bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anarginase 2promoter transgenic illuminates anti-inflammatory signalling in zebrafish
Authors: Hammond Ffion R. , Lewis Amy , Anderson Holly E. , Williams Lewis G. , Meijer Annemarie H. , Wiegertjes Geert F. , Elks Philip M.
Published: February 2022

The innate immune response to inflammatory stimuli must be finely balanced to produce an appropriate pro-inflammatory response while allowing a subsequent return to homeostasis. In recent years,in vivotransgenic zebrafish models have shed light on the temporal regulation of the pro-inflammatory innate response to immune challenges. However, until now, there have been no zebrafish transgenic models of anti-inflammatory signalling. We compared existing expression data of arginase genes in zebrafish neutrophils and macrophages, strong candidates for an anti-inflammatory marker, and identified thatarginase 2is the most highly expressed Arginase in zebrafish immune cells. We developed anarginase 2(arg2) bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic line,TgBAC(arg2:eGFP)sh571, driving GFP expression under the control of thearg2promoter. We show that, under resting conditions,arg2:GFPis expressed in ionocytes, matching thein situhybridisation pattern. Upon immune challenge by injury, bacterial and fungal insults,arg2:GFPis predominantly expressed in neutrophils at early timepoints post-insult. Later in infections,arg2:GFPis expressed in cells associated with foci of infection (including neutrophils and macrophages), alongside liver expression. Our data indicate thatarginase 2is predominantly expressed in neutrophils after immune challenge and suggest that anti-inflammatory signals coincide with pro-inflammatory signals during early wound and infection responses.
Functional diversity and evolution of the Drosophila sperm proteome
Authors: Garlovsky Martin D. , Sandler Jessica , Karr Timothy L.
Published: February 2022

Given the central role fertilization plays in the health and fitness of sexually reproducing organisms and the well-known evolutionary consequences of sexual selection and sperm competition, knowledge gained by a deeper understanding of sperm (and associated reproductive tissues) proteomes has proven critical to the field’s advancement. Due to their extraordinary complexity, proteome depth-of-coverage is dependent on advancements in technology and related bioinformatics, both of which have made significant advancements in the decade since the last Drosophila sperm proteome was published. Here we provide an updated version of the Drosophila melanogaster sperm proteome (DmSP3) using improved separation and detection methods and an updated genome annotation. We identified 2563 proteins, with label-free quantitation (LFQ) for 2125 proteins. Combined with previous versions of the sperm proteome, the DmSP3 contains a total of 3176 proteins. The top 20 most abundant proteins contained the structural elements α- and β-tubulins and sperm leucyl-aminopeptidases (S-Laps). Both gene content and protein abundance were significantly reduced on the X chromosome, a finding consistent with prior genomic studies of the X chromosome gene content and evolution. We identified 9 of the 16 Y-linked proteins, including known testis-specific male fertility factors. LFQ measured significant levels for 75/83 ribosomal proteins (RPs) we identified, including a number of core constituents. The role of this unique subset of RPs in sperm is unknown. Surprisingly, our expanded sperm proteome also identified 122 seminal fluid proteins (Sfps), proteins found predominantly in the accessory glands. The possibility of tissue contamination from seminal vesicle or other reproductive tissues was addressed using concentrated salt and detergent treatments. Salt treatment had little effect on sperm proteome composition suggesting only minor contamination during sperm isolation while a significant fraction of Sfps remained associated with sperm following detergent treatment suggesting Sfps may arise within, and have additional functions, in sperm per se.
Comparative miRNA Transcriptomics of Mouse and Macaque Reveals MYOC is An Inhibitor for C. neoformans Invasion into Brain
Authors: Li Hailong , Han Xiaoxu , Du Wei , Meng Yang , Li Yanjian , Sun Tianshu , Liang Qiaojing , Li Chao , Suo Chenhao , Gao Xindi , Qiu Yu , Tian Wen , An Minghui , Zhang Hui , Fu Yajing , Li Xiaolin , Lan Tian , Yang Sheng , Zhang Zining , Geng Wenqing , Ding Chen , Shang Hong
Published: February 2022

Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis is an emerging infection shifted from primarily ART-naive to being ART-experienced HIV/AIDS patients, COVID-19 patients and also in immune competent individuals, mainly caused by the human opportunistic pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, yet mechanisms of the brain or CNS dissemination remain to elucidate, which is the deadest process for the disease. Meanwhile, illustrations of clinically relevant responses in cryptococcosis were limited, as the low availabilities of clinical samples. In this study, macaque and mouse infection models were employed and miRNA-mRNA transcriptomes were performed and combined, which revealed cytoskeleton, a major feather in HIV/AIDS patients, was a centric pathway regulated in both two infection models. Notably, assays of clinical immune cells confirmed an enhanced “Trojan Horse” in HIV/AIDS patients, which can be shut down by cytoskeleton inhibitors. Furthermore, we identified a novel enhancer for macrophage “Trojan Horse”, myocilin, and an enhanced fungal burden was achieved in brains of MYOC transgenic mice. Taking together, this study reveals fundamental roles of cytoskeleton and MYOC in blocking fungal CNS dissemination, which not only helps to understand the high prevalence of cryptococcal meningitis in HIV/AIDS, but also facilitates the development of novel drugs for therapies of meningoencephalitis caused by C. neoformans and other pathogenic microorganisms.
Optical Control of Membrane Fluidity Modulates Protein Secretion
Authors: Jiménez-Rojo Noemi , Feng Suihan , Morstein Johannes , Pritzl Stefanie D. , Harayama Takeshi , Asaro Antonino , Vepřek Nynke A. , Arp Christopher J. , Reynders Martin , Novak Alexander J. E. , Kanshin Evgeny , Ueberheide Beatrix , Lohmüller Theobald , Riezman Howard , Trauner Dirk
Published: February 2022

The lipid composition of cellular membranes is dynamic and undergoes remodelling affecting biophysical properties, such as membrane fluidity, which are critical to biological function. Here, we introduce an optical approach to manipulate membrane fluidity based on exogenous synthetic fatty acid with an azobenzene photoswitch, termed FAAzo4. Cells rapidly incorporate FAAzo4 into phosphatidylcholine (PC), the major phospholipid in mammalian cells, in a concentration- and cell type-dependent manner. This generates photoswitchable PC analogs (AzoPC), which are predominantly located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Irradiation causes a rapid photoisomerization that increases membrane fluidity with high spatiotemporal precision. We use these ‘PhotoCells’ to study the impact of membrane mechanics on protein export from the ER and demonstrate that this two-step process has distinct membrane fluidity requirements. Our approach represents an unprecedented way of manipulating membrane fluidity in cellulo and opens novel avenues to probe roles of fluidity in a wide variety of biological processes.
Molecular dynamics simulations of the Spike trimeric ectodomain of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant: structural relationships with infectivity, evasion to immune system and transmissibility
Authors: Amorim Vitor Martins de Freitas , de Souza Robson Francisco , Souza Anacleto Silva de , Guzzo Cristiane Rodrigues
Published: February 2022

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant is replacing Delta, the most prevalent variant worldwide from the beginning of 2021 until early 2022. The Omicron variant is highly transmissible and responsible for a new worldwide COVID-19 wave. Herein, we calculated molecular dynamics simulations of the SARS-CoV-2 trimeric spike protein of Wuhan-Hu-1 strain (wild type, WT) and the Omicron variant of concern. Structural analyses reveal that the SpikeOmicron presents more conformational flexibility than SpikeWT, mainly in the N-terminal domain (NTD) and receptor-binding domain (RBD). Such flexibility results in a broader spectrum of different conformations for SpikeOmicron, whereby the RBD can more easily visit an up-conformational state. We reported how the mutations in this variant may influence the intra- and inter-protomer contacts caused by conformational flexibility of the NTD. Based on our analysis, we suggest that the differences in conformational flexibility between SpikeOmicron and SpikeWT may explain the observed gains in infectivity, immune system evasion and transmissibility in this novel variant.

Graphical abstract
Vector competence and transcriptional response of Aedes aegypti for Ebinur Lake virus, a newly mosquito-borne orthobunyavirus
Authors: Yang Cihan , Wang Fei , Huang Doudou , Ma Haixia , Zhao Lu , Zhang Guilin , Li Hailong , Han Qian , Bente Dennis , Yuan Zhiming , Xia Han
Published: February 2022

The global impact of mosquito-borne diseases is increasing in the last decades. The newly classified orthobunyavirus, Ebinur Lake virus (EBIV) has been verified with highly virulent pathogenic to adult laboratory mice, and antibodies against EBIV have been detected in humans. As a potential emerging virus, it is necessary to assess the vector capacity of mosquitoes for EBIV to predicting its risk to public health. Herein, Aedes aegypti, the gradually important vector in China, was used as a model to evaluate the vector competence for EBIV. It was showed that EBIV can be transmitted by Ae. aegypti through oral feeding and the transmission rates could get to 11.8% at 14 days post infection (dpi). The highest infection rate, dissemination rate and ovary infection rate were 70%, 42.9%, and 29.4%, respectively. Through intrathoracic infection, Ae. aegypti was highly susceptible to EBIV and the transmission rates could get to 90% at 10 dpi. Moreover, the infection rate, dissemination rate and ovary infection rate were all 100%. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated EBIV can alter expressions of mosquito genes related to immune-related process and metabolism-related process. Defensin-C and chitinase 10 had been continuously down-regulated in the mosquitoes infected by intrathoracic inoculation. Our studies made the comprehensive analysis of the vector competence and transcriptional response of Ae. aegypti for EBIV, which implied the potential risk of EBIV to public health. Moreover, these findings indicated a complex interplay between EBIV and the mosquito immune system to affect the vector transmission capability.
Nitric oxide signaling controls collective contractions in a colonial choanoflagellate
Authors: Reyes-Rivera Josean , Wu Yang , Guthrie Benjamin G. H. , Marletta Michael A. , King Nicole , Brunet Thibaut
Published: February 2022

Although signaling by the gaseous molecule nitric oxide (NO) regulates key physiological processes in animals, including contractility1-3, immunity4,5, development6-9 and locomotion10,11, the early evolution of animal NO signaling remains unclear. To reconstruct the role of NO in the animal stem lineage, we set out to study NO signaling in choanoflagellates, the closest living relatives of animals12. In animals, NO produced by the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) canonically signals through cGMP by activating soluble guanylate cyclases (sGCs)13,14. We surveyed the distribution of the NO signaling pathway components across the diversity of choanoflagellates and found three species that express NOS, sGCs, and downstream genes previously shown to be involved in the NO/cGMP pathway. One of these, Choanoeca flexa, forms multicellular sheets that undergo collective contractions controlled by cGMP15. We found that treatment with NO induces sustained contractions in C. flexa by signaling through an sGC/cGMP pathway. Biochemical assays show that NO directly binds C. flexa sGC1 and stimulates its cyclase activity. The NO/cGMP pathway acts independently from other inducers of C. flexa contraction, including mechanical stimuli and heat, but sGC activity is required for contractions induced by light-to-dark transitions. The output of NO signaling in C. flexa – contractions resulting in a switch from feeding to swimming – resembles the effect of NO in sponges1-3 and cnidarians11,16,17, where it interrupts feeding and activates contractility. These data provide insights into the biology of the first animals and the evolution of NO signaling.
Oligodendrocyte origin and development in the zebrafish visual system
Authors: Santos-Ledo Adrián , Montes-Perez Cristina , DeOliveira-Mello Laura , Arévalo Rosario , Velasco Almudena
Published: February 2022

Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating cells in the central nervous system (CNS). Their developmental origin and specification are well known in birds and mammals but remains unclear in fish. To fulfill this gap, we have studied their early progression during zebrafish visual morphogenesis using the transgenic line Olig2:GFP. We have tracked the Olig2+ cells in the visual system from 48 hours post fertilization (hpf) until 11 days post fertilization (dpf). We have also analyzed the differential expression of the Sox2 and Sox10 transcription factors in this cellular line. Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) originate at 48hpf in regions close to the preoptic area, near to the ventral hypothalamus. Then, at 5 dpf, they migrate to the optic chiasm, where they invade the optic nerve, extending towards the retina. While OPCs in the retina also express Sox2, in the the optic tectum they express Sox10. Within the optic nerve tract, they express both. We have also observed that these Olig2:GFP line do not colocalize with the expression of Mbpa, a myelin marker, but are intimately intertwined. Our data matches with other animal models, where OPCs are specified in the preoptic area and migrate to the optic nerve through the optic chiasm. We revealed that oligodendrocyte is a complex population of cells expressing different transcription factors.
Genetic load in incomplete lupus erythematosus
Authors: Slief Matt , Kheir Joseph , Smith Miles , Mowery Colin , Macwana Susan , DeJager Wade , Wagner Catriona A. , Aberle Teresa , James Judith A. , Guthridge Joel M.
Published: February 2022

Incomplete lupus erythematosus (ILE) patients have lupus features but insufficient criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) classification. Some ILE patients transition to SLE, but most avoid major organ involvement. This study tested whether the milder disease course in ILE is influenced by reduced SLE-risk allele genetic load. We calculated the genetic load based on 99 SLE-associated risk alleles in European American SLE patients (>4 ACR-1997 criteria, n=171), ILE patients (3 ACR-1997 criteria; n=174), a subset of ILE patients not meeting SLICC classification (ILESLICC, n=119), and healthy controls (n=133). ILE and SLE patients had significantly greater SLE-risk allele genetic load compared to healthy controls, while ILESLICC patients had a trend toward an increased genetic load, although not statistically significant. However, the genetic load did not differ between ILE and SLE. In conclusion, ILE and SLE patients have comparable genetic loads of SLE risk loci, suggesting similar genetic predisposition between these conditions. Phenotypic differences between SLE and ILE may instead be influenced by ILE-specific variants and gene-environment interactions.
Octopaminergic/tyraminergicTdc2neurons regulate biased sperm usage in femaleDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Chen Dawn S. , Clark Andrew G. , Wolfner Mariana F.
Published: February 2022

In polyandrous internally fertilizing species, a multiply-mated female can use stored sperm from different males in a biased manner to fertilize her eggs. The female’s ability to assess sperm quality and compatibility is essential for her reproductive success, and represents an important aspect of postcopulatory sexual selection. InDrosophila melanogaster, previous studies demonstrated that the female nervous system plays an active role in influencing progeny paternity proportion, and suggested a role for octopaminergic/tyraminergicTdc2neurons in this process. Here, we report that inhibitingTdc2neuronal activity causes females to produce a higher-than-normal proportion of first-male progeny. This difference is not due to differences in sperm storage or release, but instead is attributable to the suppression of second-male sperm usage bias that normally occurs in control females. We further show that a subset ofTdc2neurons innervating the female reproductive tract is largely responsible for the progeny proportion phenotype that is observed whenTdc2neurons are inhibited globally. On the contrary, overactivation ofTdc2neurons does not further affect sperm storage and release or progeny proportion. These results suggest that octopaminergic/tyraminergic signaling allows a multiply-mated female to bias sperm usage, and identify a new role for the female nervous system in postcopulatory sexual selection.
Functional characterization of a neuropeptide receptor exogenously expressed in Aplysia neurons
Authors: Zhang Guo , Guo Shi-Qi , Yin Si-Yuan , Yuan Wang-Ding , Chen Ping , Kim Ji-Il , Wang Hui-Ying , Zhou Hai-Bo , Susswein Abraham J. , Kaang Bong-Kiun , Jing Jian
Published: February 2022

Neuropeptides act mostly on a class of G-protein coupled receptors, and play a fundamental role in the functions of neural circuits underlying behaviors. However, the functions of neuropeptide receptors are poorly understood. Here, we used the mollusc model system Aplysia and microinjected the exogenous neuropeptide receptor apATRPR (Aplysia Allatotropin-related peptide receptor) with an expression vector (pNEX3) into Aplysia neurons that did not express the receptor. Physiological experiments demonstrated that apATRPR could mediate the excitability increase activated by its ligand, apATRP (Aplysia Allatotropin-related peptide), in the Aplysia neurons that now express the receptor. This study provides the first definitive evidence for a physiological function of a neuropeptide receptor in molluscan animals.
Fear learning-induced changes in AMPAR and NMDAR expression in the fear circuit
Authors: Shultz Brianna , Farkash Abigail , Collins Bailey , Mohammadmirzaei Negin , Knox Dayan
Published: February 2022

NMDA receptors (NMDARs) and AMPA receptors (AMPARs) in amygdala nuclei and the dorsal hippocampus (dHipp) are critical for fear conditioning. Enhancements in synaptic AMPAR expression in amygdala nuclei and the dHipp are critical for fear conditioning, with some studies observing changes in AMPAR expression across many neurons in these brain regions. Whether similar changes occur in other nodes of the fear circuit (e.g., ventral hippocampus [vHipp]) or changes in NMDAR expression in the fear circuit occur with fear conditioning have not been sufficiently examined. To address this we used near-infrared immunohistochemistry (IHC) to measure AMPAR and NMDAR subunit expression in several nodes of the fear circuit. Long-term changes in GluR1 and GluR2 expression in the ventral hippocampus (vHipp) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), enhanced NR2A expression in amygdala nuclei, and changes in the ratio of GluR1/NR2A and GluR2/NR2A in the dHipp was observed with fear conditioning. Most of these changes were dependent on protein synthesis during fear conditioning and were not observed immediately after fear conditioning. The results of the study suggest that global changes in AMPARs and NMDARs occur in multiple nodes within the fear circuit and raise the possibility that these changes contribute to fear memory. Further research examining how global changes in AMPAR, NMDAR, and AMPAR/NMDAR ratios within nodes of the fear circuit contribute to fear memory is needed.
Trapezoid-kinoform zone plate lens – a solution for efficient focusing in hard X-ray optics
Authors: Tong Xujie , Chen Yifang , Xu Zijian , Li Yijie , Xing Zhenjiang , Mu Chengyang , Zhao Jun , Zhen Xiangjun , Mao Chengwen , Tai Renzhong
Published: February 2022

X-ray microscopes are powerful tools in the nano-inspection of materials owing to their ultra-high resolution at the molecular level. However, the focusing efficiency of binary zone plate lenses as key components in such probes is merely 5% in practice, hindering their application in advanced scientific research. Although kinoform zone plate lenses are in principle supposed to possess high efficiency beyond binary ones, little progress has been reported so far due to the shortage of both a theoretical calculation approach and greyscale lithography for generating fine three-dimensional (3D) kinoform zones of the lenses. This paper reports our theoretical work for a modified beam propagation method to compute the focusing performance and state-of-the-art 3D greyscale electron beam lithography for kinoform zone plate lenses. Three different zone shapes – binary, kinoform and top-flat kinoform (nicknamed the trapezoid-kinoform) – were compared both theoretically and experimentally. Theoretical calculations suggest, for the first time, that the trapezoid-kinoform zone plate gives rise to the highest focusing efficiency among the three lenses, which was proved by optical characterization of the fabricated lens with hard X-rays. As high as 40% of the focusing efficiency by Au trapezoid-kinoform lenses with resolution of 250 nm at 8 keV has been achieved, which is two times higher than that of binary zone plate lenses. The origin of the enhanced efficiency in the trapezoid-kinoform zone plate lens was explained by the joint contributions from both the refraction through the kinoform slope and the diffraction through the top flat part of the trapezoid-kinoform zone plate. Such a breakthrough in focusing efficiency sheds light on the further development of X-ray lenses with both high resolution and high efficiency.
Single-shot experiments at the soft X-FEL FERMI using a back-side-illuminated scientific CMOS detector. Corrigendum
Authors: Léveillé Cyril , Desjardins Kewin , Popescu Horia , Vodungbo Boris , Hennes Marcel , Delaunay Renaud , Jal Emmanuelle , De Angelis Dario , Pancaldi Matteo , Pedersoli Emanuele , Capotondi Flavio , Jaouen Nicolas
Published: February 2022

The name of one of the authors in the article by Léveillé et al. [(2022), J. Synchrotron Rad.
29, 103–110] is corrected.
Guidelines for de novo phasing using multiple small-wedge data collection. Corrigendum
Authors: Baba Seiki , Matsuura Hiroaki , Kawamura Takashi , Sakai Naoki , Nakamura Yuki , Kawano Yoshiaki , Mizuno Nobuhiro , Kumasaka Takashi , Yamamoto Masaki , Hirata Kunio
Published: February 2022

A figure in the article by Baba et al. [(2021), J. Synchrotron Rad.
28, 1284–1295] is corrected.
A first-order phase transition in Blatter's radical at high pressure
Authors: Broadhurst Edward T. , Wilson Cameron J. G. , Zissimou Georgia A. , Nudelman Fabio , Constantinides Christos P. , Koutentis Panayiotis A. , Parsons Simon
Published: February 2022

The crystal structure of Blatter's radical (1,3-diphenyl-1,4-dihydrobenzo[e][1,2,4]triazin-4-yl) has been investigated between ambient pressure and 6.07 GPa. The sample remains in a compressed form of the ambient-pressure phase up to 5.34 GPa, the largest direction of strain being parallel to the direction of π-stacking interactions. The bulk modulus is 7.4 (6) GPa, with a pressure derivative equal to 9.33 (11). As pressure increases, the phenyl groups attached to the N1 and C3 positions of the triazinyl moieties of neighbouring pairs of molecules approach each other, causing the former to begin to rotate between 3.42 to 5.34 GPa. The onset of this phenyl rotation may be interpreted as a second-order phase transition which introduces a new mode for accommodating pressure. It is premonitory to a first-order isosymmetric phase transition which occurs on increasing pressure from 5.34 to 5.54 GPa. Although the phase transition is driven by volume minimization, rather than relief of unfavourable contacts, it is accompanied by a sharp jump in the orientation of the rotation angle of the phenyl group. DFT calculations suggest that the adoption of a more planar conformation by the triazinyl moiety at the phase transition can be attributed to relief of intramolecular H...H contacts at the transition. Although no dimerization of the radicals occurs, the π-stacking interactions are compressed by 0.341 (3) Å between ambient pressure and 6.07 GPa.
A novel dual-responsive halloysite nano-container for anti-corrosion coatings
Authors: Liu Yuanwei , Wang Bin , Xie Yan , Chen Yu , Yang Zhongnian , Han Guojun , Dang Yanqiu
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to prepare a dual-encapsulated halloysite nano-container to release the capsuled inhibitor as an additive for corrosion protection of epoxy coating.

Design/methodology/approach

Halloysite nano-containers (HNT) were prepared by simultaneously implanting inhibitor benzotriazole (BTA) into the inside and outside of the halloysite using reduced pressure and layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly, respectively. The microstructure and morphology of treated HNT were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the anti-corrosion behaviors of the composite polyepoxy coating with inhibitor-loaded nano-containers BTA@HNT-2 were investigated using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and neutral salt spray test.

Findings

Test results showed that the LBL assembly structure of the halloysite nano-container makes the BTA@HNT-2 nano-container be controlled and sustained to release BTA, relying on the pH. Very importantly, the obtained nano-container is also responsive to temperature, owing to the thermosensitivity polyelectrolyte out-shell of the HNT. The result showed Rct of the composite polyepoxy coating can be sufficient to maintain higher than 8.510E+7 Ω·cm2 over 72 h of immersion test. Moreover, the artificial induced defects on the coating surface were sufficiently inhibited in the presence of BTA@HNT-2 nano-container in the polyepoxy coating.

Originality/value

Use of the BTA@HNT-2 as corrosion inhibitor nano-container, with good anti-corrosion property and dual-responsive to pH and temperature, offers a significant rout to prepare smart anti-corrosion coating for protecting metal substrate.
Acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a text messaging intervention to reduce high-risk alcohol use among adults 50 and older: an exploratory study
Authors: Kuerbis Alexis , Behrendt Silke , Arora Varnica , Muench Frederick J.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Prevalence rates of older adults (OA, 50+) with high-risk alcohol use are rapidly growing. Barriers to intervention persist for OA. Mobile interventions, specifically short message service (SMS, also known as text messaging), provide an opportunity to overcome such barriers. The purpose of this paper is to explore the acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of four SMS intervention conditions compared to mobile assessment only among OA (50–65 years old, n = 49) who drink at high-risk levels compared to younger adults (YA, 21–49 years old, n = 102).

Design/methodology/approach

Within and between age group differences at baseline and end-of-treatment (12 weeks) were explored. Generalized linear modeling was used to test age by receipt of any SMS intervention (compared to assessment only) effects across health outcomes. Effect sizes and visual analyses were generated to assess for age by type of SMS interactions.

Findings

Both age groups reported intervention satisfaction. Two-thirds elected to continue receiving SMSs after treatment concluded. Descriptively, SMS groups demonstrated reduced drinking across age groups at end-of-treatment compared to mobile assessment only, though slightly larger effects were found for YA than for OA. Age significantly moderated the receipt of any SMS intervention only for depression (i.e., older age weakened the therapeutic effect). Of all the SMS types, tailored messages outperformed the other conditions on drinking outcomes for both age groups. Depression, craving and alcohol problems responded to gain-framed messages among OA and loss-framed messages among YA.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this paper suggest that SMS is acceptable and potentially effective across age groups. Further adaptation of SMS across age groups could enhance its effectiveness.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to explore the impact of older age on the efficacy of text messaging as an intervention for hazardous alcohol use.
The differential impact of monological and dialogical corporate social responsibility communication strategies on brand trust in the credence goods market
Authors: Dai Wenbin , Reich Allen Z.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims at investigating the differential impact of different CSR communication strategies on consumers' brand trust and consequent attitudes and behaviors in the credence goods market.

Design/methodology/approach

An experimental laboratory study was conducted to collect data from graduate students (n = 414) from two Chinese universities. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized model.

Findings

The results show that a dialogical communication strategy, compared to a monological communication strategy, is significantly more effective in increasing consumers' brand trust for credence goods as well as their willingness-to-buy and positive word-of-mouth. The results also confirm the mediating effect of CSR knowledge and the moderating effect of broad-scope trust on the relationship between CSR communication strategies and brand trust.

Practical implications

This study implies that in order to promote consumer trust and supportive behaviors toward brands, managers of companies in credence goods market should consider the increased use of various dialogical CSR communication strategies.

Originality/value

The study is one of the first to verify the impact of dialogical vs monological CSR communication strategies on consumers of credence goods.
Pre- and post-production water treatment in the food processing industry: managerial perceptions of environmental pressure increase adoption of voluntary environmental management
Authors: Meng Ting , Jiang Qijun , Florkowski Wojciech J.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper examines pre- and post-production water treatment practices among food processors and investigates factors, especially managerial perceptions of environmental pressure that encourage or preclude either process.

Design/methodology/approach

To consider potential spillover effects across two water-treatment practices, the bivariate probit model based on random utility theory is used to investigate how practices are influenced by managerial perceptions of environmental pressure and measured by manager perceptions on water costs, water availability, water safety and quality.

Findings

Results indicate that firms with a managerial perception that water costs are low are less likely to conduct both pre- and post-production water treatment practices, while the perception of high water quality has a negative effect on water treatment prior to use. This study also confirms the positive correlation of the pre- and post-water treatment practices among food processors. Practices also change with firm features including production scope, scale, target market and expected future sales growth.

Practical implications

This study provides unique insights about water treatment practices and generates knowledge to enhance food safety and environmental sanitation in the food industry. Results are helpful to design and provide additional training and educational programs that target the enhancement of environmental and water quality awareness among food company managers and modify food safety policy instruments and environmental regulations pertaining to surface water resources.

Originality/value

Research exploring water-treatment practices in the food industry has been limited. Using a representative sample of food processors in the city of Shanghai, this study contributes to the literature on the examination of internal drivers of voluntary environmental management (VEM) with a focus on managerial perceptions of environmental pressure, establishes the correlation between pre- and post-production water treatment practices and identifies and quantifies the effects of relevant factors.
Probabilistic weighted voting model using multiple machine learning methods for fault detection and classification
Authors: Ülker Fevzeddin , Küçüker Ahmet
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The individual machine learning methods used for fault detection and classification have accuracy performance at a certain level. A combined learning model composed of different base classifiers rather than an individual machine learning model is introduced to ensure diversity. In this way, this study aims to improve the generalization capability of fault detection and classification scheme.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents a probabilistic weighted voting model (PWVM) with multiple learning models for fault detection and classification. The working principle of this study’s proposed model relies on weight selection and per-class possibilities corresponding to predictions of base classifiers. Moreover, it can improve the power of the prediction model and cope with imbalanced class distribution through validation metrics and F-score.

Findings

The performance of the proposed PWVM was better than the performance of the individual machine learning methods. Besides, the proposed voting model’s performance was compared with different voting mechanisms involving weighted and unweighted voting models. It can be seen from the results that the presented model is superior to voting mechanisms. The performance results revealed PWVM has a powerful predictive model even in noisy conditions. This study determines the optimal model from among voting models with the prioritization method on data sets partitioned different ratios. The obtained results with statistical analysis verified the validity of the proposed model. Besides, the comparative results from different benchmark data sets verified the effectiveness and robustness of this study’s proposed model.

Originality/value

The contribution of this study is that PWVM is an ensemble model with outstanding generalization capability. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study has been performed using a PWVM composed of multiple classifiers to detect no-faulted/faulted cases and classify faulted phases.
Key practices and impact factors of corporate social responsibility implementation: Evidence from construction firms
Authors: Zhang Qian , Oo Bee Lan , Lim Benson Teck-Heng
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The ability of construction firms to become more environmentally conscious and socially responsible for their business activities has been touted as the key driver for improved individual firms' competitiveness. This study explores the key dimensions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and their impact factors among construction firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Through the institutional, stakeholders and self-determination theories, this study proposed a conceptual framework of CSR implementation. For its validation, data were collected from 90 top-tier construction firms using an online survey and analyzed via a two-pronged factor analysis method.

Findings

The empirical results demonstrate that the CSR practices of construction firms include eight key dimensions, e.g. shareholders' interests, government commitment and CSR institutional arrangement. The three key groups of impact factor of CSR implementation are (1) identified factors (i.e. contractors' perceived importance of CSR practices); (2) external institutional factors (i.e. coercive and normative factors and mimetic factors); and (3) intrinsic factors (i.e. strategic business direction, resource and capability and organizational culture).

Practical implications

The research findings inform the practitioners about how to enact, manage and improve firms' socially responsible goals so as to fulfill their key stakeholders' requirements and expectations and thus enhance their legitimacy in construction businesses.

Originality/value

This study contributes to CSR knowledge by identifying and empirically demonstrating valid measurements of the key dimensions of practices and impact factors toward CSR implementation by construction firms.
Why do users continually seek knowledge in online Q&A communities? An empirical investigation
Authors: Jin Jiahua , Zhang Tingting , Yan Xiangbin
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Online Q&A communities have been widely highlighted as an important knowledge exchange market. Although motivations for users’ initial knowledge-seeking behavior have been widely investigated, the factors that affect online Q&A users’ continued knowledge-seeking behavior are still vague. This study aims to investigate the factors that affect users continuously seeking knowledge from online social Q&A communities.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on social information processing theory, social capital theory, social exchange theory and social cognitive theory, this study used a negative binomial regression model to explore what would affect people’s continued knowledge-seeking behavior. Empirical data was collected from a popular Chinese online social Q&A community.

Findings

The results indicate that while previous knowledge sharing behavior, peer responses for previous seeking behavior, identity-based trust have a positive impact on knowledge-seeking behaviors, social exposure has a negative impact. In addition, self-presentation negatively moderates the relationship between social exposure and knowledge-seeking behavior.

Originality/value

This study contributed to the theoretical basis for knowledge-seeking behavior in online Q&A communities. The research findings can be used to derive guidelines for the development and operation of online social Q&A communities.
Seismic building design work process using building information modeling (BIM) technology for Malaysian Government projects
Authors: Mahamood Siti Zati Hanani , Fathi Mohamad Syazli
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to improve the seismic building design (SBD) work process for Malaysian Government projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were virtually conducted to a small sample size of internal and external stakeholders from the Malaysian Government technical agency. There were seven of them, comprising Structural Engineers, an Architect, a Quantity Surveyor and consultants-linked government projects. The respondents have at least five years of experience in building design and construction.

Findings

The paper evaluates the current SBD work process in the government technical agency. There were four main elements that appear to need to be improved, specifically in the design stage: limitations in visualization, variation of works, data management and coordination.

Research limitations/implications

This study was limited to Malaysian Government building projects and covered a small sample size. Therefore, further research is recommended to extend to other government agencies or ministries to obtain better results. Furthermore, the findings and proposal for improvements to the SBD work process can also be replicated for other similar disasters resilience projects.

Practical implications

The findings and proposal for improvements to the SBD work process can also be replicated for other similar disasters resilience projects.

Social implications

This study was limited to government building projects and covered a small sample size. Therefore, further research is recommended to extend to other government agencies or ministries to obtain better results. Furthermore, the findings and proposal for improvements to the SBD work process can also be replicated for other similar disasters resilience projects.

Originality/value

This study provides an initial step to introduce the potential of building information modeling for SBD in implementing Malaysian Government projects. It will be beneficial both pre-and post-disaster and is a significant step toward a resilient infrastructure and community.
Do analysts cater to investor information demand?
Authors: Jansen Benjamin , Hossain Md Miran , Taylor Jon
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to examine whether analyst coverage responds to changes in investor information demand for a firm and to test whether certain investor or firm characteristics moderate this association.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors model analyst activeness (AA) as a function of institutional investors' information demand, proxied by news readership on Bloomberg terminals and retail investors' information demand, proxied by the Google Search Volume Index (GSVI). Additionally, the authors take several steps to mitigate concerns about reverse causality that may confound the findings.

Findings

Results suggest that analysts respond to information demand shocks, but partially revert their coverage after the demand shock subsides. Furthermore, the results suggest that analysts cater their coverage more towards institutional investors than to retail investors. Evidence also suggests that analysts are more responsive to investors interested in firms with tech stock characteristics. Finally, the authors find evidence that specialist analysts respond more to institutional investors while generalist analysts respond more to retail investors.

Originality/value

The authors are the first to empirically examine the extent to which analysts cater to investor information demand. This is a vital topic to study because analysts are one of the primary sources of information for market participants. Understanding an analyst's motivation for providing information will help to facilitate market efficiency.
International journal of organizational analysis: a bibliometric review (2005–2020)
Authors: Tabash Mosab I. , Kumar Ashish , Sharma Shikha , Vashistha Ritu , El Refae Ghaleb A.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The International Journal of Organizational Analysis (IJOA) is a leading journal that has published high-quality research focused on various facets of organizational analysis since 1993. This paper aims to conduct a retrospective analysis of the IJOA journey from 2005 to 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

The data used in this study was extracted using the Scopus database. The bibliometric analysis, using several indicators, is adopted to reveal the major trends and themes of the journal. The mapping of bibliographic data is carried using VOSviewer and Biblioshiny.

Findings

The study findings indicate that IJOA has grown for publications and citations since its inception. Five significant research directions emerged, i.e. organizational diagnostics, organization citizenship behaviour, organizational commitment to employee retention, psychological capital and firm performance, based on cluster analysis of IJOA’s publications.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of IJOA. The study presents the key themes and trends emerging from a leading journal, considered a high-quality journal, for researching various facets of organizational functioning by academicians, scholars and practitioners.
Agency and the principle of charity: a pragmatist theory of the interaction order
Authors: Styhre Alexander
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the concept of agency on basis of a pragmatist philosophy framework of analysis. Agency is a key analytical concept in management studies, debated in terms of its theoretical elements and its degree of empirical substantiation. Agency is commonly either assumed to be the case, understood as some generic human capacity to act with integrity, or, alternatively, agency is considered to be derived from social structures, say professional norms or occupational identities acquired through socialization. In contrast, in an attempt to escape the agency/structure model, agency may be considered as what is generated in and through meso-level interactions, constituted as recurrent practices wherein accomplishments in the past serve as the template for new activities that further reinforce agential capacities.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the work of pragmatist philosopher Donald Davidson and what he calls the principle of charity, this paper presents an analytical model wherein agency is generated on basis of a shared everyday language wherein beliefs and preferences are constituted and thereafter serve as the basis of agential action.

Findings

Davidson’s externalist theory of action is supportive of the theory and study of meso-level interactions and helps to overcome the question whether agency is exogenously given or the effect of social structure.

Originality/value

This paper reviews recent social science literature on agency and introduces pragmatist philosophy concepts to better examine under what conditions social actors can reasonably have faith in an interaction being premised on beliefs that are held on basis of rational and reasonable grounds. This adds to an integrated theory of agency, being of importance for social theory and organizational analysis more specifically.
A novel deep learning approach for tracking with soft computing technique
Authors: A. Krishna Mohan , P.V.N. Reddy , K. Satya Prasad
Published: February 2022

Purpose

In the community of visual tracking or object tracking, discriminatively learned correlation filter (DCF) has gained more importance. When it comes to speed, DCF gives the best performance. The purpose of this study is to anticipate the object visually. For tracking the object visually, the authors proposed a new model based on the convolutional regression technique. Features like HOG and Harris are used for the process of feature extraction. The authors’ proposed method will give the best results when compared with other existing methods.

Design/methodology/approach

The visual tracking of many real-world applications such as robotics, smart monitoring systems, independent driving and human-computer interactions are a major and current research problem in the field of computer vision. This refers to the automated trajectory prediction of an arbitrary target object, often given in the first frame in a bounding box while moving about in successive video frames. In the community of visual tracking or object tracking, DCF has gained more importance. Discriminative trackers strive to train a classifier that differentiates the target item from the background. The fundamental concept is to train a correlation filter that creates high responses around the target and low responses elsewhere. For tracking the object visually, the authors proposed a new model based on the convolutional regression technique. Features like HOG and Harris are used for the process of feature extraction. Through experimental analysis, the authors have evaluated several performance assessment metrics such as accuracy, precision, F-measure and specificity. The authors’ proposed method will give the best results when compared with other existing methods.

Findings

This process involved DCF which gained more importance. When it comes to speed, DCF gives the best performance. The main objective of this study is to anticipate the object visually. For tracking the object visually, the authors proposed a new model based on the convolutional regression technique for tracking the objects and these results will be used for identifying the action of the object.

Originality/value

The main theme exists in the process is to identify the tracking motion of the object by using convolution regression with varied features. This method proves that it will provide better results when compared to state of art methods.