bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resistance of Soybean Genotypes toAnticarsia gemmatalis(Lepidoptera: Erebidae): Antixenosis and Antibiosis Characterization
Authors: Ongaratto S , Silveira C M , Santos M C , Gorri J E R , Sartori M M P , Hunt Thomas E , Lourenção A L , Baldin E L L
Published: October 2021

Injury by herbivores is a major biotic stress that limits soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] crop production. Among the main soybean insect pests, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner is responsible for causing significant economic damage in soybean. The primary management strategy for this insect is chemical control and use of Bt transgenic soybean. Alternative strategies, such as host plant resistance, are considered an efficient and less-aggressive method, especially in association with other strategies as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. In this study, we evaluated 30 soybean genotypes to verify antixenosis expression through oviposition, attractiveness, and food consumption tests. From this, we selected 13 promising genotypes to verify the possible presence of antibiosis. Our results suggest that antixenosis was found in genotypes ‘TMG 133’ RR, ‘TMG 1179’ RR, ‘IAC 19’, ‘IAC 17’, ‘IAC 100’, D75-10169, and IAC 78-2318. By influence on behavior and negative impact on larval viability, antixenosis and antibiosis were indicated for the genotypes IAC 74-2832, ‘IAC 19’, ‘IAC 17’, ‘IAC 100’, and PI 274454. ‘TMG 7062’ IPRO was found to provide antibiosis resistance by negatively affecting larval development and viability. Because of reduced food consumption by larvae, antixenosis was indicated for ‘IAC 24’. These genotypes should be considered in soybean breeding programs focusing on soybean resistance to A. gemmatalis.
Atypical molecular features of RNA silencing against the phloem-restricted polerovirus TuYV
Authors: Clavel Marion , Lechner Esther , Incarbone Marco , Vincent Timothée , Cognat Valerie , Smirnova Ekaterina , Lecorbeiller Maxime , Brault Véronique , Ziegler-Graff Véronique , Genschik Pascal
Published: October 2021

In plants and some animal lineages, RNA silencing is an efficient and adaptable defense mechanism against viruses. To counter it, viruses encode suppressor proteins that interfere with RNA silencing. Phloem-restricted viruses are spreading at an alarming rate and cause substantial reduction of crop yield, but how they interact with their hosts at the molecular level is still insufficiently understood. Here, we investigate the antiviral response against phloem-restricted turnip yellows virus (TuYV) in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Using a combination of genetics, deep sequencing, and mechanical vasculature enrichment, we show that the main axis of silencing active against TuYV involves 22-nt vsiRNA production by DCL2, and their preferential loading into AGO1. Moreover, we identify vascular secondary siRNA produced from plant transcripts and initiated by DCL2-processed AGO1-loaded vsiRNA. Unexpectedly, and despite the viral encoded VSR P0 previously shown to mediate degradation of AGO proteins, vascular AGO1 undergoes specific post-translational stabilization during TuYV infection. Collectively, our work uncovers the complexity of antiviral RNA silencing against phloem-restricted TuYV and prompts a re-assessment of the role of its suppressor of silencing P0 during genuine infection.
Therapeutic target database update 2022: facilitating drug discovery with enriched comparative data of targeted agents
Authors: Zhou Ying , Zhang Yintao , Lian Xichen , Li Fengcheng , Wang Chaoxin , Zhu Feng , Qiu Yunqing , Chen Yuzong
Published: October 2021

Drug discovery relies on the knowledge of not only drugs and targets, but also the comparative agents and targets. These include poor binders and non-binders for developing discovery tools, prodrugs for improved therapeutics, co-targets of therapeutic targets for multi-target strategies and off-target investigations, and the collective structure-activity and drug-likeness landscapes of enhanced drug feature. However, such valuable data are inadequately covered by the available databases. In this study, a major update of the Therapeutic Target Database, previously featured in NAR, was therefore introduced. This update includes (a) 34 861 poor binders and 12 683 non-binders of 1308 targets; (b) 534 prodrug-drug pairs for 121 targets; (c) 1127 co-targets of 672 targets regulated by 642 approved and 624 clinical trial drugs; (d) the collective structure-activity landscapes of 427 262 active agents of 1565 targets; (e) the profiles of drug-like properties of 33 598 agents of 1102 targets. Moreover, a variety of additional data and function are provided, which include the cross-links to the target structure in PDB and AlphaFold, 159 and 1658 newly emerged targets and drugs, and the advanced search function for multi-entry target sequences or drug structures. The database is accessible without login requirement at: https://idrblab.org/ttd/.
Cat Scratch Disease as a Mimicker of Malignancy
Authors: Dhal Udit , Hicklen Rachel S , Tarrand Jeffrey , Kontoyiannis Dimitrios P
Published: October 2021

Cat scratch disease (CSD) infrequently mimics malignancy. We reviewed 11 such cases at MD Anderson Cancer Center and an additional 36 reported from the literature. Breast cancer, sarcoma, and lymphoma were the most commonly suspected malignancies. Most patients were young, female, had prior cat exposure, and had no systemic symptoms. Regional lymphadenopathy was the most common finding.
Capitalism’s future is Africa’s future
Authors: Songwe Vera
Published: October 2021

This article looks at the role of finance within a traditional form of capitalism. In essence, it was a component of a dynamic process which relied on classical production functions to create value. This contrasts with its more recent role in which financial value creation happens in isolation of production. It tries to tease out the implications for Africa as well as for the future of capitalism. The conclusion reached is that Africa is ripe for that traditional role of finance, but not for its modern variant. Policy choices will determine which options dominate investment decisions.
Politics of delegated governance: reforming vocational education and training
Authors: Özel Isik D
Published: October 2021

Following decades-long inertia, many countries started reforming vocational education and training (VET). Yet, respective reform processes that entail certain traits of the German dual system face challenges linked to domestic constraints. Focusing on secondary education and drawing on the Turkish case, this article examines VET’s transformation from a centralized, school-based, state-dominated system to a system based on school–industry collaboration. It suggests that effective adoption of VET reforms may be facilitated by bipartite coordination between government and employers’ organizations representing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It unveils how such coordination led an institutional transformation, fostered by a broad cross-class VET coalition formed in a polarized fashion. Highlighting the role of political ownership and organizational capacity in VET reforms, it traces how the Justice and Development Party (AKP) accommodated SMEs’ demands, while sidelining labor. The article undertakes a power-distributional analysis tackling political conflicts and coalitions as drivers of institutional change and continuity.
More than 100 years of neglect: a bibliometric analysis of global research on noma (cancrum oris)
Authors: Dominic Catherine , Farley Elise , Elkheir Natalie
Published: October 2021

Background

Research plays a significant role in quantifying and addressing the burden of disease, improving healthcare delivery and developing evidence-based policy for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Since noma is not a recognised NTD by the World Health Organization (WHO), research activity is hypothesised to be low. This study aims to understand patterns and trends of research conducted on noma, to understand the patterns of citations, highlight networks of collaboration and analyse stakeholders in noma research.

Methods

The SCOPUS database was selected and searched. Data analysis was conducted using the bibliometrix package for R in RStudio. Areas of interest included the distribution of research output on noma by year and location, the academic impact of publication output, mapping the major academic community and conducting a thematic analysis of high-frequency keywords.

Results

A total of 208 documents were identified. The annual growth rate of publications is 4.3%. The average number of citations per publication was 11.0 (rounded from 10.98) and the average citations per year per publication was 0.57. The USA was the country with the highest percentage 10.6% (n=22) of corresponding authors, followed by Nigeria (6.7% [n=14]), the UK (6.3% [n=13]) and India (5.8% [n=12]). For those papers with multiple authors, there was an average of 3.22 co-authors per document. The collaboration index was 3.3. Upon plotting collaboration networks between authors, only 11 clusters were identified (frequency and intensity of collaboration). Mapping of trending topics showed a focus on skin grafting and transplantation within the literature.

Conclusions

In order to progress towards eventual elimination of noma it is key that more research should be undertaken and more interest and funding should be dedicated to work on noma. Recognition of noma as an NTD by the WHO would be a first step in moving towards increased awareness.
Reassessing the role of climate change in the Tupi expansion (South America, 5000–500 BP)
Authors: Gregorio de Souza Jonas , Noelli Francisco Silva , Madella Marco
Published: October 2021

The expansion of forest farmers across tropical lowland South America during the Late Holocene has long been connected to climate change. The more humid conditions established during the Late Holocene are assumed to have driven the expansion of forests, which would have facilitated the dispersal of cultures that practised agroforestry. The Tupi, a language family of widespread distribution in South America, occupies a central place in the debate. Not only are they one of the largest families in the continent, but their expansion from an Amazonian homeland has long been hypothesized to have followed forested environments wherever they settled. Here, we assess that hypothesis using a simulation approach. We employ equation-based and cellular automaton models, simulating demic-diffusion processes under two different scenarios: a null model in which all land cells can be equally settled, and an alternative model in which non-forested cells cannot be settled or delay the expansion. We show that including land cover as a constraint to movement results in a better approximation of the Tupi expansion as reconstructed by archaeology and linguistics.
Exclusion of the fittest predicts microbial community diversity in fluctuating environments
Authors: Shibasaki Shota , Mobilia Mauro , Mitri Sara
Published: October 2021

Microorganisms live in environments that inevitably fluctuate between mild and harsh conditions. As harsh conditions may cause extinctions, the rate at which fluctuations occur can shape microbial communities and their diversity, but we still lack an intuition on how. Here, we build a mathematical model describing two microbial species living in an environment where substrate supplies randomly switch between abundant and scarce. We then vary the rate of switching as well as different properties of the interacting species, and measure the probability of the weaker species driving the stronger one extinct. We find that this probability increases with the strength of demographic noise under harsh conditions and peaks at either low, high, or intermediate switching rates depending on both species’ ability to withstand the harsh environment. This complex relationship shows why finding patterns between environmental fluctuations and diversity has historically been difficult. In parameter ranges where the fittest species was most likely to be excluded, however, the beta diversity in larger communities also peaked. In sum, how environmental fluctuations affect interactions between a few species pairs predicts their effect on the beta diversity of the whole community.
COVID-19 Vaccine: Newspaper Coverage of the side effects of the vaccine in Nigeria
Authors: Soyemi Kehinde Victor , Ewedairo Olagoke A , Olomofe Charles Oluwatemitope
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 Vaccine hesitancy is increasing globally, and this threatens the
world ability to bring the pandemic under control. The way the media reports on the
vaccine may influence or affect how the population perceive the safety and efficacy of the
vaccine.
Methods: The aim of this study was to determine how newspapers in Nigeria report stories
about the vaccine and the side effects of the vaccine amidst the growing fear on the safety
of the vaccine. A total of 4 national daily newspapers were randomly selected for the study.
These are Leadership, Guardian, Nation and Punch newspapers. The study was anchored on agenda setting theory. Quantitative content analysis research was used for the study.

The duration of the study was the day the vaccine was introduced in Nigeria: March 1st,2021 to July 31st, 2021. An Excel sheet served as the instrument for data collection and analysis done using SPSS version 25 with the level of significance predetermined at a p-value less than 0.05.
Results: Key findings from this research were: Government officials and technical experts
were predominantly used by the newspapers as the source of their information. There was
a mixed reporting of vaccine side effects with a significant difference between those
newspaper publications that reported vaccine side effects and those that did not. Amongst
those that reported side effects, there was also a significant difference between those that communicated how and where to report the side effects as against those that did not.
Conclusion: As part of the effort to curtail vaccine hesitancy, a continuous improvement in communicating the vaccine efficacy and safety is needed.
Keywords: coverage; side-effects; newspaper, COVID-19; vaccine Nigeria;
Mechanisms of damage prevention, signalling, and repair impact disease tolerance
Authors: Prakash Arun , Monteith Katy M. , Vale Pedro F.
Published: October 2021

The insect gut is frequently exposed to pathogenic threats and must not only clear these potential infections, but also tolerate relatively high microbe loads. In contrast to the mechanisms that eliminate pathogens, we currently know less about the mechanisms of disease tolerance. We investigated how well-described mechanisms that either prevent, signal, control, or repair damage during infection contribute to the phenotype of disease tolerance. We established enteric infections with the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas entomophila in transgenic lines of Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies affecting dcy (a major component of the peritrophic matrix), upd3 (a cytokine-like molecule), irc (a negative regulator of reactive oxygen species) and egfr1 (epithelial growth factor receptor). Flies lacking dcy experienced the highest susceptibility, while loss of function of either irc or upd3 reduced tolerance in both sexes. The disruption of egfr1 resulted in a severe loss in tolerance in male flies but had no substantial effect on the ability of female flies to tolerate P. entomophila infection, despite carrying greater microbe loads than males. Together, our findings provide evidence for the role of damage limitation mechanisms in disease tolerance and highlight how sex differences in these mechanisms could generate sexual dimorphism in disease tolerance.
PAX3-FOXO1 coordinates enhancer architecture, eRNA transcription, and RNA polymerase pause release at select gene targets
Authors: Zhang Susu , Wang Jing , Liu Qi , McDonald W. Hayes , Bomber Monica L. , Layden Hillary M. , Ellis Jacob , Borinstein Scott C. , Hiebert Scott W. , Stengel Kristy R.
Published: October 2021

Transcriptional control is a highly dynamic process that changes rapidly in response to various cellular and extracellular cues1. Thus, it is difficult to achieve a mechanistic understanding of transcription factor function using traditional genetic deletion or RNAi methods, because these slow approaches make it challenging to distinguish direct from indirect transcriptional effects. Here, we used a chemical-genetic approach to rapidly degrade a canonical transcriptional activator, PAX3-FOXO12-6 to define how the t(2;13)(q35;q14) disrupts normal gene expression programs to trigger cancer. By coupling rapid protein degradation with the analysis of nascent transcription over short time courses, we identified a core transcriptional network that rapidly collapsed upon PAX3-FOXO1 degradation. Moreover, loss of PAX3-FOXO1 impaired RNA polymerase pause release and transcription elongation at regulated gene targets. The activity of PAX3-FOXO1 at enhancers controlling this core network was surprisingly selective and often only a single element within a complex super-enhancer was affected. In addition, fusion of the endogenous PAX3-FOXO1 with APEX2 identified proteins in close proximity with PAX3-FOXO1, including ARID1A and MYOD1. We found that continued expression of PAX3-FOXO1 was required to maintain chromatin accessibility and allow neighboring DNA binding proteins and chromatin remodeling complexes to associate with this small number of regulated enhancers. Overall, this work provides a detailed mechanism by which PAX3-FOXO1 maintains an oncogenic transcriptional regulatory network.
β-amyloid−driven synaptic depression requires PDZ protein interaction at AMPA-receptor subunit GluA3
Authors: Reinders Niels R. , van der Spek Sophie , Klaassen Remco V. , Koymans Karin J. , Li Ka Wan , Smit August B. , Kessels Helmut W.
Published: October 2021

Soluble oligomeric amyloid-β (Aβ) is a prime suspect to cause cognitive deficits in Alzheimer’s disease and weakens synapses by removing AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs). We show that synapses of CA1 pyramidal neurons become vulnerable to Aβ when they express AMPAR subunit GluA3. We found that Aβ-oligomers reduce the levels of GluA3 immobilized at spines, indicating they deplete GluA3-containing AMPARs from synapses. These Aβ-driven effects critically depended on the PDZ-binding motif of GluA3. When GluA3 was expressed with a single amino acid mutation in its PDZ-binding motif that prevents GRIP binding, it did not end up at spines and Aβ failed to trigger synaptic depression. GluA3 with a different point mutation in the PDZ-motif that leaves GRIP-binding intact but prevents its endocytosis, was present at spines in normal amounts but was fully resistant to effects of Aβ. Our data indicate that Aβ-mediated synaptic depression requires the removal of GluA3 from synapses. We propose that GRIP-detachment from GluA3 is a critical early step in the cascade of events through which Aβ accumulation causes a loss of synapse.
Brain networks in human conscious visual perception
Authors: Kronemer Sharif I. , Aksen Mark , Ding Julia , Ryu Jun Hwan , Xin Qilong , Ding Zhaoxiong , Prince Jacob S. , Kwon Hunki , Khalaf Aya , Forman Sarit , Jin David , Wang Kevin , Chen Kaylie , Hu Claire , Agarwal Akshar , Saberski Erik , Wafa Syed Mohammad Adil , Morgan Owen P. , Wu Jia , Christison-Lagay Kate L. , Hasulak Nicholas , Morrell Martha , Urban Alexandra , Constable R. Todd , Pitts Michael , Richardson R. Mark , Crowley Michael J. , Blumenfeld Hal
Published: October 2021

Consciousness is not explained by a single mechanism, rather it involves multiple specialized neural systems overlapping in space and time. We hypothesize that synergistic, large-scale subcortical and cortical attention and signal processing networks encode conscious experiences. To identify brain activity in conscious perception without overt report, we classified visual stimuli as perceived or not using eye measurements. Report-independent event-related potentials and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals both occurred at early times after stimuli. Direct recordings revealed a novel thalamic awareness potential linked to conscious visual perception based on report. fMRI showed thalamic and cortical detection, arousal, attentional salience, task-positive, and default mode networks were involved independent of overt report. These findings identify a specific sequence of neural mechanisms in human conscious visual perception.

One-Sentence Summary

Human conscious visual perception engages large-scale subcortical and cortical networks even without overt report.
Differential timing for glucose assimilation in Prochlorococcus and coexistent microbial populations at the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre
Authors: Muñoz-Marín María del Carmen , Duhamel Solange , Björkman Karin M. , Magasin Jonathan D. , Díez Jesús , Karl David M. , García-Fernández José M.
Published: October 2021

The marine cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus can utilize glucose as a source of carbon. However, the relative importance of inorganic and organic carbon assimilation and the timing of glucose assimilation are still poorly understood in these numerically dominant cyanobacteria. Here we investigated whole microbial community and group-specific primary production and glucose assimilation, using incubations with radioisotopes combined with flow cytometry cell sorting. We also studied changes in the microbial community structure in response to glucose enrichments and analyzed the transcription of Prochlorocccus genes involved in carbon metabolism and photosynthesis.

Our results showed a circadian rhythm for glucose assimilation in Prochlorococcus, with maximum assimilation during the midday and minimum at midnight, which was different compared with that of the total microbial community. This suggests that rhythms in glucose assimilation have been adapted in Prochlorococcus to couple the active transport to photosynthetic light reactions producing energy, and possibly to avoid competition from the rest of the microbial community. High-light Prochlorococcus strains showed most transcriptional changes upon glucose enrichment. Pathways involved in glucose metabolism as the pentose phosphate, the Entner-Dudoroff, glycolysis, respiration and glucose transport showed an increase in the transcript level. A few genes of the low-light strains showed opposite changes, suggesting that glucose assimilation has been subjected to diversification along the Prochlorococcus evolution.
A force-balance model for centrosome positioning and spindle elongation during Interphase and Anaphase B
Authors: Mallick Arittri , Sarkar Apurba , Paul Raja
Published: October 2021

A computational model in one dimension is proposed to position a single centrosome using astral microtubules (MTs) interacting with the cell cortex. The mechanism exploits mutually antagonistic pulling and pushing forces arising from the astral MTs’ binding to cortical dynein motors in the actin-rich cell cortex and their buckling while growing against the cell cortex, respectively. The underlying mechanism is extended to account for the elongation and positioning of the bipolar spindle during mitotic anaphase B. Besides astral MTs, the model for bipolar spindle involves interpolar microtubules (IPMTs). The composite model can predict spindle elongation and position under various circumstances. The outcome reveals that the bipolar spindle elongation, weakened by decreasing overlap between the antiparallel IPMTs in the spindle mid-zone, is recovered by the astral MTs. The one-dimensional models are extended in two dimensions to include the effect of cortical sliding of the astral MTs for studying the dynamics of the interphase centrosome and the anaphase B spindles in elongated cells. The results reveal that the dynamics in two dimensions stay qualitatively similar to the one dimension.
Robust T cell activation requires an eIF3-driven burst in T cell receptor translation
Authors: De Silva Dasmanthie , Ferguson Lucas , Chin Grant H. , Smith Benjamin E. , Apathy Ryan A. , Roth Theodore L. , Blaeschke Franziska , Kudla Marek , Marson Alexander , Ingolia Nicholas T. , Cate Jamie H. D.
Published: October 2021

Activation of T cells requires a rapid surge in cellular protein synthesis. However, the role of translation initiation in the early induction of specific genes remains unclear. Here we show human translation initiation factor eIF3 interacts with select immune system related mRNAs including those encoding the T cell receptor (TCR) subunits TCRA and TCRB. Binding of eIF3 to theTCRAandTCRBmRNA 3’-untranslated regions (3’-UTRs) depends on CD28 coreceptor signaling and regulates a burst in TCR translation required for robust T cell activation. Use of theTCRAorTCRB3’-UTRs to control expression of an anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) improves the ability of CAR-T cells to kill tumor cellsin vitro. These results identify a new mechanism of eIF3-mediated translation control that can aid T cell engineering for immunotherapy applications.
Effect of cow’s milk with different PUFA n-6: n-3 ratios on performance, serum lipid profile, and blood parameters of grower gilts
Authors: Reis Leriana Garcia , da Silva Thiago Henrique , Salles Márcia Saladini Vieira , Andrade André Furugen Cesar , Martins Simone Maria Massami Kitamura , Takeuchi Paula Lumy , Vidal Ana Maria Centola , Netto Arlindo Saran
Published: October 2021

The concern with human health has increased the interest in producing foods enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), directly or naturally by inclusion in the animals’ diet. The positive effects such as antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, and hypolipidemic have been observed in pigs and rats, used as human models for study. The present study evaluated the effect of cow’s milk with different lipid profiles on performance, serum fatty acid profile, biochemical analysis, and a complete blood count of gilts used as a human model. At 34 days, thirty gilts were equally distributed in three treatments. Experimental treatments were milk from cows without the oil supplementation (C), milk from cows fed an enriched diet with linseed oil (n-3), and milk from cows fed an enriched diet with soybean oil (n-6). Milk supplementation was performed until the age of 190 days, provided once in the morning. The n-3 and n-6 milk reduced the concentration of myristic acid in the blood and increased the leukocytes. Milk enriched with n-3 compared to n-6 reduced stearic acid. In conclusion, milk with a better PUFA profile can reduce saturated fatty acids in the blood and alter the concentration of cells in the defense system.
Advanced calculations of X-ray spectroscopies with FEFF10 and Corvus
Authors: Kas J. J. , Vila F. D. , Pemmaraju C. D. , Tan T. S. , Rehr J. J.
Published: October 2021

The real-space Green's function code FEFF has been extensively developed and used for calculations of X-ray and related spectra, including X-ray absorption (XAS), X-ray emission (XES), inelastic X-ray scattering, and electron energy-loss spectra. The code is particularly useful for the analysis and interpretation of the XAS fine-structure (EXAFS) and the near-edge structure (XANES) in materials throughout the periodic table. Nevertheless, many applications, such as non-equilibrium systems, and the analysis of ultra-fast pump–probe experiments, require extensions of the code including finite-temperature and auxiliary calculations of structure and vibrational properties. To enable these extensions, we have developed in tandem a new version FEFF10 and new FEFF-based workflows for the Corvus workflow manager, which allow users to easily augment the capabilities of FEFF10 via auxiliary codes. This coupling facilitates simplified input and automated calculations of spectra based on advanced theoretical techniques. The approach is illustrated with examples of high-temperature behavior, vibrational properties, many-body excitations in XAS, super-heavy materials, and fits of calculated spectra to experiment.
Dual energy X-ray beam ptycho-fluorescence imaging
Authors: Cipiccia Silvia , Brun Francesco , Di Trapani Vittorio , Rau Christoph , Batey Darren J.
Published: October 2021

X-ray ptychography and X-ray fluorescence are complementary nanoscale imaging techniques, providing structural and elemental information, respectively. Both methods acquire data by scanning a localized beam across the sample. X-ray ptychography processes the transmission signal of a coherent illumination interacting with the sample, to produce images with a resolution finer than the illumination spot and step size. By enlarging both the spot and the step size, the technique can cover extended regions efficiently. X-ray fluorescence records the emitted spectra as the sample is scanned through the localized beam and its spatial resolution is limited by the spot and step size. The requisites for fast ptychography and high-resolution fluorescence appear incompatible. Here, a novel scheme that mitigates the difference in requirements is proposed. The method makes use of two probes of different sizes at the sample, generated by using two different energies for the probes and chromatic focusing optics. The different probe sizes allow to reduce the number of acquisition steps for the joint fluorescence–ptychography scan compared with a standard single beam scan, while imaging the same field of view. The new method is demonstrated experimentally using two undulator harmonics, a Fresnel zone plate and an energy discriminating photon counting detector.
Measurement of the coherent beam properties at the CoSAXS beamline
Authors: Kahnt Maik , Klementiev Konstantin , Haghighat Vahid , Weninger Clemens , Plivelic Tomás S. , Terry Ann E. , Björling Alexander
Published: October 2021

The CoSAXS beamline at the MAX IV Laboratory is a modern multi-purpose (coherent) small-angle X-ray scattering (CoSAXS) instrument, designed to provide intense and optionally coherent illumination at the sample position, enabling coherent imaging and speckle contrast techniques. X-ray tracing simulations used to design the beamline optics have predicted a total photon flux of 1012–1013 photons s−1 and a degree of coherence of up to 10% at 7.1 keV. The normalized degree of coherence and the coherent flux of this instrument were experimentally determined using the separability of a ptychographic reconstruction into multiple mutually incoherent modes and thus the Coherence in the name CoSAXS was verified. How the beamline can be used both for coherent imaging and XPCS measurements, which both heavily rely on the degree of coherence of the beam, was demonstrated. These results are the first experimental quantification of coherence properties in a SAXS instrument at a fourth-generation synchrotron light source.
Association between dietary quality and growth of the aboriginal primary school children in Negeri Sembilan
Authors: Kuralneethi Silambarasi , Sharif Ishak Sharifah Intan Zainun , Ulaganathan Vaidehi
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to determine the association between dietary quality and growth of the aboriginal primary school children in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The cross-sectional study was carried out in Negeri Sembilan. A total of 194 school-aged aboriginal children participated in the study. The dietary intake and socioeconomic status data were collected from the parents using an interviewer-administrated structured questionnaire comprised of sociodemographic questions and three days of dietary recall. The Malaysian Healthy Eating Index was used to determine the diet quality of children. WHO Anthro Plus software was used to determine the z-score of weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ) and body mass index (BMI)-for-age (BAZ).

Findings

Among all children, 15, 9 and 5% of them were stunted, underweight and thin, respectively. On the other hand, 16 and 12% of the children were overweight and obese, respectively. The aboriginal children were at risk of poor diet quality (37.19 ± 12.07) and had high dietary protein and fat intake than national recommended nutrient intake. The children achieved micronutrients intake, except for calcium. There was no significant association between total diet quality scores with growth indices among the aboriginal children. There is significant negative correlation between dietary vitamin A intake with HAZ (r = −0.168, p < 0.05) and WAZ (r = −0.219, p < 0.05) z-score of the aboriginal children.

Originality/value

Although there was a reduction in under-nutrition among the aborigines, an increasing over-nutrition status among aborigines should be considered, especially in terms of poor dietary quality and intake.
Exploring the distribution regularities of user attention and sentiment toward product aspects in online reviews
Authors: Qin Chenglei , Zhang Chengzhi , Bu Yi
Published: October 2021

Purpose

To better understand the online reviews and help potential consumers, businessmen and product manufacturers effectively obtain users’ evaluation on product aspects, this paper aims to explore the distribution regularities of users’ attention and sentiment on product aspects from the temporal perspective of online reviews.

Design/methodology/approach

Temporal characteristics of online reviews (purchase time, review time and time intervals between purchase time and review time), similar attributes clustering and attribute-level sentiment computing technologies are used based on more than 340k smartphone reviews of three products from JD.COM (a famous online shopping platform in China) to explore the distribution regularities of users’ attention and sentiment on product aspects in this paper.

Findings

The empirical results show that a power-law distribution can fit users’ attention on product aspects, and the reviews posted in short time intervals contain more product aspects. Besides, the results show that the values of users’ sentiment on product aspects are significantly higher/lower in short time intervals which contribute to judging the advantages and weaknesses of a product.

Research limitations/implications

This paper cannot acquire online reviews for more products with temporal characteristics to verify the findings because of the restriction on reviews crawling by the shopping platforms.

Originality/value

This work reveals the distribution regularities of users’ attention and sentiment on product aspects, which is of great significance in assisting decision-making, optimizing review presentation and improving the shopping experience.
Intellectual capital and performance of automotive manufacturers: the role of strategic thinking
Authors: Alqershi Nagwan Abdulwahab , Wan Yusoff Wan Fauzia , Bin Masrom Md Asrul Nasid , Abdul Hamid Norhadilah Binti , Mokhtar Sany Sanuri Mohd , AlDoghan Mohammed
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of intellectual capital (IC) on the performance of Malaysian automotive manufacturing firms. It also examines the role of strategic thinking (ST) as a moderating variable in the relationship between IC and performance in these firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a quantitative approach, with an initial sample of 228 firms in Malaysia. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the study hypotheses.

Findings

The results of the PLS-SEM analysis are as follows: Human capital (HC) and relational capital (RC) have significant effect on performance, but not structural capital (SC). ST has no moderating effect on the relationship between RC or SC and performance although it does moderate the relationship between performance and HC.

Research limitations/implications

Together with the government, CEOs hold responsibility for ensuring that organizations practice effective ST and IC. With the assistance of government, CEOs should exert every effort to be leaders in this matter. In addition, CEOs of automotive manufacturing firm should reduce their emphasis on classical ways of managing organizations processes.

Practical implications

The findings offer guidance to automotive firms considering how to develop IC and ST to improve performance, especially in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine the moderating effect of ST on the relationship between IC and performance worldwide.
Factors affecting students’ online behavioral intention in using discussion forum
Authors: Wut Tai Ming , Lee Stephanie W.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors affecting university students’ participation in discussion forum of electronic learning platforms of teacher–student interaction.

Design/methodology/approach

One-stage cluster sampling was used and a cross-sectional survey of 113 university students from four courses was done.

Findings

A combined model based on United theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and DeLone and McLean models serves as a research framework. Female and male students’ behavioral intentions were affected by different factors. System quality affects male students’ behavioral intention and information quality affects female students’ behavioral intention. Social influence affects female students’ behavioral intention but male students. Men are more focused on the hardware and women are more focused on the content of the message.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited by the nature of university students. User experience and underlying perceived risk are possible moderators. Dyad approach could be considered. One way to enhance students and teachers’ academic discussion is to establish a closed university social media site. The site should be made mobile-friendly with chatbot included.

Originality/value

The results support the validity of the proposed new research framework on e-learning platform by the constructs coming from two established models: UTAUT model and DeLone and McLean’s model. Factors affecting intention and use behavior in discussion forum are different for male and female students. System quality affects male students’ behavioral intention, while information quality affects female students’ behavioral intention. Social influence affects female students’ behavioral intention but not male students.
World’s biggest retailer launches Walmart Plus and customers have their say
Authors: Weinstein Art T. , Anti Kristen , Ochoa Esteban
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The Covid crisis led to a huge worldwide shift in consumer behavior. In response, Walmart’s revised business strategy promoted their online delivery service known as Walmart Plus. This study aims to critique the potential of this new venture via a customer value analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the customer value funnel, Walmart’s market environment, organizational factors, customer perceptions and business performance are examined. An exploratory survey collected data from South Florida residents on awareness and interest in Walmart Plus.

Findings

The changing marketplace forced Walmart to quickly adapt to online buyers and emphasize the value of their retail and grocery products. Walmart Plus is an alternative to Amazon Prime and can assist the company gain market share in regional grocery markets.

Research limitations/implications

This work is largely conceptual and presents a case study featuring a limited sample in one metropolitan statistical area. While the findings are insightful, it may not be representative of the US market.

Practical implications

Corporate executives and entrepreneurs must respond to changing market conditions and rethink their business models to deliver superior customer value. This requires introducing innovative services and digital initiatives to compete successfully. The paper concludes with recommendations for management and questions for consideration.

Originality/value

Walmart is the dominant American retailer and a global leader. While there has been considerable research on this retail giant, there has been limited analysis of their digital initiatives such as Walmart Plus.
Role of enterprise information system management in enhancing firms competitive performance towards achieving SDGs during and after COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Rahman Muhammad Sabbir , Hossain Md Afnan , Chowdhury Abdul Hannan , Hoque Mohammad Tayeenul
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of firms' information system management capabilities on competitive performance for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). It also examines the moderating effects of multi-sensory stimuli capability on firms' competitive performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing upon the resource base and dynamic capability view as the overarching theoretical framework, this research conducted an empirical study among manufacturing and services enterprise employees. This study applied multiple cross-sectional surveys for data collection. A total of 241 usable data were obtained and explained through structural equation modelling (SEM).

Findings

The statistical results explore that variables under their respective direct relationship are positively and significantly influence. Interestingly, firms information system management capability has a relatively large magnitude of positive and direct effects on the competitive performance of firms' that complement on achieving firms SDGs and coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the multisensory stimulus capability of service firms positively moderates (amplifies) the relationship between marketing information system management capability and competitive performance.

Practical implications

The proposed research model provides insights into the utilisation of firms information system management capability to achieve competitive performance in their relevant industry. In addition, it deepens the understanding of the contingency effect of using multisensory stimulus capability of firms on competitive performance.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, drawing on the resource-based theory and dynamic capability theory, this study is the first to assess and examine the influence of firms information system management capability on the competitive performance of firms by considering the moderating variables (i.e. multisensory stimulus capability) in context to COVID-19 pandemic by considering the scope of SDGs.
Understanding of blockchain-based identity management system adoption in the public sector
Authors: Sung Chang Soo , Park Joo Yeon
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to understand the benefits and challenges associated with the adoption of a blockchain-based identity management system in public services by conducting an academic literature review, and to explore the design of such a system that can be applied to the Korean government.

Design/methodology/approach

This study explores the adoption of a blockchain-based identity management system using a literature review and an actual design case intended for use by the government sector.

Findings

Blockchain-based identity management systems can significantly improve transparency, accountability, and reliability in the user control of one's own data while reducing the time and cost needed to deliver public services, as well as increasing administrative efficiency. However, it is not always easy to implement such systems, and introducing new technologies in the government field requires a complicated, time-consuming process. There is currently an appetite for research extending beyond the typical technology-driven approach to elucidate the government adoption of new technologies and explore its implications.

Practical implications

The idea behind this system is that by storing and managing personal information on the blockchain and providing mobile apps to customers, users can log in or retrieve previously authenticated personal information without having to go through an authentication process. Since users do not need to go through the verification process every time, it is expected that they will be able to access only the necessary personal information more quickly and conveniently without having to deal with unnecessary details. In addition, the blockchain-based operation of a public service effectively increases the transparency and reliability of that service and reduces the social costs caused by personal information leakage.

Originality/value

This study introduces the design of a blockchain-based identity management system that can be used in public services, specifically in the Korean government sector for the first time. Along with a literature review, the implications that this study gleans from these real-world use cases can contribute to this field of research.
The relationship between auditor characteristics and fraud detection
Authors: Khaksar Jalil , Salehi Mahdi , Lari DashtBayaz Mahmoud
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the relationship between the following auditor's characteristics with detecting frauds in the listed companies on the Tehran Stock Exchange.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple regression model is used to test the research hypothesis. The hypothesis was further tested with a sample of 187 companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange (1,309 observations) from 2012 to 2018 and by using multiple regression models based on panel data and the random-effects model.

Findings

The results suggest a positive and significant relationship between audit firms' size, auditor rotation, specialization in the industry, the audit market's focus, auditor's independence, audit report lag and renewal of financial statements with fraud detection. The results revealed a significant relationship between the period of auditor tenure, auditor's narcissism, audit fees and the type of auditors' opinion (un-qualified opinion) with fraud detection.

Originality/value

As the present study is a pioneer in examining this issue in the emerging markets, it provides users, analysts and legal entities with useful information about auditor characteristics that significantly affect the fraud detection of financial statements. The results mitigate the literature gap and improve knowledge in this area.
A new approximation for the risk premium with large risks
Authors: Watt Richard , Gunby Philip
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The Arrow–Pratt approximation to the risk premium is only valid for small risks. In this paper we consider a second approximation, based on risk-neutral probabilities and which requires no greater information than the Arrow–Pratt approximation, that works well for both small and large risks.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is theoretical in nature, although it also provides illustrative numerical simulations.

Findings

The new approximation proposed here appears to be significantly superior to Arrow–Pratt for approximating the true value of the risk premium when the risk is large. It may also approximate better even for relatively small risks.

Originality/value

As far as we are aware, there are no other known approximations for the risk premium when the risk involved is large.