bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 exhibits an increased resilience to the antiviral type I interferon response
Authors: Shalamova Lyudmila , Felgenhauer Ulrike , Schaubmar Andreas R. , Büttner Kathrin , Widera Marek , Ciesek Sandra , Weber Friedemann
Published: January 2022

The new variant of concern (VOC) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Omicron (B.1.1.529), is genetically very different from other VOCs. We compared Omicron with the preceding VOC Delta (B.1.617.2) and the wildtype strain (B.1) with respect to their interactions with the antiviral type I interferon (IFN-alpha/beta) response in infected cells. Our data indicate that Omicron has gained an elevated capability to suppress IFN-beta induction upon infection and to better withstand the antiviral state imposed by exogenously added IFN-alpha.
Central role of Prominin-1 in lipid rafts during liver regeneration
Authors: Bahn Myeong-Suk , Yu Dong-Min , Lee Myoungwoo , Jo Sung-Je , Lee Ji-Won , Lee Hyun , Kim Arum , Hong Jeong-Ho , Kim Jun Seok , Koo Seung-Hoi , Lee Jae-Seon , Ko Young-Gyu
Published: January 2022

Prominin-1 (PROM1), a lipid raft protein, is required for maintaining cancer stem cell properties in hepatocarcinoma cell lines, but its physiological roles in the liver have not been well studied. Here, we investigated the role of PROM1 in lipid rafts with a precise molecular mechanism during liver regeneration. We found that the expression of PROM1 increased during liver regeneration after 2/3 partial hepatectomy (PHx) or CCl4injection. Interestingly, hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration were attenuated in liver-specificProm1knockout (Prom1LKO) mice compared to wild-type (Prom1f/f) mice. Detailed mechanistic studies revealed that PROM1 interacted with the interleukin-6 signal transducer glycoprotein 130 (GP130) and confined GP130 to lipid rafts so that STAT3 signaling by IL-6 was effectively activated. Moreover, the overexpression of the glycosylphosphatidylinsositol (GPI)-anchored first extracellular domain of PROM1 (PROM1GPI-EX1), which is a domain that binds to GP130, rescued the proliferation of hepatocytes and liver regeneration inProm1LKOmice. PROM1 is upregulated in hepatocytes during liver regeneration, and upregulated PROM1 recruits GP130 into lipid rafts and activates the IL6-GP130-STAT3 axis. Thus, we conclude that PROM1 plays an important role in lipid rafts during liver regeneration and might be a promising target for therapeutic applications of liver transplantation.
Unveiling molecular interactions that stabilize bacterial adhesion pili
Authors: Dahlberg Tobias , Baker Joseph L. , Bullitt Esther , Andersson Magnus
Published: January 2022

Adhesion pili assembled by the chaperone-usher pathway are superelastic helical filaments on the surface of bacteria, optimized for attachment to target cells. Here, we investigate the biophysical function and structural interactions that stabilize P pili from uropathogenic bacteria. Using optical tweezers we measure P pilus subunit-subunit interaction dynamics and show that pilus compliance is contour-length dependent. Atomic details of subunit-subunit interactions of pili under tension are shown using steered molecular dynamics (sMD) simulations. sMD results also indicate that the N-terminal “staple” region of P pili significantly stabilizes the helical filament structure, consistent with previous structural data, suggesting more layer-to-layer interactions could compensate for the lack of a staple in Type 1 pili. This study informs our understanding of essential structural and dynamic features of adhesion pili, supporting the hypothesis that the biophysical function of pili is niche-adapted rather than a direct consequence of genetic similarity or diversity.
Astrocyte glutamate transport is modulated by motor learning and regulates neuronal correlations and movement encoding by motor cortex neurons
Authors: Delepine Chloe , Li Keji , Shih Jennifer , Gaudeaux Pierre , Sur Mriganka
Published: January 2022

While motor cortex is crucial for learning precise and reliable movements, whether and how astrocytes contribute to its plasticity and function during motor learning is unknown. Here we report that primary motor cortex (M1) astrocytes in mice show in vivo plasticity during learning of a lever push task, as revealed by transcriptomic and functional modifications. In particular, we observe changes in expression of glutamate transporter genes and increased coincidence of intracellular calcium events. Astrocyte-specific manipulations of M1 are sufficient to alter motor learning and execution, and neuronal population coding, in the same task. Mice expressing decreased levels of the astrocyte glutamate transporter GLT1 show impaired and variable movement trajectories. Mice with increased astrocyte Gq signaling show decreased performance rates, delayed response times and impaired trajectories, along with abnormally high levels of GLT1. In both groups of mice, M1 neurons have altered inter-neuronal correlations and impaired population representations of task parameters, including response time and movement trajectories. Thus, astrocytes have a specific role in coordinating M1 neuronal activity during motor learning, and control learned movement execution and dexterity through mechanisms that importantly include fine regulation of glutamate transport.
Sialic acid and fucose residues on the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain modulate IgG reactivity
Authors: Samuelsson Ebba , Mirgorodskaya Ekaterina , Nyström Kristina , Bäckström Malin , Liljeqvist Jan-Åke , Nordén Rickard
Published: January 2022

The receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is a conserved domain and a target for neutralizing antibodies. We defined the carbohydrate content of recombinant RBD produced in different mammalian cells. We found a higher degree of complex type N-linked glycans, with less sialylation and more fucosylation, when the RBD was produced in Human embryonic kidney cells compared to the same protein produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The carbohydrates on the RBD proteins were enzymatically modulated and the effect on antibody reactivity was evaluated with serum samples from SARS-CoV-2 positive patients. Removal of all carbohydrates diminished antibody reactivity while removal of only sialic acids or terminal fucoses improved the reactivity. The RBD produced in Lec3.2.8.1-cells, which generate carbohydrate structures devoid of sialic acids and with reduced fucose content, exhibited enhanced antibody reactivity verifying the importance of these specific monosaccharides. The results can be of importance for the design of future vaccine candidates, indicating that it might be possible to enhance the immunogenicity of recombinant viral proteins.
Basal amygdala inputs to the medial prefrontal cortex mediate fear memory strengthening
Authors: Einarsson Einar Ö. , Flores Africa , Jercog Daniel , Herry Cyril
Published: January 2022

Survival critically depends on the memorization of stimuli recurrently predicting pleasant or aversive experiences. Memory strengthening by additional learning is a critical process allowing the long-term stabilization of learned aversive experience. However, the underlying neuronal circuits and mechanisms are still largely unknown. Using a combination of single unit recordings and optogenetic manipulations, we observed that strengthened fear responses following successive fear learning episodes led to a remapping in the population of basal amygdala (BA) neurons encoding the conditioned stimulus. Moreover, strengthened fear responses were preferentially carried by BA neurons projecting to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Selective optogenetic inhibition of BA terminals in the mPFC during a second learning episode prevented fear memory strengthening. Together, our findings suggest that fear memory strengthening with additional training critically depends on the selective remapping of a subpopulation of BA neurons projecting to the mPFC.
Exo-Enzymatic Cell-Surface Glycan Labeling for Capturing Glycan-Protein Interactions through Photo-Crosslinking
Authors: Babulic Jonathan L. , Capicciotti Chantelle J.
Published: January 2022

Tools to interrogate glycoconjugate-protein interactions in the context living cells are highly attractive for the identification of critically important functional binding partners of glycan-binding proteins. These interactions are challenging to interrogate due to low affinity and rapid dissociation rates of glycan-protein binding events. The use of photo-crosslinkers to capture glycan-protein interaction complexes has shown great promise for identifying binding partners involved in these interactions. Current methodologies use metabolic oligosaccharide engineering (MOE) to incorporate photo-crosslinking sugars. However, these MOE strategies are not amenable to all cell types and can result in low incorporation and cell-surface display of the photo-crosslinking probe, limiting their utility for studying many types of interactions. We describe here an exo-enzymatic strategy for selectively introducing photo-crosslinking probes into cell-surface glycoconjugates using the recombinant human sialyltransferase ST6GAL1 and a diazirine-linked CMP-Neu5Ac derivative. Probe introduction is highly efficient, amenable to different cell types and resulted in improved crosslinking when compared to MOE. This exo-enzymatic labeling approach can selectively introduce the photo-crosslinking sugar on to specific glycan epitopes and subclasses by harnessing the specificity of the sialyltransferase employed, underscoring its potential as a tool to interrogate and identify glycoconjugate ligands for diverse glycan-binding proteins.
Mutation of Vsx genes in zebrafish highlights the robustness of the retinal specification network
Authors: Letelier Joaquín , Buono Lorena , Almuedo-Castillo María , Zang Jingjing , González-Díaz Sergio , Polvillo Rocío , Sanabria-Reinoso Estefanía , Diez del Corral Ruth , Neuhauss Stephan C. F. , Martínez-Morales Juan R.
Published: January 2022

Genetic studies in human and mice have established a dual role for Vsx genes in retina development: an early function in progenitors’ specification, and a later requirement for bipolar-cells fate determination. Despite their conserved expression patterns, it is currently unclear to which extent Vsx functions are also conserved across vertebrates, as mutant models are available only in mammals. To gain insight into vsx function in teleosts, we have generated vsx1 and vsx2 CRISPR-Cas9 double knockouts (vsxKO) in zebrafish. Our electrophysiological and histological analyses indicate severe visual impairment and bipolar cells depletion in vsxKO larvae, with retinal precursors being rerouted towards photoreceptor or Müller glia fates. Surprisingly, neural retina is properly specified and maintained in mutant embryos, which do not display microphthalmia. We show that although important cis-regulatory remodelling occurs in vsxKO retinas during early specification, this has little impact at a transcriptomic level. Our observations point to genetic redundancy as an important mechanism sustaining the integrity of the retinal specification network, and to Vsx genes regulatory weight varying substantially among vertebrate species.

Brief Summary Statement for use in emailed and online tables of content alerts

The mutation of vsx genes in zebrafish confirms a conserved role in bipolar cells specification across vertebrates, but do not interfere with the specification of the neural retina domain. Our data reveal the unexpected robustness of the genetic network sustaining the identity of the neural retina.
Tubulin glutamylation is key to axon guidance via selective tuning of microtubule-severing enzymes
Authors: Martin Daniel Ten , Jardin Nicolas , Vougny Juliette , Giudicelli François , Gasmi Laïla , Henriot Véronique , Lebrun Laura , Haumaître Cécile , Kneussel Matthias , Nicol Xavier , Janke Carsten , Magiera Maria , Hazan Jamilé , Fassier Coralie
Published: January 2022

The microtubule cytoskeleton is a major driving force of neuronal circuit development. Fine-tuned remodelling of this network by selective activation of microtubule-regulating proteins, including microtubule severers, emerged as a central process in neuronal wiring. Tubulin posttranslational modifications control both microtubule properties and the activities of their interacting proteins. However, whether and how tubulin posttranslational modifications may contribute to neuronal connectivity has not yet been addressed. During zebrafish embryogenesis, we show that the microtubule severers p60-katanin and spastin play specific roles in axon guidance and identify a key role for tubulin polyglutamylation in their functional specificity. Furthermore, our work reveals that polyglutamylases with undistinguishable activitiesin vitro, TTLL6 and TTLL11, play exclusive roles in axon navigation by selectively tuning p60-katanin and spastin activities. We confirm the selectivity of TTLL11 towards spastin activation in mammalian cortical neurons and establish its relevance in preventing axonal degeneration triggered by spastin haploinsufficiency. Our work thus provides mechanistic insight on the control of microtubule-driven neuronal development and homeostasis, and opens novel avenues for developing therapeutic strategies in spastin-associated hereditary spastic paraplegia.
MaxQuant and MSstats in Galaxy enable reproducible cloud-based analysis of quantitative proteomics experiments for everyone
Authors: Pinter Niko , Glätzer Damian , Fahrner Matthias , Fröhlich Klemens , Johnson James , Grüning Björn Andreas , Warscheid Bettina , Drepper Friedel , Schilling Oliver , Föll Melanie Christine
Published: January 2022

Quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics has become a high-throughput technology for the identification and quantification of thousands of proteins in complex biological samples. Two de facto standard tools, MaxQuant and MSstats, allow for the analysis of raw data and finding proteins with differential abundance between conditions of interest. To enable accessible and reproducible quantitative proteomics analyses in a cloud environment, we have integrated MaxQuant (including TMTpro 16/18plex), Proteomics Quality Control (PTXQC), MSstats and MSstatsTMT into the open-source Galaxy framework. This enables the web-based analysis of label-free and isobaric labeling proteomics experiments via Galaxy’s graphical user interface on
public clouds. MaxQuant and MSstats in Galaxy can be applied in conjunction with thousands of existing Galaxy tools and integrated into standardized, sharable workflows. Galaxy tracks all metadata and intermediate results in analysis histories, which can be shared privately for collaborations or publicly, allowing full reproducibility and transparency of published analysis. To further increase accessibility, we provide detailed hands-on training materials. The integration of MaxQuant and MSstats into the Galaxy framework enables their usage in a reproducible way on accessible large computational infrastructures, hence realizing the foundation for high throughput proteomics data science for everyone.
A mixed generative model of auditory word repetition
Authors: Sajid Noor , Holmes Emma , Costa Lancelot Da , Price Cathy , Friston Karl
Published: January 2022

In this paper, we introduce a word repetition generative model (WORM), which—when combined with an appropriate belief updating scheme—is capable of inferring the word that should be spoken when presented with an auditory cue. Our generative model takes a deep temporal form, combining both discrete and continuous states. This allows a (synthetic) WORM agent to perform categorical inference on continuous acoustic signals, and—based on the same model—to repeat heard words at the appropriate time. From the perspective of word production, the model simulates how high-level beliefs about discrete lexical, prosodic and context attributes give rise to continuous acoustic signals at the sensory level. From the perspective of word recognition, it simulates how continuous acoustic signals are recognised as words and, how (and when) they should be repeated. We establish the face validity of our generative model by simulating a word repetition paradigm in which a synthetic agent or a human subject hears a target word and subsequently reproduces that word. The repeated word should be the target word but differs acoustically. The results of these simulations reveal how the generative model correctly infers what must be repeated, to the extent it can successfully interact with a human subject. This provides a formal process theory of auditory perception and production that can be deployed in health and disease. We conclude with a discussion of how the generative model could be scaled-up to include a larger phonetic and phonotactic repertoire, complex higher-level attributes (e.g., semantic, concepts, etc.), and produce more elaborate exchanges.
Parallel multicopy-suppressor screens reveal convergent evolution of phage-encoded single gene lysis proteins
Authors: Adler Benjamin A. , Chamakura Karthik , Carion Heloise , Krog Jonathan , Deutschbauer Adam M. , Young Ryland F , Mutalik Vivek K. , Arkin Adam P.
Published: January 2022

In contrast to dsDNA phages where multiple proteins are involved in programmed host lysis, lysis in ssRNA Fiersviridae and ssDNA Microviridae phages requires only a single gene (sgl for single gene lysis) to meet the size constraints of some of the smallest genomes in the biosphere. To achieve lysis, Sgl proteins exploit evolutionary “weak spots” in bacterial cell wall biogenesis. In several cases, this is done by inhibiting specific steps in Lipid II synthesis. Recently metatranscriptomics has revealed thousands of novel ssRNA phage genomes, each of which must carry at least one sgl gene. Determining the targets of these Sgl proteins could reveal novel vulnerabilities in bacterial envelope biogenesis and may lead to new antibiotics. Here, we employ a high-throughput genetic screen to uncover genome-wide host suppressors of Sgl activity and apply it to a set of diverse Sgls with unknown molecular targets. In addition to validating known molecular mechanisms, we determined that the Sgl of PP7, an ssRNA phage of P. aeruginosa, targets MurJ, the flippase responsible for Lipid II export which was previously shown to be the target of the Sgl of coliphage M. These two Sgls, which are unrelated and predicted to have opposite membrane topology, thus represent a case of convergent evolution. Another set of Sgls which are thought to cause lysis without inhibiting cell wall synthesis elicit a common set of multicopy suppressors, suggesting these Sgls act by the same or similar mechanism.
Caulobacter requires anionic sphingolipids and deactivation of fur to lose lipid A
Authors: Zik Justin J. , Yoon Sung Hwan , Guan Ziqiang , Skidmore Gabriele Stankeviciute , Gudoor Ridhi R. , Davies Karen M. , Deutschbauer Adam M. , Goodlett David R. , Klein Eric A. , Ryan Kathleen R.
Published: January 2022

Lipid A, the membrane-anchored portion of lipopolysaccharide, is an essential component of the outer membrane (OM) of nearly all Gram-negative bacteria. Here, we identify regulatory and structural factors that together permit Caulobacter crescentus to eliminate lipid A from its OM. Mutations in the ferric uptake regulator fur allow Caulobacter to survive in the absence of either LpxC, which catalyzes an early step of lipid A synthesis, or CtpA, a tyrosine phosphatase homolog which we find is needed for wild-type lipid A structure and abundance. Alterations in Fur-regulated processes, rather than iron status per se, underlie the ability to eliminate lipid A. Fitness of lipid A-deficient Caulobacter requires a previously uncharacterized anionic sphingolipid, ceramide phosphoglycerate (CPG), which also mediates sensitivity to the antibiotic colistin. Our results demonstrate that, in an altered regulatory landscape, anionic sphingolipids can support the integrity of a lipid A-deficient OM.
Research on the temporal evolution track and influence of green development in the last decade
Authors: Chen Yunfang , Lai Qingkui , Ji Xuan , zhang Cunyu , Xiao Mengxiong
Published: January 2022

Green development is important to realize the coordinated development of local ecological environment, economy and society, but also an important way to promote the harmony between human and land. This study utilizes projection pursuit model (PPM) measure, as well as the system gray prediction model GM (1, N), and other measurement methods, build an evaluation system from three dimensions of green fortune, green growth and green benefits to analyze the temporal evolution, development trend and its influencing factors of Baoshan’s ecological engineering of project acres, the results show: (1)The overall level of the green development system in Baoshan, Yunnan Province, is relatively good and shows an increasing trend year by year, with an average growth rate of 18.3%, and there is a synergistic coupling effect among the three subsystems. (2) Regional green development has achieved remarkable progress, but problems and pressure among the three subsystems are still grim. The sub-system of green growth and green benefits declined from 2010 to 2016, with an annual decline rate of 12%, and then picked up slightly in the next three years, reflecting the pressure of resources and ecological environment in this region and the difficulty of the sub-system of green wealth growth. (3) The prediction analysis shows that the green development index in Baoshan, Yunnan Province will keep a steady rise in the next two years, and the predicted value will be 4.51 in 2020, with an average growth rate of 15.1%, and the regional green development system is in good condition. (4) Green development is mainly affected by environmental pollution, industrial structure, urbanization, population, market and other factors from the three subsystems of local ecology, ecology, economy and social benefits. This paper puts forward suggestions in terms of popularizing the concept of green development, improving the level of ecological economic development and promoting the regional environment bearing capacity, green development model of ecological engineering area is also built. It aims to have some practical reference value for prompting regional ecological civilization construction and green development. And provide regional support for the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and the Achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Pore-C Simultaneously Captures Genome-wide Multi-way Chromatin Interaction and Associated DNA Methylation Status in Arabidopsis
Authors: Li Zhuowen , Long Yanping , Yu Yiming , Zhang Fei , Zhang Hong , Liu Zhijian , Jia Jinbu , Mo Weipeng , Tian Simon Zhongyuan , Zheng Meizhen , Zhai Jixian
Published: January 2022

In the past decade, genome-wide characterization of the three-dimensional chromatin structure in plants using high-throughput methods has greatly advanced our knowledge in plant genome architecture (Liu and Weigel, 2015; Ouyang et al., 2020). However, due to the limitation of Illumina short-read sequencing, the genome-wide contact map obtained by Hi-C/ChIA-PET is pairwise, and the multi-way interaction can only be inferred from the two-way data. To directly capture multi-way interaction in Arabidopsis, we applied a long-read-based method called Pore-C that directly sequences the DNA fragments joined by proximity-based ligation (Ulahannan et al., 2019).
GM1a functions as a coreceptor/ attachment factor for Dengue virus during infection in mammalian systems
Authors: Tantirimudalige Sarala Neomi , Raghuvamsi Palur Venkata , Wei Bao Jonathan Chua , Anand Ganesh S. , Wohland Thorsten
Published: January 2022

Dengue virus (DENV) is a flavivirus causing an estimated 390 million infections per year around the world. Despite the immense global health and economic impact of this virus, its true receptor(s) for internalization into live cells has not yet been identified, and no successful antivirals or treatments have been isolated to this date. This study aims to improve our understanding of virus entry routs by exploring the sialic acid-based cell surface molecule GM1a and its role in DENV infection. The interaction of the virus with GM1a was studied using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), fluorescence cross correlation spectroscopy (FCCS), imaging FCS (ImFCS) and amide hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDXMS), and the effect on infectivity and movement of the virus during infection was explored using plaque assays and fluorescence-based imaging and single particle tracking (SPT). GM1a was deemed to interact with DENV at domain I (DI) and domain II (DII) of the E protein of the protein coat at quaternary contacts of a fully assembled virus, leading to a ten-fold increase and seven-fold increase in infectivity for DENV1 and DENV2 in mammalian cell systems respectively. The interaction of virus with GM1a triggers a speeding up of virus movement on live cell surfaces, possibly resulting from a reduction in rigidity of cellular rafts during infection, and functions as a coreceptor/ attachment factor for DENV during infection in mammalian systems.

Author Summary

Dengue virus (DENV) is a flavivirus causing an estimated 390 million infections per year around the world. Despite the immense global health and economic impact of this virus, no successful antivirals or treatments have been isolated to this date. This may be due to the incomplete understanding of the virus infection mechanism, including a lack of an identified ‘true’ receptor and entry related attachment factors or co-receptors responsible for internalization of the virus. This work focuses on the early infection stage of DENV1 and DENV2 strains, to identify how the virus moves on cell surfaces in its search for its receptors, and identifies the critical role of the sialic acid ganglioside GM1a during internalization of the virus.
Does financial anxiety affect job insecurity? Exploring the relationship and moderation by gender, tenure and income in the Indian context during COVID-19
Authors: Bhowmik Priyanka , Padhi Mousumi , Pattnaik Subhra
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Extant literature indicates the influence of anxiety on job insecurity (JI). However, the effect of financial anxiety (FA) on JI has received lesser attention. Further, there is a dearth of literature on this relationship during a global crisis, such as COVID-19, and more so in the Indian context. This study attempts to empirically explore the relationship between FA and JI in presence of moderators, such as gender, tenure and individual annual income.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 584 employees engaged in remote working in the information technology (IT) sector in India during the COVID-19 crisis. The data were analysed using SPSS 25 and AMOS 24. A hierarchical regression method was followed to test the hypothesis. In step 1, JI was regressed on FA in presence of control variables. In step 2, moderators, such as gender, tenure and individual annual income, were entered along with interaction terms.

Findings

Findings revealed a significant positive relation between FA and JI. The moderating effects of gender, tenure and annual income on the relationship between FA and JI were significant and interesting.

Originality/value

The paper empirically studies the role of FA on JI of Indian IT employees during COVID- 19. It is a response to researchers' call to integrate the effect of different moderators on the relationship between FA and JI during a crisis that has direct impacts on both. The influence of moderators on JI was interesting in the reversal effects produced.
A multi-product and multi-period aggregate production plan: a case of automobile component manufacturing firm
Authors: Dohale Vishwas , Ambilkar Priya , Gunasekaran Angappa , Bilolikar Vijay
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The study attempts to develop a multi-product multi-period (MPMP) aggregate production plan (APP) to fulfill the customers' demand in terms of throughput and lead time for achieving market competence.

Design/methodology/approach

This research proposes an integrated Fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP), multi-objective linear programming (MOLP), and simulation approach. Initially, FAHP is used to select the essential objectives a firm desires to achieve. Adopting the MOLP, an APP is formulated for the firm under study. Later, the simulation model of a firm is created in a discrete-event simulation (DES) software Arena© to evaluate the applicability of the proposed APP. A comparative analysis of the manufacturing performance levels (namely throughput, lead time, and resource utilization) achieved through the implication of an existing production plan and proposed APP is conducted further.

Findings

The findings from the study depict that the proposed MOLP-based APP can satisfy the customers' requirement (namely throughput and lead time) and improve the level of resource utilization compared with the firm's existing production plan.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed research facilitates researchers and practitioners to understand the process of developing MOLP-based MPMP APP and analyzing its applicability through simulation technique to be utilized for developing APP at their firm.

Originality/value

An integrated FAHP-MOLP-simulation framework is the novel contribution to the literature on production planning. It can be extended to solve strategic, tactical, and operational problems in different domains like service, healthcare, supply chain, logistics, and project management.
Groundwater simulation in Dak Lak province based on MODFLOW model and climate change scenarios
Authors: An Nguyen Ngoc , Nhut Huynh Song , Phuong Tran Anh , Huy Vu Quang , Hanh Nguyen Cao , Thao Giang Thi Phuong , Trinh Pham The , Hoa Pham Viet , Bình Nguyễn An
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Groundwater plays a critical part in both natural and human existence. When surface water is scarce in arid climates, groundwater becomes an immensely valuable resource. Dak Lak is an area that frequently lacks water resources for everyday living and production, and the scarcity of water resources is exacerbated during the dry season. As a result, it is critical to do study and understand about groundwater to meet the region's water demand. This study aims to extend the use of the MODFLOW model for groundwater simulation and assess the overall groundwater reserves and water demand in the highland province Dak Lak.

Design/methodology/approach

The MODFLOW model is used in this work to compute and analyze the flow, prospective reserves of groundwater from which to plan extraction and estimate groundwater variation in the future.

Findings

The application of the MODFLOW model to Dak Lak province demonstrates that, despite limited data, particularly drilling hole data for subterranean water research, the model's calculation results have demonstrated its reliability and great potential for use in other similar places. The use of the model in conjunction with other data extraction modules is a useful input for creating underground flow module maps for various time periods. The large impact of recharge and evaporation on groundwater supplies and water balance in the research area is demonstrated by simulations of climate change scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5.

Originality/value

None of the studies has been done previously to analyze water resources of Dak Lak and the scarcity of water resources is exacerbated during the dry season. Therefore, this study will provide useful insights in the water resource management and the conservation of Dak Lak. The groundwater in Dak Lak can meet the area's water demand, according to the results obtained and water balance in the study area. However, the management of water resources and rigorous monitoring of groundwater extraction activities in the area should receive more attention.
Financial stability aspects of monetary policy transmission in developing countries: empirical evidence from Kazakhstan
Authors: Ybrayev Zhandos
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to determine whether the transmission of monetary policy to the real economy depends on the structural conditions of financial stability. In particular, the paper shows that the effects of shocks to financial stability on output and inflation is conditional on the state of credit in the economy, measured broadly as a credit-to-GDP.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a threshold vector autoregression model with Bayesian techniques to investigate the impact of private nonfinancial sector credit on the dynamic relationship between financial conditions, monetary policy transmission mechanism and macroeconomic performance in Kazakhstan from 2005:Q1 to 2020:Q1.

Findings

In the modeled threshold vector autoregression (VAR) specification, the authors document that when the credit-to-GDP gap is low or the credit is below its trend, an increase to the interest rate leads to a short-term economic expansion. However, when the credit-to-GDP gap is high or the nonfinancial credit is above its trend, a tightening in monetary policy leads to an economic contraction with domestic financial conditions being weaker compared to a low credit environment.

Originality/value

The outcome is consistent with the related literature, which argues that a more sustained increase in credit is followed by a sharper economic contraction, but only when the economy is in the high credit state. These results highlight that financial stability measures (e.g. credit state) is important to take into account when conducting monetary policy in emerging economies.
Co-teaching as an opportunity for mentor teacher professional growth
Authors: Karathanos-Aguilar Katya , Ervin-Kassab Lara
Published: January 2022

Purpose

A growing body of research has pointed to the potential benefits of a co-teaching clinical residency model in preservice education. Preservice co-teaching research has focused primarily on conditions necessary for effective co-teaching to occur, factors that inhibit successful co-teaching implementation, and teacher candidate development. Researchers have called for further exploration into potential benefits of preservice co-teaching models for the mentor teacher. In this study, the authors explored ways in which mentor teachers who participated in a co-teaching pre-service program experienced professional growth.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to gain insights into the perspectives of mentor teachers and ways in which they experienced professional growth through their experiences in the co-teaching program, the authors used a qualitative, descriptive approach. The authors’ primary data source included interviews conducted with 42 mentor teachers from five content-areas. Researcher communication and interactions with co-teachers over time, along with artifacts including field notes, co-teacher reflections on practice, and program documents, served as peripheral data sources.

Findings

Results indicated that co-teachers experienced meaningful professional growth in areas represented by the following themes: (1) critical reflection, (2) pedagogical renewal, (3) in situ feedback and refining practice and (4) application of learning to leadership roles.

Originality/value

This study, which is one of only a few studies focusing explicitly on mentor co-teacher professional growth, provided new insights into learning opportunities afforded to mentor teachers through a participation in a blended model of co-teaching and communities of practice.
Lean, sustainability and the triple bottom line performance: a systems perspective-based empirical examination
Authors: Wadood Syeda Ayesha , Sadiq Jajja Muhammad Shakeel , Chatha Kamran Ali , Farooq Sami
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study draws on the systems perspective to study the individual and combined interaction effect of lean management (LM) and sustainability management (SM) on the organization's triple bottom line (TBL) performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs structural equation modeling to test the proposed hypotheses using data from the sixth version of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS VI).

Findings

The study finds that LM is positively related to all dimensions of the TBL performance. In contrast, SM is positively related to social and environmental performance and negatively related to economic performance. Finally, by finding that the interaction between LM and (SM) is positive for social and environmental performance, this study not only confirms that LM is an enabler for sustainability, but it also supports that the two paradigms are mutually compatible and reinforcing.

Practical implications

The findings imply that practitioners pursuing both LM and SM should leverage their mutual positive effects and balance the unintended effects of implementing isolated bundles by implementing them together as a complete socio-technical system. Their combined impact on the TBL performance will outweigh the sum of their individual effects in the case of isolated implementations.

Originality/value

In contrast with the extant literature, this study proposes that LM and SM make parts of one system as opposed to one correlated with the other or having a positive causal effect on the other. Taking an integrated systems approach, the study empirically verifies the “mutual compatibility” of the lean and sustainability paradigms argument, with regard to their effect on the TBL performance.
Factors affecting future travel intentions: awareness, image, past visitation and risk perception
Authors: Carvalho Maria Amélia Machado
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the influence of destination awareness, cognitive and affective image, risk perception and past visitation on the intention to visit a tourist destination (a medium-sized city) in the next 12 months.

Design/methodology/approach

Partial least squares structural equation modeling was adopted to examine the data collected from 714 domestic holidaymakers.

Findings

Results demonstrate that awareness, cognitive and affective image, past visitation, perceived risk of traveling and perceived risk in international versus domestic travel are key factors; safety concerns enhance the cognitive image and perceived safety of the destination, but increase the perceived risk of traveling; and perceived social risk increases the perceived risk of traveling.

Research limitations/implications

Data collection from only one country limits the generalizability of the conclusions.

Practical implications

Conclusions allow gaining new insights regarding communication strategies in general, during and post-pandemic times.

Originality/value

Using a consolidated and empirical approach, this study provides a better understanding of the role of perceived risk and its effects on cognitive and affective image and travel intention. For instance, to the best of the author’s knowledge, it is the first study to consider the effects of social risk in the pandemic context. It also offers insights into the mediating effect of destination image and the moderating effects of perceived risk and past visitation.
Losing compassion for patients? The implications of COVID-19 on compassion fatigue and event-related post-traumatic stress disorder in nurses
Authors: Hochwarter Wayne , Jordan Samantha , Kiewitz Christian , Liborius Patrick , Lampaki Antonia , Franczak Jennifer , Deng Yufan , Babalola Mayowa T. , Khan Abdul Karim
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The authors investigated a psychological process that links characteristics of events related to the coronavirus disease (2019) COVID-19 pandemic (i.e. perceived novelty, disruptiveness and criticality) to compassion fatigue [(CF), a form of caregiver burnout] and subsequent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in nurses.

Design/methodology/approach

Administering two online surveys (October and November 2020) resulted in matched data from 175 nurses responsible for patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

Perceived disruptiveness and criticality of COVID-19 events were positively associated with nurses' CF, which also mediated those characteristics' effects on PTSD instigated by COVID-19. Contrary to the authors' hypothesis, the perceived novelty of COVID-19 events was not significantly associated with CF nor was the indirect effect of perceived novelty on PTSD mediated by CF.

Originality/value

The authors extend event system theory by investigating the psychological processes linking event features and resultant outcomes while providing practical implications on preparations for future unexpected and potentially life-altering events.
Decision-maker's overconfidence and international performance: the role of the adoption of intuitive practices
Authors: Musso Fabio , Francioni Barbara , Curina Ilaria , Tramontana Fabio , Polidori Paolo , Pediconi Maria Gabriella
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The paper analyses the influence of the decision-makers' overconfidence on the intuitive practices' adoption, as well as on the international performance during international strategic decision-making processes (SDMPs) of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Moreover, the study investigates the possible mediating effect of intuition on the relationship between overconfidence and international performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A semi-structured questionnaire based on a sample of 160 SMEs and a regression analysis have been employed.

Findings

Results show a negative relationship between intuition and international performance and a positive one between overconfidence and international performance. Furthermore, a negative relation between overconfidence and intuition has been identified. Findings also highlight the mediating role of intuition in the relationship between overconfidence and international performance.

Practical implications

The paper provides valuable implications related to the analysis of overconfidence as a critical decision-maker's character and intuition as a feature of the decision-making methodology. Moreover, the study offers indications for SMEs facing complex strategic decisions.

Originality/value

The paper adopts an original perspective by combining the SDMP analysis with that of international strategy within the SMEs context. Additionally, the study enriches the existing literature by (1) investigating overconfidence in the decision-making; (2) enhancing the examination of overconfidence and intuitive practices in the international SDMP; (3) deepening the research field focused on the identification of the intuitive processes' predictors that is still in its infancy.
Collective reputation cognition, network competence and enterprise innovation performance
Authors: Yu Chao , Wang Tao , Gu Xin
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Collective reputation cognition is an enterprise's perception of the general rules of reputation evaluation, jointly formed by a network's collective members. It affects the choice of enterprises' innovation behavior and guides enterprises to occupy a dominant position in the innovation network, thus achieving high innovation performance. In this process, it is inseparable from the enterprise's good network competence. This study attempts to bring collective reputation cognition, network competence and innovation performance into the same framework and aims to explore the relationship among them and determine the influential roles of collective reputation perception and network capability on innovation performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses 227 Chinese enterprises in the innovation network as samples and applies partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to explore the questions mentioned above.

Findings

The results verify the relationship among collective reputation cognition, network competence and innovation performance. Furthermore, the results yield five paths that lead to high innovation performance, such as “putting ability first” and “both fame and competence”, which are different combinations of collective reputation cognition and network competence.

Originality/value

Based on institutional theory, this study considers the network context and identifies “collective reputation cognition” as a key variable. Meanwhile, it opens the “black box” of the mechanism of reputation's influence on innovation performance and finds that the combined paths of collective reputation cognition and network competence achieve high performance in terms of innovation.
The association of body mass index and dietary fat intake with autism in children: a case-control study
Authors: Gholamalizadeh Maryam , Mirsadeghi Narjes Ashouri , Rastgoo Samira , Abbas Torki Saheb , Bourbour Fatemeh , Kalantari Naser , Shafaei Hanieh , Teymoori Zohreh , Alizadeh Atiyeh , Mosavi Jarrahi Alireza , Doaei Saeid
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Deficiencies or imbalances in dietary fat intake may influence on mental and neurological functions of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This study aims to compare body mass index (BMI) and the amount of fatty acids intake in the autistic patients with the comparison group.

Design/methodology/approach

This case-control was carried out on 200 randomly selected children from 5 to 15 years old (100 autistic patients as the case group and 100 healthy children as the comparison group) in Tehran, Iran. The food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess the intake of calorie, macronutrients and different types of dietary fatty acids including saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), linoleic acid (LA), α-Linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and trans fatty acids.

Findings

The autistic patients had higher BMI, birth weight and mother’s BMI compared to the comparison group (All p < 0.01). No significant difference was found in the amount of dietary calorie, protein, carbohydrate and total fat intake between two groups. The risk of ASD was associated with higher intake of MUFAs (OR: 3.18, CI%:1.13–4.56, p = 0.04), PUFAs (OR: 4.12, CI95%: 2.01–6.25, p < 0.01) and LA (OR: 4.76, CI95%: 1.34–14.32, p < 0.01).

Originality/value

The autistic children had higher BMI and higher intake of unsaturated fatty acids except for omega-3 fatty acids. Further longitudinal studies are warranted.