bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant-associate interactions and diversification across trophic levels
Authors: Yoder Jeremy B. , Dang Albert , MacGregor Caitlin , Plaza Mikhail
Published: July 2021

Interactions between species are widely understood to have promoted the diversification of life on Earth, but how interactions spur the formation of new species remains unclear. Interacting species often become locally adapted to each other, but they may also be subject to shared dispersal limitations and environmental conditions. Moreover, theory predicts that different kinds of interactions have different effects on diversification. To better understand how species interactions promote diversification, we compiled population genetic studies of host plants and intimately associated herbivores, parasites, and mutualists. We used Bayesian multiple regressions and the BEDASSLE modeling framework to test whether host and associate population structures were correlated over and above the potentially confounding effects of geography and shared environmental variation. We found that associates’ population structure often paralleled their hosts’ population structure, and that this effect is robust to accounting for geographic distance and climate. Associate genetic structure was significantly explained by plant genetic structure somewhat more often in antagonistic interactions than in mutualistic ones. This aligns with a key prediction of coevolutionary theory, that antagonistic interactions promote diversity through local adaptation of antagonists to hosts, while mutualistic interactions more often promote diversity via the effect of hosts’ geographic distribution on mutualists’ dispersal.
Amazonian run-of-river dam reservoir impacts underestimated: Evidence from a Before-After Control-Impact study of freshwater turtle nesting areas
Authors: Bárcenas-García Andrea , Michalski Fernanda , Gibbs James P. , Norris Darren
Published: July 2021

Construction of hydropower dams is associated with negative impacts on biodiversity, yet there remains a lack of robust scientific evidence documenting the magnitude of these impacts particularly across highly biodiverse tropical waterways. Hydropower expansion is an increasing threat to the Endangered yellow-spotted river turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) across its tropical South American range.

Yellow-spotted river turtle nesting areas were monitored as an indicator of dry season river level changes following run-of-river dam reservoir filling. A Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) study design was used with multi-year field campaigns monitoring turtle nesting areas upstream of the dam.

The cause and extent of changes in nesting areas were established using Generalized Additive Models. Nesting area density was evaluated in relation to: time (before versus after), treatment (control versus impact), time treatment interaction (BACI), distance to the dam and precipitation. The extent of changes was examined by comparing the proportion of nesting areas remaining during four years after reservoir filling.

Dam construction generated an immediate and apparently permanent dry season river level rise that extended more than 20 km beyond impact assessment limits. On average the density of nesting areas declined 69% (from 0.48 to 0.15 per km) across 33 km of river directly impacted by the dam. This loss was reflected in a significant BACI interaction. Nesting area density was not explained by seasonal precipitation.

Standardized monitoring of freshwater turtle nesting areas provided an effective means to quantify impacts of hydropower developments across biodiverse yet rapidly changing waterways. The negative impacts documented in this study should be preventable by mitigation actions including habitat creation and dry season flow regulation. Such measures would also likely benefit multiple species elsewhere in tropical rivers increasingly impacted by run-of-river dams.
Exogenous pigments shield microorganisms from spaceflight-induced changes
Authors: Sharma S. , Smith R. S. H. , Lee N. A. , Wilson S. L. , Smith M. M. , Oxman N.
Published: July 2021

Research has indicated that pigments commonly produced by microorganisms may be protective against the environmental stresses inherent to spaceflight. However, few studies have directly tested the protective capabilities of microbial pigments applied externally as shielding materials. In this study, liquid cultures of Bacillus subtilis were shielded by various pigment solutions, and solid media cultures of Bacillus subtilis were co-inoculated with the highly pigmented microorganisms Aspergillus niger and Neurospora crassa. These experiments were conducted in a compact, automated payload aboard the International Space Station (ISS) interior for 30 days. Post-flight phenotypic analyses of liquid cultures showed that solutions of carotenoid pigments were effective at minimizing detrimental effects of spaceflight. Elevated growth rate was observed for solid cultures, and distinct morphology changes were identified in both liquid and solid samples and quantified as markers of spaceflight-induced stress. These findings collectively progress our understanding of microbial pigments for the development of space-related applications.
Detection and quantification of the vacuolar H+-ATPase using the Legionella effector protein SidK
Authors: Maxson Michelle E. , Abbas Yazan M. , Wu Jing Ze , Grinstein Sergio , Rubinstein John L.
Published: July 2021

Acidification of secretory and endocytic organelles is required for proper receptor recycling, membrane traffic, protein degradation, and solute transport. Proton-pumping vacuolar ATPases (V-ATPases) are responsible for this luminal acidification, which increases progressively as secretory and endocytic vesicles mature. An increasing density of V-ATPase complexes is thought to account for the gradual decrease in pH, but available reagents have not been sufficiently sensitive nor specific to test this hypothesis. We introduce a new probe to localize and quantify V-ATPases in eukaryotic cells. The probe is derived from SidK, a Legionella pneumophila effector protein that binds to the V-ATPase A subunit. We generated plasmids encoding fluorescent chimeras of SidK1-278, and labeled recombinant SidK1-278 with AlexaFluor-568 to visualize and quantify V-ATPases with high specificity in live and fixed cells, respectively. We show that V-ATPases are acquired progressively during phagosome maturation, that they distribute in discrete membrane subdomains, and that their density in lysosomes depends on the subcellular localization of the lysosome.
Carbon nanotube biocompatibility in plants is determined by their surface chemistry
Authors: González-Grandío Eduardo , Demirer Gözde S. , Jackson Christopher T. , Yang Darwin , Landry Markita P.
Published: July 2021

Agriculture faces significant global challenges including climate change and an increasing food demand due to a growing population. Addressing these challenges will require the adoption of transformative innovations into biotechnology practice, such as nanotechnology. Recently, nanomaterials have emerged as unmatched tools for their use as biosensors, or as biomolecule delivery vehicles. Despite their increasingly prolific use, plant-nanomaterial interactions remain poorly characterized, drawing into question the breadth of their utility and their broader environmental compatibility. Herein, we characterize Arabidopsis thaliana transcriptional response to single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with two different surface chemistries commonly used for biosensing and nucleic acid delivery: oligonucleotide adsorbed-pristine SWNTs, and polyethyleneimine-SWNTs loaded with plasmid DNA (PEI-SWNTs), both introduced by leaf infiltration. We observed that SWNTs elicit a mild stress response almost undistinguishable from the infiltration process, indicating that these nanomaterials are well-tolerated by the plant. However, PEI-SWNTs induce a much larger transcriptional reprogramming that involves stress, immunity, and senescence responses. PEI-SWNT-induced transcriptional profile is very similar to that of mutant plants displaying a constitutive immune response or treated with stress-priming agrochemicals. We selected molecular markers from our transcriptomic analysis and identified PEI as the main cause of this reaction. We show that PEI-SWNT response is concentration-dependent and, when persistent over time, leads to cell death. We probed a panel of PEI variant-functionalized SWNTs across two plant species and identified biocompatible SWNT surface functionalizations. Our results highlight the importance of nanoparticle surface chemistry on their biocompatibility and will facilitate the use of functionalized nanomaterials for agricultural improvement.

Significance statement

Nanomaterials can be used in agriculture as biosensors to monitor plant health, as fertilizers or growth regulators, and as delivery vehicles for genome engineering reagents to improve crops. However, the interactions between nanoparticles and plant cells are not well understood. Here, we characterize the plant transcriptomic response to single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) commonly used for sensing and nucleic acid delivery. While SWNTs themselves are well tolerated by plants, SWNTs surface-functionalized with positively charged polymers become toxic and produce cell death. We identify molecular markers of this toxic response to create biocompatible SWNT formulations. These results highlight the significance of nanoparticle surface chemistry, perhaps more than the nanoparticles themselves, on downstream interactions of nanoparticles with the environment.
miRSCAPE - Inferring miRNA expression in single-cell clusters
Authors: Olgun Gulden , Gopalan Vishaka , Hannenhalli Sridhar
Published: July 2021

Micro-RNAs (miRNA) are critical in development, homeostasis, and diseases, including cancer. However, our understanding of miRNA function at cellular resolution is thwarted by the inability of the standard single cell RNA-seq protocols to capture miRNAs. Here we introduce a machine learning tool -- miRSCAPE -- to infer miRNA expression in a sample from its RNA-seq profile. We establish miRSCAPE’s accuracy separately in 10 tissues comprising ~10,000 tumor and normal bulk samples and demonstrate that miRSCAPE accurately infers cell type-specific miRNA activities (predicted vs observed fold-difference correlation ~ 0.81) in two independent datasets where miRNA profiles of specific cell types are available (HEK-GBM, Kidney-Breast-Skin). When trained on human hematopoietic cancers, miRSCAPE can identify active miRNAs in 8 hematopoietic cell lines in mouse with a reasonable accuracy (auROC = 0.67). Finally, we apply miRSCAPE to infer miRNA activities in scRNA clusters in Pancreatic and Lung cancers, as well as in 56 cell types in the Human Cell Landscape (HCL). Across the board, miRSCAPE recapitulates and provides a refined view of known miRNA biology. miRSCAPE is freely available and promises to substantially expand our understanding of gene regulatory networks at cellular resolution.
Coherent mapping of position and head direction across auditory and visual cortex
Authors: Mertens Paul EC , Marchesi Pietro , Oude Lohuis Matthijs , Krijger Quincy , Pennartz Cyriel MA , Lansink Carien S
Published: July 2021

Neurons in primary visual cortex (V1) may not only signal current visual input but also relevant contextual information such as reward expectancy and the subject’s spatial position. Such location-specific representations need not be restricted to V1 but could participate in a coherent mapping throughout sensory cortices. Here we show that spiking activity in primary auditory cortex (A1) and lateral, secondary visual cortex (V2L) of freely moving rats coherently represents a location-specific mapping in a sensory detection task performed on a figure-8 maze. Single-unit activity of both areas showed extensive similarities in terms of spatial distribution, reliability and position coding. Importantly, reconstructions of subject position on the basis of spiking activity displayed decoding errors that were correlated between areas in magnitude and direction. In addition to position, we found that head direction, but not locomotor speed or head angular velocity, was an important determinant of activity in A1 and V2L. Finally, pairs of units within and across areas showed significant correlations in instantaneous variability of firing rates (noise correlations). These were dependent on the spatial tuning of cells as well as the spatial position of the animal. We conclude that sensory cortices participate in coherent, multimodal representations of the subject’s sensory-specific location. These may provide a common reference frame for distributed cortical sensory and motor processes and may support crossmodal predictive processing.
Synthesis and crystallographic studies of 2-(diphenylphosphinothioyl)-2-(3-oxobut-1-en-yl)ferrocene
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Uchchhal , Sundararaju Basker , Poli Rinaldo , Manoury Eric , Daran Jean-Claude
Published: July 2021

As a follow-up to our research on the chemistry of disubstituted ferrocene derivatives, the synthesis and the structure of the title compound, 2-(diphenylphosphinothioyl)-2-(3-oxobut-1-en-yl)ferrocene, [Fe(C5H5)(C21H18OPS)], are described. The molecule is built up from a ferrocene unit disubstituted by an S-protected diphenylphosphine group and by a methylvinylketone chain. The crystal structure features weak C—H...O and C—H...S interactions, which build a two-dimensional network. This structure is compared to that of the related disubstituted diphenylphosphino ferrocene.
Creation, dissemination and mitigation: toward a disinformation behavior framework and model
Authors: Agarwal Naresh Kumar , Alsaeedi Farraj
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper seeks to disambiguate the phenomenon by clarifying terms, highlighting current efforts, including the importance of critical thought and awareness, and a test for genuine serendipity.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors review the literature, primarily from a library and information science perspective, and arrive at a theoretical framework and model.

Findings

The authors find various initiatives to fight fake news. Building upon Karlova and Fisher's (2013) model as well as research on critical thinking and serendipity, the primary contribution of the paper is a disinformation behavior framework and model. The model includes both the problem of disinformation from a creator and user perspective, as well as the solutions to fight it.

Research limitations/implications

The framework will guide practitioners and researchers in library and information science and beyond, as well as other stakeholders in both understanding the phenomenon, and leading the fight against it.

Originality/value

The spreading of false information has become an alarming phenomenon in the last few years, leading to the popularity of terms such as misinformation, disinformation, infodemic and fake news. While information professionals have been called upon to lead the fight against fake news, in the lack of a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon, current efforts have been isolated and inadequate. Most models of information behavior deal with information, and not misinformation or disinformation per se.
Application of semantic Web ontologies for the improvement of information exchange in existing buildings
Authors: Sadeghineko Farhad , Kumar Bimal
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Facilitating the information exchange and interoperability between stakeholders during the life-cycle of an asset can be one of the fundamental necessities for developing an enhanced information exchange framework. Such a framework can also improve the successful accomplishment of building projects. This paper aims to use Semantic Web technologies for facilitating information exchange within existing building projects.

Design/methodology/approach

In real-world building projects, the construction industry’s information supply chain may initiate from near scratch when new building projects are started resulting in diverse data structures represented in unstructured data sources, like Excel spreadsheets and documents. Large-scale data generated throughout a building's life-cycle requires exchanging and processing during an asset's Operation and Maintenance (O&M) phase. Building information modelling (BIM) processes and related technologies can address some of the challenges and limitations of information exchange and interoperability within new building projects. However, the use of BIM in existing and retrofit assets has been hampered by the challenges surrounding the limitations of existing technologies.

Findings

The aim of this paper is twofold. Firstly, it briefly outlines the framework previously developed for generating semantically enriched 3D retrofit models. Secondly, a framework is proposed focussing on facilitating the information exchange and interoperability for existing buildings. Semantic Web technologies and standards, such as Web Ontology Language and existing AEC domain ontologies are used to enhance and improve the proposed framework.

Originality/value

The proposed framework is evaluated by implementing an example application and the Resource Description Framework data produced by the previously developed framework. The proposed approach makes a valuable contribution to the asset/facilities management (AM/FM) domain. It should be of interest to various FM practices for existing assets, such as the building information/knowledge management for design, construction and O&M stages of an asset’s life-cycle.
Housing policies with case studies
Authors: Shahraki Abdol Aziz
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to suggest a practical model for the production of new homes according to demands. After understanding the inhabitants’ priorities and preferences, the authors will present a programming model for building projects. The authors will meet the goal with knowledge-based development ideas and the experiences of skilled engineers and scholars.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methods are theoretical studies, a case study strategy, a market analysis, linear planning and classic procedures. All the research methods are problem-oriented. The authors have studied theories related to housing policies and performed field studies with a case study. The case study considers the preferences of applicants and programs building productions according to the ideas and needs.

Findings

The outcome of this research is a home-building program. The program stands on the particular requirements of responded people and regional characteristics. The authors can simulate this model anywhere in the world where there is a housing crisis.

Originality/value

This paper is originally based on my studies and practices.
Natural resources and wealth inequality: a cross-country analysis
Authors: Tadadjeu Sosson , Njangang Henri , Asongu Simplice , Nounamo Yann
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study investigates the impact of natural resources on wealth inequality as a first attempt on a panel of 45 developed and developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the generalized method of moments (GMM), the results provide strong evidence that natural resources increase wealth inequality within a linear empirical framework.

Findings

These results are robust to the use of alternative natural resources and wealth inequality measures. Additionally, a nonlinear analysis provides evidence of an inverted U shaped relationship between natural resources and wealth inequality. The net effect of enhancing natural resources on wealth inequality is positive and building on the corresponding conditional negative effect, the attendant natural resource thresholds for inclusive development are provided. It follows that while natural resources increase wealth inequality, some critical levels of natural resources are needed for natural resources to reduce wealth inequality.

Originality/value

To the best of knowledge, this is the first study to assess how enhancing natural resources affect wealth inequality.
Exploring the next generation socialisation to entrepreneurship in family businesses: insights from the Moroccan community
Authors: Ibouder Widad , Fayolle Alain Jean-Claude , Louitri Abdenbi
Published: July 2021

Purpose

In Morocco, due to the high rate of failure in generational transfers, many family businesses are threatened with disappearance. This paper aims to focus on entrepreneurship and seeks to understand how the family business maintains its entrepreneurial orientation through the family’s entrepreneurial socialisation of the next generation, which aims to prepare them for the role of family entrepreneur. The study aims both to describe the socialisation process and to understand the context necessary to place the young community in an entrepreneurial dynamic.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an exploratory approach, this paper favours the single case study; data were collected from five participants from both generations, then this study matches the interviews from the founding generation with those from the next generation; in addition to a triad at the employee level.

Findings

The analysis shows that the early participation alongside the founding generation in entrepreneurial processes, initiates a sense of entrepreneurship in the next generation and the confidence gradually builds up through the achievements of the latter; which, in turn, increases the possibility to set up innovative projects by giving the necessary autonomy to carry them out.

Practical implications

The document underlines the importance of establishing a culture of transmission to promote entrepreneurship amongst the young community to engage it in exploring and seeking new opportunities for development and innovation.

Originality/value

Studying the transmission of the entrepreneurial spirit through the prism of socialisation provides an understanding of the context necessary to place the next generation in an entrepreneurial dynamic.
Value relevance of earnings and book values during IFRS convergence period in India
Authors: Srivastava Anubha , Muharam Harjum
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The authors aim to examine the association between earnings and book values with stock prices in India during the IFRS convergence period because, in India, the literature is yet to investigate more about IFRS convergence and its impact on the financial reporting environment. Hence, the purpose of this study is to assess the influence of IFRS conversion on the value relevance of accounting information throughout the IFRS conversion period.

Design/methodology/approach

The current paper endeavors to investigate the earnings and book values affiliation with stock prices in India during the IFRS convergence period by employing a price valuation model (Ohlson’s Model). The study assembled a total of 3,440 firm-year observations from the National Stock Exchange in India over five years, which signifies the IFRS conversion period (2015–2019).

Findings

The research findings displayed that accounting information such as earnings, book value has value relevance throughout the IFRS enforcement period; however, the value relevance has been increasing for earnings and showing a descending association for book value. The significant explanatory power of earnings reveals that market participants give more weightage to earnings than book values. Overall, the findings of the study will facilitate improved decision making for both, capital market participants and regulators, by highlighting the key areas for improvement in the Indian capital market.

Research limitations/implications

This study also extends a discussion on the subject in those economies where regulations are weak and the market is imperfect with asymmetrical information.

Practical implications

The research outcome provides for empirical shreds of evidence regarding the value relevance of accounting information during IFRS enforcement in India, where IFRS is a recent emergence.

Social implications

This paper examines the value relevance of accounting information during IFRS convergence period in India which will felicitate improved decision making for both, market regulators and investors.

Originality/value

This research is the first factual documentation regarding value relevance of earnings and book value during the IFRS enforcement process in India with the most recent data and contributes to the limited study conducted in developing nations like India.
Will foundry become a competitor of manufacturer in ODM supply chain?
Authors: Xie Kaiyu , Xia Panpan , Wu Jie
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to study whether the upstream foundry in the original design manufacturer (ODM) supply chain will violate the commission contract and engage in the production of pirated products. Based on the conclusion, this study hopes to explain the phenomenon of pirated products in reality and provide management enlightenment for related companies.

Design/methodology/approach

To understand when will foundry violates the processing contract, this paper constructs a five-stage decision-making model, this study derives a model to get three situations and draw data images to describe the characteristics of decision-making by the foundry. Finally, this paper also considers some external supervision.

Findings

The results show that processing fee and other parameters (special cost, common cost, weakening factor and product difference) jointly determine the possibility of piracy by the foundry. Moreover, the external supervision mechanism has a significant effect on the piracy behavior of the foundry.

Research limitations/implications

The research provides some support for real business activities, which actually involve many participants and mechanisms. Thus, it could be interesting to explore more multi-stage and complex business methods in reality.

Practical implications

The analysis highlights less-concerned moral hazard behaviors in the ODM supply chain. By recreating the complex interactions of participants, the conclusion shed light on how should different roles deal with their risks and take actions in a real business environment.

Originality/value

The biggest contribution of this study is to discuss the issue of moral hazard in the ODM supply chain. Piracy initiated by foundries may be a new type of supply chain risk and should be paid attention to.
Interculturality at a US university: International faculty’s experiences with intercultural communication
Authors: Stojanović Maja , Robinson Petra Alaine
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to present the experiences, beliefs and perceptions of international faculty at a Research 1 institution in the Southern US regarding the perceived differences between their and their students’ and colleagues’ cultures and first languages.

Design/methodology/approach

Face-to-face interviews were conducted with four international faculty from Europe and Asia who held appointments at a Research 1 institution in the Southern US. The interviews focused on the participants’ communication experiences with students and colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Findings

The findings have implications for academic and professional development and support as they show that understanding cultural aspects of language and communication can be challenging for individuals who may not be aware of possible cultural differences.

Originality/value

This study is unique because it presents stories of faculty from different backgrounds, who were born on different continents and who learned English at different ages but are all working in a linguistically homogeneous context. Also, the originality of the study comes from examining the intercultural communication between the participating faculty and their students, as well as their colleagues.
E-textbook technology: Are instructors using it and what is the impact on student learning?
Authors: Roberts Kim , Benson Angela , Mills Jamie
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Today’s digital and mobile learning environment has contributed to the increased availability of and interest in e-textbooks, and many school systems are conducting trials to evaluate their effectiveness. The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze instructors’ levels of use (LoU) of e-textbook features and innovations at a southeastern US community college. This study also evaluated the effectiveness of e-textbooks compared to paper textbooks on student achievement during a pilot period of e-textbook implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a survey research design, the LoU of the Innovation framework was applied to identify and analyze instructors’ LoU rankings for eight e-textbook features. The study also used historical data on student demographics and final course grades to evaluate student achievement between text formats. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to answer the research questions.

Findings

Results showed that e-textbook features were used at a low to non-existent level by instructors and that there was no significant difference in grade average between text formats among students. However, interactions between text format, age and gender were found.

Originality/value

This study added to the body of knowledge regarding e-textbook efficacy. While many studies stop with the conclusion that there is no difference in student outcomes between text formats, this study addressed a gap in literature on how to improve student performance with e-textbook technology by using the LoU of an innovation framework.
Effects of three-step magnesium doping in p-GaN layer on the properties of InGaN-based light-emitting diode
Authors: Hamzah Nur Atiqah , Ahmad Mohd Anas , Mohd Asri Rahil Izzati , Alias Ezzah Azimah , Md Sahar Mohd Ann Amirul Zulffiqal , Sha Shiong Ng , Hassan Zainuriah
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to enhance the efficiency of the LED by introducing three-step magnesium (Mg) doping profile. Attention was paid to the effects of the Mg doping concentration of the first p-GaN layer (i.e. layer close to the active region). Attention was paid to the effects of the Mg doping concentration of the first p-GaN layer (i.e. layer close to the active region).

Design/methodology/approach

Indium gallium nitride (InGaN)–based light-emitting diode (LED) was grown on a 4-inch c-plane patterned sapphire substrate using metal organic chemical vapor deposition. The Cp2Mg flow rates for the second and third p-GaN layers were set at 50 sccm and 325 sccm, respectively. For the first p-GaN layer, the Cp2Mg flow rate varied from 150 sccm to 300 sccm to achieve different Mg dopant concentrations.

Findings

The full width at half maximum (FWHM) for the GaN (102) plane increases with increasing Cp2Mg flow rate. FWHM for the sample with 150, 250 and 300 sccm Cp2Mg flow rates was 233 arcsec, 236 arcsec and 245 arcsec, respectively. This result indicates that the edge and mixed dislocations in the p-GaN layer were increased with increasing Cp2Mg flow rate. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) results reveal that the sample grown with 300 sccm exhibits the highest surface roughness, followed by 150 sccm and 250 sccm. The surface roughness of these samples is 2.40 nm, 2.12 nm and 2.08 nm, respectively. Simultaneously, the photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of the 250 sccm sample shows the highest band edge intensity over the yellow band ratio compared to that of other samples. The light output power measurements found that the sample with 250 sccm exhibits high output power because of sufficient hole injection toward the active region.

Originality/value

Through this study, the three steps of the Mg profile on the p-GaN layer were proposed to show high-efficiency InGaN-based LED. The optimal Mg concentration was studied on the first p-GaN layer (i.e. layer close to active region) to improve the LED performance by varying the Cp2Mg flow rate. This finding was in line with the result of PL and AFM results when the samples with 250 sccm have the highest Mg acceptor and good surface quality of the p-GaN layer. It can be deduced that the first p-GaN layer doping has a significant effect on the crystalline quality, surface roughness and light emission properties of the LED epi structure.
Does negative information in MD&A can reduce stock crash risk?
Authors: Liu Jianmei
Published: July 2021

Purpose

As an important part of the disclosure of listed companies' annual reports, MD&A will disclose some "bad news" about the company. The purpose of this paper is to study whether such "bad news" can reduce information asymmetry and alleviate the risk of stock price crash remains to be seen.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the sample of A-share listed companies from 2007 to 2016, the authors examine whether the negative information in MD&A could reduce stock price crash risk.

Findings

It is found that the negative information in MD&A does not reduce future crash, which indicates that the negative information in MD&A does not alleviate the information asymmetry. Further, it is also found this is due to the low readability of negative information which leads to the negative information not successfully released into the market timely. Only highly readable negative information can alleviate information asymmetry and suppress crash risk. In addition, the authors also find in the companies with more investor surveys negative tone is negatively correlated with crash risk, which means that investor surveys could help investors interpret the negative information in MD&A and alleviate stock price crash risk.

Practical implications

The practical significance of this article: this paper suggests that investors should carefully identify the quality of negative information in MD&A and pay attention to other quality characteristics besides credibility. This paper suggests that the regulator should pay attention not only to whether to disclose and the amount of disclosure but also to the quality of information disclosure, such as readability, so as to restrict management's strategic behavior in information disclosure.

Originality/value

First, different from previous studies on the impact of information disclosure on crash risk, this paper directly explores the impact of information in MD&A on stock price crash risk from the perspective of negative information disclosure that management most want to hide. It supplements the literature on the impact of information disclosure on stock price crash risk. Second, this paper studies the interaction between information tone and readability and its impact on the risk of stock price crash. Some studies believe that the credibility of negative news is higher and investors' reaction may be stronger. However, this paper finds that the disclosure of negative information may not be absorbed by the market because of the low readability. Third, this paper finds that investor surveys can help information users to interpret negative information and alleviate the risk of stock price crash, which shows that information disclosure of different channels will complement each other and improve information efficiency. Therefore, it advocates different information disclosure channels which has important practical significance for improving market pricing efficiency and reducing investment decision-making risk.
Suzhou industrial park and its role in the belt and road initiative: the great stone industrial park in Belarus
Authors: Haro Sly María José
Published: July 2021

Purpose

In recent years, the People's Republic of China has made remarkable progress in science and technology. The Chinese industry is competing for leadership in cutting-edge technologies such as 5G, robotics, artificial intelligence, aerospace and green energy. This article aims to analyze: What role do industrial parks, especially Suzhou Industrial Park, play in upgrading technology to encourage independent innovation and economic development? How SIP is related to the Belt and Road Initiative?

Design/methodology/approach

This research summarizes China's most important scientific and technological reforms and policies and in particular the Torch Program. In addition, it develops a case study of the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) by analyzing documents, bibliography and presenting data. It ends with a case study of the role of SIP in the Belt and Road Initiative analyzing the Great Stone Park in Belarus.

Findings

This article highlights that: China's experience clearly shows that the "visible hand" of the State plays a very important role in economic development and technological catch-up. All of them are implemented from a strategy linking the national objectives with the local ones, this is done from a top-down perspective. As an important aspect of economic and social development, China's experience in promoting indigenous innovation in science and technology provides a relevant example for developing countries.

Research limitations/implications

There are few academic literature on Great Stone Industrial Park.

Practical implications

The international cooperation of the SIP with the technology parks throughout the BRI-countries provides relevant information to deepen collaboration in this field and could contribute to closing the technological gap in developing countries.

Originality/value

The role of the SIP in the Belt and Road initiative is an under research topic. There is few bibliography discussing the impacts of the cooperation in science and technology in the framework of the BRI.
Examining antecedents and consequences of perceived service quality in the hotel industry: a comparison between London and New York
Authors: Palazzo Maria , Foroudi Pantea , Ferri Maria Antonella
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims at exploring the relations amongst the concepts of customer relationship management (CRM), convenience, trust, perceived service quality, satisfaction, perceived value, loyalty, image and purchase intention in the hotel sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted using interviews with hospitality managers and guests who had a direct connection with the hotel industry. According to the qualitative study results and literature review, the authors designed a model that was examined via structural equation modelling and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis.

Findings

This paper presents a conceptual framework that enhances existing research in the field of study, as it was implemented to measure the antecedent and consequences of perceived service quality. Based on the results from New York and London, the authors found that CRM and convenience have significant impact on perceived service quality. Interestingly, the aggregated data illustrate the negative relationship between image, loyalty and purchase intention.

Originality/value

The approach used by this study is partially in line with previous theoretical analyses and shows appealing patterns in international service quality perception. Besides, the paper adds insights into the realm, linking together different dimensions in order to reach an in-depth understanding and complex analysis of each item that affects and is affected by perceived service quality in the hotel industry.
The catalytic activity of mycelial fungi towards 7‐oxo‐DHEA – an endogenous derivative of steroidal hormone dehydroepiandrosterone
Authors: Łyczko Paulina , Panek Anna , Ceremuga Ireneusz , Świzdor Alina
Published: July 2021

Seventeen species of fungi belonging to thirteen genera were screened for the ability to carry out the transformation of 7‐oxo‐DHEA (7‐oxo‐dehydroepiandrosterone). Some strains expressed new patterns of catalytic activity towards the substrate, namely 16β‐hydroxylation (Laetiporus sulphureus AM498), Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of ketone in D‐ring to lactone (Fusicoccum amygdali AM258) and esterification of the 3β‐hydroxy group (Spicaria divaricata AM423). The majority of examined strains were able to reduce the 17‐oxo group of the substrate to form 3β,17β‐dihydroxy‐androst‐5‐en‐7‐one. The highest activity was reached with Armillaria mellea AM296 and Ascosphaera apis AM496 for which complete conversion of the starting material was achieved, and the resulting 17β‐alcohol was the sole reaction product. Two strains of tested fungi were also capable of stereospecific reduction of the conjugated 7‐keto group leading to 7β‐hydroxy‐DHEA (Inonotus radiatus AM70) or a mixture of 3β,7α,17β‐trihydroxy‐androst‐5‐ene and 3β,7β,17β‐trihydroxy‐androst‐5‐ene (Piptoporus betulinus AM39). The structures of new metabolites were confirmed by MS and NMR analysis. They were also examined for their cholinesterase inhibitory activity in an enzymatic‐based assay in vitro test.
Risk factors associated with complex inferior vena cava filter retrievals and complications: A 7‐year retrieval database analysis and the impact on retrieval rates at an Australian tertiary centre
Authors: Loh Brendon , Liong Rebecca , Malacova Eva , Bain Roger
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) affects approximately 17,000 Australians annually. While anticoagulation is the mainstay of treatment, inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) are used in patients where this is contraindicated. The primary aim was to identify risk factors for complex retrievals and IVCF‐related complications following the establishment of a database at a single tertiary centre. The secondary aim was to evaluate the IVCF retrieval rate and patients lost to follow‐up.

Methods

A retrospective study at a single tertiary centre was conducted on IVCFs inserted from 2012 to 2018. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate potential risk factors for filter‐related complications and complex retrievals.

Results

In total, 402 patients had an IVCF inserted. Of these, 308 patients (77%) had a retrieval attempted, 10 (3%) of which required more than one retrieval attempt (complex retrieval). Factors associated with filter‐related complications included dwell time (OR 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01–1.04) and select indications for insertion, namely VTE requiring thrombolysis/thrombectomy (OR 2.29, 95% CI: 1.02–5.16) and iliocaval/free‐floating iliofemoral DVT without thrombectomy/thrombolysis (OR 5.89, 95% CI: 1.53–22.71). After mutual adjustment for all variables, only dwell time remained a significant factor for filter‐related complications (adjusted OR 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01–1.05) and complex retrieval (AOR 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02–1.08). The annual retrieval rate increased from 73% (2012) to 83% (2018), with an overall retrieval rate of 75%.

Conclusion

Dwell time is a potential risk factor for filter‐related complications and complex retrievals. The annual IVCF retrieval rate was 75% since an Interventional Radiology‐led database was established.
Systematic review of sirolimus in dermatological conditions
Authors: Swarbrick Andrew W , Frederiks Aaron J , Foster Rachael S
Published: July 2021

Sirolimus is a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor (mTORI) with anti‐proliferative, antiangiogenic and immunosuppressive properties. While approved in Australia as an anti‐rejection medication for renal transplant patients, there is mounting evidence regarding the utility of oral and topical sirolimus in treating a plethora of dermatological conditions or conditions with cutaneous manifestations. Our aim was to present an overview of the evidence for current usage and breadth of the application of sirolimus in dermatology. We carried out a systematic review of all the literature published up to 31 August 2019 on oral and topical sirolimus with respect to dermatological conditions or conditions otherwise relevant to dermatology. While 3368 papers were initially produced in our search, 238 papers met our inclusion criteria and were examined in our review. The conditions examined were categorised into genodermatoses (9 conditions), infection (1 condition), inflammatory/autoimmune (10 conditions), neoplasm (3 conditions) and vascular (17 conditions). We extracted data on first author, publication year, journal, characteristics of the study and study patients, condition, drug modalities, drug efficacy, side effects, blood level of mTORI, co‐interventions and follow‐up. While there is level 1 evidence for the efficacy of sirolimus in conditions such as tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and GVHD prophylaxis, for many other conditions, the evidence is limited to level 4 evidence. Regarding oral systemic therapy, dosing regimens varied with the most common for children 0.8mg/m2 twice daily and for adults 1 mg twice daily. Doses were often adjusted to reach a typical trough level of between 5 and 15 ng/mL, though targets often varied. In the overall majority of cases, side effects were minimal or tolerable, including mucositis, cytopenias, lipid abnormalities and nausea/vomiting, and only a few cases had to stop due to adverse effects. Regarding topical therapy, concentration of formulations varied from 0.1% to 1% and were compounded into creams, ointments or gels and administered typically once or twice per day. The most common side effect was skin irritation. There were a number of limitations to our study. In particular, many of the published studies were case reports or case series with no comparator arm, leading to susceptibility of bias in conclusions drawn, in particular a high likelihood of publication bias. Given the heterogeneity amongst studies, comparisons or aggregation of results was difficult. There continues to be growing use of oral and topical sirolimus in dermatological conditions. It provides new therapeutic options to patients where previous therapies have either failed or are limited due to toxicity. However, further studies are warranted.
Potential inappropriate use of strong opioid analgesics in cancer outpatients during the last year of life in France and associated factors
Authors: Chu Thanh Hang , Rueter Manuela , Palmaro Aurore , Lapeyre‐Mestre Maryse
Published: July 2021

Aims

A better knowledge of opioid prescribing patterns would help to identify areas of potential improvement in cancer pain management. This study aimed to identify potential inappropriate use (PIU) of strong opioid analgesics in cancer outpatients in their last year of life.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of cancer patients who died between 2011 and 2014 and were exposed as outpatient to a strong opioid analgesic in the last year of life was identified in the Echantillon Généraliste de Bénéficiaires (a 1/97th random sample of the French general population). Prescribing patterns of strong opioids were analysed and PIU was defined by at least 1 of these criteria: overlapping prescriptions; contraindicated prescriptions; lack of laxatives; potential drug interactions; prescription in patients hospitalized for opioid‐related disorders. Factors associated with PIU were investigated through a multiple logistic regression model.

Results

One third of the 2236 patients (median age 72 years [interquartile range: 61–82], 44.1% women) presented a PIU (insufficient laxative prescription [19.6% of patients], insufficient background treatment with transmucosal fentanyl [14.8%], overlapping prescriptions [2.6%]). The rate of PIU significantly decreased from 37.6% (2011) to 29.8% (2014). For patients with a duration of opioid use ≥3 months, factors associated with PIU were fentanyl prescription (adjusted odds ratio = 2.36; 95% confidence interval [1.86–3.00]) and previous use of strong opioid (adjusted odds ratio = 1.88; [1.50–2.36]).

Conclusion

In France, 1/3 of cancer patients exposed to strong opioids experienced PIU and this proportion tended to decrease over time. There is still room for progress in cancer pain management at the end of life.