bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hidden Knowledge Recovery from GAN-generated Single-cell RNA-seq Data
Authors: Shah Najeebullah , Li Fanhong , Zhang Xuegong 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundMachine learning methods have recently been shown powerful in discovering knowledge from scientific data, offering promising prospects for discovery learning. In the meanwhile, Deep Generative Models like Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) have excelled in generating synthetic data close to real data. GANs have been extensively employed, primarily motivated by generating synthetic data for privacy preservation, data augmentation, etc. However, certain dimensions of GANs have received limited exploration in current literature. Existing studies predominantly utilize huge datasets, presenting a challenge when dealing with limited, complex datasets. Researchers have high-lighted the ineffectiveness of conventional scores for selecting optimal GANs on limited datasets that exhibit complex high order relationships. Furthermore, current methods evaluate GAN’s performance by comparing synthetic data to real data without assessing the preservation of high-order relationships. Researchers have advocated for more objective GAN evaluation techniques and emphasized the importance of establishing interpretable connections between GAN latent space variables and meaningful data semantics.ResultsIn this study, we used a custom GAN model to generate quality synthetic data for a very limited, complex biological dataset. We successfully recovered cell-lineage developmental story from synthetic data using the ab-initio knowledge discovery method, we previously developed. Our custom GAN model performed better than state-of-the-art cscGAN model, when evaluated for recovering hidden knowledge from limited, complex dataset. Then we devise a temporal dataset specific quantitative scoring mechanism to successfully reproduce GAN results for human and mouse embryonic datasets. Our Latent Space Interpretation (LSI) scheme was able to identify anomalies. We also found that the latent space in GAN effectively captured the semantic information and may be used to interpolate data when the sampling of real data is sparse.ConclusionIn summary we used a customized GAN model to generate synthetic data for limited, complex dataset and compared the results with state-of-the-art cscGAN model. Cell-lineage developmental story is recovered as hidden knowledge to evaluate GAN for preserving complex high-order relationships. We formulated a quantitative score to successfully reproduce results on human and mouse embryonic datasets. We designed a LSI scheme to identify anomalies and understand the mechanism by which GAN captures important data semantics in its latent space.
Blue spectral quality contributes to yield and ascorbic acid content in ‘Micro Tom’ tomato under sole-source lighting
Authors: Goldman Matthew S. , Kolmos Elsebeth 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThere is an intricate relationship between the spectral composition of light, plant photosynthetic performance and biomass accumulation. The interaction between plants and the ambient light environment is not only crop-specific but also crucial for maximized yield and nutritional quality. The emergence of LED technology introduced a unique avenue for manipulating the light spectrum, offering new and continued possibilities for optimizing growth conditions. With a focus on tomato cultivation under sole-source lighting, we have investigated the impact of blue spectral quality (waveband composition) on growth and nutritional value of dwarf tomato. Notably, our study revealed that distinct wavebands of blue light (400 nm, 420 nm and 450 nm) can influence the net photosynthetic rate despite unaltered photochemical efficiency. Our research uncovered a correlation whereby shorter wavelengths of blue light increased leaf area, while longer blue wavelengths contributed to greater harvest indices. In addition, we identified a specific blue peak wavelength, 450 nm, that significantly affected chlorophyll composition in leaves and ascorbate levels in fruits. Through these findings, we call attention to the notion that blue spectral quality has a role in shaping both yield and nutritional attributes of dwarf tomato, such as ‘Micro Tom’, under sole-source lighting. Overall, our research provides valuable insight into the nuanced interplay between light spectrum, plant physiology, and horticultural outcome.
Radiation-Induced Changes in Energy Metabolism Result in Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Salivary Glands
Authors: Buss Lauren G. , Rheinheimer Brenna A. , Limesand Kirsten H. 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACTSalivary glands are indirectly damaged during radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, resulting in acute and chronic hyposalivation. Current treatments for radiation-induced hyposalivation do not permanently restore function to the gland; therefore, more mechanistic understanding of the damage response is needed to identify therapeutic targets for lasting restoration. Energy metabolism reprogramming has been observed in cancer and wound healing models to provide necessary fuel for cell proliferation; however, there is limited understanding of alterations in energy metabolism reprogramming in tissues that fail to heal. We measured extracellular acidification and oxygen consumption rates, assessed mitochondrial DNA copy number, and tested fuel dependency of irradiated primary salivary acinar cells. Radiation treatment leads to increases in glycolytic flux, oxidative phosphorylation, and ATP production rate at acute and intermediate time points. In contrast, at chronic radiation time points there is a significant decrease in glycolytic flux, oxidative phosphorylation, and ATP production rate. Irradiated salivary glands exhibit significant decreases in spare respiratory capacity and increases in mitochondrial DNA copy number at days 5 and 30 post-treatment, suggesting a mitochondrial dysfunction phenotype. These results elucidate kinetic changes in energy metabolism reprogramming of irradiated salivary glands that may underscore the chronic loss of function phenotype.
The protein map of the protozoan parasiteLeishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis,Leishmania(Viannia) braziliensisandLeishmania (Leishmania) infantumduring growth phase transition and temperature stress
Authors: Mule Simon Ngao , Saad Joyce Silva , Sauter Ismael Pretto , Fernandes Livia Rosa , de Oliveira Gilberto Santos , Quina Daniel , Tano Fabia Tomie , Brandt-Almeida Deborah , Padrón Gabriel , Stolf Beatriz Simonsen , Larsen Martin R. , Cortez Mauro , Palmisano Giuseppe 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACTLeishmaniaparasites cause a spectrum of diseases termed leishmaniasis, which manifests in two main clinical forms, cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis.Leishmaniapromastigotes transit from proliferative exponential to quiescent stationary phases inside the insect vector, a relevant step that recapitulates early molecular events of metacyclogenesis. During the insect blood meal of the mammalian hosts, the released parasites interact initially with the skin, an event marked by temperature changes. Deep knowledge on the molecular events activated duringLeishmania-host interactions in each step is crucial to develop better therapies and to understand the pathogenesis. In this study, the proteomes ofLeishmania(Leishmania) amazonensis(La),Leishmania(Viannia) braziliensis(Lb), andLeishmania(Leishmania) infantum(synL. L. chagasi)(Lc) were analyzed using quantitative proteomics to uncover the proteome modulation in three different conditions related to growth phases and temperature shifts: 1) exponential phase (Exp); 2) stationary phase (Sta25) and; 3) stationary phase subjected to heat stress (Sta34). Functional validations were performed using orthogonal techniques, focusing on α-tubulin, gp63 and heat shock proteins (HSPs). Species-specific and condition-specific modulation highlights the plasticity of theLeishmaniaproteome, showing that pathways related to metabolism and cytoskeleton are significantly modulated from exponential to stationary growth phases, while protein folding, unfolded protein binding, signaling and microtubule-based movement were differentially altered during temperature shifts. This study provides an in-depth proteome analysis of threeLeishmaniaspp., and contributes compelling evidence of the molecular alterations of these parasites in conditions mimicking the interaction of the parasites with the insect vector and vertebrate hosts.
Divine jewelry Co.: from expansion to survival
Authors: Rodríguez-Aldana Marcia Lorena 
Published: November 2023

Learning outcomes
The student will examine from a systemic perspective qualitative information from a company to propose improvements to its business model.

Case overview/synopsis
After working for more than 10 years with a global company, in January 2006 the Guadalajara-based jewelry SME, Divine Jewelry Co. (DJC), was facing liquidity problems, overstock and a debt from a bank loan, among others. The planned expansion of DJC, a family business founded in 1980, had resulted in just the opposite. Daniel, the owner and CEO of DJC, was determined to reverse the company's precarious situation as soon as possible. Some of the questions he asked himself centered on what actions he should take to pay off liabilities and try to survive in the industry his business had held a place in for 25 years. Daniel wondered whether, to pay off debts and have sufficient liquidity to have working capital and move forward, it would be enough to make efforts to recover those clients they had stopped serving, along with getting new ones. In addition, he thought it was necessary to formulate a plan to use the remaining proceeds from the sale of the property if they had to dispose of it. The case is about analyzing the strategic management of a company, specifically its business model, considering the context of its industry. The case also illustrates the problems that arise from focusing on serving a single client.

Complexity academic level
The case “Divine Jewelry Co: From Expansion to Survival” has been designed to be used by university students in initial management or strategic management courses on the following topics: Business modelsPorter's Five Forces ModelFormulation of strategies
The Chinese belt and road initiative: development project with strings attached?
Authors: Oberhauser Marc 
Published: November 2023

Purpose
This study aims to investigate how the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Chinese outward foreign direct investments (FDI) impact the Belt and Road countries (BRCs). It draws on postcolonial theory to investigate the (geo)political objectives behind the financial and economic means.

Design/methodology/approach
In line with the nature of postcolonial studies, the study applies a discourse analysis integrating it with empirical data on indebtedness and trade.

Findings
This study finds that FDI and the BRI, as a development project, need to be considered a double-edged sword for the receiving countries. The authors provide evidence that China has instrumentalized financial and economic means to gain political influence and pursue geopolitical ambitions. Moreover, investments into sensitive sectors (e.g. energy, infrastructure), combined with the BRCs’ inability to pay back loans, could eventually lead to China gaining control of these assets.

Research limitations/implications
The study investigates the financial and economic means that are instrumentalized to gain political influence while not considering flows of technology and know-how. It also limits itself to the study of FDI coming from one specific country, i.e. China. Therefore, no comparison and evaluation are made of FDI from other countries, such as the USA or European countries.

Practical implications
By revealing noncommercial objectives and geopolitical ambitions that China pursues through the BRI, the authors derive policy implications for the BRCs, third countries and China.

Originality/value
The study contributes to postcolonial theory and neocolonialism by investigating how China uses financial and economic means to achieve noncommercial objectives and pursue geopolitical ambitions. Additionally, the authors enhance the understanding of FDI by highlighting more subtle aspects of the complex and contextual nature of FDI as a social phenomenon, which have been overlooked thus far. The authors challenge the predominant positive framing of FDI and provide a counterpoint to the way FDI is often coined.
Research on sales and sharing decisions of the equipment supplier under shared manufacturing environment
Authors: Li Wenbo , Dan Bin , Zhang Xumei , Liu Yi , Sui Ronghua 
Published: November 2023

PurposeWith the rapid development of the sharing economy in manufacturing industries, manufacturers and the equipment suppliers frequently share capacity through the third-party platform. This paper aims to study influences of manufacturers sharing capacity on the supplier and to analyze whether the supplier shares capacity as well as its influences.Design/methodology/approachThis paper deals with conditions that the supplier and manufacturers share capacity through the third-party platform, and the third-party platform competes with the supplier in equipment sales. Considering the heterogeneity of the manufacturer's earning of unit capacity usage and the production efficiency of manufacturer's usage strategies, this paper constructs capacity sharing game models. Then, model equilibrium results under different sharing scenarios are compared.FindingsThe results show that when the production or maintenance cost is high, manufacturers sharing capacity simultaneously benefits the supplier, the third-party platform and manufacturers with high earnings of unit capacity usage. When both the rental efficiency and the production cost are low, or both the rental efficiency and the production cost are high, the supplier simultaneously sells equipment and shares capacity. The supplier only sells equipment in other cases. When both the rental efficiency and the production cost are low, the supplier’s sharing capacity realizes the win-win-win situation for the supplier, the third-party platform and manufacturers with moderate earnings of unit capacity usage.Originality/valueThis paper innovatively examines supplier's selling and sharing decisions considering manufacturers sharing capacity. It extends the research on capacity sharing and is important to supplier's operational decisions.
Ascertaining adequacy of fire suppression systems: the perspective of Accra central of Ghana
Authors: Pim-Wusu Mark , Simpeh Eric Kwame , Simberi Jeremiah N-Nanajeri 
Published: November 2023

Purpose
Fire is the fundamental element of most people’s lives, and when not controlled, the same fire can lead to several catastrophes in homes, offices, schools, lives and other public places with severe repercussions. Hence, this study aims to examine the adequacy and extent of the application of fire suppression systems in residential and commercial property in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts a sequential mixed-mode design comprising quantitative and qualitative research strategies to analyse factors to produce findings. The target population for this study includes shop occupiers, end users of office buildings, and residents in the Accra Central of Ghana. Systematic random sampling was used for the quantitative research, and a sample size of 385 was obtained using a multi-stage and cluster sampling method. A structured survey and semi-structured interviews were used to collect the primary data. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, whereas the qualitative data were analysed using content analysis.

Findings
From an empirical literature review and the analysis, the three main factors contributing to fire breakouts are equipment malfunction, improper use of heat sources and human mistakes. According to the respondents, fire suppression systems were also inadequate, as most of the suppression systems prescribed in the building code were unavailable. Regarding the ability to manually operate fire suppression systems, most property occupiers stated that they are generally unaware of these suppression systems.

Practical implications
This study will aid policymakers in developing interventions for fire safety enforcement by ensuring that fire safety regulations are consistently followed by design team members and property developers, resulting in a positive effect on public building structures performing their required functions. It is also critical to provide end users with education and training on how to operate the fire suppression system as well as effective handling of firefighting installations in the event of a fire.

Originality/value
The findings of this investigation contribute to knowledge and comprehension of the effect of fire suppression systems on building users and may serve as a precursor to the development of a “As Built” certification system for ascertaining the adequacy of fire suppression systems for new and existing residential and commercial property.
The nonlinear relationship between financial constraints and R&D investment: the mediating role of executive stock options
Authors: Zaiane Sedki , Dabbou Halim 
Published: November 2023

PurposeThe current study aims to investigate the mediating role of executive stock options in the nonlinear relationship between financial constraints and research and development (R&D) investment through two measures of financial constraints.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on a sample of 90 French firms for the period extending from 2008 to 2020. The authors employ a panel threshold method to analyze whether the impact of financial constraints on R&D investment depends on the level of financial constraints or not.FindingsUsing SA index (Hadlock and Pierce, 2010) and FCP index (Schauer et al., 2019) as measures of financial constraints, the authors demonstrate that the relationship between financial constraints and R&D investment is nonlinear. Moreover, the authors find that executive stock options mediate partially the relationship between financial constraints and R&D investment. More specifically, the authors show that stock options could play two roles depending on the level of the financial constraints; inconsistent mediation for firms with low/medium level of financial constraints and partial mediation for highly constrained firms.Originality/valueThis paper is the first to the best of the authors' knowledge to investigate the nonlinear relationship between financial constraints and R&D investment as well as the mediating role of executive stock option using dynamic panel threshold models.
Cognition and gender differences in cyberbullying in China: an investigation of textual cues and sentimental clues
Authors: Li Wanqi , Peng Huaxin 
Published: November 2023

Purpose Cyberbullying is a globally pervasive problem and not novel in academia. Previous studies mainly focussed on the features, consequences and technological management of cyberbullying. However, most of the studies took cyberbullying examples in the West, and some issues still need to be addressed in the Chinese context. Thus, this study investigates how participants use cyberbullying words and why they use them in that particular way in China.Design/methodology/approach This study uses content analysis to summarise the typical features of cyberbullying words, revealing a positive relationship between cyberbullying words and sentimental expressions. This paper also uses the questionnaire (N = 705) to explore the prevalence of cyberbullying among Chinese Internet users and to compare the gender differences in the cognition of cyberbullying words and involvement in cyberbullying, in line with the social cognitive theory.Findings This study stated that people prefer repetitively using offensive words to achieve cyberbullying goals. Interestingly, this study does not find obvious gender differences in cyberbullying roles and cyberbullying language use. However, it explained the relationship between cognition and the use of cyberbullying words from a gender perspective.Practical implications Theoretically, this study expands cyberbullying studies into a new cultural environment, pointing to a novel term, “imbalanced relation,” for exploring cyberbullying behaviours. This study highlights the significance of technology and education in detecting and preventing cyberbullying, suggesting that educators and social media platforms can directly predict and prevent cyberbullying through textual perspectives and individuals' cognition of cyberbullying.Originality/value This study aims to examine cyberbullying linguistic and emotional features and individual differences in cyberbullying behaviour in a high-context culture like China. Its values include comparing the differences between cyberbullying in China and cyberbullying in the West from the linguistic and cultural directions and reconsidering the “power imbalance” feature of cyberbullying.
‘Readiness as opposed to eligibility’- preliminary consensus amongst professionals regarding gender identity assessments employing the DELPHI methodology
Authors: Henrich Sören 
Published: November 2023

Purpose
Gender identity assessments (GIAs) have been criticized by practitioners and trans and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals alike. With the practice of exploring individuals’ gender identity for treatment pathway purposes being potentially invasive and inappropriate, the current study aims to explore explicit standards.

Design/methodology/approach
The current study used the Delphi methodology to survey practitioners familiar with GIA. Over three rounds, 14 international participants rated their agreement about six areas relating to the assessment: purpose; content; approach; forensic application; psychometric instruments; and wider issues. Statements that reached an 80% cut-off among participants were viewed as a sufficient level of agreement, while the remaining items were fed back for repeated ratings. Furthermore, participants had the opportunity to suggest additional items that the group could rate.

Findings
Overall, a consensus across 23 items was achieved. The findings indicate a practice emphasizing collaboration between clinician and client to facilitate an informed decision. Furthermore, participants advocated for a non-pathologizing version of the GIA. This is a departure from diagnoses like gender dysphoria toward an approach which encapsulates also positive aspects of the trans experience, for example, resilience and future plans.

Research limitations/implications
Limitations include sampling biases due to participants’ high specialization and challenges in recruiting TGNC individuals. Furthermore, findings appear restricted to adult services.

Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, this pilot is a first step to making current practice transparent and comparable, with the hopes to improve trans care. Furthermore, it is contextualized with the previously suggested application of the power threat meaning framework to GIA.