bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DeepG4 : A deep learning approach to predict active G-quadruplexes from DNA
Authors: Rocher Vincent , Genais Matthieu , Nassereddine Elissar , Mourad Raphael
Published: July 2020

DNA is a complex molecule carrying the instructions an organism needs to develop, live and reproduce. In 1953, Watson and Crick discovered that DNA is composed of two chains forming a double-helix. Later on, other structures of DNA were discovered and shown to play important roles in the cell, in particular G-quadruplex (G4). Following genome sequencing, several bioinformatic algorithms were developed to map G4s in vitro based on a canonical sequence motif, G-richness and G-skewness or alternatively sequence features including k-mers, and more recently machine/deep learning. Here, we propose a novel convolutional neural network (DeepG4) to map active G4s (forming both in vitro and in vivo). DeepG4 is very accurate to predict active G4s, while most state-of-the-art algorithms fail. Moreover, DeepG4 identifies key DNA motifs that are predictive of G4 activity. We found that active G4 motifs do not follow a very flexible sequence pattern as current algorithms seek for. Instead, active G4s are determined by numerous specific motifs. Moreover, among those motifs, we identified known transcription factors (TFs) which could play important roles in G4 activity by contributing either directly to G4 structures themselves or indirectly by participating in G4 formation in the vicinity. Moreover, we showed that specific TFs might explain G4 activity depending on cell type. Lastly, variant analysis suggests that SNPs altering predicted G4 activity could affect transcription and chromatin,e.g. gene expression, H3K4me3 mark and DNA methylation. Thus, DeepG4 paves the way for future studies assessing the impact of known disease-associated variants on DNA secondary structure by providing a mechanistic interpretation of SNP impact on transcription and chromatin.

Availability:https://github.com/morphos30/DeepG4.

Author summary

DNA is a molecule carrying genetic information and found in all living cells. In 1953, Watson and Crick found that DNA has a double helix structure. However, other DNA structures were later identified, and most notably, G-quadruplex (G4). In 2000, the Human Genome Project revealed the widespread presence of G4s in the genome using algorithms. To date, all G4 mapping algorithms were developed to map G4s on naked DNA, without knowing if they could be formed in the cell. Here, we designed a novel artificial intelligence algorithm that could map G4s active in the cell from the DNA sequence. We showed its better accuracy compared to existing algorithms. Moreover, we identified key transcriptional factor motifs that could explain G4 activity depending on cell type. Lastly, we demonstrated the existence of mutations that could alter G4 activity and therefore impact molecular processes, such as transcription, in the cell. Such results could provide a novel mechanistic interpretation of known disease-associated mutations.
Dynamics and functional roles of splicing factor autoregulation
Authors: Ding Fangyuan , Su Christina , Chow Ke-Huan Kuo , Elowitz Michael B.
Published: July 2020

Non-spliceosomal splicing factors are essential, conserved regulators of alternative splicing. They provide concentration-dependent control of diverse pre-mRNAs. Many splicing factors direct unproductive splicing of their own pre-mRNAs through negative autoregulation. However, the impact of such feedback loops on splicing dynamics at the single cell level remains unclear. We developed a system to dynamically, quantitatively analyze negative autoregulatory splicing by the SF2 splicing factor in response to perturbations in single HEK293 cells. Here, we show that negative autoregulatory splicing provides critical functions for gene regulation, establishing a ceiling of SF2 protein concentration, reducing cell-cell heterogeneity in SF2 levels, and buffering variation in SF2 transcription. Most importantly, it adapts SF2 splicing activity to variations in demand from other pre-mRNA substrates. A minimal mathematical model of autoregulatory splicing explains these experimentally observed features, and provides values for effective biochemical parameters. These results reveal the unique functional roles that splicing negative autoregulation plays in homeostatically regulating transcriptional programs.
Overweight/obesity as the potentially most important lifestyle factor associated with signs of pneumonia in COVID-19
Authors: Sacco Vanessa , Rauch Barbara , Gar Christina , Haschka Stefanie , Potzel Anne L. , Kern-Matschilles Stefanie , Banning Friederike , Benz Irina , Meisel Mandy , Seissler Jochen , Lechner Andreas
Published: July 2020

Objective

The occurrence of pneumonia separates severe cases of COVID-19 from the majority of cases with mild disease. However, the factors determining whether or not pneumonia develops remain to be fully uncovered. We therefore explored the associations of several lifestyle factors with signs of pneumonia in COVID-19.

Methods

Between May and July 2020, we conducted an online survey of 201 adults in Germany who had recently gone through COVID-19, predominantly as outpatients. Of these, 165 had a PCR-based diagnosis and 36 had a retrospective diagnosis by antibody testing. The survey covered demographic information, eight lifestyle factors, comorbidities and medication use. We defined the main outcome as the presence vs. the absence of signs of pneumonia, represented by dyspnea, the requirement for oxygen therapy or intubation.

Results

Signs of pneumonia occurred in 39 of the 165 individuals with a PCR-based diagnosis of COVID-19 (23.6%). Among the lifestyle factors examined, only overweight/obesity associated with signs of pneumonia (odds ratio 2.68 (1.29 - 5.59) p=0.008). The observed association remained significant after multivariate adjustment, with BMI as a metric variable, and also after including the antibody-positive individuals into the analysis.

Conclusions

This exploratory study finds an association of overweight/obesity with signs of pneumonia in COVID-19. This finding suggests that a signal proportional to body fat mass, such as the hormone leptin, impairs the body’s ability to clear SARS-CoV-2 before pneumonia develops. This hypothesis concurs with previous work and should be investigated further to possibly reduce the proportion of severe cases of COVID-19.
Rhythmic components of COVID-19 daily cases in various countries
Authors: Drozdov V.A. , Zenchenko T.A.
Published: July 2020

Not only does COVID-19 pandemic encourage scientists to look for remedies and treatment schemes, but also identify the drivers of pathogenicity and spread of the virus.

The scope of this research consisted in identifying recurrence patterns and comparing the number of daily cases between various countries. Data for countries where at least 500 daily cases were recorded at least once (17 in Europe, 3 in North America, 7 in South America, 3 in Central America, 17 in Asia and 3 in Africa).

According to our evaluation, the dynamics recorded for 25 countries includes a 7-day statistically significant component. This statistically significant weekly component has been identified in 76% of the countries examined in Europe, 66% in North America, 71% in South America, and 18% in Asia. The range of this rhythmic component is low at the growth stage and increases at the stabilization and decrease stages.

The weekly phases feature shifting peaks depending on the country. In some cases, the phases shift, i.e. they are not limited strictly to certain days of the week. Due to range and phase variation, its explanation cannot be limited to strictly medical and social factors. In some cases, national incidence dynamics includes 3, 4, 6, 8 and 10-day periods.

Understanding the factors of recurrence patterns in COVID-19 incidence dynamics may help in the pandemic response.
Transcriptome alterations are enriched for synapse-associated genes in the striatum of subjects with obsessive-compulsive disorder
Authors: Piantadosi Sean C. , McClain Lora L. , Klei Lambertus , Wang Jiebiao , Chamberlain Brittany L. , Springer Sara A , Devlin Bernie , Lewis David A. , Ahmari Susanne E.
Published: July 2020

Background

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and severe psychiatric disorder for which effective treatment options are limited. Structural and functional neuroimaging studies have consistently implicated the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and striatum in the pathophysiology of the disorder. Recent genetic evidence points to involvement of components of the excitatory synapse in the etiology of OCD. However, the transcriptional alterations that could link genetic risk to known structural and functional abnormalities remain mostly unknown.

Methods

To assess potential transcriptional changes in the OFC and two striatal regions (caudate nucleus and nucleus accumbens) of OCD subjects relative to unaffected comparison subjects, we sequenced messenger RNA transcripts from these brain regions.

Results

In a joint analysis of all three regions, 904 transcripts were differentially expressed between 7 OCD versus 8 unaffected comparison subjects. Region-specific analyses highlight a smaller number of differences, which concentrate in caudate and nucleus accumbens. Pathway analyses of the 904 differentially expressed transcripts showed enrichment for genes involved in synaptic signaling, with these synapse-associated genes displaying lower expression in OCD subjects relative to unaffected comparison subjects. Finally, we estimate that cell type fractions of medium spiny neurons are lower whereas vascular cells and astrocyte fractions are higher in tissue of OCD subjects.

Conclusions

Together, these data provide the first unbiased examination of differentially expressed transcripts in both OFC and striatum of OCD subjects. These transcripts encode synaptic proteins more often than expected by chance, and thus implicate the synapse as a vulnerable molecular compartment for OCD.
A zebrafish model of Granulin deficiency reveals essential roles in myeloid cell differentiation
Authors: Campbell Clyde A. , Fursova Oksana , Cheng Xiaoyi , Snella Elizabeth , McCune Abbigail , Li Liangdao , Solchenberger Barbara , Schmid Bettina , Sahoo Debashis , Morton Mark , Traver David , Espín-Palazón Raquel
Published: July 2020

Granulin (GRN) is a pleiotropic protein involved in inflammation, wound healing, neurodegenerative disease, and tumorigenesis. These roles in human health have prompted research efforts to utilize Granulin in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, frontotemporal dementia, and to enhance wound healing. How granulin contributes to each of these diverse biological functions, however, remains largely unknown. Here, we have uncovered a new role for granulin during myeloid cell differentiation. Using a zebrafish model of granulin deficiency, we reveal that in the absence of granulin a (grna), myeloid progenitors are unable to terminally differentiate into neutrophils and macrophages during normal and emergency myelopoiesis. In addition, macrophages fail to recruit to the wound, resulting in abnormal healing. Our CUT&RUN experiments identify Pu.1, which together with Irf8 positively regulategrnaexpression. Importantly, we demonstrate functional conservation between the mammalian granulin and the zebrafish orthologuegrna. Our findings uncover a previously unrecognized role for granulin during myeloid cell differentiation, opening a new field of study that has the potential to impact different aspects of the human health.
Oral delivery of SARS-CoV-2 DNA vaccines using attenuatedSalmonella typhimuriumas a carrier in rat
Authors: Zhu Dan , Meng Yue , Qimuge Aaodeng , Bilige Bilige , Baiyin Tegexi , Temuqile Temuqile , Chen Shana , Bao Siqin , Baigude Huricha , Yang Dezhi
Published: July 2020

The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is the disease that has been identified as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but the prophylactic treatment of SARS-CoV-2 is still under investigation. The effective delivery of eukaryotic expression plasmids to the immune system’s inductive cells constitutes an essential requirement for the generation of effective DNA vaccines. Here, we have explored the use ofSalmonellatyphimurium as vehicles to deliver expression plasmids orally. AttenuatedSalmonella phoPharboring eukaryotic expression plasmids that encoded spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 was administered orally to Wistar rats. Rats were immunized orally withSalmonellathat carried a eukaryotic expression plasmid once a week for three consecutive weeks. The efficiency of the vaccination procedure was due to the transfer of the expression plasmid from the bacterial carrier to the mammalian host. Evidence for such an event could be obtained in vivo and in vitro. Our results showed that all immunized animals generated humoral immunity against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, indicating that aSalmonella-based vaccine carrying the Spike gene can elicit SARS-CoV-2-specific humoral immune responses in rats, and may be useful for the development of a protective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The impact of turbidity on foraging and risk taking in the invasive Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and a threatened native cichlid (Oreochromis amphimelas)
Authors: Wing Jonathan D B , Champneys Toby S , Ioannou Christos C
Published: July 2020

Anthropogenic activity can increase water turbidity, changing fish behaviour by reducing visibility. The spread of invasive species is also facilitated by human activity, further increasing the pressure on native species. In two experiments we measured the foraging efficiency, risk perception and inter-individual consistency of risk-taking (personality variation in boldness) of an invasive species, the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), and a threatened tilapia, the Manyara tilapia (Oreochromis amphimelas), in clear and turbid water. In experiment one,O. niloticuswas faster to initiate feeding, encountered more food items, and consumed more thanO. amphimelas. The latency to start foraging byO. niloticusdecreased in turbid water. Turbidity did not affect the latency to start foraging inO. amphimelasbut the number of food items they encountered was highest at the intermediate turbidity. There was however no significant effect of turbidity in either species on the total food consumed. In contrast to this foraging context, in experiment two with a refuge and no food available, risk taking behaviour was similar in both species and they both responded with similarly reduced risk taking in turbid water. Evidence of personality variation was weak, being observed only inO. amphimelaswhen first leaving the shelter in turbid water. Overall, species differences were greater in the foraging context but turbidity was more important in the risk-taking context.O. amphimelasis more sensitive to turbidity during foraging, andO. niloticusis likely to have a competitive advantage in foraging situations, especially in degraded turbid habitats.

Significance Statement

Under human-induced environmental change, native species are often exposed to multiple stressors. Here we tested the responses of two cichlid fish to increasing turbidity. The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), which is invasive throughout the tropics, and the Manyara tilapia (Oreochromis amphimelas), a threatened species, indigenous to Tanzania. We found that turbidity was beneficial to the foraging ofO. niloticus, which in both clear and turbid water consumed and encountered more food thanO. amphimelas. In contrast, without food present, both species displayed similar responses of increased risk perception in turbid water with little evidence of personality variation between individuals in either species. Our results suggest that invasive species tolerant of degraded habitats may outcompete less well adapted native species for food.
Integrating tracking and resight data from breeding Painted Bunting populations enables unbiased inferences about migratory connectivity and winter range survival
Authors: Rushing Clark S. , Van Tatenhove Aimee M. , Sharp Andrew , Ruiz-Gutierrez Viviana , Freeman Mary C. , Sykes Paul W. , Given Aaron M. , Sillett T. Scott
Published: July 2020

Archival geolocators have transformed the study of small, migratory organisms but analysis of data from these devices requires bias correction because tags are only recovered from individuals that survive and are re-captured at their tagging location. We show that integrating geolocator recovery data and mark-resight data enables unbiased estimates of both migratory connectivity between breeding and non-breeding populations and region-specific survival probabilities for wintering locations. Using simulations, we first demonstrate that an integrated Bayesian model returns unbiased estimates of transition probabilities between seasonal ranges and to determine how different sampling designs influence estimability of transition probabilities. We then parameterize the model with tracking data and mark-resight data from declining Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) populations breeding in the eastern United States, hypothesized to be threatened by the illegal pet trade in parts of their Caribbean, non-breeding range. Consistent with this hypothesis, we found that male buntings wintering in Cuba were 20% less likely to return to the breeding grounds than birds wintering elsewhere in their range. Improving inferences from archival tags through proper data collection and further development of integrated models will advance our understanding of full annual cycle ecology of migratory species.
Caloric restriction increases levels of taurine in the intestine and stimulates taurine uptake by conjugation to glutathione
Authors: Gregor András , Pignitter Marc , Fahrngruber Christine , Bayer Sebastian , Somoza Veronika , König Jürgen , Duszka Kalina
Published: July 2020

Our previous study indicated increased levels of taurine-conjugated bile acids in the intestine content of caloric restriction (CR) mice. In the current project, we found increased levels of free taurine and taurine conjugates, including glutathione (GSH)-taurine, in CR compared toad libitumfed animals in the mucosa along the intestine while there was no impact on taurine and its conjugates in the liver. The levels of free GSH were decreased in the intestine of CR compared toad libitumfed mice. However, the levels of oxidized GSH were not affected and were complemented by the lack of changes in the antioxidative parameters. Glutathione-S transferases (GST) enzymatic activity was increased as was the expression of GST genes along the GI tract of CR mice. In CR intestine addition of GSH to taurine solution enhanced taurine uptake. Accordingly, the expression of taurine transporter (TauT) was increased in the ileum of CR mice.
FlowScatt: enabling volume-independent flow cytometry data by decoupling fluorescence from scattering
Authors: Stoof Ruud , Grozinger Lewis , Tas Huseyin , Goñi-Moreno Ángel
Published: July 2020

Motivation

Measuring fluorescence by flow cytometry is fundamental for characterising single-cell performance. While it is known that fluorescence and scattering values tend to positively correlate, the impact of cell volume on fluorescence is typically overlooked. This makes of fluorescence values alone an inaccurate measurement for high-precision characterisations.

Results

We developed FlowScatt, an open-source software package that removes volume-dependency in the fluorescence channel. Using FlowScatt, flourescence values are re-calculated based on the unified volume per cell that arises from scattering decomposition.

Availability

FlowScatt is openly available as a Python package onhttps://github.com/rstoof/FlowScatt. Experimental data for validation is available online.

Contact

angel.goni-moreno@newcastle.ac.uk
Site-specific phosphorylation of Huntingtin exon 1 recombinant proteins enabled by the discovery of novel kinases
Authors: Chiki Anass , Ricci Jonathan , Hegde Ramanath , Abriata Luciano A. , Reif Andreas , Lashuel Hilal A.
Published: July 2020

Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) within the first 17 amino acids (Nt17) of exon1 of the Huntingtin protein (Httex1) play important roles in modulating its cellular properties and functions in health and disease. In particular, phosphorylation of threonine and serine residues (T3, S13, and/or S16) has been shown to inhibit Htt aggregationin vitroand inclusion formation in cellular and animal models of Huntington’s disease (HD). In this manuscript, we describe a new and simple methodology for producing milligram quantities of highly pure wild type or mutant Httex1 proteins that are site-specifically phosphorylated at T3 or at both S13 and S16. This advance was enabled by 1) the discovery and validation of novel kinases that efficiently phosphorylate Httex1 at S13 and S16 (TBK1), at T3 (GCK) or T3 and S13 (TNIK and HGK); and, 2) the development of an efficient methodology for producing recombinant native Httex1 proteins using a SUMO-fusion expression and purification strategy. As proof of concept, we demonstrate how this method can be applied to produce Httex1 proteins that are both site- specifically phosphorylated and fluorescently labeled or isotopically labeled. Together, these advances should increase access to these valuable tools and expand the range of methods and experimental approaches that can be used to elucidate the mechanisms by which phosphorylation influences Httex1 structure, aggregation, interactome and function(s) in health and disease.
Quaternary tryptammonium salts:N,N-dimethyl-N-n-propyltryptammonium (DMPT) iodide andN-allyl-N,N-dimethyltryptammonium (DMALT) iodide
Authors: Chadeayne Andrew R. , Pham Duyen N. K. , Golen James A. , Manke David R.
Published: July 2020

The solid-state structures of two quaternary trytpammonium salts, namely,N,N-dimethyl-N-n-propyltryptammonium (DMPT) iodide [systematic name: 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-N,N-dimethyl-N-propylazanium iodide], C15H23N2+·I−, andN-allyl-N,N-dimethyltryptammonium (DMALT) iodide, [systematic name: 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-N,N-dimethyl-N-(prop-2-en-1-yl)azanium iodide], C15H21N2+·I−, are reported. Both salts possess a trialkyltryptammonium cation and an iodide anion in the asymmetric unit, which are joined together through N—H...I interactions. The DMALT structure was refined as an inversion twin, and the allyl group is disordered over two orientations with a 0.70 (4):0.30 (4) ratio.
The epistemic project of open diplomacy and the League of Nations: Co-evolution between diplomacy, PR and journalism
Authors: Gellrich Arne Lorenz , Koenen Erik , Averbeck-Lietz Stefanie
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The article discusses findings from a research project on the communication history of the League of Nations. It departs from the League's normative goal of “open diplomacy”, which, from an analytical standpoint, can be framed as an “epistemic project” in the sense of a non-linear and ambivalent negotiation by communication of what “open diplomacy” should and could be. The notion of the “epistemic project” serves as an analytical concept to understand this negotiation of open diplomacy across co-evolving actors' constellations from journalism, PR and diplomacy.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a mixed-method approach, including hermeneutic document analysis of UN archival sources and collective biography/prosopography of 799 individual journalists and information officers.

Findings

It finds that the League's conceptualisations of the public sphere and open diplomacy were fluent and ambivalent. They developed in the interplay of diverse actors' collectives in Geneva. The involved roles of information officers, journalists and diplomats were permeable, heterogenous and – not least from a normative perspective – conflictive.

Originality/value

The subject remains under-researched, especially from the perspective of communication studies. The study is the first to approach it with the described research framework.
Modelling and predicting mammalian wildlife abundance and distribution in semi-arid Gonarezhou National Park, south eastern Zimbabwe
Authors: Murwendo Talent , Murwira Amon , Masocha Mhosisi
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to model and predict mammalian herbivore species abundance in Gonarezhou National Park (GNP), south eastern Zimbabwe. The study also aims to determine and evaluate the distribution-abundance patterns in GNP.

Design/methodology/approach

Using aerial survey data from 1980 to 2016, the authors use the rank-abundance model to determine the abundance of mammalian herbivores in GNP. Regression analysis is used to show the mammalian herbivore species distribution-abundance relationship.

Findings

The findings point to a high species richness and evenness in the study area with common species (15%), intermediate (30%) and rare (60%). There is a positive significant relationship (p= 0.00,R2= 0.9642) between abundance and distribution with common species occupying wider spaces and rare species occupying narrow spaces.

Research limitations/implications

Aerial surveys in GNP are not continuous and are biased towards elephants. The inclusion of other mammalian herbivore species including domestic animals in subsequent surveys made the aerial reports useful.

Originality/value

Studies in GNP have tended to concentrate on the population of mammalian herbivores and this marks a shift in emphasis in such studies. The monitoring of mammalian species improves the conservation and management of GNP. Apart from making planning and policy decisions from an informed point of view small animals also need attention as they are numerically few than the large threatened mammals.
Authentic leadership traits, high-performance human resource practices and job performance in Pakistan
Authors: Zeb Ali , Rehman Fazal ur , Imran Muhammad , Ali Muazam , Almansoori Rawdha Ghareeb
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This empirical study aims to explore the linkage among authentic leadership traits and job performance via the mediating role of high-performance human resource practices (HPHRPs) in a developing country context. Social exchange theory and trait theory are widely employed in many disciplines but seldom applied to job performance among Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) employees.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample of the study is PTCL's employees. A cross-sectional design was employed and data was collected from 377 employees via questionnaire. This is an exploratory study; therefore, partial least square–structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to answer the research questions.

Findings

The findings of this study revealed that relational transparency, directly and indirectly, influenced job performance with the partial mediating role of selective staffing and extensive training. Furthermore, balance processing, directly and indirectly, influenced job performance with the partial mediating role of incentive reward, while self-awareness, internalized moral perspective, employment security and result-oriented appraisal were insignificant influences on job performance.

Practical implications

The results of the study delineated practical applications for both the researchers and policymakers. The results of this study would also augment the body of knowledge on human resource practices in both developed and developing countries.

Originality/value

This study found and reported authentic leadership traits and HPHR as the main sources of job performance in PTCL. This study empirically examined the influence of authentic leadership traits on job performance with the mediating role of a bundle of HPHRPs in a developing context.
Re-examining the determinants of capital structure in Nigeria
Authors: Bolarinwa Segun Thompson , Adegboye Abiodun Adewale
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The paper investigates the determinants of capital structure and the speed of adjustment of capital structure decisions of Nigerian firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts three methods: difference GMM, system GMM and stochastic frontier analysis (SFA).

Findings

The empirical results show that firms' efficiency affects the capital structure decisions of Nigerian firms. At the same time, short-term debt has a higher speed of adjustment in the context of Nigerian firms. The roles of other control variables are established in the paper.

Social implications

Nigerian firms should adopt short-term debt in order to achieve their targeted debt levels. Managers of Nigerian firms are also advised to be more efficient in order to attract higher performance.

Originality/value

The paper is the first literature to measure the efficiency of firms using SFA method. Extant studies in the literature have neglected the determinant while four papers that adopt the determinant data envelope analysis (DEA) method. This is also the first study to document the speed of adjustment in capital structure decisions in the context of Nigerian firms.
Impact of website design features on experiential value and patronage intention toward online mass customization sites
Authors: Zhang Ying , Fiore Ann Marie , Zhang Ling , Liu Xiaogang
Published: July 2020

Purpose

To examine the relationships among website design features, consumer experience responses and patronage intention toward online mass customization (OMC) apparel websites.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 312 useable online surveys were obtained from Mainland China consumers. Multi-item scales were adopted to measure eight constructs: visual design; information quality; entertainment, aesthetic, educational, escapist experiences; flow; and patronage intention. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to determine factor structures and to test the hypothesized relationships among website design features, 4Es (entertainment, aesthetic, educational and escapist experiences), flow and consequent purchase intention toward OMC apparel websites.

Findings

All hypotheses, but one, were supported. OMC website visual design; information quality; and entertainment, aesthetic and educational experiences had a positive effect on consumer patronage intention.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include using a sample of consumers from major cities in China; results cannot be generalized to all Chinese consumers. Websites were not actively navigated. Additionally, the present study examined only two dimensions of OMC website quality, visual design and information quality; more tangible and specific features could be considered in future research.

Practical implications

The findings provide website designers and marketers with insights into experiences that may lead to an increase in patronage intention toward OMC websites.

Originality/value

The study provides evidence that flow helps explain the impact of experiential value (i.e. 4Es) from website design features on patronage intention.
Style and fit customization: a web content mining approach to evaluate online mass customization experiences
Authors: Lang Chunmin , Xia Sibei , Liu Chuanlan
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study intends to examine consumers' fashion customization experiences through a web content mining (WCM) approach. By applying the theory of customer value, this study explores the benefits and costs of two levels of mass customization (MC) to identify the values derived from style (i.e. shoe customization) and fit customization experiences (i.e. apparel customization) and further to compare the dominating dimensions of value derived across style and fit customization.

Design/methodology/approach

A WCM approach was applied. Also, two case studies were conducted with one focusing on style customization and the other focusing on fit customization. The brand Vans was selected to examine style customization in study 1. The brand Sumissura was selected to examine fit customization in study 2. Consumers' comments on customization experiences from these two brands were collected through social networks, respectively. After data cleaning, 394 reviews for Vans and 510 reviews for Sumissura were included in the final data analysis. Co-occurrence plots, feature extraction and grouping were used for the data analysis.

Findings

The emotional value was found to be the major benefit for style customization, while the functional value was indicated as the major benefit for fit customization, followed by ease of use and emotional value. In addition, three major themes of costs, including unsatisfied service, disappointing product performance and financial risk, were revealed by excavating and evaluating consumers' feedback of their actual clothing customization experiences with Sumissura.

Originality/value

This study initiates the effort to use web mining, specifically, the WCM approach to thoroughly investigate the benefits and costs of MC through real consumers' feedback of two different types of fashion products. The analysis of this study also reflects the levels of customization: style and fit. It provides an in-depth text analysis of online MC consumers' feedback through the use of feature extraction analysis and word co-occurrence networks.
The role of national intellectual capital in the digital transformation of EU countries. Another digital divide?
Authors: Švarc Jadranka , Lažnjak Jasminka , Dabić Marina
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study, an exploratory one, aims to empirically investigate the association of national intellectual capital (NIC) with the national digital transformation readiness of the European Union's (EU’s) member states. Apart from building the conceptual model of NIC, this study explores the role of NIC dimensions in the digital divide between European countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the literature review and the available EU statistical data and indexes, the theoretical framework and conceptual model for NIC were developed. The model explores the relation of NIC and its dimensions (human, social, structural, relational and renewable/development capital) on the readiness of European countries for digital transformation and the digital divide. Significant differences between EU countries in NIC and digital readiness were tested. Multiple linear regression was used to explore the association of each NIC dimension with digital transformation and digital divide within the EU.

Findings

Despite a positive association between all dimensions of NIC and digital transformation readiness, the proposed model of NIC was not confirmed in full. Regression analysis proved social capital and working skills, a dimension of human capital, to be the predictors of digital transformation at a national level, able to detect certain elements of digital divide between EU member states. Structural capital, knowledge and education, as dimensions of human capital, were predictors of the digital divide in terms of the integration of digital media in companies.

Research limitations/implications

This research has a limited propensity for generalisation due to the lack of common measurement models in the field of NIC exploration.

Practical implications

This research offers policy makers an indication of the relationships between NIC and digital transformation, pointing out which dimensions of NIC should be strengthened to allow the EU to meet the challenges of digital economy and to overcome the digital divide between EU member states.

Social implications

The use of digital technologies is key in creating active and informed citizens in the public sphere and productive companies and economic growth in the business sphere.

Originality/value

This study provides an original theoretical framework and conceptual model through which to analyse the relationship between NIC and digital transformation, which has thus far not been explored at the level of the EU. This research makes an original contribution to the empirical exploration of NIC and produces new insights in the fields of digital transformation and intellectual capital.
Exploiting multiclass classification algorithms for the prediction of ship routes: a study in the area of Malta
Authors: Lo Duca Angelica , Marchetti Andrea
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Ship route prediction (SRP) is a quite complicated task, which enables the determination of the next position of a ship after a given period of time, given its current position. This paper aims to describe a study, which compares five families of multiclass classification algorithms to perform SRP.

Design/methodology/approach

Tested algorithm families include: Naive Bayes (NB), nearest neighbors, decision trees, linear algorithms and extension from binary. A common structure for all the algorithm families was implemented and adapted to the specific case, according to the test to be done. The tests were done on one month of real data extracted from automatic identification system messages, collected around the island of Malta.

Findings

Experiments show that K-nearest neighbors and decision trees algorithms outperform all the other algorithms. Experiments also demonstrate that linear algorithms and NB have a very poor performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to the area surrounding Malta. Thus, findings cannot be generalized to every context. However, the methodology presented is general and can help other researchers in this area to choose appropriate methods for their problems.

Practical implications

The results of this study can be exploited by applications for maritime surveillance to build decision support systems to monitor and predict ship routes in a given area. For example, to protect the marine environment, the use of SRP techniques could be used to protect areas at risk such as marine protected areas, from illegal fishing.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a solid methodology to perform tests on SRP, based on a series of important machine learning algorithms for the prediction.
An empirical study of knowledge mapping implementation in Indonesian organizational context
Authors: Al Hakim Shidiq , Sensuse Dana Indra , Budi Indra , Mishbah Winarni, Muhammad , Khusni Uus
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Knowledge growth is currently experiencing a very exponential increase, through a digital transformation of knowledge in the organization and the emergence of various platforms through management system content such as blogs and social media that have encouraged such growth. An employee no longer only interacts in knowledge management (KM) in his organization but can communicate and collaborate to share knowledge through these platforms widely. Much of the spread of knowledge is a challenge for organizations to manage and use their knowledge and spread knowledge and become part of the expertise possessed by employees in their organizations. For this reason, an intelligent knowledge mapping approach is needed to facilitate finding, managing and identifying knowledge owned by an organization. This paper aims to see the use of smart knowledge mapping in organizations empirically.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was conducted empirically by conducting a literature study method to compile a questionnaire and conduct a survey through purposive sampling, sampling taken from the KM and Society Indonesia community. This survey limits only to respondents who have experience in conducting knowledge mapping in an organization.

Findings

The use of data sources that have been owned by the organization and also the consideration of the use of digital footprint employees spread across the internet can be a potential to explore the knowledge resources possessed by the organization. Of course, with the support of technology through the use of artificial intelligence (AI), it is expected to be able to present a comprehensive, adaptive and objective knowledge mapping for the organization.

Practical implications

The paper provides practical implications for knowledge mapping implementation in an organization by adopting AI with considerable digital footprint employees spread across the internet.

Originality/value

This paper provides empirical information about knowledge mapping implementation in Indonesian organization.
Measuring the complex syntax of school‐aged children in language sample analysis: A known‐groups validation study
Authors: Cahill Peter , Cleave Patricia , Asp Elissa , Squires Bonita , Kay‐Raining Bird Elizabeth
Published: July 2020

Background

Complex syntax is affected by developmental language disorder (DLD) during the school years. Targeting areas of syntactic difficulty for children with DLD may yield useful assessment techniques.

Aims

To determine whether wh‐movement can be measured in language samples from typically developing mono‐ and bilingual school‐aged children, and, if so, to provide preliminary evidence of validity by comparison with traditional measures of syntax in a cross‐sectional, known‐groups design.

Methods & Procedures

Participants were 48 typically developing children recruited from the Canadian province of Nova Scotia in four groups: monolingual English and bilingual French–English children in early (7–8 years of age) and late (11–12 years of age) elementary school. Language samples were collected and analysed with mean use of wh‐movement, mean length of utterance and clausal density. These measures were compared for effects of age, bilingual development and elicitation task.

Outcomes & Results

The results from all measures closely paralleled each other, providing preliminary evidence of validity. Wh‐movement‐based and traditional measures demonstrated similar age‐related and discourse genre effects. Neither demonstrated an effect of mono‐ versus bilingual development.

Conclusions & Implications

The results confirm research interest in syntactic movement as an area of language assessment. Further research is required to understand its application to clinical populations.

What this paper adds

What is already known on the subject

Complex syntax is known to be an area of difficulty for children with DLD. Certain syntactic constructions appear to be particularly difficult for these children. Assessments targeting these areas of difficulty are emerging.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge

The paper compares traditional measures of syntax with measures based on wh‐movement. It shows similar results for both types of measures, suggesting construct and convergent validity. Results suggest that syntactic movement is an age‐appropriate area of assessment for elementary school‐aged children's language.

What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?

Language sample assessment measures based on wh‐movement appear promising. The impact of task effects of the discourse genre on assessing syntax must be carefully considered in research and clinical practice.
Silage making of maize stover and banana pseudostem under South Ethiopian conditions: evolution of pH, dry matter and microbiological profile
Authors: Mitiku Ashenafi Azage , Andeta Addisu Fekadu , Borremans An , Lievens Bart , Bossaert Sofie , Crauwels Sam , Aernouts Ben , Kechero Yisehak , Van Campenhout Leen
Published: July 2020

The study was conducted to evaluate the microbial dynamics during silage of maize stover and banana pseudostem in the environmental conditions of southern Ethiopia. To meet this objective, microsilos containing either maize stover or banana pseudostem, both with and without molasses, were prepared. Subsequently, samples were analysed on day 0, 7, 14, 30, 60 and 90 of the fermentation process. As a result, on day 7, all treatments except banana pseudostem without molasses showed a significant reduction in pH. It was also this silage type that supported the growth of Enterobacteriaceae longer than three other silage types, i.e. until 30 days. The yeasts and moulds and the Clostridum endospore counts also showed a reducing trend in early fermentation and afterwards remained constant until day 90. Illumina MiSeq sequencing revealed that Leuconostoc, Buttiauxella species and Enterobacteriaceae were the most abundant bacteria in the initial phases of the fermentation. Later on, Buttiauxella, Lactobacillus, Weissella and Bifidobacterium species were found to be dominant. In conclusion, silage of the two crop by‐products is possible under South Ethiopian conditions. For banana pseudostem, the addition of molasses is crucial for a fast fermentation, in contrast to maize. Upscaling needs to be investigated for the two by‐products.
‘Almost Normal’, or, Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Swift But Were Afraid To Ask
Authors: Horowitz James
Published: July 2020

This article seeks to situate Jonathan Swift and his reception in the modern history of sexual norms. Through close attention to several moments across Swift's canon that touch on non‐normative sexuality, and to early intertexts that interpret those moments, including an unsolicited illustration by William Hogarth, I contend that Swift should be recognised – and was recognised by his initial readers – not only for testing the limits of sexual propriety but also for exposing, with characteristically devious subtlety, the contradictory and unpredictably destructive means by which sexual conduct began to be classified and regulated in post‐1688 Britain.
Development of an electroactive aerobic biocathode for microbial fuel cell applications
Authors: Mani Priyadharshini , V T Fidal , Bowman Kyle , T S Chandra , Keshavarz Taj , Kyazze Godfrey
Published: July 2020

Microbial biocathodes are gaining interest due to their low cost, environmental friendliness and sustainable nature. In this study, a microbial consortium was enriched from activated sludge obtained from a common textile effluent treatment plant in the absence of organic carbon source to produce an electroactive biofilm. Chronoamperometry method of enrichment was carried out for over 70 days to select for electroactive bacteria that could be used as a cathode catalyst in microbial fuel cells (MFC). The resultant biofilm produced an average peak current of −0.7 mA during the enrichment and produced a maximum power density of 64.6 ± 3.5 mW m−2 compared to platinum (72.7 ± 1.2 mW m−2) in a Shewanella‐based MFC. Microbial community analysis of the initial sludge sample and enriched samples, based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, revealed the selection of chemolithotrophs with the most dominant phylum being Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Acidobacteria in the enriched samples. A variety of CO2 fixing and nitrate‐reducing bacteria was present in the resultant biofilm on the cathode. This study suggests that microbial consortia are capable of replacing expensive platinum as a cathode catalyst in MFCs.