bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fungal communities in sediments along a depth gradient in the Eastern Tropical Pacific
Authors: Rojas-Jimenez Keilor , Grossart Hans Peter , Cordes Erik , Cortés Jorge 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDeep waters represent the largest biome on Earth and the largest ecosystem of Costa Rica. Fungi play a fundamental role in global biogeochemical cycling in marine sediments, yet, they remain little explored. We studied fungal diversity and community composition in several marine sediments from 16 locations sampled along a bathymetric gradient (from a depth of 380 to 3474 m) in two transects of about 1500 km length in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) of Costa Rica. Sequence analysis of the V7-V8 region of the 18S rRNA gene obtained from sediment cores revealed the presence of 787 fungal amplicon sequence variants (ASVs). On average, we detected a richness of 75 fungal ASVs per sample. Ascomycota represented the most abundant phylum with Saccharomycetes constituting the dominant class. Three ASVs accounted for ca. 63% of all fungal sequences: the yeastMetschnikowia(49.4%),Rhizophydium(6.9%), andCladosporium(6.7%). Although we distinguished a cluster dominated by yeasts and a second cluster dominated by filamentous fungi, we were unable to detect a strong effect of depth, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and pH on the composition of fungal communities. We highlight the need to understand further the ecological role of fungi in deep-sea ecosystems.
WNT6-ACC2-induced accumulation of triacylglycerol rich lipid droplets is exploited byM. tuberculosis
Authors: Brandenburg Julius , Marwitz Sebastian , Tazoll Simone C. , Waldow Franziska , Kalsdorf Barbara , Vierbuchen Tim , Scholzen Thomas , Gross Annette , Goldenbaum Svenja , Hölscher Alexandra , Hein Martina , Linnemann Lara , Reimann Maja , Kispert Andreas , Leitges Michael , Rupp Jan , Lange Christoph , Niemann Stefan , Behrends Jochen , Goldmann Torsten , Heine Holger , Schaible Ulrich E. , Hölscher Christoph , Schwudke Dominik , Reiling Norbert 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn view of emerging drug-resistant tuberculosis, host directed therapies are urgently needed to improve treatment outcomes with currently available anti-tuberculosis therapies. One option is to interfere with the formation of lipid-laden “foamy” macrophages in the infected host. Here, we provide evidence that WNT6, a member of the evolutionary conserved WNT signaling pathway, promotes foam cell formation by regulating key lipid metabolic genes including acetyl-CoA carboxylase-2 (ACC2) during pulmonary TB. In addition, we demonstrate thatMycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb) facilitates its intracellular growth and dissemination in the host by exploiting the WNT6-ACC2 pathway. Using genetic and pharmacological approaches, we show that lack of functional WNT6 or ACC2 significantly reduces intracellular TAG levels, Mtb growth and necrotic cell death of macrophages. In combination with the anti-TB drug isoniazid, pharmacological inhibition of ACC2 improved anti-mycobacterial treatmentin vitroandin vivo. Therefore, we propose the WNT6-ACC2 signaling pathway as a promising target for a host-directed therapy to reduce intracellular replication of Mtb by modulating neutral lipid metabolism.
Nfkbidis required for immunity and antibody responses toToxoplasma gondii
Authors: Souza Scott P. , Splitt Samantha D. , Alvarez Julia A. , Sanchez-Arcila Juan C. , Wilson Jessica N. , Wizzard Safuwra , Luo Zheng , Baumgarth Nicole , Jensen Kirk D.C. 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTProtective immunity to parasitic infections has been difficult to elicit by vaccines. Among parasites that evade vaccine-induced immunity isToxoplasma gondii, which causes lethal secondary infections in chronically infected mice. Here we report that unlike susceptible C57BL/6J mice, A/J mice were highly resistant to secondary infection. To identify correlates of immunity, we utilized forward genetics to identifyNfkbid, a nuclear regulator of NF-κB that is required for B cell activation and B-1 cell development.Nfkbid-null mice (bumble) did not generate parasite-specific IgM and lacked robust parasite-specific IgG, which correlated with defects in B-2 cell maturation and class-switch recombination. Though high-affinity antibodies were B-2 derived, transfer of B-1 cells partially rescued the immunity defects observed in bumble mice and were required for 100% vaccine efficacy in bone marrow chimeric mice. Immunity in resistant mice correlated with robust isotype class-switching in both B cell lineages, which can be fine-tuned byNfkbidgene expression. We propose a model whereby humoral immunity toT. gondiiis regulated byNfkbidand requires B-1 and B-2 cells for full protection.AUTHOR SUMMARYEukaryotic parasitic diseases account for approximately one fifth of all childhood deaths, yet no highly protective vaccine exists for any human parasite. More research must be done to discover how to elicit protective vaccine-induced immunity to parasitic pathogens. We used an unbiased genetic screen to find key genes responsible for immunity to the eukaryotic parasiteToxoplasma gondii. Our screen foundNfkbid, a transcription factor regulator, which controls B cell activation and innate-like B-1 cell development. Mice withoutNfkbidwere not protected againstT. gondiiand were deficient at making antibodies against the parasite. Our survival studies of vaccinated mice with and without B-1 compartments found that B-1 cells improved survival, suggesting that B-1 cells act in conjunction with B-2 cells to provide vaccine-induced immunity.Nfkbidand other loci identified in our unbiased screen represent potential targets for vaccines to elicit protective immune responses against parasitic pathogens.
Protein Contact Map Denoising Using Generative Adversarial Networks
Authors: Venkata Subramaniya Sai Raghavendra Maddhuri , Terashi Genki , Jain Aashish , Kagaya Yuki , Kihara Daisuke 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTProtein residue-residue contact prediction from protein sequence information has undergone substantial improvement in the past few years, which has made it a critical driving force for building correct protein tertiary structure models. Improving accuracy of contact predictions has, therefore, become the forefront of protein structure prediction. Here, we show a novel contact map denoising method, ContactGAN, which uses Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN) to refine predicted protein contact maps. ContactGAN was able to make a consistent and significant improvement over predictions made by recent contact prediction methods when tested on two datasets including protein structure modeling targets in CASP13. ContactGAN will be a valuable addition in the structure prediction pipeline to achieve an extra gain in contact prediction accuracy.
Deep multitask ensemble classification of emergency medical call incidents combining multimodal data improves emergency medical dispatch
Authors: Ferri Pablo , Sáez Carlos , Félix-De Castro Antonio , Juan-Albarracín Javier , Blanes-Selva Vicent , Sánchez-Cuesta Purificación , García-Gómez Juan M 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo develop a predictive model to aid non-clinical dispatchers to classify emergency medical call incidents by their life-threatening level (yes/no), admissible response delay (undelayable, minutes, hours, days) and emergency system jurisdiction (emergency system/primary care) in real time.MaterialsA total of 1 244 624 independent retrospective incidents from the Valencian emergency medical dispatch service in Spain from 2009 to 2012, comprising clinical features, demographics, circumstantial factors and free text dispatcher observations.MethodsA deep multitask ensemble model integrating four subnetworks, composed in turn by multi-layer perceptron modules, bidirectional long short-term memory units and a bidirectional encoding representations from transformers module.ResultsThe model showed a micro F1 score of 0.771 in life-threatening classification, 0.592 in response delay and 0.801 in jurisdiction, obtaining a performance increase of 13.2%, 16.4% and 4.5%, respectively, with regard to the current in-house triage protocol of the Valencian emergency medical dispatch service.DiscussionThe model captures information present in emergency medical calls not considered by the existing in-house triage protocol, but relevant to carry out incident classification. Besides, the results suggest that most of this information is present in the free text dispatcher observations.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this study presents the development of the first deep learning model undertaking emergency medical call incidents classification. Its adoption in medical dispatch centers would potentially improve emergency dispatch processes, resulting in a positive impact in patient wellbeing and health services sustainability.
Hypoferremia predicts hospitalization and oxygen demand in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Hippchen Theresa , Altamura Sandro , Muckenthaler Martina U. , Merle Uta 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundIron metabolism might play a crucial role in cytokine release syndrome in COVID-19 patients. Therefore we assessed iron metabolism markers in COVID-19 patients for their ability to predict disease severity.MethodsCOVID-19 patients referred to the Heidelberg University Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into outpatients (cohort A, n=204), inpatients (cohort B, n=81), and outpatients later admitted to hospital because of health deterioration (cohort C, n=23).ResultsIron metabolism parameters were severely altered in patients of cohort B and C compared to cohort A. In multivariate regression analysis including age, gender, CRP and iron-related parameters only serum iron and ferritin were significantly associated with hospitalization. ROC analysis revealed an AUC for serum iron of 0.894 and an iron concentration <6µmol/l as the best cutoff-point predicting hospitalization with a sensitivity of 94.7% and a specificity of 67.9%. When stratifying inpatients in a low- and high oxygen demand group serum iron levels differed significantly between these two groups and showed a high negative correlation with the inflammatory parameters IL-6, procalcitonin, and CRP. Unexpectedly, serum iron levels poorly correlate with hepcidin.ConclusionWe conclude that measurement of serum iron can help predicting the severity of COVID-19. The differences in serum iron availability observed between the low and high oxygen demand group suggest that disturbed iron metabolism likely plays a causal role in the pathophysiology leading to lung injury.KEY POINTSIron metabolism parameters are severely altered in COVID-19 patients.Measurement of serum iron can help predicting the severity of COVID-19.
Event marketing, movie consumers' willingness and box office revenue
Authors: Sun Lei , Zhai Xin , Yang Huiqin 
Published: June 2020

PurposeThis research investigates the impacts of movie consumers' willingness, measured by the number of people who want to watch a movie, on the relationship between event marketing and box office revenue. This study aims to provide marketers with practical event marketing strategies and tactics to improve box office revenue.Design/methodology/approachPanel data was collected for 1,141 movies released in China from year 2014–2018 for a total of 12 weeks, spanning 4 weeks before and 8 weeks after release. The mediating effect of consumers' willingness on the relationship between event marketing and box office revenue was tested through a stepwise method and the generalized least squares method based on random effects.FindingsMovie consumers' willingness mediates the effect of event marketing and box office revenue. Both movie consumers' willingness and box office revenue follow an inverted U-shaped distribution against the intensity of event marketing. From the second week before release to the first week after release, intensified event marketing enhances box office revenue. Various types and intensities of event marketing should be employed in different periods of time to increase the total box office revenue.Research limitations/implicationsThis research ignores the costs of various types of event marketing for different movies. Future research could consider the cost-effectiveness of event marketing.Practical implicationsThe findings of this paper provide meaningful insights on event marketing strategies for practitioners.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the field by verifying movie consumers' willingness as a mediator between event marketing and box office revenue. The study also provides empirical evidences on effective types and reasonable intensities of event marketing over the whole lifecycle of movies.
The effect of industry-specific networking behaviour on the internationalization performance of Czech SMEs
Authors: Srivastava Mohit , Tyll Ladislav 
Published: June 2020

Purpose
This paper aims to develop a thorough understanding of industry-specific networking behaviour on the internationalization performance of Czech small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach
The authors used a profile deviation-ideal profile methodology to explore the ideal networking behaviour profile of different industries. The authors argue that firms adhering to ideal profiles performed well in the international market, while firms deviating from the ideal profile performed poorly. Data were collected through an online questionnaire specifically targeted at Czech SME executives. The authors attempted to explore these issues by using four aspects of networking behaviour to test the ideal networking behaviour profile of five different industries (automotive, telecommunications, construction, audit and finance and transportation).

Findings
The authors have identified different ideal networking behaviour profile for three industries, which underpinned supported the hypothesis that each dimension of networking behaviour should be fine-tuned for each sector to achieve to attain maximum benefits and performance in the international market.

Originality/value
Although previous studies supported the role of networking behaviour in improving internationalization performance, multiple studies had also provided conflicting results on how networking affects different industries and it is unclear how and why networking affects these various industries differently. The authors believe that the results research provides empirical evidence in proving that different networking dimensions should be fine-tuned as per industry to achieve the highest performance in the international market. The authors believe that the findings broaden the current understanding of the role of networks in the internationalization. The authors believe that the findings extend the current understanding of the role of networks in the internationalization of SMEs.
Security behaviour of mobile financial service users
Authors: Dzidzah Esther , Owusu Kwateng Kwame , Asante Benjamin Kofi 
Published: June 2020

Purpose
The inception of mobile financial services (MFSs) has positively provoked economic growth and productivity, nonetheless, it has pessimistically caused an upward surge in cybersecurity threat. Customers are progressively becoming conscious of some of the threat and several of them now shun away from some suspicious activities over the internet as a form of protection. This study aims to explore the factors that influence users’ to adopt security behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach
A synthesis of theories – Self-efficacy and technology threat avoidance theories – was used to examine the security behaviour of users of MFSs. Data was gathered from 530 students in Ghana using convenience sampling technique. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics and structural equation model.

Findings
Outcome of the investigation indicate that both mastery experience and verbal persuasion have substantial effect on the avoidance motivation of MFSs users. It was, however, found that emotional state and vicarious experience of users do not influence their avoidance motivation. Also, it was established that avoidance motivation is a positive prognosticator of avoidance behaviour.

Practical implications
Understanding the security behaviour of MFS users will help the operators to outline strategies to sustain the successes achieved.

Originality/value
Studies on user security behaviour are rare, especially in sub Saharan Africa, thus, this study will contribute to extant literature by adding a new dimension of user security behaviour.
Impact of website attributes on customer engagement in banking: a solicitation of stimulus-organism-response theory
Authors: Islam Jamid Ul , Shahid Shadma , Rasool Aaleya , Rahman Zillur , Khan Imran , Rather Raouf Ahmad 
Published: June 2020

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate how banking websites can activate customer engagement (CE) to consequently enhance customer trust and retention.Design/methodology/approachUsing an online survey, data were collected from 598 customers of various (public and private) banks in India. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.FindingsResults reveal that the key website attributes viz. website interactivity, website aesthetics, customization, ease of use and telepresence positively affect CE. The results also delineate positive associations between CE, customer trust and customer retention.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper unravels that by strategically focusing on the relational dynamics of CE, banks can build trust and retain their most valuable stakeholders – the customers, thereby addressing the crucial strategic concerns of banking firms.Originality/valueThis research is the first to explore the effects of key website attributes on CE in the banking context. The undertaking of this study in an emerging economy adds further insight into CE literature by generalizing the applicability of CE studies across geographic contexts.
Measuring performance of government-supported drug warehouses using DEA to improve quality of drug distribution
Authors: Dixit Anuj , Routroy Srikanta , Dubey Sunil Kumar 
Published: June 2020

PurposeDrug warehouses (DWs) play a crucial role in drug distribution of government-supported healthcare supply chain as it controls both the cost and responsiveness of the logistics activities. The current study proposes a methodology using data envelopment analysis (DEA) to estimate the performance along different dimensions and was applied to 30 government-supported DWs.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs DEA to evaluate the performance and relative technical efficiency of DWs. In this research, four inputs and six outputs are identified based on intensive literature review and discussion with all stakeholders of DWs. The inputs are warehouse storage capacity, temperature-controlled storage capacity, number of skilled employees and operational cost, while the outputs are fill rate, number of generic drugs, volume of drugs, consumption points, inventory turns ratio and time efficiency.FindingsResults show that 30% DWs operate at the most productive scale size with 100% efficiency level while 47% DWs have a significant possibility for further enhancement in productive efficiency and 23% DWs should diminish their operational size to increase their productivity level. It was also found that achieving 100% operational productivity along warehouse space capacity needs significant effort, whereas other three inputs, namely temperature-controlled capacity, number of skilled employees and operational cost, require comparatively less effort. Similarly, it was observed that the performance along the fill rate and time efficiency is satisfactory, whereas the performance along other fours output variables (i.e. number of generic drugs, volume of drugs, consumption points and inventory turns ratio) needs to be improved.Practical implicationsThe findings offer insights on the inputs and outputs that significantly contribute to efficiencies so that inefficient DWs can focus on these factors.Originality/valueAlthough many issues related to DEA have been widely researched and reported, but no literature has been found for analysis of DWs in general and government-supported DWs specifically to find out efficiencies for supply chain performance improvement.
A review of the influence of political connections on management’s decision in non-US settings
Authors: Amara Ines , Khlif Hichem 
Published: June 2020

Purpose
Given the interest in better understanding the economic effects of political connections, this paper aims to review empirical studies in the accounting and finance domain investigating the effects of firms’ political connections on management’s decision in non-US settings.

Design/methodology/approach
Key words used to search for relevant studies include “political connections” linked with “tax avoidance,” “earnings quality” “voluntary disclosure.” The authors consult several editorial sources including Elsevier, Electronic Journals Service EBSCO, Emerald, Springer, Palgrave Macmillan, Sage, Taylor & Francis and Wiley-Blackwell. The authors’ search yields 46 published studies since 2006.

Findings
The review reveals a prevalence of studies conducted in Asia. A narrative synthesis of empirical findings shows mixed effects of political connections on earnings management, as measured by accrual-based or real earnings management practices. Mixed evidence also exists for the association between political connections and reporting policy (e.g. corporate social responsibility reporting). The review also reveals that firms with political ties adopt an aggressive tax policy aimed at reducing effective tax rates and are more likely to choose a Big 4 auditor.

Originality/value
The review discusses the political connections literature focusing on studies outside of the USA and the effect of such connections on decision-making by management. It identifies some limitations of this literature and offers guidance for future research avenues. The synthesis suggests that political connections can adversely or beneficially impact management’s decisions depending on the legal, institutional and cultural characteristics prevailing in a particular setting.
Pricing supply chain option contracts: a bilevel programming approach
Authors: Trabelsi Abir , Matsukawa Hiroaki 
Published: June 2020

Purpose
This paper considers an option contract in a two-stage supplier-retailer supply chain (SC) when market demand is stochastic. The problem is a Stackelberg game with the supplier as a leader. This research assumes demand information sharing. The purpose of this study is to determine the optimal pricing strategy of the supplier along with the optimal order strategy of the retailer in three option contract cases.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper model the option contract pricing problem as a bilevel problem. The problem is then solved using bilevel programing methods. After computing, the generated outcomes are compared to a benchmark (wholesale price contract) to evaluate the contract.

Findings
The results reveal that only one of the contract cases can arbitrarily allocate the SC profit. In both other cases, the Stackelberg supplier manages to earn the total SC profit. Further analysis of the first contract, show that from the supplier’s perspective, the first stage forecast inaccuracy is beneficial, whereas the demand uncertainty in the second stage is detrimental. This contracting strategy guarantees both players better outcomes compared to the wholesale price contract.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first that links the option contract literature to the bilevel programing literature. It also the first to solve the pricing problem of the commitment option contract with demand update where the retailer exercises the option before knowing the exact demand.