 2A and Tietz syndrome. Given the coat color phenotype and identity of the mutation, our data support that this calf represents the first instance of this recurring MITF mutation in cattle.
Aspirational architecture and AK‐47s: Fragmented violence in Liberia from settlement to the contemporary
Authors: Reilly Matthew C. , Banton Caree A. , Stevens Craig
Published: April 2023

Global awareness of Liberia's recent past is largely limited to the long‐term bloodshed that erupted with a 1980 coup and the civil conflict that followed soon thereafter (1989–2003). What remains understudied is how recent episodes of violence are tethered to the decades following Liberia's founding as a settler colony of the American Colonization Society in 1822. Our collaborative Back‐to‐Africa Heritage and Archaeology (BAHA) project, the first to archaeologically investigate the Back‐to‐Africa movement, explores processes of nineteenth‐century settlement at sites established by West Indians and Black Americans. In this article, we focus on the Barbadian‐settled township of Crozierville to highlight the complex ways in which materials associated with the colonizing project are linked to vestiges of recent violence that persist on the postwar landscape. With a specific focus on settler‐community architecture, in addition to the material vestiges of civil conflict, this article highlights the need to understand recent episodes of violence through Liberia's unique history of Back‐to‐Africa settlement and the Black/African Diaspora.