bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Screening of anti-Acinetobacter baumannii phytochemicals, based on the potential inhibitory effect on OmpA and OmpW functions
Authors: Shahryari Shahab , Mohammadnejad Parvin , Noghabi Kambiz Akbari
Published: July 2021

Therapeutic options, including last-line or combined antibiotic therapies for multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains of Acinetobacter baumannii are ineffective. The outer membrane protein A (OmpA) and outer membrane protein W (OmpW) are two porins known for their different cellular functions. Identification of natural compounds with the potentials to block these putative porins can attenuate the growth of the bacteria and control the relating diseases. The current work aimed to screen a library of 384 phytochemicals according to their potentials to be used as a drug, and potentials to inhibit the function of OmpA and OmpW in A. baumannii. The phytocompounds were initially screened based on their physicochemical, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) drug-like properties. Afterward, the selected ligands were subjected to standard docking calculations against the predicted three-dimensional structure of OmpA and OmpW in A. baumannii. We identified three phytochemicals (isosakuranetin, aloe-emodin and pinocembrin) possessing appreciable binding affinity towards the selected binding pocket of OmpA and OmpW. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation analysis confirmed the stability of the complexes. Amongst them, isosakuranetin was suggested as the best phytocompound for further in vitro and in vivo study.
We are not ready yet: limitations of transfer learning for Disease Named Entity Recognition
Authors: Langnickel Lisa , Fluck Juliane
Published: July 2021

Intense research has been done in the area of biomedical natural language processing. Since the breakthrough of transfer learning-based methods, BERT models are used in a variety of biomedical and clinical applications. For the available data sets, these models show excellent results – partly exceeding the inter-annotator agreements. However, biomedical named entity recognition applied on COVID-19 preprints shows a performance drop compared to the results on available test data. The question arises how well trained models are able to predict on completely new data, i.e. to generalize. Based on the example of disease named entity recognition, we investigate the robustness of different machine learning-based methods – thereof transfer learning – and show that current state-of-the-art methods work well for a given training and the corresponding test set but experience a significant lack of generalization when applying to new data. We therefore argue that there is a need for larger annotated data sets for training and testing.
Wall-associated Receptor Kinase and The Expression Profiles in Wheat Responding to Fungal Stress
Authors: Zhang Hong , Li Hanping , Zhang Xiangyu , Yan Wenqian , Deng Pingchuan , Zhang Yining , Peng Shanlin , Wang Yajuan , Wang Changyou , Ji Wanquan
Published: July 2021

Cell wall-associated kinases (WAKs), which are encoded by conserved gene families in plants, are crucial for development and responses to diverse stresses. However, the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) WAKs have not been systematically classified, especially those involved in protecting plants from disease. Here, we classified 129 WAK proteins (encoded by 232 genes) and 75 WAK-Like proteins (WAKLs; encoded by 109 genes) into four groups, via a phylogenetic analysis. An examination of protein sequence alignment revealed diversity in the GUB-domain of WAKs structural organization, but it was usually characterized by a PYPFG motif followed by CxGxGCC motifs, while the EGF-domain was usually initiated with a YAC motif, and eight cysteine residues were spliced by GNPY motif. The expression profiles of WAK-encoding homologous genes varied in response to Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) and Puccinia triticina (Pt) stress. A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis proved that TaWAK75 and TaWAK76b were involved in wheat resistance to Bgt. This study revealed the structure of the WAK-encoding genes in wheat, which may be useful for future functional elucidation of wheat WAKs responses to fungal infections.
Pooled screening of CAR T cells identifies non-native signaling domains for next-generation immunotherapies
Authors: Goodman Daniel B. , Azimi Camillia S. , Kearns Kendall , Garakani Kiavash , Garcia Julie , Patel Nisarg , Hwang Byungjin , Lee David , Park Emily , Ye Chun Jimmie , Marson Alex , Bluestone Jeff A. , Roybal Kole T.
Published: July 2021

Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) repurpose natural signaling components to retarget T cells to refractory cancers, but have shown limited efficacy against solid tumors. Here, we introduce ‘CAR Pooling’, a multiplexed approach to rapidly identify CAR designs with clinical potential. Forty CARs with diverse immune costimulatory domains were assessed in pooled assays for their ability to stimulate critical T cell effector functions during repetitive stimulation that mimics long-term tumor antigen exposure. Several non-native domains from the TNF receptor family exhibited enhanced proliferation (CD40) or cytotoxicity (BAFF-R and TACI) relative to clinical benchmarks, and fell into distinct states of memory, cytotoxicity, and metabolism. BAFF-R CAR T cells were enriched for a highly cytotoxic and NK-cell-like innate phenotype previously associated with positive clinical outcomes. ‘CAR Pooling’ enables efficient exploration of how CAR design affects cell activity and can be applied to optimize receptors across a range of applications and cell types.
Binomial models uncover biological variation during feature selection of droplet-based single-cell RNA sequencing
Authors: Sparta Breanne , Hamilton Timothy , Aragones Samuel D. , Deeds Eric J.
Published: July 2021

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) aims to characterize how variation in gene expression is distributed across cells in tissues and organisms. Yet, effective comprehension of these extremely high-dimensional datasets remains a critical barrier to progress in biological research. In standard analyses of scRNA-seq data, feature selection steps aim to reduce the dimensionality of the data by focusing on a subset of genes that are the most biologically variable across a set of cells. Ideally, these features provide the genes that are the most informative for partitioning groups of transcriptionally distinct cells, each representing a different cell type or identity. In this work, we propose a simple feature selection model where a binomial sampling process for each mRNA species produces a null model of technical variation. To compare our model to existing methods, we use scRNA-seq data where cell identities have been establisheda priorifor each cell, and characterize whether different feature sets retain biologically varying genes, distort neighborhood structures, and allow popular clustering algorithms to partition groups of cells into their established classes. We find that our model of biological variation, which we term “Differentially Distributed Genes” or DDGs, outperforms existing methods, and enables dimensionality reduction without loss of critical structure within the data set.
A corollary discharge mediates saccade related inhibition of single units in mnemonic structures of the human brain
Authors: Katz Chaim N. , Schjetnan Andrea G.P. , Patel Kramay , Barkley Victoria , Hoffman Kari , Kalia Suneil K. , Duncan Katherine , Valiante Taufik A.
Published: July 2021

Despite the critical link between visual exploration and memory, little is known about how single-unit activity (SUA) in the human mesial temporal lobe (MTL) is modulated by saccadic eye movements (SEMs). Here we characterize SEM associated SUA modulations, unit-by-unit, and contrast them to image onset, and to occipital lobe SUA. We reveal evidence for a corollary discharge (CD)-like modulatory signal that accompanies SEMs, inhibiting/exciting a unique population of broad/narrow spiking units, respectively, before and during SEMs, and with directional selectivity. These findings comport well with the timing, directional nature, and inhibitory circuit implementation of a CD. Additionally, by linking SUA to event-related potentials (ERPs), which are directionally modulated following SEMs, we recontextualize the ERP associated with SEM as a proxy for both the strength of inhibition and saccade direction, providing a mechanistic underpinning for the more commonly recorded SEM-related ERP in the human brain.
The retrotransposonR2maintainsDrosophilaribosomal DNA repeats
Authors: Nelson Jonathan O. , Slicko Alyssa , Yamashita Yukiko M.
Published: July 2021

Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) loci contain the hundreds of tandemly repeated copies of ribosomal RNA genes needed to support cellular viability. This repetitiveness makes it highly susceptible to copy number (CN) loss, threatening multi-generational maintenance of rDNA. How this threat is counteracted to avoid extinction of the lineage has remained unclear. Here, we show that the rDNA-specific retrotransposonR2is essential for rDNA CN maintenance in theDrosophilamale germline, despite the perceived disruptive nature of transposable elements. Depletion ofR2led to defective rDNA CN maintenance, causing a decline in fecundity over generations and eventual extinction. This study reveals that active retrotransposons can provide a benefit to their hosts, contrary to their reputation as genomic parasites, which may contribute to their widespread success throughout taxa.

One Sentence Summary

The retrotransposonR2initiates restoration of ribosomal DNA copies to trans-generationally maintain essential locus.
Age-related differences in encoding-retrieval similarity and their relationship to false memory
Authors: Chamberlain Jordan D. , Bowman Caitlin R. , Dennis Nancy A.
Published: July 2021

Typical aging is associated with increases in false memory rates among older adults. Such errors are frequently associated with differential neural activity during encoding and retrieval in older compared to younger adults within visual cortices, hippocampus, and front-parietal regions. It remains unknown how pattern similarity reductions relate to false memories in healthy aging. Using encoding-retrieval similarity (ERS) analyses in a sample of younger and older adults, we examined how the similarity of neural patterns between memory phases associated with target and lure objects was impacted by age and contributed to false memory rates. Single-item ERS for targets and lures was reduced by age throughout much of the ventral visual stream and the posterior hippocampus. Furthermore, ERS associated with perceptual lures within the visual stream maintained differential relationships with false memory. Finally, a global ERS metric accounted for age deficits in single-item ERS, but did not contribute to false memory rates. These findings highlight the contribution of age-related reductions in ERS across multiple representational levels to false memories in healthy aging.
Paleoecological implications of Lower-Middle Triassic stromatolites and microbe-metazoan build-ups in the Germanic Basin: Insights into the aftermath of the Permian – Triassic crisis
Authors: Pei Yu , Hagdorn Hans , Voigt Thomas , Duda Jan-Peter , Reitner Joachim
Published: July 2021

The aftermath of the Permian – Triassic crisis is characterized by ubiquitous occurrences of microbial sediments around the world. For instance, Triassic deposits of the Germanic Basin have shown to provide a rich record of stromatolites as well as of microbe-metazoan build-ups with non-spicular demosponges. Despite their paleoecological significance, however, all of these microbialites have only rarely been studied. This study aims to fill this gap by examining and comparing microbialites from the Upper Buntsandstein (Olenekian, Early Triassic) and the lower Middle Muschelkalk (Anisian, Middle Triassic). By combining analytical petrography (optical microscopy, micro X-ray fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy) and geochemistry (δ13Ccarb, δ18Ocarb), we show that all studied microbialites formed in hypersaline lagoons to sabkha environments. Olenekian deposits in Jena and surroundings and Anisian strata at Werbach contain stromatolites. Anisian successions at Hardheim, in contrast, host microbe-metazoan build-ups. Thus, the key-difference is the absence or presence of non-spicular demosponges in microbialites. After the Permian – Triassic crisis, the widespread microbialites (e.g., stromatolites/microbe-metazoan build-ups) possibly resulted from suppressed ecological competition and occupied the vacant ecological niche. It seems plausible that microbes and non-spicular demosponges had a mutualistic relationship and it is tempting to speculate that the investigated microbial-metazoan build-ups reflect an ancient evolutionary and ecologic association. Furthermore, both microbes and non-spicular demosponges may benefit from elevated salinities. Perhaps it was minor differences in salinities that controlled whether or not non-spicular demosponges could develop.
TNF-α levels in respiratory samples are associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Pereson Matias J. , Badano Maria Noel , Aloisi Natalia , Chuit Roberto , de Bracco MME , Bare Patricia
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study was to measure levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in respiratory samples from individuals with symptoms compatible with COVID-19 and analyze their association with SARS-CoV-2 presence.

Methods

SARS-CoV-2 detection was performed using the CDC (USA) real-time RT-PCR primers, probes and protocols. Cytokine concentrations were measured using commercial reagents based on enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

TNF-α median levels were greater in COVID19 (+) symptomatic group (5.88 (1.36 - 172.1) pg/ml) compared to COVID19 (−) symptomatic individuals (2.87 (1.45 – 69.9) pg/ml) (p=0.0003). No significant differences were shown in IL-6 median values between COVID-19 (+) and (−) symptomatic patients (5.40 (1.7 - 467) pg/ml and 6.07 (1.57 – 466.6) pg/ml respectively). In addition, increased TNF-α levels (greater than 10 pg/ml), but not IL-6, were associated with SARS-CoV-2 presence (OR= 5.7; p=0.006; 95% CI= 1,551 to 19,11).

Conclusions

We found a statistically significant association between the production of local TNF-α and the presence of the virus in early stages of infection. IL-6 showed high levels in swabs from some symptomatic patients but independent from SARS-CoV-2 presence and viral load, individual’s age and gender. On the contrary, TNF-α evaluation confirmed the presence of inflammatory response but mostly related to COVID-19. More studies are required in order to characterize the cytokine profile expressed at the site of infection of SARS-CoV-2 and its implications in disease outcomes.
Diversification models conflate likelihood and prior, and cannot be compared using conventional model-comparison tools
Authors: May Michael R. , Rothfels Carl J.
Published: July 2021

Time-calibrated phylogenetic trees are a tremendously powerful tool for studying evolutionary, ecological, and epidemiological phenomena. Such trees are predominantly inferred in a Bayesian framework, with the phylogeny itself treated as a parameter with a prior distribution (a “tree prior”). However, we show that the tree “parameter” consists, in part, of data, in the form of taxon samples. Treating the tree as a parameter fails to account for these data and compromises our ability to compare among models. Since accuracy of the inferred phylogeny strongly depends on how well the tree prior approximates the true diversification process that gave rise to the tree, the inability to accurately compare competing tree priors has broad implications for applications based on time-calibrated trees. We outline potential remedies to this problem, and provide guidance for researchers interested in assessing the fit of tree models.
Analysis of amino acid change dynamics reveals SARS-CoV-2 variant emergence
Authors: Bernasconi Anna , Mari Lorenzo , Casagrandi Renato , Ceri Stefano
Published: July 2021

Since its emergence in late 2019, the diffusion of SARS-CoV-2 is associated with the evolution of its viral genome1,2. The co-occurrence of specific amino acid changes, collectively named ‘virus variant’, requires scrutiny (as variants may hugely impact the agent’s transmission, pathogenesis, or antigenicity); variant evolution is studied using phylogenetics3–6. Yet, never has this problem been tackled by digging into data with ad hoc analysis techniques. Here we show that the emergence of variants can in fact be traced through data-driven methods, further capitalizing on the value of large collections of SARS-CoV-2 sequences. For all countries with sufficient data, we compute weekly counts of amino acid changes, unveil time-varying clusters of changes with similar – rapidly growing – dynamics, and then follow their evolution. Our method succeeds in timely associating clusters to variants of interest/concern, provided their change composition is well characterized. This allows us to detect variants’ emergence, rise, peak, and eventual decline under competitive pressure of another variant. Our early warning system, exclusively relying on deposited sequences, shows the power of big data in this context, and concurs to calling for the wide spreading of public SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing for improved surveillance and control of the COVID-19 pandemic.
WDR82-binding long non-coding RNA lncEry controls mouse erythroid differentiation and maturation
Authors: Yang Shangda , Sun Guohuan , Wu Peng , Chen Cong , Kuang Yijin , Zheng Zhaofeng , He Yicheng , Gu Quan , Lu Ting , Zhu Caiying , Wang Fengjiao , Gou Fanglin , Yang Zining , Zhao Xiangnan , Yuan Shiru , Yang Liu , Lu Shihong , Li Yapu , Lv Xue , Dong Fang , Ma Yanni , Yu Jia , Ng Lai Guan , Shi Lihong , Liu Jing , Cheng Hui , Cheng Tao
Published: July 2021

Hematopoietic differentiation is controlled by both genetic and epigenetic regulators. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to be important for normal hematopoiesis, but their function in erythropoiesis needs to be further explored. We profiled the transcriptomes of 16 murine hematopoietic cell populations by deep RNA-sequencing and identified a novel lncRNA, Gm15915, that was highly expressed in erythroid-related progenitors and erythrocytes. For this reason, we named it lncEry. We also identified a novel lncEry isoform, which was also the principal transcript that has not been reported before. LncEry depletion impaired erythropoiesis, indicating the important role of the lncRNA in regulating erythroid differentiation and maturation. Mechanistically, we found that lncEry interacted with WD repeat-containing protein 82 (WDR82) to promote the transcription of Klf1 and globin genes and thus control the early and late stages of erythropoiesis, respectively. These findings identified lncEry as an important player in the transcriptional regulation of erythropoiesis.
Crystallographic characterization of rare-earth cyanotriphenylborate complexes and the cyanoborates [NCBPh3]1−, [NCBPh2Me]1−, and [NCBPh2(μ-O)BPh2]1−
Authors: Dumas Megan T. , White Jessica R. K. , Ziller Joseph W. , Evans William J.
Published: July 2021

The investigation of the coordination chemistry of rare-earth metal complexes with cyanide ligands led to the isolation and crystallographic characterization of the Ln
III cyanotriphenylborate complexes dichlorido(cyanotriphenylborato-κN)tetrakis(tetrahydrofuran-κO)lanthanide(III), [LnCl2(C19H15BN)(C4H8O)4] [lanthanide (Ln) = dysprosium (Dy) and yttrium Y)] from reactions of LnCl3, KCN, and NaBPh4. Attempts to independently synthesize the tetraethylammonium salt of (NCBPh3)− from BPh3 and [NEt4][CN] in THF yielded crystals of the phenyl-substituted cyclic borate, tetraethylazanium 2,2,4,6-tetraphenyl-1,3,5,2λ4,4,6-trioxatriborinan-2-ide, C8H20N+·C24H20B3O3
− or [NEt4][B3(μ-O)3(C6H5)4]. The mechanochemical reaction of BPh3 and [NEt4][CN] without solvent produced crystals of tetraethylazanium cyanodiphenyl-λ4-boranyl diphenylborinate, C8H20N+·C25H20B2NO− or [NEt4][NCBPh2(μ-O)BPh2]. Reaction of BPh3 and KCN in THF in the presence of 2.2.2-cryptand (crypt) led to a crystal of bis[(2.2.2-cryptand)potassium] 2,2,4,6-tetraphenyl-1,3,5,2λ4,4,6-trioxatriborinan-2-ide cyanomethyldiphenylborate tetrahydrofuran disolvate, 2C18H36KN2O6
+·C24H20B3O3
−·C14H13BN−·2C4H8O or [K(crypt)]2[B3(μ-O)3(C6H5)4][NCBPh2Me]·2THF. The [NCBPh2(μ-O)BPh2]1− and (NCBPh2Me)1− anions have not been structurally characterized previously. The structure of 1-Y was refined as a two-component twin with occupancy factors 0.513 (1) and 0.487 (1). In 4, one solvent molecule was disordered and included using multiple components with partial site-occupancy factors.
International opportunity development of born global firms: the role of institutions
Authors: Romanello Rubina , Karami Masoud , Gerschewski Stephan , Evers Natasha , He Cici Xiao
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to investigate the international opportunity development process of born global firms embedded in two different institutional contexts: China, an emerging economy and Italy, a developed country. Drawing on the entrepreneurial opportunity literature and institutional theory, this study explores and draws insights into how home country institutions of born globals can influence the international opportunity development process of the firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a qualitative case study approach with in-depth, semi-structured interviews of six born global companies from China and Italy. In doing so, this study uses a flexible pattern matching design, which is consistent with the qualitative research design of the paper.

Findings

The findings of the study indicate that home institutions play an influential, yet differential role in the international opportunity development processes of Chinese and Italian born global firms. While the Italian firms shape their opportunities mainly through product innovation, their Chinese counterparts develop opportunities primarily through networks embedded in their home institutional context.

Originality/value

The key contributions of the paper relate to an integrated analysis of the international opportunity development process of born globals in China and Italy based on institutional theory, which has received limited attention in the international entrepreneurship literature. In addition, the study advances the similarities and differences in the international opportunity development process in two different countries, thus providing valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners to enter international markets successfully.
Intellectual capital, bank stability and risk-taking: evidence from Asian emerging markets
Authors: Dalwai Tamanna , Singh Dharmendra , S. Ananda
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of intellectual capital (IC) efficiency on the banks’ risk-taking and stability of Asian emerging markets.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a sample of 204 listed banks from 12 Asian emerging countries for the period 2010 to 2019. Data were analyzed using Ordinary Least Squares regression and checked for robustness using system generalized methods moment (GMM) estimation. The dependent variable of bank stability is measured using Z-score-based return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). The second dependent variable of bank risk is proxied by the standard deviation of ROA, ROE, non-performing loans and loan loss provision.

Findings

The results suggest the IC efficiency has no association with bank risk-taking and stability. The findings lend no support to the resource-based theory. The robustness of this result is confirmed by the system GMM estimation. However, support is found for the competition fragility view as high market power is associated with low risk-taking. The IC subcomponents, human capital efficiency (HCE) report a negative coefficient for bank risk-taking thereby having no support for the hypothesized relationships. Diversified banks with a higher deposit to total asset ratio resort to high risk-taking.

Research limitations/implications

IC efficiency does not have an impact on the bank’s risk-taking behavior and stability for Asian banks. Managers can use these findings to improve their IC and boost investor confidence. Regulatory authorities should increase its monitoring function of banks when the GDP decreases as risk-taking behavior are galvanized during this period.

Originality/value

This research is one of the first to provide empirical evidence of IC efficiency’s relationship with bank stability and bank risk-taking. The implications are useful for policymakers, managers and governing bodies to enhance the banks’ IC efficiency.
A framework of urban entrepreneurship for women breadwinners
Authors: Ziyae Babak , Sadeghi Hossein , Shahamat Nejad Mina , Tajpour Mehdi
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Today, urban entrepreneurship is considered one of the vital strategies that directed cities toward self-control by reducing the unemployment rate and its arising problems, creating sustainable revenue and preparing the ground for citizens’ independence. This paper aims to present an integrated foresight framework and establish the boundary conditions for urban entrepreneurship of women breadwinners. The study explains how particular women solve workplace-specific poverty and foster urban wealth by developing startups, new businesses or ventures.

Design/methodology/approach

The current research uses a qualitative method and uses the grounded theory approach. Data were collected by selecting 24 outstanding women entrepreneurs using snowball sampling and semi-structured interviews in Tehran Metropolitan.

Findings

The results of the study reveal that the main aspects of the model of urban entrepreneurship consist of causal factors, intervening factors and contextual conditions. By shaping the policies and organizing educational plans, training courses and empowering of women, as well as the establishment of supportive units for the development, identification of the opportunities, developing protective rules, the factors as mentioned above lead to cultural, social and economic development, tendency toward entrepreneurship and development of entrepreneurship among women.

Originality/value

This study undertakes a first of its kind cross-disciplinary conceptual analysis at the level of how women breadwinners foster urban wealth using developing new businesses, startups or ventures. Despite the importance of urban entrepreneurship, theories for understanding the nexus of urban contexts remain underdeveloped. Therefore, there is still a theoretical gap and lack of research; hence, the current study tries to shed light on the topic and fill this gap in the body of knowledge.
Effects of a magnetic field on double-diffusive convection of a nanofluid in a cavity saturated by wavy layers of porous media: ISPH analysis
Authors: Aly Abdelraheem M. , Alsedais Noura , Oztop Hakan F.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to use the incompressible smoothed particle hydrodynamics method to examine the influences of a magnetic field on the double-diffusive convection caused by a rotating circular cylinder with paddles within a square cavity filled by a nanofluid.

Design/methodology/approach

The cavity is saturated by two wavy layers of non-Darcy porous media with a variable amplitude parameter. The embedded circular cylinder with paddles carrying T_h and C_h is rotating around the cavity center by a uniform circular velocity.

Findings

The lineaments of nanofluid velocity and convective flow, as well as the mean of Nusselt and Sherwood numbers, are represented below the variations on the frequency parameter, amplitude parameter of the wavy porous layers, Darcy parameter, nanoparticles parameter, Hartmann number and Ryleigh number. The performed simulations showed the role of paddles mounted on circular cylinders for enhancing the transmission of heat and mass within a cavity. The wavy porous layers at the lower Darcy parameter are playing as a blockage for the nanofluid flow within the porous area. Increasing the concentration of the nanoparticles to 6% reduces the maximum flow speed by 8.97% and maximum streamlines |ψ|maxby 10.76%. Increasing Hartmann number to 100 reduces the maximum flow speed by 65.83% and |ψ|maxby 75.54%.

Originality/value

The novelty of this work is to examine the effects of an inclined magnetic field and rotating novel shape of a circular cylinder with paddles on the transmission of heat/mass in the interior of a nanofluid-filled cavity saturated by undulating porous medium layers.
Seek-and-destroy algorithm for optimal resource allocation and security analysis in software-defined vehicular networks
Authors: Raut Umesh K. , Vishwamitra L.K.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Software-define vehicular networks (SDVN) assure the direct programmability for controlling the vehicles with improved accuracy and flexibility. In this research, the resource allocation strategy is focused on which the seek-and-destroy algorithm is implemented in the controller in such a way that an effective allocation of the resources is done based on the multi-objective function.

Design/methodology/approach

The purpose of this study is focuses on the resource allocation algorithm for the SDVN with the security analysis to analyse the effect of the attacks in the network. The genuine nodes in the network are granted access to the communication in the network, for which the factors such as trust, throughput, delay and packet delivery ratio are used and the algorithm used is Seek-and-Destroy optimization. Moreover, the optimal resource allocation is done using the same optimization in such a way that the network lifetime is extended.

Findings

The security analysis is undergoing in the research using the simulation of the attackers such as selective forwarding attacks, replay attacks, Sybil attacks and wormhole attacks that reveal that the replay attacks and the Sybil attacks are dangerous attacks and in future, there is a requirement for the security model, which ensures the protection against these attacks such that the network lifetime is extended for a prolonged communication. The achievement of the proposed method in the absence of the attacks is 84.8513% for the remaining nodal energy, 95.0535% for packet delivery ratio (PDR), 279.258 ms for transmission delay and 28.9572 kbps for throughput.

Originality/value

The seek-and-destroy algorithm is one of the swarm intelligence-based optimization designed based on the characteristics of the scroungers and defenders, which is completely novel in the area of optimizations. The diversification and intensification of the algorithm are perfectly balanced, leading to good convergence rates.
The rise of surgical robots
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to illustrate the growing importance of surgical robots by providing a short historical background and details of a selection of today’s products and their applications.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a short introduction, this first provides an historical perspective. It then discusses systems used in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). This is followed by examples of products aimed at other surgical applications and, finally, brief concluding comments are drawn.

Findings

The concept of robotic surgery arose in the 1960s and trials commenced in the 1980s. The business is now in a highly dynamic phase with numerous recent product launches and a growing number late-stage developments. MIS systems are attracting much interest but robotic technology is also being applied to many additional surgical procedures.

Originality/value

This provides an insight into the emergence and commercialisation of robotic surgical systems.
Rule of law and preventing fraud in Nigeria’s capital market
Authors: Nwoke Uchechukwu , Onoh Ibenaku Harford
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically analyse the correlation between the rule of law and the efficient functioning of capital markets. It attempts to examine the Nigerian capital market and how the rule of law can be used to prevent fraud and promote the proper functioning of the market.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts the doctrinal approach through a critical evaluation of concepts. Using existing literature in the subject area, it evaluates the inter-connectedness between law and the capital market and how the rule of law is an important instrument in capital market development.

Findings

The paper finds that there have been numerous infractions of the rule of law by capital market actors, leading to stultification in the growth and development of this sector of the Nigerian economy.

Originality/value

The paper offers a fresh insight into the correlation between the rule of law and capital markets. By critically assessing the inter-connectivity between the two concepts, it extends the body of knowledge in this area by showing how the operations of the Nigerian capital market could be improved through the proper application of the rule of law.
Millennial loyalty towards artificial intelligence-enabled mobile banking: evidence from Indonesian Islamic banks
Authors: Suhartanto Dwi , Syarief Moch Edman , Chandra Nugraha Ade , Suhaeni Tintin , Masthura Ambia , Amin Hanudin
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine factors driving millennial loyalty towards artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled mobile banking services in Islamic banks.

Design/methodology/approach

This research collected the data from 204 millennial customers of Islamic banks in Aceh, Indonesia. Partial least square (PLS) was used to evaluate the effect of service factors (the need for service and service quality), technology-based factors (attitudes towards AI, relative advantage, security and trust) and religiosity on millennial loyalty towards AI-enabled mobile banking.

Findings

This inquiry reveals that service quality, attitude towards AI and trust are determinants important for millennial loyalty towards AI-enabled mobile banking. Further, this research notes the significant role of religiosity on millennial loyalty towards mobile banking services.

Practical implications

This study suggests Islamic banks focus on developing millennial trust and attitude towards AI to increase their loyalty towards AI-enabled mobile banking services. Further, Islamic banks operation that complies with Islamic law is strongly suggested to develop millennial loyalty.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that tries to scrutinize loyalty towards AI-enabled mobile banking.
Title redacted: the impact of negative online review censorship
Authors: Stevens Jennifer L. , Esmark Jones Carol L. , Breazeale Mike
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Consumers are increasingly using review sites to exchange product information, whereas companies attempt to maintain control of brand-related communications. One method marketers may take to retain control is to remove negative opinions about the brand. This paper aims to examine the impact on consumer’s brand perceptions when negative reviews are censored.

Design/methodology/approach

Two experimental studies were conducted to assess whether censorship of a negative online review, in the form of removal by the company, weakens brand relationship quality (BRQ) dimensions.

Findings

The results show that censoring negative online reviews has a damaging effect on BRQ. Additionally, the findings indicate that a brand may not be able to increase BRQ when a negative review has been posted, however strategic measures can be taken to diminish the potentially harmful impact.

Originality/value

As many brands still do not adequately understand how to handle negative online reviews, this research offers valuable implications in furthering the examination of negative electronic word-of-mouth and ways to diminish its harmful effects. Additionally, while substantial research focuses on the positive consequences of brand relationships, this research answers calls to examine the negative impacts to BRQ.
ICT literacy skills proficiency and experience on the use of electronic resources amongst undergraduate students in selected Eastern Cape Universities, South Africa
Authors: Olatoye Oluwayemi IbukunOluwa , Nekhwevha Fhulu , Muchaonyerwa Ndakasharwa
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the levels of information and communication technology (ICT) literacy proficiency and experiences amongst Universities of Fort Hare and Rhodes undergraduate students, on the utilization of electronic resources amongst South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

This research comprised of undergraduate students from the Universities of Fort Hare and Rhodes, who registered for a three- or four-year study. The study implemented the stratified random sampling procedure. The study’s sample size was proportionally distributed amongst all the faculties common to both universities. The mixed method was applied in the study. Of the 377 administered copies of the questionnaire, 285 were returned, of which 266 were deemed useable, thereby generating a 70.6% response rate. The results were analysed using the SPSS version 26.

Findings

Findings revealed that there is underutilization of electronic resources by the undergraduate respondents due to their low level of ICT proficiency and experience.

Originality/value

This original research article investigated the influence of ICT literacy skills proficiency and experience on the use of electronic resources amongst undergraduate students in selected Eastern Cape Universities, South Africa.
How do internet memes affect brand image?
Authors: Teng Hsuju , Lo Chi-Feng , Lee Hsin-Hui
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how Internet memes affect brand image.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first used the Delphi method to refine Internet memes' constructs and dimensions and developed a scale for Internet memes. Second, the authors used a questionnaire to collect data from 348 valid Internet consumers.

Findings

The authors proposed four significant characteristics of Internet memes: humour, high positive emotional intensity, brand interactions and prestige, and high spreadability to prompt consumers to remake, share and spread memes. The study results indicate that Internet memes positively influence the brand image. However, not all meme characteristics were correlated with the brand image; only brand prestige, interaction and humour enhanced brand image.

Originality/value

For scholars in online marketing communication research, this study shifts the current paradigm of brand-generated and customer-passive to user-generated and customer-active. It also addresses the importance of pandemic effects of Internet memes on brand image. To be specific, this study presents the important symbolic values that Internet memes need to include to affect consumers' behaviour in response to perceived brand image by applying both mind infection and symbolic value perspectives. Finally, this study redefines the dimensions and measurements of Internet memes to address the lack of consensus and concrete scales regarding meme transmission characteristics and extending into online marketing communication strategies.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-11-2019-0364
Early Alternatives to Dutch Descriptive Perception Verb Constructions: A Comparison of Two Bible Translations1
Authors: Poortvliet Marjolein
Published: July 2021

Copular constructions (i.e. Subject‐Verb‐Predicative adjective) containing the Dutch descriptive perception verbseruitzien‘look’,klinken‘sound’,voelen‘feel’,ruiken‘smell’ andsmaken‘taste’ (e.g.Zij klinkt blij) emerged throughout Middle Dutch and Early Modern Dutch. It is surprising, then, that no descriptive perception verb constructions are found in the Dutch Bible translation from 1637, even though seventy instances are found in the translation from 2004. This article looks into what alternative strategies are used in the 1637 translation instead of the descriptive perception verb constructions in the 2004 translation. It is found that there are four patterns: the use of a copular construction withzijn‘be’ orschijnen‘seem’, the use of the constructionX's appearance is Y, the use of a construction with a cognitive perception verb, and, lastly, the use of a parenthetical construction. The use of these alternative constructions instead of descriptive perception verb constructions in the 1637 Bible translation can be explained by the fact that the 1637 translation (1) was aimed to reflect the traditional Greek and Hebrew sources (accounting for ≈65% of the alternative constructions found); and (2) still followed (archaic) Middle Dutch grammar.
Crisis management as practice in small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises during the first period of COVID‐19
Authors: Fasth Jonas , Elliot Viktor , Styhre Alexander
Published: July 2021

This article draws attention to the social context and working methods in crisis management. Based on 1000 interviews with business leaders in Swedish small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), we analyze crisis management in practice and ask: What social contexts do business leaders use in crisis management, and what working methods do they rely on? Most companies in this study do not have any form of crisis group; rather, they deal with issues reactively as they occur. Few of the companies work continuously with a crisis plan and only slightly more than half of those that have crisis plans report that it has been helpful in dealing with the COVID‐19 situation. The study concludes that Swedish SMEs seem reliant upon a process that has an emerging nature whereby decisions are largely based on gut feeling. However, the companies in our sample that experienced a significant revenue decline due to the COVID‐19 situation report that they employ a more centralized and deductive approach with reports and documents as a basis for their work. The study contributes to a developed understanding of how crisis management works in practice.
Cold acclimation increases Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) survival during exposure to freezing temperatures
Authors: Martini Xavier , Malfa Kathi , Stockton Dara , Rivera Monique J.
Published: July 2021

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, is the vector of the pathogenic bacteria that causes Huanglongbing, the most devasting disease affecting citrus worldwide. As cultivation of citrus tends to expand northward, the tolerance of psyllids to freezing temperatures needs to be investigated. While mortality of D. citri to cold temperature has been previously studied, much less is known regarding the acclimation potential of psyllids to cold temperatures. We first evaluated cold resistance of D. citri depending on color morph and sex. Subsequently, we compared mortality of D. citri at −4 °C for 10 hours between unacclimated psyllids, psyllids that were gradually acclimated to cold over 1 or 2 weeks, and psyllids intermittently acclimated also for 1 or 2 weeks. We did not find major differences in cold resistance between color morphs and sex. We found that after 1 week of gradual acclimation, the survival of psyllids at −4 °C increased to 86%, compared to 20% in the control group. Survival did not increase after the second week of gradual acclimation. Although intermittent acclimation improved survival compared to the control group, it was less effective than gradual acclimation with a survival at 30% and 70% after 1 and 2 weeks of acclimation, respectively, although this difference with gradual acclimation was not significant at week 2. These data show that gradual cold acclimation allows D. citri to survive brief periods below freezing. It may serve as a mechanism responsible for increasing northern establishment of this pest.
Analysis on the relationship between winter precipitation and the annual variation of horse stomach fly community in arid desert steppe, Northwest China (2007–2019)
Authors: HUANG Heqing , ZHANG Ke , ZHANG Boru , LIU Shanhui , CHU Hongjun , QI Yingjie , ZHANG Dong , LI Kai
Published: July 2021

Gasterophilus spp. have been found to be widespread in reintroduced Przewalski's horses in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve (Northwest China). However, data on the annual variation in Gasterophilus infections are lacking. To analyze the epidemiological features and determine the cause of the annual variation in Gasterophilus infections, we treated 110 Przewalski's horses with ivermectin and collected Gasterophilus larvae from fecal samples each winter from 2007 to 2019. All 110 Przewalski's horses studied were found to be infected by Gasterophilus spp., and a total of 141 379 larvae were collected. Six species of Gasterophilus were identified with the following prevalence: G. pecorum (100%), G. nasalis (96.36%), G. nigricornis (94.55%), G. haemorrhoidalis (56.36%), G. intestinalis (59.09%), and G. inermis (3.64%). The mean infection intensity of Gasterophilus spp. larvae in Przewalski's horses was 1285 ± 653. G. pecorum (92.96% ± 6.71%) was the most abundant species. The intensity of Gasterophilus spp. (r = –0.561, P < 0.046) was significantly correlated with winter precipitation. Our findings confirmed that, in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve, gasterophilosis is a severe parasitic disease in Przewalski's horses. Winter precipitation at the beginning of the year can indirectly affect the intensity and composition of Gasterophilus spp. in Przewalski's horses at the end of the year. Therefore, the water‐related ecological regulation should be carried out to help reduce the parasite infection of Przewalski's horses.
Efficacy of S‐1 after pemetrexed in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer: A retrospective multi‐institutional analysis
Authors: Takemoto Shinnosuke , Akagi Kazumasa , Ono Sawana , Tomono Hiromi , Honda Noritaka , Suyama Takayuki , Umeyama Yasuhiro , Dotsu Yosuke , Taniguchi Hirokazu , Ogawara Daiki , Senju Hiroaki , Gyotoku Hiroshi , Sugasaki Nanae , Yamaguchi Hiroyuki , Nakatomi Katsumi , Fukuda Minoru , Mukae Hiroshi
Published: July 2021

Background

S‐1 and pemetrexed (PEM) are key treatments for non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the mechanism of anticancer activity of S‐1 and PEM is similar. Cross‐resistance between S‐1 and PEM is of concern. This exploratory study was designed to evaluate the treatment effect of S‐1 following PEM‐containing treatment.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients with advanced (c‐stage III or IV, UICC seventh edition) or recurrent NSCLC who received S‐1 monotherapy following the failure of previous PEM‐containing chemotherapy at six hospitals in Japan. The primary endpoint of the study was the overall response rate (ORR). The secondary endpoint was the disease control rate (DCR), time to treatment failure (TTF), progression‐free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

Results

A total of 53 NSCLC patients met the criteria for inclusion in the study. Forty‐six patients had adenocarcinoma (88.7%) and no patients had squamous cell carcinoma. Thirty‐one patients (58.5%) received the standard S‐1 regimen and 18 patients (34.0%) received the modified S‐1 regimen. ORR was 1.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.00%–10.1%). Median TTF, PFS, and OS were 65, 84, and 385 days, respectively.

Conclusions

Although there were several limitations in this study, the ORR of S‐1 after PEM in patients with nonsquamous (non‐SQ) NSCLC was low compared to the historical control. One of the options in the future might be to avoid S‐1 treatment in PEM‐treated patients who need tumor shrinkage.