bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phage infection restores PQS signaling and enhances growth of aPseudomonas aeruginosa lasIquorum-sensing mutant
Authors: Høyland-Kroghsbo Nina Molin , Bassler Bonnie L.
Published: April 2021

Bacteriophage (phage) therapy is reemerging as a valuable tool to combat multidrug resistant bacteria. A major hurdle in developing efficacious bacteriophage therapies is that bacteria acquire resistance to phage killing. In this context, it is noteworthy that quorum sensing (QS), the bacterial cell-to-cell communication mechanism that promotes collective undertaking of group behaviors including anti-phage defenses, enhances bacterial survival in the face of phage attack. QS relies on the production, release, accumulation, and detection of signal molecules called autoinducers. In the opportunistic pathogenPseudomonas aeruginosa, the LasI/R QS system induces the RhlI/R QS system, and these two systems control, in opposing manners, the PQS QS system that relies on the autoinducer called PQS. A ΔlasImutant is impaired in PQS synthesis, leading to accumulation of the precursor molecule HHQ. HHQ suppresses growth of theP. aeruginosaΔlasIstrain. We uncover a phage infection-induced mechanism that restores expression of thepqsHgene in theP. aeruginosaΔlasIQS mutant. PqsH converts HHQ into PQS, preventing HHQ-mediated growth inhibition. Thus, phage-infectedP. aeruginosaΔlasIcells exhibit superior growth compared to uninfected cells. Phage infection also restores expression of virulence factors and the CRISPR-casanti-phage defense system in theP. aeruginosaΔlasIstrain. This study highlights a challenge for phage therapy, namely that phage infection may make particular bacterial strains faster growing, more virulent, and resistant to phage killing.

Importance

The emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria necessitates development of new antimicrobial therapies. Phage therapy relies on exploiting phages, natural enemies of bacteria, in the fight against pathogenic bacteria. For successful phage therapy development, potent phages that exhibit low propensity for acquisition of bacterial resistance are desired. Here, we show that phage infection restores QS, a cell-to-cell communication mechanism in aP. aeruginosaQS mutant, which increases its virulence and resistance to phage killing. Importantly, clinical isolates ofP. aeruginosafrequently harbor mutations in particular QS genes. Thus, phage therapies against suchP. aeruginosastrains may inadvertently increase bacterial virulence. Our study underscores the importance of characterizing phage-host interactions in the context of bacterial mutants that are relevant in clinical settings prior to selecting phages for therapy.
Machine Learning Prediction of Biomarkers from SNPs and of Disease Risk from Biomarkers in the UK Biobank
Authors: Widen Erik , Raben Timothy G. , Lello Louis , Hsu Stephen D.H.
Published: April 2021

We use UK Biobank data to train predictors for 48 blood and urine markers such as HDL, LDL, lipoprotein A, glycated haemoglobin, … from SNP genotype. For example, our predictor correlates ∼ 0.76 with lipoprotein A level, which is highly heritable and an independent risk factor for heart disease. This may be the most accurate genomic prediction of a quantitative trait that has yet been produced (specifically, for European ancestry groups). We also train predictors of common disease risk using blood and urine biomarkers alone (no DNA information). Individuals who are at high risk (e.g., odds ratio of>5x population average) can be identified for conditions such as coronary artery disease (AUC ∼ 0.75), diabetes (AUC ∼ 0.95), hypertension, liver and kidney problems, and cancer using biomarkers alone. Our atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) predictor uses ∼ 10 biomarkers and performs in UKB evaluation as well as or better than the American College of Cardiology ASCVD Risk Estimator, which uses quite different inputs (age, diagnostic history, BMI, smoking status, statin usage, etc.). We compare polygenic risk scores (risk conditional on genotype: (risk score | SNPs)) for common diseases to the risk predictors which result from the concatenation of learned functions (risk score | biomarkers) and (biomarker | SNPs).
Non-invasive human skin transcriptome analysis using mRNA in skin surface lipids
Authors: Inoue Takayoshi , Kuwano Tetsuya , Uehara Yuya , Yano Michiko , Oya Naoki , Hachiya Akira , Takahashi Yoshito , Ota Noriyasu , Murase Takatoshi
Published: April 2021

Non-invasive acquisition of mRNA data from the skin would be extremely useful for understanding skin physiology and diseases. Inspired by the holocrine process, in which the sebaceous glands secrete cell contents into the sebum, we focused on the possible presence of mRNAs in skin surface lipids (SSLs). We found that measurable human mRNAs exist in SSLs, where sebum protects them from degradation by RNases. The AmpliSeq transcriptome analysis was modified to measure SSL-RNAs, and our results revealed that SSL-RNAs predominantly contained mRNAs derived from sebaceous glands, epidermis, and hair follicles. Analysis of SSL-RNAs non-invasively collected from patients with atopic dermatitis revealed significantly increased expression of inflammation-related genes and decreased expression of terminal differentiation-related genes, consistent with the results of previous reports. Further, we found that lipid synthesis-related genes were downregulated in the sebaceous glands of patients with atopic dermatitis. These results indicate that the analysis of SSL-RNAs is promising to understand the pathophysiology of skin diseases.
Transcriptomes across fertilization and seed development in the water lilyNymphaea thermarum(Nymphaeales) reveal dynamic expression of DNA and histone methylation modifiers
Authors: Povilus Rebecca A. , Friedman William E.
Published: April 2021

Studies of gene expression during seed development have been performed for a growing collection of species from a phylogenetically broad sampling of flowering plants (angiosperms). However, attention has mostly been focused on crop species or a small number of ‘model’ systems. Information on gene expression during seed development is minimal for those angiosperm lineages whose origins predate the divergence of monocots and eudicots. In order to provide a new perspective on the early evolution of seed development in flowering plants, we sequenced transcriptomes of whole ovules and seeds from three key stages of reproductive development in the waterlilyNymphaea thermarum, an experimentally-tractable member of the Nymphaeales. We first explore general patterns of gene expression, beginning with mature ovules and continuing through fertilization into early- and mid-seed development. We then examine the expression of genes associated with DNA and histone methylation – processes known to be essential for development in distantly-related and structurally-divergent monocots and eudicots. Around 60% of transcripts putatively homologous to DNA and histone methylation modifiers are differentially expressed during seed development inN. thermarum, suggesting that the importance of dynamic epigenetic patterning during seed development dates to the earliest phases of angiosperm evolution. However, genes involved in establishing, maintaining, and removing methylation marks associated with genetic imprinting show a mix of conserved and unique expression patterns betweenN. thermarumand other flowering plants. Our data suggests that the regulation of imprinting has likely changed throughout angiosperm evolution, and furthermore identifies genes that merit further characterization in any angiosperm system.
Cell-type specific circadian bioluminescence rhythms inDbpreporter mice
Authors: Smith Ciearra B. , van der Vinne Vincent , McCartney Eleanor , Stowie Adam C. , Leise Tanya L. , Martin-Burgos Blanca , Molyneux Penny C. , Garbutt Lauren A. , Brodsky Michael H. , Davidson Alec J. , Harrington Mary E. , Dallmann Robert , Weaver David R.
Published: April 2021

Circadian rhythms are endogenously generated physiological and molecular rhythms with a cycle length of about 24 h. Bioluminescent reporters have been exceptionally useful for studying circadian rhythms in numerous species. Here, we report development of a reporter mouse generated by modification of a widely expressed and highly rhythmic gene encoding D-site albumin promoter binding protein (Dbp). In this line of mice, firefly luciferase is expressed from theDbplocus in aCre-recombinase-dependent manner, allowing assessment of bioluminescence rhythms in specific cellular populations. A mouse line in which luciferase expression wasCre-independent was also generated. TheDbpreporter alleles do not alterDbpgene expression rhythms in liver or circadian locomotor activity rhythms.In vivoandex vivostudies show the utility of the reporter alleles for monitoring rhythmicity. Our studies reveal cell-type specific characteristics of rhythms among neuronal populations within the suprachiasmatic nucleiex vivo.In vivostudies showDbp-driven bioluminescence rhythms in the liver ofAlbumin-Cre;DbpKI/+“liver reporter” mice. After a shift of the lighting schedule, locomotor activity achieved the proper phase relationship with the new lighting cycle more rapidly than hepatic bioluminescence did. As previously shown, restricting food access to the daytime altered the phase of hepatic rhythmicity. Our model allowed assessment of the rate of recovery from misalignment once animals were provided with foodad libitum. These studies confirm the previously demonstrated circadian misalignment following environmental perturbations and reveal the utility of this model for minimally invasive, longitudinal monitoring of rhythmicity from specific mouse tissues.
Distinctin vivodynamics of excitatory synapses onto cortical pyramidal neurons and inhibitory interneurons
Authors: Melander Joshua B. , Nayebi Aran , Jongbloets Bart C. , Fortin Dale A. , Qin Maozhen , Ganguli Surya , Mao Tianyi , Zhong Haining
Published: April 2021

Cortical function relies on the balanced activation of excitatory and inhibitory neurons. However, little is known about the organization and dynamics of shaft excitatory synapses onto cortical inhibitory interneurons, which cannot be easily identified morphologically. Here, we fluorescently visualize the excitatory postsynaptic marker PSD-95 at endogenous levels as a proxy for excitatory synapses onto layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons and parvalbumin-positive (PV+) inhibitory interneurons in the mouse barrel cortex. Longitudinalin vivoimaging reveals that, while synaptic weights in both neuronal types are log-normally distributed, synapses onto PV+ neurons are less heterogeneous and more stable. Markov-model analyses suggest that the synaptic weight distribution is set intrinsically by ongoing cell type-specific dynamics, and substantial changes are due to accumulated gradual changes. Synaptic weight dynamics are multiplicative, i.e., changes scale with weights, though PV+ synapses also exhibit an additive component. These results reveal that cell type-specific processes govern cortical synaptic strengths and dynamics.
The testis-specific transcription factor TCFL5 responds to A-MYB to elaborate the male meiotic program in placental mammals
Authors: Özata Deniz M. , Yu Tianxiong , Cecchini Katharine , Mou Haiwei , Arif Amena , Colpan Cansu , Biasini Adriano , Gaitendinov Ildar , de Rooij Dirk G. , Weng Zhiping , Zamore Phillip D.
Published: April 2021

In male mice, the transcription factor (TF) A-MYB initiates reprogramming of gene expression after spermatogonia enter meiosis. We report that A-MYB activatesTcfl5, a testis-specific TF first produced in pachytene spermatocytes. Subsequently, A-MYB and TCFL5 reciprocally reinforce their own transcription to establish an extensive circuit that regulates meiosis. TCFL5 promotes transcription of genes required for mRNA turnover, pachytene piRNA production, meiotic exit, and spermiogenesis. This transcriptional architecture is conserved in rhesus macaque, suggesting TCFL5 plays a central role in meiosis and spermiogenesis in placental mammals.Tcfl5em1/em1mutants are sterile, and spermatogenesis arrests at the mid- or late-pachytene stage of meiosis.
Behavior of Neural Cells Post Manufacturing and After Prolonged Encapsulation within Conductive Graphene-Laden Alginate Microfibers
Authors: McNamara Marilyn C. , Niaraki Asli Amir Ehsan , Pemathilaka Rajeendra L. , Wrede Alex H. , Montazami Reza , Hashemi Nicole N.
Published: April 2021

Engineering conductive 3D cell scaffoldings offer unique advantages towards the creation of physiologically relevant platforms with integrated real-time sensing capabilities. Toward this goal, rat dopaminergic neural cells were encapsulated into graphene-laden alginate microfibers using a microfluidic fiber fabrication approach, which is unmatched for creating continuous, highly tunable microfibers. Incorporating graphene increases the conductivity of the alginate microfibers 148%, creating a similar conductivity to native brain tissue. Graphene leads to an increase in the cross-sectional sizes and porosities of the fibers, while reducing the roughness of the fiber surface. The cell encapsulation procedure has an efficiency rate of 50%, and of those cells, approximately 30% remain for the entire 6-day observation period. To understand how encapsulation effects cell genetics, the genes IL-1β, TH, TNF-α, and TUBB-3 are analyzed, both after manufacturing and after encapsulation for six days. The manufacturing process and combination with alginate leads to an upregulation of TH, and the introduction of graphene further increases its levels; however, the inverse trend is true of TUBB-3. Long-term encapsulation shows continued upregulation of TH and of TNF-α, and six-day exposure to graphene leads to the upregulation of TUBB-3 and IL-1β, which indicates increased inflammation.
Twelve-month specific IgG response to SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain among COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors in Wuhan
Authors: Li Cesheng , Yu Ding , Wu Xiao , Liang Hong , Zhou Zhijun , Xie Yong , Li Taojing , Wu Junzheng , Lu Fengping , Feng Lu , Mao Min , Lin Lianzhen , Guo Huanhuan , Yue Shenglan , Wang Feifei , Peng Yan , Hu Yong , Wang Zejun , Yu Jianhong , Zhang Yong , Lu Jia , Ning Haoran , Yang Huichuan , Fu Daoxing , He Yanlin , Zhou Dongbo , Du Tao , Duan Kai , Dong Demei , Deng Kun , Zou Xia , Zhang Ya , Zhou Rong , Gao Yang , Zhang Xinxin , Yang Xiaoming
Published: April 2021

To investigate the duration of humoral immune response in convalescent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, we conduct a 12-month longitudinal study through collecting a total of 1,782 plasma samples from 869 convalescent plasma donors in Wuhan, China and test specific antibody responses. The results show that positive rate of IgG antibody against receptor-binding domain of spike protein (RBD-IgG) to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors exceeded 70% for 12 months post diagnosis. The level of RBD-IgG decreases with time, with the titer stabilizing at 64.3% of the initial level by the 9th month. Moreover, male plasma donors produce more RBD-IgG than female, and age of the patients positively correlates with the RBD-IgG titer. A strong positive correlation between RBD-IgG and neutralizing antibody titers is also identified. These results facilitate our understanding of SARS-CoV-2-induced immune memory to promote vaccine and therapy development.
Decreased thermal tolerance as a trade-off of antibiotic resistance
Authors: Herren Cristina M. , Baym Michael
Published: April 2021

Evolutionary theory predicts that adaptations, including antibiotic resistance, should come with associated fitness costs; yet, many resistance mutations seemingly contradict this prediction by inducing no growth rate deficit. However, most growth assays comparing sensitive and resistant strains have been performed under a narrow range of environmental conditions, which do not reflect the variety of contexts that a pathogenic bacterium might encounter when causing infection. We hypothesized that reduced niche breadth, defined as diminished growth across a diversity of environments, can be a cost of antibiotic resistance. Specifically, we test whether chloramphenicol-resistantEscherichia coliincur disproportionate growth deficits in novel thermal conditions. Here we show that chloramphenicol-resistant bacteria have greater fitness costs at novel temperatures than their antibiotic-sensitive ancestors. In several cases, we observed no resistance cost in growth rate at the historic temperature but saw diminished growth at warmer and colder temperatures. These results were consistent across various genetic mechanisms of resistance. Thus, we propose that decreased thermal niche breadth is an under-documented fitness cost of antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, these results demonstrate that the cost of antibiotic resistance shifts rapidly as the environment changes; these context-dependent resistance costs should select for the rapid gain and loss of resistance as an evolutionary strategy.
The Lithuanian reference genome LT1 - a humande novogenome assembly with short and long read sequence and Hi-C data
Authors: Kim Hui-Su , Blazyte Asta , Jeon Sungwon , Yoon Changhan , Kim Yeonkyung , Kim Changjae , Bolser Dan , Ahn Ji-Hye , Edwards Jeremy S. , Bhak Jong
Published: April 2021

We present LT1, the first high-quality human reference genome from the Baltic States. LT1 is a femalede novohuman reference genome assembly constructed using 57× of ultra-long nanopore reads and 47× of short paired-end reads. We also utilized 72 Gb of Hi-C chromosomal mapping data to maximize the assembly’s contiguity and accuracy. LT1’s contig assembly was 2.73 Gbp in length comprising of 4,490 contigs with an N50 value of 13.4 Mbp. After scaffolding with Hi-C data and extensive manual curation, we produced a chromosome-scale assembly with an N50 value of 138 Mbp and 4,699 scaffolds. Our gene prediction quality assessment using BUSCO identify 89.3% of the single-copy orthologous genes included in the benchmarking set. Detailed characterization of LT1 suggested it has 73,744 predicted transcripts, 4.2 million autosomal SNPs, 974,000 short indels, and 12,330 large structural variants. These data are shared as a public resource without any restrictions and can be used as a benchmark for further in-depth genomic analyses of the Baltic populations.
Co-infection of chickens with H9N2 and H7N9 avian influenza viruses leads to emergence of reassortant H9N9 virus with increased fitness for poultry and enhanced zoonotic potential
Authors: Bhat Sushant , James Joe , Sadeyen Jean-Remy , Mahmood Sahar , Everest Holly J , Chang Pengxiang , Walsh Sarah , Byrne Alexander MP , Mollett Benjamin , Lean Fabian , Sealy Joshua E. , Shelton Holly , Slomka Marek J , Brookes Sharon M , Iqbal Munir
Published: April 2021

An H7N9 low pathogenicity avian influenza virus (LPAIV) emerged through genetic reassortment between H9N2 and other LPAIVs circulating in birds in China. This virus causes inapparent clinical disease in chickens, but zoonotic transmission results in severe and fatal disease in humans. We evaluated the consequences of reassortment between the H7N9 and the contemporary H9N2 viruses of G1 lineage that are enzootic in poultry across the Indian sub-continent and the Middle East. Co-infection of chickens with these viruses resulted in emergence of novel reassortant H9N9 viruses carrying genes derived from both H9N2 and H7N9 viruses. These reassortant H9N9 viruses showed significantly increased replication fitness, enhanced pathogenicity in chicken embryos and the potential to transmit via contact among ferrets. Our study highlights that the co-circulation of H7N9 and H9N2 viruses could represent a threat for the generation of novel reassortant viruses with greater virulence in poultry and an increased zoonotic potential.

Graphical Abstract

In Brief

H9N2 viruses have a high propensity to reassort with other avian influenza viruses. We found that co-infection of chickens with H9N2 and H7N9 led to the emergence of reassortant viruses including the H9N9 subtype. Some reassortant H9N9 viruses exhibited increased replication fitness, increased pathogenicity in the chicken embryo, greater avidity for human and avian cell receptors, lower pH fusion and contact-transmission to ferrets. This study demonstrated the ability of viruses that already exist in nature to exchange genetic material, highlighting the potential emergence of viruses from these subtypes with increased zoonotic potential. There are nine H9 influenza A subtypes carrying different neuraminidase (NA) genes, including H9N9 viruses, while they are not common they do exist in nature as wildtypes (CDC).

Highlights

Co-infection of chickens with H7N9 and H9N2 led to emergence of reassortant H9N9 viruses

Reassortant H9N9 viruses had an increased replication rate in avian and human cells

Reassortant H9N9 viruses had a lower pH fusion and significantly higher receptor binding to α 2,3 sialoglycans

Reassortant H9N9 replicated in ferrets at similar levels compared to H7N9 and transmitted via direct contact

Ferrets exposed to reassortant H9N9 by aerosol contact were also found to be seropositive

Experimental simulation of events that may occur naturally with circulating viruses has demonstrated the risk of emergence of viruses with increased zoonotic potential.
Cloud robotic grasping of Gaussian mixture model based on point cloud projection under occlusion
Authors: Lin Shifeng , Wang Ning
Published: April 2021

Purpose

In multi-robot cooperation, the cloud can share sensor data, which can help robots better perceive the environment. For cloud robotics, robot grasping is an important ability that must be mastered. Usually, the information source of grasping mainly comes from visual sensors. However, due to the uncertainty of the working environment, the information acquisition of the vision sensor may encounter the situation of being blocked by unknown objects. This paper aims to propose a solution to the problem in robot grasping when the vision sensor information is blocked by sharing the information of multi-vision sensors in the cloud.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the random sampling consensus algorithm and principal component analysis (PCA) algorithms are used to detect the desktop range. Then, the minimum bounding rectangle of the occlusion area is obtained by the PCA algorithm. The candidate camera view range is obtained by plane segmentation. Then the candidate camera view range is combined with the manipulator workspace to obtain the camera posture and drive the arm to take pictures of the desktop occlusion area. Finally, the Gaussian mixture model (GMM) is used to approximate the shape of the object projection and for every single Gaussian model, the grabbing rectangle is generated and evaluated to get the most suitable one.

Findings

In this paper, a variety of cloud robotic being blocked are tested. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can capture the image of the occluded desktop and grab the objects in the occluded area successfully.

Originality/value

In the existing work, there are few research studies on using active multi-sensor to solve the occlusion problem. This paper presents a new solution to the occlusion problem. The proposed method can be applied to the multi-cloud robotics working environment through cloud sharing, which helps the robot to perceive the environment better. In addition, this paper proposes a method to obtain the object-grabbing rectangle based on GMM shape approximation of point cloud projection. Experiments show that the proposed methods can work well.
Turning around accountability
Authors: Li Yingru , McKernan John , Chen Meiyi
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to describe and analyse the nature of accountability for human rights, as enacted by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC), in this time of globalization and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors focus on one case of alleged union-busting and unfair dismissal carried out under the cover of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tracing the action of that case, the authors show how the BHRRC provides a digital platform for dialogues of accountability. The authors use a Latourian theoretical perspective to guide the progress of the study’s analysis.

Findings

The authors find that the dialogues of accountability enacted on the BHRRC platform cannot be satisfactorily characterized in terms of an old politics of hegemony, counterhegemony and counter accounts. The authors find that the accountability enacted on the platform operates in three modes: in a political mode to support the formation of issues and publics and the embedding of norms; in an organizational mode to support the (re)organizing business corporations around scripts of respect for human rights; in a moral mode to keep scruples concerning means and ends and the pursuit of better outcomes, open.

Originality/value

The paper is novel, in that it engages with the part that accounting can play in politics conceived in Latourian terms; in its introduction, a notion of modes of accountability on the foundations of Latour’s exploration of modes of existence; in its challenge to the value of critical accounting conceived in terms of hegemony and counterhegemony.
Policy asymmetries and fiscal sustainability: evidence from Nigeria
Authors: Adeosun Opeoluwa Adeniyi , Ayodele Olumide Steven , Jongbo Olajide Clement
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study examines and compares different specifications of the fiscal policy rule in the fiscal sustainability analysis of Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

This is methodologically achieved by estimating the baseline constant-parameter and Markov regime switching fiscal models. The asymmetric autoregressive distributed lag fiscal model is also employed to substantiate the differential responses of fiscal authorities to public debt.

Findings

The baseline constant-parameter fiscal model provides mixed results of sustainable and unsustainable fiscal policy. The inconclusiveness is adduced to instability in primary fiscal balance–public debt dynamics. This makes it necessary to capture regime switches in the fiscal policy rule. The Markov switching estimations show a protracted fiscal unsustainable regime that is inconsistent with the intertemporal budget constraint (IBC). The no-Ponzi game and debt stabilizing results of the Markov switching fiscal model further revealed that the transversality and debt stability conditions were not satisfied. Additional findings from the asymmetric autoregressive model estimation show that fiscal consolidation responses vary with contraction and expansion in output and spending, coupled with downturns and upturns in public debt dynamics in both the long and short run. These findings thus confirm the presence of asymmetries in the fiscal policy authorities' reactions to public debt. Further, additional evidences show the violation of the IBC which is exacerbated by the deleterious effect of the pro-cyclical fiscal policy response in boom on the improvement of the primary fiscal balance.

Originality/value

This study deviates from the extant literature by accommodating time variation, periodic switches and fiscal policy asymmetries in the fiscal sustainability analysis of Nigeria.
Some remarks on invariant lightlike submanifolds of indefinite Sasakian manifold
Authors: Ssekajja Samuel
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The author considers an invariant lightlike submanifold M, whose transversal bundle tr(TM) is flat, in an indefinite Sasakian manifold M¯(c) of constant φ¯-sectional curvature c. Under some geometric conditions, the author demonstrates that c=1, that is, M¯ is a space of constant curvature 1. Moreover, M and any leaf M′ of its screen distribution S(TM) are, also, spaces of constant curvature 1.

Design/methodology/approach

The author has employed the techniques developed by K. L. Duggal and A. Bejancu of reference number 7.

Findings

The author has discovered that any totally umbilic invariant ligtlike submanifold, whose transversal bundle is flat, in an indefinite Sasakian space form is, in fact, a space of constant curvature 1 (see Theorem 4.4).

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s findings, at the time of submission of this paper, the results reported are new and interesting as far as lightlike geometry is concerned.
The impact of organizational position level and cultural flow direction on the relationship between cultural intelligence and expatriate cross-border adaptation
Authors: Zhang Ying , Li Yuran , Frost Mark , Rong Shiyu , Jiang Rong , Cheng Edwin T.C.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the critical role played by cultural flow in fostering successful expatriate cross-border transitions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors develop and test a model on the interplay among cultural intelligence, organizational position level, cultural flow direction and expatriate adaptation, using a data set of 387 expatriate on cross-border transitions along the Belt & Road area.

Findings

The authors find that both organizational position level and cultural flow moderate the relationship between cultural intelligence and expatriate adaptation, whereby the relationship is contingent on the interaction of organizational position status and assignment directions between high power distance and low power distance host environments.

Originality/value

Previous research has shown that higher levels of cultural intelligence are positively related to better expatriate adaptation. However, there is a lack of research on the effect of position difference and cultural flow on such relationship. Our study is among the first to examine how the interaction between cultural flow and organizational position level influences the cultural intelligence (CI) and cultural adjustment relationship in cross-cultural transitions.
Through the liquid sunshine: international whisky market structure and competitiveness
Authors: Thomé Karim Marini , Paiva Vitoria Angie Leal , Gois Tafarel Carvalho
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyse the whisky market in relation to international competitiveness and international market structure.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses Herfindahl–Hirschman index and net export index to describe the international market structure, and revealed symmetric comparative advantage (RSCA) index to measure export competitiveness. In addition, it was developed this stability and duration through regression analysis, and used Kaplan–Meier estimator to characterize the competitiveness survival in international whisky market.

Findings

The results reveal that imports market structure remained unconcentrated and, on the other hand, exports market structure is highly concentrated. Concerning the trade characteristics, UK and Ireland have a strong tendency to export; Australia, France, Japan and Spain have a strong position on import and consumption; and Latvia, The Netherlands and Singapore to re-export. About the RSCA, UK, Ireland and Latvia have highest values. UK and Ireland are totally stable during the period analysed, and other countries such as USA, Singapore and Latvia also have a greater survival rate of RSCA.

Originality/value

This study provides a comprehensive and current analysis of the international whisky market structure and competitiveness, contributing to the analysis of the international market for products that have differentiation and focus appeal, such as whisky.
Dynamic characteristics analysis for vehicle parts based on parallel optimization algorithm with CUDA
Authors: Zhao Tianyu , Li Guobing , Pan Honggang , Yuan Huiqun
Published: April 2021

Purpose

An accurate and fast dynamic analysis innovative approach for vehicle parts is provided for engineering practice.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents an innovative dynamic analysis approach for vehicle parts based on parallel optimization algorithm with CUDA.

Findings

This project is supported by the National Science Foundation of China (No. 51805076, No. U1708255 and No. 51775093), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. N170503011) and the Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province, China (No. 20180551058).

Originality/value

This paper presents an innovative approach for vehicle parts using parallel optimization algorithm based on CUDA, which can improve the computing accuracy and speed effectively.
What books will be your bestseller? A machine learning approach with Amazon Kindle
Authors: Lee Seungpeel , Ji Honggeun , Kim Jina , Park Eunil
Published: April 2021

Purpose

With the rapid increase in internet use, most people tend to purchase books through online stores. Several such stores also provide book recommendations for buyer convenience, and both collaborative and content-based filtering approaches have been widely used for building these recommendation systems. However, both approaches have significant limitations, including cold start and data sparsity. To overcome these limitations, this study aims to investigate whether user satisfaction can be predicted based on easily accessible book descriptions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected a large-scale Kindle Books data set containing book descriptions and ratings, and calculated whether a specific book will receive a high rating. For this purpose, several feature representation methods (bag-of-words, term frequency–inverse document frequency [TF-IDF] and Word2vec) and machine learning classifiers (logistic regression, random forest, naive Bayes and support vector machine) were used.

Findings

The used classifiers show substantial accuracy in predicting reader satisfaction. Among them, the random forest classifier combined with the TF-IDF feature representation method exhibited the highest accuracy at 96.09%.

Originality/value

This study revealed that user satisfaction can be predicted based on book descriptions and shed light on the limitations of existing recommendation systems. Further, both practical and theoretical implications have been discussed.
The techniques and challenges of GPS surveying for vertical alignments in high-rise buildings
Authors: Mohamed Safith Abdul Wahid , De Silva Lalith
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Vertical alignment in high-rise building is a very important aspect. The architects are nowadays interested in improvising untypical complicated morphology in building designs which increase the difficulty in surveying for vertical alignments. Although the GNSS survey techniques are widely applied in constructions, there is a lack of data sources to explicitly expose their applicability in high-rise buildings and the challenges to be considered. This study has been oriented to find out the best suitable GPS survey technique for the vertical alignment in high-rise buildings and the practical challenges to be considered.

Design/methodology/approach

The findings have been attained by analyzing the reliable data gained through experts' comments through structured questionnaire survey, case studies and experiments on different GPS survey techniques.

Findings

The findings express that the GPS techniques can be used for vertical alignments in high-rise buildings except for direct setting out for which only RTK GPS can be used. There are some practical challenges to be considered in such GPS applications.

Research limitations/implications

The findings encourage the research community to further focus on the GNSS survey applications in the constructions of high-rise buildings.

Practical implications

The research expresses applicability of easier and less time-consumed modern GNSS survey techniques instead of traditional survey methods for expediting building constructions.

Social implications

The knowledge on such modern rapid survey techniques with accuracy, efficiency and reliability highly affects the process of infrastructure development.

Originality/value

The research presents a useful new knowledge on applying GNSS survey techniques for precise survey requirements in the construction industry and exposes the gateways for further researches and development.
Selection of mode of transport for freight movement
Authors: Tripathi Sachin , Hudnurkar Manoj , Ambekar Suhas Suresh
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this research paper is to understand the major factors considered before choosing the mode of transportation for the freight movement in India by different stakeholders and look into the future prospects on each of these sectors, i.e. railways, roadways and inland waterways.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper collected the primary data from the various stakeholders in the transportation sector and the secondary data through websites and various ministries of each of the sectors. The various factors are then determined by thoroughly analysing the responses by performing factor analysis in SPSS.

Findings

Earlier railways were the preferred medium of transportation, but the dynamics shifted during the 90’s to roadways, and now, it is responsible for nearly 60% of the freight traffic with waterways slowing increasing its share of the pie. Also, there are a lot of factors which stakeholders consider, but the major factors that came out are cost, sustainability, timing, government initiatives, visibility and performance.

Practical implications

The result of this study implies that sectors should create a robust network for easy reach of the customers and try working in conjunction to create an efficient, affordable and highly connected network. This study will also help in taking vital decisions regarding the future planning of transportation sector.

Originality/value

The findings help in improving the transportation network and help in better decision-making by various stakeholders while choosing the mode of transportation.
Attempts to “forget”: unaccompanied refugee adolescents’ everyday experiences of psychosocial challenges and coping upon settlement
Authors: Jarlby Frederikke , Derluyn Ilse , Vitus Kathrine , Jervelund Signe Smith
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Poor mental health is common amongst unaccompanied refugee adolescents and may have serious negative consequences for their successful settlement. This study aims to elucidate unaccompanied adolescents’ experiences of psychosocial challenges and what they need to cope with this during their course of settlement in Denmark, particularly focussing on social support.

Design/methodology/approach

The study sample included six male unaccompanied refugee adolescents aged 17–18, living in two residential care facilities. Based on a triangulation of methods (i.e. participant observation, individual interviews and a focus group interview using photo-elicitation), a thematic analysis was conducted within the conceptual framework of stigma and a need for relatedness.

Findings

Several interwoven and on-going psychosocial challenges, including perceived stigma and loneliness combined with past traumatic experiences and uncertainties about the future, were experienced by the adolescents in this study. As opposed to experiencing emotional distress, stigma and loneliness, various activities of “forgetting”, which involved a sense of momentary relief or bliss, a sense of “normalcy” and acceptance and/or a sense of relatedness, helped them to cope.

Practical implications

For psychosocial care services to respond to adolescents’ mental health needs in an optimal way, the results suggest that activities and social support that are sufficiently adapted to individual needs should be the focal point in their daily lives.

Originality/value

The study offers insights into the needs of unaccompanied refugee adolescents in coping with the psychosocial challenges experienced in their daily lives.
Research on different structures of dimpled textures on improving the LE-FPL of engine
Authors: Wang Peiling , Nguyen Vanliem , Wu Xiaoyan , Wang Shu
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to research the effect of the different structures of dimpled textures on the rod bearing surfaces on improving the engine’s lubrication efficiency and friction power loss (LE-FPL).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the hydrodynamic model of the rod bearing, the effect of different structures of dimpled surfaces including circular dimples (CD), square dimples (SD), wedge-shaped dimples (WSD), circular-square dimples (CSD) and square-wedge-shaped dimples (SWSD) on ameliorating the LE-FPL is analyzed under the different operating conditions of the engine. The oil film pressure (p), asperity contact force (Wac), friction force (Ff) and coefficient of friction (COF) of the rod bearing are chosen to evaluate the LE-FPL.

Findings

The SD’s performance on improving the LE-FPL is better than all other structures of the CD, WSD, CSD and SWSD. Particularly, the average values of Wac, Ff and COF with the SD is significantly reduced by 14.5%, 28.5% and 33.3% compared to the optimal dimensions of the rod bearing; and by 26.4%, 34.5% and 43.7% compared to the optimal CD (n = m = 6).

Originality/value

The generated friction between surfaces of rod bearings of the engine not only reduces the engine power but also affects the durability of the structures. Thus, the optimal design of the SD to further improve the LE-FPL is very necessary.
Does it pay to be green? An exploratory analysis of wage differentials between green and non-green industries
Authors: Jackman Mahalia , Moore Winston
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper investigates the potential wage impacts of a shift to more environmentally sustainable production patterns.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis is carried out using labour force survey data and interval regressions.

Findings

Estimates at the individual level suggest that small wage differentials exist: individuals employed in green industries earn about seven per cent more than those working in non-green industries.

Originality/value

To date, very little is known about the characteristics of jobs in the green industry and by extension, the labour force effects that can emerge or change as a result of transitioning towards a greener economy. While exploratory in nature, this analysis seeks to shed light on an underdeveloped area of research, namely, wage inequalities associated with transitioning towards green growth.
An environmental impact analysis method of machine-tool cutting units based on LCA
Authors: Shi Junli , Hu Junyu , Ma Mingyang , Wang Huaizhi
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a method for the environmental impact analysis of machine-tool cutting, which enables the detailed analysis of inventory data on resource consumption and waste emissions, as well as the quantitative evaluation of environmental impact.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed environmental impact analysis method is based on the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. In this method, the system boundary of the cutting unit is first defined, and inventory data on energy and material consumptions are analyzed. Subsequently, through classification, five important environmental impact categories are proposed, namely, primary energy demand, global warming potential, acidification potential, eutrophication potential and photochemical ozone creation potential. Finally, the environmental impact results are obtained through characterization and normalization.

Findings

This method is applied on a case study involving a machine-tool turning unit. Results show that primary energy demand and global warming potential exert the serious environmental impact in the turning unit. Suggestions for improving the environmental performance of the machine-tool turning are proposed.

Originality/value

The environmental impact analysis method is applicable to different machine tools and cutting-unit processes. Moreover, it can guide and support the development of green manufacturing by machinery manufacturers.
Perceived service quality of architectural consultancy firms and client satisfaction in building projects in Nigeria
Authors: Aluko Olusola Ralph , Idoro Godwin I. , Ajayi Saheed O.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Clients in Nigeria have continuously questioned the quality of services being rendered by architectural firms in building projects. This study aims to investigate the areas of service responsible for determining client satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses questionnaire for data collection on perceived service quality and indicators of clients’ satisfaction.

Findings

The results of descriptive statistics suggest that efficient analysis and compliance with client brief along with buildability, flexibility and comprehensiveness of the design are the main technical determinants of clients’ satisfaction. Management measures for engendering clients’ satisfaction include team communication and collaboration as well as regular site visits when required. The study established a significant relationship between the perceived service quality and client satisfaction. At technical level, economical design and compliance with budget, buildability, optimal and error-free design and timely delivery have significant correlation with the perception of service quality, which could engender client satisfaction. At management level, collaboration and coordination, integrity and trust, regular site visits and project management knowledge and skills had significant relationships with perceived service quality.

Originality/value

To improve overall client satisfaction, architects are expected to focus on these factors in the process of service delivery. Architects’ expertise and skills can be further harnessed through continuous training and understanding of the project environment.