bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polaritons and excitons: Hamiltonian design for enhanced coherence
Authors: Scholes Gregory D.
Published: October 2020

The primary questions motivating this report are: Are there ways to increase coherence and delocalization of excitation among many molecules at moderate electronic coupling strength? Coherent delocalization of excitation in disordered molecular systems is studied using numerical calculations. The results are relevant to molecular excitons, polaritons, and make connections to classical phase oscillator synchronization. In particular, it is hypothesized that it is not only the magnitude of electronic coupling relative to the standard deviation of energetic disorder that decides the limits of coherence, but that the structure of the Hamiltonian—connections between sites (or molecules) made by electronic coupling—is a significant design parameter. Inspired by synchronization phenomena in analogous systems of phase oscillators, some properties of graphs that define the structure of different Hamiltonian matrices are explored. The report focuses on eigenvalues and ensemble density matrices of various structured, random matrices. Some reasons for the special delocalization properties and robustness of polaritons in the single-excitation subspace (the star graph) are discussed. The key result of this report is that, for some classes of Hamiltonian matrix structure, coherent delocalization is not easily defeated by energy disorder, even when the electronic coupling is small compared to disorder.
Ising-like models for stacking faults in a free electron metal
Authors: Ruffino Martina , Skinner Guy C. G. , Andritsos Eleftherios I. , Paxton Anthony T.
Published: October 2020

We propose an extension of the axial next nearest neighbour Ising (ANNNI) model to a general number of interactions between spins. We apply this to the calculation of stacking fault energies in magnesium—particularly challenging due to the long-ranged screening of the pseudopotential by the free electron gas. We employ both density functional theory (DFT) using highest possible precision, and generalized pseudopotential theory (GPT) in the form of an analytic, long ranged, oscillating pair potential. At the level of first neighbours, the Ising model is reasonably accurate, but higher order terms are required. In fact, our ‘ AN

N

NI model’ is slow to converge—an inevitable feature of the free electron-like electronic structure. In consequence, the convergence and internal consistency of the AN

N

NI model is problematic within the most precise implementation of DFT. The GPT shows the convergence and internal consistency of the DFT bandstructure approach with electron temperature, but does not lead to loss of precision. The GPT is as accurate as a full implementation of DFT but carries the additional benefit that damping of the oscillations in the AN

N

NI model parameters are achieved without entailing error in stacking fault energies. We trace this to the logarithmic singularity of the Lindhard function.
Model reduction by mean-field homogenization in viscoelastic composites. II. Application to rigidly reinforced solids
Authors: Idiart Martín I. , Lahellec Noel , Suquet Pierre
Published: October 2020

The mean-field homogenization scheme proposed by Lahellec & Suquet (2007
Int. J. Solids Struct.
44
, 507–529 (
doi:10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2006.04.038
)) and revisited in a companion paper (Idiart
et al
. 2020
Proc. R. Soc. A
20200407 (
doi:10.1098/rspa.2020.0407
)) is applied to random mixtures of a viscoelastic solid phase and a rigid phase. Two classes of mixtures with different microstructural arrangements are considered. In the first class the rigid phase is dispersed within the continuous viscoelastic phase in such a way that the elastic moduli of the mixture are given exactly by the Hashin–Shtrikman formalism. In the second class, both phases are intertwined in such a way that the elastic moduli of the mixture are given exactly by the Self-Consistent formalism. Results are reported for specimens subject to various complex deformation programmes. The scheme is found to improve on earlier approximations of common use and even recover exact results under several circumstances. However, it can also generate highly inaccurate predictions as a result of the loss of convexity of the free-energy density. An auspicious procedure to partially circumvent this issue is advanced.
Socioeconomic inequalities in co-morbidity of overweight, obesity and mental ill-health from adolescence to mid-adulthood in two national birth cohort studies
Authors: Khanolkar Amal R. , Patalay Praveetha
Published: October 2020

Aim

To examine socioeconomic inequalities in risk of comorbidity between overweight (including obesity) and mental ill-health in two national cohorts. We investigated independent effects of childhood and adulthood socioeconomic disadvantage on comorbidity from childhood to mid-adulthood, and differences by sex and cohort.

Methods

Data were from 1958 National Child Development Study (NCDS58) and 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70) [total N=30,868, 51% males] assessed at ages 10, 16, 23, 34 and 42 years. Socioeconomic indicators included childhood and adulthood social class and educational level. Risk for i. having healthy BMI and mental ill-health, ii. overweight and good mental health, and iii. overweight and mental ill-health was analysed using multinomial logistic regression.

Results

Socioeconomic disadvantage was consistently associated with greater risk for overweight-mental ill-health comorbidity at all ages (RRR 1.43, 2.04, 2.38, 1.64 and 1.71 at ages 10, 16, 23, 34 and 42 respectively for unskilled/skilled vs. professional/managerial class). The observed inequalities in co-morbidity were greater than that observed for either condition alone (overweight; RRR 1.39 and 1.25, mental ill-health; 1.36 and 1.22 at ages 16 and 42 respectively, for unskilled/skilled vs. professional/managerial class). In adulthood, childhood and adulthood socioeconomic disadvantage were independently associated with comorbid overweight-mental ill-health, with a clear inverse gradient between educational level and risk for comorbidity; no education, RRR 6.11 (95% CI 4.31-8.65) at age 34 and 4.42 (3.28-5.96) at age 42 compared to university education. There were no differences observed in the extent of inequalities by sex and differences between cohorts were limited.

Conclusions

Socioeconomic disadvantage in childhood and adulthood are consistently and independently associated with greater risk for mental ill-health and overweight separately, and even greater inequalities in the risk for comorbidity between both conditions through the lifecourse. These findings are significant given the increasing global prevalence of obesity and mental ill-health, and their implications for lifelong health and mortality.
Spatially expandable fiber-based probes as a multifunctional deep brain interface
Authors: Jiang Shan , Patel Dipan C. , Kim Jongwoon , Yang Shuo , Mills William A. , Zhang Yujing , Wang Kaiwen , Feng Ziang , Vijayan Sujith , Cai Wenjun , Wang Anbo , Guo Yuanyuan , Kimbrough Ian F. , Sontheimer Harald , Jia Xiaoting
Published: October 2020

Understanding the cytoarchitecture and wiring of the brain requires improved methods to record and stimulate large groups of neurons with cellular specificity. This requires miniaturized neural interfaces that integrate into brain tissue without altering its properties. Existing neural interface technologies have been shown to provide high-resolution electrophysiological recording with high signal-to-noise ratio. However, with single implantation, the physical properties of these devices limit their access to one, small brain region. To overcome this limitation, we developed a platform that provides three-dimensional coverage of brain tissue through multisite multifunctional fiber-based neural probes guided in a helical scaffold. Chronic recordings from the spatially expandable fiber probes demonstrate the ability of these fiber probes capturing brain activities with a single-unit resolution for long observation times. Furthermore, usingThy1-ChR2-YFPmice we demonstrate the application of our probes in simultaneous recording and optical/chemical modulation of brain activities across distant regions. Similarly, varying electrographic brain activities from different brain regions were detected by our customizable probes in a mouse model of epilepsy, suggesting the potential of using these probes for the investigation of brain disorders such as epilepsy. Ultimately, this technique enables three-dimensional manipulation and mapping of brain activities across distant regions in the deep brain with minimal tissue damage, which can bring new insights for deciphering complex brain functions and dynamics in the near future.
Activating mGlu3metabotropic glutamate receptors rescues schizophrenia-like cognitive deficits through metaplastic adaptations within the hippocampus
Authors: Dogra Shalini , Stansley Branden J. , Xiang Zixiu , Qian Weilun , Gogliotti Rocco G. , Nicoletti Ferdinando , Lindsley Craig W. , Niswender Colleen M. , Joffe Max E. , Conn P. Jeffrey
Published: October 2020

Background

Polymorphisms inGRM3, the gene encoding the mGlu3 metabotropic glutamate receptor, are associated with impaired cognition and neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. Limited availability of selective genetic and molecular tools has hindered progress in developing a clear understanding of the mechanisms through which mGlu3 receptors regulate synaptic plasticity and cognition.

Methods

We examined associative learning in mice with trace fear conditioning, a hippocampal-dependent learning task disrupted in patients with schizophrenia. Underlying cellular mechanisms were assessed usingex vivohippocampal slice preparations with selective pharmacological tools and selective genetic deletion of mGlu3 receptor expression in specific neuronal subpopulations.

Results

mGlu3receptor activation enhanced trace fear conditioning and reversed deficits induced by subchronic phencyclidine. Mechanistic studies revealed that mGlu3receptor activation induced metaplastic changes, biasing afferent stimulation to induce long-term potentiation through a mGlu5receptor-dependent, endocannabinoid-mediated, disinhibitory mechanism. Selective genetic deletion of either mGlu3or mGlu5from hippocampal pyramidal cells eliminated effects of mGlu3activation, revealing a novel mechanism by which mGlu3and mGlu5interact to enhance cognitive function.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate that activation of mGlu3receptors in hippocampal pyramidal cells enhances hippocampal-dependent cognition in control and impaired mice by inducing a novel form of metaplasticity to regulate circuit function – providing a clear mechanism through which genetic variation inGRM3can contribute to cognitive deficits. Developing approaches to positively modulate mGlu3receptor function represents an encouraging new avenue for treating cognitive disruption in schizophrenia and other psychiatric diseases.
Electroencephalogram Monitoring of Depth of Anesthesia during Office-Based Anesthesia
Authors: Nagaraj Sunil B. , Kahali Pegah , Purdon Patrick L. , Shapiro Fred E. , Westover M. Brandon
Published: October 2020

Objective

Electroencephalogram (EEG) monitors are often used to monitor depth of general anesthesia. EEG monitoring is less well developed for lighter levels of anesthesia. Here we present an automated method to monitor the depth of anesthesia for office based procedures using EEG spectral features.

Methods

We analyze EEG recordings from 30 patients undergoing sedation using a multimodal anesthesia strategy. Level of sedation during the procedure is coded using the Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS). The power spectrum from the frontal EEG is used to infer the level of sedation, by training a logistic regression model with elastic net regularization. Area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) is used to evaluate how well the automated system distinguishes awake from sedated EEG epochs.

Results

EEG power spectral characteristics vary systematically and consistently across patients with the levels of light anesthesia and relatively healthy patients encountered during office-based anesthesia procedures. The logistic regression model using spectral EEG features distinguishes awake and sedated states with an AUC of 0.85 (± 0.14).

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that frontal EEG spectral features can reliably monitor sedation levels during office based anesthesia.
TaqMan Array Cards enable monitoring of diverse enteric pathogens across environmental and host reservoirs
Authors: Lappan Rachael , Henry Rebekah , Chown Steven L. , Luby Stephen P. , Higginson Ellen E. , Bata Lamiya , Jirapanjawat Thanavit , Schang Christelle , Openshaw John J. , O’Toole Joanne , Lin Audrie , Tela Autiko , Turagabeci Amelia , Wong Tony H.F. , French Matthew A. , Brown Rebekah R. , Leder Karin , Greening Chris , McCarthy David
Published: October 2020

Background

Multiple bacteria, viruses, protists, and helminths cause enteric infections that greatly impact human health and wellbeing. These enteropathogens are transmitted via several pathways through human, animal, and environmental reservoirs. Individual quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays have been extensively used to detect enteropathogens within these types of samples, whereas the TaqMan Array Card (TAC) that allows simultaneous detection of multiple enteropathogens has only previously been validated in human clinical samples.

Methods

Here, we performed a comprehensive double-blinded comparison of the performance of a custom TAC relative to standard qPCR for the detection of eight enteric targets, by using spiked samples, wastewater from Melbourne (Australia), and human, animal, and environmental samples from informal settlements in Suva, Fiji.

Findings

Both methods exhibited high and comparable specificity (TAC: 100%, qPCR: 94%), sensitivity (TAC: 92%; qPCR: 100%), and quantitation accuracy (TAC: 91%; qPCR: 99%) in non-inhibited sample matrices. PCR inhibitors substantially impacted detection via TAC, though this issue was alleviated by 10-fold sample dilution. Among samples from informal settlements, the two techniques were comparable for detection (89% agreement) and quantitation (R2= 0.82). The TAC additionally included 38 other targets, enabling detection of diverse faecal pathogens and extensive environmental contamination that would be prohibitively labour intensive to assay by standard qPCR.

Interpretation

Overall, the two techniques produce comparable results across diverse sample types, with qPCR prioritising greater sensitivity and quantitation accuracy, and TAC trading small reductions in these for a cost-effective larger enteropathogen panel that enables a greater number of enteric pathogens to be analysed concurrently, which is beneficial given the abundance and variety of enteric pathogens in environments such as urban informal settlements. The ability to monitor multiple enteric pathogens across diverse reservoirs in turn allows better resolution of pathogen exposure pathways, and the design and monitoring of interventions to reduce pathogen load.

Funding

Wellcome TrustOur Planet, Our Healthprogram [OPOH grant 205222/Z/16/Z].
Exact and WKB-approximate distributions in a gene expression model with feedback in burst frequency, burst size, and protein stability
Authors: Bokes Pavol
Published: October 2020

The expression of individual genes into functional protein molecules is a noisy dynamical process. Here we model the protein concentration as a jump–drift process which combines discrete stochastic production bursts (jumps) with continuous deterministic decay (drift). We allow the drift rate, the jump rate, and the jump size to depend on the protein level to implement feedback in protein stability, burst frequency, and burst size. We specifically focus on positive feedback in burst size, while allowing for arbitrary autoregulation in burst frequency and protein stability. Two versions of feedback in burst size are thereby considered: in the first, newly produced molecules instantly participate in feedback, even within the same burst; in the second, within-burst regulation does not occur due to the so-called infinitesimal delay. Without infinitesimal delay, the model is explicitly solvable; with its inclusion, an exact distribution to the model is unavailable, but we are able to construct a WKB approximation that applies in the asymptotic regime of small but frequent bursts. Comparing the asymptotic behaviour of the two model versions, we report that they yield the same WKB quasi-potential but a different exponential prefactor. We illustrate the difference on the case of a bimodal protein distribution sustained by a sigmoid feedback in burst size: we show that the omission of the infinitesimal delay overestimates the weight of the upper mode of the protein distribution. The analytic results are supported by kinetic Monte-Carlo simulations.
Cambium-specific Transcriptome Analysis of Paulownia to Study the Molecular Impacts of Winter and Spring Seasons on Tree Growth
Authors: Perry Zachary D , Saminathan Thangasamy , Arun Alok , Vaidya Brajesh N , Basu Chhandak , Reddy Umesh K , Joshee Nirmal
Published: October 2020

Paulownia (Paulownia elongata) is a fast-growing, multipurpose deciduous hardwood species that grows in a wide range of temperatures from –30 °C to 45 °C. Seasonal cues influence the secondary growth of tree stems, including cambial activity, wood chemistry, and transition to latewood formation. In this study, ade novotranscriptome approach was conducted to identify the transcripts expressed in vascular cambial tissue from senescent winter and actively growing spring seasons. Illumina paired-end sequenced cambial transcriptome generated 297,049,842 clean reads which finally yielded 61,639 annotated unigenes. Based on non- redundant protein database analyses, Paulownia cambial unigenes shared highest homology (64.8%) withErythranthe guttata. A total of 35,471 unigenes resulted from KEGG annotation that were mapped to 128 pathways with metabolic pathways dominated among all. Additionally, DEG analysis showed that 2,688 and 7,411 genes were significantly upregulated and downregulated, respectively in spring compared to winter. Interestingly, quite a number of transcripts belonging to heat shock proteins were upregulated in spring season. RT-qPCR expression results of fifteen wood-forming candidate genes involved in hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, auxin and cytokinin pathways showed that the hemicellulose genes (CSLC4, FUT1, AXY4, GATL1, andIRX19) were significantly upregulated in spring season tissues when compared to winter tissues. In contrast, lignin pathway genesCCR1andCAD1were upregulated in winter cambium. Finally, a transcriptome-wide marker analysis identified 11,338 Simple Sequence Repeat (SSRs). The AG/CT dinucleotide repeat predominately represented all SSRs. Altogether, the cambial transcriptomic analysis reported here highlights the molecular events of wood formation during winter and spring. The identification of candidate genes involved in the cambial growth provides a roadmap of wood formation in Paulownia and other trees for the seasonal growth variation.
Selective and Improved Photoannealing of Microporous Annealed Particle (MAP) Scaffolds
Authors: Pfaff Blaise N. , Pruett Lauren J. , Cornell Nicholas J. , de Rutte Joseph , Di Carlo Dino , Highley Christopher B. , Griffin Donald R.
Published: October 2020

Microporous Annealed Particle (MAP) scaffolds consist of a slurry of hydrogel microspheres that undergo annealing to form a solid scaffold. MAP scaffolds have contained functional groups with dual abilities to participate in Michael-type addition (gelation) and radical polymerization (photoannealing). Functional groups with efficient Michael-type additions react with thiols and amines under physiological conditions, limiting usage for therapeutic delivery. We present a heterofunctional maleimide/methacrylamide 4-arm PEG macromer (MethMal) engineered for selective photopolymerization compatible with multiple polymer backbones. Rheology using two classes of photoinitiators demonstrates advantageous photopolymerization capabilities. Functional assays show benefits for therapeutic delivery and 3D printing without impacting cell viability.
Bacterial microcompartments linked to the flavin-based extracellular electron transfer drives anaerobic ethanolamine utilization inListeria monocytogenes
Authors: Zeng Zhe , Boeren Sjef , Bhandula Varaang , Light Samuel H. , Smid Eddy J. , Notebaart Richard A. , Abee Tjakko
Published: October 2020

Ethanolamine (EA) is a valuable microbial carbon and nitrogen source derived from phospholipids present in cell membranes. EA catabolism is suggested to occur in so-called bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) and activation of EA utilization (eut) genes is linked to bacterial pathogenesis. Despite reports showing that activation ofeutinListeria monocytogenesis regulated by a vitamin B12-binding riboswitch and that upregulation ofeutgenes occurs in mice, it remains unknown whether EA catabolism is BMC dependent. Here, we provide evidence for BMC-dependent anaerobic EA utilization via metabolic analysis, proteomics and electron microscopy. First, we show B12-induced activation of theeutoperon inL. monocytogenescoupled to uptake and utilization of EA thereby enabling growth. Next, we demonstrate BMC formation in conjunction to EA catabolism with the production of acetate and ethanol in a molar ratio of 2:1. Flux via the ATP generating acetate branch causes an apparent redox imbalance due to reduced regeneration of NAD+ in the ethanol branch resulting in a surplus of NADH. We hypothesize that the redox imbalance is compensated by linkingeutBMC to anaerobic flavin-based extracellular electron transfer (EET). UsingL. monocytogeneswild type, a BMC mutant and a EET mutant, we demonstrate an interaction between BMC and EET and provide evidence for a role of Fe3+as an electron acceptor. Taken together, our results suggest an important role of anaerobic BMC-dependent EA catabolism in the physiology ofL. monocytogenes, with a crucial role for the flavin-based EET system in redox balancing.

IMPORTANCE

Listeria monocytogenesis a food-borne pathogen causing severe illness and, as such, it is crucial to understand the molecular mechanisms contributing to pathogenicity. One carbon source that allowsL. monocytogenesto grow in humans is ethanolamine (EA), which is derived from phospholipids present in eukaryotic cell membranes. It is hypothesized that EA utilization occurs in bacterial microcompartments (BMCs), self-assembling subcellular proteinaceous structures and analogs of eukaryotic organelles. Here, we demonstrate that BMC-driven utilization of EA inL. monocytogenesresults in increased energy production essential for anaerobic growth. However, exploiting BMCs and the encapsulated metabolic pathways also requires balancing of oxidative and reductive pathways. We now provide evidence thatL. monocytogenescopes with this by linking BMC activity to flavin-based extracellular electron transfer (EET) using iron as an electron acceptor. Our results shed new light on an important molecular mechanism that enablesL. monocytogenesto grow using host-derived phospholipid degradation products.
Reverse Genetics with a Full-length Infectious cDNA Clone of Bovine Torovirus
Authors: Makoto Ujike , Yuka Etoh , Naoya Urushiyama , Fumihiro Taguchi , Luis Enjuanes , Wataru Kamitani
Published: October 2020

Torovirus (ToV) has recently been classified in the new family Tobaniviridae, although it belonged to the Coronavirus (CoV) family historically. Reverse genetics systems for many CoVs have been established, but none exist for ToVs. Here, we describe a reverse genetics system using a full-length infectious cDNA clone of bovine ToV (BToV) in a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC). Recombinant BToV containing genetic markers had the same phenotype as wild-type (wt) BToV. To generate two types of recombinant virus, the Hemagglutinin-esterase (HE) gene was manipulated, since cell-adapted wtBToV generally loses the full-length HE (HEf), resulting in soluble HE (HEs). First, recombinant viruses with HEf and HA-tagged HEf or HEs genes were rescued; these showed no significant differences in cell growth, suggesting that HE is not essential for viral growth in cells. Then, recombinant virus in which HE was replaced by the Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) gene expressed EGFP in infected cells, but showed significantly reduced viral growth compared to wtBToV. Moreover, the recombinant virus readily deleted the EGFP gene after one passage. Interestingly, one variant with mutations in non-structural proteins (NSPs) showed improved EGFP expression and viral growth during serial passages, although it eventually deleted the EGFP gene, suggesting that these mutations contributed to EGFP gene acceptance. These recombinant viruses provide new insights regarding BToV and its reverse genetics will help advance understanding of this neglected pathogen.

Importance

ToVs are diarrhea-causing pathogens that have been detected in many species, including humans. BToV has spread worldwide, leading to economic losses. We developed the first reverse genetics system for Tobaniviridae using a BAC-based BToV. Using this system, we showed that recombinant BToVs with HEf and HEs showed no significant differences in cell growth. In contrast, clinical BToVs generally lose the HE gene after a few passages but some recombinant viruses retained the HE gene for up to 20 passages, suggesting some benefits of HE retention. The EGFP gene of the recombinant viruses was unstable and was rapidly deleted, likely via negative selection. Interestingly, one virus variant with mutations in NSPs was more stable, resulting in improved EGFP-expression and viral growth, suggesting that the mutations contributed to some acceptance of the exogenous EGFP gene without clear positive selection. The recombinant BToVs and reverse genetics developed here are powerful tools for understanding fundamental viral processes and their pathogenesis and for developing BToV vaccines.
Role of managerial perception of competitive pressures in firms' product innovation success
Authors: Medhi Pankaj Kumar , Allamraju Ashita
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study explores the link between the level of importance managers assign to competitive pressures from domestic competition, foreign competition and customers as factors in the key business decisions related to innovation and the outcome of firms' product innovation efforts.

Design/methodology/approach

The research sample is taken from the Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey by World Bank (2005). The relevant questions for the study were extracted from the survey. Logistic regression models were used for analysis using the ISLR library from R statistical software.

Findings

Managers' consideration of customer pressure for innovation as important in key business decisions related to innovation has a positive and sustainable effect, distinct from that of R&D and other innovative activities, on firms' success of product innovation efforts.

Research limitations/implications

The research acknowledges the need to verify the findings in a multicountry setting.

Practical implications

This research can help mediate the managers' assignment of importance to certain types of competition for innovation decisions in multicompetitive environment for improved success of product innovation efforts.

Originality/value

Simultaneous consideration of multiple competitive pressures by managers helps to identify the most suitable innovation activities for their respective firms and improve the chances of success of firms' innovation efforts.
Using data mining techniques to predict user’s behavior and create recommender systems in the libraries and information centers
Authors: Ansari Nasim , Vakilimofrad Hossein , Mansoorizadeh Muharram , Amiri Mohamad Reza
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to analyze and predict a user’s behavior and create recommender systems in libraries and information centers, using data mining techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study is an analytical survey study of cross-sectional type. The required data for this study were collected from the transactions of the users of libraries and information centers in Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. Using data mining techniques, the existing patterns were investigated, and users’ loan transactions were analyzed.

Findings

The findings showed that the association rules with the degree of confidence above 0.50 were able to determine user access patterns. Furthermore, among the decision tree algorithms, the C.05 predicted the loan period, referrals and users’ delay with the highest accuracy (i.e. 90.1). The other findings on feedforward neural network with R = 0.99 showed that the predicted results of neural network computation were very close to the real situation and had a proper estimation of user’s delay prediction. Finally, the clustering technique with the k-means algorithm predicted users’ behavior model regarding their loyalty.

Practical implications

The results of this study can lead to providing effective services and improve the quality of interaction between librarians and users and provide a good opportunity for managers to align supply of information resources with the real needs of users.

Originality/value

The results of the study showed that various data mining techniques are applicable with high efficiency and accuracy in analyzing library and information centers data and can be used to predict a user’s behavior and create recommendation systems.
Influencing factors and rules of shielding effectiveness of electromagnetic shielding clothing sleeve
Authors: Wang Xiuchen , Liu Zhe , Wu Long , Wang Yue , Su Ying
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The change rules of the shielding effectiveness (SE) of the sleeve has not been clarified, which leads to the lack of the basis for the design, manufacture and evaluation of the electromagnetic shielding (EMS) clothing.

Design/methodology/approach

According to a simplified analysis model, a series of sleeve samples with different fabrics and styles are designed and manufactured. The SE of the sleeve is tested with the proposed special test method in a semi-anechoic chamber to analyze the influence of different factors on the SE of the sleeve.

Findings

The SE is greatly reduced about 60–90% after the fabric is manufactured into the sleeve. The larger the sleeve length is, the higher the peak value of the SE is. When the sleeve length is low, the SE value is easy to appear negative. As the cuff circumference increases, the SE of the sleeve will change with the frequency band. The influence of the cuff style on the SE of the sleeve mainly depends on the cuff width and style. The larger the cuff width is, the lower the overall SE of the sleeve is. The more wrinkles there are at the cuff, the better the SE of the sleeve is.

Originality/value

Our results provide a reference for the design, production and evaluation of the sleeve and the whole EMS clothing.
Supervisor narcissistic rage: political support as an antidote
Authors: Jordan Samantha , Hochwarter Wayne , Palmer Joshua , Daniels Shanna , Ferris Gerald R.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This research examines how perceived supervisor political support (SPS) moderates the relationship between perceived supervisor narcissistic rage (SNR) and relevant employee work outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Across three studies (Study 1: 604 student-recruited working adults; Study 2: 156 practicing lawyers: Study 3: 161 municipality employees), employees provided ratings for SPS, SNR and ratings of their job satisfaction, organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), depressed work mood and work neglect.

Findings

Results supported the authors’ argument that SPS moderates the relationship between SNR and work outcomes. Specifically, SNR was associated with unfavorable outcomes only when SPS was low. When SPS was high, SNR had little effect on job satisfaction, OCBs, depressed mood and neglect.

Research limitations/implications

Results affirm that supervisor characteristics considered toxic do not always provoke adverse reactions when considering other leader features simultaneously.

Practical implications

Supervisors capable of offering political support can positively influence subordinate attitudes, behaviors and well-being even when other aspects of their personality potentially initiate antagonism.

Originality/value

This study is the first to examine SNR features and informal support activities concurrently.
The role of customer education: a repeated cross-sectional study
Authors: Sari Hasrini , Firmanzah Firmanzah , Harahap Asyifa Aprilia , Siahaan Bona Christanto
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Customer education is considered as an appropriate communication strategy for promoting green products. This paper aims to elaborate on the characteristics of customer education that are suitable for green products by identifying what messages must be delivered, sources and channels that must be used to achieve the greatest effect. Moreover, this study uses a repeated cross-sectional approach by using the same research model in 2008 and 2019.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was arranged based on the research model. In 2008, the data were collected at 12 shopping malls in Jakarta. The 2019 data were collected online, using Google forms, from citizens of Jakarta and five nearby cities. Then, the data were processed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Data analysis of both years shows that education containing messages that are both informational and transformational can increase customers’ perceptions of the benefits and economic accessibility of green products, as well as environmental concerns. This study’s results also indicate that customers’ intentions to buy green products are influenced by their attitudes toward buying. However, the impact of customers’ perceptions of benefit and economic accessibility on their attitudes toward green purchasing varied between 2008 and 2019.

Practical implications

Sustainable consumption can be pursued through customer education once a community’s economic conditions have reached a certain level. This study shows how changes have unfolded in Indonesia in several areas, therefore it should also be necessary to pursue green behavior via policies that are tailored to changes in the community.

Social implications

This study shows how changes have unfolded in Indonesia in several areas, therefore it should also be necessary to pursue green behavior via policies that are tailored to changes in the community.

Originality/value

Investigation of the role of customer education in green products using a repeated cross-sectional study.
Organizational culture and organizational learning: does high performance work systems mediate?
Authors: Shahriari Mohsen , Allameh Sayyed Mohsen
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The primary purpose of this study is to examine the effect of organizational culture (OC), that is, group, developmental, hierarchical and rational culture on organizational learning (OL) of employees in electricity distribution companies of Isfahan province. Further, the role of the high-performance work system (HPWS) as a mediator between OC and OL has also been explored.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaire survey method has been used for data collection, and data analysis was completed through a two-stage partial least squares structural equation modeling technique. At the first stage, the measurement model was examined for construct validity and reliability, whereas at the second stage, the structural model and by implication the research hypotheses were tested.

Findings

Results indicate that OC positively affects OL. Further, HPWS act as a mediating variable between OC and OL.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to the existing literature by demonstrating the mediating role of HPWS in the relationship between OC and learning.
Strategic renewal of SMEs: the impact of social capital, strategic agility and absorptive capacity
Authors: Khan Samar Hayat , Majid Abdul , Yasir Muhammad
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This research was carried out with the purpose to empirically test the model to explain the procedures concerned with the translation of social capital (SC) into strategic renewal (SR) of SMEs in developing economy like Pakistan. This procedure involves the mediating role of firms' strategic agility (SA) as well as the contingent effects of firms' absorptive capacity (AC).

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a cross-sectional design to evaluate the hypothesized model. To validate the moderated mediation model, data was collected from 519 CEOs, owners, finance managers and managing directors of 123 manufacturing units dealing in agricultural machinery (32 units), automobile accessories (16 units), pharmaceutical instrument (11 units), electrical equipment (25 units), IT related accessories (21 units) and garments (18 units).

Findings

The findings of the study confirm a positive association between SC on SR. Moreover, results also validate the mediating role of SA in the relationship between SC and SR. In addition, the moderating role of AC is also confirmed and presented this construct as a catalyst in the relationship between SC and SR.

Practical implications

This research provides new endeavors for strategic management and strategic entrepreneurship literature by focusing on distinctive resources such as SC with its different facets. Therefore, it provides a new dimension and a roadmap that will be beneficial to the achievement of the objectives of SR.

Originality/value

The findings of this research have contributed to the streams of strategic management perspective by emphasizing upon the mediating mechanism how SC can be transformed into SR of SMEs through SA. Findings of the research also contribute to understand the moderating role of AC, and how its association with SC and SA augments the effects on SR of firms.
Inter‐group relationships influence territorial defence in mountain gorillas
Authors: Morrison Robin E. , Hirwa Jean Paul , Mucyo Jean Pierre S. , Stoinski Tara S. , Vecellio Veronica , Eckardt Winnie
Published: October 2020

Many species show territoriality, in which territory owners have exclusive or priority use of a region. In humans, tolerance of others within our space also depends greatly on our social relationships with them. This has been hypothesized as one potential driver of the evolution of long‐term, inter‐group relationships, through enabling shared access of resources and easing disputes over space.

However, extremely little is known about the importance of social relationships between neighbouring groups in non‐humans for how space is used and shared.

Using 16 years of data on the simultaneous movement and interaction patterns of 17 mountain gorilla groups, we investigated how the occurrence of aggressive and affiliative behaviour during inter‐group encounters was influenced by both their social and spatial context.

We found evidence of territorial defence, with rates of aggression increasing towards the centre of home ranges. Groups which had previously split from each other showed higher levels of affiliation during encounters with each other and experienced lower levels of aggression when within the other's peripheral home range. However, encounters within core areas of the home range consistently elicited higher aggression, regardless of the groups' history. Our findings indicate that not only are the social relationships between groups retained after they split from one another but also that these relationships enable groups to access certain areas with a reduced risk of aggression.

This suggests that reduced aggression when accessing areas within neighbours' home ranges may be an advantage for the maintenance of inter‐group relationships and a potential driver in the evolution of long‐term, post‐dispersal relationships and complex multi‐level societies.
What's in a Gland? Sexuality, Reproduction and the Prostate in Early Twentieth‐Century Medicine
Authors: Björkman Maria , Persson Alma
Published: October 2020

This article presents a case study about how norms relating to masculinity, sexuality and reproduction were produced in relation to the healthy, ailing, or aging prostate in early twentieth century medicine. It shows how the ailing prostate tied in with norms about healthy, abnormal or illicit sexual and reproductive practices. Engaging with insights from the history of medicine, feminist science studies, and men and masculinity studies, it highlights how the prostate became a diagnostic catch‐all for a wide range of physical and mental conditions, producing demarcations between femininity and masculinity, manliness and unmanliness, health and illness, and moral and vice.
Influence of adjuvant chemotherapy on survival for patients with stage IB and IIA non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zhang Pei , Duan Jianchun , Bai Hua , Wang Zhijie , Gao Shugeng , Tan Fengwei , Gao Yushun , Wang Xin , Wan Rui , Xu Jiachen , He Xiran , Feng Xiaoshuang , Yu Ruofei , Sun Jing , Zhao Zhe , Fei Kailun , Li Ni , He Jie , Wang Jie
Published: October 2020

Background

The role of adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) for patients with stage IB–IIA non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) according to the eighth edition of the AJCC TNM staging system remains controversial.

Methods

Data were collected from patients with NSCLC stage IB–IIA according to the eighth edition of the AJCC TNM staging system who underwent surgical resection from 2008 to 2015. The relationship between ACT and overall survival (OS) or disease‐free survival (DFS) was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

The study included 648 patients with completely resected NSCLC stage IB–IIA; 312 underwent ACT after surgical resection and 336 were placed under observation. After propensity score matching, 247 pairs of patients were matched and the five‐year OS was 88.08% and 83.12% (P = 0.13) in ACT and non‐ACT settings, respectively. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that ACT treatment was correlated with an improved five‐year OS in patients with visceral pleural invasion (VPI) in the 3 < tumor ≤ 4 cm subgroup (93.98% and 68.93%, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

ACT was not significantly associated with improved five‐year OS in stage IB–IIA NSCLC patients. However, further subgroup analysis showed that patients with VPI in the 3 < tumor ≤ 4 cm (T2aN0M0, stage IB) subgroup might benefit more from ACT. Further studies are required to validate the findings and better systemic strategies need to be developed in these patients.

Key points

Significant findings of the study

For patients with stage IB–IIA NSCLC according to the eighth edition of the AJCC TNM staging system, the effect of ACT remains unclear.

ACT was not significantly associated with improved five‐year OS in stage IB–IIA NSCLC patients. However, it was correlated with better DFS before or after PSM.

Patients with VPI in the 3 < tumor ≤ 4 cm subgroup may benefit from ACT.

What this study adds

ACT was not significantly associated with improved five‐year OS in stage IB–IIA NSCLC patients. However, it was correlated with better DFS before or after PSM.

Patients with VPI in the 3 < tumor ≤ 4 cm subgroup may benefit from ACT.
Circulating miR‐15b, miR‐34a and miR‐218 as promising novel early low‐invasive biomarkers of cervical carcinogenesis
Authors: Ocadiz‐Delgado Rodolfo , Lizcano‐Meneses Solangy , Trejo‐Vazquez Jessica‐Angelina , Conde‐Perezprina Juan‐Cristobal , Garrido‐Palmas Frida , Alvarez‐Rios Elizabeth , García‐Villa Enrique , Ruiz Graciela , Illades‐Aguiar Berenice , Leyva‐Vázquez Marco Antonio , García‐Carrancá Alejandro , Gariglio Patricio
Published: October 2020

Circulating biological markers, such as miRNAs, hold the greatest possibilities to complement tissue biopsy and clinical diagnostic tests. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relative abundance of three circulating miRNAs in serum from 17 HPV16‐positive patients with early cervical lesions known as Low‐Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (LSILs). The expression of circulating microRNAs miR‐15b, miR‐34a and miR‐218 in patients with LSILs was compared to 23 HPV‐negative individuals showing normal cervical epithelium (healthy women) and 23 Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) samples. The expression levels of miR‐15b remained unchanged while those of miRNAs 34a and 218 were relatively high in serum obtained from LSIL patients in comparison with healthy women (results were statistically significant with a p of < 0.01 or < 0.001). According to previous findings, miR‐15b was overexpressed and miRNAs 34a and 218 were underexpressed in serum from SCC patients. Additionally, the mRNA expression levels of some selected gene targets were determined [Cyclin D1 (CCND1), Cyclin E1 (CCNE1), B‐cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‐2) and MutS homolog 2 (MSH‐2)]. All serum results correlated with tissue samples from the same patients. We propose that circulating microRNAs can be valuable as molecular markers for the early follow‐up of cervical carcinogenesis risk.
Interleukin‐9‐secreting CD4+ T cells regulate CD8+ T cells cytotoxicity in patients with acute coronary syndromes
Authors: Gang Hongsheng , Peng Dingfeng , Hu Yongjun , Tang Shaoyong , Li Songhai , Huang Qing
Published: October 2020

T cells play vital roles in the development and progression of acute coronary syndromes (ACS), including cytotoxicity mediated by CD8+ T cells and immunoregulatory activity mediated by CD4+ T cells. Interleukin (IL)‐9‐secreting CD4+ T cells (Th9 cells) were recently found to be involved in the onset of ACS. We investigated regulatory role of Th9 cells to CD8+ T cells in patients with stable angina pectoris, unstable angina pectoris, and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Circulating Th9 cells percentage, plasma IL‐9 level, and PU.1 mRNA relative level was up‐regulated in AMI patients compared with controls. There was no significant difference of IL‐9‐secreting CD8+ T cells percentage among groups. CD8+ T cells from AMI patients revealed increased cytotoxicity than those from controls, which presented as enhanced cytotolytic activity to target cells, increased interferon‐γ and tumor necrosis factor‐α secretion, elevated perforin and granzyme B production, and reduced programmed death‐1 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte‐associated protein 4. IL‐9 stimulation did not affect proliferation, but promoted CD8+ T‐cell cytotoxicity from both controls and AMI patients. IL‐9‐secreting CD4+ T cells were enriched in CD4+CCR4−CCR6−CXCR3− cells. The enhancement of CD8+ T‐cell cytotoxicity induced by CD4+CCR4−CCR6−CXCR3− cells was dependent on IL‐9 secretion. The present results indicated that up‐regulation of IL‐9‐secreting CD4+ T cells may contribute to pathogenesis of AMI through enhancement of CD8+ T‐cell cytotoxicity.