bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultra-slow fMRI fluctuations in the fourth ventricle as a marker of drowsiness
Authors: Gonzalez-Castillo Javier , Fernandez Isabel S. , Handwerker Daniel A. , Bandettini Peter A.
Published: July 2021

Wakefulness levels modulate estimates of functional connectivity (FC), and, if unaccounted for, can become a substantial confound in resting-state fMRI. Unfortunately, wakefulness is rarely monitored due to the need for additional concurrent recordings (e.g., eye tracking, EEG). Recent work has shown that strong fluctuations around 0.05Hz, hypothesized to be CSF inflow, appear in the fourth ventricle (FV) when subjects fall asleep, and that they correlate significantly with the global signal. The analysis of these fluctuations could provide an easy way to evaluate wakefulness in fMRI-only data and improve our understanding of FC during sleep. Here we evaluate this possibility using the 7T resting-state sample from the Human Connectome Project (HCP). Our results replicate the observation that fourth ventricle ultra-slow fluctuations (∼0.05Hz) with inflow-like characteristics (decreasing in intensity for successive slices) are present in scans during which subjects did not comply with instructions to keep their eyes open (i.e., drowsy scans). This is true despite the HCP data not being optimized for the detection of inflow-like effects. In addition, time-locked BOLD fluctuations of the same frequency could be detected in large portions of grey matter with a wide range of temporal delays and contribute in significant ways to our understanding of how FC changes during sleep. First, these ultra-slow fluctuations explain half of the increase in global signal that occurs during descent into sleep. Similarly, global shifts in FC between awake and sleep states are driven by changes in this slow frequency band. Second, they can influence estimates of inter-regional FC. For example, disconnection between frontal and posterior components of the Defulat Mode Network (DMN) typically reported during sleep were only detectable after regression of these ultra-slow fluctuations. Finally, we report that the temporal evolution of the power spectrum of these ultra-slow FV fluctuations can help us reproduce sample-level sleep patterns (e.g., a substantial number of subjects descending into sleep 3 minutes following scanning onset), partially rank scans according to overall drowsiness levels, and predict individual segments of elevated drowsiness (at 60 seconds resolution) with 71% accuracy.
Multifactorial chromatin regulatory landscapes at single cell resolution
Authors: Meers Michael P. , Llagas Geneva , Janssens Derek H. , Codomo Christine A. , Henikoff Steven
Published: July 2021

Chromatin profiling at locus resolution uncovers gene regulatory features that define cell types and developmental trajectories, but it remains challenging to map and compare distinct chromatin-associated proteins within the same sample. Here we describe a scalable antibody barcoding approach for profiling multiple chromatin features simultaneously in the same individual cells, Multiple Target Identification by Tagmentation (MulTI-Tag). MulTI-Tag is optimized to retain high sensitivity and specificity of enrichment for multiple chromatin targets in the same assay. We use MulTI-Tag in a combinatorial barcoding approach to resolve distinct cell types and developmental trajectories using multiple chromatin features, and to distinguish unique, coordinated patterns of active and repressive element regulatory usage in the same individual cells that are associated with distinct differentiation outcomes. Multifactorial profiling allows us to detect novel associations between histone marks in single cells and holds promise for comprehensively characterizing cell-specific gene regulatory landscapes in development and disease.
Therapeutic efficacy of CT-P59 against P.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Ryu Dong-Kyun , Kang Bobin , Woo Sun-Je , Lee Min-Ho , Tijsma Aloys SL , Noh Hanmi , Kim Jong-In , Seo Ji-Min , Kim Cheolmin , Kim Minsoo , Yang Eunji , Lim Gippeum , Kim Seong-Gyu , Eo Su-Kyeong , Choi Jung-ah , Oh Sang-Seok , Nuijten Patricia M , Song Manki , Chung Hyo-Young , van Baalen Carel A , Kwon Ki-Sung , Lee Soo-Young
Published: July 2021

P.1. or gamma variant also known as the Brazil variant, is one of the variants of concern (VOC) which appears to have high transmissibility and mortality. To explore the potency of the CT-P59 monoclonal antibody against P.1 variant, we tried to conduct binding affinity, in vitro neutralization, and in vivo animal tests. In in vitro assays revealed that CT-P59 is able to neutralize P.1 variant in spite of reduction in its binding affinity against a RBD (receptor binding domain) mutant protein including K417T/E484K/N501Y and neutralizing activity against P.1 pseudoviruses and live viruses. In contrast, in vivo hACE2 (human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2)-expressing TG (transgenic) mouse challenge experiment demonstrated that a clinically relevant or lower dosages of CT-P59 is capable of lowering viral loads in the respiratory tract and alleviates symptoms such as body weight losses and survival rates. Therefore, a clinical dosage of CT-P59 could compensate for reduced in vitro antiviral activity in P.1-infected mice, implying that CT-P59 has therapeutic potency for COVID-19 patients infected with P.1 variant.

Highlights

CT-P59 could bind to and neutralize P.1 variant, but CT-P59 showed reduced susceptibility in in vitro tests.

The clinical dosage of CT-P59 demonstrated in vivo therapeutic potency against P.1 variants in hACE2-expressing mice challenge study.

CT-P59 ameliorates their body weight loss and prevents the lethality in P.1 variant-infected mice.
Organization of cortical and thalamic input to inhibitory neurons in mouse motor cortex
Authors: Okoro Sandra U. , Goz Roman U. , Njeri Brigdet W. , Harish Madhumita , Ruff Catherine F. , Ross Sarah E. , Gerfen Charles R. , Hooks Bryan M.
Published: July 2021

Intracortical inhibition in motor cortex (M1) regulates movement and motor learning. If inhibitory cell types and cortical laminae targeted by cortical and thalamic afferents differ, then these afferents play different roles in regulating M1 output. We quantified input to two classes of M1 interneurons, parvalbumin+ (PV) fast-spiking cells and somatostatin+ (SOM) low-threshold-spiking cells, using monosynaptic rabies tracing. We then compared anatomical connectivity and functional connectivity based on synaptic strength from sensory cortex and thalamus. Functionally, each input innervated M1 interneurons with a unique laminar profile. Different interneuron types were excited in a distinct, complementary manner, suggesting feedforward inhibition proceeds selectively via distinct circuits. Specifically, somatosensory cortex (S1) inputs primarily targeted PV+ neurons in upper layers (L2/3) but SOM+ neurons in middle layers (L5). Somatosensory thalamus (PO) inputs targeted PV+ neurons in middle layers (L5). In contrast to sensory cortical areas, thalamic input to SOM+ neurons was equivalent to PV+ neurons. Thus, long-range excitatory inputs target inhibitory neurons in an area and cell type-specific manner which contrasts with input to neighboring pyramidal cells. In contrast to feedforward inhibition providing generic inhibitory tone in cortex, circuits are selectively organized to recruit inhibition matched to incoming excitatory circuits.
Visualizing the pH inEscherichia colicoloniesviathe sensor protein mCherryEA allows high-throughput screening of mutant libraries
Authors: Franz Hartmann Fabian Stefan , Weiss Tamara , Shen Jing , Smahajcsik Dóra , Seibold Gerd Michael
Published: July 2021

Cytoplasmic pH is tightly regulated by diverse active mechanisms and interconnected regulatory processes in bacteria. Many processes and regulators underlying pH-homeostasis have been identifiedviaphenotypic screening of strain libraries towards non-growth at low or high pH values. Direct screens with respect to changes of the internal pH in mutant strain collections are limited by laborious methods including fluorescent dyes or radioactive probes. Genetically encoded biosensors equip single organisms or strain libraries with an internal sensor molecule already during the generation of the strain. In this study, we used the pH-sensitive mCherry variant mCherryEA as ratiometric pH biosensor. We visualized the internal pH ofE. colicolonies on agar plates by the use of a Gel-Doc imaging system. Combining this imaging technology with robot-assisted colony picking and spotting allowed us to screen and select mutants with altered internal pH values from a small transposon mutagenesis derivedE. colilibrary. Identification of the TN- insertion sites in strains with altered internal pH levels revealed that the transposon was inserted intotrkH(encoding a transmembrane protein of the potassium uptake system) or therssBgene (encoding the anti-adaptor protein RssB which mediates the proteolytic degradation of the general stress response regulator RpoS), two genes known to be associated with pH-homeostasis and pH stress adaptation. This successful screening approach demonstrates that the pH- sensor based analysis of arrayed colonies on agar plates is a sensitive approach for the fast identification of genes involved in pH-homeostasis or pH stress adaptation inE. coli.

Importance

Phenotypic screening of strain libraries on agar plates has become a versatile tool to understand gene functions and to optimize biotechnological platform organisms. Screening is supported by genetically encoded biosensors that allow to easily measure intracellular processes. For this purpose, transcription-factor-based biosensors have emerged as the sensor-type of choice. Here, the target stimulus initiates the activation of a response gene (e.g. a fluorescent protein) followed by transcription, translation and maturation. Due to this mechanistic principle, biosensor readouts are delayed and cannot report the actual intracellular state of the cell in real-time. To capture fast intracellular processes adequately, fluorescent reporter proteins are extensively applied. But these sensor-types are not utilized for phenotypic screenings so far. To take advantage of their properties, we here established an imaging method, which allows to apply a fast ratiometric sensor protein for assessing the internal pH of colonies in a high-thoughput manner.
Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 variants alterations in Nice neighborhoods by wastewater nanopore sequencing
Authors: Rios Géraldine , Lacoux Caroline , Leclercq Vianney , Diamant Anna , Lebrigand Kévin , Lazuka Adèle , Soyeux Emmanuel , Lacroix Sébastien , Fassy Julien , Couesnon Aurélie , Thiery Richard , Mari Bernard , Pradier Christian , Waldmann Rainer , Barbry Pascal
Published: July 2021

Background

Wastewater surveillance has been proposed as an epidemiological tool to define the prevalence and evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemics. However, most implemented SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance projects were relying on qPCR measurement of virus titers and did not address the mutational spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 circulating in the population.

Methods

We have implemented a nanopore RNA sequencing monitoring system in the city of Nice (France, 550,000 inhabitants). Between October 2020 and March 2021, we monthly analyzed the SARS-CoV-2 variants in 113 wastewater samples collected in the main wastewater treatment plant and 20 neighborhoods.

Findings

We initially detected the lineages predominant in Europe at the end of 2020 (B.1.160, B.1.177, B.1.367, B.1.474, and B.1.221). In January, a localized emergence of a variant (Spike:A522S) of the B.1.1.7 lineage occurred in one neighborhood. It rapidly spread and became dominant all over the city. Other variants of concern (B.1.351, P.1) were also detected in some neighborhoods, but at low frequency. Comparison with individual clinical samples collected during the same week showed that wastewater sequencing correctly identified the same lineages as those found in COVID-19 patients.

Interpretation

Wastewater sequencing allowed to document the diversity of SARS-CoV-2 sequences within the different neighborhoods of the city of Nice. Our results illustrate how sequencing of sewage samples can be used to track pathogen sequence diversity in the current pandemics and in future infectious disease outbreaks.
End-to-end computational approach to the design of RNA biosensors for miRNA biomarkers of cervical cancer
Authors: Baabu Priyannth Ramasami S. , Srinivasan Shivaramakrishna , Nagarajan Swetha , Muthamilselvan Sangeetha , Suresh Raghavv R. , Selvi Thamarai , Palaniappan Ashok
Published: July 2021

Cervical cancer is a global public health subject as it affects women in the reproductive ages, and accounts for the second largest burden among cancer patients worldwide with an unforgiving 50% mortality rate. Poor awareness and access to effective diagnosis have led to this enormous disease burden, calling for point-of-care, minimally invasive diagnosis methods. Here, an end-to-end quantitative approach for a new kind of diagnosis has been developed, comprising identification of optimal biomarkers, design of the sensor, and simulation of the diagnostic circuit. Using miRNA expression data in the public domain, we identified circulating miRNA biomarkers specific to cervical cancer using multi-tier screening. Synthetic riboregulators called toehold switches specific for the biomarker panel were then designed. To predict the dynamic range of toehold switches for use in genetic circuits as biosensors, we developed a generic grammar of these switches, and built a multivariate linear regression model using thermodynamic features derived from RNA secondary structure and interaction. The model yielded predictions of toehold efficacy with an adjusted R2 = 0.59. Reaction kinetics modelling was performed to predict the sensitivity of the second-generation toehold switches to the miRNA biomarkers. Simulations showed a linear response between 10nM and 100nM before saturation. Our study demonstrates an end-to-end workflow for the efficient design of genetic circuits geared towards the effective detection of unique genomic signatures that would be increasingly important in today’s world. The approach has the potential to direct experimental efforts and minimise costs. All resources including the machine learning toolkit, reaction kinetics simulation, designed toehold sequences, genetic circuits, data and sbml files for replicating and utilizing our study are provided open-source with the iGEM Foundation (https://github.com/igem2019) under GNU GPLv3 licence.
Using Domain-Knowledge to Assist Lead Discovery in Early-Stage Drug Design
Authors: Dash Tirtharaj , Srinivasan Ashwin , Vig Lovekesh , Roy Arijit
Published: July 2021

We are interested in generating new small molecules which could act as inhibitors of a biological target, when there is limited prior information on target-specific inhibitors. This form of drug-design is assuming increasing importance with the advent of new disease threats for which known chemicals only provide limited information about target inhibition. In this paper, we propose the combined use of deep neural networks and Inductive Logic Programming (ILP) that allows the use of symbolic domain-knowledge (B) to explore the large space of possible molecules. Assuming molecules and their activities to be instances of random variablesXandY, the problem is to draw instances from the conditional distribution ofX, givenY, B(DX|Y,B). We decompose this into the constituent parts of obtaining the distributionsDX|BandDY|X,B, and describe the design and implementation of models to approximate the distributions. The design consists of generators (to approximateDX|BandDX|Y,B) and a discriminator (to approximateDY|X,B). We investigate our approach using the well-studied problem of inhibitors for the Janus kinase (JAK) class of proteins. We assume first that if no data on inhibitors are available for a target protein (JAK2), but a small numbers of inhibitors are known for homologous proteins (JAK1, JAK3 and TYK2). We show that the inclusion of relational domain-knowledge results in a potentially more effective generator of inhibitors than simple random sampling from the space of molecules or a generator without access to symbolic relations. The results suggest a way of combining symbolic domain-knowledge and deep generative models to constrain the exploration of the chemical space of molecules, when there is limited information on target-inhibitors. We also show how samples from the conditional generator can be used to identify potentially novel target inhibitors.
Neural encoding of phrases and sentences in spoken language comprehension
Authors: Bai Fan , Meyer Antje S. , Martin Andrea E.
Published: July 2021

Speech stands out in the natural world as a biological signal that communicates formally-specifiable complex meanings. However, the acoustic and physical dynamics of speech do not injectively mark the linguistic structure and meaning that we perceive. Linguistic structure must therefore be inferred through the human brain’s endogenous mechanisms, which remain poorly understood. Using electroencephalography, we investigated the neural response to synthesized spoken phrases and sentences that were closely physically-matched but differed in syntactic structure, under either linguistic or non-linguistic task conditions. Differences in syntactic structure were well-captured in theta band (∼ 2 to 7 Hz) phase coherence, phase connectivity degree at low frequencies (< ∼ 2 Hz), and in both intensity and degree of power connectivity of induced neural response in the alpha band (∼ 7.5 to 13.5 Hz). Theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling was found when participants listened to speech, but it did not discriminate between syntactic structures. Spectral-temporal response function modelling suggested different encoding states in both temporal and spectral dimensions as a function of the amount and type of linguistic structure perceived, over and above the acoustically-driven neural response. Our findings provide a comprehensive description of how the brain separates linguistic structures in the dynamics of neural responses, and imply that phase synchronization and strength of connectivity can be used as readouts for constituent structure, providing a novel basis for future neurophysiological research on linguistic structure in the brain.
Experimental evolution ofBacillus subtilisonArabidopsis thalianaroots reveals fast adaptation and improved root colonization in the presence of soil microbes
Authors: Nordgaard Mathilde , Blake Christopher , Maróti Gergely , Hu Guohai , Wang Yue , Strube Mikael Lenz , Kovács Ákos T.
Published: July 2021

The soil ubiquitousBacillus subtilisis known to promote plant growth and protect plants against disease. These characteristics makeB. subtilishighly relevant in an agricultural perspective, fueling the interest in studyingB. subtilis-plant interactions. Here, we employ an experimental evolution approach to explore adaptation ofB. subtilistoArabidopsis thalianaroots. We found thatB. subtilisrapidly adapted to the plant root environment, as evidenced by improved root colonizers observed already after 12 consecutive transfers between seedlings in a hydroponic setup. In addition, two selected evolved isolates from independent populations from transfer 30 outcompeted the ancestor during root colonization. Re-sequencing of single evolved isolates and endpoint populations revealed mutations in genes related to different bacterial traits. Further, phenotypic characterization of evolved isolates from transfer 30 showed that increased root colonization was associated with robust biofilm formation in response to the plant polysaccharide xylan. Additionally, several evolved isolates across independent populations were impaired in motility, a redundant trait in the selective environment. Interestingly, two evolved isolates suffered a fitness disadvantage in a non-selective environment, demonstrating an evolutionary cost of adaptation to the plant root. Finally, increased root colonization by a selected evolved isolate was also demonstrated in the presence of resident soil microbes. Our findings provide novel insights into how a well-known plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium rapidly adapts to an ecologically relevant environment and reveal evolutionary consequences that are fundamental to consider when evolving strains for biocontrol purposes.
Transient accumulation and bidirectional movement of KIF13B in primary cilia
Authors: Juhl Alice Dupont , Anvarian Zeinab , Kuhns Stefanie , Berges Julia , Andersen Jens S. , Wüstner Daniel , Pedersen Lotte B.
Published: July 2021

Primary cilia are microtubule-based sensory organelles whose assembly and function rely on the conserved bidirectional intraflagellar transport (IFT) system, which is powered by anterograde kinesin-2 and retrograde cytoplasmic dynein 2 motors. Nematodes additionally employ a cell type-specific kinesin-3 motor, KLP-6, which moves within cilia independently of IFT and regulates ciliary content and function. Here we provide evidence that a KLP-6 homolog, KIF13B, undergoes bursts of bidirectional movement within primary cilia of cultured immortalized human retinal pigment epithelial (hTERT-RPE1) cells. Anterograde and retrograde intraciliary velocities of KIF13B were similar to those of IFT (IFT172-eGFP), but intraciliary movement of KIF13B required its own motor domain and appeared to be cell-type specific. Our work provides the first demonstration of motor-driven, intraciliary movement by a vertebrate kinesin other than kinesin-2 motors.
Vacuolar localization via the N-terminal domain of Sch9 is required for TORC1-dependent phosphorylation and downstream signal transduction
Authors: Novarina Daniele , Guerra Paolo , Milias-Argeitis Andreas
Published: July 2021

The budding yeast Sch9 kinase (functional ortholog of the mammalian S6 kinase) is a major effector of the Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 (TORC1) complex in the regulation of cell growth in response to nutrient availability and stress. In budding yeast, Sch9 is partially localized at the vacuolar surface, where it is phosphorylated by TORC1 under favorable growth conditions. Sch9 recruitment at the vacuole is mediated by direct interaction between PI(3,5)P2 on the vacuolar membrane and the region of Sch9 encompassing amino acid residues 1-390, which contains a C2 domain. Since many C2 domains mediate phospholipid binding, it had been suggested that the C2 domain of Sch9 mediates its vacuolar recruitment. However, the in vivo requirement of the C2 domain for Sch9 localization had not been demonstrated, and the phenotypic consequences of Sch9 delocalization remained unknown. Here, by examining cellular localization, phosphorylation state and growth phenotypes of Sch9 truncation mutants, we show that deletion of the N-terminal domain of Sch9 (aa 1-182), but not the C2 domain (aa 183-399), impairs vacuolar localization and TORC1-dependent phosphorylation of Sch9, while causing growth defects similar those observed in sch9Δ cells. Artificial tethering of an N-terminally truncated Sch9 mutant at the vacuolar membrane rescued TORC1-dependent phosphorylation and cell growth. Our study uncovers a key role for the N-terminal domain of Sch9 and demonstrates that recruitment of Sch9 at the vacuolar surface is necessary for TORC1-dependent phosphorylation and downstream signal transduction for the regulation of cell growth.
Cytoplasmic organization promotes protein diffusion
Authors: Huang William Y. C. , Cheng Xianrui , Ferrell James E.
Published: July 2021

The cytoplasm is highly organized. However, the extent to which this organization influences the dynamics of cytoplasmic proteins is not well understood. Here, we used Xenopus laevis egg extracts as a model system to study diffusion dynamics in organized versus disorganized cytoplasm. Such extracts are initially homogenized and disorganized, and will self-organize into cell-like units over the course of 20-60 min. Using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, we observed that self-organization is accompanied by changes in protein diffusivity; as the extract organizes, proteins diffuse about twice as quickly over a length scale of a few hundred nanometers. Even though the ordered cytoplasm contained organelles and cytoskeletal elements that might be expected to interfere with diffusion, after self-organization took place, the speed of protein diffusion approached that of organelle-depleted cytosolic extracts. This finding suggests that subcellular organization optimizes protein diffusivity. The effect of organization on diffusion varies with molecular size, with the effects being largest for protein-sized molecules. These results show that cytoplasmic organization promotes the efficient diffusion of protein molecules in a densely packed environment.
Structural basis for tunable control of actin dynamics by myosin-15 in mechanosensory stereocilia
Authors: Gong Rui , Jiang Fangfang , Moreland Zane G. , Reynolds Matthew J. , Espinosa de los Reyes Santiago , Gurel Pinar S. , Shams Arik , Bowl Michael R. , Bird Jonathan E. , Alushin Gregory M.
Published: July 2021

The motor protein myosin-15 is necessary for the development and maintenance of mechanosensory stereocilia, and myosin-15 mutations cause profound deafness. In a companion study, we report that myosin-15 nucleates actin filament (“F-actin”) assembly and identify a progressive hearing loss mutation (p.D1647G, “jordan”) which disrupts stereocilia elongation by inhibiting actin polymerization. Here, we present cryo-EM structures of myosin-15 bound to F-actin, providing a framework for interpreting deafness mutations and their impacts on myosin-stimulated actin assembly. Rigor myosin-15 evokes conformational changes in F-actin yet maintains flexibility in actin’s D-loop, which mediates inter-subunit contacts, while the jordan mutant locks the D-loop in a single conformation. ADP-bound myosin-15 also locks the D-loop, which correspondingly blunts actin-polymerization stimulation. We propose myosin-15 enhances polymerization by bridging actin protomers, regulating nucleation efficiency by modulating actin’s structural plasticity in a myosin nucleotide-state dependent manner. This tunable regulation of actin polymerization could be harnessed to precisely control stereocilium height.
Barriers to adoption of reverse logistics: a case of construction, real estate, infrastructure and project (CRIP) sectors
Authors: Ambekar Sudhir , Roy Dipayan , Hiray Amit , Prakash Anand , Patyal Vishal Singh
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study attempts to identify and analyse the barriers to implementing a reverse logistics (RL) system in Indian Construction, Real estate, Infrastructure and Project (CRIP) sectors and present a structured model to identify interdependencies among them.

Design/methodology/approach

The barriers to implementing RL in CRIP sectors in India were identified using a Delphi study. The interdependencies were identified using Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM). Further, using the Matriced' Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée à un Classement (MICMAC) analysis, the barriers were classified on the basis of their driving power and interdependencies.

Findings

The study has identified ten barriers that can hamper the application of an RL system in CRIP sectors. The finding of the ISM model shows that macro level barriers such as lack of awareness of reverse logistics, insufficient government policies and unavailability of standard codes stimulate each other and also drive all other barriers. The organization-specific barriers operating at the strategic/tactical level, namely, company's rigid mechanism, lack of awareness of economic profits, inadequate company’s organizational policies and lack of training, reluctance from stakeholders, scarcity of resources and finance from company are found at the intermediate level of hierarchy and they can be influenced by the barriers at the lower level and influence the barriers on the and higher levels. The operational level barrier namely “Inadequate Information Technology system” is at the top of the hierarchy and can be driven by all the barriers at the lower level.

Research limitations/implications

The present findings are based on the opinions of experts only from Indian CRIP sectors so the results may require to be validated in other contexts.

Practical implications

The structural model presenting the interdependencies will be a guide for the CRIP supply chain professionals in understanding and ranking the barriers they may face while implementing the RL system.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the existing literature by providing a set of barriers and their interdependencies faced during the implementation of an RL system implementation in CRIP sectors. It is one of the first studies which identifies barriers applicable to the CRIP firms in India and models their inter-dependencies. Additionally Consequently, these firms can make a move forward towards a circular economy by overcoming these interlinked barriers.
Exploring the impact of abusive supervision on employee' voice behavior in Chinese construction industry: a moderated mediation analysis
Authors: Khan Naseer Abbas , Khan Ali Nawaz
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of abusive supervision on employees' voice in China's construction industry. Moreover, the authors explore the mediating role of ethics-related self-efficacy and work engagement and the moderating influence of psychological climate in explaining the association between abusive supervision and employee voice behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used data in pairs collected from 402 supervisors and employees of construction companies in Anhui, China. In this study, the authors used the time-lag approach to collect data in three-time waves from different respondents. A structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was applied to test the hypothesized model.

Findings

The results of this study indicate that there is a significant association between abusive supervision and employee voice. Moreover, the results indicated that work engagement mediated the association between abusive supervision and employees' voice. In contrast, self-efficacy did not mediate the link between abusive supervision and employee voice. Furthermore, results also show that the contingent effect of psychological climate significantly influences the mediating effect of work engagement.

Originality/value

This study also has implications for the construction industry, allowing managers to create a favorable working atmosphere in which employees can reinforce their voices at work.
Understanding whole school physical activity transition from a practice theory perspective
Authors: Spotswood Fiona , Vihalemm Triin , Uibu Marko , Korp Leene
Published: July 2021

Purpose

In this study, the authors offer a practice theory framing of school physical activity transition with conceptual and managerial contributions to whole school approaches (WSAs).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a literature overview of the limitations of WSA, ecological and systems theorisation and a practice theory framing of physical activity, the authors introduce a model that identifies signs of practice transition and conceptualises the relationship between signs and practice reconfigurations. To exemplify insights from the model, the authors provide illustrations from three cases from the national Estonian “Schools in Motion” programme.

Findings

The signs of practitioner effort, resistance and habituation indicate how practice ecosystem transition is unfolding across a spectrum from practice differentiation to routinisation. Several signs of transition, like resistance, indicate that reconfigured practices are becoming established. Also, there are signs of habituation that seemingly undermine the value of the programme but should instead be celebrated as valuable evidence for the normalisation of new practices.

Practical implications

The article provides a model for WSA programme managers to recognise signs of transition and plan appropriate managerial activities.

Originality/value

The practice theory framing of school physical activity transition advances from extant theorizations of WSAs that have failed to account for the dynamic ways that socio-cultural change in complex school settings can unfold. A model, based on a practice ontology and concepts from theories of practice, is proposed. This recognises signs of transition and can help with the dynamic and reflexive management of transition that retains the purpose of systemic whole school change.
The impact of social media marketing activities on brand equity in the banking sector in Bangladesh: the mediating role of brand love and brand trust
Authors: Hafez Md.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This research aims to explore the impact of social media marketing (SMM) activities on brand equity (BE) in the banking sector in Bangladesh. Moreover, brand love and brand trust are examined as a mediator of SMM activities and BE.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a total of 289 banking customers in Bangladesh through a structured questionnaire and the hypotheses were examined using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

The results validated that SMM activities have no significant influence on BE directly. Furthermore, brand love fully mediates the linkage between SMM activities and BE. Likewise, brand trust was found to have a partial mediation effect on SMM activities and BE.

Research limitations/implications

This study was based on a specific sector in a particular geographic area. Hence, cross-cultural studies on different sectors need to be conducted to generalize the findings of the current research.

Practical implications

The study offers useful insights for bank marketers to successfully manage SMM activities that can generate consumer interest toward a bank's brand and prevent switching behavior. Furthermore, the proliferation of authentic brand-related information over a firms' social media pages can build strong brand trust, which in turn contributes to BE for the banks.

Originality/value

The study further extended the current knowledge by showing that how SMM activities influence BE in the banking sector in Bangladesh. Also, this study empirically corroborates the mediation influence of brand love and brand trust on SMM activities and BE in the banking sector in Bangladesh, which was rarely tested in prior studies. Hence, the findings will add value to the nascent literature of BE from an SMM perspective.
Preferences for crop insurance attributes among cocoa farmers in Ghana
Authors: Owusu Victor , Abdulai Awudu , Ali Williams
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This article analyzes farmers' preferences for different nonindexed crop insurance alternatives, using discrete choice experiment data on cocoa farmers from southern Ghana. We examine farmers' attendance to attributes by comparing self-reported attribute nonattendance (ANA) to the behavior inferred from the choices.

Design/methodology/approach

We utilize the latent class endogenous attribute attendance (EAA) model to address potential endogeneity by jointly modelling farmers' attribute processing strategies with their choice of attributes of the insurance products.

Findings

The results show that premium levels, mode and length of indemnity payouts tend to influence farmers' preferences for crop insurance products. The findings also reveal that credit-constrained farmers attend more to premium and payment mode attributes of the crop insurance products and that credit-constrained farmers tend to exhibit lower willingness-to-pay estimates for the crop insurance attributes.

Research limitations/implications

The findings from the study suggest that credit constraints do not only limit input use, but also tend to have statistically significant impact on farmers' cocoa insurance participation decisions.

Originality/value

The study examines the impact of credit constraints on farmers' crop insurance preferences while accounting for ANA.
A holistic study of factors governing small and medium enterprises in India
Authors: Bagodi Virupaxi , Raravi Prasannna P.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the input, process and output factors (along with their manifest variables) of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and to establish cause and effect relationships amongst the factors and sub-factors. Systems thinking, a holistic approach, is used to carry out qualitative analysis of the feedback loops.

Design/methodology/approach

A well-structured questionnaire was developed to gather the relevant data to identify the factors affecting the performance of SMEs in a holistic manner. A total of 150 responses were collected during November 2015–March 2016. Factor analysis and path analysis were used to establish causal relationships between input, process and output factors. The systems thinking approach has been used for qualitative analysis.

Findings

Feedback loops have been identified amongst input-process-output-input factors and amongst sub-factors. They enabled authors to infer that the managers/owners of SMEs are systems thinkers, if not completely, at least partially. Six negative feedback loops and one positive feedback loop prevail. System behaviour arises out of the interaction of positive and negative feedback loops; it appears that in the long-run, the SMEs attain their target levels. The following inferences are drawn: circular relationships are identified amongst input, processes and organisational performance (OP), modern management tools such as just in times, Kanban have long-term benefits and are perceived as ineffective by small enterprises and formal financing and functional transparency enhances OP.

Originality/value

Systems thinking, a holistic approach, has been used to study the effect of input, process and output factors on one another. Such studies are sparse, especially, in the Indian context. Many studies have been conducted to study the effect of input and of processes on performance such as innovation, information technology, human resource, technology, government regulation on performance of SMEs in a silo but, rarely all together. The qualitative analysis adds value to the research. Many of the outcomes of the research have been largely discussed in Indian print media which indicates the pragmatic approach of the research.
Defining and explicating value re-creation to solve marketplace problems for consumers with vulnerabilities
Authors: Zainuddin Nadia , Robinson Julia , Algie Jennifer , Randle Melanie
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine driving retirement and its impact on the well-being of older citizens. The concepts of value creation and destruction are used to understand older consumers’ experiences with the self-service consumption activity of driving. This paper formally introduces the concept of value re-creation, as a means of restoring the overall value lost from the destruction of certain components of previous value structures. In doing so, this paper explores the different ways that resources across the micro, meso and macro levels of the ecosystem can be re-aligned, in order for older citizens to maintain their well-being after driving retirement.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative, individual-depth interview approach was undertaken with 26 participants living in New South Wales, Australia. The participants comprised of both drivers approaching driving retirement age, as well as driving retirees. Thematic analysis was undertaken to analyse the data.

Findings

The findings identified that emotional value in the forms of freedom, independence/autonomy and enjoyment, functional value in the forms of convenience and mobility and community value are created from driving. Driving retirement destroys certain components of this value (e.g. enjoyment and convenience) irrevocably, however freedom, independence/autonomy, mobility and social connectedness can still be maintained through re-aligning resources across the micro, meso and macro levels of the ecosystem. New components of value are also created from driving retirement. These include peace of mind, which contributes to the re-creation of the emotional value dimension, and cost savings, which creates the new value dimension of economic value. These changes to the value structure effectively re-create the overall value obtained by individuals when they retire from driving.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this work is the formal introduction of the concept of value re-creation at the overall and value dimension level, and development of a conceptual model that explains how this value re-creation can occur. The model shows the resource contributions required across all levels of the ecosystem, expanding on existing conceptualisations that have predominantly focussed on resource contributions at the individual and service levels.
Factors influencing Palestinian small and medium enterprises intention to adopt mobile banking
Authors: Mujahed Hamed Mohammed Hamed , Musa Ahmed Elsadig , Samikon Siti Aida
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the determinant factors that influence the adoption of mobile banking by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Palestine. The aim of this paper has supported with the objectives to identify the role of mobile banking practices in enhancing sustainable growth and development of Palestine SMEs; determining the factors that influencing the SMEs as a service and products providers’ intention to adopt mobile banking and proposing a conceptual model for adoption mobile banking development by SMEs sectors in Palestine

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses were developed guided by the technology organisation-environment (TOE) model. The primary data was collected from 408 SMEs in Palestine using questionnaires and 8 interviews.

Findings

The empirical results are based on partial least squares analysis and statistical package for the social sciences. The findings presented in this paper reveal that SMEs factors, enabling environment and business model are the main determinant factors affecting the intention to adopt mobile banking by the SMEs sector in Palestine.

Practical implications

The main contribution of this study is the concise identification of the obstacles and facilitators to SMEs’ mobile banking, especially in developing countries. A suggestion for further study was made. The findings could be useful to policymakers, government institutions and agencies especially in Palestine and other development partners in designing and directing their policy intervention.

Originality/value

This study contributes significantly to the theoretical understanding of mobile banking through the development of a mobile banking framework for the SMEs’ sector in Palestine. A major contribution of this study is to the existing knowledge and literature in mobile banking by developing a TOE framework for providers (supply-side) factors in general and in particular in Palestine to fill the gaps in past studies.
Cu(II)/sodium borohydride-based electrocatalytic system for reduction and dyeing of indigo
Authors: Li Xiaoyan , Zhang Zhihui , Yao Jiming , Wang MengQian , Yang Na
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To improve the problems as the heavy burden of sewage treatment and environmental pollution caused by the traditional sodium hydrosulfite reduction dyeing of indigo, this study aims to carry out the direct electrochemical reduction dyeing for indigo with the eco-friendly Cu(II)/sodium borohydride reduction system under normal temperature and pressure conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The electrochemical behavior of Cu(II)/sodium borohydride reduction system was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. And, the dyeing performance of the Cu(II)/sodium borohydride reduction system was developed by optimizing the concentration of copper sulfate in the anode electrolyte, applied voltage and reduction time via single-factor and orthogonal integrated analysis.

Findings

The dyeing performance of the Cu(II)/sodium borohydride reduction system is superior to that of the traditional reduction dyeing with sodium hydrosulfite. In the case of the optimized condition, the soaping fastness and dry/wet rubbing fastness of the dyed fabric in the two reduction dyeing processes were basically comparable, the K/S value of electrocatalytic reduction of indigo by Cu(II)/NaBH4 is 11.81, which is higher than that obtained by traditional sodium hydrosulfite reduction dyeing of indigo.

Originality/value

The innovative electrocatalytic reduction system applied herein uses sodium borohydride as the hydrogen source combined with Cu(II) complex as the catalyst, which can serve as a medium for electron transfer and active the dye molecule to make it easier to be reduced. The electrochemical dyeing strategy presented here provides a new idea to improve the reduction dyeing performance of indigo by sodium borohydride.
Influence of moisture/water absorption on mechanical and thermal properties of polyamide6/boric oxide composites
Authors: Randhawa Kawaljit Singh , Patel Ashwin
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the mechanical and thermal behavior, i.e. tensile strength, hardness, impact strength and glass transition temperatures of water-treated polyamide6/boric oxide (PA) composites.

Design/methodology/approach

The PA6 and PA6/boric oxide composites were exposed to an open environment and immersed in water for 15 days to analyze the effect of environmental humidity and frequent water immersion conditions on the composite’s mechanical and thermal properties. The tensile strength, elastic modulus, hardness and impact strength of materials were measured to identify the mechanical properties. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) characterizations were used to see the effect of humidity/water absorption on microstructure, crystallinity and glass transition temperatures.

Findings

The testing results revealed the loss in strength, elastic modulus and hardness, while the impact resistance was improved after exposure of materials to humidity/water. SEM images clearly show the formation of voids and XRD graphs revealed the loss in crystallinity after water immersion. The DSC plots of water immersed materials revealed the loss of glass transition temperatures up to 15°C.

Originality/value

The mechanical and thermal behavior of PA composites varies according to the surrounding atmosphere. Experiments were performed to investigate the influence of water treatment on the PA6/B2O3 composite’s mechanical and thermal properties. Water treatment resulted in the bonding between PA and water molecules, which generated voids in the materials. These voids generations are found the main reason for the low strength and hardness of water-treated materials.