bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On The Dynamics of Interstate Diffusion of Firearm Violence and Impact of Firearm Regulations
Authors: Sen Swagatam , Sen Anindya , Liu Ye , Sen Bisakha
Published: November 2021

Objectives

Our purpose was to test the impact of firearm regulations on the firearm violence flow across US state borders. Further we assessed the spatial variations in these impacts across different regions with the goal of identifying state-groups that are especially vulnerable to cross-border firearm violence.

Methods

Incidence of firearm violence (2000-2017) has been modelled as an inhomogeneous diffusion process whose parameters depend on state firearm regulations. Firearm regulations measurement for a state accounted for all 14 law categories across 54 states since 1991 as per State Firearm Law Database. The effects of regulations and other covariates were estimated across all states.

Results

Six clusters of states were identified based on the variations of effects within and across those clusters. For 3 of these clusters the diffusive flow parameters were statistically significant. In all of these clusters the deterring effect of regulations on incidence and flow of crime was statistically significant.

Conclusion

The clusters can be assigned to 5 descriptive categories based on their roles in the flow of firearm violence – Source states, Transitive states, Destination states, Isolated issue states and Stable. It was found that flow of firearm violence indeed does follow a diffusive process for most categories of states. It has also been recommended that while in-state regulations are important to curb firearm violence flowing into Destination states, they are not adequate unless regulatory stringency is also applied to neighboring Source and Transitive States.
MICU1 occludes MCU in the mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex
Authors: Tsai Chen-Wei , Van Keuren Anna , Bankston John , Ma Zhiwei , Tsai Ming-Feng
Published: November 2021

The mitochondrial calcium uniporter imports cytoplasmic Ca2+ into the mitochondrial matrix to regulate cell bioenergetics, Ca2+ signaling, and apoptosis. The uniporter contains the pore-forming MCU subunit, an EMRE protein that binds to MCU, and the regulatory MICU1/MICU2 subunits. Structural and biochemical studies have suggested that MICU1 gates MCU by blocking and unblocking the Ca2+ pore. However, mitoplast patch-clamp experiments argue that MICU1 does not block Ca2+ transport but instead potentiates MCU. To address this direct clash of proposed MICU1 function, we applied purified MICU1 to Ca2+-conducting MCU-EMRE subcomplexes in outside-out patches excised from Xenopus oocytes. MICU1 strongly inhibits Ca2+ currents, and the inhibition is abolished by mutating an MCU-interacting K126 residue in MICU1. Further experiments show that MICU1 block was not observed in mitoplasts because MICU1 dissociates from the uniporter complex. These results firmly establish that MICU1 shuts the uniporter in resting cellular conditions.
Structure and mechanism of oxalate transporter OxlT in an oxalate-degrading bacterium in the gut microbiota
Authors: Jaunet-Lahary Titouan , Shimamura Tatsuro , Hayashi Masahiro , Nomura Norimichi , Hirasawa Kouta , Shimizu Tetsuya , Yamashita Masao , Kojima Keiichi , Sudo Yuki , Tamura Takashi , Iwanari Hiroko , Hamakubo Takao , Iwata So , Okazaki Kei-ichi , Hirai Teruhisa , Yamashita Atsuko
Published: November 2021

Oxalobacter formigenes is an oxalate-degrading bacterium in the gut microbiota that absorbs food-derived oxalate to use this as a carbon and energy source and thereby helps reduce the risk of kidney stone formation of the host animals 1–4. The bacterial oxalate transporter OxlT uptakes oxalate from the gut to bacterial cells and excrete formate as a degradation product, with a strict discrimination from other carboxylates that serve as nutrients 5–7. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we present crystal structures of oxalate-bound and ligand-free OxlT in two different conformations, occluded and outward-facing states. The oxalate binding site contains two basic residues that form salt bridges with a dicarboxylate substrate while preventing the conformational switch to the occluded state without an acidic substrate, a ‘disallowed’ state for an antiporter 8, 9. The occluded ligand-binding pocket can accommodate oxalate but not larger dicarboxylates, such as metabolic intermediates. The permeation pathways from the binding pocket are completely blocked by extensive interdomain hydrophobic and ionic interactions. Nevertheless, a molecular dynamics simulation showed that a flip of a single side chain neighbouring the substrate is sufficient to trigger the gate opening. The OxlT structure indicates the underlying metabolic interactions enabling favourable symbiosis at a molecular level.
Artificial selection for predatory behavior results in dietary niche differentiation in an omnivorous mammal
Authors: Hämäläinen Anni , Kiljunen Mikko , Koskela Esa , Koteja Pawel , Mappes Tapio , Rajala Milla , Tiainen Katariina
Published: November 2021

The diet of an individual is a result of the availability of dietary items and the individual’s foraging skills and preferences. Behavioral differences may thus influence diet variation, but the evolvability of diet choice through behavioral evolution has not been studied. We used experimental evolution combined with a field enclosure experiment to test whether behavioral selection leads to dietary divergence. We analysed the individual dietary niche via stable isotope ratios of nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) in the hair of an omnivorous mammal, bank vole, from 4 lines selected for predatory behavior and 4 unselected control lines. Predatory voles had higher hair δ15N values than control voles, supporting our hypothesis that predatory voles would consume a higher trophic level diet (more animal vs. plant foods). This difference was significant in the early but not the late summer season. The δ13C values also indicated a seasonal change in the consumed plant matter and a difference in food sources among selection lines in the early summer. These results imply that environmental factors interact with evolved behavioral tendencies to determine dietary niche heterogeneity. Behavioral selection thus has potential to contribute to the evolution of diet choice and ultimately the species’ ecological niche breadth.
Marmoset Model for Mycobacterium avium Complex Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Peters Jay I , Maselli Diego Jose , Mangat Mandeep , Coalson Jacqueline J. , Hinojosa Ceci , Giavedoni Luis , Brown-Elliott Barbara A. , Chan Edward D. , Griffith David E.
Published: November 2021

Rationale

Mycobacterium avium complex, is the most common nontuberculous mycobacterial respiratory pathogen in humans. Disease mechanisms are poorly understood due to the absence of a reliable animal model for M. avium complex pulmonary disease.

Objective

Assess the susceptibility, immunologic and histopathologic responses of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) to M. avium complex pulmonary infection.

Methods

7 adult female marmosets underwent endobronchial inoculation with 108 colony-forming units of M. intracellulare and were monitored for 30 or 60 days. Prior to infection, chest radiograph and serum cytokines were assessed; serum cytokines were also monitored weekly for 30 days. At sacrifice 30 days (3 animals) or 60 days (4 animals) after infection, chest radiograph, serum and bronchoalveolar lavage cytokines, histopathology, and cultures of the bronchoalveolar lavage, lungs, liver, and kidney were analyzed.

Measurements and Main Results

Five of seven animals (two at 30 days and three at 60 days of infection) had positive lung cultures for M. intracellulare. Extra-pulmonary cultures were positive in three animals. All animals appeared healthy throughout the study. All five animals with positive lung cultures had radiographic changes consistent with pneumonitis. At 30 days, those with M. intracellulare lung infection showed granulomatous inflammation while at 60 days there was less inflammatory change, but bronchiectasis was noted. The cytokine response in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was uniformly greater in the animals with positive M. intracellulare cultures than those without a productive infection with greater levels at 30-days compared to 60-days. Similarly, serum cytokines were more elevated in the animals that had positive M. intracellulare cultures compared to those without a productive infection, peaking 14-21 days after inoculation.

Conclusion

Endobronchial instillation of M. intracellulare resulted in pulmonary mycobacterial infection in marmosets with a differential immune response, radiographic and histopathologic abnormalities, and an indolent course consistent with M. avium complex lung infection in humans.
Oligogenic heterozygous inheritance of sperm abnormalities in mouse
Authors: Martinez Guillaume , Coutton Charles , Loeuillet Corinne , Cazin Caroline , Muroňová Jana , Boguenet Magalie , Lambert Emeline , Dhellemmes Magali , Chevalier Geneviève , Hograindleur Jean-Pascal , Vilpreux Charline , Neirijnck Yasmine , Kherraf Zine-Eddine , Escoffier Jessica , Nef Serge , Ray Pierre F. , Arnoult Christophe
Published: November 2021

Male infertility is an important health concern that is expected to have a major genetic etiology. Although high-throughput sequencing has linked gene defects to more than 50% of rare and severe sperm anomalies, less than 20% of common and moderate forms are explained. We hypothesized that this low success rate could at least be partly due to oligogenic defects – the accumulation of several rare heterozygous variants in distinct, but functionally connected, genes. Here, we compared fertility and sperm parameters in male mice harboring one to four heterozygous truncating mutations of genes linked to multiple morphological anomalies of the flagellum (MMAF) syndrome. Results indicated progressively deteriorating sperm morphology and motility with increasing numbers of heterozygous mutations. This first evidence of oligogenic inheritance in failed spermatogenesis strongly suggests that oligogenic heterozygosity could explain a significant proportion of asthenoteratozoospermia cases. The findings presented pave the way to further studies in mice and man.
Estimating the Mosquito Density in Guangzhou City, China
Authors: Li Meili , Zhang Xian , Ma Junling
Published: November 2021

Mosquito is a vector of many diseases. Predicting the trend of mosquito density is important for early warning and control of mosquito diseases. In this paper, we fit a discrete time mosquito model developed by Gong et al. in 2011, which considers the immature and adult stages, and weather dependent model parameters, to the Breteau Index and Bite Index data for Aedes aegypti in Guangzhou city, China in 2014, as well as the weather data for average temperature, precipitation, evaporation and daylight for the same period. We estimated the model parameters using the Markov Chain Monte-Carlo (MCMC) method. We find that many parameters are not identifiable. We revise and simplify the model so that the parameters of our new model are identifiable. Our results indicate that the model predicted mosquito prevalence agrees well with data. We then use the fitted parameter values against the Breteau Index and Bite Index data for Guangzhou city in 2017 and 2018, and show that the estimated parameter values are applicable for other seasons.
Molecular dynamics simulations reveal the selectivity mechanism of structurally similar agonists to TLR7 and TLR8
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Chen Yu , Zhang Steven , Deng Jinxia Nancy
Published: November 2021

TLR7 and TLR8 are key members of the Toll-like receptor family, playing crucial roles in the signaling pathways of innate immunity, and thus become attractive therapeutic targets of many diseases including infections and cancer. Although TLR7 and TLR8 show a highly degree of sequence homology, their biological response to small molecule binding is very different. Aiming to understand the mechanism of selective profiles of small molecule modulators against TLR7 and TLR8, we carried out molecular dynamic simulations on three imidazoquinoline derivatives bound to the receptors separately. They are Resiquimod (R), Hybrid-2 (H), and Gardiquimod (G), selective agonists of TLR7 and TLR8. Our MD trajectories indicated that in the complex of TLR7-R and TLR7-G, the two chains forming the TLR7 dimer tended to remain “open” conformation, while the rest systems maintained in the closed format. The agonists R, H, and G developed conformational deviation mainly on the aliphatic tail. Furthermore, we attempted to quantify the selectivity between TLR7 and TLR8 by binding free energies via MM-GBSA method. It showed that the three selected modulators were more favorable for TLR7 than TLR8, and the ranking from the strongest to the weakest was H, R and G, aligning well with experiment data. In the TLR7, the flexible and hydrophobic aliphatic side chain of H has stronger van der Waals interactions with Val381 and Phe351 but only pick up interaction with one amino acid residue i.e. Tyr353 of TLR8. Unsurprisingly, the positively charged side chain of G has less favor interaction with Ile585 of TLR7 and Val573 of TLR8 explaining G is weak agonist in both TLR7 and TLR8. All three imidazoquinolines can form stable hydrogen bonds with Asp555 of TLR7 and the corresponding Asp543 of TLR8. In brief, the set of total 400ns MD studies sheds light on the potential selective mechanisms of agonists towards TLR7 and TLR8, indicating the van der Waals interaction as the driving force for the agonists binding, thus provides us insights for more potent and selective modulators to cooperate with the hydrophobic nature of the binding pocket.
Using OPM-MEG in contrasting magnetic environments
Authors: Hill Ryan M. , Devasagayam Jasen , Holmes Niall , Boto Elena , Shah Vishal , Osborne James , Safar Kristina , Worcester Frank , Mariani Christopher , Dawson Eliot , Woolger David , Bowtell Richard , Taylor Margot J. , Brookes Matthew J.
Published: November 2021

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) has been revolutionised in recent years by optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs). “OPM-MEG” offers higher sensitivity, better spatial resolution and lower cost than conventional instrumentation based on superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDS). Moreover, OPMs offer the possibility of motion robustness and lifespan compliance, dramatically expanding the range of MEG applications. However, OPM-MEG remains nascent technology; it places stringent requirements on magnetic shielding, and whilst a number of viable systems exist, most are custom made and there have been no cross-site investigations showing the reliability of data. In this paper, we undertake the first cross-site OPM-MEG comparison, using near identical commercial systems scanning the same participant. The two sites are deliberately contrasting, with different magnetic environments: a “green field” campus university site with an OPM-optimised shielded room (low interference) and a city centre hospital site with a “standard” (non-optimised) MSR (high interference). We show that despite a 25-fold difference in background field, and a 30-fold difference in low frequency interference, using dynamic field control and software-based suppression of interference we can generate comparable noise floors at both sites. In human data recorded during a visuo-motor task and a face processing paradigm, we were able to generate similar data, with source localisation showing that brain regions could be pinpointed with just ~10 mm spatial discrepancy and temporal correlations of > 80%. Overall, our study demonstrates that “plug- and-play” OPM-MEG systems exist and can be sited even in challenging magnetic environments.
Genetic coordination of sperm morphology and seminal fluid proteins promotes male reproductive success inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Galvin Jake , Larson Erica L. , Yedigarian Sevan , Rahman Mohammad , Borziak Kirill , DeNieu Michael , Manier Mollie K.
Published: November 2021

Spermatozoal morphology is highly variable both among and within species and in ways that can significantly impact fertilization success. InDrosophila melanogaster, paternity success depends on sperm length of both competing males and length of the female’s primary sperm storage organ. We found that genes upregulated in long sperm testes are enriched for lncRNAs and seminal fluid proteins (Sfps). Transferred in seminal fluid to the female during mating, Sfps are secreted by the male accessory glands (AG) and affect female remating rate, physiology, and behavior with concomitant advantages for male reproductive success. Despite being upregulated in long sperm testes, they have no known function in testis tissue. We found that Sex Peptide and ovulin (Acp26Aa) knockouts resulted in shorter sperm, suggesting that Sfps may regulate sperm length during spermatogenesis. However, knockout of AG function did not affect sperm length, suggesting that AG expression has no influence on spermatogenic processes. We also found that long sperm males are better able to delay female remating, suggesting higher Sfp expression in AG. These results might suggest that long sperm males have a double advantage in sperm competition by both delaying female remating, likely through transfer of more Sfps, and by resisting sperm displacement. However, we also found that this extra advantage does not necessarily translate to more progeny or higher paternity success. Thus, we found that multiple components of the ejaculate coordinate to promote male reproductive success at different stages of reproduction, but the realized fitness advantages in sperm competition are uncertain.

Significance Statement

The ejaculate is comprised of sperm produced in the testis and seminal fluid primarily produced in the male accessory glands (AG). These complementary components are both critical for male reproductive success, but they are largely considered to be functionally, genetically, and developmentally independent. In a quest to understand genetic mechanisms of sperm length variation, we found that genes upregulated in long sperm testes are enriched for lncRNAs and seminal fluid proteins (Sfps). Knockout of two Sfps, Sex Peptide and ovulin, results in shorter sperm, though knockout of AG function has no effect. Moreover, long sperm males delay female remating longer. These results suggest sophisticated testis-AG coordination that amplifies male reproductive success, with implications for evolutionary integration of sexually selected traits.
Relating spinal injury-induced neuropathic pain and spontaneous afferent activity to sleep and respiratory dysfunction
Authors: Idlett-Ali S , Kloefkorn H , Goolsby W , Hochman S
Published: November 2021

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can induce dysfunction in a multitude of neural circuits including those that lead to impaired sleep, respiratory dysfunction and neuropathic pain. We used a lower thoracic rodent contusion SCI model - known to develop mechanosensory stimulus hypersensitivity, and spontaneous activity in primary afferents that associates neuropathic pain - and paired this with new approaches that enabled chronic capture of three state sleep and respiration to characterize dysfunction and assess possible interrelations. Noncontact electric field sensors were embedded into home cages for noninvasive capture in naturally behaving mice of the temporal evolution of sleep and respiration changes for 6 weeks after SCI. Hindlimb mechanosensitivity was assessed weekly, and terminal experiments measured primary afferent spontaneous activity in situ from intact lumbar dorsal root ganglia (DRG). We observed that SCI led to increased spontaneous primary afferent activity (both firing rate and the number of spontaneously active DRGs) that correlated with reduced hindpaw mechanical sensitivity, increased respiratory rate variability, and increased sleep fragmentation. This is the first study to measure and link sleep dysfunction and variability in respiratory rate in a SCI model of neuropathic pain, and thereby provide broader insight into the magnitude of overall stress burden initiated by neural circuit dysfunction after SCI.
Extensive gene duplication in Arabidopsis revealed by pseudo-heterozygosity
Authors: Jaegle Benjamin , Pisupati Rahul , Soto-Jiménez Luz Mayela , Burns Robin , Rabanal Fernando A. , Nordborg Magnus
Published: November 2021

Background

It is apparent that genomes harbor massive amounts of structural variation, and that this variation has largely gone undetected for technical reasons. In addition to being inherently interesting, structural variation can cause artifacts when short-read sequencing data are mapped to a reference genome. In particular, spurious SNPs (that do not show Mendelian segregation) may result from mapping of reads to duplicated regions. Calling SNP using the raw reads of the 1001 Arabidopsis Genomes Project we identified 3.3 million heterozygous SNPs (44% of total). Given that Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana) is highly selfing, we hypothesized that these SNPs reflected cryptic copy number variation, and investigated them further.

Results

The heterozygosity we observed consisted of particular SNPs being heterozygous across individuals in a manner that strongly suggests it reflects shared segregating duplications rather than random tracts of residual heterozygosity due to occasional outcrossing. Focusing on such pseudo-heterozygosity in annotated genes, we used GWAS to map the position of the duplicates, identifying 2500 putatively duplicated genes. The results were validated using de novo genome assemblies from six lines. Specific examples included an annotated gene and nearby transposon that, in fact, transpose together. Finally, we use existing bisulfite sequencing data to demonstrate that cryptic structural variation can produce highly inaccurate estimates of DNA methylation polymorphism.

Conclusions

Our study confirms that most heterozygous SNPs calls in A. thaliana are artifacts, and suggest that great caution is needed when analyzing SNP data from short-read sequencing. The finding that 10% of annotated genes exhibit copy-number variation, and the realization that neither gene- nor transposon-annotation necessarily tells us what is actually mobile in the genome suggest that future analyses based on independently assembled genomes will be very informative.
Interleukin-6 Drives Key Pathologic Outcomes in Experimental Acetaminophen-induced Liver Failure
Authors: Roth Katherine , Strickland Jenna , Gonzalez-Pons Romina , Pant Asmita , Yen Ting-Chieh , Freeborn Robert , Kennedy Rebekah , Bhushan Bharat , Boss Allison , Rockwell Cheryl E. , Dorrance Anne M. , Apte Udayan , Luyendyk James P. , Copple Bryan L.
Published: November 2021

Background and Aims

In severe cases of acetaminophen (APAP) overdose, acute liver injury rapidly progresses to acute liver failure (ALF), producing life-threatening complications including, hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and multi-organ failure (MOF). Systemic levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10 are highest in ALF patients with the most severe complications and the poorest prognosis. The mechanistic basis for dysregulation of these cytokines, and their association with outcome in ALF, remain poorly defined.

Methods

To investigate the impact of IL-6 and IL-10 in ALF, we used an experimental setting of failed liver repair after APAP overdose in which a high dose of APAP is administered (i.e., 500-600 mg/kg). Mice were treated with neutralizing antibodies to block IL-6 and IL-10.

Results

In mice with APAP-induced ALF, high levels of IL-10 reduced monocyte recruitment and trafficking in the liver resulting in impaired clearance of dead cell debris. Kupffer cells in these mice, displayed features of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, including high level expression of IL-10 and PD-L1, which were increased in an IL-6-dependent manner. Similar to ALF patients with HE, cerebral blood flow was reduced in mice with APAP-induced ALF. Remarkably, although IL-6 is hepatoprotective in mice treated with low doses of APAP (i.e., 300 mg/kg), IL-6 neutralization in mice with APAP-induced ALF fully restored cerebral blood flow and reduced mortality.

Conclusion

Collectively, these studies demonstrate that exaggerated production of IL-6 in APAP-induced ALF triggers immune suppression (i.e., high levels of IL-10 and PD-L1), reduces cerebral blood flow (a feature of hepatic encephalopathy), disrupts liver repair (i.e., failed clearance of dead cells), and increases mortality.
A cell wall-associated gene network shapes leaf boundary domains
Authors: Bouré Nathalie , Peaucelle Alexis , Goussot Magali , Adroher Bernard , Soubigou-Taconnat Ludivine , Biot Eric , Tariq Zakia , Martin-Magniette Marie-Laure , Laufs Patrick , Arnaud Nicolas
Published: November 2021

Boundary domains delimit and organize organ growth throughout plant development almost relentlessly building plant architecture and morphogenesis. Boundary domains display reduced growth and orchestrate development of adjacent tissues in a non-cell autonomous manner. How these two functions are achieved remains elusive despite the identification of several boundary-specific genes. Here, we show using morphometrics at the organ and cellular levels that leaf boundary domain development requires SPINDLY (SPY), an O-fucosyltransferase, to act as cell growth repressor. Further we show that SPY acts redundantly with the CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON transcription factors (CUC2 and CUC3), which are major determinants of boundaries development. Accordingly at the molecular level, CUC2 and SPY repress a common set of genes involved in cell wall loosening providing a molecular framework for the growth repression associated with boundary domains. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirmed that young leaf boundary domain cells have stiffer cell walls than marginal outgrowth. This differential cell wall stiffness was reduced in spy mutant. Taken together our data reveal a concealed CUC2 cell wall associated gene network linking tissue patterning with cell growth and mechanics.

Summary statement

Decreased cell-wall loosening gene expression contributes to the coordination of cell growth and mechanics with tissue patterning thus driving boundary development.
A new three-dimensional twofold interpenetrated cadmium(II) metal–organic framework: synthesis, structure and photoluminescence properties. Corrigendum
Authors: Zhang Hong-Tao , Wang Xiao-Long
Published: November 2021

In the article by Zhang & Wang [Acta Cryst. (2021), C77, 691–697], the topology of the title compound is corrected.
Effects of hydromagnetic and chemical reaction over a stagnation point flow of horizontal stretching/shrinking cylinder in Ag-CuO/water hybrid nanofluid
Authors: Aladdin Nur Adilah Liyana , Bachok Norfifah
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore on stagnation point flow of Ag-CuO/water over a horizontal stretching/shrinking cylinder by adding the effect of chemical reaction, B together with the magnetic field, M.

Design/methodology/approach

A set of reduced ordinary differential equations from the governing equations of partial differential equations is obtained through similarities requirements. The resulting equations are solved using bvp4c in MATLAB2019a. The impact of various physical parameters such as curvature parameter,

ϒ, chemical reaction rate, B, magnetic field, M and Schmidt numbers, Sc on shear stress,

f′′0 local heat flux,

-θ′(0) and mass transfer,

-∅′(0) also for velocity,

f′(η), temperature, θ(η) and concentration, ∅(η) profiles have been plotted and briefly discussed. In this work, some vital characteristics such as local skin friction,

Cf, local Nusselt number,

Nux and local Sherwood number,

Shx are chosen for physical and numerical analysis.

Findings

The findings expose that the duality of solutions appears in a shrinking region (

ε < 0). The value of skin friction, heat transfer rate and mass transfer rate reduction for existing of M, but in contrary result obtain for larger ϒ, B and Sc. Furthermore, the hybrid nanofluid demonstrates better heat transfer compared to nanofluid.

Practical implications

The hybrid nanofluid has widened its applications such as in electronic cooling, manufacturing, automotive, heat exchanger, solar energy, heat pipes and biomedical, as their efficiency in the heat transfer field is better compared to nanofluid.

Originality/value

The findings on stagnation point flow of Ag-CuO/water over a horizontal stretching/shrinking cylinder with the effect of chemical reaction, B and magnetic field, M is new and the originality is preserved for the benefits of future researchers.
A green human resource management approach of participation in decision-making and behavioural outcomes – a moderated mediated model
Authors: Kumar Saraf Pavan , Saha Shilpi , Anand Amitabh
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study aims to assess the moderating and mediating role of supportive culture (SC) in the relationship between participation in decision-making (PDM) and job satisfaction (JS) and the dimensions of commitment, such as affective commitment (AC), normative commitment (NC) and continuance commitment (CC).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 712 employees working in different public sector undertakings (PSUs) across India. Necessary condition analysis and partial least square analysis were used to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The findings of the present study indicated that SC is partially mediating the relationship between PDM and JS; PDM and AC. However, SC did not mediate the relationship between PDM and NC; PDM and CC. PDM was positively and significantly related to SC, JS, AC, NC and CC. JS had a significant impact on AC, NC and CC. It is highly desirable for organizations to retain their employees ranging from line managers to top management levels and provide opportunities for everyone to actively use their experience and expertise.

Originality/value

The findings have implications for managers, as well as employees in PSUs, as they demonstrate how several work-related factors can be emphasized to maintain employees' commitment and motivation. Until now, India has paid scant attention to the role of SC as a mediator and moderator between PDM, JS and multiple commitments. This study cautiously collected responses from unbiased employees working in a variety of organizational functional units.
An examination of the effects of omni-channel service offerings on retailer performance
Authors: Jones Angela L. , Miller Jason W. , Griffis Stanley E. , Whipple Judith M. , Voorhees Clay M.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Both online and brick and mortar retailers have invested heavily in developing omni-channel service offerings. Though seen as a competitive necessity, these omni-channel service offerings increase costs and complexities. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of strategies involving bundles of omni-channel services related to order fulfillment and returns management on retailer performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Archival data were obtained for 152 retailers and analyzed using ordinary least squares regression. Robustness tests using an alternative dependent variable and a model-based classification strategy corroborate our findings.

Findings

Retailers offering full sets of high integration omni-channel services (buy online pick up in store, ship from store and in-store returns) have better performance (e.g. sales, growth and competitive position) and web sales than retailers that offer only a partial mix of these high integration services. Retailers offering a partial bundle of high integration services, in turn, have better performance and web sales than retailers that offer none of these services.

Originality/value

The research extends work that has examined the performance effects of omni-channel services on individual retailers. Our results indicate retailers benefit the most when offering a full set of high integration omni-channel services, suggesting retailers who have only adopted a subset of these services could improve performance through broader adoption of services. The results further indicate partial adoption of high integration services is better than no adoption.
Combating money laundering with machine learning – applicability of supervised-learning algorithms at cryptocurrency exchanges
Authors: Pettersson Ruiz Eric , Angelis Jannis
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore how to deanonymize cryptocurrency money launderers with the help of machine learning (ML). Money is laundered through cryptocurrencies by distributing funds to multiple accounts and then reexchanging the crypto back. This process of exchanging currencies is done through cryptocurrency exchanges. Current preventive efforts are outdated, and ML may provide novel ways to identify illicit currency movements. Hence, this study investigates ML applicability for combatting money laundering activities using cryptocurrency.

Design/methodology/approach

Four supervised-learning algorithms were compared using the Bitcoin Elliptic Dataset. The method covered a quantitative analysis of the algorithmic performance, capturing differences in three key evaluation metrics of F1-scores, precision and recall. Two complementary qualitative interviews were performed at cryptocurrency exchanges to identify fit and applicability of the algorithms.

Findings

The study results show that the current implemented ML tools for preventing money laundering at cryptocurrency exchanges are all too slow and need to be optimized for the task. The results also show that while not one single algorithm is most suitable for detecting transactions related to money-laundering, the specific applicability of the decision tree algorithm is most suitable for adoption by cryptocurrency exchanges.

Originality/value

Given the growth of cryptocurrency use, this study explores the newly developed field of algorithmic tools to combat illicit currency movement, in particular in the growing arena of cryptocurrencies. The study results provide new insights into the applicability of ML as a tool to combat money laundering using cryptocurrency exchanges.
An evaluation of EIA system performance in Turkey in the context of procedural effectiveness
Authors: Çolakkadıoğlu Deniz
Published: November 2021

Purpose

In Turkey, where the environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been applied since 1993, there have been numerous amendments in the legal and administrative process of the EIA. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of those amendments to the EIA process.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper evaluated EIA system performance in the context of procedural effectiveness in Turkey from the day implementation was begun. From its beginning to the present day, the positive and negative developments at the EIA process in Turkey caused by the amendments were evaluated and at which stages. Measures recommended increasing the effectiveness of each of the EIA systems were also identified.

Findings

As the EIA Directive first came into force in the USA in 1970, EIA procedures have been widely adopted throughout the world. Although it has been implemented for many years, expectations regarding the EIA process have still not been realized which has forced countries to conduct studies to increase the effectiveness of the EIA process. Turkey, like other countries that are implementing the EIA, acknowledges that the EIA is a significant impact assessment tool and continues its studies to implement this system effectively. In this respect, in Turkey, where the EIA has been applied since 1993, there have been numerous amendments in the legal and administrative process of the EIA.

Originality/value

The results obtained from this study were expected to facilitate the evaluation of the EIA process in Turkey and to guide other similar countries.
Prosocial native advertising on social media: effects of ad-context congruence, ad position and ad type
Authors: Huang Yan , Yoon Hye Jin
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Social media have become an increasingly important venue for prosocial campaigns. Competing for the public’s attention in the digital space is an ongoing challenge. This study aims to test the influence of ad-context congruence, ad position and ad type (i.e. public service advertising [PSA] vs cause-related brand [CRB] advertising) on the effectiveness of prosocial native advertising on social media.

Design/methodology/approach

Two experiments were conducted on different social media platforms (i.e. Twitter and Instagram) with varied prosocial issues (i.e. healthy eating and environmental sustainability).

Findings

Experiment 1 indicated that the congruence between prosocial native ads and social media feeds elicited greater ad involvement and a more favorable ad attitude, regardless of ad position. Experiment 2 revealed that such an impact was contingent on whether the prosocial native ad was a public service ad or a CRB ad. The positive influence of ad-context congruence was pronounced among public service ads but was not observed among CRB ads. Perceived ad involvement mediated the interaction effects between ad-context congruence and ad type on ad attitude and behavioral intention.

Originality/value

The study extends ad-context congruence research to the context of prosocial native advertising on social media. Moreover, it identifies ad type as a boundary condition for the congruence effects and reveals that increased ad involvement is the mechanism underlying the positive effect of congruent PSA.
COVID-19 complications and entrepreneurial intention among the entrepreneurs of Pakistan: evidence from the second wave of the pandemic
Authors: Soomro Bahadur Ali , Shah Naimatullah
Published: November 2021

Purpose

At present, nearly the whole globe is facing a severe threat of COVID-19. This study aims to examine the COVID-19 complications and entrepreneurial intention among the entrepreneurs of Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a deductive approach. An online survey is conducted to collect cross-sectional data from entrepreneurs of Pakistan. Convenience sampling is applied to target the respondents. In total, 278 usable answers proceed for final analysis. The structural equation model (SEM) is used to infer the results.

Findings

The findings of the study highlight a significant negative effect of fear of COVID-19 (FO19), perceived susceptibility (PSU) and perceived severity (PSE) on entrepreneurial intention (EI) among the entrepreneurs.

Practical implications

The study would provide the guidelines for policymakers and planners to combat the barriers of fear, PSU and PSE during a pandemic. The findings of the second wave of COVID-19 may provide a warning to the government to take preventive measures to face the severe effect of the pandemic. Finally, the outcomes of the study may enrich the depth of COVID-19 literature globally.

Originality/value

This study is the first study highlighting factors such as fear, PSU and PSE toward EI in COVID-19 second wave.
Audit committee characteristics, enterprise risk management and stock price synchronicity
Authors: Ghafoor Zeshan , Ahmed Irfan , Hassan Arshad
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of audit committee (AC) characteristics and enterprise risk management (ERM) on stock price synchronicity (SYNCH).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a sample of 437 US-based firms over the period 2010 to 2017, the current study uses fixed-effect and ordinary least square to test the formulated hypotheses. Majority of the sample firms are based on the S&P 500 index. This study also performs a battery of robustness checks.

Findings

The authors find that overall female members and female financial experts and female chairpersons of the AC are negatively associated with SYNCH. Similarly, the study endorses the monitoring role of financial experts and the diligence of the AC (threshold of four annual meetings), as both are negatively associated with SYNCH. However, the authors find that the AC chaired by the financial expert is also negative but insignificantly associated with SYNCH. Finally, the study finds that ERM is also negatively linked with SYNCH.

Practical implications

The findings of the current study offer some important policy implications. For instance, the shareholders can benefit from the monitoring abilities of women and financial experts by increasing their ratio in the AC. The study also offers some useful insights regarding the financial experts and chair of the AC and ERM.

Originality/value

The current study examines the association of AC characteristics with SYNCH, while the prior literature only assesses the impact of various board characteristics (such as size, independence and gender diversity). The study also contributes to the literature of ERM by providing new insights on the influence of the presence of ERM framework/program on SYNCH.
Ni-based alloy 713C manufactured by a selective laser melting method: characteristics of the microstructure
Authors: Duchna Monika , Cieślik Iwona , Kloshek Alexander , Adamczyk-Cieślak Bogusława , Zieniuk Magdalena , Moszczyńska Dorota , Mizera Jarosław
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to obtain high-temperature-resistant material with high density and to conduct microstructural investigations of 3D-printed Ni-based alloy 713C specimens.

Design/methodology/approach

High-density specimens of Ni-based alloy 713C were obtained by the optimizing selective laser melting (SLM) process parameters and an X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the occurrence of γ and γ′ phases and the presence of carbides in the SLM-manufactured Ni-based alloy 713C. The analysis of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) studies suggested a preferred 〈100〉 direction orientation and low angle misorientation for the SLM specimens.

Findings

The high-density specimens of Ni-based alloy 713C were obtained by the optimized SLM process parameters. XRD analysis confirmed the presence of γ and γ′ phases and carbides in the SLM-manufactured Ni-based alloy 713C. Analysis of EBSD studies suggested a preferred 〈100〉 direction orientation and low angle misorientation for the SLM specimen.

Originality/value

In this study, 3D-printed Ni-based alloy 713C with a high density of 99% was obtained for the first time, to the best of the authors’ knowledge.
Whole‐genome sequencing of extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL)‐producing Enterobacteriaceae from retail raw milk
Authors: Aslantaş Özkan , Yılmaz Ebru Şebnem , Büyükaltay Kaan , Kocabağ Hamide Deniz
Published: November 2021

The contaminated products of food‐producing animals have been proposed to lead the transmission of resistant bacteria to consumers. Extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL)‐producing Enterobacteriaceae, which were isolated from raw milk samples, were characterised using whole‐genome sequencing in this study. Three confirmed ESBL and one plasmid‐mediated AmpC β‐lactamase (pAmpC)‐producing isolate were obtained. All of the ESBL‐producing isolates showed a multidrug‐resistant (MDR) phenotype, but the pAmpC‐producing isolate was only resistant to β‐lactams. This study showed that raw milk can contain MDR bacteria that have several resistance determinants and highlighted the necessity of efficiently and routinely screening the products of food‐producing animals.
Enhancing Ensemble Seasonal Streamflow Forecasts in the Upper Colorado River Basin Using Multi‐Model Climate Forecasts
Authors: Baker Sarah A. , Rajagopalan Balaji , Wood Andrew W.
Published: November 2021

In the Colorado River Basin (CRB), ensemble streamflow prediction (ESP) forecasts drive operational planning models that project future reservoir system conditions. CRB operational seasonal streamflow forecasts are produced using ESP, which represents climate using an ensemble of meteorological sequences of historical temperature and precipitation, but do not typically leverage additional real‐time subseasonal‐to‐seasonal climate forecasts. Any improvements to streamflow forecasts would help stakeholders who depend on operational projections for decision making. We explore incorporating climate forecasts into ESP through variations on an ESP trace weighting approach, focusing on Colorado River unregulated inflows forecasts to Lake Powell. The k‐nearest neighbors (kNN) technique is employed using North American Multi‐Model Ensemble one‐ and three‐month temperature and precipitation forecasts, and preceding three‐month historical streamflow, as weighting factors. The benefit of disaggregated climate forecast information is assessed through the comparison of two kNN weighting strategies; a basin‐wide kNN uses the same ESP weights over the entire basin, and a disaggregated‐basin kNN applies ESP weights separately to four subbasins. We find in general that climate‐informed forecasts add greater marginal skill in late winter and early spring, and that more spatially granular disaggregated‐basin use of climate forecasts slightly improves skill over the basin‐wide method at most lead times.
Multidimensional polarization dynamics in US election data in the long term (2012–2020) and in the 2020 election cycle
Authors: Dinkelberg Alejandro , O'Reilly Caoimhe , MacCarron Pádraig , Maher Paul J. , Quayle Michael
Published: November 2021

We use a network‐based method to explore bifurcation in the multidimensional opinion‐based political identity structure from 2012 to 2020 in American National Election Studies data. We define polarization as ideological clustering which occurs when attitudes are linked or aligned across group‐relevant dimensions. We identify relevant dimensions with a theory‐driven approach and confirm them with the data‐driven Boruta method, validating the importance of these items for self‐reported political identity in these samples. To account for data sets having different sizes, we bootstrapped to obtain comparable samples. For each, a bipartite projection generates a network where edges represent similarity in responses between dyads. The data provide us with preidentified groups (Republicans and Democrats). We use them as our network communities and to calculate an edge‐based polarization. Results show bifurcation progressively increasing, with a striking increase from 2016 to 2020. We visualize these identity‐related shifts in opinion structure over time and discuss how polarization results from both between‐ and within‐group dynamics. We apply a similar method to a smaller data set (N = 294) to explore short‐term fluctuations before and after the 2020 election. Results suggest that between‐group polarization is more evident after than before the election, because in‐group opinion dynamics result in a more synchronized opinion‐space for Republicans.