bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An essential role for miR-15/16 in Treg suppression and restriction of proliferation
Authors: Johansson Kristina , Gagnon John D. , Zhou Simon , Fassett Marlys S. , Schroeder Andrew W. , Kageyama Robin , Bautista Rodriel A. , Pham Hewlett , Woodruff Prescott G. , Ansel K. Mark
Published: March 2023

The miR-15/16 family is a highly expressed group of tumor suppressor miRNAs that target a large network of genes in T cells to restrict their cell cycle, memory formation and survival. Upon T cell activation, miR-15/16 are downregulated, allowing rapid expansion of differentiated effector T cells to mediate a sustained immune response. Here, using conditional deletion of miR-15/16 in immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs) that express FOXP3, we identify new functions of the miR-15/16 family in T cell immunity. miR-15/16 are indispensable to maintain peripheral tolerance by securing efficient suppression by a limited number of Tregs. miR-15/16-deficiency alters Treg expression of critical functional proteins including FOXP3, IL2Rα/CD25, CTLA4, PD-1 and IL7Rα/CD127, and results in accumulation of functionally impaired FOXP3loCD25loCD127hiTregs. Excessive proliferation in the absence of miR-15/16 inhibition of cell cycle programs shifts Treg diversity and produces an effector Treg phenotype characterized by low expression of TCF1, CD25 and CD62L, and high expression of CD44. These Tregs fail to control immune activation of CD4+effector T cells, leading to spontaneous multi-organ inflammation and increased allergic airway inflammation in a mouse model of asthma. Together, our results demonstrate that miR-15/16 expression in Tregs is essential to maintain immune tolerance.

Highlights

Treg-specific miR-15/16 expression is essential to prevent systemic tissue inflammation

miR-15/16 restrict Treg proliferation and regulate expression of the key functional Treg molecules FOXP3, IL2Rα, CTLA4, PD-1 and IL7Rα

miR-15/16 limit formation of effector Tregs and is necessary for high suppressive capacity
SERODIAGNOSIS OF SALMONELLA INFECTION: USING A LOGISTIC REGRESSION MODEL
Authors: Ndako James A , Owolabi Iyanuoluwani J. , Junaid Surajudeen A. , Dojumo Victor T. , Ndako Christy J. , Abiodun Oluwakemi E. , Omoniyi Remilekun M. , Bello Sharon O.
Published: March 2023

Salmonella infection remains a major global health problem and worsened by lack of appropriate diagnostic tools to aid early detection and teatment, particularly in low-income nations.Salmonella typhiis the most common causative agent of typhoid fever and the prevalence of this illness has been on the increase specifically in areas of poor personal hygiene and sanitation. This study was carried out to further improve the diagnosis of salmonella infection, through a mathematical regression model. An analysis was performed using the logistic regression approach and the predictability of the model was done by extracting fifteen (15) typhoid observations from the obtained samples; for the model to predict their status. The model was able to accurately predict 66.7% of the observations. This study showed an increased prevalence in typhoid fever including a significant correlation between typhoid fever and other parameters. The global burden of this illness can be minimized by proper vaccination, and prompt but appropriate diagnosis and treatment.Further studies and test-meaasures also needs to be carried out to improve diagnosis and treatment regimen.
Sulfur disproportionating microbial communities in a dynamic, microoxic-sulfidic karst system
Authors: Aronson Heidi S. , Clark Christian E. , LaRowe Douglas E. , Amend Jan P. , Polerecky L. , Macalady Jennifer L.
Published: March 2023

Biogeochemical sulfur cycling in sulfidic karst systems is largely driven by abiotic and biological sulfide oxidation, but the fate of elemental sulfur (S0) that accumulates in these systems is not well understood. The Frasassi Cave system (Italy) is intersected by a sulfidic aquifer that mixes with small quantities of oxygen-rich meteoric water, creating Proterozoic-like conditions and supporting a prolific ecosystem driven by sulfur-based chemolithoautotrophy. To better understand the cycling of S0in this environment, we examined the geochemistry and microbiology of sediments underlying widespread sulfide-oxidizing mats dominated byBeggiatoa. Sediment populations were dominated by uncultivated relatives of sulfur cycling chemolithoautotrophs related toSulfurovum,Halothiobacillus, Thiofaba, Thiovirga, Thiobacillus, andDesulfocapsa, as well as diverse uncultivated anaerobic heterotrophs affiliated withBacteroidota, Anaerolineaceae, Lentimicrobiaceae, and Prolixibacteraceae.DesulfocapsaandSulfurovumpopulations accounted for 12-26% of sediment 16S rRNA amplicon sequences and were closely related to isolates which carry out autotrophic S0disproportionation in pure culture. Gibbs energy (ΔGr) calculations revealed that S0disproportionation underin situconditions is energy yielding. Microsensor profiles through the mat-sediment interface showed thatBeggiatoamats consume dissolved sulfide and oxygen, but a net increase in acidity was only observed in the sediments below. Together, these findings suggest that disproportionation is an important sink for S0generated by microbial sulfide oxidation in this oxygen-limited system and may contribute to the weathering of carbonate rocks and sediments in sulfur- rich environments.
A genomic and structural bioinformatic pipeline identifies candidate type VI secretion antibacterial effector-immunity pairs
Authors: Geller Alexander Martin , Zlotkin David , Shalom Maor , Blum Noam , Levy Asaf
Published: March 2023

Type VI secretion systems (T6SS) are common bacterial contractile injection systems that inject toxic “effector” proteins into neighboring cells. We bioinformatically investigated T6SS core proteins in 11,832 genomes of Gram negative bacteria. Comparison of T6SS core proteins that are covalently attached to toxic T6SS effector proteins (T6Es) versus those that are not revealed differences in phylogenetic distribution, physical properties, and genomic position. Using the data generated from our bioinformatic analysis, we developed a new genomic- and Alphafold2-based pipeline for discovery of putative T6Es. We experimentally validated the toxic and immunity activities of four putative antibacterial T6SS effector proteins and four cognate immunity genes from diverse species, respectively. We used Foldseek to predict possible mechanisms of action of the putative T6Es, which was much more effective than sequence-based methods. Evidence of the possible mechanisms of action of the putative T6Es was explored through fluorescence microscopy, where we observed cell wall-targeting, DNA degradation, and cell filamentation. This study shows how combining genomic data mining with new structure-based bioinformatic tools can facilitate identification of novel antibacterial toxins.
One-step generation of auxin-inducible degron cells with high-efficiency homozygous tagging
Authors: Li Shiqian , Wang Yafei , Stoel Miesje van der , Zhou Xin , Madhusudan Shrinidhi , Kanerva Kristiina , Nguyen Van Dien , Eskici Nazli , Olkkonen Vesa M , Zhou You , Raivio Taneli , Ikonen Elina
Published: March 2023

Auxin-inducible degron (AID) technology is powerful for chemogenetic control of proteolysis. However, generation of human cell lines to deplete endogenous proteins with AID remains challenging. Typically, homozygous degron-tagging efficiency is low and overexpression of an auxin receptor requires additional engineering steps. Here, we establish a one-step genome editing procedure with high-efficiency homozygous tagging and auxin receptor expression. We demonstrate its application in 5 human cell lines, including embryonic stem (ES) cells. The method allowed isolation of AID single-cell clones in 10 days for 11 target proteins with >80% average homozygous degron-tagging efficiency in A431 cells, and >50% efficiency for 5 targets in H9 ES cells. The tagged endogenous proteins were inducibly degraded in all cell lines, including ES cells and ES-cell derived neurons, with robust expected functional readouts. This method facilitates the application of AID for studying endogenous protein functions in human cells, especially in stem cells.
A conserved RWP-RK transcription factor VSR1 controls gametic differentiation in volvocine algae
Authors: Geng Sa , Hamaji Takashi , Ferris Patrick J. , Gao Minglu , Nishimura Yoshiki , Umen James
Published: March 2023

Volvocine green algae are a model for understanding the evolution of mating types and sexes. They are facultatively sexual, with gametic differentiation occurring in response to nitrogen starvation (-N) in most genera, and to sex inducer hormone (SI) inVolvox. The conserved RWP RK family transcription factor (TF) MID is encoded by theminusmating type (MT) locus or male sex-determining region (SDR) of heterothallic volvocine species and dominantly determinesminusor male gametic differentiation. However, the factor(s) responsible for establishing the defaultplusor female differentiation programs have remained elusive. We performed a phylo transcriptomic screen for autosomal RWP-RK TFs induced during gametogenesis in unicellular isogamousChlamydomonas reinhardtii(Chlamydomonas) and in multicellular oogamousVolvox carteri(Volvox) and identified a single conserved ortho-group we named Volvocine Sex Regulator 1 (VSR1). Chlamydomonasvsr1mutants of either mating type failed to mate and could not induce expression of key mating-type-specific genes. Similarly, Volvoxvsr1mutants in either sex could initiate sexual embryogenesis, but the presumptive eggs or androgonidia (sperm packet precursors) were infertile and unable to express key sex-specific genes. Yeast two-hybrid assays identified a conserved domain in VSR1 capable of self-interaction or interaction with the conserved N terminal domain of MID.In vivoco-immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated association of VSR1 and MID in both Chlamydomonas and Volvox. These data support a new model for volvocine sexual differentiation where VSR1 homodimers activate expression ofplus/female gamete-specific-genes, but when MID is present MID-VSR1 heterodimers are preferentially formed and activateminus/male gamete-specific-genes.

Significance Statement

Sex and recombination are conserved features of eukaryotic life cycles, but sex determination mechanisms are diverse, and are poorly understood in most major taxa. Our study identified a long-sought regulator of sexual differentiation in volvocine green algae—the RWP-RK family transcription factor (TF) VSR1— leading to the first complete paradigm for mating type or sex determination in this lineage. Our results support a model where gametically expressed VSR1 homodimerizes and activatesplus/female specific genes. When the dominant sex-linkedminus/male RWP-RK family TF MID is present MID-VSR1 heterodimers are preferentially formed and activateminus/male genes. The widespread association of RWP-RK TFs with gamete differentiation in the green lineage suggests that a similar paradigm may operate throughout the plant kingdom.
A local ATR-dependent checkpoint pathway is activated by a site-specific replication fork block in human cells
Authors: Ahmed-Seghir Sana , Jalan Manisha , Grimsley Helen E. , Sharma Aman , Twayana Shyam , Kosiyatrakul Settapong T , Thompson Christopher , Schildkraut Carl L. , Powell Simon N.
Published: March 2023

When replication forks encounter DNA lesions that cause polymerase stalling a checkpoint pathway is activated. The ATR-dependent intra-S checkpoint pathway mediates detection and processing of sites of replication fork stalling to maintain genomic integrity. Several factors involved in the global checkpoint pathway have been identified, but the response to a single replication fork barrier (RFB) is poorly understood. We utilized theE.coli-based Tus-Tersystem in human MCF7 cells and showed that the Tus protein binding toTerBsequences creates an efficient site-specific RFB. The single fork RFB was sufficient to activate a local, but not global, ATR-dependent checkpoint response that leads to phosphorylation and accumulation of DNA damage sensor protein γH2AX, confined locally to within a kilobase of the site of stalling. These data support a model of local management of fork stalling, which allows global replication at sites other than the RFB to continue to progress without delay.
Parenting deficits inMagel2-null mice predicted from systematic investigation of imprinted gene expression in galanin neurons of the hypothalamus
Authors: Higgs M. J. , Webberley A. E. , John R. M. , Isles A. R.
Published: March 2023

Imprinted genes are subject to germline epigenetic modification resulting in parental-specific allelic silencing. Although genomic imprinting is thought to be important for maternal behaviour, this idea is based on serendipitous findings from a small number of imprinted genes. Here, we undertook an unbiased systems biology approach, taking advantage of the recent delineation of specific neuronal populations responsible for controlling parental care, to test whether imprinted genes significantly converge to regulate parenting behaviour. Using single-cell RNA sequencing datasets, we identified a specific enrichment of imprinted gene expression in a recognised “parenting hub”, the galanin-expressing neurons of the preoptic area. We tested the validity of linking enriched expression in these neurons to function by focusing on MAGE family member L2(Magel2),an imprinted gene not previously linked to parenting behaviour. We confirmed expression ofMagel2in the preoptic area galanin expressing neurons. We then examined the parenting behaviour ofMagel2+/-null mice.Magel2-null mothers, fathers and virgin females demonstrated deficits in pup retrieval, nest building and pup-directed motivation, identifying a central role for this gene in parenting. Finally, we show thatMagel2-null mothers and fathers have a significant reduction in POA galanin expressing cells, which in turn contributes to a reducedc-Fosresponse in the POA upon exposure to pups. Our findings identify a novel imprinted gene that impacts parenting behaviour and, moreover, demonstrates the utility of using single-cell RNA sequencing data to predict gene function from expression and in doing so here, have identified a purposeful role for genomic imprinting in mediating parental behaviour.
A small number of human lineage mutations regulated RNA-protein binding of conserved genes and promoted human evolution
Authors: Song Weichen , Yu Shunying , Zhao Min , Lin Guan Ning
Published: March 2023

Whether human lineage mutations (HLM) have contributed to human evolution via post-transcriptional modification remained unknown. We applied deep learning models Seqweaver to predict how HLM impacts RNA-binding protein affinity (RBP). At the threshold of the top 1% of human common variation, only 0.27% of HLM had large impacts on RBP. These HLMs enriched in a set of conserved genes that are highly expressed in adult excitatory neurons and prenatal Purkinje neurons, and involved in synapse organization and the GTPase pathway. These genes also carried excess damaging coding mutations that caused neurodevelopmental disorders, ataxia, and Schizophrenia. Among these genes, NTRK2 and ITPR1 had the most aggregated evidence of functional importance, pointing to an essential role in cognition and bipedalism. We concluded that a very small number of human-specific mutations have contributed to human speciation via impacts on post-transcriptional modification of critical brain-related genes.

Author summary

Post-transcriptional modification has important functions in biological systems, but its role in evolution has long been a mystery due to the difficulty in predicting how a mutation could impact this process. Here we applied the newly developed deep learning model Seqweaver on human lineage mutations (HLM) to predict their effect on RNA-protein binding affinity profile (RBP). We found that only a very small number HLM are influential to RBP. Influential HLMs enriched in a set of conserved genes that are enriched in cells and functions critical for cognition and bipedal walking, and severe mutations on these genes cause the disruption of cognition (neurodevelopmental disorders) and bipedalism (ataxia). NTRK2 and ITPR1 had the most aggregated pieces of evidence of functional importance, pointing to an important role in cognition and bipedal walking. Taken together, our result demonstrated that there is a small number of human lineage mutations that modified the post-transcriptional modifications of conserved neuronal genes, which contributed to human speciation.
The influence of inter-regional delays in generating large-scale brain networks of phase synchronization
Authors: Williams N. , Ojanperä A. , Siebenhühner F. , Toselli B. , Palva S. , Arnulfo G. , Kaski S. , Palva J.M.
Published: March 2023

Large-scale networks of phase synchronization are considered to regulate the communication between brain regions fundamental to cognitive function, but the mapping to their structural substrates,i.e., the structure-function relationship, remains poorly understood. Biophysical Network Models (BNMs) have demonstrated the influences of local oscillatory activity and inter-regional anatomical connections in generating alpha-band (8–12 Hz) networks of phase synchronization observed with Electroencephalography (EEG) and Magnetoencephalography (MEG). Yet, the influence of inter-regional conduction delays remains unknown. In this study, we compared a BNM with standard “distance-dependent delays”, which assumes constant conduction velocity, to BNMs with delays specified by two alternative methods accounting for spatially varying conduction velocities, “isochronous delays” and “mixed delays”. We followed the Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) workflow, i) specifying neurophysiologically informed prior distributions of BNM parameters, ii) verifying the suitability of the prior distributions with Prior Predictive Checks, iii) fitting each of the three BNMs to alpha-band MEG resting-state data (N= 75) with Bayesian Optimisation for Likelihood-Free Inference (BOLFI), and iv) choosing between the fitted BNMs with ABC model comparison on a separate MEG dataset (N= 30). Prior Predictive Checks revealed the range of dynamics generated by each of the BNMs to encompass those seen in the MEG data, suggesting the suitability of the prior distributions. Fitting the models to MEG data yielded reliable posterior distributions of the parameters of each of the BNMs. Finally, model comparison revealed the BNM with “distance-dependent delays”, as the most probable to describe the generation of alpha-band networks of phase synchronization seen in MEG. These findings suggest that distance-dependent delays contribute significantly to the neocortical architecture of human alpha-band networks of phase synchronization. Hence, our study illuminates the role of inter-regional delays in generating the large-scale networks of phase synchronization that might subserve the communication between regions vital to cognition.

Highlights

Compared methods to specify delays in Biophysical Network Models (BNMs)

BNM with “distance-dependent” conduction delays more probable than alternatives

BNMs with biologically informed prior distributions generate dynamics seen in MEG

Fitting BNMs yields reliable posterior distributions informed by MEG data (N= 75)
Discrimination of finger movements by magnetomyography with optically pumped magnetometers
Authors: Greco Antonino , Baek Sangyeob , Middelmann Thomas , Mehring Carsten , Braun Christoph , Marquetand Justus , Siegel Markus
Published: March 2023

Optically pumped magnetometers (OPM) are quantum sensors that offer new possibilities to measure biomagnetic signals. In magnetomyography (MMG), compared to the current standard surface electromyography (EMG), OPM sensors offer the advantage of contactless measurements of muscle activity. However, little is known about the relative performance of OPM-MMG and EMG, e.g. in their ability to detect and classify finger movements. To address this, we recorded simultaneous OPM-MMG and EMG of finger flexor muscles for the discrimination of individual finger movements. Using a deep learning model for movement classification, we found that both sensor modalities were able to discriminate finger movements with above 89% accuracy. Furthermore, model predictions for the two sensor modalities showed high agreement in movement detection (85% agreement; Cohen’s kappa: 0.45). Our findings show that OPM sensors can be employed for reliable, contactless discrimination of finger movements and incentivize future applications of OPM in magnetomyography.
Crystal engineering of ionic cocrystals comprising Na/K salts of hesperetin with hesperetin molecules and solubility modulation
Authors: Jin Shasha , Haskins Molly M. , Deng Cheng-Hua , Matos Catiúcia R. M. O. , Zaworotko Michael J.
Published: March 2023

Hesperetin (HES) is a weakly acidic flavonoid of topical interest owing to its antiviral properties. Despite the presence of HES in many dietary supplements, its bioavailability is hindered by poor aqueous solubility (1.35 µg ml−1) and rapid first-pass metabolism. Cocrystallization has evolved as a promising approach to generate novel crystal forms of biologically active compounds and enhance the physicochemical properties without covalent modification. In this work, crystal engineering principles were employed to prepare and characterize various crystal forms of HES. Specifically, two salts and six new ionic cocrystals (ICCs) of HES involving sodium or potassium salts of HES were studied using single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) or powder X-ray diffraction and thermal measurements. Structures of seven of the new crystalline forms were elucidated by SCXRD, which revealed two families of isostructural ICCs in terms of their crystal packing and confirmed the presence of phenol...phenolate (PhOH...PhO−) supramolecular heterosynthons. Diverse HES conformations were observed amongst these structures, including unfolded and folded (previously unreported) conformations. One ICC, HES with the sodium salt of HES (NESNAH), was scalable to the gram scale and found to be stable after accelerated stability testing (exposure to elevated heat and humidity). HESNAH reached C
max after 10 min in PBS buffer 6.8 compared with 240 min in pure HES. In addition, relative solubility was observed to be 5.5 times greater, offering the possibility of improved HES bioavailability.
How do institutional environment and entrepreneurial cognition drive female and male entrepreneurship from a configuration perspective?
Authors: Chen Chengmeng , Huang Yongchun , Wu Shangshuo
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the gender differences in entrepreneurship driven by configurations of institutional environment and entrepreneurial cognition, and provide theoretical guidance and practical reference for promoting female and male entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a configuration perspective, six antecedents of institutional environment and entrepreneurial cognition are integrated to explore multiple concurrent factors and causally complex relationships affecting female and male entrepreneurship.

Findings

This study indicates that the configurations of institutional environment and entrepreneurial cognition can achieve high female and male entrepreneurship. There are similarities and differences between female and male entrepreneurship from a configuration perspective. Perceived opportunity plays an important role in entrepreneurship for both women and men, and the absence of fear of failure is also important for male entrepreneurship. There is a complementary effect among entrepreneurial cognitions in the absence of institutional environment. In the configurations of institutional environment and entrepreneurial cognition, female entrepreneurship benefits more from informal institutions, whereas regulative and cognitive institutions play a greater role in male entrepreneurship.

Practical implications

Policymakers and individuals should take a holistic and complex view of the impact of institutional environment and entrepreneurial cognition, and differentiated measures should be taken for female and male entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

This research responds to the call for multilevel transnational entrepreneurship research, enriches research on institutional environment and entrepreneurial cognition, deepens the application of fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to the field of entrepreneurship and strengthens the understanding of the similarities, differences and complexities of female and male entrepreneurship.
The matching effect of local food and color on ethical dining behaviors: the roles of credibility and green image
Authors: Kim Eun Joo , Kim Esther L. , Kim Minji , Tang Jason
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aims to identify how restaurants can effectively initiate communication via social media to promote ethical dining behaviors. This research investigates the psychological mechanism of how the matching effect of color and a sustainability activity influence customer attitude toward a restaurant and the role of perceived credibility and green image.

Design/methodology/approach

Two experimental studies were conducted. Study 1 used a 2 food source (non-sustainable vs sustainable) × 2 color consistency (inconsistent vs consistent) factorial design (n = 231). Study 2 used a 2 food origin (world-famous vs locally renowned) × 2 color consistency (inconsistent vs consistent) factorial design (n = 220).

Findings

The results indicate that the matching effect from the marketing effect of sustainability significantly promotes customer attitudes and visit intentions when background color is consistent. An unexpected matching effect was found between a non-sustainable restaurant using world-famous food with its associated color. This research demonstrates a moderation effect of credibility and a mediation effect of green image to explain the ethical decision-making process for customers.

Practical implications

The findings provide suggestions for restaurant marketers to effectively advertise sustainability initiatives and practices using color as a marketing tool via social media.

Originality/value

This research is one of the earliest studies to investigate the effect of color consistency with primary information to demonstrate how consumers respond to restaurant sustainability in social media messages using local food.
How to assess and improve the triple bottom line (TBL) in manufacturing processes: a real case in home appliance manufacturing
Authors: Khakpour Rouhollah , Ebrahimi Ahmad , Saghiri Soroosh
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a stepwise method to improve the sustainability of manufacturing processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed approach is based on an extensive literature review and research around the environmental, economic and social pillars of sustainability in manufacturing firms. Considering the lean approach, the manufacturing processes are mapped in a value stream and analyzed through the extensive identified sustainability criteria.

Findings

The findings reveal the consumption and waste of natural and nonrenewable resources, through going beyond the existing boundaries and focusing on relevant derived production pieces and tracing to their origins. The findings also present the effect of the time value of money on sustainability by using the cost–time profile as a sustainability criterion. This research finds out the employees’ impacts on sustainability improvement through an effective focus on technical, cultural and personal aspects.

Practical implications

The research outcomes provide operations managers and decision-makers in the field of sustainability with a practical platform to comprehend and assess the factors contributing to the manufacturing process sustainability and to plan relevant corrective actions accordingly.

Originality/value

The extended view of sustainability criteria in this research as well as its visual-analytical approach will help practitioners to assess and improve sustainability in their operations in a more holistic way.
Reducing turnaround time in a pathology laboratory using the lean methodology
Authors: Akbulut Yasemin , Usubütün Alp , Durur Fatih , Kutlu Gamze
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of the application of the lean methodoloy in the pathology laboratory and to evaluate the results on the turnaround time.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was a prospective intervention study formed of the three stages of pre-intervention, determination of problem areas and the application of lean techniques and quality improvement. The study was conducted between February 2019 and August 2020. In the first stage, research was made through interviews, observations, questionnaires and seminars; in the second stage, observations, brain-storming, process flowcharts and fishbone diagram were used; and in the third stage, Kaizen, A3 method and spaghetti diagram were applied.

Findings

Following the application of lean techniques, turnaround time in the pathology laboratory was decreased, and the changes made in the working methods and placement of the units in the laboratory were found to have prevented unnecessary steps. The lean method was also determined to have had positive effects on the workplace satisfaction of the laboratory employees and of the physicians working with the laboratory.

Originality/value

The results showed that applying lean techniques could reduce waste and increase participation in processes. This article demonstrates its originality and relevance by proving that the lean techniques can be applied in the hospital laboratory. Actions to improve turnaround time are also crucial for the efficient use of resources.
Organizational agility enabled by big data analytics: information systems capabilities view
Authors: Hyun Youyung , Park Jaehyun , Kamioka Taro , Chang Younghoon
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The current study aims to structure the existing knowledge about organizational agility from the information systems (IS) capabilities view and synthesizes how agility is enabled by big data analytics (BDA).

Design/methodology/approach

This study performs a systematic literature review with the lens of IS capabilities view and provides an integrative framework that represents how BDA improves organizational agility through the mediation of IS capabilities.

Findings

This systematic literature review synthesizes what is known and identifies what remains to be further studied with a focus on the relationship between BDA competency and organizational agility, which contributes to academic performance in BDA and agility research communities.

Originality/value

Despite a growing body of literature on the relationship between BDA and agility, a consolidated and systematic understanding of how BDA can enable organizational agility is generally missing. Therefore, the current study addresses this gap by proposing an integrative framework that elucidates the processes in which BDA competency leads to agility through the mediation of IS capabilities.
Perceived anthropomorphism and purchase intention using artificial intelligence technology: examining the moderated effect of trust
Authors: Malhotra Gunjan , Ramalingam Mahesh
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study explores features that impact consumers' purchase intention through artificial intelligence (AI), because it is believed that through artificial intelligence, consumers' intention to purchase grows significantly, especially in the retail sector, whereby retailers provide lucrative offers to motivate consumers. The study develops a theoretical framework based on media-richness theory to investigate the role of perceived anthropomorphism toward an intention to purchase products using AI.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on cross-sectional data through an online survey. The data have been analyzed using PLS-SEM and SPSS PROCESS macro.

Findings

The results show that consumers tend to demand anthropomorphized products to gain a better shopping experience and, therefore, demand features that attract and motivate them to purchase through artificial intelligence via mediating variables, such as perceived animacy and perceived intelligence. Moreover, trust in artificial intelligence moderates the relationship between perceived anthropomorphism and perceived animacy.

Originality/value

The study investigates and concludes with managerial and academic insights into consumer purchase intention through artificial intelligence in the retail and marketing sector.
Socio-cultural elements of the Marwari business community in India
Authors: Amoncar Nihar , Igwe Paul Agu , Madichie Nnamdi
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the elements of the Marwari business community’s sociocultural context, which influence entrepreneurial behaviour. The entrepreneurial behaviour of the Marwari community is interrogated in the context of the wider indigenous entrepreneurship literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a qualitative approach in exploring the thoughts, feelings, beliefs and effectual entrepreneurial behaviour of a sample of Marwari entrepreneurs. An exploratory, qualitative content analysis method was adopted to highlight the emerging insights into traditional entrepreneurship.

Findings

The study identifies unique, traditional Marwari behavioural constructs such as Sakh and Samai and the role it plays in trust-based business relationships. Overall, the study finds that although the Marwari practices and ecosystem enable a deep understanding of the entrepreneurial and business process, they do not facilitate creative innovation or entrepreneurial experimentation as seen within modern start-up incubation ecosystems.

Research limitations/implications

The study took a conscious decision to restrict further data collection upon saturation and used a purposeful sampling technique to increase the richness of this study rather than enlarge the sample and dilute the quality of the data.

Practical implications

The study identifies nuances of Marwari’s traditional practices that have come to determine their effectual tendencies that support business growth and sustainability. The study, however, finds that the restrictiveness of the Marwari ecosystem practices on fluency of doing business rather than creative innovation and thought experimentation risks the longevity of the traditional ecosystem advantage enjoyed by the Marwaris for centuries.

Social implications

The study broadens the understanding of the uniqueness of traditional business communities, which are comparatively marginalized in mainstream entrepreneurship research. Via this study, it is seen that the Marwari form of entrepreneurship is collectivist rather than individualist in nature, which differentiates them from their Western counterparts. This helps to explain why entrepreneurs tend to behave differently; hence, achieving a universal definition of entrepreneurship remains a challenge.

Originality/value

While the relationship between the sociocultural aspects of communities and their entrepreneurial behaviour is known, the role of the constituent elements of the Marwari sociocultural context and influence on business is unclear. This study takes the lead in identifying such elements of the Marwari sociocultural construct and argues how these elements can play a role in the Marwaris demonstrating tendencies of effectual behaviour.
Generation Z’s adoption of IoT: protection motivation theory as the underlying model and gender as a moderator
Authors: Mahmud Arif , Yusoff Mohd Najwadi , Husin Mohd Heikal
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The factors that motivate Generation Z individuals to use the Internet of Things for security purposes have yet to be explored. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to close a research gap by verifying the protection motivation theory using gender as a moderator.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a purposive sampling approach to collect data from Dhaka city, in which 370 valid responses were selected. Additionally, the quantitative and cross-sectional survey used a seven-point Likert scale. Afterward, the evaluation approach included three phases: a measurement model, a structural model and multi-group analysis.

Findings

Vulnerability, self-efficacy and response-efficacy were discovered to be critical predictors with a variance of 60.4%. Moreover, there was a significant disparity between males and females in two relationships, response efficacy and intention as well as response cost and intention.

Practical implications

This research expands our understanding of Generation Z consumers' behavioral intentions to take measures against household threats, allowing preventative programs to be improved. Further, in the case of applying coping strategies, a practical difference between males and females has been found that must be bridged through awareness campaigns.

Originality/value

This study has made a unique contribution to the information system literature. First, the role of protection motivation theory factors in addressing security concerns in homes has been assessed. Second, the coping evaluation process has a greater impact on users' intentions than the threat appraisal process. However, males and females use slightly different approaches to defending themselves against the threat.
Introducing Amazon Explore: a digital giant's exploration of the virtual tourism experiences
Authors: Alegro Tjaša , Turnšek Maja , Špindler Tomi , Petek Vita
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Amazon Explore is a new online experience product from Amazon, which offers live stream sightseeing of destinations around the world. This paper aims to provide a first insight into how exactly Amazon Explore enters the virtual experience (VE) industry, and discuss the possible implications of its business model for the future of virtual and offline travel experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative and quantitative methods of content analysis methods were employed in this study. The sample of this research consisted of 175 Amazon Explore products. Firstly, the authors analysed the content of each product, and then quantitative method were used to present the data. With this analysis, the authors presented how Amazon Explore is testing the foundations for new business models, and discuss the possible implications for the future of tourism. One year later, those same Amazon Explore products were reviewed again to check development progress. The following were the main questions regarding VE: How interactive are Amazon Explore products? How does Amazon Explore aim to ensure the monetisation of these products in an economically sustainable way in order to go beyond the “freemium” business model, often associated with VE as just another destination marketing tool?

Findings

This article presents the discussions of VE and virtual reality (VR). The authors determined the level of interactivity of the diverse VE offered themes with a model of four levels of interactivity. The results show that the analysed products achieve mostly only low levels of interaction. Regarding monetisation, Amazon Explore shows three possible future directions in the development of VE: as a marketing tool, as an extension of the offline experience and as potentially someday replacing real travel as part of the future monetisation scenario.

Originality/value

The article offers the first insights into Amazon's extension into the realm of VE in two time periods in 2020 and 2021, and, based on these preliminary results, discusses four possible scenarios for the future development of VE monetisation.
Leadership and work community – views of graduating dental students
Authors: Tuononen Tiina A. , Kauhanen Milka , Suominen Anna Liisa , Hyvärinen Marja-Leena
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore what kind of perceptions dental students at graduation stage have on leadership and work communities, and themselves as leaders and work community members after completing a leadership course tailored for them.

Design/methodology/approach

The research material comprised reflective essays written by fifth-year dental students who had participated in a leadership course. The essays were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Findings

Most students reported that they had not considered seeking a leadership position before the course, but their views of leadership had grown more positive as a result of completing the course. Students perceived interpersonal communication competence as the most important factor for leaders, the whole work community and for themselves. They assessed that their biggest strengths were found in this area. The biggest challenges in adapting to a work community concerned the students’ professional identities, which were still taking shape at the time of graduation.

Originality/value

The need for leaders in health-care professions is growing due to ongoing reforms, multidisciplinary teamwork, the development of new technologies and patient demands. Therefore, undergraduate leadership education is needed to ensure that students have knowledge of leadership. Graduating dental students’ perceptions concerning leadership and work communities have not been widely explored. Students’ perceptions of leadership were positive after the course and helped students to realize their own potential in this area.
Sustainability, market performance and FinTech firms
Authors: Atayah Osama F. , Najaf Khakan , Ali Md Hakim , Marashdeh Hazem
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence on the suitability of a Bloomberg Environmental (E), Social (S) and Governance (G) (ESG) disclosure index designed for companies from the USA and to investigate the sustainability quality and stock performance of FinTech companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from all FinTech and non-FinTech firms in the USA was acquired from Bloomberg to undertake the study and evaluate the suggested hypotheses efficiently. The final sample consists of 1,672 company-year observations from 2010 to 2019. The methodology used ordinary least squares regressions of performance metrics on the Bloomberg ESG disclosure index and its components.

Findings

The findings indicated that the Bloomberg ESG disclosure index is a valid proxy for sustainability and has a direct relationship with stock performance. Furthermore, this study suggests that non-FinTech firms outperform FinTech firms in sustainability and stock performance. The findings support stakeholder theory, which suggests that increased disclosure of ESG information will mitigate the agency problem and protect shareholders’ interests.

Research limitations/implications

This study’s findings were significant because the findings emphasised ESG disclosure in FinTech and non-FinTech firms, providing information to academics, legislators, regulators, financial report users, investors, environmental unions, workers, customers and society.

Originality/value

This research is unique as it evaluates ESG practices in both FinTech and non-FinTech firms.
The effect of rescanning strategy on residual stress and deformation of laser-based powder bed fusion of 316L stainless steel thin-walled parts
Authors: Wang Minting , Cao Renjie , Chang HuiChao , Liang Dong
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Laser-based powder bed fusion (LPBF) is a new method for forming thin-walled parts, but large cooling rates and temperature gradients can lead to large residual stresses and deformations in the part. This study aims to reduce the residual stress and deformation of thin-walled parts by a specific laser rescanning strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-dimensional transient finite element model is established to numerically simulate the LPBF forming process of multilayer and multitrack thin-walled parts. By changing the defocus amount, the laser in situ annealing process is designed, and the optimal rescanning parameters are obtained, which are verified by experiments.

Findings

The results show that the annealing effect is related to the average surface temperature and scan time. When the laser power is 30 W and the scanning speed is 20 mm/s, the overall residual stress and deformation of the thin-walled parts are the smallest, and the in situ annealing effect is the best. When the annealing frequency is reduced to once every three layers, the total annealing time can be reduced by more than 60%.

Originality/value

The research results can help better understand the influence mechanism of laser in situ annealing process on residual stress and deformation in LPBF and provide guidance for reducing residual stress and deformation of LPBF thin-walled parts.
COVID‐19, Virtual Engagement and the Psychoid Imagination1
Authors: Cambray Joe
Published: March 2023

The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on analytic training and the delivery of educational content is explored here. The proliferation of Zoom therapy and teaching is creating a post‐human platform to which nearly everyone in contemporary society has had to adapt. Looking at the possible meanings of the pandemic, a psychoid factor (the virus) engaging the imagination has come to the fore as a response to climate change. The striking similarity to the H1N1 viral pandemic (“Spanish flu”) is noted, especially in the context of C. G. Jung having had a case in 1919 during which he experienced a number of visions and dreams. The imagery produced can be seen as an implicit attempt at “re‐enchanting the world” found in The red book. Finally, a reconsideration of pedagogy in response to the pandemic is discussed with an eye to the archetypal aspects of internet communications.
dynamicSDM: An R package for species geographical distribution and abundance modelling at high spatiotemporal resolution
Authors: Dobson Rachel , Challinor Andy J. , Cheke Robert A. , Jennings Stewart , Willis Stephen G. , Dallimer Martin
Published: March 2023

Species distribution models (SDM) are widely applied to understand changing species geographical distribution and abundance patterns. However, existing SDM tools are inherently static and inadequate for modelling species distributions that are driven by dynamic environmental conditions.

dynamicSDM provides novel tools that explicitly consider the temporal dimension at key SDM stages, including functions for: (a) Cleaning and filtering species occurrence records by spatial and temporal qualities; (b) Generating pseudo‐absence records through space and time; (c) Extracting spatiotemporally buffered explanatory variables; (d) Fitting SDMs whilst accounting for temporal biases and autocorrelation and (e) Projecting intra‐ and inter‐ annual geographical distributions and abundances at high spatiotemporal resolution.

Package functions have been designed to be: flexible for targeting specific study species; compatible with other SDM tools; and, by utilising Google Earth Engine and Google Drive, to have low computing power and storage needs. We illustrate dynamicSDM functions with an example of a nomadic bird in southern Africa, the red‐billed quelea Quelea quelea.

As dynamicSDM functions are flexible and easily applied, we suggest that these tools could be readily applied to other taxa and systems globally.