bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ABHD6 selectively controls metabotropic-dependent increases in 2-AG production
Authors: Singh Simar , Sarroza Dennis , English Anthony , Whittington Dale , Dong Ao , van der Stelt Mario , Li Yulong , Zweifel Larry , Bruchas Michael R. , Land Benjamin B. , Stella Nephi
Published: May 2022

The most abundant endocannabinoid (eCB) in the brain, 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), is hydrolyzed by α/β-hydrolase domain containing 6 (ABHD6); yet how ABHD6 controls stimuli-dependent increases in 2-AG production is unknown. To explore this question, we leveraged the recently developed 2-AG sensor, GRABeCB2.0, and found that stimulation of Neuro2a cells in culture with bradykinin (BK) acting at metabotropic B2K receptors and ATP acting at ionotropic P2X7 receptors led to differential increases in 2-AG levels. B2K triggered increases in 2-AG levels via diacylglycerol lipase (DAGL), and this mechanism was potentiated by increases in intracellular calcium and ABHD6 inhibition. By contrast, P2X7-triggered increases in 2-AG levels were dependent on DAGL and extracellular calcium but unaffected by ABHD6 inhibition. Thus, ABHD6 preferentially regulates metabotropic-dependent increases in 2-AG levels over ionotropic-dependent increases in 2-AG levels. Our study indicates that ABHD6 selectively controls stimuli-dependent increases in 2-AG production and emphasizes its specific role in eCB signaling.
Characterizing transition cells in developmental processes from scRNA-seq data
Authors: Wang Yuanxin , Mohanty Vakul , Dou Jinzhuang , Liang Shaoheng , Liang Qingnan , Tan Yukun , Li Jin , Li Ziyi , Chen Rui , Chen Ken
Published: May 2022

Multi-cellular organism development involves orchestrated gene regulations of different cell types and cell states. Single-cell RNA-Seq, enable simultaneous observation of cells in various states, making it possible to study the underlying molecular mechanisms. However, most of the analytical methods do not make full use of the dynamics captured. Here, we model single-cell RNA-seq data obtained from a developmental process as a function of gene regulatory network using stochastic differential equations (SDEs). Based on dynamical systems theory, we showed that pair-wise gene expression correlation coefficients can accurately infer cell state transitions and validated it using mouse muscle cell regeneration scRNA-seq data. We then applied our analytical framework to the PDAC (Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma) mouse model scRNA-seq data. Through transition cells found in the pancreatic preinvasive lesions scRNA-seq data, we can better explain the heterogeneity and predict distinct cell fate even at early tumorigenesis stage. This suggests that the biomarkers identified by transition cells can be potentially used for diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutics of diseases.
Delayed benefits for fallow bucks: more fights decrease same day mating success, but may increase matings the next day
Authors: Bateman-Neubert Alessandra , Briefer Elodie F. , McElligott Alan G.
Published: May 2022

Dominance hierarchies help to reduce unnecessary fights and associated costs during the mating season. Fallow deer (Dama dama) typically have high levels of male-male competition and strong reproductive skew. Nevertheless, how male dominance and daily fight rates affect mating success remains unknown. We used a two-year dataset from a large population of tagged fallow deer (620-689 individuals), to calculate male dominance ranks based on their agonistic interactions prior to the mating season (‘prerut’), in order to then examine how rank is related to fight rates and mating success during the mating season (‘rut’). Overall, higher-ranked males fought at least twice a day on a higher proportion of days during the rut and secured more matings. Males engaging in more than 10 fights per day were less likely to secure a mating that same day, and those males exceeding 15 fights per day secured no matings at all. Nevertheless, males with the highest numbers of fights (i.e. 15-21 fights per day) on a given day had higher mating success on subsequent days. Although higher-ranked males secured most matings during the rut, their fight rates decreased towards the end. We propose that engaging in more fights negatively affects daily individual mating success, but may benefit mating success on subsequent days, and potentially increase long-term fitness benefits. Additionally, engaging in more fights as the rut progresses probably allows lower-ranked males to secure some matings before the availability of oestrous females ends for almost a year.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Fighting carries a risk of injury and high energetic costs. Male fallow deer establish dominance hierarchies, that help reduce unnecessary fights among individuals of different competitive abilities. However, whether high-ranked males fight more or less is yet unknown. By calculating social ranks of fallow bucks before the start of their mating period, we show that males of higher social status do fight and mate more during the mating season (rut). Furthermore, by investigating how investment in fights affects individual mating success that same day and the next day, we find that males that fight more cause a decrease in their immediate daily mating success, but can potentially increase their chances of mating in subsequent days. Thus, to fight more may allow males to climb the hierarchical social ladder, hence increasing longer-term fitness benefits associated to higher ranks.
Pangenomic genotyping with the marker array
Authors: Mun Taher , Vaddadi Naga Sai Kavya , Langmead Ben
Published: May 2022

We present a new method and software tool called rowbowt that applies a pangenome index to the problem of inferring genotypes from short-read sequencing data. The method uses a novel indexing structure called the marker array. Using the marker array, we can genotype variants with respect from large panels like the 1000 Genomes Project while avoiding the reference bias that results when aligning to a single linear reference. rowbowt can infer accurate genotypes in less time and memory compared to existing graph-based methods. The method is implemented in the open source software tool rowbowt available at https://github.com/alshai/rowbowt.
Spatial and temporal diversity of positive selection on shared haplotypes at thePSCAlocus among worldwide human populations
Authors: Iwasaki Risa L. , Satta Yoko
Published: May 2022

Selection on standing genetic variation is important for rapid local genetic adaptation when the environment changes. We report that, for the prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) gene, different populations have different target haplotypes, even though haplotypes are not unique to specific populations. The C-C-A haplotype, whereby the first C is located at rs2294008 ofPSCAand is a low risk allele for gastric cancer, has become a target of positive selection mainly in Asian populations. Conversely, the C-A-G haplotype carrying the same C allele has become a selection target in African populations. However, Asian and African populations share both haplotypes, consistent with the haplotype divergence time (170 kya) prior to out-of-Africa. The frequency of C-C-A/C-A-G is 0.344/0.278 in Asia and 0.209/0.416 in Africa. 2D-SFS analysis revealed that the extent of intra-allelic variability of the target haplotype is extremely small in each local population, suggesting that C-C-A or C-A-G is under ongoing hard sweeps in local populations. From the TMRCA of selected haplotypes, the estimated onset times of positive selection were recent (3-55 kya), concurrently with population subdivision from a common ancestor. Additionally, estimated selection coefficients from ABC analysis were up to ∼3%, similar to those at other loci under recent positive selection on standing genetic variation. Phylogeny of local populations and TMRCA of selected haplotypes revealed that spatial and temporal switching of positive selection targets is a unique and novel feature of ongoing positive selection atPSCA. This switching may reflect potential of rapid adaptability to distinct environments.
Space-time home range estimates and resource selection for the Critically Endangered Philippine Eagle on Mindanao
Authors: Sutton Luke J. , Ibañez Jayson C. , Salvador Dennis I. , Taraya Rowell L. , Opiso Guiller S. , Senarillos Tristan Luap P. , McClure Christopher J.W.
Published: May 2022

Quantifying home range size and habitat resource selection are important elements in wildlife ecology and are useful for informing conservation action. Many home range estimators and resource selection functions are currently in use. However, both methods are fraught with analytical issues inherent within autocorrelated movement data from irregular sampling and interpretation of resource selection model parameters to inform conservation management. Here, we apply satellite telemetry and remote sensing technologies to provide first estimates of home range size and resource selection for six adult Philippine Eagles (Pithecophaga jefferyi), using five home range estimators and non-parametric resource selection functions. From all home range estimators, the median 95 % home range size was between 39-68 km2 (range: 22-161 km2), with the 50 % core range size between 6-13 km2 (range: 5-33 km2). The space-time autocorrelated kernel density estimate (AKDE) had the largest median 95 % home range size = 68 km2 and a 50 % core range = 13 km2. Local convex hulls (LoCoH) estimated the smallest median 95 % home range = 39 km2 and a 50 % core range = 6 km2. From the resource selection functions, all adults used areas high in photosynthetic leaf and canopy structure but avoided areas of old growth biomass and denser areas of vegetation, possibly due to foraging forays into fragmented areas away from nesting sites. For the first time, we determine two important spatial processes for this Critically Endangered raptor that can help in directing conservation management. Rather than employing a single home range estimator, we recommend that analysts consider multiple approaches to animal movement data to fully explore space-time and resource use.
TransCell: In silico characterization of genomic landscape and cellular responses from gene expressions through a two-step deep transfer learning
Authors: Yeh Shan-Ju , Paithankar Shreya , Chen Ruoqiao , Xing Jing , Sun Mengying , Liu Ke , Zhou Jiayu , Chen Bin
Published: May 2022

Gene expression profiling of new or modified cell lines becomes routine today; however, obtaining comprehensive molecular characterization and cellular responses for a variety of cell lines, including those derived from underrepresented groups, is not trivial when resources are minimal. Using gene expression to predict other measurements has been actively explored; however, systematic investigation of its predictive power in various measurements has not been well studied. We evaluate commonly used machine learning methods and present TransCell, a two-step deep transfer learning framework that utilizes the knowledge derived from pan-cancer tumor samples to predict molecular features and responses. Among these models, TransCell has the best performance in predicting metabolite, gene effect score (or genetic dependency), and drug sensitivity, and has comparable performance in predicting mutation, copy number variation, and protein expression. Notably, TransCell improved the performance by over 50% in drug sensitivity prediction and achieved a correlation of 0.7 in gene effect score prediction. Furthermore, predicted drug sensitivities revealed potential repurposing candidates for new 100 pediatric cancer cell lines, and predicted gene effect scores reflected BRAF resistance in melanoma cell lines. Together, we investigate the predictive power of gene expression in six molecular measurement types and develop a web portal (http://apps.octad.org/transcell/) that enables the prediction of 352,000 genomic and cellular response features solely from gene expression profiles.

Key Points

We provide a systematic investigation on evaluating the predictive power of gene expression in six molecular measurement types including protein expression, copy number variation, mutation, metabolite, gene effect score, and drug sensitivity.

TransCell took advantage of the transfer learning technique, showing how to learn knowledge from the source tumors, and transfer learned weight initializations to the downstream tasks in cell lines.

Compared to the baseline methods, TransCell outperformed in metabolite, gene effect score, and drug sensitivity predictions.

Two cases studies demonstrate that TransCell could identify new repurposing candidates for pediatric cancer cell lines as well as capture the differences of genetic dependencies in melanoma resistant cell lines.
A reproducible and tunable synthetic soil microbial community provides new insights into microbial ecology
Authors: Coker Joanna , Zhalnina Kateryna , Marotz Clarisse , Thiruppathy Deepan , Tjuanta Megan , D’Elia Gavin , Hailu Rodas , Mahosky Talon , Rowan Meagan , Northen Trent R. , Zengler Karsten
Published: May 2022

Microbial soil communities form commensal relationships with plants to promote the growth of both parties. Optimization of plant-microbe interactions to advance sustainable agriculture is an important field in agricultural research. However, investigation in this field is hindered by a lack of model microbial community systems and efficient approaches for building these communities. Two key challenges in developing standardized model communities are maintaining community diversity over time and storing/resuscitating these communities after cryopreservation, especially considering the different growth rates of organisms. Here, a model community of 17 soil microorganisms commonly found in the rhizosphere of diverse plant species, isolated from soil surrounding a single switchgrass plant, has been developed and optimized for use with fabricated ecosystem devices (EcoFABs). EcoFABs allow reproducible research in model plant systems, with precise control of environmental conditions and easy measurement of plant-microbe metrics. The model soil community grows reproducibly in vitro between replicates and experiments, with high community α-diversity achieved through growth in low-nutrient media and adjustment of starting composition ratios for the growth of individual organisms. The community additionally grows in EcoFAB devices and regrows with a similar composition to unfrozen communities following cryopreservation with glycerol, allowing for dissemination of the model community. Our results demonstrate the generation of a stable microbial community that can be used with EcoFAB devices and shared between research groups for maximum reproducibility.

Importance

Microbes associate with plants in distinct soil communities, to the benefit of both the soil microbes and the plant. Interactions between plants and these microbes can improve plant growth and health and are therefore a field of study in sustainable agricultural research. In this study, a model community of 17 soil bacteria has been developed to further reproducible study of plant-soil microbe interactions. Preservation of the microbial community has been optimized for dissemination to other research settings. Overall, this work will advance soil microbe research through optimization of a robust, reproducible model community.
The effect of compressive stress on cavitation-erosion corrosion behavior of 304 stainless steel
Authors: Qin Zhenbo , Li Xuehan , Xia Da-Hai , Zhang Yiwen , Wu Zhong , Hu Wenbin
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the effect of compressive stress on cavitation-erosion corrosion behavior of 304 stainless steel.

Design/methodology/approach

Compressive stresses of 60 MPa and 120 MPa were applied to 304 stainless steel through a self-designed loading device, and cavitation erosion-corrosion tests were performed using an ultrasonically vibratory apparatus. Scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction were used to analyze the microstructure evolution, and corrosion behavior was studied by electrochemical analysis.

Findings

The cavitation weight loss of 304 stainless steel decreased with the compressive stress. After cavitation corroded for 8 h, the weight loss for the specimen with 120 MPa compressive stress was 5.11 mg/cm2, which was reduced by 56.7% from that of the specimen without loading stress (11.79 mg/cm2). The reason can be attributed to that compressive stress promoted the deformation-induced martensitic transformation during the cavitation process, which could not only provide a cushioning effect by absorbing cavitation impact energy but also improve the hardness of 304 stainless steel.

Originality/value

Compressive stress was found to restrain the cavitation damage on 304 stainless steel, and the corresponding mechanism was proposed.
Niobium- and titanium-based coating for the protection of carbon steel SAE 1020 against corrosion
Authors: Helleis Rodrigo , Maia Guilherme Arielo Rodrigues , Castro Eryza Guimarães de , Berbel Larissa Oliveira , Costa Isolda , Banczek Everson do Prado
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the protection against corrosion of carbon steel SAE 1020 promoted by a niobium- and titanium-based coating produced from a resin obtained by the Pechini method.

Design/methodology/approach

A resin was prepared with ammonium niobium oxalate as niobium precursor and K2TiF6 as titanium precursor. Carbon Steel SAE 1020 plates were dip coated in the resin and calcinated for 1 h at 600 ºC. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the coating morphologically and structurally. Open circuit potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, anodic potentiodynamic polarization and scanning vibrating electrode technique were used to evaluate the corrosion protection of the coating.

Findings

The electrochemical analyses evidence slight protection against corrosion of the coating by itself; however, the needle-like crystal structure obtained may potentially provide a good anchorage site, suggesting the coating could be used as a pretreatment that may present similar application to phosphating processes, generating lower environmental impacts.

Originality/value

Due to increasingly restrictive environmental laws, new environmentally friendlier surface treatments must be researched. This paper approaches this matter using a combination of niobium- and titanium-based coating, produced by a cleaner process, the Pechini method.
How organizational readiness for digital innovation shapes digital business model innovation in family businesses
Authors: Xie Xuemei , Zhang Huimiao , Blanco Cristina
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Family businesses often lack sufficient knowledge about digital business model innovation digital business model innovation (BMI). This study's purpose was to analyze how and when organizational readiness for digital innovation exerts a positive impact on family businesses' digital BMI. To do so, the authors examined the mediating effect of the familiness learning mechanism and the moderating effect of family involvement on this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative survey method was used to collect the data for this study. Using a sample of 282 family businesses involved in manufacturing in China, the authors conducted hierarchical regression analyses to evaluate the authors' theoretical model.

Findings

The results of this work demonstrate a positive relationship between organizational readiness for digital innovation and family businesses' digital BMI, and the find that the familiness learning mechanism mediates this relationship. The findings also show that second-generation family involvement in management moderates the direct effect of organizational readiness for digital innovation on the familiness learning mechanism, as well as the indirect effect of organizational readiness for digital innovation on digital BMI via the familiness learning mechanism. Moreover, the results establish that family involvement in ownership moderates the direct effect of the familiness learning mechanism on digital BMI, as well as the indirect effect of organizational readiness for digital innovation on digital BMI via the familiness learning mechanism.

Practical implications

This study provides practical contributions to the literature on family businesses and to public policy, providing concrete suggestions for fostering digital innovation in family enterprises. This study also enriches our understanding of the unique conditions by which family businesses can successfully implement digital BMI.

Originality/value

This research confirms that organizational readiness for digital innovation is an antecedent of digital BMI. This finding offers a new perspective that helps explain what might lead family businesses to engage in digital BMI. This study also places the familiness learning mechanism into a theoretical framework, which expands the current understanding of how organizational readiness for digital innovation facilitates digital BMI. Moreover, this work provides new insights into the boundary conditions by which organizational readiness for digital innovation affects the digital BMI of family businesses in terms of second-generation family involvement in management and family involvement in ownership.
The impact of corporate support programs on environmental and social innovation: empirical insights from the food and beverage industry
Authors: Golgeci Ismail , Ali Imran , Bozkurt Sıddık , Gligor David Marius , Arslan Ahmad
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of corporate support programs on managers' environmental and social innovation behaviors. To offer a more comprehensive understanding of these relationships, the moderating role of technological reflectiveness and business moral values is also accounted for.

Design/methodology/approach

A scenario-based experimental study to test the impact of corporate support programs on environmental and social innovation behaviors is also adopted. After running a pretest to verify the effectiveness of alternative scenarios through 100 respondents with managerial experience residing in the UK and EU countries, we collected data from a sample of 220 senior managers of firms from the Australian food and beverage industry for the main study. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Dunnett's test to investigate direct relationships and the PROCESS Model to test the moderating role of technological reflectiveness and business moral values were used.

Findings

The findings reveal time provision, budget provision and advice provision as salient forms of corporate support programs that positively impact managers' environmental and social innovation behaviors. It is found that technological reflectiveness positively moderates the link between time provision and managers' social innovation behavior and negatively moderates the link between advice provision and managers' social innovation behavior. Furthermore, it is found that business moral values positively moderate the relationships between time and budget provisions and managers' environmental innovation behavior and between budget and advice provisions and managers' social innovation behavior.

Originality/value

The authors contribute to innovation and operations management research by adopting a behavioral operations management perspective and empirically analyzing the influences of managers' technological reflectiveness and business moral values on the relationship between organizational corporate support programs and managers' environmental and social innovation behavior in the context of the food and beverage industry.
Effect of ATF temperature on the friction-wear characteristic of a wet multi-disc clutch during the running-in process
Authors: Ma Biao , Wang Qian , Zheng Changsong , Yu Liang , Wang Guoyu , Zheng Liangjie
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the effect of automatic transmission fluid (ATF) temperature on the dynamic friction-wear properties of the friction component in a wet multi-disc clutch during the running-in process.

Design/methodology/approach

The running-in evolution was explored in terms of global friction performance and instantaneous friction characteristics. The variation of friction torque of the initial 300 engagement cycles was obtained by wet-clutch tests. Finally, an optical microscope was used to detect the wear mechanism of friction surfaces.

Findings

The ATF temperature showed a significant effect on the friction-wear performance in the clutch running-in process. The mean coefficient of friction decreased with the increase of the ATF temperature and decreased rapidly in the approximately initial 60 clutch engagements. The higher the ATF temperature was, the thinner the ATF film was, and more asperity summits were cut, thus leading to a smoother surface. Considering the slightly instantaneous friction fluctuation and the wear performance, a proper ATF temperature is necessary.

Originality/value

The results provide theoretical guidance for selecting the optimal ATF temperature during the running-in process.
Studying the relationship between women and the environment in developing countries
Authors: Hassaballa Hoda
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine whether there is a unidirectional or a bidirectional relationship between women and the environment, and to further study the effect of women on environmental quality.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this purpose, a Granger causality test and a random effects panel data model are used to study women–environment relationship in developing countries. Error correction model (ECM) is the chosen estimation technique. A Granger causality test is used because of its frequent use in examining the existence of a unidirectional or a bidirectional relationship between two or more variables. A random effects panel data model is used as it has proven to be more efficient than the fixed-effects panel data model.

Findings

Women Granger-cause environmental quality while the opposite is not true in developing countries in the long run. This indicates the existence of a unidirectional relationship between women and the environment when the long-run relationship is considered. However, when considering the long- and short-run relationship together, the results indicate the presence of a bidirectional relationship. The empirical results of the random effects panel data model through ECM estimation indicate the positive effect of women on improving environmental quality as illustrated by the coefficient of the current change of women. This shows that women are concerned about environmental degradation. In addition, the empirical results highlight the persistence of CO2 emissions. Results also confirm that foreign direct investment inflows lead to further environmental degradation. However, education and trade openness coefficients are found insignificant at the current period.

Research limitations/implications

The research results have great implications on women empowerment, the reduction of gender bias and the increase in government expenditure on women’s education and health because of women’s positive effect in improving environmental quality.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first paper that examines the two-way relationship between women and the environment and, hence, it fills the gap present in the literature.
Potential functionality and workability of blockchain within a building information modelling (BIM) environment
Authors: Tan Jin Hong , Loo Siaw-Chuing , Zainon Nurshuhada , Aziz Nur Mardhiyah , Mohd Rahim Faizul Azli
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Although building information modelling (BIM) brings various benefits and open up the construction industry to many new possibilities, it is not without some challenges. Blockchain has the potential to resolve some of these problems. It has shown that blockchain and BIM can potentially work together in bringing various benefits to all project stakeholders. However, there is a lack of research and knowledge in relation to blockchain-based BIM. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to close this gap by looking into the potential functionality and workability of blockchain within a BIM environment.

Design/methodology/approach

A four-stage preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses systematic literature review technique has been used to review the blockchain- and BIM-related information sources published. A total of 53 journal articles, 13 books and 27 other resources including that of reports and websites have been included in this paper.

Findings

Blockchain-based BIM has countless possibilities, ranging from simple tasks such as tracking of orders to automation of construction payment claims. The literatures have suggested that the several weaknesses that BIM possesses including trust issue, asset ownership issue and data reliability issue could be resolved by incorporating blockchain into its processes.

Originality/value

Because of the lack of researches on the workability of blockchain and BIM, this paper aims to close this gap by proposing a framework for the interaction between blockchain and BIM for a typical building project. This paper has reviewed a substantial amount of currently available knowledge on blockchain-based BIM and its relevancy to the construction industry. This paper believes that the information could be of use to potential BIM tools maker and the construction industry for the betterment of BIM implementation throughout a project life cycle.
Examining youths’ intention to use social media networks for understanding zakat online campaigns that use creative animation
Authors: Mohd Suki Norbayah , Mohd Suki Norazah , Hussin Shokri Muhammad Faiz
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Muslims are obliged to make a contribution to the less fortunate through zakat, which is one of the means of wealth distribution. However, very few studies have investigated the behavioural intention of users toward social media networks that use creative animation for zakat online campaigns to promote zakat awareness in developing nations. The rich content of zakat in social media networks using creative animation could attract today’s youth to engage with zakat. This research aims to examine the factors that influence youths’ intention to use social media networks for understanding zakat online campaigns that use creative animation.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were analysed via Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) version 18 to test the covariance-based structural equation modelling technique.

Findings

The results reveal that social influence has the greatest significant impact on youths’ intention to use social media networks for understanding zakat online campaigns that use creative animation. Officers in zakat institutions are supportive of the use of zakat campaigns that use creative animation on social media networks to enhance zakat understanding of the youth. Besides, individuals who are important to them would recommend accepting zakat online campaigns that use creative animation on social media networks to enhance their zakat understanding.

Practical implications

The social media networks of the zakat institutions should be designed with more creative, interactive and animated content to improve the quality of communication about the importance and benefits of contributing zakat. The content creator should use an inspiring emotional marketing strategy in their social media postings, interactive infographics and interactive videos because informational posts and emotionally positive content travel quicker than any other sort of content on social media through social sharing.

Originality/value

This study is unique and is noticeable as very few studies have investigated youths’ behavioural intention after viewing zakat online campaigns with creative animation on social media networks in a developing nation to promote zakat awareness. This platform has great potential to increase the engagement of working youth as zakat payers.
Servitization maturity model: developing distinctive capabilities for successful servitization in manufacturing companies
Authors: Kimita Koji , McAloone Tim C. , Ogata Keiji , Pigosso Daniela C.A.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to develop a systematic method called servitization maturity model to support companies in developing distinctive capabilities for successful servitization.

Design/methodology/approach

The concept of maturity models is adopted to support companies in developing distinctive capabilities for servitization. A systematic literature review and case study approach are employed to develop the maturity model.

Findings

The findings highlight 46 capabilities classified into seven categories: strategy and leadership, performance, offerings, customers, organization, network and digital technology. Furthermore, the evolutionary path is defined by combining two types of levels, i.e. capability and maturity levels, to develop these capabilities.

Research limitations/implications

The evolutionary path was partially validated through the application, while further investigation is required to validate the evolutionary path. Therefore, future research should investigate the further validation of the evolutionary path by conducting multiple case studies.

Practical implications

The proposed maturity model enables companies to not only capture the bigger picture of the required capabilities without oversight, but also determine a process for improving the requisite capabilities with feasible efforts.

Originality/value

Existing maturity models focused on the transition from less to more advanced services. However, recent studies emphasized that companies need to determine strategies that reflect their capabilities rather than simply move toward more advanced services. Based on this assumption, this study provides successive stages that enable companies to improve their capabilities through feasible efforts.
Reliability as a moderator in the relationship between the antecedents and consequences of general attitude toward advertising
Authors: Ghosh Priyam , Lakavath Mothilal , Somaskandan Karthikeyan , Parayitam Satyanarayana
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between general attitude toward advertising and consumers' purchase intention. The relationship between cognitive attitude, intrusiveness attitude, evaluative judgments, affective response and general attitude toward ad was examined. Furthermore, reliability as a moderator in the relationship between cognitive attitude, intrusiveness attitude, evaluative judgments, and affective response and the general attitude toward ad were studied.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from women consumers who subscribe to fashion magazines in India were collected and analyzed using a structured survey instrument. Women were selected because the products were related to women, including facial and body-care products, women sportswear, shampoos, lipstick, handbags, etc. Unit of analysis in this research is “observations,” and in all, 400 data points were analyzed, and to test hypothesized relationships, hierarchical regression and logistic regression were employed.

Findings

A conceptual model is developed and tested where (1) cognitive attitude toward ad, intrusiveness, evaluative judgments and affective responses are related to general attitude toward ad, and (2) general attitude toward ad is related to purchase intention. The hierarchical regression results show that (1) reliability moderates the relationship between cognitive attitude, intrusiveness, affective responses and general attitude toward ad. The logistic regression results support the positive relationship between general attitude toward ad and purchase intention.

Research limitations/implications

Since the present research is based on self-report measures, the limitations of social desirability bias and common method bias are inherent. Second, this research focuses only on women consumers and products purchased by women. The research has implications for literature on advertising, especially women-related products.

Practical implications

This study contributes to practicing managers who are interested in promoting the women-related products. This study highlights the importance of general attitude toward ad as a precursor for consumers purchase intention. The study provides justification for enormous amounts of money invested in fashion advertising because of their effects on consumer behavior.

Originality/value

This study provides new insights about the effects reliability on general attitude toward ad and consumers' purchase intention. The conceptual model developed in this study adds novelty by considering reliability as a moderator, in addition to the direct relationships which have been studied by earlier researchers.
Exploring intergenerational differences in the virtue of appreciation at the workplace
Authors: Garg Naval , Mahipalan Manju
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The present study aims to explore the intergenerational differences in the virtue of appreciation. The construct of appreciation takes a broadened perspective with six dimensions of “have” focus, awe, ritual, present moment, loss/adversity and interpersonal appreciation. Four different generations are studied – baby boomers (above 55 years), pre-millennial or Generation X (41–55 years), millennial or Generation Y (23–39 years) and post-millennial or Generation Z (below 23 years).

Design/methodology/approach

The collected data is analyzed in two stages. First, the adaptability of the scale is examined using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, reliability and validity estimates. And in the second stage, the variations in appreciation scores are explored using ANOVA and post hoc analysis.

Findings

The results reveal statistically significant intergenerational differences among four subscales of appreciation, i.e. “have” focus, awe, present moment and loss/adversity. Only one subscale of appreciation, i.e. ritual, does not vary significantly across respondents of different generations. Also, younger generations have lesser scores on subscales of appreciation than older generations. Thus, it seems that older generations are generally more appreciative than younger generations.

Originality/value

The present study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, could be the first research that examines the variation among generations for the experience of broader construct of appreciation within the Indian context.
Exploring the onset of B12‐based mutualisms using a recently evolved Chlamydomonas auxotroph and B12‐producing bacteria
Authors: Bunbury Freddy , Deery Evelyne , Sayer Andrew P. , Bhardwaj Vaibhav , Harrison Ellen L. , Warren Martin J. , Smith Alison G.
Published: May 2022

Cobalamin (vitamin B12) is a cofactor for essential metabolic reactions in multiple eukaryotic taxa, including major primary producers such as algae, and yet only prokaryotes can produce it. Many bacteria can colonize the algal phycosphere, forming stable communities that gain preferential access to photosynthate and in return provide compounds such as B12. Extended coexistence can then drive gene loss, leading to greater algal–bacterial interdependence. In this study, we investigate how a recently evolved B12‐dependent strain of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, metE7, forms a mutualism with certain bacteria, including the rhizobium Mesorhizobium loti and even a strain of the gut bacterium E. coli engineered to produce cobalamin. Although metE7 was supported by B12 producers, its growth in co‐culture was slower than the B12‐independent wild‐type, suggesting that high bacterial B12 provision may be necessary to favour B12 auxotrophs and their evolution. Moreover, we found that an E. coli strain that releases more B12 makes a better mutualistic partner, and although this trait may be more costly in isolation, greater B12 release provided an advantage in co‐cultures. We hypothesize that, given the right conditions, bacteria that release more B12 may be selected for, particularly if they form close interactions with B12‐dependent algae.
Brassicaceae host plants mask the feedback from the previous year's soil history on bacterial communities, except when they experience drought
Authors: Blakney Andrew J. C. , Bainard Luke D. , St‐Arnaud Marc , Hijri Mohamed
Published: May 2022

Soil history operates through time to influence the structure and biodiversity of soil bacterial communities. Examining how different soil histories endure will help clarify the rules of bacterial community assembly. In this study, we established three different soil histories in field trials; the following year these plots were planted with five different Brassicaceae species. We hypothesized that the previously established soil histories would continue to structure the subsequent Brassicaceae bacterial root and rhizosphere communities. We used a MiSeq 16S rRNA metabarcoding strategy to determine the impact of different soil histories on the structure and biodiversity of the bacterial root and rhizosphere communities from the five different Brassicaceae host plants. We found that the Brassicaceae hosts were consistently significant factors in structuring the bacterial communities. Four host plants (Sinapis alba, Brassica napus, B. juncea, B. carinata) formed similar bacterial communities, regardless of different soil histories. Camelina sativa host plants structured phylogenetically distinct bacterial communities compared to the other hosts, particularly in their roots. Soil history established the previous year was only a significant factor for bacterial community structure when the feedback of the Brassicaceae host plants was weakened, potentially due to limited soil moisture during a dry year. Understanding how soil history is involved in the structure and biodiversity of bacterial communities through time is a limitation in microbial ecology and is required for employing microbiome technologies in improving agricultural systems.
Cautious scrutiny: The Federal Climate Change Act case in the German Constitutional Court
Authors: Theil Stefan
Published: May 2022

In a unanimous decision of 24 March 2021, the German Federal Constitutional Court declared certain provisions of the Federal Climate Change Act (FCCA) unconstitutional. The Court upheld the greenhouse gas emission targets for the period until 2030 but found the outlined review procedure for the following years lacking: it failed to adequately specify targets, thereby violating the fundamental rights of the applicants. Despite the at times exuberant reception, this case note argues that the decision stopped well short of a legal revolution. Ultimately, the Court embraces an orthodox doctrine on positive obligations that emphasises deference to the legislature on climate change policy. Nonetheless, there are some genuine, albeit subtle legal innovations: (1) extending legal standing to applicants resident outside of Germany; (2) specifying general constitutional commitments to tackling climate change through the Paris Agreement, and (3) relying on a concept of intergenerational equity in the distribution of emission reduction burdens.
The effect of women's parliamentary participation on renewable energy policy outcomes
Authors: SALAMON HANNAH
Published: May 2022

Decreasing CO2 emissions, a top priority of climate change mitigation, requires moving away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy. Research shows that women tend to exhibit more knowledge about climate change, environmental concerns, and pro‐environmental behaviour than men. Theories linking descriptive and substantive representation suggest that women representatives better represent women citizens’ policy preferences. Therefore, do higher levels of women's parliamentary participation increase renewable energy consumption? A time‐series cross‐sectional analysis of 100 democracies from 1997 to 2017 provides evidence for such a relationship in both high‐ and middle‐income democracies. Lagged modelling demonstrates that high‐income states see more immediate effects while they take longer to materialize in middle‐income states. These findings contribute to our growing understanding of women's role in policymaking outside of ‘women's issues’ and offer a means of advancing climate‐friendly energy policy.
Physicochemical properties and volatile formation mechanism of medium‐chain triacylglycerols during heating
Authors: Park SoYoon , Kim Mi‐Ja , Lee Jae Hwan
Published: May 2022

Medium‐chain triacylglycerols (MCTs), including caprylic acid (C8), a mixture of caprylic acid and capric acid (C8+C10), and high‐MCT coconut oil (HMCO), were heated at 180°C. Their volatile profiles were analyzed to determine the MCT degradation mechanisms. As heating time increased to 10 h, secondary oxidation products and acid value of all samples increased continuously. Ketones, alkanes, fatty acid anions, fatty acid esters, and lactones were found in all heated MCTs. 2‐Hexanone and heptane were detected in C8 after 2 h of heating, and 2‐heptanone, heptanal, methyl octanoate, γ‐octalactone, and δ‐octalactone were detected after 4 h. For the C8+C10, ketones, alkanes, and aldehydes were first observed. Hydrolysis and decarboxylation seem to occur first for ketone and alkane formation. Cracking and cyclization may occur later for fatty acid esters and lactones in heated MCTs. This result can help to understand thermal decomposition mechanisms of saturated fatty acids like MCTs.

Practical Application

Medium‐chain triacylglycerols (MCTs) have been used in cosmetic and fragrance industries due to their high oxidative stability, relatively high polarity, and smooth textures. In addition, MCTs have gained popularity among consumers for their health beneficial effects. MCTs could be used as major continuous phases for many food ingredients receiving high thermal energy for cooking. The results of this study can provide basic and useful information on the physicochemical properties and thermally decomposed volatile profiles from MCTs, which can help to produce stable processed products with lengthy shelf‐lives in the food industry.
Identification and confirmation of key compounds causing cooked off‐flavor in heat‐treated tomato juice
Authors: Liu Yuanyuan , Yang Cheng , Wang Qun , Zhang Jian , Zhang Lianfu
Published: May 2022

Cooked off‐flavor produced by heat treatment greatly limited the acceptability of commercial tomato juice. To screen and identify the cooked off‐flavor compounds, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry–olfactometry (GC‐MS‐O), aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), and odor activity value (OAV) calculation were applied simultaneously. The results showed that there were 17 aroma‐active compounds in tomato juice samples. Among them, three newly formed sulfur‐containing compounds (dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl trisulfide, and methional) and 1‐octen‐3‐one, which exhibited cooked corn/potato, onion, and mushroom odor, were proved to be responsible for the cooked off‐flavor in heat‐treated tomato juice (HTJ) by omission experiments and electronic nose analysis. The three newly formed sulfur‐containing compounds were further confirmed to be the key compounds responsible for the cooked off‐flavor in four different tomato cultivars that were commonly consumed in the market.

Practical Application

Tomato is one of the most popular vegetables in the world and tomato juice is an important part of the tomato industry. However, the cooked off‐flavor of tomato juice after sterilization severely restricts its industrial development. This study analyzed and compared the changes of aroma compounds before and after sterilization, and identified and confirmed the major off‐flavor components. This work could provide fundamental information for the prevention of cooked off‐flavor.