bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AMPylation is a specific lysosomal protein posttranslational modification in neuronal maturation
Authors: Becker Tobias , Cappel Cedric , Matteo Francesco Di , Sonsalla Giovanna , Kaminska Ewelina , Spada Fabio , Cappello Silvia , Damme Markus , Kielkowski Pavel
Published: March 2021

Protein AMPylation is a pervasive posttranslational modification with an emerging role in neurodevelopment. In metazoans the two highly conserved protein AMP-transferases together with a diverse group of AMPylated proteins have been identified using chemical proteomics and biochemical techniques. However, the function of this modification remains largely unknown. Particularly problematic is the localization of thus far identified AMPylated proteins and putative AMP-transferases. Here, we uncover protein AMPylation as a novel posttranslational modification of luminal lysosomal proteins characteristic in differentiating neurons. Through a combination of chemical proteomics, advanced gel-based separation of modified and unmodified proteins and activity assay, we show that an AMPylated, lysosomal soluble form of exonuclease PLD3 increases dramatically during neuronal maturation and that AMPylation inhibits its catalytic activity. Together, our findings unveil so far unknown lysosomal posttranslational modification, its connection to neuronal differentiation and putatively provide a novel molecular rationale to design of therapeutics for lysosomal storage diseases.
Modelling the impact of decidual senescence on embryo implantation in human endometrial assembloids
Authors: Rawlings Thomas M. , Makwana Komal , Taylor Deborah M. , Molè Matteo A. , Fishwick Katherine J. , Tryfonos Maria , Odendaal Joshua , Hawkes Amelia , Zernicka-Goetz Magdalena , Hartshorne Geraldine M. , Brosens Jan J. , Lucas Emma S.
Published: March 2021

Decidual remodelling of midluteal endometrium leads to a short implantation window after which the uterine mucosa either breaks down or is transformed into a robust matrix that accommodates the placenta throughout pregnancy. To gain insights into the underlying mechanisms, we established and characterised endometrial assembloids, consisting of gland organoids and primary stromal cells. Single-cell transcriptomics revealed that decidualized assembloids closely resemble midluteal endometrium, harbouring differentiated and senescent subpopulations in both glands and stroma. We show that acute senescence in glandular epithelium drives secretion of multiple canonical implantation factors, whereas in the stroma it calibrates the emergence of anti-inflammatory decidual cells and pro-inflammatory senescent decidual cells. Pharmacological inhibition of stress responses in pre-decidual cells accelerated decidualization by inhibiting senescence and mesenchymal-epithelial transition, processes involved in endometrial breakdown and regeneration, respectively. Accelerated decidualization resulted in entrapment of co-cultured human blastocysts in a largely static decidual matrix. By contrast, the presence of senescent decidual cells created a dynamic implantation environment, enabling embryo expansion and attachment, although their persistence led to gradual disintegration of assembloids. Our findings demonstrate that senescence controls endometrial fate decisions at implantation and highlight how endometrial assembloids may accelerate the discovery of new treatments to prevent reproductive failure.
BonZeb: Open-source, modular software tools for high-resolution zebrafish tracking and analysis
Authors: Guilbeault Nicholas C. , Guerguiev Jordan , Martin Michael , Tate Isabelle , Thiele Tod R.
Published: March 2021

We present BonZeb – a suite of modular Bonsai packages which allow high-resolution zebrafish tracking with dynamic visual feedback. Bonsai is an increasingly popular software platform that is accelerating the standardization of experimental protocols within the neurosciences due to its speed, flexibility, and minimal programming overhead. BonZeb can be implemented into novel and existing Bonsai workflows for online behavioral tracking and offline tracking with batch processing. We demonstrate that BonZeb can run a variety of experimental configurations used for gaining insights into the neural mechanisms of zebrafish behavior. BonZeb supports head-fixed closed-loop and free-swimming virtual open-loop assays as well as multi-animal tracking, optogenetic stimulation, and calcium imaging during behavior. The combined performance, ease of use and versatility of BonZeb opens new experimental avenues for researchers seeking high-resolution behavioral tracking of larval zebrafish.
Zika virus hijacks extracellular vesicle tetraspanin pathways for cell-to-cell transmission
Authors: York Sara B. , Sun Li , Cone Allaura S. , Duke Leanne C. , Cheerathodi Mujeeb R. , Meckes David G.
Published: March 2021

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-encapsulated structures released by cells which carry signaling factors, proteins and microRNAs that mediate intercellular communication. Accumulating evidence supports an important role of EVs in the progression of neurological conditions and both the spread and pathogenesis of infectious diseases. It has recently been demonstrated that EVs from Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected individuals and cells contained replicative-competent viral RNA that was capable of infecting hepatocytes. Being a member of the same viral family, it is likely the Zika virus also hijacks EV pathways to package viral components and secrete vesicles that are infectious and potentially less immunogenic. As EVs have been shown to cross blood-brain and placental barriers, it is possible that Zika virus could usurp normal EV biology to gain access to the brain or developing fetus. Here, we demonstrate that Zika virus infected cells secrete distinct EV sub-populations with specific viral protein profiles and infectious genomes. Zika virus infection resulted in the enhanced production of EVs with varying sizes and density compared to those released from non-infected cells. We also show that the EV enriched tetraspanin CD63 regulates the release of EVs, and Zika viral genomes and capsids following infection. Overall, these findings provide evidence for an alternative means of Zika virus transmission and demonstrate the role of EV biogenesis and trafficking proteins in the modulation of Zika infection.

Importance

Zika virus is a re-emerging infectious disease that spread rapidly across the Caribbean and South America. Infection of pregnant women during the first trimester has been linked to microcephaly, a neurological condition where babies are born with smaller heads due to abnormal brain development. Babies born with microcephaly can develop convulsions and suffer disabilities as they age. Despite the significance of Zika virus, little is known about how the virus infects the fetus or causes disease. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-encapsulated structures released by cells that are present in all biological fluids. EVs carry signaling factors, proteins and microRNAs that mediate intercellular communication. EVs have been shown to be a means by which some viruses can alter cellular environments and cross previously unpassable cellular barriers. Thus gaining a greater understanding of how Zika affects EV cargo may aid in the development of better diagnostics, targeted therapeutics and prophylactic treatments.
Evolution of the analytical scattering model of live Escherichia coli
Authors: Semeraro Enrico F. , Marx Lisa , Mandl Johannes , Frewein Moritz P. K. , Scott Haden L. , Prévost Sylvain , Bergler Helmut , Lohner Karl , Pabst Georg
Published: March 2021

A previously reported multi-scale model for (ultra-)small-angle X-ray (USAXS/SAXS) and (very) small-angle neutron scattering (VSANS/SANS) of live Escherichia coli was revised on the basis of compositional/metabolomic and ultrastructural constraints. The cellular body is modeled, as previously described, by an ellipsoid with multiple shells. However, scattering originating from flagella was replaced by a term accounting for the oligosaccharide cores of the lipopolysaccharide leaflet of the outer membrane including its cross-term with the cellular body. This was mainly motivated by (U)SAXS experiments showing indistinguishable scattering for bacteria in the presence and absence of flagella or fimbrae. The revised model succeeded in fitting USAXS/SAXS and differently contrasted VSANS/SANS data of E. coli ATCC 25922 over four orders of magnitude in length scale. Specifically, this approach provides detailed insight into structural features of the cellular envelope, including the distance of the inner and outer membranes, as well as the scattering length densities of all bacterial compartments. The model was also successfully applied to E. coli K12, used for the authors' original modeling, as well as for two other E. coli strains. Significant differences were detected between the different strains in terms of bacterial size, intermembrane distance and its positional fluctuations. These findings corroborate the general applicability of the approach outlined here to quantitatively study the effect of bactericidal compounds on ultrastructural features of Gram-negative bacteria without the need to resort to any invasive staining or labeling agents.
The role of social media elements in driving co-creation and engagement
Authors: Cheung Man Lai , Pires Guilherme , Rosenberger III Philip J. , Leung Wilson K.S. , Chang Man Kit
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and empirically test a research model examining the impact of five social media marketing (SMM) elements–entertainment, customization, interactivity, electronic-word-of-mouth (eWOM) and trendiness–on consumers' intent to participate in value co-creation and on consumer–brand engagement (CBE) and perceived brand value in turn.

Design/methodology/approach

The research model is tested for wearable healthcare technology, a smart-technology product. Data were collected in China from 294 users using a self-administered online survey. Data analysis uses partial least squares – structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

Entertainment, customization and eWOM are the key predictors in driving consumers' value co-creation intention, thereby strengthening the value co-creation process, CBE and perceived brand value. In contrast with previous studies in the area of value co-creation and CBE, the impact of interactivity and trendiness on value co-creation intention is non-significant.

Research limitations/implications

The research contributes to the literature by providing an understanding of how to use SMM dimensions to drive consumers' value co-creation intention for smart-technology products, such as healthcare-wearable technology. However, this study is cross-sectional in nature and its focus is solely on wearable healthcare technology in China. To enhance the generalizability of the findings, future research might consider a longitudinal design and include comparisons between countries with diverse cultures, along with other types of smart-technology products.

Practical implications

The findings provide guidance for marketers to enhance CBE and perceived brand value by strengthening consumers' value co-creation intention, using SMM with entertaining and customized content and encouraging positive referrals on social-media platforms.

Originality/value

Scholarly attention on the importance of SMM in strengthening consumers' value co-creation intention and CBE is limited, and the question of which SMM elements are effective in driving value co-creation and its link to perceived brand value has not been examined. This paper contributes to the marketing literature by developing and empirically testing a research model, revealing entertainment, customization and eWOM as key SMM elements driving value co-creation intention and CBE for a smart-technology product in China.
Do institutional networks affect winery survival?
Authors: Fernández-Olmos Marta , Gargallo-Castel Ana Felicitas , Malorgio Giulio
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The present study aims to provide new evidence regarding the factors that determine the survival of firms in the Spanish wine industry and to improve the understanding of sector dynamics.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis, conducted over a representative sample of wineries in the DOC Rioja wine industry, is based on non-parametric (Kaplan–Meier graph) and semi-parametric survival models (Cox proportional hazard model).

Findings

The empirical model finds that wineries with a higher number of networks with institutions enjoy better survival prospects. This study also shows that a winery’s previous performance affects the winery’s survival probability; therefore, successful wineries in the past encounter a smaller hazard of exit. Although spending on R&D and exporting are factors likely to improve wineries' efficiency and competitiveness, these factors did not contribute significantly to the survival of DOC Rioja wineries.

Originality/value

This paper makes a significant contribution to the understanding of the determinants of wineries' survival and has important policy implications. In order to raise the probability of survival, policy makers should promote the networks that link wineries and institutions. Moreover, this study is based on survival analysis which, although frequently used in medical and behavioural sciences, has rarely been applied to wine economics. Finally, it uses a unique data set obtained from primary data collection, which previous studies have not analysed in relation to the probability of winery survival.
Green product innovation and competitive advantage: an empirical study of chemical industrial plants in Jordanian qualified industrial zones
Authors: Al-Abdallah Ghaith M. , Al-Salim Majda I.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Green product innovation is a global industrial concern. This research examines the possible impact of green product innovation on firms' competitive advantage in industrial enterprises operating in qualified industrial zones (QIZs).

Design/methodology/approach

This research follows a descriptive analytical methodology, testing two hypotheses formulated based on the reviewed literature among chemical industrial plants of the three Jordanian QIZs (Amman, Zarqa and Irbid) in Jordan. Following a preliminary scoping study of all 219 Jordanian chemical manufacturers, a quantitative five-point Likert scale questionnaire was administered to firms applying green product activities.

Findings

In total, 20 firms were found to be utilizing green product innovation, representing only 9.13% of the overall population. The hypothesis testing results indicated that green product innovation has a statistically significant positive impact on competitive advantage. The results also showed that the factor “firm resources” has a statistically significant positive moderation effect on the relationship between green product innovation and competitive advantage.

Research limitations/implications

The vast majority of Jordanian chemical manufacturers were not implementing green innovation or practices; further study is needed to identify barriers. Findings are limited to managers of chemical industrial plants in Jordan, excluding the demand side (e.g. plant customers who purchase final products), which leaves a different research angle to be explored.

Originality/value

This is a pioneering study of green product innovation implications for firm competitive advantage in manufacturing enterprises, especially in QIZs of Jordan (which offer tax exemptions to foreign and local investors and sell products to regional and international markets).
Careers in the Greek public sector: calibrating the kaleidoscope
Authors: Mouratidou Maria , Grabarski Mirit K.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The authors draw upon the kaleidoscope career model (KCM) to explore the career perceptions of public service employees in Greece.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted with 33 civil servants.

Findings

The authors’ demonstrate how context frames career perceptions and propose an additional KCM parameter (security).

Research limitations/implications

This context-based study proposes an extension of the KCM theory beyond the original three parameters that were dominant at its inception.

Practical implications

The authors provide recommendations for human resource practices, such as empowerment through training, fair promotions and providing meaning. Despite the common perception, the need for challenge exists even within the public sector, such that satisfying it can help organizations to gain strategic advantage.

Originality/value

This study expands a prominent career theory by exploring it in a unique context. By doing that, the authors are able to better understand how the parameters of the model are readjusted in different settings and to uncover a previously unidentified theme.
G-GERT network model of online public opinion reversal based on kernel and grey degree
Authors: Yan Shuli , Zeng Xiangyan , Xiong Pingping , Zhang Na
Published: March 2021

Purpose

In recent years, online public opinion reversal incidents have been occurring frequently, which has increased the complexity of the evolution of online public opinion, and they have become a difficult issue for public opinion management and control. It is of great significance to explore the regularity of online public opinion reversal.

Design/methodology/approach

Combined with the grey characteristics of online public opinion information, a grey graphical evaluation review technique (G-GERT) network model is constructed based on kernel and grey degree, and the frequency, probability and time of online public opinion reversal nodes are calculated using C-marking method and Z-marking method.

Findings

Throughout the online public opinion reversal events, there are all repeated outbreak nodes occurring, so the authors regard the repeated occurrence of outbreak nodes as reversal. According to the average frequency, probability and time of repeated outbreak nodes in the G-GERT network model, the authors predict the corresponding key information of reversal. It can simulate the evolution process of public opinion events accurately.

Originality/value

The G-GERT network model based on kernel and grey degree reveals the regulation of public opinion reversal, predicts the frequency, probability and time of reversal nodes, which are the most concerned and difficult issues for decision-makers. The model provides the decision basis and reference for government decision-making departments.
Islamic banking sustainability: theory and evidence using a novel quadruple bottom line framework
Authors: Hamidi M. Luthfi , Worthington Andrew C.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The study aims to extend the conventional triple bottom line (TBL) framework (prosperity, people and planet) to the quadruple bottom line (QBL) by newly adding a “prophet” dimension for Islamic banks seeking compliance with Islamic law in their pursuit of sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

Employ Chapra's corollaries of maqasid al-shari'ah (the goals of Islamic law) to develop constructs for a survey of 504 Islamic bank stakeholders from five Indonesian provinces to gather primary data to quantitatively verify the dimensions and items in the proposed QBL framework. Categorical principal component analysis (CATPCA) then identifies the sustainability of ten Islamic banks from ten countries as a trial application of the resulting QBL index.

Findings

Using the dimensions and items identified using CATPCA, the authors develop a QBL index to assess the sustainability of the ten Islamic banks. The findings suggest that half of the banks are sufficiently sustainable, with three being proactive (doing more than is required) and two being accommodative (doing all that is required). The remaining five banks are unsustainable, with two banks being defensive (doing the least that is required) and three being reactive (doing less than is required). Most of the banks perform relatively poorly according to the “planet” (38%) and “people” (41%) dimensions and perform better on the “prosperity” (53%) and “prophet” (63%) dimensions. Nonetheless, there is ample room for improvement across all dimensions of sustainability.

Research limitations/implications

The generalizability of the findings is limited by the small-scale single-country survey used in the CATPCA part of the analysis. Only ten Islamic banks were included in the QBL scoring and ranking exercises

Practical implications

Islamic banks can improve their sustainability by increasing green financing and reaching out to rural areas and disadvantaged populations. In countries with Islamic banking systems, regulators can support this through training, guidance and incentives.

Originality/value

Pioneering exploration of TBL from maqasid al-shari'ah perspective. First, we develop a QBL index to assess the sustainability of Islamic banks in line with actual stakeholder expectations.
Dynamic walking of humanoid robot on flat surface using amplified LIPM plus flywheel model
Authors: Kashyap Abhishek Kumar , Parhi Dayal R.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Humanoid robots have complicated dynamics, and they lack dynamic stability. Despite having similarities in kinematic structure, developing a humanoid robot with robust walking is quite difficult. In this paper, an attempt to produce a robust and expected walking gait is made by using an ALO (ant lion optimization) tuned linear inverted pendulum model plus flywheel (LIPM plus flywheel).

Design/methodology/approach

The LIPM plus flywheel provides the stabilized dynamic walking, which is further optimized by ALO during interaction with obstacles. It gives an ultimate turning angle, which makes the robot come closer to the obstacle and provide a turning angle that optimizes the travel length. This enhancement releases the constraint on the height of the COM (center of mass) and provides a larger stride. The framework of a sequential locomotion planer has been discussed to get the expected gait. The proposed method has been successfully tested on a simulated model and validated on the real NAO humanoid robot.

Findings

The convergence curve defends the selection of the proposed controller, and the deviation under 5% between simulation and experimental results in regards to travel length and travel time proves its robustness and efficacy. The trajectory of various joints obtained using the proposed controller is compared with the joint trajectory obtained using the default controller. The comparison shows the stable walking behavior generated by the proposed controller.

Originality/value

Humanoid robots are preferred over mobile robots because they can easily imitate the behaviors of humans and can result in higher output with higher efficiency for repetitive tasks. A controller has been developed using tuning the parameters of LIPM plus flywheel by the ALO approach and implementing it in a humanoid robot. Simulations and experiments have been performed, and joint angles for various joints are calculated and compared with the default controller. The tuned controller can be implemented in various other humanoid robots
Inhibiting unethical pro-organizational behavior: harnessing the effects of responsible leadership and leader–member exchange
Authors: Inam Aneeq , Ho Jo Ann , Ng Siew Imm , Mohamed Rosmah
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Leadership styles appear to influence unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB), but there has been little empirical research on employees' ethical behavior as an outcome of responsible leadership. This study examines the positive effect of responsible leadership on unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB) via the mediator, leader–member exchange (LMX).

Design/methodology/approach

Responses from 200 full-time working employees in Pakistan were collected in two waves, and structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicated that LMX mediated the relationship between responsible leadership and UPB. Our research also yielded a negative relationship between responsible leadership and employees' willingness to engage in UPB and between LMX and UPB. In addition, the mediation and direct relationship results were stronger for employees who spent more than seven years in the organization as compared to those with less than seven years.

Research limitations/implications

The leader's responsible behavior trickles down to the subordinates and encourages their employees to behave responsibly too. We also showed that responsible leadership influenced employees’ UPB engagement through LMX.

Practical implications

By adopting a responsible leadership style through training practices and appraisal tools, organizations may increase quality exchange relationship between leader and subordinates, which will reduce UPB.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the few empirical studies which have examined the relationship between responsible leadership, LMX and UPB. The results from our study help to enhance findings from earlier studies on the antecedents of UPB. Contrary to previous studies, our study also shows that LMX can lead to ethical behavior i.e. reduce UPB.
The agribusiness sector as a regional export opportunity: evidence for the Vojvodina region
Authors: Matkovski Bojan , Zekić Stanislav , Jurjević Žana , Đokić Danilo
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine if the agribusiness sector can be an initiator of export on the emerging markets. For this aim, we analyzed export opportunities for the region of Vojvodina, the region in Serbia with the most potential for agribusiness.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses the Comparative Advantage Index and the Index of Intra-industrial Integration to determine the region's level of comparative advantage and the market's level of integration on the main emerging markets.

Findings

The results show that this region has the most competitive advantages in crop production – primarily in cereals and industrial plants – but the situation is not favorable for livestock production. Because of this, comparative advantage should be used as a factor for the growth of competitiveness in the sectors for which crop products are the raw material base. At the same time, agricultural policy measures should encourage more intensive agricultural production, which could create a better foundation for progress in the food industry.

Research limitations/implications

Data collected on foreign trade at the level of statistical regions is not always reliable. Also, regional and local characteristics are specific to each country, so the ability to generalize conclusions is limited.

Practical implications

This paper provides a useful review of the agri-food sector's competitiveness and determines which agri-food segments have competitive advantages. It is essential for policymakers to identify what determinants improve or degrade the competitiveness of the region's agri-food sector.

Originality/value

Since there are a limited number of studies analyzing trends of competitiveness for the region's agri-food sector, the paper will contribute to filling this gap. Furthermore, the framework is conceptually innovative in identifying the determinants that create export opportunities for the region on the international market.
Performance effects of entrepreneurial orientation, strategic intent and absorptive capacity within coopetitive relationships
Authors: Seepana Chandrasekararao , Huq Fahian Anisul , Paulraj Antony
Published: March 2021

Purpose

While the significance of organizational resources and capabilities is widely discussed, little is known about their interrelationships as well as benefits for firms that are involved in coopetitive relationships. Against this backdrop, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the performance effects of entrepreneurial orientation, strategic intent and potential absorptive capacity as well as their complementarity effects on operational and innovation performance for firms involved in horizontal coopetitive relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing upon the resource-based-view, dynamic capabilities and the relational view theories, this study forwards numerous hypotheses between the constructs of interest. The proposed hypotheses are tested utilizing survey data collected from 313 horizontal coopetitive relationships.

Findings

The results clearly suggest that entrepreneurial orientation, strategic intent and potential absorptive capacity could positively impact innovation and operational performance outcomes independently. In addition, the authors also find strategic intent and potential absorptive capacity to have differential moderating effects on the relationships between entrepreneurial orientation and the performance outcomes.

Originality/value

The findings suggest that although strategic intent and potential absorptive capacity could lead to performance benefits independently, when it comes to coopetitive relationships, the use of both these capabilities may not substantially increase the positive impact of entrepreneurial orientation on performance outcomes. Specifically, given that these capabilities could intensify competitiveness as well as hostility between partners, they seem to affect the firm's performance differently.
Multiscale convolutional neural network and decision fusion for rolling bearing fault diagnosis
Authors: Lv Defeng , Wang Huawei , Che Changchang
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to achieve an accurate intelligent fault diagnosis of rolling bearing.

Design/methodology/approach

To extract deep features of the original vibration signal and improve the generalization ability and robustness of the fault diagnosis model, this paper proposes a fault diagnosis method of rolling bearing based on multiscale convolutional neural network (MCNN) and decision fusion. The original vibration signals are normalized and matrixed to form grayscale image samples. In addition, multiscale samples can be achieved by convoluting these samples with different convolution kernels. Subsequently, MCNN is constructed for fault diagnosis. The results of MCNN are put into a data fusion model to obtain comprehensive fault diagnosis results.

Findings

The bearing data sets with multiple multivariate time series are used to testify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The proposed model can achieve 99.8% accuracy of fault diagnosis. Based on MCNN and decision fusion, the accuracy can be improved by 0.7%–3.4% compared with other models.

Originality/value

The proposed model can extract deep general features of vibration signals by MCNN and obtained robust fault diagnosis results based on the decision fusion model. For a long time series of vibration signals with noise, the proposed model can still achieve accurate fault diagnosis.
Ultra-high-speed TEHL characteristics of T-groove face seal under supercritical CO2 condition
Authors: Zhu Delei , Bai Shaoxian
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to acquire sealing properties of supercritical CO2 (S-CO2) T-groove seal under ultra-high-speed conditions by thermo-elastohydrodynamic lubrication (TEHL) analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Considering the choked flow effect, the finite difference method is applied to solve the gas state equation, Reynolds equation and energy equation. The temperature, pressure and viscosity distributions of the lubricating film are analyzed, and sealing characteristics is also obtained.

Findings

The face distortions induced by increasing rotational speed leads to the convergent face seal gap. When the linear velocity of rotation exceeds 400 m/s, the maximum temperature difference of the sealing film is approximately 140 K, and the viscosity of CO2 is altered by 17.80%. Near the critical temperature point of CO2, while the seal temperature increases by 50 K, the opening force of the T-groove non-contact seal enhances by 20% and the leakage rate declines by 80%.

Originality/value

The TEHL characteristics of the T-groove non-contact seal are numerically analyzed under ultra-high-speed, considering the real gas effect and choked flow effect. In the supercritical conditions, the influence of rotational speed, seal temperature, seal pressure and film thickness on sealing performance and face distortions is analyzed.
Shared mental models and perceived proximity: a comparative case study
Authors: Zamani Efpraxia D. , Pouloudi Nancy
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study is to understand how virtual teams experience perceived proximity. Existing literature suggests that perceived proximity can be achieved through quality communication and increased identification. However, not much is known as to how these two may be achieved within the context of virtual teams.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors address their research question through a comparative case study, with the help of two virtual teams of software developers and the authors adopt a subset from the Constructivist Grounded Theory Method procedures for the purposes of coding to understand the potential explanations regarding the two teams' differences in perceptions of perceived proximity.

Findings

The authors’ study shows that shared mental models support quality communication and team members to identify with the shared values of their team. Quality communication is easier achieved when the team shares a dynamic and evolving understanding of the tools for communication and collaboration. The authors also draw attention to the importance of how work is organised and the influence of the temporal dimension on virtual teams beyond the temporal organisation of collaborative work.

Originality/value

The value of this study is found in its contribution towards the development of a formal connection between perceived proximity and shared mental models, that is empirically grounded, and which holds an explanatory value in addressing how perceived proximity can be supported rather than compromised.
Liability rules for autonomous vehicles
Authors: Epstein Richard A.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The coming use of autonomous vehicles has kindled an extensive debate over the choice of a desirable liability regime. This article contributes to that debate by explaining how rules for liability and damages ought to be constructed to deal first with stranger (including highway) cases and then with consensual cases (like medical malpractice). It concludes that an output regime based on events as they unfold is applicable in the former but not in the latter. It then argues that this legal regime carries over without a hitch to autonomous vehicles. It then further notes that in private disputes there are no fixed rules for deciding how to mix rules for injunctions and liabilities for threatened harms, and further notes that the regulatory regime for IoT will face those same difficulties, which are best solved by trying to minimize the sum of Type I and Type II errors, as in other cases.

Design/methodology/approach

Legal reasoning/analysis.

Findings

One salient point is that the rules of the road should change in response to technical innovation, but liability rules should not. The sound approach for dealing with damages for past incidents ought to be constructed to deal first with stranger (including highway) cases in which there is a dichotomous decision on compliance or not. That regime is based on events as they unfold, and carries over without a hitch to autonomous vehicles. For dealing with the prevention of future harms from violation of these rules, by contrast, there are no fixed rules for deciding how to mix damages with injunction, and the substitution of a system of direct state enforcement faces the same difficulties of implementation. In both settings, the rules of the road should be held constant, after which the ideal remedial mix follows the traditional approach of trying to minimize the sum of Type I and Type II errors, relating to over and underenforcement. The basic rules of tort liability stand in contrast to the different standards of liability that arise in consensual situations, and in all cases, they must necessarily be supplemented by rules of vicarious and product liability. Overall, the bottom line is this: autonomous vehicle innovations are relevant to designing regulations for future and uncertain harms, but irrelevant to liability for past harms.

Originality/value

This is an original legal analysis on the topic of Autonomous Vehicles.
Relevance of the cooperation in financing the automobile industry's supply chain: the case of reverse factoring
Authors: Lampón Jesús F. , Pérez-Elizundia Guillermo , Delgado‐Guzmán José Alfredo
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This study examines the motives and enabling factors regarding reverse factoring (RF) adoption in the automobile industry's supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative case study based on in-depth interviews with financial institutions in two countries having different statuses within the automobile industry global value chain: Mexico as a peripheral and Spain as a semi-peripheral country.

Findings

The RF is more widely deployed in Spain than in Mexico. The differences in the adoption of RF between the two countries stem from the availability of programs for suppliers at different supply levels, their efficient implementation and a robust regulatory framework, but especially from the cooperative approach adopted. The motives and enablers of RF adoption in the automobile industry can be explained under a framework of different supply chain management models. The RF programs driven by self-interest financial motives are characterized by an asymmetric distribution of benefits among supply chain participants. The RF programs that combine self-interest with cooperative motives are partially characterized by balanced benefits. In addition, they favor involvement practices and strengthen long-term relationships among supply chain participants. In this cooperative approach, trust, transparency and especially sharing information are considered relevant enablers. Finally, the specific automobile industry's features that determine RF adoption are linked to the structure and governance mode of the supply chain. The structure in terms of length – multiple supply levels – conditions the design of RF programs based on the buyer's position in the supply chain. The governance mode, particularly how the relationships are established, conditions the factors and requisites for efficient adoption of the RF programs.

Originality/value

This research analyzes the RF framed in the dynamics of buyer–supplier relationships and different models of supply chain management, allowing us to identify cooperation motives and their impact on RF adoption, beyond the traditional economic and financial motives highlighted by previous literature.
Genetic tracking of density‐dependent adult recruitment: A case study in a subtropical oak
Authors: Tong Xin , Nason John D. , Ding Yuan‐Yuan , Chen Xiao‐Yong
Published: March 2021

Density‐dependent recruitment is fundamental to understanding species diversity and community dynamics in plants. Although there is compelling evidence that seeds and seedlings die from conspecific negative density dependence (CNDD) as predicted by the Janzen–Connell hypothesis, characterising adult recruitment remains a challenge for long‐living trees. Previous studies have used the decrease in fine‐scale spatial genetic structure (FSGS) across life stages to indicate CNDD; however, this has not been tested rigorously.

We addressed these challenges by integrating dispersal kernels and FSGS. To establish links between density dependence and FSGS, we simulated seedlings based on the estimated dispersal kernels from parentage analyses, and further simulated adults under various seedling‐to‐adult recruitment scenarios, using an individual‐based spatially explicit model. We tested this method in an isolated Cyclobalanopsis glauca population on China's Dajinshan Island.

We detected significant FSGS in the seedlings and weaker, though also significant, FSGS in the adults. As expected, the observed FSGS of seedlings was well predicted by the simulated seedlings, with observations falling inside the 95% confidence envelopes over all distance classes. However, the simulations showed that CNDD enhanced the FSGS while positive density dependence dampened it during the seedling‐to‐adult transition. The adult FSGS of our population was therefore explained by positive rather than negative density‐dependent adult recruitment.

Synthesis. Our study demonstrates that the change of FSGS in conjunction with dispersal‐based model tests can offer a valuable insight into density‐dependent adult recruitment. The results indicate that the transitions from seedlings to adults in C. glauca are dominantly regulated not by Janzen–Connell effects, but by processes of positive density dependence. More broadly, the findings may provide a caution against extrapolations of widespread Janzen–Connell effects in seeds and seedlings to adult recruits, underscoring a critical gap between mechanisms at early stages and long‐term population and community dynamics.
Low airborne tenacity and spread of ESBL‐/AmpC‐producing Escherichia coli from fertilized soil by wind erosion
Authors: Siller Paul , Daehre Katrin , Rosen Kerstin , Münch Steffen , Bartel Alexander , Funk Roger , Nübel Ulrich , Amon Thomas , Roesler Uwe
Published: March 2021

ESBL‐/AmpC‐producing Escherichia coli from organic fertilizers were previously detected on soil surfaces of arable land and might be emitted by wind erosion. To investigate this potential environmental transmission path, we exposed ESBL‐/AmpC‐positive chicken litter, incorporated in agricultural soils, to different wind velocities in a wind tunnel and took air samples for microbiological analysis. No data exist concerning the airborne tenacity of ESBL‐/AmpC‐producing E. coli. Therefore, we explored the tenacity of two ESBL/AmpC E. coli strains and E. coli K12 in aerosol chamber experiments at different environmental conditions. In the wind tunnel, ESBL/AmpC‐producing E. coli were detected in none of the air samples (n = 66). Non‐resistant E. coli were qualitatively detected in 40.7% of air samples taken at wind velocities exceeding 7.3 m s−1. Significantly increased emission of total viable bacteria with increasing wind velocity was observed. In the aerosol chamber trials, recovery rates of airborne E. coli ranged from 0.003% to 2.8%, indicating a low airborne tenacity. Concluding, an emission of ESBL/AmpC E. coli by wind erosion in relevant concentrations appears unlikely because of the low concentration in chicken litter compared with non‐resistant E. coli and their low airborne tenacity, proven in the aerosol chamber trials.
Determination of PGE and Re in archaeological bronzes: New ways to determine the origin of archaeological copper alloys*
Authors: Mecking Oliver
Published: March 2021

A method for determining the platinum‐group elements (PGEs) and rhenium (Re) in archaeological bronzes was developed. For 20 mg of sample, detection limits of 0.07 (Re) to 1.4 (palladium; Pd) ng g–1 were achieved. The method was tested on standards and compared with measurements determined by the PGEs via matrix separation. The method was applied to 45 samples from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages. In the process, the PGEs provided no further information for the Bronze Age samples. The samples from the Hallstatt and La Tène Period show increased contents of Pd and platinum (Pt). These contents distinguished the samples from all other samples and give an important indication of the possible ores used. Three groups can be distinguished in the Middle Ages by their Pd and Pt contents. One group falls into the field of Bronze Age samples. The other two groups have significantly higher Pd and Pt contents. One group has higher Pd than Pt contents, while the other group has exactly the opposite. In a sample, it is possible that the high contents of Pd and other PGEs indicate the use of copper shale in the Eisenach area.
The preoperative radiological findings associated with failure of frontal sinusotomy: A prospective study
Authors: Khafagy Yasser , Ghonim Mohamed , Elgendy Ahmed , Elzayat Saad
Published: March 2021

Objectives

The study aimed to assess the association between the preoperative CT findings and the patency outcome of the frontal sinus after endoscopic frontal sinusotomy in the early follow‐up period.

Design

A prospective cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary hospital centre.

Main outcome measures

The study measures the association between the frontal sinusotomy outcome and the standard preoperative radiological scores, including Harvard, Kennedy and Lund‐Mackay. It also measures the impact of the degree of sinus mucosal thickness on the outcome. Furthermore, it measures the effect of the anteroposterior lengths of both the frontal sinus ostium and the frontal recess on postoperative frontal sinus patency.

Results

Harvard, Kennedy and modified Lund‐Mackay scores showed no evidence of association with the frontal sinusotomy patency outcome (P‐values .397, .487 and .501), respectively. Still, the Lund‐Mackay score showed a negative correlation with symptom improvement. Sinuses with a high‐grade mucosal thickness on CT scan were associated with high failure rates (P‐value: .009*). The anteroposterior length of the frontal sinus ostium significantly affects the outcome (P‐value: .001*). In contrast, there was no association between the anteroposterior length of the frontal recess and the outcome (P‐value: .965).

Conclusion

The Harvard, Kennedy and Lund‐Mackay scores could not predict the frontal sinusotomy patency outcome. Failed cases were associated with advanced degrees of mucosal pathology in the preoperative CT scan. Sinuses ostia with anteroposterior diameters less than 5.36 mm showed more susceptibility for sinus restenosis postoperatively. The variability of the anteroposterior length of the frontal recess did not affect the surgical outcome.
Static localization for underwater acoustics sensor networks using Nelder–Mead algorithm for smart cities
Authors: Kulandaivel Madhumitha , Natarajan Arulanand , Chandrasekaran Bharathi Priya , Selvaraj Anandamurugan
Published: March 2021

Localization is considered as an important research concept for underwater acoustic sensor networks (UASNs). It performs significant role in diverse routing methods, estimating the node position and node recovery. In UASNs, localization methods have different characteristics compared with the terrestrial networks. The challenges involved in UASNs are varying water temperature and pressure, time synchronization of beacon nodes, complicated ocean currents, and positioning of nodes. To overcome these challenges, a virtual node is deployed using the Nelder–Mead algorithm with the static localization method. In this study, two types of localization methods namely static and dynamic methods are considered and a virtual node is deployed in a static localization manner. Since anchor nodes cannot communicate to the entire network for localization additionally, virtual nodes are deployed to measure the received signal strength indicator and error ratio for effective transmission. In addition “GPS node” is equipped with a ship for easy deployment without communication overhead. The simulation result justifies that static localization for an autonomous underwater sensor networks perform with better coverage rate without time synchronization and acoustic transmission overhead.