bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phase-separated TRB-PRC2 aggregates contribute to Polycomb silencing in plants
Authors: Xuan Hua , Liu Yue , zhao Jingze , Shi Nan , Li Yanzhuo , Zhou Yulu , Pi Limin , Li Shaoqing , Xu Guoyong , Yang Hongchun
Published: March 2022

Local accumulation of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) is essential to gene silencing. Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) mechanism is emerging as a paradigm to concentrate transcriptional machinery for effective gene regulation. Here, we elucidate that a rice single Myb transcription factor TRBF2 forms phase-separated droplets, which aggregate with PRC2 through direct protein interaction. Furthermore, TRB1, the closest homolog of TRBF2 in Arabidopsis, also forms phase-separated aggregates with PRC2. Mutants of TRBF2 and PRC2 component CLF display similar developmental defects, share common differentially expressed genes, and reduced H3K27me3 chromatin regions. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis supports that TRBF2 concentrates PRC2 at target loci to promote H3K27me3 deposition. Therefore, we propose that the aggregation of the plant-specific TRBs with PRC2 by the LLPS mechanism contributes to Polycomb silencing.

One-Sentence Summary

The phase-separated plant-specific single Myb transcription factor aggregates with PRC2 to facilitate Polycomb silencing.
Hyperbolic geometry-based deep learning methods to produce population trees from genotype data
Authors: Patel Aman , Montserrat Daniel Mas , Bustamante Carlos , Ioannidis Alexander
Published: March 2022

The production of population-level trees using the genomic data of individuals is a fundamental task in the field of population genetics. Typically, these trees are produced using methods like hierarchical clustering, neighbor joining, or maximum likelihood. However, such methods are non-parametric: they require all data to be present at the time of tree formation, and the addition of new data points necessitates the regeneration of the entire tree, a potentially expensive process. They also do not easily integrate with larger workflows. In this study, we aim to address these problems by introducing parametric deep learning methods for tree formation from genotype data. Our models specifically create continuous representations of population trees in hyperbolic space, which has previously proven highly effective in embedding hierarchically structured data. We present two different architectures - a multi-layer perceptron (MLP) and a variational autoencoder (VAE) - and we analyze their performance using a variety of metrics along with comparisons to established tree-building methods. Both models tested produce embedding spaces that reflect human evolutionary history. In addition, we demonstrate the generalizability of these models by verifying that addition of new samples to an existing tree occurs in a semantically meaningful manner. Finally, we use Dasgupta’s Cost to compare the quality of trees generated by our models to those produced by established methods. Despite the fact that the benchmark methods are directly fit on the evaluation data, our models are able to outperform some of these and achieve highly comparable performance overall.

Author summary

Tree production is a vital task in population genetics, but current approaches fall prey to several common shortfalls. Most notably, they lack the ability to add new data points after tree generation, and they are often difficult to use in larger pipelines. By leveraging cutting-edge advances pairing deep learning with hyperbolic geometry, we develop multiple models designed to rectify these issues. Through experiments on a dataset of humans from globally widespread ancestries, we demonstrate the generalizability of our models to new data, and we also show strong empirical performance with respect to currently used methods. In addition, we show that the data representations produced by our models are semantically meaningful and reflect known facts about human evolutionary history. Finally, we discuss the additional benefits our models could provide, including improved visualization, greater privacy preservation, and improved integration with downstream machine learning tasks. In conclusion, we present models that are accurate, flexible, and generalizable, with the potential to facilitate a variety of further applications.
Exploring a novel genomic safe-haven site in the human pathogenic mould Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Furukawa Takanori , van Rhijn Norman , Chown Harry , Rhodes Johanna , Alfuraji Narjes , Fortune-Grant Rachael , Bignell Elaine , Fisher Matthew C. , Bromley Michael
Published: March 2022

Aspergillus fumigatus is the most important airborne fungal pathogen and allergen of humans causing high morbidity and mortality worldwide. The factors that govern pathogenicity of this organism are multi-factorial and are poorly understood. Molecular tools to dissect the mechanisms of pathogenicity in A. fumigatus have improved significantly over the last 20 years however many procedures have not been standardised for A. fumigatus. Here, we present a new genomic safe-haven locus at the site of an inactivated transposon, named SH-aft4, which can be used to insert DNA sequences in the genome of this fungus without impacting its phenotype. We show that we are able to effectively express a transgene construct from the SH-aft4 and that natural regulation of promoter function is conserved at this site. Furthermore, the SH-aft4 locus is highly conserved in the genome of a wide range of clinical and environmental isolates including the isolates commonly used by many laboratories CEA10, Af293 and ATCC46645, allowing a wide range of isolates to be manipulated. Our results show that the aft4 locus can serve as a site for integration of a wide range of genetic constructs to aid functional genomics studies of this important human fungal pathogen.
Rhythmic modulation of prediction errors: a possible role for the beta-range in speech processing
Authors: Hovsepyan Sevada , Olasagasti Itsaso , Giraud Anne-Lise
Published: March 2022

Natural speech perception requires processing the current acoustic input while keeping in mind the preceding one and predicting the next. This complex computational problem could be handled by a multi timescale hierarchical inferential process that coordinates information flow up and down the language hierarchy. While theta and low-gamma neural frequency scales are convincingly involved in bottom-up syllable-tracking and phoneme-level speech encoding, the beta rhythm is more loosely associated with top-down processes without being assigned yet a specific computational function. Here we tested the hypothesis that the beta rhythm drives the precision of states during the speech recognition hierarchical inference process. We used a predictive coding model that recognizes syllables on-line in natural sentences, in which the precision of prediction errors is rhythmically modulated, resulting in alternating bottom-up vs. top-down processing regimes. We show that recognition performance increases with the rate of precision updates, with an optimal efficacy in the beta range (around 20 Hz). The model further performs when prediction errors pertaining respectively to syllable timing and syllable identity oscillate in antiphase. These results suggest that online syllable recognition globally benefits from the alternation of bottom-up and top-down dominant regime at beta rate, and that the gain is stronger when different features are also analyzed in alternation. These results speak to a discontinuous account of inferential operations in speech processing.
Local translation provides the asymmetric distribution of CaMKII required for associative memory formation
Authors: Chen Nannan , Zhang Yunpeng , Adel Mohamed , Kuklin Elena A. , Reed Martha L. , Mardovin Jacob D. , Bakthavachalu Baskar , VijayRaghavan K. , Ramaswami Mani , Griffith Leslie C.
Published: March 2022

How compartment-specific local proteomes are generated and maintained is inadequately understood, particularly in neurons, which display extreme asymmetries. Here we show that local enrichment of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in axons of Drosophila mushroom body neurons is necessary for cellular plasticity and associative memory formation. Enrichment is achieved via enhanced axoplasmic translation of CaMKII mRNA, through a mechanism requiring the RNA-binding protein Mub and a 23-base Mub-recognition element in the CaMKII 3’UTR. Perturbation of either dramatically reduces axonal, but not somatic, CaMKII protein without altering the distribution or amount of mRNA in vivo and both are necessary and sufficient to enhance axonal translation of reporter mRNA. Together, these data identify elevated levels of translation of an evenly distributed mRNA as a novel strategy for generating subcellular biochemical asymmetries. They further demonstrate the importance of distributional asymmetry in the computational and biological functions of neurons.
The force required to remove tubulin from the microtubule lattice
Authors: Kuo Yin-Wei , Mahamdeh Mohammed , Tuna Yazgan , Howard Jonathon
Published: March 2022

Severing enzymes and molecular motors extract tubulin from the walls of microtubules by exerting mechanical force on subunits buried in the lattice. However, how much force is needed to remove tubulin from microtubules is unknown, as is the pathway by which subunits are removed. Using a site-specific functionalization method, we applied forces to the C-terminus of α-tubulin with an optical tweezer and found that a force of ∼30 pN is required to extract tubulin from the microtubule wall. Consistent with this force, we show that several kinesins can also extract tubulin. Additionally, we discovered that partial unfolding is an intermediate step in tubulin removal. The unfolding and extraction forces are similar to those generated by AAA-unfoldases, suggesting that severing proteins such as spastin and katanin use an unfoldase mechanism. Our results reveal the response of tubulin to mechanical force and advance our understanding of severing enzymes and microtubule stability.
Synaptic plasticity in hippocampal CA1 neurons of mice lacking inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor-binding protein released with IP3 (IRBIT)
Authors: Goto Jun-Ichi , Fujii Satoshi , Fujiwara Hiroki , Mikoshiba Katsuhiko , Yamazaki Yoshihiko
Published: March 2022

In hippocampal CA1 neurons of wild-type mice, a short tetanus (15 or 20 pulses at 100 Hz) or a standard tetanus (100 pulses at 100 Hz) to a naive input pathway induces long-term potentiation (LTP) of the responses. Low-frequency stimulation (LFS; 1000 pulses at 1 Hz) 60 min after the standard tetanus reverses LTP (depotentiation [DP]), while LFS applied 60 min prior to the standard tetanus suppresses LTP induction (LTP suppression). We investigated LTP, DP, and LTP suppression of both field excitatory postsynaptic potentials and population spikes in CA1 neurons of mice lacking the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor (IP3R)-binding protein released with IP3 (IRBIT). The mean magnitudes of LTP induced by short and standard tetanus were not different in mutant and wild-type mice. In contrast, DP and LTP suppression were attenuated in mutant mice, whereby the mean magnitude of responses after LFS or tetanus were significantly greater than in wild-type mice. These results suggest that, in hippocampal CA1 neurons, IRBIT is involved in DP and LTP suppression, but is not essential for LTP. The attenuation of DP and LTP suppression in mice lacking IRBIT indicates that this protein, released during or after priming stimulations, determines the direction of LTP expression after the delivery of subsequent stimulations.
(E)-5-(4-Methylbenzylidene)-1-phenyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indazol-4-one
Authors: Meenatchi C. Selva , Athimoolam S. , Suresh J. , Priya R. Vishnu , Rubina S. Raja , Bhandari S. R.
Published: March 2022

In the title compound, C21H18N2O, the non-aromatic six-membered ring adopts a distorted envelope conformation with one of the methylene-C atoms being the flap atom. The dihedral angle between the phenyl and 4-tolyl rings is 75.3 (1)°. The 1,2-diazole ring forms dihedral angles of 41.9 (1) and 65.5 (1)° with the phenyl and 4-tolyl rings, respectively. In the crystal, stabilizing C—H...O, C—H...π and π–π interactions are evident. The calculated Hirshfeld surfaces highlight the prominent role of C—H...O interactions (8.6%), along with H...H (51.7%) and C...H/H...C (29.2%) surface contacts.
The role of social presence and trust on customer loyalty
Authors: Attar Razaz Waheeb , Amidi Asra , Hajli Nick
Published: March 2022

Purpose

E-commerce and social media technologies can significantly benefit the food and beverage industry by reducing costs, streamlining supply activities, and, most importantly, engaging users in active interaction and enhancing social presence. This research aims to propose a model to examine the role of trust and social presence on loyalty in the food and beverage industry. Moreover, the mediating role of trust is the link between social presence and loyalty examined in this study.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey has been conducted to examine the structural model. The research model is tested using structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The result indicated the effect of Social presence and Trust in social media on Customer loyalty in the context of online shopping. Our finding contributes remarkable insights into the food and beverage industry, particularly in the COVID-19 era, as more consumers buy through e-commerce platforms.

Originality/value

This study expands the understanding of the role of the managers of social commerce websites in maintaining customer loyalty. Hence, the social commerce site managers can use this finding to develop strategies for building customer trust and, ultimately, customer loyalty.
A new multi-fidelity surrogate modelling method for engineering design based on neural network and transfer learning
Authors: Li Mushi , Liu Zhao , Huang Li , Zhu Ping
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Compared with the low-fidelity model, the high-fidelity model has both the advantage of high accuracy, and the disadvantage of low efficiency and high cost. A series of multi-fidelity surrogate modelling method were developed to give full play to the respective advantages of both low-fidelity and high-fidelity models. However, most multi-fidelity surrogate modelling methods are sensitive to the amount of high-fidelity data. The purpose of this paper is to propose a multi fidelity surrogate modelling method whose accuracy is less dependent on the amount of high-fidelity data.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-fidelity surrogate modelling method based on neural networks was proposed in this paper, which utilizes transfer learning ideas to explore the correlation between different fidelity datasets. A low-fidelity neural network was built by using a sufficient amount of low-fidelity data, which was then finetuned by a very small amount of HF data to obtain a multi-fidelity neural network based on this correlation.

Findings

Numerical examples were used in this paper, which proved the validity of the proposed method, and the influence of neural network hyper-parameters on the prediction accuracy of the multi-fidelity model was discussed.

Originality/value

Through the comparison with existing methods, case study shows that when the number of high-fidelity sample points is very small, the R-square of the proposed model exceeds the existing model by more than 0.3, which shows that the proposed method can be applied to reducing the cost of complex engineering design problems.
Employability of graduates and postgraduates in respect to retail industry: a study of selected states of North India
Authors: Malhotra Neha , Iyer Vidya M. , Dave Kartik
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Taking a multidimensional perspective, the study aims to identify and examine the factors that are essential for employability. The study pursues to understand the underlying causes that facilitate the development of appropriate skills and attitudes that influence the development of employability in an individual.

Design/methodology/approach

The study pursued an exploratory research design followed by a descriptive. It explored the employability factors from the perspectives of the recruiter, student (candidate) and trainer. Additionally, it followed a causal research approach to examine the relationship between factors related to the personal environment, academic system, recruiter’s bias, industry and job attributes and overall employability. The antecedents of employability and their impact were examined with all the constructs taking the recruiter, student and trainer data sets.

Findings

The study identifies and analyses the antecedent factors that influence the employability development among college graduates and undergraduates. With its findings, the study identifies the changes or improvements required in teaching and learning mechanisms, grooming students and societal practices, social and economic biases in accessibility to facilities leading to employability. It also calls for a reflection on individual’s own attitude, motivation and abilities. The study calls for an assessment of the education systems and academic quality to develop employability among students. It conjures that the alignment of teacher and learner with industry requirements is an imperative requirement for the expansion of the industry and, in particular, the retail sector.

Practical implications

The study will be of significance to the policymakers and academicians while designing the retail-specific courses and aims toward addressing the mismatch amidst the demand and supply of manpower in the retail industry. The study has been designed to make it highly relevant for the students who are potential manpower to the retail sector as well as the employees who have already entered the industry. It addresses the major factors required for India to develop a cohesive and inclusive ecosystem that provides for the benefit of millions of youths in India.

Originality/value

The literature lacks a coherent meaning and measurement of employability and identifies the need to empirically explore and examine employability skills. Furthermore, the scant empirical research focuses largely on employee or student perspective, even when the role of recruitment in the assessment of employability is most critical. This study empirically evaluates the market from the perspective of students, employees, employers, trainers and academicians and develops a model that gives a holistic picture of the causes that influence the development of employability in an individual.
Perceived corporate social responsibility and innovative work behaviour: the role of passion at work
Authors: Alhumoudi Ranya Saeed , Singh Sanjay Kumar , Ahmad Syed Zamberi
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) reflects personal views towards CSR activities that impact emotion, attitude and behaviour. This paper aims to investigate how perceived CSR predicts innovative work behaviour (IWB).

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a survey questionnaire to collect data from Gen Y 508 nurses working in the United Arab Emirates health-care sector. This study used a structural equation model to examine the study’s hypotheses.

Findings

Perceived CSR was found positively and significantly related to employees’ passion at work (PAW). This study also found that PAW positively and significantly mediates the relationship between perceived CSR and IWB in the organisation.

Research limitations/implications

This study’s main limitation is that it used only quantitative methodology to examine the hypotheses. Thus, this study suggests mixed-method investigations in future research.

Practical implications

This study suggests that organisations should significantly engage in CSR-related activities, as it increases employees’ PAW and cause IWB to be in full swing. Passionate Gen Y nurses will improve the quality of patient care services with productive, IWB.

Originality/value

The study’s findings give an insight into how Gen Y nurses’ perceptions of CSR would affect their attitudinal and emotional variables. This study contributes to the knowledge domain of IWB in the organisation. Passionate Gen Y nurses will add value to the health-care system by implementing IWB.
Do consumer boycotts really matter with global companies? The moderating effect of gender differences
Authors: Kim Changju , Yan Xiuyan , Park Soohyun
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Drawing on the theory of planned behavior, this study aims to conduct an empirical investigation on whether and how psychological and motivational factors (i.e. attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control) affect actual purchase behavior. It does so through the lens of boycott intention and gender differences in the context of boycott campaigns.

Design/methodology/approach

Focusing on the South Korean boycott campaign against Japanese companies, this study employs a structural equation model using survey data from 571 South Korean consumers to test the hypotheses.

Findings

While the three psychological and motivational factors inhibit all three dimensions of actual purchase behavior (i.e. purchase frequency, number of items purchased and purchase amount) through increased boycott intention, perceived behavioral control of boycotts directly curb South Korean consumers from purchasing Japanese products. Additionally, the effect of boycott intention on overall actual purchase behavior is stronger for men than for women, suggesting a moderating role of gender.

Practical implications

To mitigate the devastating impact of unexpected consumers' boycott campaigns, this study advises that global brand management and attractive online channels are essential while considering the differential impact of gender.

Originality/value

By conceptualizing three dimensions of actual purchase behavior capturing behavioral changes before and after a boycott, this study highlights the linkages between psychological and motivational factors, intentions and behaviors. Additionally, this study attempts to clarify the previously conflicting evidence on gender's role in boycott campaigns while taking a culture-inclusive psychologies approach to gender.
How consumers relate to wine during COVID-19 – a comparative, two nation study
Authors: Duarte Alonso Abel , Bressan Alessandro , Vu Oanh Thi Kim , Ha Do Lan Thi , Garibaldi Roberta , Pozzi Andrea
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine consumers’ relationship with wine during the COVID-19 crisis and associated implications for hospitality and tourism operations. Despite the severe impacts of COVID-19’s aftermath, including recent reports of a global decrease in wine consumption, academic research has neglected this domain. Consequently, there is an empirical and conceptual vacuum that the present research will address.

Design/methodology/approach

The study proposes a comparative investigation, with data gathered from 241 Italian and Spanish wine consumers through an online questionnaire.

Findings

Overall, the analysis reveals marginal changes in wine consumption during the crisis. At the same time, however, an increased interest for more wine events and an organised wine route, for learning more about wines and new wine harvests, and the influence of comments from others in enhancing one’s wine knowledge during the crisis is also identified.

Originality/value

The study is one of the few studies conducted to date that seek to ascertain the extent to which wine consumers’ involvement with wine has changed during a major crisis. The findings and subsequent analysis contribute to the development of five distinctive dimensions associated with consumers: the more involved/interested, the inquisitive/explorer, the non-traditional/avid, the frugal/less involved and the conservative/avid. The first two dimensions, which are supported by mean scores close to the level of agreement (mean = 4.0) have a number of practical and conceptual implications. In addition, a conceptual framework illustrating various conceptual/empirical relationships is proposed.
Soft actuator using sponge units with constrained film and layer jamming
Authors: Liu Xiaoyi , Liang Zehao
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a soft actuator that combines a sponge-based actuating structure and a layer-jamming-based stiffness-improving structure in a cavity.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed soft actuator consists of film-constrained sponge units (FCSUs) and jamming layers. The FCSUs in the proposed soft actuator bend under vacuum pressure, causing bending deformation of the entire actuator. The jamming layers are strongly coupled through friction under vacuum pressure, increasing the stiffness of the entire actuator. The performance of the proposed soft actuator was examined by measuring its stiffness, bending deformation and response performance. A four-finger soft robotic gripper was proposed based on the proposed soft actuator.

Findings

Through experiments, it was shown that the proposed soft actuator exhibited acceptable bending deformation, stiffness and response. Moreover, the proposed four-finger soft gripper could effectively grasp objects in daily life.

Originality/value

In this study, the authors proposed a novel bending actuator (with a volume of approximately 43.2 cm3) based on FCSUs and jamming layers. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to combine a sponge-based actuating structure and a layer-jamming structure in a cavity to achieve simultaneous change in actuation and stiffness. The soft actuator exhibited good bending deformation and high stiffness simultaneously under vacuum pressure. Consequently, it could be used effectively to fabricate soft grippers.
A review of professional learning community (PLC) instruments
Authors: Lee Moosung , Kim Jin Won , Mo Youngmin , Walker Allan David
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Despite the continuous growth of empirical studies exploring professional learning communities (PLCs) across different education systems, little is known about PLC instruments developed and used in existing research. This article aims to capture a full picture of existing PLC instruments developed since 1990. In so doing, the authors also pay attention to the seminal work of Karen Seashore Louis in alignment with the theme of the special issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the authors’ searching databases, the authors identified eleven PLC instruments and 26 applied studies using the PLC instruments since 1990. Following this, the authors closely reviewed the identified studies and their relationships (i.e. which one influences which).

Findings

The authors’ review illuminates the measurement domains, conceptual origins and methodological soundness of the existing instruments and captures the impact of Louis's work on the applied studies using PLC instruments.

Originality/value

Given that PLCs are seen as a policy measure to sustain and scale up school improvement internationally, the authors’ review provides a better understanding of what and how researchers have measured the effect of PLCs on school improvement. As the first of its kind, the authors believe that their findings can give researchers valuable ideas about how to develop and use a PLC instrument.
Non-farm proprietorship employment by micropolitan county
Authors: Bignall Nichole M. , Debbage Keith G.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Some US counties are more likely to generate entrepreneurial opportunities. This paper aims to determine whether US micropolitan counties with disproportionately high nonfarm proprietorship (NFP) employment levels are systematically linked to specific attributes of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. A limited amount of research has been conducted on the geography of entrepreneurship in small to medium-sized micropolitan counties where rates of growth and change can be quite dramatic.

Design/methodology/approach

NFP employment data from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) is used as a dependent variable proxy for entrepreneurship. NFP data are widely used in the entrepreneurship literature. Data on all independent variables were obtained from the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and BEA by county and subject to stepwise linear regression.

Findings

Results revealed a strong positive relationship between the percent of NFP employment by micropolitan county and percent construction employment, percent real estate, and rental and leasing employment, and the percent elderly. It is argued that the combination of predictors captures primarily a self-employment of opportunity (e.g., thriving land and real estate markets).

Practical implications

In attempting to encourage NFP employment, policymakers should be more alert to the key predictors that shape micropolitan entrepreneurial ecosystems when attempting to enhance competitive advantage in small- to medium-sized communities. Better understanding how micropolitan counties function relative to larger metropolitan places can help local policymakers more efficiently enhance the overall quality of life in smaller communities.

Originality/value

The focus on smaller micropolitan communities and the explicit spatial context of this paper has sometimes been overlooked in the traditional entrepreneurship literature and this research helps to fill that gap.
Blockchain adoption in accounting by an extended UTAUT model: empirical evidence from an emerging economy
Authors: Abu Afifa Malik Muneer , Vo Van Hien , Le Hoang Van Trang
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to use an extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model to investigate the intention to use blockchain from the accountant's point of view. The proposed model is expected to provide the necessary incentives for accountants to adopt blockchain. The authors build external constructs based on discussions of blockchain properties for accounting such as accounting information quality, job relevance and trust. In addition, the study also considers computer self-efficacy and compatibility as factors related to practitioners’ blockchain acceptance.

Design/methodology/approach

By using the developed online-questionnaire, the data is collected from the responses of 317 accountants working in listed enterprises in Vietnam. The main analyzes are performed by Smart partial least squares structural equation modeling technique to present both direct and indirect effects on the intention to use blockchain.

Findings

Experimental results provide many interesting and valuable things. First, performance and effort expectancy have a positive influence on intention to use blockchain, while social influence has a lower influence. Second, trust has a direct and positive effect on effort and performance expectancy, as well as intention to use blockchain. Quite surprisingly, accounting information quality has a positive effect on performance expectancy, while job relevance has a negative effect. Fourth, computer self-efficacy and compatibility have a positive effect on effort expectancy. It is more interesting that the intention to use blockchain has nothing to do with compatibility. The results of this study also show that performance and effort expectancy play a mediating role in the indirect effects of trust, computer self-efficacy and compatibility on intention to use blockchain.

Research limitations/implications

The study shows that accountants in Vietnam have a high intention to use blockchain. This implies that the Vietnamese Government and the professional association should design training programs or open training sessions on blockchain. Accountants can clearly understand the importance of blockchain in their work as well as the positive effect of blockchain on performance. They are consulted on how to use blockchain. They also perceive that using blockchain is not too difficult, and the acceptance of this technology will be higher. Additionally, universities should put triple-entry accounting into their teaching, so accounting students can improve their skills and knowledge relevant to blockchain to meet their career needs in the future.

Originality/value

The study proposes an extended UTAUT model with external constructs built on blockchain's effects on accounting. The model makes more sense in promoting the use of blockchain in accounting.
Digital currency and financial inclusion in Nigeria: lessons for development
Authors: Ekong Uduak Michael , Ekong Christopher Nyong
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study aims to empirically investigate the effect of digital currency development (digital finance) on financial inclusion in Nigeria for the period. Nigeria undertook her digital currency development to rip the benefits of financial inclusion, safer remittances and exchange rate regularization among others.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers developed high-frequency quarterly data for the analysis from 2006:1 to 2020:4 in a weighted stepwise forward regression. A model similar to the one used by Demir et al. (2020) and Altunbas and Thornton (2019) with some modifications was developed.

Findings

Findings suggest that (1) a unit rise in the usage of automated teller machines by citizens spontaneously raised financial inclusion in a quarter in Nigeria by 0.012 units and were statistically significant; (2) a percentage rise in the use of point of sales transaction by citizens in the country also raised financial inclusion in Nigeria by approximately 1%; (3) a percentage increase by mobile payment users in Nigeria will spontaneously increase financial inclusion by at least 0.4%; (4) a percentage rise in web payment services reduces financial inclusion by 22% in Nigeria; (5) Cumulative positive effect of digital finances on financial inclusion in Nigeria was approximately 7%.

Practical implications

The researches show, using in-sample forecast, that while financial inclusion will grow in Nigeria, it will not be without systemic fluctuations. Based on the outcome, it is proposed that if the present digital currency penetration for the country is sustained at the present growth rate, the country may be more financially inclusive by 2% additionally by 2025 and 4% more by 2030.

Originality/value

Originally, it is found that digital currency development are positive derivatives for financial inclusion in Nigeria. Cumulatively, the effect of digital finances on financial inclusion in Nigeria is approximately 7% positive.
Does financial literacy affect investor's planned behavior as a moderator?
Authors: Adil Mohd , Singh Yogita , Ansari Mohd Shamim
Published: March 2022

Purpose

In an emerging economy like India, the contribution of Indians in the stock market is very low, despite having the highest percentage of savings. The research tries to look for the variables which influence the investor's intentions to invest in the Indian stock market, by considering the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Moreover, the study incorporates financial literacy (FL) in the model to examine its influence on investors’ investment intention and also examine the moderation effect of financial literacy.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from a sample of 393 respondents by using the convenience sampling method which is followed by the snowball sampling technique. For testing the research hypotheses, SEM and PROCESS macro v3.0 for SPSS were taken into consideration.

Findings

The results explain that factors of TPB i.e. attitude (AT), subjective norms (SNs) and perceived behavioral control (PBC) are significantly associated with investment intentions (IIs). Furthermore, along with the original components of the TPB model, Financial Literacy (FL) was also incorporated in the model, which predicted the investors' intention better. The results also stated that FL has a positive impact on AT, PBC and II. Moreover, results reveal that FL moderates the association between AT, PBC and II.

Research limitations/implications

The study describes that financial literacy can help in increasing the participation of investors in the stock market. Therefore, in this situation, the current research permits the Security Exchange Board of India (SEBI), governments and financial institutions (FIs) to plan and design seminars or courses, programs, to enhance FL among individuals and promote individuals in making well-organized and efficient investment decisions in stock markets that will in turn upsurge individual investors participation. The study contributes to the existing literature of investment behavior by incorporating FL as a moderator. Research avoids considering actual investment behavior. The study also neglects demographic and socio-psychological factors which are the major factor that affects an investment decision. Furthermore, the research has only considered the objective dimension of FL.

Originality/value

The current research tries to incorporate FL in TPB model. Moreover, tries to examine the moderation effect of FL. The research is one of its kind as the past research neglect to examine the moderation effect of FL in relationship between AT, PBC and investment intension to investment in stock market. The research helps to understand how FL encourages investors to invest in the Indian stock market.
Psychological treatments and therapy adaptations for psychological distress in dementia and mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Robinson Amie , Moghaddam Nima
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of psychological treatments and identify required adaptations to increase acceptability and improve outcomes for people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment who experience psychological distress.

Design/methodology/approach

The Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group Specialised Register and other databases were searched for eligible studies. Inclusion criteria identified nine randomised controlled trials comparing a psychological intervention (cognitive behavioural therapy, relaxation training therapies, multimodal therapies, psychodynamic therapy, counselling and cognitive rehabilitation) with usual care, with measures of depression and/or anxiety as an outcome. The appraisal of papers was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Data was analysed using meta-analysis.

Findings

A small, significant effect size before to after intervention was revealed, suggesting that psychological treatments may be effective in reducing psychological distress in people with dementia, with several therapy adaptations identified.

Research limitations/implications

Because of methodological limitations and a small number of studies evaluated, the quality of evidence was low for outcomes for depression, and there were no significant outcomes in anxiety.

Originality/value

The current review offers a unique contribution in identifying specific adaptations deemed helpful in improving the accessibility and acceptability of therapy for people with dementia, suggesting therapy can be adjusted enough to support this client-group. Future studies should use high-quality trials using standardised psychological interventions, of sufficient length, with long-term follow-up and offer of specific adaptations to increase accessibility and outcomes.
Paving the path for retail salesperson’s adaptive selling behaviour: an intervening and interactional analysis
Authors: Shafique Shoaib , Rajput Amer , Javed Usman , Alnakhli Hayam
Published: March 2022

Purpose

In hypercompetitive markets, retail brands should fuel their sales employees’ to responsively serve customers. In connection, the study aims to unpack the direct and indirect, via psychological flourishing, the role of inclusive leadership in paving the path for retail salesperson adaptive selling behaviour. Additionally, the study also empirically investigates the moderating role of work centrality to offer critical insights for effective managerial interventions.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing upon conservation of resource theory to test the nexuses of the model, time-lagged survey data were collected from 313 retail salespersons from the leading retail brands. Data were analyzed using the bootstrapping method.

Findings

Results revealed the direct positive association between inclusive leadership and adaptive selling behaviour and indirect association via psychological flourishing. Furthermore, the direct association between inclusive leadership and adaptive selling becomes more pronounced for employees high on work centrality.

Practical implications

Findings can help retail brands to enhance adaptive selling behaviour, which enables them to provide efficient solutions and gain sustainable competitive advantage.

Originality/value

The study offers several important contributions to the sales literature by establishing the direct and indirect link between inclusive leadership and adaptive selling via psychological flourishing. Moreover, the result of the interaction effect highlights the critical aspects of work centrality in the retail sales context.
Targeting of neutrophil activation in the early phase of the disease for prevention of Coronavirus disease‐19 severity
Authors: Sendo Fujiro , Yoshitake Hiroshi , Araki Yoshihiko
Published: March 2022

The prevention of the disease severity seems critical for reducing the mortality of Coronavirus (CoV) disease‐19. The neutrophils play a key role in the induction of severity. It is proposed here that inhibition of neutrophil activation and/or cascade reactions of complement, leading to this cell activation at the early phase of the disease, is a potential tool to inhibit aggravation of the disease. The need for appropriate timing in intervention is emphasized as follows. (1) Intervention at the very early stage of severe acute respiratory syndrome‐CoV‐2 infection may harm the defensive host response to the infection because of the critical function of neutrophils in this response, and (2) intervention at too late a stage will not stop the infiltration of fully activated neutrophils that produce large amounts of toxic substances.
Phylogenetic dependence of plant–soil feedback promotes rare species in a subtropical forest
Authors: Jiang Yuan , Wang Zihui , Chu Chengjin , Kembel Steven W. , He Fangliang
Published: March 2022

Negative plant–soil feedback (PSF) has been widely considered to be a primary mechanism maintaining plant diversity. Previous studies have shown that rare species suffer stronger negative conspecific PSF than common species, but it remains unclear how rare species persist if they are more strongly self‐limited.

Here, we used shade‐house and field experiments to test soil feedback effects of phylogenetically related species on seedling growth, with seven species of contrasting local abundance, in a subtropical forest, China. We quantified the PSF of conspecifics and heterospecifics and assessed the phylogenetic dependence of the feedback.

Both experiments showed that although rare species suffered strong negative PSF in soils of conspecifics or phylogenetically close heterospecifics, no such feedback was found in the soils of phylogenetically distant heterospecifics. In contrast, common species had no or weak negative conspecific PSF but strong heterospecific soil PSF.

Synthesis. The variation in the phylogenetically dependent PSF among rare and common species evidenced in this study ensures that rare species would grow well in the neighbourhood of phylogenetically distant heterospecifics but do poorly under their own or close relatives, while common species perform relatively well in their own neighbourhood but poorly in other's neighbourhood. This phylogenetically dependent PSF facilitates the rare–common species coexistence in communities.
‘Live has an atmosphere of its own’: azadari, ethical orientation, and tuned presence in Shi‘i media praxis
Authors: Cooper Timothy P.A.
Published: March 2022

Among producers of Shi‘i Islamic media in Pakistan, the quality of being live as an atmosphere capable of mediation has gained efficacy along with changes in media for religious dispensation. Central to the importance of live recordings are the ways they are perceived to most effectively mediate the ethical, ritual, and transhistorical contours of azadari, a word that describes the ways in which the personages held in esteem by the Shi‘a are mourned and commemorated. What are these qualities of being live that see recordings attributed the qualities of a good, moral atmosphere? By building on ethnographic research into the relationship between Shi‘i practices of azadari and their technological mediation, this article aims to provide greater insights into what atmosphere can do for anthropology, with the suggestion that it acts as a way of recognizing different thresholds of intensity and change.
Does fiscal decentralization affect local governments' strategic behaviours? Evidence from South Korea
Authors: Park Soyoung , Kim Sungchan
Published: March 2022

Local governments tend to show strategic behaviours when making their spending decisions. However, few studies have examined strategic behaviours when promoting fiscal decentralization. Thus, this study empirically examines the presence of strategic interactions in expenditure decisions in South Korea as well as how fiscal decentralization affects those interactions, using a panel data set from 2010 to 2017. The results demonstrate that a local government mimics other governments' spending when those governments' residents share similar age demographics. Moreover, local governments in South Korea engage in strategic interactions as their expenditure side becomes more decentralized. However, local governments tend to demonstrate less isomorphic behaviour in welfare spending decisions when they have higher revenue decentralization. This is because local governments have no motive to emulate other welfare policies, as the central government delegates the provision of social services to local governments by providing grants with strings attached.
Small GTPase Rab40C is upregulated by 20‐hydroxyecdysone and insulin pathways to regulate ovarian development and fecundity
Authors: Zheng Weiwei , Wu Fangyu , Ye Yinhao , Li Tianran , Zhang Zhenyu , Zhang Hongyu
Published: March 2022

The insulin and 20‐hydroxyecdysone (20E) pathways coordinately regulate insect vitellogenesis and ovarian development. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms such as the genes mediating the cooperation of the interaction of these 2 pathways in regulating insect reproductive development are not well understood. In the present study, a small GTPase, Rab40C, was identified from the notorious agricultural pest Bactrocera dorsalis. In addition to the well‐known RAB domain, it also has a unique SOCS‐box domain, which is different from other Rab‐GTPases. Moreover, we found that Rab40C was enriched in the ovaries of sexually mature females. RNA interference (RNAi)‐mediated knockdown of BdRab40C resulted in a decrease in vitellogenin synthesis, underdeveloped ovaries, and low fertility. Furthermore, depletion of insulin receptor InR or the heterodimer receptor of 20E (EcR or USP) by RNAi significantly decreased the transcription of BdRab40C and resulted in lower fecundity. Further studies revealed that the transcription of BdRab40C could be upregulated by the injection of insulin or 20E. These results indicate that Rab40C participates in the insulin and 20E pathways to coordinately regulate reproduction in B. dorsalis. Our results not only provide new insights into the insulin‐ and 20E‐stimulated regulatory pathways controlling female reproduction in insects but also contribute to the development of potential eco‐friendly strategies for pest control.