bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aeromicrobium stalagmiti sp. nov., isolated from a lava cave
Authors: Byeon Yeong-Sik , Kim Sung-Min , Yang Hong Lim , Kim In Seop , Lee Soon Dong
Published: June 2022

A Gram-reaction-positive, strictly aerobic, non-sporulating, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium, designated YC3-14T, was isolated from pieces of stalagmite collected in a lava cave in Jeju, Republic of Korea. Cells showed growth at 15–35 °C, pH 6.0–9.0 and with 0–3 % (w/v) NaCl. Colonies of the cells were circular, smooth, convex and cream in colour. A 16S rRNA gene-based neighbour-joining tree indicated that the organism belonged to the genus

Aeromicrobium

and formed a sublineage between an Aeromicrobium endophyticum–Aeromicrobium fastidiosum cluster and an Aeromicrobium yanjiei–Aeromicrobium chenweiae cluster. The highest 16S rRNA gene similarity values of strain YC3-14T were with the type strains of

A. yanjiei

(99.2 %),

A. endophyticum

(99.1 %),

A. fastidiosum

(98.8 %),

A. ginsengisoli

(98.8 %) and

A

.

chenweiae

(98.7 %). The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The major menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The predominant fatty acids were C18 : 0.10-methyl, C18 : 1
 ω9c and C16 : 0. The polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unidentified phospholipid and two unidentified lipids. The G+C content of the genome DNA was 69.9 mol%. These chemotaxonomic features of the isolate were typical for the genus

Aeromicrobium

. The genome-based phylogeny showed the same tree topology as the 16S rRNA gene phylogeny. The average nucleotide identity (≤84.5 %) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (≤27.5 %) values supported that the isolate belongs to a novel species of the genus

Aeromicrobium

. On the basis of data obtained by a polyphasic approach, strain YC3-14T (=KCTC 49469T=NBRC 114653T) represents a novel species of the genus

Aeromicrobium

, for which the name Aeromicrobium stalagmiti sp. nov. is proposed.
Association between Bone Mineral Density and Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque According to Plaque Composition: Registry for the Women Health Cohort for Bone, Breast, and Coronary Artery Disease Study
Authors: Kim Kyoung Min , Yoon Yeonyee E. , Yun Bo La , Suh Jung-Won
Published: June 2022

Background: Although biological links are unclear, low bone density and atherosclerosis are inversely associated. This study evaluated the association between bone mineral density (BMD) and coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) findings, including coronary artery calcification (CAC) score and the presence, extent, and composition of coronary atherosclerotic plaque (CAP) in asymptomatic women.Methods: A symptomatic women aged ≥40 years (N=2, 100; median age, 52 years; range, 40-80 years) were selected from a retrospective observational cohort and stratified into normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis groups according to BMD T-score grades. We evaluated CAC score and assessed the presence, extent, and stenosis severity of CAP on CCTA. Additionally, CAP was categorized as calcified, mixed, or non-calcified according to calcified component valiums (>130 Hounsfield units).Results: Osteopenia and osteoporosis were found in 28.8% and 5.3% of participants, respectively. CAC score and CAC severity significantly increased with decreased BMD grades (from normal to osteoporosis). The presence of CAP (overall, 15.6%; normal, 12.6%; osteopenia, 20.2%; osteoporosis, 28.8%; P<0.001) and number of segments with CAP significantly increased with decreased BMD grades. Furthermore, the number of segments with calcified or mixed plaques, excluding non-calcified plaques, increased with decreased BMD grades. Although most associations were attenuated or disappeared after adjusting for age and other covariates, calcified plaques showed a strong and age-independent association with BMD grades.Conclusions: The presence and severity of CAC and CAP were significantly associated with BMD severity in asymptomatic women, particularly for the presence of calcified plaques. Further studies are required to determine the association between vascular calcification and bone health status.
Osteoporotic Fractures among Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator Users in South Korea: Analysis Using National Claims Database
Authors: Park Jung-Wee , Lee Young-Kyun , Choi Yangseon , Ha Yong-Chan
Published: June 2022

Background: We evaluated (1) compliance with selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) use in postmenopausal women; and (2) the risk of osteoporotic fractures according to compliance and other patient characteristics.Methods: National claims data of postmenopausal women from January 2013 to December 2014 were reviewed. Demographics, comorbidities, type of medical institution, and patient compliance were investigated. Compliance was measured according to medication possession ratio (MPR) and the patients were classified into compliant (MPR ≥80%) or non-compliant (MPR <80%) groups. Osteoporotic fractures were followed up for 2 years after prescription.Results: Among 15,166 postmenopausal women, 4,130 were categorized as compliant. Osteoporotic fractures were confirmed in 669 patients. The hip fracture rate in the non-compliant group (0.39%) was marginally higher than that in the compliant group (0.36%; P=0.06). Compared to age 50 to 54 years, age 55 to 59 years showed protection against fractures (hazard ratio [HR], 0.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.379–0.857; P=0.007), while those over 70 years showed a higher risk of fractures (HR, 2.035; 95% CI, 1.485–2.789; P<0.0001 for age 70–74 years; HR, 2.197; 94% CI, 1.588–3.041; P<0.0001 for age 75–79 years; and HR, 3.53; 95% CI, 2.493–4.999; P<0.0001 for age ≥80 years). Patients with mild (HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.088-1.530; P=0.0034) and moderate (HR, 1.286; 95% CI, 1.002–1.652; P=0.0486) comorbidities were associated with higher risks of fractures compared to those without comorbidities.Conclusions: Among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, only 27.2% complied with SERM therapy. A marginal difference in hip fracture rate was observed between the compliant and non-compliant groups. Older age and severe comorbidities were associated with higher risks of osteoporotic fractures.
rGREAT: an R/Bioconductor package for functional enrichment on genomic regions
Authors: Gu Zuguang , Hübschmann Daniel
Published: June 2022

GREAT is a widely used tool for functional enrichment on genomic regions. However, as an online tool, it has limitations of outdated annotation data, small numbers of supported organisms and gene set collections, and not being extensible for users. Here we developed a new R/Bioconductor package named rGREAT which implements the GREAT algorithm locally. rGREAT by default supports more than 500 organisms and a large number of gene set collections, as well as self-provided gene sets and organisms from users. Additionally, it implements a general method for dealing with background regions.

Availability and implementation

The package rGREAT is freely available from the Bioconductor project: https://bioconductor.org/packages/rGREAT/. The development version is available at https://github.com/jokergoo/rGREAT. Gene Ontology gene sets for 556 organisms are freely available at https://jokergoo.github.io/rGREAT_genesets/.

Contact

z.gu@dkfz.de or d.huebschmann@dkfz.de

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Elite neutralizers of human cytomegalovirus are characterized by high magnitude plasma IgG responses against multiple glycoprotein complexes
Authors: Harnois Melissa J. , Dennis Maria , Stöhr Dagmar , Valencia Sarah M. , Rodgers Nicole , Semmes Eleanor C. , Webster Helen S. , Jenks Jennifer A. , Barfield Richard , Pollara Justin , Chan Cliburn , Sinzger Christian , Permar Sallie R.
Published: June 2022

Background

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most common infectious complication of organ transplantation and cause of birth defects worldwide. There are limited therapeutic options and no licensed vaccine to prevent HCMV infection or disease. To inform development of HCMV antibody-based interventions, a previous study identified individuals with potent and broad plasma HCMV-neutralizing activity, termed elite neutralizers (EN), from a cohort of HCMV-seropositive (SP) blood donors. Yet, the specificities and functions of plasma antibodies associated with EN status remained undefined.

Methods

We sought to determine the plasma antibody specificities, breadth, and Fc-mediated antibody effector functions associated with the most potent HCMV-neutralizing responses in plasma from EN (n=25) relative to SP (n=19). We measured antibody binding against various HCMV strains and glycoprotein targets, and evaluated Fc-mediated effector functions, antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP).

Results

We demonstrate that elite HCMV neutralizers have elevated IgG binding responses against multiple viral glycoproteins, relative to SP. Our study also revealed potent HCMV-specific ADCC and ADCP activity of EN plasma.

Conclusions

We conclude that antibody responses against multiple glycoprotein specificities may be needed to achieve potent plasma neutralization and that potently HCMV elite-neutralizing plasma antibodies can also mediate polyfunctional responses.
Proteome-wide Mendelian randomization implicates nephronectin as an actionable mediator of the effect of obesity on COVID-19 severity
Authors: Yoshiji Satoshi , Butler-Laporte Guillaume , Lu Tianyuan , Sunday Willett Julian Daniel , Su Chen-Yang , Nakanishi Tomoko , Morrison David R. , Chen Yiheng , Liang Kevin , Hultström Michael , Ilboudo Yann , Afrasiabi Zaman , Lan Shanshan , Duggan Naomi , DeLuca Chantal , Vaezi Mitra , Tselios Chris , Xue Xiaoqing , Bouab Meriem , Shi Fangyi , Laurent Laetitia , Münter Hans Markus , Afilalo Marc , Afilalo Jonathan , Mooser Vincent , Timpson Nicholas J , Zeberg Hugo , Zhou Sirui , Forgetta Vincenzo , Farjoun Yossi , Richards J. Brent
Published: June 2022

Obesity is a major risk factor for COVID-19 severity; however, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are not fully understood. Since obesity influences the plasma proteome, we sought to identify circulating proteins mediating the effects of obesity on COVID-19 severity in humans. Here, we screened 4,907 plasma proteins to identify proteins influenced by body mass index (BMI) using Mendelian randomization (MR). This yielded 1,216 proteins, whose effect on COVID-19 severity was assessed, again using MR. We found that a standard deviation increase in nephronectin (NPNT) was associated with increased odds of critically ill COVID-19 (OR = 1.71,P= 1.63 × 10−10). The effect was driven by an NPNT splice isoform. Mediation analyses supported NPNT as a mediator. In single-cell RNA-sequencing,NPNTwas expressed in alveolar cells and fibroblasts of the lung in individuals who died of COVID-19. Finally, decreasing body fat mass and increasing fat-free mass were found to lower NPNT levels. These findings provide actionable insights into how obesity influences COVID-19 severity.
SynBio in 3D: the first synthetic genetic circuit as a 3D-printed STEM educational resource
Authors: Boll Heloísa Oss , Leitão Matheus de Castro , Garay Aisel Valle , Coelho Cíntia Marques
Published: June 2022

Synthetic biology is a new area of science that operates at the intersection of engineering and biology and aims to design and synthesize living organisms and systems to perform new or improved functions. This novel biological area is considered of extreme relevance for the development of solutions to global problems. However, its teaching is often inaccessible to students, since many educational resources and methodological procedures are not available for understanding of complex molecular processes. On the other hand, digital fabrication tools, which allow the creation of 3D objects, are increasingly used for educational purposes, and several computational structures of molecular components commonly used in synthetic biology processes are deposited in open databases. Therefore, we hypothesize that the creation of biomolecular structures models by handling 3D physical objects using computer-assisted design (CAD) and additive fabrication based on 3D printing could help professors in synthetic biology teaching. In this sense, the present work describes the design and 3D print of the molecular models of the first synthetic genetic circuit, the toggle switch, which can be freely downloaded and used by teachers to facilitate the training of STEM students in synthetic biology.
Linearization Autoencoder: an autoencoder-based regression model with latent space linearization
Authors: Lee Sangyeon , Kim Hanjin , Lee Doheon
Published: June 2022

Regression analysis is one of the most widely applied methods in many fields including bio-medical study. Dimensionality reduction is also widely used for data preprocessing and feature selection analysis, to extract high-impact features from the predictions. As the complexity of both data and prediction models increases, it becomes important and difficult to interpret the model. We suggested a novel method, linearizing autoencoder, for regression analysis with high-dimensional data. Based on the autoencoder model, we introduce a novel loss function to make data points aggregate corresponding to their known labels and align them preserving linear relations of the known feature. This model can align data points to the linear relations of labels, and achieve both the prediction and feature selection performances by extracting features that are important to the label we want to predict. Also, we applied this method to the real-world data and the result indicates that this method can successfully disentangle the latent space with given centroids in a supervised manner. This method can be applied to various prediction problems in biomedical fields.
Molecular insights into intrinsic transducer-coupling bias in the CXCR4-CXCR7 system
Authors: Sarma Parishmita , Yoon Hye-Jin , Carino Carlo Marion C. , S Deeksha , Banerjee Ramanuj , Yun Yaejin , Ji Jeongsek , Min Kyungjin , Pandey Shubhi , Dwivedi-Agnihotri Hemlata , Rui Xue , Cao Yubo , Kawakami Kouki , Kumari Poonam , Chen Yu-Chih , Luker Kathryn E. , Yadav Manish K. , Ranjan Ashutosh , Chaturvedi Madhu , Maharana Jagannath , Baidya Mithu , Yadav Prem N. , Luker Gary D. , Laporte Stéphane A. , Chen Xin , Inoue Asuka , Lee Hyung Ho , Shukla Arun K.
Published: June 2022

Chemokine receptors constitute an important subfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), and they are critically involved in a broad range of immune response mechanisms. Ligand promiscuity among these receptors makes them an interesting target to explore novel aspects of biased agonism. Here, we comprehensively characterize two chemokine receptors namely, CXCR4 and CXCR7, which share a common chemokine agonist (CXCL12), in terms of their G-protein coupling, β-arrestin (βarr) recruitment, contribution of GRKs, and ERK1/2 MAP kinase activation. We observe that CXCR7 lacks G-protein coupling while maintaining robust βarr recruitment with a major contribution of GRK5/6. On the other hand, CXCR4 displays robust G-protein activation as expected, however, it exhibits significantly reduced βarr-coupling compared to CXCR7 in response to their shared natural agonist, CXCL12. These two receptors induce distinct βarr conformations even when activated by the same agonist, and CXCR7, unlike CXCR4, fails to activate ERK1/2 MAP kinase. We further determine the crystal structure of βarr2 in complex with a carboxyl-terminal phosphopeptide derived from CXCR7, which reveals a smaller interdomain rotation than observed previously for activated βarrs. Importantly, structure-guided cellular experiments reveal a key contribution of a single phosphorylation site in CXCR7 on βarr recruitment and endosomal trafficking. Taken together, our study provides molecular insights into intrinsic bias encoded in the CXCR4-CXCR7 system, and it has broad implications for therapeutically important framework of biased agonism.
A pandemic clonal lineage of the wheat blast fungus
Authors: Latorre Sergio M. , Were Vincent M. , Foster Andrew J. , Langner Thorsten , Malmgren Angus , Harant Adeline , Asuke Soichiro , Reyes-Avila Sarai , Gupta Dipali Rani , Jensen Cassandra , Ma Weibin , Mahmud Nur Uddin , Mehebub Md. Shåbab , Mulenga Rabson M. , Muzahid Abu Naim Md. , Paul Sanjoy Kumar , Rabby S. M. Fajle , Raha Abdullah Al Mahbub , Ryder Lauren , Shrestha Ram-Krishna , Sichilima Suwilanji , Soanes Darren M. , Singh Pawan Kumar , Bentley Alison R. , Saunders Diane G. O. , Tosa Yukio , Croll Daniel , Lamour Kurt H , Islam Tofazzal , Tembo Batiseba , Win Joe , Talbot Nicholas J. , Burbano Hernán A. , Kamoun Sophien
Published: June 2022

Wheat, the most important food crop, is threatened by a blast disease pandemic. Here, we show that a clonal lineage of the wheat blast fungus recently spread to Asia and Africa following two independent introductions from South America. Through a combination of genome analyses and laboratory experiments, we show that the decade-old blast pandemic lineage can be controlled by the Rmg8 disease resistance gene and is sensitive to strobilurin fungicides. However, we also highlight the potential of the pandemic clone to evolve fungicide-insensitive variants and sexually recombine with African lineages. This underscores the urgent need for genomic surveillance to track and mitigate the spread of wheat blast outside of South America, and to guide pre-emptive wheat breeding for blast resistance.
Neuroanatomical correlates of genetic risk for obesity in children
Authors: Morys Filip , Yu Eric , Shishikura Mari , Paquola Casey , Vainik Uku , Nave Gideon , Koellinger Philipp , Gan-Or Ziv , Dagher Alain
Published: June 2022

Obesity has a strong genetic component, with up to 20% of variance in body mass index (BMI) being accounted for by common polygenic variation. Most genetic polymorphisms associated with BMI are related to genes expressed in the central nervous system. At the same time, higher BMI is associated with neurocognitive changes. However, the direct link between genetics of obesity and neurobehavioral mechanisms related to weight gain is missing. Here, we use a large sample of participants (n>4,000) from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development cohort and investigate how genetic risk for obesity, expressed as polygenic risk score for BMI (BMI-PRS), is related to brain and behavioral differences in adolescents. In a series of analyses, we show that BMI-PRS is related to lower cortical volume and thickness in the frontal and temporal areas, relative to age-expected values. Relatedly, using structural equation modeling, we find that lower overall cortical volume is associated with higher impulsivity, which in turn is related to an increase in BMI 1 year later. In sum, our study shows that obesity might partially stem from genetic risk as expressed in brain changes in the frontal and temporal brain areas, and changes in impulsivity.
Metabolic interactions control the spread of plasmid-encoded functional novelty during microbial range expansion
Authors: Ma Yinyin , Kan Anton , Johnson David R.
Published: June 2022

Surface-associated microbial communities are omnipresent on Earth. As individuals grow and divide within these communities, they undergo range expansion during which different cell-types arrange themselves across space to form spatial patterns (referred to as spatial self-organization). Metabolic interactions are important determinants of the spatial self-organization process, where they direct the spatial positionings of different cell-types. We hypothesized here a previously unexplored consequence of metabolic interactions; by directing the spatial positionings of different cell-types, they also control the horizontal spread of functional novelty during range expansion. We focused on a form of functional novelty of critical importance to human health – the conjugative transfer and proliferation of plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance. We performed range expansion experiments and spatially-explicit individual-based computational simulations with pairs of strains of the bacterium Pseudomonas stutzeri, where one strain was a plasmid donor and the other a potential recipient. We then imposed a competitive or resource cross-feeding interaction between them. We found that interactions that increase the spatial intermixing of strains also increase plasmid conjugation. We further directly linked these effects to spatial intermixing itself. We finally showed that the ability of plasmid recipients to proliferate is determined by their spatial positionings. Our results demonstrate that metabolic interactions are indeed important determinants of the horizontal spread of functional novelty during microbial range expansion, and that the spatial positionings of different cell-types need to be considered when predicting the proliferation and fate of plasmid-encoded traits.
Programmable Mixed-Signal Biocomputers in Mammalian Cells
Authors: Letendre Justin H. , Weinberg Benjamin H. , Mendes Marisa , Marano Jeffery M. , Benman K. J. William , Petherbridge Rachel , Drezek Kamila , Koplik Samantha E. , Piñeiro Alexandra , Wong Wilson W.
Published: June 2022

Living cells perform sophisticated computations that guide them toward discrete states. Synthetic genetic circuits are powerful tools for programing these computations, where transcription-regulatory networks and DNA recombination are the two dominant paradigms for implementing these systems. While each strategy exhibits unique strengths and weaknesses, integrating both into one seamless design framework would enable advanced gene circuit designs intractable with either approach alone. Here, we present Computation via Recombinase Assisted Transcriptional Effectors (CREATE), which leverages site-specific recombination to perform robust logic on discreet computational layers and programmable transcription factors that connect these layers, allowing individual calculations to contribute toward larger operations. We demonstrate the functionality of CREATE by producing sophisticated circuits using a simple plug- and-play framework, including 189 2-input-3-output circuits, modular digital-to-analog signal converters, a 2-bit multiplier circuit, and a digital and analog mixed-signal generator. This work establishes CREATE as a versatile platform for programming complex signal processing systems capable of high-fidelity logic computation and tunable control over circuit output levels.

One-Sentence Summary

We present a minimal and robust genetic circuit platform for programming cells with sophisticated signal processing capabilities.
Pangenomic analysis reveals plant NAD+manipulation as an important virulence activity of bacterial pathogen effectors
Authors: Hulin Michelle T. , Hill Lionel , Jones Jonathan D. G. , Ma Wenbo
Published: June 2022

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) has emerged as a key component in prokaryotic and eukaryotic immune systems and the recent discovery that Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) proteins function as NAD+hydrolases (NADase) link NAD+-derived small molecules with immune signalling. We investigated pathogen manipulation of host NAD+metabolism as a virulence strategy. Using the pangenome of the model bacterial pathogenPseudomonas syringae,we conducted a structure-based similarity search from 35,000 orthogroups for type III effectors (T3Es) with potential NADase activity. Thirteen T3Es, including five newly identified candidates, were identified that possess domain(s) characteristic of seven NAD+-hydrolyzing enzyme families. MostP. syringaestrains that depend on the Type III secretion system to cause disease, encode at least one NAD+-manipulating T3E, and many have several. We experimentally confirmed the type III-dependent secretion of a novel T3E, named HopBY, which shows structural similarity to both TIR and adenosine diphosphate ribose (ADPR) cyclase. Homologs of HopBY were predicted to be type VI effectors in diverse bacterial species, indicating potential recruitment of this activity by microbial proteins secreted during various interspecies interactions. HopBY efficiently hydrolyzes NAD+and specifically produces 2’cADPR, which can also be produced by TIR immune receptors of plants and other bacteria. Intriguingly, this effector promoted bacterial virulence, indicating that 2’cADPR may not be the signalling molecule that directly initiates immunity. This study highlights a host-pathogen battle ground centred around NAD+metabolism and provides insight into the NAD+-derived molecules involved in plant immunity.

Significance statement

NAD+metabolism plays a crucial role in plant and bacterial immunity. However, the diversity and scope of NAD+processing steps in immune signalling remain unclear. Furthermore, whether pathogens can manipulate NAD+metabolism to promote virulence is unknown. By conducting a pangenomic screen of the plant pathogenP. syringae,we found 13 type III effectors that potentially possess NADase activities, indicating that NAD+manipulation is an important virulence mechanism. Further characterization of a newly identified effector HopBY showed that it produces a cyclic ADP-ribose isomer (2’cADPR) and promotes bacterial infection and symptom development. This study clarifies the role of 2’cADPR in immune signalling and provides an example of effectors as useful molecular probes to understand immunity.
Investigating the impacts of microlevel CSR activities on firm sustainability: mediating role of CSR performance and moderating role of top management support
Authors: Chatterjee Sheshadri , Chaudhuri Ranjan , Vrontis Demetris
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impacts of microlevel corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities on firm sustainability. The study also examines the mediating roles of CSR performance (CSRP) and top management support on firm sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

With the help of existing literature and theories, a theoretical model has been developed, which is then validated using structural equation modeling technique considering 327 respondents who perform CSR activities at respondents' firms in India. The research methods include moderator analysis to understand the role of top management support for firm sustainability.

Findings

This research found that microlevel CSR activities have a significant positive impact on CSR performance. The study also found that there is a significant moderating impact of top management support on the relationship between CSR performance and firm sustainability.

Research limitations/implications

This study proposed a theoretical model which has established the relationships between the microlevel CSR activities and CSRP along with firm sustainability. This is an effective model and provides vital inputs to the firms on how to succeed with CSR activities. Limitations to this study's generalizability include use of cross-sectional data and that the data were collected from one country.

Originality/value

The proposed theoretical model is unique and can be applied by firms to enhance firms' CSR performance. There is no other study which has investigated the moderating role of firm leadership team impacting the relationship between CSR performance and firm sustainability. Thus, this study is a unique attempt and adds value to the extant literature on CSR as well as firm sustainability.
The acceptance and continued use of blockchain technology in supply chain management: a unified model from supply chain professional's stance
Authors: Shahzad Khuram , Zhang Qingyu , Khan Muhammad Kaleem , Ashfaq Muhammad , Hafeez Muhammad
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study pinpoints the critical factors influencing the acceptance of blockchain technology in supply chain management in the light of the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) with additional factors personal innovativeness in technology and user's self-efficacy.

Design/methodology/approach

The questionnaire-based data was obtained from SC professionals in China (Beijing). The essential factors influencing it are evaluated through structural equation modeling (SEM), using AMOS software.

Findings

The empirical findings specify that performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, price value, hedonic motivation, user self-efficacy, and personal innovativeness are positively influencing user satisfaction. User satisfaction has a substantial progressive effect on habit. Furthermore, facilitating conditions, price value, habit, user self-efficacy, personal innovativeness, and user satisfaction have a progressive impact on continued intention to use blockchain technology in supply chain management.

Originality/value

Although numerous studies investigated the influencing factors of blockchain technology adoption in supply chain management, no study examined the determinants of UTAUT2. However, this study not only empirically studied the UTAUT2 model but also extended it with the most influencing elements such as personal innovativeness in technology and user's self-efficacy. Furthermore, this study contributes to the BT-enabled SCM literature by studying the continued use and acceptance, rather than testing behavioral intention and initial adoption which is common in previous studies of BT-enabled SCM. Finally, this study discusses the limitations, future directions, and managerial implications of the results so that supply chain professionals can deliver what supply chain stakeholders require.
Student satisfaction with EMI courses: the role of motivation and engagement
Authors: Le Nguyen Thi , Nguyen Duong Tuan
Published: June 2022

Purpose

In response to internationalization and globalization, especially in higher education, universities in non-English-speaking countries have implemented English as a medium of instruction (EMI). The purpose of this study is to assess the satisfaction of students in terms of dimensions of EMI courses and examine the relationship between student motivation, engagement, and satisfaction with EMI courses.

Design/methodology/approach

By using a quantitative approach based on structured questionnaires of 437 Vietnamese undergraduate students, this study applied hierarchical regression analysis to examine the relationship between student motivation, engagement, and satisfaction with EMI courses.

Findings

Students have a relatively positive perception of the EMI courses that they have taken. In particular, they were most satisfied with teachers' teaching characteristics and least satisfied with students' learning characteristics. The study also confirmed that cognitive and emotional engagement have mediating effects on the relationship between motivation and students' satisfaction with EMI courses.

Originality/value

This study suggests that both educational institutions and teachers in non-speaking English countries should pay more attention to motivational factors to engage students in learning and ensure that they are satisfied with EMI courses.
Monetary policies and Islamic mutual fund flows: evidence from Islamic republic of Iran
Authors: AliAhmadi Saeid , Soroushyar Afsaneh
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of monetary policies on Islamic mutual fund flows in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a panel regression model was used to test the research hypotheses. The sample consists of 4,760 seasonality data and 119 Islamic mutual funds over ten-year period between 2011 and 2020. The dependent variable of the study is the cash flow of Islamic mutual funds and the independent variable of monetary policies includes the money growth rate, the liquidity growth rate, interest rate and inflation rate.

Findings

Based on the results of the hypothesis test, all research variables including money growth rate, liquidity growth rate, interest rate and inflation rate have a negative and significant impact on Islamic mutual fund flows. These findings are consistent with the efficient market hypothesis and signaling theory.

Research limitations/implications

This study has implication for policymakers, regulators and fund managers. The results show that the negative impact of monetary policies on Islamic mutual fund flows has a direct effect on the allocation decisions and investment strategies of Islamic mutual fund investors and managers. Also, the results of the research can reduce policymakers’ concerns about monetary policies and provide them forward-looking guidance policy.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to empirically examine the impact of monetary policies on Islamic mutual fund flows in an emerging economy and provides a significant contribution to the literature of mutual funds.
Industry convergence and value innovation: a bibliometric analysis and systematic review
Authors: Chen Ye , Shen Lei , Zhang Xi , Chen Yutao
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to present a bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review of industry convergence and value innovation to understand the current research status; second, to provide a coherent theoretical research framework for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a two-step analysis approach by combining bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review to explore the research topic of industry convergence and value innovation. Besides, two bibliometric tools, HistCite and VOSviewer, were applied to this study.

Findings

This study found that Stefanie Bröring and Fredrik Hacklin are the top two most influential authors among all authors in the sample publications. Technological Forecasting and Social Change is one of the top-ranking journal that often publishes this topic of articles. Germany and the University of Munster are the most influential country and institutions, respectively. Besides, five core research themes were identified based on keywords co-occurrence map, theoretical lenses, factors promoting industry convergence, indicators of industry convergence, the impact of industry convergence and emerging research directions. Based on the above analysis, this paper constructed a theoretical research framework of industry convergence and value innovation.

Research limitations/implications

This paper only draw data from one database – Web of Science – which cannot provide broad coverage of the research topic. Besides, the bibliometric method of this paper is based on high local citation score and high-frequency words, articles in the skirting subjects’ area may not be analyzed.

Practical implications

With the rapid development of technology, such as nanotechnology, radio - frequency identification (RFID), etc., the iterative upgrading of products also comes. As a result, the boundary between industries is gradually blurred, and the phenomenon of industry convergence appears. Therefore, managerial decision-makers are facing challenges of how to respond to the convergence phenomena. From the firm level, firms are facing the problem of value innovation of the existing product, new product development and core competence improvement. Industries are facing the problem of transformation and upgrading. This paper provides certain theoretical insights for both firms and industries to guide the practice accordingly.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to use a bibliometric method to examine the topic of industry convergence and value innovation. In addition, this paper presents an in-depth analysis of this topic and provides a comprehensive theoretical research framework for future study.
Research on the mechanism of knowledge coupling affecting firms' innovation results driven by digitization——based on system dynamics methodology
Authors: Huiping Zhou , Yuxin Yang
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to build a System Dynamics model to reveal the structure and dynamics of knowledge coupling affecting firms' innovation results in the digital context.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the recombined view of innovation, this paper divides knowledge coupling into two dimensions: component knowledge coupling and architectural knowledge coupling. Then, the authors build a system dynamics model to identify the interaction of knowledge coupling factors and use the professional Vensim PLE to conduct simulation analysis to capture the dynamic interaction of motivation factors in knowledge coupling system.

Findings

The results show that both technology resources and digital dynamic capability play positive effects in the mechanism of knowledge coupling influencing firms' innovation results, while organizational inertia negatively affects the process of knowledge coupling to achieve innovation outcomes.

Originality/value

This study develops a holistic system dynamics model to reveal and elaborate on the complex dynamic mechanism of knowledge coupling impacting firms' innovation results in the context of digitization and provides a theoretical reference for companies to effectively adopt digital technology to carry out knowledge coupling strategy.
Reverse knowledge transfer: making sense of two decades of academic research
Authors: Singh Nivisha , Pandey Ritesh , Gupta Rohit , Biswas Baidyanath , Gupta Shubhi
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to synthesize extant literature on the concept of reverse knowledge transfer (RKT) built up over the past two decades with the help of bibliometric analyssis and also to suggest promising new areas for research in this field.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a literature review methodology combined with bibliometric and network analysis based on 117 papers identified from the Scopus database. In particular, this study has tried to identify and capture themes not previously fully captured or evaluated by other reviews on this topic.

Findings

The authors have identified research themes and research gaps in the area of RKT. Overall, the review shows the main outlets that have published papers on RKT and the theoretical background this research is built on. This study exhibits core themes in this area that have persisted and grown consistently such as the subsidiary’s role in RKT. In addition, the review highlights less researched themes such as role of boundary spanning in RKT, which open exciting avenues for new research opportunities.

Research limitations/implications

This study finds that RKT research has experienced remarkable growth from a complete viewpoint in recent years. There was a surge in publications in the area from 2008 onwards, and many of its influential papers seemed to have been published between 2013 and 2018. Prominent themes in this body of research have been identified and potential for future studies has been explored.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to map, synthesize and discuss the literature concerning RKT.
Performance and design comparison of moving-magnet linear oscillating actuators based on their mover positions
Authors: Ahmad Afaq , Ahmad Zahoor , Ullah Abdullah , Rehman Naveed Ur Ur , Israr Muhammad , Zia Muhammad , Ali Haider , Rahman Ataur
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate and compare the characteristics of three topologies of moving-magnet linear oscillating actuator (LOA) based on their mover position. Positive aspects and consequences of every topology are demonstrated. Three topologies of axially magnetized moving-magnet LOA; outer mover, inner mover (IM) and dual stator (DS) are designed and examined. Due to its characteristically high thrust density and more mechanical strength, axially magnetized tubular permanent magnets (PMs) are used in these topologies.

Design/methodology/approach

LOAs are designed and optimized using parametric sweep, in term of design parameters and output parameters like thrust force, stroke and operating resonance frequency of the LOA. All the pros and cons of each topology are investigated and compared. Output parameters of the LOAs are compared using same size of the investigated LOAs. Mover mass, which plays a vital role in resonant operation, is analyzed for IM and DS designs. Investigated LOAs are compared with conventional designs of LOA for compressor in refrigeration system with regards of motor constant, stroke and thrust per PM mass.

Findings

This paper analyzes three topologies of moving-magnet LOAs. The basic difference between investigated LOAs is the radius of tubular-shaped mover from its central axis. All the design parameters are compared and concluded that thrust per PM mass of IMLOA is maximum. OMLOA provides maximum motor constant of value 180 N/A. DSLOA provides thrust force with motor constant 120 N/A and required intermediate materials of PMs. All the three designs give the best results in terms of motor constant and thrust per PM mass, compared to conventional designs of LOA.

Originality/value

This paper determines the impact of mover position from its central axis in a tubular-shaped moving-magnet LOA. This work is carried out in correspondence of latest papers of LOA.
Variation and correlation in the timing of breeding of North Atlantic seabirds across multiple scales
Authors: Keogan Katharine , Daunt Francis , Wanless Sarah , Phillips Richard A. , Alvarez David , Anker‐Nilssen Tycho , Barrett Robert T. , Bech Claus , Becker Peter H. , Berglund Per‐Arvid , Bouwhuis Sandra , Burr Zofia M. , Chastel Olivier , Christensen‐Dalsgaard Signe , Descamps Sebastien , Diamond Tony , Elliott Kyle , Erikstad Kjell‐Einar , Harris Mike , Hentati‐Sundberg Jonas , Heubeck Martin , Kress Stephen W. , Langset Magdalene , Lorentsen Svein‐Håkon , Major Heather L. , Mallory Mark , Mellor Mick , Miles Will T. S. , Moe Børge , Mostello Carolyn , Newell Mark , Nisbet Ian , Reiertsen Tone Kirstin , Rock Jennifer , Shannon Paula , Varpe Øystein , Lewis Sue , Phillimore Albert B.
Published: June 2022

Timing of breeding, an important driver of fitness in many populations, is widely studied in the context of global change, yet despite considerable efforts to identify environmental drivers of seabird nesting phenology, for most populations we lack evidence of strong drivers. Here we adopt an alternative approach, examining the degree to which different populations positively covary in their annual phenology to infer whether phenological responses to environmental drivers are likely to be (a) shared across species at a range of spatial scales, (b) shared across populations of a species or (c) idiosyncratic to populations.

We combined 51 long‐term datasets on breeding phenology spanning 50 years from nine seabird species across 29 North Atlantic sites and examined the extent to which different populations share early versus late breeding seasons depending on a hierarchy of spatial scales comprising breeding site, small‐scale region, large‐scale region and the whole North Atlantic.

In about a third of cases, we found laying dates of populations of different species sharing the same breeding site or small‐scale breeding region were positively correlated, which is consistent with the hypothesis that they share phenological responses to the same environmental conditions. In comparison, we found no evidence for positive phenological covariation among populations across species aggregated at larger spatial scales.

In general, we found little evidence for positive phenological covariation between populations of a single species, and in many instances the inter‐year variation specific to a population was substantial, consistent with each population responding idiosyncratically to local environmental conditions. Black‐legged kittiwakeRissa tridactylawas the exception, with populations exhibiting positive covariation in laying dates that decayed with the distance between breeding sites, suggesting that populations may be responding to a similar driver.

Our approach sheds light on the potential factors that may drive phenology in our study species, thus furthering our understanding of the scales at which different seabirds interact with interannual variation in their environment. We also identify additional systems and phenological questions to which our inferential approach could be applied.
Drivers of individual‐based, antagonistic interaction networks during plant range expansion
Authors: Isla Jorge , Jácome‐Flores Miguel E. , Pareja Daniel , Jordano Pedro
Published: June 2022

Range expansion in plant populations, especially at the colonization front, can be either limited by disproportionately large effects of antagonistic interactions or facilitated by their release. How the strength of antagonistic interactions changes along successional gradients during range expansion is still poorly documented, especially when diverse assemblages of plant antagonists (rodents, invertebrates and birds) combine within interaction networks.

We study the changes in individual‐based, predispersal seed–pulp predator networks along a colonization gradient in a rapidly expanding Juniperus phoenicea population in Doñana National Park (SW Spain). Additionally, we analysed the role of individual plant traits and neighbourhood attributes in network configuration by using Exponential Random Graph Models.

Seven seed–pulp consumer animal species varied significantly in their frequency of interaction and prevalence. While invertebrate species were well‐established in old and intermediately mature stands, greenfinch Chloris chloris was dominant at the colonization front. Variable species roles and spread of interactions among individual plants generated changes in the configuration of interactions during plant expansion.

Individual plant traits strongly determined the topology of these networks, although with differences between stands. Increasing individual crop size and seeds per cone increased the interaction odds of individual plants, while seed viability showed the opposite effect. The network topology at the colonization front appeared less driven by individual traits, possibly because of the short interaction history of this recently established area. The disproportionately large effect of C. chloris in these recently established stands, potentially resulted in large seed losses during range expansion.

Synthesis. Turnover of antagonistic interactions, characterized the colonization front, resulting in more heterogeneous interaction strengths among individual plants. We found no evidence for a complete or sizeable antagonistic release of J. phoenicea at the colonization front promoting this rapid expansion. It becomes necessary to explore interactions with seed dispersers to understand how antagonistic and mutualistic plant–animal interactions balance during range expansion. Our study highlights the importance of an individual‐based approach in understanding how interactions are structured and driven in natural changing landscapes.
The introduction of team‐based learning into the clinical pharmacology section of the endodontics clinical course
Authors: Chen Dong , Yue Haitang , Liu Shengbo , Meng Lang , Yin Wei
Published: June 2022

Team‐based learning (TBL) has been widely applied and evaluated to produce better student outcomes. TBL has been introduced into the clinical pharmacology section of the endodontics clinical course at the School of Stomatology, Wuhan University since 2021. Here, the teaching experience in this course was summarized. The TBL course consisted of a knowledge assignment, intrateam and interteam discussion, practicing, evaluation, cases discussion and examination. The topics of the TBL class included cavity preparation and filling for treatment of dental caries, disinfection, and shaping and filling of root canal for root canal therapy. A total of 64 students participated in the TBL course. The students completed course work and hands‐on practice to the satisfaction of the instructor. Furthermore, most participants held positive attitudes toward the TBL course because TBL provided the opportunity for teamwork to enable them to acquire and understand the therapeutic drug and material more quickly and made them more confident in the following practice. Our experience suggested that the application of the TBL contributed to the authentic practice of the endodontics clinical course.