bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors that affect the rates of adaptive and non-adaptive evolution at the gene level in humans and chimpanzees
Authors: Soni Vivak , Eyre-Walker Adam 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe rate of amino acid substitution has been shown to be correlated to a number of factors including the rate of recombination, the age of the gene, the length of the protein, mean expression level and gene function. However, the extent to which these correlations are due to adaptive and non-adaptive evolution has not been studied in detail, at least not in hominids. We find that the rate of adaptive evolution is significantly positively correlated to the rate of recombination, protein length and gene expression level, and negatively correlated to gene age. The correlations remain significant when each factor is controlled for in turn, except when controlling for expression in an analysis of protein length; and they also remain significant, or marginally significant, when biased gene conversion is controlled for. However, the positive correlations could be an artefact of population size contraction. We also find that the rate of non-adaptive evolution is negatively correlated to each factor, and all these correlations survive controlling for each other and biased gene conversion. Finally, we examine the effect of gene function on rates of adaptive and non-adaptive evolution; we confirm that virus interacting proteins (VIPs) have higher rates of adaptive and lower rates of non-adaptive evolution, but we also demonstrate that there is significant variation in the rate of adaptive and non-adaptive evolution between GO categories when removing VIPs. We estimate that the VIP/non-VIP axis explains about 5-8x more of the variance in evolutionary rate than GO categories.
SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants of concern induce lethal disease in K18-hACE2 transgenic mice despite convalescent plasma therapy
Authors: Horspool Alexander M. , Ye Chengjin , Wong Ting Y. , Russ Brynnan P. , Lee Katherine S. , Winters Michael T. , Bevere Justin R. , Kieffer Theodore , Martinez Ivan , Sourimant Julien , Greninger Alexander , Plemper Richard K. , Denvir James , Cyphert Holly A. , Torrelles Jordi , Martinez-Sobrido Luis , Damron F. Heath 
Published: May 2021

SUMMARYSARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VoCs) are impacting responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we present a comparison of the SARS-CoV-2 USA-WA1/2020 (WA-1) strain with B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 VoCs and identify significant differences in viral propagationin vitroand pathogenicityin vivousing K18-hACE2 transgenic mice. Passive immunization with plasma from an early pandemic SARS-CoV-2 patient resulted in significant differences in the outcome of VoC-infected mice. WA-1-infected mice were protected by plasma, B.1.1.7-infected mice were partially protected, and B.1.351-infected mice were not protected. Serological correlates of disease were different between VoC-infected mice, with B.1.351 triggering significantly altered cytokine profiles than other strains. In this study, we defined infectivity and immune responses triggered by VoCs and observed that early 2020 SARS-CoV-2 human immune plasma was insufficient to protect against challenge with B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 in the mouse model.
Early flowering in oilseed-typeBrassica rapaplants results from nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) ofBrFLC2
Authors: Kim Sujeong , Kim Jin A , Kang Hajeong , Kim Dong-Hwan 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTManyBrassicaspecies require vernalization (long-term winter-like cooling) for transition to the reproductive stage. In the past several decades, scientific efforts have been made to discern the molecular mechanisms underlying vernalization in many species. Thus, to identify the key regulators required for vernalization inBrassica rapaL., we constructed a linkage map composed of 7,833 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers using the late-flowering Chinese cabbage (B. rapaL. ssp.pekinensis) inbred line ‘Chiifu’ and the early-flowering yellow sarson (B. rapaL. ssp.trilocularis(Roxb.)) line ‘LP08’ and identified a single major QTL on the upper-arm of the chromosome A02. In addition, we compared the transcriptomes of the lines ‘Chiifu’ and ‘LP08’ at five vernalization time points, including both non-vernalized and post-vernalization conditions. We observed thatBrFLC2was significantly downregulated in the early flowering ‘LP08’ and had two deletion sites around theBrFLC2genomic region compared with theBrFLC2genomic region in ‘Chiifu.’ In the present study, we also demonstrate that early flowering in ‘LP08’ line is attributed to the low expression ofBrFLC2, which is caused by nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). Therefore, this study provides a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying floral transition inB. rapa.One sentence summaryNMD-mediated degradation ofBrFLC2mRNA transcripts is the main cause of rapid flowering of oilseed-typeB. rapa‘LP08’ plants.
The role of Federal crop insurance for farms and ranches that sell through local food markets
Authors: Jablonski Becca B.R. , Hadrich Joleen , Bauman Allie 
Published: May 2021

PurposeThe Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 directed the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Association to investigate a policy targeted to farms and ranches that sell through local food markets. However, there is no available research that quantitatively documents the extent to which local food producers utilize Federal crop insurance.Design/methodology/approachThe authors utilize 2013–2016 USDA Agricultural Resource Management Survey data to compare farms and ranches with sales through local food markets to those with and without Federal crop insurance expenditure, as well as the distribution of Federal crop expenditure, across market channels and scales.FindingsThere is a little variation in Federal crop insurance expenditure across market channels, defined as direct-to-consumer only sales, intermediated sales, and a combination of direct-to-consumer and intermediated sales. Rather, the results show that scale is the primary predictor of Federal crop insurance expenditure; larger operations are more likely to have nonzero Federal crop insurance expenses.Originality/valueThis article provides the first national research to document descriptive statistics of the utilization of Federal crop insurance by US farms and ranches that utilize local food market channels.
Exploring engagement with health apps: the emerging importance of situational involvement and individual characteristics
Authors: Flaherty Sarah Jane , McCarthy Mary , Collins Alan M. , McCafferty Claire , McAuliffe Fionnuala M. 
Published: May 2021

Purpose
Health apps offer a potential approach to support healthier food behaviours but a lack of sufficient engagement may limit effectiveness. This study aims to use a user engagement theoretical lens to examine the factors that influence app engagement over time and may prompt disengagement.

Design/methodology/approach
A phenomenological exploration of the lived experience was used. Women from a lower socioeconomic background (based on the occupation and employment status of the household’s primary income earner) were randomly assigned to use one of two apps for a minimum of eight weeks. Multiple data collection methods, including accompanied shops, researcher observations, interviews, participant reflective accounts and questionnaires, were used at different time-points to examine engagement. Theoretical thematic analysis was conducted to explore the engagement experience and relevant social, personal and environmental influences.

Findings
Healthy food involvement appears to drive app engagement. Changes in situational involvement may contribute to fluctuation in engagement intensity over time as the saliency of personal goals change. Negatively valenced engagement dimensions may contribute to the overall expression of engagement. A lack of congruency with personal goals or an imbalance between perceived personal investment and value was expressed as the primary reasons for disengagement.

Research limitations/implications
Situational involvement may act as a trigger of different engagement phases. There is a need to better distinguish between enduring and situational involvement in engagement research.

Practical implications
Individual characteristics may shape engagement and propensity for disengagement, which highlights the practical importance of incorporating tailored features into app design.

Originality/value
Findings broaden the current conceptualisation of engagement within the digital space and prompt a reconsideration of the role of situational involvement and negatively valenced dimensions throughout the engagement process.
Internal communication and the development of customer-oriented behavior among frontline employees
Authors: Ferdous Ahmed Shahriar , Polonsky Michael , Bednall David Hugh Blore 
Published: May 2021

PurposeFrontline employees (FLEs) are a key source of competitive advantage for organizations and have a significant impact on the quality of customer–firm interactions. This study aims to use the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) model as a theoretical lens to examine whether internal communication (IC) (stimulus) evokes FLEs’ organizational identification (emotional) and job satisfaction (cognitive), and whether these in turn shape FLE customer-oriented behavior (response). The study also tested whether these mediated relationships are moderated by perceived communication formalization.Design/methodology/approachThe hypothesized mediated and moderated effects were tested using data collected from a cross-sectional survey of 293 full-time salespeople working for a large general insurance company.FindingsBoth organizational identification and job satisfaction simultaneously mediate the relationship between IC and customer-oriented behavior. Perceived communication formalization was found to weaken the mediated relationship between IC and customer-oriented behavior, but only when this is via job satisfaction.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has shown that where IC is positively viewed by FLEs, it can be leveraged as a key driver by organizations to evoke simultaneous positive emotional and cognitive reactions, leading to increased customer-oriented behavior.Practical implicationsThis study informs both theory and practice related to effective IC among customer-contact FLEs.Originality/valueThe study shows how IC can simultaneously produce two simultaneous emotional and cognitive reactions leading to FLE customer-oriented behavior and how these mediated relationships can be moderated by perceived communication formalization. The study used the S-O-R model as the theoretical lens to test these relationships.
Student satisfaction from the influence of the built environment, price fairness and teaching care: a study at a community-supported university
Authors: Benetti Corrêa da Silva Marcelo , Matte Juliana , Bebber Suélen , Dalla Santa de Carvalho Mayron , de Atayde Moschen Suane , Fachinelli Ana Cristina 
Published: May 2021

Purpose
This study aims to test and analyze factors that may influence the satisfaction of university students, specifically, from the built environment, price fairness and teaching care.

Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted with 250 students from a university in southern Brazil. The data were analyzed by structural equation modeling.

Findings
The main results proved that the built environment, price fairness and teaching care have a significant and positive influence on the satisfaction of university students.

Practical implications
The factors presented explanation power for student satisfaction, which shows that they are essential aspects and, therefore, must be observed by universities to satisfy their students.

Originality/value
The study identifies the impact of factors such as the environment, price and teaching service on student satisfaction.
Modern-day slavery? The work-life conflict of domestic workers in Nigeria
Authors: Adisa Toyin Ajibade , Adekoya Olatunji David , Okoya Olajumoke 
Published: May 2021

Purpose
The trend of domestic employment thrives almost in every society. It is most common in developing countries and Nigeria is no exception. This paper aims to examine the nature of the role of a domestic worker in Nigeria and the work-life conflict issues involved in such work.

Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a qualitative research approach to examine the nature of the role of domestic workers and the associated work-life conflict issues.

Findings
The findings show that the nature of the jobs of domestic workers in Nigeria gives rise to a situation of modern-day slavery in which an employee works without a formal employment contract, with little or no rights to private time. Long and unstructured working hours, employers’ perceptions about domestic workers and a huge workload fuel and exacerbate work-life conflict amongst domestic workers in Nigeria.

Research limitations/implications
The extent to which the findings of this research can be generalised is constrained by the limited and selected sample of the research and the research context.

Practical implications
The primacy of the employer over the employee in domestic employment means that both time and work-based conflicts continue to buffer work-life conflict if domestic workers’ working hours remain unscheduled and their employers’ perceptions about them remain unchanged. This invariably has a negative impact on the domestic workers’ health and productivity. Therefore, domestic employment should be regulated by law and domestic workers should be treated like other formal employees.

Originality/value
This study contributes to the debates on the work-life conflict by highlighting the nature of the role of domestic workers in a non-western context, Nigeria and provides a nuanced insight into the work-life conflict issues involved in such work. The findings add conceptual thought and empirical evidence to the debate on work-life conflict.
A new Painlevé integrable Broer-Kaup system: symmetry analysis, analytic solutions and conservation laws
Authors: Kumar Sachin , Gupta Rajesh Kumar , Kumari Pinki 
Published: May 2021

Purpose
This study aims to find the symmetries and conservation laws of a new Painlevé integrable Broer-Kaup (BK) system with variable coefficients. This system is an extension of dispersive long wave equations. As the system is generalized and new, it is essential to explore some of its possible aspects such as conservation laws, symmetries, Painleve integrability, etc.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper opted for an exploratory study of a new Painleve integrable BK system with variable coefficients. Some analytic solutions are obtained by Lie classical method. Then the conservation laws are derived by multiplier method.

Findings
This paper presents a complete set of point symmetries without any restrictions on choices of coefficients, which subsequently yield analytic solutions of the series and solitary waves. Next, the authors derive every admitted non-trivial conservation law that emerges from multipliers.

Research limitations/implications
The authors have found that the considered system is likely to be integrable. So some other aspects such as Lax pair integrability, solitonic behavior and Backlund transformation can be analyzed to check the complete integrability further.

Practical implications
The authors develop a time-dependent Painleve integrable long water wave system. The model represents more specific data than the constant system. The authors presented analytic solutions and conservation laws.

Originality/value
The new time-dependent Painleve integrable long water wave system features some interesting results on symmetries and conservation laws.
How does China’s information and communications technology infrastructure investment promote economic growth?
Authors: Liu Kerry 
Published: May 2021

Purpose
This study aims to analyse the effects of China’s information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure investment on economic growth.

Design/methodology/approach
Using a panel data set of China’s 30 regions during 2010–2015, this study uses the generalized method of moments (GMM) methods.

Findings
This study finds that compared with “old-type” infrastructure investment such as transport infrastructure and utility infrastructure, there is a time lag but greater effect from ICT infrastructure investment on growth and this relation is non-linear. Also, the human capital factor plays an enhancing role.

Originality/value
This study is the first of its kind that examines the relationship between ICT infrastructure investment and growth in China.
The connection between leader behaviour and employee sickness absence in public administration
Authors: Buzeti Jernej 
Published: May 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to find the connection between leader behaviour and employee sickness absence in public administration.

Design/methodology/approach
The research data was collected with the help of an online questionnaire. The SPSS statistical programme and structural equation modelling in AMOS were used to analyse the data.

Findings
The research was conducted in public administration institutions, and 3,220 employees from public administration were included in the research sample. The author found a negative one-way relationship between certain types of behaviour and sickness absence. The author defines leader behaviour as a multidimensional construct in which each dimension represents a separate cluster of leader behavioural characteristics. Leaders’ “progressiveness” is the most important dimension, and a one-point increase in “progressiveness” (five-point scale) leads to a reduction of 2.8 days in sickness absence for one employee.

Research limitations/implications
The author focused only on one segment of factors (the behaviour of leaders) that affects sickness absence. To explain the maximum possible measure of the variability in sickness absence, it would be best to include several different influencing factors.

Practical implications
The study represents a structured model of the link between sickness absence and leader behaviour. With the model, it is possible to determine which behavioural forms of leaders influence sickness absence, where leader behaviour is treated as a complex whole, and not as an individual behavioural characteristic.

Originality/value
The study addresses calls for research on the relationship between leader behaviour and employee sickness absence within countries.
Adaptive neural network-based path tracking control for autonomous combine harvester with input saturation
Authors: Zhang Yuexin , Wang Lihui , Liu Yaodong 
Published: May 2021

Purpose
To reduce the effect of parameter uncertainties and input saturation on path tracking control for autonomous combine harvester, a path tracking controller is proposed, which integrates an adaptive neural network estimator and a saturation-aided system.

Design/methodology/approach
First, to analyze and compensate the influence of external factors, the vehicle model is established combining a dynamic model and a kinematic model. Meanwhile, to make the model simple, a comprehensive error is used, weighting heading error and position error simultaneously. Second, an adaptive neural network estimator is presented to calculate uncertain parameters which eventually improve the dynamic model. Then, the path tracking controller based on the improved dynamic model is designed by using the backstepping method, and its stability is proved by the Lyapunov theorem. Third, to mitigate round-trip operation of the actuator due to input saturation, a saturation-aided variable is presented during the control design process.

Findings
To verify the tracking accuracy and environmental adaptability of the proposed controller, numerical simulations are carried out under three different cases, and field experiments are performed in harvesting wheat and paddy. The experimental results demonstrate the tracking errors of the proposed controller that are reduced by more than 28% with contrast to the conventional controllers.

Originality/value
An adaptive neural network-based path tracking control is proposed, which considers both parameter uncertainties and input saturation. As far as we know, this is the first time a path tracking controller is specifically designed for the combine harvester with full consideration of working characteristics.
Robotic milling of complex NURBS surface with fixed cutter axis control method
Authors: Z.Q. Wang , X.Q. Liu , X.R. Wang , C.Y. Li , N. Yang , T.S. Lin , P. He 
Published: May 2021

Purpose
This papers aims to provide a fixed cutter axis control (F-CAC) industrial robot (IR) milling for NURBS surfaces with large fluctuation, which can avoid over-cut and interference during IR milling in contrast to variable cutter axis control (V-CAC) IR milling.

Design/methodology/approach
After the design of a target surface, the IR reciprocating milling trajectory can be obtained using NURBS mapping projection method. A set of interpolation points of the reciprocating trajectory can be calculated using the equi-chord interpolation method. Combining with F-CAC method and curvature estimation, the IR reciprocating trajectory of the tool center point (TCP) without over-cut can be obtained. The programs corresponding to posture control using F-CAC can be generated by IR kinematics.

Findings
In contrast to the V-CAC milling method, the F-CAC method can machine successfully the NURBS surfaces with large fluctuation. The simulation and machining proves that F-CAC is feasible and effective to machine NURBS surface with large fluctuation without over-cut phenomenon. The F-CAC has wide application in carving and woodworking industry at present.

Originality/value
The F-CAC method is very practical and effective for IR milling of complex NURBS surfaces with large fluctuation without over-cut and interference phenomenon.
An alternative model for the comprehension of organizational transformation in emerging economies
Authors: Gallego Carmenza , Calderón Hernández Gregorio 
Published: May 2021

PurposeThis paper aims to comprehend organizational transformation (OT) as a permanent, continuous and iterative system, which integrates large transformations that, in turn, require smaller, additional transformations. For OT implementation, a conceptual model is proposed, called the four orders of OT.Design/methodology/approachCase study with a qualitative approach, used critical incident interviews, which were applied to describe both successful and unsuccessful events. Participants were chosen by convenience, and information was processed with Nvivo software.FindingsThe Colombian family holding studied was founded in 1974, and in its 47 years of existence, has implemented important transformations in its three companies. These showcase the four types of OT proposed, although third order support has been applied most often. The events that triggered said transformations are mainly of exogenous character, and broad responsibility was found on both the upper management and work team levels for implementation processes. This was also found for the indicator use and the various planning approaches used, depending upon the transformation type.Practical implicationsFuture research is required, so as to refine and validate the conceptual OT model proposed in other types of companies and development contexts. The proposed construct permits company managers to design and more efficiently manage transformations, while satisfying the diverse orders proposed in the theoretical model.Originality/valueAn integrative conceptual model called “the four orders of OT” is proposed and validated in a Colombian family businesses group, which is composed of three companies.