bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The distance between the plasma membrane and the actomyosin cortex acts as a nanogate to control cell surface mechanics
Authors: Lembo Sergio , Strauss Léanne , Cheng Dorothy , Vermeil Joseph , Siggel Marc , Toro-Nahuelpan Mauricio , Chan Chii Jou , Kosinski Jan , Piel Matthieu , Du Roure Olivia , Heuvingh Julien , Mahamid Julia , Diz-Muñoz Alba
Published: February 2023

Animal cell shape changes are controlled by the actomyosin cortex, a peripheral actin network tethered to the plasma membrane by membrane-to-cortex attachment (MCA) proteins. Previous studies have focused on how myosin motors or actin turnover can generate the local deformations required for morphogenesis. However, how the cell controls local actin nucleation remains poorly understood. By combining molecular engineering with biophysical approaches andin situcharacterization of cortical actin network architecture, we show that membrane-to-cortex tethering determines the distance between the plasma membrane and the actomyosin cortex at the nanoscale of single actin nucleators. In turn, the size of this gap dictates actin filament production and the mechanical properties of the cell surface. Specifically, it tunes formin activity, controlling actin bundling and cortical tension. Our study defines the membrane-to-cortex distance as a nanogate that cells can open or close by MCA proteins to control the activity of key molecules at the cell surface.
Being spontaneous has its costs! Characterization of spontaneous phage □D5-resistant mutants ofDickeya solanistrain IPO 2222
Authors: Sokolova Daryna , Smolarska Anna , Bartnik Przemysław , Rabalski Lukasz , Kosinski Maciej , Narajczyk Magdalena , Krzyzanowska Dorota M. , Rajewska Magdalena , Mruk Inez , Czaplewska Paulina , Jafra Sylwia , Czajkowski Robert
Published: February 2023

Lytic bacteriophages able to infect and killDickeyaspp. can be readily isolated from virtually allDickeyaspp.-containing environments, yet little is known about the selective pressure those viruses exert on their hosts. Here, we identified two spontaneousD. solaniIPO 2222 mutants (0.8% of all obtained mutants), DsR34 and DsR207, resistant to infection caused by lytic phage vB_Dsol_D5 (ΦD5) that expressed a reduced ability to macerate potato tuber tissues compared to the wild-type, phage-susceptibleD. solaniIPO 2222 strain. Genome sequencing revealed that genes encoding: secretion protein HlyD (mutant DsR34) and elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) (mutant DsR207) were altered in these strains. Both mutations impacted the proteomes of cells grown in both rich and minimal media, including the abundance of the cell envelope and transmembrane transport-associated proteins. Furthermore, features essential for the ecological success of these mutants in a plant environment, including their ability to use various carbon and nitrogen sources, produce plant cell wall degrading enzymes, ability to form biofilms, siderophore production, swimming and swarming motility and virulencein plantawere assessed. Compared to the wild-type strain,D. solanistrain IPO 2222, mutants DsR34 and DsR207 had a reduced ability to macerate chicory leaves and to colonize and cause symptoms in growing potato plants. The implications of the ΦD5 resistance on driving traits affecting the ecological performance ofD. solaniare discussed.
The endoplasmic reticulum connects to the nucleus by constricted junctions that mature after open mitosis in mammalian cells
Authors: Bragulat-Teixidor Helena , Ishihara Keisuke , Szücs Gréta Martina , Otsuka Shotaro
Published: February 2023

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is physically connected to the nucleus by junctions with the outer membrane of the nuclear envelope (NE). The ER–NE junctions are essential for supplying the NE with lipids and proteins synthesized in the ER. However, little is known about the structure of these ER–NE junctions. Here, we systematically studied the ultrastructure of ER–NE junctions in cryo-fixed mammalian cells staged in anaphase, telophase, and interphase by correlating live cell imaging with three-dimensional electron microscopy. Strikingly, our results revealed that ER–NE junctions in interphase cells have a pronounced hourglass shape with a constricted neck of 7–20 nm width. This morphology is significantly distinct from that of junctions among the ER, and it emerges as early as telophase. The highly constricted ER–NE junctions are seen in several mammalian cell types, but not in budding yeast. We speculate that the unique and highly-constricted ER–NE junctions are regulated via novel mechanisms that contribute to ER-to-NE lipid and protein traffic in higher eukaryotes.
A general strategy to develop fluorogenic polymethine dyes for bioimaging
Authors: Martin Annabell , Rivera-Fuentes Pablo
Published: February 2023

Fluorescence imaging is an invaluable tool to study biological processes and further progress depends on the development of advanced probes. Fluorogenic dyes are crucial to reach intracellular targets and label them with high specificity. Excellent fluorogenic rhodamine dyes have been reported, but they often require a long and low-yielding synthesis and are spectrally limited to the visible range. Here, we present a general strategy to transform polymethine compounds into fluorogenic dyes using an intramolecular ring closure approach. We illustrate the generality of this method by creating both spontaneously blinking and no-wash, turn-on polymethine dyes with emissions across the visible and near-infrared spectrum. These probes are compatible with self-labeling proteins and small-molecule targeting ligands and can be combined with rhodamine-based dyes for multicolor and fluorescence lifetime multiplexing imaging. This strategy provides access to bright, fluorogenic dyes that emit at wavelengths that are significantly more red-shifted than those of existing rhodamine-based dyes.
MPK12 in stomatal CO2signaling: function beyond its kinase activity
Authors: Yeh Chung-Yueh , Wang Yuh-Shuh , Takahashi Yohei , Kuusk Katarina , Paul Karnelia , Arjus Triinu , Yadlos Oleksii , Schroeder Julian I. , Ilves Ivar , Garcia-Sosa Alfonso T. , Kollist Hannes
Published: February 2023

Protein phosphorylation by kinases is a major molecular switch mechanism involved in the regulation of stomatal opening and closure. Previous research defined interaction between MAP kinase 12 and Raf-like kinase HT1 as a required step for stomatal movements by changes in CO2concentration. However, whether MPK12 kinase activity is required for regulation of CO2-induced stomatal responses warrants in depth investigation.

We apply genetic, biochemical, and structural modeling approaches to examining the non-catalytic role of MPK12 in guard cell CO2signaling that relies on allosteric inhibition of HT1.

We show that CO2/HCO3−-enhanced MPK12 interaction with HT1 is independent of its phosphor-transfer activity. By analyzing gas exchange of plant lines expressing various kinase-dead and constitutively active versions of MPK12 in a plant line whereMPK12is deleted, we confirmed that CO2-dependent stomatal responses rely on MPK12’s ability to bind to HT1 but not its kinase activity. We also demonstrate that purified MPK12 and HT1 proteins form a heterodimer in the presence of CO2/HCO3−and present structural modeling that explains the MPK12:HT1 interaction interface.

These data add to the model that MPK12 kinase-activity-independent interaction with HT1 functions as a molecular switch by which stomatal guard cells sense changes in atmospheric CO2concentration.
Pitch-size crossmodal correspondence in tortoises (Testudo hermanni)
Authors: Loconsole Maria , Stancher Gionata , Versace Elisabetta
Published: February 2023

Humans spontaneously match information coming from different senses, what we call crossmodal associations. For instance, high pitch sounds are preferentially associated with small objects, and low pitch sounds with larger ones. While previous studies reported crossmodal associations in mammalian species, evidence for other taxa is scarce, hindering an evolutionary understanding of this phenomenon. Here we provide evidence of pitch-size correspondence in a reptile, the tortoiseTestudo hermanni. Tortoises showed a spontaneous preference to associate a small disc (i.e., visual information about size) to a high pitch sound (i.e., auditory information), and a larger disc to a low pitch sound. These results suggest that crossmodal associations may be an evolutionary ancient phenomenon, potentially an organising principle of the vertebrate brain.
Cross-domain interactions induce community stability to benthic biofilms in proglacial streams
Authors: Busi Susheel Bhanu , Peter Hannes , Brandani Jade , Kohler Tyler J. , Fodelianakis Stilianos , Pramateftaki Paraskevi , Bourquin Massimo , Ezzat Leïla , Michoud Grégoire , Lane Stuart , Wilmes Paul , Battin Tom J.
Published: February 2023

Cross-domain interactions are an integral part of the success of complex biofilms in natural environments. Here, we report on cross-domain interactions in biofilms of streams draining proglacial floodplains in the Swiss Alps. These streams, as a consequence of the retreat of glaciers, are characterized by multiple environmental gradients and stability that depend on the time since deglaciation. We estimate co-occurrence of prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities along this gradient and show that key community members have disproportionate effects on the stability of co-occurrence networks. The topology of the networks was similar independent of environmental gradients and stability. However, network stability was higher in the streams draining proglacial terrain that was more recently deglaciated. We find that both pro- and eukaryotes are central to the stability of these networks, which fragment upon the removal of both pro- and eukaryotic taxa. These ‘keyplayers’ are not always abundant, suggesting an underlying functional component to their contributions. Thus, we show that there is a key role played by individual taxa in determining microbial community stability of glacier-fed streams.
Tubular Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier Disruption Elicits Redox Adaptations that Protect from Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Rauckhorst Adam J. , Martinez Gabriela Vasquez , Andrade Gabriel Mayoral , Wen Hsiang , Kim Ji Young , Simoni Aaron , Mapuskar Kranti A. , Rastogi Prerna , Steinbach Emily J , McCormick Michael L. , Allen Bryan G. , Pabla Navjot S. , Jackson Ashley R. , Coleman Mitchell C. , Spitz Douglas R. , Taylor Eric B. , Zepeda-Orozco Diana
Published: February 2023

Energy-intensive kidney reabsorption processes essential for normal whole-body function are maintained by tubular epithelial cell metabolism. Tubular metabolism changes markedly following acute kidney injury (AKI), but which changes are adaptive versus maladaptive remain poorly understood. In publicly available data sets, we noticed a consistent downregulation of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) after AKI, which we experimentally confirmed. To test the functional consequences of MPC downregulation, we generated novel tubular epithelial cell-specificMpc1knockout (MPC TubKO) mice.13C-glucose tracing, steady-state metabolomic profiling, and enzymatic activity assays revealed that MPC TubKO coordinately increased activities of the pentose phosphate pathway and the glutathione and thioredoxin oxidant defense systems. Following rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI, MPC TubKO decreased markers of kidney injury and oxidative damage and strikingly increased survival. Our findings suggest that decreased mitochondrial pyruvate uptake is a central adaptive response following AKI and raise the possibility of therapeutically modulating the MPC to attenuate AKI severity.
Wolbachia-infected pharaoh ant colonies have higher egg production, metabolic rate, and worker survival
Authors: Singh Rohini , Suresh Sachin , Fewell Jennifer H. , Harrison Jon F. , Linksvayer Timothy A.
Published: February 2023

Wolbachiais a widespread endosymbiotic bacteria with diverse phenotypic effects on its insect hosts.Wolbachiaalso commonly infects social insects, where it faces unique challenges associated with its hosts’ caste-based reproductive division of labor and colony living. Here we dissect the benefits and costs ofWolbachiainfection on life-history traits of pharaoh ants,Monomorium pharaonis. Pharaoh ants are relatively short-lived and show natural variation inWolbachiainfection between colonies, thereby making them an ideal model system for this study. We quantified effects on the lifespan of queen and worker castes, the egg-laying rate of queens across queen lifespan, and the metabolic rates of whole colonies and colony members. Newly-infected queens laid more eggs than uninfected queens but had similar metabolic rates and lifespans. Surprisingly, infected workers outlived uninfected workers. Infected colonies were more productive due to increased queen egg-laying rates and worker longevity, and infected colonies had higher metabolic rates during peak colony productivity. While some effects of infection, such as elevated colony-level metabolic rates may be detrimental in more stressful conditions, we did not find any costs of infection under laboratory conditions. Overall, our study emphasizes the beneficial effects ofWolbachiaon colony-level growth and metabolism in this species.
Characterization of the bioaccumulation and toxicity of copper pyrithione, an antifouling compound, on juveniles of rainbow trout
Authors: Bourdon Charlotte , Cachot Jérôme , Gonzalez Patrice , Couture Patrice
Published: February 2023

Since the global ban on tributyltin in antifouling paints in 2008 by the International Maritime Organization, new products have been developed and brought to the market. Among them, copper pyrithione (CuPT) is used, but its mechanisms of toxicity remain little known. This project aimed to identify and measure the impacts of aqueous exposure to CuPT, an organic compound, and compare it to ionic Cu2+added in the form of its inorganic salt CuSO4, in equivalent Cu2+molar concentrations, on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) juveniles under controlled laboratory conditions. A 24-hour acute exposure was performed with nominal concentrations of 50 and 100 µg/L Cu from either CuSO4or CuPT (labelled CuSO4_50, CuSO4_100, CuPT_50 and CuPT_100, respectively). The CuPT_100 condition induced 85 % mortality in 15 hours and the CuPT_50 condition induced 5 % mortality in the same period. A chronic exposure was then performed with nominal concentrations of 1 and 10 µg/L Cu from CuPT and 10 µg/L Cu2+from CuSO4(labelled CuSO4_1, CuSO4_10, CuPT_1 and CuPT_10, respectively). Measured aqueous concentrations of Cu2+were slightly higher than nominal concentrations for the lower concentrations, but lower for the CuPT_10 condition. The 8- and 16-day toxicokinetics showed a greater accumulation of copper in the gills of fish exposed to CuPT compared to fish exposed to Cu2+from CuSO4. The CuPT_10 condition induced 35 and 38 % mortality after 8 and 16 days of exposure, while no mortality was observed in the CuSO4_10 condition. The growth of juveniles was not impacted during the 16 days of exposure for any condition. The activity of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, GPx) did not respond to exposure to either contaminant. The expression of genes involved in the antioxidant response (sod1,sod2,gpx), detoxification (cyp1a,mt1x,mt2x), Cu transport (ctr1,ctr2,slc11a2), energy metabolism (AcoAc,cox, 12S) and cell cycle regulation (bax) strongly decreased at Day 8 in the gills and at Day 16 in the liver of CuPT-exposed fish in comparison to controls at the same time point. This study clearly showed that the toxicity of Cu in the form of CuPT was much higher than that of ionic Cu from CuSO4and provides new information on the compound that will be useful to develop regulations concerning its use and release in the aquatic environment.

Credit author statement

Charlotte Bourdon: Methodology, Validation, Investigation, Writing – Original Draft. Jérôme Cachot: Conceptualization, Methodology, Validation, Investigation, Writing – Original Draft, Supervision. Patrice Gonzalez: Validation, Investigation, Writing – Original Draft, Supervision, Funding acquisition. Patrice Couture: Conceptualization, Methodology, Validation, Investigation, Writing – Original Draft, Supervision, Project administration, Funding acquisition.
Functional Trajectories during innate spinal cord repair
Authors: Jensen Nicholas O. , Burris Brooke , Zhou Lili , Yamada Hunter , Reyes Catrina , Mokalled Mayssa H.
Published: February 2023

Adult zebrafish are capable of anatomical and functional recovery following severe spinal cord injury. Axon growth, glial bridging and adult neurogenesis are hallmarks of cellular regeneration during spinal cord repair. However, the correlation between these cellular regenerative processes and functional recovery remains to be elucidated. Whereas the majority of established functional regeneration metrics measure swim capacity, we hypothesize that gait quality is more directly related to neurological health. Here, we performed a longitudinal swim tracking study for sixty individual zebrafish spanning eight weeks of spinal cord regeneration. Multiple swim parameters as well as axonal and glial bridging were integrated. We established rostral compensation as a new gait quality metric that highly correlates with functional recovery. Tensor component analysis of longitudinal data supports a correspondence between functional recovery trajectories and neurological outcomes. Moreover, our studies predicted and validated that a subset of functional regeneration parameters measured 1 to 2 weeks post-injury is sufficient to predict the regenerative outcomes of individual animals at 8 weeks post-injury. Our findings established new functional regeneration parameters and generated a comprehensive correlative database between various functional and cellular regeneration outputs.
Insects pollinated flowering plants for most of angiosperm evolutionary history
Authors: Stephens Ruby E. , Gallagher Rachael V. , Dun Lily , Cornwell Will , Sauquet Hervé
Published: February 2023

Pollination is a fundamental process driving the speciation of angiosperms (flowering plants). Most contemporary angiosperms are insect pollinated, but abiotic pollination by wind or water and vertebrate pollination by birds or mammals occurs in many lineages. We model the evolution of pollination across angiosperms and quantify the timing and environmental associations of pollination shifts.

We use a robust dated phylogeny and trait-independent species-level sampling across all families of angiosperms to model the evolution of pollination modes. Data on the pollination system or syndrome of 1160 species were collated from primary literature.

Angiosperms were ancestrally insect pollinated, and insects have pollinated angiosperms for approximately 86% of angiosperm evolutionary history. Wind pollination evolved at least 42 times, with few reversals back to animal pollination. Transitions between insect and vertebrate pollination were more frequent: vertebrate pollination evolved at least 39 times from an insect pollinated ancestor with at least 26 reversals. The probability of wind pollination increases with habitat openness (measured by Leaf Area Index) and with distance from the equator.

Our reconstruction of pollination across angiosperms sheds light on a key question in angiosperm macroevolution, highlighting the long history of interactions between insect pollinators and angiosperms still vital to global biodiversity today.
Two teosintes made modern maize
Authors: Yang Ning , Wang Yuebin , Liu Xiangguo , Jin Minliang , Vallebueno-Estrada Miguel , Calfee Erin , Chen Lu , Dilkes Brian P. , Gui Songtao , Fan Xingming , Harper Thomas K. , Kennett Douglas J. , Li Wenqiang , Lu Yanli , Luo Jingyun , Mambakkam Sowmya , Menon Mitra , Snodgrass Samantha , Veller Carl , Wu Shenshen , Wu Siying , Xiao Yingjie , Yang Xiaohong , Stitzer Michelle C. , Runcie Daniel , Yan Jianbing , Ross-Ibarra Jeffrey
Published: February 2023

Despite its global importance as a crop with broad economic, dietary, and cultural importance, the origins of maize and its closest wild relatives remained the topic of vigorous debate for nearly a century. Molecular analyses ultimately concluded that maize was domesticated once from a common ancestor with its closest extant relative, the lowland wild grassZea maysssp.parviglumis. But neither the current genetic model nor earlier models based on archaeological data account for the totality of available data, and recent work has highlighted the potential contribution of a second wild relative, the highlandZea maysssp.mexicana. Here we present a detailed population genetic analysis of the contributions of both wild taxa to modern maize diversity using the largest sample of traditional maize varieties sequenced to date. We show that all modern maize can trace its origin to an ancient admixture event between domesticated ancient maize andZea maysssp.mexicanain the highlands of Mexico ca 5300 cal BP, some 4,000 years after domestication began. We show that variation in admixture is a key component of modern maize genetic and phenotypic diversity, both at the level of individual loci and as a factor driving a substantial component of additive genetic variation across a number of agronomic traits. Our results clarify the long-debated origin of modern maize, highlight the potential contributions of crop wild relatives to agronomic improvement, and raise new questions about the anthropogenic mechanisms underlying multiple waves of dispersal throughout the Americas.

One-Sentence Summary

Our results clarify the long-debated origin of modern maize and highlight the contributions of crop wild relatives to the agronomic improvement of modern varieties.
Live imaging of excitable axonal microdomains in ankyrin-G-GFP mice
Authors: Thome Christian , Janssen Jan Maximilian , Karabulut Seda , Acuna Claudio , D’Este Elisa , Soyka Stella J. , Baum Konrad , Bock Michael , Lehmann Nadja , Roos Johannes , Stevens Nikolas A. , Hasegawa Masashi , Ganea Dan A. , Benoit Chloé M. , Gründemann Jan , Min Lia , Bird Kalynn M. , Schultz Christian , Bennett Vann , Jenkins Paul M. , Engelhardt Maren
Published: February 2023

The axon initial segment (AIS) constitutes not only the site of action potential initiation, but also a hub for activity-dependent modulation of output generation. Recent studies shedding light on AIS function used predominantly post-hoc approaches since no robust murinein vivolive reporters exist. Here, we introduce a reporter line in which the AIS is intrinsically labeled by an ankyrin-G-GFP fusion protein activated by Cre recombinase, tagging the nativeAnk3gene. Using confocal, superresolution, and two-photon microscopy as well as whole-cell patch-clamp recordingsin vitro, ex vivo, andin vivo, we confirm that the subcellular scaffold of the AIS and electrophysiological parameters of labeled cells remain unchanged. We further uncover rapid AIS remodeling following increased network activity in this model system, as well as highly reproduciblein vivolabeling of AIS over weeks. This novel reporter line allows longitudinal studies of AIS modulation and plasticityin vivoin real-time and thus provides a unique approach to study subcellular plasticity in a broad range of applications.
An α-catenin actin-binding domain unfolding mutant designed to lower force-dependent actin-binding promotes epithelial strength but interferes with cell-cell coordination
Authors: Wood Megan , Wang Yuou , Flozak Annette S. , Yemelyanov Alex , Gottardi Cara J.
Published: February 2023

α-catenin (α-cat) displays force-dependent binding to actin filaments, but the features of adherens junction structure and function most vulnerable to loss of this allosteric mechanism remain to be generalized across epithelial cell-types. By reconstituting an α-cat F-actin-binding domain unfolding mutant known to exhibit enhanced binding to actin (α-cat-H0-FABD+) into α-cat knock-out Madin Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells, we show that partial loss of the α-cat catch bond mechanism (via an altered H0 α-helix) leads to stronger epithelial sheet integrity with greater co-localization between the α-cat-H0-FABD+mutant and actin. α-cat-H0-FABD+- expressing cells are less efficient at closing scratch-wounds or uniformly packing, suggesting reduced capacity for more dynamic cell-cell coordination. Evidence α-cat-H0-FABD+is equally accessible to the conformationally sensitive α18 antibody epitope as WT α-cat suggests this mutant favors binding to lower tension cortical actin networks. These data suggest signals that reduce the force-sensitivity of the α-cat-cortical actin interaction might improve epithelial monolayer strength through enhanced coupling to lower tension cortical actin networks, but that such association would render α-cat less selective of higher-tension actin networks, extracting a cost for dynamic processes.
Real-Time Tracking of Multiple Moving Mosquitoes
Authors: Straw Andrew D. , Pieters Remco , Muijres Florian T.
Published: February 2023

Tracking mosquitoes in real time, as opposed to recording video files and performing the tracking step later, is useful for two reasons. The first is efficiency. Real-time tracking requires less storage because video images do not need to be saved and followed by a tracking step. The second is that tracking data can be used to interact with the animal in some way, such as triggering the approach of a looming object. In this protocol, we discuss the use of Braid, free software for performing real-time, multicamera, multianimal tracking. We describe a setup with four cameras capable of tracking the three-dimensional (3D) position of mosquitoes at 100 frames per second in a volume of 30 cm × 30 cm × 60 cm with millimeter accuracy. The specific hardware configuration is flexible and can be substituted using different or additional components to adjust the tracking parameters as needed.
Tracking the Body, Wing, and Leg Kinematics of Moving Mosquitoes
Authors: Hedrick Tyson L. , Dickerson Andrew K. , Muijres Florian T. , Pieters Remco
Published: February 2023

In this protocol, we discuss general techniques for tracking the three-dimensional (3D) locations of the mosquito body, wings, legs, or other features of interest using videos. Tracking data must be acquired to produce detailed kinematics of moving mosquitoes. The software of focus for this protocol, DLTdv, was chosen for its widespread use and excellent support and because it is open-source. In addition, DLTdv allows both manual and automatic tracking. The automatic tracking can be done using a classic machine vision or machine-learning algorithm. The software supports both single-camera analysis and multicamera systems and can take advantage of sophisticated calibration algorithms, both for intrinsic lens distortion correction and for 3D DLT-based reconstruction. For this protocol, we assume all kinematic data is acquiredpost hocthrough video analysis.
Versatile modulators for laser-based FEL seeding at SwissFEL
Authors: Calvi Marco , Liang Xiaoyang , Ferrari Eugenio , Alarcon Arturo , Prat Eduard , Reiche Sven , Schmidt Thomas , Voulot Didier , Zhang Kai , Ganter Romain
Published: February 2023

The Paul Scherrer Institute is implementing laser-based seeding in the soft X-ray beamline (Athos) of its free-electron laser, SwissFEL, to enhance the temporal and spectral properties of the delivered photon pulses. This technique requires, among other components, two identical modulators for coupling the electron beam with an external laser with a wavelength range between 260 and 1600 nm. The design, magnetic measurements results, alignment, operation and also details of the novel and exotic magnetic configuration of the prototype are described.
Hard X-ray full-field nanoimaging using a direct photon-counting detector
Authors: Flenner Silja , Hagemann Johannes , Wittwer Felix , Longo Elena , Kubec Adam , Rothkirch André , David Christian , Müller Martin , Greving Imke
Published: February 2023

Full-field X-ray nanoimaging is a widely used tool in a broad range of scientific areas. In particular, for low-absorbing biological or medical samples, phase contrast methods have to be considered. Three well established phase contrast methods at the nanoscale are transmission X-ray microscopy with Zernike phase contrast, near-field holography and near-field ptychography. The high spatial resolution, however, often comes with the drawback of a lower signal-to-noise ratio and significantly longer scan times, compared with microimaging. In order to tackle these challenges a single-photon-counting detector has been implemented at the nanoimaging endstation of the beamline P05 at PETRA III (DESY, Hamburg) operated by Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon. Thanks to the long sample-to-detector distance available, spatial resolutions of below 100 nm were reached in all three presented nanoimaging techniques. This work shows that a single-photon-counting detector in combination with a long sample-to-detector distance allows one to increase the time resolution for in situ nanoimaging, while keeping a high signal-to-noise level.
Assessment on fuel economy of MoM transport aircraft using empirical approach: modelling with a case study
Authors: Dhara Aishwarya , Muruga Lal Jeyan J.V.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This research is associated with the real-time parameters of wide- and narrow-body aircraft to recognize the quantitative relationship framework. This paper aims to find the superiority of aircraft design technology which triggers the reduction in specific fuel consumption (SFC) and economic competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The real case study is performed with 22 middle-of-the-market (MoM) aircraft. This paper develops a fuel burn mathematical model for mid-size transport aircraft by a multi-linear regression approach. In addition, sensitivity analysis is performed to establish the authentication of the fuel burn model.

Findings

The study reveals that the MoM aircraft would be the future aircraft design in terms of better fuel economy and carbon footprint. From the multi-regression analysis, it is observed that the logarithmic regression model is the best fit for estimating the SFC. Moreover, fineness ratio, aspect ratio, gross weight, payload weight fraction, empty weight fraction), fuel weight fraction, payload, wing loading, thrust loading, range, take-off distance, cruise speed and rate of climb are observed as the suitable parameters which provide the best fitness value as 0.9804.

Originality/value

Several existing literature reveals that a few research has been performed on the MoM aircraft with wide-body configuration. Moreover, mathematical modelling on the fuel consumption was insignificantly found. This study examines several parameters which affect the fuel consumption of a wide-body aircraft. A real-case study for design configurations, propulsive systems, performance characteristics and structural integrity parameters of 22 different MoM aircraft are performed. Moreover, multi-regression modelling is developed to establish the relation between SFC and other critical parameters.
Three-dimensional simulation effects of trailing-edge actuation on a morphing A320 wing by means of hybrid turbulence modelling
Authors: Marouf Abderahmane , Hoarau Yannick , Rouchon Jean-François , Braza Marianna
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effects of electroactive morphing on the Airbus A320 Reduced Scale prototype of the H2020 N° 723402 European Research project smart morphing and sensing (SMS) for aeronautical configurations [1],[2].

Design/methodology/approach

The flow regimes correspond to low subsonic take-off conditions. The morphing is applied through the vibration and slight deformation of the near trailing edge region; respecting the way, this actuation has been applied on the experimental prototype using micro fibre composite actuators. Optimal frequency range has been used, associated with low amplitudes of deformation with the Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian methodology. This study used an adapted turbulence modelling with the organised eddy simulation (OES) as well as a hybrid approach delayed detached eddy simulation – with embedded OES (DDES–OES), able to sensitise and keep up the coherent structures development.

Findings

The morphing at an optimal frequency (300 Hz) and amplitude (0.7 mm), applied on a length (3.5 cm) near the trailing edge, has been studied at Reynolds number 1 million and incidence of 10°. The effects on the main flow instabilities and on the turbulent vortex structures are analysed using proper orthogonal decomposition. A modification of the wake structures and a formation of organised rows of vortices along the shear layer are obtained. This leads to a quasi-two-dimensional wake, benefits on the aerodynamic performance and a decrease of the frequency peaks in the spectrum, corresponding to an attenuation of the coherent structures.

Originality/value

This study provides a fundamental understanding of how the actuation modifies the coherent and turbulent vortex structures around the wing and in the wake.
Environmental Kuznets curve, balanced growth, and influencing factors: evidence from economic development in China
Authors: Li Jing
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The aggregate index and per capita index have different meanings for some countries or regions. CO2 emissions per capita matters for China because of its huge population. Therefore, this study aims to deepen the understanding of Kuznets curve from the perspective of CO2 emissions per capita. In this study, mathematical formulas will be derived and verified.

Design/methodology/approach

First, this study verified the existing problems with the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) through multiple regression. Second, this study developed a theoretical derivation with the Solow model and balanced growth and explained the underlying principles of the EKC’s shape. Finally, this study quantitatively analyzed the influencing factors.

Findings

The CO2 emission per capita is related to the per capita GDP, nonfossil energy and total factor productivity (TFP). Empirical results support the EKC hypothesis. When the proportion of nonfossil and TFP increase by 1%, the per capita CO2 decrease by 0.041 t and 1.79 t, respectively. The growth rate of CO2 emissions per capita is determined by the difference between the growth rate of output per capita and the sum of efficiency and structural growth rates. To achieve the CO2 emission intensity target and economic growth target, the growth rate of per capita CO2 emissions must fall within the range of [−0.92%, 6.1%].

Originality/value

Inspired by the EKC and balanced growth, this study investigated the relationships between China’s environmental variables (empirical analysis) and developed a theoretical background (macro-theoretical derivation) through formula-based derivation, the results of which are universally valuable and provide policymakers with a newly integrated view of emission reduction and balanced development to address the challenges associated with climate change caused by energy.
Development of convenient flood risk assessment method to community level: the case in the Deduru Oya basin in Sri Lanka
Authors: Wanninayake Sisira Bandara , Nianthi Rekha , Dayarathne Banda Og
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Floods have been identified as the most frequent and threatening disaster in Sri Lanka amidst an increasing trend of natural and man-made disasters in the world. Subject experts state that disaster risk management should be based on the results of risk assessments, but flood risk management in Sri Lanka is seemingly not based on community-level flood risk assessments. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to introduce a community-level flood risk assessment method to the local context of Sri Lanka.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample (n = 425) for the study was selected using the stratified random sampling method, and the Deduru Oya basin was selected as the study area. The risk assessment model introduced by Bollin et al. (2003) was used for the current study, but with some modifications. Accordingly, 16 variables were selected for the risk assessment. Descriptive data analysis methods were used in the study.

Findings

Community-level flood risk assessment method was introduced. Variable index, flood risk index and flood risk map were developed for the study area. The Grama Niladari Divisions (GNDs) were grouped into five categories from very high risk to very low risk. The GNDs named Wirakumandaluwa, Thimbilla, Deduru Oya, Bangadeniya and Elivitiya were ranked as the most flood-risk GNDs, respectively.

Originality/value

This paper produces a flood risk assessment method for the local context. Flood risk in the study area was assessed based on people’s perceptions. Accordingly, the flood risk index and flood risk map for the study area were developed based on the empirical data. GNDs were ranked based on the flood risk index.
Market-based organizational learning, pricing capability and business performance: the moderating effects of coordination mechanism and environmental dynamism
Authors: Ranjan Piyush , Nayak Jogendra Kumar
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to present a conceptual framework for understanding the dual orientations of market-based organizational learning (MBOL), namely, market orientation (MO) and learning orientation (LO), in the development of pricing capability (PC) with the goal of improving business performance (BP). This framework further explores the moderating effects of coordination mechanism (CM) and environmental dynamism (ED) on the PC–BP link and the mediating role of PC on the relationship between MBOL and BP.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applied the partial least squares structural equation modeling on survey data from 298 Indian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in manufacturing and service sectors.

Findings

The findings indicate that MBOL significantly contributes to PC development, which in turn improves BP. Interestingly, PC acts as a partial mediator in the MO–BP link, as well as LO–BP link. Moreover, CM and ED strengthen the effect of PC on BP. Finally, MO and LO have substantial and distinct effects on PC and BP.

Research limitations/implications

This study examines only one market-related capability, i.e. PC, considers multi-industry SMEs rather than specific large industries and uses cross-sectional instead of longitudinal data.

Practical implications

These findings are crucial from managerial standpoints because SMEs need to understand the MBOL dimensions, including MO and LO, and their significance in improving PC and BP.

Originality/value

Understanding how MBOL adoption contributes to superior performance is critical, but research in the SMEs context is still lacking. This study addresses a research gap by examining the impact of MBOL on BP, both directly and indirectly, through PC in the context of SMEs.
Synthesis of critical factors influencing indoor environmental quality and their impacts on building occupants health and productivity
Authors: Mewomo Modupe Cecilia , Toyin James Olaonipekun , Iyiola Comfort Olubukola , Aluko Olusola Raphael
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The present shift and change in the human lifestyle across the world are undeniable. Currently, individuals spend a substantial amount of time indoors due to the global COVID-19 pandemic that strikes the entire world. This change in human lifestyle has devastating effects on human health and productivity. As a result, the influence of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) on the health and productivity of building users becomes a critical field of research that requires immediate attention. As a result, the purpose of this study is to review the state-of-the-art literature by establishing a connection between the factors that influence health and productivity in any given indoor environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology involves a thorough review of selected published journals from 1983 to 2021, and the result was analysed through content analysis. The search included journal articles, books and conference proceedings on the critical factors influencing IEQ and their impact on building occupants, which was sourced from different databases such as ScienceDirect, Taylor, GoogleScholar and Web of Science.

Findings

The findings from the 90 selected articles revealed four critical factors influencing the quality of the indoor environment and are categorised into; indoor air quality, indoor thermal comfort, visual comfort and acoustic comfort. The findings suggested that when developing a system for controlling the quality of the indoor environment, the indoor air quality, indoor thermal comfort, visual comfort and acoustic comfort should be taken into account.

Originality/value

The indoor environment deeply impacts the health of individuals in their living and work environments. Industry must have a moral responsibility to provide health facilities in which people and workers feel satisfies and give conditions for prosperity. Addressing these essential aspects will not only help the decision-making process of construction professionals but also encourages innovative construction techniques that will enhance the satisfaction, wellness and performance of building occupants.
“Hacking marketing”: how do firms develop marketers' expertise and practices in a digital era?
Authors: Hafezieh Najmeh , Pollock Neil , Ryan Annmarie
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Digital technologies, digitalised consumers and the torrent of customer data have been transforming marketing practice. In discussing such trends, existing research has either focussed on the skills marketers need or broad-based approaches such as agile methods but has given less consideration to just how such skills or approaches might be developed and used in marketers' day-to-day activities and in the organisation of marketing in the firm. This is what the authors address in this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts an in-depth case study approach to examine an exemplary digital enterprise in transformation of their digital marketing. The insights were gathered from 25 interviews, netnography and document analysis of the case organisation in addition to 10 interviews with independent experts.

Findings

Drawing on practice-oriented approach, the authors show how organisations respond to the emerging trends of digital consumers and big data by taking a ‘hacking marketing’ approach and developing novel marketing expertise at disciplinary boundaries. The authors put forward three sets of practices that enable and shape the hacking marketing approach. These include spanning the expertise boundary, making value measurable and experimenting through which their adaptive, iterative and multidisciplinary work occurs. This explains how managing digital consumers and big data is not within the realm of information technology (IT) functions but marketing and how marketing professionals are changing their practice and moving their disciplinary boundaries.

Practical implications

This study offers practical contributions for firms in terms of identifying new work practices and expertise that marketing specialists need in managing digital platforms, digitalised consumers and big data. This study’s results show that enterprises need to design and implement strong training programmes to prepare their marketing workforce in adopting experimentations of agile approach and data-driven decision making. In addition, Marketing education should be changed so that programmes consider a review of their courses and include the novel marketing models and approaches into their curriculum.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the nascent discussions by unpacking how enterprises can develop new marketing expertise and practices beyond skillsets and how such practices form new hacking marketing approach which addresses the problem of the inability of the conventional marketing approach to show its value within the firm.
The implementation of sustainability practices in Arab higher education institutions
Authors: Al Mahameed Muhammad , Riaz Umair , Aldoob Mohammad Salem , Halari Anwar
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how sustainability practices were implemented in a higher education institution within a local setting in the Gulf and Arab Emirates Region. This study examined the impact of social and cultural requirements on the development of the master plan for the New Kuwait University campus with regards to sustainability to illustrate how current social and cultural requirements impact the design of a future learning environment whilst highlighting the essential role of organisational actors in this implementation process.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an in-depth case study approach, the authors conducted 21 semi-structured interviews with educators and administrative staff who had been involved in the sustainability implementation process at Kuwait University. These participants were involved at different stages in the implementation of a major sustainability project at Kuwait University. The interviews were further supplemented by analysing supporting documents and communications.

Findings

The analysis reveals that sustainability was embedded in a narrative that was repeated at the practice level; this directed the setting of objectives for the project and its various sub-tasks. It also helped actors to develop their understandings of practice and the importance of social emotions, self-intentions and patterns of culture in the process. This study further reveals that participants mainly focused on environmental issues regarding saving paper/electricity and overlooked aspects of a wider concepts and core values of sustainability, and there is a significant amount of lack of knowledge and awareness on matters about sustainability, especially with the understanding of its definition.

Originality/value

This study draws on practice-organisation framework used by Schatzki (2002, 2010), suggesting that sustainability implementation is a process led by rules, practical understanding, general understanding and teleoaffective structures, to highlight the role of agency and change among various actors in implementing sustainability. A practice-theory framing is used to signpost the roles played by various actors in establishing goals and tasks for the project while taking account of local understanding and independence in the implementation of sustainability practices. Engaging with practice theory framework offers us theoretical basis that is fundamentally different from the theories of interaction-oriented approaches in sustainable design.