bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Co-Component Signal Transduction Systems: fast-evolving virulence regulation cassettes discovered in enteric bacteria
Authors: Kinch Lisa N. , Cong Qian , Jaishankar Jananee , Orth Kim
Published: April 2022

Bacterial signal transduction systems sense changes in the environment and transmit these signals to control cellular responses. The simplest one-component signal transduction systems include an input sensor domain and an output response domain encoded in a single protein chain. Alternately, two-component signal transduction systems transmit signals by phosphorelay between input and output domains from separate proteins. The membrane tethered periplasmic bile acid sensor that activates the Vibrio parahaemolyticus type III secretion system adopts an obligate heterodimer of two proteins encoded by partially overlapping VtrA and VtrC genes. This co-component signal transduction system binds bile acid using a lipocalin-like domain in VtrC and transmits the signal through the membrane to a cytoplasmic DNA-binding transcription factor in VtrA. Using the domain and operon organization of VtrA/VtrC, we identify a fast-evolving superfamily of co-component systems in enteric bacteria. Accurate machine learning-based fold predictions for the candidate co-components support their homology in the twilight zone of rapidly evolving sequence and provide mechanistic hypotheses about previously unrecognized lipid-sensing functions.

Significance statement

Using the domain and operon organization of VtrA/VtrC, combined with fold predictions, we identify new co-component signal transduction systems in enteric bacteria that likely regulate virulence. We observe that the heterodimeric VtrA/VtrC periplasmic bile acid receptor controlling Vibrio parahaemolyticus T3SS2 is a distant homolog of the ToxR/ToxS master regulator of virulence and has evolved beyond confident sequence recognition. Exploiting the newly developed machine learning methods for structure prediction, we observe a VtrC-like lipocalin fold for both the ToxS periplasmic domain and for other detected periplasmic sensor components. This structure prediction supports the divergent evolution of VtrA/VtrC-like co-component signal transduction systems and suggests a role for lipid sensing in regulating virulence in enteric bacteria.
NVX-CoV2373 vaccination induces functional SARS-CoV-2–specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses
Authors: Moderbacher Carolyn Rydyznski , Kim Christina , Mateus Jose , Plested Joyce , Zhu Mingzhu , Cloney-Clark Shane , Weiskopf Daniela , Sette Alessandro , Fries Louis , Glenn Gregory , Crotty Shane
Published: April 2022

NVX-CoV2373 is an adjuvanted recombinant full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike trimer protein vaccine demonstrated to be protective against COVID-19 in efficacy trials. Here we demonstrate that vaccinated subjects made CD4+ T cell responses after one and two doses of NVX-CoV2373, and a subset of individuals made CD8+ T cell responses. Characterization of the vaccine-elicited CD8+T cells demonstrated IFNγ production. Characterization of the vaccine-elicited CD4+ T cells revealed both circulating T follicular helper cells (cTFH) and TH1 cells (IFNγ, TNFα, and IL-2) were detectable within 7 days of the primary immunization. Spike-specific CD4+ T cells were correlated with the magnitude of the later SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody titers, indicating that robust generation of CD4+ T cells, capable of supporting humoral immune responses, may be a key characteristic of NVX-CoV2373 which utilizes Matrix-M™ adjuvant.
In Silico Improvement of Highly Protective Anti-Malarial Antibodies
Authors: Reveiz Mateo , Tripathi Prabhanshu , Da Silva Pereira Lais , Kiyuka Patience , Liu Tracy , Zhang Baoshan , Yang Yongping , Bonilla Brian G. , Dillon Marlon , Lee Myungjin , Shen Chen-Hsiang , Schön Arne , Kratochvil Sven , Batista Facundo D. , Idris Azza H. , Seder Robert A. , Kwong Peter D. , Rawi Reda
Published: April 2022

Antibody CIS43 binds Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP) and protects against malaria, as recently demonstrated clinically. To improve the efficacy of CIS43, we developed an in silico pipeline to optimize the interaction energy of CIS43 to its junctional epitope (peptide 21: PfCSP residues 101-115). Starting from two improved CIS43 variants, recently elicited from a CIS43-germline knock-in mice, single and double amino acid substitutions in the peptide 21-proximal heavy (VH) and light (VL) variable regions were introduced. CIS43-variants, selected on the basis of improved in silico interface and stability energies, showed increased affinity to peptide 21 and superior malaria-protective efficacy. The best designed variant, antibody P3-43, was significantly more protective than its template antibody m43.151, with greater liver-burden protection than the current best-in-class (antibody iGL-CIS43.D3). Crystal structures of improved antibodies revealed atomic-level interactions explaining gains in binding affinity. The reported pipeline provides a powerful in silico approach to improve antibody functionality.
The senescence regulator S40 family members from Caragana intermedia and Arabidopsis thaliana inhibit leaf senescence via promoting cytokinins synthesis
Authors: Yang Tianrui , Zhang Minna , Yang Qi , Liu Kun , Cui Jiaming , Chen Jia , Ren Yufan , Shao Yunjie , Wang Ruigang , Li Guojing
Published: April 2022

Leaf senescence is regulated by both endogenous hormones and environmental stimuli in a programmed and concerted way. The members of the S40 family have been reported to play roles in leaf senescence. Here we report that overexpression of an S40 family member from Caragana intermedia, CiS40-11, delayed the leaf senescence. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the CiS40-11 protein had the highest identity with AtS40-5 and AtS40-6 of A. thaliana. CiS40-11 was highly expressed in leaves and was down-regulated after dark treatment. The subcellular localization analysis showed that CiS40-11 was a cytoplasm-nucleus dual-localized protein. Leaf senescence was delayed in CiS40-11 transgenic A. thaliana or by its transient expression in C. intermedia. Transcriptomic analysis and endogenous hormones assay revealed that CiS40-11 inhibited leaf senescence via promoting the biosynthesis of cytokinins, through blocking AtMYB2 expression in CiS40-11 overexpression lines. Furthermore, in the ats40-5a and ats40-6a mutants, AtMYB2 expression was increased and their leaves exhibited a premature senescence phenotype. Our results show that CiS40-11 (and its orthologs, AtS40-5 and AtS40-6) promoted cytokinin synthesis by inhibiting the expression of MYB2 and releasing its negative regulation on the expression of IPTs to inhabit leaf senescence.

Highlight

The senescence regulator S40 family members CiS40-11, AtS40-5 and AtS40-6 are induced by light and inhibition leaf senescence by promoting cytokinin synthesis.
Behavioral biases in trade credit policy: does it matter for financial performance?
Authors: Farooq Umar , Tabash Mosab I. , Abousamak Ahmed , Habib Samar
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Corporate firms often follow their peer firms to articulate multiple financial decisions. Among the others, trade credit policy is a vital financial decision that can impart its dynamic role in achieving financial efficiency. Therefore, the current analysis aims to assess the role of herding behavior in determining the trade credit policies of corporate firms and its relevant effect on corporate financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, the financial data of 13089 nonfinancial sector firms from 50 countries are employed and the dynamic generalized method of moments (GMM) model to estimate the regression is applied.

Findings

The empirical findings first reveal that corporate firms actively mimic their peer firms regarding trade credit policies. However, this mimicking behavior hampers the financial performance due to noncompatibility with peers’ trade credit policies. Peer firms often develop such trade credit policies that are not applicable to corporate firms.

Practical implications

Mainly, the findings of the study suggest two implications. First, it highlights the peer effect in terms of trade credit patterns. Second, it elaborates an adverse effect regarding financial performance due to herding of peers’ trade credit policies.

Originality/value

This study adds new thoughts regarding herding behavior in terms of trade credit policy and its possible consequences for corporate financial performance. No study explores such a relationship.
The dark side of convenience: how to reduce food waste induced by food delivery apps
Authors: Talwar Shalini , Kaur Puneet , Ahmed Umair , Bilgihan Anil , Dhir Amandeep
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Food delivery apps (FDAs) have altered people's eating behaviour. The convenience of FDAs may cause consumers to order more food than people's level of hunger warrants, leading to food waste. Food waste is a grave societal problem, which, the authors argue, represents the dark side of FDAs. However, the tendency of consumers to order more food than required, or to engage in food over-ordering behaviour, has remained under-explored in the context of FDAs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study addresses the gap by examining the antecedents of over-ordering behaviour on FDAs through the theoretical lens of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), which past studies on food waste have also used.

Findings

The authors' results confirm the positive association of attitude, subjective norms and leftover reuse intentions with over-ordering behaviour. The moderation effect of age and gender on the relationship between subjective norms with over-ordering is also confirmed.

Originality/value

The study extends classic TPB propositions by incorporating trust and leftover reuse intentions as antecedents and age and gender as moderation variables. The study thus offers useful inferences for theory and practice.
Working out the best deal: the role of consumer numerical skills within a grocery shop
Authors: Beacom Emma , Hollywood Lynsey Elizabeth , Simms Victoria , Wynne Alison
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Price promotions are a common tool used by retailers to increase sales. This study aims to investigate the effect of consumer's numerical skills and other demographic characteristics on their ability to determine the best deal when conducting a grocery shop (referred to as deal competency).

Design/methodology/approach

A consumer survey (n = 308) was conducted online, collecting information about respondent's demographics and grocery shopping behaviours, numerical literacy using the subjective numeracy scale (SNS), and deal competency (a novel measure). Multiple regression analysis and Pearson's correlations were conducted using SPSSv26.

Findings

Overall, the mean SNS score for the total sample was 31.47 (SD = 8.27), and the mean sample deal competency score was 13.5 (SD = 2.3). Spearman's correlation analysis identified a moderate significant positive relationship between numerical skills and deal competency,rs(303) = 0.360,p < 0.001. Regression analysis found significant positive relationships between numerical skills and being male, and with mathematical achievement; and between deal competency and age, mathematical achievement and educational achievement. Regarding buying behaviour, correlation analyses identified only one significant relationship between numerical skills (SNS score) and deal competency and variables relating to buying behaviour, namely a negative relationship between deal competency and amount spent on promotional food items in top up grocery shops.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the gap in literature regarding consumer ability to work out the best deal on promotions, presents a novel scale for describing consumer deal competency, and considers the comparative usefulness of using objective and subjective scales in similar studies.
Conscience-driven corporate social advocacy: analyzing moral conviction and perceived motives as predictors of organization-public relationships
Authors: Overton Holly , Xiao Anli
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study examines how congruent moral conviction between an individual and a company impacts organization-public relationships (OPR). Using arguments from the Attribution Theory, this study also examines how individuals' perceptions of company motives impact the quality of the OPR. This study offers new understanding of what drives individuals' supporting behaviors regarding a company's advocacy efforts and how individual and company ethics contribute to OPR.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducts an online survey (N = 267) to examine the role of moral conviction as a predictor of OPR in the context of corporate social advocacy (CSA). Four types of attributions are examined as a mediating variable.

Findings

Results indicate that moral congruency between an individual and an organization directly leads to stronger trust and power balance and that moral conviction positively predicts all four OPR dimensions through values-driven attributions.

Originality/value

This study is novel in its inclusion of the moral conviction variable examined in a CSA context, as the role of ethics, or ethical applications, has not been widely examined in this body of literature.
Community forestry in Cameroon: opportunity or constraint for REDD+?
Authors: Bele Mekou Youssoufa , Sonwa Denis Jean , Tiani Anne-Marie
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to identify opportunities and constraints of community forestry in the context of forest decentralization in Cameroon and what can be capitalized on for sound REDD+ design and implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach to data collection was used through content analysis of 1994 forestry law, reports and publications related to decentralized forest management, community forestry and REDD+ in Cameroon. Principles that govern community forest and REDD+ were highlighted and opportunities and constraints of community forestry for REDD+ projects were discussed.

Findings

Community forestry was developed principally to protect forests in order to support the subsistence and income-generating extractive activities of forest-dependent communities. Community forestry governance arrangements were not designed with the objective of achieving verifiable emissions reductions or carbon stock values. Hence, existing community forestry institutions may not address all the specific demands of REDD+ programs. However, existing community institutions and practices can be strengthened or modified to align better with climate change mitigation goals and to achieve REDD+ objectives in community forestry sites. On the other hand, REDD+ was developed principally to mitigate climate change by reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation principally within developing countries where the livelihoods of forest-dependent people are a central component of all forest management policies. However, despite fundamental differences between community forestry and REDD+, there is substantial synergy between their objectives, and the dual forest conservation and livelihood development focus of both programs means that policies that strengthen and support existing community forestry institutions and sites will advance REDD+ objectives. As such, REDD+ will likely to be more successful if it builds on lessons learned from community forestry.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates how REDD+ is more likely to succeed if it builds on the lessons learned from community forestry over the past 20-plus years in Cameroon. It also discusses how REDD+ can benefit from community forestry and how some of the many challenges related to community forestry can be directly addressed by the REDD+ mechanism. Further, this paper also argues how the congruence between community forestry and REDD+ can effectively facilitate the direct use of community forestry as a tool to achieve REDD+ goals.
Contemporary tall residential timber buildings: what are the main architectural and structural design considerations?
Authors: Ilgın Hüseyin Emre , Karjalainen Markku , Pelsmakers Sofie
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study examined data from 13 international tall residential timber building case studies to increase our understanding of the emerging global trends.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through literature surveys and case studies to examine the architectural, structural and constructional points of view to contribute to knowledge about the increasing high-rise timber constructions globally.

Findings

The main findings of this study indicated that: (1) central cores were the most preferred type 10 of core arrangements; (2) frequent use of prismatic forms with rectilinear plans and regular extrusions were identified; (3) the floor-to-floor heights range between 2.81 and 3.30 m with an average of 3 m; (4) the dominance of massive timber use over hybrid construction was observed; (5) the most used structural system was the shear wall system; (6) generally, fire resistance in primary and secondary structural elements exceeded the minimum values specified in the building codes; (7) the reference sound insulation values used for airborne and impact sounds had an average of 50 and 56 dB, respectively.

Originality/value

There is no study in the literature that comprehensively examines the main architectural and structural design considerations of contemporary tall residential timber buildings.
Research on the functional pattern-making of men's windbreaker
Authors: Zhu Chun , Liu Kaixuan , Lin Kai , Wang Jianping
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to achieve one garment with multiple uses, reduce waste and increase the fun of clothing design.

Design/methodology/approach

Through the comparison of the structural design of windbreaker with the structural design of suit and other coats, find out the similarities and differences between them in the structure then provide a reliable theoretical basis for the combination and transformation of the two; and then start with the structural theory of men's windbreaker, from the detail structure and the structure. The optimization design of the overall structure, the application of mathematical theory to establish a regular structure design method, so that it can be split through the zipper combination into men's suits or other coats. Finally, from the perspective of technology, the functional transformation from men's windbreaker to men's casual suit and other coats is completed in terms of style, structure and technology.

Findings

Through reasonable clothing structure design and invisible zipper layout, one type of clothing can be used as multiple types of clothing.

Originality/value

A new fashion design method is proposed to minimize the waste of fashion design process.
The orchestration of dynamic capabilities in cleantech companies
Authors: Eurico Soares de Noronha Matheus , Ferraro Diandra Maynne , Longo Leonardo Reis , Melvin Scarlet Simonato
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The aim of this article is to present a model for the orchestration of dynamic capabilities (ODCs) in cleantech companies that aim to obtain competitive advantage in the market.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors present herein descriptive research guided by a qualitative multiple case study approach carried out with 12 cleantech companies.

Findings

The results have showed that the ODC model is present in the product/process cycle, thus providing new capabilities and generating sustainable competitive advantage through the research categories presented.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the literature on the ODCs through microfoundations based on evidence of companies inserted in technological and intensively dynamic contexts.

Practical implications

This article demonstrates, through the ODC model, the main capabilities and characteristics of the assets of cleantech companies and how the process of renewing competencies to obtain competitive advantage occurs.

Originality/value

The ODC model utilizes technological resources in the product/process cycle. Asset specificity and the capacity for innovation allow cleantech companies to explore regulatory loopholes, making their sustainable model innovative and obtaining competitive advantage through the renewal of entrepreneurial capabilities and competencies.
A study to explore the impact of entrepreneur’s nonequilibrium of moral behavior on entrepreneur’s image evaluation
Authors: Huang Jing , Yu Ruoyu , Wen Shengxiong , Tong Zelin , Zhou Nan
Published: April 2022

Purpose

It is unattainable that entrepreneurs engage equivalent resources in public and private morality because of the limitation of resources. This study aims to conduct experiments to test how entrepreneurial deviation in morality affects legitimacy perception of consumers to entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted secondary data analysis and experiment to test how entrepreneurial deviation in morality affects legitimacy perception of consumers to entrepreneurs.

Findings

The experimental results show that entrepreneurial deviation in morality negatively affects legitimacy perceptions of consumers to entrepreneurs. Specifically, when public moral is higher than private moral, consumers have negative perceptions of pragmatic legitimacy to entrepreneurs, because consumers perceive deviation behaviors disobey the norm “Li”. However, entrepreneurial private morality excels public morality, consumers have negative perceptions of social legitimacy to entrepreneurs because consumers perceive deviation behaviors disobey the norm “Qing”. Moreover, the authors examined entrepreneurial values moderate the effects of moral deviation and legitimacy perceptions.

Originality/value

This study expands the ethical marketing of entrepreneurs from the perspective of the deviation between public morality and private morality.
The impact of value co-creation in sustainable services: understanding generational differences
Authors: Bordian Mariia , Gil-Saura Irene , Šerić Maja
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The service industry has been facing many challenges connected to sustainable practices and how they affect final consumers. This paper aims to explore the impact of value co-creation (VCC) on customer-based brand equity and satisfaction, the latter being considered in terms of overall and green customer satisfaction. Moreover, considering the influence that a consumer’s age has on their behaviour, this paper analyses the moderating role of generational cohorts (Centennials vs. Millennials) on the direct interactions between the examined variables.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study was conducted in hotel companies, which place a strong emphasis on customer service and as such provide valuable implications for the industry. The data were collected from 263 hotel guests in Ukraine in 2018 using a structured closed-response face-to-face survey. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to test the hypothesised relationships. Multi-group analysis was conducted to examine the moderating role of the generational cohort.

Findings

The results show that customer perception of VCC positively influences brand equity. The findings also indicate that brand equity mediates the relationship between VCC, overall customer satisfaction and green customer satisfaction. In addition, it is demonstrated that generational cohorts moderate the relationships between VCC and overall customer satisfaction.

Practical implications

This study suggests that service companies should create more opportunities for VCC activities, not only to increase their customers’ participation in green practices but also to enhance brand equity and satisfaction to gain more competitive advantages.

Originality/value

The contribution of this study lies in considering value co-creation as a novel driver of brand equity, overall customer satisfaction and green customer satisfaction through the lens of sustainability in service-based companies. Examining the moderating role of the generational cohort provides significant insights into the impact of value co-creation through different groups of customers.
Post-COVID-19 pandemic motivations and segmentation in coastal cities: a study in Lima, Peru
Authors: Carvache-Franco Mauricio , Alvarez-Risco Aldo , Carvache-Franco Wilmer , Carvache-Franco Orly , Del-Aguila-Arcentales Shyla
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Coastal cities offer great ecological, cultural and economic benefits due to their tourism potential. The objective of this research is to (1) identify tourists' post-pandemic motivations, (2) establish a post-pandemic demand segmentation and (3) determine the relationship between post-pandemic segments and loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was carried out in Lima, Peru, a tourist destination on the Pacific Ocean coast. The sample was collected between June and July 2020, during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In total, 354 valid questionnaires represented the sample size of this quantitative study. For data analysis, factor analysis and K-means non-hierarchical clustering were used.

Findings

The results show four post-pandemic motivational dimensions in coastal cities: “novelty and escape,” “learning and culture,” “destination safety” and “service safety.” Likewise, there are two post-pandemic segments in coastal cities: “safety seekers” who want to feel safe at the destination and with its services, and “multiple motives,” motivated by several reasons simultaneously, such as safety, novelty and escape, and learning and culture. The multiple motives group shows higher return intentions, making it a crucial post-pandemic segment in coastal cities.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of the present study were the online sampling and the timing when collecting the data since the demand can vary due to seasonal reasons.

Practical implications

Since coastal cities have natural and cultural attractions appealing to many travelers, they should adopt the necessary biosecurity measures to attract the safety seekers’ segment, who wants to feel safe at the destination and with its services. Similarly, the multiple motives’ segment favors safety over other recreational activities in the coastal area, so it is necessary that activities such as sports on the beach, walks, observation of flora and fauna, navigation and interaction with the community, meet the required biosecurity standards.

Social implications

The results will be used to plan the following actions in coastal destinations and meet the tourists’ demands when this health crisis ends.

Originality/value

In this context, up to date, demand segmentation by motivations in coastal cities during the COVID-19 pandemic has not been investigated. Such a study will help to obtain post-pandemic results regarding the tourism demand for these destinations. To date, there are no studies in coastal cities that analyze demand segmentation and its motivations for the post-COVID-2019 pandemic.
Home health care routing and scheduling problem with different groups of patients and health workers
Authors: Samadpour Elham , Ghousi Rouzbeh , Makui Ahmad
Published: April 2022

Purpose

In this study, the authors investigate a different routing and scheduling problem in the field of home health care (HHC) management system. The purpose of this paper is to route and schedule the workday of health workers, assign the patients to suitable health workers, make accurate decisions to minimize costs, provide timely services and, in general, enhance the efficiency of HHC centers.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-integer linear programming model is developed to assign health workers to patients. The model considers health professionals with different skills, namely nurses and physicians. Additionally, three groups of patients are considered: patients who need a nurse, patients who need a physician and patients who need both. In the third group, the nurse must be present at the patient’s home following the physician’s visit in order to perform the required tasks.

Findings

The results of this study show a reduction in costs which results from the fewer health workers employed and dispatched in comparison with traditional approaches. With the help of our solution approach and model, HHC centers may not only successfully reduce their costs but also manage to meet their patients’ demands by assigning suitable nurses and physicians.

Originality/value

Previous studies have often focused on problems involving only one group of health professionals and rarely address problems involving multiple groups. The authors consider this a shortcoming, because in many cases, patients should be visited several times and by various health professionals.
Strengthening leadership capacity: an unaddressed issue in Indian healthcare system
Authors: Gulati Kamal , Singh Angel Rajan , Gupta Shakti Kumar , Sarkar Chitra
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Leadership skills are vital for efficient delivery of health reforms. India, a low- and middle-income country, is transforming its public health care significantly. The health workforce, particularly doctors, however lacks leadership skills. This study aims to highlight the leadership skills gap and raise concerns about how India might achieve its ambitious health reforms in the lack of formal, prospective leadership training for its workforce.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted nine management development programmes between 2012 and 2020 and collected data from 416 (N = 444, 94% response rate) health-care professionals using a questionnaire. Participants were asked to inform leadership challenges that they perceived critical. A total of 47 unique challenges were identified, which were distributed across five domains of American College of Healthcare Executives Competency Assessment Tool (2020). Relevant information was also obtained from review of secondary sources including journal articles from scientific and grey literature and government websites.

Findings

Majority of participants (85.36%) had never attended any management training and were from public sector (56.1%). Mean total experience was 18 years. Top 5 challenges were lack of motivation (54.26%), communication (52.38%), contracts management (48.31%), leadership skills (47.26%) and retention of workforce (45.56%). Maximum challenges (29) were in domain of business skills and knowledge, followed by knowledge of health-care environment (9), leadership, professionalism, and communication and relationship management (3 each).

Originality/value

In absence of the leadership training, senior health professionals particularly doctors in India, suffer leadership challenges. Efforts should be made to strengthen leadership capacity in Indian health-care system to advance the country’s ongoing national health reforms.
Peeping in the minds of MOOCs instructors: using fuzzy approach to understand the motivational factors
Authors: Goel Pooja , Raj Sahil , Garg Aashish , Singh Simarjeet , Gupta Sanjay
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) are among the most recent e-learning initiatives to gain widespread acceptance among universities. However, despite MOOCs' “much-documented” benefits, many questions are being raised late regarding the long-term sustainability of the open online teaching e-learning model. With high dropout rates in MOOCs courses, recent research has focused on the challenges limiting MOOCs’ growth. But most of the research is directed toward students’ perspectives, leaving the instructors’ perspective. One of the most important aspects of instructors’ perspective is the motivation for MOOCs' development and delivery.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study collected the data from 25 MOOC developers of Indian origin. To prioritize or rank the motivational factor behind developing a MOOC, a fuzzy-analytical hierarchical process (F-AHP) technique was applied to the data set. The primary motivational factors considered for the study were professional development, altruism, personal development, institutional development, intrigue, monetary benefits and peer influence.

Findings

The results showed that professional development and personal development are two prime motives that drive MOOCs development. Monetary benefits and peer influence were the least important factors among all the factors considered for the study.

Originality/value

Previous studies have identified and modeled the motivational factors that contribute toward developing MOOCs. However, there was little knowledge about the hierarchy among the motivating factors. The present study fills this gap by establishing the ranking of motivational factors responsible for MOOCs development.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-04-2021-0205.
Effects of the process parameters on the formability and properties of Ni54(at.%) Ti alloys prepared by laser powder bed fusion
Authors: Lv Jianran , Shen Hongyao , Fu Jianzhong
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to supplement and upgrade existing research on LPBF of NiTi alloys. Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is a promising method for fabricating nickel–titanium (Ni–Ti) alloys. It is well known that the energy density is mainly adjusted through the scanning speed and laser power. Nevertheless, there is lack in research on the effects of separately adjusting the scanning speed and laser power on the properties of the final Ni–Ti components. On the other hand, although Ni-rich Ni–Ti alloys [such as Ni54(at.%)Ti] have great potential in structural applications because of their high hardness and good shape stability, at present, there are few studies focusing on this grade of Ni–Ti alloy.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, the energy density was adjusted by changing the laser power and scanning speed separately, and the corresponding process parameters were used to fabricate Ni54(at.%)Ti alloys. The formability (including the relative density, impurity content, etc.) and tensile properties of the LPBF Ni54(at.%)Ti alloys fabricated with different combinations of process parameters were analyzed.

Findings

The effects of increasing the laser power and reducing the scanning speed on the properties of the LPBF Ni54(at.%)Ti alloys and the property differences between components manufactured with different combinations of laser power and scanning speed under the same energy density were analyzed. The optimal process parameters were selected to fabricate the components that achieved the highest ultimate tensile strength of 537 MPa, a high relative density of 98.23%, a relatively low impurity content (0.073 Wt.% of carbon and 0.06 Wt.% of oxygen) and an ideal pseudoelasticity (95% recovery rate loaded at 300 MPa).

Originality/value

The effects of increasing the laser power and reducing the scanning speed on the properties of LPBF Ni54(at.%)Ti alloys were studied in this paper. This work is an upgrade and supplement to the existing research on fabricating Ni-rich Ni–Ti alloys by the LPBF method.
Short sequence repeats of the intergenic spacer regions of ribosomal RNA genes in Malassezia globosa and Malassezia restricta colonizing the scalps of male individuals with and without androgenetic alopecia
Authors: Suzuki Kazuhiro , Cho Otomi , Nagahama Tohru , Sugita Takashi
Published: April 2022

We analyzed the short sequence repeats (SSRs) of the intergenic spacer (IGS) region 1 of the ribosomal RNA genes in Malassezia globosa and Malassezia restricta, which predominantly colonize the scalp in androgenetic alopecia (AGA). No AGA‐specific SSRs were found in the M. globosa IGS region, whereas a (CT)6:(AT)8 SSR was predominantly detected in the M. restricta IGS region in the AGA group. Malassezia colonization was higher in the scalps of patients with M. restricta (CT)6:(AT)8 SSRs than in the scalps of patients without M. restricta (CT)6:(AT)8 SSRs. These observations suggest that this specific SSR type in M. restricta is involved in the development or exacerbation of AGA.
Habitat provision is a major driver of native bird communities in restored urban forests
Authors: Elliot Noe Elizabeth , Innes John , Barnes Andrew D. , Joshi Chaitanya , Clarkson Bruce D.
Published: April 2022

Urbanization, and the drastic loss of habitat it entails, poses a major threat to global avian biodiversity. Ecological restoration of urban forests is therefore increasingly vital for native bird conservation, but control of invasive predators may also be needed to sustain native bird populations in cities where species invasions have been particularly severe.

We evaluated restoration success by investigating changes in native bird communities along a restoration chronosequence of 25 restored urban forests representing 72 years of forest development, which we compared to two target reference systems and a control system. We hypothesized that total species richness and relative abundance of native forest birds would increase with the age of restoration planting. We further hypothesized that relative abundance of rats, possums and cats would negatively impact native birds, while amount of native forest in the surrounding landscape would have a positive effect.

We used structural equation modelling (SEM) to investigate the relative influence of forest structure (complexity index, tree height, canopy openness, basal area, species richness and density), landscape attributes (patch area, perimeter length, landscape composition within three buffer zones, distance to the nearest road and water source) and invasive mammalian predator indices of relative abundance on total species richness and relative abundance of native forest birds.

Species richness increased with age of restoration planting, with community composition progressing towards that found in target reference systems. SEM revealed that years restored was a direct driver of bird species richness but an indirect driver of abundance, which was directly driven by canopy openness. Contrary to our predictions, invasive mammals had no significant effect on native bird species richness or abundance.

Our results demonstrate that provision and improvement of habitat quantity and quality through restoration is the vital first step to re‐establishing native forest bird communities in cities.
The housing wealth effect: The role of renovations and home improvements
Authors: Caloia Francesco G. , Mastrogiacomo Mauro
Published: April 2022

This paper tests whether disregarding home improvements biases the housing wealth effect, that is, the marginal propensity to consume out of housing wealth. We decompose housing wealth changes in their unanticipated and exogenous component by filtering out previously elicited expectations of house prices and by dealing with endogenous home improvements. Results show that the bias is zero due to the zero correlation between home investments and changes in house values. Results are consistent with models with exogenous maintenance and with the evidence that maintenance contrasts depreciation and is mostly value‐preserving. A comparative empirical approach excludes that results are only internally valid.
Sustainable Development Goals and their Fit with Good Governance
Authors: Massey Andrew
Published: April 2022

This Policy Insight paper places the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the context of good governance. It explores what constitutes Good Governance, from a public administration perspective, and charts the manner in which SDGs and good governance are linked, before suggesting ways in which governments may achieve the aims of the SDGs. It argues none of the other 15 SDGs can be achieved without the coordination and delivery of SDGs 16 and 17. These are at the core of effective public administration and the provision of good governance. Without sufficient numbers of appropriately trained, competent and incorrupt public administrators, working at the local level, none of the other SDGs are widely achievable. We need to recognise, however, important political issues and definitions of good governance are socially constructed and culturally bound; to seek to impose one version on all others risks failure. The paper discusses some of the criteria used by different stakeholders to judge standards of public services. There is a short discussion about how actual and desired levels of performance are set and by whom and to what extent improvement can be measured by a rise or fall in service standards. In other words, whether perceptions of improvement can be objectively measured. The paper draws on cases from the UN’s annual public service innovation awards as examples.
Knowledge Transfer in the Global South: Reusing or Creating Knowledge in China’s Special Economic Zones in Ethiopia and Cambodia?
Authors: Alves Ana Cristina , Lee Celia
Published: April 2022

Chinese special economic zones (SEZs) have played a key role in attracting massive foreign investment and in facilitating knowledge and technology transfer to local companies. This explains the mushrooming of Chinese‐led SEZs and industrial parks in parts of Southeast Asia and Africa since the early 2000s, and more recently its prominence in the planning of the economic corridors along the Belt and Road Initiative. Our interest in SEZs derives from the fact that they provide novel grounds to investigate the dynamics of knowledge transfer (KT) in South–South exchanges and the extent to which it diverges from more traditional exchanges. This study undertakes a comparative analysis of KT in the Eastern Industrial Zone (EIZ) in Ethiopia, and the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Cambodia. The case studies suggest that, although the provision of training by Chinese investors has added value to the labour force, its transformative impact is limited owing to the concentration on explicit KT modalities at lower skills levels and the top–down approach to KT by Chinese companies. These limitations are largely a function of the wide absorptive capacity gap between China and the host countries studied and the absence of more conducive industrial policies.
Exosomal circDNER enhances paclitaxel resistance and tumorigenicity of lung cancer via targeting miR‐139‐5p/ITGB8
Authors: Li Jinyou , Zhu Tao , Weng Yuan , Cheng Fengyue , Sun Qi , Yang Kejia , Su Zhenyu , Ma Haitao
Published: April 2022

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are regarded as vital regulatory factors in various cancers. However, the biological functions of circDNER in the paclitaxel (PTX) resistance of lung cancer remain largely unexplored.

Methods

Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was used to analyze circDNER, miR‐139‐5p, and ITGB8. Cell proliferation was assessed via colony formation and MTT assays. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. Western blot was performed to assess protein expression. The targeted interaction among circDNER, miR‐139‐5p, and ITGB8 were validated using dual‐luciferase reporter or RNA immunoprecipitation assays.

Results

Inhibition of circDNER reduced IC50 of PTX, inhibited cell proliferation, invasion and migration, as well as promoted cell apoptosis in PTX‐resistant lung cancer cells. Mechanistically, circDNER sponged miR‐139‐5p to upregulate ITGB8 expression. Overexpression of miR‐139‐5p reversed the biological functions mediated by circDNER in PTX‐resistant lung cancer cells. MiR‐139‐5p overexpression suppressed PTX resistance and malignant behaviors of PTX‐resistant lung cancer cells, with ITGB8 elevation rescued the impacts. Moreover, we demonstrated that circDNER was upregulated in plasma exosomes from lung cancer patients. The plasma exosomes derived from these patients are the key factors enhancing the migration and invasion potential of lung cancer cells.

Conclusion

The circDNER mediated miR‐139‐5p/ITGB8 axis suppresses lung cancer progression. Our findings suggest that circDNER might act as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for lung cancer treatment.
Fluid‐responsiveness, blood volume and perfusion in preoperative haemodynamic optimisation of hip fracture patients; a prospective observational study
Authors: Agerskov Marianne , Sørensen Henrik , Højlund Jakob , Secher Niels H. , Foss Nicolai Bang
Published: April 2022

Background

Preoperative resuscitation strategies in patients with hip fracture (HF) are lacking. We aimed to investigate fluid‐responsiveness, peripheral perfusion index (PPI) and blood volume (BV)‐status in patients with HF undergoing resuscitation in the preoperative phase.

Methods

In a prospective observational study, we evaluated preoperative fluid‐responsiveness, indices of perfusion and BV before and after lumbar epidural analgesia in 50 patients with HF shortly after admittance.

Results

Initially, 18 (36%) patients were fluid‐responsive (≥10% increased SV in response to 250 ml fluid bolus) and 13 (26%) presented hypovolaemia (deviation of measured BV from estimated BV ≤ 0.9). According to fluid‐responsiveness, no difference in absolute values of cardiac index (CI) (2.7 L [2.1–3.3] vs. 2.8 L [2.3–3.4], p = .5) was seen, but cardiac output (CO) rose significantly in the hypovolaemic patients: 9% [5–18] vs. 1% [−3–7], p = .004. After epidural analgesia, 26 (52%) patients were again fluid‐responsive and 15 (30%) were hypovolaemic. CI was now significantly lower in fluid‐responsive patients (2.2 L [1.7–2.7] vs. 2.9 L [2.3–3.5], p = .001). Prior to epidural analgesia, no significant trend towards hypovolaemic patients having lower indices of perfusion was seen. After epidural analgesia, more patients with hypovolaemia presented with PPI≤1.5 (8 (53%) vs. 3 (9%), p = .001) and absolute values of PPI were also significantly lower if IBV was low (1.4 [0.9–3.2] vs. 3.2 [2.4–4.8], p = .01). PPI correlated with hypovolaemia after epidural analgesia (rho 0.4 [0.1–0.7], p = .007).

Conclusions

Preoperative fluid‐responsivity in HF patients might be attributable to elements of hypovolaemia and sympathetic compensatory ability conjointly, confounding the use of SV‐guided resuscitation. PPI could be associated with BV, which may support clinicians during perioperative haemodynamic optimisation.
Defining the incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in coastal NSW Australia
Authors: Wilson Anna , Goltsman David , Nankervis Jane , Clark Jonathan , Gupta Ruta , Ashford Bruce
Published: April 2022

Background/Objectives

To describe the incidence of primary cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in coastal NSW Australia.

Methods

The design is a case‐controlled study of reported cSCC from 2016 to 2019 within a defined region of coastal southern NSW. Participants include all reported pathological diagnoses of cSCC in patients greater than 20 years of age. The main outcome measures the incidence and relative risk of cSCC.

Results

The age‐adjusted incidence rate of primary cSCC was 856/105/year. Men over 60 years of age had an age‐adjusted incidence rate of 2875/105/year. Histologically diagnosed invasive SCC samples were included using SNOMED clinical term codes. Keratoacanthomas and SCC in situ SNOWMED codes were not included. SCC in situ results was found within the sample analysis and was offset by including one SCC per annum per person.

Conclusions

The rates of cSCC are far higher than previously reported and demand a reappraisal of our national management of this disease.