bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Listening to bacterial Esperanto: transcriptome reprogramming in a plant beneficial rhizobacterium
Authors: Bejarano Ana , Perazzolli Michele , Pertot Ilaria , Puopolo Gerardo
Published: March 2021

Intraspecies, interspecies and interkingdom signalling occurring via diffusible communication signals (DCSs) continuously shapes the gene expression patterns of individual bacterial species in the rhizosphere, affecting bacterial functions within the rhizosphere microbial community. To unravel how DCSs influence rhizosphere competence of plant beneficial rhizobacteria, we carried out a functional and transcriptome analysis on the plant beneficial bacteriumLysobacter capsiciAZ78 (AZ78). Results reveal that 13-methyltetradecanoic acid and indole, glyoxylic acid and 2,3-butanedione play a relevant role in the interaction betweenL. capsicimembers and other soil-living (micro)organisms. DCSs regulated mechanisms of multistress and multidrug tolerance and persistence, including detoxification, motility, antibiotic production, and expression of secretion systems. In particular, 13-methyltetradecanoic acid, glyoxylic acid and 2,3-butanedione might enable AZ78 to rapidly colonize the rhizosphere. Moreover, glyoxylic acid and 2,3-butanedione elicit biological responses to outcompete other (micro)organisms. In contrast, indole inactivates twitching motility and antibiotic production. These results demonstrate that DCSs influence the functioning of plant beneficial rhizobacteria and suggest that plant beneficialL. capsicistrains could use them to foster rhizosphere colonization and enhancein vivoactivities to increase soil health and plant fitness.
Quantifying control circuit regulation in the human brain
Authors: Kumar Rajat , Strey Helmut H. , Mujica-Parodi Lilianne R.
Published: March 2021

As a field, control systems engineering has developed quantitative methods to characterize the regulation of systems or processes, whose functioning is ubiquitous within synthetic systems. In this context, a control circuit is objectively “well regulated” when discrepancy between desired and achieved output trajectories is minimized, and “robust” to the degree that it is able to regulate well in response to a wide range of stimuli. Most psychiatric disorders are assumed to reflect dysregulation of brain circuits. Yet, probing circuit regulation requires fundamentally different analytic strategies than the correlations relied upon for analyses of connectivity and their resultant networks. Here, we demonstrate how well-established methods for system identification in control systems engineering may be applied to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data to extract generative computational models of human brain circuits. These provide two quantitative measures of direct relevance for psychiatric disorders: a circuit’s sensitivity to external perturbation and its dysregulation.
Chaphamaparvovirus Antigen and Nucleic Acids are not Detected in Kidney Tissues from Cats with Chronic Renal Disease or Immunosuppressive Diseases
Authors: Michel AO , Donovan TA , Roediger B , Lee Q , Jolly C , Monette S
Published: March 2021

Mouse Kidney Parvovirus (MKPV) was recently recognized as the cause of murine inclusion body nephropathy, a disease reported for over 40 years in laboratory mice. Immunodeficient mice are persistently infected with MKPV, leading to chronic renal disease, morbidity and mortality whereas immunocompetent mice seroconvert with mild renal pathology. Given the high incidence of MKPV infection in wild mice in the New York City area, the first goal of this study was to evaluate the possibility of MKPV involvement in feline chronic kidney disease (CKD) from the same geographic region. As MKPV and related parvoviruses recently described in other animal species appear to have a tropism for kidney tissue, the second goal was to investigate the possible role of a virus of this group, other than MKPV, in the development of feline CKD, Presence of MKPV and related viruses was investigated in feline renal samples using PCR, RNAin situhybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Cats were divided into three groups: normal (N=25), CKD (N=25) and immune suppressed (N=25). None of the kidney tissues from any of the 75 cats revealed the presence of MKPV DNA, RNA or antigen expression. Nor was “fechavirus” detected using PCR in renal tissue from cats with chronic kidney disease. We conclude that MKPV is an unlikely cause or contributor to feline CKD.
Fluid mechanics of mosaic ciliated tissues
Authors: Boselli Francesco , Jullien Jerome , Lauga Eric , Goldstein Raymond E.
Published: March 2021

In tissues as diverse as amphibian skin and the human airway, the cilia that propel fluid are grouped in sparsely distributed multiciliated cells (MCCs). We investigate fluid transport in this “mosaic” architecture, with emphasis on the trade-offs that may have been responsible for its evolutionary selection. Live imaging of MCCs in embryos of the frogXenopus laevisshows that cilia bundles behave as active vortices that produce a flow field accurately represented by a local force applied to the fluid. A coarse-grained model that self-consistently couples bundles to the ambient flow reveals that hydrodynamic interactions between MCCs limit their rate of work so that when the system size is large compared to a single MCC, they best shear the tissue at low area coverage, a result that mirrors findings for other sparse distributions such as cell receptors and leaf stomata.
Aging is associated with a degeneration of noradrenergic-, but not dopaminergic-neurons, in the short-lived killifishNothobranchius furzeri
Authors: Bagnoli Sara , Fronte Baldassare , Bibbiani Carlo , Tozzini Eva Terzibasi , Cellerino Alessandro
Published: March 2021

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by phosphorylation and aggregation of the protein α-Synuclein and ensuing neuronal death progressing from the noradrenergiclocus coeruleusto midbrain dopaminergic neurons. In 2019, Matsui and colleagues reported inCell Reportsa spontaneous age-dependent degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and an even greater neurodegeneration of the noradrenergic neurons in the short-lived killifishNothobranchius furzeri.

Given the great possible relevance of a spontaneous model for PD, we set to confirm their results by whole-brain clarification and 3D nuclei reconstruction to quantify total cell numbers. We observed an age dependent neurodegeneration limited to thelocus coeruleusand not involving theposterior tuberculum. In addition, we observed the presence of phospho-Synuclein in the soma oflocus coeruleusneurons detectable already at a young age and increasing during aging.

Our result demonstrates thatN. furzerimodels the early stages of PD, but not the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons.
Locus coeruleus activity improves cochlear implant performance
Authors: Glennon Erin , Zhu Angela , Wadghiri Youssef Z. , Svirsky Mario A. , Froemke Robert C.
Published: March 2021

Cochlear implants are neuroprosthetic devices that can provide hearing to deaf patients1. Despite significant benefits offered by cochlear implants, there are highly variable outcomes in how quickly hearing is restored and perceptual accuracy after months or years of use2,3. Cochlear implant use is believed to require neuroplasticity within the central auditory system, and differential engagement of neuroplastic mechanisms might contribute to outcome variability4–7. Despite extensive studies on how cochlear implants activate the auditory system4,8–12, our understanding of cochlear implant-related neuroplasticity remains limited. One potent factor enabling plasticity is the neuromodulator norepinephrine from the brainstem locus coeruleus. Here we examined behavioral responses and neural activity in locus coeruleus and auditory cortex of deafened rats fitted with multi-channel cochlear implants. Animals were trained on a reward-based auditory task, with considerable individual differences of learning rates and maximum performance. Photometry from locus coeruleus predicted when implanted subjects would begin responding to sounds and longer-term perceptual accuracy, which were augmented by optogenetic locus coeruleus stimulation. Auditory cortical responses to cochlear implant stimulation reflected behavioral performance, with enhanced responses to rewarded stimuli and decreased distinction between unrewarded stimuli. Adequate engagement of central neuromodulatory systems is thus a potential clinically-relevant target for optimizing neuroprosthetic device use.
Biomolecular solid-state NMR spectroscopy at highest field: the gain in resolution at 1200 MHz
Authors: Callon Morgane , Malär Alexander A. , Pfister Sara , Rímal Václav , Weber Marco E. , Wiegand Thomas , Zehnder Johannes , Chávez Matías , Deb Rajdeep , Cadalbert Riccardo , Däpp Alexander , Fogeron Marie-Laure , Hunkeler Andreas , Lecoq Lauriane , Torosyan Anahit , Zyla Dawid , Glockshuber Rudolf , Jonas Stefanie , Nassal Michael , Ernst Matthias , Böckmann Anja , Meier Beat H.
Published: March 2021

Progress in NMR in general and in biomolecular applications in particular is driven by increasing magnetic-field strengths leading to improved resolution and sensitivity of the NMR spectra. Recently, persistent superconducting magnets at a magnetic field strength (magnetic induction) of 28.2 T corresponding to 1200 MHz proton resonance frequency became commercially available. We present here a collection of high-field NMR spectra of a variety of proteins, including molecular machines, membrane proteins and viral capsids and others. We show this large panel in order to provide an overview over a range of representative systems under study, rather than a single best performing model system. We discuss both carbon-13 and proton-detected experiments, and show that in13C spectra substantially higher numbers of peaks can be resolved compared to 850 MHz while for1H spectra the most impressive increase in resolution is observed for aliphatic side-chain resonances.
2D real space visualization of d values in polycrystalline bulk materials of different hardness
Authors: Mizusawa Mari , Sakurai Kenji
Published: March 2021

Conventional X-ray diffraction measurements provide some average structural information, mainly on the crystal structure of the whole area of the given specimen, which might not be very uniform and may include different crystal structures, such as co-existing crystal phases and/or lattice distortion. The way in which the lattice plane changes due to strain also might depend on the position in the sample, and the average information might have some limits. Therefore, it is important to analyse the sample with good lateral spatial resolution in real space. Although various techniques for diffraction topography have been developed for single crystals, it has not always been easy to image polycrystalline materials. Since the late 1990s, imaging technology for fluorescent X-rays and X-ray absorption fine structure has been developed via a method that does not scan either a sample or an X-ray beam. X-ray diffraction imaging can be performed when this technique is applied to a synchrotron radiation beamline with a variable wavelength. The present paper reports the application of X-ray diffraction imaging to bulk steel materials with varying hardness. In this study, the distribution of lattice distortion of hardness test blocks with different hardness was examined. Via this 2D visualization method, the grains of the crystals with low hardness are large enough to be observed by X-ray diffraction contrast in real space. The change of the d value in the vicinity of the Vickers mark has also been quantitatively evaluated.
The crystal structure and temperature dependence of the elpasolite Tl2LiYCl6
Authors: Onken Drew R. , Perrodin Didier , Bourret Edith D. , Vogel Sven C.
Published: March 2021

Tl2LiYCl6 (TLYC) is an analog to Cs2LiYCl6, which is currently an industry-standard inorganic scintillator for radiation detection with good gamma–neutron discrimination. The presence of thallium (Z = 81) instead of cesium (Z = 55) in the elpasolite structure increases the density of the compound and its stopping power for gamma rays. This work investigates the impact of the Tl atom on the elpasolite structure. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction at room temperature and powder neutron diffraction with temperature control were used to characterize the crystal structure of TLYC between 296 and 725 K. The presence of Tl leads to a distortion of the cubic elpasolite structure at room temperature: a tetragonal P42 crystal structure (space group 77, a = 10.223, c = 10.338 Å) is identified for TLYC at 296 K. A structural transition to the cubic elpasolite Fm
3
m phase (space group 225) is observed at 464 K. The thermal expansion of the material for each crystal direction is well described by a linear relationship, except for the region between 400 and 464 K where the lattice parameters converge.
New sample stage for characterizing radioactive materials by X-ray powder diffraction: application on five actinide dioxides ThO2, UO2, NpO2, PuO2 and AmO2
Authors: Vauchy Romain , Fouquet-Métivier Pauline , Martin Philippe M. , Maillard Christophe , Solinhac Isabelle , Guéneau Christine , Léorier Caroline
Published: March 2021

A new sample stage for characterizing radioactive materials by X-ray powder diffraction was developed at the ATALANTE facility (CEA Marcoule, France) using a conventional (non-nuclearized) Bruker D8 goniometer mounted in Bragg–Brentano geometry. The setup consists of a removable, fully hermetic sample stage, with a 200 µm-thick beryllium window, that can be plugged onto a glove-box, allowing the sample to be introduced in an hermetic medium that also encapsulates the glove-box atmosphere throughout the analysis process. The whole setup is thus hermetically unplugged from the glove-box and positioned on the centre of the goniometer. No preliminary decontamination and/or decontainment of the sample is necessary. The device was developed to avoid an expensive and time-consuming nuclearization of the diffractometer while also keeping it easily accessible for maintenance. Ultimately, keeping the diffractometer out of a glove-box also limits the volume of the final nuclear wastes, and thus the removable sample stage is the only `active' part. X-ray diffraction results of two NIST standards LaB6 and α-Al2O3 as well as five actinide dioxides ThO2, UO2, NpO2, PuO2 and AmO2 are presented to show the efficiency of the setup.
Novel clostridial cell-surface hemicellulose-binding CBM3 proteins
Authors: Hershko Rimon Almog , Livnah Oded , Rozman Grinberg Inna , Ortiz de Ora Lizett , Yaniv Oren , Lamed Raphael , Bayer Edward A. , Frolow Felix , Voronov-Goldman Milana
Published: March 2021

A novel member of the family 3 carbohydrate-binding modules (CBM3s) is encoded by a gene (Cthe_0271) inClostridium thermocellumwhich is the most highly expressed gene in the bacterium during its growth on several types of biomass substrates. Surprisingly,CtCBM3-0271 binds to at least two different types of xylan, instead of the common binding of CBM3s to cellulosic substrates.CtCBM3-0271 was crystallized and its three-dimensional structure was solved and refined to a resolution of 1.8 Å. In order to learn more about the role of this type of CBM3, a comparative study with its orthologue fromClostridium clariflavum(encoded by theClocl_1192gene) was performed, and the three-dimensional structure ofCcCBM3-1192 was determined to 1.6 Å resolution. Carbohydrate binding byCcCBM3-1192 was found to be similar to that byCtCBM3-0271; both exhibited binding to xylan rather than to cellulose. Comparative structural analysis of the two CBM3s provided a clear functional correlation of structure and binding, in which the two CBM3s lack the required number of binding residues in their cellulose-binding strips and thus lack cellulose-binding capabilities. This is an enigma, asCtCBM3-0271 was reported to be a highly expressed protein when the bacterium was grown on cellulose. An additional unexpected finding was thatCcCBM3-1192 does not contain the calcium ion that was considered to play a structural stabilizing role in the CBM3 family. Despite the lack of calcium, the five residues that form the calcium-binding site are conserved. The absence of calcium results in conformational changes in two loops of theCcCBM3-1192 structure. In this context, superposition of the non-calcium-bindingCcCBM3-1192 withCtCBM3-0271 and other calcium-binding CBM3s reveals a much broader two-loop region in the former compared withCtCBM3-0271.
Crystal structure of the GTP-binding protein-like domain of AGAP1
Authors: Cheng Nuo , Zhang Hao , Zhang Shiyan , Ma Xiaodan , Meng Guoyu
Published: March 2021

AGAP1 is often considered to regulate membrane trafficking, protein transport and actin cytoskeleton dynamics. Recent studies have shown that aberrant expression of AGAP1 is associated with many diseases, including neurodevelopmental disorders and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It has been proposed that the GTP-binding protein-like domain (GLD) is involved in the binding of cofactors and thus regulates the catalytic activity of AGAP1. To obtain a better understanding of the pathogenic mechanism underpinning AGAP1-related diseases, it is essential to obtain structural information. Here, the GLD (residues 70–235) of AGAP1 was overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells. Affinity and gel-filtration chromatography were used to obtain AGAP1GLD with high purity for crystallization. Using the hanging-drop vapor-diffusion method with the protein at a final concentration of 20 mg ml−1, AGAP1GLD protein crystals of suitable size were obtained. The crystals were found to diffract to 3.0 Å resolution and belonged to space group I4, with unit-cell parameters a = 100.39, b = 100.39, c = 48.08 Å. The structure of AGAP1GLD exhibits the highly conserved functional G1–G5 loops and is generally similar to other characterized ADP-ribosylation factor (Arf) GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs), implying an analogous function to Arf GAPs. Additionally, this study indicates that AGAP1 could be classified as a type of NTPase, the activity of which might be regulated by protein partners or by its other domains. Taken together, these results provide insight into the regulatory mechanisms of AGAP1 in cell signaling.
Supplier selection and evaluation in e-commerce enterprises: a data envelopment analysis approach
Authors: Pratap Saurabh , Daultani Yash , Dwivedi Ashish , Zhou Fuli
Published: March 2021

Purpose

E-commerce refers to the facilitation and delivery of goods and services to the customers employing an electronic arrangement. For an e-commerce firm, the customer service level provided by its suppliers can make or break the firm. The purpose of this research is to help e-commerce enterprises in addressing the vast challenge of complex supplier selection and evaluation process that must be performed vigilantly.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study utilizes a three-pronged approach that integrates supplier management practices with the operational business practices of an e-commerce enterprise. In the first step, key performance factors for e-commerce capable suppliers are identified through an expert opinion and existing supplier management literature. Further, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is employed to obtain the efficiency score for each supplier that enables their ranking on various performance parameters. Lastly, the suppliers are classified into different categories based on their performance and efficiency.

Findings

Under the proposed classification scheme, top five suppliers, i.e. supplier 1, 7, 9, 11 and 17 are categorized as HE (High Performance and Efficient). It is suggested that e-commerce enterprises must build long-term relationship with the identified top performing suppliers. The study also provides real insights into supplier's performance on a number of objective criteria. Further, the present study enhances the overall performance and productivity of an e-commerce firm by achieving input cost minimization and output quality maximization, simultaneously.

Research limitations/implications

The results are valid for e-commerce enterprises in general. However, the present DEA model can be further evolved when applied in case of any particular e-commerce enterprise depending upon the internal capabilities of that firm. The nuances related to a firm's own supply capability development can be further explored by practitioners and researchers.

Practical implications

The proposed approach is expected to motivate decision-makers to consider using more sophisticated approached like DEA in supplier evaluation processes. Also, as a benchmarking technique, the proposed supplier classification approach is expected to be highly useful for practitioners in real-life settings.

Originality/value

The novel contribution of this study includes the supplier evaluation, ranking and classification for e-commerce enterprises based on the real-life data. The insights would help the practitioners to formulate novel strategies for appropriately investing in supplier relationships.
Bioclimatic architecture and its energy-saving potentials: a review and future directions
Authors: Aghimien Emmanuel Imuetinyan , Li Danny Hin Wa , Tsang Ernest Kin-Wai
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This paper reviews extant studies on bioclimatic architecture with a view of revealing the focus areas of past studies and mapping out future research directions useful in achieving building energy efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-method systematic review that integrates quantitative and qualitative analysis was adopted. The bibliographic data were extracted from the Scopus database, and a scientometric analysis was conducted to analyse the data quantitatively. Qualitative content analysis is then presented, which provided a basis for mapping out trends and gaps in current knowledge.

Findings

It is observed that there has been a rise in the number of studies on bioclimatic architecture over the last two decades. Past studies have focused on sustainability, building performance simulation, building climatology and energy use, solar energy applications and passive cooling. Artificial intelligence, algorithm coupling and acoustic comfort were some of the emerging areas discovered in this study.

Research limitations/implications

The study reveals research gaps that researchers can investigate.

Practical implications

The information provided can help the building industry stakeholders in decision-making. It serves as a guideline for maximising the potential benefits of adopting bioclimatic designs in the building industry. Furthermore, it provides references that aid policy formulation for government agencies and corporate organisations.

Originality/value

The study fills the literature gap caused by the need for a holistic literature review that relates bioclimatic architecture and its energy efficiency implications. It is also the first study on bioclimatic architecture that adopts a mix of scientometric and qualitative analysis for analysing past studies on bioclimatic architecture.
Travel booking intentions and information searching during COVID-19
Authors: MacSween Sara , Canziani Bonnie
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This exploratory paper examined consumers' use of information sources and intentions to book future travel in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Authors expected that general news and travel information accessed on the Internet would impact travel intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 547 US online consumer panelists when all states were under “stay-at-home orders” in April 2020.

Findings

Differences existed in the impact of three stressors (health, personal and financial) on the use of information sources (general news and travel sources) and ultimately on booking intentions.

Practical implications

The lack of influence health stressors had on travel research activity raises a question for the travel industry as to critical choice of messages to be imparted during pandemic environments.

Originality/value

A three-factor model was used to assess the determinants of booking intentions during uncertain times. Authors applied the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) framework to explore information searching for travel during the pandemic.
Physiochemical characterization of agricultural waste biochars for partial cement replacement
Authors: Ofori-Boadu Andrea Nana , Bryant DeAndria , Bock-Hyeng Christian , Assefa Zerihun , Aryeetey Frederick , Munkaila Samira , Fini Elham
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility of utilizing agricultural (almond shell, rice husk and wood) waste biochars for partial cement replacement by evaluating the relationships between the physiochemical properties of biochars and the early-age characteristics of cement pastes.

Design/methodology/approach

Biochars are prepared through the thermal decomposition of biomass in an inert atmosphere. Using varying percentages, biochars are used to replace ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in cement pastes at a water/binder ratio of 0.35. Characterization methods include XPS, FTIR, SEM, TGA, BET, Raman, loss-on-ignition, setting, compression and water absorption tests.

Findings

Accelerated setting in biochar-modified cement pastes is attributed to chemical interactions between surface functional groups of biochars and calcium cations from OPC, leading to the early development of metal carboxylate and alkyne salts, alongside the typical calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H). Also, metal chlorides such as calcium chlorides in biochars contribute to the accelerate setting in pastes. Lower compression strength and higher water absorption result from weakened microstructure due to poor C-S-H development as the high carbon content in biochars reduces water available for optimum C-S-H hydration. Amorphous silica contributes to strength development in pastes through pozzolanic interactions. With its optimal physiochemical properties, rice-husk biochars are best suited for cement replacement.

Research limitations/implications

While biochar parent material properties have an impact on biochar properties, these are not investigated in this study. Additional investigations will be conducted in the future.

Practical implications

Carbon/silicon ratio, oxygen/carbon ratio, alkali and alkaline metal content, chlorine content, carboxylic and alkyne surface functional groups and surface areas of biochars may be used to estimate biochar suitability for cement replacement. Biochars with chlorides and reactive functional groups such as C=C and COOH demonstrate potential for concrete accelerator applications. Such applications will speed up the construction of concrete structures and reduce overall construction time and related costs.

Social implications

Reductions in OPC production and agricultural waste deterioration will slow down the progression of negative environmental and human health impacts. Also, agricultural, manufacturing and construction employment opportunities will improve the quality of life in agricultural communities.

Originality/value

Empirical findings advance research and practice toward optimum utilization of biomass in cement-based materials.
The impact of information integration on purchase order finance and new product launch: a case study
Authors: Zhang Min , Huang Qiuping , Zhao Xiande , Ma Lijun
Published: March 2021

Purpose

In this study, we examine the implementation of purchase order finance (POF) which is an innovative supply chain finance (SCF) solution by an innovative SCF lender (i.e. supply chain service provider (SCSP)). The effect of information integration between the SCSP (lender) and product designers (borrowers) on the lender's POF decisions and the borrowers' new product launch is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

We conduct a case study in the Chinese smartphone industry. A mixed methods design is used, and data are collected from both the supply chain service provider (SCSP) and product designers. We first conduct a qualitative study. Hypotheses are developed concerning the relationships between information integration, in terms of social interaction and information system integration, POF and new product launch. We then conduct a quantitative study. The multilevel structural equation modelling method is used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

We find that information system integration is positively associated with POF but has no significant effect on new product launch. Social interaction is negatively associated with POF but positively associated with new product launch. POF is positively associated with new product launch.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by empirically examining the implementation of POF from both the lender's and borrower's perspectives. We find that information system integration and social interaction have different effects on POF and new product launch. The results thus provide insights into how a lender makes POF decisions and reveal the benefits of POF for borrowers.
Organisational performance and the use of multiple performance measures in an emerging market
Authors: Amhalhal Abdallah , Anchor John , Papalexi Marina , Dastgir Shabbir
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This study is an empirical investigation of the relationship between the use of 41 multiple performance measures (MPMs), including financial performance measures (FPM), non-financial performance measures (NFPMs) and organisational performance (OP) in Libya.

Design/methodology/approach

The results are based on cross-sectional questionnaire survey data from 132 Libyan companies (response rate 61%), which were obtained just before the so-called Arab Spring.

Findings

MPMs are used by both manufacturing and non-manufacturing companies. Libyan business organisations are more likely to use FPMs than NFPMs. However, these companies still rely more heavily on FPMs. The relationships between the use of NFPMs and OP and the use of MPMs and OP are positive and highly significant. The relationship between the use of FPMs and OP is positive but not significant.

Research limitations/implications

The high power distance associated with the conservative, Libyan, Arab context will reinforce the tendency to use FPMs more than NFPMs. This may provide a performance advantage to those organisations which do adopt NFPMs.

Practical implications

Although there may be institutional barriers to the use of NFPMs in Libya, and other emerging markets, these are not insuperable and there is a payoff to their use.

Originality/value

No previous studies of emerging markets, such as the Middle East or North Africa, have looked at the relationship between OP and the adoption of such a large array of MPMs.
Learning from failure or failing to learn: perspectives of school principals
Authors: Caliskan Omer
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Educational organizations confront a number of failures along with successful practices. Although a potential learning source for organizations, failures encountered are not normally welcomed and utilized to improve future practices. However, the existing literature emphasizes that individuals and organizations can learn a lot from their failure by adopting a pragmatic understanding toward the concept of failure and implementing a learning-from-failure (LFF) approach in their practices. Drawing on these assumptions, the purpose of this study is to explore how school principals identify educational failures and implement an LFF approach in their managerial practices.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a qualitative research paradigm. The research was conducted in a middle-sized city in Turkey. The data for the study came from individual semi-structured interviews conducted with 12 school principals. The interview data were coded and analyzed using a conceptual coding framework.

Findings

Findings indicated that school principals’ definitions of failure are classified as learning related and nonlearning related. Failures were generally considered to be a learning opportunity rather than a complete loss, although principals’ identification of important examples of failure varied across school levels. In operating an LFF approach at schools, certain limitations existed such as a lack of institutional policy and professional skills, heavy workload and limited autonomy.

Originality/value

This study attempted to explore domains of educational failures and the application of an LFF approach at educational organizations. The LFF approach has previously been studied and discussed in business organizations. This study applied the concept to the education field.
Distributed leadership practices and student science performance through the four-path model: examining failure in underprivileged schools
Authors: Liu Yan
Published: March 2021

Purpose

As a failure analysis emphasizing school leadership in underprivileged schools serving socioeconomically disadvantaged and minority students, the study is interested in determining whether and to what extent variations in distributed leadership (DL) practices are related to student performance through the mediating effects of four-path variables.

Design/methodology/approach

This research conducted secondary data analysis using the 2015 PISA American data. The study employed factor analysis and structural equation models (SEMs) to investigate multidimensional associations among a set of variables, including school socioeconomic status (SES), student composition, DL practices, school four-path factors and student performance. The research used a design-based resampling approach with balanced repeated replication (BRR) weights to analyze the complex survey data.

Findings

The results indicate that, within a DL framework, teacher leadership in instructional management is positively and directly related to student performance. Governing board leadership in school administration is indirectly related to student performance through four-path variables' mediating effects. Importantly, though the two leadership sources help improve student performance, they are less prevalent in underprivileged schools with disproportional minority and socioeconomically disadvantaged students.

Originality/value

This research is a failure analysis through the lens of DL for underprivileged schools. The study used rigorous quantitative approaches and examined multidimensional associations among school socioeconomic status (SES), DL, school factors that school leaders could maneuver and student performance. The evidence sheds light on remedial actions in failed schools to focus on improving teacher leadership and organizational capacity.
Brain–computer interface in the context of information retrieval systems in a library
Authors: Wójcik Magdalena
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The subject of this paper is the idea of Brain–Computer Interface (BCI). The main goal is to assess the potential impact of BCI on the design, use and evaluation of information retrieval systems operating in libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The method of literature review was used to establish the state of research. The search according to accepted queries was carried out in the Scopus database and complementary in Google Scholar. To determine the state of research on BCI on the basis of library and information science, a specialist LISTA abstract database was also searched. The most current papers published in the years 2015–2019 in the English language or having at least an abstract in this language were taken into account.

Findings

The analysis showed that BCI issues are extremely popular in subject literature from various fields, mainly computer science, but practically does not occur in the context of using this technology in information retrieval systems.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the fact that BCI solutions are not yet implemented in libraries and are rarely the subject of scientific considerations in the field of library and information science, this article is mainly based on literature from other disciplines. The goal was to consider how much BCI solutions can affect library information retrieval systems. The considerations presented in this article are theoretical in nature due to the lack of empirical materials on which to base. The author's assumption was to initiate a discussion about BCI on the basis of library and information science, not to propose final solutions.

Practical implications

The results can be widely used in practice as a framework for the implementation of BCI in libraries.

Social implications

The article can help to facilitate the debate on the role of implementing new technologies in libraries.

Originality/value

The problem of BCI is very rarely addressed in the subject literature in the field of library and information science.
Open strategy: what is the impact of national culture?
Authors: Adobor Henry
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to argue that national cultural context variables influence open strategy formation processes. This study suggests that country-specific differences may influence open strategy, a form of strategic decision-making and present propositions linking national culture dimensions, national trust orientation and open strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual framework links the literature on Hofstede’s cultural dimensions to the open strategy paradigm. This paper adopts a contingency approach linking national culture to open strategy.

Findings

The theoretical arguments demonstrate that uncertainty avoidance, time orientation, power distance, individualism versus collectivism and national trust culture all have a moderating influence on the antecedents and outcomes of open strategy. The findings extend the external validity of the open strategy paradigm and show that a culture-bound explanation of open strategy may be useful to the understanding of open strategy.

Practical implications

The findings highlight the challenges and opportunities that managers face when they adopt open strategy processes in multinational settings and across different cultures. Managers need to be aware that national cultural variables affect how employees behave and how they are likely to act when faced with opportunities for inclusion, shared decision-making and transparency. The findings suggest that training employees ahead of time on the cultural effects of their behavior may aid the successful adoption of open strategy in different cultures.

Originality/value

This manuscript to our knowledge, maybe one of the first to make a direct link between openness and national cultural values. In the process, the conceptual framework extends research on the role of context on openness, as well as research at the nexus of cross-cultural issues and strategic decision-making.
Characterization of 3d printing filaments applied in restoration of sensitive archaeological objects using rapid prototyping
Authors: Aura-Castro Elvira , Díaz-Marín Carmen , Mas-Barberà Xavier , Sánchez Miguel , Vendrell Vidal Eduardo
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to characterize three-dimensional (3D) printing filaments commonly used in fused deposition modeling (FDM) to determine their viability for restoration and conservation treatments.

Design/methodology/approach

Eight current filaments for FDM from six polymeric materials have been characterized to determine their suitability for restoration and conservation treatments. For testing these filaments, specimens are printed with acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene; polylactic acid; polylactic acid with CaCO3 (E.P.); polyethylene terephthalate glycol; polypropylene; and high-impact polystyrene. Suitability of a filament was verified using the Oddy test by detecting the action of volatile pollutants released from the filaments. The morphological and color changes were observed after allowing them to degrade under the exposure of UV radiation. The samples were then analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. In addition, gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy technique was applied to complete the characterization of the printed filaments.

Findings

Materials investigated are suitable for restoration purposes ensuring long-term stability. Rapid prototyping using FDM is appropriate for restoring sensitive archaeological objects allowing reconstruction of parts and decreasing risk while manipulating delicate artifacts.

Originality/value

Rapid prototyping using FDM was chosen for the restoration of a fragile and sensitive archaeological glass bowl from Manises Ceramic Museum.
The causal relationship between corruption and irresponsible behavior in the time of COVID‐19: Evidence from Tunisia
Authors: Gani Walid
Published: March 2021

This paper explores the causal relationship between irresponsible behavior and corruption in Tunisia in the time of COVID‐19. In our modeling approach, the abuse of power is used as a proxy for corruption, while lockdown breaches are used as a proxy for irresponsible behavior. Based on the vector error‐correction model, the Granger causality test is performed to identify the direction of the causal relationship. An empirical study involving the use of real data from the National Anticorruption Authority is conducted. The results reveal the existence of a unidirectional Granger causal relationship running from lockdown breaches to the abuse of power. These findings imply that the irresponsible behavior of Tunisians may constitute in itself a factor that can exacerbate their exposure to corruption in periods of crisis, especially in the absence of well‐established corporate social responsibility. The implications of our findings for public policy are also discussed.
How parties led by a woman redefine their positions: Empirical evidence for women's green, alternative and libertarian agenda
Authors: KROEBER CORINNA
Published: March 2021

This article investigates how the sex of party heads impacts party positions and uncovers that parties led by a woman modify their stances on sociocultural but not economic debates. I argue that this pattern is a consequence of dissimilar gender gaps in policy preferences across the two ideological dimensions at the elite level. The empirical evidence, based on data for 19 developed democracies around the world between 1995 and 2018, reveals that parties led by a woman tend to emphasise green, alternative and libertarian issues. In particular, anti‐growth, environmental protection and freedom and human rights become more prominent elements of party manifestos under women's leadership. Overall, these findings stress the importance of critical actors and the conditions under which the presence of women in political offices translates into responsiveness towards female citizens.
Clinical characteristics of Vietnamese patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies and autoantibodies to aminoacyl‐transfer RNA synthetases
Authors: Phuong Thuy Nguyen Thi , Ngoc Lan Nguyen Thi , Rönnelid Johan , Padyukov Leonid , Lundberg Ingrid E.
Published: March 2021

Objective

To assess clinical phenotypes of anti‐aminoacyl‐transfer RNA synthetases (aaRS) autoantibodies in Vietnamese patients of Kinh ethnicity with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM).

Methods

In a cross‐sectional study 23 patients with anti‐aaRS autoantibodies were compared to 36 patients with other myositis‐specific antibodies and to 69 seronegative patients with IIM. Assessments included muscle performance, extra‐muscular involvement, and disease activity according to the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies (IMACS). Sera were tested by a line immunoassay (Euroline Myositis Profile 4).

Results

The frequency of anti‐Jo‐1 antibodies was 56.5%, anti‐EJ antibodies 26.1%, and anti‐PL‐7 antibodies 17.4%, while anti‐PL‐12 and anti‐OJ antibodies were not present in any case. All patients with anti‐aaRS autoantibodies had signs of myositis. At time of investigation 22/23 patients had muscle weakness, 52.2% arthritis, 34.8% Raynaud's phenomenon, 73.9% fever, 14.3% mechanic's hands and 56.5% dysphagia. Interstitial lung disease was present in 52.2%, and pulmonary hypertension in 56.5%. The anti‐aaRS autoantibody positive group had higher disease activity in the domains of skin and pulmonary disease compared to the seronegative group and had lower disease activity in skeletal disease compared to the anti‐melanoma differentiation‐associated protein 5‐positive patients. The clinical presentation of antisynthetase syndrome was similar between the aaRS autoantibody specificities with the exception of more frequent pulmonary hypertension in anti‐Jo‐1 positive patients.

Conclusions

Different aaRS autoantibody specificities may vary between different ethnic populations for reasons that still need to be clarified. Furthermore, the high frequency of pulmonary hypertension is noteworthy but otherwise clinical manifestations associated with aaRS autoantibodies did not differ from other ethnic populations.
Differential responses of three Urochloa species to low phosphorus availability
Authors: Baptistella João Leonardo Corte , Llerena Juan Pablo Portilla , Domingues‐Júnior Adilson Pereira , Fernie Alisdair Robert , Favarin José Laércio , Mazzafera Paulo
Published: March 2021

Urochloa (syn. Brachiaria spp.) is the most cultivated forage species in the tropics and is being introduced to agroecosystems as it can provide multiple services, such as nutrient cycling. In this regard, phosphorus (P) cycling has received particular attention for its little availability in soils and the fact that Urochloa has mechanisms to cope with its low availability. However, there are interspecific differences regarding adaptation to low fertility and P requirements among Urochloa species. This study aimed to evaluate the responses of three Urochloa species—Urochloa brizantha, Urochloa decumbens and Urochloa ruziziensis—to low P availability, as well as their mechanisms to grow on these conditions. We conducted a hydroponic experiment with three levels of P availability—10% (6.2 mg P dm−3), 25% (15.5 mg P dm−3) and 100% (62 mg P dm−3)—and evaluated plant biomass production, P tissue concentration, root acid phosphatase activity, root exudation and P transporter expression on roots. We identified several metabolites in root exudates including amino acids, non‐protein amino acids, polyamides, organic acids and phenolic acids. Although all metabolites were found in all the species, metabolite exudation varied among species and P level. Overall, U. brizantha and U. ruziziensis plants exudated more metabolites when growing under P limitation (10 and 25% P), which can be a response to low P availability and stress. We identified three P transporters in roots from the PHT1 family—UPHT1;1a, UPHT1;1b and UPHT1;1c. We did not find an explicit expression pattern for UPHT1;1a, but the expression of UPHT1;1b and UPHT1;1c increased at low P availability. U. ruziziensis accumulated more biomass than the other species at all levels of P availability, possibly because of the greater expression of these P transporters. Urochloa species differ regarding nutrient availability requirements, including P, which may explain the P transporters expression and metabolite exudation results. Thus, to cope with low P in the soil, the species developed different metabolic strategies to improve the uptake of this nutrient.