bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AlphaFold-SFA: accelerated sampling ofcryptic pocketopening,protein-ligandbinding andallosteryby AlphaFold, slow feature analysis and metadynamics
Authors: Vats Shray , Bobrovs Raitis , Söderhjelm Pär , Bhakat Soumendranath
Published: November 2023

Samplingrare eventsin proteins is crucial for comprehending complex phenomena like cryptic pocket opening, where transient structural changes expose new binding sites. Understanding these rare events also sheds light on protein-ligand binding and allosteric communications, where distant site interactions influence protein function. Traditional unbiased molecular dynamics simulations often fail to sample such rare events, as the free energy barrier between metastable states is large relative to the thermal energy. This renders these events inaccessible on the timescales typically simulated by standard molecular dynamics, limiting our understanding of these critical processes. In this paper, we proposed a novel unsupervised learning approach termed asslow feature analysis(SFA) which aims to extract slowly varying features from high-dimensional temporal data. SFA trained on small unbiased molecular dynamics simulations launched from AlphaFold generated conformational ensembles manages to capture rare events governing cryptic pocket opening, protein-ligand binding, and allosteric communications in a kinase. Metadynamics simulations using SFA as collective variables manage to sample ‘deep’ cryptic pocket opening within a few hundreds of nanoseconds which was beyond the reach of microsecond long unbiased molecular dynamics simulations. SFA augmented metadynamics also managed to capture accelerated ligand binding/unbinding and provided novel insights into allosteric communication in receptor-interacting protein kinase 2 (RIPK2) which dictates protein-protein interaction. Taken together, our results show how SFA acts as a dimensionality reduction tool which bridges the gap between AlphaFold, molecular dynamics simulation and metadynamics in context of capturing rare events in biomolecules, extending the scope of structure-based drug discovery in the era of AlphaFold.
Fast and Deep Phosphoproteome Analysis with the Orbitrap Astral Mass Spectrometer
Authors: Lancaster Noah M. , Sinitcyn Pavel , Forny Patrick , Peters-Clarke Trenton M. , Fecher Caroline , Smith Andrew J. , Shishkova Evgenia , Arrey Tabiwang N. , Pashkova Anna , Robinson Margaret Lea , Arp Nicholas , Fan Jing , Hansen Juli , Galmozzi Andrea , Serrano Lia R. , Rojas Julie , Gasch Audrey P , Westphall Michael S. , Stewart Hamish , Hock Christian , Damoc Eugen , Pagliarini David J. , Zabrouskov Vlad , Coon Joshua J.
Published: November 2023

Owing to its roles in cellular signal transduction, protein phosphorylation plays critical roles in myriad cell processes. That said, detecting and quantifying protein phosphorylation has remained a challenge. We describe the use of a novel mass spectrometer (Orbitrap Astral) coupled with data-independent acquisition (DIA) to achieve rapid and deep analysis of human and mouse phosphoproteomes. With this method we map approximately 30,000 unique human phosphorylation sites within a half-hour of data collection. The technology was benchmarked to other state-of-the-art MS platforms using both synthetic peptide standards and with EGF-stimulated HeLa cells. We applied this approach to generate a phosphoproteome multi-tissue atlas of the mouse. Altogether, we detected 81,120 unique phosphorylation sites within 12 hours of measurement. With this unique dataset, we examine the sequence, structural, and kinase specificity context of protein phosphorylation. Finally, we highlight the discovery potential of this resource with multiple examples of novel phosphorylation events relevant to mitochondrial and brain biology.
Cooperativity and additivity in plant enhancers
Authors: Jores Tobias , Tonnies Jackson , Mueth Nicholas A. , Romanowski Andrés , Fields Stanley , Cuperus Josh T. , Queitsch Christine
Published: November 2023

Enhancers arecis-regulatory elements that shape gene expression in response to numerous developmental and environmental cues. In animals, several models have been proposed to explain how enhancers integrate the activity of multiple transcription factors. However, it remains largely unknown how plant enhancers integrate transcription factor activity. Here, we use Plant STARR-seq to characterize three light-responsive plant enhancers—AB80,Cab-1, andrbcS-E9—derived from genes active in photosynthesis. Saturation mutagenesis reveals mutations, many of which cluster in short regions, that strongly reduce enhancer activity in the light, in the dark or in both conditions. When tested in the light, these mutation-sensitive regions do not function on their own; rather, cooperative interactions with other such regions are required for full activity. Epistatic interactions occur between mutations in adjacent mutation-sensitive regions, and the spacing and order of mutation-sensitive regions in synthetic enhancers affects enhancer activity. In contrast, when tested in the dark, mutation-sensitive regions act independently and additively in conferring enhancer activity. Taken together, this work demonstrates that plant enhancers show evidence for both cooperative and additive interactions among their functional elements. This knowledge can be harnessed to design strong, condition-specific synthetic enhancers.
Anatomically distributed neural representations of instincts in the hypothalamus
Authors: Stagkourakis Stefanos , Spigolon Giada , Marks Markus , Feyder Michael , Kim Joseph , Perona Pietro , Pachitariu Marius , Anderson David J.
Published: November 2023

Artificial activation of anatomically localized, genetically defined hypothalamic neuron populations is known to trigger distinct innate behaviors, suggesting a hypothalamic nucleus-centered organization of behavior control. To assess whether the encoding of behavior is similarly anatomically confined, we performed simultaneous neuron recordings across twenty hypothalamic regions in freely moving animals. Here we show that distinct but anatomically distributed neuron ensembles encode the social and fear behavior classes, primarily through mixed selectivity. While behavior class-encoding ensembles were spatially distributed, individual ensembles exhibited strong localization bias. Encoding models identified that behavior actions, but not motion-related variables, explained a large fraction of hypothalamic neuron activity variance. These results identify unexpected complexity in the hypothalamic encoding of instincts and provide a foundation for understanding the role of distributed neural representations in the expression of behaviors driven by hardwired circuits.
kallisto, bustools, and kb-python for quantifying bulk, single-cell, and single-nucleus RNA-seq
Authors: Sullivan Delaney K. , Min Kyung Hoi (Joseph) , Hjörleifsson Kristján Eldjárn , Luebbert Laura , Holley Guillaume , Moses Lambda , Gustafsson Johan , Bray Nicolas L. , Pimentel Harold , Booeshaghi A. Sina , Melsted Páll , Pachter Lior
Published: November 2023

The term “RNA-seq” refers to a collection of assays based on sequencing experiments that involve quantifying RNA species from bulk tissue, from single cells, or from single nuclei. The kallisto, bustools, and kb-python programs are free, open-source software tools for performing this analysis that together can produce gene expression quantification from raw sequencing reads. The quantifications can be individualized for multiple cells, multiple samples, or both. Additionally, these tools allow gene expression values to be classified as originating from nascent RNA species or mature RNA species, making this workflow amenable to both cell-based and nucleus-based assays. This protocol describes in detail how to use kallisto and bustools in conjunction with a wrapper, kb-python, to preprocess RNA-seq data.
Butterfly wing iridescence is regulated byaraucan, a direct target of optix and spalt
Authors: Chatterjee Martik , Siegel Kate J. , Loh Ling Sheng , McDonald Jeanne M.C. , Reed Robert D.
Published: November 2023

Butterfly wings are notable for the diversity of structural colors they display, including many striking hues of iridescence. Little is known, however, about how iridescent coloration is genetically determined. Here we show that theIroquois-complex transcription factoraraucanhas a highly specific effect on wing scale iridescence hue in the common buckeye butterfly,Junonia coenia. CRISPR knockouts ofaraucancause dorsal wing scales to shift from gold to blue iridescence, and eyespot focus scales to shift from purple iridescence to colorless. These effects are associated with a change in thickness in the scale cell basal lamina, as also seen in knockouts of the color pattern transcription factoroptix. We further show that optix and the eyespot transcription factor spalt both bind to the promoter ofaraucan, suggesting that these two factors directly regulatearaucan.Together, our data lead us to propose thataraucanplays a specialized role in determining the hue ofJ. coeniawing scale iridescence and is directly regulated by core wing patterning transcription factors to modulate structural coloration.
Siderophore Piracy Promotes Dynamical Coexistence in Microbial Community
Authors: Shao Jiqi , Li Yinxiang , Lu Jingyuan , Gu Shaohua , Li Zhiyuan
Published: November 2023

The game between cooperation and cheating in the microbial world is captivating. Microbes that acquire essential iron through the secretion of siderophores face the public good dilemma. In this game of iron, the specific recognition of different types of siderophores by corresponding receptors adds more complexity. Despite the prevalence of siderophore synthesis and piracy among microbes, the ecological consequences of siderophore-mediated interactions remain largely underexplored. This study introduced the framework of resource partition model for siderophore-mediated interactions, revealing conditions for stable coexistence in dual-species scenarios and uncovering surprising oscillatory and chaotic coexistence in systems with three or more species. Intriguingly, analytical analysis and simulations highlight the how‘cheating’promotes biodiversity, emphasizing the non-monotonic changes in biodiversity as the level of siderophore piracy increases in producers. This work sheds light on the complex dynamics introduced by resource partition in microbial communities, elucidating the intricate balance between cooperation and cheating.

Highlights

Resource partition introduce complex dynamics

Cheating play a main force in promoting coexistence

Increased proportion of cheating prefers dynamical behaviors
Bilateral jaw thrust usage is neither universally prevalent during laryngeal mask airway placement nor universally prevalent during anesthesia mask ventilation before laryngoscopy for endotracheal tube placement: A single anesthesia worksite observation
Authors: Gupta Deepak , Chakrabortty Kaya , Ismaeil Mohamed
Published: November 2023

Background

While placing two hands on the mask during manual or mechanical ventilation on unsecured airways, providers are not always providing bilateral jaw thrust for maintaining airway patency especially when focusing only on ensuring a good mask seal.

Objectives

To assess a single anesthesia worksite real-world prevalence of bilateral jaw thrust usage, it was looked through either (a) during laryngeal mask airway placement, or (b) during anesthesia mask ventilation before laryngoscopy for endotracheal tube placement.

Materials and Methods

Over a period of two months, anesthesia care of patients was respectively observed in terms of either (a) various strategies involved during laryngeal mask airway placement in its successful placement, or (b) various strategies involved during anesthesia mask ventilation in successful ventilation before laryngoscopy for endotracheal tube placement.

Results

During the two-month period, a total of 213 patients were observed. Among the small number of observed very first attempts at laryngeal mask airway placement (n=13), bilateral jaw thrust was only observed in 69% attempts. Among the total observations before the very first attempts at laryngoscopy for endotracheal tube placement (n=200), 26% were devoid of any attempts at anesthesia mask ventilation before laryngoscopy. Among the remaining observations (n=148), anesthesia mask ventilations were attempted before the very first attempts at laryngoscopy for endotracheal tube placement but bilateral jaw thrust was only observed in 37% attempts.

Conclusion

During laryngeal mask airway placement and during anesthesia mask ventilation before laryngoscopy for endotracheal tube placement, bilateral jaw thrust usage was not universally prevalent at the observed single anesthesia worksite.
Molecular basis for PHF7-mediated ubiquitination of histone H3
Authors: Lee Hyun Sik , Bang Injin , You Junghyun , Jeong Tae-Kyeong , Kim Chang Rok , Hwang Minsang , Kim Jong-Seo , Baek Sung Hee , Song Ji-Joon , Choi Hee-Jung
Published: November 2023

The RING-type E3 ligase has been known for over two decades, yet its diverse modes of action are still the subject of active research. Plant homeodomain (PHD) finger protein 7 (PHF7) is a RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase responsible for histone ubiquitination. PHF7 comprises three zinc finger domains: an extended PHD (ePHD), a RING domain, and a PHD. While the function of the RING domain is largely understood, the roles of the other two domains in E3 ligase activity remain elusive. Here, we present the crystal structure of PHF7 in complex with the E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2). Our structure shows that E2 is effectively captured between the RING domain and the C-terminal PHD, facilitating E2 recruitment through direct contact. In addition, through in vitro binding and functional assays, we demonstrate that the N-terminal ePHD recognizes the nucleosome via DNA binding, whereas the C-terminal PHD is involved in histone H3 recognition. Our results provide a molecular basis for the E3 ligase activity of PHF7 and uncover the specific yet collaborative contributions of each domain to the PHF7 ubiquitination activity.
Conformation–aggregation interplay in the simplest aliphatic ethers probed under high pressure
Authors: Sacharczuk Natalia , Olejniczak Anna , Bujak Maciej , Dziubek Kamil Filip , Katrusiak Andrzej , Podsiadło Marcin
Published: November 2023

The structures of the simplest symmetric primary ethers [(C
n
H2n+1)2O, n = 1–3] determined under high pressure revealed their conformational preferences and intermolecular interactions. In three new polymorphs of diethyl ether (C2H5)2O, high pressure promotes intermolecular CH...O contacts and enforces a conversion from the trans–trans conformer present in the α, β and γ phases to the trans–gauche conformer, which is higher in energy by 6.4 kJ mol−1, in the δ phase. Two new polymorphs of dimethyl ether (CH3)2O display analogous transformations of the CH...O bonds. The crystal structure of di-n-propyl ether (C3H7)2O, determined for the first time, is remarkably stable over the whole pressure range investigated from 1.70 up to 5.30 GPa.
To say (sexual fetish)… or not to say (sexual fetish). That is the question
Authors: Searle Robert John
Published: November 2023

Purpose

In a recent report the author wrote about a service user, the author was challenged by the service user’s advocate in respect of the author’s use of the term “sexual fetish”. The author was informed of the advocate’s fears in respect of people involved in the service user’s future care and support needs feeling uncomfortable and possibly stigmatising someone having a sexual fetish. Consequently, the author was asked to change their wording from “sexual fetish” to “sensory need”. The purpose of this study/paper aims to highlight best practice regarding the most appropriate wording for individuals with sexual fetishes.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the available evidence was ascertained.

Findings

A review of British Psychological Society guidelines and recent research highlights that what were once called “perversions” must be destigmatised, which will not be achieved if people continue to sweep the term fetish under the metaphorical carpet.

Originality/value

It is the author’s sincere hope that use of the term “sexual fetish” embraces and normalises people’s sexual fetish and results in heightened awareness and de-stigmatisation of what is essentially a reference to an element of the wonderful and pleasurable world of sexual behaviour.
Dynamic analysis of a highway bridge beam under the passage of compound heavy trucks with multiple trailers
Authors: Metz Diego Gabriel , Machado Roberto Dalledone , Arndt Marcos , Rossigali Carlos Eduardo
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Realistic composite vehicles with 2, 3, 5 and 9 axles, consisting of a truck with one or two trailers, are addressed in this paper by computational models for vehicle–bridge interaction analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The vehicle–bridge interaction (VBI) models are formed by sets of 2-D rigid blocks interconnected by mass, damping and stiffness elements to simulate their suspension system. The passage of the vehicles is performed at different speeds. Several rolling surface profiles are admitted, considering the maintenance grade of the pavement. The spectral density functions are generated from an experimental database to form the longitudinal surface irregularity profiles. A computational code written in Phyton based on the finite element method was developed considering the Euler–Bernoulli beam model.

Findings

Several models of composite heavy vehicles are presented as manufactured and currently travel on major roads. Dynamic amplification factors are presented for each type of composite vehicle.

Research limitations/implications

The VBI models for compound heavy vehicles are 2-D.

Social implications

This work contributes to improving the safety and lifetime of the bridges, as well as the stability and comfort of the vehicles when passing over a bridge.

Originality/value

The structural response of the bridge is affected by the type and size of the compound vehicles, their speed and the conservative grade of the pavement. Moreover, one axle produces vibrations that can be superposed by the vibrations of the other axles. This effect can generate not usual dynamic responses.
Zomato.com: 10-min delivery
Authors: Gupta Sumeet , Prashar Sanjeev
Published: November 2023

Learning outcomes

This case is designed to facilitate students to comprehend the challenges an e-commerce firm faces when it attempts to monetize data network effects. The challenges faced by Zomato are ideal for in-class debate and discussion. The following learning objectives can be fulfilled through this case: understanding the promises and issues raised by data network effects; comprehending the problems an e-commerce firm faces in re-configuration; illustrating the responsibility of an established e-commerce firm towards its stakeholders; and discussing how a firm should navigate its relationship with its stakeholders.

Case overview/synopsis

Zomato.com, the largest Indian food aggregator and delivery platform, was contemplating the launch of Zomato Instant, a 10-min food delivery. Currently, the company’s delivery model pivoted around delivering food within 30 min. Recently, Zomato acquired Blinkit, an online grocery shopping app that was positioned to deliver groceries in 10 min. Deepinder Goyal of Zomato felt that customers would soon be more discriminant in demanding quicker services, as they might not be comfortable with 30-min deliveries. Hence, Zomato’s business model must also be re-configured to provide 10-min deliveries. Armed with access to customer data, Goyal predicted items that could be prepared and delivered within 10 min from its dark stores and automated kitchens. Although the model seemed promising and the company was upbeat about it, Zomato Instant faced challenges on several fronts. From the human angle, the decision was criticized on social media, mainly around the violation of road regulations, road safety issues and pressure on the delivery personnel to perform. Many delivery personnel had fled this gig work to join their pre-COVID jobs. Even the Competition Commission of India had established an inquiry into Zomato’s anti-competitive practices using customer data.

Complexity academic level

This case is best taught as part of a curriculum in management programmes at the post-graduate level, in courses such as e-commerce, e-retailing, business models for electronic commerce and online entrepreneurship/new age entrepreneurship. In terms of the positioning in the course, this case could be used to demonstrate the challenges of re-configuration of an online platform.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
Stepping into the light: navigating the challenges of formalizing accounting practices in a Cuban travel agency
Authors: Gómez García Luis Demetrio , Zambrano Aranda Gloria María
Published: November 2023

Learning outcomes

After reading and analyzing the case study, the students would be able to understand the critical role of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)-compliant accounting principles in facilitating strategic alliances between publicly traded international corporations and emerging companies in informal business environments, design the company’s accounting system to ensure the application of the accounting standards contained in IFRS and understand the accounting process for properly recording a company’s transactions.

Case overview/synopsis

This case study deals with Giulia’s decision to take on the proposal of a conglomerate to acquire a 45% stake in her travel agency, Know Cuba First Travel Agency (KCF). Giulia was an Italian entrepreneur based in Havana, Cuba. She has dealt with informal business practices in the Cuban tourism industry. However, Foreign Investments Ltd., a publicly listed company, needs formal accounting if investing in the venture. If Giulia agrees with the proposal, an accounting information system would have to be implemented to comply with the investor’s requirements.

Complexity academic level

This case study is suitable for financial accounting undergraduate courses.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 1: Accounting and finance.
Health care support systems for informal settlement rental housing during the COVID-19 season: landlord’s perspective
Authors: Agbenyo Fauster , Appau Miller Williams , Yorgri Eunice
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine landlords’ health support systems to tenants to control COVID-19 in selected informal settlement rental housing (ISRH) in Ghana, dwelling on landlords’ views.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper used the concurrent imbedded mixed-methods approach and grounded the findings in the socio-ecological theory. The authors collected both qualitative and quantitative data from 242 landlords in 13 informal settlements across Ghana using quotas. The authors undertook semi-structured face-to-face and telephone interviews. The authors conducted content and thematic qualitative data analysis and used simple descriptive statistical data analysis.

Findings

The paper discovered that tenants had limited knowledge on the transmission of the pandemic, forcing landlords to regulate their building services usage, ventilation and thermal control, entertainment, common areas and rent advancement for tenants to control the pandemic. Also, tenants found it difficult to comply with the rules on ventilation for fear of criminal attacks, while high social connection and interaction among renters and inadequate enforcement caused the non-adherence by renters to social gathering. Again, landlords had difficulty in contract-tracing visitors suspected to be infected with the virus.

Originality/value

The use of concurrent and imbedded mixed methods to investigate landlords’ viewpoints on their support in health needs of their tenants to regulate COVID-19. The prescriptions from the study provide practical applications to formulate a mix of housing and health policies to formalize the support of landlords to their tenants in ISRH in Ghana.
Formation of political trust and support for local government actions during crisis: Hotel employees’ perspectives
Authors: Subedi Swechchha , Kubickova Marketa
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study explores how institutional and cultural factors influence political trust among hotel employees and its impact on support for local government actions, with implications for hotel leadership and regulatory compliance.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing a quantitative approach and structural equation modeling (SEM-PLS), the study integrates institutional and cultural theories of trust. Data were collected from 444 frontline hotel employees via mTurk in May 2021.

Findings

The research reveals insights into the significant role of institutional and cultural factors in shaping political trust among hotel employees. Moreover, it demonstrates a positive correlation between political trust and support for local government actions.

Research limitations/implications

This research has limitations to acknowledge. The sample size may restrict generalizability, and data from May 2021 might not capture long-term trends. Furthermore, relying solely on quantitative data may overlook individual nuances and complexities.

Practical implications

Hotel leadership can leverage these findings to prioritize building political trust among employees, leading to better support for government actions and regulatory compliance.

Social implications

Fostering trust between hotel employees and governing bodies can foster more effective collaboration, benefiting the hotel industry and the broader community.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by presenting a novel conceptual model that integrates institutional theory and cultural theory of trust to examine the formation of political trust in the context of hotel employees. The application of this model to the hospitality industry adds to the limited research available in this area.
Using coaching and mentoring supervision of lesson study to enhance classroom research competencies: a multi-case study
Authors: Kadroon Thanya
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the coaching and mentoring supervision of the Lesson Study to enhance preservice mathematics teachers' research competencies.

Design/methodology/approach

The researcher employed a multi-case study design to describe the internship experiences of practicing coaching and mentoring supervision while preservice teachers engaged in Lesson Study. A total of six preservice teachers were the samples, and they were teaching six lessons. A classroom observation evaluation form was used to collect data from 60 observers, with a proportion of 10 observers to each sample to assess and provide feedback on the samples' research competencies. This was followed by 12 individual, semi-structured interviews using interview protocol. The participants included 60 Lesson Study group members and six mentors from the three research schools, together with the samples' internship advisors from Suratthani Rajabhat University, totaling to 72 assessors. Data were examined using the thematic analysis method.

Findings

The results of 60 observation evaluations revealed that coaching and mentoring supervision of Lesson Study can develop samples' research competencies in four capabilities, namely, instructional planning, classroom management, instructional delivery and professional development. The 12 interview results indicated that the six samples' research competencies were improved in these four aspects, namely, data collection and analysis, collaboration, reflection and pedagogical content knowledge.

Practical implications

Mentoring and coaching supervision of Lesson Study holds great potential for collaborative professional development and continuous improvement of mathematics teachers' research competencies.

Originality/value

This article suggests meaningful professional benefits of participation in mentoring and coaching supervision.
Exploring the influence of hybrid product–service offerings on firm internationalization strategies: an international perspective
Authors: Liu Yipeng , Bustinza Oscar F. , Vendrell-Herrero Ferran , Cooper Cary , Vrontis Demetris
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to deepen the understanding of the interconnection between hybrid product–service offerings and firms' internationalization strategies, focusing on market entry, export performance and subsidiary strategy development.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach involves reviewing and summarizing the existing body of research in the area. This is complemented by the analysis of the 10 published papers in the current issue.

Findings

The authors proposed a value-chain synergetic approach that ensures the international competitiveness of hybrid offerings. The authors’ conceptual framework encompasses four themes: (i) internal factors encompassing capabilities and governance, (ii) supply-side factors related to ecosystem formation, (iii) demand-side factors encompassing customization and co-creation and (iv) enhancing factors such as assets digitization. The authors’ analysis demonstrates how these synergistic value chain themes interrelate to empower hybrid offerings in the export market.

Research limitations/implications

While the conceptual development presented in this paper is not exhaustive, the model highlights important research avenues in the internationalization of product–service hybrid offerings that need exploration.

Practical implications

The proposed framework hold practical implications for firms aiming to enhance their competitiveness in the export market through the integration of hybrid product–service offerings.

Originality/value

The authors’ framework bridges the gap in international marketing literature by focusing on the interplay between hybrid product–service offerings and internationalization strategies, providing valuable insights into the factors driving servitization-led innovations in foreign markets.
The digital transformation processes for supporting digital humanities researchers in text analysis
Authors: De Luca Ernesto William , Fallucchi Francesca , Ghattas Bouchra , Spielhaus Riem
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This article aims to explore how the mapping strategies between user requirements expressed by the humanities researchers lead to a better customization of user-driven digital humanities tools and to the creation of innovative functionalities, which can directly affect the way of doing research in a digital context.

Design/methodology/approach

It describes the user-driven development of a tool that helps researchers in the quantitative and qualitative analysis of large textbook collections.

Findings

This article presents an exemplary user journey map, which shows the different steps of the digital transformation process and how the humanities researchers are involved for (1) producing innovative research solutions, comprehensive and personalized reports, and (2) customizing access to content data used for the analysis of digital documents. The article is based on a case study on a German textbooks collection and content analysis functionalities.

Originality/value

The focus of this article is the reiterative research process, in which humanists (from the human centred point of view) starts from an initial research question, using quantitative and qualitative data and develops both the research question and the answers to it by with the aim to find patterns in the content and structure of educational media. Thus, from the viewpoint of digital transformation the humanist is part of the interaction between digitization and digitalization processes, where he/she uses digital data, metadata, reports and findings created and supported by the digital tools for research analysis.
US unemployment rate: Federal Reserve versus private information
Authors: Baghestani Hamid , AbuAl-Foul Bassam M.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study evaluates the Federal Reserve (Fed) initial and final forecasts of the unemployment rate for 1983Q1-2018Q4. The Fed initial forecasts in a typical quarter are made in the first month (or immediately after), and the final forecasts are made in the third month of the quarter. The analysis also includes the private forecasts, which are made close to the end of the second month of the quarter.

Design/methodology/approach

In evaluating the multi-period forecasts, the study tests for systematic bias, directional accuracy, symmetric loss, equal forecast accuracy, encompassing and orthogonality. For every test equation, it employs the Newey–West procedure in order to obtain the standard errors corrected for both heteroscedasticity and inherent serial correlation.

Findings

Both Fed and private forecasts beat the naïve benchmark and predict directional change under symmetric loss. Fed final forecasts are more accurate than initial forecasts, meaning that predictive accuracy improves as more information becomes available. The private and Fed final forecasts contain distinct predictive information, but the latter produces significantly lower mean squared errors. The results are mixed when the study compares the private with the Fed initial forecasts. Additional results indicate that Fed (private) forecast errors are (are not) orthogonal to changes in consumer expectations about future unemployment. As such, consumer expectations can potentially help improve the accuracy of private forecasts.

Originality/value

Unlike many other studies, this study focuses on the unemployment rate, since it is an important indicator of the social cost of business cycles, and thus its forecasts are of special interest to policymakers, politicians and social scientists. Accurate unemployment rate forecasts, in particular, are essential for policymakers to design an optimal macroeconomic policy.
Transformational leadership and employees' work engagement: the simple and parallel mediation of self-efficacy and trust in the leader
Authors: Ul Hassan Faqir Sajjad , Ikramullah Malik
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The importance of transformational leadership (TFL) for improving followers’ work engagement (WE) has been highlighted by management researchers, but little is known about how and why TFL is related to WE. This study develops an integrated model that addresses the questions and uncovers the influence of TFL on employees’ WE through two pathways reflecting simple and parallel mediating effects of employees’ self-efficacy (SE) and trust in the leader.

Design/methodology/approach

In a developing country’s organizational context, a total of 376 employees working in four different types of organizations voluntarily participated in the survey. Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the study model.

Findings

Data supported the joint parallel mediation effect of subordinates’ SE and trust in the leader and partially confirm the role of a single mediator of each between the relationship of TFL and WE.

Practical implications

In public sector, it is a daunting challenge to sustain a high degree of WE of employees so that they may actively involve in the provision of better services planned by policymakers. Therefore, WE has deemed a very important construct for both administrators and researchers in such organizations. The framework and relationships that are discussed and displayed in this study help administrators in understanding the driving forces that cause in to WE.

Originality/value

This research links multiple theories to develop an integrated model. The employees' perceptual data supported predictive power of the model both in-sample and out-of-sample through a rigorous statistical technique. Hence, this study is contributing to narrowing the gap between theory and practice.
Effect of cavity radiation on aluminium hollow tubes and facade system subjected to fire
Authors: Yadav Dravesh , Ayyagari Ravi Sastri , Srivastava Gaurav
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This paper numerically investigates the effect of cavity radiation on the thermal response of hollow aluminium tubes and facade systems subjected to fire.

Design/methodology/approach

Finite element simulations were performed using ABAQUS 6.14. The accuracy of the numerical model was established through experimental and numerical results available in the literature. The proposed numerical model was utilised to study the effect of cavity radiation on the thermal response of aluminium hollow tubes and facade system. Different scenarios were considered to assess the applicability of the commonly used lumped capacitance heat transfer model.

Findings

The effects of cavity radiation were found to be significant for non-uniform fire exposure conditions. The maximum temperature of a hollow aluminium tube with 1-sided fire exposure was found to be 86% greater when cavity radiation was considered. Further, the time to attain critical temperature under non-uniform fire exposure, as calculated from the conventional lumped heat capacity heat transfer model, was non-conservative when compared to that predicted by the proposed simulation approach considering cavity radiation. A metal temperature of 550 °C was attained about 18 min earlier than what was calculated by the lumped heat capacitance model.

Research limitations/implications

The present study will serve as a basis for the study of the effects of cavity radiation on the thermo-mechanical response of aluminium hollow tubes and facade systems. Such thermo-mechanical analyses will enable the study of the effects of cavity radiation on the failure mechanisms of facade systems.

Practical implications

Cavity radiation was found to significantly affect the thermal response of hollow aluminium tubes and façade systems. In design processes, it is essential to consider the potential consequences of non-uniform heating situations, as they can have a significant impact on the temperature of structures. It was also shown that the use of lumped heat capacity heat transfer model in cases of non-uniform fire exposure is unsuitable for the thermal analysis of such systems.

Originality/value

This is the first detailed investigation of the effects of cavity radiation on the thermal response of aluminium tubes and façade systems for different fire exposure conditions.
In-app advertising: a systematic literature review and implications for future research
Authors: Maddodi Chetana Balakrishna , Upadhyaya Pallavi
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to review and synthesize the literature on in-app advertising, identify gaps and propose future research directions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a systematic literature review (SLR) approach, following the PRISMA guidelines, to investigate the current state of research in in-app advertising. The study uses 44 shortlisted articles from the Scopus and Web of Science databases. Using the Theory-Context-Characteristics-Methodology (TCCM) framework, the authors analyze the gaps in theory, context, characteristics and methods.

Findings

Using thematic analysis, the authors identify five main themes in the in-app advertising literature, namely, ad platform optimization; mobile app user psychology and behavior; ad effectiveness; ad fraud; and security, privacy and other user concerns. The findings show the need for empirical research, with a strong theoretical foundation in emerging ad formats of in-app advertising, user behavior and buy-side of in-app advertising.

Originality/value

This is a maiden study to conduct a domain-based SLR in the emerging field of in-app advertising using the TCCM framework. The authors highlight the key differences between in-app advertising and mobile web advertising. The authors propose theories in the advertising field that could be used in future empirical studies of in-app advertising.
Rapid response ethnographies in turbulent times: Researching mass grave exhumations in contemporary Spain (Respond to this article at http://www.therai.org.uk/at/debate)
Authors: Ferrándiz Francisco
Published: November 2023

Sometimes a social process under engaged research can swiftly grow out of control, in scale and complexity. Such was the case in my ten‐year‐long study of mass grave exhumations from the Civil War (1936–1939) in contemporary Spain. In such circumstances, I argue for the deployment of a rapid response ethnography, an extreme modality of both public and/or engaged research. This type of instant engagement forces the ethnographer to constantly refashion research designs; recognize and reabsorb emerging social actors and research scenarios; reinvent ethnographic presence; face unanticipated ethical dilemmas; and reimagine how to transfer our acquired knowledge and reflection in (a) multiple non‐academic formats for a myriad of potential publics and (b), in time frames more attuned to the rhythms of fast‐moving public debates and technological transformations in communications. More importantly, rapid response ethnography takes place whenever there is swift and strong public demand for academic analysis within a broader process of social, political and media controversy. In turn, rapid response research is necessarily committed to the transformation of the social and political conditions under study.
Discrimination at the Interface: The Equality Act 2010 and Platform Interface Design
Authors: Meers Jed
Published: November 2023

Given their dominance in a range of sectors – from private renting to job search – the design of online platforms can impede access to markets and facilitate discrimination. Most legal scholarship on the equality implications of platform design focuses on algorithms. This paper instead interrogates the comparatively neglected issue of interface design. It argues that two areas of interface design – ‘structuring’ and ‘sorting’ functions – fall within the scope of the Equality Act 2010 as a ‘provision, criterion or practice’ that is not protected by a safe harbour. Drawing on web‐scraping methods, it then provides an applied example of these arguments using ‘No DSS’ (Department for Social Security) discrimination on a leading rental platform in the UK. Using a sample of 3,336 listings collected years apart, the paper demonstrates how design choices in ‘structuring’ and ‘sorting’ interfaces can either facilitate or minimise discrimination on online platforms.
Sex work‐related homicides: Insights from the National Violent Death Reporting System, 2012–2020
Authors: Nguyen Brenda L. , Fowler Katherine A. , Betz Carter J. , Tsukerman Kara , Smith Sharon G.
Published: November 2023

Homicide is a prevalent cause of death among sex workers, given their increased risk of violence due to proximity to criminal activities such as drug trade and human trafficking. This study analyzes homicide data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) covering 49 US states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico from 2012 to 2020. Case inclusion criteria included: (1) manner of death of homicide, and (2) sex work‐related circumstance. Descriptive analyses examined victim and injury characteristics, suspect information, and circumstances. The study identified 321 sex work‐related homicides (54% female, 41% male, 6% transgender). Among female victims, 94% were sex workers, and 54% of their suspects were clients. Money conflicts (23%) and other crimes (30%), most often in progress, commonly precipitated homicides of female victims. Substance use problems were reported in 49% of female victims, with 25% of their suspected perpetrators reportedly using substances in the preceding hours. For male victims, 54% were clients and 9% were sex workers. Suspects in male homicides were primarily sex workers (34%) or individuals engaged in sex work‐adjacent criminal activities (36%). Money conflicts (49%), other crimes (47%) most often in progress, and sex trafficking involvement (25%) commonly precipitated homicides with male victims. Transgender sex worker victims were mostly transfeminine (94%) and non‐Hispanic black (89%). Money conflicts (78%) most commonly precipitated homicides among transgender sex worker victims. These findings can inform prevention strategies addressing underlying risk factors for persons involved in sex work.
Artificial light affects foraging behavior of a synanthropic bat
Authors: ZOU Wenyu , WU Pan , WEI Xinyi , ZHOU Daying , DENG Yingchun , JIANG Yunke , LUO Bo , LIU Wenqin , HUO Jiaxin , PENG Shichen , FENG Jiang
Published: November 2023

Artificial light at night has been considered an emerging threat to global biodiversity. However, the impacts of artificial light on foraging behavior in most wild animals remain largely unclear. Here, we aimed to assess whether artificial light affects foraging behavior in Asian parti‐colored bats (Vespertilio sinensis). We manipulated the spectra of light‐emitting diode (LED) lighting in a laboratory. Using video and audio recording, we monitored foraging onset, total foraging time, food consumption, freezing behavior (temporary cessation of body movement), and echolocation vocalizations in triads of bats under each lighting condition. Analyses showed that the foraging activities of experimental bats were reduced under LED light. Green, yellow, and red light had greater negative effects on bats’ foraging onset, total foraging time, and food consumption than white and blue light. LED light of different spectra induced increased freezing time and echolocation vocalizations in captive bats, except for the white light. The peak wavelength of light emission correlated positively with freezing time, estimated echolocation pulse rate (the number of echolocation pulses per minute), and foraging onset, but negatively with total foraging time and food consumption. These results demonstrate that artificial light disturbs foraging behavior in Asian parti‐colored bats. Our findings have implications for understanding the influencing mechanism of light pollution on bat foraging.
Observed and relative survival trends of lung cancer: A systematic review of population‐based cancer registration data
Authors: Bi Jing‐Hao , Tuo Jia‐Yi , Xiao Yu‐Xuan , Tang Dan‐Dan , Zhou Xiao‐Hui , Jiang Yu‐Fei , Ji Xiao‐Wei , Tan Yu‐Ting , Yuan Hui‐Yun , Xiang Yong‐Bing
Published: November 2023

Background

Using the published survival statistics from cancer registration or population‐based studies, we aimed to describe the global pattern and trend of lung cancer survival.

Methods

By searching SinoMed, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and SEER, all survival analyses from cancer registration or population‐based studies of lung cancer were collected by the end of November 2022. The survival rates were extracted by sex, period, and country. The observed, relative, and net survival rates of lung cancer were applied to describe the pattern and time changes from the late 1990s to the early 21st century.

Results

Age‐standardized 5‐year relative/net survival rate of lung cancer was typically low, with 10%–20% for most regions. The highest age‐standardized relative/net survival rate was observed in Japan (32.9%, 2010–2014), and the lowest was in India (3.7%, 2010–2014). In most countries, the five‐year age‐standardized relative/net survival rates of lung cancer were higher in females and younger people. The patients with adenocarcinoma had a better prognosis than other groups. In China, the highest 5‐year overall relative/net survival rates were 27.90% and 31.62% in men and women in Jiangyin (2012–2013).

Conclusion

Over the past decades, the prognosis of lung cancer has gradually improved, but significant variations were also observed globally. Worldwide, a better prognosis of lung cancer can be observed in females and younger patients. It is essential to compare and evaluate the histological or stage‐specific survival rates of lung cancer between different regions in the future.