bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dual regulation of Misshapen by Tao and Rap2l promotes collective cell migration
Authors: Roberto Gabriela Molinari , Boutet Alison , Keil Sarah , Emery Gregory
Published: July 2023

Collective cell migration occurs in various biological processes such as development, wound healing and metastasis. During Drosophila oogenesis, border cells (BC) form a cluster that migrates collectively inside the egg chamber. The Ste20-like kinase Misshapen (Msn) is a key regulator of BC migration coordinating the restriction of protrusion formation and contractile forces within the cluster. Here, we demonstrate that the kinase Tao acts as an upstream activator of Msn in BCs. Depletion of Tao significantly impedes BC migration and produces a phenotype similar to Msn loss-of-function. Furthermore, we show that the localization of Msn relies on its CNH domain, which interacts with the small GTPase Rap2l. Our findings indicate that Rap2l promotes the trafficking of Msn to the endolysosomal pathway. When Rap2l is depleted, the levels of Msn increase in the cytoplasm and at cell-cell junctions between BCs. Overall, our data suggest that Rap2l ensures that the levels of Msn are higher at the periphery of the cluster through the targeting of Msn to the degradative pathway. Together, we identified two distinct regulatory mechanisms that ensure the appropriate distribution and activation of Msn in BCs.
Listeria monocytogenesinfection in intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells with exposure to progesterone and estradiol-17beta in a gestational infection model
Authors: Hugon Anna Marie , Golos Thaddeus G.
Published: July 2023

Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is a food-borne pathogen associated with serious pregnancy complications, including miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, neonatal sepsis, and meningitis. Although Lm infection within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is well studied, little is known about the influence sex hormones may have on listeriosis. Estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) not only have receptors within the GI tract but are significantly increased during pregnancy. The presence of these hormones may play a role in susceptibility to listeriosis during pregnancy.

Caco-2 cell monolayers were grown on trans-well inserts in the presence of E2, P4, both E2 and P4, or no hormones (control). Cells were inoculated with Lm for 1 hour, before rinsing with gentamycin and transfer to fresh media. Trans-epithelial resistance was recorded hourly, and bacterial burden of the apical media, intracellular lysates, and basal media were assessed at 6 hours post inoculation.

There were no significant differences in bacterial replication when directly exposed to sex steroids, and Caco-2 cell epithelial barrier function was not impacted during culture with Lm. Addition of P4 significantly reduced intracellular bacterial burden compared to E2 only and no hormone controls. Interestingly, E2 only treatment was associated with significantly increased Lm within the basal compartment, compared to reduction in the intracellular and apical layers.

These data indicate that increased circulating sex hormones alone do not significantly impact intestinal epithelial barrier integrity during listeriosis, but that addition of P4 and E2, alone or in combination, was associated with reduced epithelial cell bacterial burden and apical release of Lm.

Summary sentence

Progesterone and estradiol inhibit infection of Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells byListeria monocytogenes.
SYS-1/beta-catenin inheritance and regulation by Wnt-signaling during asymmetric cell division
Authors: Valdes Michel Maria F. , Phillips Bryan T.
Published: July 2023

Asymmetric cell division (ACD) allows daughter cells of a polarized mother to acquire different developmental fates. InC. elegans, the Wnt/β-catenin Asymmetry (WβA) pathway oversees many embryonic and larval ACDs; here, a Wnt gradient induces an asymmetric distribution of Wnt signaling components within the dividing mother cell. One terminal nuclear effector of the WβA pathway is the transcriptional activator SYS-1/β-catenin. SYS-1 is sequentially negatively regulated during ACD; first by centrosomal regulation and subsequent proteasomal degradation and second by asymmetric activity of the β-catenin “destruction complex” in one of the two daughter cells, which decreases SYS-1 levels in the absence of WβA signaling. However, the extent to which mother cell SYS-1 influences cell fate decisions of the daughters is unknown. Here, we quantify inherited SYS-1 in the differentiating daughter cells and the role of SYS-1 inheritance in Wnt-directed ACD. Photobleaching experiments demonstrate the GFP::SYS-1 present in daughter cell nuclei is comprised of inherited andde novotranslated SYS-1 pools. We used a photoconvertible DENDRA2::SYS-1, to directly observe the dynamics of inherited SYS-1. Photoconversion during mitosis reveals that SYS-1 clearance at the centrosome preferentially degrades older SYS-1, and this accumulation is regulated via dynein trafficking. Photoconversion of the EMS cell during Wnt-driven ACD shows daughter cell inheritance of mother cell SYS-1. Additionally, loss of centrosomal SYS-1 increased inherited SYS-1 and, surprisingly, loss of centrosomal SYS-1 also resulted in increased levels ofde novoSYS-1 in both EMS daughter cells. Lastly, we show that daughter cell negative regulation of SYS-1 via the destruction complex member APR-1/APC is key to limit both thede novoand the inherited SYS-1 pools in both the E and the MS cells. We conclude that regulation of both inherited and newly translated SYS-1 via centrosomal processing in the mother cell and daughter cell regulation via Wnt signaling are critical to maintain sister SYS-1 asymmetry during ACD.
Sclerotome is compartmentalized by parallel Shh and Bmp signaling downstream of CaMKII
Authors: Rothschild Sarah C. , Row Richard H. , Martin Benjamin L. , Clements Wilson K.
Published: July 2023

The sclerotome in vertebrates comprises an embryonic population of cellular progenitors that give rise to diverse adult tissues including the axial skeleton, ribs, intervertebral discs, connective tissue, and vascular smooth muscle. In the thorax, this cell population arises in the ventromedial region of each of the segmented tissue blocks known as somites. How and when sclerotome adult tissue fates are specified and how the gene signatures that predate those fates are regulated has not been well studied. We have identified a previously unknown role for Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in regulating sclerotome patterning in zebrafish. Mechanistically, CaMKII regulates the activity of parallel signaling inputs that pattern sclerotome gene expression. In one downstream arm, CaMKII regulates distribution of the established sclerotome-inductive morphogen sonic hedgehog (Shh), and thus Shh-dependent sclerotome genes. In the second downstream arm, we show a previously unappreciated inductive requirement for Bmp signaling, where CaMKII activates expression ofbmp4and consequently Bmp activity. Bmp activates expression of a second subset of stereotypical sclerotome genes, while simultaneously repressing Shh-dependent markers. Our work demonstrates that CaMKII promotes parallel Bmp and Shh signaling as a mechanism to first promote global sclerotome specification, and that these pathways subsequently regionally activate and refine discrete compartmental genetic programs. Our work establishes how the earliest unique gene signatures that likely drive distinct cell behaviors and adult fates arise within the sclerotome.
Reductive amination cascades in cell-free and resting whole cell formats for valorization of lignin deconstruction products
Authors: Nain Priyanka , Dickey Roman M. , Somasundaram Vishal , Sulzbach Morgan , Kunjapur Aditya M.
Published: July 2023

The selective introduction of amine groups within deconstruction products of lignin could provide an avenue for valorizing waste biomass while achieving a green synthesis of industrially relevant building blocks from sustainable sources. Here, we built and characterized enzyme cascades that create aldehydes and subsequently primary amines from diverse lignin-derived carboxylic acids using a carboxylic acid reductase (CAR) and an ω-transaminase (TA). Unlike previous studies that have paired CAR and TA enzymes, here we examine multiple homologs of each of these enzymes and a broader set of candidate substrates. In addition, we compare the performance of these systems in cell-free and resting whole-cell biocatalysis formats using the conversion of vanillate to vanillyl amine as model chemistry. We also demonstrate that resting whole cells can be recycled for multiple batch reactions. We used the knowledge gained from this study to produce several amines from carboxylic acid precursors using one-pot biocatalytic reactions, several of which we report for the first time. These results expand our knowledge of these industrially relevant enzyme families to new substrates and contexts for environmentally friendly and potentially low-cost synthesis of diverse aryl aldehydes and amines.
Validation of GCN5L1/BLOC1S1/BLOS1 Antibodies Using Knockout Cells and Tissue
Authors: Bugga Paramesha , Stoner Michael W. , Manning Janet R. , Mushala Bellina A.S. , Thapa Dharendra , Scott Iain
Published: July 2023

GCN5L1, also known as BLOC1S1 and BLOS1, is a small intracellular protein involved in a number of key biological processes. Over the last decade, GCN5L1 has been implicated in the regulation of protein lysine acetylation, energy metabolism, endo-lysosomal function, and cellular immune pathways. An increasing number of published papers have used commercially-available reagents to interrogate GCN5L1 function. However, in many cases these reagents have not been rigorously validated, leading to potentially misleading results. In this report we tested several commercially-available antibodies for GCN5L1, and found that two-thirds of those available did not unambiguously detect the protein by western blot in cultured mouse cells orex vivoliver tissue. These data suggest that previously published studies which used these unverified antibodies to measure GCN5L1 protein abundance, in the absence of other independent methods of corroboration, should be interpreted with appropriate caution.
Microbial biosensor for sensing and treatment of intestinal inflammation
Authors: Zhu Duolong , Galley Jeffrey , Pizzini Jason , Musteata Elena , Tabor Jeffrey J. , Britton Robert A.
Published: July 2023

Substantial synthetic biology efforts have been made to engineer biosensors to detect intestinal inflammation, however none target the most clinically accepted biomarker, calprotectin. To develop anin situbiosensor for calprotectin, we optimized a zinc uptake regulator (Zur) regulated promoter coupled with a memory circuit that can detect and record intestinal inflammationin vivo. The level of activation strongly correlates with calprotectin levels in the colon of two independent mouse models of colitis. Coupling of the biosensor with the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 allowed for the resolution of chemically induced colitis, demonstrating the ability of the biosensor to sense and respond to disease. This work highlights the utility of developing synthetic organisms for the diagnosis and treatment of intestinal disease using clinically validated biomarkers.

One sentence summary

We have optimized a microbial biosensor to detect and respond to the clinically relevant intestinal inflammation biomarker calprotectin.
Characterization and diversification of AraC/XylS family regulators guided by transposon sequencing
Authors: Pearson Allison N. , Incha Matthew R. , Ho Cindy , Schmidt Matthias , Roberts Jacob B. , Nava Alberto A. , Keasling Jay D.
Published: July 2023

In this study, we explored the development of engineered inducible systems. Publicly available data from previous transposon sequencing assays were used to identify regulators of metabolism inPseudomonas putidaKT2440. For the AraC-family regulators (AFRs) represented in this data, we posited AFR/promoter/inducer groupings. Eleven promoters were characterized for a response to their proposed inducers inP. putida, and the resultant data were used to create and test nine two-plasmid sensor systems inE. coli. Several of these were further developed into a palette of single-plasmid inducible systems. From these experiments, we observed an unreported inducer response from a previously characterized AFR, demonstrated that the addition of aP. putidatransporter improved the sensor dynamics of an AFR inE. coli, and identified an uncharacterized AFR with a novel potential inducer specificity. Finally, targeted mutations in an AFR, informed by structural predictions, enabled further diversification of these inducible plasmids.

Graphical Abstract
Fostering three types of green behavior through green HRM in the energy sector: the conditional role of environmental managerial support
Authors: Piwowar-Sulej Katarzyna , Austen Agata , Iqbal Qaisar
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Drawing on the social exchange theory (SET) and the self-determination theory (SDT), the present study aims to examine the impact of green human resource management (GHRM) on three types of employee green behavior (EGB) – green in-role, innovative and extra-role – in the presence of environmental managerial support (EMS) as a conditional factor.

Design/methodology/approach

The research model was verified based on data from 419 respondents employed in companies operating in the energy sector in Poland (Europe’s “coal heartland”). PLS-SEM was used in the statistical analyses.

Findings

This study shows that GHRM positively impacts three types of EGB. EMS positively moderates the relationships of GHRM with both green extra-role behaviors and innovative work behaviors; however, EMS does not play a moderating role in the relationship between GHRM and green in-role behaviors.

Originality/value

This study, being one of a kind, enriches the literature by exploring the conditional role of EMS on the integrated relationship of GHRM practices with in-role, extra-role and innovative behaviors and offers evidence from the rarely examined energy sector, which plays a vital role in the transformation of nations toward sustainable development.
Toward a cashless society: assessing the acceptance of Bahrain BenefitPay using TAM and SEM
Authors: Albastaki Yousif Abdullatif
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how the technology acceptance model (TAM) and structural equation modeling (SEM) might be used to assess customer acceptance of financial apps aiming at paving the road for enabling a cashless society in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a convenience sample of 600 users of the BenefitPay app in the Kingdom of Bahrain, this study used the quantitative research approach to obtain 427 usable responses. Following a descriptive study to establish a framework for the data and a subsequent inferential analysis using SEM with confirmatory factor analysis, the research hypotheses were tested.

Findings

The results of this study back up what is claimed in the TAM theory literature, which shows that banking customers in the Kingdom of Bahrain who use e-payment methods are more likely to use BenefitPay if it is both easy to use and useful. BenefitPay systems behavioral intention to use was also highly influenced by aspects like ease of use and usefulness, which enable the development of cashless societies.

Research limitations/implications

This research work contribution is described through exploring how a cashless society is developed using electronic apps by studying the case of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Kingdom of Bahrain is unique, and hence the knowledge obtained from studying it cannot be applied mechanically to any other nation. Instead, the paper seeks to explain the motivations behind Bahrain’s move toward a cashless society, to analyze the difficulties and potential benefits of this transition and to spark much-needed conversations on how having less cash or none would affect the economies. Bahrain’s BenefitPay systems can be seen as a current pushing force toward cashless society; thus, understanding how people in the Kingdom of Bahrain adopt e-payment techniques is vital.

Originality/value

The TAM conceptual model is experimentally validated in this study using cutting-edge methods like SEM with value creation for banking sector management, making it stand out from similar research. This research may prove useful in laying the groundwork for a cashless society in the Kingdom of Bahrain by analyzing the key elements that affect the BenefitPay app.
Numerical simulation study on erosion collapse failure mechanism of cemented conglomerate accumulation
Authors: Hu Chengfu , Shi Chong , Zhang Yiping , Chen Xiao , Luo Sha
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Cemented conglomerate accumulation is a weak and heterogeneous medium that occurs in western China. It consists mainly of argillaceous cement that loses strength rapidly upon contact with water, leading to collapse instability failure. Its deformation failure mechanism is complex and poorly understood. In this paper, the erosion failure mechanism of cemented conglomerate accumulation is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

The collapse failure process after erosion of the slope foot for typical cemented conglomerate accumulation is studied based on field investigation using the particle discrete element method. And how the medium composition, slope angle and cementation degree influence the failure mode and process of the cemented conglomerate accumulation is examined.

Findings

The foot erosion of slope induces a tensile failure that typically manifests as “erosion at the foot of slope – tensile cracking at the back edge of slope top – integral collapse.” The collapse failure is more likely to occur when the cemented conglomerate accumulation has a higher rock content, a steeper slope angle or a weaker cementation degree.

Originality/value

A model based on rigid blocks and disk particles to simulate the cemented conglomerate accumulation is developed. It shows that the hydraulic erosion at the foot of the slope resulted in a different failure mechanism than that of general slopes. The results can inform the stability management, disaster prevention and mitigation of similar slopes.
The rise of scientific literature on Twitter research: a bibliometric analysis and some insights
Authors: Mir Aasif Ahmad , Rathinam Sevukan
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The study aims to access, monitor and visualize the scientific progress of Twitter-based research through a bibliometric analysis of scientific publications.

Design/methodology/approach

The data was retrieved from 2006 to February 23, 2022 using the Web of Science, a leading indexing and abstracting database. In response to the authors’ query, 6,193 items with 101,037 citations, an average citation of 16.31 and an h index of 126 were received. The “Biblioshiny” extension of the “Bibliometrics” package (www.bibliometrix.org) of R software was used to evaluate and visualize the data.

Findings

The present study highlighted the scientific progress of the field evolved over a period of time. The obtained results uncovered the publication trends, productive countries and their collaboration pattern, active authors who nurture the field by making their contribution, prolific source titles adopted by authors to publish the literature on the topic, most productive language in which literature was written, productive institutions, funding agencies that sponsor the research, influential articles, prominent keywords used in publications were also identified which will aid scientists in identifying research gaps in a particular area.

Originality/value

This study comprehensively illustrates the research status of Twitter-related research by conducting a bibliometric analysis. The study’s findings can assist relevant researchers in understanding the research trend, seeking scientific collaborators and funding for their research. Further, the study will act as a ready reference tool for the scientific community to identify research gaps, select research topics and appropriate platforms for submitting their scholarly endeavors.
Attentional impulsivity accounts for the association of antisociality with craving and mental health problems in incarcerated individuals with substance dependence
Authors: Reichl Daniela , Heindl Bruno , Distler Anette Lea , Steins-Loeber Sabine
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Prisoners with substance use disorder (SUD) are at risk of mental health problems. Given the common co-occurring of psychopathic traits with SUDs, probably because of underlying impulsive traits (Ellingson et al., 2018), this study aims to examine the relation between psychopathy (impulsive antisociality and fearless dominance) and the functioning of incarcerated individuals with SUD. The authors investigated whether impulsivity (motor, nonplanning and attentional) can account for the relationship between one psychopathy facet (impulsive antisociality) and craving and mental health problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors assessed self-reported impulsivity, psychopathy, craving and mental health problems in 121 male incarcerated individuals with SUD and calculated cross-sectional linear regression analyses and mediation models.

Findings

Impulsive antisociality was positively related to all impulsivity facets, craving and mental health problems. Attentional impulsivity mediated the relationship of impulsive antisociality with craving and mental health problems. Fearless dominance was related to lower attentional and nonplanning impulsivity, craving and mental health problems.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies should investigate these relations in longitudinal studies and evaluate tailored approaches, for example, mindfulness interventions.

Practical implications

Interventions to reduce craving and improve mental health might be important for those who display self-centered, antisocial behavior but are less relevant for those with fearless, dominant interpersonal behavior. Addressing attentional impulsivity may be of special interest in this regard.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study was the first to investigate the mediating role of different impulsivity facets for the association of impulsive antisociality with craving and with mental health problems in incarcerated individuals with SUD.
When manufacturer brands did not support retailer brand images
Authors: Roßmann Patrick , Schade Michael , Burmann Christoph Klaus
Published: July 2023

Purpose

To further improve the branding strategies between single-brand-retailers and multi-brand-retailers, the paper investigates the influence of multiple manufacturer brand images on retailer brand image. It considers the moderating role of the number of offered manufacturer brands.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is conducted in the automotive retail context. Based on an online survey (383 respondents), a Partial-Least Squares Modeling, estimated using SmartPLS 3 and a classic partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) algorithm, is used to validate the hypotheses.

Findings

The results reveal that manufacturer brands did not influence the retailer's brand image in all cases since it is only influenced by the manufacturer brand when the retailer offers only one manufacturer brand.

Practical implications

For retailers offering only one manufacturer brand, the most extensive possible adoption of the corporate identity (CI) specifications prescribed by the manufacturer brands is the prerequisite for a positive image effect. Retailers offering more than one manufacturer brand should create their image based on the retailer's identity. In this context, it is essential to position the retailer brand independently in the market.

Originality/value

This is the first study focuses on retailers with a small or limited number of offered manufacturer brands to answer the question of whether the number of provided manufacturer brands moderates the impact of manufacturer brand images on the retailer's brand image.
From text to insights: understanding museum consumer behavior through text mining TripAdvisor reviews
Authors: Burkov Ivan , Gorgadze Aleksei
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to determine consumer satisfaction dimensions that lead to a willingness to share positive emotions through the study of TripAdvisor users’ reviews on St. Petersburg museums. The explorative study reveals the most significant factors that could predict museum visitors’ behavioral intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on the theory of planned behavior and the “cognitive-affective-conative” model to analyze TripAdvisor reviews (n = 23020) and understand the relationship between the affective and the conative components of consumer behavior. Quantitative text-mining analysis allowed us to view every lemma of every review as a single factor for a deeper understanding of the phenomenon.

Findings

The research has enlarged the literature on museum consumer behavior. Behavioral intentions of museum visitors are affected by satisfaction dimensions, especially emotions felt; the esthetic dimension and museums’ surroundings affect consumers’ overall willingness to share positive emotions, while bad service quality and pricing policy make a visit to the museums less satisfying.

Practical implications

Managers can enhance their offerings and attract new consumers by identifying the satisfaction dimensions that influence their intentions to share positive emotions. The research findings can aid museums, tour agencies and government officials in developing targeted products and strategies to meet consumers’ expectations and promote urban tourism.

Originality/value

The research identified the dimensions that influence visitors’ willingness to share positive emotions through user-generated content in the context of museums. The study applies quantitative text analysis based on logit regression, which is a novel approach in the field of urban tourism research.
Reducing agency costs through recruitment: staffing referrals and family business success
Authors: Vardaman James M. , Tabor William E. , Hargrove Darel C. , Zhou Feigu
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The role of family business staffing practices in their ultimate success remains largely unknown. The purpose of this paper is to test the notion that firms with greater family essence manifest their commitment by leveraging referrals as a recruitment source, which in turn is associated with higher performance. The hypothesized model posits that reduced agency costs from hiring through owner referral utilization (ORU) provide high-family essence firms with stronger performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws upon a sample of 194 small and medium-sized family business owners.

Findings

Findings from OLS regression and the PROCESS model in SPSS support the hypothesis that recruiting nonfamily employees from referrals helps lessen agency conflicts and serves as an intervening mechanism in the relationship between family firm essence and firm performance.

Originality/value

This study draws on agency theory to shed light on how family firms successfully bring nonfamily employees into the fold despite their human resource limitations. The results extend theory on family businesses by demonstrating that those with higher degrees of family essence are more likely to attract applicants via ORU. Leveraging this recruiting practice allows family businesses to hire nonfamily employees who share the values and goals of the family firm, thus lowering agency costs and fostering higher performance. More broadly, the findings offer insight into the role of staffing practices in family firm success.
Exploring the barriers of multi-stakeholder value co-creation – the museum context
Authors: Najda-Janoszka Marta , Sawczuk Magdalena
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The study builds on the multi-stakeholder perspective and applies the DART model to frame and explore barriers to value co-creation in the museum context.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical research followed a multiple case study design, based on six cases selected in accordance with a maximum variation strategy. The analysis of the data gathered from multiple primary and secondary sources was guided by the qualitative content analysis approach and the pattern-matching technique for a multiple case study.

Findings

The findings reveal a largely convergent understanding of value co-creation that relates to the social integration of the intrinsic value of museums. The main barriers to value co-creation were identified at both organizational and personal levels, yet important context-bound differences were found regarding the scope and impact of those barriers across defined museum activity areas.

Originality/value

The study enriches literature and museum management by identifying and synthesizing barriers, offering insights for overcoming them through DART model modifications. These insights extend beyond museums, emphasizing stakeholder identification, recognizing activity-specific barriers, understanding interdependence and considering external factors like the pandemic. Managers can leverage this knowledge for informed decisions and interventions.
Service robots and artificial morality: an examination of robot behavior that violates human privacy
Authors: Söderlund Magnus
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Service robots are expected to become increasingly common, but the ways in which they can move around in an environment with humans, collect and store data about humans and share such data produce a potential for privacy violations. In human-to-human contexts, such violations are transgression of norms to which humans typically react negatively. This study examines if similar reactions occur when the transgressor is a robot. The main dependent variable was the overall evaluation of the robot.

Design/methodology/approach

Service robot privacy violations were manipulated in a between-subjects experiment in which a human user interacted with an embodied humanoid robot in an office environment.

Findings

The results show that the robot's violations of human privacy attenuated the overall evaluation of the robot and that this effect was sequentially mediated by perceived robot morality and perceived robot humanness. Given that a similar reaction pattern would be expected when humans violate other humans' privacy, the present study offers evidence in support of the notion that humanlike non-humans can elicit responses similar to those elicited by real humans.

Practical implications

The results imply that designers of service robots and managers in firms using such robots for providing service to employees should be concerned with restricting the potential for robots' privacy violation activities if the goal is to increase the acceptance of service robots in the habitat of humans.

Originality/value

To date, few empirical studies have examined reactions to service robots that violate privacy norms.
Application of artificial intelligence in libraries and information centers services: prospects and challenges
Authors: Jha Sanjay Kumar
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the emerging technologies of this time. AI is a widely used technology in library services that can transform the best services in the age of information technology. This paper aims to highlight the use of AI in library operations. Several research has been undertaken on this subject, but that only address a few applications. AI and libraries have a substantial nexus; nevertheless, the use and awareness of AI in library services are still creating question marks addressed in this paper. This study will help the policy stakeholder, librarians and scholars in the field to address these issues before the deployment of AI in library services.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a qualitative method using content analysis techniques. An extensive review of literature on “artificial intelligence”, “smart libraries” was carried to ascertain the emerging technologies in the smart library domain. Literature was searched against various keywords like artificial intelligence, smart technologies, Internet of Things, electronic resource management, data mining and ambient intelligence. This study highlights the pros and cons of AI in library services and its possible solutions.

Findings

The findings of this study show that AI is a vibrant technology that can be used in library services; however, some obstacles like adequate funds, the attitude of librarians and technical skills are a few obstacles that hamper AI in library operations. The findings also reveal that using AI in library operations will accelerate libraries in the right direction. Furthermore, this study highlights various applications that can be deployed without spending costs.

Practical implications

This paper may be of interest to academic, librarians, policymakers, researchers and the government to have a perspective on initiatives in the country on application of technology in library services. This study can introduce the current status and potential of this technology to bring the technology revolution in library and information center services.

Social implications

This study will motivate library professionals to take advantage of AI in library services and further accelerate library operations in the right direction.

Originality/value

This study covers the understanding of AI in library services that will help the librarian’s and information professionals leverage AI in library scenarios. Furthermore, the practical implication of AI in library services will bring positive change in implementing AI.
Forecasting China’s marine scientific research and education, marine industrial structure upgrading and marine economy growth based on the AWBO-MGM(1,m) model
Authors: Xu Haojun , Li Na
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the internal interaction mechanism of marine scientific research and education, industrial structure upgrading and marine economic growth from a systematic perspective, based on which this work forecasts their future development trends.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a multivariate grey model is applied to the prediction of marine scientific research and education, industrial structure upgrading and marine economic growth. Considering the impact of the COVID-19 on marine development, this paper introduces the weakening buffer operator into MGM(1,m) and constructs the AWBO-MGM(1,m) model. To verify the validity and accuracy of the new model, this paper uses AWBO-MGM(1,m), MGM(1,m), GM(1,N), GM(1,1), back propagation neural network and linear regression models for simulation and prediction based on the data from 2010 to 2021, respectively.

Findings

From the theoretical perspective, the development of marine scientific research and education can accelerate industrial upgrading and promote marine economic growth by providing high-quality talents, promoting marine science and technology progress and reducing transaction costs; while the upgrading of marine industrial structure and marine economic growth can promote the development of marine scientific research and education by guiding social capital, enhancing talent demand and stimulating market vitality. From the empirical analysis, the AWBO-MGM(1,m) model can effectively deal with epidemic shocks and has higher fitting and prediction accuracy than the other five comparative models.

Practical implications

The government should pay attention to the construction of marine scientific research and education, so as to provide high-quality talents and advanced scientific research results for the high-quality development of marine economy. On the basis of using science and technology to firmly build the primary and secondary marine industries, the government should actively guide the labor, capital and other factors of production to the tertiary industry, thereby promoting the optimization and upgrading of marine industrial structure.

Originality/value

On the one hand, the interplay mechanism of marine scientific research and education, industrial structure upgrading and marine economic growth is analyzed from a systematic perspective; on the other hand, the enhanced AWBO-MGM(1,m) possesses higher forecasting performance and is applicable to the systemic multivariate forecasting problem in the presence of outstanding external shocks.
Post-COVID assessment of small business weavers in an Indian handloom industry: identifying and prioritizing key challenges
Authors: Naik M.K.P. , Bhardwaj Prabhas , Mishra Vinaytosh
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to identify and analyze the challenges for the Varanasi handloom industry after the COVID pandemic by considering their impact on different sections of the weavers and subsequently suggest the best possible solution for the same.

Design/methodology/approach

A combined approach of expert opinion and in-depth literature reviews are used to identify the challenges, and a multicriteria decision-making tool is used to rank the challenges for the type of weaver.

Findings

This research provides an elaborated view of the problems faced by the handloom industry after the COVID pandemic and suggests that the success of the handloom business is subjected to the eradication of a wide number of challenges according to the type of weaver.

Practical implications

The findings of this research will help the policymakers to make and align their policies and strategies for the upliftment of the Varanasi handloom industry efficiently and effectively.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first kind of study that focuses on identifying and prioritizing the barriers affecting the success of the Varanasi handloom industry after the COVID pandemic. Furthermore, the uniqueness of this research lies in its ability to study all three independent sections of the handloom industry, having different capabilities and limitations.
Xoxoday – growth in the post-COVID world
Authors: Gupta Pooja , Dutta Gupta Sangita , Garg Varnika , Jain Aakriti , Kavalakkatt John , Mahawar Aditi
Published: July 2023

Theoretical basis

There are two theoretical concepts that can be taught in this case.The new approach to teaching entrepreneurship is termed “lean start-up” and “hypothesis-driven entrepreneurship.” The business model canvas is a core tool of this approach. This framework defines nine key components of a successful business strategy. These components include defining value propositions; identifying customer segments; identifying channels; maintaining customer relationships; defining key activities, key resources and key partners; understanding the revenue model of the business; and the organization’s cost structure. This is considered to be a rigorous approach to learning about and developing a new venture.The other theoretical approach that can be discussed through this case is the link between uncertainty and entrepreneurial growth. These theories associate the willingness of entrepreneurs to bear the perceived uncertainty associated with entrepreneurial acts as representative of the belief-desire model. There is a need for entrepreneurs to experiment and search for alternative paths forward in order to counter this uncertainty. Systematic search processes to discover relevant information will strengthen this process.

Research methodology

This case is based on primary data collected through interviews with company personnel. The company consented freely to the use of their data in the case. The authors have no connection with the company. The four student coauthors had previously pursued an internship with the company and had worked on the machine learning analysis part.The two faculty coauthors in the case contacted the company after the internship and discussed the opportunity to write the case on the company. One of the faculty then interviewed key personnel in the company, including one of the co-founders.

Case overview/synopsis

Xoxoday is a technology company that provides employee rewards and corporate gifting to its customers. The company was started by Sumit Khandelwal, Manoj Agarwal, Abhishek Kumar and Kushal Agarwal. In 2018, the company reinvented itself as an experiential gifting company.The company faced some challenges during the lockdowns imposed due to COVID-19. Khandelwal knew that they had to try something new to achieve higher growth in the future. He wondered if higher usage of technology was the solution. It was necessary for them to carve a new path in these times.

Complexity academic level

This case study can be used at the undergraduate level in courses relating to entrepreneurship strategy and business models for entrepreneurs.The case can be used to highlight the dilemmas faced by entrepreneurs due to unforeseen crises. This case is relevant for classes that will discuss growth crises and out-of-the-box solutions for unprecedented crisis situations.
Coupling the electrocatalytic dechlorination of 2,4‐D with electroactive microbial anodes
Authors: Leon‐Fernandez Luis F. , Dominguez‐Benetton Xochitl , Villaseñor Camacho José , Fernandez‐Morales Francisco Jesús
Published: July 2023

This work proves the feasibility of dechlorinating 2,4‐D, a customary commercial herbicide, using cathodic electrocatalysis driven by the anodic microbial electrooxidation of sodium acetate. A set of microbial electrochemical systems (MES) were run under two different operating modes, namely microbial fuel cell (MFC) mode, with an external resistance of 120 Ω, or microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) mode, by supplying external voltage (0.6 V) for promoting the (bio)electrochemical reactions taking place. When operating the MES as an MFC, 32% dechlorination was obtained after 72 h of treatment, which was further enhanced by working under MEC mode and achieving a 79% dechlorination. In addition, the biodegradability (expressed as the ratio BOD/COD) of the synthetic polluted wastewater was tested prior and after the MES treatment, which was improved from negative values (corresponding to toxic effluents) up to 0.135 in the MFC and 0.453 in the MEC. Our MES approach proves to be a favourable option from the point of view of energy consumption. Running the system under MFC mode allowed to co‐generate energy along the dechlorination process (−0.0120 kWh mol−1), even though low removal rates were attained. The energy input under MEC operation was 1.03 kWh mol−1—a competitive value compared to previous works reported in the literature for (non‐biological) electrochemical reactors for 2,4‐D electrodechlorination.
Addiction: A treatise from 1561
Authors: Nadeau Louise , Valleur Marc
Published: July 2023

Background and aims

In 1561, physician and philosopher Pascasius Justus Turq published a monograph on the description and treatment of pathological gambling. When the monograph came to the attention of the authors in 2006, there existed no known translation of it in any modern language. In 2014, it was translated and published in French. This paper analyses the monograph’s key content elements and its place in the history of the concept of addiction.

Methods

A contextual analysis of the late Italian Renaissance, followed by key excerpts from the text and commentaries on the meaning and significance of the monograph.

Findings and conclusions

Pascasius Justus Turq’s 1561 monograph on pathological gambling outlines a disease view of gambling, identifies cognitive processes and biological vulnerabilities as aetiological factors, avoids religious or moral judgements and recommends cognitive treatment to change the beliefs and expectancies of gamblers. This study shows that a ‘disease formulation’ of addiction was enunciated as early as the 16th century, and its contemporary resonance suggests that current clinical features of addictive disorders have existed for centuries.
Asymptotics of M‐estimator in multivariate linear regression models for a class of random errors
Authors: Wu Yi , Yu Wei , Wang Xuejun
Published: July 2023

It is known that linear regression models have immense applications in various areas such as engineering technology, economics and social sciences. In this paper, we investigate the asymptotic properties of M‐estimator in multivariate linear regression model based on a class of random errors satisfying a generalised Bernstein‐type inequality. By using the generalised Bernstein‐type inequality, we obtain a general result on almost sure convergence for a class of random variables and then obtain the strong consistency for the M‐estimator in multivariate linear regression models under some mild conditions. The result extends or improves some existing ones in the literature. Moreover, we also consider the case when the dimension $p$ tends to infinity by establishing the rate of almost sure convergence for a class of random variables satisfying generalised Bernstein‐type inequality. Some numerical simulations are also provided to verify the validity of the theoretical results.
Effectiveness of biosimilar adoption within a UK tertiary hospital: 6‐year follow‐up
Authors: Barron Andrew , Chung Jennifer , Ferner Robin E. , Leandro Maria , Maru Saloni , Scourfield Andrew , Urquhart Robert , Sofat Reecha
Published: July 2023

Health systems encourage switching from originators to biosimilars as biosimilars are more cost‐effective. The speed and completeness of biosimilar adoption is a measure of efficiency. We describe the approach to biosimilar adoption at a single hospital Trust and compare its efficiency against the English average. We additionally follow up patients who reverted to a previously used biologic, having switched to a biosimilar, to establish whether they benefitted from re‐establishing prior treatment. The approach we describe resulted in a faster and more complete switch to biosimilars, which saved an additional £380 000 on drug costs in 2021/2022. Of patients who reverted to their original biologic, 87% improved short‐term, and a time on treatment analysis showed the benefit was retained long term. Our approach to biosimilar adoption outperformed the English average and permits patients to revert to their original biosimilar post‐switch if appropriate.
Population dynamics and social organization of sambar (Rusa unicolor unicolor) in Horton Plains National Park, Sri Lanka
Authors: Weerasekera Danushka S. , Perera Sandun J. , McShea William J. , Ranawana Kithsiri B.
Published: July 2023

We estimated the population density and investigated the social organization of sambar (Rusa unicolor unicolor) in Horton Plains National Park (HPNP), Sri Lanka. Distance sampling was conducted along six strip transects every month for a period over 3 years (2018–2020) to estimate the density of the sambar population in grasslands of HPNP (9.4 km2), while the antler stage of males and the behavior of individuals were recorded to describe the population's reproductive stage and hence the social organization. Population density estimates showed relative stability over the 3 years and varied over the seasons but with consistent peaks from year to year with the highest population densities recorded in November–December (212.93 ± 25.38 animals/km2in 2018, 187.91 ± 28.51 in 2019, and 179.76 ± 31.85 in 2020). The highest percentage of males in hard antlers was observed from November through January, while the percentage of antlers cast sambar peaked from March to April each year. Hinds were observed with newborn calves throughout the year, but the highest number of newborn calves were recorded from July to August each year, while the number of calves counted each year varied from 210 to 267 individuals. The mean group size was variable throughout each year with the largest groups recorded from September to December (up to 52), the period accompanied by the most observations of mating and sparring behavior. Although on a tropical island, HPNP is situated on a rolling plateau landscape in the highlands, where sambar showed a degree of reproductive seasonality somewhat similar to temperate cervid species.