bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Neogene-Quaternary diversification trend in the shaping of modern Caribbean mangroves
Authors: Rull Valentí
Published: November 2022

This paper analyzes the diversification of the Neotropical mangrove flora from the Miocene to the present, using a fairly comprehensive database of 110 pollen records distributed across the whole Caribbean region. A Neogene-Quaternary diversification trend (NQDT) has been identified, characterized by an increase of 25 genera (~78%) with respect to the 7 already existing Paleogene representatives. Only two genera appeared during the Miocene and the maximum increases were observed in the Pliocene-Quaternary transition and the modernliving record. Half of the true-mangrove genera (Rhizophora, Pelliciera, Acrostichum) were already present before the Neogene and the others appeared gradually in the Oligo-Miocene (Crenea), the Early-Middle Miocene (Avicennia) and the Mio-Pliocene (Laguncularia). None of the extant associate mangrove genera were present during the Paleogene and all appeared in the Miocene (23 genera) or the Oligo-Miocene transition (3 genera), being the main responsible for the NQDT, in absolute numbers. No regional extinctions were recorded since the Miocene in the Caribbean mangroves, at the generic level. These observations should be complemented with further high-resolution quantitative studies aimed at finding potential causal relationships with climatic, eustatic and paleogeographical shifts.
Free Energy Differences from Molecular Simulations: Exact Confidence Intervals from Transition Counts
Authors: Kříž Pavel , Beránek Jan , Spiwok Vojtěch
Published: November 2022

Here we demonstrate a method to estimate the errors of free energy differences calculated by molecular simulations. The widths of the confidence intervals can be calculated solely from temperature and the number of transitions between states. Accuracy better than ± 4.184 kJ/mol (1 kcal/mol) can be achieved by a simulation at 300 K with four forward and four reverse transitions. Markovianity of the process is a pre-requisite. For a two-state Markovian system, the confidence interval suggested below is exact (not only asymptotic or approximative), regardless the number of transitions.

TOC Graphic
Novel mRNA vaccines encoding Monkeypox virus M1R and A35R protect mice from a lethal virus challenge
Authors: Hou Fujun , Zhang Yuntao , Liu Xiaohu , Murad Yanal , Xu Jiang , Yu Zhibin , Hua Xianwu , Song Yingying , Ding Jun , Huang Hongwei , Zhao Ronghua , Jia William , Yang Xiaoming
Published: November 2022

The outbreak of Monkeypox virus infection urgently need effective vaccines. However, the vaccines so far approved are all based on whole-virus, which raises safety concerns. MRNA vaccines has demonstrated its high efficacy and safety against SARS-Cov-2 infection. Here, we developed three mRNA vaccines encoding Monkeypox proteins M1R and A35R, including A35R-M1R fusions (VGPox1 and VGPox 2) and a combination of encapsulated full-length mRNAs for A35R and M1R (VGPox 3). All three vaccines induced anti-A35R total IgGs as early as day 7 following a single vaccination. However, only VGPox 1 and 2 produced anti-M1R total IgGs at early dates following vaccination while VGPox 3 did not show significant anti-M1R antibody till day 35. Similar results were also found in neutralizing antibodies and T cell immune response. However, all mRNA vaccine groups completely protected mice from a lethal dose virus challenge and effectively cleared virus in lungs. Collectively, our results indicate that the novel mRNA vaccines coding for a fusion protein of A35R and M1R had a better anti-virus immunity than co-expression of the two individual proteins. The mRNA vaccines are highly effective and can be an alternative to the current whole-virus vaccines to defend Monkeypox virus infection.
Split selectable marker mediated gene stacking in plants
Authors: Yuan Guoliang , Lu Haiwei , De Kuntal , Hassan Md Mahmudul , Muchero Wellington , Tuskan Gerald A. , Yang Xiaohan
Published: November 2022

Plant synthetic biology and genetic engineering depend on the controlled expression of transgenes of interest, which relies heavily on the use ofAgrobacterium-mediated transformation. Here we establish a novel split selectable marker system using protein splicing elements called “inteins” forAgrobacterium-mediated co-transformation in plants. This method enables robust co-transformation inArabidopsisand poplar, providing a novel strategy for the simultaneous insertion of multiple genes into both herbaceous and woody plants.
Comparative Study of High-resolution LysB29(Nε-myristoyl) des(B30) Insulin Structures Display Novel Dynamic Causal Interrelations in Monomeric-Dimeric Motions
Authors: Ayan Esra , Destan Ebru , Kepceoğlu Abdullah , Ciftci Halilibrahim , Katı Ahmet , DeMirci Hasan
Published: November 2022

The treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is characterized by artificial supplementation of pancreatic β-cell ability to regulate sugar levels in the blood. Even though various insulin analogs are crucial for reasonable glycemic control, understanding the dynamic mechanism of the insulin analogs may help to improve the best-protracted insulin analog to assist people with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) to live comfortably while maintaining tight glycemic control. Here we present the high-resolution crystal structure of NN304, known as insulin detemir, to 1.7 Å resolution at cryogenic temperature. We computationally further investigated our crystal structure’s monomeric-dimeric conformation and dynamic profile by comparing it with a previously available detemir structure (PDB ID: 1XDA). Our structure (PDB ID: 8HGZ) obtained at elevated pH provides electrostatically triggered minor movements in the equilibrium between alternate conformational substates compared to the previous structure, suggesting it might induce an intermediate state in the dissociation pathway of the insulin detemir’s hexamer:dihexamer equilibrium. Supplemented with orientational cross-correlation analysis by Gaussian Network Model (GNM), this alternate oligomeric conformation offers the distinct cooperative motions originated by loose coupling of distant conformational substates of a protracted insulin analog that has not been previously observed.
Characterizing adjuvants’ effects at the murine immunoglobulin repertoire level
Authors: Feng Feng , Yuen Rachel , Wang Yumei , Hua Axin , Kepler Thomas B. , Wetzler Lee
Published: November 2022

High-throughput immunoglobulin sequencing (IgSeq) has been developed and applied to study the adaptive immune response extensively for more than a decade. However, generating large-scale, high-fidelity sequencing data is still challenging, and furthermore, not much has been done to characterize adjuvants’ effects at the repertoire level. Thus, we developed an improved library prep protocol and standardized the data analysis pipeline for accurate repertoire profiling. In addition, two metrics were implemented to assess repertoire clone properties. We then studied systemically the effects of two adjuvants, CpG and Alum, on the Ig heavy chain repertoire using the ovalbumin (OVA) challenged mouse model. Ig repertoires of different tissues (spleen and bone marrow) and isotypes (IgG and IgM) were examined and compared in terms of sequence mutation frequency, IGHV gene usage, CDR3 length, rescaled Hill numbers for clonal diversity, and clone selection strength. As a result, Ig repertoires of different tissues or isotypes exhibited distinguishable profiles at the non-immunized steady state. Adjuvanted immunizations further resulted in statistically significant alterations in Ig repertoire compared with PBS or OVA alone immunized groups. Lastly, we applied unsupervised machine learning techniques – multiple factor analysis and clustering – to identify Ig repertoire signatures in different compartments and under varying immunizations. We found that the IGH repertoires of distinct tissue-isotype compartments or under varying immunizations differed in unique sets of properties. Notably, Alum and CpG effects on the Ig repertoire exhibited different tissue and isotype preferences. The former led to increased diversity of abundant clones of both isotypes in BM only, and the latter promoted the selection of IgG clones only but in both tissues. The patterns of Ig repertoire changes likely reflected possible action mechanisms of these two adjuvants.
Large scale functional screen identifies genetic variants with splicing effects in modern and archaic humans
Authors: Rong Stephen , Neil Christopher R. , Maguire Samantha , Meremikwu Ijeoma C. , Meyerson Malcolm , Evans Ben J. , Fairbrother William G.
Published: November 2022

Humans co-existed and interbred with other hominins which later became extinct. These archaic hominins are known to us only through fossil records and for two cases, genome sequences. Here we engineer Neanderthal and Denisovan sequences into thousands of artificial genes to reconstruct the pre-mRNA processing patterns of these extinct populations. Of the 5,224 alleles tested in this massively parallel splicing reporter assay (MaPSy), we report 969 exonic splicing mutations (ESMs) that correspond to differences in exon recognition between extant and extinct hominins. Using MaPSy splicing variants, predicted splicing variants, and splicing quantitative trait loci, we show that splice-disrupting variants experienced greater purifying selection in anatomically modern humans than in Neanderthals. Adaptively introgressed variants were enriched for moderate effect splicing variants, consistent with positive selection for alternative spliced alleles following introgression. As particularly compelling examples, we characterized a novel tissue-specific alternative splicing variant at the adaptively introgressed innate immunity geneTLR1, as well as a novel Neanderthal introgressed alternative splicing variant in the geneHSPG2that encodes perlecan. We further identified potentially pathogenic splicing variants found only in Neanderthals and Denisovans in genes related to sperm maturation and immunity. Finally, we found splicing variants that may contribute to variation among modern humans in total bilirubin, balding, hemoglobin levels, and lung capacity. Our findings provide novel insights into natural selection acting on splicing in human evolution and demonstrate how functional assays can be used to identify candidate causal variants underlying differences in gene regulation and phenotype.
Human endometrial KISS1R inhibits stromal cell decidualization in a manner associated with a reduction in ESR1 levels
Authors: Schaefer Jennifer , Chadchan Sangappa B. , George Ashley F. , Roan Nadia R. , Bhattacharya Moshmi , Kommagani Ramakrishna , Babwah Andy V.
Published: November 2022

Defective endometrial stromal cell decidualization is a major cause of recurrent implantation failure (RIF), a condition with a prevalence of ∼15%. To treat RIF, a stronger understanding of the endometrial factors that regulate decidualization is required. Here we studied the role of the kisspeptin receptor (KISS1R) in regulating human endometrial stromal cell (HESC) decidualization. Our data revealed KISS1R inhibits HESC decidualization in vitro in a manner associated with a striking reduction in ESR1 protein levels. To determine whether KISSR inhibition of decidualization results from reduced ESR1 levels we expressed the dominant negative ESR1-46 isoform in decidualizing HESCs. We found that expression of ESR1-46 in decidualizing HESCs ablated the expression of ESR1-66 and ESR1-54 isomers, and blocked decidualization. Interestingly, when ESR1-64 was co-expressed with ESR1-46, ESR1-66 and ESR1-54 expression was restored and decidualization was rescued. Taken together, these results suggest that KISS1R inhibits HESC decidualization by downregulating ESR1 levels. Based on our findings, we suggest that by inhibiting HESC decidualization, KISS1R regulates the depth of embryo invasion of the stroma, a requirement for a successful pregnancy.
Proximity labeling reveals a newin vivonetwork of interactors for the histone demethylase KDM5
Authors: Yheskel Matanel , Sidoli Simone , Secombe Julie
Published: November 2022

Background

KDM5 family proteins are multi-domain regulators of transcription that when dysregulated contribute to cancer and intellectual disability. KDM5 proteins can regulate transcription through their histone demethylase activity in addition to demethylase-independent gene regulatory functions that remain less characterized. To expand our understanding of the mechanisms that contribute to KDM5-mediated transcription regulation, we used TurboID proximity labeling to identify KDM5-interacting proteins.

Results

UsingDrosophila melanogaster, we enriched for biotinylated proteins from KDM5-TurboID-expressing adult heads using a newly generated control for DNA-adjacent background in the form of dCas9:TurboID. Mass spectrometry analyses of biotinylated proteins identified both known and novel candidate KDM5 interactors, including members of the SWI/SNF and NURF chromatin remodeling complexes, the NSL complex, Mediator, and several insulator proteins.

Conclusions

Combined, our data shed new light on potential demethylase-independent activities of KDM5. In the context of KDM5 dysregulation, these interactions may play key roles in the alteration of evolutionarily conserved transcriptional programs implicated in human disorders.
Analysis of D- and L- Isomers of (Meth)amphetamine in Human K2EDTA Plasma
Authors: Robbins Brian , Perry Jacob , Long Mary , Carpenter Rob E.
Published: November 2022

Methamphetamine and its metabolite amphetamine are frequently abused drugs. Whether obtained legally or from clandestine laboratories it is of relevance to determine the chiral makeup of these drugs for investigative purpose. Although urine and oral fluid matrices are commonly offered, less available to independent laboratories are techniques to verify dextro (D-) or levo (L-) (meth)amphetamine from human K2EDTA plasma. This paper outlines the development and validation of a method that includes the addition of internal standard and a two-step liquid-liquid extraction to remove the analytes from human K2EDTA plasma by triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The assay was validated according to the United States Food and Drug Administration and College of American Pathologists guidelines, including assessment of the following parameters in plasma validation samples: linear range, limit of detection, lower limit of quantitation, matrix effects, inter- and intra-day assay precision and accuracy, carry over, linearity of dilution, matrix effects and stability. The outcome is a validated and reliable method for the determination of D- and L-isomer concentration of meth(amphetamine) human plasma samples that can be easily adopted by independent clinical laboratories.
Stability of neural representations in the auditory midbrain across the lifespan despite age-related brainstem delays
Authors: Land Rüdiger , Kral Andrej
Published: November 2022

The extent to which aging of the central auditory pathway impairs auditory perception in the elderly independent of peripheral cochlear decline is debated. To cause auditory deficits in normal hearing elderly, central aging needs to degrade neural sound representations at some point along the auditory pathway. However, inaccessible to psychophysical methods, the level of the auditory pathway at which aging starts to effectively degrade neural sound representations remains poorly differentiated. Here we tested how potential age-related changes in the auditory brainstem affect the stability of spatiotemporal multiunit complex speech-like sound representations in the auditory midbrain of old normal hearing CBA/J mice. Although brainstem conduction speed slowed down in old mice, the change was limited to the sub-millisecond range and only minimally affected temporal processing in the midbrain (i.e. gaps-in-noise sensitivity). Importantly, besides the small delay, multiunit complex temporal sound representations in the auditory midbrain did not differ between young and old mice. This shows that although small age-related neural effects in simple sound parameters in the lower brainstem may be present in aging they do not effectively deteriorate complex neural population representations at the level of the auditory midbrain when peripheral hearing remains normal. This result challenges the widespread belief of ‘pure’ central auditory decline as an automatic consequence of aging. However, the stability of midbrain processing in aging emphasizes the role of undetected ‘hidden’ peripheral damage and accumulating effects in higher cortical auditory-cognitive processing explaining perception deficits in ‘normal hearing’ elderly.
Canagliflozin extends life span and leads to less weight gain in C57BL6 male mice
Authors: Habeos Evagelia E. , Filippopoulou Fotini , Kanakis Menelaos , Habeos George I. , Lagoumintzis George , Taraviras Stavros , Chartoumpekis Dionysios V
Published: November 2022

SGLT2 inhibitors are widely prescribed drugs for type 2 diabetes and heart failure. It seems that their beneficial health effects are multifaceted and not only limited to the amelioration of glycemic profile. It is suggested that SGLT2 inhibitors-induced glycosuria causes a metabolic shift that mimics the fasting response. It is also known that calorie restriction leads to enhanced longevity in mice. Thus, we hypothesized that long-term treatment of mice with SGLT2 inhibitors might extend their life span. To this end male C57BL6 mice at the age of 4 months were put on a normal chow diet or on a diet supplemented with 200 mg/kg canagliflozin. The canagliflozin-treated mice showed lower body weight gain over time and increased life span. The median survival of control mice was 107.5 weeks, while that of the canagliflozin-treated group was 112.5 weeks (p=0.011). No difference was seen in the presence or severity of cataracts. This study showed for the first time an enhanced median survival of canagliflozin-treated male mice with a homogeneous genetic background (C57BL6). Further analyses are in progress to elucidate the metabolic adaptations and mechanisms underlying this effect.
A compact breast shape acquisition system for improving diffuse optical tomography image reconstructions
Authors: Vanegas Morris , Mireles Miguel , Xu Edward , Yan Shijie , Fang Qianqian
Published: November 2022

Diffuse optical tomography (DOT) has been investigated for diagnosing malignant breast lesions but its accuracy relies on model-based image reconstructions which in turn depends on the accuracy of breast shape acquisition. In this work, we have developed a dual-camera structured light imaging (SLI) breast shape acquisition system tailored for a mammography-like compression setting. Illumination pattern intensity is dynamically adjusted to account for skin tone differences while thickness-informed pattern masking reduces artifacts due to specular reflections. This compact system is affixed to a rigid mount that can be installed into existing mammography or parallel-plate DOT systems without the need for camera-projector re-calibration. Our SLI system produces sub-millimeter resolution with a mean surface error of 0.26 mm. This breast shape acquisition system results in more accurate surface recovery, with an average 1.6-fold reduction in surface estimation errors over a reference method via contour extrusion. Such improvement translates to 25% to 50% reduction in mean squared error in the recovered absorption coefficient for a series of simulated tumors 1-2 cm below the skin.
Lipid nanodisc scaffold and size alters the structure of a pentameric ligand-gated ion channel
Authors: Dalal Vikram , Arcario Mark J. , Petroff John T. , Dietzen Noah M. , Rau Michael J. , Fitzpatrick James A. J. , Brannigan Grace , Cheng Wayland W. L.
Published: November 2022

Lipid nanodiscs have become the standard reconstitution system for structural and biochemical studies of membrane proteins, especially using single particle cryo-EM. We find that reconstitution of the pentameric ligand-gated ion channel (pLGIC),Erwinialigand-gated ion channel (ELIC), in different nanodisc scaffolds (MSP1E3D1, SMA, saposin, spMSP1D1) produces distinct apo and agonist-bound structures. In the presence of agonist, different nanodiscs scaffolds produce concerted conformational changes associated with activation in ELIC, with larger nanodiscs showing more activated conformations. The effect of different nanodisc scaffolds on ELIC structure extends to the extracellular domain and agonist binding site. Molecular dynamic simulations of ELIC in small and large nanodiscs suggest that the impact of the nanodisc on ELIC structure is influenced by nanodisc size. Overall, the results indicate that the nanodisc profoundly affects the structure of a pLGIC, and suggest that larger circularized nanodiscs may be advantageous to approximate a lipid membrane environment.
WITHDRAWN: Anti-TNF-induced IL-27 modulates regulatory T cell responses in patients with IBD that respond to therapy
Authors: Peres Raphael S. , Thomas Tom , Friedrich Matthias , Pohin Mathilde , Pearson Claire , Ferreira Ricardo C. , Mann Elizabeth H. , Trzupek Dominik , Rich-Griffin Charlotte , Jainarayanan Ashwin , Jones Kelsey , Gu Yisu , Todd John A. ,   Oxford IBD Cohort Investigators, Uhlig Holm H. , Buckley Christopher D. , Dendrou Calliope A. , Travis Simon , Powrie Fiona M.
Published: November 2022

Withdrawal statement

The authors have withdrawn their manuscript owing to failure to repeat some of the findings. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as reference for the project. If you have any questions, please contact the corresponding author.
Ultrasound inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infectivity in vitro
Authors: Veras Flávio P. , Nakamura Gilberto , Pereira-da-Silva Marcelo A. , Martins Ronaldo , Arruda Eurico , Cunha Fernando Q. , Bruno Odemir M.
Published: November 2022

The global spreading of SARS-CoV-2 and the emergence of new variants underscore the ongoing need to develop new vaccines and antiviral drugs. While electromagnetic and acoustic waves have well-known virucidal properties, their application in therapeutic settings has been limited due to harming effects in biological matter. Here, we investigates the potential of ultrasound to interfere with SARS-CoV-2. Specifically, we study the effects of acoustic waves in the 1–20 MHz frequency range to determine their impact on the viral envelope of SARS-CoV-2. Our in vitro experiments demonstrate ultrasound exhibits a virucidal effect on SARS-CoV-2 without production of heat or cavitation. This study offers a promising physics-based approach to combat SARS-CoV-2 and potentially other spherical viruses, broadening the scope of antiviral treatments.
Comparative aerosol and surface stability of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern
Authors: Bushmaker Trenton , Yinda Claude Kwe , Morris Dylan H. , Holbrook Myndi G. , Gamble Amandine , Adney Danielle , Bushmaker Cara , van Doremalen Neeltje , Fischer Robert J. , Plowright Raina K. , Lloyd-Smith James O. , Munster Vincent J.
Published: November 2022

SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted principally via air; contact and fomite transmission may also occur. Variants-of-concern (VOCs) are more transmissible than ancestral SARS-CoV-2. We find that early VOCs show greater aerosol and surface stability than the early WA1 strain, but Delta and Omicron do not. Stability changes do not explain increased transmissibility.
Automatic synchrotron tomographic alignment schemes based on genetic algorithms and human-in-the-loop software
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Bi Xiaoxue , Li Pengcheng , Zhang Chenglong , Yang Yiming , Liu Yu , Chen Gang , Dong Yuhui , Liu Gongfa , Zhang Yi
Published: November 2022

Tomography imaging methods at synchrotron light sources keep evolving, pushing multi-modal characterization capabilities at high spatial and temporal resolutions. To achieve this goal, small probe size and multi-dimensional scanning schemes are utilized more often in the beamlines, leading to rising complexities and challenges in the experimental setup process. To avoid spending a significant amount of human effort and beam time on aligning the X-ray probe, sample and detector for data acquisition, most attention has been drawn to realigning the systems at the data processing stages. However, post-processing cannot correct everything, and is not time efficient. Here we present automatic alignment schemes of the rotational axis and sample pre- and during the data acquisition process using a software approach which combines the advantages of genetic algorithms and human intelligence. Our approach shows excellent sub-pixel alignment efficiency for both tasks in a short time, and therefore holds great potential for application in the data acquisition systems of future scanning tomography experiments.
Academic independent directors in China: factors influencing career decision-making
Authors: Dai Lu , Li Pingli , Baruch Yehuda , Song Lynda
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The board independence norm has shaped corporate governance globally, but research on the supply of independent directors (IDs) is limited. “New careers” studies suggest that dynamic non-conventional career paths are evolving, but empirical evidence is mostly limited to Western societies. The authors studied reasons for academics to consider taking on an ID role in firms in China.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing a quantitative methodology, data were collected via a survey targeting 1,500 academics, representing a quarter of business-linked academics in China's National Key Universities. The response rate was 55% and, after eliminating irrelevant responses, the sample used comprised 581 academics, 111 of whom have taken on an ID role.

Findings

Career orientation and work attitudes play significant roles in decision-making around career success. Becoming an ID can be a rewarding and positive career path for academics who look for additional responsibility, income and impact. This new academic career path manifests in how career actors interact with each other to reach a state of equilibrium in a wider career ecosystem. Appointing academics with relevant knowledge and willingness to create impact can help organisations – both firms and academic institutions.

Practical implications

Becoming an ID can increase future collaborations and success in terms of research and corporate governance, and offer individuals another route to career success.

Originality/value

The results contribute to research on career studies and corporate governance, revealing a new source of talent for firms and a new career path for academics.
The political economy of endogenous dual-sector model: public goods, labor markets and tax rates
Authors: Wang Yongqin , Gao Xin
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This paper studies the political economy of the endogenous urban–rural divide in two dimensions: labor market and provision of public goods.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper gives a dual-sector model endogenously depending on the consumption of public goods (club goods), the number of rural–urban migrants and the tax rate (transfer payments).

Findings

According to the research findings in this paper, the constraints on the participation of rural residents portray the rural residents' bargaining power, and in the game between the urban elites and the rural residents, tax rates depend on the preferences of the urban elites and the constraints urban elites and the rural residents jointly face. Therefore, the urban elites have to set tax rates deviating from the most preferred ones. The model in this paper can explain a series of empirical findings and yield new theoretical findings for empirical testing.

Originality/value

Significantly, the paper finds that the increase in agricultural productivity will lead to industrialization, accompanied by the disintegration of the dual-sector model. However, though the increase in industrial productivity can accelerate industrialization, it will further expand the urban–rural divide.
Exploring the roles of self-determined motivation and perceived organizational support in organizational change
Authors: Huang Rui-Ting
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The primary purpose of this study is not only to examine the connections between self-determined motivation, attitudes toward change and participation in change, but also to explore the moderating impact of perceived organizational support on organizational change, and the mediating role of attitudes toward change in the link between perceived competence and participation in change.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from one semiconductor manufacturing company (study 1) and one logistics service company (study 2). Employees who experienced organizational change before were invited to finish the survey. The partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique and SPSS PROCESS (model 14) were utilized to analyze the data.

Findings

The study findings indicated that the perceived autonomy and relatedness were positively connected with perceived competence, which in turn would lead to better attitude toward change. Additionally, it was found that the perceived competence and attitude toward change would positively predict participation in change. More importantly, perceived organizational support would reinforce the positive relationship between attitude toward change and participation in change.

Originality/value

Although there are many organizational change reports, relatively little attention has been paid not only to the mediating role of attitudes toward change in the implication of organizational change but also to the moderating impact of perceived organizational support on the final success of organizational change.
Preparing the youth for the future of work through apprenticeship programme in Brunei
Authors: Musa Siti Fatimahwati Pehin Dato
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the government-incentivised i-Ready programme in alleviating youth unemployment in terms of the transition from education to the labour force market.

Design/methodology/approach

Focus group discussions are conducted to reveal the perceptions and experiences of the apprentices in the i-Ready programme. The SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis framework is used to evaluate the effectiveness of the i-Ready apprenticeship model in building a future-ready human capital.

Findings

The study found that the JobCentre agency utilises online recruitment technology and proactively promotes work-based training in the public and private sectors. However, the apprenticeship still needs to improve programme coordination and provide an inclusive regulatory framework. The study also discovered that internships could enhance in-demand skills training and establish apprentices as a crisis-recovery workforce.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on a small-scale focus group study and represent the current state of the i-Ready programme. Future research integrating data from multiple stakeholders is recommended to provide a more thorough picture.

Practical implications

In terms of efficacy, the findings indicate that i-Ready has made significant contributions to local employment and, with certain modifications, is on the correct route to producing future-ready youth.

Originality/value

To date, there has been no research on the effectiveness of the national i-Ready programme system as a strategy that may help alleviate Brunei's youth unemployment crisis.
On the dynamics of expectations, uncertainty and economic growth: an empirical analysis for the case of Uruguay
Authors: Brida Juan Gabriel , Lanzilotta Bibiana , Rosich Lucia
Published: November 2022

Purpose

From these data, the authors construct an uncertainty index through the use of a vector autoregressive (VAR) model to measure the impact of uncertainty on GDP, controlling for inflation, which may affect macroeconomic performance. Results indicate that uncertainty is negatively correlated with the economic cycle and the inter-annual variation of the biannual average product.

Design/methodology/approach

This study empirically explores the dynamics of expectations of the Uruguayan manufacturing firms about industrial economic growth. This study explores the dynamics of the industrial economic growth expectations of Uruguayan manufacturing firms. The empirical research is based on firms' expectations data collected through a monthly survey carried out by the Chamber of Industries of Uruguay (CIU) in 2003–2018.

Findings

Granger causality tests show that uncertainty Granger-causes industrial production growth and a one standard deviation shock on uncertainty generates a contraction in the industrial production growth rate. Finally, the authors use statistical and network tools to identify groups of firms with similar performance on expectations. Results show that higher uncertainty is associated with smaller, more interconnected groups of firms, and that the number of homogeneous groups and the distance between groups increases with uncertainty. These findings suggest that policies focused on the coordination of expectations can lead to the development of stable opinion groups.

Originality/value

The paper introduces new data and new methodologies to analyze the dynamics of expectations of manufacturing firms about industrial economic growth.

Highlights

An empirical approach to compare expectations of firms is introduced.

The occurrence of groups of opinion is tested.

Central companies in the network of expectations are detected.

More uncertainty implies a higher degree of discrepancy between the overall firm’s opinions and more compact opinion groups.
Engaging with omnichannel brands: the role of consumer empowerment
Authors: Itani Omar S. , Loureiro Sandra Maria Correia , Ramadan Zahy
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study aims to integrate brand and retailer levels variables to examine the direct and indirect relationships between omnichannel retailing and consumer engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data are collected from a sample consumers of different omnichannel retailing brands operating in the skin care industry. Partial least squares structural equation modeling is utilized.

Findings

The study finds brand channels' integrated interactions (process and content consistency) to increase consumer brand engagement. Findings show retailer consumer empowerment to intensify the impact of omnichannel retailing on consumer engagement. Results also show brand channels' integrated interactions to increase consumer brand familiarity, which mediates the effect of omnichannel retailing on consumer engagement.

Originality/value

This study suggests that integrating brand- and retailer-level variables is vital to understand the effect of omnichannel retailing on consumer engagement. The study concludes that for successful omnichannel strategy, collaboration between brands and retailers is imperative.
Impact of savings and credit co-operative societies’ services on household livelihood outcomes in Mwanza and Tabora rural areas, Tanzania
Authors: Msuya Richard Ibrahim , Kazuzuru Benedicto , Mataba Lucas , Kessy Severine Sirito Augustine
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study investigates whether Savings and Credit Co-operatives’ (SACCOS) services such as loans, savings and training improve household livelihood outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a quasi-experimental design. Six SACCOS were purposively selected in four districts of Mwanza and Tabora regions in Tanzania. A sample of 500 respondents was randomly selected of whom 200 were SACCOS’ members and 300 were non-members. A questionnaire and a key informant interview guide were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) was used to analyse the quantitative data whereas qualitative data was subjected to thematic analysis.

Findings

The results indicate that SACCOS’ services had significantly impacted on the household livelihood outcomes in terms of maize yields, household assets, savings, food expenditures and non-food expenditures.

Research limitations/implications

This study was conducted in two regions of Tanzania using six SACCOS. Similar studies can be conducted in a larger area of Tanzania by capturing more than six SACCOS. In addition, the study focused on the rural areas of Tanzania. The future studies can be carried out in urban areas or both urban and rural areas of Tanzania.

Practical implications

Local leaders, SACCOS’ leaders and other stakeholders in the study area should thus mobilise non-members in their areas to join SACCOS. In addition, the Tanzania government should facilitate the formation of new SACCOS and strengthen those already operating in rural areas.

Social implications

SACCOS provide opportunities for individuals and households in rural areas to converge socially and economically to achieve better results (positive impact on livelihood outcomes), which otherwise could be non-achievable through single household or individual efforts.

Originality/value

Unlike previous studies, this study provides empirical evidence on the impact of SACCOS’ services on livelihood outcomes of SACCOS members in rural areas of Tanzania where abject poverty is widespread and where the majority of SACCOS are found.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at:https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-01-2021-0028
Public transport preferences amongst Ghana's urban dwellers
Authors: Tuffour Michael , Asiama Rexford K.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study considered five means of transport, both old and emerging ones and analysed the preferences of city dwellers in a rapidly expanding African city such as Accra.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 891 respondents participated and were selected through a multistage sampling method. The Garrett and Kendall's ranking methods, Pearson chi-square test and a choice model were employed to assess respondents' preferences for various means of transport, the motivating factors for these preferences and socio-economic characteristics associated with these preferences.

Findings

The results show that there are clear preferences with respect to transport choices, which are motivated by factors such as price, comfort, security and even availability. In addition, socio-economic characteristics of respondents such as age, income, car ownership status and employment status are associated with respondents' preference for one means of transport over the other.

Research limitations/implications

The study analyses transport preferences for modes of transport commonly used in urban areas. The findings have implications for the transport policy adopted in an urban area such as Accra. The findings suggest that for maximum patronage, public authorities in Accra or Ghana may invest more in transport services which are readily available, have moderate prices and provide comfort to urban dwellers. This may improve standard of living of urban dwellers and enhance productivity.

Originality/value

The paper presents new evidence of drivers that influence choice for traditional and emerging transport services in a developing economy such as Ghana. Not many studies do such comparative analysis.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-05-2022-0360
EFL teachers' self-efficacy and professional development: the mediating effect of metacognitive awareness
Authors: Salari Maryam , Farahian Majid
Published: November 2022

Purpose

A significant research base has increasingly shown that one of the most important factors affecting student achievement in second language classrooms is the teacher. Consequently, over the recent decades, much attention has been paid to teacher-related variables in research. Nevertheless, few studies have dealt with the relationship between teachers' self-efficacy, metacognitive awareness and their professional development in the context of English as a foreign language (EFL). As such, the objective of this study is to test a path analysis model of the variables and specifically to examine the hypothesis that metacognitive awareness mediates the relationship between self-efficacy and professional development.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative correlational design was utilized to validate the research hypothesis. Then, data from 200 EFL teachers who were selected through available sampling was obtained using three questionnaires, namely metacognitive inventory by Cem Balcikanli, self-efficacy scale by Tschannen-Moran and Hoy and teachers' professional development inventory by Soodmand Afshar et al. The Pearson correlation coefficient of self-efficacy (r = 757, p < 0.000) revealed a significant positive relationship with metacognitive awareness, and the Pearson correlation coefficient of metacognitive awareness (r = 0.848, p < 0.000) showed a significant positive relationship with professional development.

Findings

The results showed the hypothetical model of the relationship among the research variables as well as verifying the mediator role of metacognitive awareness by multiple regression and path analysis. Then, the implications of metacognitive awareness, self-efficacy and professional development were put forward.

Originality/value

The majority of research on teacher professional development has focused appropriately on its relationship with components such as management training, teacher practice, reflective practice and academic achievement. In this line of research, the investigation of the potential links among self-efficacy, professional development and metacognitive awareness as interacting variables is scarce. More substantially, no prior exploration has been conducted concerning the mediating effect of metacognitive awareness in association with English teachers' self-efficacy and professional development.
Research on optimization of index system design and its inspection method: data quality diagnosis, index classification and stratification
Authors: Yin Kedong , Cao Yun , Zhou Shiwei , Lv Xinman
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The purposes of this research are to study the theory and method of multi-attribute index system design and establish a set of systematic, standardized, scientific index systems for the design optimization and inspection process. The research may form the basis for a rational, comprehensive evaluation and provide the most effective way of improving the quality of management decision-making. It is of practical significance to improve the rationality and reliability of the index system and provide standardized, scientific reference standards and theoretical guidance for the design and construction of the index system.

Design/methodology/approach

Using modern methods such as complex networks and machine learning, a system for the quality diagnosis of index data and the classification and stratification of index systems is designed. This guarantees the quality of the index data, realizes the scientific classification and stratification of the index system, reduces the subjectivity and randomness of the design of the index system, enhances its objectivity and rationality and lays a solid foundation for the optimal design of the index system.

Findings

Based on the ideas of statistics, system theory, machine learning and data mining, the focus in the present research is on “data quality diagnosis” and “index classification and stratification” and clarifying the classification standards and data quality characteristics of index data; a data-quality diagnosis system of “data review – data cleaning – data conversion – data inspection” is established. Using a decision tree, explanatory structural model, cluster analysis, K-means clustering and other methods, classification and hierarchical method system of indicators is designed to reduce the redundancy of indicator data and improve the quality of the data used. Finally, the scientific and standardized classification and hierarchical design of the index system can be realized.

Originality/value

The innovative contributions and research value of the paper are reflected in three aspects. First, a method system for index data quality diagnosis is designed, and multi-source data fusion technology is adopted to ensure the quality of multi-source, heterogeneous and mixed-frequency data of the index system. The second is to design a systematic quality-inspection process for missing data based on the systematic thinking of the whole and the individual. Aiming at the accuracy, reliability, and feasibility of the patched data, a quality-inspection method of patched data based on inversion thought and a unified representation method of data fusion based on a tensor model are proposed. The third is to use the modern method of unsupervised learning to classify and stratify the index system, which reduces the subjectivity and randomness of the design of the index system and enhances its objectivity and rationality.
Factors influencing researchers to publish in open-access: Is it a self-decision or a self-reinforcing cycle?
Authors: Hadad Shlomit , Aharony Noa
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The current study examined Israeli researchers from various disciplines concerning their perceptions, attitudes and awareness of scientific publications in open access (OA) journals and repositories.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey instrument was developed and distributed to 202 Israeli researchers from universities, colleges and research institutions. The study used the united theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model as a tool for mapping the factors known to influence researchers to publish in OA journals and repositories.

Findings

The empirical model confirmed the mediating effect of the association between researchers’ perceptions and the actual publishing in OA, through their behavioral intentions (BI). Furthermore, the BI are mediated by researchers’ self-decision to publish in OA. More specifically, a researcher's publication level in OA depended not only on the positive attitudes (Atti), performance expectancy (PE) and social influence (SI) mediated by BI, but also on conditions that support researchers who publish in OA, and disciplinary affiliation to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) which lead the researcher to voluntarily publish in both green and gold OA.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributed to the cumulative understanding of OA publishing by formulating and validating an empirical research model of acceptance and use.

Practical implications

The implications of the findings for scientific publication theory and practices are discussed.

Originality/value

The study suggests an effective framework to understand the researcher's final decision to publish in OA. This study's results are an essential step towards the cumulative understanding of OA publicity adoption and use by researchers as a global issue in general and in Israeli academic institutions in particular.