bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Online Forays for Macrofungi: Expediting the Rate of Documenting Biodiversity
Authors: Russell Stephen D.
Published: May 2022

A citizen-science oriented mushroom collecting event was organized online and held across the state of Indiana from October 23-29, 2017. Utilizing iNaturalist as the observational reporting platform, 30 members of the Hoosier Mushroom Society made over 1,300 observations of macrofungi during the week of the event. More importantly, the associated specimens were saved for more than 800 of the observations. Over 400 of the specimens were retained and received DNA barcodes, resulting in novel genotypes for 73 putative species being added to public databases. A full set of administrator and participant protocols has been compiled to aid others in conducting this style of biodiversity research for macrofungi. Methods include volunteer recruitment, participant protocols, specimen shipment, triage, and storage. Data management is also a key administrative aspect. Methodologies for integrating iNaturalist observational data with DNA sequence data and herbarium collection information are outlined for the MycoMap platform. Traditional mushroom collecting events have a number of limitations when compared to the online foray model. These advantages are discussed and key considerations for hosting online forays are examined.
Adaptation of cyanobacteria to the endolithic light spectrum in hyper-arid deserts
Authors: Murray Bayleigh , Ertekin Emine , Dailey Micah , Soulier Nathan T. , Shen Gaozhong , Bryant Donald A. , Perez-Fernandez Cesar , DiRuggiero Jocelyne
Published: May 2022

In hyper-arid deserts, endolithic microbial communities survive in the pore spaces and cracks of rocks, an environment that enhances water retention and filters UV radiation. The rock colonization zone is enriched in far-red light (FRL) and depleted in visible light. This poses a challenge to cyanobacteria, which are the primary producers of endolithic communities. Many species of cyanobacteria are capable of Far-Red Light Photoacclimation (FaRLiP), a process in which FRL induces the synthesis of specialized chlorophylls and remodeling of the photosynthetic apparatus, providing the ability to grow in FRL. While FaRLiP has been reported in cyanobacteria from various low-light environments, our understanding of light adaptations for endolithic cyanobacteria remains limited. Here, we demonstrated that endolithic Chroococidiopsis isolates from deserts around the world synthesize chlorophyll f, an FRL-specialized chlorophyll when FRL is the sole light source. The metagenome-assembled genomes of these isolates encoded chlorophyll f synthase and all the genes required to implement the FaRLiP response. We also present evidence of FRL-induced changes to the major light-harvesting complexes of a Chroococidiopsis isolate. These findings indicate that endolithic cyanobacteria from hyper-arid deserts use FRL photo-acclimation as an adaptation to the unique light transmission spectrum of their rocky habitat.
Coenzyme A binding sites induce proximal acylation across protein families
Authors: Carrico Chris , Cruz Andrew , Walter Marius , Meyer Jesse , Wehrfritz Cameron , Shah Samah , Wei Lei , Schilling Birgit , Verdin Eric
Published: May 2022

Lysine Nε-acylations, such as acetylation or succinylation, are post-translational modifications that regulate protein function. In mitochondria, lysine acylation is predominantly non-enzymatic, and only a specific subset of the proteome is acylated. Coenzyme A (CoA) can act as an acyl group carrier via a thioester bond, but what controls the acylation of mitochondrial lysines remains poorly understood. Using published datasets, here we found that proteins with a CoA-binding site are more likely to be acetylated, succinylated, and glutarylated. Using computational modeling, we show that lysine residues near the CoA-binding pocket are highly acylated compared to those farther away. We hypothesized that acyl-CoA binding enhances acylation of nearby lysine residues. To test this hypothesis, we co-incubated enoyl-CoA hydratase short chain 1 (ECHS1), a CoA-binding mitochondrial protein, with succinyl-CoA and CoA. Using mass spectrometry, we found that succinyl-CoA induced widespread lysine succinylation and that CoA competitively inhibited ECHS1 succinylation. CoA-induced inhibition at a particular lysine site correlated inversely with the distance between that lysine and the CoA-binding pocket. Our study indicated that CoA acts as a competitive inhibitor of ECHS1 succinylation by binding to the CoA-binding pocket. Together, this suggests that proximal acylation at CoA-binding sites is a primary mechanism for lysine acylation in the mitochondria.
Increasing computational protein design literacy through cohort-based learning for undergraduate students
Authors: Yang Erin C. , Divine Robby , Kang Christine S. , Chan Sidney , Arenas Elijah , Subol Zoe , Tinker Peter , Manninen Hayden , Feichtenbiner Alicia , Mustafa Talal , Hallowell Julia , Orr Isiac , Haddox Hugh , Koepnick Brian , O’Connor Jacob , Haydon Ian C. , Herpoldt Karla-Luise , Van Wormer Kandise , Abell Celine , Baker David , Khmelinskaia Alena , King Neil P.
Published: May 2022

Undergraduate research experiences can improve student success in graduate education and STEM careers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, undergraduate researchers at our institution and many others lost their work-study research positions due to interruption of in-person research activities. This imposed a financial burden on the students and eliminated an important learning opportunity. To address these challenges, we created a paid, fully-remote, cohort-based research curriculum in computational protein design. Our curriculum used existing protein design methods as a platform to first educate and train undergraduate students and then to test research hypotheses. In the first phase, students learned computational methods to assess the stability of designed protein assemblies. In the second phase, students used a larger dataset to identify factors that could improve the accuracy of current protein design algorithms. This cohort-based program created valuable new research opportunities for undergraduates at our institute and enhanced the undergraduates’ feeling of connection with the lab. Students learned transferable and useful skills such as literature review, programming basics, data analysis, hypothesis testing, and scientific communication. Our program provides a model of structured computational research training opportunities for undergraduate researchers in any field for organizations looking to expand educational access.

Graphical Abstract
A robust and efficient DNA storage architecture based on modulation encoding and decoding
Authors: Zan Xiangzhen , Xie Ranze , Yao Xiangyu , Xu Peng , Liu Wenbin
Published: May 2022

Thanks to its high density and long durability, synthetic DNA has been widely considered as a promising solution to the data explosion problem. However, due to the large amount of random base insertion-deletion-substitution (IDSs) errors from sequencing, reliable data recovery remains a critical challenge, which hinders its large-scale application. Here, we propose a modulation-based DNA storage architecture. Experiments on simulation and real datasets demonstrate that it has two distinct advantages. First, modulation encoding provides a simple way to ensure the encoded DNA sequences comply with biological sequence constraints (i.e., GC balanced and no homopolymers); Second, modulation decoding is highly efficient and extremely robust for the detection of insertions and deletions, which can correct up to ~40% errors. These two advantages pave the way for future high-throughput and low-cost techniques, and will kickstart the actualization of a viable, large-scale system for DNA data storage.
Genomic surveillance of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella in Wales reveals persistent spread of K. pneumoniae ST307 and adaptive evolution of pOXA-48-like plasmids
Authors: David Sophia , Mentasti Massimo , Sands Kirsty , Portal Edward , Graham Lee , Watkins Joanne , Williams Catie , Healy Brendan , Spiller Owen B. , Aanensen David M. , Wootton Mandy , Jones Lim
Published: May 2022

Rising rates of multi-drug resistant Klebsiella infections necessitate a comprehensive understanding of the major strains and plasmids driving spread of resistance elements. Here we analysed 540 Klebsiella isolates recovered from patients across Wales between 2007 and 2020 using combined short- and long-read sequencing approaches. We identified resistant clones that have spread within and between hospitals including the high-risk strain, sequence type (ST) 307, which acquired the blaOXA-244 carbapenemase gene on a pOXA-48-like plasmid. We found evidence that this strain, which caused an acute outbreak largely centred on a single hospital in 2019, had been circulating undetected across South Wales for several years prior to the outbreak. In addition to clonal transmission, our analyses revealed evidence for substantial plasmid spread, mostly notably involving blaKPC-2 and blaOXA-48-like (including blaOXA-244) carbapenemase genes that were found among many species and strain backgrounds. Two thirds (20/30) of the blaKPC-2 genes were carried on the Tn4401a transposon and associated with IncF plasmids. These were mostly recovered from patients in North Wales, reflecting an outward expansion of the plasmid-driven outbreak of blaKPC-2-producing Enterobacteriaceae in North-West England. 92.1% (105/114) of isolates with a blaOXA-48-like carbapenemase carried the gene on a pOXA-48-like plasmid. While this plasmid family is highly conserved, our analyses revealed novel accessory variation including integrations of additional resistance genes. We also identified multiple independent deletions involving the tra gene cluster among pOXA-48-like plasmids in the ST307 outbreak lineage. These resulted in loss of conjugative ability and signal adaptation of the plasmids to carriage by the host strain. Altogether, our study provides the first high resolution view of the diversity, transmission and evolutionary dynamics of major resistant clones and plasmids of Klebsiella in Wales and forms an important basis for ongoing surveillance efforts.

Data Summary

All raw short read sequence data and hybrid assemblies are available in the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA) under project accession PRJEB48990.
Laboratory study ofFritillarialifecycle reveals larvacean commonalities and key morphogenetic events leading to genus-specific anatomy
Authors: Henriet Simon , Aasjord Anne , Chourrout Daniel
Published: May 2022

A fascinating variety of adult body plans can be found in the Tunicates, the closest existing relatives of vertebrates. A distinctive feature of the larvacean class of pelagic tunicates is the presence of a highly specialized surface epithelium that produces a cellulose test, the “larvacean house”. While substantial differences exist between the anatomy of larvacean families, most of the ontogeny is derived from the observations of a single genus,Oikopleura. We present the first study ofFritillariadevelopment based on the observation of individuals reproduced in the laboratory. Like the other small epipelagic speciesOikopleura dioica, the larvae ofFritillaria borealisgrow rapidly in the laboratory, and they acquire the adult form within a day. We could show that major morphological differences exhibited byFritillariaandOikopleuraadults originate from a key developmental stage during larval organogenesis. Here, the surface epithelium progressively retracts from the posterior digestive organs ofFritillarialarvae, and it establishes house-producing territories around the pharynx. Our results show that the divergence between larvacean genera was associated with a profound rearrangement of the mechanisms controlling the differentiation of the larval ectoderm.
Dysbiosis of the larval gut microbiota of Spodoptera frugiperda Strains feeding on different host-plants
Authors: de Oliveira Nathalia Cavichiolli , Cônsoli Fernando Luis
Published: May 2022

The gut microbiota plays important roles in the bioecology of insects, including host plant adaptation and speciation. Spodoptera frugiperda has two well-established host-adapted strains with marked differences at the genetic and host plant utilization levels. We investigated whether differences in the gut microbiota would occur between the “corn” (CS) and “rice” (RS) strains of S. frugiperda when feeding on different crops. The gut microbiota of larvae fed on corn and millet was predominantly represented by Firmicutes followed by Proteobacteria, with an opposite pattern in larvae fed on cotton. No differences were observed between the CS and RS using PERMANOVA. PCoA analyses resulted in distinct bacterial clusters based on the host plant. Comparisons of strains gut microbiota at the phylum level resulted in differences only for larvae fed on cotton, but differences in the relative abundance of minor representatives at the genus level between strains were observed regardless of the food source used. We also found differences in the potential functional contribution of bacteria between the strains. In conclusion the gut microbiota of S. frugiperda is strongly modulated by the host plant while strains seemed to play a minor role in changing the abundance of members of the gut bacterial community.
The selection of antibiotic- and bacteriophage-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is prevented by their combination
Authors: Ferran Aude A , Lacroix Marlène Z. , Gourbeyre Ophélie , Huesca Alicia , Gaborieau Baptiste , Debarbieux Laurent , Bousquet-Mélou Alain
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Bacteria developing resistance compromise the efficacy of antibiotics or bacteriophages (phages). We tested the association of these two antibacterials to circumvent resistance.

Methods

With the Hollow Fiber Infection Model (HFIM), we mimicked the concentration profile of ciprofloxacin in the lungs of patients treated orally for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections and independently, mimicked a single inhaled administration of phages (one or two phages).

Results

Each treatment selects for antibiotic-or phage-resistant clones in less than 30 h. By contrast, no bacteria were recovered from the HFIM at 72 h when ciprofloxacin was started 4 h post-phage administration, even when increasing the initial bacterial concentration by a 1000 fold.

Conclusion

The combination of phages with antibiotics used according to clinical regimens prevents the growth of resistant clones, providing opportunities to downscale the use of multiple antibiotics.
Identification of the Branching Order within the Kingdom Bamfordvirae
Authors: Kotsinyan Armen , Sahakyan Harutyun , Zakaryan Hovakim
Published: May 2022

The kingdom Bamfordvirae comprises the majority of the realm Varidnaviria and, according to the 2021 release of Virus Taxonomy by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, consists of the phyla Nucleocytoviricota and Preplasmiviricota. There are several fundamental unresolved issues related to the evolution of Bamfordvirae. These are questions concerning Bamfordvirae taxonomy including the branching order of Nucleocytoviricota and the question of the monophyly of Preplasmiviricota. Here, based on the analyses of the individual core protein phylogenies, supertree, concatenated trees, dendrograms, as well as superdendrogram, we have refined the branching order of major groups within phylum Nucleocytoviricota using the rooting of the entire phylum on the cellular outgroups. These efforts resulted in several major changes in Bamfordvirae phylogeny. In particular, we showed that Nucleocytoviricota consists of two sister clades, consisting of Phycodnaviridae sensu lato on the one hand and Mimiviridae sensu lato, Iridoviridae/Ascoviridae, Marseilleviridae, pithoviruses including Cedratvirus, Solumvirus, Solivirus, and Orpheovirus, Mininucleoviridae, Asfarviridae sensu lato, and Poxviridae on the other hand. According to our data, Asfarviridae sensu lato and Poxviridae have likely originated from within the class Megaviricetes. We gave evidence for polyphyly of the phylum Preplasmiviricota and argued for a transfer of the families Lavidaviridae, Adintoviridae, and Adenoviridae from the phylum Preplasmiviricota into the phylum Nucleocytoviricota. We also argued for the origin of the Nucleocytoviricota from small prokaryotic viruses and gave arguments against the origin of Nucleocytoviricota from the Adintoviridae/Polinton-like viruses.

Importance

The monophyly of Varidnaviria, consisting of the Bamfordvirae and Helvetiavirae kingdoms, remains a matter of debate. To confirm or refute the monophyly of Varidnaviria, it is important to identify the sources of origin and phylogenetic relationships common to all Varidnaviria genes, such as the FtsK-HerA superfamily ATPases, major and minor capsid proteins. However, such studies are relevant only if the direction of evolution of both kingdoms was firmly established. Thus, our work, by clarifying the phylogenetic relationships within the Bamfordvirae kingdom, provided a solid basis for studying the evolutionary relationships of this kingdom with a vast diversity of supposedly related viruses outside of Bamfordvirae, including Helvetiavirae (Varidnaviria).
Study of interface reaction in a B4C/Cr mirror at elevated temperature using soft X-ray reflectivity
Authors: Modi Mohammed H. , Gupta Shruti , Yadav Praveen K. , Gupta Rajkumar , Bose Aniruddha , Mukherjee Chandrachur , Jonnard Philippe , Idir Mourad
Published: May 2022

Boron carbide is a prominent material for high-brilliance synchrotron optics as it remains stable up to very high temperatures. The present study shows a significant change taking place at 550°C in the buried interface region formed between the Cr adhesive layer and the native oxide layer present on the silicon substrate. An in situ annealing study is carried out at the Indus-1 Reflectivity beamline from room temperature to 550°C (100°C steps). The studied sample is a mirror-like boron carbide thin film of 400 Å thickness deposited with an adhesive layer of 20 Å Cr on a silicon substrate. The corresponding changes in the film structure are recorded using angle-dependent soft X-ray reflectivity measurements carried out in the region of the boron K-edge after each annealing temperature. Analyses performed using the Parratt recursive formalism reveal that the top boron carbide layer remains intact but interface reactions take place in the buried Cr–SiO2 region. After 300°C the Cr layer diffuses towards the substrate. At higher temperatures of 500°C and 550°C the Cr reacts with the native oxide layer and tends to form a low-density compound of chromium oxysilicide (CrSiO
x
). Depth profiling of Si and Cr distributions obtained from secondary ion mass spectroscopy measurements corroborate the layer model obtained from the soft X-ray reflectivity analyses. Details of the interface reaction taking place near the substrate region of boron carbide/Cr sample are discussed.
A modulated structure derived from the XA-type Mn2RuSn Heusler compound
Authors: Li Xing-Zhong , Zhang Wen-Yong , Skomski Ralph , Sellmyer David
Published: May 2022

A modulated structure derived from the inverse Heusler phase (the XA-type and the disordered variant L21B-type) has been observed in rapidly quenched Mn2RuSn ribbons. The powder X-ray diffraction pattern of the quenched ribbons can be indexed as an L21B-type structure. Electron diffraction patterns of the new structure mostly resemble those of the XA-type (and the disordered variant L21B-type) structure and additional reflections with denser spacing indicate a long periodicity. Orthogonal domains of the modulated structure were revealed by a selected-area electron diffraction pattern and the corresponding dark-field transmission electron microscopy images. The structure was further studied by the crystallographic analysis of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images. A model for the modulated structure has been proposed to interpret the experimental results.
Synthesis, structural and electrochemical properties of a new family of amino-acid-based coordination complexes
Authors: Rey Juan Manuel , Movilla Federico , Suárez Sebastián Angel , Di Salvo Florencia
Published: May 2022

Metalloproteins involved in oxidation–reduction processes in metabolism are fundamental for the wellbeing of every organism. The use of amino-acid-based compounds as ligands for the construction of biomimetic coordination systems represents a promising alternative for the development of new catalysts. Herein is presented a new family of copper, zinc and nickel coordination compounds, which show four-, five- and six- coordination geometries, synthesized using Schiff base ligands obtained from the amino acids L-alanine and L-phenylalanine. Structural analysis and property studies were performed using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, spectroscopic and electrochemical experiments and DFT calculations. The analysis of the molecular and supramolecular architectures showed that the non-covalent interactions developed in the systems, together with the identity of the metal and the amino acid backbone, are determinants for the formation of the complexes and the stabilization of the resultant geometries. The CuII complexes were tested as candidates for the electrochemical conversion reduction of nitrite to NO, finding that the five-coordinate L-phenylalanine complex is the most suitable. Finally, some insights into the rational design of ligands for the construction of biomimetic complexes are suggested.
Crystal structure, absolute configuration and characteristic temperatures of SmFe3(BO3)4 in the temperature range 11–400 K
Authors: Smirnova Ekaterina S. , Alekseeva Olga A. , Dudka Alexander P. , Sorokin Timofei A. , Khmelenin Dmitry N. , Yapaskurt Vasily O. , Lyubutina Marianna V. , Frolov Kirill V. , Lyubutin Igor S. , Gudim Irina A.
Published: May 2022

The crystal structure of samarium iron borate was analyzed with regard to growth conditions and temperature. The inclusion of about 7% Bi atoms in the crystals grown using the Bi2Mo3O12-based flux was discovered and there were no impurities in the crystals grown using the Li2WO4-based flux. No pronounced structural features associated with Bi inclusion were observed. The different absolute configurations of the samples grown using both fluxes were demonstrated. Below 80 K, a negative thermal expansion of the c unit-cell parameter was found. The structure of (Sm0.93Bi0.07)Fe3(BO3)4 belongs to the trigonal space group R32 in the temperature range 90–400 K. A decrease in the (Sm,Bi)—O, Sm—B, Sm—Fe, Fe—O, Fe—B and Fe—Fe distances is observed with a lowering of the temperature, B1—O does not change, B2—O increases slightly and the B2O3 triangles deviate from the ab plane. The strongest decrease in the equivalent isotropic atomic displacement parameters (U
eq) with decreasing temperature is observed for atoms Sm and O2, and the weakest is observed for B1. The O2 atoms have the highest U
eq values, the most elongated atomic displacement ellipsoids of all the atoms and the smallest number of allowed vibrational modes of all the O atoms. The largest number of allowed vibrational modes and the strongest interactions with neighbouring atoms is seen for the B atoms, and the opposite is seen for the Sm atoms. The quadrupole splitting Δ(T) of the paramagnetic Mössbauer spectra increases linearly with cooling. The Néel temperature [T
N = 31.93 (5) K] was determined from the temperature dependence of the hyperfine magnetic field B
hf(T), which has a non-Brillouin character. The easy-plane long-range magnetic ordering below T
N was confirmed.
Remarks on X-ray constrained/restrained wavefunction fitting
Authors: Bürgi Hans-Beat , Genoni Alessandro
Published: May 2022

X-ray constrained/restrained wavefunctions (XCWs/XRWs) result from a combination of theory and experiment and are therefore affected by experimental errors and model uncertainties. The present XCW/XRW procedure does not take this into account, thus limiting the meaning and significance of the obtained wavefunctions.
Food price inflation convergence: an international study from 2000–2020
Authors: Fan Xuecheng , Wang Xinxin , Xu Zeshui , Skare Marinko
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the food price inflation convergence across countries and regions. This study aims to identify the key drivers for food price inflation across countries and regions.

Design/methodology/approach

We test whether the international food price inflations are converging over time using the log t convergence test and clustering analysis. These inflation data are collected from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Findings

The test results suggest that there is little evidence of overall convergence. Then we utilize a clustering algorithm and the results support that there is strong evidence of multiple convergence clubs. In addition, we examine the transition path of the various convergence and find that social stability regulation together with economic conditions are important determinants of convergence club membership.

Research limitations/implications

First off, local conflict and economic environment result in food supply and prices, but this study is limited to the dynamics of prices.

Practical implications

Food prices inflations are not converging to single common price inflation, but there exist subgroups of countries or regions within which food price inflation tends to converge. These groupings tend to be related to the economic development and social stability of countries and regions.

Social implications

The authors believe that any analysis of food price inflations that does not consider the political environment and economic conditions dynamics will likely be omitting important components of food price dynamics.

Originality/value

This study uses a unique data set covering 198 countries and regions and provides a comprehensive analysis of international food price inflation convergence identifying the key drivers of convergence club membership.
Feeling “holier than thou”: exploring the critical nexus between project governance, exploitative leadership and multi-dimensional success in ICT projects
Authors: Zaman Umer , Damij Nadja , Khaliq Aisha , Nawaz Muhammad Shahid , Pradana Mahir
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Project managers are under a never-ending pressure to demonstrate the expected value of projects to the project sponsors; however, in most cases, project managers fail to realize this strategic value due to the loopholes left in project governance throughout various stages of the project life cycle. Furthermore, another root cause of project failure might be linked to an exceedingly self-interested project leader who is exploitative of his/her team. This is a recurring yet still unexplored aspect of destructive leadership that requires attention from the scientific community as well as practitioners. Hence, the present study explored the relationship between project governance and information and communication technology (ICT) project success, as well as the moderating effects of exploitative leadership on this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

With this aim, 357 responses were collected from project professionals in the emerging ICT industry in Pakistan, and the results were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with partial least squares (PLS).

Findings

The findings provide new evidence that project governance significantly improves project success opportunities in the ICT industry; however, this relationship is negatively moderated by exploitative leadership.

Originality/value

The study findings extend the project leadership literature by uncovering the influence of the dark side of project leadership (i.e. exploitative leadership), in addition to revalidating the impact of project governance on project success through a multi-dimensional context.
Principals' role in teachers' knowledge-sharing beliefs, intention and behaviour in Iranian schools: exploring the impact of knowledge-sharing leadership
Authors: Zeinabadi Hassanreza
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Knowledge-sharing is a valuable learning activity among teachers that leads to individual and collective professional development and contributes to students' learning outcomes and school effectiveness. However, teachers are generally weak at knowledge-sharing and are often professionally isolated from colleagues. Regardless of the general and context-specific reasons for this weakness, researchers believe that principals' knowledge-sharing leadership (KSL) can influence teachers' knowledge-sharing behaviours (KSB). Nevertheless, little is known about how it can exert its impact. In addition, given the precedence of teachers' beliefs and intentions over their behaviours, the mechanism of this impact has not yet been investigated based on this sequence. This study seeks to investigate and compare this impact in the form of two competing models, including the theory of reasoned action and planned behaviour. Both models consider KSB due to teachers' beliefs and intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 445 teachers completed an online form comprising two scales, including KSL and the knowledge-sharing belief-intention-behaviour. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM).

Findings

The model hypothesising the impact of KSL on constructs of the theory of reasoned action had a better fit with the data. The direct and indirect relationships analysis showed that KSL directly affects two fundamental beliefs of teachers, including attitudes toward knowledge-sharing (ATKS) and subjective norms (SN). Also, these beliefs directly affected teachers' intentions and, ultimately, their KSB indirectly.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the school leadership literature. Further, it has supported the theory of reasoned action when the teacher's KSB is targeted. Although researchers previously have adopted this theory, they have focused more on containing constructs while neglecting principal-related external variables. Finally, this study provides insights into principals' training programs. While principals may try to be knowledge-sharing leaders through self-practising competencies, they should be purposefully trained.
How can robo-advisors retain end-users? Identifying the formation of an integrated post-adoption model
Authors: Cheng Yung-Ming
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study's purpose is to propose an integrated post-adoption model based on expectation-confirmation model (ECM) and cognitive absorption (CA) theory to examine whether network factors, gamification factor, and quality factors as antecedents to end-users' beliefs can affect their continuance intention of the robo-advisor.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 600 questionnaires were distributed in three sample banks in Taiwan, and sample data for this study were collected from these three banks' customers who had experience in using these banks' own robo-advisor to make their investment decisions. Consequently, 381 useable questionnaires were analyzed using structural equation modeling in this study, with a useable response rate of 63.5%.

Findings

This study proposes a solid research model that based on ECM and CA theory, three types of factors, network factors, gamification factor, and quality factors, as antecedents to end-users’ continuance intention of the robo-advisor have been examined, and this study's results strongly support the research model with all hypothesized links being significant.

Originality/value

This study contributes to end-users' continuance intention of the robo-advisor based on ECM, CA theory, theory of network externalities, gamification, and updated DeLone and McLean IS success model, and reveals deep insights into the evaluation of determinants in the field of end-users' continuance intention of the robo-advisor. Hence, it is especially worth mentioning that three types of determinants (i.e. network factors, gamification factor, and quality factors) are simultaneously evaluated, and extrinsic and intrinsic motivators are both taken into account in this study's research model development of end-users' continuance intention of the robo-advisor to acquire a more all-round and robust analysis.
To buy or to back? Backers' motivations for fashion crowdfunding projects
Authors: Ahn SooKyoung
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Although fashion products feature a short lifespan owing to rapid changes in trends, fashion is one of the most active sectors in reward-based crowdfunding. This study aims to explore what drives backers to be involved in fashion projects despite the delay in obtaining rewards.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used the mixed method approach by conducting a critical incident technique and two online surveys with 801 crowdfunding backers.

Findings

Eight dimensions of backers' motivations were identified: altruism, enjoyment, novelty, information, economic incentive, reward, recognition, and social relationship. The finding was validated by testing the relationship with external variables.

Research limitations/implications

The findings provide the empirical foundation for studies on reward-based crowdfunding motivation and marketing strategy development appealing to backers' specific motivations. They highlight the importance of motivations in funding fashion projects and sharing information.

Originality/value

This study applies three motivational orientations and reflects the characteristics of product categories of rewards.
The Covid-pandemic has ended. Again.
Authors: Oskam Jeroen , Davis Tim
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the evolving interpretations of the Covid crisis and its impact on hospitality and tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

Scenario planning paper following Framework Foresight about the Covid pandemic and its impact on hospitality and tourism. Research input was gathered from research reports in different disciplines and discussions with an expert panel.

Findings

The paper argues that hypothesized recovery scenarios were founded on hope and inaccurate extrapolations, and that hospitality and tourism may head for permanently lower volumes.

Research limitations/implications

The paper contributes to the debate on tourism resilience and hopeful visions of a sustainable restart.

Practical implications

Instead of just focusing on direct pandemic impact and that of governmental measures, a third variable of consumer confidence will be decisive, and more important than expected by many initially, in future scenarios for hospitality and tourism.

Originality/value

The proposed scenarios that were designed with executive level industry input have so far proven more realistic than prevalent views of a swift recovery.
The influence of leadership on strategic flexibility and business performance: the mediating role of talent management
Authors: Kafetzopoulos Dimitrios , Psomas Evangelos , Bouranta Nancy
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to determine whether leadership affects strategic flexibility and business performance taking into consideration the mediating role of talent management in these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed framework is tested by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and finally structural equation modeling (SEM), using the survey data from 462 Greek firms. The mediation effect of talent management was tested by the Sobel test.

Findings

The results show that leadership drives firms to strategic flexibility and business performance, but the introduction of talent management fully mediates these relationships. Strategic flexibility also affects business performance positively.

Research limitations/implications

This study explores a formal style of leadership; many leadership styles remain unexplored. The field of talent management is in urgent need of more empirical research to explain its importance and how talent management is handled in the 21st-century.

Practical implications

This study proves that managers should invest more in talent management; outstanding talent can be leveraged to implement the best operational practices while managers' motivation for talent management contributes to a deeper anchoring of strategic flexibility and performance efforts in firms.

Originality/value

The current state of knowledge of both theory and practice for critical organizational factors such as strategic flexibility and talent management will be extended.
High-involvement work practices, employee trust and engagement: the mediating role of perceived organisational politics
Authors: Mehmood Iqbal , Macky Keith , Le Fevre Mark
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine perceptions of organisational politics (POP) as a mediator of the relationship between high-involvement work practices (HIWPs) and employee outcomes (trust in employer and employee engagement).

Design/methodology/approach

Using a longitudinal time-lagged quantitative survey design, data were collected in two waves (n = 1,554, time 1, and n = 970, time 2). Direct and indirect (mediation) effects were tested through structural equation modelling (SEM) in AMOS.

Findings

The results of SEM suggest that HIWPs are positively associated with trust in the employer and employee engagement and negatively associated with POP. The data supported a partial mediation model in which POP mediated the relationship between HIWPs and both trust in the employer and employee engagement levels.

Practical implications

HIWPs reduce employees’ perceptions of the degree to which their work environment is politicised, enhance employee engagement and develop a more trusting relationship between employee and employer.

Originality/value

Perceptions that workplace environments are characterised by political behaviours are ubiquitous and a large body of research has highlighted their detrimental effects on both employees and employers. This is the first study that has examined the potential of HIWPs in reducing such perceptions, which in turn, can foster employee engagement and enhance trust in the employer. Longitudinal studies of the effect HIWPs have on employee perceptions and attitudes are also still scarce.
Karuk ecological fire management practices promote elk habitat in northern California
Authors: Connor Thomas , Tripp Emilio , Tripp Bill , Saxon B. J. , Camarena Jessica , Donahue Asa , Sarna‐Wojcicki Daniel , Macaulay Luke , Bean Tim , Hanbury‐Brown Adam , Brashares Justin
Published: May 2022

After a century of fire suppression and accumulating fuel loads in North American forests, prescribed burns are increasingly used to prevent conditions leading to catastrophic megafire. There is widespread evidence that prescribed fire was used by Indigenous communities to manage natural and cultural resources for thousands of years. Wildlife habitat is an example of an ecological response that was actively managed with prescribed burns by Indigenous American peoples and is an important factor in western US forest management planning, restoration and climate resilience efforts.

We analysed the effects of modern prescribed burns informed by traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) on the predicted change in elk winter habitat in Karuk aboriginal territory in Northern California between 2013 and 2018 using species distribution and simultaneous autoregressive modelling techniques.

Burn types most closely resembling Karuk traditional practices, specifically those incorporating multiple‐year broadcast burns, had significant positive effects on elk winter habitat suitability. Conversely, concentrated burns focused solely on reducing fuel loads had significant negative effects on elk winter habitat suitability. However, areas where these fuel‐reduction burns were combined with multiple years of broadcast burns featured the highest increases in habitat.

Synthesis and applications. Our results suggest that transitioning to prescribed burns that more closely follow Karuk traditional ecological knowledge will promote elk habitat in the region. This would be best achieved through continuing to work closely with Indigenous representatives to plan and implement cultural fire prescriptions on a landscape scale, a trend we posit would benefit environmental management efforts across the globe.
Autism in the Australian workplace: the employer perspective
Authors: Wen Benjamin , van Rensburg Henriette , O’Neill Shirley , Attwood Tony
Published: May 2022

Autistic adults face alarmingly high rates of unemployment and underemployment. There is limited research regarding employers’ capacity to support autistic persons, how to better understand employers’ needs and their key role in employment processes. In this employer‐focused qualitative study, 14 Australian employers and nine professional experts were interviewed in depth. The identified themes were 1) Employer awareness and knowledge of autism; 2) Autism is a strength rather than a deficit, disorder or disability; 3) Employer empowerment is a key facilitator of change and 4) Autism tools for the employer. These findings highlight the need for ongoing education of employers to strengthen knowledge in the workplace about autism and addressing workplace environmental variables directly. Novel findings were the critical importance of employer self‐care and treating all employees the same.
Kinetics of moisture loss applied to the baking of snacks with pregelatinized cassava starch
Authors: Cazzaniga A. , Brousse M. M. , Linares A. R.
Published: May 2022

Moisture loss kinetics is a complex process defined as the liquid removal from a solid by thermal application. The purposes of the study were to obtain kinetic curves of moisture loss during the baking of cassava snacks and establish which processes govern the moisture loss, recognize which mathematical models describe the moisture loss curves more precisely, and determine activation energy (Ea) and effective diffusivity (Deff). Experimental data were obtained through baking at four temperatures formulations for snacks with different dehydrated cassava puree (DCP) proportions. Page's and Chávez Méndez's models showed the best fits. We calculated Deff and Ea employing the analytical solution of Fick's Second Law for the geometry of plane plates. Deff values increase with DCP but did not show a trend. The range found was from 5.22E‐06 to 2.93E‐05 m2/s. The results of Ea showed that the mixture of flours produced an increase in the energy necessary to initiate the effective diffusion (24.84 kJ/mol) compared to the samples without mixing (15.54 kJ/mol). Moisture loss curves show that the diffusion process governs a large part of the process.

Practical Application

Given the need to increase research for the development of the cassava industry, which currently has low competitiveness compared to less expensive products such as corn, various efforts are being made to generate new products that can replace wheat flour, at least in part. However, it is necessary to research how this substitution affects the various steps of the production system, including baking. During baking, one of the most significant processes is moisture loss. In this sense, the kinetic modeling of the moisture loss process parameters is mainly helpful in the food industry. The mathematical models of moisture loss processes are used to design new or improved baking systems or even control the process.
Puncture frequency predicts pneumothorax in preoperative computed tomography‐guided lung nodule localization for video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery
Authors: Huang Jing‐Yang , Tsai Stella Chin‐Shaw , Wu Tzu‐Chin , Lin Frank Cheau‐Feng
Published: May 2022

Background

Iatrogenic pneumothorax is the most frequent complication in preoperative CT‐guided localization (POCTGL) of lung nodules. We aimed to determine the predictive factors of iatrogenic pneumothorax.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data of consecutive POCTGL procedures in patients who received video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) at our hospital between May 2015 and October 2019. All of our patients utilized laser angle guide assembly to aid in the localization procedures.

Results

In 610 consecutive POCTGL procedures, 40 (6.6%) patients developed iatrogenic pneumothorax, and complications occurred in 8.5%. Univariate analyses revealed that puncture frequency, male gender, puncture depth, left decubitus position, and nodule near fissure were factors associated with pneumothorax, while multivariate analysis showed that only male gender (odds ratio 3.58, p = 0.012) and puncture frequency (odds ratio 2.39/time, p = 0.0004) determined development of pneumothorax. Further collective analysis on puncture frequency revealed that tumor in a difficult zone (1.33 ± 0.71 vs. 1.19 ± 0.45, p = 0.002), especially adjacent to the mediastinum (1.41 ± 0.75 vs. 1.21 ± 0.52, p = 0.002), angle difference of plan‐to‐practice (r = 0.209, p = < 0.001), depth to skin (r = 0.152, p < 0.001), and depth to pleura (r = 0.164, p < 0.001) were factors related to increased puncture frequency in univariate analyses. Only angle difference of plan‐to‐practice was associated in multivariate analysis (odds ratio: 1.158, p = 0.008).

Conclusions

Puncture frequency was the key factor in the development of iatrogenic pneumothorax from POCTGL. Other associated factors, especially angle difference, may have affected the puncture frequency and subsequently have some influence on the incidence of iatrogenic pneumothorax.
Predictive value of post‐treatment C‐reactive protein‐to‐albumin ratio in locally advanced non–small cell lung cancer patients receiving durvalumab after chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Araki Taisuke , Tateishi Kazunari , Komatsu Masamichi , Sonehara Kei , Wasamoto Satoshi , Koyama Shigeru , Yoshiike Fumiaki , Hama Mineyuki , Nishie Kenichi , Kondo Daichi , Agatsuma Toshihiko , Kato Akane , Takata Munetake , Kanda Shintaro , Hanaoka Masayuki , Koizumi Tomonobu
Published: May 2022

Backgrounds

The PACIFIC trial established durvalumab consolidation therapy after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) as the standard treatment for locally advanced non–small cell lung cancer (LA‐NSCLC). However, little is known about the predictive factors of durvalumab efficacy in this population. This study aimed to validate the predictive use of inflammation‐related parameters in patients with LA‐NSCLC treated with CCRT plus durvalumab.

Methods

We recruited 76 LA‐NSCLC patients who received CCRT followed by durvalumab from 10 Japanese institutions. The neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), C‐reactive protein‐to‐albumin ratio (CAR), and prognostic nutrition index (PNI) were measured before (pre‐treatment) and 2 months after (post‐treatment) durvalumab induction. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to examine prognostic factors associated with progression‐free survival (PFS) after durvalumab therapy.

Results

The median follow‐up time was 17 (range, 3.3–35.8) months. The median PFS and overall survival (OS) times were 26.1 and 33.7 months, respectively. Durvalumab was discontinued in 47 (61.8%) patients, with non‐infectious pneumonitis being the most common reason. Post‐treatment CAR (cutoff, 0.2) was a significant stratifying factor in survival comparison (<0.2 vs. ≥ 0.2, median PFS, not‐reached vs. 9.6 months. Log‐rank, p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis with a Cox proportional hazards model showed that post‐treatment CAR was an independent prognostic factor for PFS (hazard ratio, 3.16, p = 0.003).

Conclusions

This study suggests that post‐treatment CAR has predictive value for LA‐NSCLC patients treated with CCRT plus durvalumab consolidation therapy.