bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From Retrospective to Prospective: Integrated Value Representation in Frontal Cortex for Predictive Choice Behavior
Authors: Hamaguchi Kosuke , Takahashi-Aoki Hiromi , Watanabe Dai
Published: December 2021

Animals must flexibly estimate the value of their actions to successfully adapt in a changing environment. The brain is thought to estimate action-value from two different sources, namely the action-outcome history (retrospective value) and the knowledge of the environment (prospective value). How these two different estimates of action-value are reconciled to make a choice is not well understood. Here we show that as a mouse learns the state-transition structure of a decision-making task, retrospective and prospective values become jointly encoded in the preparatory activity of neurons in the frontal cortex. Suppressing this preparatory activity in expert mice returned their behavior to a naïve state. These results reveal the neural circuit that integrates knowledge about the past and future to support predictive decision-making.

One-Sentence Summary

Preparatory activity in the mouse frontal cortex encodes prospective value to support predictive choice behavior.
Defective linear and circular RNAs biogenesis in Huntington’s disease: CAG repeat expansion hijacks neuronal splicing
Authors: Ayyildiz Dilara , Monziani Alan , Tripathi Takshashila , Döring Jessica , Bergonzoni Guendalina , Kerschbamer Emanuela , Di Leva Francesca , Pennati Elia , Donini Luisa , Kovalenko Marina , Zasso Jacopo , Conti Luciano , Wheeler Vanessa C. , Dieterich Christoph , Piazza Silvano , Dassi Erik , Biagioli Marta
Published: December 2021

Alternative splicing (AS) appears to be altered in Huntington’s disease (HD), but its significance for early, pre-symptomatic disease stages has not been inspected.

Here, taking advantage ofHttCAG knock-in mousein vitroandin vivomodels, we demonstrate a strong correlation betweenHttCAG repeat length and increased aberrant linear AS, specifically affecting neural progenitors and,in vivo,the striatum prior to overt behavioral phenotypes stages. Remarkably, expandedHttCAG repeats reflect on a previously neglected, global impairment of back-splicing, leading to decreased circular RNAs production in neural progenitors.

Though the mechanisms of this dysregulation remain uncertain, our study unveils network of transcriptionally altered micro-RNAs and RNA-binding proteins (CELF, hnRNPS, PTBP, SRSF) which, in turn, might influence the AS machinery, primarily in neural cells.

We suggest that this unbalanced expression of linear and circular RNAs might result in altered neural fitness, contributing to HD striatal vulnerability.
Along the Bos Taurus genome, uncover candidate Imprinting Control Regions
Authors: Wyss Phillip , Song Carol , Bina Minou
Published: December 2021

In mammals, Imprinting Control Regions (ICRs) regulate a subset of genes in a parent-of-origin-specific manner. In both human and mouse, previous studies identified a set of CpG-rich motifs that occurred as clusters in ICRs and germline Differentially Methylated Regions (gDMRs). These motifs consist of the ZFP57 binding site (ZFBS) overlapping a subset of MLL binding units known as MLL morphemes. Furthermore, by creating plots for displaying the density of these overlaps, it became possible to locate known and candidate ICRs in mouse and human genomic DNA. Since genomic imprinting impacts many developmental and key physiological processes, we performed genome-wide analyses to create plots displaying the density of the CpG-rich motifs (ZFBS-morph overlaps) along Bos Taurus chromosomal DNA. We tailored our datasets so that they could be displayed on the UCSC genome browser (the build bosTau8). On the genome browser, we could view the ZFP57 binding sites, the ZFBS-morph overlaps, and peaks in the density-plots in the context of cattle RefSeq Genes, Non-Cow RefSeq Genes, CpG islands, and Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Our datasets revealed the correspondence of peaks in plots to known and deduced ICRs in Bos Taurus genomic DNA. We illustrate that by uploading our datasets onto the UCSC genome browser, we could discover candidate ICRs in cattle DNA. In enlarged views, we could pinpoint the genes in the vicinity of candidate ICRs and thus discover potential imprinted genes.
The Functional Logic of Odor Information Processing in the Drosophila Antennal Lobe
Authors: Lazar Aurel A. , Liu Tingkai , Yeh Chung-Heng
Published: December 2021

The early olfactory system of the fruit fly, while sensing a complex odorant landscape, encodes the odorant object identity (semantic information) and the odorant concentration waveform (syntactic information) into a combinatorial neural code. Single-channel physiology recordings at the output of the Antenna Lobe (AL) exhibit concentration-invariance and contrast-boosting properties, indicating a decoupling of the odorant object identity from the concentration waveform in steady-state while responding strongly to odorant concentration onset and offset in transient states.

Through exhaustive computational explorations of the AL circuits, we show that the steady-state and transient response features of the AL are, respectively, due to presynaptic and postsynaptic Local Neurons (LNs). Theoretical analysis reveals that the LN pathways can be modeled as parallel differential Divisive Normalization Processors (DNPs). Differential DNPs robustly extract odorant identity (semantic information) and ON/OFF odorant event-timing (syntactic information), thereby providing for the AL the functional logic of ON-OFF odorant identity recovery.
Structural Evolution of the Ancient Enzyme, Dissimilatory Sulfite Reductase
Authors: Colman Daniel R. , Labesse Gilles , Swapna G.V.T. , Stefanakis Johanna , Montelione Gaetano T. , Boyd Eric S. , Royer Catherine A.
Published: December 2021

Dissimilatory sulfite reductase is an ancient enzyme that has linked the global sulfur and carbon biogeochemical cycles since at least 3.47 Gya. While much has been learned about the phylogenetic distribution and diversity of DsrAB across environmental gradients, far less is known about the structural changes that occurred to maintain DsrAB function as the enzyme accompanied diversification of sulfate/sulfite reducing organisms (SRO) into new environments. Analyses of available crystal structures of DsrAB from Archaeoglobus fulgidus and Desulfovibrio vulgaris, representing early and late evolving lineages, respectively, show that certain features of DsrAB are structurally conserved, including active siro-heme binding motifs. Whether such structural features are conserved among DsrAB recovered from varied environments, including hot spring environments that host representatives of the earliest evolving SRO lineage (e.g., MV2-Eury), is not known. To begin to overcome these gaps in our understanding of the evolution of DsrAB, structural models from MV2.Eury were generated and evolutionary sequence co-variance analyses were conducted on a curated DsrAB database. Phylogenetically diverse DsrAB harbor many conserved functional residues including those that ligate active siro-heme(s). However, evolutionary co-variance analysis of monomeric DsrAB subunits revealed several False Positive Evolutionary Couplings (FPEC) that correspond to residues that have co-evolved despite being too spatially distant in the monomeric structure to allow for direct contact. One set of FPECs corresponds to residues that form a structural path between the two active siro-heme moieties across the interface between heterodimers, suggesting the potential for allostery or electron transfer within the enzyme complex. Other FPECs correspond to structural loops and gaps that may have been selected to stabilize enzyme function in different environments. These structural bioinformatics results suggest that DsrAB has maintained allosteric communication pathways between subunits as SRO diversified into new environments. The observations outlined here provide a framework for future biochemical and structural analyses of DsrAB to examine potential allosteric control of this enzyme.
Techniques for visualizing fibroblast-vessel interactions in the developing and adult CNS
Authors: Jones Hannah E. , Abrams Kelsey A. , Siegenthaler Julie
Published: December 2021

Fibroblasts are found associated with blood vessels in various locations across the CNS: in the meninges, the choroid plexus, and in the parenchyma within perivascular spaces. CNS fibroblasts have been characterized using transcriptional profiling and aCol1a1-GFPmouse line used to identify CNS fibroblastsin vivo. However, current methods for visualizing CNS fibroblasts are lacking and, in particular, prevent adequate assessment of fibroblast-vessel interactions. Here, we describe methods for whole mount visualization of meningeal and choroid plexus fibroblasts, and optical tissue clearing methods for visualization of parenchymal vessel-associated fibroblasts. Importantly, these techniques can be combined with immunohistochemistry methods for labeling different cell types in the meninges and blood vasculature as well as EdU-based cell proliferation assays. These methods are ideal for visualization of vessel-fibroblast interactions in these CNS structures and provide significant improvement over traditional sectioning and staining methods. We expect these methods will advance studies of CNS fibroblast development and functions in homeostasis, injury, and disease.
TheMybfamily genes in the rice pathogenMagnaporthe oryzae: Finding and deleting more family members involved in pathogenicity
Authors: Li Ya , Zheng Xiuxia , Pei Mengtian , Chen Mengting , Zhang Shengnan , Liang Chenyu , Gao Luyao , Huang Pin , Olsson Stefan
Published: December 2021

Proteins with DNA binding Myb domains have been suggested in regulating development and stress responses.Magnaporthe oryzaeis considered the most destructive pathogen of rice. We screened the genome for genes with Myb domains encoding since these can be needed for pathogenesis. We foundMyb1-19. Only MoMyb1 was previously shown to be involved in pathogenesis. We succeeded in deleting 12 of the other 18 genes. MoMyb2 deletion affected mainly growth, while MoMyb13 or MoMyb15 deletions gave additional defects in conidiation and plant infection. However, RT-qPCR showed that none of the 19 Myb genes are negligibly expressed. Instead, they have different expression profiles hours post-infection when infecting rice plants. Considering this, the unchanged infection phenotype for 9 gene deletions surprised us, and we extended the analysis to expression co-regulation of all 19 Myb proteins and found 5 co-regulated groups of predicted Myb-domain proteins. MoMyb13 or MoMyb15 are discussed and motivated as candidates for further, more detailed studies with aims also outside of plant pathology. Referring to what is found in other eukaryotes, we finally discuss possible redundancy or compensatory regulations for many of the other Myb genes hiding or compensating for the effect of many complete deletions.

IMPORTANCE

Magnaporthe oryzaeis considered the most important rice pathogen limiting rice production. Our study attempts to find all genes encoding a DNA-binding gene family called Myb, and we found 19, many of which have not been studied before. The Myb gene family is suspected to regulate stress responses the pathogen needs to overcome plant defenses. Inhibiting or disturbing these genes, if they are indeed regulatory, can open new ways of controlling the pathogen and learning more about its physiology and ecology.
Chromatin state transition underlies the temporal changes in gene expression during cardiomyocyte maturation
Authors: Lin Chia-Yeh , Chang Yao-Ming , Tseng Hsin-Yi , Shih Yen-Ling , Yeh Hsiao-Hui , Liao You-Rou , Hsu Chia-Ling , Chen Chien-Chang , Yan Yu-Ting , Kao Cheng-Fu
Published: December 2021

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is often rooted in gene expression anomalies that occur during heart development. As cells commit to a specific lineage, chromatin dynamics and developmental plasticity generally become more limited. However, it remains unclear how differentiated cardiomyocytes (CMs) undergo morphological and functional adaptations to the postnatal environment during their maturation. In this work, we sought to identify the regulatory mechanisms controlling postnatal cardiac gene networks. A time-series transcriptomic analysis of postnatal hearts revealed an integrated, time-ordered transcriptional network that regulates CM maturation. Remarkably, depletion of histone H2B ubiquitin ligase RNF20 after formation of the four-chamber heart disrupted these highly coordinated gene networks. Its ablation also caused early-onset cardiomyopathy, a phenotype reminiscent of CHD. Furthermore, we found that dynamic RNF20-mediated modulation of chromatin accessibility during CM maturation was necessary for the operative binding of cardiac transcription factors known to drive transcriptional gene networks. Together, our results reveal how epigenetic-mediated chromatin state transitions modulate time-ordered gene expression during CM maturation.
Crystal structure of chloroplast fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase from the green algaChlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Le Moigne Théo , Sarti Edoardo , Nourisson Antonin , Carbone Alessandra , Lemaire Stéphane D. , Henri Julien
Published: December 2021

The Calvin-Benson cycle fixes carbon dioxide into organic triosephosphates through the collective action of eleven conserved enzymes. Regeneration of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate, the substrate of Rubisco-mediated carboxylation, requires two lyase reactions catalyzed by fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA). While cytoplasmic FBA has been extensively studied in non-photosynthetic organisms, functional and structural details are limited for chloroplast FBA encoded by oxygenic phototrophs. Here we determined the crystal structure of plastidial FBA from the unicellular green algaChlamydomonas reinhardtii(Cr). We confirm that CrFBA folds as a TIM barrel, describe its catalytic pocket and homo-tetrameric state. Multiple sequence profiling classified the photosynthetic paralogs of FBA in a distinct group from non-photosynthetic paralogs. We mapped the sites of thiol- and phospho-based post-translational modifications known from photosynthetic organisms and predict their effects on enzyme catalysis.
Size-dependent secondary nucleation and amplification of α-synuclein amyloid fibrils
Authors: Sakunthala Arunima , Datta Debalina , Navalkar Ambuja , Gadhe Laxmikant , Kadu Pradeep , Patel Komal , Mehra Surabhi , Kumar Rakesh , Chatterjee Debdeep , Sengupta Kundan , Padinhateeri Ranjith , Maji Samir K.
Published: December 2021

The size of the amyloid seeds is known to modulate their autocatalytic amplification and cellular toxicity. However, the seed size-dependent secondary nucleation mechanism, toxicity, and disease-associated biological processes mediated by α-synuclein (α-Syn) fibrils are largely unknown. Using the cellular model andin vitroreconstitution, we showed that the size of α-Syn fibril seeds not only dictates its cellular internalization and associated cell death; but also the distinct mechanisms of fibril amplification pathways involved in the pathological conformational change of α-Syn. Specifically, small-sized fibril seeds showed elongation possibly through monomer addition at the fibril termini; whereas longer fibrils template the fibril amplification by surface-mediated nucleation as demonstrated by super-resolution microscopy. The distinct mechanism of fibril amplification, and cellular uptake along with toxicity suggest that breakage of fibrils into different sizes of seeds determine the underlying pathological outcome of synucleinopathies.
In vitro cytokine expression analysis by droplet microfluidics
Authors: Wong Ada Hang-Heng , Akincilar Semih Can , Chua Joelle , Chanthira Morgan Dhakshayini d/o K. , Hei Dorcas , Tergaonkar Vinay
Published: December 2021

Droplet microfluidics provides a miniaturized platform to conduct biological assays. We previously developed a droplet microfluidic chip assay for screening cancer cells against chemical drugs and chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells, respectively. In this study, we investigated chip application on a cytokine expression assay using MCF7 breast cancer reporter cells engineered by fusing green fluorescent protein (GFP) to the C-terminus of endogenous interleukin-6 (IL6) gene. Combined tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) treatment and serum-free medium starvation stimulated IL6-GFP expression and enhanced GFP fluorescence. Our data showed that on-chip assay recapitulates the cellular response in vitro, although absolute quantification of IL6 induction could not be accomplished. The demonstration of multi-timepoint IL6 expression analysis paves the way for our future study on tumor response to immune attack via cytokine signaling.
Unsigned temporal difference errors in cortical L5 dendrites during learning
Authors: Schoenfeld Gwendolin , Kollmorgen Sepp , Tsai Matthias C. , Lewis Christopher , Han Shuting , Bethge Philipp , Reuss Anna Maria , Aguzzi Adriano , Senn Walter , Mante Valerio , Helmchen Fritjof
Published: December 2021

Learning goal-directed behavior requires association of pertinent sensory stimuli with behaviorally relevant outcomes. In the mammalian neocortex, dendrites of pyramidal neurons are suitable association sites1–3but how their activities adapt during learning remains elusive. Here, we track calcium signals in apical dendrites of layer 5 (L5) pyramidal neurons in mouse barrel cortex during texture discrimination learning4. We observe diverse task-related responses, either localized to branches or widespread throughout the apical tuft. However, even in expert mice, the tufts’ capability to discriminate go/no-go stimuli remains poor. Yet, we identify two prevailing response types in dendritic branches: 1) responses to unexpected outcome (reward) in naïve mice that decrease with growing task proficiency, and 2) responses associated with salient sensory stimuli, especially the outcome-predicting texture touch, that strengthen upon learning. We demonstrate that these response types match distinct unsigned components of the temporal difference error5by replicating our results with a reinforcement learning model. Moreover, optogenetic apical inhibition of L5 neurons during the outcome time window prevents naïve animals from learning the task, consistent with the effect of equivalent model perturbation. Our findings suggest that salience signals in L5 apical dendrites facilitate the recruitment of task-relevant neurons via dendritic gain modulation.
Prescriptions For The Control Of A Clonal Invasive Species Using Demographic Models
Authors: Arroyo-Cosultchi Gabriel , Golubov Jordan , Solórzano Jonathan V. , Mandujano Maria C.
Published: December 2021

Until recently, little focus has been given to determine the population dynamics of invasive species and evaluate their genetic variation. Consequently, not much is known of what drives clonal invasive species and their demography. Here we describe the population dynamics of Kalanchoe delagoensis (Crassulaceae), considered invasive to several countries. We quantified the demography of a population in central Mexico using integral projection models (IPM) in a population that reproduced asexually exclusively through plantlets. The effect of clonal recruitment on λ was evaluated by changing plantlet survival and simulating management scenarios that used previous data of watering and seven experimental herbicide treatments. The finite rate of population increase indicated that this Kalanchoe delagoensis population is growing (above one) with significant potential increases that correlated with water availability. The IPM showed that plantlet survival and recruitment were the most critical steps in the cycle for the population and simulations of different management scenarios showed that reducing plantlet survival significantly decreased λ only in two out of the seven herbicides used.
Class I DISARM provides anti-phage and anti-conjugation activity by unmethylated DNA recognition
Authors: Aparicio-Maldonado Cristian , Ofir Gal , Salini Andrea , Sorek Rotem , Nobrega Franklin L. , Brouns Stan J.J.
Published: December 2021

Bacteriophages impose a strong evolutionary pressure on microbes for the development of mechanisms of survival. Multiple new mechanisms of innate defense have been described recently, with the molecular mechanism of most of them remaining uncharacterized. Here, we show that a Class 1 DISARM (defense island system associated with restriction-modification) system from Serratia sp. provides broad protection from double-stranded DNA phages, and drives a population of single-stranded phages to extinction. We identify that protection is not abolished by deletion of individual DISARM genes and that the absence of methylase genes drmMI and drmMII does not result in autoimmunity. In addition to antiphage activity we also observe that DISARM limits conjugation, and this activity is linked to the number of methylase cognate sites in the plasmid. Overall, we show that Class 1 DISARM provides robust anti-phage and anti-plasmid protection mediated primarily by drmA and drmB, which provide resistance to invading nucleic acids using a mechanism enhanced by the recognition of unmethylated cognate sites of the two methylases drmMI and drmMII.
Directed inter-domain motions enable the IsdH Staphylococcus aureus receptor to rapidly extract heme from human hemoglobin
Authors: Clayton Joseph , Ellis-Guardiola Kat , Mahoney Brendan , Soule Jess , Clubb Robert T. , Wereszczynski Jeff
Published: December 2021

Pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus actively acquires iron from human hemoglobin (Hb) using the IsdH surface receptor. Heme extraction is mediated by a tridomain unit within the receptor that contains its second (N2) and third (N3) NEAT domains joined by a helical linker domain. Extraction occurs within a dynamic complex, in which receptors engage each globin chain; the N2 domain tightly binds to Hb, while substantial inter-domain motions within the receptor enable its N3 domain to transiently distort the globin’s heme pocket. Using molecular simulations, Markov modeling, and quantitative measurements of heme transfer kinetics, we show that directed inter-domain motions within the receptor play a critical role in the extraction process. The directionality of N3 domain motion and the rate of heme extraction is controlled by amino acids within a short, flexible inter-domain tether that connects the N2 and linker domains. In the wild-type receptor directed motions originating from the tether enable the N3 domain to populate configurations capable of distorting Hb’s pocket, whereas mutant receptors containing altered tethers are less able to adopt these conformers and capture heme slowly via indirect processes in which Hb first releases heme into the solvent. Thus, our results show inter-domain motions within the IsdH receptor play a critical role in its ability to extract heme from Hb and highlight the importance of directed motions by the short, unstructured, amino acid sequence connecting the domains in controlling the directionality and magnitude of these functionally important motions.
Robustness of DNA Looping Across Multiple Divisions in Individual Bacteria
Authors: Chang Chang , Garcia-Alcala Mayra , Saiz Leonor , Vilar Jose M.G. , Cluzel Philippe
Published: December 2021

DNA looping has emerged as a central paradigm of transcriptional regulation as it is shared across many living systems. One core property of DNA looping-based regulation is its ability to greatly enhance repression or activation of genes with only a few copies of transcriptional regulators. However, this property based on small number of proteins raises the question of the robustness of such a mechanism with respect to the large intracellular perturbations taking place during growth and division of the cell. Here we address the issue of sensitivity to variations of intracellular parameters of gene regulation by DNA looping. We use the lac system as a prototype to experimentally identify the key features of the robustness of DNA looping in growing E. coli cells. Surprisingly, we observe time intervals of tight repression spanning across division events, which can sometimes exceed ten generations. Remarkably, the distribution of such long time intervals exhibits memoryless statistics that is mostly insensitive to repressor concentration, cell division events, and the number of distinct loops accessible to the system. By contrast, gene regulation becomes highly sensitive to these perturbations when DNA looping is absent. Using stochastic simulations, we propose that the robustness to division events of memoryless distributions emerges from the competition between fast, multiple re-binding events of repressors and slow initiation rate of the RNA-polymerase. We argue that fast re-binding events are a direct consequence of DNA looping that ensures robust gene repression across a range of intracellular perturbations.

Significance statement

It is well-established that certain intracellular regulators can stabilize DNA loops to greatly enhance activation or repression of gene transcription. In vitro but also in vivo ensemble measurements have determined that only a few copies of regulators are in fact needed to stably form DNA loops. In view of such a small number, we address the issue of sensitivity of gene regulation by DNA looping to variations of intracellular parameters in individual growing E. coli bacteria. Surprisingly, we find that DNA looping from the lac system is robust to a range of perturbations including divisions during which cells can maintain tight repression over many generations. We propose a mechanism that governs the observed robustness across a range of intracellular perturbations.
Crystallographic characterization of three cathinone hydrochlorides new on the NPS market: 1-(4-methylphenyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)hexan-1-one (4-MPHP), 4-methyl-1-phenyl-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)pentan-1-one (α-PiHP) and 2-(methylamino)-1-(4-methylphenyl)pentan-1-one (4-MPD)
Authors: Rojkiewicz Marcin , Kuś Piotr , Książek Maria , Kusz Joachim
Published: December 2021

Cathinones belong to a group of compounds of great interest in the new psychoactive substances (NPS) market. Constant changes to the chemical structure made by the producers of these compounds require a quick reaction from analytical laboratories in ascertaining their characteristics. In this article, three cathinone derivatives were characterized by X-ray crystallography. The investigated compounds were confirmed as: 1-[1-(4-methylphenyl)-1-oxohexan-2-yl]pyrrolidin-1-ium chloride (1, C17H26NO+·Cl−, the hydrochloride of 4-MPHP), 1-(4-methyl-1-oxo-1-phenylpentan-2-yl)pyrrolidin-1-ium chloride (2; C16H24NO+·Cl−, the hydrochloride of α-PiHP) and methyl[1-(4-methylphenyl)-1-oxopentan-2-yl]azanium chloride (3; C13H20NO+·Cl−, the hydrochloride of 4-MPD). All the salts crystallize in a monoclinic space group: 1 and 2 in P21/c, and 3 in P21/n. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first detailed and comprehensive crystallographic data on salts 1–3.
Modeling of mobile channels using TIMS in IT education
Authors: Rakús Martin , Farkaš Peter , Páleník Tomáš
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to directly link information technology (IT) education with real-world phenomena.

Design/methodology/approach

The selected objectives are achieved by modeling line of sight (LOS) and nonline of sight (NLOS) mobile channels using corresponding distributions. Within the described experiments, students verify whether modeled generators generate random variables accordingly to the selected distribution. The results of observations are directly compared with theoretical expectations. The methodology was evaluated by students via questionnaires.

Findings

The results show that the proposed methodology can help graduate or undergraduate students better comprehend lectured material from mobile communications or mathematical statistics.

Originality/value

The hands on experience using the EMONA system make the approach original.
Third-party certification labels for organic food: consumers' purchase choice and willingness-to-pay
Authors: Nie Yong You , Liang Austin Rong-Da , Wang En Ci
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the present study is to examine the effect of organic food certification labels of different third-party verification institutions on consumers' choice of organic food in terms of willingness-to-pay (WTP) using cue utilization theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The study conducted an experiment in which organic rice and organic certification labels were presented to 360 valid participants.

Findings

With different organic rice labels issued by various third-party verification institutions, including (1) foundations, (2) associations, (3) university certification centers and (4) private businesses, results indicate that consumers had different preferences and WTP for certain labels. The institutions preferred organic food labels issued by non-profit organizations. In addition, consumers showed different WTP as a result of different purchase motivations (e.g. health vs environmental protection).

Originality/value

These results imply that consumers might not have confidence in the organic labels issued by associations and private institutions. Therefore, different types of certification institutions can have significantly different impacts on consumers' WTP. The study further proposes that the extrinsic attributes of food products (i.e. the cues used in making a purchase decision) must be incongruent with the image of third-party certification institutions in order to develop more efficient communication of product information and to encourage consumers to give positive comments regarding organic food.
Resilience against the COVID-19 pandemic: is the hotel and tourism supply chain on the right path?
Authors: Jain Aaditya , Shanker Saket , Barve Akhilesh
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The hotel and tourism industry forms a crucial economic sector for all the economies around the world. However, it suffered the worst hit during the COVID-19 outbreak. Considering the hotel and tourism sector's critical situation, this manuscript aims to emphasise the importance of resilience in the hotel and tourism supply chain (HTSC) and explores the crucial barriers that tend to disturb the inculcation of stability in the hotel and tourism sector. The present research analyses the factors influencing the hotel and tourism sector's resilience and also takes into consideration the various critical success factors (CSFs) needed to build a resilient HTSC.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-phase research approach has been proposed and used in this study. In the first phase, eight CSFs and sixteen factors influencing the hotel and tourism sector's resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic were identified. The basis of the identification of the CSFs and factors was literature and inputs received from experts. In the second phase, the grey-Entropy-EDAS, a qualitative and quantitative analysis, was used to analyse the identified CSFs and factors to determine the priority of concern.

Findings

In this research, the most imperative facet influencing the hotel and tourism sector's resilience has been identified, and the findings will assist hotel and tourism sector in managing and mitigating the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis of the results indicates that out of all the critical success factors, supply chain visibility is the most crucial aspect in building HTSC's resilience, whereas economic catastrophe is the most influential factor. Sensitivity analysis is also conducted to examine the priority ranking stability.

Practical implications

The results of this study can be used by the hotel supply chain managers and policymakers to plan for various challenges faced by them as they try to implement resilience-based strategies in their supply chain.

Originality/value

This research is unique as it analyses the general factors hindering the pathway of resilience in the hotel and tourism supply chain. This is also the first kind of study that has used grey-Entropy to analyse the critical success factors and grey-EDAS for analysing the impact of various factors influencing the hotel and tourism sector's resilience.
A novel way of parameter estimation of solar photovoltaic system
Authors: Bisht Rahul , Sikander Afzal
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to achieve accurate maximum power from solar photovoltaic (PV), its five parameters need to be estimated. This study proposes a novel optimization technique for parameter estimation of solar PV.

Design/methodology/approach

To extract optimal parameters of solar PV new optimization technique based on the Jellyfish search optimizer (JSO). The objective function is defined based on two unknown variables and the proposed technique is used to estimate the two unknown variables and the rest three unknown variables are estimated analytically.

Findings

In this paper, JSO is used to estimate the parameters of a single diode PV model. In this study, eight different PV panels are considered. In addition, various performance indices, such as PV characteristics, such as power-voltage and current-voltage curves, relative error (RE), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and normalized mean absolute error (NMAE) are determined using the proposed algorithm and existing algorithms. The results for different solar panels have been obtained under varying environmental conditions such as changing temperature and constant irradiance or changing irradiance and constant temperature.

Originality/value

The proposed technique is new and provides better results with minimum RE, RMSE, NMAE, MAE and converges fast, as depicted by the fitness graph presented in this paper.
Cross-country use of participatory research methods in practice to enhance inclusive decision-making
Authors: Krishnan Sneha , Soden Robert , Aguihon Bhen , Liu Rongkun , Khatiwada Pradip
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Rethinking participation in disaster research and practice could be facilitated when practitioners are provided with opportunities to pause and reflect deeply on their work outside of the context of their own individual projects and organizational networks. The article draws from an extended collaboration between researchers from multiple countries and disciplines in a working group, which aimed at exploring ethics, participation and power in disaster management.

Design/methodology/approach

Under responsible engineering science and technology for disaster risk management, the authors undertook weekly meetings over four months to discuss various facets of adopting participatory methods in their individual projects in Nepal, India, the Philippines and the USA. The article develops a critical reflection of practice using an auto-ethnographical and poly-vocal approach.

Findings

The voluntary, digital, sustained, unstructured, recurring and inter-disciplinary characteristics of the authors' working group created an opportunity for researchers and practitioners from different fields and different national, cultural and linguistic backgrounds to come together and collectively issues related to participation, ethics and power.

Research limitations/implications

In the paper, the authors do not offer a systematic evaluation of what was a fairly unique process. The paper offers no evaluation of the working group or others like it that focus on questions of replicability, scale and sustainability.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, the current work is a unique paper that focuses on situating multi-disciplinary practice within disaster risk management (DRM) and enhancing networks, capacities and expertise for professional education for engineers, physical and social scientists who are involved in research and practice. The polyvocal character of the presentation will help readers access the particular experiences of the participants, which reflect the deeply personal character of the subject matter.
Opportunities of and threats to consumer well-being in the age of Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) technologies
Authors: Boninsegni Melanie Florence , Roy Abhijit , Bakpayev Marat , Kumar Smriti , Peronard Jean-Paul , Reimer Thomas
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) technologies have strong potential to affect consumer well-being, positively or negatively, so the current paper aims to review potential opportunities and threats that these technologies represent for consumers in several core economic sectors: health care, education, financial services, manufacturing and retailing.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a conceptual framework for how IR 4.0 technologies affect consumer well-being in five representative sectors: health care, education, financial services, manufacturing and retailing. The authors argue that the potential transformations of these specific sectors, facilitated by these technologies, may have profound effects on consumer well-being, with urgent public policy implications.

Findings

Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things, three-dimensional printing, machine learning and blockchain, provide customers with novel approaches toward decisions regarding health, education, finances and other fundamental parts of their lives. The organizations that provide these services, such as hospitals, universities and banks, actively adopt the innovations offered by IR 4.0. These evolving and disruptive technologies thus are changing reality for consumers and providers.

Originality/value

This paper proposes some novel public policy implications of IR 4.0 technologies for consumer well-being, and it outlines further research directions that can enhance understanding of relevant technologies and the consequences of their use for society.
An analytic network process model for hospital facilities management performance evaluation
Authors: Lai Joseph H.K. , Hou Huiying (Cynthia) , Edwards David J. , Yuen P.L.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to establish a rigorous model that can pragmatically evaluate the facilities management (FM) performance of hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach

Among the applicable performance indicators that were identified from extant literature, a focus group study shortlisted ten key performance indicators (KPIs) in four categories (safety, physical, financial and environmental) and verified their practicality. Using the analytic network process (ANP) method to process the focus group’s responses yielded importance weightings for the KPIs and developed the intended evaluation model. This model was then validated by a case study.

Findings

From the empirical data collected, two types of FM performance data and two scenarios of KPI scores were identified. To process these data and scores, a robust calculation method was devised and then proved useful in obtaining an overall score for holistic hospital FM performance. The case study confirmed the appropriateness and validity of the model developed.

Research limitations/implications

Through illustrating how the ANP method could be applied to develop an FM performance evaluation model, the study contributes knowledge to the multi-criteria decision-making domain. Despite the geographical limitation of the model established (i.e. centered around a group of hospitals investigated in Hong Kong), the study can serve as a reference for developing performance evaluation models for other buildings or infrastructures globally.

Practical implications

The model constitutes a practical tool for evaluating the FM performance of hospitals. Using this model on a regular basis will enable performance benchmarking and hence, continuous improvement of FM services.

Originality/value

The ANP model established is the first of its kind tailored for evaluation of hospital FM performance.
The impact of climate change on food and human security in Nigeria
Authors: Ani Kelechi Johnmary , Anyika Vincent Okwudiba , Mutambara Emmanuel
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to unravel the changing nature of climate change impact on the food and human security sector of the Nigerian State.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is an in-depth case study that involves the use of both quantitative and qualitative data. Statistical data on climate variability in Nigeria obtained from reliable databases were use in the making of analysis. Also, data derived from semi-structure interviews and special reports from International Non-governmental organizations on the subject matter were also used in the study. The findings of the study were based on an in-depth analysis of both primary and secondary sources of data. The secondary data were derived from existing published academic works. The primary data was developed using qualitative data that were collected from January to November, 2018 to 2019 in the different regions of Nigeria. For the South East, primary data was collected from Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. In the South-South, primary data was collected from Asaba, Delta State. In the South West, primary data was collected from Barutin, Kwara State. In the North East, primary data was collected from Maiduguri, while in North West, data was collected from Gusau, Zamfara State. In the North Central, data was collected from Markurdi, Benue State. During the data collection, 48 semi-structured Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were carried out in the six selected research areas that represented their geo-political zones. Six Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were carried out, one for each of these six selected cities. Each of the Focus Group Discussions comprised between five and seven respondents. The idea of KIIs and FGDs is to allow the respondents to freely express their ideas comprehensively. Again, in other to get varied forms of responses, the respondents are mainly farmers however, a number of NGOs, civil servants, fertilizer sellers, government officials, transporters and aged men and women/retirees. It should be noted that the respondents cut across male and female gender of all ages and ethnic configuration. The respondents were also randomly selected through social networking. To avoid having people of similar The KIIs were three academics; two community leaders; two small scale fish farmers; rice, cassava, fish, livestock and crop farmers. All KIIs ad TIs were transcribed and analysed using thematic content analysis.

Findings

The findings revealed that climate change has negatively affected food security in Nigeria. it has also led to continuous armed confrontations over natural resources thereby undermining human security in the country.

Originality/value

This study is 100% original and can be assessed through turn it in evaluation.
Beauty premium or beauty penalty in sharing accommodation situations based on lay theories
Authors: Li Yaoqi , Peng Lixin , Ma Shuang , Zhou Xiaoman
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Limited research has paid attention to the physical attractiveness stereotype in peer-to-peer sharing accommodation settings. Since the high-risk situations in sharing accommodations, this paper aims to exam whether beauty premium is still relevant in peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation.

Design/methodology/approach

The mixed method, including 2,506 secondary data analysis and two scenario experiments, is carried out to test the research framework.

Findings

The results show that both beauty premium and beauty penalty exist in the e-commerce context. Excessively high attractiveness and plain looking of hosts are likely to decrease consumers’ booking decision while moderately attractive hosts will stimulate more booking behaviors. Moreover, perceived trustworthiness mediates the effect of physical attractiveness on booking decision. Additionally, similarity between hosts and consumers plays a moderating role in the relationship between physical attractiveness and perceived trustworthiness.

Research limitations/implications

This study reveals the physical attractiveness stereotype effects in P2P accommodation and carry implications to P2P platforms and hosts for providing moderately attractive profile photos, enhancing trustworthiness and similarity between hosts and consumers. Further studies can investigate the robustness of the findings as well as more possible reasons for its occurrence.

Originality/value

The research provides a clearer understanding of physical attractiveness stereotype effect in peer-to-peer sharing accommodation platforms. Besides, the linkage between physical attractiveness and perceived trustworthiness is dynamic; a high host – consumer similarity weakens the negative impact of both excessively high attractiveness and plain looking on consumers’ perceived trustworthiness.
Optimization of spatial distribution of hospitals for better earthquake recovery using GIS and imperialist competition algorithm (case study: Gorgan, Iran)
Authors: Saraei Mohammad Hossein , Sharifi Ayyoob , Adeli Mohsen
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to optimize the location of hospitals in Gorgan, Iran, to provide desirable services to citizens in the event of an earthquake crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper, due to target, is practical and developmental, due to doing method is descriptive and analytical and due to information gathering method is documental and surveying. In the present study, the capabilities of genetic algorithms and imperialist competition algorithm in MATLAB environment in combination with GIS capabilities have been used. In fact, cases such as route blocking, network analysis and vulnerability raster have been obtained from GIS-based on current status data, and then the output of this information is entered as non-random heuristic information into genetic algorithms and imperialist competition algorithm in MATLAB environment.

Findings

After spatial optimization, the hospital service process has become more favorable. Also, the average cost and transfer vector from hospitals to citizens has decreased significantly. By establishing hospitals in the proposed locations, a larger population of citizens can access relief services in less time.

Originality/value

Spatial optimization of relief centers, including hospitals, is one of the issues that can be of significant importance, especially in the event of an earthquake crisis. The findings of the present study and the originality, efficiency and innovation of the used methods can provide a favorable theoretical framework for the success of earthquake crisis management projects.