bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Power analysis for spatial omics
Authors: Baker Ethan A. G. , Schapiro Denis , Dumitrascu Bianca , Vickovic Sanja , Regev Aviv
Published: January 2022

As spatially-resolved multiplex profiling of RNA and proteins becomes more prominent, it is increasingly important to understand the statistical power available to test specific hypotheses when designing and interpreting such experiments. Ideally, it would be possible to create an oracle that predicts sampling requirements for generalized spatial experiments. However, the unknown number of relevant spatial features and the complexity of spatial data analysis makes this challenging. Here, we enumerate multiple parameters of interest that should be considered in the design of a properly powered spatial omics. We introduce a method for tunable in silico tissue generation, and use it with spatial profiling datasets to construct an exploratory computational framework for single cell spatial power analysis. Finally, we demonstrate that our framework can be applied across diverse spatial data modalities and tissues of interest.
Retinal waves align the concentric orientation map in mouse superior colliculus to the center of vision
Authors: Teh Kai Lun , Sibille Jérémie , Kremkow Jens
Published: January 2022

Neurons in the mouse superior colliculus (SC) are arranged in an orientation preference map that has a concentric organization, which is aligned to the center of vision and the optic flow experienced by the mouse. The developmental mechanisms that underlie this functional map remain unclear. Here, we propose that the spatiotemporal properties of spontaneous retinal waves during development provide a scaffold to establish the concentric orientation map in the mouse SC and its alignment to the optic flow. We test this hypothesis by modelling the orientation-tuned SC neurons that receive ON/OFF retinal inputs. Our results suggest that the stage III retinal wave properties, namely OFF delayed response and the wave propagation direction bias, are key factors that regulate the spatial organization of the SC orientation map. Specifically, the OFF delay mediates the establishment of orientation-tuned SC neurons by segregating their ON/OFF receptive subfields, the wave-like activities facilitate the formation of a concentric pattern, and the wave direction biases align the orientation map to the center of vision. Taken together, our model suggests that retinal waves may play an instructive role in establishing functional properties of SC neurons and provides a promising mechanism for explaining the correlations between the optic flow and the SC orientation map.
3D Visualisation of trans-syncytial nanopores provides a pathway for paracellular diffusion across the human placental syncytiotrophoblast
Authors: Lewis Rohan M , Baskaran Harikesan , Green Jools , Tashev Stanimir , Paleologou Eleni , Lofthouse Emma M , Cleal Jane K , Page Anton , Chatelet David S , Goggin Patricia , Sengers Bram G
Published: January 2022

The placental syncytiotrophoblast, a syncytium without cell-cell junctions, is the primary barrier between the mother and the fetus. Despite no apparent anatomical pathway for paracellular diffusion of solutes across the syncytiotrophoblast size-dependent paracellular diffusion is observed. Here we report data demonstrating that the syncytiotrophoblast is punctuated by trans-syncytial nanopores (TSNs). These membrane-bound TSNs directly connect the maternal and fetal facing sides of the syncytiotrophoblast, providing a pathway for paracellular diffusion between the mother and fetus. Mathematical modelling of TSN permeability based on their 3D geometry suggests that 10-37 million TSNs per cm3 of placental tissue could explain experimentally observed placental paracellular diffusion. TSNs may mediate physiological hydrostatic and osmotic pressure homeostasis between the maternal and fetal circulations but also expose the fetus to pharmaceuticals, environmental pollutants and nanoparticles.
Multisensory information about changing object properties can be used to quickly correct predictive force scaling for object lifting
Authors: Polanen Vonne van
Published: January 2022

Sensory information about object properties, such as size or material, can be used to make an estimate of object weight and to generate an accurate motor plan to lift the object. When object properties change, the motor plan needs to be corrected based on the new information. The current study investigated whether such corrections could be made quickly, after the movement was initiated. Participants had to grasp and lift objects of different weights that could be indicated with different cues. During the reaching phase, the cue could change to indicate a different weight and participants had to quickly adjust their planned forces in order to lift the object skilfully. The object weight was cued with different object sizes (Experiment 1) or materials (Experiment 2) and the cue was presented in different sensory modality conditions: visually, haptically or both (visuohaptic). Results showed that participants could adjust their planned forces based on both size and material and in all sensory modality conditions. Furthermore, the findings indicate that visual and haptic information were integrated in the visuohaptic condition, although the multisensory condition did not outperform the conditions with one sensory modality. These results suggest that motor plans can be quickly corrected based on sensory information about object properties from different sensory modalities. These findings provide insights into the information that can be shared between brain areas for the online control of hand-object interactions.
Sampling-based Bayesian inference in recurrent circuits of stochastic spiking neurons
Authors: Zhang Wen-Hao , Wu Si , Josić Krešimir , Doiron Brent
Published: January 2022

Two facts about cortex are widely accepted: neuronal responses show large spiking variability with near Poisson statistics and cortical circuits feature abundant recurrent connections between neurons. How these spiking and circuit properties combine to support sensory representation and information processing is not well understood. We build a theoretical framework showing that these two ubiquitous features of cortex combine to produce optimal sampling-based Bayesian inference. Recurrent connections store an internal model of the external world, and Poissonian variability of spike responses drives flexible sampling from the posterior stimulus distributions obtained by combining feedforward and recurrent neuronal inputs. We illustrate how this framework for sampling-based inference can be used by cortex to represent latent multivariate stimuli organized either hierarchically or in parallel. A neural signature of such network sampling are internally generated differential correlations whose amplitude is determined by the prior stored in the circuit, which provides an experimentally testable prediction for our framework.
Topology of connective tissues: a key parameter in cellular heterogeneity, beyond composition and stiffness
Authors: Chen Changchong , Ibrahim Zeinab , Marchand Marion F. , Piolot Tristan , Kamboj Sahil , Carreiras Franck , Yamada Ayako , Schanne-Klein Marie-Claire , Chen Yong , Lambert Ambroise , Aimé Carole
Published: January 2022

Cellular plasticity is essential in physiological contexts, including pathological ones. It is the basis of morphogenesis and organogenesis, as well as tumorigenesis and metastasis. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a key player in the generation of cellular heterogeneity. Advances in our understanding of cell plasticity rely on our ability to provide relevantin vitromodels. This requires to catch the characteristics of the tissues that are essential for controlling cell fate. To do this, we must consider the diversity of tissues, the diversity of physiological contexts, and the constant remodeling of ECM along these processes. To this aim, we have fabricated a library of ECM models for reproducing the scaffold of connective tissues and basement membrane with different biofabrication routes based on the electrospining and drop casting of biopolymers. Using a combination of multiphoton imaging and nanoindentation, we show that we can vary independently protein composition, topology of connective tissues and stiffness of ECM models. Reproducing the features of a tissue and physiological context in turns allows to generate the complexity of the phenotypic landscape associated with the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human ovarian cancer. We show that EMT shift cannot be directly correlated with a unique ECM feature, which reflects the multidimensionality of living environments. Very importantly, our combinatorial approach allows us to providein vitromodels, where the impact of the topological cues on cellular phenotypes can be revealed, beyond protein composition and stiffness of the ECM matrix. On this line, this work is a further step towards the development of ECM models recapitulating the constantly remodeled scaffolding environment that cells face and provides new insights for the development of cell-free matrices.
Simulated docking reveals putative channels for the transport of long-chain fatty acids in Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Turgeson Andrew , Giles David , Harris Bradley
Published: January 2022

Fatty acids (FA) play an important role in biological functions, such as membrane homeostasis, metabolism, and as signaling molecules. FadL is the only known protein that uptakes long-chain fatty acids in Gram-negative bacteria, and this uptake has traditionally been thought to be limited to fatty acids up to 18 carbon atoms in length. Recently however, it was found Vibrio cholerae has the ability to uptake fatty acids greater than 18 carbon atoms and this uptake corresponds to higher bacterial survivability. Using E. coli’s FadL as a template, V. cholerae FadL homologs vc1042, vc1043, and vca0862 have been folded, simulated on an atomistic level using molecular dynamics, and analyzed revealing the FadL transport channels. For vc1042 and vc1043 these transport channels have more structural accommodations for the many rigid unsaturated bonds of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, while vca0862 was found to lack transport channels within the signature beta barrel of FadL proteins.

IMPORTANCE

Fatty acids are important precursors for membrane phospholipids as well as energy sources for bacteria. V. cholerae’s uptake of long-chain fatty acids has not been studied to the atomistic level at this point, and by doing so, the resulting putative pathways show important structural details of the transport protein. Not only do the transport channels have unique differences between one another, the predicted transport mechanics of V. cholerae’s protein homologs differ substantially from the E. coli FadL’s pathway found from X-ray crystallography studies.
Breakthrough infections with the omicron and delta variants of SARS-CoV-2 result in similar re-activation of vaccine-induced immunity
Authors: Søraas Arne , Grødeland Gunnveig , Granerud Beathe Kiland , Ueland Thor , Lind Andreas , Fevang Børre , Murphy Sarah , Huse Camilla , Nygaard Anders Benteson , Steffensen Anne Katrine , al-Baldawi Huda , Holberg-Petersen Mona , Andresen Lise Lima , Ågnes Camilla , Ranheim Trine , Schanke Ylva , Istre Mette , Dahl John Arne , Chopra Adity , Dudman Susanne , Kaarbø Mari , Andersen Jan Terje , Vaage Eline Benno , Tran Trung The , Vaage John Torgils , Michelsen Annika E. , Müller Fredrik , Aukrust Pål , Halvorsen Bente , Børresdatter Dahl Tuva , Holter Jan Cato , Lund-Johansen Fridtjof
Published: January 2022

Background

The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 is now overtaking the Delta variant in many countries. Results showing that sera from double vaccinated individuals have minimal neutralizing activity against Omicron may indicate that the higher rate of transmission is due to evasion from vaccine-induced immunity. However, there is little information about activation of recall responses to Omicron in vaccinated individuals.

Methods

We measured inflammatory mediators, antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid proteins, and spike peptide-induced release of interferon gamma in whole blood in 51 vaccinated individuals infected with Omicron, in 14 infected with Delta, and in 18 healthy controls. The median time points for the first and second samples were 7 and 14 days after symptom onset, respectively.

Findings

Infection with Omicron or Delta led to a rapid and similar increase in antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid proteins and spike peptide-induced interferon gamma in whole blood. Both the Omicron and the Delta infected patients had a mild and transient increase in inflammatory parameters.

Interpretation

The results suggest that vaccine-induced immunological memory yields similar coverage for the Omicron and Delta variants.
Contributions of age and clinical depression to metacognitive performance
Authors: Culot Catherine , Lauwers Tina , Fantini-Hauwel Carole , Madani Yamina , Schrijvers Didier , Morrens Manuel , Gevers Wim
Published: January 2022

Background

Pivotal for adaptive behaviour is the ability to judge whether our performance is correct or not, even in the absence of external feedback. This metacognitive ability can be measured using confidence ratings. Past research suggests that overall confidence (confidence bias) is lower in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Less is known about the ability of MDD patients to discriminate correct from incorrect performance (metacognitive efficiency).

Methods

The perceptual metacognitive performance of 17 aged MDD patients (62-89 years) was tested and compared to an age matched as well as a young control group (21-28 years). The younger control group was included to disentangle the effects of age and MDD on metacognitive performance. Indeed, earlier studies found an increased confidence bias but a decreased metacognitive efficiency with age.

Results

Our results showed no difference in confidence bias nor in metacognitive efficiency between MDD patients and age-matched control participants. Importantly, aged participants, including both aged controls and MDD patients, demonstrated lower metacognitive efficiency compared to young participants. This metacognitive deficit found in aged participants was specifically driven by an overconfidence on incorrect trials.

Conclusions

The relation between MDD and confidence bias may not be as robust as previously claimed. Furthermore, our results point to the importance of age rather than MDD for metacognitive efficiency. This could have important clinical implications as the observation of lower metacognitive abilities in patients is not necessarily caused by the depression.

Limitations

Sample size was relatively small. Some clinical variables such as anxiety, or medication were not controlled.
Development of the First Tractable Genetic System for Parvimonas micra, a Ubiquitous Pathobiont in Human Dysbiotic Disease
Authors: Higashi Dustin L. , McGuire Sean , Abdelrahman Yasser , Zou Zhengzhong , Qin Hua , Anderson David , Palmer Elizabeth A. , Kreth Jens , Merritt Justin
Published: January 2022

Parvimonas micra is a Gram-positive obligate anaerobe and a typical member of the human microbiome. P. micra is among the most highly enriched species at numerous sites of mucosal dysbiotic disease and is closely associated with the development of multiple types of malignant tumors. Despite its strong association with disease, surprisingly little is known about P. micra pathobiology, which is directly attributable to its longstanding genetic intractability. To address this problem, we directly isolated a collection of P. micra strains from odontogenic abscess clinical specimens and then screened these isolates for natural competence. Amazingly, all of the P. micra clinical isolates exhibited various levels of natural competence, including the reference strain ATCC 33270. By exploiting this ability, we were able to employ cloning-independent methodologies to engineer and complement a variety of targeted chromosomal genetic mutations directly within low passage clinical isolates. To create the first P. micra genetic system, we employed renilla-based bioluminescence for highly sensitive reporter studies. This reporter system was then applied for the development of the novel Theo+ theophylline-inducible riboswitch for tunable gene expression studies over a broad dynamic range. Finally, we demonstrate the feasibility of generating Mariner-based Tn-seq libraries for forward genetic screening in P. micra. With the availability of a highly efficient transformation protocol and the current suite of genetic tools, P. micra should now be considered as a fully genetically tractable organism suitable for molecular genetic research. The methods presented here provide a clear path to investigate the understudied role of P. micra in polymicrobial infections and tumorigenesis.
Role of posterodorsal medial amygdala urocortin-3 in pubertal timing in female mice
Authors: Ivanova Deyana , Li Xiao-Feng , Liu Yali , McIntyre Caitlin , Fernandes Cathy , Lass Geffen , Kong Lingsi , O’Byrne Kevin T
Published: January 2022

Post-traumatic stress disorder impedes pubertal development and disrupts pulsatile LH secretion in humans and rodents. The posterodorsal sub-nucleus of the medial amygdala (MePD) is an upstream modulator of the hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulse generator, pubertal timing, as well as emotional processing and anxiety. Psychosocial stress exposure alters neuronal activity within the MePD increasing the expression of Urocortin3 (Ucn3) and its receptor corticotropin-releasing factor type-2 receptor (CRFR2) while enhancing the inhibitory output from the MePD to key hypothalamic reproductive centres. We test the hypothesis that psychosocial stress, processed by the MePD, is relayed to the hypothalamic GnRH pulse generator to delay puberty in female mice. We exposed C57Bl6/J female mice to the predator odor, 2,4,5-Trimethylthiazole (TMT), during pubertal transition and examined the effect on pubertal timing, pre-pubertal LH pulses and anxiety-like behaviour. Subsequently, we virally infected Ucn3-cre-tdTomato female mice with stimulatory DREADDs targeting MePD Ucn3 neurons and determined the effect on pubertal timing and pre-pubertal LH pulse frequency. Exposure to TMT during pubertal development delayed puberty, suppressed pre-pubertal LH pulsatility and enhanced anxiety-like behaviour, while activation of MePD Ucn3 neurons reduced LH pulse frequency and delayed puberty. Early psychosocial stress exposure decreases GnRH pulse generator frequency delaying puberty while inducing anxiety-behaviour in female mice, an effect potentially involving Ucn3 neurons in the MePD.
AICAR-mediated selection of karyotypically normal cells in Pallister-Killian syndrome patient-derived skin fibroblasts
Authors: Salzano Emanuela , Kaur Maninder , Jacko Anastasia M , McEldrew Deborah , Raible Sarah E , Krantz Ian D , Izumi Kosuke
Published: January 2022

Pallister-Killian Syndrome (PKS) is a mosaic aneuploidy syndrome typically caused by the presence of a supernumerary marker isochromosome containing two extra copies of the short arm of chromosome 12 (iso-chromosome 12p or tetrasomy 12p). This isochromosome is always present in a mosaicism state that has tissue limited distribution. PKS is characterized by severe neurodevelopmental delay, intellectual disability, multisystem involvement and congenital malformations including typical dysmorphic features and skin pigmentation anomalies.

Aneuploid cells, irrespective of the identity of the supernumerary chromosome, including cancer cells, yeast cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), have been demonstrated to present a disruption of protein homeostasis and increased basal stress levels; resulting in a greater sensitivity to chemical compounds inducing cellular energy stress compared to euploid cell lines. The burden of trisomy 21 has also been recently shown to impair the proteostasis network in lymphoblastoid cell lines and fibroblasts obtained from individuals with Down syndrome.

In this study, we demonstrate that AICAR, 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide, a known energy stress inducing drug with antiproliferative effects on aneuploidy cancer cells and MEFs, is also able to selectively eliminate cells carrying the isochromosme12p in PKS clones in a time and dosage dependent manner. Collectively, our results indirectly provide evidence of increased basal energy and proteotoxic stress in PKS cells carrying isochromosome 12p, and suggest a potential therapeutic drug-based strategy that, selectively acting as a stressor for aneuploid cells, may establish the euploid state in PKS and a broader spectrum of human mosaic disorders.
Design and Characterization of Lipid Nanocarriers for Oral Delivery of Immunotherapeutic Peptides
Authors: Calderón-Colón Xiomara , Zhang Yichuan , Tiburzi Olivia , Wang Jialu , Raimondi Giorgio , Patrone Julia
Published: January 2022

The use of therapeutic proteins and peptides is of great interest for the treatment of many diseases, and advances in nanotechnology offer a path toward their stable delivery via preferred routes of administration. In this study, we sought to design and formulate a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) containing a nominal antigen (insulin peptide) for oral delivery. We utilized the design of experiments (DOE) statistical method to determine the dependencies of formulation variables on physicochemical particle characteristics including particle size, polydispersity (PDI), melting point, and latent heat of melting. The particles were determined to be non-toxic in vitro, readily taken up by primary immune cells, and found to accumulate in regional lymph nodes following oral administration. We believe that this platform technology could be broadly useful for the treatment of autoimmune diseases by supporting the development of oral delivery-based antigen specific immunotherapies.

Highlights

3-5 bullets, 85 char or less

A Design of Experiments method led the formulation of biocompatible nanoparticles

NLC accumulate into gut-draining lymphatic tissues following oral administration

NLC protect their antigen cargo and promote its presentation

NLC formulation is well-suited for oral delivery of immunomodulatory agents

Graphical Abstract

The development of nanostructured lipid carriers containing a nominal antigen (insulin peptide) for oral delivery consists on (1) nanoparticle formulation using a statistical method, (2) in-vitro studies to assess cellular toxicity and uptake and T cell activation, and (3) in-vivo studies to assess bio-distribution.
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors are the major class of HIV antiretroviral therapeutics that induce neuropathic pain in mice
Authors: Bush Keegan , Wairkar Yogesh , Tang Shao-Jun
Published: January 2022

Abstract

The development of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has transformed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection from a lethal diagnosis into a chronic disease, and people living with HIV on cART can experience an almost normal life expectancy. However, these individuals often develop various complications that lead to decreased quality of life, one of the most significant of which is neuropathic pain and development of painful peripheral sensory neuropathy (PSN). Critically, although cART is thought to induce pain pathogenesis, the relative contribution of different classes of antiretrovirals has not been systematically investigated. In this study, we measured development of pathological pain and peripheral neuropathy in mice orally treated with distinct antiretrovirals at their translational dosages. Our results show that only nucleoside reverse transcriptases (NRTIs), but not other types of antiretrovirals, such as proteinase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, integrase strand transfer inhibitors, and CCR5 antagonists, induce pathological pain and PSN. Thus, these findings suggest that NRTIs are the major class of antiretrovirals in cART that promote development of neuropathic pain. As NRTIs form the essential backbone of multiple different current cART regimens, it is of paramount clinical importance to better understand the underlying mechanism to facilitate design of less toxic forms of these drugs and or potential mitigation strategies.
Interconversion between Serum Amyloid A native and fibril conformations
Authors: Yasar Fatih , Sheridan Miranda S. , Hansmann Ulrich H. E.
Published: January 2022

Overexpression of Serum Amyloid A (SAA) can lead to a form of amyloidosis where the fibrils are made of SAA fragments, most often SAA1−76. Using Replica-Exchange-with-Tunneling, we study the conversion of a SAA1−76 chain between a the folded conformation and a fibril conformation. We find that the basins in the free energy landscape corresponding to the two motifs are separated by barriers of only about 2-3 kBT. Crucial for the assembly into the fibril structure is the salt bridge 26E-34K that provides a scaffold for forming the fibril conformation.
The phloem-resident OCTOPUS protein is a novel regulator of flg22-induced responses in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Greenwood Kaitlyn N. , King Courtney L. , Melena Isabella , Stegemann Katherine A. , Collins Carina A.
Published: January 2022

Phloem is a critical tissue that transports photosynthates and extracellular signals in vascular plants. Although a functional phloem is necessary for plant health, it is also an ideal environment for pathogens to access host nutrients to promote pathogenesis. Even though many vascular pathogens induce economically relevant crop damage, very little is known about the mechanism(s) by which phloem cells detect potential pathogens and signal to minimize damage. Our lab searched existing phosphoproteomic databases, mining for proteins that were phosphorylated in response to the defense-elicitor flagellin, or flg22, AND were expressed in vascular cells, and we identified Octopus (OPS). OPS is polarly associated with the plasma membrane (PM) of sieve element cells and promotes their differentiation from procambial precursor cells by inhibiting the function of BIN2 in brassinosteroid-related signaling. The observation that OPS is differentially phosphorylated in response to flg22 led us to the examine whether OPS may function in flg22-induced signaling using Arabidopsis T-DNA insertion mutants lacking a functional OPS. In wild-type (WT) seedlings, flg22 binds to the PM receptor flagellin sensing 2 (FLS2) to initiate three branches of a signaling cascade that culminates in increased expression of distinct marker genes. Ultimately these signaling pathways lead to the restriction of pathogen growth. Two independent alleles of ops were treated with 100 μM flg22 and marker genes from all three branches of FLS2 signaling exhibited higher expression than WT. We also found that in the absence of any flg22, ops mutants displayed increased flg22 signaling responses. Our results indicate that OPS may function as a negative regulator of flg22-induced signaling events and is one of very few phloem-resident proteins with a documented role in flg22 signaling. These results indicate that the phloem may be able to sense and response to the threat of bacterial pathogens in a unique way.
TissUUmaps 3: Improvements in interactive visualization, exploration, and quality assessment of large-scale spatial omics data
Authors: Pielawski Nicolas , Andersson Axel , Avenel Christophe , Behanova Andrea , Chelebian Eduard , Klemm Anna , Nysjö Fredrik , Solorzano Leslie , Wählby Carolina
Published: January 2022

Background and Objectives

Spatially resolved techniques for exploring the molecular landscape of tissue samples, such as spatial transcriptomics, often result in millions of data points and images too large to view on a regular desktop computer, limiting the possibilities in visual interactive data exploration. TissUUmaps is a free, open-source browser-based tool for GPU-accelerated visualization and interactive exploration of 107+data points overlaying tissue samples.

Methods

Herein we describe how TissUUmaps 3 provides instant multiresolution image viewing and can be customized, shared, and also integrated into Jupyter Notebooks. We introduce new modules where users can visualize markers and regions, explore spatial statistics, perform quantitative analyses of tissue morphology, and assess the quality of decoding in situ transcriptomics data.

Results

We show that thanks to targeted optimizations the time and cost associated with interactive data exploration were reduced, enabling TissUUmaps 3 to handle the scale of today’s spatial transcriptomics methods.

Conclusion

TissUUmaps 3 provides significantly improved performance for large multiplex datasets as compared to previous versions. We envision TissUUmaps to contribute to broader dissemination and flexible sharing of large-scale spatial omics data.
A cuboidal [Cu4(SO4)4] structure supported by β-picoline ligands
Authors: Park Ava M. , Golen James A. , Manke David R.
Published: January 2022

The solid-state structure of the cobalt–β-picoline–sulfate complex tetra-μ3-sulfato-tetrakis[bis(3-methylpyridine)cobalt(II)], [Co4(SO4)4(C6H7N)8], is reported. The tetrameric cobalt cluster contains a cuboidal core comprised of four cobalt(II) cations and four sulfate anions at alternate cube vertices. The cobalt corners are each capped with two β-picoline ligands. The sulfate anions adopt a rare [3.2110] bridging motif, and the cuboidal cluster is unprecedented in coordination chemistry.
Argumentative practices and patterns in debating climate change on Twitter
Authors: Foderaro Antonella , Lorentzen David Gunnarsson
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate practices of argumentation on Twitter discussions about climate change.

Design/methodology/approach

Conversational threads were collected from the Twitter API. Fundamental concepts from argumentation theory and linking practices were operationalised through a coding schema for content analysis. Tweets were analysed in the context of the discussions and coded according to their argumentative approach, interaction type and argumentation stage. Linked and embedded sources were analysed in order to find how they were used in arguments, the plausibility and soundness of the message, the consistency and trustworthiness of the linked source and its adequacy with the target audience.

Findings

Among the interactions between arguers, this study found five typical practices and several patterns involving the dynamics of the conversations, the strategy of the argumentation and the linking practices. Although the rhetorical approach was prominent, the agreement was rarely achieved. The arguers used a variety of sources to justify or support their positions, often embedding non-textual content. These linking practices, together with the strategy adopted and the topics discussed, suggest the involvement of a multiple audience engaged in discussing ad lib scientific artefacts, topics and outputs.

Originality/value

While Twitter has been the focus for many research papers, the conversational threads have been given little attention so far. With the Twitter API making conversations more accessible for research, this paper does not only give insight into multiple audience group argumentation dynamics but also provides a method to study the conversations from an argumentation theory perspective.
Measuring competitiveness with data-driven principal component analysis: a case study of Chinese international construction companies
Authors: Guo Hui , Lu Weisheng
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Defining and measuring competitiveness has been a major focus in the business and competition literature over the past decades. The paper aims to use data-driven principal component analysis (PCA) to measure firm competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

A “3Ps” (performance, potential, and process) firm competitiveness indicator system is structured for indicator selection. Data-driven PCA is proposed to measure competitiveness by reducing the dimensionality of indicators and assigning weights according to the endogenous structure of a dataset. To illustrate and validate the method, a case study applying to Chinese international construction companies (CICCs) was conducted.

Findings

In the case study, 4 principal components were derived from 11 indicators through PCA. The principal components were labeled as “performance” and “capability” under the two respective super-components of “profitability” and “solvency” of a company. Weights of 11 indicators were then generated and competitiveness of CICCs was finally calculated by composite indexes.

Research limitations/implications

This study offers a systematic indicator framework for firm competitiveness. The study also provides an alternative approach to better solve the problem of firm competitiveness measurement that has long plagued researchers.

Originality/value

The data-driven PCA approach alleviates the difficulties of dimensionality and subjectivity in measuring firm competitiveness and offers an alternative choice for companies and researchers to evaluate business success in future studies.
Evolution modeling of stakeholder performance on relationship management in the dynamic and complex environments of megaprojects
Authors: Xue Jin , Shen Geoffrey Qiping , Deng Xiaomei , Ogungbile Adedayo Johnson , Chu Xiaoling
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Relationship management evolves with dynamic and complex environments of megaprojects. However, studies on the longitudinal measurement of relationship management performance for each stakeholder in dynamic and complex project environments are lacking. The purpose of this research is to propose an NK-network evolution model to evaluate stakeholder performance on relationship management in the development of megaprojects.

Design/methodology/approach

The model input includes the stakeholder-associated issues and stakeholders' relational strategies, the co-effects of which determine the internal effects of relationship management in megaprojects. The model processing simulates the stakeholder performance of relationship management under the dynamic and complex nature of megaprojects. The NK model shows the dynamic stakeholder interactions on relationship management, whereas the network model presents the complex stakeholder structures of the relationships between stakeholders and relevant issues. The model output is the evolution graph to reveal the weak stakeholder performance on relationship management in the timeline of the project duration.

Findings

The research finding reveals that all stakeholders experience the plunge of stakeholder performance of relationship management at the decision-making moment of the planning stage. Construction, environmental and pressure groups may experience the hardship of relationship management at the start of the construction stage. The government is likely to suffer difficulties in relationship management in the late construction stage. Local industry groups would face challenges in relationship management in the middle of the construction stage and handover stage.

Originality/value

The research provides a useful approach to measuring weak moments of relationship management for each stakeholder in various project phases, considering the dynamic and complex environments of megaprojects. The proposed model extends the current knowledge body on how to make project stakeholder analysis by modelling dynamic and complex environments of megaprojects, with bridging the knowledge domains of evolution modeling techniques and network methods.
Sharp schedule compression in urgent emergency construction projects via activity crashing, substitution and overlapping: a case study of Huoshengshan and Leishenshan Hospital projects in Wuhan
Authors: Lu Hui , Wang Hongwei , Yu Dihua , Ye Jian
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To meet the rapidly increasing demand for medical treatment during the outbreak of COVID-19, Huoshengshan and Leishenshan Hospital are rapidly built (9–12 days) in Wuhan. These two urgent emergency projects are unprecedented. In general, substantial literature suggests that the possibility of shortening a schedule by more than a quarter of its original duration is implausible. By contrast, the two projects had successfully compressed the schedules from months and years to about ten days. This study aims to investigate how this was done and provide references for future projects.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses qualitative case study techniques to analyze the project practices in two urgent emergency projects. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and archival research. During interviews, interviewees were asked to describe the project practices adopted to overcome the challenges and freely share their experiences and knowledge.

Findings

The results illustrate that a high degree of schedule compression is achievable through tactful crashing, substitution and overlapping applications. The successful practices heavily rely on the high capacity of participants and necessary organization, management and technology innovations, such as three-level matrix organizational structure, reverse design method, site partition, mock-up room first strategies and prefabricated construction technology. For instance, the reverse design method is one of the most significant innovations to project simplification and accelerate and worthy of promotion for future emergency projects.

Practical implications

The empirical findings are significant as they evoke new thinking and direction for addressing the main challenges of sharp schedule compression and provide valuable references for future emergency projects, including selecting high-capacity contractors and replacing the conventional design methods with reverse design.

Originality/value

Substantial studies indicate that the maximum degree of schedule compression is highly unlikely to exceed 25%, but this study suggests that sharp compression is possible. Although with flaws in its beauty (i.e. compressing schedule at the expense of construction cost and quality), it is also a breakthrough. It provides the building block for future research in this fertile and unexplored area.
Entrepreneurship, gender and success in Lebanon
Authors: Tlaiss Hayfaa
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore how men entrepreneurs construe their success and the influence of the socio-cultural context and political and economic turbulence on their construals of success in the context of the Arab country of Lebanon.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the objective, the author draw on intersectionality theory and capitalise on twenty in-depth, semi-structured interviews with men entrepreneurs.

Findings

The findings reveal how construals of success by men entrepreneurs occur at the nexus between patriarchy, gendered expectations and adverse economic and political conditions. As a result, success is construed through the perseverance and legitimacy of their business and their compliance with expected family roles. These construals unfold as the men hold themselves accountable for and do gender and success per the ideal expectations indoctrinated by patriarchy.

Originality/value

The originality of this study lies in its theoretical contributions. First, it is the first study to explore the construals of success by men entrepreneurs in an Arab Middle Eastern country. Second, it contributes to a growing body of work that explores gender as a situated practice and demonstrates how it is performed by men entrepreneurs while construing their success. Third, it contributes to research on intersectionality in entrepreneurship and sheds light on the interconnections of gender, patriarchal socio-cultural values, economic and political conditions and entrepreneurship in Arab countries.
Do guanxi and harmonious leadership matter in the sociocultural integration by Chinese multinational enterprises in The Netherlands?
Authors: Sun Zhe , Zhao Liang , Wei Hongji , Wang Xiaoming , Riemersma Rosanne Rosalie
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The study aims to examine the effects of guanxi and harmonious leadership on acquisition performance and the role of sociocultural integration as a mediating mechanism impacting the above links, with a focus on Chinese cross-border acquisitions in The Netherlands.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through survey questionnaire with 91 respondents who work in Dutch-acquired companies. Regression analysis was used for exploring the relationship.

Findings

The study finds that both guanxi and harmonious leadership are positive to acquisition performance, and sociocultural integration represents a significant mediating mechanism by which guanxi and harmonious leadership can result in improved acquisition performance.

Originality/value

This study contributes to culture research by emphasizing the clarification of specific Chinese cultural values and cultural practices in cross-border acquisitions and examining the role of guanxi and harmonious leadership in acquisition performance. Meanwhile, this study helps to unveil Chinese cross-border acquisitions in The Netherlands by examining the mediating force – sociocultural integration.
Machine learning-based control charts for monitoring fraction nonconforming product in smart manufacturing
Authors: Acosta Simone Massulini , Oliveira Sant'Anna Angelo Marcio
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Process monitoring is a way to manage the quality characteristics of products in manufacturing processes. Several process monitoring based on machine learning algorithms have been proposed in the literature and have gained the attention of many researchers. In this paper, the authors developed machine learning-based control charts for monitoring fraction non-conforming products in smart manufacturing. This study proposed a relevance vector machine using Bayesian sparse kernel optimized by differential evolution algorithm for efficient monitoring in manufacturing.

Design/methodology/approach

A new approach was carried out about data analysis, modelling and monitoring in the manufacturing industry. This study developed a relevance vector machine using Bayesian sparse kernel technique to improve the support vector machine used to both regression and classification problems. The authors compared the performance of proposed relevance vector machine with other machine learning algorithms, such as support vector machine, artificial neural network and beta regression model. The proposed approach was evaluated by different shift scenarios of average run length using Monte Carlo simulation.

Findings

The authors analyse a real case study in a manufacturing company, based on best machine learning algorithms. The results indicate that proposed relevance vector machine-based process monitoring are excellent quality tools for monitoring defective products in manufacturing process. A comparative analysis with four machine learning models is used to evaluate the performance of the proposed approach. The relevance vector machine has slightly better performance than support vector machine, artificial neural network and beta models.

Originality/value

This research is different from the others by providing approaches for monitoring defective products. Machine learning-based control charts are used to monitor product failures in smart manufacturing process. Besides, the key contribution of this study is to develop different models for fault detection and to identify any change point in the manufacturing process. Moreover, the authors’ research indicates that machine learning models are adequate tools for the modelling and monitoring of the fraction non-conforming product in the industrial process.
The impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the Mauritian export trade: a disaggregated analysis
Authors: Khan Jaffur Zameelah , Seetanah Boopen , Tandrayen-Ragoobur Verena , Fauzel Sheereen , Teeroovengadum Viraiyan , Ramsohok Sonalisingh
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims at evaluating the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the export trade system for Mauritius during the first half of 2020 (January 2020–June 2020).

Design/methodology/approach

An initial analysis of the monthly export time series data proves that on the whole, the series have diverged from their actual trends after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic: observed values are less than those predicted by the selected optimal forecast models. The authors subsequently employ the Bayesian structural time series (BSTS) framework for causal analysis to estimate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the island's export system.

Findings

Overall, the findings show that the COVID-19 pandemic has a statistically significant and negative impact on the Mauritian export trade system, with the five main export trading partners and sectors the most affected. Despite that the impact in some cases is not apparent for the period of study, the results indicate that total exports will surely be affected by the pandemic in the long run. Nevertheless, this depends on the measures taken both locally and globally to mitigate the spread of the pandemic.

Originality/value

This study thus contributes to the growing literature on the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by focussing on a small island economy.
Analysis of effective recall in radio advertising
Authors: Pedreño-Santos Ana , Garcia-Madariaga Jesus
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to determine the relationship between frequency and recall in radio advertising by studying the main features of reach and frequency.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors consider the outcome of a frequency model specifically designed for radio campaigns that gives the probability distribution of recall as a function of weekly exposures and GRPs over a dataset of 1,117 radio campaigns broadcast in Spain.

Findings

An increase in factors such as advertising format and creativity are more significant to achieve effective recall than increasing the number of advertising exposures.

Practical implications

This study has important managerial implications regarding radio campaigns' planning: (1) Effective frequency is a range between 4 and 17 impressions (being 7 the optimal average). (2) The way to optimize the campaign is by using the following factors: live read format (∆ 4.4%), good creativity (∆ 2.8%), endorsement format (∆ 2%), sponsorship format (∆ 1.8%), increase the length of the spot (∆ 1.5%), place the ad in first (∆ 0.8%) or last (∆ 0.7%) positions in the pod. From the results we conclude that the format is at least as important as the creativity itself.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the effective repetition literature in two ways: giving specific clues to the effective frequency in the radio medium and setting advertising factors that predict the effective frequency in radio.