bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genotype of Human Papilloma virus in Male Genital Warts In Korean Men and Review of Literature
Authors: Moon Woochul , Jo Jungho , Yoon Jinhan ,   Korean Male HPV Study Group, Moon Jung Joo
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Genital warts are one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and are known to develop due to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, especially HPV types 6 and 11. However, their prevalence and subtypes in male genital warts remains poorly defined. HPV vaccine is administered to men in part to prevent anogenital warts and it is important to investigate their expected impact in male anogenital warts.

Materials and Methods

We have herein conducted a multicenter, prospective study to analyze HPV type distribution in genital warts of 1000 Korean men by using DNA microarray that can detect 40 types of genital HPV.

Results

1000 out of 1015 genital warts showed HPV DNA. Out of 1000 HPV-positive samples, 18.8% showed mixed infection and 81.2% showed single infection. Of 18 high-risk (16.2%) and 14 low-risk (94.3%) HPV types detected, the most common type of HPV types were HPV6 (59.5%), followed by HPV11 (24.3%), HPV16 (5.8%), HPV91 (5.3%), HPV40 (3.3%). 85.9% showed the 9 HPV types covered by the vaccine. Sixteen of the 200 HPV specimens submitted for sequencing showed discrepant results compared to the DNA sequencing.

Conclusions

Male genital warts predominantly show low-risk type HPV (HPV 6 and 11). However, high-risk HPV is not uncommon and the role of high-risk HPV in genital warts may be considered. The Gardasil 9 HPV vaccine is expected to provide protection against about >80% of male genital warts. Further HPV typing studies in male genital warts are necessary in other races and geographical areas to define the role and management of high-risk type HPV in male genital warts.
Co-transcriptional RNA strand displacement circuits
Authors: Schaffter Samuel W. , Strychalski Elizabeth A.
Published: July 2021

Engineered molecular circuits that process information in biological systems could address emerging human health and biomanufacturing needs. However, such circuits can be difficult to rationally design and scale. DNA-based strand displacement reactions have demonstrated the largest and most computationally powerful molecular circuits to date but are limited in biological systems due to the difficulty in genetically encoding components. Here, we develop scalable co-transcriptional RNA strand displacement (ctRSD) circuits that are rationally programmed via base pairing interactions. ctRSD addresses the limitations of DNA-based strand displacement circuits by isothermally producing circuit components via transcription. We demonstrate the programmability of ctRSD in vitro by implementing logic and amplification elements, and multi-layer signaling cascades. Further, we show ctRSD kinetics are accurately predicted by a simple model of coupled transcription and strand displacement, enabling model-driven design. We envision ctRSD will enable rational design of powerful molecular circuits that operate in biological systems, including living cells.
Mechanisms of translation inhibition and suppression of Stress Granule formation by cisplatin
Authors: Pietras Paulina , Aulas Anaïs , Fay Marta M. , Leśniczak Marta , Lyons Shawn M , Szaflarski Witold , Ivanov Pavel
Published: July 2021

Platinum-based antineoplastic drugs, such as cisplatin, are commonly used to induce tumor cell death. Cisplatin is believed to induce apoptosis as a result of cisplatin-DNA adducts that inhibit DNA and RNA synthesis. Although idea that DNA damage underlines anti-proliferative effects of cisplatin is dominant in cancer research, there is a poor correlation between the degree of the cell sensitivity to cisplatin and the extent of DNA platination. Here, we propose a novel mechanism of cisplatin-mediated cytotoxicity. We show that cisplatin suppresses formation of Stress Granules (SGs), pro-survival RNA granules with multiple roles in cellular metabolism. Mechanistically, cisplatin inhibits cellular translation to promote disassembly of polysomes and aggregation of ribosomal subunits. As SGs are in equilibrium with polysomes, cisplatin-induced shift towards ribosomal aggregation suppresses SG formation and promotes cellular death. Our data also explain nephrotoxic, neurotoxic and ototoxic effects of cisplatin treatment.
Neural Collision Detection: an open source library to study the three-dimensional interactions of neurons and other tree-like structures
Authors: Har-Gil Hagai , Jacobson Yoav , Prönneke Alvar , Staiger Jochen F. , Tomer Omri , Halperin Dan , Blinder Pablo
Published: July 2021

Abstract

The analysis of neuronal structure and its relation to function has become a fundamental pillar in neuroscience since its earliest days, with the underlying premise that morphological properties can modulate neuronal computations. It is often the case that the rich three-dimensional structure of neurons is quantified by tools developed in other fields, such as graph theory and computational geometry; nevertheless, some of the more advanced tools developed in these fields have not yet been made accessible to the neuroscience community. Here we present Neural Collision Detection, a library providing high-level interfaces to collision-detection routines and alpha shape calculations, as well as statistical analysis and visualizations for 3D objects, with the aim to lower the entry gap for neuroscientists into these worlds. Our work here also demonstrates a variety of use cases for the library and exemplary analysis and visualizations that were carried out with it on real neuronal and vascular data.
ChAdOx1 NiV vaccination protects against lethal Nipah Bangladesh virus infection in African green monkeys
Authors: van Doremalen Neeltje , Avanzato Victoria A. , Feldmann Friederike , Schulz Jonathan E. , Haddock Elaine , Okumura Atsushi , Lovaglio Jamie , Hanley Patrick W. , Cordova Kathleen , Saturday Greg , Lambe Teresa , Gilbert Sarah C. , Munster Vincent J.
Published: July 2021

Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly pathogenic and re-emerging virus which causes sporadic but severe infections in humans. Currently, no vaccines against NiV have been approved. We previously showed that ChAdOx1 NiV provides full protection against a lethal challenge with NiV Bangladesh (NiV-B) in hamsters. Here, we investigated the efficacy of ChAdOx1 NiV in the lethal African green monkeys (AGMs) NiV challenge model. AGMs were vaccinated either 4 weeks before challenge (prime vaccination), or 8 and 4 weeks before challenge with ChAdOx1 NiV (prime-boost vaccination). A robust humoral and cellular response was detected starting 14 days post initial vaccination. Upon challenge, control animals displayed a variety of signs and had to be euthanized between 5- and 7-days post inoculation. In contrast, vaccinated animals showed no signs of disease, and we were unable to detect infectious virus in all but one swab and all tissues. Importantly, no to limited antibodies against fusion protein or nucleoprotein IgG could be detected 42 days post challenge, suggesting that vaccination induced a very robust protective immune response preventing extensive virus replication.

One Sentence Summary

A single vaccination with ChAdOx1 NiV protects African green monkeys against lethal disease induced by Nipah virus inoculation.
Structural snapshots of La Crosse virus polymerase reveal the mechanisms underlying Peribunyaviridae replication and transcription
Authors: Arragain Benoît , Trouilleton Quentin Durieux , Baudin Florence , Cusack Stephen , Schoehn Guy , Malet Hélène
Published: July 2021

Segmented negative-strand RNA bunyaviruses encode a multi-functional polymerase that performs genome replication and transcription. Here, we establish conditions for in vitro activity of La Crosse virus polymerase and visualize by cryo-electron microscopy its conformational dynamics, unveiling the precise molecular mechanics underlying its essential activities. Replication initiation is coupled to distal duplex promoter formation, endonuclease movement, prime-and-realign loop extension and closure of the polymerase core that direct the template towards the active site. Transcription initiation depends on C-terminal region closure and endonuclease movements that firstly prompt primer cleavage and secondly promote primer entry in the active site. Product realignment after priming, observed in replication and transcription, is triggered by the prime-and-realign loop. Switch to elongation results in polymerase reorganization and core region opening to facilitate template-product duplex formation in the active site cavity. The detailed uncovered mechanics will be crucial for future design of antivirals counteracting bunyaviral life-threatening pathogens.
An untargeted metabolomic approach to identify antiviral defense mechanisms in memory leukocytes secreting in vitro IgG anti-SARS-Cov-2
Authors: Federica Gevi , Giuseppina Fanelli , Veronica Lelli , Gianpaolo Zarletti , Massimo Tiberi , Veronica De Molfetta , Giuseppe Scapigliati , Maria Timperio Anna
Published: July 2021

Available knowledge shows that individuals infected by SARS-CoV-2 undergo an altered metabolic state in multiple organs. Metabolic activities are directly involved in modulating the immune responses against infectious diseases, yet our understanding remains limited on how host metabolism relates with inflammatory responses. To better elucidate the underlying biochemistry of leukocytes response, we focused our analysis on the possible relationships between SARS-CoV-2 post-infection stages and distinct metabolic pathways. Indeed, in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC, n=48) obtained 60-90 days after infection and showing in vitro IgG antibody memory for spike-S1 antigen (n=19), we observed a significant altered metabolism of tryptophan and urea cycle pathways. This work for the first time identifies metabolic routes in cell metabolism possibly related to later stages of immune defense against SARS-Cov-2 infection, namely when circulating antibodies may be absent, but an antibody memory is present. The results suggest a reprogramming of leukocyte metabolism after viral pathogenesis through activation of specific amino acid pathways possibly related to protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2.
Immunodominant surface epitopes power immune evasion in the African trypanosome
Authors: Gkeka Anastasia , Aresta-Branco Francisco , Triller Gianna , Vlachou Evi P. , Lilic Mirjana , Olinares Paul Dominic B. , Perez Kathryn , Chait Brian T. , Blatnik Renata , Ruppert Thomas , Stebbins C. Erec , Papavasiliou F. Nina
Published: July 2021

The African trypanosome survives the immune response of its mammalian host by antigenic variation of its major surface antigen (the Variable Surface Glycoprotein, or VSG). Here we describe the antibody repertoires elicited by different VSGs. We show that the repertoires are highly restricted, and are directed predominantly to distinct epitopes on the surface of the VSGs. They are also highly discriminatory: minor alterations within these exposed epitopes confer antigenically-distinct properties to these VSGs and elicit different repertoires. We propose that the patterned and repetitive nature of the VSG coat focuses host immunity to a restricted set of immunodominant epitopes per VSG, eliciting a highly stereotyped response, minimizing cross reactivity between different VSGs and facilitating prolonged immune evasion through epitope variation.
Transcription factor regulation of eQTL activity across individuals and tissues
Authors: Flynn Elise D. , Tsu Athena L. , Kasela Silva , Kim-Hellmuth Sarah , Aguet Francois , Ardlie Kristin G. , Bussemaker Harmen J. , Mohammadi Pejman , Lappalainen Tuuli
Published: July 2021

Tens of thousands of genetic variants associated with gene expression (cis-eQTLs) have been discovered in the human population. These eQTLs are active in various tissues and contexts, but the molecular mechanisms of eQTL variability are poorly understood, hindering our understanding of genetic regulation across biological contexts. Since many eQTLs are believed to act by altering transcription factor (TF) binding affinity, we hypothesized that analyzing eQTL effect size as a function of TF level may allow discovery of mechanisms of eQTL variability. Using GTEx Consortium eQTL data from 49 tissues, we analyzed the interaction between eQTL effect size and TF level across tissues and across individuals within specific tissues and generated a list of 6,262 TF-eQTL interactions across 1,598 genes that are supported by at least two lines of evidence. These TF-eQTLs were enriched for various TF binding measures, supporting with orthogonal evidence that these eQTLs are regulated by the implicated TFs. We also found that our TF-eQTLs tend to overlap genes with gene-by-environment regulatory effects and to colocalize with GWAS loci, implying that our approach can help to elucidate mechanisms of context-specificity and trait associations. Finally, we highlight an interesting example of IKZF1 TF regulation of an APBB1IP gene eQTL that colocalizes with a GWAS signal for blood cell traits. Together, our findings provide candidate TF mechanisms for a large number of eQTLs and offer a generalizable approach for researchers to discover TF regulators of genetic variant effects in additional QTL datasets.

Author Summary

Gene expression is regulated by local genomic sequence and can be affected by genetic variants. In the human population, tens of thousands of cis-regulatory variants have been discovered that are associated with altered gene expression across tissues, cell types, or environmental conditions. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of how these small changes in the genome sequence affect genome function would offer insight to the genetic regulatory code and how gene expression is controlled across tissues and environments. Current research efforts suggest that many regulatory variants’ effects on gene expression are mediated by them altering the binding of transcription factors, which are proteins that bind to DNA to regulate gene expression. Here, we exploit the natural variation of TF activity among 49 tissues and between 838 individuals to elucidate which TFs regulate which regulatory variants. We find 6,262 TF-eQTL interactions across 1,598 genes that are supported by at least two lines of evidence. We validate these interactions using functional genomic and experimental approaches, and we find indication that they may pinpoint mechanisms of environment-specific genetic regulatory effects and genetic variants associated to diseases and traits.
SARS-CoV-2 Restructures the Host Chromatin Architecture
Authors: Wang Ruoyu , Lee Joo-Hyung , Xiong Feng , Kim Jieun , Hasani Lana Al , Yuan Xiaoyi , Shivshankar Pooja , Krakowiak Joanna , Qi Chuangye , Wang Yanyu , Eltzschig Holger K. , Li Wenbo
Published: July 2021

SARS-CoV-2 has made >190-million infections worldwide, thus it is pivotal to understand the viral impacts on host cells. Many viruses can significantly alter host chromatin1, but such roles of SARS-CoV-2 are largely unknown. Here, we characterized the three-dimensional (3D) genome architecture and epigenome landscapes in human cells after SARS-CoV-2 infection, revealing remarkable restructuring of host chromatin architecture. High-resolution Hi-C 3.0 uncovered widespread A compartmental weakening and A-B mixing, together with a global reduction of intra-TAD chromatin contacts. The cohesin complex, a central organizer of the 3D genome, was significantly depleted from intra-TAD regions, supporting that SARS-CoV-2 disrupts cohesin loop extrusion. Calibrated ChIP-Seq verified chromatin restructuring by SARS-CoV-2 that is particularly manifested by a pervasive reduction of euchromatin modifications. Built on the rewired 3D genome/epigenome maps, a modified activity-by-contact model2 highlights the transcriptional weakening of antiviral interferon response genes or virus sensors (e.g., DDX58) incurred by SARS-CoV-2. In contrast, pro-inflammatory genes (e.g. IL-6) high in severe infections were uniquely regulated by augmented H3K4me3 at their promoters. These findings illustrate how SARS-CoV-2 rewires host chromatin architecture to confer immunological gene deregulation, laying a foundation to characterize the long-term epigenomic impacts of this virus.
PRE-CLINICAL IMMUNE RESPONSE AND SAFETY EVALUATION OF THE PROTEIN SUBUNIT VACCINE NANOCOVAX FOR COVID-19
Authors: Mai Tran Thi Nhu , May Bruce , Thuan Ung Trong , Khoi Nguyen Mai , Trang Nguyen Thi Thuy , Van Long Dinh , Chung Doan Chinh , Vinh Tran The , Hiep Khong , Truc Nguyen Thi Thanh , Huy Hua Hoang Quoc , Anh Nguyen Viet , Phat Ha Tan , Luu Phan Dang , An Nguyen Truong , Ngoc Bui Thi , My Tu Tieu , Theo Nguyen Thi , Hang Le Thi Thuy , Lan Dong Thi , Hieu Huynh Trong , Huong Ho Phien , Thao Le Nguyen Thanh , Thao Truong Cong , Phi Pham Hoang , Luong Cong Y , Lim Nie , Ngoc Cao Minh , Khanh Nguyen Duy , Hung Trinh Thanh , Si Do Minh
Published: July 2021

The Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become a dire global health concern. The development of vaccines with high immunogenicity and safety is crucial for control of the global COVID-19 pandemic and prevention of further illness and fatalities. Here, we report development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate, Nanocovax, based on recombinant protein production of the extracellular (soluble) portion of the S protein of SARS-CoV-2. The results showed that Nanocovax induced high levels of S protein-specific IgG, as well neutralizing antibody in three animal models including Balb/C mice, Syrian hamsters, and non-human primate (Macaca leonina). In addition, the viral challenge study using the hamster model showed that Nanocovax protected the upper respiratory tract from SARS-CoV-2 infection. No adverse effects were induced by Nanocovax in swiss mice (Musmusculus var. Albino), Rats (Rattus norvegicus), and New Zealand rabbits. These pre-clinical results indicated that Nanocovax is safe and effective.
Drosophila ßHeavy-Spectrin is required in polarized ensheathing glia that form a diffusion-barrier around the neuropil
Authors: Pogodalla Nicole , Kranenburg Holger , Rey Simone , Rodrigues Silke , Cardona Albert , Klämbt Christian
Published: July 2021

In the central nervous system (CNS), functional tasks are often allocated to distinct compartments. This is also evident in the insect CNS where synapses and dendrites are clustered in distinct neuropil regions. The neuropil is separated from neuronal cell bodies by ensheathing glia, which as we show using dye injection experiments forms an internal diffusion barrier. We find that ensheathing glial cells are polarized with a basolateral plasma membrane rich in phosphatidylinositol-(3,4,5)-triphosphate (PIP3) and the Na+/K+-ATPase Nervana2 (Nrv2) that abuts an extracellular matrix formed at neuropil-cortex interface. The apical plasma membrane is facing the neuropil and is rich in phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate (PIP2) that is supported by a sub-membranous ßHeavy-Spectrin cytoskeleton. ßHeavy-spectrin mutant larvae affect ensheathing glial cell polarity with delocalized PIP2 and Nrv2 and exhibit an abnormal locomotion which is similarly shown by ensheathing glia ablated larvae. Thus, polarized glia compartmentalizes the brain and is essential for proper nervous system function.
Regular graph-based free route flight planning approach
Authors: Samolej Sławomir , Dec Grzegorz , Rzonca Dariusz , Majka Andrzej , Rogalski Tomasz
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide an alternative graph-based airspace model for more effective free-route flight planning.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on graph theory and available data sets describing airspace, as well as weather phenomena, a new FRA model is proposed. The model is applied for near to optimal flight route finding. The software tool developed during the study and complexity analysis proved the applicability and timed effectivity of the flight planning approach.

Findings

The sparse bidirectional graph with edges connecting only (geographically) closest neighbours can naturally model local airspace and weather phenomena. It can be naturally applied to effective near to optimal flight route planning.

Research limitations/implications

Practical results were acquired for one country airspace model.

Practical implications

More efficient and applicable flight planning methodology was introduced.

Social implications

Aircraft following the new routes will fly shorter trajectories, which positively influence on the natural environment, flight time and fuel consumption.

Originality/value

The airspace model proposed is based on standard mathematical backgrounds. However, it includes the original airspace and weather mapping idea, as well as it enables to shorten flight planning computations.
Supporting youths to continue further education in emerging nations: food for education intervention or education for food policy?
Authors: Alam Gazi Mahabubul , Sulaiman Tajularipin
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Food security for students is very important if they are to achieve both quantitative and qualitative success in their education and later career. Consequently, “food for education (FFE)” intervention is provided for poorer students who are in primary school in many developing countries. This has helped to achieve the objective of universal education. In absence of a food security programme from the secondary provision, students from poorer families are forced to discontinue their education. For this reason, the success of FFE intervention has been criticised as unsustainable. This paper aims to explore a food security model that can lead to the sustainable development of education in developing nations.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study collected primary data from students who were being educated in Bangladesh and receiving “FFE” intervention. In total, 576 respondents (equal number of boys and girls) were selected from six schools located in urban and rural areas. Secondary data were accessed from the archives of the Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics (BANBEIS) and the World Bank. The paper adopts a descriptive analysis method for primary and secondary sources to report the findings.

Findings

Free schooling supported by “FFE” intervention is the key to achieving education for all (EFA) targets. Since its inception, 93% of students who received an FFE intervention have at least completed their primary school education. The success of FFE has encouraged the government to provide a massive intervention strategy which began in 2011. This helped to achieve the EFA target. Despite this success and while nearly 18% of FFE-intervened graduates have completed their secondary education, none went to higher secondary school, let alone tertiary level. The lack of food security was the main reason for youths not continuing with their further education.

Originality/value

The “FFE” programme may work well for children who are being educated since they do not shoulder any family responsibility. In reality, teenagers and adults in emerging nations should devote themselves to ensuring there is enough food for their families. This research presents a new policy option, labelled as “education for food (EFF)”, in order to retain this group in the education system. Being an advocacy model, this may trigger a discourse on how to create a balanced society where both hunger and education are taken care of and problems are solved.
Perceptions of barriers to innovate in Colombian manufacturing firms: an analysis by technological intensity
Authors: Pertuz Vanessa , Miranda Luis Francisco
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that impede innovation in Colombian manufacturing firms, as measured by the level of technological intensity.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used data from 1,850 firms to determine the barriers associated with information and internal capabilities, risks and environment.

Findings

The main results of this study confirm that potentially innovative firms of low technological intensity are more likely to ascribe high importance to obstacles associated with information and internal capabilities, when compared with innovative firms. The abandonment of innovative projects, family-operated enterprises and investment in R&D are all related to an increased perception of obstacles to innovation, while investments in information and communication technologies have an opposite effect. Variables as partnerships and export behaviour, have different effects depending on the level of technological intensity.

Originality/value

This study investigates the obstacles to innovation of a firm as determined by its characteristics and as measured against its level of technological intensity. Previous studies have investigated barriers to innovation in technologically advanced sectors (Lachman and López, 2019) and technology-based SMEs (De Moraes Silva et al. 2020) or how the technological intensity of the firm determines access to university knowledge for overcoming barriers (Kanama and Nishikawa, 2017). The only study to analyse barriers to innovation by measuring a firm’s technological intensity was conducted into Mexican manufacturing and services sector companies by Santiago et al. (2017).
Democracy, digitisation and public libraries
Authors: Skøtt Bo
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate what democratic challenges the digitisation of the public libraries in Denmark has entailed. Using the concepts from a national library professional strategy from 2012, an analysis of 9 librarians’ experiences with digital dissemination in practice is conducted.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a part of a larger research project called “If digitisation is the answer, then what was the question?”. This sub study builds on the semi-structured interviews with library staff members, case-descriptions of two central providers of digital public library materials, as well as literature studies of missions, vision and strategies from different public library policy institutions. To frame the study, a literature review has been conducted.

Findings

The author detects the presence of several incompatible conditions in digital dissemination. These conditions are predominantly of an organisational nature, potentially containing major consequences for citizens’ free and equal access to information, knowledge and culture. Among other things, the Danish public libraries risk substantiating an already existing and problematic polarisation between technologically capable and incapacitated groups of people.

Originality/value

The digital transformation of society has only just begun. Therefore, it is important to examine the consequences of the transition to digital media types for central cultural institution such as the public libraries. The present study is an early and minor contribution to the illumination of a process requiring many more and large-scale studies.
Shape effect of nanoparticles on MHD nanofluid flow over a stretching sheet in the presence of heat source/sink with entropy generation
Authors: Berrehal Hamza , Sowmya G. , Makinde Oluwole Daniel
Published: July 2021

Purpose

In heat transfer, fluids and nanoparticles can provide new innovative technologies with potential to adapt the heat transfer fluid’s thermal properties through control over particle size, shape and others. This paper aims to examine the effects of spherical and non-spherical (cylinder, disk, platelets, etc.) shapes of silver (Ag) nanoparticles on heat transfer enhancement and inherent irreversibility in hydromagnetic water base nanoliquid flow over a convectively heated stretching sheet with heat generation/absorption.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying suitable similarity constraints, the model partial differential equations are transformed into a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. Solutions are obtained analytically via optimal homotopy asymptotic method (OHAM) and numerically via shooting technique coupled with the Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg (RK-F) method.

Findings

The impact of Ag nanoparticle’s shape along with other germane factors, such as Biot number, magnetic field, solid volume fraction and heat source/sink on velocity and thermal profiles, Nusselt number, skin friction coefficient, heat transfer enhancement, rate of entropy generation and irreversibility ratio, are scrutinized via graphical simulations and discussed. This study revealed that cylindrical shape Ag nanoparticles generate high entropy and fluid friction irreversibility, whereas disk shape Ag nanoparticles exhibit high transfer enhancement rate. Moreover, a boost in magnetic field intensity, volume-fraction parameter and Biot number enhances the thermal boundary layer thickness.

Originality/value

The main objective of this work is to examine the different Ag nanoparticles shape effects on the heat transfer enhancement and inherent irreversibility owing to hydromagnetic nanoliquid flow past a convectively heated stretching sheet with heat source/sink, which has not been yet studied. It is hope that this study will bridge the gap in the present literature and serve as impetus to scholars, engineers and industries for more exploration in this direction. The intrinsic nonlinearity of the model equations precludes its exact solution; hence, OHAM and shooting technique coupled with the RK-F method have been used to numerically tackle the problem. Pertinent results are discussed quantitatively and displayed graphically and in tabular form.
Tourism demand nowcasting using a LASSO-MIDAS model
Authors: Liu Han , Liu Ying , Li Gang , Wen Long
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether and when real-time updated online search engine data such as the daily Baidu Index can be useful for improving the accuracy of tourism demand nowcasting once monthly official statistical data, including historical visitor arrival data and macroeconomic variables, become available.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is the first attempt to use the LASSO-MIDAS model proposed by Marsilli (2014) to field of the tourism demand forecasting to deal with the inconsistency in the frequency of data and the curse problem caused by the high dimensionality of search engine data.

Findings

The empirical results in the context of visitor arrivals in Hong Kong show that the application of a combination of daily Baidu Index data and monthly official statistical data produces more accurate nowcasting results when MIDAS-type models are used. The effectiveness of the LASSO-MIDAS model for tourism demand nowcasting indicates that such penalty-based MIDAS model is a useful option when using high-dimensional mixed-frequency data.

Originality/value

This study represents the first attempt to progressively compare whether there are any differences between using daily search engine data, monthly official statistical data and a combination of the aforementioned two types of data with different frequencies to nowcast tourism demand. This study also contributes to the tourism forecasting literature by presenting the first attempt to evaluate the applicability and effectiveness of the LASSO-MIDAS model in tourism demand nowcasting.
Artificial intelligence in the defense sector: an RBV and isomorphism perspectives to the case of the Lebanese Armed Forces
Authors: Chedrawi Charbel , Atallah Yara
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to dynamically analyze the opportunities and challenges of AI in the defense sector in Lebanon or any security agency or any organization with sensitive data through a resource-based view perspective, the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI)/narrow AI applications in the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and to diagnose the current strategic orientation toward innovation and technology within the LAF while avoiding isomorphism.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is based on a qualitative interpretive case-study approach collected from several departments of the LAF. In fact, there is a developing convention to use qualitative research approaches among which case studies to study information technology phenomena (Trauth and Jessup, 2000; Benbasat et al., 1987; Klein and Meyers, 1999). Data were collected through centered semi-structured in-depth interviews (two to three hours each) with an interview guide coded abductively between the researchers and the interviewees conducted in numerous departments of the LAF with their top officials and generals (O1, O2, O3…); the anonymity of the interviewees was kept due to the sensitivity of the data collected, which took place between September 2018 and March 2019. Data consolidation and processing were conducted using NVivo.

Findings

This paper shows that the LAF is undeniably facing many challenges among which isomorphism caused by the lack of resources; it also shows that narrow AI applications provide new avenues for the LAF to avoid such institutional isomorphism.

Originality/value

The role of narrow AI in limiting isomorphism in the defense sector.
Do institutional risk preferences exist in Chinese direct investments in ASEAN countries? A case study of Chinese-funded enterprises in Laos
Authors: Chen Siyue , Huang Gengzhi , Zhang Hongou , Ye Yuyao , Wu Qitao
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Institutional factors play an important and complex role in Chinese outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) location choices that do not seem to be influenced by a host country’s high political risks. Moreover, the location choice for OFDI is key to corporate strategic decision-making on internationalization. Therefore, this study aims to examine the direct investments of Chinese multinational enterprises (MNEs) in Laos.

Design/methodology/approach

Combining the purposive sampling strategy and snowball sampling method, the authors interviewed nine market- and resource-seeking Chinese enterprises in Laos. Drawing from the mainstream eclectic paradigm and the theory of new institutional economics, the authors analyzed two key variables – enterprise investment motivation and enterprise heterogeneity.

Findings

Chinese MNEs are not insensitive to the regressive institutional quality of host countries; the relationship effect and institutional distance are the location decision pathways along with which institutional factors influence Chinese multinationals’ investments in Laos; political stability is necessary for Chinese-funded enterprises to invest in Laos and the degree of corruption is an overestimated institutional preference factor.

Originality/value

The relationship effect is introduced into the analysis framework as an intermediate variable that influences the decision of MNEs to invest in countries with underdeveloped institutions. It verifies the significant roles of bilateral political relations and network relations in the OFDI location decisions of state-owned and private enterprises, respectively.
To be or not to be sustainable in an emerging market? Conjoint analysis of customers' behavior in purchasing denim jeans
Authors: Abreu Mônica Cavalcanti Sá de , Ferreira Fabiana Nogueira Holanda , Silva João Felipe Barbosa Araripe
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate to what extent sustainable and nonsustainable attributes can be used to characterize different clusters of consumers in an emerging market, where economic conditions can increase the relevance of price. Consumers seem reluctant to engage frequently in pro-sustainable behavior, mainly for financial reasons. However, purchasing decisions can be understood as a multidimensional process.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted quantitative and descriptive research employing a choice-based conjoint/hierarchical Bayes (CBC/HB) experiment in malls in a low-income city in northeast Brazil with 1,287 potential buyers of denim jeans. The conjoint analysis therefore collected data on preferences in the course of actual decision-making. The authors then took the individual part-utility from each respondent and ran a cluster analysis to identify similar groups in the sample. The classification and regression tree (CART) method was used to determine the relationship between the conjoint attributes and the sociodemographic characteristics.

Findings

The data demonstrate that buying decisions constitute a complex process of interplay between many different factors, often involving trade-offs between a wide variety of nonsustainable and sustainable attributes. The survey confirmed that price is still of paramount importance when it comes to consumer choices. The authors also found that sustainable attributes played a relatively more significant role than brand or origin of production. The authors identify notable differences between groups of consumers in the “pro-sustainable” and “non-pro-sustainable” clusters and different levels of importance regarding the sociodemographic characteristics.

Originality/value

Although price emerged as the most significant attribute, the research also demonstrates that there is a market in Brazil for products and practices based on a genuine commitment to the natural environment and social issues. The findings suggest that marketing managers and policymakers should consider different combinations of concerns over sustainability with product attributes and include sociodemographic variables rather than considering the textile market as uniform or thinking that there is no space for sustainability in fashion.
How can universities engage lecturers in knowledge transfer? analyzing the influence of performance management systems
Authors: Gonzalez-Sanchez Maria Beatriz , Gutiérrez-López Cristina , Barrachina Palanca Mercedes
Published: July 2021

Purpose

There is an increasingly growing interest in treading beyond the traditional university goals of teaching and research to focus on their contribution to society through knowledge transfer (KT) performance activities. This paper aims to determine how performance management systems (PMSs) encourage lecturers to engage in the transfer of knowledge from higher education institutions (HEIs) to society.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a sample of 3,812 Spanish university lecturers surveyed about different PMS tools – strategic plans, budgeting, meetings and reward systems – and different KT activities – research and development contracts, patents, extended patents, licenses, services and spin-offs – for the 2011–2016 period. A logit model was applied for the statistical analyzes.

Findings

As expected, enabling the use of these tools generally increases the probability of producing KT while only in some cases does coercive use reduce it. Moreover, combining enabling and coercive uses does not increase the likelihood of KT performance.

Practical implications

University policymakers and managers should reduce the gap between KT and research and teaching by, for example, examining the effects of their performance management practices on scholars’ perceptions and their subsequent behavior.

Originality/value

Despite previous literature states that coercive use decreases performance, the authors reveal that this is not the case for KT performance in HEIs. According to the findings, a specific record of KT, i.e. a coercive strategic plan tool, has a consistently positive effect on all four KT activities as follows: R&D contracts, patents, extended patents and licenses.
The effects of corporate governance on the customer’s recommendations: a study of the banking sector at the time of COVID-19
Authors: Ltifi Moez , Hichri Abir
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to adopt a mixed-methods approach (accounting and business data) to analyse the effects of the financial institution’s governance on both the knowledge of social responsibility and the consumer’s attitudes and behaviours, and testing the moderating role of the brand identification in the banking sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this concept has been neglected in previous studies.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a sample of 600 respondents in two major Tunisian cities. Participants were selected on the basis of a convenience sampling in which the structural equation modelling method was adopted through SMART PLS 3.0 software.

Findings

The results showed that good corporate governance has a positive influence on the knowledge of the company's social responsibility, which positively influences its brand image. Therefore, the company's brand image positively influences the customer’s satisfaction, which positively influences the recommending behaviour of the financial institutions in the COVID-19 era. However, the brand identification has no moderating effect.

Practical implications

Managers of financial institutions are advised to pay particular attention to good corporate governance, as it is mandatory for these companies to assume social responsibility and make it known to clients. Therefore, it is obvious to create a good image in the mind of the consumers to satisfy them to recommend the company in question. It is interesting to mobilise the period of health crisis (COVID-19) to create a favourable attitude among the customers because they are sensitive when evaluating and ranking financial institutions according to the relationships that exist especially during this period.

Originality/value

In fact, there are many studies that dealt with the banking sector. Some of them dealt with the sector through the institutional accounting section while others dealt with the sector through the commercial and marketing section. Therefore, the first contribution of this research is to test a mixed model made up of accounting and commercial data. This model is among the first to determine the effects of the financial institution's governance on the knowledge of social responsibility and on the consumer’s attitude and behaviour to test the moderating role of brand identification in the banking sector. The second contribution is to test this model in a period of health crisis (COVID-19). The third contribution is the use of a mixed sample of data collected from two regions. Then, the fourth contribution is the addition of tests for the verification, robustness and validation of the results obtained. Finally, the fifth contribution is the addition of control variables to test their effects on the research model.
Electricity demand forecasting using fuzzy hybrid intelligence-based seasonal models
Authors: Khashei Mehdi , Chahkoutahi Fatemeh
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an extensiveness intelligent hybrid model to short-term load electricity forecast that can simultaneously model the seasonal complicated nonlinear uncertain patterns in the data. For this purpose, a fuzzy seasonal version of the multilayer perceptrons (MLP) is developed.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, an extended fuzzy seasonal version of classic MLP is proposed using basic concepts of seasonal modeling and fuzzy logic. The fundamental goal behind the proposed model is to improve the modeling comprehensiveness of traditional MLP in such a way that they can simultaneously model seasonal and fuzzy patterns and structures, in addition to the regular nonseasonal and crisp patterns and structures.

Findings

Eventually, the effectiveness and predictive capability of the proposed model are examined and compared with its components and some other models. Empirical results of the electricity load forecasting indicate that the proposed model can achieve more accurate and also lower risk rather than classic MLP and some other fuzzy/nonfuzzy, seasonal nonseasonal, statistical/intelligent models.

Originality/value

One of the most appropriate modeling tools and widely used techniques for electricity load forecasting is artificial neural networks (ANNs). The popularity of such models comes from their unique advantages such as nonlinearity, universally, generality, self-adaptively and so on. However, despite all benefits of these methods, owing to the specific features of electricity markets and also simultaneously existing different patterns and structures in the electrical data sets, they are insufficient to achieve decided forecasts, lonely. The major weaknesses of ANNs for achieving more accurate, low-risk results are seasonality and uncertainty. In this paper, the ability of the modeling seasonal and uncertain patterns has been added to other unique capabilities of traditional MLP in complex nonlinear patterns modeling.
Re-examining corruption and economic growth nexus in oil dependent economy: Nigeria’s case
Authors: Rotimi Mathew Ekundayo , IseOlorunkanmi Ojo Joseph , Rotimi Gift Grace , Doorasamy Mishelle
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to empirically examine how corruption impacts economic output growth in Nigeria. This is because of the recent trend in the level of corruption.

Design/methodology/approach

Using time series data ranging from 1995 to 2019, this study used the Johansen cointegration estimating approach and vector error correction mechanism to show an equilibrium relationship between output growth and other variables (oil revenue and corruption). To conduct the integration test, this study in the preliminary, used unit root test.

Findings

This study finds unidirectional and bidirectional causal relationships among variables. Contrary to a few studies, this study shows an equilibrium relationship between output growth and other variables (oil revenue and corruption). Thus, an increase in corruption at equilibrium would weaken output growth. Nonetheless, this study finds a gradual return of the deviation from the long-run stability over an arrangement of imperfect short-run adjustments. Based on the findings, to enhance economic growth, this study recommends zero tolerance for corruption. It also recommends that governments should further strengthen anti-corruption institutions and incorporate anti-corruption movements into decision-making processes.

Originality/value

This study adds to the literature by re-examining for the first time the relationship between corruption and economic growth in Nigeria. This study also deals with some econometrics issues which are found to be appropriate estimation to determine the equilibrium and stability in this study.