bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of β2 microglobulin, the product of B2M gene, as a Host Factor for Vaccinia Virus Infection by Genome-Wide CRISPR genetic screens
Authors: Matía Alejandro , Lorenzo Maria M. , Romero-Estremera Yolimar C. , Sanchez-Puig Juana M. , Zaballos Angel , Blasco Rafael
Published: August 2022

Genome-wide genetic screens are powerful tools to identify genes that act as host factors of viruses. We have applied this technique to the analyze the infection of HeLa cells by Vaccinia virus, in an attempt to find genes necessary for infection. Infection of cell populations harboring single gene inactivations resulted in no surviving cells, suggesting that no single gene knock-out was able to provide complete resistance to Vaccinia virus and thus allow cells to survive infection. In the absence of an absolute infection blockage, we explored if some gene inactivations could provide partial protection leading to a reduced probability of infection. Multiple experiments using modified screening procedures involving replication restricted viruses led to the identification of multiple genes whose inactivation potentially increase resistance to infection and therefore cell survival. As expected, significant gene hits were related to proteins known to act in virus entry, such as ITGB1 and AXL as well as genes belonging to their downstream related pathways. Additionally, we consistently found β2-microglobulin, encoded by the B2M gene, among the screening top hits, a novel finding that was further explored. Inactivation of B2M resulted in 54% and 91% reduced VV infection efficiency in HeLa and HAP1 cell lines respectively. In the absence of B2M, while virus binding to the cells was unaffected, virus internalization and early gene expression were significantly diminished. These results point to β2-microglobulin as a relevant factor in the Vaccinia virus entry process.

Author summary

Orthopoxviruses, a genus belonging to the familyPoxviridae, include human pathogens like Variola virus, the causative agent of the now eradicated Smallpox, and Monkeypox virus that cause human outbreaks of zoonotic origin. Being the prototype Poxvirus,Vaccinia virushas been extensively used as the ideal model to study infection. For Poxviruses, both fluid phase endocytosis and direct fusion at the plasma membrane have been described as modes of entry. To date, only a few cellular factors have been identified in the vaccinia virus entry pathway. In this study, we report that blind genome-wide genetic screens allowed us to identify several cellular factors involved in Vaccinia Virus infection, of which many could be related to known factors in virus entry. In addition, we found that β2-microglobulin constitute a novel player for Poxvirus entry not related to previously described cellular pathways involved in the entry process. These findings add new information to the complex picture of Poxvirus entry and open the door to the discovery of new entry mechanisms used by Poxviruses.
Deterministic and probabilistic fate decisions co-exist in a single retinal lineage
Authors: Nerli Elisa , Kretzschmar Jenny , Bianucci Tommaso , Rocha-Martins Mauricio , Zechner Christoph , Norden Caren
Published: August 2022

Correct nervous system development depends on the timely differentiation of progenitor cells into neurons. While the output of progenitor differentiation is well investigated at the population and clonal level, the possibilities and constraints for fate decisions of specific progenitors over development are less explored. Particularly little is known about their variability and competence plasticity. To fill this gap, we here use long-term live imaging to follow the outcome of progenitor divisions in the zebrafish retina.

We find that neurogenic Atoh7 expressing progenitors produce different neuronal types over development with time-dependent probabilities. Interestingly, deterministic and probabilistic fate decisions co-exist in the same lineage. While interference with the deterministic fate affects lineage progression, interference with fate probabilities of the stochastic lineage branch results in a broader range of fate possibilities than seen in controls. When tissue development is challenged, Atoh7 expressing progenitors can produce any neuronal type, arguing against the concept of fixed competence windows. Stochastic modelling of fate probabilities in challenged conditions revealed a simple gene regulatory network able to recapitulate the observed competence changes during development. Based on our results, we postulate that fate plasticity could be involved in robust retinal development, a concept possibly applicable to other tissues.
Role of human HSPE1 for OPA1 processing independent of HSPD1
Authors: Yeung Nelson , Murata Daisuke , Iijima Miho , Sesaki Hiromi
Published: August 2022

The mtHSP60/HSPD1-mtHSP10/HSPE1 system prevents protein misfolding and maintains proteostasis in the mitochondrial matrix. Altered activities of this chaperonin system have been implicated in human diseases, such as cancer and neurodegeneration. However, how defects in HSPD1 and HSPE1 affect mitochondrial structure and dynamics remains elusive. In the current study, we address this fundamental question in a human cell line, HEK293T. We found that the depletion of HSPD1 or HSPE1 results in fragmentation of mitochondria, suggesting a decrease in mitochondrial fusion. Supporting this notion, HSPE1 depletion led to proteolytic inactivation of OPA1, a dynamin-related GTPase that fuses the mitochondrial membrane. This OPA1 inactivation was mediated by a stress-activated metalloprotease, OMA1. In contrast, HSPD1 depletion did not induce OMA1 activation or OPA1 cleavage. These data suggest that HSPE1 controls mitochondrial morphology through a mechanism separate from its chaperonin activity.
Humoral responses against HDL particles are linked to lipoprotein traits, atherosclerosis occurrence, inflammation and pathogenic pathways during the earliest stages of arthritis
Authors: Rodríguez-Carrio Javier , Alperi-López Mercedes , López Patricia , Pérez-Álvarez Ángel I. , Robinson George A. , Alonso-Castro Sara , Amigó Núria , Atzeni Fabiola , Suárez Ana
Published: August 2022

Objective

chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation are crucial mechanisms for atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recent evidence suggests a link via humoral responses against high-density lipoproteins (HDL). However, their specificity, clinical relevance and emergence along disease course are unknown, especially during the earliest phases of RA.

Methods

IgG and IgM serum levels of antibodies against HDL (anti-HDL) and Apolipoprotein A1 (anti-ApoA1) were measured in 82 early RA patients, 14 arthralgia individuals and 96 controls. Established RA patients (n=42) were included for validation. Atherosclerosis and vascular stiffness were measured by Doppler-ultrasound. Lipoprotein content, particle numbers and size were measured by H-NMR. Cytokines were measured by immunoassays. A cardiometabolic-related protein panel was evaluated using high- throughput targeted proteomics.

Results

anti-HDL and anti-ApoA1 responses were increased in early RA compared to controls (both p<0.001) and were comparable to established disease. Only anti-ApoA1 antibodies were increased in arthralgia. IgG anti-HDL and anti-ApoA1 were associated with unfavourable lipoprotein traits in RA and arthralgia, respectively. A similar picture was observed for inflammatory mediators. No associations with clinical features or risk factors were found. IgG anti-HDL were independently associated with atherosclerosis occurrence in early RA, and outperformed patient stratification over conventional algorithms (mSCORE) and their anti-ApoA1 counterparts. Anti-HDL antibodies correlated with proteins involved in immune activation, remodelling, and lipid metabolism pathways in early RA.

Conclusion

humoral responses against HDL particles are an early event along arthritis course, although quantitative and qualitative differences can be noticed among stages. These differences informed distinct capacities as biomarkers and underlying pathogenic circuits.
Deep sequencing of short capped RNAs reveals novel families of noncoding RNAs
Authors: de Hoon Michiel , Bonetti Alessandro , Plessy Charles , Ando Yoshinari , Hon Chung-Chau , Ishizu Yuri , Itoh Masayoshi , Kato Sachi , Lin Dongyan , Maekawa Sho , Murata Mitsuyoshi , Nishiyori Hiromi , Shin Jay W. , Stolte Jens , Suzuki Ana Maria , Tagami Michihira , Takahashi Hazuki , Thongjuea Supat , Forrest Alistair R.R. , Hayashizaki Yoshihide , Kere Juha , Carninci Piero
Published: August 2022

In eukaryotes, capped RNAs include long transcripts such as messenger RNAs and long noncoding RNAs, as well as shorter transcripts such as spliceosomal RNAs, small nucleolar RNAs, and enhancer RNAs. Long capped transcripts can be profiled using cap analysis gene expression (CAGE) sequencing and other methods. Here, we describe a sequencing library preparation protocol for short capped RNAs, apply it to a differentiation time course of the human cell line THP-1, and systematically compare the landscape of short capped RNAs to that of long capped RNAs. Transcription initiation peaks associated with genes in the sense direction have a strong preference to produce either long or short capped RNAs, with one out of six peaks detected in the short capped RNA libraries only. Gene-associated short capped RNAs have highly specific 3′ ends, typically overlapping splice sites. Enhancers also preferentially generate either short or long capped RNAs, with 10% of enhancers observed in the short capped RNA libraries only. Enhancers producing either short or long capped RNAs show enrichment for GWAS-associated disease SNPs. We conclude that deep sequencing of short capped RNAs reveals new families of noncoding RNAs and elucidates the diversity of transcripts generated at known and novel promoters and enhancers.
Recent, full-length gene retrocopies are common in canids
Authors: Batcher Kevin , Varney Scarlett , York Daniel , Blacksmith Matthew , Kidd Jeffrey M. , Rebhun Robert , Dickinson Peter , Bannasch Danika
Published: August 2022

Gene retrocopies arise from the reverse transcription and insertion into the genome of processed mRNA transcripts. Although many retrocopies have acquired mutations that render them functionally inactive, most mammals retain active LINE-1 sequences capable of producing new retrocopies. New retrocopies, referred to as retro copy number variants (retroCNVs), may not be identified by standard variant calling techniques in high-throughput sequencing data. Although multiple functional FGF4 retroCNVs have been associated with skeletal dysplasias in dogs, the full landscape of canid retroCNVs has not been characterized. Here, retroCNV discovery was performed on a whole-genome sequencing data set of 293 canids from 76 breeds. We identified retroCNV parent genes via the presence of mRNA-specific 30-mers, and then identified retroCNV insertion sites through discordant read analysis. In total, we resolved insertion sites for 1911 retroCNVs from 1179 parent genes, 1236 of which appeared identical to their parent genes. Dogs had on average 54.1 total retroCNVs and 1.4 private retroCNVs. We found evidence of expression in testes for 12% (14/113) of the retroCNVs identified in six Golden Retrievers, including four chimeric transcripts, and 97 retroCNVs also had significantly elevated FST across dog breeds, possibly indicating selection. We applied our approach to a subset of human genomes and detected an average of 4.2 retroCNVs per sample, highlighting a 13-fold relative increase of retroCNV frequency in dogs. Particularly in canids, retroCNVs are a largely unexplored source of genetic variation that can contribute to genome plasticity and that should be considered when investigating traits and diseases.
A robust scheme for numerical simulation of heat transfer in two-fluid flows with high volumetric heat capacity contrasts
Authors: Lu Min , Yang Zixuan , He Guowei
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a new method for robust simulations of passive heat transfer in two-fluid flows with high volumetric heat capacity contrasts.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper implements a prediction–correction scheme to evolve the volumetric heat capacity. In the prediction substep, the volumetric heat capacity is evolved together with the temperature. The bounded downwind version of compressive interface capturing scheme for arbitrary meshes and central difference scheme are used for the spatial discretization of the advection and diffusion terms of the heat transfer equation, respectively. In the correction substep, the volumetric heat capacity is updated in accordance with the interface captured by using a coupled level-set and volume-of-fluid method to capture the interface dynamics precisely.

Findings

The proposed method is verified by simulating the advection of a hot droplet with high volumetric heat capacity, a stationary air–water tank with temperature variation between top and bottom walls and heat transfer during wave plunging at

Re=108. The test results show that the proposed method is practical and accurate for simulating two-fluid heat transfer problems, especially for those feature high volumetric heat capacity contrasts.

Originality/value

To ensure the numerical stability, this paper solves an additional conservative form of volumetric heat capacity equation along with the conservative form of temperature equation by using consistent spatial-discretization and temporal-integration schemes.
Guest service experience in eco-centric hotels: a content analysis
Authors: Olorunsola Victor Oluwafemi , Saydam Mehmet Bahri , Arasli Huseyin , Sulu Deniz
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Sustainable tourism is becoming more popular all over the world. Eco-friendly (green) hotels are properties that are friendly to the environment and are becoming increasingly popular among green travellers. Electronic word-of-mouth is a technique of communicating with consumers in order to share their experiences, and it is a significant marketing tool for hotels. This paper aims to identify the main themes shared in online reviews by tourists visiting eco-friendly hotels, and which of these themes were associated with satisfaction and dissatisfaction ratings.

Design/methodology/approach

The research used qualitative content analyses to analyse 1,202 user-generated content of the top 10 hotels in UK shared by guests on an online platform.

Findings

The analyses revealed nine themes in descriptions of airline travel experiences. These are “hotel amenities”, “services”, “location”, “staff”, “eco” (eco-friendly activities), “value” and “recommend/revisit” (intentions). Negative comments are associated with the “bathroom”, “mattress”, “water”, “bed”, “price”, “shower”, “Wi-Fi” and “restaurant” concepts.

Originality/value

This study differs from previous research in which it aims to address a void in the literature on the shortcomings of research focused on finding the dominant themes expressed in online reviews by tourists visiting eco-friendly hotels, and it does so using data mining approach.
Understanding the impact of social learning forms on environmentally sustainable consumption behavior among school children
Authors: Sharma Meenakshi
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The learning environment is not a vacuum, but rather is rich in social contexts with innumerable points, interests, and beliefs. This takes one of the concepts of “social learning” which is not just a natural occurring phenomenon but also a way of organizing learning and communities of learners. Social Learning (SL) tends to refer to learning that takes place when divergent interests, norms and values of reality meet in an environment that is conducive to learning. This paper helps to determine the impact of SL forms on environmentally sustainable consumption behavior among school children.

Design/methodology/approach

After conducting an experimental study among school children, data were analyzed using ANOVA. The total sample size was 760.

Findings

SL forms as an intervention influence environmentally sustainable consumption behavior (ESCB) among school children. The findings of this paper suggest that SL techniques such as visuals had been able to positively impact the constructs like knowledge, comprehension, and application. This was very much supported by observations of children, interactions with them and the upfront support provided by school and teachers.

Research limitations/implications

Based on the result, the paper identified that although SL forms influence the ESCB, there is a need to identify the most effective SL forms having impact on ESCB.

Practical implications

This study will help marketers to understand that what type of learning forms can be used to enhance the environmentally sustainable consumption behavior among children.

Originality/value

This paper is completely an original work carried out by the author.
Serving the community while balancing multiple responsibilities – experiences of working as a paid part-time firefighter
Authors: Lantz Emelie , Nilsson Bengt , Elmqvist Carina , Fridlund Bengt , Svensson Anders
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to describe experiences of working as a paid part-time firefighter (PTF) in Swedish rural areas.

Design/methodology/approach

An inductive explorative design was used, based on interviews with 18 paid PTFs in Sweden. Data were analyzed using qualitative latent content analysis.

Findings

Three themes emerged from the interviews and describe paid PTFs’ experiences. The findings provide insights into how firefighters share a strong commitment, how support plays a crucial role, and how training and call-outs contribute to their experiences. Paid PTFs’ experiences are nuanced, ranging from personal limitations and challenges to satisfaction and the contrast with ordinary life.

Practical implications

The implications for fire and rescue service organizations are that they can encourage firefighters’ commitment and pride, as well as the commitment and support of their families and main employers. Further, highlighting the importance of support and facilitating flexibility when on call is crucial. Finally, acknowledging and promoting personal development and facilitating an inclusive culture are important factors for both motivation and satisfaction.

Originality/value

Paid PTFs are under-represented in the literature, despite the reliance on them in Sweden, and this study begins to address the knowledge gap. To improve retention, it is vital to understand paid PTFs work situation: what motivates them, what barriers they face, and how those challenges influence their experiences.
Impact of skepticism on CRM luxury campaign participation intention of Generation Z
Authors: Thomas Sujo , Bhatt Viral , Patel Ritesh
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study examines the influence of consumer skepticism on cause-related marketing (CRM) campaign participation intentions of Generation Z consumers from emerging market perspective. This study was undertaken due to the paucity of relevant literature in the public domain to directly investigate whether and how consumers' skepticism affects CRM participation intentions, specifically in the luxury retailing context.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted among 552 Generation Z consumers and path analysis was used to examine the direct and indirect effects of skepticism. The mediation and moderation analysis was used to explore and test the authors' hypotheses via partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS SEM).

Findings

The authors' findings provide empirical evidence that corporate social responsibility, religiosity and cause involvement positively affects consumer participation intentions, and this link is also established indirectly through skepticism toward the CRM campaign. These findings provide novel theoretical contributions by establishing skepticism's complex role in determining the CRM participation intention in the Generation Z consumers' context. This study further demonstrates the moderating effect of gender and luxury store format on consumer skepticism and CRM participation intentions.

Originality/value

The Generation z group will represent a quarter of the Asia–Pacific region's population by 2025. However, little is known about Generation z consumers' CRM participation intentions. This research would help practitioners, including luxury retailers, CRM managers and advertising professionals, to effectively design CRM campaigns. The paper contributes by highlighting the theoretical implications and managerial implications based on the current findings in the emerging market context.
Key activity indicators: critical review and proposal of implementation criteria
Authors: Di Luozzo Sebastiano , Keegan Richard , Liolli Roberto , Schiraldi Massimiliano Maria
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper discusses the concept, definition and usage of Key Activity Indicators (KAIs) and their integration within a Performance Measurement and Management system (PMM).

Design/methodology/approach

The actual definition and application areas of the KAIs are determined through a systematic literature review. Successively, a thorough definition of Key Activity Indicators is provided, along with a set of criteria for their deployment. Lastly, a case involving a Large Scale Retail Trade (LSRT) company is reported to report an example for guiding KAIs adoption.

Findings

This research shows that the scientific background concerning KAIs is still not mature. Moreover, the paper defines the role of KAIs for measuring operational activities and their possible connection with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

Research limitations/implications

Although KAIs have been introduced and discussed in the scientific literature; there is no evidence of criteria to deploy these indicators, leaving organizations without any guidance for their operational implementation.

Practical implications

From an academic standpoint, the study provides an overview of the usage of KAIs within the present scientific contributions, showing the advancements of this research field. From an industrial standpoint, the research proposes a set of criteria for the organizational deployment of KAIs.

Originality/value

The study investigates the concept of KAIs that, besides being originally conceived within World Class Manufacturing (WCM), has not received much attention in the scientific literature.
Smartphones and online search: shifting frames in the everyday life of young people
Authors: Andersson Cecilia
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of smartphones among young people in everyday life, focusing on the activity of online search. This paper addresses the following research questions: What framings of the smartphone can be identified in the way that young people use, and describe, smartphones? What is the role of online search within these framings? By elucidating framings of the smartphone, this paper also seeks to discuss why and how smartphone use becomes contested in various contexts and situations.

Design/methodology/approach

The material has been produced through ethnographic fieldwork. Focus groups and observations have been carried out with teenagers, age 13–16 years, in three schools in Sweden. In total, 39 pupils participated in the focus groups. Interviews, classroom observations and go-alongs have also been performed.

Findings

In this study, three framings of the smartphone are identified: the entertainment framing, the easy-access framing and the challenging co-presence framing. The framings highlight the way that both the smartphone and online search is viewed, and carried out, in various situations. The smartphone is primarily viewed as a tool for entertainment, by adults and young people alike, yet the findings illustrate that the smartphone is used for more activates than what is immediately apparent.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the field interested in bridging the gap between in-school teachings of information literacies and out-of-school activities by showing how online search happens in various situations. Also, to the field concerned with people’s use of general web search engines in everyday life.

Originality/value

This paper explores the relation between online search and smartphones, a topic which has not been in focus in previous research. The topics of online search and smartphone use have primarily been researched separately but are here researched in conjunction.
Imagined social capital in the transition from school to university in Chile: narratives of first generation university students
Authors: Garcia Antonio , Wood Bronwyn Elisabeth
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to analyse first-generation Chilean students' transition experiences from secondary school to university.

Design/methodology/approach

This article presents the analysis results of 12 visual narratives of first-generation Chilean university students, who provided an account of their transition experience from secondary school to university. Participants explored the connections between their most valuable learning experiences during photo-elicitation interviews. The study used Quinn's notion of imagined social capital to understand the transition experience.

Findings

The analysis reveals the significance of secondary school experiences in understanding students' attitudes toward the university. In an extremely segregated school system, participants' secondary school experiences demonstrated a strong bond with classmates from their social class and a feeling of distance from institutions and their hierarchical structure. In this context, the university space is symbolically recreated into a learning space consistent with their social background.

Social implications

The research study highlights the need to increase understandings of school experiences and how these shape university transitions in order to effectively support students during the first years of university. In addition, it draws attention to the need to develop strategies that recognize the complex, collective and contextualized understandings of students' transition.

Originality/value

The research aimed to understand the experience of transition of first generation students from their own narratives and relational perspectives in contrast with the prevailing paradigms which are often individualized and linear.
A qualitative examination of how accountability manifests itself in a circular economy
Authors: Kwarteng Amoako , Agyenim-Boateng Cletus , Simpson Samuel Nana Yaw
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Accountability within the framework of circular economy (CE) is unknown even though the concept of CE is increasingly gaining momentum among governments, policymakers and academics. The purpose of this study is to investigate how accountability expresses itself in the CE.

Design/methodology/approach

This study draws on the institutional logics theory and adopted an exploratory qualitative study aimed at eliciting stakeholders’ perspectives on how accountability manifests in the context of CE. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews of cross section of Ghanaians. Respondents were recruited using the purposeful sampling method, and data saturation was reached with 35 respondents. Concurrent data collection and analysis were carried out, and emerging themes were investigated as the research progressed.

Findings

The results indicate that accountability manifestations take on a variety of forms and shapes through both formal and informal processes within the circularity space. The specific areas of accountability manifestations are through the social system embedded in the society, through the organization’s responsibility and transparency, through regular reporting to stakeholders using appropriate metrics, through agency and answerability to relevant stakeholders and through governance systems embedded within social interaction. Additionally, this study discovered that accountability manifestations would contribute to the firm’s sustainability by enhancing competitive advantage through stakeholder engagement, improving risk management and promoting creativity and innovation.

Originality/value

Given an apparent gap in the literature on circularity and accountability, as well as a call for further studies on the reflections of accountability within the CE, this study provides empirical evidence to fill these gaps.
Livening up Japan’s halal tourism by captivating Indonesian potential Muslim tourists
Authors: Amalia Fatya Alty , Gunawan Arie Indra
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate potential Muslim tourists’ visit intentions to halal tourism destinations in Japan.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were acquired from 397 respondents of potential Muslim tourists in Indonesia. These data were analyzed with variance-based structural modeling to assess the relationships between religiosity, halal awareness, destination image, destination trust and visit intention.

Findings

This study disclosed that halal awareness and destination trust could directly affect visit intention. Meanwhile, destination image could influence visit intention after mediated by destination trust. Religiosity was proven to be the antecedent of halal awareness and destination image.

Practical implications

This study exhibits the ways to optimize the development of halal tourism, especially in Muslim minority countries, by shaping the visit intention of potential Muslim tourists. The providers should concentrate on building the destination trust of potential Muslim tourists. They should innovatively exhibit their sincere commitment to fulfilling halal needs of potential tourists, and having a favorable destination image is only one of the ways. Besides that, the providers can promote halal tourism to potential Muslim tourists with more vital halal awareness.

Originality/value

This is an initial study to examine the visit intention of potential Muslim tourist for halal tourism destination in a Muslim minority country.
The impact of low-carbon city pilots on carbon emission – new evidence from high-resolution carbon emission data
Authors: Chen Pengyu
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of low-carbon city pilots (LCCPs) policy using Chinese city-level data from 2009 to 2018 and examine the mechanisms of LCCP policy using a mediation effect model.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors measured carbon emissions by high-resolution carbon emission data and used difference-in-difference (DID) and propensity matching score-difference-in-difference (PSM-DID) model to investigate the relationship between LCCP policy and urban carbon intensity. The complex relationship between policy and carbon intensity was evaluated through a mediation model.

Findings

The results show that LCCP policy can reduce urban carbon intensity (−0.287), but its effects are different in different sectors. The impact of LCCP policy is greater in the industrial enterprise sector than in the transport sector than in the agricultural sector. Second, the authors find that LCCP policy under market-driven is more effective than government intervention. Third, there is a spillover effect of LCCP policy, which is decreasing with distance. Finally, the authors explore the mechanisms of LCCP policy from multiple perspectives, such as optimizing industrial structure, green areas, promoting public transport travel, population migration and innovation. In addition, the flow of these factors can also explain the spillover effects of LCCP policy.

Practical implications

This study confirms that LCCP policy is an effective tool for achieving urban sustainable development. Government policy-makers should consider the differences in the impacts of LCCP policy in different sectors and the spillover effects of LCCP policy. And, it shows that the effects of LCCP policy are larger by market-driven. These findings imply that the government should take full account of city characteristics and marketisation processes when formulating carbon reduction policies.

Originality/value

This study analyzed the relationship between LCCP policy and urban carbon intensity based on high-resolution carbon emission data. Urban panel data are used to discuss the impacts of LCCP policy under government intervention and market-driven and the mechanisms at play. The study reveals that LCCP policy mainly acts on the industrial enterprise sector, the spillover effects and the market-driven effects.
A two-step profit efficiency evaluation method based on predicted performance, with an application to Chinese commercial banks
Authors: Wu Jie , Liu Qingsong , Zhou Zhixiang
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the profit efficiency of decision-making units (DMUs) based on predicted future information to solve the lag problem of improvement benchmarks given by the traditional profit efficiency model.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a two-step profit efficiency evaluation method. The first step predicts the future input and output information of DMUs through the past time-series data, obtaining a likely production possibility set (PPS) and profit frontier for the next period. The second step calculates DMUs' profit efficiency based on the predictions obtained in the first step and provides predictive benchmarking for DMUs.

Findings

The empirical results show that the proposed method yields good solutions for the lag problem of benchmarks given in ex-post evaluation, enabling bank managers to use predicted future information to achieve better improvement. Besides, compared with the technical efficiency measure, profit efficiency can better reflect the financial situation of DMUs and give the specific gap between the evaluated and optimal DMU.

Practical implications

For bank managers, the authors' new technique is advantageous for grasping the initiative of development because this technique accounts for the future development of the whole industry and sets forward-looking targets. These advantages can help banks improve in a more favorable direction and improve the asset management ability of banks.

Originality/value

This paper combines the data envelopment analysis (DEA) profit efficiency model with performance prediction and proposes a new two-step profit efficiency model, filling a gap in previous studies.
The impact of COVID-19 on museums in the digital era: Practices and challenges in Hong Kong
Authors: Meng Yao , Chu Man Yin , Chiu Dickson K.W.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, museums, as public gathering places for citizens, have encountered unprecedented difficulties due to limitations to operate as usual for their traditional exhibitions and curations. Thus, museums made corresponding emergency attempts to accelerate digital resource and service platform constructions. Such difficulties aroused many potential problems with the applicability of electronic resources and the mismatch between user expectations and museum services. This study investigates the challenges faced by Hong Kong museums under COVID-19, emergency responses and deliberate practices of Hong Kong museums from the perspective of both museum staff and visitors, and COVID-19's influence on the roles and functions of Hong Kong museums.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative interviews with museum staff and visitors were conducted to collect opinions and experiences in the construction and maintenance of museums during the pandemic. Further thematic analyses of museum websites, evaluations, and suggestions were formulated guided by the PEST (Political, Economic, Social, Technological) and AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action) models.

Findings

Findings revealed many online interactions and offline renovations, but the perceptions of visitors and staff differed considerably. While online resources and virtual museums were expanded and well received, long-term prohibitions and repressions drove physical visit desire. Participants emphasized finding a balance between user expectations and realistic practices.

Originality/value

Scant studies focus on the impact of COVID-19 on the cultural industry, especially in East Asia. This study also highlights new practices of digitalization and the challenges of functional transformation. The authors' findings and suggestions provide hints to optimize the curation of information resources and improve museum service quality in the new digital era. This study also serves as a reliable and meaningful record of COVID-19 impacts on Hong Kong museums.
Evolvement of ROSCA to real property acquisition as a form of interest-free SBF model: a PRISMA-compliant systematic review
Authors: Jahangir Rashed , Bulut Mehmet , Dinc Yusuf
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the evolvement of the concept and practice of the Rotating Savings and Credit Association (ROSCA) from informal fund collection for indivisible durables to real property acquisition under the interest-free SBF model by analyzing the previously conducted research that focused on the concept in terms of names, forms, and natures.

Design/methodology/approach

A PRISMA-compliant systematic literature review is adopted to ascertain the most relevant studies from various sources and analyze the extracted data or items to accomplish the research objective. Besides, bibliometric network, thematic, and statistical analysis are also applied to bolster the findings acquired from the systematic review. Furthermore, this study mathematically formulates and introduces the customized PRISMA systematic flowchart.

Findings

The results reveal that the concept of ROSCA has evolved over the years from informal to formal, micro to macro, individual to institutional, social to business, and fund collection for purchasing household items to real property acquisition since 1962. In this process, the focus area of the research has been shifted from characteristics, operation, and economics to law; source of funds, and history to social; benefits and contribution to digital, risk, and savings behaviour. It is noticed that the majority of the study are Africa-centric, followed by Asia; academic discussion on the ROSCA covers most of the social and economic arena, except the real property acquisition aspect. However, the SBF concept fills up this gap by introducing a real-property-acquisition-centric ROSCA model. The authors provide future agendas regarding focus areas that researchers may consider to develop the SBF concept.

Originality/value

The study focuses on the evolvement of a savings-based model. No study concentrates on the evolution process of the model from ROSCA to SBF; in fact, no conspicuous academic study is found regarding the systematic review of ROSCA in the literature archive.
Engaging with historically marginalized voices through blackout poetry
Authors: Gómez Miguel
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper seeks to provide instructional methods for using blackout poetry and primary sources to learn about marginalized voices from history within a social studies classroom. Blackout poetry provides students with authentic opportunities to engage in meaningful learning experiences using primary sources and marginalized voices that are both hands-on in nature and promote the use of critical thinking.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper opted to describe an approach to teach students about marginalized voices in history through the use of primary sources and blackout poetry. Step-by-step instruction was provided via an included table so that readers can recreate the lesson in readers' own classrooms.

Findings

This paper offers insights about how blackout poetry can be used to provide students an authentic experience with primary sources and historically marginalized voices. These experiences include opportunities to critically think about the context and significance or these marginalized voices and impact of marginalized voices on history through individual and cooperative learning opportunities.

Practical implications

This paper is designed for teachers to utilize and replicate in teachers' own social studies classrooms.

Social implications

This paper provides teachers with detailed steps on how teachers can amplify traditionally marginalized voices in social studies instruction of teachers.

Originality/value

This paper recognizes the important role that primary sources have in the social studies classroom along with the historically under representative role that marginalized voices have had in the author's social studies classrooms. Through an original approach, using blackout poetry, the author presents a unique perspective on how to teach about historically marginalized voices using primary sources in a manner that supports historical thinking.
Lignocellulose conversion of ensiled Caragana korshinskii Kom. facilitated by Pediococcus acidilactici and cellulases
Authors: Zhang Yixin , Wang Musen , Usman Samaila , Li Fuhou , Bai Jie , Zhang Jiayao , Guo Xusheng
Published: August 2022

To explore the biofuel production potential of Caragana korshinskii Kom., Pediococcus acidilactici and an exogenous fibrolytic enzyme were employed to investigate the fermentation profile, structural carbohydrates degradation, enzymatic saccharification and the dynamics of bacterial community of C. korshinskii silage. After 60 d of ensiling, all additives increased the fermentation quality. The highest lactic and acetic acids and lowest non‐protein nitrogen (NPN) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3‐N) were observed in P. acidilactici and Acremonium cellulase (PA + AC) treated silage. Additionally, all additives significantly increased the ferulic acid content and fibre degradability with the highest values obtained from PA + AC silage. The bacterial community in all silages was dominated by P. acidilactici throughout the entire fermentation process. The bacterial community was also modified by the silage additives exhibiting a relatively simple network of bacterial interaction characterized by a lower bacterial diversity in P. acidilactici (PA) treated silage. The highest 6‐phospho‐beta‐glucosidase abundance was observed in PA‐treated silage at the mid‐later stage of ensiling. PA treatment exhibited lower structural carbohydrates degradation but performed better in lignocellulose conversion during enzymatic saccharification. These results indicated that pretreating C. korshinskii improved its silage quality and potential use as a lignocellulosic feedstock for the production of bio‐product and biofuel.
Application of palaeogenetic techniques to historic mollusc shells reveals phylogeographic structure in a New Zealand abalone
Authors: Walton Kerry , Scarsbrook Lachie , Mitchell Kieren J. , Verry Alexander J. F. , Marshall Bruce A. , Rawlence Nicolas J. , Spencer Hamish G.
Published: August 2022

Natural history collections worldwide contain a plethora of mollusc shells. Recent studies have detailed the sequencing of DNA extracted from shells up to thousands of years old and from various taphonomic and preservational contexts. However, previous approaches have largely addressed methodological rather than evolutionary research questions. Here, we report the generation of DNA sequence data from mollusc shells using such techniques, applied to Haliotis virginea Gmelin, 1791, a New Zealand abalone, in which morphological variation has led to the recognition of several forms and subspecies. We successfully recovered near‐complete mitogenomes from 22 specimens including 12 dry‐preserved shells up to 60 years old. We used a combination of palaeogenetic techniques that have not previously been applied to shell, including DNA extraction optimized for ultra‐short fragments and hybridization‐capture of single‐stranded DNA libraries. Phylogenetic analyses revealed three major, well‐supported clades comprising samples from: (1) The Three Kings Islands; (2) the Auckland, Chatham and Antipodes Islands; and (3) mainland New Zealand and Campbell Island. This phylogeographic structure does not correspond to the currently recognized forms. Critically, our nonreliance on freshly collected or ethanol‐preserved samples enabled inclusion of topotypes of all recognized subspecies as well as additional difficult‐to‐sample populations. Broader application of these comparatively cost‐effective and reliable methods to modern, historical, archaeological and palaeontological shell samples has the potential to revolutionize invertebrate genetic research.
Climatic and biotic influences on the distributions of Calliphora augur and Calliphora dubia (Diptera: Calliphoridae)
Authors: Johnson Aidan P , Ryan Calen P , Wallman James F
Published: August 2022

Calliphora augur (Fabricius) and Calliphora dubia (Macquart) are two widespread and endemic Australian blowflies of applied importance. In order to better understand the biology of these species, this study used historical, field and laboratory data to determine and interpret their distributions. Locality records from insect collections and the literature were used to determine the known distributions of each species. The resultant maps were partially verified with field trapping data for each species. Calliphora augur was found to dominate in the east of Australia, while C. dubia dominates in the west. Comparative laboratory and field experiments were also used to derive parameters defining the distributions of these two closely related species, particularly in relation to temperature and moisture. Calliphora dubia had a greater tolerance for dry stress and high temperatures than C. augur, although maggots of both species displayed similar developmental temperature preferences. No difference was seen between species in the impact of low temperatures on the development of maggots through to the pupal stage. The greater ability of C. dubia to tolerate adverse environmental conditions is most likely linked to the shared evolutionary history of both species, in which increased aridity in central Australia is proposed to have triggered speciation by separating ancestral populations: C. dubia evolved in the hot, dry conditions in the west of Australia, while C. augur evolved in the cooler, moist environment of the east. Improved understanding of the influences on the distributions of these common Australian blowflies will assist in the further study of their application to agriculture and forensic science.
Prediction of successful veno‐venous extracorporeal life support liberation using the oxygen challenge test
Authors: Misselbrook Gary P. , Kanji Hussein , Thiara Sonny , Ronco Juan J. , Kalan Simmie , Chen Leo , Sidhu Amandeep
Published: August 2022

Background

The oxygen challenge test (OCT) is an underutilized measure of lung recovery, easily performed prior to proceeding with a trial‐off V‐V ECLS as part of a weaning algorithm. Evidence‐based thresholds for OCT results which support continuing with V‐V ECLS weaning are lacking, making interpretation of these tests challenging in clinical practice.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of patients commenced on V‐V ECLS as a bridge‐to‐recovery at Vancouver General Hospital from 2015–2019. The absolute PaO2 post‐OCT and change in PaO2 proportional to incremental FiO2 change on the ventilator (∆PaO2) were evaluated as predictive screening metrics for identifying conditions favorable for successful trial‐off of V‐V ECLS.

Results

An optimal cut‐off of PaO2 ≥ 240 mm Hg post‐OCT (AUC 0.77) and ∆PaO2 ≥ 250 mm Hg (AUC 0.76) was identified as a threshold for predicting successful trials‐off. A total of 26 and 24 patients achieved post‐OCT PaO2 and ∆PaO2 thresholds, and 100% of these patients were liberated successfully from ECLS during their admission.

Conclusions

The OCT can serve as an effective screen of shunt reduction and native lung recovery which can be used alongside other measures of ventilation to assess for suitability of liberation from V‐V ECLS prior to a trial‐off. Achieving a PaO2 ≥ 240 mm Hg post‐OCT is a strong prognostic indicator for successful liberation from V‐V ECLS during ICU admission.