bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Settling dynamics of nanoparticles in simple and biological media
Authors: Giorgi Francesco , Macko Peter , Curran Judith M. , Whelan Maurice , Worth Andrew , Patterson Eann A.
Published: November 2021

The biological response of organisms exposed to nanoparticles is often studiedin vitrousing adherent monolayers of cultured cells. In order to derive accurate concentration–response relationships, it is important to determine the local concentration of nanoparticles to which the cells are actually exposed rather than the nominal concentration of nanoparticles in the cell culture medium. In this study, the sedimentation–diffusion process of different sized and charged gold nanoparticles has been investigatedin vitroby evaluating their settling dynamics and by developing a theoretical model to predict the concentration depth profile of nanoparticles in solution over time. Experiments were carried out in water and in cell culture media at a range of controlled temperatures. The optical phenomenon of caustics was exploited to track nanoparticles in real time in a conventional optical microscope without any requirement for fluorescent labelling that potentially affects the dynamics of the nanoparticles. The results obtained demonstrate that size, temperature and the stability of the nanoparticles play a pivotal role in regulating the settling dynamics of nanoparticles. For gold nanoparticles larger than 60 nm in diameter, the initial nominal concentration did not accurately represent the concentration of nanoparticles local to the cells. Finally, the theoretical model proposed accurately described the settling dynamics of the nanoparticles and thus represents a promising tool to support the design ofin vitroexperiments and the study of concentration–response relationships.
Mesophotic coral communities escape thermal coral bleaching in French Polynesia
Authors: Pérez-Rosales Gonzalo , Rouzé Héloïse , Torda Gergely , Bongaerts Pim , Pichon Michel ,   Under The Pole Consortium, Parravicini Valeriano , Hédouin Laetitia
Published: November 2021

Climate change and consequent coral bleaching are causing the disappearance of reef-building corals worldwide. While bleaching episodes significantly impact shallow waters, little is known about their impact on mesophotic coral communities. We studied the prevalence of coral bleaching two to three months after a heat stress event, along an extreme depth range from 6 to 90 m in French Polynesia. Bayesian modelling showed a decreasing probability of bleaching of all coral genera over depth, with little to no bleaching observed at lower mesophotic depths (greater than or equal to 60 m). We found that depth-generalist corals benefit more from increasing depth than depth-specialists (corals with a narrow depth range). Our data suggest that the reduced prevalence of bleaching with depth, especially from shallow to upper mesophotic depths (40 m), had a stronger relation with the light-irradiance attenuation than temperature. While acknowledging the geographical and temporal variability of the role of mesophotic reefs as spatial refuges during thermal stress, we ought to understand why coral bleaching reduces with depth. Future studies should consider repeated monitoring and detailed ecophysiological and environmental data. Our study demonstrated how increasing depth may offer a level of protection and that lower mesophotic communities could escape the impacts of a thermal bleaching event.
Machine learning and feature engineering for predicting pulse presence during chest compressions
Authors: Sashidhar Diya , Kwok Heemun , Coult Jason , Blackwood Jennifer , Kudenchuk Peter J. , Bhandari Shiv , Rea Thomas D. , Kutz J. Nathan
Published: November 2021

Current resuscitation protocols require pausing chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to check for a pulse. However, pausing CPR when a patient is pulseless can worsen patient outcomes. Our objective was to design and evaluate an ECG-based algorithm that predicts pulse presence with or without CPR. We evaluated 383 patients being treated for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with real-time ECG, impedance and audio recordings. Paired ECG segments having an organized rhythm immediately preceding a pulse check (during CPR) and during the pulse check (without CPR) were extracted. Patients were randomly divided into 60% training and 40% test groups. From training data, we developed an algorithm to predict the clinical pulse presence based on the wavelet transform of the bandpass-filtered ECG. Principal component analysis was used to reduce dimensionality, and we then trained a linear discriminant model using three principal component modes as input features. Overall, 38% (351/912) of checks had a spontaneous pulse. AUCs for predicting pulse presence with and without CPR on test data were 0.84 (95% CI (0.80, 0.88)) and 0.89 (95% CI (0.86, 0.92)), respectively. This ECG-based algorithm demonstrates potential to improve resuscitation by predicting the presence of a spontaneous pulse without pausing CPR with moderate accuracy.
In situ
evaluation of contact stiffness in a slip interface with different roughness conditions using ultrasound reflectometry
Authors: Fukagai S. , Watson M. , Brunskill H. P. , Hunter A. K. , Marshall M. B. , Lewis R.
Published: November 2021

Understanding the dynamic condition of the interface between a railway wheel and rail is important to reduce the risks and consider the effectiveness of countermeasures for tribological problems. Traditionally the difficulty in obtaining accurate non-destructive interfacial measurements has hindered systematic experimental investigations. Recently, an ultrasound reflectometry technique has been developed as a direct observation method of a rolling–sliding interface; however, the topography dependence under the high contact pressures in a wheel–rail contact has not been clarified. For this reason, a novel
in situ
measurement of the contact stiffness using ultrasound reflectometry was carried out for three different levels of roughness. A contact pressure equivalent to that in a wheel–rail interface was achieved by using a high-pressure torsion test approach. The dynamic change of contact stiffness with slip was measured using ultrasound and the influence of roughness was investigated. The measured changes were validated using a newly developed numerical simulation, and mechanisms to explain the observed behaviour were proposed in terms of fracture and plastic deformation of the asperity bonds. These findings could help in understanding the traction characteristics for different roughness conditions and also assist in understanding damage mechanisms better, such as wear and rolling contact fatigue.
A data-centric approach to generative modelling for 3D-printed steel
Authors: Dodwell T. J. , Fleming L. R. , Buchanan C. , Kyvelou P. , Detommaso G. , Gosling P. D. , Scheichl R. , Kendall W. S. , Gardner L. , Girolami M. A. , Oates C. J.
Published: November 2021

The emergence of additive manufacture (AM) for metallic material enables components of near arbitrary complexity to be produced. This has potential to disrupt traditional engineering approaches. However, metallic AM components exhibit greater levels of variation in their geometric and mechanical properties compared to standard components, which is not yet well understood. This uncertainty poses a fundamental barrier to potential users of the material, since extensive post-manufacture testing is currently required to ensure safety standards are met. Taking an interdisciplinary approach that combines probabilistic mechanics and uncertainty quantification, we demonstrate that intrinsic variation in AM steel can be well described by a generative statistical model that enables the quality of a design to be predicted before manufacture. Specifically, the geometric variation in the material can be described by an anisotropic spatial random field with oscillatory covariance structure, and the mechanical behaviour by a stochastic anisotropic elasto-plastic material model. The fitted generative model is validated on a held-out experimental dataset and our results underscore the need to combine both statistical and physics-based modelling in the characterization of new AM steel products.
Modelling and asymptotic analysis of the concentration difference in a nanoregion between an influx andoutflux diffusion acrossnarrow windows
Authors: Paquin-Lefebvre F. , Holcman D.
Published: November 2021

When a flux of Brownian particles is injected in a narrow window located on the surface of a bounded domain, these particles diffuse and can eventually escape through a cluster of narrow windows. At steady state, we compute asymptotically the distribution of concentration between the different windows. The solution is obtained by solving Laplace’s equation using Green’s function techniques and second-order asymptotic analysis, and depends on the influx amplitude, the diffusion properties, as well as the geometrical organization of all the windows, such as their distances and the mean curvature. We explore the range of validity of the present asymptotic expansions using numerical simulations of the mixed boundary value problem. Finally, we introduce a length scale to estimate how deep inside a domain a local diffusion current can spread.
On the energy of nonlinear water waves
Authors: Henry David
Published: November 2021

This article presents results concerning the excess kinetic and potential energies for exact nonlinear water waves. In particular, it is proven, for periodic travelling irrotational water waves, that the excess kinetic energy density is always negative, whereas the excess potential energy density is always positive, in the steady reference frame. A characterization of the total excess energy density as a weighted mean of the kinetic energy along the wave surface profile is also presented.
The peptide secreted at the water to land transition in a model amphibian has antioxidant effects
Authors: Barbosa Eder Alves , Plácido Alexandra , Moreira Daniel C. , Albuquerque Lucas , Dematei Anderson , Silva-Carvalho Amandda É. , Cabral Wanessa F. , Báo Sonia N. , Saldanha-Araújo Felipe , Kuckelhaus Selma A. S. , Borges Tatiana K. , Portugal Camila C. , Socodato Renato , Teixeira Cátia , Lima Filipe Camargo D. A. , Batagin-Neto Augusto , Sebben Antônio , Eaton Peter , Gomes Paula , Brand Guilherme D. , Relvas Joao B. , Kato Massuo J. , Leite Jose Roberto S. A.
Published: November 2021

In addition to the morphophysiological changes experienced by amphibians during metamorphosis, they must also deal with a different set of environmental constraints when they shift from the water to the land. We found that
Pithecopus azureus
secretes a single peptide ([M + H]+ = 658.38 Da) at the developmental stage that precedes the onset of terrestrial behaviour.
De novo
peptide and cDNA sequencing revealed that the peptide, named PaT-2, is expressed in tandem and is a member of the tryptophyllins family.
In silico
studies allowed us to identify the position of reactive sites and infer possible antioxidant mechanisms of the compounds. Cell-based assays confirmed the predicted antioxidant activity in mammalian microglia and neuroblast cells. The potential neuroprotective effect of PaT-2 was further corroborated in FRET-based live cell imaging assays, where the peptide prevented lipopolysaccharide-induced ROS production and glutamate release in human microglia. In summary, PaT-2 is the first peptide expressed during the ontogeny of
P. azureus
, right before the metamorphosing froglet leaves the aquatic environment to occupy terrestrial habitats. The antioxidant activity of PaT-2, predicted by
in silico
analyses and confirmed by cell-based assays, might be relevant for the protection of the skin of
P. azureus
adults against increased O
2
levels and UV exposure on land compared with aquatic environments.
Marine diversity patterns in Australia are filtered through biogeography
Authors: Kerr Matthew R. , Alroy John
Published: November 2021

Latitudinal diversity gradients are among the most striking patterns in nature. Despite a large body of work investigating both geographic and environmental drivers, biogeographical provinces have not been included in statistical models of diversity patterns. Instead, spatial studies tend to focus on species–area and local–regional relationships. Here, we investigate correlates of a latitudinal diversity pattern in Australian coastal molluscs. We use an online database of greater than 300 000 specimens and quantify diversity using four methods to account for sampling variation. Additionally, we present a biogeographic scheme using factor analysis that allows for both gradients and sharp boundaries between clusters. The factors are defined on the basis of species composition and are independent of diversity. Regardless of the measure used, diversity is not directly explained by combinations of abiotic variables. Instead, transitions between regions better explain the observed patterns. Biogeographic gradients can in turn be explained by environmental variables, suggesting that environmental controls on diversity may be indirect. Faunas within provinces are homogeneous regardless of environmental variability. Thus, transitions between provinces explain most of the variation in diversity because small-scale factors are dampened. This explanation contrasts with the species-energy hypothesis. Future work should more carefully consider biogeographic gradients when investigating diversity patterns.
Panoramic spatial vision in the bay scallop
Argopecten irradians
Authors: Chappell Daniel R. , Horan Tyler M. , Speiser Daniel I.
Published: November 2021

We have a growing understanding of the light-sensing organs and light-influenced behaviours of animals with distributed visual systems, but we have yet to learn how these animals convert visual input into behavioural output. It has been suggested they consolidate visual information early in their sensory-motor pathways, resulting in them being able to detect visual cues (spatial resolution) without being able to locate them (spatial vision). To explore how an animal with dozens of eyes processes visual information, we analysed the responses of the bay scallop
Argopecten irradians
to both static and rotating visual stimuli. We found
A. irradians
distinguish between static visual stimuli in different locations by directing their sensory tentacles towards them and were more likely to point their extended tentacles towards larger visual stimuli. We also found that scallops track rotating stimuli with individual tentacles and with rotating waves of tentacle extension. Our results show, to our knowledge for the first time that scallops have both spatial resolution and spatial vision, indicating their sensory-motor circuits include neural representations of their visual surroundings. Exploring a wide range of animals with distributed visual systems will help us learn the different ways non-cephalized animals convert sensory input into behavioural output.
Longitudinal analysis of pinnipeds in the northwest Atlantic provides insights on endemic circulation of phocine distemper virus
Authors: Puryear Wendy , Sawatzki Kaitlin , Bogomolni Andrea , Hill Nichola , Foss Alexa , Stokholm Iben , Olsen Morten Tange , Nielsen Ole , Waltzek Thomas , Goldstein Tracey , Subramaniam Kuttichantran , Rodrigues Thais Carneiro Santos , Belaganahalli Manjunatha , Doughty Lynda , Becker Lisa , Stokes Ashley , Niemeyer Misty , Tuttle Allison , Romano Tracy , Linhares Mainity Batista , Fauquier Deborah , Runstadler Jonathan
Published: November 2021

Phocine distemper virus (PDV) is a morbillivirus that circulates within pinnipeds in the North Atlantic. PDV has caused two known unusual mortality events (UMEs) in western Europe (1988, 2002), and two UMEs in the northwest Atlantic (2006, 2018). Infrequent cross-species transmission and waning immunity are believed to contribute to periodic outbreaks with high mortality in western Europe. The viral ecology of PDV in the northwest Atlantic is less well defined and outbreaks have exhibited lower mortality than those in western Europe. This study sought to understand the molecular and ecological processes underlying PDV infection in eastern North America. We provide phylogenetic evidence that PDV was introduced into northwest Atlantic pinnipeds by a single lineage and is now endemic in local populations. Serological and viral screening of pinniped surveillance samples from 2006 onward suggest there is continued circulation of PDV outside of UMEs among multiple species with and without clinical signs. We report six full genome sequences and nine partial sequences derived from harbour and grey seals in the northwest Atlantic from 2011 through 2018, including a possible regional variant. Work presented here provides a framework towards greater understanding of how recovering populations and shifting species may impact disease transmission.
Phenotypic distinctions of BLM- and RMI1-associated Bloom syndrome
Authors: Gönenc Ipek Ilgin , Elcioglu Nursel H. , Grijalva Carolina Martinez , Aras Seda , Großmann Nadine , Praulich Inka , Altmüller Janine , Kaulfuß Silke , Li Yun , Nürnberg Peter , Burfeind Peter , Yigit Gökhan , Wollnik Bernd
Published: November 2021

Bloom syndrome (BS) is an autosomal recessive disease with characteristic clinical features of primary microcephaly, growth deficiency, skin lesions, cancer predisposition, and immunodeficiency. Here, we report the clinical and molecular findings of eight patients from six families diagnosed with BS. We identified causative mutations in all families, three different homozygous mutations in BLM and one causative homozygous mutation in RMI1. The homozygous c.581_582delTT (p.Phe194*) and c.3164G>C (p.Cys1055Ser) mutations in BLM have already been reported in BS patients, while the c.572_573delGA (p.Arg191Lysfs*4) is novel. Interestingly, whole-exome sequencing revealed a homozygous loss-of-function mutation in RMI1 in two BS patients of a consanguineous Turkish family. All BS patients had primary microcephaly, intrauterine growth delay, and short stature, presenting the phenotypic hallmarks of BS. However, a narrow face, skin lesions, and upper airway infections were observed only in some of the patients. Overall, patients with homozygous BLM mutations had a more severe BS phenotype compared to patients carrying the homozygous RMI1 mutation, especially in terms of immunodeficiency and associated recurrent infections. Low-level immunoglobulins were observed in all BLM-mutated patients, emphasizing the immunodeficiency profile of the disease, which should be considered as an important phenotypic characteristic of BS, especially in the current Covid-19 pandemic era.
Interleukin-33 stimulates stress in the endoplasmic reticulum of the human myometrium via an influx of calcium during initiation of labor
Authors: Chen Li , Song Zhenzhen , Cao Xiaowan , Fan Mingsong , Zhou Yan , Zhang Guoying
Published: November 2021

Background

Inflammation is currently recognized as one of the major causes of premature delivery. As a member of the IL-1β family, interleukin-33 (IL-33) has been shown to be involved in a variety of pregnancy-related diseases. This study aims to investigate the potential function of IL-33 in uterine smooth muscle cells during labor.

Methods

Samples of myometrium from term pregnant (≥37 weeks gestation) women were frozen or cells were isolated and cultured. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting were used to identify the distribution of IL-33. Cultured cells were incubated with LPS to mimic inflammation as well as 4μ8C to block endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and BAPTA-AM, a calcium chelator.

Results

Similar with onset of labor, LPS could reduce the expression of nuclear IL-33 in a time-limited manner and induced ER stress. Meanwhile, Knockdown of IL-33 increased LPS-induced calcium concentration, ER stress and phosphorylation of NF-κB and p38. In addition, siRNA IL-33 further simulates LPS enhanced COX-2 expression via NF-κB and p38 pathways. IL-33 expression was decreased in the nucleus with the onset of labor. LPS induced ER stress and increased expression of the labor-associated gene, COX-2, as well as IL-6 and IL-8 in cultured myometrial cells. IL-33 also increased COX-2 expression. However, after IL-33 was knockdown, the stimulating effect of LPS on calcium was enhanced. 4μ8C also inhibited the expression of COX-2 markedly. The expression of calcium channels on the membrane and intracellular free calcium ion were both increased accompanied by phosphorylated NF-κB and p38.

Conclusions

These data suggest that IL-33 may be involved in initiation of labor by leading to stress of the ER via an influx of calcium ions in human uterine smooth muscle cells.

Funding

This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 81300507).
COVID-19: a study about the impact of coronavirus on physicians of La Plata, Argentina
Authors: Croce María Virginia , Chiappa Elsa , Moiso Adriana , Rabassa Martin E
Published: November 2021

Background

In Argentina, the burden of COVID-19 on health systems and physicians was substantial with difficulties on daily triage decisions which have to be made in the context of grave shortages of basic equipment and consumables.

Purpose

this study was performed to understand what physicians were experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic in La Plata (capital city of Buenos Aires province, Argentina).

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed; a questionnaire was sent by e-mail to physicians who work in this city during November 2020. The questionnaire was made based on Medscape US and International Physicians’ COVID-19 Experience Report: Risk, Burnout, Loneliness.

Statistical analysis

test for normality was performed employing the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test while Chi-square test of independence to examine the relationship between sex and workplace with nominal variables. For categorical variables, Kendall’s tau correlation was performed to test for independence. ANOVA was developed to examine differences between physician’s age. Statistical significance was set to p < 0.05 in all cases. All statistical analysis was done employing SPSS Statistics, Version 24 (IBM, USA).

Results

203 physicians answered the questionnaire; the majority of physicians (96%) considered stressful their experience during pandemic and reported distress episodes being for more than 60% the most stressful of their practices, 30% presented depression and were medically treated, while 32.7% felt loneliness with 4 physicians with suicidal thoughts.

Conclusion

The results highlight the need to protect the psychological well-being of the healthcare community, and to invest resources to significantly promote the mental health of professionals.
Glomerular function and urinary biomarker changes between vancomycin and vancomycin plus piperacillin-tazobactam in a translational rat model
Authors: Chang Jack , Pais Gwendolyn , Valdez Kimberly , Marianski Sylwia , Barreto Erin F. , Scheetz Marc H.
Published: November 2021

Clinical studies have reported additive nephrotoxicity associated with the combination of vancomycin (VAN) and piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP). This study assessed differences in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urinary biomarkers between rats receiving VAN and those receiving VAN+TZP. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=26) were randomized to receive 96 hours of intravenous VAN at 150mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal TZP at 1400 mg/kg/day, or VAN+TZP. Kidney function was evaluated using fluorescein-isothiocyanate sinistrin and a transdermal sensor to estimate real-time glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Kidney injury was evaluated via urinary biomarkers including kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), clusterin, and osteopontin. Compared to a saline control, only rats in the VAN group showed significant declines in GFR by day 4 (−0.39 mL/min/100 g body weight, 95% CI: -0.68 to -0.10, p=0.008). When the VAN+TZP and VAN alone treatment groups were compared, significantly higher urinary KIM-1 was observed in the VAN alone group on day 1 (18.4 ng, 95% CI: 1.4 to 35.3, p=0.03), day 2 (27.4 ng, 95% CI: 10.4 to 44.3, p=0.002), day 3 (18.8 ng, 95% CI: 1.9 to 35.8, p=0.03), and day 4 (23.2 ng, 95% CI: 6.3 to 40.2, p=0.007). KIM-1 was the urinary biomarker that most correlated with decreasing GFR on day 3 (Spearman’s rho: -0.45, p = 0.022) and day 4 (Spearman’s rho: - 0.41, p = 0.036). Kidney function decline and increased KIM-1 were observed among rats that received VAN only, but not TZP or VAN+TZP. Addition of TZP to VAN does not worsen kidney function or injury in a validated translational rat model.
Coordinated conformational changes in the V1 complex during V-ATPase reversible dissociation
Authors: Vasanthakumar Thamiya , Keon Kristine A. , Bueler Stephanie A. , Jaskolka Michael C. , Rubinstein John L.
Published: November 2021

Vacuolar-type ATPases (V-ATPases) are rotary enzymes that acidify intracellular compartments in eukaryotic cells. These multi-subunit complexes consist of a cytoplasmic V1 region that hydrolyzes ATP and a membrane-embedded VO region that transports protons. V-ATPase activity is regulated by reversible dissociation of the two regions, with the isolated V1 and VO complexes becoming autoinhibited upon disassembly and subunit C subsequently detaching from V1. In yeast, assembly of the V1 and VO regions is mediated by the RAVE complex through an unknown mechanism. We used cryoEM of yeast V-ATPase to determine structures of the intact enzyme, the dissociated but complete V1 complex, and the V1 complex lacking subunit C. Upon separation, V1 undergoes a dramatic conformational rearrangement, with its rotational state becoming incompatible for reassembly with VO. Loss of subunit C allows V1 to match the rotational state of VO, suggesting how RAVE could reassemble V1 and VO by recruiting subunit C.
Design of D-amino acids SARS-CoV-2 Main protease inhibitors using the cationic peptide from rattlesnake venom as a scaffold
Authors: Eberle Raphael J. , Gering Ian , Tusche Markus , Ostermann Philipp N. , Müller Lisa , Adams Ortwin , Schaal Heiner , Olivier Danilo S. , Amaral Marcos S. , Arni Raghuvir K. , Willbold Dieter , Coronado Mônika A.
Published: November 2021

The C30 Endopeptidase (3C-like protease; 3CLpro) is essential for the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2) since it plays a pivotal role in viral replication and transcription and is hence a promising drug target. Molecules isolated from animals, insects, plants or microorganisms can serve as a scaffold for the design of novel biopharmaceutical products. Crotamine, a small cationic peptide from the venom of the rattlesnakeCrotalus durissus terrificushas been the focus of many studies since it exhibits activities such as analgesic, in vitro antibacterial and hemolytic activities. The crotamine derivative L-peptides (L-CDP) that inhibit the 3CL protease in the low µM range were examined since they are susceptible to proteolytic degradation; we explored the utility of their D-enantiomers form. Comparative uptake inhibition analysis showed D-CDP as a promising prototype for a D-peptide-based drug. We also found that the D-peptides can impair SARS-CoV-2 replicationin vivo, probably targeting the viral protease 3CLpro.
Hedonic shopping experience, subjective well-being and brand luxury: a comparative discussion of physical stores and e-retailers
Authors: Kumagai Ken , Nagasawa Shin'ya
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The study explores the influence of shopping channels on the hedonic shopping experience, contributing to subjective well-being (SWB) based on the purchased branded product. It also assesses the variations in these effects according to brand luxury. The purpose of the paper is to provide strategic suggestions for building luxury apparel distribution tactics that balance maintaining brand luxury with business growth through both physical stores and digital stores (e-retail).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on 418 samples collected in Japan, consumers' perceptions of hedonic shopping value and SWB are examined according to two channel factors, such as physical retail vs e-retail and mono-brand stores vs multi-brand stores. Additionally, the moderation effects of brand luxury are discussed.

Findings

Multi-group path analyses reveal that physical mono-brand stores contribute to hedonic shopping value. In addition, this experiential value is found to increase SWB, especially when the brand luxury level is high.

Practical implications

These findings suggest that managers should place a high level of importance on consumers' shopping experiences via physical direct retail especially in the case of a higher luxury level, even in today's highly developed digital environment.

Originality/value

The current study uniquely discusses the effects of shopping channels and experiences on SWB based on an acquired branded product, i.e., an evaluation of the outcome of shopping behavior and product acquisition. The study also reinforces the importance of physical stores suggested in previous luxury research.
Measuring paper industry's ecological performance in an imprecise and vague scenario: a fuzzy DEA-based analytical framework
Authors: Jauhar Sunil Kumar , Singh Natthan , Rajeev A. , Pant Millie
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Productivity improvement is key to sustainability performance improvements of organizations. In a real-world scenario, the nature of inputs and outputs is likely to be imprecise and vague, leading to complexity in comparing firms' efficiency measurements. Implementation of fuzzy-logic based measurement systems is a method for dealing with such cases. This paper presents a fuzzy weight objective function to solve Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) CCR model for measuring paper mills' performance in India for 15 years.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrated methodology is proposed to solve DEA models having fuzzy weights. The fuzzy DEA methodology is an extended version of the DEA approach that researchers have used for performance measurement purposes in imprecise and vague scenarios. The ecological performance of the paper industry is evaluated, considering some desirable and undesirable outputs. The effect of non-discretionary input on the performance of a paper mill is also analyzed.

Findings

Analysis suggests that the productivity of the paper industry is improving consistently throughout the period. The comparative evaluation of methods suggests that a diverse cluster of DMUs and integration of DEA with the fuzzy logic increases the diversity in the efficiency score while DEA-DE imitates the results of CCR DEA.

Originality/value

Proposed a fuzzy DEA-based analytical framework for measuring the paper industry's ecological performance in an imprecise and vague scenario. The model is tested on data from the paper industry in a developing country context and comparative performance analysis using DEA, fuzzy DEA and DE algorithm is done.
Use of empirical and diffusion models in the description of the process of water absorption by rice
Authors: Pereira Joan Carlos Alves , da Silva Wilton Pereira , da Silva Renato Costa , e Silva Cleide Maria Diniz P.S. , Gomes Josivanda Palmeira
Published: November 2021

Purpose

To describe water absorption by the rice grains over time, diffusion and empirical models were used. Also, an optimization software was developed in this study to determine parameters and their uncertainties for the diffusion models (LS Optimizer, for partial differential equations). Parameters (and their uncertainties) for empirical models were determined by LAB Fit Curve Fitting Software.

Design/methodology/approach

Heat and mass diffusion phenomena are found in various processes of technological interest, including pasteurization, drying and water immersion of agricultural products, among others. The objective of this work was to study the process of water absorption by rice grains with and without husk, using diffusion and empirical models to describe the absorption kinetics. Rice grains were immersed (approximately 10 g for each experiment) in drinking water maintained at constant temperatures of 28, 40 and 50 C. In the experiments, the water contents absorbed by rice grains over time were obtained by the gravimetric method.

Findings

Among empirical models, Peleg was the most satisfactory to describe the kinetics of water absorption by rice without husk, while the Silva et alii model had the best statistical indicators for rice with husk. It was also verified that a diffusion model with boundary condition of the first kind showed the best (or equivalent) results in the description of all processes of kinetics of water absorption by rice grains, with and without husk. For grains without husk, the effective mass diffusivities were (1.186 ± 0.045) × 10−9, (1.312 ± 0.024) × 10−9and (2.133 ± 0.028) × 10−9 m2 min−1, for the immersion temperatures of 28, 40 and 50C, respectively. For grains with husk, diffusivities were (0.675 ± 0.011) × 10−9and (1.269 ± 0.017) × 10−9 m2 min−1, for temperatures of 28 and 50 C, respectively.

Originality/value

This work developed a solver for the diffusion equation in cylindrical geometry and presented the LS Optimizer software developed to determine differential equation parameters through experimental data sets.
Do authoritarian leaders also have “fans”? The relationship between authoritarian leadership and employee followership behavior in the Chinese context
Authors: Wang Yiming , Xie Yuhua , Xie Hua Qing
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The existing research rarely explains the value of authoritarian leadership in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The purpose of this study is to explore how authoritarian leadership facilitates employee followership behaviors of the SMEs in China by considering the moderating effects of cooperative goal interdependence and leader behavioral integrity.

Design/methodology/approach

This research tested hypotheses with a two-wave survey from a sample of 258 respondents from SMEs in China. Hypotheses are tested using hierarchical regression analyses.

Findings

Findings of the study have indicated the instrumental function of authoritarian leadership in facilitating employee followership behavior in SMEs. In particular, this study shows that the influence of authoritarian leadership on followership behavior was positively related when employees have high cooperative goal interdependence with authoritarian leaders, and when employees perceive a leader's high behavioral integrity.

Practical implications

The study will help SMEs to understand that authoritarian leadership should seek optimal levels of cooperative goals with employees and integrate achievement goals into their career development strategy to enhance their followership behavior. In addition, authoritarian leadership should strive to take actions consistent with their words to guarantee the relationship between achieving goals and sharing mutual goals with employees.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature by addressing an important yet under-researched area, i.e. the effectiveness of authoritarian leadership in SMEs. Authoritarian leadership, a demanding and controlling leadership style, is often criticized by scholars. This study elaborates on a three-way interaction implied by self-determination theory in predicting followership behavior. It specifies the different roles of two situational factors (cooperative goal interdependence and leader behavior integrity) in affecting employees' followership behavior.
Assessing an academic library performance before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a case study in UAE
Authors: Kaba Abdoulaye
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this case study is to assess and compare the performance of an academic library, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on data collected from the library management system, usage reports of online databases, and monthly reports and archives to evaluate and assess library performance in managerial activities, collection development, collection treatment, collection circulation, usage of digital resources, quality control, reference services and information literacy activities. Frequency distributions and non-parametric tests were used in identifying differences and testing hypotheses.

Findings

The study found that library performance before the COVID-19 pandemic outperformed library performance during the pandemic in collection development, collection treatment, collection circulation, access and use of digital resources, quality control and information literacy. On the other hand, the library demonstrated higher performance in managerial activities and reference services during the COVID-19 pandemic than that of before the pandemic period. Interestingly, the analysis of the Wilcoxon signed-ranks test revealed statistically no significant difference in the library performance before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results supported all the eight hypotheses stated in this study.

Research limitations/implications

This is a case study based on data collected from an academic library in the UAE before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings may not be generalized and may differ if more data are analyzed from many academic libraries.

Practical implications

COVID-19 pandemic is a turning point for library managers to increase the number of digital resources and services, to ensure that library staff are equipped with essential and up-to-date information and communication technology (ICT) skills and knowledge, to ensure that library users are equipped with essential and up-to-date information literacy skills and knowledge. These will enable them to satisfy users' information needs and ensure library operation in disasters and crisis periods.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies conducted in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to evaluate library performance before and during COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of the study could be an important reference in understanding how libraries responded to COVID-19 pandemic in the Middle East. The results of the study may contribute to the provision of digital resources and services during the pandemic and disasters in the UAE and the Arab world.
A new look at the meeting clustering effect
Authors: Pardo Ángel , Santandreu Eddie
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The study aims to test the existence of a meeting clustering effect in the Spanish Stock Exchange (SSE).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper studies the relationship between the clustering of annual general meetings and stock returns in the SSE. A multivariate analysis is carried out in order to analyse the relationship between monthly returns and the clustering of general meetings in the SSE.

Findings

The authors show that meeting clustering exists and that some months exhibit significant and positive additional returns related to the holding of ordinary or extraordinary general meetings.

Research limitations/implications

The authors have explored some possible explanations for the meeting clustering effect, such as a potential link with the “Halloween” effect or the presence of higher-than-normal levels of volatility, trading volumes or investor attention. However, none of these can explain the meeting clustering effect that emerges as a new anomaly in the SSE.

Practical implications

The authors have documented significant and positive abnormal returns in some months that coincide with the holding of general meetings. Therefore, the holding of ordinary and/or extraordinary meetings in some months involves the release of relevant information for investors.

Originality/value

This study complements the financial literature because it is focused on the clustering of meetings and its effect on a stock market whose legal order is based on civil law. This fact allows us to shed new light on meeting clustering and its effect on other types of markets.
Framing and control for sustainability of industries
Authors: Saxena Rahul , Kishore Sanjeev , Srivastava Vandana
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The paper attempts to frame the challenge of managing the transition to a sustainable economy by way of a conceptual model consisting of a zero-footprint regulatory regime and a sustainability fund.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model of the sustainable industrial revolution has been developed based on the learnings from industries such as originators (mining), farming, pharmaceuticals, pesticides and chemicals and long-lasting artefacts against an overall perspective.

Findings

It is suggested to have an institutional structural mechanism in place to ensure that footprint is minimized through recycling including refurbishing, resale or transformation. This includes management of recycling businesses through execution of a zero-waste regulatory regime that will build and use a sustainability fund.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of the paper are arising out of the topic being an issue of gigantic proportions with immense complexity. An attempt has been made to bring out the inescapability and the imperative of a sustainable industrial revolution.

Practical implications

This paper presents practical aspects such as collusion between trash and recycling businesses, land use and social aspects of criticality of public support. If implemented, the suggested model can make a paradigm shift in the way firms, industry and governments can handle the challenge of sustainability.

Originality/value

The value of this conceptual paper lies in an attempt to extend the learning organization framework to the concept of a regulatory model for sustainability that is not limited to the definition of a firm but stands extended to industries and to the economics, land use and demographics of the planet.
A fine‐scale analysis reveals microgeographic hotspots maximizing infection rate between a parasite and its fish host
Authors: Mathieu‐Bégné Eglantine , Blanchet Simon , Rey Olivier , Scelsi Orlane , Poesy Camille , Marselli Geoffrey , Loot Géraldine
Published: November 2021

For parasites, finding their hosts in vast and heterogeneous environments is a task that can be complex. Some parasite species rely on elaborate strategies to increase encounter rate with their hosts (e.g. behavioural modification of host), but others do not. For these parasites, a key issue is to reveal the processes that enable them to successfully find their hosts and complete their life cycles.

Here, we tested the hypothesis that infective larvae of the freshwater ectoparasite Tracheliastes polycolpus are not homogeneously distributed along the river and preferentially occur in very specific microhabitats that maximize encounter rate, and hence infection rate, with their host fish. To do this, we combined an in situ experiment (caging) with an empirical survey carried out on the same sites to identify potential ‘hotspots’ of infection at the microgeographic scale and their environmental characteristics.

Experimental and empirical results demonstrated that infections were not evenly distributed among microhabitats, and that infections were spatially aggregated in hotspots at a very fine spatial grain.

We further found that certain combinations of environmental variables were consistently and nonlinearly associated with higher infection rate for both caged and wild‐caught fish. Microhabitats characterized by very low or high stream velocities, associated with medium or very small substrate, respectively, and a deep water column were strongly and repeatedly associated with higher infection rates. These microhabitats could concentrate parasites and/or promote physical contact with the hosts.

We conclude that the characteristics of some microhabitats could facilitate contact between hosts and parasites and explain how some parasites manage to find their hosts in complex environments.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Opportunities for the conservation of migratory birds to benefit threatened resident vertebrates in the Neotropics
Authors: Wilson Scott , Lin Hsien‐Yung , Schuster Richard , González Ana M. , Gómez Camila , Botero‐Delgadillo Esteban , Bayly Nicholas J. , Bennett Joseph R. , Rodewald Amanda D. , Roehrdanz Patrick R. , Ruiz Gutierrez Viviana
Published: November 2021

Neotropical countries receive financing and effort from temperate nations to aid the conservation of migratory species that move between temperate and tropical regions. If allocated strategically, these resources could simultaneously contribute to other conservation initiatives. In this study, we use novel distribution maps to show how those resources could aid planning for the recovery of threatened resident vertebrates.

Using eBird‐based relative abundance estimates, we first identified areas with high richness of Neotropical migrant landbirds of conservation concern (23 species) during the stationary non‐breeding period. Within these areas, we then identified threatened species richness, projected forest loss and conducted a prioritization for 1,261 red‐listed vertebrates using Terrestrial Area‐of‐Habitat maps.

Richness for migrants was greatest along a corridor from the Yucatan peninsula south to the northern Andes but also included south‐west Mexico and Hispaniola. Protected areas account for 22% of this region while 21% is at risk of forest loss. Within this focal region for migrants, all four vertebrate groups showed hotspots of threatened species richness along the west and east Andean slopes. Taxa‐specific hotspots included montane areas of southern Mexico and central Guatemala (amphibians/reptiles) and the entire east slope of the Colombian East Andes (mammals).

Our prioritization highlighted several areas of importance for conservation due to high threatened species richness and projected forest loss including (a) the Pacific dry forests of south‐west Mexico, (b) montane regions of northern Central America and (c) the west Andean slope of Colombia and Ecuador. At a landscape scale in southern Colombia, we show how conservation efforts for six Neotropical migrants could benefit 56 threatened residents that share a similar elevational range.

Synthesis and applications. Funding and effort for migratory bird conservation also has potential to benefit threatened resident vertebrates in the Neotropics. Our study highlights how novel, high‐resolution information on species distributions and risk of forest loss can be integrated to identify priority areas for the two groups at regional and landscape scales. The approach and data can be further modified for more specific goals, such as within‐country initiatives.