bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Constraints on the Formation of the Giant Daheishan Porphyry Mo Deposit (NE China) from Whole-Rock and Accessory Mineral Geochemistry
Authors: Xing Kai , Shu Qihai , Lentz David R
Published: February 2021

There are more than 80 porphyry (or skarn) Mo deposits in northeastern China with Jurassic or Cretaceous ages. These are thought to have formed mainly in a continental arc setting related to the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific oceanic plate in the Jurassic and subsequent slab rollback in the early Cretaceous. The Jurassic Daheishan porphyry Mo deposit is one of the largest Mo deposits in NE China, which contains 1·09 Mt Mo with an average Mo grade of 0·07 %. To better understand the factors that could have controlled Mo mineralization at Daheishan, and potentially in other similar porphyry Mo deposits in NE China, the geochemical and isotopic compositions of the ore-related granite porphyry and biotite granodiorite, and the magmatic accessory minerals apatite, titanite and zircon from the Daheishan intrusions, were investigated so as to evaluate the potential roles that magma oxidation states, water contents, sulfur and metal concentrations could have played in the formation of the deposit. Magmatic apatite and titanite from the causative intrusions show similar εNd(t) values from –1·1 to 1·4, corresponding to TDM2 ages ranging from 1040 to 840 Ma, which could be accounted for by a mixing model through the interaction of mantle-derived basaltic melts with the Precambrian lower crust. The Ce and Eu anomalies of the magmatic accessory minerals have been used as proxies for magma redox state, and the results suggest that the ore-forming magmas are highly oxidized, with an estimated ΔFMQ range of +1·8 to +4·1 (+2·7 on average). This is also consistent with the high whole-rock Fe2O3/FeO ratios (1·3–26·4). The Daheishan intrusions display negligible Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0·7–1·1) and have relatively high Sr/Y ratios (40–94) with adakitic signatures; they also have relatively high Sr/Y ratios in apatite and titanite. These suggest that the fractionation of amphibole rather than plagioclase is dominant during the crystallization of the ore-related magmas, which further indicates a high magmatic water content (e.g. >5 wt%). The magmatic sulfur concentrations were calculated using available partitioning models for apatite from granitoids, and the results (9–125 ppm) are indistinguishable from those for other mineralized, subeconomic and barren intrusions. Furthermore, Monte Carlo modelling has been conducted to simulate the magmatic processes associated with the formation of the Daheishan Mo deposit, and the result reveals that a magma volume of ∼280 km3 with ∼10 ppm Mo was required to form the Mo ores containing 1·09 Mt Mo in Daheishan. The present study suggests that a relatively large volume of parental magmas with high oxygen fugacities and high water contents is essential for the generation of a giant porphyry Mo deposit such as Daheishan, whereas a specific magma composition (e.g. with unusually high Mo and/or S concentrations) might be less critical.
Prediabetes, undiagnosed diabetes and diabetes risk in Italy in 2017–2018: results from the first National screening campaign in community pharmacies
Authors: Brunetti P , Baldessin L , Pagliacci S
Published: February 2021

Background

Effective policies for diabetes prevention remain urgent. We conducted a mass screening campaign in Italy to identify subjects potentially having undiagnosed diabetes, prediabetes or at diabetes risk.

Methods

This cohort study was conducted in community pharmacies joining the unitary National federation of pharmacy holders (Federfarma) and participating in the 7-day screening campaign ‘DiaDay’ in 2017–2018. Capillary blood glucose levels and the risk of developing diabetes in 10 years (through the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score) were assessed.

Results

145 651 volunteers aged ≥20 years without known diabetes were screened at 5671 community pharmacies in 2017 and 116 097 at 5112 in 2018. Overall, 3.6% had glucose values suggestive of undiagnosed diabetes; under fasting conditions (N = 94 076), 39.9% and 16.4% had values suggestive of prediabetes by the American Diabetes Association and the World Health Organization criteria, respectively. Of those without diabetes (N = 252 440), 19.2% had scores compatible with a high risk (1:3) and 2.7% with a very high risk (1:2) of developing the disease; in the prediabetes group, the risk rose with higher impaired fasting glucose values.

Conclusions

DiaDay, the first National screening campaign, highlights the need to screen the population and the key role of the pharmacist both in screening activities and education promotion.
Effects of high-protein distillers dried grains on growth performance of nursery pigs
Authors: Cemin Henrique S , Tokach Mike D , Dritz Steve S , Woodworth Jason C , DeRouchey Joel M , Goodband Robert D , Wilken Mallorie F
Published: February 2021

A total of 300 pigs (DNA 400 × 200, Columbus, NE), initially 11.1 kg, were used in a study to evaluate the effects of increasing amounts of high-protein distillers dried grains (HP DDG) on growth performance and to estimate its energy value relative to corn. Pigs were weaned, placed in pens with five pigs each, and fed a common diet for 21 d after weaning. Then, pens were assigned to treatments in a randomized complete block design. There were 5 treatments with 12 replicates per treatment. Treatments consisted of 0, 10, 20, 30, or 40% HP DDG, formulated by changing only the amounts of corn and feed-grade amino acids. Pigs were weighed weekly for 21 d to evaluate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F). Caloric efficiency was obtained by multiplying ADFI by kcal of net energy (NE) per kg of diet and dividing by ADG. The NE values for corn and soybean meal were obtained from NRC (2012), and initial estimates for HP DDG NE were derived from the Noblet et al. (1994) equation. The energy of HP DDG was estimated based on caloric efficiency relative to the diet without HP DDG. Pigs fed diets with increasing HP DDG had a linear decrease (P < 0.01) in ADG, ADFI, and final body weight. There was a tendency for a quadratic response (P = 0.051) in G:F, with the greatest G:F observed for pigs fed diets with 40% HP DDG. There was a linear reduction (P < 0.05) in caloric efficiency with increasing amounts of HP DDG, indicating the initial NE estimate of HP DDG was underestimated. The use of caloric efficiency to estimate the energy value of HP DDG presents several limitations. This approach assumes that the NE values of corn and soybean meal are accurate and does not take into account possible changes in body composition, which can influence the G:F response as leaner pigs are more efficient. In conclusion, increasing HP DDG in the diet linearly decreased ADG and ADFI. Using caloric efficiency to estimate energy content relative to corn, the HP DDG used in this study was estimated to be 97.3% of the energy value of corn. Direct or indirect calorimetry is needed to confirm this value.
Evaluation of the effect of border closure on COVID-19 incidence rates across nine African countries: an interrupted time series study
Authors: Emeto Theophilus I , Alele Faith O , Ilesanmi Olayinka S
Published: February 2021

Background

Border closure is one of the policy changes implemented to mitigate against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We evaluated the effect of border closure on the incidence rate of COVID-19 across nine African countries.

Methods

An interrupted time series analysis was used to assess COVID-19 incidence rates in Egypt, Tunisia, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa (SA). Data were collected between 14 February and 19 July 2020 from online data repositories. The linear trend and magnitude of change were evaluated using the itsa function with ordinary least-squares regression in Stata with a 7-d deferred interruption point, which allows a period of diffusion post-border closure.

Results

Overall, the countries recorded an increase in the incidence rate of COVID-19 after border closure. However, when compared with matched control groups, SA, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt and Kenya showed a higher incidence rate trend. In contrast, Ethiopia, DRC and Tunisia showed a lower trend compared with their controls.

Conclusions

The implementation of border closures within African countries had minimal effect on the incidence of COVID-19. The inclusion of other control measures such as enhanced testing capacity and improved surveillance activities will reveal the effectiveness of border closure measures.
SARS-CoV-2 genomic analyses in cancer patients reveal elevated intrahost genetic diversity
Authors: Siqueira Juliana D , Goes Livia R , Alves Brunna M , Carvalho Pedro S de , Cicala Claudia , Arthos James , Viola João P B , de Melo Andréia C , Soares Marcelo A
Published: February 2021

Numerous factors have been identified to influence susceptibility to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and disease severity. Cancer patients are more prone to clinically evolve to more severe COVID-19 conditions, but the determinants of such a more severe outcome remain largely unknown. We have determined the full-length SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences of cancer patients and healthcare workers (non-cancer controls) by deep sequencing and investigated the within-host viral population of each infection, quantifying intrahost genetic diversity. Naso- and oropharyngeal SARS-CoV-2+ swabs from 57 cancer patients and 14 healthcare workers from the Brazilian National Cancer Institute were collected in April to May 2020. Complete genome amplification using ARTIC network V3 multiplex primers was performed followed by next-generation sequencing. Assemblies were conducted in Geneious R11, where consensus sequences were extracted and intrahost single nucleotide variants were identified. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis was performed using PhyMLv.3.0 and lineages were classified using Pangolin and CoV-GLUE. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all but one strain belonged to clade B1.1. Four genetically linked mutations known as the globally dominant SARS-CoV-2 haplotype (C241T, C3037T, C14408T and A23403G) were found in the majority of consensus sequences. SNV signatures of previously characterized Brazilian genomes were also observed in most samples. Another 85 SNVs were found at a lower frequency (1.4%–19.7%) among the consensus sequences. Cancer patients displayed a significantly higher intrahost viral genetic diversity compared to healthcare workers. This difference was independent of SARS-CoV-2 Ct values obtained at the diagnostic tests, which did not differ between the two groups. The most common nucleotide changes of intrahost SNVs in both groups were consistent with APOBEC and ADAR activities. Intrahost genetic diversity in cancer patients was not associated with disease severity, use of corticosteroids, or use of antivirals, characteristics that could influence viral diversity. Moreover, the presence of metastasis, either in general or specifically in the lung, was not associated with intrahost diversity among cancer patients. Cancer patients carried significantly higher numbers of minor variants compared to non-cancer counterparts. Further studies on SARS-CoV-2 diversity in especially vulnerable patients will shed light onto the understanding of the basis of COVID-19 different outcomes in humans.
Molecular and clinical characterization of the equine-like G3 rotavirus that caused the first outbreak in Japan, 2016
Authors: Akane Yusuke , Tsugawa Takeshi , Fujii Yoshiki , Honjo Saho , Kondo Kenji , Nakata Shuji , Fujibayashi Shinsuke , Ohara Toshio , Mori Toshihiko , Higashidate Yoshihito , Nagai Kazushige , Kikuchi Masayoshi , Sato Toshiya , Kato Shinsuke , Tahara Yasuo , Kubo Noriaki , Katayama Kazuhiko , Kimura Hirokazu , Tsutsumi Hiroyuki , Kawasaki Yukihiko
Published: February 2021

Since 2013, equine-like G3 rotavirus (eG3) strains have been detected throughout the world, including in Japan, and the strains were found to be dominant in some countries. In 2016, the first eG3 outbreak in Japan occurred in Tomakomai, Hokkaido prefecture, and the strains became dominant in other Hokkaido areas the following year. There were no significant differences in the clinical characteristics of eG3 and non-eG3 rotavirus infections. The eG3 strains detected in Hokkaido across 2 years from 2016 to 2017 had DS-1-like constellations (i.e. G3-P[8]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E2-H2), and the genes were highly conserved (97.5–100 %). One strain, designated as To16-12 was selected as the representative strain for these strains, and all 11 genes of this strain (To16-12) exhibited the closest identity to one foreign eG3 strain (STM050) seen in Indonesia in 2015 and two eG3 strains (IS1090 and MI1125) in another Japanese prefecture in 2016, suggesting that this strain might be introduced into Japan from Indonesia. Sequence analyses of VP7 genes from animal and human G3 strains found worldwide did not identify any with close identity (>92 %) to eG3 strains, including equine RV Erv105. Analysis of another ten genes indicated that the eG3 strain had low similarity to G2P[4] strains, which are considered traditional DS-1-like strains, but high similarity to DS-1-like G1P[8] strains, which first appeared in Asia in 2012. These data suggest that eG3 strains were recently generated in Asia as mono-reassortant strain between DS-1-like G1P[8] strains and unspecified animal G3 strains. Our results indicate that rotavirus surveillance in the postvaccine era requires whole-genome analyses.
Molecular characterization of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and emergence of tigecycline non-susceptible strains in the Henan province in China: a multicentrer study
Authors: Yan Wen Juan , Jing Nan , Wang Shan Mei , Xu Jun Hong , Yuan You Hua , Zhang Qi , Li A li , Chen Li Hao , Zhang Jiang Feng , Ma Bing , Ma Qiong , Li Yi
Published: February 2021

Introduction. Carbapenem-resistant

Enterobacteriaceae

(CRE) have been responsible for nosocomial outbreaks worldwide and have become endemic in several countries.

Hypothesis/Gap Statement. To better understand the epidemiological trends and characteristics of CRE in the Henan province.

Aim. We assessed the molecular epidemiological characteristics of 305 CRE strains isolated from patients in 19 secondary or tertiary hospitals in ten areas of the Henan province in China.

Methodology. A total of 305 CRE isolates were subjected to multiple tests, including in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing, PCR for carbapenemase genes bla
KPC, bla
NDM, bla
IMP, bla
VIM, bla
OXA-48-like. Tigecycline-resistant genes ramR, oqxR, acrR, tetA, rpsJ, tetX, tetM, tetL were analysed in five tigecycline non-susceptible carbapenem-resistant

Klebsiella pneumoniae

isolates (TNSCRKP). Additionally, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed for carbapenem-resistant

K. pneumoniae

(CRKP).

Results. The most common CRE species were

K. pneumoniae

(234, 77 %),

Escherichia coli

(36, 12 %) and

Enterobacter cloacae

(13, 4 %). All strains exhibited multi-drug resistance. Overall, 97 % (295/305) and 97 % (297/305) of the isolates were susceptible to polymyxin B and tigecycline, respectively. A total of 89 % (271/305) of the CRE isolates were carbapenemase gene-positive, including 70 % bla
KPC, 13 % bla
NDM, 6 % bla
IMP, and 1 % combined bla
KPC/bla
NDM genes.

K. pneumoniae

carbapenemase (KPC) was the predominant carbapenemase in

K. pneumoniae

(87 %), whereas NDM and IMP were frequent in

E. coli

(53 %) and

E. cloacae

(69 %), respectively. Mutations in the ramR, tetA, and rpsJ genes were detected in five TNSCRKP. Moreover, 15 unique sequence types were detected, with ST11 (74 %), ST15 (9 %) and ST2237 (5 %) being dominant among

K. pneumoniae

strains.

Conclusion. A high proportion of CRE strains were carbapenemase-positive, and five carbapenem-resistant K. pneumonia isolates were tigecycline non-susceptible, indicating a need for the ongoing surveillance of CRE and effective measures for the prevention of CRE infections.
Coding of chromatic spatial contrast by macaque V1 neurons
Authors: De Abhishek , Horwitz Gregory D.
Published: February 2021

Color perception relies on spatial comparisons of chromatic signals, but how the brain performs these comparisons is poorly understood. Here, we show that many V1 neurons compare signals across their receptive fields (RF) using a common principle. We estimated the spatial-chromatic RFs of each neuron, and then measured neural selectivity to customized colored edges that were sampled using a novel closed-loop technique. We found that many double-opponent (DO) cells, which have spatially and chromatically opponent RFs, responded to chromatic contrast as a weighted sum, akin to how simple cells respond to luminance contrast. Other neurons integrated chromatic signals non-linearly, confirming that linear signal integration is not an obligate property of V1 neurons. The functional similarity of DO and simple cells suggests a common underlying neural circuitry, promotes the construction of image-computable models for full-color image representation, and sheds new light on V1 complex cells.
Sparcle: assigning transcripts to cells in multiplexed images
Authors: Prabhakaran Sandhya , Nawy Tal , Pe’er’ Dana
Published: February 2021

Background

Imaging-based spatial transcriptomics has the power to reveal patterns of single-cell gene expression by detecting mRNA transcripts as individually resolved spots in multiplexed images. However, molecular quantification has been severely limited by the computational challenges of segmenting poorly outlined, overlapping cells, and of overcoming technical noise; the majority of transcripts are routinely discarded because they fall outside the segmentation boundaries. This lost information leads to less accurate gene count matrices and weakens downstream analyses, such as cell type or gene program identification.

Results

Here, we present Sparcle, a probabilistic model that reassigns transcripts to cells based on gene covariation patterns and incorporates spatial features such as distance to nucleus. We demonstrate its utility on both multiplexed error-robust fluorescence in situ hybridization (MERFISH) and single-molecule FISH (smFISH) data.

Conclusions

Sparcle improves transcript assignment, providing more realistic per-cell quantification of each gene, better delineation of cell boundaries, and improved cluster assignments. Critically, our approach does not require an accurate segmentation and is agnostic to technological platform.
Multiple time scales of adaptation allow cones to encode the inputs created by visual exploration of natural scenes
Authors: Angueyra Juan M. , Baudin Jacob , Schwartz Gregory W. , Rieke Fred
Published: February 2021

Primates explore their visual environment by making frequentsaccades, discrete and ballistic eye movements that direct the fovea to specific regions of interest. Saccades produce large and rapid changes in input. The magnitude of these changes and the limited signaling range of visual neurons means that effective encoding requires rapid adaptation. Here, we explore how cone photoreceptors maintain sensitivity under these conditions. Adaptation makes cone responses to naturalistic stimuli highly nonlinear and dependent on stimulus history. Such responses cannot be explained by linear or linear-nonlinear models but are well explained by a biophysical model of phototransduction with fast and slow adaptational mechanisms. The resulting model can predict cone responses to a broad range of stimuli and enables the design of stimuli that elicit specific (e.g. linear) cone photocurrents. These advances will provide a foundation for investigating the contributions of cones and post-cone processing to visual function.
Ectosome uptake by glia sculptsCaenorhabditis eleganssensory cilia
Authors: Razzauti Adrià , Laurent Patrick
Published: February 2021

Cilia are sensory organelles protruding from cell surface. A tight regulation of membrane receptors traffic in and out of cilia is achieved by the action of Intraflagellar Transport (IFT). Here, we show that ectosomes bud from a subset ofC. eleganssensory cilia. Packing and disposal of ciliary receptors in ectosomes complement their retrieval by IFT. Mutations in ciliary retrieval genes increase export of the salt sensor GCY-22 from ASER neurons by ectosomes, preventing its accumulation in ASER cilia. Ectosomes are produced from two ciliary locations: cilia tip and/or cilia base. Ectosomes budding from cilia tip are released in the environment. Ectosomes produced from the cilia base are concomitantly phagocytosed by the associated glial cells. Although ectocytosis does not require glia to occur, ectosome phagocytosis by the contacting glia contributes to maintain cilia shape and sensory function. We suggest this coordinated neuron-glia interaction is required for proper cilia function.
Detection and characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.526 in New York
Authors: West Anthony P. , Wertheim Joel O. , Wang Jade C. , Vasylyeva Tetyana I. , Havens Jennifer L. , Chowdhury Moinuddin A. , Gonzalez Edimarlyn , Fang Courtney E. , Di Lonardo Steve S. , Hughes Scott , Rakeman Jennifer L. , Lee Henry H. , Barnes Christopher O. , Gnanapragasam Priyanthi N. P. , Yang Zhi , Gaebler Christian , Caskey Marina , Nussenzweig Michel C. , Keeffe Jennifer R. , Bjorkman Pamela J.
Published: February 2021

Wide-scale SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing is critical to tracking viral evolution during the ongoing pandemic. Variants first detected in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Brazil have spread to multiple countries. We developed the software tool, Variant Database (VDB), for quickly examining the changing landscape of spike mutations. Using VDB, we detected an emerging lineage of SARS-CoV-2 in the New York region that shares mutations with previously reported variants. The most common sets of spike mutations in this lineage (now designated as B.1.526) are L5F, T95I, D253G, E484K or S477N, D614G, and A701V. This lineage was first sequenced in late November 2020 when it represented <1% of sequenced coronavirus genomes that were collected in New York City (NYC). By February 2021, genomes from this lineage accounted for~32% of 3288 sequenced genomes from NYC specimens. Phylodynamic inference confirmed the rapid growth of the B.1.526 lineage in NYC, notably the sub-clade defined by the spike mutation E484K, which has outpaced the growth of other variants in NYC. Pseudovirus neutralization experiments demonstrated that B.1.526 spike mutations adversely affect the neutralization titer of convalescent and vaccinee plasma, indicating the public health importance of this lineage.
Conserved residues in the extracellular loop 2 regulateStachel-mediated activation of ADGRG2
Authors: Gad Abanoub A. , Azimzadeh Pedram , Balenga Nariman
Published: February 2021

Cleavage and dissociation of a large N-terminal fragment and the consequent unmasking of a short sequence (Stachel) remaining on the N-terminus have been proposed as mechanisms of activation of some members of the adhesion G protein-coupled receptor (aGPCR) family. However, the identity of residues that play a role in the activation of aGPCRs by the cognateStachelremains largely unknown. Protein sequence alignments revealed a conserved stretch of residues in the extracellular loop 2 (ECL2) of all 33 members of the aGPCR family. ADGRG2, an orphan aGPCR, plays a major role in male fertility, Ewing sarcoma cell proliferation, and parathyroid cell function. We used ADGRG2 as a model aGPCR and generated mutants of the conserved residues in the ECL2 via site-directed mutagenesis. We show that tryptophan and isoleucine in the ECL2 are required for receptor stability and surface expression in the HEK293 cells. By adjusting the receptor surface expression levels, we show that the ECL2 mutation ablates theStachel-mediated activation of multiple signaling pathways of ADGRG2. This study provides a novel understanding of the role of the ECL2 inStachel-mediated signaling and degradation of ADGRG2, which may lay the foundation for the rational design of therapeutics to target aGPCRs.
Two distinct neuronal populations in the rat parafascicular nucleus oppositely encode the engagement in stimulus-driven reward-seeking
Authors: Sicre Mehdi , Meffre Julie , Ambroggi Frederic
Published: February 2021

The thalamus is a phylogenetically well-preserved structure. Known to densely contact cortical regions, its role in the transmission of sensory information to the striatal complex has been widely reconsidered in recent years. The parafascicular of the thalamus (Pf) has been implicated the orientation of attention towards salient sensory stimuli. In a stimulus-driven reward seeking task, we sought to characterize the electrophysiological activity of Pf neurons in rats. We observed a predominance of excitatory responses over inhibitory responses for all events of the task. Neurons responded more strongly to the stimulus compared to lever-pressing and collecting reward, confirming the strong involvement of the Pf in sensory information processing. The use of long sessions allowed us to compare neuronal responses to stimuli when the animal engaged in action or when it did not. We distinguished two populations of neurons responding in an opposite way: MOTIV+ neurons responded more intensively to stimuli followed by a behavioral response than those that did not. Conversely, MOTIV-neurons responded more strongly when the stimulus was ignored by the animal. In addition, MOTIV-neurons excitations appeared at a shorter latency after the stimulus than MOTIV+ neurons. Through this encoding, Pf could perform an early selection of environmental stimuli transmitted to the striatum according to motivational level.

HIGHLIGHTS

Pf neurons respond to reward-predicting stimuli and reward-related actions

MOTIV+ Pf neurons were more active to stimuli evoking reward-seeking

MOTIV- Pf neurons were more active to stimuli ignored by the animal

Stimuli-evoked excitations latencies were shorter in MOTIV- than MOTIV+ neurons
Materials Imaging and Dynamics (MID) instrument at the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser Facility
Authors: Madsen A. , Hallmann J. , Ansaldi G. , Roth T. , Lu W. , Kim C. , Boesenberg U. , Zozulya A. , Möller J. , Shayduk R. , Scholz M. , Bartmann A. , Schmidt A. , Lobato I. , Sukharnikov K. , Reiser M. , Kazarian K. , Petrov I.
Published: February 2021

The Materials Imaging and Dynamics (MID) instrument at the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser (EuXFEL) facility is described. EuXFEL is the first hard X-ray free-electron laser operating in the MHz repetition range which provides novel science opportunities. The aim of MID is to enable studies of nano-structured materials, liquids, and soft- and hard-condensed matter using the bright X-ray beams generated by EuXFEL. Particular emphasis is on studies of structure and dynamics in materials by coherent scattering and imaging using hard X-rays. Commission of MID started at the end of 2018 and first experiments were performed in 2019.
Shadow banking's effects in the Chilean financial system
Authors: López Avilés Diana , Piñeira Paula , Roco Cáceres Víctor Andrés , Vergara Felipe , Araya Nicolas
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The Financial Stability Board (FSB) determined that entities classified as shadow banking are of a credit nature because they are capable of affecting the financial system through the entry and exit of capital. This study aims at measuring the impact of shadow banking in the systemic risk in Chile. A sample of 91 institutions (Run) belonging to the mutual funds was used, with a series showing a continuous behaviour between 2004 and 2018.

Design/methodology/approach

The measurement is carried out using the conditional value at risk (CoVaR) methodology, which analyses the behaviour of an institution in a regular state against the same institution in a state of stress.

Findings

The results obtained reflect that liquidity mismatches do not have a relevant effect on the systemic risk, while the 2008 crisis does contribute to its decline.

Originality/value

There are less number of literature studies that apply statistical models regarding shadow banking, at least at a quantitative level, so this research is a beginning for other studies, supporting future authors in their new research as a basis.
Integration of project management services for International Engineering, Procurement and Construction projects
Authors: Amirtash Parisa , Parchami Jalal Majid , Jelodar Mostafa Babaeian
Published: February 2021

Purpose

International Engineering, Procurement and Construction (IEPC) projects deliver complex and critical infrastructure and construction projects. However, these projects face multiple challenges, especially in foreign construction markets, to the main contractors. The purpose of this article is to develop a tool for effective implementation of project management services for these international projects through upskilling and incorporate local expertise. Accordingly, the employment of a Native Project Management Consultant (NPMC) by the main contractor is proposed and investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-stage research method was employed for triangulation of knowledge. Initially, a comprehensive literature review was carried out to examine the theoretical foundations of the study. The concepts were further explored through a survey and expert interviews. The study was performed in Iran as the host nation of multiple IEPC projects.

Findings

It was found that NPMC involvement has a significant contribution to the success of nearly all project management areas in IEPC projects. However, quality, schedule and budget management were the top-ranked areas. The study combines the results of previous studies with the interviews and questionnaire to create a tool designed to capture strategy actions and detailed activities designed to build capabilities in IEPC teams through the involvement of NPMCs.

Practical implications

A practical tool is developed which aims to enhance NPMC integration into IEPC projects. The tool is in-line with the project management concept of work-breakdown structure; which is understandable by project stakeholders.

Originality/value

The employment of NPMCs, and their potential role in IEPC projects has not been formally investigated and guidelines for such collaborations do not exist. The current study provides a platform for regulating such facilitators and enhancing project success.
Retail disturbances: how should employees respond?
Authors: Arndt Aaron D. , Poujol Juliet F. , Siadou-Martin Béatrice
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The customer retail experience is frequently interrupted by disturbances such as ringing phones and other people. Employees must be able to respond to retail disturbances effectively to ensure that customers have a satisfactory experience in the retailer. Using Affective Events Theory as a framework, the purpose of this paper is to develop and test a model for understanding how retail disturbances affect customers outcomes and how retail employee response mitigates the negative impact of retail disturbances.

Design/methodology/approach

The model was tested using a pre-study of retail managers and consumers, a survey study and four experimental studies.

Findings

Retail disturbances reduce interactional justice and customer positive emotions. Customers pay attention to how employees address retail disturbances, even when they are not directly involved.

Research limitations/implications

The research experiments focus on sound-based disturbances. Other stimuli (e.g. olfactory or visual) should be examined in more detail.

Practical implications

Employees can mitigate the negative effects of retail disturbances on customers with a positive response to the disturbance and to customers. Employee responses influence customers currently receiving service and nearby shoppers.

Social implications

The findings demonstrate the deleterious effect of solicitation calls on small retailers and provide recommendations for reducing solicitation calls.

Originality/value

This research shows that retail disturbances reduce customer outcomes, employee response becomes part of the disturbance event, and that it is possible for employees to address a group of nearby customers indirectly through unintentional observation.
English for Professionals students' perceptions of the relevance of internship to their undergraduate courses and career choices
Authors: Husain Fauzilah Md , Mahfoodh Omer Hassan Ali
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This qualitative study examined English for Professionals students' experience of the internship programme and their perceptions of the relevance of the internship programme to their current and future courses and to their future career choices.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a qualitative inquiry in which qualitative data were collected using journal writing. Using purposeful sampling, 40 English for Professionals students in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) were selected. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

This study revealed that the internship programme was beneficial to interns because it helped them to gain real-world experience and knowledge about the environment of real workplace. Interns' negative experience can affect their career selection. The majority of the participants revealed that the internship programme is relevant to most of their undergraduate courses. The participants revealed that the internship programme was effective as it helped them to explore their career choices and to select future courses that match their interests.

Originality/value

Taking into account students' negative experience and their perceptions of the relevance of internship to their courses and career choices, improvement of undergraduate programmes can be done. Unlike samples in previous studies, the sample in this study is English for Professionals students. The study provides significant findings which are related to interns' perceptions of the relevance of the internship programme to their career choices. Unlike all data collection methods used in previous studies, journal writing was used to collect qualitative data in this study.
Computer vision-based color sorting for waste textile recycling
Authors: Zhou Jie , Zou Xingxing , Wong Wai Keung
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Efficient and high-accuracy intelligent color and material sorting systems are the main bottlenecks restricting the recycling of waste textiles. The mixing of waste textiles with different colors will make the reconstructed raw material of textile fiber useless or with low quality. In this study, some challenges about the automatic color sorting for waste textile recycling are discussed. A computer vision-based color sorting system for waste textile recycling is introduced, which can classify the required colors well and meet the efficiency requirements of an automatic recycling line.

Design/methodology/approach

There are four aspects, (1) two cameras with different exposure times and white-balance parameters are involved for establishing the computer vision system. (2) Two standard color databases with two cameras are constructed. (3) A statistical model to determine the colors of textile samples is presented in which uniform sampling of pixels and mid-tone enhancing techniques are exploited. (4) The experiments with a number of waste textile samples from a factory in Hong Kong are conducted to illustrate the efficiency of the developed system.

Findings

The experiments with a number of waste textile samples from a factory in Hong Kong are reported. The total classification accuracy performs good. The research methods and results reported in this study can provide an important reference for improving the intelligent level of color sorting for waste textile recycling.

Originality/value

It is the first time to introduce computer vision technology to a color sorting system for recycling waste textiles, especially in a real recycling factory in Hong Kong. The research methods and results reported in this study also deliver guidance for designing a computer vision-based color sorting system for other industrial scenarios.
An experimental study of the effect of packaging colour on children's evaluation of packaging and attitude towards the brand
Authors: Bezaz Nora , Kacha Mathieu
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This article aims to determine how packaging colour (hue, saturation and brightness) for a healthy food product might influence children's evaluation of the packaging and their attitude towards the brand.

Design/methodology/approach

An experiment involving 157 children (7–12 years of age) features a within-subject, factorial design. The product selected for this experiment is an unknown brand of orange juice.

Findings

Each colour dimension on packaging exerts an impact on children's evaluation of the packaging and attitude towards the brand. Therefore, the colour featured on packaging can be an effective lever for action to ensure and enhance children's healthy diets.

Research limitations/implications

Further research should investigate these effects across additional product categories, brands and colours.

Practical implications

Packaging is an important marketing tool that influences children's evaluation of the packaging and attitude towards the brand, especially at the point of sale. To understand and exploit these packaging colour effects appropriately for healthy products, it is crucial to understand the effects of various packaging colour dimensions.

Originality/value

Little prior research has addressed the effects of packaging on children's responses, especially by accounting for multiple colour dimensions. Nor has extant research identified how packaging colour dimensions can affect children's evaluation and brand attitude. Especially in consideration of the growing problem of childhood obesity, it is important to give marketers effective ways to promote healthy products.
Understanding employees' information security identities: an interpretive narrative approach
Authors: Wall Jeffrey D. , Palvia Prashant
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The authors seek to understand the formation of control- and security-related identities among organizational employees through and interpretive narrative analysis. The authors also seek to identify how the identities form over time and across contexts. Several identities are identified as well as the changes that may occur in the identities.

Design/methodology/approach

Few interpretive or critical studies exist in behavioral information security research to represent employee perspectives of power and control. Using qualitative interviews and narrative analysis of the interview transcripts, this paper analyzes the security- and control-related identities and values that employees adopt in organizational settings.

Findings

Two major categories of behavioral security compliance identities were identified: compliant and noncompliant. Specific identities within the compliant category included: faithful follower vs the reasoned follower, and other-preserving versus the self-preserving identities. The noncompliant category included: anti-authority identity, utilitarian identity, trusting identity and unaware identity. Furthermore, three patterns of identity changes were observed.

Research limitations/implications

The authors’ narrative stories suggest that employee identities are complex and multi-faceted, and that they may be fluid and adaptive to situational factors. Future research should avoid assumptions that all employees are the same or that employee beliefs remain constant over time or in different contexts. Identities are also strongly rooted in individuals' rearing and other life experiences. Thus, security control is far broader than is studied in behavioral studies. The authors find that history matters and should be examined carefully.

Practical implications

The authors’ study provides insights that managers can use to enhance security initiatives. It is clear that different employees build different control-related identities. Managers must understand that their employees are unique and will not all respond to policies, punishments, and other forms of control in the same way. The narratives also suggest that many organizations lack appropriate programs to enhance employees' awareness of security issues.

Originality/value

The authors’ narrative analysis suggests that employee security identities are complex and multi-faceted, and that they are fluid and adaptive to situational factors. Research should avoid assumptions that all employees are the same or that their beliefs remain constant over time or in different contexts. Identities are also strongly rooted in individuals' rearing and other life experiences. Their history matters and should be examined carefully.
Waypoint sequencing: simplifying behaviour sequence analysis for criminal cases
Authors: Keatley David , Clarke David D.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

While behaviour sequence analysis (BSA) is popular, it is not without limitations, namely, the level of detail required and time taken to run analyses; therefore, this paper aims to outline a novel method, using 30 serial homicide cases as a worked example.

Design/methodology/approach

Temporal analysis methods are becoming increasingly popular in applied forensic and criminological research. In recent years, BSA has become a widely used approach.

Findings

Waypoint sequencing provides a streamlined version of the traditional BSA approach, allowing for fewer behaviours to be included and providing a clearer overview of the main behaviours of interest.

Practical implications

Waypoint sequencing is shown in the current paper through serial killer research to show how to conduct the analyses and how it is effective in current investigations by expediting the process and allowing quicker analysis to facilitate current investigations.

Originality/value

The current research provides a novel approach to sequence analysis that is more useful in applied settings as it requires fewer behaviours or events than traditional BSA.
Webrooming and showrooming: a multi-stage consumer decision process
Authors: Mukherjee Srabanti , Chatterjee Swagato
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to propose and validate a theoretical framework explaining web-rooming and showrooming as a multi-stage decision-making process. The authors have used consumer purchase decision-making theories to propose a model that identifies showrooming and webrooming as a combination of two decisions, channel choice during information search and channel choice during actual purchase. Further, the authors explored how various antecedents of showrooming and webrooming have differential effects on various stages of a purchase decision-making process and how product type moderates the relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have conducted empirical research, whereby 243 responses were obtained from a cross-sectional survey. The authors have used structural equation modeling and multiple regression analysis to validate our theoretical model.

Findings

Webrooming or showrooming is a multi-stage decision-making process for the consumers. First, consumers decide whether to search online or offline and then whether to buy online and offline. Different individual, purchase context-related and channel related factors impact these decisions. Product type governs which variables will be more important than others.

Originality/value

The research looks to enhance the understanding of the consumer's decision-making process during showrooming and webrooming while also helping retailers design and implement appropriate strategies that could affect consumers during information search and actual purchase.
Market-oriented business model for SMEs' disruptive innovations internationalization
Authors: Sundström Agneta , Hyder Akmal S. , Chowdhury Ehsanul Huda
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study is to develop and evaluate a market-oriented business model (MOBM) and analyze how it contributes to internationalization of SMEs' disruptive innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on market orientation literature, an MOBM is developed and assessed through collaboration among companies, researchers and networking partners. For the evaluation of the model, qualitative data was collected through workshops, interviews and participatory observations at four case SMEs. Methodologically, the implementation of the MOBM consists of a systematic knowledge development process by following four work packages to support the companies' market-oriented internationalization.

Findings

The results show that SMEs face internal barriers to developing innovativeness that hinder them from creating effective disruptive innovation for the international buyer chain. The study finds that SMEs need to work with an MOBM for developing market intelligence within the organization and seek external support for entering the international market.

Practical implications

The methodological strength allows application, evaluation and modification of the MOBM in close collaboration with the SMEs that directly benefit from its implementation. Modifying the principles of market orientation by practical application, SMEs can apply the MOBM to analyze their internationalization capacity for high-tech disruptive innovations.

Originality/value

This article contributes to new thinking by introducing market orientation to SMEs' internationalization of disruptive innovation. The study highlights the less researched field of disruptive innovation by developing the MOBM to deal with SMEs' internationalization.
Deformations and stresses prediction of cantilever structures fabricated by selective laser melting process
Authors: Li Lan , Pan Tan , Zhang Xinchang , Chen Yitao , Cui Wenyuan , Yan Lei , Liou Frank
Published: February 2021

Purpose

During the powder bed fusion process, thermal distortion is one big problem owing to the thermal stress caused by the high cooling rate and temperature gradient. For the purpose of avoiding distortion caused by internal residual stresses, support structures are used in most selective laser melting (SLM) process especially for cantilever beams because they can assist the heat dissipation. Support structures can also help to hold the work piece in its place and reduce volume of the printing materials. The mitigation of high thermal gradients during the manufacturing process helps to reduce thermal distortion and thus alleviate cracking, curling, delamination and shrinkage. Therefore, this paper aims to study the displacement and residual stress evolution of SLMed parts.

Design/methodology/approach

The objective of this study was to examine and compare the distortion and residual stress properties of two cantilever structures, using both numerical and experimental methods. The part-scale finite element analysis modeling technique was applied to numerically analyze the overhang distortions, using the layer-by-layer model for predicting a part scale model. The validation experiments of these two samples were built in a SLM platform. Then average displacement of the four tip corners and residual stress on top surface of cantilever beams were tested to validate the model.

Findings

The validation experiments results of average displacement of the four tip corners and residual stress on top surface of cantilever beams were tested to validate the model. It was found that they matched well with each other. From displacement and residual stress standpoint, by introducing two different support structure, two samples with the same cantilever beam can be successfully printed. In terms of reducing wasted support materials, print time and high surface quality, sample with less support will need less post-processing and waste energy.

Originality/value

Numerical modeling in this work can be a very useful tool to parametrically study the feasibility of support structures of SLM parts in terms of residual stresses and deformations. It has the capability for fast prediction in the SLMed parts.