bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leaf specific overexpression of a mitochondrially-targeted glutamine synthetase in tomato increased assimilate export resulting in earlier fruiting and elevated yield
Authors: Vallarino José G. , Shameer Sanu , Zhang Youjun , Ratcliffe R. George , Sweetlove Lee J. , Fernie Alisdair R.
Published: June 2022

To identify potential strategies for increasing the efficiency of tomato leaf metabolism, with a focus on the links between nitrogen/carbon metabolism, we explored a diel Flux Balance Analysis (FBA) model of a source leaf in which the metabolic output was varied up to the theoretically-achievable maximum. We noticed a potentially interesting switch in the use of glutamine synthetase (GS) isoforms –from the chloroplast isoform to the mitochondrial one- for nitrogen assimilation. To further explore this prediction, we characterized transgenic tomato plants over-expressing two tomato GS genes, GS1 and GS2, targeted to mitochondria. Both sets of transgenic plants were characterized as displaying faster growth rate, early flowering and increased fruit yield. In leaves, metabolomic profiling and enzyme activity analysis pointed that GS activity in mitochondrial plays a role in increasing the intracellular synthesis and subsequent export of sugar. Consistent with these changes, higher sucrose concentration in leaf exudates and reduced activities of enzymes involved in leaf starch synthesis were observed. Moreover, mitochondrial GS activity affected chloroplast redox status in a manner that modulated photorespiration and nitrogen metabolism. The combined data reveal the influence of mitochondrial GS activity on both foliar carbon/nitrogen balance and regulation of source-sink metabolism in tomato plants.
Plant-herbivore interactions: experimental demonstration of genetic variability in plant-plant signaling
Authors: Estarague Aurélien , Violle Cyrille , Vile Denis , Hany Anaïs , Martino Thibault , Moulin Pierre , Vasseur François
Published: June 2022

Plant-herbivore interactions mediated by plant-plant signaling were documented in different species. Here, we tested if herbivore foraging activity on plants was influenced by plant’s prior contact with a damaged plant and if the effect of such plant-plant signaling was variable across genotypes.

We filmed snails during one hour on two plants differing only in a prior contact with a damaged plant or not. We replicated eight times the experiment on 113 natural genotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana. We recorded snails’ first choice, and measured its first duration on a plant, the proportion of time spent on both plants and leaf consumption.

On average, snails spent more time on plants that experienced a prior contact with a damaged plant, and consumed them more. However, plant-plant signaling effect on snail behavior was variable across genotypes. Genome-wide association studies revealed that a small number of genetic polymorphisms related to stress coping ability and jasmonate pathway explained this variation.

Plant-plant signaling modified the foraging activity of herbivores in A. thaliana. Depending on the plant genotype, plant-plant signaling made undamaged plants more repulsive or attractive to snails. This finding questions the theoretical basement of the evolution of plant-herbivore interactions mediated by plant-plant signaling.

Highlight

Plant-plant signaling differently affects snail foraging activity depending on genetic variations in A.thaliana. These findings question the theoretical basement of the evolution of plant-herbivore interactions mediated by plant-plant signaling.
Rieske FeS overexpression in tobacco provides increased abundance and activity of Cytochromeb6f
Authors: Heyno Eiri , Ermakova Maria , Lopez-Calcagno Patricia E. , Woodford Russell , Brown Kenny L. , Matthews Jack S. A. , Osmond Barry , Raines Christine A. , Caemmerer Susanne von
Published: June 2022

Photosynthesis is fundamental for plant growth and yield. The Cytochromeb6fcomplex catalyses a rate-limiting step in thylakoid electron transport and therefore represents an important point of regulation of photosynthesis. Here we show that overexpression of a single core subunit of Cytochromeb6f, the Rieske FeS protein, led to up to a 40% increase in the abundance of the complex inNicotiana tabacum(tobacco) and was accompanied by an enhancedin vitroCytochromefactivity, indicating a full functionality of the complex. Analysis of transgenic plants overexpressing Rieske FeS by the light-induced fluorescence transients technique revealed a more oxidised primary quinone acceptor of Photosystem II (QA) and plastoquinone pool and a faster electron transport from the plastoquinone pool to Photosystem I upon changes in irradiance, compared to control plants. A faster establishing of qE, the energy-dependent component of non-photochemical quenching, in transgenic plants suggested a more rapid build-up of the transmembrane proton gradient, also supporting the increasedin vivoCytochromeb6factivity. However, there was no consistent increase in steady-state rates of electron transport or CO2assimilation in plants overexpressing Rieske FeS grown in either laboratory conditions or in field trials, suggesting that thein vivoactivity of the complex was only transiently increased upon changes in irradiance. Our results show that overexpression of Rieske FeS in tobacco enhances abundance of functional Cytochromeb6fand electron transport capacity and may have a potential to increase plant productivity if combined with other traits.

One-sentence summary

Increased abundance of Cytochromeb6fcomplex leads to transient increases in photosynthetic electron transport rate in tobacco.
Efficient Modification and Preparation of Circular DNA for Expression in Cell Culture
Authors: Oliynyk Roman Teo , Church George M.
Published: June 2022

DNA plasmids are an essential tool for delivery and expression of RNAs and proteins in cell culture experiments. The preparation of plasmids typically involves a laborious process of bacterial cloning, validation, and purification. While the expression plasmids can be designed and ordered from the contract manufacturers, the cost may be prohibitive when a large number of plasmids is required. We have developed an efficient fully synthetic method and protocol that enables the production of circularized DNA containing expression elements ready for transfection in as little as 3 hours, thereby eliminating the bacterial cloning steps. The protocol describes how to take a linear double-stranded DNA fragment and efficiently circularize and purify this DNA fragment with minimal hands-on time. As proof of the principle, we applied Circular Vector expressing engineered prime editing guide RNA (epegRNA) in cell culture, and demonstrated matching and even exceeding performance of this method as compared to guides expressed by plasmids. The method is not limited to gene editing and its speed of preparation, low cost, and ease of use will make it a useful tool in a variety of applications requiring the expression of short RNAs and proteins.
The immunodominant protein P116 extracts cholesterol and other essential lipids
Authors: Sprankel Lasse , Vizarraga David , Martín Jesús , Manger Sina , Meier-Credo Jakob , Marcos Marina , Julve Josep , Rotllan Noemi , Scheffer Margot P. , Escolà-Gil Joan Carles , Langer Julian D. , Piñol Jaume , Fita Ignacio , Frangakis Achilleas S.
Published: June 2022

Many human pathogens need to extract lipids from their environment for survival and proliferation. How this is accomplished on a molecular level is largely unknown1. Here, we report a comprehensive structural and functional analysis of the previously uncharacterized protein P116 (MPN_213) from Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a human pathogen responsible for approximately 30% of community-acquired human pneumonia2. Single-particle cryo-electron microscopy of P116 at 3.3 Å resolution reveals a homodimer with a core domain presenting a previously unseen fold. This fold creates a large cavity of ∼18,000 Å3 with a hydrophobic internal surface that is accessible to solvent. Within the cavity ligands with a length of 10-19 Å and a width of 4 Å could be observed. These ligands were identified as the essential lipids phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin and cholesterol using mass spectrometry. When the cavity is emptied, the protein undergoes an extensive conformational change that can no longer accommodate lipids. When emptied P116 is incubated with high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) a net transfer of cholesterol is demonstrated by a radioactivity experiment and cryo-electron microscopy resolves a complex between P116 and HDL. Taken together, our results reveal the mechanism by which P116 extracts essential lipids from the host environment and possibly then delivers them into the membrane by a wringing movement. This mechanism may be precedential for other cholesterol-auxotrophic bacteria.
Deep Learning for Rare Disease: A Scoping Review
Authors: Lee Junghwan , Liu Cong , Kim Junyoung , Chen Zhehuan , Sun Yingcheng , Rogers James R. , Chung Wendy K. , Weng Chunhua
Published: June 2022

Although individually rare, collectively more than 7,000 rare diseases affect about 10% of patients. Each of the rare diseases impacts the quality of life for patients and their families, and incurs significant societal costs. The low prevalence of each rare disease causes formidable challenges in accurately diagnosing and caring for these patients and engaging participants in research to advance treatments. Deep learning has advanced many scientific fields and has been applied to many healthcare tasks. This study reviewed the current uses of deep learning to advance rare disease research. Among the 332 reviewed articles, we found that deep learning has been actively used for rare neoplastic diseases (250/332), followed by rare genetic diseases (170/332) and rare neurological diseases (127/332). Convolutional neural networks (307/332) were the most frequently used deep learning architecture, presumably because image data were the most commonly available data type in rare disease research. Diagnosis is the main focus of rare disease research using deep learning (263/332). We summarized the challenges and future research directions for leveraging deep learning to advance rare disease research.
Missing Americans: Early Death in the United States, 1933-2021
Authors: Bor Jacob , Stokes Andrew C. , Raifman Julia , Venkataramani Atheendar , Bassett Mary T. , Himmelstein David , Woolhandler Steffie
Published: June 2022

We assessed how many U.S. deaths would have been averted each year, 1933-2021, if U.S. age-specific mortality rates had equaled those of other wealthy nations. The annual number of excess deaths in the U.S. increased steadily beginning in the late 1970s, reaching 626,353 in 2019. Excess deaths surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, there were 1,092,293 “Missing Americans” and 25 million years of life lost due to excess mortality relative to peer nations. In 2021, half of all deaths under 65 years and 91% of the increase in under-65 mortality since 2019 would have been avoided if the U.S. had the mortality rates of its peers. Black and Native Americans made up a disproportionate share of Missing Americans, although the majority were White.

One sentence summary

In 2021, 1.1 million U.S. deaths – including 1 in 2 deaths under age 65 years – would have been averted if the U.S. had the mortality rates of other wealthy nations.
A cytoplasmic chemoreceptor and Reactive Oxygen Species mediate bacterial chemotaxis to copper
Authors: Louis Gwennaëlle , Cherry Pauline , Michaux Catherine , Rahuel-Clermont Sophie , Dieu Marc , Tilquin Françoise , Maertens Laurens , Houdt Rob Van , Renard Patricia , Perpete Eric , Matroule Jean-Yves
Published: June 2022

Chemotaxis is a widespread strategy used by unicellular and multicellular living organisms to maintain their fitness in stressful environments. We previously showed that bacteria can trigger a negative chemotactic response to a copper (Cu)-rich environment. Cu ions toxicity on bacterial cell physiology has been mainly linked to mismetallation events and ROS production, although the precise role of Cu-generated ROS remains largely debated.

Here, we found that the cytoplasmic Cu ions content mirrors variations of the extracellular Cu ions concentration and triggers a dose-dependent oxidative stress, which can be abrogated by superoxide dismutase and catalase overexpression. The inhibition of ROS production in the cytoplasm not only improves bacterial growth but also impedes Cu-chemotaxis, indicating that ROS derived from cytoplasmic Cu ions mediate the control of bacterial chemotaxis to Cu.

We also identified the Cu chemoreceptor McpR, which binds Cu ions with low affinity, suggesting a labile interaction. In addition, we demonstrate that the cysteine 75 and histidine 99 within the McpR sensor domain are key residues in Cu chemotaxis and Cu coordination. Finally, we discovered thatin vitroboth Cu(I) and Cu(II) ions modulate McpR conformation in a distinct manner. Overall, our study provides mechanistic insights on a redox-based control of Cu chemotaxis, indicating that the cellular redox status can play a key role in bacterial chemotaxis.
Laboratory strains of Escherichia coli K-12: not such perfect role models after all
Authors: Browning Douglas F. , Hobman Jon L. , Busby Stephen J.W.
Published: June 2022

Escherichia coli K-12 was originally isolated 100 years ago and since then, it has become an invaluable model organism and a cornerstone of molecular biology research. However, despite its apparent pedigree, since its initial isolation, E. coli K-12 has been repeatedly cultured, passaged, and mutagenized, resulting in an organism that carries extensive genetic changes. To understand more about the evolution of this important model organism, we have sequenced the genomes of two ancestral K-12 strains, WG1 and EMG2, considered to be the progenitors of many key laboratory strains. Our analysis confirms that these strains still carry genetic elements such as bacteriophage lambda (λ) and the F plasmid, but also indicates that they have undergone extensive lab-based evolution. Thus, scrutinizing the genomes of ancestral E. coli K-12 strains, leads us to question whether E. coli K-12 is a sufficiently robust model organism for 21st century microbiology.

DATA SUMMARY

All supporting data are provided within the article or through supplementary data files. Supplementary Figs. S1 to S14 and Supplementary File S1 are available with the online version of this article. All genome sequence data has been deposited in NCBI GenBank under Bioproject ID PRJNA848777. The assembled and annotated genomes of WG1 and EMG2 have been deposited with the accession numbers, CP099590 and CP099591 (WG1) and CP099588 and CP099589 (EMG2).

Impact Statement

Since its isolation in 1922, Escherichia coli K-12, has become arguably the premier model organism for contemporary science. The adoption of E. coli K-12 by many microbiologists across the globe, means that it has a complex pedigree, and, although many E. coli K-12 strains have been sequenced, little is known about the early versions of K-12, which still carry the F plasmid and bacteriophage λ. To understand more about the lab-based evolution that has shaped this important model organism, we have sequenced two ancestral K-12 strains, WG1 and EMG2, that are considered to be the progenitors of many of the laboratory strains used today.
Using axenic and gnotobiotic insects to examine the role of different microbes on the development and reproduction of the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)
Authors: Gilliland Carissa A. , Patel Vilas , Dombrowski Ashley C. , Mackett Bradley M. , Vogel Kevin J.
Published: June 2022

Kissing bugs (Hempitera: Reduviidae) are obligately and exclusively blood feeding insects. Vertebrate blood is thought to provide insufficient B vitamins to insects, which rely on obligate symbiotic relationships with bacteria that provision these nutrients. Kissing bugs harbor environmentally acquired bacteria in their gut lumen, without which they are unable to develop to adulthood. Early experiments identified a single bacterial species, Rhodococcus rhodnii, as a symbiont of Rhodnius prolixus, but modern studies of the kissing bug microbiome suggest that R. rhodnii is not always present or abundant in wild-caught individuals. We asked whether R. rhodnii or other bacteria alone could function as symbionts of R. prolixus. Bacteria-free (axenic) insects were produced whose microbiome could be experimentally manipulated to produce insects with known microbiomes (gnotobiotic). We found that gnotobiotic insects harboring R. rhodnii alone developed faster, had higher survival, and laid more eggs than gnotobiotic R. prolixus harboring other bacterial monocultures, including other described symbionts of kissing bugs and several related Rhodococcus species. R. rhodnii grew to high titer in the guts of R. prolixus while other tested species were found at much lower abundance. Rhodococcus species tested had nearly identical B vitamin biosynthesis genes, and dietary supplementation of B vitamins had a relatively minor effect on development and survival of gnotobiotic R. prolixus. Our results indicate that R. prolixus have a higher fitness when harboring R. rhodnii than other bacteria tested, and that symbiont B vitamin synthesis is likely a necessary but not sufficient function of gut bacteria in kissing bugs.
Helicobacter pylori provokes STING immunosurveillance via trans-kingdom conjugation
Authors: Damke Prashant P. , Wood Cecily R. , Shaffer Carrie L.
Published: June 2022

Recognition of foreign nucleic acids is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism by which the host detects microbial threats. Whereas some intracellular bacterial pathogens trigger DNA surveillance pathways following phagosomal membrane perturbation, mechanisms by which extracellular bacteria activate cytosolic nucleic acid reconnaissance systems remain unresolved. Here, we demonstrate that Helicobacter pylori exploits cag type IV secretion system (cag T4SS) activity to provoke STING signaling in gastric epithelial cells. We provide direct evidence that chromosomal fragments delivered to the host cell cytoplasm via trans-kingdom conjugation bind and activate the key DNA sensor cGMP-AMP synthase. To enable paracrine-like signal amplification, translocated H. pylori DNA is sorted into exosomes that stimulate DNA-sensing pathways in uninfected bystander cells. We show that DNA cargo is loaded into the cag T4SS apparatus in the absence of host cell contact to establish a ‘ready-to-fire’ nanomachine and provide evidence that cag T4SS-dependent DNA translocation is mechanistically coupled to chromosomal replication and replichore decatenation. Collectively, these studies suggest that H. pylori evolved mechanisms to stimulate nucleic acid surveillance pathways that regulate both pro- and anti-inflammatory programs to facilitate chronic persistence in the gastric niche.
Candidate targets of copy number deletion events across 17 cancer types
Authors: Huang Qingyao , Baudis Michael
Published: June 2022

Genome variation is the direct cause of cancer and driver of its clonal evolution. While the impact of many point mutations can be evaluated through their modification of individual genomic elements, even a single copy number aberration (CNA) may encompass hundreds of genes and therefore pose challenges to untangle potentially complex functional effects. However, consistent, recurring and disease-specific patterns in the genome-wide CNA landscape imply that particular CNA may promote cancer-type-specific characteristics. Discerning essential cancer-promoting alterations from the inherent co-dependency in CNA would improve the understanding of mechanisms of CNA and provide new insights into cancer biology and potential therapeutic targets. Here we implement a model using segmental breakpoints to discover non-random gene coverage by copy number deletion (CND). With a diverse set of cancer types from multiple resources, this model identified common and cancer-type-specific oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes as well as cancer-promoting functional pathways. Confirmed by differential expression analysis of data from corresponding cancer types, the results show that for most cancer types, despite dissimilarity of their CND landscapes, similar canonical pathways are affected. In 25 analyses of 17 cancer types, we have identified 19 to 169 significant genes by copy deletion, including RB1, PTEN and CDKN2A as the most significantly deleted genes among all cancer types. We have also shown a shared dependence on core pathways for cancer progression in different cancers as well as cancer type separation by genome-wide significance scores. While this work provides a reference for gene specific significance in many cancers, it chiefly contributes a general framework to derive genomewide significance and molecular insights in CND profiles with a potential for the analysis of rare cancer types as well as non-coding regions.
Sub-operon promoter arrangement of disA facilitates c-di-AMP homeostasis and selective stress responses in M. smegmatis
Authors: Singla Mamta , Pal Aditya Kumar , Chaudhary Vikas , Ghosh Anirban
Published: June 2022

Bacterial second messenger signaling often plays an important role in cellular physiology. In this study, we have attempted to understand how c-di-AMP synthesis and degradation are transcriptionally regulated in M. smegmatis. We have discovered that, although c-di-AMP synthesis gene disA exists in a multi-gene operon; a sub-operon promoter arrangement plays a key role under various stress conditions, keeping its dual function property intact. Further, we learned that c-di-AMP plays a role in the autoregulation of the disA promoter to limit intracellular c-di-AMP concentration. We also identified an alternate start codon within the disA gene which can lead to the synthesis of truncated DisA protein at times using an independent stress-inducible promoter. All in all, this study was helpful to understand how c-di-AMP synthesis is regulated under normal and stress conditions linked to its physiological relevance in M. smegmatis.
Triple dissociation of visual, auditory and motor processing in primary visual cortex
Authors: Lohuis Matthijs N. Oude , Marchesi Pietro , Olcese Umberto , Pennartz Cyriel
Published: June 2022

Primary sensory cortices respond to crossmodal stimuli, for example auditory responses are found in primary visual cortex (V1). However, it remains unclear whether these responses reflect sensory inputs or behavioural modulation through sound-evoked body movement. We address this controversy by showing that sound-evoked activity in V1 of awake mice can be dissociated into auditory and behavioural components with distinct spatiotemporal profiles. The auditory component began at ∼27 ms, was found in superficial and deep layers and originated from auditory cortex, as shown by inactivation by muscimol. Sound-evoked orofacial movements correlated with V1 neural activity starting at ∼80-100 ms and explained auditory frequency-tuning. Visual, auditory and motor activity were expressed by segregated neuronal populations and during simultaneous audiovisual stimulation, visual representations remained dissociable from auditory and motor-related activity. This threefold dissociability of auditory, motor and visual processing is central to understanding how distinct inputs to visual cortex interact to support vision.
Mutations in rv0678 confer low-level resistance to benzothiazinone DprE1 inhibitors in M. tuberculosis
Authors: Poulton Nicholas C. , Azadian Zachary A. , DeJesus Michael A. , Rock Jeremy M.
Published: June 2022

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death from any bacterial infection, causing 1.5 million deaths worldwide each year. Due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) there have been significant efforts aimed at developing novel drugs to treat TB. One promising drug target in Mtb is the arabinogalactan biosynthetic enzyme DprE1, and there have been over a dozen unique chemical scaffolds identified which inhibit the activity of this protein. Among the most promising lead compounds are the benzothiazinones BTZ043 and PBTZ169, both of which are currently in or have completed phase IIa clinical trials. Due to the potential clinical utility of these drugs, we sought to identify potential synergistic interactions and new mechanisms of resistance using a genome-scale CRISPRi chemical-genetic screen with PBTZ169. We found that knockdown of rv0678, the negative regulator of the mmpS5/L5 drug efflux pump, confers resistance to PBTZ169. Mutations in rv0678 are the most common form of resistance to bedaquiline and there is already abundant evidence of these mutations emerging in bedaquiline-treated patients. We confirmed that rv0678 mutations from clinical isolates confer low level cross-resistance to BTZ043 and PBTZ169. While it is yet unclear whether rv0678 mutations would render benzothiazinones ineffective in treating TB, these results highlight the importance of monitoring for clinically-prevalent rv0678 mutations during ongoing BTZ043 and PBTZ169 clinical trials.
Synthesis and crystal structure of bis[trans-diaqua(1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-κ4
N
1,N
4,N
8,N
11)nickel(II)] trans-(1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-κ4
N
1,N
4,N
8,N
11)bis[4,4′,4′′-(1,3,5-trimethylbenzene-2,4,6-triyl)tris(hydrogen phenylphosphonato-κO)]nickel(II) decahydrate
Authors: Tsymbal Liudmyla V. , Ardeleanu Rodinel , Shova Sergiu , Lampeka Yaroslaw D.
Published: June 2022

The components of the title compound, [Ni(C10H24N4)(H2O)2]2[Ni(C10H24N4)(C27H24O9P3)2]·10H2O are two centrosymmetric [Ni(C10H24N4)(H2O)2]2+ dications, a centrosymmetric [Ni(C10H24N4)(C27H24O9P3)2]4− tetra-anion and five crystallographically unique water molecules of crystallization. All of the nickel ions are coordinated by the four secondary N atoms of the macrocyclic cyclam ligands, which adopt the most energetically stable trans-III conformation, and the mutually trans O atoms of either water molecules in the cations or the phosphonate groups in the anion in a tetragonally distorted NiN4O2 octahedral coordination geometry. Strong O—H...O hydrogen bonds between the protonated and the non-protonated phosphonate O atoms of neighboring anions result in the formation of layers oriented parallel to the bc plane, which are linked into a three-dimensional network by virtue of numerous N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds arising from the sec-NH groups of the macrocycles, phosphonate O atoms and coordinated and non-coordinated water molecules.
How to elevate the quantity and quality of contributors for crowdsourcing tasks: the double-edged role of task reward
Authors: Wang Dianwen , Mou Yupeng , Ding Zhihua , Jiang Xuehui
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Crowdsourcing refers to a new business model in which enterprises or individuals publish tasks or problems, attracting freelancers or contributors to participate in solving tasks, submitting bids and allowing task seekers to choose the final solution. How to attract more quantity and quality of contributors to submit their solutions through a crowdsourcing platform has become a vital question.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors use web crawling to obtain 43,265 effective tasks in EPWK website (www.epwk.com) to probe how to elevate the quantity and quality of contributors via task reward design. This study uses the hierarchical linear model to probe the research questions.

Findings

Results show that, with the increase of task reward, the quantity of contributors goes up first and then goes down (inverted U shape), whereas the quality of contributors goes down first and then goes up (U sharp). Moreover, the authors investigate the moderating effects of another task design attribute, task duration. This study finds that task duration weakens the effect of task reward on the quantity of contributors while strengthening the effects of task reward on the quality of contributors.

Originality/value

First, this study theoretically probes two key aspects of task performance, namely, the quantity and quality of contributors, which expand the scope of task performance evaluation. Second, this study reconciles previous concern about the relationship of task reward and performance, which is different from previous studies that have paid more attention to the single perspective of their relationship. Finally, the authors investigate the moderating effects of task duration, which further uncover the mechanism behind task reward and performance, that is, the quantity and quality of task contributors.
Assessing contextual factors for sustainable development: a case study of LEED-certified projects in Jordan
Authors: Ebbini Genell Wells , Al-Assaf Adel
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The researchers analyzed factors affecting the adoption of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green-building certification system in Jordan, including financial performance of certified projects along with broader barriers that may impact developers’ interest in LEED.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first reviewed online data for all LEED registered and certified projects in Jordan, recruited LEED-certified project stakeholders, collected documents related to LEED projects and conducted LEED category credit summaries, financial cost-benefit analyses and spot-checking reported values in local markets. The authors then visited projects sites and interviewed various project stakeholders to understand better stakeholders' decision-making processes concerning LEED and relevant factors (financial, branding, cultural, political, etc.).

Findings

Obtaining LEED certification in Jordan was financially feasible as evinced in both the quantitative analysis and interviews. However, the authors found that there was very limited interest in LEED among Jordanian developers. Barriers included widespread cynicism toward green building concepts as well as a lack of local expertise in installing and maintaining green technologies. To overcome these barriers, the authors recommend that green building initiatives place a greater emphasis on education and public-promotion activities.

Research limitations/implications

The research data were limited to projects that had successfully achieved LEED certification. Broader qualitative research conducted across the Jordanian building community could provide additional insights, but such an investigation is beyond the scope of the current study.

Originality/value

The complexity of adapting a Western green building standard (LEED) to a non-Western context is discussed in detail. The findings suggest that understanding regional development challenges, local markets and cultural differences is vital for successfully implementing green building certification systems.
Development of cakes with almond baru flour: chemical composition and its correlations with texture profile analysis
Authors: Ramos Ana Flávia , Mendes Gabriela da Rocha Lemos , Cruz Renato Souza , Silva Fabiane Neves , Camilloto Geany Peruch , de Souza Handray Fernandes , Lima Juliana Pinto de , Paiva Caroline Liboreiro , Brandi Igor VIana
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Baru is a fruit of the Brazilian Cerrado, important to the local economy and social culture. The use in food formulation is due to it being highly available and its nutritional profile; however, the changes in the texture of products are still unclear. In this study, an experimental design was conducted to develop cakes by replacing different levels of wheat flour with baru nut flour, and comparing them.

Design/methodology/approach

Cakes were developed with 20, 40, 60, and 80 replacement of wheat flour by baru nut flour and compared with standard formulation (100% wheat flour). The physical-chemistry composition of the flour, nutritional composition of the cakes and texture profile analysis were evaluated.

Findings

Baru nut flour showed greater protein, lipids, and ash than wheat flour, and this result was also observed in the cakes developed. The cake with 80% of almond baru flour showed an increase of 60.3% in protein. The texture profile analysis showed that the addition of baru nut flour affected the texture of products. The cakes showed more hardness and chewiness; however, the springiness and cohesiveness were decreased.

Originality/value

The findings of this study demonstrate that baru nut flour is a great option as a new ingredient for bakery products, due the increase of protein. This is the first study analyzing the effect of baru nut flour addition on the texture profile of bakery products. These results can orientate future studies, especially sensory assays.
Workaholism and work–family conflict: a moderated mediation model of psychological detachment from work and family-supportive supervisor behavior
Authors: Chang Po-Chien , Gao Xiaoxiao , Wu Ting , Lin Ying-Yin
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the workaholism on work–family conflict via the mediator of psychological detachment from work and the moderator of family-supportive supervisor behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

To avoid common method bias, the authors adopted a three-wave data collection with a one-month lagged design. A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed and 322 usable questionnaires were collected. The PROCESS macro for SPSS was applied to test the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

Findings demonstrated that workaholism is positively related to work–family conflict; psychological detachment from work mediates the relationship between workaholism and work–family conflict. Moreover, family-supportive supervisor behavior moderates the relationship between workaholism and work–family conflict and between workaholism and psychological detachment from work, respectively. Finally, family-supportive supervisor behavior moderates the indirect effect of workaholism and work–family conflict via psychological detachment from work, such that the indirect effect was weaker when family-supportive supervisor behavior was high.

Practical implications

The study suggests that it is necessary for organizations to be responsible for employee well-being in different domains because the impact of workaholism on physical and mental health may bring unexpected consequences because of the lack of recovery and the loss of resources. This study not only shows the importance for individuals to look for ways to disengage from workplace but addresses the significance of supervisory support from organizational aspects.

Originality/value

This study includes psychological detachment from work as mediator and family-supportive supervisor behavior as moderator to investigate the moderated mediation relationship in the current highly demanding workplace. By applying conservation of resource and role scarcity hypothesis regarding individual resource allocation, the results may shed lights on facilitating individuals distancing from obsessively and excessively working mentality and behaviors that further lessen incompatibility in both work and family domains.
Location optimization of emergency medical facilities for public health emergencies in megacities based on genetic algorithm
Authors: Liu Jingkuang , Li Yuqing , Li Ying , Zibo Chen , Lian Xiaotong , Zhang Yingyi
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to discuss the principles and factors that influence the site selection of emergency medical facilities for public health emergencies. This paper discusses the selection of the best facilities from the available facilities, proposes the capacity of new facilities, presents a logistic regression model and establishes a site selection model for emergency medical facilities for public health emergencies in megacities.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Guangzhou City as the research object, seven alternative facility points and the points' capacities were preset. Nine demand points were determined, and two facility locations were selected using genetic algorithms (GAs) in MATLAB for programing simulation and operational analysis.

Findings

Comparing the results of the improved GA, the results show that the improved model has fewer evolutionary generations and a faster operation speed, and that the model outperforms the traditional P-center model. The GA provides a theoretical foundation for determining the construction location of emergency medical facilities in megacities in the event of a public health emergency.

Research limitations/implications

First, in this case study, there is no scientific assessment of the establishment of the capacity of the facility point, but that is a subjective method based on the assumption of the capacity of the surrounding existing hospitals. Second, because this is a theoretical analysis, the model developed in this study does not consider the actual driving speed and driving distance, but the speed of the unified average driving distance and the driving distance to take the average of multiple distances.

Practical implications

The results show that the method increases the selection space of decision-makers, provides them with stable technical support, helps them quickly determine the location of emergency medical facilities to respond to disaster relief work and provides better action plans for decision makers.

Social implications

The results show that the algorithm performs well, which verifies the applicability of this model. When the solution results of the improved GA are compared, the results show that the improved model has fewer evolutionary generations, faster operation speed and better model than the intermediate model GA. This model can more successfully find the optimal location decision scheme, making that more suitable for the location problem of megacities in the case of public health emergencies.

Originality/value

The research findings provide a theoretical and decision-making basis for the location of government emergency medical facilities, as well as guidance for enterprises constructing emergency medical facilities.
The antecedents of customer mistreatment: a meta-analytic review
Authors: Liu Pei , Ma Yu , Li Xin , Peng Caodie , Li Yaoqi
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Frontline service employees are often subjected to customer mistreatment and considerable studies have tested outcomes of customer mistreatment. However, the importance of its antecedents is particularly underestimated. This meta-analytic paper aims to develop an overarching framework that identifies the antecedents of customer mistreatment as well as potential boundary conditions to account for observed variations reported in extant studies.

Design/methodology/approach

Comprehensive electronic and manual searches were performed to retrieve relevant studies on customer mistreatment, which yielded 125 articles, including 141 independent samples. Altogether, these studies included 40,151 participants. The data were analyzed through random-effect meta-analytic methods in R using the psychmeta package.

Findings

Three types of antecedents were identified. In particular, regarding employees’ demographic characteristics, age was found to be negatively correlated with customer mistreatment. Employees’ personality traits such as agreeableness, conscientiousness, positive affectivity, emotion regulation ability and self-efficacy were found to be negatively correlated with customer mistreatment, while neuroticism and negative affectivity were positively correlated with customer mistreatment. In terms of contextual factors, perceived social support and service climate were negatively related to customer mistreatment, whereas job demands were positively related to customer mistreatment. Moreover, the power distance culture and types of service industries moderated some relationships.

Originality/value

This meta-analytic research, drawing upon the perpetrator predation framework, proposed a new and comprehensive framework to explain why customer mistreatment occurs. It not only promoted the advancement of literature on customer mistreatment but also provided effective and targeted guidance for helping frontline service employees reduce such negative experience.
Towards an evolutionary view of innovation diffusion in open innovation ecosystems
Authors: Xiong Bingqing , Kuan Lim Eric Tze , Tan Chee-Wee , Zhao Zheng , Yu Yugang
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The concept of open innovation has captured the attention of both academics and practitioners alike. However, there is a dearth of research on how innovations can be diffused within open innovation ecosystems, a critical condition for the sustainability of such ecosystems. In this regard, the study advances a research agenda for guiding future inquiries into innovation diffusion within open innovation ecosystems.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a systematic review of the extant literature on open innovation, this article identifies knowledge gaps in innovation diffusion, along with recommendations for bridging these gaps in the future. The study advocates that future research should consider not only innovation generation processes, but also innovation diffusion processes, especially in light of the growing application of open innovation in the context of digital goods and services.

Findings

Subscribing to an evolutionary view of innovation diffusion, the article draws on a five-phase framework – knowledge, persuasion, decision, implementation, and confirmation – to illustrate the roles played by three distinct yet interconnected parties (i.e. platforms, complementors, and individuals) within open innovation ecosystems as well as the research opportunities it brings.

Originality/value

The article examines the critical, yet underexplored role of innovation diffusion in sustaining open innovation ecosystems and outlines potential research avenues that can contribute to growing the understanding of the innovation diffusion process.
Grain size, coefficient of thermal expansion and corrosion behavior of eggshell and rice husk ash reinforced composite material
Authors: Islam Anas , Dwivedi Shashi Prakash , Yadav Rajat , Kumar Dwivedi Vijay
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study to find an alternate method to minimize waste i.e., eggshell and rice husk ash. In this paper, eggshell (ES) and rice husk ash (RHA) particles are used as reinforcements for examining their effect on the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), grain size (GS) and corrosion behavior for developed composite material.

Design/methodology/approach

In this investigation, 5 Wt.% each of ES and RHA reinforcement particles have been introduced. To investigate the microstructures of the developed composite material, scanning electron microscope was used. Physical and mechanical properties of composite material are tensile strength and hardness that have been examined.

Findings

The result of this paper shows that number of grains per square inch for composition Al/5% ES/5% RHA composite was found to be 1,243. Minimum value of the volume CTE was found to be 6.67 × 10–6/°C for Al/5% ES/5% RHA composite. The distribution of hard phases of ES particles in metal matrix is responsible for improvements in tensile strength and hardness. These findings demonstrated that using carbonized ES as reinforcement provides superior mechanical and physical properties than using uncarbonized ES particles.

Originality/value

There are several articles examining the impact of varying Wt.% of carbonized ES and rice husk reinforcement on the microstructures and mechanical characteristics of metal composites. CTE, GS and corrosion behavior are among of the features that are examined in this paper.
Construct validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the Wrist Position Sense Test for use in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy
Authors: Taylor Susan , Elliott Catherine , McLean Belinda , Parsons Richard , Falkmer Torbjorn , Carey Leeanne M. , Blair Eve , Girdler Sonya
Published: June 2022

Introduction

We investigate the construct validity, test re‐test reliability, and responsiveness of the Wrist Position Sense Test (WPST) for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods

Twenty‐eight children with spastic hemiplegic CP [mean age 10.8 years; SD 2.4 years] and 39 typically developing (TD) children [mean age 11 years; SD 2.9 years] participated in a cross‐sectional study to investigate construct validity and association with an upper limb activity measure, the Box and Block Test (BBT). Twenty‐two TD children were tested at a second time‐point to examine reliability. Test responsiveness was determined by random allocation of 17 children with CP to a treatment (n = 10) or control (n = 7) group with assessments completed at four time‐points.

Results

Significantly greater differences were observed in mean error of indicated wrist position (p < 0.01) in children with CP at baseline (M = 21.6°, SD = 21.6°) than in TD children (M = 12.8°, SD = 11.0°). Larger WPST errors were associated with poorer performance on the BBT (p < 0.01) indicating a substantial association, and there were no consistent differences between time‐points indicating test re‐test reliability within a TD population. The WPST demonstrated responsiveness to intervention with a statistically significant reduction in mean error following treatment (p < 0.001), not seen in the control group (p = 0.28).

Conclusion

The WPST demonstrated construct validity in this preliminary study. Scores were associated with an upper limb activity measure, and scores changed significantly following somatosensory training. These findings support further research and future psychometric investigation of the WPST in children with CP.

Key Points for Occupational Therapy

This study provides psychometric knowledge about the WPST tool

The WPST shows promise as a discriminative measure with preliminary evidence of responsiveness and intra‐rater reliability

Until further testing, the WPST can be used cautiously in future research studies to measure wrist position sense
Asymmetric reactions in the tourism‐led growth hypothesis
Authors: Kumar Nikeel Nishkar , Patel Arvind , Kimpton Sean , Andrews Antony
Published: June 2022

In this study, we test for asymmetries in the tourism‐led growth hypothesis. Asymmetric causality tests allow us to examine whether positive or negative changes in tourism cause growth. Our specification is based on an extended Solow growth model and draws from recent articles on tourism and growth. Using Tonga as a case study over the period 1981–2018, we find that tourism asymmetrically Granger causes economic growth. The magnitude of effects from the nonlinear ARDL model shows that economic growth is more sensitive to a downward movement compared to an upward movement in visitor arrivals.
The social infrastructure of online marketplaces: Trade, work and the interplay of decided and emergent orders
Authors: Aspers Patrik , Darr Asaf
Published: June 2022

This study is designed to remedy the tendency of existing studies to analyze online marketplaces as either sites of work or trading arenas. We argue that the theoretical notion of “social infrastructure” is particularly apt to offer a comprehensive framework that captures the unique intersection of work and trade in online marketplaces. We study the social infrastructure of an online marketplace: the institutions, conditions and forms, and the horizontal and vertical ties between actors that organize work and enable trading. The social infrastructure of online marketplaces deserves research attention because it represents an essential condition for economic activities. In our empirical section we focus on the online marketplace Etsy to illustrate our comprehensive theoretical framework and we identify a complex dynamic between the decided and emergent order of the online marketplace. We demonstrate that the attempt to superimpose order through the constitution of an online marketplace is challenged by sellers and buyers. We find that both dimensions, work and trade, provide actors with material and symbolic resources that inform their strategies and economic actions. The article suggests that “social infrastructure” is a concrete theoretical tool for analyzing online marketplaces that complements existing research on platforms and ecosystems.