bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural analysis of the C. elegans dauer larval anterior sensilla by Focused Ion Beam-Scanning Electron Microscopy
Authors: Britz Sebastian , Markert Sebastian Matthias , Witvliet Daniel , Steyer Anna Maria , Tröger Sarah , Mulcahy Ben , Kollmannsberger Philip , Schwab Yannick , Zhen Mei , Stigloher Christian
Published: June 2021

At the end of the first larval stage, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans developing in harsh environmental conditions is able to choose an alternative developmental path called the dauer diapause. Dauer larvae exhibit different physiology and behaviors from non-dauer larvae. Using focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM), we volumetrically reconstructed the anterior sensory apparatus of C. elegans dauer larvae with unprecedented precision. We provide a detailed description of some neurons, focusing on structural details that were unknown or unresolved by previously published studies. They include: 1) dauer-specific branches of the IL2 sensory neurons project into the periphery of anterior sensilla and motor or putative sensory neurons at the sub-lateral cords; 2) ciliated endings of URX sensory neurons are supported by both ILso and AMso socket cells near the amphid openings; 3) variability in amphid sensory dendrites among dauers; 4) somatic RIP interneurons maintain their projection into the pharyngeal nervous system. Our results support the notion that dauer larvae structurally expand their sensory system to facilitate searching for more favorable environments.
Spatial epitope barcoding reveals subclonal tumor patch behaviors
Authors: Rovira-Clavé Xavier , Drainas Alexandros P. , Jiang Sizun , Bai Yunhao , Baron Maya , Zhu Bokai , Markovic Maxim , Coles Garry L. , Bassik Michael C. , Sage Julien , Nolan Garry P.
Published: June 2021

Intratumoral variability is a seminal feature of human tumors contributing to tumor progression and response to treatment. Current technologies are unsuitable to accurately track phenotypes and subclonal evolution within tumors, especially in response to genetic manipulations. Here, we developed epitope combinatorial tags (EpicTags), which we coupled to multiplexed ion beam imaging (EpicMIBI) forin situtracking of barcodes within tissue microenvironments. Using this platform, we dissected the spatial component of cell lineages and phenotypes in a xenograft model of small-cell lung cancer. We observed emergent properties from mixed clones leading to the preferential expansion of subclonal patches for both neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine cancer cell states in this model. In tumors harboring a fraction of PTEN-deficient cancer cells, we uncovered a non-autonomous increase of subclonal patch size in PTEN wildtype cancer cells. EpicMIBI can facilitatein situinterrogation of cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic processes involved in intratumoral heterogeneity.
Rapid determination of the wide dynamic range of SARS-CoV-2 Spike T cell responses in whole blood of vaccinated and naturally infected
Authors: Tan Anthony T , Lim Joey Ming Er , Le Bert Nina , Kunasegaran Kamini , Chia Adeline , Qui Martin Daniel Co , Tan Nicole , Chia Wan Ni , de Alwis Ruklanthi , Ying Ding , Ooi Eng Eong , Wang Lin-Fa , Chen Mark I-Cheng , Young Barnaby , Hsu Li Yang , Low Jenny GH , Lye David Chien , Bertoletti Antonio
Published: June 2021

Background

Antibodies and T cells cooperate to control virus infections. The definition of the correlates of protection necessary to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, require both immune parameters but the complexity of traditional tests limits virus-specific T cell measurements.

Methods

We test the sensitivity and performance of a simple and rapid SARS-CoV-2 Spike-specific T cell test based on stimulation of whole blood with peptides covering the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein followed by cytokine (IFN-γ, IL-2) measurement in different cohorts including BNT162b2 vaccinated (n=112; 201 samples), convalescent asymptomatic (n=62; 62 samples) and symptomatic (n=68; 115 samples) COVID-19 patients and SARS-CoV-1 convalescent individuals (n=12; 12 samples).

Results

The sensitivity of the rapid cytokine whole blood test equates traditional methods of T cell analysis (ELISPOT, Activation Induced Markers). Utilizing this test we observed that Spike-specific T cells in vaccinated preferentially target the S2 region of Spike and that their mean magnitude is similar between them and SARS-CoV-2 convalescents at 3 months after vaccine or virus priming respectively. However, a wide heterogeneity of Spike-specific T cell magnitude characterizes the individual responses irrespective of the time of analysis. No correlation between neutralizing antibody levels and Spike-specific T cell magnitude were found.

Conclusions

Rapid measurement of cytokine production in whole blood after peptide activation revealed a wide dynamic range of Spike-specific T cell response after vaccination that cannot be predicted from neutralizing antibody quantities. Both Spike-specific humoral and cellular immunity should be tested after vaccination to define the correlates of protection necessary to evaluate current vaccine strategies.
The endoplasmic reticulum-resident protein TMEM-120/TMEM120A promotes fat storage in C. elegans and mammalian cells
Authors: Li Yan , Huang Siwei , Li Xuesong , Yang Xingyu , Xu Ningyi , Qu Jianan , Mak Ho Yi
Published: June 2021

The synthesis of triacylglycerol (TAG) is essential for the storage of excess fatty acids, which can subsequently be used for energy or cell growth. A series of enzymes act in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to synthesize TAG, prior to its transfer to lipid droplets (LDs), which are conserved organelles for fat storage. Here, we report that the deficiency of TMEM-120/TMEM120A, a protein with 6-transmembrane helices, retards TAG synthesis and LD expansion in C. elegans. A missense mutation near the predicted coenzyme A binding site of TMEM-120 confers strong loss of function phenotypes. GFP fusion proteins of TMEM-120, expressed at the endogenous level in live worms, were observed throughout the ER network. Using Stimulated Raman Scattering, we discovered a specific requirement of TMEM-120 in the storage of exogenous fatty acids in LDs. Knockdown of TMEM120A impedes adipogenesis of pre-adipocytes in vitro, while its over-expression is sufficient to promote LD expansion. Pharmacological studies indicate that TMEM120A most likely acts upstream of diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1). Our results suggest that TMEM-120/TMEM120A plays a conserved role in increasing the efficiency of TAG synthesis.
Thrombocytopenia and splenic platelet directed immune responses after intravenous ChAdOx1 nCov-19 administration
Authors: Nicolai Leo , Leunig Alexander , Pekayvaz Kami , Anjum Afra , Riedlinger Eva , Eivers Luke , Hoffknecht Marie-Louise , Rossaro Dario , Escaig Raphael , Kaiser Rainer , Polewka Vivien , Titova Anna , Spiekermann Karsten , Iannacone Matteo , Stark Konstantin , Massberg Steffen
Published: June 2021

Summary paragraph

Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are based on a range of novel vaccine platforms, with adenovirus-based approaches (like ChAdOx1 nCov-19) being one of them. Recently a rare and novel complication of SARS-CoV-2 targeted adenovirus vaccines has emerged: thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS). TTS is characterized by low platelet counts, clot formation at unusual anatomic sites and platelet-activating PF4-polyanion antibodies reminiscent of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Here, we employ in vitro and in vivo models to characterize the possible mechanisms of this platelet-targeted autoimmunity. We show that intravenous but not intramuscular injection of ChAdOx1 nCov-19 triggers platelet-adenovirus aggregate formation and platelet activation. After intravenous injection, these aggregates are phagocytosed by macrophages in the spleen and platelet remnants are found in the marginal zone and follicles. This is followed by a pronounced B-cell response with the emergence of circulating antibodies binding to platelets. Our work contributes to the understanding of TTS and highlights accidental intravenous injection as potential mechanism for post-vaccination TTS. Hence, safe intramuscular injection, with aspiration prior to injection, could be a potential preventive measure when administering adenovirus-based vaccines.
Control of division and microtubule dynamics in Chlamydomonas by cyclin B/CDKB1 and the anaphase-promoting complex
Authors: Pecani Kresti , Lieberman Kristi , Tajima-Shirasaki Natsumi , Onishi Masayuki , Cross Frederick R.
Published: June 2021

In yeast and animals, cyclin B binds and activates the cyclin-dependent kinase (‘CDK’) CDK1 to drive entry into mitosis. We show that CYCB1, the sole cyclin B in Chlamydomonas, activates the plant-specific CDKB1 rather than the CDK1 ortholog CDKA1. Time-lapse microscopy shows that CYCB1 is synthesized before each division in the multiple fission cycle, then is rapidly degraded 3-5 minutes before division occurs. CYCB1 degradation is dependent on the anaphase-promoting complex (APC). Like CYCB1, CDKB1 is not synthesized until late G1; however, CDKB1 is not degraded with each division within the multiple fission cycle. The microtubule plus-end-binding protein EB1 labeled with mNeonGreen (EB1-NG) allowed detection of mitotic events in live cells. The earliest detectable step in mitosis, splitting of polar EB1-NG signal into two foci, likely associated with future spindle poles, was dependent on CYCB1. CYCB1-GFP localized close to these foci immediately before spindle formation. Spindle breakdown, cleavage furrow formation and accumulation of EB1 in the furrow were dependent on the APC. In interphase, rapidly growing microtubules are marked by ‘comets’ of EB1; comets are absent in the absence of APC function. Thus CYCB1/CDKB1 and the APC mitosis modulate microtubule dynamics while regulating mitotic progression.
Ketamine decreases HPA axis reactivity to a novel stressor in male but not female mice
Authors: Johnston Colin J. , Fitzgerald Paul J. , Gewarges Jena S. , Watson Brendon O. , Spencer-Segal Joanna L.
Published: June 2021

Ketamine is an antidepressant drug that interacts with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, but whether this interaction is important for its behavioral effect is unknown. The goal of this experiment was to determine whether the behavioral response to ketamine depends on intact HPA axis function. Male and female C57BL/6J mice underwent chronic unpredictable stress prior to ketamine (30 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle treatment, with or without the glucocorticoid synthesis inhibitor metyrapone (20 mg/kg, i.p.) to block adrenal corticosterone production. Mice were tested in the forced swim test (FST) and open field test one and two days after injection, respectively. Fecal corticosterone was measured at select time points. No significant drug effects on behavior were observed. Males consistently had higher fecal corticosterone levels and stress-induced increases than females. Ketamine lowered the fecal corticosterone response to the FST only in males. These data show that ketamine after chronic stress decreases the corticosterone response to a novel stressor (the FST) in males, but not females. Corticosterone levels in all mice correlated with immobility in the FST, suggesting that shared neural circuitry could mediate both endocrine and behavioral responses. This circuitry may be ketamine-responsive only in males.
The NUCKS1-SKP2-p21/p27 axis controls S phase entry
Authors: Hume Samuel , Grou Claudia P. , Lascaux Pauline , D’Angiolella Vincenzo , Legrand Arnaud J. , Ramadan Kristijan , Dianov Grigory L.
Published: June 2021

Efficient entry into S phase of the cell cycle is necessary for embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. However, unscheduled S phase entry triggers DNA damage and promotes oncogenesis, underlining the requirement for strict control. Here, we identify the NUCKS1-SKP2-p21/p27 axis as a checkpoint pathway for the G1/S transition. In response to mitogenic stimulation, NUCKS1, a transcription factor, is recruited to chromatin to activate expression of SKP2, the F-box component of the SCFSKP2 ubiquitin ligase, leading to degradation of p21 and p27 and promoting progression into S phase. In contrast, DNA damage induces p53-dependent transcriptional repression of NUCKS1, leading to SKP2 downregulation, p21/p27 upregulation, and cell cycle arrest. We propose that the NUCKS1-SKP2-p21/p27 axis integrates mitogenic and DNA damage signalling to control S phase entry. TCGA data reveal that this mechanism is hijacked in many cancers, potentially allowing cancer cells to sustain uncontrolled proliferation.
Structural chemistry of layered lead halide perovskites containing single octahedral layers
Authors: McNulty Jason A. , Lightfoot Philip
Published: June 2021

We present a comprehensive review of the structural chemistry of hybrid lead halides of stoichiometryAPbX4,A2PbX4orAA′PbX4, whereAandA′ are organic ammonium cations andX= Cl, Br or I. These compounds may be considered as layered perovskites, containing isolated, infinite layers of corner-sharing PbX4octahedra separated by the organic species. First, over 250 crystal structures were extracted from the CCDC and classified in terms of unit-cell metrics and crystal symmetry. Symmetry mode analysis was then used to identify the nature of key structural distortions of the [PbX4]∞layers. Two generic types of distortion are prevalent in this family: tilting of the octahedral units and shifts of the inorganic layers relative to each other. Although the octahedral tilting modes are well known in the crystallography of purely inorganic perovskites, the additional layer-shift modes are shown to enormously enrich the structural options available in layered hybrid perovskites. Some examples and trends are discussed in more detail in order to show how the nature of the interlayer organic species can influence the overall structural architecture; although the main aim of the paper is to encourage workers in the field to make use of the systematic crystallographic methods used here to further understand and rationalize their own compounds, and perhaps to be able to design-in particular structural features in future work.
Public administration strategies that stimulate reverse logistics within the construction industry: a conceptual typology
Authors: Brandão Rayra , Hosseini M. Reza , Macêdo Alcebíades N. , Melo André C. , Martek Igor
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Reverse logistics (RL) is a waste revaluation process aimed at reintroducing once-used materials back into the production cycle. Public administration (PA) plays a strong role in influencing the implementation of RL in the construction industry through policy and laws. While much research identifies PA as an important driver in RL, no research yet describes how this occurs.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was conducted on the theme PA in RL with 93 relevant publications retrieved.

Findings

Six strategies used by PA to promote RL were extracted: (1) legislation, (2) government subsidies, (3) landfill disposal fee, (4) government inspection, (5) use in public construction works and (6) penalties and fines. Moreover, a typology built on these six strategies was developed, mapping 15 interactional relationships between strategies, according to three levels of influence: (1) encouragement (2) requirement and (3) regulation.

Practical implications

It was found that legislation and government subsidies prove to be the more effective strategies, with the remaining strategies greatly neglected. Importantly, however, this study reveals that a combination of strategies are most effective when appropriately combined.

Originality/value

This study confirms the importance of PA in RL, in construction, while documenting the extent of current research. The resulting proposed typology, along with 15 identified future research priorities, is expected to be of value to academics and policy makers looking to advance understanding in this domain.
Rural women entrepreneurs in Oman: problems and opportunities
Authors: Ghouse Suhail M. , Durrah Omar , McElwee Gerard
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper examines the challenges associated with rural women entrepreneurs in Oman. The study is based on women living in rural and highland areas who aim to move beyond their traditional roles in the family seeking avenues for growth and development. It identifies several problems encountered by rural women entrepreneurs and the impact on their future business opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed research approach involving quantitative and qualitative elements was adopted for the study. The research is based on 183 survey responses and personal interviews with 8 rural women entrepreneurs. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was adopted to analyse the quantitative responses and depict a model featuring the intensity of the problems affecting business opportunities. Seven short cases based upon the interviews with rural women entrepreneurs are also detailed.

Findings

Several problems experienced by rural women entrepreneurs were identified hampering their business ventures, linked to personality, family, educational, socio-cultural, facilities, legal, financial and economic, organizational and geographical, out of which household, organizational and geographical linked problems were most significant. Entrepreneurial opportunities for rural women entrepreneurs are discussed.

Practical implications

The research suggests that the policymakers should holistically consider how the rural women engaged in informal business for various means can be better supported and sustained by overcoming associated problems, can achieve business opportunities and contribute to regional socio-economic development.

Originality/value

There is a limited literature available on rural women entrepreneurship in an Arab context. The study provides an overview of the challenges and problems experienced by these women and the support areas required to overcome them for their sustainability in this region.
Country of brand origin positioning and financial performance: effects on internationalized companies from an emerging market
Authors: Porto Rafael Barreiros , Gomes Akitaya Paula Borges , Oliveira Denise Santos
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the internationalization characteristics of companies from an emerging market (internationalized company stage and presence of a sales subsidiary abroad) moderate the influence of country of brand origin positioning over the companies' financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors performed an ex-post-facto study of internationalized companies from Brazil spanning 16 years. Generalized estimating equations in panel data revealed the results with market share, return on assets (ROA) and Tobin's Q as dependent variables.

Findings

The result revealed that country of brand origin positioning is worth doing for internationalized companies from an emerging market, especially for multinationals with sales activity in the destination country. It positively affects all three financial metrics. For exporters, it is effective in increasing market share and returns on assets.

Practical implications

The research demonstrates the effectiveness of the image positioning of exporting and multinational companies that have internationalization initiatives and allocation of external sales activities.

Originality/value

In emerging markets, country of brand origin positioning is a branding strategy used by companies seeking to internationalize. This research shows that the contexts of the characteristics of internationalization strategies change the results, and therefore the need to be considered for testing the effectiveness of country-of-brand-origin positioning.
Authenticity perceptions in virtual environments
Authors: Mikeska Jamie N. , Howell Heather
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine three distinct aspects of authenticity that pre-service teachers (PSTs) experience when they engage with virtual classroom environments to develop their content-intensive instructional practice – task authenticity, student avatar authenticity and performance authenticity – and their perceptions about the usefulness of the simulated teaching experience to support their learning.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explored these conceptions of authenticity and usefulness within a larger research study whose goal was to develop virtual environment tools to help elementary PSTs learn how to engage in one ambitious teaching practice: facilitating discussions that engage students in argumentation. To examine these aspects of authenticity and usefulness, this paper used a general qualitative deductive analysis approach to examine data from 104 interviews with 26 case study teachers and examined patterns in PSTs’ perceptions within and across interviews and authenticity aspects.

Findings

While these PSTs strongly value the utility of these tools to support their learning, findings point to variation in their perceptions of authenticity. Findings showed that most PSTs perceived the tasks as an authentic representation of the work of teaching. However, their perceptions of task authenticity did not always align with their perceptions of avatar or performance authenticity.

Originality/value

This paper argues that these three aspects of authenticity relate to, but expand upon, the broader notions of presence and plausibility noted in the literature on virtual environments and should be taken up more directly in future studies of users’ perceptions of virtual environments both within and outside of educational contexts.
Intelligent control of quad-rotor aircrafts with a STM32 microcontroller using deep neural networks
Authors: Guan Xiaochun , Lou Sheng , Li Han , Tang Tinglong
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Deployment of deep neural networks on embedded devices is becoming increasingly popular because it can reduce latency and energy consumption for data communication. This paper aims to give out a method for deployment the deep neural networks on a quad-rotor aircraft for further expanding its application scope.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a design scheme is proposed to implement the flight mission of the quad-rotor aircraft based on multi-sensor fusion. It integrates attitude acquisition module, global positioning system position acquisition module, optical flow sensor, ultrasonic sensor and Bluetooth communication module, etc. A 32-bit microcontroller is adopted as the main controller for the quad-rotor aircraft. To make the quad-rotor aircraft be more intelligent, the study also proposes a method to deploy the pre-trained deep neural networks model on the microcontroller based on the software packages of the RT-Thread internet of things operating system.

Findings

This design provides a simple and efficient design scheme to further integrate artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm for the control system design of quad-rotor aircraft.

Originality/value

This method provides an application example and a design reference for the implementation of AI algorithms on unmanned aerial vehicle or terminal robots.
“Ubiquitous uncertainties”: spillovers across economic policy uncertainty and cryptocurrency uncertainty indices
Authors: Foglia Matteo , Dai Peng-Fei
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend the literature on the spillovers across economic policy uncertainty (EPU) and cryptocurrency uncertainty indices.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses cross-country economic policy uncertainty indices and the novel data measuring the cryptocurrency price uncertainties over the period 2013–2021 to construct a sample of 946 observations and applies the time-varying parameter vector autoregression (TVP-VAR) model to do an empirical study.

Findings

The findings suggest that there are cross-country spillovers of economic policy uncertainty. In addition, the total uncertainty spillover between economic policies and cryptocurrency peaked in 2015 before gradually decreasing in the following periods. Concomitantly, the cryptocurrency uncertainty has acted as the “receiver.” More importantly, the authors found the predictive power of economic policy uncertainty to predict the cryptocurrency uncertainty index. This paper’s results hold robust when using alternative measurement of cryptocurrency policy uncertainty.

Originality/value

This study is the first research that deeply investigates the association between two uncertainty indicators, namely economic policy uncertainty and the cryptocurrency uncertainty index. We provide fresh evidence about the dynamic connectedness between country-level economic policy uncertainty and the cryptocurrency index. Our work contributes a new channel driving the variants of uncertainties in the cryptocurrency market.
State legitimacy and tax compliance among small and medium scale enterprises: a case study of Dodowa district, Ghana
Authors: Ababio Abraham Gyamfi , Gnonsio Mangueye Arthur
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Improving tax compliance would drive the needed development in Ghana. Small and medium scale enterprises (SME) constitute a sizable proportion of the Ghanaian economy but its contribution to tax revenue is below expectation. This study aims to determine whether SME's perception of state legitimacy affects tax compliance.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was administered to 200 SMEs randomly drawn from Dodowa in the Shai-Osudoku District of Greater Accra Region. Descriptive statistics and the Probit model with sample selection were used to analyse the data.

Findings

The study found that SME's perception of government legitimacy exerts a significant negative effect on reducing profit to avoid tax liability (ß = −0.0305, p < 0.05). Other factors such as education and fear of fines and penalties were also found to reduce the likelihood that the firm would reduce profit to avoid high tax liability. Still, tax knowledge had a positive effect on this behaviour.

Practical implications

This study would help deepen policymakers' knowledge of how to improve tax compliance among SMEs in Ghana.

Originality/value

The originality of this work is that it explicitly models the role of fiscal exchange theory in explaining tax compliance among SMEs in Ghana by using robust methodology.
Equity-informative methods of health services research
Authors: Cookson Richard , Robson Matthew , Skarda Ieva , Doran Tim
Published: June 2021

Purpose

We review quantitative methods for analysing the equity impacts of health care and public health interventions: who benefits most and who bears the largest burdens (opportunity costs)? Mainstream health services research focuses on effectiveness and efficiency but decision makers also need information about equity.

Design/methodology/approach

We review equity-informative methods of quantitative data analysis in three core areas of health services research: effectiveness analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis and performance measurement. An appendix includes further readings and resources.

Findings

Researchers seeking to analyse health equity impacts now have a practical and flexible set of methods at their disposal which builds on the standard health services research toolkit. Some of the more advanced methods require specialised skills, but basic equity-informative methods can be used by any health services researcher with appropriate skills in the three core areas.

Originality/value

We hope that this review will raise awareness of equity-informative methods of health services research and facilitate their entry into the mainstream so that health policymakers are routinely presented with information about who gains and who loses from their decisions.
A Data-driven project categorization process for portfolio selection
Authors: El bok Ghizlane , Berrado Abdelaziz
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Categorizing projects allows for better alignment of a portfolio with the organizational strategy and goals. An appropriate project categorization helps understand portfolio’s structure and enables proper project portfolio selection (PPS). In practice, project categorization is, however, conducted in intuitive approaches. Furthermore, little attention has been given to project categorization methods in the project management literature. The purpose of this paper is to provide researchers and practitioners with a data-driven project categorization process designed for PPS.

Design/methodology/approach

The suggested process was modeled considering the main characteristics of project categorization systems revealed from the literature. The clustering analysis is used as the core-computing technology, allowing for an empirically based categorization. This study also presents a real-world case study in the automotive industry to illustrate the proposed approach.

Findings

This study confirmed the potential of clustering analysis for a consistent project categorization. The most important attributes that influenced the project grouping have been identified including strategic and intrinsic features. The proposed approach helps increase the visibility of the portfolio’s structure and the comparability of its components.

Originality/value

There is a lack of research regarding project categorization methods, particularly for the purpose of PPS. A novel data-driven process is proposed to help mitigate the issues raised by prior researchers including the inconsistencies, ambiguities and multiple interpretations related to the taken-for-granted categories. The suggested approach is also expected to facilitate projects evaluation and prioritization within appropriate categories and contribute in PPS effectiveness.
Stakeholder relationship capability and investment efficiency: a mosaic theory test
Authors: Valiyan Hasan , Abdoli Mohammadreza , Saghari Mohammad Amin
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Considering the constraints on resources and the need for firms’ planning to avoid recession and underdevelopment, enhanced investment efficiency would promote the capital market attractiveness and increase the performance of capital market investment. Empowering these markets through investment efficiency requires to promote the flow of information disclosure to stakeholders to provide the greater coherence and integration of information, enhance equal decision-making capabilities and promote trust and confidence in the company. The present study aims to examine the impact of stakeholder relationship capability on investment efficiency through testing the mosaic theory.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, two criteria (namely, the ratio of net fixed assets to total assets and investment level) were used to measure investment efficiency. Furthermore, meta-synthesis and Delphi analyses were adopted based on a five-point Likert scale to measure the development of stakeholder relationship capability. To collect the research data, the questionnaires were sent to 142 companies in 2019, of which 112 questionnaires were returned by the managers of the firms listed in Tehran Stock Exchange. To fit and test the research hypothesis, partial least squares analysis was used.

Findings

After confirming the fit of the model, the results revealed that the stakeholder relationship capability had a positive and significant effect on investment efficiency.

Originality/value

With regard to the mosaic theory, this finding confirms that the equity of information in reflecting news and knowledge among stakeholders can promote the role of the firm’s stakeholder relationship capability, thus enhancing the investment efficiency.
Engagement in a social media: an analysis in higher education institutions
Authors: Soares João Coelho , Limongi Ricardo , Cohen Eric David
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Social media are channels of communication and relationship between consumers and brands. In this paper, the determinants of consumer engagement in firm-generated content on Facebook are examined in a higher education institutions (HEIs) context.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from 1,981 Facebook brand posts of 16 Brazilian HEIs and thoroughly analyzed with seemingly unrelated regression (SUR).

Findings

The results indicated that the type of media does not increase the user's engagement. The emotional content, on the other hand, increases the number of likes and shares and not comments. An interaction between dimensions, type of media and content is relevant disclosed to increase engagement metrics, while characteristics related to the day and time of posting are not relevant.

Research limitations/implications

This study analyzes the factors that influence consumer engagement in brand messages published on Facebook, in the context of higher education institutions. Specifically, the authors seek to examine the influence that emanates from the likes, comments and shares: (1) factors related to the type of media (interactivity and liveliness); (2) content-related factors (remuneration, emotional, entertainment and informational); and (3) factors related to posting (day of the week and time of day).

Practical implications

In the context of educational services, social media is increasingly present, remarkably in HEI marketing practices. Previous studies have shown that universities use social media (mainly Facebook) to promote interactivity with students. The study presents the key characteristics of the postings by the HEIs, with an emphasis on the liveliness, the interactivity of the media, and the information content of the posts. It stands out by the examination of the most relevant factors that influence Facebook engagement, and by providing evidence on the strength of the factors related to post features that influence user engagement.

Originality/value

The research contributes to the proposition and empirical test of a predictive model of consumer engagement on Facebook, which can predict engagement in an HEI context.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-06-2020-0242
Effectiveness of the use of threats in communication with children (aged from 8 to 12)
Authors: Methlouthi Kawther , Nefzi Ayoub
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the ability of threatening communication to favorably modify children’s preventive behavior (8–12 years old) in the context of dental hygiene. It also seeks to identify the type of threat that promotes the most children's persuasion (physical/social threat). Multi-method qualitative study was conducted followed by an experimental study to test the influence of threatening communication (social or physical) on children's emotional, cognitive and behavioral responses.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches. First, multi-method qualitative study was used to explore the experience of children's exposure to threatening dental hygiene communications (focus groups, projective technique, individual interviews with dentists, etc.). Then, an experimental study based on a survey data collection to 1496 schoolchildren was conducted to test the influence of threatening communications (social or physical) on children's emotional, cognitive and behavioral responses. Indeed, different experimental situations were created by varying at each time the type of ads to which children were exposed.

Findings

Results indicate that using threat communications can be a powerful way to convince children to adopt healthy dental hygiene behaviour, and that physical threats are more effective than social threats.

Originality/value

The originality of this study is to focus on children’s’ affective and cognitive reactions to threatening dental health communication. This by emphasizing the nature of the threat used in communication (physical or social threat).
Radioembolization vs sorafenib in locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis: A propensity score and Bayesian analysis
Authors: Martelletti Carolina , Ricotti Andrea , Gesualdo Marcantonio , Carucci Patrizia , Gaia Silvia , Rolle Emanuela , Burlone Michela Emma , Okolicsanyi Stefano , Mattalia Alberto , Pirisi Mario , Berchialla Paola , Tabone Marco
Published: June 2021

Objective

In this study we aimed to compare patient outcomes between the use of transarterial radioembolization (TARE) and sorafenib in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT).

Methods

A total of 65 patients with HCC and intrahepatic PVTT treated in five Italian hospitals between 2012 and 2018 were included in the analysis. Those with any previous treatment, extension of PVTT to the main portal tract and extrahepatic involvement were excluded. Propensity score matching analysis and Bayesian model averaging analysis were performed.

Results

Of the 41 patients treated with TARE and 24 with sorafenib, 11 patients were downstaged to curative‐intent surgery (liver transplant in three and hepatectomy in eight), including 10 treated with TARE and one with sorafenib. TARE was more effective than sorafenib in downstaging patients to surgery, achieving a mean survival of 54 months. In the 54 patients without downstaging after treatment, of whom 31 were treated with TARE and 23 with sorafenib, median survival was 20.3 and 9.1 months, respectively (P = 0.001), with different 1‐, 2‐ and 3‐year OS rates (64.5%, 42.6% and 37.3% vs 39.1%, 13.0% and 0%). Both propensity score and Bayesian model averaging confirmed an improvement in overall survival in the TARE group compared with sorafenib treatment.

Conclusions

TARE was more effective than sorafenib in downstaging patients with HCC to surgery, providing a significant improvement in survival. Even in patients who were not downstaged to surgery, survival appeared to be superior with TARE over sorafenib.
The presence of non‐hepatic malignancy and its implication in pursuing liver transplantation
Authors: Chayanupatkul Maneerat , Gambarin‐Gelwan Maya , Schiano Thomas D.
Published: June 2021

Background

Primary extrahepatic malignancy and chronic liver disease co‐exist in a considerable number of patients, creating a dilemma both in the aspects of liver transplant candidacy and cancer therapy. In this review, we will explore several aspects and controversies of liver transplantation in patients with non‐hepatocellular carcinoma malignancy including risks of cancer recurrence after liver transplantation and the ethical dilemma of the selection of liver transplantation candidates with non‐hepatic malignancy.

Methods

We performed a search in several online databases and reviewed published articles and ongoing clinical trials in the topics of transplantation and pre‐existing malignancies.

Results and Discussion

Liver transplantation can be safely performed in selected patients with pre‐existing extrahepatic malignancies with low recurrence rate if they have an expected 5‐year survival rate of at least 50%. The cancer‐free period before transplantation depends on the type, stage, and location of cancer. A shorter or no wait‐time may be considered in an early stage cancer or carcinoma in situ. The urgency and benefits of liver transplantation should also be taken into consideration when determining a reasonable wait‐time. This is particularly important in patients with decompensated cirrhosis who cannot afford to wait a few years before they can undergo liver transplantation.
Mapping depth to Pleistocene sand with Bayesian generalized linear geostatistical models
Authors: Steinbuch Luc , Brus Dick J. , Heuvelink Gerard B. M.
Published: June 2021

Spatial soil applications frequently involve binomial variables. If relevant environmental covariates are available, using a Bayesian generalized linear model (BGLM) might be a solution for mapping such discrete soil properties. The geostatistical extension, a Bayesian generalized linear geostatistical model (BGLGM), adds spatial dependence and is thus potentially better equipped. The objective of this work was to evaluate whether it pays off to extend from a BGLM to a BGLGM for mapping binary soil properties, evaluated in terms of prediction accuracy and modelling complexity. As motivating example, we mapped the presence/absence of the Pleistocene sand layer within 120 cm from the land surface in the Dutch province of Flevoland, using the BGLGM implementation in the R‐package geoRglm. We found that BGLGM yields considerably better statistical validation metrics compared to a BGLM, especially with – as in our case – a large (n = 1,000) observation sample and few relevant covariates available. Also, the inferred posterior BGLGM parameters enable the quantification of spatial relationships. However, calibrating and applying a BGLGM is quite demanding with respect to the minimal required sample size, tuning the algorithm, and computational costs. We replaced manual tuning by an automated tuning algorithm (which eases implementing applications) and found a sample composition that delivers meaningful results within 50 h calculation time. With the gained insights and shared scripts spatial soil practitioners and researchers can – for their specific cases – evaluate if using BGLGM is feasible and if the extra gain is worth the extra effort.

Highlights

Does adding spatial correlation to a Bayesian GLM for mapping a binary soil variable pay off?

We aim to make spatial Bayesian hierarchical modelling accessible for pedometricians.

Most hierarchical models work well when enough observations are provided, even without covariates.

Including spatial correlation might sometimes be worth the extra effort and computational costs.
Venn diagram analysis overestimates the extent of circadian rhythm reprogramming
Authors: Pelikan Anne , Herzel Hanspeter , Kramer Achim , Ananthasubramaniam Bharath
Published: June 2021

The circadian clock modulates key physiological processes in many organisms. This widespread role of circadian rhythms is typically characterized at the molecular level by profiling the transcriptome at multiple time points. Subsequent analysis identifies transcripts with altered rhythms between control and perturbed conditions, that is, are differentially rhythmic (DiffR). Commonly, Venn diagram analysis (VDA) compares lists of rhythmic transcripts to catalog transcripts with rhythms in both conditions, or that have gained or lost rhythms. However, unavoidable errors in rhythmicity detection propagate to the final DiffR classification resulting in overestimated DiffR. We show using artificial experiments on biological data that VDA indeed produces excessive false DiffR hits both in the presence and absence of true DiffR transcripts. We review and benchmark hypothesis testing and model selection approaches that instead compare circadian amplitude and phase of transcripts between the two conditions. These methods identify transcripts that ‘gain’, ‘lose’, ‘change’, or have the ‘same’ rhythms; the third category is missed by VDA. We reanalyzed three studies on the interplay between metabolism and the clock in the mouse liver that used VDA. We found not only fewer DiffR transcripts than originally reported, but VDA overlooked many relevant DiffR transcripts. Our analyses confirmed some and contradicted other conclusions in the original studies and also generated novel insights. Our conclusions equally apply to circadian studies using other omics technologies. We believe that avoiding Venn diagrams and using our convenient r‐package comparerhythms will improve the reliability of analyses in chronobiology.
Analysis of ligand binding and resulting conformational changes in pyrophosphatase NUDT9
Authors: Gattkowski Ellen , Rutherford Trevor J. , Möckl Franziska , Bauche Andreas , Sander Simon , Fliegert Ralf , Tidow Henning
Published: June 2021

Nudix hydrolase 9 (NUDT9) is a member of the nucleoside linked to another moiety X (NUDIX) protein superfamily, which hydrolyses a broad spectrum of organic pyrophosphates from metabolic processes. ADP‐ribose (ADPR) has been the only known endogenous substrate accepted by NUDT9 so far. The Ca2+‐permeable transient receptor potential melastatin subfamily 2 (TRPM2) channel contains a homologous NUDT9‐homology (NUDT9H) domain and is activated by ADPR. Sustained Ca2+influx via ADPR‐activated TRPM2 triggers apoptotic mechanisms. Thus, a precise regulation of cellular ADPR levels by NUDT9 is essential. A detailed characterization of the enzyme‐substrate interaction would help to understand the high substrate specificity of NUDT9. Here, we analysed ligand binding to NUDT9 using a variety of biophysical techniques. We identified 2′‐deoxy‐ADPR as an additional substrate for NUDT9. Similar enzyme kinetics and binding affinities were determined for the two ligands. The high‐affinity binding was preserved in NUDT9 containing the mutated NUDIX box derived from the human NUDT9H domain. NMR spectroscopy indicated that ADPR and 2′‐deoxy‐ADPR bind to the same binding site of NUDT9. Backbone resonance assignment and subsequent molecular docking allowed further characterization of the binding pocket. Substantial conformational changes of NUDT9 upon ligand binding were observed which might allow for the development of NUDT9‐based ADPR fluorescence resonance energy transfer sensors that may help with the analysis of ADPR signalling processes in cells in the future.
Regret in the Newsvendor Model with Demand and Yield Randomness
Authors: Chen Zhi , Xie Weijun
Published: June 2021

We study the fundamental stochastic newsvendor model that considers both demand and yield randomness. It is usually difficult in practice to describe precisely the joint demand and yield distribution, although partial statistical information and empirical data about this ambiguous distribution are often accessible. We combat the issue of distributional ambiguity by taking a data‐driven distributionally robust optimization approach to hedge against all distributions that are sufficiently close to a uniform and discrete distribution of empirical data, where closeness is measured by the type‐∞ Wasserstein distance. We adopt the minimax regret decision criterion to assess the optimal order quantity that minimizes the worst‐case regret. Several properties about the minimax regret model, including optimality condition, regret bound, and the worst‐case distribution, are presented. The optimal order quantity can be determined via an efficient golden section search. We extend the analysis to the Hurwicz criterion model, which generalizes the popular albeit pessimistic maximin model (maximizing the worst‐case expected profit) and its (less noticeable) more optimistic counterpart—the maximax model (maximizing the best‐case expected profit). Finally, we present numerical comparisons of our data‐driven minimax regret model with data‐driven models based on the Hurwicz criterion and with a minimax regret model based on partial statistical information on moments.