bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DUAL FUNCTION OF ZIKA VIRUS NS2B-NS3 PROTEASE
Authors: Shiryaev Sergey A. , Cieplak Piotr , Cheltsov Anton , Liddington Robert C. , Terskikh Alexey V. 
Published: November 2021

ABSTRACTZika virus (ZIKV) serine protease, indispensable for viral polyprotein processing and replication, is composed of the membrane-anchored NS2B polypeptide and the N-terminal domain of the NS3 polypeptide (NS3pro). The C-terminal domain of the NS3 polypeptide (NS3hel) is necessary for helicase activity and contains an ATP-binding site. We discovered that ZIKV NS2B-NS3pro can bind single-stranded RNA with a Kdof ∼0.3 μM, suggesting a novel function. We tested various structural modifications of NS2B-NS3pro and observed that constructs stabilized in the recently discovered “super-open” conformation do not bind RNA. Likewise, stabilization of NS2B-NS3pro in the “closed” (proteolytically active) conformation using substrate inhibitors abolished RNA binding. We posit that RNA binding occurs when ZIKV NS2B-NS3pro adopts the “open” conformation, which we modeled using highly homologous dengue NS2B-NS3pro crystallized in the open conformation. We identified two positively charged fork-like structures present only in the open conformation of NS3pro. These forks are conserved acrossFlaviviridaefamily and could be aligned contiguously with the positively charged grove on NS3hel that binds RNA. This led us to propose the “reverse inchworm” model for a tightly intertwined NS2B-NS3 helicase-protease machinery, which suggests that the cycles of NS2B-NS3pro binding and releasing RNA enable the unlimited processivity of NS3hel. The transition to the closed conformation, likely induced by the substrate, enables the classical protease activity of NS2B-NS3pro.
Importance of Molecular Dynamics Equilibrium Protocol on Protein-lipid Interactions near Channel Pore
Authors: Jiang Wenjuan , Lacroix Jerome , Luo Yun Lyna 
Published: November 2021

ABSTRACTMultiscale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using Martini coarse-grained (CG) and all-atom (AA) forcer fields are commonly used in membrane protein studies. In particular, reverse-mapping an equilibrated CG model to an AA model offers an efficient way for preparing large membrane protein systems with complex protein shapes and lipid compositions. Here, we report that this hybrid CG-equilibrium-AA-production protocol may artificially increase lipid density and decrease hydration in ion channel pores walled with transmembrane gaps. To understand the origin of this conundrum, we conducted replicas of CG, AA, and reverse-mapped AA simulations of the pore domain of the mechanosensitive Piezo1 channel in a non-conducting conformation. Lipid/water density analysis and free energy calculations reveal that the lack of initial pore hydration allows adjacent lipids to enter the pore lumen through gaps between pore helices during CG simulation. Due to the mismatch between CG and AA lipid kinetics, these pore lipids remain trapped in the subsequent AA simulations, despite unfavorable binding free energy. We tested several CG equilibrium protocols and found that a protocol restraining the whole lipid produces pore hydration consistent with AA results, thus eliminating this artifact for further studies of lipid gating and protein-lipid interactions.WHY IT MATTERSMembrane-embedded proteins constantly interact with lipid molecules. Computational molecular dynamics simulations have become an indispensable tool for investigating the role of such protein-lipid interactions. Using mechanosensitive Piezo1 channel as model, we found that subtle differences in solvation and equilibrium protocols between coarse-grained and all-atom MD simulations can result in different lipid densities inside the channel pore. We identify the underlying cause of this discrepancy and propose alternative protocols to avoid this artifact.
Asgard ESCRT-III and VPS4 reveal evolutionary conserved chromatin binding properties of the ESCRT machinery
Authors: Nachmias Dikla , Melnikov Nataly , Zorea Alvah , De-picchoto Yasmin , Zarivach Raz , Mizrahi Itzhak , Elia Natalie 
Published: November 2021

ABSTRACTThe ESCRT machinery drive membrane remodeling in numerous processes in eukaryotes. Genes encoding for ESCRT proteins have been identified in Asgard archaea, a newly discovered superphylum, currently recognized as the ancestor of all eukaryotes. This begs the question of the functional evolutionary origin of this machinery and its conservation across lineages. Here, we find that Asgard-ESCRT’s exhibit conserved DNA-binding properties, which is derived from recruitment of specific members. We show that Asgard-ESCRT-III/VPS4 homologs interact with one another inside mammalian cells, associate with chromatin, and recruit their counterparts to organize in discrete foci in the mammalian nucleus. This is congruent with human-ESCRT-III homologs. We find that human- and Asgard-ESCRT-IIIs associate with chromatin via the same N terminal domain, and that human-ESCRT-III can recruit Asgard-VPS4 to the nucleus to form foci. Therefore, ESCRTs possess chromatin binding properties that were preserved through the billion years of evolution that separate Asgard and human cells.
SCARECROW is deployed in distinct developmental contexts during rice and maize leaf development
Authors: Hughes Thomas. E. , Langdale Jane A. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe flexible deployment of developmental regulators is an increasingly appreciated aspect of plant development and evolution. The GRAS transcription factor SCARECROW (SCR) regulates the development of the endodermis in Arabidopsis and maize roots, but during leaf development it regulates the development of distinct cell-types; bundle-sheath in Arabidopsis and mesophyll in maize. In rice, SCR is implicated in stomatal patterning, but it is unknown whether this function is additional to a role in inner leaf patterning. Here, we demonstrate that two duplicatedSCRgenes function redundantly in rice. Contrary to previous reports, we show that these genes are necessary for stomatal development, with stomata virtually absent from leaves that are initiated after germination of mutants. The stomatal regulator OsMUTE is down-regulated inOsscr1;Osscr2mutants indicating that OsSCR acts early in stomatal development. Notably,Osscr1;Osscr2mutants do not exhibit the inner leaf patterning perturbations seen inZmscr1;Zmscr1hmutants andZmscr1;Zmscr1hmutants do not exhibit major perturbations in stomatal patterning. Taken together, these results indicate that SCR was deployed in different developmental contexts after the divergence of rice and maize around 50 million years ago.Summary statementThe transcription factor SCARECROW patterns stomata in rice leaves whereas in maize it predominantly patterns the inner leaf.
Evolution of the IBEX-35 vs other international indices: determinants of market value according to XGBOOST and GLM models
Authors: Martínez-Vargas Julián , Carmona Pedro , Torrelles Pol 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the influence of different quantitative (traditionally used) and qualitative variables, such as the possible negative effect in determined periods of certain socio-political factors on share price formation.Design/methodology/approachWe first analyse descriptively the evolution of the Ibex-35 in recent years and compare it with other international benchmark indices. Bellow, two techniques have been compared: a classic linear regression statistical model (GLM) and a method based on machine learning techniques called Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost).FindingsXGBoost yields a very accurate market value prediction model that clearly outperforms the other, with a coefficient of determination close to 90%, calculated on validation sets.Practical implicationsAccording to our analysis, individual accounts are equally or more important than consolidated information in predicting the behaviour of share prices. This would justify Spain maintaining the obligation to present individual interim financial statements, which does not happen in other European Union countries because IAS 34 only stipulates consolidated interim financial statements.Social implicationsThe descriptive analysis allows us to see how the Ibex-35 has moved away from international trends, especially in periods in which some relevant socio-political events occurred, such as the independence referendum in Catalonia, the double elections of 2019 or the early handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.Originality/valueCompared to other variables, the XGBoost model assigns little importance to socio-political factors when it comes to share price formation; however, this model explains 89.33% of its variance.
Are political connections beneficial or harmful toward firms’ performance? A meta-analysis approach
Authors: Prasetyo Khusnul , Nasution Damai 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThis study aims to reconcile conflicting empirical results from prior studies on the association between political connections (PCs) and firms’ performance. Furthermore, it investigates whether the contradictory findings were moderated by the different types of both PCs and firms’ performance measures. This study also makes a cross-country comparison of the empirical evidence to provide more insight.Design/methodology/approachThis study used meta-analysis to integrate the previous studies’ findings on the association between PCs and firms’ performance and further investigated the moderators of such association.FindingsThe findings show that PCs have a positive association with firms’ performance. This result is apparent for both democratic and authoritarian countries, which suggests PCs’ beneficial consequences toward firms’ performance should not be disregarded in both contexts. This study also finds PCs and firms’ performance measures moderate the association between PCs and firms’ performance.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the stream of research that investigates the association between PCs and firms’ performance. To the best of our knowledge, it is among the first to implement statistical meta-analysis on the aforementioned literature while incorporating a cross-country comparison.
A robust framework for shoulder implant X-ray image classification
Authors: Vo Minh Thanh , Vo Anh H. , Le Tuong 
Published: November 2021

PurposeMedical images are increasingly popular; therefore, the analysis of these images based on deep learning helps diagnose diseases become more and more essential and necessary. Recently, the shoulder implant X-ray image classification (SIXIC) dataset that includes X-ray images of implanted shoulder prostheses produced by four manufacturers was released. The implant's model detection helps to select the correct equipment and procedures in the upcoming surgery.Design/methodology/approachThis study proposes a robust model named X-Net to improve the predictability for shoulder implants X-ray image classification in the SIXIC dataset. The X-Net model utilizes the Squeeze and Excitation (SE) block integrated into Residual Network (ResNet) module. The SE module aims to weigh each feature map extracted from ResNet, which aids in improving the performance. The feature extraction process of X-Net model is performed by both modules: ResNet and SE modules. The final feature is obtained by incorporating the extracted features from the above steps, which brings more important characteristics of X-ray images in the input dataset. Next, X-Net uses this fine-grained feature to classify the input images into four classes (Cofield, Depuy, Zimmer and Tornier) in the SIXIC dataset.FindingsExperiments are conducted to show the proposed approach's effectiveness compared with other state-of-the-art methods for SIXIC. The experimental results indicate that the approach outperforms the various experimental methods in terms of several performance metrics. In addition, the proposed approach provides the new state of the art results in all performance metrics, such as accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score and area under the curve (AUC), for the experimental dataset.Originality/valueThe proposed method with high predictive performance can be used to assist in the treatment of injured shoulder joints.
The numerical simulation of rock mass grouting: a literature review
Authors: Tong Fei , Yang Jie , Duan Meng Qiang , Ma Xu Fei , Li Gao Chao 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to understand the current research status and future development trends in the field of numerical simulation on rock mass grouting.Design/methodology/approachThis article first searched the literature database (EI, Web of Science, CNKI, etc.) for keywords related to the numerical simulation of rock mass grouting to obtain the initial literature database. Then, from the initial database, several documents with strong relevance to the numerical simulation theme of rock mass grouting and high citation rate were selected; some documents from the references were selected as supplements, forming the sample database of this review study (a total of 90 articles). Finally, through sorting out the relationship among the literature, this literature review was carried out.FindingsThe numerical simulation of rock mass grouting is mainly based on the porous media model and the fractured media model. It has experienced the development process from Newtonian fluid to non-Newtonian fluid, from time-invariant viscosity to time-varying viscosity, and from generalized theoretical model to engineering application model. Based on this, this article summarizes four scientific problems that need to be solved in the future in this research field: the law of grout distribution at the cross fissures, the grout diffusion mechanism under multi-field coupling, more accurate grouting theoretical model and simulation technology with strong engineering applicability.Originality/valueThis research systematically analyzes the current research status and shortcomings of numerical simulation on rock mass grouting, summarizes four key issues in the future development of this research field and provides new ideas for the future research on numerical simulation on rock mass grouting.
Thermal buckling behavior of power and sigmoid functionally graded material sandwich plates using nonpolynomial shear deformation theories
Authors: Sah Supen Kumar , Ghosh Anup 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to carry out the thermal buckling analysis of power and sigmoid functionally graded material Sandwich plate (P-FGM and S-FGM) under uniform, linear, nonlinear and sinusoidal temperature rise.Design/methodology/approachThermal buckling of FGM Sandwich plates namely, FGM face with ceramic core (Type-A) and homogeneous face layers with FGM core (Type-B), incorporated with nonpolynomial shear deformation theories are considered for an analytical solution in this investigation. Effective material properties and thermal expansion coefficients of FGM Sandwich plates are evaluated based on Voigt's micromechanical model considering power and sigmoid law. The governing equilibrium and stability equations for the thermal buckling analysis are derived based on sinusoidal shear deformation theory (SSDT) and inverse trigonometric shear deformation theory (ITSDT) along with Von Karman nonlinearity. Analytical solutions for thermal buckling are carried out using the principle of minimum potential energy and Navier's solution technique.FindingsCritical buckling temperature of P-FGM and S-FGM Sandwich plates Type-A and B under uniform, linear, non-linear, and sinusoidal temperature rise are obtained and analyzed based on SSDT and ITSDT. Influence of power law, sigmoid law, span to thickness ratio, aspect ratio, volume fraction index, different types of thermal loadings and Sandwich plate types over critical buckling temperature are investigated. An analytical method of solution for thermal buckling of power and sigmoid FGM Sandwich plates with efficient shear deformation theories has been successfully analyzed and validated.Originality/valueThe temperature distribution across FGM plate under a high thermal environment may be uniform, linear, nonlinear, etc. In practice, temperature variation is an unpredictable phenomenon; therefore, it is essential to have a temperature distribution model which can address a sinusoidal temperature variation too. In the present work, a new sinusoidal temperature rise is proposed to describe the effect of sinusoidal temperature variation over critical buckling temperature for P-FGM and S-FGM Sandwich plates. For the first time, the FGM Sandwich plate is modeled using the sigmoid function to investigate the thermal buckling behavior under the uniform, linear, nonlinear and sinusoidal temperature rise. Nonpolynomial shear deformation theories are utilized to obtain the equilibrium and stability equations for thermal buckling analysis of P-FGM and S-FGM Sandwich plates.
Model predictive direct suspension force control of a bearingless induction motor based on sliding mode observer
Authors: Wu Jiajie , Yang Zebin , Sun Xiaodong , Wang Ding 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThe purpose of the control method proposed in this paper is to address the problem of the poor anti-interference of the suspension winding current in the traditional bearingless induction motor (BL-IM) direct suspension force control process.Design/methodology/approachA model predictive direct suspension force control of a BL-IM based on sliding mode observer is proposed in this paper. The model predictive control (MPC) is introduced to the traditional direct suspension force control to improve the anti-interference of the suspension current. A sliding mode flux linkage observer is designed and applied to the MPC system, which reduces the error of the parameter observation and improves the robustness of the system. The strategy is designed and implemented in the MATLAB/Simulink and the two-level AC speed regulation platform.FindingsThe simulation and experimental results show that the performance of the BL-IM under the control method proposed in this paper is better than that under the traditional direct suspension force control, and the suspension performance of the motor and the anti-interference of the control system are improved.Originality/valueThis study helps to improve the suspension performance of the motor and the anti-interference of the control system.
The South African public service wage bill deadlock in 2021: living on the edge
Authors: Matthee Marianne , Wöcke Albert 
Published: November 2021

Subject area
Macro-Economics.

Study level/applicability
Undergraduate and MBA.

Case overview
The COVID 19 pandemic-related restrictions devastated South Africa’s economy in 2020 and although the restrictions were generally less damaging than in 2020, the government had to budget for vaccinations and rebuild the economy. Public service unions had just announced that they were demanding an increase of 4% above inflation for their members and that they were preparing for a strike. They were bitter about the fact that the South African Government had withdrawn from the last year of a three-year wage agreement in February 2020 and their members had not received an increase for the two years. These demands and Finance Minister Mboweni’s response to them had to consider the structural and cyclical impact on the fiscus and economy.

Expected learning outcomes
The learning outcomes are as follows: understand the general objectives of fiscal policy and stakeholders’ interests; understand the tradeoffs in fiscal policy and the implications of taking a position; and make recommendations based on reasoned judgements about those recommendations.

Complexity academic level
Undergraduate and MBA level courses on Macro Economics.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code
CSS 10: Public Sector Management.
The moderating role of mobile promotion during current and subsequent purchasing occasions: the case of restaurant delivery services
Authors: Pan Huifeng , Ha Hong-Youl 
Published: November 2021

Purpose
This study aims to explore the moderating outcomes of mobile promotions in three parts. First, Study 1 is conducted to discover the moderating effect of mobile promotions when consumers initially purchase a restaurant service. Second, Study 2 investigates how the promotion level during subsequent purchasing events moderates the relationship between attitudes toward selecting a restaurant brand (ATRB) and repurchase intentions. Third, the study compares mobile promotion effects between the initial purchase stage and subsequent purchase state.

Design/methodology/approach
Two studies are conducted to test the hypotheses. Using a longitudinal survey, Study 1 demonstrates the moderating role of mobile promotions (M-promotions) during the initial restaurant choice stage (T). Study 2 extends these findings to the reordering stage (T+1).

Findings
The results of Study 1 show that price discounts are much more impactful than free delivery when food quality and online reviews are positive. Study 2 shows that price discounts have more substantial effects than gifts at time T+1 when ATRB is positive. The findings are relevant to both scholars and managers, adding insights to discussions on promotions arising from the evolution of consumption experiences.

Research limitations/implications
Promotions differ in financial value; hence, comparisons of promotional packages may vary during subsequent purchase states, helping to explain subsequent promotion stages and enabling scholars to understand their impact on the food reordering context.

Originality/value
The fact that no empirical studies have examined the roles of M-promotions during subsequent purchasing stages constitutes a significant gap in extant promotion research. Therefore, this study seeks to fill this gap by providing robust evidence to demonstrate these effects and related temporal mechanisms. Additionally, although the literature on promotion is used mostly in cross-sectional studies, this study addresses a common challenge to reveal dynamics of promotion levels during subsequent consumption periods.
Viewpoint Leadership lessons for institutional development in Albania and Kosovo: handout versus giving a hand
Authors: Nahzi Fron 
Published: November 2021

PurposeThis essay draws on my experience in the democratic development of Albania and Kosovo. These leadership insights are shared in the contemporary context of the changes in the past ten years to the international development landscape in the Western Balkans and Central and Eastern Europe. My professional reflections on leading efforts to establish democratic institutions form the basis of these case studies on Albania and Kosovo. Drawing on these reflections (Schon, 1982) can generate a deeper understanding of the leadership practices that facilitated a successful transition, as well as make explicit the implicit practices in leadership that resulted in less than successful efforts.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis of the democratic development challenges in Albania and Kosovo are based on my experience in managing multi-million dollar nation building programs in both countries.FindingsThe democratic development of Kosovo and Albania illustrate the challenges that most leaders in governments and civil society face working in transitional societies. It should come as no surprise that their respective roles and goals will come into conflict as local leaders fight to hold onto power, while many Western good governance programs promote sharing of power. This conflict is complicated by the question of to whom the NGOs and international organizations are accountable – their donor or the community they are working in?Originality/valueThe analysis is based on personal experience in developing and implementing nation-building programs in Albania and Kosovo.