bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spike-dependent dynamic partitioning of the Locus coeruleus network through noradrenergic volume release in a simulation of nucleus core
Authors: Baral Shristi , Hosseini Hassan , More Kaushik , Fabrin Thomaz M.C. , Braun Jochen , Prigge Matthias
Published: February 2022

The Locus coeruleus (LC) modulates various neuronal circuits throughout the brain. Its unique architectural organization encompasses a net of axonal innervation that spans the entire brain; while its somatic core is highly compact. Recent research revealed an unexpected cellular input specificity within the nucleus that can give rise to various network states that either broadcast norepinephrine signals throughout the brain or pointedly modulate specific brain areas. Such adaptive input-output functions likely surpass our existing network models that build upon a given synaptic wiring configuration between neurons. As the distances between noradrenergic neurons in the core of the LC are unusually small, neighboring neurons could theoretically impact each other via volume transmission of NE. We therefore set out to investigate if such interaction could be mediated through noradrenergic alpha2-receptors in a spiking neuron model of the LC. We validate our model of LC neurons through comparison with experimental patch-clamp data and identify key variables that impact alpha2-mediated inhibition of neighboring LC neurons. Our simulation confirms a reliable autoinhibition of LC neurons after episodes of high neuronal activity that continue even after neuronal activity subsided. Also, dendro-somatic synapses inhibit spontaneous spiking in the somatic compartment of connected neurons in our model. We determined the exact position of hundreds of LC neurons in the mouse brain stem via a tissue clearing approach and, based on this, further determined that 25 percent of noradrenergic neurons have a neighboring LC neuron within less than a 25-micrometer radius. By modeling NE diffusion, we estimate that more than 15 percent of alpha2-adrenergic receptors fraction can bind NE within such diffusion radius. Our spiking neuron model of LC neurons predicts that repeated or long-lasting episodes of high neuronal activity induce partitioning of the gross LC network, and reduces the spike rate in neighboring neurons at distances smaller than 25 micrometers.

As these volume-mediate neighboring effects are challenging to test with the current methodology, our findings can guide future experimental approaches to test this phenomenon and its physiological consequences.
RNA targeting with CRISPR-Cas13a facilitates bacteriophage genome engineering
Authors: Guan Jingwen , Oromí-Bosch Agnès , Mendoza Senén D. , Karambelkar Shweta , Berry Joel , Bondy-Denomy Joseph
Published: February 2022

The viruses that infect bacteria, bacteriophages (or phages), possess numerous genes of unknown function. Genetic tools are required to understand their biology and enhance their efficacy as antimicrobials. Pseudomonas aeruginosa jumbo phage ΦKZ and its relatives are a broad host range phage family that assemble a proteinaceous “phage nucleus” structure during infection. Due to the phage nucleus, DNA-targeting CRISPR-Cas is ineffective against this phage and thus there are currently no reverse genetic tools for this family. Here, we develop a DNA phage genome editing technology using the RNA-targeting CRISPR-Cas13a enzyme as a selection tool, an anti-CRISPR gene (acrVIA1) as a selectable marker, and homologous recombination. Precise insertion of foreign genes, gene deletions, and the addition of chromosomal fluorescent tags into the ΦKZ genome were achieved. Deletion of phuZ, which encodes a tubulin-like protein that centers the phage nucleus during infection, led to the mispositioning of the phage nucleus but surprisingly had no impact on phage replication, despite a proposed role in capsid trafficking. A chromosomal fluorescent tag placed on gp93, a proposed “inner body” protein in the phage head revealed a protein that is injected with the phage genome, localizes with the maturing phage nucleus, and is massively synthesized around the phage nucleus late in infection. Successful editing of two other phages that resist DNA-targeting CRISPR-Cas systems [OMKO1 (ΦKZ-like) and PaMx41] demonstrates the flexibility of this method. RNA-targeting Cas13a system holds great promise for becoming a universal genetic editing tool for intractable phages. This phage genetic engineering platform enables the systematic study of phage genes of unknown function and the precise modification of phages for use in a variety of applications.

Graphical abstract
A randomized clinical trial of a booster dose with low versus standard dose of AZD1222 in adult after 2 doses of inactivated vaccines
Authors: Nanthapisal Sira , Puthanakit Thanyawee , Jaru-Ampornpan Peera , Nantanee Rapisa , Sodsai Pimpayao , Himananto Orawan , Sophonphan Jiratchaya , Suchartlikitwong Pintip , Hiransuthikul Narin , Angkasekwinai Pornpimon , Tangsathapornpong Auchara , Hirankarn Nattiya
Published: February 2022

Background

Immunogenicity of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine has waning antibody over time. With the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant, which requires higher neutralizing antibody to prevent infection, a booster dose is needed.

Objective

To evaluate immunogenicity and reactogenicity of standard- versus low-dose ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine booster after CoronaVac in healthy adults.

Methods

A double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial of adult, aged 18-59 years, with completion of 2-dose CoronaVac at 21-28 days apart for more than 2 months was conducted. Participants were randomized to receive AZD1222 (Oxford/AstraZeneca) intramuscularly; standard dose (SD, 5×1010 viral particles) or low dose (LD, 2.5×1010 viral particles). Surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT) against wild type and delta variant, and anti-spike-receptor-binding-domain IgG (anti-S-RBD IgG) were compared as geometric mean ratio (GMR) at day 14 and 90 between LD and SD arms.

Results

From July-August 2021, 422 adults with median age of 44 (IQR 36–51) years were enrolled. The median interval from CoronaVac to AZD1222 booster was 77 (IQR 64–95) days. At baseline, geometric means (GMs) of sVNT against delta variant and anti-S-RBD IgG were 18.1%inhibition (95%CI 16.4-20.0) and 111.5 (105.1-118.3) BAU/ml. GMs of sVNT against delta variant and anti-S-RBD IgG in SD were 95.6%inhibition (95%CI 94.3-97.0) and 1975.1 (1841.7-2118.2) BAU/ml at day 14, and 89.4%inhibition (86.4-92.4) and 938.6 (859.9-1024.4) BAU/ml at day 90, respectively. GMRs of sVNT against delta variant and anti-S-RBD IgG in LD compared to SD were 1.00 (95%CI 0.98-1.02) and 0.84 (0.76–0.93) at day 14, and 0.98 (0.94-1.03) and 0.89 (0.79-1.00) at day 90, respectively. LD recipients had significantly lower rate of fever (6.8%vs25.0%) and myalgia (51.9%vs70.7%) compared to SD.

Conclusion

Half-dose AZD1222 booster after 2-dose inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination had non-inferior immunogenicity, yet lower systemic reactogenicity. Fractional low-dose AZD1222 booster should be considered especially in resource-constrained settings.

Highlights

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Low dose AZD1222 could boost comparable immunity to standard dose in healthy adult who completed 2 doses of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

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Less reactogenicity occurred in low-dose AZD1222 booster than standard-dose recipients.

Thai Clinical Trials Registry (thaiclinicaltrials.org): TCTR20210722003
Predicting patient-reported outcomes following lumbar spine surgery: development and external validation of multivariable prediction models
Authors: Halicka Monika , Wilby Martin , Duarte Rui , Brown Christopher
Published: February 2022

Background

This study aimed to develop and externally validate prediction models of spinal surgery outcomes based on a retrospective review of a prospective clinical database, uniquely comparing multivariate regression and machine learning approaches, and identifying the most important predictors.

Methods

Outcomes were change in back and leg pain intensity and Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI) from baseline to the last available postoperative follow-up (3-24 months), defined as minimal clinically important change (MCID) and continuous change score. Eligible patients underwent lumbar spine surgery for degenerative pathology between 2011 and 2021. Data were split by surgery date into development (N=2691) and validation (N=1616) sets. Multivariate logistic and linear regression, and random forest classification and regression models, were fit to the development data and validated on the external data.

Results

All models demonstrated good calibration in the validation data. Discrimination ability (area under the curve) for MCID ranged from 0.63 (COMI) to 0.72 (back pain) in regression, and from 0.62 (COMI) to 0.68 (back pain) in random forests. The explained variation in continuous change scores spanned 16%-28% in linear, and 15%-25% in random forests regression. The most important predictors included age, baseline scores on the respective outcome measures, type of degenerative pathology, previous spinal surgeries, smoking status, morbidity, and duration of hospital stay.

Conclusions

The developed models appear robust and generalisable across different outcomes and modelling approaches but produced only borderline acceptable discrimination ability, suggesting the need to assess further prognostic factors. External validation showed no advantage of the machine learning approach.
Single-cell transcriptional profiling reveals cellular and molecular divergence in human maternal-fetal interface
Authors: Wang Quanlei , Li Jinlu , Wang Shengpeng , Deng Qiuting , An Yanru , Xing Yanan , Dai Xi , Li Zelong , Ma Qiwang , Wang Kuixing , Liu Chuanyu , Yuan Yue , Dong Guoyi , Zhang Tao , Yang Huanming , Du Yutao , Hou Yong , Ke Weilin , Shang Zhouchun
Published: February 2022

Placenta play essential role in successful pregnancy, as the most important organ connecting and interplaying between mother and fetus. However, the cellular and molecular characteristics of fetal origin and maternal origin cell populations within the fetomaternal interface still is poorly understood. Here, we profiled the transcriptomes of single cells with well-defined maternal-fetal origin that consecutively localized from fetal section (FS), middle section (Mid_S) to maternal section (Mat_S) within the human full-term placenta. Then, we initially identified the cellular and molecular heterogeneity of cytotrophoblast cell (CTB) and stromal cell (STR) with the spatial location and fetal/maternal origin, also highlighted STR cells from fetal origins showed greater proliferation ability in Mat_S compared to cells from FS or Mid_S. Further, by integrating analysis with the first-trimester placental single cell transcriptome data, we revealed that a subpopulation of trophoblast progenitor-like cells (TPLCs) existed in the full-term placenta and mainly distributed in Mid_S, with high expression of pool of putative cell surface makers and unique molecular features. Moreover, through the extravillous cytotrophoblast (EVT) subsets differentiation trajectory and regulation network analysis, we proposed a putative key transcription factor PRDM6 that promoted the differentiation of endovascular extravillous trophoblast cells (enEVT). Finally, based on the integrated analyses of single cell transcriptional profiling of preeclampsia (PE) and match-trimester normal placenta, we highlighted the defective EVT subgroup composition and down-regulation of PRDM6 may lead to an abnormal enEVT differentiation process in PE. Together, our study offers important resources for better understanding of human placenta, stem cell-based therapy as well as PE, and provides new insights on the study of tissue heterogeneity, the clinical prevention and control of PE as well as the maternal-fetal interface.
Strain-dependent induction of primary bile acid 7-dehydroxylation by cholic acid
Authors: Vico-Oton Eduard , Volet Colin , Jacquemin Nicolas , Dong Yuan , Hapfelmeier Siegfried , Meibom Karin Lederballe , Bernier-Latmani Rizlan
Published: February 2022

Bile acids (BAs) are steroid-derived molecules with important roles in digestion, the maintenance of host metabolism and immunomodulation. Primary BAs are synthesised by the host, while secondary BAs are produced by the gut microbiome through transformation of the former. Regulation of microbial production of secondary BAs is not well understood, particularly the production of 7-dehydroxylated BAs, which are the most potent agonists for host BA receptors. The 7-dehydroxylation of cholic acid (CA) is well established and is linked to the expression of a bile acid-inducible (bai) operon responsible for this process. However, little to no 7-dehydroxylation has been reported for other host-derived BAs (e.g., chenodeoxycholic acid, CDCA or ursodeoxycholic acid, UDCA). Here, we demonstrate that the 7-dehydroxylation of CDCA and UDCA byClostridium scindensis induced by CA suggesting that CA-dependent transcriptional regulation of 7-dehydroxylation is generalisable to CDCA and UDCA. In contrast, the murine isolateExtibacter murisdid not respond to CA exposurein vitro, suggesting thatbaigenes are regulated differently in this strain. However, it could 7-dehydroxylatein vivoand itsin vitroactivity was promoted by the addition of cecal content. The accessory genebaiJwas only upregulated in theClostridium scindensATCC 35704 strain, implying mechanistic differences amongst isolates. Interestingly, the human-derivedC. scindensstrains were also capable of 7-dehydroxylating murine bile acids (muricholic acids) to a limited extent. This study shows novel 7-dehydroxylation activityin vitroas a result of CA-driven induction and suggests distinctbaigene induction mechanisms across bacterial species.
MicroRNAs are deeply linked to the emergence of the complex octopus brain
Authors: Zolotarov Grygoriy , Fromm Bastian , Legnini Ivano , Ayoub Salah , Polese Gianluca , Maselli Valeria , Chabot Peter J. , Vinther Jakob , Styfhals Ruth , Seuntjens Eve , Di Cosmo Anna , Peterson Kevin J. , Rajewsky Nikolaus
Published: February 2022

Soft-bodied cephalopods such as the octopus are exceptionally intelligent invertebrates with a highly complex nervous system that evolved independently from vertebrates. Because of elevated RNA editing in their nervous tissues, we hypothesized that RNA regulation may play a major role in the cognitive success of this group. We thus profiled mRNAs and small RNAs in 18 tissues of the common octopus. We show that the major RNA innovation of soft-bodied cephalopods is a massive expansion of the miRNA gene repertoire. These novel miRNAs were primarily expressed in neuronal tissues, during development, and had conserved and thus likely functional target sites. The only comparable miRNA expansions happened, strikingly, in vertebrates. Thus, we propose that miRNAs are intimately linked to the evolution of complex animal brains.

One-Sentence Summary

miRNAs are deeply linked to the emergence of complex brains.
Probing local chromatin dynamics by tracking telomeres
Authors: Benelli Rebecca , Weiss Matthias
Published: February 2022

Chromatin dynamics is key for cell viability and replication. In interphase, chromatin is decondensed, allowing the transcription machinery to access a plethora of DNA loci. Yet, decondensed chromatin occupies almost the entire nucleus, suggesting that DNA molecules can hardly move. Recent reports have even indicated that interphase chromatin behaves like a solid body on mesoscopic scales. To explore the local chromatin dynamics, we have performed single-particle tracking on telomeres under varying conditions. We find that mobile telomeres feature in all conditions a strongly subdiffusive, anti-persistent motion that is consistent with the monomer motion of a Rouse polymer in viscoelastic media. In addition, telomere trajectories show intermittent accumulations in local niches at physiological conditions, suggesting the surrounding chromatin to reorganize on these time scales. Reducing the temperature or exposing cells to osmotic stress resulted in a significant reduction of mobile telomeres and the number of visited niches. Altogether, our data indicate a vivid local chromatin dynamics, akin to a semi-dilute polymer solution, unless perturbations enforce a more rigid state of chromatin.

Statement of Significance

In interphase cells, chromatin is decondensed and occupies almost the entire nucleus, suggesting DNA molecules to be fairly immobile. Recent reports even indicated chromatin to behave like a solid body on mesoscopic scales. Tracking individual telomeres, we have explored local chromatin dynamics under varying conditions. Our data reveal that telomeres show an antipersistent subdiffusion (fractional Brownian motion) at physiological conditions and at lower temperatures, indicating chromatin to be a viscoelastic fluid on submicron length scales. Telomeres also appear to visit local niches, supposedly provided by the constantly reorganizing chromatin. Applying osmotic stress significantly reduced the fraction of mobile telomeres and the number of visited niches, indicating that chromatin eventually assumes an elastic, solid-like behavior under these conditions.
Impaired dendritic spine development in a zebrafish model of Fragile X
Authors: DeMarco Elisabeth C. , Stoner George , Robles Estuardo
Published: February 2022

Dendritic spines are the principal site of excitatory synapse formation in the human brain. Impaired formation of spines during development has been observed in several autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), including Fragile X syndrome. Fragile X is caused by transcriptional silencing of the Fmr1 gene encoding the RNA-binding protein FMRP (Fragile X mental retardation protein). While spine development has been well characterized in the mammalian CNS, spines are not unique to mammals. Pyramidal neurons (PyrNs) of the zebrafish optic tectum form an apical dendrite containing a dense array of dendritic spines. We employed a genetic labeling system to monitor PyrN dendritic spine development in larval zebrafish. Our findings identify a developmental window when PyrN dendrite growth is concurrent with spine formation. Throughout this period, motile, transient filopodia gradually transform into stable spines containing postsynaptic specializations. fmr1 mutant zebrafish larvae exhibit pronounced defects in both PyrN dendrite growth and the formation of morphologically mature spines. Live imaging of PyrN dendrites suggests these defects are caused by an inability to stabilize nascent contacts. These findings indicate spine stabilization is essential for PyrN dendritic arborization and establish zebrafish larvae as a model system to study spine development in vivo.
A polycrystalline diamond micro-detector for X-ray absorption fine-structure measurements
Authors: Yao Lei , Liu Yunpeng , Wang Bingjie , Qian Lixiong , Xing Xueqing , Mo Guang , Chen Zhongjun , Wu Zhonghua
Published: February 2022

The microminiaturization of detectors used to record the intensity of X-ray beams is very favorable for combined X-ray experimental techniques. In this paper, chemical-vapor-deposited (CVD) polycrystalline diamond film was used to fabricate a micro-detector owing to its well controlled size, good thermostability, and appropriate conductivity. The preparation process and the main components of the CVD diamond micro-detector are described. The external dimensions of the packaged CVD diamond micro-detector are 15 mm × 7.8 mm × 5.8 mm. To demonstrate the performance of the detector, K-edge X-ray absorption fine-structure (XAFS) spectra of Cr, Fe, Cu, and Se foils were collected using the CVD diamond micro-detector and routine ion chamber. These XAFS measurements were performed at beamline 1W2B of Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility, covering an energy range from 5.5 to 13.5 keV. By comparison, it can be seen that the CVD diamond micro-detector shows a more excellent performance than the routine ion-chamber in recording these XAFS spectra. The successful application of the CVD diamond micro-detector in XAFS measurements shows its feasibility in recording X-ray intensity.
Determinants of sovereign spreads in Sri Lanka: global factors and country-specific fundamentals
Authors: Kariyawasam Nirukthi Prathiba , Jayasinghe Prabhath
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The study aims to analyze and compare the influence of country-specific fundamentals and global conditions on sovereign risk of Sri Lanka within the sample period of 2006–2019 while employing Treasury bond rates as proxy for sovereign risk.

Design/methodology/approach

The determinant powers of the variables are assessed using the auto regressive distributed lag (ARDL) model to verify both short- and long-run effects on sovereign spreads.

Findings

The study finds that Sri Lanka's sovereign spreads are shaped by both country fundamentals and global factors, though local determinants tend to have greater influence when the directions of coefficients are ignored. While the impact of most variables was in line with the researchers' expectations, fiscal deficit was found to have an unconventional negative coefficient which may be explained by investors' optimistic take on Government's involvement in post-war economic development drive during the sample period, enabling Sri Lanka to attract low-cost funding.

Research limitations/implications

The study excludes of impact of the ongoing coronavirus disease-2019 ( COVID-19) health crisis which may unduly distort the data. Further, the research does not capture the impact of change in sentiment owing to market information, debt dynamics and policy changes in Sri Lanka.

Practical implications

The study reveals that a sound monetary policy directed at preserving both the internal and external value of currency as well as a disciplined fiscal policy are imperative to manage Sri Lanka's sovereign risk, particularly in the face of global uncertainties.

Originality/value

The study adds to the literature by investigating the timely importance of a country's internal fundamentals against the global events. Furthermore, the research would complement the scarcity of research regarding that subject focused on the Sri Lankan economy, capturing the rapid variations in the fundamentals that the country has undergone since the end of the civil war while recognizing the growing influence of globalization over the recent years.
A labour performance score and grading system to the next normal practices in construction
Authors: Manoharan Kesavan , Dissanayake Pujitha B.G. , Pathirana Chintha , Deegahawature Dharsana , Silva K.D. Renuka Ruchira
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The performance-based utilisation of labour resources is a decisive function for developing characteristics of the next normal in the construction industry. Based on the industry's needs, this study aims to develop a framework for the systematic process of labour performance evaluations and labour grading towards achieving higher productivity in construction operations.

Design/methodology/approach

Both qualitative and quantitative methods were applied through a comprehensive literature review, surveys and experts' discussions to develop a set of labour training elements of outcomes. Problem-focused and action-oriented communication approaches were used throughout the study to produce detailed steps for the systematic evaluations of labour performance.

Findings

The study has presented a framework consisting of a set of labour training elements of outcomes with the relative weights, as well as the detailed procedures to assess labour competencies towards the calculations of labour performance score values and labour grading.

Research limitations/implications

Although the scope of the study is limited to the Sri Lankan context, the findings may be tested in other countries for upgrading their performance improvement practices of labour operations.

Practical implications

The study outcomes will strengthen the construction management practices for the successful implementation of labour training and performance evaluations at construction sites, and also contribute to upgrading the vocational training programmes in the country towards the next sustainable normal.

Originality/value

The developed framework can be a functional tool for the construction industry that provides a mechanism to show the detailed cross-section of each labourer's performance and values, and also displays their roles and responsibilities to accelerate the next normal in the construction industry.
Supporting complex decision making in learning space design: WDA-ANP, a novel sociotechnical systems approach
Authors: Navarro Bringas Eduardo , Bowles Graeme , Walker Guy H.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a novel approach, underpinned by systems thinking, to structure requirements and support front-end design decision-making around the performance in-use of developments within highly complex environments, with diverse stakeholders and users, such as the case of learning spaces in higher education (HE).

Design/methodology/approach

Work domain analysis (WDA), a sociotechnical systems design framework, is first used to model the constraints that shape the expected performance of an informal learning space (ILS). Based on the model, the following stage involved a sector-wide survey questionnaire (n = 175) to appraise the views of different stakeholder groups in relation to ILS. These were analysed using the analytical network process (ANP).

Findings

This study provides a novel approach, using WDA, to conceptualise the constraints shaping the performance in-use, integrating the perspectives of different stakeholder groups. Furthermore, it provides a structured approach to establish priorities that can serve as the basis to support complex decision-making during early design stages. The findings and proposed WDA–ANP approach aim to support HE estate managers on better understanding and integrating perspectives in relation to campus developments.

Originality/value

In this paper, a novel systems-based approach is proposed as an alternative to conceptualise ILS. Furthermore, the approach is combined with ANP, a multi-criteria decision-making approach, to develop a novel tool to derive priorities and support front-end design decision-making in learning space design.
Is an all-inclusive educational policy a determinant of voting behaviour in Ghana?
Authors: Amoah Anthony , Kwablah Edmund , Kofi Taayeli Andrews , Amoah Benjamin
Published: February 2022

Purpose

In this study, the authors investigate Ghana's Free Senior High School policy as an all-inclusive development policy that drives voting behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the snowball sampling technique and a statistically representative sample size of 413 eligible voters from Ghana, the authors estimate a multinomial logistic regression with its marginal effects.

Findings

The results show that as the number of Free Senior High School beneficiaries per household increases, the more the voters in that household are likely to vote for the policy implementor. Similarly, voters who believe that the Free Senior High School policy has had an impact on students' performance are more likely to vote for the policy implementor. By implication, an all-inclusive development policy such as the Free Senior High School educational policy has the probability of influencing voting behaviour in favour of the policy implementor.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the nexus between an all-inclusive Free Senior High School educational policy and voting behaviour in Ghana.
How does mHealth service quality influences adoption?
Authors: Li Yi , Liu Renjing , Wang Jinbo , Zhao Tong
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study investigated the underlying influence mechanism between mHealth service quality (SQ) and users' adoption intention and compared the differences of consumer individual decision-making behaviors between the pre-adoption stage and the post-adoption stages.

Design/methodology/approach

This study built the pre-adoption and post-adoption models based on the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) model. Besides, this study collected 14,221 independent samples from 40 studies of pre-adoption intention to use and 12,876 independent samples from 36 studies of post-adoption intention to continue using and used meta-analysis structural equation modeling (MASEM) method to explore the formation of mHealth service quality influence on consumers toward adoption intention.

Findings

The results showed that (1) service quality positively trigger users' cognition response (i.e. perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and perceived trust) and further positively drove the adoption and continuance intention; (2) there are similarities and differences in the relative importance of users' cognitive response between service quality and adoption intention at pre-adoption and post-adoption stages; (3) perceived trust (PTRU) played the most significant mediator in predicting users' adoption intention in both two stages; (4) perceived usefulness had a stronger influence than perceived ease of use (PEOU) on the adoption intention in pre-adoption while the result was just opposite in post-adoption stage.

Practical implications

This study could help service providers effectively allocate their limited resources to improve user adoption intention.

Originality/value

This study is the first one to open the black box of the underlying influence mechanisms between mHealth service quality and individual adoption intention in mHealth services and show differences in consumer decision-making according to the adoption stage. It provides a new perspective to the research in mHealth.
The effects of supply chain risk information processing capability and supply chain finance on supply chain resilience: a moderated and mediated model
Authors: Yuan Yaqin , Li Wei
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of supply chain risk (SCR) information processing capabilities (e.g. SCR information sharing and SCR information analysis) and supply chain finance (SCF) on supply chain resilience, as well as the moderating effect of environmental uncertainty in the relationship between SCF and supply chain resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a theoretical model grounded on the information processing theory. Data collected from 216 Chinese firms are used to test the theoretical model by employing structural equation modelling.

Findings

The findings reveal that SCR information processing capabilities have a significant impact on both SCF and supply chain resilience. SCF plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between SCR information processing capabilities and supply chain resilience. In addition, environmental uncertainty moderates the relationship between SCF and supply chain resilience.

Originality/value

First, this paper enriches the knowledge of how information processing capability affects SCF and supply chain resilience as the study considers the more granular SCR information rather than general information that has been discussed in previous studies. Second, this is one of the first papers to establish the relationship between SCF and supply chain resilience in emerging economies. Next, the paper extends the theoretical framework of the antecedents and consequences of SCF. Moreover, the study further facilitates the understanding of the role of the external environment in SCR and SCF management.
Practice theories and supply chain sustainability: a systematic literature review and a research agenda
Authors: Silva Minelle E. , Fritz Morgane M.C. , El-Garaihy Wael Hassan
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper presents an investigation into the ways the term “practice” is commonly referenced in supply chain management academic papers. Scholars have not yet developed a common understanding of the meaning and do not use practice theories when examining practices related to sustainability management in supply chains. Hence, the authors highlight theoretical gaps and make recommendations for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

Grounded in a systematic literature review of 232 peer-reviewed papers published in operations and supply chain management journals, a qualitative content analysis was conducted using both a deductive and an inductive approach.

Findings

Results show that supply chain sustainability (SCS) scholars seem barely interested in increasing the understanding of the term “practice,” widely used in the literature to refer to a practical context. Moreover, a clear distinction between being practical and using practice theories to study SCS practices is needed. A descriptive and critical analysis revealed eight key supply chain practices connected to sustainability, with a clear reflection on their meaning. As awareness of practice theories for research on SCS is limited, few recommendations for researchers and practitioners were identified.

Originality/value

Unlike prior literature reviews, the authors reinforce the need to increase the maturity of the SCS field by going beyond superficial theoretical building. Practice theories pathways are provided to enlighten scholars on how to avoid using the term “practice” as taken-for-granted and on how to deal with SCS research and practice.
Surface modification of prototypes in fused deposition modelling using lapping process
Authors: Ehteshamfar Mohammad Vahid , Javadi Mohammad Sadegh , Adibi Hamed
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Parts created with fused deposition modelling (FDM) have poor surface quality and dimensional accuracy, which limits their applicability in a variety of applications. Therefore, post process of FDM parts seems to be essential to tackle these problems. The purpose of this study is to study the influence of lapping parameters (time, weight and angular velocity) on the surface roughness, material removal rate (MRR) and flexural strength of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) parts manufactured by FDM were post processed with the aid of lapping operation.

Design/methodology/approach

After printing the specimens, parts were lapped according to the Taguchi design of experiments. The surface roughness of the lapped parts was then evaluated by using laser profilometry, and the results were compared to study how lapping parameters affected surface roughness. A digital microscope was used to examine the surface damage of components that were being lapped. After that, the flexural strength of lapped parts was compared with the untreated part to study the effect of lapping process on the flexural strength. Finally, the influence of lapping parameters was investigated on the thickness change and MRR.

Findings

The results showed that while by increasing lapping time the surface roughness would improve; angular velocity and weight have an optimal value. The results also illustrated that not only the surface roughness of all ABS samples improve significantly but also the antistrophic behaviour of additively manufactured parts is turned to isotropic behaviour without decreasing flexural strength of specimens. MRR is also proportional to these parameters and by rising the value of them, MRR will increase.

Originality/value

The previous techniques of improving surface roughness whether chemical treatment or mechanical treatment had some disadvantages such as reducing mechanical properties, cost, long time of the process and so forth. As a result, finding a new approach such as lapping process to overcome the problems of previous methods seems to be necessary.
Optimization of FDM 3D printing parameters for high strength PEEK using the Taguchi method and experimental validation
Authors: Jiang Cho-Pei , Cheng Yung-Chang , Lin Hong-Wei , Chang Yu-Lee , Pasang Tim , Lee Shyh-Yuan
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is used to manufacture biomedical implants because it has a high strength-to-weight ratio and high strength and is biocompatible. However, the use of fused deposition modeling to print a PEEK results in low strength and crystallinity. This study aims to use the Taguchi method to optimize the printing factors to obtain the highest tensile strength of the printed PEEK object. The annealing effect on printed PEEK object and crystallinity are also investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

This study determines the printing factors including the printing speed, layer thickness, printing temperature and extrusion width. Taguchi experimental design with a L9 orthogonal array is used to print the tensile specimen and carried out the tensile test to compare the tensile strength and porosity. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is used to determine the experimental error and to determine the optimization printing parameters to obtain the highest tensile strength. A multivariate linear regression analysis is used to obtain the linear regression equation for predicting the theoretical tensile strength. An X-ray analysis is achieved to evaluate the crystalline of printed object. The effect of annealing is investigated to improve the tensile strength of printed part. An intervertebral lumber device is printed to demonstrate the feasibility of the obtained optimization parameters for practical application.

Findings

Taguchi experiment designs nine sets of parameters to print the PEEK tensile specimen. The experimental results and the ANOVA present that the order in which the factors affect the tensile strength for printed PEEK parts is the layer thickness, the extrusion width, the printing speed and the printing temperature. The optimized printing parameters are a printing speed of 5 mm/s, a layer thickness of 0.1 mm, a printing temperature of 395 °C and an extrusion strand width of 0.44 mm. The average tensile strength of printed specimen with the optimized printing parameters is 91.48 MPa, which is slightly less than the theoretical predicted value of 94.34 MPa. After annealing, the tensile strength increases to 98.85 MPa, which is comparable to that for molded PEEK and the porosity decreases to 0.3 from 3.9%. X-ray diffraction results show that all printed and annealed specimens have a high degree of crystallinity. The printed intervertebral lumber device has ultimate compressive load of 13.42 kN.

Originality/value

The optimized printing parameters is suitable for low-price fused deposition modeling machine because it does not involve a table at high temperature and can print the PEEK object with high tensile strength and good crystalline. Annealing parameters offer a good solution for tensile strength improvement.
Cracking the hybrid work culture conundrum: how to create a strong culture across a workforce you may never even see
Authors: Evans Ellie
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look at how workplaces can create a healthy corporate culture as a hybrid way of working comes into force. The pandemic has made many businesses rethink their corporate culture strategy, and this study addresses how to regain and sustain a positive long-term culture. This is done by exploring aspects of pre-pandemic work life, how businesses can continue this going forward, and additional ways to ensure employees are fulfilled – all while providing a safe environment to work in.

Design/methodology/approach

The author analyses pre-pandemic working culture, impartial report findings, third-party research, and her deep understanding and domain expertise in human resources (HR) to guide the reader in identifying key components of an effective corporate culture during this fast-paced, disruptive era. The study provides background context and offers three main ways on how to successfully achieve this.

Findings

The findings from this study demonstrate three main ways in which HR leaders can enhance the working environment and how this can have multiple positive business outcomes. Driving and living core values from the most senior positions all the way through the workforce, changing values which are no longer fit for purpose, creating new workplace networking opportunities and recognising colleague contributions, especially during times of uncertainty, are all critical components of long-term culture success. The findings demonstrate how this is not only beneficial for a business but for the workforce too – helping retain important talent and also attracting new employees.

Originality/value

The study fulfils an identified need to analyse and inform on forward-looking corporate culture trends and challenges amid the pandemic.
An improved 25‐point finite‐difference scheme for frequency‐domain elastic wave modelling
Authors: Li Shizhong , Sun Chengyu
Published: February 2022

Frequency‐domain finite‐difference modelling is widely used in exploration geophysics. However, it involves solving a large system of linear algebraic equations, which may cause huge computational costs, especially for large‐scale models. To address this issue, we have proposed an improved 25‐point finite‐difference scheme for wavefield modelling of two‐dimensional frequency‐domain elastic wave equations. The biggest difference between the improved 25‐point scheme with other 25‐point schemes is the finite‐difference formulas for spatial derivatives. The proposed 25‐point scheme applies to equal and unequal grid intervals, and its optimization coefficients depend on the grid‐spacing ratio and Poisson's ratio. The dispersion analysis indicates that within the phase velocity errors of 1% and 2%, the improved 25‐point scheme only requires approximately 2.3 and 2.2 grid points per shear wavelength, which has greater accuracy than the existing schemes. To eliminate artificial boundary reflections, we apply the perfectly matched layer boundary conditions to the model edges. Several numerical examples are presented to prove the validity of the improved 25‐point scheme.
Botrytis cinerea BcSSP2 protein is a late infection phase, cytotoxic effector
Authors: Zhu Wenjun , Yu Mengxue , Xu Ran , Bi Kai , Yu Shuang , Xiong Chao , Liu Zhiguo , Sharon Amir , Jiang Daohong , Wu Mingde , Gu Qiongnan , Gong Ling , Chen Weidong , Wei Wei
Published: February 2022

Botrytis cinerea is a broad‐host‐range necrotrophic phytopathogen responsible for serious diseases in leading crops. To facilitate infection, B. cinerea secretes a large number of effectors that induce plant cell death. In screening secretome data of B. cinerea during infection stage, we identified a phytotoxic protein (BcSSP2) that can also induce immune resistance in plants. BcSSP2 is a small, cysteine‐rich protein without any known domains. Transient expression of BcSSP2 in leaves caused chlorosis that intensifies with time and eventually leads to death. Point mutations in eight of 10 cysteine residues abolished phytotoxicity, but residual toxic activity remained after heating treatment, suggesting contribution of unknown epitopes to protein phytotoxicity. The expression of bcssp2 was low during the first 36 h after inoculation and increased sharply upon transition to late infection stage. Deletion of bcssp2 did not cause statistically significant changes in lesions size on bean and tobacco leaves. Further analyses indicated that the phytotoxicity of BcSSP2 is negatively regulated by the receptor‐like kinases BAK1 and SOBIR1. Collectively, our findings show that BcSSP2 is an effector protein that toxifies the host cells, but is also recognized by the plant immune system.
Why a labour market boom does not necessarily bring down inequality: putting together Germany's inequality puzzle
Authors: Biewen Martin , Sturm Miriam
Published: February 2022

After an economically tough start to the new millennium, Germany experienced an unprecedented employment boom after 2005, only stopped by the COVID‐19 pandemic. Persistently high levels of inequality despite a booming labour market and drastically falling unemployment rates constituted a puzzle, suggesting either that the German job miracle mainly benefitted individuals in the mid‐ or high‐income range or that other developments offset the effects of the drastically improved labour market conditions. The present paper solves this puzzle by breaking down the observed changes in the distribution of disposable incomes between 2005–06 and 2015–16 into the contributions of eight different factors, one of them being the employment boom. Our results suggest that, while the latter did have an equalising impact, it was partially offset by the disequalising impact of other factors, and substantially dampened by the transfer system. Our results point to a strong role of the German transfer system as a distributional stabiliser implying that, if the COVID‐19 shock were to persistently reverse all the employment gains that occurred during the boom, this would only have a moderately disequalising effect on the distribution of net incomes.
Non‐operative management of isolated splenic trauma: An 11‐year single‐centre retrospective cohort study
Authors: Hung Dorothy Sze‐wing , Lin Jie‐kun , Chu Colin Wai‐ho , Kam Philip Ming‐ho
Published: February 2022

Aim

The spleen is a frequently injured organ in trauma. There has been a shift into non‐operative management in recent years. At our unit, we follow a protocol established in 2012 for the management of splenic trauma. The primary aim of this study is to investigate whether this protocol increases non‐operative management of splenic trauma, and whether it is safe to follow. The secondary aim is to identify patients at high risk of failing non‐operative management.

Patients and Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with splenic trauma who were admitted into the Queen Elizabeth Hospital between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2018. Non‐operative management was defined as one in which patients did not have a splenectomy. Isolated splenic injury was defined as splenic injury being the only major intra‐abdominal injury. Patients with intracranial and intrathoracic injuries were included. Patients with iatrogenic injury or incomplete data were excluded.

Results

There was a statistically significantly increase in patients managed conservatively after protocol establishment (71.4%) compared with before (43.8%; P = .016). Failure of conservative management (P = .71), admission episode death rate (P = .84), red cells transfused in the first 72 hours (P = .85), and length of stay were similar between the preprotocol and postprotocol groups. Risk factors for failure of conservative management were patients with higher injury severity score (P = .003), more red cell transfused in the first 72 hours, high‐energy trauma (P = .018) and American Society of Anesthesiologists grading 3 to 5 (P = .002).

Conclusion

The protocol established safely allows more spleens to be conserved. We should keep a high vigilance for patients at high risk of failing conservative management.