bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Integrative single-cell analysis of neural stem/progenitor cells reveals epigenetically dysregulated interferon response in progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Park Bongsoo , Nicaise Alexandra M. , Tsitsipatis Dimitrios , Pirvan Liviu , Prasad Pranathi , Larraz Lopez De Novales Miguel , Whitten Julia , Culig Luka , Llewellyn Joseph , Ionescu Rosana-Bristena , Willis Cory M. , Krzak Grzegorz , Fan Jinshui , De Supriyo , Suarez Cubero Marta , Spathopoulou Angeliki , Peruzzotti-Jametti Luca , Leonardi Tommaso , Edenhofer Frank , Gorospe Myriam , Mohorianu Irina , Pluchino Stefano , Beerman Isabel 
Published: February 2024

SUMMARYProgressive multiple sclerosis (PMS) is characterized by a primary smouldering pathological disease process associated with a superimposed inflammatory activity. Cellular and molecular processes sustaining the pathobiology of PMS remain to be identified.We previously discovered senescence signatures in neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs) from people with PMS. Applying direct reprogramming to generate directly induced NSCs (iNSCs) from somatic fibroblasts, we retain epigenetic information and observe hypomethylation of genes associated with lipid metabolic processes and IFN signalling only in PMS lines. Single-cell/nucleus transcriptomic and epigenetic profiling reveal an inflammatory, senescent-like, IFN-responsive radial glia (RG)-like cell subcluster mainly in PMS iNSCs that is driven by IFN-associated transcription factors. Lastly, we identify a population of senescent, IFN-responsive, disease-associated RG-like cells (DARGs) in the PMS brain that share pseudotime trajectories with iNSCsin vitro.We describe the existence of a non-neurogenic, dysfunctional DARG population that has the potential to fuel smouldering inflammation in PMS.
LungMycobacterium tuberculosisinfection perturbs metabolic pathways in non-pulmonary tissues
Authors: Pahwa Falak , Chaudhary Shweta , Dayal Anushka , Nanda Ranjan Kumar 
Published: February 2024

AbstractMycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb), through aerosol, reaches the lungs to cause pulmonary tuberculosis (TB); however, it may also affect the metabolism of other tissues in age-specific ways. In this study, female C57BL/6 mice (2 and 5 months old; M) were infected with a low aerosol dose (100-200 cfu) of Mtb H37Rv to monitor tissue mycobacterial load and multi-tissue metabolite profiling using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). 5M C57BL/6 mice showed separate tissue metabolic phenotype with significantly higher lung aspartic acid, fecal oxalic acid and tryptophan levels with lower liver lysine and aspartic acid and fecal phenylalanine levels (log2FC: 5M/2M> ±1.0, p<0.1) compared to 2M young controls. Upon Mtb infection, the lung mycobacterial load of 2M and 5M mice were similar till 6 weeks post-infection. However, significantly higher lung phosphoric acid, malonic acid and lower mannose levels (log2FC: Mtb infected/healthy> ±1.0, p<0.1) were observed in Mtb-infected 5M C57BL/6 mice. Meanwhile, Mtb-infected 2M mice showed higher liver xylose and lower lysine levels. The thigh muscles of Mtb-infected 2M and 5M mice showed increased malic acid and oxalic acid and decreased glycine, serine, and glycerol levels. Fecal aspartic acid level was higher in Mtb-infected 5M mice, while a decreased abundance of fecal lysine was observed in Mtb-infected 2M mice. Overall, this study demonstrates a deregulated tissue-specific amino acid metabolism in Mtb-infected mice groups of different age groups, which might be targeted for managing TB infection-related adverse effects.
Effective lowering of α-synuclein expression by targeting G-quadruplex structures within the SNCA gene
Authors: Pirota Valentina , Rey Federica , Esposito Letizia , Fantini Valentina , Pandini Cecilia , Maghraby Erika , Di Gerlando Rosalinda , Doria Filippo , Mella Mariella , Pansarasa Orietta , Gandellini Paolo , Freccero Mauro , Carelli Stephana , Cereda Cristina 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTAlpha-synuclein, encoded by the SNCA gene, is a pivotal protein implicated in the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies, including Parkinson’s disease. Current approaches for modulating alpha-synuclein levels involve antisense nucleotides, siRNAs, and small molecules targeting SNCA’s 5’-UTR mRNA. Here, we propose a groundbreaking strategy targeting G-quadruplex structures to effectively modulate SNCA gene expression and lowering alpha-synuclein amount. Novel G-quadruplex sequences, identified on the SNCA gene’s transcription starting site and 5’-UTR of SNCA mRNAs, were experimentally confirmed for their stability through biophysical assays andin vitroexperiments on human genomic DNA. Biological validation in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells revealed that well-known G-quadruplex ligands remarkably stabilized these structures, inducing the modulation of SNCA mRNAs expression, and the effective decrease in alpha-synuclein amount. Besides, a novel peptide nucleic acid conjugate, designed to selectively disrupt of G-quadruplex within the SNCA gene promoter, caused a promising lowering of both SNCA mRNA and alpha-synuclein protein. Altogether our findings highlight G-quadruplexes’ key role as intriguing biological targets in achieving a notable and successful reduction in alpha-synuclein expression, pointing to a novel approach against synucleinopathies.
Structures of the Foamy virus fusion protein reveal an unexpected link with the F protein of paramyxo- and pneumoviruses
Authors: Fernández Ignacio , Bontems François , Brun Delphine , Coquin Youna , Goverde Casper A. , Coreilla Bruno E. , Gessain Antoine , Buseyne Florence , Rey Felix A. , Backovic Marija 
Published: February 2024

AbstractFoamy viruses (FVs) constitute a subfamily of retroviruses. Their envelope glycoprotein (Env) drives the merger of viral and cellular membranes during entry into cells. The only available structures of retroviral Envs are those from human and simian immunodeficiency viruses from the subfamily of orthoretroviruses, which are only distantly related to the FVs. We report here the cryo-EM structures of the FV Env ectodomain in the pre- and post-fusion states, which demonstrate structural similarity with the fusion protein (F) of paramyxo- and pneumoviruses, implying an evolutionary link between the two viral fusogens. Based on the structural information on the FV Env in two states, we propose a mechanistic model for its conformational change, highlighting how the interplay of its structural elements could drive the structural rearrangement. The structural knowledge on the FV Env now provides a framework for functional investigations such as the FV cell tropism and molecular features controlling the Env fusogenicity, which can benefit the design of FV Env variants with improved features for use as gene therapy vectors.
How can agrifood businesses improve their performance? The role of digital transformation
Authors: Benavides-Espinosa María del Mar , Ribeiro-Soriano Domingo , Gieure Clara 
Published: February 2024

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to analyse the moderating effect of digital transformation (DT) on the relationship between innovation capacity and the performance of agrifood businesses.Design/methodology/approachBased on a structured questionnaire, data on 98 agrifood small and medium-sized enterprises operating in Spain were collected. The data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling to test the proposed model and study the moderating effect of DT on the relationship between the innovation capacity and performance of agrifood businesses.FindingsThe study finds support for the hypotheses and shows the existence of a direct positive relationship between the DT and performance of agrifood businesses. Developing new practices focussed on customer service and performing actions such as improving sales, promoting a new product or service and including a post-sales service influence the capacity of a business to undertake DT.Research limitations/implicationsFuture studies should include other factors in the analysis. For example, the impact of knowledge transfer and research and development (R&D) on agrifood businesses' performance should be studied. Education and training, as well as having a diverse network, can help develop and boost businesses' capacity to use and apply the required innovation. Networks play an important role in learning how to apply DT.Originality/valueThis quantitative study is the first to examine the moderating effect of DT in the Spanish agrifood sector on the relationship between innovation capacity and performance. The study examines the role of the DT of companies and explores the competitiveness and efficiency tools that digitalisation offers. Innovation capacity is crucial for the application of these tools.
Predicting the thermal protective performance of flame-retardant fabric based on machine learning
Authors: Li Boyi , Tian Miao , Liu Xiaohan , Li Jun , Su Yun , Ni Jiaming 
Published: February 2024

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to predict the thermal protective performance (TPP) of flame-retardant fabric more economically using machine learning and analyze the factors affecting the TPP using model visualization.Design/methodology/approachA total of 13 machine learning models were trained by collecting 414 datasets of typical flame-retardant fabric from current literature. The optimal performance model was used for feature importance ranking and correlation variable analysis through model visualization.FindingsFive models with better performance were screened, all of which showed R2 greater than 0.96 and root mean squared error less than 3.0. Heat map results revealed that the TPP of fabrics differed significantly under different types of thermal exposure. The effect of fabric weight was more apparent in the flame or low thermal radiation environment. The increase in fabric weight, fabric thickness, air gap width and relative humidity of the air gap improved the TPP of the fabric.Practical implicationsThe findings suggested that the visual analysis method of machine learning can intuitively understand the change trend and range of second-degree burn time under the influence of multiple variables. The established models can be used to predict the TPP of fabrics, providing a reference for researchers to carry out relevant research.Originality/valueThe findings of this study contribute directional insights for optimizing the structure of thermal protective clothing, and introduce innovative perspectives and methodologies for advancing heat transfer modeling in thermal protective clothing.
Affective mechanisms linking role ambiguity to employee turnover
Authors: Junça Silva Ana , Rodrigues Rosa 
Published: February 2024

Purpose
This study relied on the job demands and resource model to understand employees’ turnover intentions. Recent studies have consistently lent support for the significant association between role ambiguity and turnover intentions; however, only a handful of studies focused on examining the potential mediators in this association. The authors argued that role ambiguity positively influences turnover intentions through affective mechanisms: job involvement and satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach
To test the model, a large sample of working adults participated (N = 505).

Findings
Structural equation modeling results showed that role ambiguity, job involvement and job satisfaction were significantly associated with turnover intentions. Moreover, a serial mediation was found among the variables: employees with low levels of role ambiguity tended to report higher job involvement, which further increased their satisfaction with the job and subsequently decreased their turnover intentions.

Research limitations/implications
The cross-sectional design is a limitation.

Practical implications
Practical suggestions regarding how organizations can reduce employee turnover are discussed.

Originality/value
The findings provide support for theory-driven interventions to address developing the intention to stay at work among working adults.
Digital innovation drivers in retail banking: the role of leadership, culture, and technostress inhibitors
Authors: Al Issa Hussein-Elhakim , Omar Mohammed Mispah Said 
Published: February 2024

Purpose
The empirical study of factors related to digital transformation (DT) in the banking sector is still limited, even though the importance of the topic is universally evident. To bridge that gap, this paper aims to explore the role of digital leadership (DL), innovative culture (IC) and technostress inhibitors (TI) to support engagement for improved digital innovation (DI). Based on the literature, these variables are crucial aspects of digitalisation, even though there is no agreement on their conclusiveness.

Design/methodology/approach
This quantitative study tested a new conceptual model using survey data from five major banks in Libya. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data from the 292 usable responses.

Findings
The results showed that DL and IC positively affect DI. Techno-work engagement (TE) mediated the relationship between leadership, culture and innovation. TI played a significant moderating role in leadership, culture and engagement relationships.

Practical implications
The research findings highlight critical issues about how leadership style and fostering organisational support in the banking sector can enhance DT. Leaders must demonstrate a commitment to long-term resource allocation to avoid possible negative effects from digital stress while pursuing DI through work engagement.

Social implications
The study suggests that fostering organisational support can enhance DT in retail banks, potentially leading to improved customer experiences and increased access to financial services. These programs will help banks contribute to societal and economic development.

Originality/value
This timely study examines predictor mechanisms of innovation in retail banking that resonate within the restrictions of organisational and DI frameworks and the social exchange theory. Exploring the intervening effect of TE in the leadership, culture and innovation associations is unprecedented.
The potential of Islamic financing in making financial development more entrepreneurship friendly
Authors: Sohail Hadia , Arshed Noman 
Published: February 2024

PurposeLiterature has pointed that conventional financial development theories have inconclusive role on motivating new businesses. New ventures often consider the conventional system that passes through risk and provides fixed-interest lending as a burden. Comparatively, Islamic finance contributes using participative and equitable substitute for startups and has a potential in promoting new businesses. This study aims to investigate the holistic financial development index quadratic effect on entrepreneurship and include the moderating role of Islamic financing at national level.Design/methodology/approachIslamic banks of 21 nations constitute the unbalanced panel data. Financial development and entrepreneurship indices were developed using factor analysis and panel median regression to estimate the nonlinear financial market development effects and Islamic financing moderation model.FindingsThe results indicated that low financial market development is entrepreneurship deterring because of interest burden effect, which could be eased with a proportional increase in the Islamic financing, which is participative. The moderating effect has led to the categorization of the sample countries into entrepreneurship promoting and entrepreneurship discouraging with respect to the current incidence of financial market development and Islamic financing, which can help policymakers in understanding the entrepreneurship promoting combination of financial development and Islamic financing.Research limitations/implicationsCentral banks andShari’ahadvisory councils can adopt Islamic financing transition in the national financial inclusion policy for new business facilitation.Originality/valueThis study is instrumental in exploring the assessment of introducing Islamic financing while developing the financial sector on multidimensional entrepreneurship.
Does rural infrastructure resilience affect population loss? Empirical research based on spatial measurements
Authors: Li Jieyu , Ma Libang , Tao Tianmin , Zhu Zhihang , Li Sixia 
Published: February 2024

PurposeBy analyzing the mechanisms by which rural infrastructure resilience (RIR) impacted population loss in Longxi County, this study proposes measures to improve RIR, which provides a practical reference for realizing China's rural revitalization strategy, besides providing ideas for alleviating population loss in similar regions around the world.Design/methodology/approachThis study considered 213 administrative villages in Longxi County in the Longzhong loess hilly region as the evaluation unit. Based on the construction of a multidimensional RIR evaluation system, the spatial spillover effect of RIR on population loss was determined using the spatial Durbin model (SDM).FindingsThe average resilience of each subsystem of rural infrastructure in Longxi County was low, and there were large differences in the spatial distribution. The mean RIR index value was 0.2258, with obvious spatial directivity and agglomeration characteristics. The population loss index of Longxi County had a value of 0.1759, with 26.29 of villages having a high loss level. The population loss was relatively serious and was correlated with the spatial distribution of RIR. The villages with larger RIR index values had lower population loss. The RIR had a significant spatial spillover effect on population loss. Productive infrastructure resilience and living infrastructure resilience (LIR) had negative spillover effects on population loss, and social service infrastructure resilience (SSIR) had a positive spillover effect on population loss.Originality/valueBy analyzing the mechanisms by which RIR impacted on population loss in Longxi County, this study proposes measures to improve RIR, which provides a practical reference for realizing China's rural revitalization strategy, besides providing ideas for alleviating population loss in similar regions around the world.
Turning entrepreneurial networks into business model innovation for start-ups
Authors: Xu Sha , Wu Xiaojie , He Jie , Zhu Renhong , Morrison Alastair M. , Xie Cheng 
Published: February 2024

PurposeAlthough it is acknowledged that entrepreneurial networks play a crucial role in fostering business model innovation (BMI) for start-ups, it is unclear how and when these networks affect BMI. This research developed a moderated mediation model to explore the impact of entrepreneurial networks on BMI in start-ups and examined the dual mediating effects of causation and effectuation, as well as the moderation of environmental dynamism.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed framework was tested by hierarchical regression analyses and bootstrapping using samples of 248 start-ups in China.FindingsThe results showed that entrepreneurial networks significantly positively impacted start-up BMI. Causation and effectuation played dual mediating roles between entrepreneurial networks and BMI. Furthermore, the entrepreneurial networks-effectuation-BMI association was more substantial in highly dynamic environments, whereas the entrepreneurial networks-causation-BMI relationship was unaffected.Research limitations/implicationsThere are several theoretical contributions resulting from this research. The findings offer new insights for understanding the antecedents of start-up BMI from the network perspective. This research adds to the growing literature on resource orchestration (RO) by exploring the dual mediating influences of causation and effectuation in resource management. This investigation revealed the boundary condition between entrepreneurial networks and BMI by testing the moderating influence of environmental dynamism.Practical implicationsStart-ups must effectively use external resources embedded within networks to advance BMI. Start-up entrepreneurs should apply causation and effectuation to transform entrepreneurial network resources into BMI. Start-up entrepreneurs must dynamically manage resources in response to ever-changing environmental conditions. Resource acquisition and management of entrepreneurial networks can vary significantly in their influence on start-up BMI under different environmental contexts.Originality/valueUnlike previous BMI research focused on internal organizational factors, this study highlighted the critical importance of entrepreneurial networks as a prerequisite for achieving start-up BMI, contributing to the literature on open innovation and resource-based view. Examining the dual mediating roles of causation and effectuation illustrated the bridging role of strategic decision-making logic in connecting resources to value creation, contributing to the developing RO literature. The moderating influence of environmental dynamism was explored, clarifying how start-up BMI benefits from entrepreneurial networks in differing situations. A framework for reconciling contradictory findings concerning the association between entrepreneurial networks and innovation is provided.
On the possibilities of merging additive manufacturing and powder injection molding in the production of metal parts
Authors: Novák Martin , Hausnerova Berenika , Pata Vladimir , Sanetrnik Daniel 
Published: February 2024

Purpose
This study aims to enhance merging of additive manufacturing (AM) techniques with powder injection molding (PIM). In this way, the prototypes could be 3D-printed and mass production implemented using PIM. Thus, the surface properties and mechanical performance of parts produced using powder/polymer binder feedstocks [material extrusion (MEX) and PIM] were investigated and compared with powder manufacturing based on direct metal laser sintering (DMLS).

Design/methodology/approach
PIM parts were manufactured from 17-4PH stainless steel PIM-quality powder and powder intended for powder bed fusion compounded with a recently developed environmentally benign binder. Rheological data obtained at the relevant temperatures were used to set up the process parameters of injection molding. The tensile and yield strengths as well as the strain at break were determined for PIM sintered parts and compared to those produced using MEX and DMLS. Surface properties were evaluated through a 3D scanner and analyzed with advanced statistical tools.

Findings
Advanced statistical analyses of the surface properties showed the proximity between the surfaces created via PIM and MEX. The tensile and yield strengths, as well as the strain at break, suggested that DMLS provides sintered samples with the highest strength and ductility; however, PIM parts made from environmentally benign feedstock may successfully compete with this manufacturing route.

Originality/value
This study addresses the issues connected to the merging of two environmentally efficient processing routes. The literature survey included has shown that there is so far no study comparing AM and PIM techniques systematically on the fixed part shape and dimensions using advanced statistical tools to derive the proximity of the investigated processing routes.