bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cell cycle-dependent organization of a bacterial centromere through multi-layered regulation of the ParABS system
Authors: Kaljević Jovana , Le Tung B. K. , Laloux Géraldine 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe accurate distribution of genetic material is crucial for all organisms. In most bacteria, chromosome segregation is achieved by the ParABS system, in which the ParB-bound centromereparSis actively partitioned by ParA. While this system is highly conserved, its adaptation in organisms with unique lifestyles and its regulation between developmental stages remain unexplored.Bdellovibrio bacteriovorusis a predatory bacterium proliferating through polyploid replication and non-binary division inside other bacteria. Our study reveals the subcellular dynamics and multi-layered regulation of the ParABS system, coupled to the cell cycle ofB. bacteriovorus. We found that ParA:ParB ratios fluctuate between predation stages, their balance being critical for cell cycle progression. Moreover, theparSchromosomal context in non-replicative cells, combined with ParB depletion at cell division, critically contribute to the unique cell cycle-dependent organization of the centromere in this bacterium, highlighting new levels of complexity in chromosome segregation and cell cycle control.Author summaryThe precise distribution of genetic material to the progeny is essential for all living organisms, and the ParABS system is critical for this process in bacteria. Our study provides novel insights into the regulation of this system in a predatory bacterium that exhibits a non-canonical cell cycle, in which the chromosome is copied and segregated multiple times during growth inside a prey bacterium. Our work reveals the subcellular dynamics and multi-level regulation of the ParABS system in this bacterium, which results in the unique cell-cycle dependent assembly of the segregation complex at the chromosomal centromere. Our findings provide a deeper understanding of the adaptation of the ParABS system across bacterial species and developmental stages.
Deciphering the role of the OmpC-Mla system in bile salt resistance
Authors: Zhu Feifan , Chong Zhi-Soon , Chng Shu-Sin 
Published: June 2023

ABSTRACTThe outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria presents a formidable barrier against external insults, in part contributing to the survival of Enterobacteriaceae in the mammalian gut. The lipid asymmetry of the OM, where lipopolysaccharides (LPS) form a tight outer layer of low permeability, effectively restricts the passage of toxic substances across the bilayer. In the gut, however, bile salts pose a unique challenge to the bacterial cell due to their ability to form micelles and solubilize membranes; yet, mechanisms to prevent dissolution of the OM by such detergents are not well understood. In this study, we define a distinct role in bile salt resistance for the OmpC-Mla system inEscherichia coli, which is better known for its function in maintaining OM lipid asymmetry. We show that cells lacking a functional OmpC-Mla system are sensitive to bile salts, but only at or above critical micellar concentrations. Furthermore, we observe that these cells still exhibit bile salt sensitivity even when defects in OM lipid asymmetry have been corrected, suggesting that the OmpC-Mla system contributes to bile salt resistance independent of its role in lipid asymmetry. Finally, we demonstrate that MlaD, one of the key lipid-binding components of the system, displays specific binding to bile salts in vitro. Since the OmpC-Mla system maintains OM lipid asymmetry by transporting mislocalized PLs, our findings here support a model where this system also additionally removes bile salts that have intercalated into the OM, to ultimately prevent dissolution and disruption of this important barrier.IMPORTANCEBile salts are important components secreted into the human gut to help solubilize fats from our diet, yet they also possess anti-microbial properties due to their corresponding ability to dissolve bacterial membranes. For Enterobacteriaceae to survive in the gut environment, these bacterial cells must prevent intracellular build-up of bile salts by either restricting entry or by pumping out these molecules. Ultimately, they must resist bile salt-mediated dissolution of their membranes, particularly their outer membranes, which serve as a protective barrier against toxic substances. In this study, we reveal that a known lipid transport system inEscherichia colihas a distinct role in bile salt resistance independent of its role in maintaining outer membrane lipid asymmetry; it does so likely by removing bile salts from the outer membrane, thus preventing dissolution. Our work highlights the possibility of targeting this lipid transport system for the treatment of Enterobacteriaceae infections.
The protein profiles of postoperative incision infection after plate internal fixation of calcaneal fractures
Authors: Wen Jun , Wen Zhong 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundNowadays, the internal fixation has been an effective way for calcaneal fractures treatment. However, high risk of infection was found after the internal fixation, and the mechnism remains unclear.ObjectiveIn this work, we systematically preformed a comparative proteomic analysis between necrotic tissues and normal soft tissues aiming to find the molecular changes of the tissue during the fixation.MethodThe necrotic tissues (NTs) samples (n = 3) and the normal soft tissues control (NC) samples (n = 3) which was 2 -3 cm away from the NT were collected after the surgery. ALC-MS/MS analysis. A label free quantitation stragy was used to compare the proteome alterations followed by detailed bioinformatic analysis.ResultsA total of 902 and 1286 protein groups were quantified in the NT group and the NC group separately, with 233 proteins upregulated and 484 proteins downregulated in the NT group. Those differently expressed proteins were highly correlated with the metabolic pathways, especially those downregulated proteins in the necrotic tissue indicating an inacitive cell states in the nearby of the plate internal fixation. In addition, the detailed functiona analysis showed that the the upregutated proteins in necrotic tissue were highly enriched in the disease-related functions.ConclusionThis alerted us to clean the wound in time and found a safer strategy for internal fixation. Altogether, the emerging understanding of the proteomic properties in the necrotic tissue will guide the development of new strategies for internal fixation of calcaneal fractures
Assessment of the healthcare workers’ physical, educational and operational needs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bahrain
Authors: Mukhaimer Jameela , Mihdawi Maha Omar , Al-Ghatam Rana , Alhourani Fairouz , Opinion Francis 
Published: June 2023

PurposeThis study sought to understand the physical, educational and operational needs faced by healthcare workers (HCWs) (including physicians, nurses and allied health workers) during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachA descriptive cross-sectional design was undertaken. HCWs working in hospitals, health centers, testing and quarantine areas in the Kingdom of Bahrain were invited to complete the online survey questionnaire developed by authors containing three domains: physical, educational, and perceived knowledge, and operational needs.FindingsA convenient sample (N = 627) of volunteered participants responded to the online survey. The biggest challenges that HCWs were exposed to are physical needs (experiencing dry hands, difficulty breathing while on a mask, feeling hot and sweaty, and less fluid and food intake) which were reported as the higher level, followed by operational needs (limited communication due to Personal Protective Equipment - PPE - use, longer working hours, and preparation time to get ready for duty). Other challenges pertained to education and knowledge (the presence of multiple sources of information confused them during the care practices). Females faced more challenges than males, and Bahraini HCWs handled challenges more than non-Bahrainis. A negative relationship was found between age and years of experience with the challenges of the HCWs.Originality/valueDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, health systems face rapidly increasing demands. HCWs face several challenges while providing patient care, particularly physical needs. This study provides adequate data for healthcare administrators to maintain a safe working environment during pandemics.
Investigating determinants of middle-aged and elderly users' video-creating intention on short-video platforms from a lifespan development perspective
Authors: Wang Changyu , Yan Jin , Zhang Yimeng , Huang Lijing 
Published: June 2023

PurposeMiddle-aged and elderly users become an important group on short-video platforms, however, the research on determinants of their video-creating intention is limited. Based on lifespan development theories, this study examines the impact of aging experiences on their video-creating intention, considering internal generative motivations as mediators and age as a moderator.Design/methodology/approachTo test this study’s hypotheses, survey data from 321 Chinese middle-aged and elderly short-video users were collected and partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach was used to analyze these data.FindingsMiddle-aged and elderly users' aging experiences of social loss and personal growth are positively related to their video-creating intention. Aging experiences (i.e. physical loss, social loss, and personal growth) are positively related to internal generative motivations (i.e. need to be needed and symbolic immortality), and need to be needed is positively related to video-creating intention. Via the mediation of need to be needed, physical loss and personal growth are indirectly positively related to video-creating intention. Personal growth strengthens the relationship between physical loss and symbolic immortality, but weakens the associations of social loss with need to be needed and symbolic immortality. Age weakens the relationship between symbolic immortality and video-creating intention.Originality/valueThis study is the first wave to introduce and integrate lifespan theories such as selective optimization with compensation model, socioemotional selectivity theory, and generativity theory to explore the impacts of aging experiences on middle-aged and elderly users' video-creating intention by considering generativity motivations as mediators and age as a moderator.
Enhancing purchase intentions among young consumers in a live-streaming shopping environment using relational bonds: are there differences between “buyers” and “non-buyers”?
Authors: Tan Kim-Lim , Hii Ivy S.H. , Lim Xin-Jean , Wong Caroline Y.L. 
Published: June 2023

PurposeDrawing on the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) model, this study examines how live-streaming shopping influences purchase intentions in young consumers. The multigroup analysis is applied to understand the similarities and differences of factors that trigger purchase intentions among buyers and non-buyers in live-streaming shopping.Design/methodology/approachA snowball sampling was used to collect data from 507 Chinese consumers between June and September 2022 using Wenjuanxing, i.e., an online survey platform in China. The data was analyzed using the partial least squares method of structural equation modeling.FindingsThe findings revealed that amongst the three relational bonds, social and structural bonds were positively associated with trust, whereas financial bonds had no significant relationship with trust. This implies that while price discount might not have any significant relationship with trust, the social interactions that college students have with the live-streamers and their products build trust, which in turn translates to purchasing decisions. Comparing buyers and non-buyers, the results support that buyers have a higher level of trust in live-streaming shopping than non-buyers. This is indicative of the authentic and immersive experiences enjoyed by consumers in live streaming that generate structural bonds and foster stronger connections (relational bonds), thereby establishing trust.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first empirical studies targeting college students as participants in live streaming. These findings are expected to provide actionable insights to streamers especially in converting non-buyers to buyers in live-streaming broadcast.
Analytics in healthcare supply chain management in the new normal era: a review and future research agenda
Authors: Tyagi Sapna 
Published: June 2023

PurposeThe relevance of analytics to the healthcare supply chain is increasing with emerging trends and technologies. This study examines how analytics are used in the healthcare supply chain in the “new normal” environment.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review was conducted by extracting research articles related to analytics in the healthcare supply chain from Scopus. The author used a hybrid review approach that combines bibliometric analysis with a theories, contexts, characteristics, and methodology (TCCM) framework-based review to identify various themes of analytics in the healthcare supply chain.FindingsThe hybrid review strategy yielded results that focus on prevalent theories, contexts, characteristics, and methodologies in the field of healthcare supply chain analytics. Future research should explore the resulting antecedents, decision-making processes and outcomes (ADO) framework, which integrates technological, economic, and societal concerns and outcomes. Future research agendas could also seek to apply theoretical perspectives in the field of analytics in the healthcare supply chain.Originality/valueThe result of a review of selected studies adds to the current body of work and contributes to the growth of research in the field of analytics in the healthcare supply chain. It also provides new directions to healthcare supply chain managers and academic scholars.
The effects of organizational learning on innovation and performance of venture capital-backed firms: the moderating effect of syndication
Authors: Laachach Abderrahim , Ettahri Younes 
Published: June 2023

PurposeDespite the innovation and performance of venture capital (VC)-backed firms receiving extensive attention, how and under what conditions VC influences innovation and performance remains unclear. The present paper draws on organizational learning (OL) theory to examine the moderating effect of syndication on backed firms.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on a literature review that connects OL and innovation to the performance of VC-backed firms, this study examines the effects of OL on innovation and firm performance among these firms by questioning the moderating effect of VC syndication. A sample of 78 VC-backed firms was used to test the robustness of the proposed model and causal relationships through the use of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe empirical evidence demonstrates that the intervention of venture capitalists can not only stimulate innovation, but also have a significantly positive effect on firm performance. Furthermore, the evidence reveals that syndication of VC investment supports backed firms in improving the firms' performance and generating innovation from acquired knowledge.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first in North Africa that focuses on the moderating effects of venture capital syndication on the relationships between OL, innovation and firm performance.
Epistemically violent biases in artificial intelligence design: the case of DALLE-E 2 and Starry AI
Authors: Mbalaka Blessing 
Published: June 2023

PurposeThe paper aims to expand on the works well documented by Joy Boulamwini and Ruha Benjamin by expanding their critique to the African continent. The research aims to assess if algorithmic biases are prevalent in DALL-E 2 and Starry AI. The aim is to help inform better artificial intelligence (AI) systems for future use.Design/methodology/approachThe paper utilised a desktop study for literature and gathered data from Open AI’s DALL-E 2 text-to-image generator and StarryAI text-to-image generator.FindingsThe DALL-E 2 significantly underperformed when it was tasked with generating images of “An African Family” as opposed to images of a “Family”. The pictures lacked any conceivable detail as compared to the latter of this comparison. The StarryAI significantly outperformed the DALL-E 2 and rendered visible faces. However, the accuracy of the culture portrayed was poor.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalisability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further. The implications, however, are that more inclusion is warranted to help address the issue of cultural inaccuracies noted in a few of the paper’s experiments.Practical implicationsThe paper is useful for advocates who advocate for algorithmic equality and fairness by highlighting evidence of the implications of systemic-induced algorithmic bias.Social implicationsThe reduction in offensive racism and more socially appropriate AI can be a better product for commercialisation and general use. If AI is trained on diversity, it can lead to better applications in contemporary society.Originality/valueThe paper’s use of DALL-E 2 and Starry AI is an under-researched area, and future studies on this matter are welcome.
Dynamic modelling of an armoured face conveyor considering the curved chains
Authors: Yuan Pengfei , He Baiyan , Zhang Lianhong 
Published: June 2023

PurposeDue to the structural layout, mining process, and working environment, curved chains such as horizontal and vertical bends inevitably exist in the armoured face conveyor (AFC). With the increasing power, conveying capacity, and distance of the AFC, the dynamic influence of these curved chains should be highly emphasized. This paper establishes a dynamic model of the AFC by multi-body system theory and finite segment method, in which the curved chains can be fully considered.Design/methodology/approachThe scraper chains are firstly grouped into the straight, horizontal bend, vertical convex and concave bend sections. Each bend section running in a circle is simplified as an ideal arc. Through solving its differential equilibrium equation and using Newton's second law, its running resistance is derived. Then the grouped chains are discretized into finite control elements according to the Kelvin model, and the governing equation of each control element is established. The dynamic model of the AFC is obtained by assembling these equations, and the corresponding simulation model is developed by using MATLAB/Simulink.FindingsCase studies with real scenarios are provided, and simulations are carried out. The results show that the running resistance contributed by the curved chains is larger than the traditional empirical value.Originality/valueThe work in this paper helps the dynamic performance design of AFC, with a deep understanding of the curved chains.
Differences between habitual and novice entrepreneurs in funding negotiations
Authors: Glade Christian , Kesting Peter , Smolinski Remigiusz , Kanbach Dominik 
Published: June 2023

PurposeNegotiations with venture capitalists (VCs) play a crucial role in the entrepreneurial financing process. Habitual entrepreneurs are generally able to secure more venture capital funding and on better deal terms than novices. This study investigates the disparities in negotiation competencies between habitual and novice entrepreneurs during VC funding negotiations.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed a qualitative approach to investigate the variation in negotiation competencies between habitual and novice entrepreneurs, utilizing the negotiation competency model (NCM). The data analysis and interpretation adopted an inductive concept development approach. A total of 21 semi-structured interviews were conducted with seasoned VCs located in Europe, all of whom had actively engaged in funding negotiations with both habitual and novice entrepreneurs.FindingsThe findings revealed substantial disparities between novice and habitual entrepreneurs in VC negotiations. Although not all competencies of the NCM exhibited variances, the results indicate three primary dimensions contributing to these differences: expertise, reputation, and negotiation competence.Originality/valueThis study is groundbreaking as it represents one of the earliest empirical investigations into the entrepreneurial negotiation competencies within VC negotiations. The findings endeavor to narrow the gap between novice and habitual entrepreneurs in VC negotiations by pinpointing the distinct variations between these two groups, which hold significant practical implications. Furthermore, this study expands the conceptual framework of the NCM by identifying supplementary competencies within the realm of VC negotiations.
Technology investments from China into other emerging economies: a push and pull perspective on the Eurasia region
Authors: Castello Esquerdo Alvar , Panibratov Andrei , Klishevich Daria 
Published: June 2023

PurposeDrawn from the push–pull perspective, this research aims to identify the determinants of Chinese technology's outward foreign direct investments (OFDI) into the Eurasian region.Design/methodology/approachThe authors argue that contrary to the extant literature, technology-driven OFDI from emerging-market multinationals (EMNEs) do not always seek developed countries, and EMNEs' technology investments in emerging economies are rising indicating that there are factors in these economies that can prove attractive. The authors recognize the influence of the macroeconomic environment and the interaction of home and host-country institutional contexts that influence the location choice of EMNEs technology-driven OFDI into other emerging economies, mediated by the industry sector and firm's ownership structure. The authors test our hypotheses using a sample of 1,656 observations of Chinese MNEs' tech-investments in the Eurasian region from 2005 to 2019.Findings The study results indicate that bilateral diplomatic relations pave the way of the host-country institutional environment for Chinese MNEs uncovering the role of the Chinese government as an OFDI facilitator. This study also unveils a lower technology level of the Chinese MNEs' investments in the Eurasian region connoting an interest in market opportunities exploitation through their existing technologies – through its comparative advantage in the global markets – rather than strategic assets acquisition aiming at augmenting their technological capabilities. This trend is similar to that of other major foreign direct investment (FDI) source countries.Originality/valueThis research contributes to a better understanding of the characteristics and the location choice of technology investments from EMNEs into other emerging economies that have received scant attention in the literature. In addition, it extends the institutional theory by analyzing how home-country institutions, through bilateral diplomatic relations, may smooth the host country institutional environment for home-country MNEs' foreign investments and contributes as well to the debate on the applicability of the existing theoretical framework in the case of emerging-market MNEs.