bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atypical flagella assembly and haploid genome coiling during male gamete formation inPlasmodium
Authors: Hair Molly , Moreira-Leite Flavia , Ferguson David , Zeeshan Mohammed , Tewari Rita , Vaughan Sue
Published: May 2023

Plasmodiumspp. sexual reproduction occurs within theAnophelesmosquito and is essential for gametogenesis and onwards transmission to mammalian hosts. Upon activation, the maleP. bergheigametocyte undergoes three rounds of inter-nuclear mitosis and assembles eight basal bodies and axonemes around the nucleus prior to ex-flagellation, resulting in 8 flagellated male gametes in 12-15 minutes. However there is little understanding of the 3D organisation of this rapid process of male gametogenesis. In this study we used serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) and cellular electron tomography (ssET) ofP. bergheimicrogametocytes to examine the 3D architecture of key structures during male gamete formation. Our data has revealed an exquisite organisation of axonemes coiling around the nucleus in opposite directions forming a central ‘axoneme band’ in microgametocytes. Furthermore, we discovered that the nucleus of microgametes is tightly coiled around the axoneme in an exquisitely complex structure whose formation starts before microgamete emergence during ex-flagellation. Our discoveries of the detailed 3D organisation of the flagellated microgamete and the haploid genome highlights some of the atypical mechanisms of axoneme assembly and haploid genome organisation during male gamete formation in the malaria parasitePlasmodium spp.
Telocyte networks are an essential stem cell niche component in hair follicle regeneration
Authors: Canella Marco , Nalick Simcha , Gharbi Amal , Jamous Abrar , Corem Noa , Ben-Porath Ittai , Hofree Matan , Shoshkes-Carmel Michal
Published: May 2023

Self-renewing tissues rely on stem cells (SCs) to regenerate differentiated cells, requiring precise coordination between SCs and their progeny. Here, we investigated how SC activity is regulated across multiple epithelial layers, using the hair follicle (HF) as a model system. We uncovered an extensive, interconnected network of telocytes, specialized mesenchymal cells, that spans all HF layers, including regions previously thought to lack mesenchymal or connective tissue components. These telocyte networks remain in constant contact with SCs and their progeny throughout regeneration, dynamically adapting their structure and molecular profile to provide localized, phase-specific signals. By employing two independent mouse models to ablate telocytes or disrupt their Wnt signaling, we demonstrate that telocyte networks are an essential component of the SC niche. Our findings propose a revised, integrative model of the SC niche, in which telocyte networks and their Wnt production play a central role in adult SC biology and tissue regeneration.
GABA and Glutamate response to social processing; a functional MRS study
Authors: Pasanta Duanghathai , White David J. , He Jason L. , Ford Talitha C. , Puts Nicolaas A.
Published: May 2023

Several studies have suggested that atypical social processing in multiple psychiatric conditions (e.g., autism) is associated with differences in excitation and inhibition, through changes in the levels of glutamate and GABA levels. While associations between baseline metabolite levels and behaviours can be insightful, assessing the neurometabolic response of GABA and Glutamate during social processing may inform altered neurochemical function in more depth. Thus far, there have been no attempts to determine whether changes in metabolite levels are detectable using functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (fMRS) during social processing in a control population. We performed MEGA-PRESS edited fMRS to measure the dynamic response of GABA and glutamate in the superior temporal sulcus (STS) and visual cortex (V1) while viewing social stimuli, using a design that allows for analysis in both block and event-related approaches. Sliding window analyses were used to investigate GABA and glutamate dynamics at higher temporal resolution. A small decrease in GABA levels was observed during social stimulus presentation in V1, but no change was observed in STS. Conversely, non-social stimulus elicited changes in both GABA and glutamate levels in both regions. We discuss the feasibility of using fMRS analysis approaches to assess changes in metabolite response during social processing.
mRNA display reveals a class of high-affinity bromodomain-binding motifs that are not found in the human proteome
Authors: Low Jason K K , Patel Karishma , Solomon Paul , Norman Alexander , Pachl Petr , Jones Natasha , Payne Richard J , Passioura Toby , Suga Hiroaki , Walport Louise J , Mackay Joel P
Published: May 2023

Bromodomains regulate gene expression by recognizing protein motifs containing acetyllysine. Although originally characterized as histone-binding proteins, it has since become clear that these domains interact with other acetylated proteins, perhaps most prominently transcription factors. The likely transient nature and low stoichiometry of such modifications, however, has made it challenging to fully define the interactome of any given bromodomain. To begin to address this knowledge gap in an unbiased manner, we carried out mRNA display screens against a bromodomain – theN-terminal bromodomain of BRD3 – using peptide libraries that contained either one or two acetyllysine residues. We discovered peptides with very strong consensus sequences and with affinities that are significantly higher than typical bromodomain-peptide interactions. X-ray crystal structures also revealed modes of binding that have not been seen with natural ligands. Intriguingly, however, our selected sequences are not found in the human proteome, perhaps suggesting that strong binders to bromodomains might have been selected against.
GbyE: A New Genome Wide Association and Prediction Model based on Genetic by Environmental Interaction
Authors: Liu Xinrui , Wang Mingxiu , Qin Jie , Liu Yaxin , Zhong Jincheng , Wang Jiabo
Published: May 2023

Nowadays, studies on genetic by environment interactions (G×E) are receiving increasing attention because of its theoretical and practical importance in explaining individual behavioral traits. Use information from different environments to improve the statistical power of genome-wide association and prediction in the hope of obtaining individuals with better breeding value is the most expedient way. However, there are significant challenges when performing genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and genomic selection (GS) using multiple environments or traits, mainly because most diseases and quantitative traits have numerous associated loci with minimal effects. Therefore, this study constructed a new genotype design model program (GbyE) for genome-wide association and prediction using Kronecker product, which can enhance the statistical power of GWAS and GS by utilizing the interaction effects of multiple environments or traits. The data of 282 maize, 354 yaks and 255 peaches were used to evaluate the power of the model at different levels of heritability and genetic correlation. The results show that GbyE can provide higher statistical power for the traditional GWAS and GS models in any heritability and genetic correlation, and can detect more real loci. In addition, GbyE has increased statistical power to three Bayesian models (BRR, BayesA, and BayesCpi). GbyE can make full use of multiple environment or trait informations to increase the statistical power of the model, which can help us understand the G×E and provide a method for predicting association loci for complex traits.
Cbl and Cbl-b Ubiquitin Ligases are Essential for Intestinal Epithelial Stem Cell Maintenance
Authors: Zutshi Neha , Mohapatra Bhopal C. , Mondal Pinaki , An Wei , Goetz Benjamin T. , Wang Shuo , Li Sicong , Storck Matthew D. , Mercer David F. , Black Adrian R. , Thayer Sarah P. , Black Jennifer D. , Lin Chi , Band Vimla , Band Hamid
Published: May 2023

Among the signaling pathways that control the stem cell self-renewal and maintenance vs. acquisition of differentiated cell fates, those mediated by receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) activation are well established as key players. CBL family ubiquitin ligases are negative regulators of RTKs but their physiological roles in regulating stem cell behaviors are unclear. While hematopoieticCbl/Cblbknockout (KO) leads to a myeloproliferative disease due to expansion and reduced quiescence of hematopoietic stem cells, mammary epithelial KO led to stunted mammary gland development due to mammary stem cell depletion. Here, we examined the impact of inducibleCbl/Cblbdouble-KO (iDKO) selectively in the Lgr5-defined intestinal stem cell (ISC) compartment.Cbl/CblbiDKO led to rapid loss of theLgr5HiISC pool with a concomitant transient expansion of theLgr5Lotransit amplifying population. LacZ reporter-based lineage tracing showed increased ISC commitment to differentiation, with propensity towards enterocyte and goblet cell fate at the expense of Paneth cells. Functionally,Cbl/CblbiDKO impaired the recovery from radiation-induced intestinal epithelial injury.In vitro,Cbl/CblbiDKO led to inability to maintain intestinal organoids. Single cell RNAseq analysis of organoids revealed Akt-mTOR pathway hyperactivation in iDKO ISCs and progeny cells, and pharmacological inhibition of the Akt-mTOR axis rescued the organoid maintenance and propagation defects. Our results demonstrate a requirement forCbl/Cblbin the maintenance of ISCs by fine tuning the Akt-mTOR axis to balance stem cell maintenance vs. commitment to differentiation.
Unraveling human, rodent and snakeKolmioviridaereplication to anticipate cross-species transmission
Authors: Khalfi Pierre , Denis Zoé , Merolla Giovanni , Chavey Carine , Ursic-Bedoya José , Soppa Lena , Szirovicza Leonora , Hetzel Udo , Dufourt Jeremy , Leyrat Cedric , Goldmann Nora , Goto Kaku , Verrier Eloi , Baumert Thomas F. , Glebe Dieter , Courgnaud Valérie , Grégoire Damien , Hepojoki Jussi , Majzoub Karim
Published: May 2023

The recent discovery of Hepatitis D (HDV)-likeviruses across a wide range of taxa led to the establishment of theKolmioviridaefamily. Recent studies suggest that kolmiovirids can be satellites of viruses other than Hepatitis B virus (HBV), challenging the strict HBV/HDV-association dogma. Studying whether kolmiovirids are able to replicate in any animal cell they enter is essential to assess their zoonotic potential. Here, we compared replication of three kolmiovirids: HDV, rodent (RDeV) and snake deltavirus (SDeV)in vitroandin vivo. We show that SDeV has the narrowest and RDeV the broadest host cell range. High resolution imaging of infected cells revealed nuclear viral hubs with a peculiar RNA-protein organization. Finally,in vivohydrodynamic delivery of infectious clones showed that both HDV and RDeV, but not SDeV, efficiently replicate in mouse liver, forming massive nuclear viral hubs. Our comparative analysis lays the foundation for the discovery of specific host factors controllingKolmioviridaehost-shifting.
Improving bioplastic production byRhodopseudomonas palustrisTIE-1 using synthetic biology and metabolic engineering
Authors: Ranaivoarisoa Tahina Onina , Bai Wei , Rengasamy Karthikeyan , Steele Hope , Silberman Miriam , Olabode Jennifer , Bose Arpita
Published: May 2023

With the increasing demand for sustainably produced renewable resources, it is important to look towards microorganisms capable of producing bioproducts such as biofuels and bioplastics. Though many systems for bioproduct production are well documented and tested in model organisms, it is essential to look beyond to non-model organisms to expand the field and take advantage of metabolically versatile strains. This investigation centers onRhodopseudomonas palustrisTIE-1, a purple, non-sulfur autotrophic, and anaerobic bacterium capable of producing bioproducts that are comparable to their petroleum-based counterparts. To induce bioplastic overproduction, genes that might have a potential role in the PHB biosynthesis such as the regulator,phaR,andphaZknown for its ability to degrade PHB granules were deleted using markerless deletion. Mutants in pathways that might compete with polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production such as glycogen and nitrogen fixation previously created to increasen-butanol production by TIE-1 were also tested. In addition, a phage integration system was developed to insert RuBisCO (RuBisCO form I and II genes) driven by a constitutive promoterPaphIIinto TIE- 1 genome. Our results show that deletion of thephaRgene of the PHB pathway increases PHB productivity when TIE-1 was grown photoheterotrophically with butyrate and ammonium chloride (NH4Cl). Mutants unable to make glycogen or fix dinitrogen gas show an increase in PHB productivity under photoautotrophic growth conditions with hydrogen. In addition, the engineered TIE-1 overexpressing RuBisCO form I and form II produces significantly more polyhydroxybutyrate than the wild type under photoheterotrophy with butyrate and photoautotrophy with hydrogen. Inserting RuBisCO genes into TIE-1 genome is a more effective strategy than deleting competitive pathways to increase PHB production in TIE-1. The phage integration system developed for TIE-1 thus creates numerous opportunities for synthetic biology in TIE-1.
Reorganization of Pancreas Circadian Transcriptome with Aging
Authors: Sharma Deepak , Wessel Caitlin R. , Mahdavinia Mahboobeh , Preuss Fabian , Bishehsari Faraz
Published: May 2023

The evolutionarily conserved circadian system allows organisms to synchronize internal processes with 24-h cycling environmental timing cues, ensuring optimal adaptation. Like other organs, the pancreas function is under circadian control. Recent evidence suggests that aging by itself is associated with altered circadian homeostasis in different tissues which could affect the organ’s resiliency to aging-related pathologies. Pancreas pathologies of either endocrine or exocrine components are age-related. Whether pancreas circadian transcriptome output is affected by age is still unknown. To address this, here we profiled the impact of age on the pancreatic transcriptome over a full circadian cycle and elucidated a circadian transcriptome reorganization of pancreas by aging. Our study highlights gain of rhythms in the extrinsic cellular pathways in the aged pancreas and extends a potential role to fibroblast-associated mechanisms.
Information Geometry of the Retinal Representation Manifold
Authors: Ding Xuehao , Lee Dongsoo , Melander Joshua B. , Sivulka George , Ganguli Surya , Baccus Stephen A.
Published: May 2023

The ability for the brain to discriminate among visual stimuli is constrained by their retinal representations. Previous studies of visual discriminability have been limited to either low-dimensional artificial stimuli or pure theoretical considerations without a realistic encoding model. Here we propose a novel framework for understanding stimulus discriminability achieved by retinal representations of naturalistic stimuli with the method of information geometry. To model the joint probability distribution of neural responses conditioned on the stimulus, we created a stochastic encoding model of a population of salamander retinal ganglion cells based on a three-layer convolutional neural network model. This model not only accurately captured the mean response to natural scenes but also a variety of second-order statistics. With the model and the proposed theory, we computed the Fisher information metric over stimuli to study the most discriminable stimulus directions. We found that the most discriminable stimulus varied substantially across stimuli, allowing an examination of the relationship between the most discriminable stimulus and the current stimulus. By examining responses generated by the most discriminable stimuli we further found that the most discriminative response mode is often aligned with the most stochastic mode. This finding carries the important implication that under natural scenes, retinal noise correlations are information-limiting rather than increasing information transmission as has been previously speculated. We additionally observed that sensitivity saturates less in the population than for single cells and that as a function of firing rate, Fisher information varies less than sensitivity. We conclude that under natural scenes, population coding benefits from complementary coding and helps to equalize the information carried by different firing rates, which may facilitate decoding of the stimulus under principles of information maximization.
Spatial proteomics in neurons at single-protein resolution
Authors: Unterauer Eduard M. , Boushehri Sayedali Shetab , Jevdokimenko Kristina , Masullo Luciano A. , Ganji Mahipal , Sograte-Idrissi Shama , Kowalewski Rafal , Strauss Sebastian , Reinhardt Susanne C.M. , Perovic Ana , Marr Carsten , Opazo Felipe , Fornasiero Eugenio F. , Jungmann Ralf
Published: May 2023

To fully understand biological processes and functions, it is necessary to reveal the molecular heterogeneity of cells and even subcellular assemblies by gaining access to the location and interaction of all biomolecules. The study of protein arrangements has seen significant advancements through super-resolution microscopy, but such methods are still far from reaching the multiplexing capacity of spatial proteomics. Here, we introduce Secondary label-based Unlimited Multiplexed DNA-PAINT (SUM-PAINT), a high-throughput imaging method capable of achieving virtually unlimited multiplexing at better than 15 nm spatial resolution. Using SUM-PAINT, we generated the most extensive multiprotein dataset to date at single-protein spatial resolution, comprising up to 30 distinct protein targets in parallel and adapted omics-inspired analysis workflows to explore these feature-rich datasets. Remarkably, by examining the multiplexed protein content of almost 900 individual synapses at single-protein resolution, we revealed the complexity of synaptic heterogeneity, ultimately leading to the discovery of a new synapse type. This work provides not only a feature-rich resource for researchers, but also an integrated data acquisition and analysis workflow for comprehensive spatial proteomics at single-protein resolution, paving the way for ‘Localizomics’.
Predictive and Interpretable: Combining Artificial Neural Networks and Classic Cognitive Models to Understand Human Learning and Decision Making
Authors: Eckstein Maria K. , Summerfield Christopher , Daw Nathaniel D. , Miller Kevin J.
Published: May 2023

Quantitative models of behavior are a fundamental tool in cognitive science. Typically, models are hand-crafted to implement specific cognitive mechanisms. Such “classic” models are interpretable by design, but may provide poor fit to experimental data. Artificial neural networks (ANNs), on the contrary, can fit arbitrary datasets at the cost of opaque mechanisms. Here, we adopt a hybrid approach, combining the predictive power of ANNs with the interpretability of classic models. We apply this approach to Reinforcement Learning (RL), beginning with classic RL models and replacing their components one-by-one with ANNs. We find that hybrid models can provide similar fit to fully-general ANNs, while retaining the interpretability of classic cognitive models: They reveal reward-based learning mechanisms in humans that are strikingly similar to classic RL. They also reveal mechanisms not contained in classic models, including separate rewardblind mechanisms, and the specific memory contents relevant to reward-based and reward-blind mechanisms.
Genetic landscape of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: A systematic review, meta-analysis and epidemiological evidence of case-control studies
Authors: Singh Pooja , Guin Debleena , Pattnaik Bijay , Kukreti Ritushree
Published: May 2023

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fibrotic lung disorder of unknown cause, affecting about three million people worldwide. Being a multifactorial disease, complex genetic and environmental factors contribute to its susceptibility. Therefore, we conducted a two-staged systematic literature search and meta-analyses of published genetic association studies on IPF.

Methods

The first search was performed using PubMed and Web of Science, retrieving a total of 5642 articles, of which 57 publications were eligible for inclusion in the first stage. The Second search was performed using PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus for all genetic variants, identified from the first search, with 2 or more studies. Thus, six variants [rs35705950 (MUC5B), rs2736100 (TERT), rs2609255 (FAM13A), rs2076295 (DSP), rs12610495 (DPP9) and rs1800470 (TGF-β1)] from this search qualified for meta-analyses. Additionally, the epidemiological credibility of these six variants was evaluated using the Venice criteria.

Results

In this systematic review, 291 polymorphisms were found to be associated with IPF susceptibility. Meta-analyses findings revealed significant (p < 0.05) risk association of rs35705950 [T vs C; OR = 3.85(3.24-4.47)], rs2609255 [G vs T; OR = 1.37(1.27-1.47)], rs2076295 [G vs T; OR = 1.31(1.00-1.63)], rs12610495 [G vs A; OR = 1.29(1.21-1.37)] and rs1800470 [T vs C; OR = 1.08(0.82-1.34)] and protective association of rs2736100 [C vs A; OR = 0.70(0.61-0.79)] with IPF susceptibility. Cumulative epidemiological evidence was graded as strong for rs35705950, moderate for rs2736100, rs2609255 and rs12610495, and weak for rs2076295 and rs1800470.

Conclusions

Our findings present the most prominent IPF-associated genetic risk variants involved in alveolar epithelial injuries (MUC5B, TERT, FAM13A, DSP, DPP9) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (TGF-β1), providing genetic and biological insights into IPF pathogenesis.
Mapping the Association between Mental Health and People’s Perceived and Actual Ability to Practice Hygiene-Related Behaviours in Humanitarian and Pandemic Crises: A Scoping Review
Authors: Ghassemi Emily Yasmin , Thorseth Astrid Hasund , Roch Karine Le , Heath Thomas , White Sian
Published: May 2023

Humanitarian crises such as disease outbreaks, conflict and displacement and natural disasters affect millions of people primarily in low- and middle-income countries. Here, they often reside in areas with poor environmental health conditions leading to an increased burden of infectious diseases such as diarrheal and respiratory infections. Water, sanitation, and hygiene behaviours are critical to prevent such infections and deaths.

A scoping review was conducted to map out what is known about the association between three mental health issues and people’s perceived and actual ability to practice hygiene-related behaviours, particularly handwashing, in humanitarian and pandemic crises. Published and grey literature was identified through database searches, humanitarian-relevant portals, and consultations with key stakeholders in the humanitarian sector.

25 publications were included, 21 were peer-reviewed published articles and four were grey literature publications. Most of the studies were conducted in China (n=12) and most were conducted in a pandemic outbreak setting (n=20). Six studies found a positive correlation between handwashing and anxiety where participants with higher rates of anxiety were more likely to practice handwashing with soap. Four studies found an inverse relationship where those with higher rates of anxiety were less likely to wash their hands with soap. The review found mixed results for the association between handwashing and depression, with four of the seven studies reporting those with higher rates of depression were less likely to wash their hands, while the remaining studies found that higher depressions scores resulted in more handwashing. Mixed results were also found between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and handwashing. Two studies found that lower scores of PTSD were associated with better hygiene practices, including handwashing with soap.

The contradictory patterns suggest that researchers and practitioners need to explore this association further, in a wider range of crises, and need to standardize tools to do so.
Selected advances in small-angle scattering and applications they serve in manufacturing, energy and climate change
Authors: Allen Andrew J.
Published: May 2023

Innovations in small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering (SAXS and SANS) at major X-ray and neutron facilities offer new characterization tools for researching materials phenomena relevant to advanced applications. For SAXS, the new generation of diffraction-limited storage rings, incorporating multi-bend achromat concepts, dramatically decrease electron beam emittance and significantly increase X-ray brilliance over previous third-generation sources. This results in intense X-ray incident beams that are more compact in the horizontal plane, allowing significantly improved spatial resolution, better time resolution, and a new era for coherent-beam SAXS methods such as X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy. Elsewhere, X-ray free-electron laser sources provide extremely bright, fully coherent, X-ray pulses of <100 fs and can support SAXS studies of material processes where entire SAXS data sets are collected in a single pulse train. Meanwhile, SANS at both steady-state reactor and pulsed spallation neutron sources has significantly evolved. Developments in neutron optics and multiple detector carriages now enable data collection in a few minutes for materials characterization over nanometre-to-micrometre scale ranges, opening up real-time studies of multi-scale materials phenomena. SANS at pulsed neutron sources is becoming more integrated with neutron diffraction methods for simultaneous structure characterization of complex materials. In this paper, selected developments are highlighted and some recent state-of-the-art studies discussed, relevant to hard matter applications in advanced manufacturing, energy and climate change.
Efficient structure-factor modeling for crystals with multiple components
Authors: Afonine Pavel V. , Adams Paul D. , Urzhumtsev Alexandre G.
Published: May 2023

Diffraction intensities from a crystallographic experiment include contributions from the entire unit cell of the crystal: the macromolecule, the solvent around it and eventually other compounds. These contributions cannot typically be well described by an atomic model alone, i.e. using point scatterers. Indeed, entities such as disordered (bulk) solvent, semi-ordered solvent (e.g. lipid belts in membrane proteins, ligands, ion channels) and disordered polymer loops require other types of modeling than a collection of individual atoms. This results in the model structure factors containing multiple contributions. Most macromolecular applications assume two-component structure factors: one component arising from the atomic model and the second one describing the bulk solvent. A more accurate and detailed modeling of the disordered regions of the crystal will naturally require more than two components in the structure factors, which presents algorithmic and computational challenges. Here an efficient solution of this problem is proposed. All algorithms described in this work have been implemented in the computational crystallography toolbox (CCTBX) and are also available within Phenix software. These algorithms are rather general and do not use any assumptions about molecule type or size nor about those of its components.
Digital financial service adoption decisions of semi-urban Ghanaian university students – implications for enterprise development and job creation
Authors: Ayimah John Coker , Kuada John , Ayimey Edward Kwame
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper reports results of an investigation into semi-urban Ghanaian university youths' attitude to digitized financial services (DFSs) and the determinants of their adoption decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative cross-sectional research approach was used. Three hundred and seventy-five (375) university students were randomly selected from a semi-urban town in Ghana to test the applicability of technology acceptance model (TAM) within such a context. Structural equation modeling was employed to assess stated hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicate a high penetration of digital financial services among the students, which confirms the applicability of TAM for such studies. The results further suggest that DFS provides a pathway to financial inclusion and can stimulate small enterprise development and job creation in Ghana's semi-urban communities.

Originality/value

Hitherto, little academic attention has been given to digitization of financial services in semi-urban African towns. The study contributes to filling this research gap.
Workplace ostracism as an antecedent to workplace envy: the mediating roles of metacognitive resources and dimensions of social perception
Authors: Shady Amy , Bouchra Nancy , Darrag Menatallah
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to explore novel antecedents to workplace envy. The authors explore the role of workplace ostracism (WO) as a contextual antecedent in triggering envy, as well as the mediating effects of metacognitive resources (MR) and dimensions of social perception (DSP) as cognitive antecedents. The authors integrate affective events theory, social comparison theory and schema theory to develop their arguments.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the survey approach, the authors recruited 490 professionals employed in Egypt and validated the proposed model and hypotheses in structural equation modelling (SEM).

Findings

The results show a significant relationship between WO and workplace envy. Additionally, metacognitive experiences (MEs) and warmth mediate the relationship among them.

Originality/value

By addressing how WO is a predictor of envy, this study is among the few to consider social-related events as predictors of envy. Additionally, the study is one of the first that has extended affective events theory to explore the role of an individual's cognition in generating envy.
Supplier selection criteria using analytical hierarchy process (AHP)-based approach: a study in refractory materials manufacturers
Authors: Lin Gu-Hong , Chuang Cheng-An , Tan Cheng Ling , Yeo Sook Fern , Wu Fan-Yi
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Refractory materials are now used in all major industries that demand high-temperature resistance, including petrochemicals, steel, cement and aviation. Businesses must decrease operating costs, enhance product technology, sell well and manage corporate risks in decision-making, notably supplier selection, to be more competitive. The study aims to determine the key criteria and factors of supplier selection and to evaluate the importance of the key factor of the supplier selection criteria for the refractory materials manufacturers in Taiwan.

Design/methodology/approach

Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is used to rank these factors for the decision maker. The AHP method is suitable for verifying refractory supplier selection criteria and providing references. The weighted loss scores for each supplier are then determined using the relative importance as the weights. Supplier selection criteria are ranked using their aggregate weighted loss scores. The provider with the lowest loss score should be chosen.

Findings

Product quality is the most significant of the five criteria: product quality, production technology, logistics capacity, service capability and supplier background. Professionalism is the most significant aspect of product quality, whereas equipment and capacity are vital in manufacturing techniques. The studies also show that the delivery rate is essential for logistics and service capabilities.

Practical implications

This research has important implications for refractory suppliers in promptly fine-tuning the production and service to enhance customer satisfaction, which is key to business sustainability.

Originality/value

The application of an AHP technique to a real-world industrial issue is what makes this research unique. This research addressed one of the most critical topics in supply chain operations by offering better judgement for supplier selection via the use of suitable quantitative methodologies.
Is mandatory seller disclosure of flood risk necessary? A Brisbane, Australia, case study
Authors: Brown Catherine , Christensen Sharon , Blake Andrea , Indraswari Karlina , Wilson Clevo , Desouza Kevin
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Information on the impact of flooding is fundamental to mitigating flood risk in residential property. This paper aims to provide insight into the seller disclosure of flood risk and buyer behaviour in the absence of mandated seller disclosure.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a case study approach to critically evaluate the matrix of flood information available for buyers purchasing residential property in Brisbane, Queensland. This paper uses big data analytic techniques to extract and analyse internet data from online seller agents and buyer platforms to gain an understanding of buyer awareness and consideration of flood risk in the residential property market.

Findings

Analysis of property marketing data demonstrates that seller agents voluntarily disclose flood impact only in periods where a flooding event is anticipated and is limited to asserting a property is free of flood risk. Analysis of buyer commentary demonstrates that buyers are either unaware of flood information or are discounting the risk of flood in favour of other property and locational attributes when selecting residential property.

Practical implications

This research suggests that improved and accessible government-provided flood mapping tools are not enhancing buyers’ understanding and awareness of flood risk. Accordingly, it is recommended that mandatory disclosure be introduced in Queensland so that buyers are more able to manage risk and investment decisions before the purchase of residential property.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to existing literature on raising community awareness and understanding of natural disaster risks and makes a further contribution in identifying mandatory disclosure as a mechanism to highlight the risk of flooding and inform residential property purchasers.
Eco-innovation in the textile industry: the strategic importance of data privacy and environmental knowledge management
Authors: Di Chiacchio Laura , Martínez-Caro Eva , Cegarra-Navarro Juan Gabriel , Garcia-Perez Alexeis
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of the ethical management of data privacy on the overall reputation of businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model was proposed and tested. Data were collected from 208 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the textile industry in Valencia, Spain using a survey instrument. Partial least squares (PLS) allowed for the analysis of the data collected.

Findings

The theoretical model explains 46.1% of the variation in the organisational reputation variable. The findings indicate that ethical data privacy has a beneficial effect on an organisation's reputation and eco-innovation. The findings also demonstrate how eco-innovation drives the development of new knowledge and green skills that, in turn, communicate to stakeholders a company's ethical commitment. These results should encourage SMEs to invest in data privacy in order to meet the needs of the SMEs' increasingly technology- and environment-sensitive stakeholders and to improve their reputation.

Originality/value

This study provides the first empirical evidence that ethical data privacy management has a positive impact on the reputation of firms. Furthermore, the originality of the research derives from the analysis of the results from an environmental perspective. Indeed, this study shows that effective data privacy management can indirectly support organisational reputation through eco-innovation and green skills.
Big data of enterprise supply chain under green financial system based on digital twin technology
Authors: Li Dongsheng , Li Jun
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Minimizing the impact on the surrounding environment and maximizing the use of production raw materials while ensuring that the relevant processes and services can be delivered within the specified time are the contents of enterprise supply chain management in the green financial system.

Design/methodology/approach

With the continuous development of China's economy and the continuous deepening of the concept of sustainable development, how to further upgrade the enterprise supply chain management is an urgent need to solve. How to maximize the utilization of resources in the supply chain needs to be realized from the whole process of raw material purchase, transportation and processing.

Findings

It was proved that digital twin technology had a partial intermediary role in the role of supply chain big data analysis capability on corporate finance, market, operation and other performance.

Originality/value

This paper focused on describing how digital twin technology could be applied to big data analysis of enterprise supply chain under the green financial system and proved its usability through experiments. The experimental results showed that the indirect effect of the path big data analysis capability digital twin technology enterprise financial performance was 0.378. The indirect effect of the path big data analysis capability digital twin technology enterprise market performance was 0.341. The indirect effect of the path big data analysis capability digital twin technology enterprise operational performance was 0.374.
Video platform pricing strategy considering content purchase
Authors: Li Weifeng , Jiang Minghui , Zhan Wentao
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to construct a model that considers video purchase and then identifies the logical relationships implied by the parameters to explore video platform operation mechanisms.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyzed the video platform system using a mathematical modeling approach and numerical optimization techniques. Through pricing decisions, the authors obtained equilibrium results for the profitability of the video platforms and analyzed the favorable market factors. The authors then extended the model by analyzing the competitive strategies of the two video platforms in the market.

Findings

The authors find that advertiser profitability, ad nuisance, video sensitivity and video creator network effects are important factors influencing the pricing strategy of video platforms. During positive market conditions, video platforms tend to lower their prices until they absorb enough users. As market conditions change, the price adjustment strategies of video platforms are affected by parameter changes and inter-parameter relationships.

Originality/value

The study considers the network effects of video creators, which provides a realistic reference for scholars and managers. In addition, the authors consider the bargaining power of platforms when purchasing content. The authors provide a fresh perspective for scholars while filling a gap in the field as video platforms can acquire a portion of the content on the market by setting a purchase price.
Day–night discrepancy in soil respiration varies with seasons in a temperate forest
Authors: Han Yajing , Wang Gangsheng , Zhou Shuhao , Li Wanyu , Xiong Lihua
Published: May 2023

Soil respiration (Rs) during daytime (Rsday) and nighttime (Rsnight) remains poorly understood owing to the limited availability of high‐resolution temporal measurements of Rs.

Using continuous automatic chamber measurements at a half‐hourly interval, we explored Rs and its temperature sensitivity (Q10) during the daytime and nighttime over 10 years and determined the best sampling timeslot in a temperate deciduous broadleaf forest.

We demonstrate a higher Rsnight than Rsday in spring and summer, a lower Rsnight than Rsday in autumn, but an insignificant difference between them in winter, contrasting with the consensus of a higher Rsday than Rsnight. Such discrepancy may result from the effect of factors other than temperature (e.g. reallocation of photosynthesis carbon, precipitation and soil moisture). We also reveal significant differences in apparent Q10 between seasons, indicating the highest Q10 in spring and significantly higher Q10 at night than at day in autumn. The Rs measured around midday (9:00–11:00 for autumn and 12:00–15:00 for other seasons) and midnight (20:00–22:00 for autumn and 0:00–2:00 for other seasons) provides the lowest bias to the daily mean Rs, whereas the measurement timeslots around midday are preferred due to practical considerations.

Our findings highlight the significant diel variation of Rs and its temperature sensitivity across seasons and the necessity to account for Rsnight for a more accurate estimate of soil carbon budget.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Civic involvement in deprived communities: A longitudinal study of England
Authors: Bonomi Bezzo Franco , Jeannet Anne‐Marie
Published: May 2023

This study aims to understand how community material deprivation is related to associational membership amongst neighbourhood residents. We posit that aside from personal characteristics and willingness to engage, experiences of neighbourhood deprivation are strongly correlated with how much people devote themselves to associational membership. We identify three mechanisms through which community deprivation can determine individual participation in political, civic, and work voluntary associations: social cohering, norms of obligation, and activated dissatisfaction. We link individual panel data from Understanding Society from 2010 to 2019 with the English Index of Multiple Deprivation at the neighbourhood level. This study finds that neighbourhood deprivation is associated with lower norms of civic obligation which, in turn, lowers a person's propensity for engagement. Individuals with low income and education are less likely to participate in voluntary associations in the first place, therefore the contextual role of neighbourhood deprivation exerts a further external negative pressure on civic participation. We find that membership in political organizations is an exception whereby it is positively associated with neighbourhood deprivation. The results imply that given the many economic and social capital benefits of associational involvement (Putnam, 2000), collective deprivation can produce an additive pattern of economic disadvantage which is reinforced through a lack of social participation.
Rapid enantiomeric analysis of zopiclone in serum by supercritical fluid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Segawa Hiroki , Iwata Yuko T. , Okada Yuki , Yamamuro Tadashi , Kuwayama Kenji , Tsujikawa Kenji , Kanamori Tatsuyuki
Published: May 2023

Zopiclone (ZOP) is a hypnotic drug prescribed to treat insomnia. Due to the chiral nature of ZOP, the psychologically active S‐form and inactive R‐form need to be determined enantiomerically in a forensic drug analysis. In the present study, a supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) method was designed with a faster analysis ability than that of previously reported techniques. The SFC–tandem mass spectrometry (SFC–MS/MS) method was optimized using a column with a chiral polysaccharide stationary phase (Trefoil CEL2). ZOP was extracted from pooled human serum using solid‐phase extraction (Oasis HLB) and analyzed. The developed SFC–MS/MS method achieved the baseline separation of S‐ZOP and R‐ZOP within 2 min. The fit‐for‐purpose method validation indicated that the optimized solid‐phase extraction achieved near complete recovery and approximately 70% of the matrix effect. Both the retention time and peak area showed sufficient precision. The lower and upper limits of quantification (LOQ) were 5.7 × 10−2 ng/mL and 25 ng/mL for R‐ZOP, and 5.2 × 10−2 ng/mL and 25 ng/mL for S‐ZOP. The calibration line was linear in the range from lower LOQ to upper LOQ. The stability test indicated that ZOP in serum stored in a refrigerator (4°C) degraded and about 55% remained in 31 days. The quick analysis of the SFC–MS/MS method makes it a valid option for the enantiomeric analysis of ZOP.
Impact of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth on symptoms and quality of life in irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Chuah Kee Huat , Hian Wen Xuan , Lim Sze Zee , Beh Keng Hau , Mahadeva Sanjiv
Published: May 2023

Objective

To explore the factors associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and to further evaluate the impact of SIBO on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in terms of symptom severity and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods

A cross‐sectional study of consecutive adult patients who underwent glucose hydrogen breath test was conducted. Factors associated with SIBO were evaluated. Symptom severity and HRQoL of IBS patients with and without SIBO were compared. The independent factors associated with severe IBS were explored.

Results

A total of 160 patients were included (median age 40 years, males 31.3%). IBS was present among 53.8% of subjects, with 33.8% having diarrhea‐predominant IBS (IBS‐D). SIBO was diagnosed in 22.5% of the study population. Patients with SIBO were more commonly diagnosed with IBS‐D than those without (50.0% vs 29.0%, P = 0.019). Severe IBS was associated with SIBO (36.4% vs 15.6%, P = 0.043). SIBO was associated with poorer HRQoL (Euroqol five‐dimensional utility score: 0.73 vs 0.80, P = 0.024). SIBO (44.4% vs 20.6%, P = 0.043), anxiety (77.8% vs. 39.7%, P = 0.004), and depression (50.0% vs 19.1%, P = 0.011) were associated with severe IBS in the univariate analysis. However, SIBO was the only independent factor associated with severe IBS in the multivariate analysis (adjusted odds ratio 3.83, 95% confidence interval CI 1.02–14.34, P = 0.046).

Conclusions

There was a significant association between IBS‐D and SIBO. The coexistence of SIBO had a significant negative impact on IBS patients.