bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial-temporal dynamics of contact among free-ranging domestic dogsCanis familiarisin rural Africa
Authors: Wilson-Aggarwal Jared K. , Goodwin Cecily E.D. , Léchenne Monique , Swan George J.F. , Sidouin Metinou K. , Silk Matthew J. , Moundai Tchonfienet , Ozella Laura , Tizzoni Michele , Cattuto Ciro , McDonald Robbie A.
Published: June 2024

1. Transmission of infection is affected by the spatial-temporal dynamics of host contacts. Domestic dogsCanis familiarisshare pathogens with humans and wildlife, and managing dog-mediated diseases is a priority for public health and conservation interests.

2. We combined proximity sensors and GPS tracking to analyse spatial-temporal variation in contact among free-ranging dogs in six villages in rural Chad, during both the wet and dry seasons. We investigated dyadic interactions between dogs from different villages, the same village but different households and the same household. We assessed variation in (i) the probability of individuals having had contact, (ii) the hourly frequency of contact and (iii) contact durations.

3. Our results highlight clear seasonal and hourly patterns in contact behaviour. Contacts between dogs from different villages were rare, short in duration, primarily between male-female dyads and predominantly occurred within villages and during the dry season. Contact between dogs in the same village peaked at dawn and dusk. Sex differences were most pronounced in the wet season, where males from different households had the highest hourly contact probabilities, followed by male-female dyads. For all dogs, contact durations were longer in the dry season, but showed little hourly variation.

4. Contact patterns were not equal in space, and the probability of individuals having had contact was less than 5% when dwellings were more than 500m apart. Spatially, the probability of contact was lowest outside the village, but this increased in the dry season and peaked in the morning hours. Contact durations were notably longer outside the village, where they increased in duration for between-household dyads in the dry season.

5. At a coarse temporal scale, variation in dog contacts within and among households, and rarely between villages, may underpin seasonal variation in the incidence of dog-mediated diseases. Variation at finer temporal (hourly) and spatial scales (around households, within and outside villages) highlights the importance of routine behaviours and space use in determining patterns of contact between dogs. Practitioners should consider behavioural heterogeneities, such as those reported here, when using strategic models to support disease management decisions.
MetaLATTE: Metal Binding Prediction via Multi-Task Learning on Protein Language Model Latents
Authors: Zhang Yinuo , He Phil , Hsu Ashley , Chatterjee Pranam
Published: June 2024

The bioremediation of environments contaminated with heavy metals is an important challenge in environmental biotechnology, which may benefit from the identification of proteins that bind and neutralize these metals. Here, we introduce a novel predictive algorithm that conductsMetalbinding prediction viaLAnguage model laTenT Embeddings using a multi-task learning approach to accurately classify the metal-binding properties of input protein sequences. OurMetaLATTEmodel utilizes the state-of-the-art ESM-2 protein language model (pLM) embeddings and a position-sensitive attention mechanism to predict the likelihood of binding to specific metals, such as zinc, lead, and mercury. Importantly, our approach addresses the challenges posed by proteins from understudied organisms, which are often absent in traditional metal-binding databases, without the requirement of an input structure. By providing a probability distribution over potential binding metals, our classifier elucidates specific interactions of proteins with diverse metal ions. We envision that MetaLATTE will serve as a powerful tool for rapidly screening and identifying new metal-binding proteins, from metagenomic discovery orde novodesign efforts, which can later be employed in targeted bioremediation campaigns.
Hidden Structural States of Proteins Revealed by Conformer Selection with AlphaFold-NMR
Authors: Huang Yuanpeng J , Ramelot Theresa A , Spaman Laura E. , Kobayashi Naohiro , Montelione Gaetano T.
Published: June 2024

We introduce AlphaFold-NMR, a novel approach to NMR structure determination that reveals previously undetected protein conformational states. Unlike conventional NMR methods that rely on NOE-derived spatial restraints, AlphaFold-NMR combines AI-driven conformational sampling with Bayesian scoring of realistic protein models against NOESY and chemical shift data. This method uncovers alternative conformational states of the enzyme Gaussia luciferase, involving large-scale changes in the lid, binding pockets, and other surface cavities. It also identifies similar yet distinct conformational states of the human tumor suppressor Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2-Associated Protein 1. These studies demonstrate the potential of AI-based modeling with enhanced sampling to generate diverse structural models followed by conformer selection and validation with experimental data as an alternative to traditional restraint-satisfaction protocols for protein NMR structure determination. The AlphaFold-NMR framework enables discovery of conformational heterogeneity and cryptic pockets that conventional NMR analysis methods do not distinguish, providing new insights into protein structure-function relationships.
The Respiratory-Pupillary Phase Effect: Pupils size is smallest around inhalation onset and largest during exhalation
Authors: Schaefer Martin , Mathôt Sebastiaan , Lundqvist Mikael , Lundström Johan N. , Arshamian Artin
Published: June 2024

The prevailing view in the study of animal and human pupillary function has been that pupils dilate and are largest during inhalation and constrict and are smallest during exhalation. However, this notion has recently been challenged. Here, we systematically address this question by conducting a study encompassing three experiments (two resting tasks and one visual perception task), with the latter two being pre-registered. Collectively, across nasal and oral breathing, resting, and task conditions, our experiments consistently and robustly demonstrate that pupil size is smallest around inhalation onset and largest around peak exhalation. This phenomenon, which we term the Respiratory-Pupillary Phase Effect (RPPE), directly contradicts the long-held notion that pupils are largest during inhalation and smallest during exhalation. Notably, the dilation and constriction processes overlap with both phases. The observed consistency and significance of the RPPE across various conditions underscore the need for further investigation into its underlying mechanisms and potential impact on human behavior.
Melanization interacts with soil mineral and microbial properties to determine fungal carbon and nitrogen persistence in soils
Authors: Beidler Katilyn Victoria , Huenupi Elizabeth , DeLancey Lang Carl , Maillard François , Zhang Bowen , Persson Per , Kennedy Peter Gault , Phillips Richard
Published: June 2024

Despite the importance of mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) in long-term soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) persistence, and the significant contribution of fungal necromass to this pool, the factors controlling the formation of fungal-derived MAOM remain unclear. This study investigated how fungal necromass chemistry, specifically melanin, interacts with soil mineral properties and microbial communities to influence MAOM formation and persistence. We cultured the fungus Hyaloscypha bicolor to produce 13C- and 15N-labeled necromass with varying melanin content (high or low) and incubated it in both live and sterile soils collected from six Indiana forests that differed in their clay and iron oxide (FeOx) content. After 38 days, we found that seven times more fungal-derived N was incorporated into MAOM than fungal-derived C, with fungal N comprising 20% of the MAOM-N pool. Low melanin necromass formed more MAOM-C than high melanin necromass, although site-level differences in overall MAOM formation were substantial. Soil clay and FeOx content were strong predictors of MAOM formation, explaining ~60% and ~68% of the variation in MAOM-C and MAOM-N, respectively. However, microbial communities significantly influenced MAOM formation, with MAOM-C formation enhanced and MAOM-N formation reduced in sterile soils. Furthermore, the relative abundance of fungal saprotrophs was negatively correlated, and bacterial richness was positively correlated with MAOM formation, and these relationships were influenced by necromass melanin content. This study reveals that microbial communities and soil properties interactively mediate the incorporation of fungal necromass C and N into MAOM, with microbes differentially influencing C and N incorporation, and these processes being further modulated by necromass melanization.
Macrophages facilitate interclonal cooperation-induced tumor heterogeneity and malignancy by activating the innate immune signaling
Authors: Zhao Sihua , Guo Yifan , Kuang Xiaoyu , Li Xiaoqin , Wu Chenxi , Lin Peng , Xie Qi , Kong Du , Ma Xianjue
Published: June 2024

Tumor heterogeneity is a common hallmark of cancer and is considered a major cause of treatment failure and relapse, yet it remains poorly understood how various types of cells communicate within the tumor microenvironment (TME) to regulate tumor progressionin vivo. Here we establish a tumor heterogeneity model inDrosophilaeye epithelium by mutating the tricellular junction proteinM6in cells surroundingRasV12benign tumors and dissect thein vivomechanisms underlying interclonal cooperation-induced malignancy by utilizing sophisticated genetic techniques in conjunction with single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Our findings reveal that loss ofM6facilitates the malignant transformation of neighboringRasV12tumors by activating the Toll signaling, the innate immune response pathway. Notably, inhibiting Toll signaling impedes tumor progression, whereas its activation synergistically promotesRasV12tumor malignancy by inactivating the Hippo pathway. Mechanistically,RasV12tumors surrounded byM6mutant clones lead to increased recruitment of hemocytes, which are the equivalent of macrophages inDrosophila, in a JNK pathway-dependent manner. Consequently, these tumor-associated macrophages secrete the Spatzle (Spz) ligand, which subsequently activates the Toll receptor within theRasV12tumors, thereby triggering tumorigenesis. In summary, our study elucidates the complexin vivointeractions between genetically distinct oncogenic cells and between tumors and macrophages, shedding light on how macrophages exploit the innate immune signaling within tumors to regulate tumor heterogeneity and promote tumor progression.

Significance statement

Intratumoral heterogeneity profoundly affects cancer development and treatment in human tumors. The intricate nature of tumor cells and the presence of diverse cell types pose challenges to uncoveringin vivomechanisms responsible for heterogeneity. OurDrosophilatumor heterogeneity model reveals that fruit fly macrophages promotes both tumor heterogeneity and malignancy. Following recruitment by tumor cells, these macrophages secrete the ligand Spz to activate the Toll signaling pathway within tumor cells, which subsequently inactivates the Hippo pathway to drive tumorigenesis. Our study highlights the crucial role of hemocytes as intermediaries in coordinating tumor heterogeneity and facilitating intercellular communication between different cells within the TME.
The TissueTractor, a device for applying large strains to tissues and cells for simultaneous high-resolution live cell microscopy.
Authors: Yang Jing , Hearty Emily , Wang Yingli , Vijayraghavan Deepthi S , Walter Timothy , Anjum Sommer , Stuckenholz Carsten , Cheng Ya-Wen , Balasubramanian Sahana , Kwiatkowski Adam V. , Davidson Lance A
Published: June 2024

Mechanical strain substantially influences tissue shape and function in various contexts, from embryonic development to disease progression. Disruptions in these processes can result in congenital abnormalities and short-circuit mechanotransduction pathways. Manipulating strain in live tissues is crucial for understanding its impact on cellular and subcellular activities. Existing tools, such as optogenetic modulation of strain, are limited to small strain over limited distance and durations. Here, we introduce a high-strain stretcher system, the TissueTractor, designed for high-resolution spatiotemporal imaging of live tissues, enabling strain application varying from 0% to over 150%. This system is needed to unravel the intricate connections between mechanical forces and developmental processes. We demonstrated the stretcher with Xenopus laevis organotypic explants, human umbilical endothelial cells, and mouse neonatal cardiomyocytes to highlight the stretcher's adaptability. These demonstrations underscore the potential of this stretcher to deepen our understanding of the mechanical cues governing tissue dynamics and morphogenesis.
Human-specific paralogs of SRGAP2 induce neotenic features of microglia structural and functional maturation
Authors: Diaz-Salazar Carlos , Krzisch Marine , Yoo Juyoun , Nano Patricia R. , Bhaduri Aparna , Jaenisch Rudolf , Polleux Franck
Published: June 2024

Microglia play key roles in shaping synaptic connectivity during neural circuits development. Whether microglia display human-specific features of structural and functional maturation is currently unknown. We show that the ancestral geneSRGAP2Aand its human-specific (HS) paralogsSRGAP2B/Care not only expressed in cortical neurons but are the only HS gene duplications expressed in human microglia. Here, using combination of xenotransplantation of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived microglia and mouse genetic models, we demonstrate that (1) HS SRGAP2B/C are necessary and sufficient to induce neotenic features of microglia structural and functional maturation in a cell-autonomous manner, and (2) induction of SRGAP2-dependent neotenic features of microglia maturation non-cell autonomously impacts synaptic development in cortical pyramidal neurons. Our results reveal that, during human brain evolution, human-specific genes SRGAP2B/C coordinated the emergence of neotenic features of synaptic development by acting as genetic modifiers of both neurons and microglia.
Directed evolution of bacteriophages: impacts of prolific prophage
Authors: Peters Tracey Lee , Schow Jacob , Spencer Emma , Van Leuven JT , Wichman Holly , Miller Craig
Published: June 2024

Various directed evolution methods exist that seek to procure bacteriophages with expanded host ranges, typically targeting phage-resistant or non-permissive bacterial hosts. The general premise of these methods is to propagate phage on multiple bacterial hosts, pool the lysate, and repeat the propagation process until phage(s) can form plaques on the target host(s). In theory, this propagation process produces a phage lysate that contains input phages and their evolved phage progeny. However, in practice, this phage lysate can also include prophages originating from bacterial hosts. Here we describe our experience implementing one directed evolution method, the Appelmans protocol, to study phage evolution in thePseudomonas aeruginosaphage-host system, in which we observed rapid host-range expansion of the phage cocktail. Further experimentation and sequencing analysis revealed that this observed host-range expansion was due to aCasadabanvirusprophage that originated from one of the Appelmans hosts. Host-range analysis of the prophage showed that it could infect five of eight bacterial hosts initially used, allowing it to proliferate and persist through the end of the experiment. This prophage was represented in half of the sequenced phage samples isolated from the Appelmans experiment. This work highlights the impact of prophages in directed evolution experiments and the importance of incorporating sequencing data in analyses to verify output phages, particularly for those attempting to procure phages intended for phage therapy applications. This study also notes the usefulness of intraspecies antagonism assays between bacterial host strains to establish a baseline for inhibitory activity and determine presence of prophage.

IMPORTANCE

Directed evolution is a common strategy for evolving phages to expand host range, often targeting pathogenic strains of bacteria. In this study we investigated phage host-range expansion using directed evolution in thePseudomonas aeruginosasystem. We show that prophage are active players in directed evolution and can contribute to observation of host-range expansion. Since prophage are prevalent in bacterial hosts, particularly pathogenic strains of bacteria, and all directed evolution approaches involve iteratively propagating phage on one or more bacterial hosts, the presence of prophage in phage preparations is a factor that needs to be considered in experimental design and interpretation of results. These results highlight the importance of screening for prophages either genetically or through intraspecies antagonism assays during selection of bacterial strains and will contribute to improving experimental design of future directed evolution studies.
A diploid chromosome-level genome ofEucalyptus regnans: unveiling haplotype variance in structure and genes within one of the world’s tallest trees
Authors: Ferguson Scott , Bar-Ness Yoav D , Borevitz Justin , Jones Ashley
Published: June 2024

Background

Eucalyptus regnans(Mountain Ash) is an Australian native giant tree species which form forests that are among the highest known carbon-dense biomasses in the world. To enhance genomic studies in this ecologically important species, we assembled a high-quality, mostly telomere-to-telomere complete, chromosome-level, haplotype-resolved reference genome. We sampled a single tree, the Centurion, which is currently a contender for the world’s tallest flowering plant.

Results

Using long-read sequencing data (PacBio HiFi, Oxford Nanopore ultra-long reads) and chromosome conformation capture data (Hi-C), we assembled the most contiguous and completeEucalyptusreference genome to date. For each haplotype, we observed contig N50s exceeding 36 Mbp, scaffold N50s exceeding 43 Mbp, and genome BUSCO completeness exceeding 99%. The assembled genome revealed extensive structural variations between the two haplotypes, consisting mostly of insertions, deletions, duplications and translocations. Analysis of gene content revealed haplotype-specific genes, which were enriched in functional categories related to transcription, energy production and conservation. Additionally, many genes reside within structurally rearranged regions, particularly duplications, suggesting that haplotype-specific variation may contribute to environmental adaptation in the species.

Conclusions

Our study provides a foundation for future research intoE. regnansenvironmental adaptation, and the high-quality genome will be a powerful resource for conservation of carbon-dense giant tree forests.
Delivery determinants of anAcinetobacter baumanniitype VI secretion system bifunctional peptidoglycan hydrolase
Authors: Bezkorovayna Valeriya , Hayes Brooke K. , Gillett Francesca N. , Wright Amy , Roper David I. , Harper Marina , McGowan Sheena , Boyce John D.
Published: June 2024

Acinetobacter baumanniiis a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen that is a common cause of nosocomial infections. The increasing development of antibiotic resistance in this organism is a global health concern. TheA. baumanniiclinical isolate AB307-0294 produces a type VI secretion system (T6SS) that delivers three antibacterial cargo effector proteins (Tse15, Tde16 and Tae17) that give this strain a competitive advantage against other bacteria in polymicrobial environments. These effectors are delivered via specific non-covalent interactions with the T6SS needle tip proteins VgrG15, VgrG16 and VgrG17, respectively. Here we determine the molecular function of the Tae17 effector protein and define the regions of Tae17 and VgrG17 essential for its delivery. Specifically, we show that Tae17 is a multidomain, bifunctional peptidoglycan-degrading enzyme. Tae17 has both lytic transglycosylase activity, which targets the peptidoglycan sugar backbone, and amidase activity, which targets the sugar-peptide bonds. Moreover, we show that the transglycosylase activity was more important for killingEscherichia coli. Using deletion constructs and bacterial two-hybrid analyses, we identify that amino acids 1051-1085 of the VgrG17 needle tip protein and amino acids 1-162 of the Tae17 effector protein are necessary for the Tae17:VgrG17 interaction. Furthermore, we identify the VgrG17 amino acids G1069 and W1075 as crucial for the delivery of Tae17; the first time such specific delivery determinants of T6SS cargo effectors have been defined. This study provides molecular insight into how the T6SS allowsA. baumanniistrains to gain dominance in polymicrobial communities and thus improve their chances of survival and transmission.

IMPORTANCE

We have shown that theAcinetobacter baumanniiT6SS effector Tae17 is a modular, bifunctional, peptidoglycan-degrading enzyme that has both lytic transglycosylase and amidase activity. Both activities contribute to the ability to degrade peptidoglycan, but the glycosyltransferase activity was more important for the interbacterial killing ofEscherichia coli. We have defined the specific regions of Tae17 and its cognate delivery protein VgrG17 that are necessary for the non-covalent interactions and, for the first time, identified specific amino acids essential for delivery. This work contributes to our molecular understanding of bacterial competition strategies in polymicrobial environments and may provide a window to the design of new therapeutic approaches for combating infection byA. baumannii.
Development of modular geminivirus-based vectors for high cargo expression and gene targeting in plants
Authors: Neubauer Matthew , Vollen Katie , Ascencio-Ibanez Jose T. , Hanley-Bowdoin Linda , Stepanova Anna N. , Alonso Jose M.
Published: June 2024

Viral vectors can be useful tools for expressing recombinant proteins as well as delivering gene-editing machinery. Despite their utility, the development and subsequent optimization of these tools is often a difficult and tedious process. Thus, although considerable work has been done to create useful viral vectors for gene editing and protein expression, there is a lack of understanding of how best to design these vectors for specific applications. For instance, it is often unclear whether the inclusion of heterologous promoter sequences or different viral components will improve cargo expression or replicon accumulation. To address some of these hurdles, we designed a GoldenBraid (GB)-compatible viral vector system based on the geminivirus – Beet curly top virus (BCTV). This system allows for simple, modular cloning of a variety of reporter constructs. Making use of this modular cloning strategy, we compared a variety of alternative viral vector architectures. Interestingly, native BCTV promoters outperformed the constitutive35Spromoter, while the removal of the BCTV virion-sense genes promoted reporter expression. Intriguingly, these modifications had no effect on total replicon accumulation. These results show the utility of the new modular BCTV-based viral vectors for protein expression and gene targeting applications, as well as uncover design principles that may inform future geminivirus-based viral vector architectures. We anticipate that the availability of this new modular system will spark the broad adoption of replicon-based strategies in protein expression and gene editing experiments in plants.
Divergence and convergence in epiphytic and endophytic phyllosphere bacterial communities of rice landraces
Authors: Sanjenbam Pratibha , Agashe Deepa
Published: June 2024

Phyllosphere-associated microbes can significantly alter host plant fitness, with distinct functions provided by bacteria inhabiting the epiphytic (external surface) vs. endophytic niches (internal leaf tissue). Hence, it is important to understand the assembly and stability of these phyllosphere communities, especially in field conditions. Broadly, epiphytic communities should encounter more environmental changes and immigration, whereas endophytic microbiomes should face stronger host selection. We analysed the structure and stability of leaf phyllosphere microbiomes of four traditionally cultivated rice landraces and one commercial variety from northeast India grown in the field for three consecutive years, supplemented with opportunistic sampling of 8 other landraces. Epiphytic and endophytic bacterial communities shared dominant core genera such asMethylobacteriumandSphingomonas. Consistent with an overall strong environmental effect, both communities varied more across sampling years than across host landraces. Seeds sampled from a focal landrace did not support vertical transmission of phyllosphere bacteria, suggesting that both types of communities are assembled anew each generation. Despite these points of convergence, epiphytic communities had distinct composition and significantly higher microbial load, and were more rich, diverse, modular, and unstable than endophytic communities. Finally, focused sampling of one landrace across developmental stages showed that the divergence between the two types of communities arose primarily at the flowering stage. Thus, our results show both convergent and divergent patterns of community assembly and composition in distinct phyllosphere niches in rice, identifying key bacterial genera and host developmental stages that may aid agricultural interventions to increase rice yield.
Unveiling Novel Biocontrol Strategies: Serratia marcescens chiA Gene Against Myzus persicae
Authors: Can Ahmet , Baysal Ömür
Published: June 2024

Background

Microorganisms produce a diverse array of enzymes with potential applications in biological control and pest management. Among these enzymes, chitinase stands out due to its safety for non-target organisms and the environment. Chitinase enzymes play a crucial role in breaking down chitin, which serves as a critical component in insect exoskeletons and fungal cell walls. As a result, they emerge as valuable tools for managing both agricultural pests and pathogens.

Results

The chiA gene region ofSerratia marcescensGBS19 was successfully amplified via PCR and cloned into expression vectors. The resulting chiA protein was expressed and purified through His-tag affinity chromatography. The purified chiA enzyme exhibited optimal activity at 40 °C and pH 5. The insecticidal properties of the purified chiA enzyme were tested against the agricultural pestMyzus persicae, revealing an LD50value of 15,804 ppm. Comparative analysis with ref_seq chiA enzymes demonstrated that our purified enzyme shows 98.93% similarity, indicating a high degree of conservation and likely functional similarity. Bioinformatics modelling highlighted a strong binding affinity (-4.10 kcal/mol) between the enzyme and chitin, which was also confirmed with modelled chitin layer and enzyme interaction.

Conclusion

The study underscores the potential ofS. marcescensGBS19 chitinase as an effective and environmentally safe biocontrol agent. The chiA enzyme exhibits promising insecticidal properties, specifically againstM. persicae, and its strong binding affinity to chitin supports its effectiveness. Given its safety for non-target organisms and the environment,S. marcescensGBS19 chitinase holds significant promise as a tool for integrated pest management, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices using directed recombinant DNA technology.
PBRM1 directs PBAF to pericentromeres and protects centromere integrity
Authors: Lane Karen A. , Harrod Alison , Wu Lillian , Roumeliotis Theodoros I. , Feng Hugang , Foo Shane , Begg Katheryn A. G. , Schiavoni Federica , Zenke Frank T. , Melcher Alan A. , Choudhary Jyoti S. , Downs Jessica A.
Published: June 2024

The specialised structure of the centromere is critical for effective chromosome segregation, but its repetitive nature makes it vulnerable to rearrangements.

Centromere fragility can drive tumorigenesis, but protective mechanisms preventing fragility are still not fully understood. The PBAF chromatin remodelling complex is frequently misregulated in cancer, but its role in cancer is still not fully characterized. Here, we identify PBAF as a protector of centromere and pericentromere structure with profound consequences for genome stability. A conserved feature of isogenic cell lines lacking PBRM1, a subunit of PBAF, is compromised centromere and pericentromere integrity. PBAF is present at these regions, and the binding pattern changes when PBRM1 is absent. PBRM1 loss creates a dependence on the spindle assembly checkpoint, which represents a therapeutic vulnerability. Importantly, we find that even in the absence of any perturbations, PBRM1 loss leads to centromere fragility, thus identifying a new player in centromere protection.
R&D investment and SMEs performance: the role of capital structure decisions
Authors: Ali Sarmad , Muhammad Hussain , Migliori Stefania
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This paper examines the moderating role of capital structure decisions in the relationship between research and development (R&D) investment and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on panel data of 1,357 European SMEs from 2014 to 2020, this study employs a generalized method of moments (GMM) regression to examine the R&D-performance link through the moderating role of capital structure.

Findings

The results show that R&D investment and equity financing positively and significantly influence SMEs performance. Debt financing, however, is negatively and significantly associated with SME performance. In addition, we show that capital structure choice significantly moderates the relationship between R&D investment and SME performance. Specifically, debt financing attenuates the positive impact of R&D investment on SMEs performance, whereas equity financing accentuates this relationship.

Practical implications

This study helps policymakers formulate appropriate policies to overcome the challenges of underinvestment in R&D projects to enhance SMEs performance.

Originality/value

Our findings provide new evidence on R&D-performance literature by refining the deeper understanding of the role of capital structure, which has previously been examined in partial and fragmented ways.
Exploring higher education students’ continuance usage intention of ChatGPT: amalgamation of the information system success model and the stimulus-organism-response paradigm
Authors: Duong Cong Doanh , Nguyen Thanh Hieu , Ngo Thi Viet Nga , Dao Van Thanh , Do Ngoc Diep , Pham Thanh Van
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The advent of artificial intelligence technologies, exemplified by platforms such as ChatGPT, has created a profound global impact, with a particular resonance in education. This research aims to integrate the information systems success (ISS) model with the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) paradigm to explore how information quality and service quality individually, jointly, congruently, and incongruently affect higher education students’ trust in ChatGPT, satisfaction, and continuance usage intention.

Design/methodology/approach

We employed a sophisticated methodology - polynomial regression with response surface analysis - and conducted our study with a sample of 468 higher education students selected in Vietnam using a three-phase stratified random sampling approach to evaluate the hypotheses developed.

Findings

The findings indicate that both information and service quality influence higher education students’ trust directly and positively in ChatGPT, satisfaction, and continuance usage intention. Moreover, a balance between information quality and service quality can increase students’ level of trust in ChatGPT, satisfaction, and intention to continue using it. Nevertheless, a significant incongruity between information quality and service quality will likely reduce trust in ChatGPT, satisfaction, and the intention to continue using the service.

Originality/value

This research is one of the first to offer a shred of empirical evidence about how information quality and service quality interact congruently and incongruently with each other to trigger higher education students’ trust in ChatGPT, satisfaction, and continuance usage intention of ChatGPT. It thus offers valuable insights for leveraging the benefits and mitigating potential challenges associated with adopting this innovative technology in educational settings.
Examining the relationship of country-level digital ad spend and cross-border e-commerce buyers under cultural and political globalization
Authors: Lee Hannah S. , Yalcinkaya Göksel , Griffith David A.
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Cross-border e-commerce continues to garner much attention within the international marketing literature as the world becomes hyperconnected through digital channels. Although there is an abundance of international marketing research on cross-border e-commerce, there is a lack of information regarding the influences of meta-institutional factors, such as a country’s level of globalization, on the relationship between digital advertising and cross-border e-commerce buyers. The objective of this research is to examine the effects of digital media ad spend at the country level on cross-border e-commerce buyers across countries under differing degrees of formal (i.e. political) and informal (i.e. cultural) institutional globalization.

Design/methodology/approach

This work examines the influence of digital ad spend at the country level and the degree of the country’s formal and informal institutional globalization on the share of cross-border e-commerce buyers. We examine this issue within a 21-country, 8-year, unbalanced panel dataset.

Findings

We find that there is substantive heterogeneity in degrees of formal (i.e. political) and informal (i.e. cultural) institutional globalization and cross-border e-commerce across countries. Digital ad spend at the country level is positively associated with cross-border e-commerce buyers within a country. A country’s level of political globalization enhances, but cultural globalization was found to dampen the positive association. The results indicate that political and cultural globalization of a country both contribute to increased interconnectedness with the global market, yet the nature of the interconnection differs.

Originality/value

The findings are informative to international marketing managers navigating the digital landscape and highlight the importance of institutions in international marketing activities. The study specifically demonstrates the varying effects of the meta-institutional factors of a country’s level of political and cultural globalization on the association between digital ad spend and cross-border e-commerce buyers at the country level, across a wide variety of countries, thus also contributing to the effort to improve generalizations from multi-country comparisons in international marketing research.
Pursuing sustainable performance in healthcare organizations: a sustainable business model perspective
Authors: Cosenz Federico , Noto Guido , Cavadi Giuliana , Bivona Enzo , Scirè Giovanni
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This paper explores the use of Dynamic Business Modeling for Sustainability (DBMfS) in healthcare management settings as a holistic approach to integrating economic, social, and environmental dimensions into the business formula of these complex organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

After framing sustainable value in healthcare in terms of organizational complexity, wicked problems, and emerging managerial challenges, the paper proposes and illustrates the DBMfS approach that adopts a systemic view of sustainable value in healthcare. According to a qualitative perspective, a single-case study of a maternity-related healthcare treatment is also described to explore the implications and limitations of using this approach to sustainable business modeling in healthcare organizations.

Findings

Findings show that, by embracing sustainability through DBMfS, healthcare organizations can improve operational efficiency, reduce waste (like energy, water, and medical supplies), and enhance cost-effectiveness, thus contributing significantly to societal well-being.

Originality/value

In recent years, the healthcare sector has faced numerous challenges and wicked problems, including escalating costs, resource constraints, and growing environmental concerns. As a result, the concept of sustainability has gained significant attention, thus calling scholars and practitioners to develop methods and tools able to integrate it into strategic management systems of healthcare organizations. By proposing the adoption of DBMfS in the healthcare sector, this paper contributes to feeding up the current debate.
Multimedia technologies for Chinese art and culture education in the museum: a quantitative study using the 5E instructional model
Authors: Chan Yin Ping , Lam Apple Hiu Ching , Chiu Dickson K.W.
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) showcases China’s rich heritage with multimedia technologies. This research examines the effectiveness of the museum’s exhibition, visitors’ perceptions of multimedia technologies, and the educational role of multimedia technologies in Chinese art and culture.

Design/methodology/approach

This research fills the gap with a survey to investigate sociodemographic factors and user perceptions guided by the 5E Instructional Model.

Findings

Results indicated that the younger generation is enthusiastic about utilizing multimedia technologies as educational tools when visiting the HKPM museum. Incorporating such technologies in museums can also benefit visitors, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of Chinese art and culture.

Originality/value

Results support recommendations for improving the use of multimedia technologies in museums for educational programs and visitor experiences in Chinese art and culture appreciation. Few studies have investigated the effectiveness of recent multimedia technologies for museum education, especially in East Asia.
Factors influencing IoT adoption for sustainable facilities management in Saudi Arabia: a stakeholder assessment
Authors: Hassanain Mohammad A. , Al-Marzooq Ali , Alshibani Adel , Zami Mohammad Sharif
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This paper evaluates the factors influencing the utilization of the Internet of Things (IoT) for sustainable facilities management (SFM) practices in Saudi Arabia.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed approach, combining a literature review, pilot-testing and questionnaire survey, was adopted to evaluate the factors. Twenty-seven factors were identified and grouped into four groups: technical, business and organizational, operational and security and privacy. The questionnaire was distributed to 30 facilities managers and 30 IoT specialists, totaling 60 practitioners, to determine the effect index of each factor. The practitioners' consensus on the ranking of the factors was then determined.

Findings

The study identifies the top-ranking factors as: “Difficulty in ensuring data security and protection,” “Difficulty in ensuring data privacy and confidentiality” and “Limited awareness and understanding of IoT benefits and capabilities.” These factors highlight the challenges to successful IoT implementation in the FM sector. The FM sector could benefit from utilizing IoT while maintaining the security, privacy and effectiveness of building operations by successfully addressing these concerns. A high level of consensus on the ranking of the factors was observed between facilities managers and IoT specialists. This was substantiated by a Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient of 0.79.

Originality/value

This study enriches the literature by combining practical insights from facilities managers with technical expertise from IoT specialists on the factors impacting IoT implementation in the Saudi Arabian FM sector. Beyond academic contributions, it provides practical insights for industry professionals, fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing and guiding future research in this field.
Regulation of 3D genome organization during T cell activation
Authors: Wang Bao , Bian Qian
Published: June 2024

Within the three‐dimensional (3D) nuclear space, the genome organizes into a series of orderly structures that impose important influences on gene regulation. T lymphocytes, crucial players in adaptive immune responses, undergo intricate transcriptional remodeling upon activation, leading to differentiation into specific effector and memory T cell subsets. Recent evidence suggests that T cell activation is accompanied by dynamic changes in genome architecture at multiple levels, providing a unique biological context to explore the functional relevance and molecular mechanisms of 3D genome organization. Here, we summarize recent advances that link the reorganization of genome architecture to the remodeling of transcriptional programs and conversion of cell fates during T cell activation and differentiation. We further discuss how various chromatin architecture regulators, including CCCTC‐binding factor and several transcription factors, collectively modulate the genome architecture during this process.
Highly efficient sunlight‐driven photodegradation of industrial dyes by Ni‐, Cu‐, and Zn‐doped MgO nanopowders
Authors: Tangcharoen Thanit , Lin Kun‐Yi Andrew
Published: June 2024

This study provides the first ever investigation of the influence of nickel, copper, and zinc additives upon magnesium oxide powders when synthesized via sol–gel autocombustion. In order to assess the resulting properties of the samples affected by the addition of Ni, Cu, and Zn ions, a number of investigative techniques were employed, among which were X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet (UV)–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV‐DRS), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). From XRD results, it was apparent that when Ni, Cu, and Zn ions are added to MgO, cubic solid solutions of NiMgO, CuMgO, and ZnMgO are created. UV‐DRS analysis showed significantly improved absorption levels in the samples that were optimally modified compared to the pure sample across UV, visible, and infrared spectral observations. Analysis of the photocatalytic activity exhibited by the synthesized samples was performed by considering the decomposition under sunlight of rhodamine B, methylene blue, methyl orange, and methyl red. The degradation under sunlight for these organic dyes was shown to be superior to that of pure MgO, achieving a range of 91%–95% in just 150 min.
Physicochemical and nutritional characteristics of vegan protein bars formulated with sweet potato and rice protein
Authors: Baek In‐Ha , Cho Ha‐Seong , Said Nurul Saadah , Olawuyi Ibukunoluwa Fola , Kim Kyu‐Rim , Lee Won‐Young
Published: June 2024

In response to the growing interest in plant‐based alternatives and vegan diets, this study aimed to develop novel sweet potato‐based vegan protein bars enriched with rice protein (RP) as an alternative protein source. The vegan protein bars (VPBs) formulated with varying RP content (0–32 g) were evaluated for nutritional, textural, microstructural and sensory properties. Nutritional analysis revealed a proportional increase in protein content (8.94%–21.77%) and energy value (310.29–353.32 kcal/100 g) with increasing RP content. The progressive inclusion of RP significantly (P < 0.05) improved the textural properties of VPBs, notably increasing cohesiveness (0.07%–0.60%), chewiness (8.71–105.02 g) and firmness (1453.80–3444.03 kg cm−2), with all VPBs receiving favourable sensory evaluation scores. Importantly, all VPBs received favourable sensory scores. Microstructural analysis revealed the mechanism for textural enhancement in enriched VPBs, indicating a positive correlation between higher RP content and the number and size of surface clumps. Amino acid profiling indicated over 50% increases in valine content and essential amino acid scores in enriched VPBs compared to those without RP. Moreover, protein‐enriched VPBs exhibited superior antioxidant activity. In conclusion, these findings suggest the potential of sweet potato and RP in developing VPBs, highlighting the value of plant‐based ingredients in vegan food products.
A multi‐objective model for publicly funded festival planning
Authors: Alçada‐Almeida L. , Sousa N. , Coutinho‐Rodrigues J.
Published: June 2024

This article proposes a multi‐objective mixed‐integer linear programming model to assist event managers in obtaining and evaluating non‐dominated solutions to the problem of selecting a daily lineup of shows and activities for a festival – be it cultural, sports, ceremonial or any other kind. The model, which is especially adequate for designing festivals with public funding, has five objectives, relating to financial, logistical and how renowned the festival artists or acts are. It includes support for multiple days, multiple stages and different types of shows, all subject to constraints imposed by the intrinsic nature of the festival itself. The output of the model is a set of optimized daily lineups for the activities that constitute the festival, each corresponding to a particular compromise between the five objectives. The approach is demonstrated with a case study for a 5‐day festival, for which non‐dominated solutions are derived, presented and discussed. Results show that the model can provide a good variety of solutions while ensuring the persistence of the more desirable shows. The model is a novel decision support tool to assist in designing festival lineups that provide optimal audience experience, a key factor in attracting spectators, tourists and increasing comeback value.