bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modified E2 glycoprotein of hepatitis C virus enhances pro-inflammatory cytokines and protective immune response in mice
Authors: Vijayamahantesh  , Patra Tapas , Meyer Keith , Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh , Reagan Erin , Weissman Drew , Ray Ranjit 
Published: February 2022

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV) is characterized by a high number of chronic cases owing to an impairment of innate and adaptive immune responses. CD81 on the cell surface facilitates HCV entry by interacting with the E2 envelope glycoprotein. On the other hand, CD81/E2 binding on immune related cells may also influence host response outcome to HCV infection. Here, we performed site-specific amino acid substitution in the front layer of E2 sequence to reduce CD81 binding and evaluate HCV candidate vaccine potential. The altered sE2 protein (F442NYT), unlike sE2, displayed a significant reduction in CD81 binding, induced pro-inflammatory cytokines, and repressed anti-inflammatory response in primary monocyte-derived macrophages as antigen presenting cells. Further, sE2F442NYT stimulated CD4+T cell proliferation. Immunization of Balb/c mice with an E1/sE2F442NYT RNA-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) displayed improved IgG1 to IgG2a isotype switching, an increase in HCV pseudotype virus neutralizing antibodies, and resistance to challenge infection with a surrogate recombinant vaccinia virus expressing HCV E1-E2-NS2(aa134-966), unlike parental E1/sE2 immunization. Further investigation on modified E2 antigen for selection as antigen may provide helpful information for HCV vaccine development.One Sentence SummaryReduced HCV E2-CD81 binding and immune response
Explaining the revival strategies of Indian MSMEs to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Singh Sumanjeet , Chamola Pankaj , Kumar Vimal , Verma Pratima , Makkar Neha 
Published: February 2022

PurposeMicro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) is the kingpin of Indian economy. It contributes to 48% of India's exports and provides employment to 110 million people. As a result, it is critical to evaluate the obstacles, expose them and find a way to overcome the crisis due to the pandemic. The study aims to analyse the impact of financial and non-financial measures for the revival of MSME and its impact on firm sustainability and future opportunity as perceived by MSME owners/heads during the COVID-19 outbreak.Design/methodology/approachThis study, based on a cross-sectional survey of 197 export-oriented Indian MSMEs, attempts to investigate covid crisis mitigation strategies/measures in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) model was applied to check model fit, and structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed for data analysis.FindingsThe results of this study show the financial and non-financial revival measures such as firm revival, marketing training, customer relationship management (CRM), financial incentive and firm support, extending worker social security and financial access and price control positively impact MSMEs' business sustainability and future opportunity as perceived by the respondents that lent good support to the hypothesis.Research limitations/implicationsThe study emphasizes management in association with government and financial institutions to design short-term as well as long-term strategies that may enhance their sustainability in the market. MSMEs are being forced to reassess their business strategy and modify their operating model as a result of the uncertain/unpredictable climate. Many levels of strategy aid in revitalizing the company and providing future possibilities to move forward if the government schemes positively impact the perception of entrepreneurs. Further, the study identifies the immediate measures to tide over the crisis over this sector and then furnishes recommendations for closing the identified gaps in the present understanding.Originality/valueThe impact of COVID-19 on Indian MSMEs and how these MSMEs are dealing with it are highlighted in this paper, which is quite scarce and insufficient to cover the gap. It also provides a comprehensive view of firm sustainability and perceived opportunity among MSMEs.
Pythagorean fuzzy prioritized aggregation operators with priority degrees for multi-criteria decision-making
Authors: Farid Hafiz Muhammad Athar , Riaz Muhammad 
Published: February 2022

PurposeThe authors develop some prioritized operators named Pythagorean fuzzy prioritized averaging operator with priority degrees and Pythagorean fuzzy prioritized geometric operator with priority degrees. The properties of the existing method are routinely compared to those of other current approaches, emphasizing the superiority of the presented work over currently used methods. Furthermore, the impact of priority degrees on the aggregate outcome is thoroughly examined. Further, based on these operators, a decision-making approach is presented under the Pythagorean fuzzy set environment. An illustrative example related to the selection of the best alternative is considered to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach.Design/methodology/approachIn real-world situations, Pythagorean fuzzy numbers are exceptionally useful for representing ambiguous data. The authors look at multi-criteria decision-making issues in which the parameters have a prioritization relationship. The idea of a priority degree is introduced. The aggregation operators are formed by awarding non-negative real numbers known as priority degrees among strict priority levels. Consequently, the authors develop some prioritized operators named Pythagorean fuzzy prioritized averaging operator with priority degrees and Pythagorean fuzzy prioritized geometric operator with priority degrees.FindingsThe authors develop some prioritized operators named Pythagorean fuzzy prioritized averaging operator with priority degrees and Pythagorean fuzzy prioritized geometric operator with priority degrees. The properties of the existing method are routinely compared to those of other current approaches, emphasizing the superiority of the presented work over currently used methods. Furthermore, the impact of priority degrees on the aggregate outcome is thoroughly examined. Further, based on these operators, a decision-making approach is presented under the Pythagorean fuzzy set environment. An illustrative example related to the selection of the best alternative is considered to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach.Originality/valueThe aggregation operators are formed by awarding non-negative real numbers known as priority degrees among strict priority levels. Consequently, the authors develop some prioritized operators named Pythagorean fuzzy prioritized averaging operator with priority degrees and Pythagorean fuzzy prioritized geometric operator with priority degrees. The properties of the existing method are routinely compared to those of other current approaches, emphasizing the superiority of the presented work over currently used methods. Furthermore, the impact of priority degrees on the aggregate outcome is thoroughly examined.
Competence inference from muscle: how and when trainers' muscle mass impacts service purchase of personal fitness training
Authors: Park Sangchul , Lee Shinhyoung , Lee Hyun-Woo 
Published: February 2022

PurposeThis study aims to examine how and when trainers' muscle mass impacts service purchase of personal fitness training, drawing upon signaling theory. Specifically, the authors investigated (1) the mediating role of perceived competence in the relationship between trainers' muscle mass (highly vs moderately muscular) and customers' service registration intention and (2) the moderating role of customer expertise in this mediating mechanism.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conceptualized trainers' muscle mass, developed its experimental stimuli and validated them through the two pretests (total n = 387). Using the validated stimuli, the authors conducted the two experiments (total n = 802). In both experiments, the authors recruited participants via MTurk using the convenience sampling method and employed a single-factor between-subject design based on random assignment.FindingsFindings supported the authors’ proporsed model. Consumers perceived highly (vs moderately) muscular trainers as more competent, which in turn engendered greater service registration intention. This effect emerged for expert consumers but not for novice consumers.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first attempts to empirically test the influence of trainers' muscle mass on consumer acquisition in the context of personal fitness training. It also expands the sport marketing literature to the consumer psychology and behavior fields addressing the characteristics of sport-service providers. The findings also provide fitness organizations with managerial insights into how to effectively leverage trainers' physical appearance as a marketing tool.
Managerial models for disaster and humanitarian operations: enhancing empirical validation through case studies of disaster responses in Haiti
Authors: Moreira Ludmylla da Silva , Mendes D'avila Maria Gomes , Fontainha Tharcisio Cotta , Leiras Adriana 
Published: February 2022

PurposeThe research areas of humanitarian supply chain (HSC) and disaster and humanitarian operations (DHO) have evolved through the use of managerial models. Recent studies, however, point to the need for the empirical validation of such managerial models in real-life scenarios. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the validation of recent managerial models based on empirical data of two disasters in Haiti: the earthquake in 2010 and Hurricane Matthew in 2016.Design/methodology/approachThis research developed two case studies from the perspective of the Brazilian Navy (BN), a part of the Brazilian Armed Forces that led the United Nations Mission for Stabilization in Haiti (MINUSTAH) in both disasters. The case studies focused on empirically validating managerial models for stakeholder identification, stakeholder satisfaction, response processes, strategies for collaboration and the integration of these models.FindingsThe results revealed that compared to the response to the earthquake in 2010, the response to Hurricane Matthew in 2016 was superior. The collaborative strategies of the BN and other stakeholders used after the earthquake were more reactive, while the strategies after Hurricane Matthew aimed more at planning and anticipating adverse situations.Originality/valueThis research reinforces the investigated managerial models and indicates their suitability as planning tools for practitioners of HSC and DHO, which is essential for the further development of academic contributions related to integrating the models into more robust solutions.
The coherence of the auditor-client relationship quality and auditor tenure with client’s perceptions on added-value in SME audits: a sociological perspective
Authors: van Nieuw Amerongen Niels , Coskun Erdi , van Buuren Joost , Duits Hans B. 
Published: February 2022

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is gaining more insight into the impact of the strength of the auditor–client relationship on the client’s perceptions about added-value of the auditor service including the role of auditor tenure.

Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on both archival data (auditor tenure) and interview data (strength of the auditor–client relationship and client’s perceptions on added-value). The data comprise 497 small- and medium-sized entity (SME) audit engagements in The Netherlands.

Findings
This study finds evidence of a positive relationship between the strength of the auditor–client relationship and client’s perceptions on added-value. The data do not suggest a main effect of auditor tenure on client’s perceptions on added-value. This study finds evidence that auditor tenure, combined with the strength of the auditor–client relationship, has a strong positive influence on the perceived added-value. Therefore, this study argues that a longer tenure turns out to positively influence the auditor’s client-specific knowledge. The findings are relevant to auditing research by extending the scope of application of social exchange theory (SET) to SME settings, and by suggesting that the auditor–client relationship may capture more an audit quality dimension than auditor tenure. Findings are also relevant for audit practitioners in showing the contribution of a strong auditor–client relationship to client satisfaction in terms of perceived added-value. Standard setters may consider the results of this study in proper designing a specific auditing standard for smaller, less complex entities.

Originality/value
This study fits into a development in auditing research where auditing is viewed as a service. Prior studies in this area were mainly build on marketing concepts (e.g. Grönroos 2007). This study uses a sociological lens, particularly building on SET. In particular, this study focuses on the impact of relationship quality on perceived added value. Using this perspective sheds light on the importance of interactions between auditors and their clients. Both the product (audit opinion) and the process of collecting sufficient appropriate audit evidence in interaction with the client are important. This relationship perspective may serve as an explanation to why long auditor tenure can turn out to improve audit quality. Future research may build on this sociological perspective and particularly examine what conditions need to be present to realize benefits of the relationship approach and when a more transactional approach is more suitable.
Remaking capitalism: The movement for sustainable business and the future of the corporation
Authors: Chen Wendy D. , Marquis Christopher 
Published: February 2022

PurposeThis article examines the relationship between stakeholders and shareholders and identifies the key lessons from the B Corp movement that serve as practical tools for businesses – not just B Corps – to be more stakeholder focused.Design/methodology/approachThis article uses an in-depth interview with the author of Better Business: How the B Corp Movement Is Remaking Capitalism.FindingsThis article focuses on the pros and cons of the B Corp movement. One key point of discussion is that because B Corps focus more on stakeholders in general, they are more likely to attract likeminded employees who also support the companies’ missions, which also leads to greater retention rates. There is also growing interest from the investment community in B Corps and stakeholder-driven companies generally. However, a big challenge for B Corps lies in customer awareness. While many consumers may be buying products from B Corps, they do not know about the certification that links them together. A further conclusion is that even if a company does not want to be a B Corp, they can still benefit from the different stakeholder management tools and processes the movement has developed.Practical implicationsThe article argues that businesses can – and should – be responsible and accountable to any stakeholder beyond shareholders. While they do not necessarily need to become B Corps, they can use the accountability and governance tools - like the B Impact Assessment (BIA) and benefit corporation governance - as guides to better manage their businesses to be more sustainable and resilient and to contribute to a better society.Social implicationsThe B Corp movement has emerged as a powerful voice calling for businesses to balance financial returns with environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. The B Corp model shifts conventional business from a shareholder primacy to a stakeholder focus, through novel corporate governance and accountability mechanisms. This article investigates the key lessons that all businesses can learn from the B Corp movement to make the world a better place to live.Originality/valueThis article takes a pracademic approach using academic research on the B Corp movement to generate actionable lessons for businesses.
WELMSD – word embedding and language model based sarcasm detection
Authors: Kumar Pradeep , Sarin Gaurav 
Published: February 2022

PurposeSarcasm is a sentiment in which human beings convey messages with the opposite meanings to hurt someone emotionally or condemn something in a witty manner. The difference between the text's literal and its intended meaning makes it tough to identify. Mostly, researchers and practitioners only consider explicit information for text classification; however, considering implicit with explicit information will enhance the classifier's accuracy. Several sarcasm detection studies focus on syntactic, lexical or pragmatic features that are uttered using words, emoticons and exclamation marks. Discrete models, which are utilized by many existing works, require manual features that are costly to uncover.Design/methodology/approachIn this research, word embeddings used for feature extraction are combined with context-aware language models to provide automatic feature engineering capabilities as well superior classification performance as compared to baseline models. Performance of the proposed models has been shown on three benchmark datasets over different evaluation metrics namely misclassification rate, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under curve (AUC).FindingsExperimental results suggest that FastText word embedding technique with BERT language model gives higher accuracy and helps to identify the sarcastic textual element correctly.Originality/valueSarcasm detection is a sub-task of sentiment analysis. To help in appropriate data-driven decision-making, the sentiment of the text that gets reversed due to sarcasm needs to be detected properly. In online social environments, it is critical for businesses and individuals to detect the correct sentiment polarity. This will aid in the right selling and buying of products and/or services, leading to higher sales and better market share for businesses, and meeting the quality requirements of customers.
Exploring the region‐wise diversity and functions of symbiotic bacteria in the gut system of wood‐feeding termite, Coptotermes formosanus, toward the degradation of cellulose, hemicellulose, and organic dyes
Authors: Dar Mudasir A. , Xie Rongrong , Pandit Radhakrishna S. , Danso Blessing , Dong Chenchen , Sun Jianzhong 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe wood‐feeding termite Coptotermes formosanus represents a unique and impressive system for lignocellulose degradation. The highly efficient digestion of lignocellulose is achieved through symbiosis with gut symbionts like bacteria. Despite extensive research during the last three decades, diversity of bacterial symbionts residing in individual gut regions of the termite and their associated functions is still lacking. To this end, cellulose, xylan, and dye‐decolorization bacteria residing in foregut, midgut, and hindgut regions of C. formosanus were enlisted by using enrichment and culture‐dependent molecular methods. A total of 87 bacterial strains were successfully isolated from different gut regions of C. formosanus which belonged to 27 different species of 10 genera, majorly affiliated with Proteobacteria (80%) and Firmicutes (18.3%). Among the gut regions, 37.9% of the total bacterial isolates were observed in the hindgut that demonstrated predominance of cellulolytic bacteria (47.6%). The majority of the xylanolytic and dye‐decolorization bacteria (50%) were obtained from the foregut and midgut, respectively. Actinobacteria represented by Dietza sp. was observed in the hindgut only. Based on species richness, the highest diversity was observed in midgut and hindgut regions each of which harbored seven unique bacterial species. The members of Enterobacter, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas were common among the gut regions. The lignocellulolytic activities of the selected potential bacteria signpost their assistance to the host for lignocellulose digestion. The overall results indicate that C. formosanus harbors diverse communities of lignocellulolytic bacteria in different regions of the gut system. These observations will significantly advance our understanding of the termite–bacteria symbiosis and their microbial ecology uniquely existed in different gut regions of C. formosanus, which may further shed a light on its potential values at termite‐modeled biotechnology.
Long‐term outcome of patients with palindromic rheumatism treated with methotrexate
Authors: Ghassembaglou Arezoo , Esalatmanesh Kamal , Gadakchi Leyla , Nourmohammadi Farnaz , Khabbazi Alireza 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectivePalindromic rheumatism (PR) is characterized by self‐resolving and short duration attacks of arthritis/periarthritis. The present study was performed to report the results of PR treatment with methotrexate (MTX).MethodsWe reviewed the charts of 152 patients with diagnosis of PR. Inclusion criteria were diagnosis of PR according to the criteria of Weismann, age ≥16, active disease and treatment with MTX for at least 6 months. Disease outcome was assessed by reaching remission and prevention of disease evolution to chronic arthritis. Remission was defined as stopping the attacks for 12 weeks and prednisolone dose ≤5 mg/d. MTX treatment failure was defined as failure to achieve remission, the need to add other disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs and disease progression to chronic arthritis.ResultsFifty‐nine patients were included in the study. Median duration of follow‐up was 43 months. Attacks were controlled in 89.8% of patients. In 80% of the patients remission occurred during 12 months after starting treatment with MTX. Treatment failed in 20.3% of patients. Wrist joint involvement and positive rheumatoid factor (RF) were significantly more common in the MTX treatment‐failed group. In RF positive patients evolution to rheumatoid arthritis was more common than in RF negative patients. No significant differences were observed in remission rate and evolution to rheumatoid arthritis in anticitrullinated C peptide positive and negative patients.ConclusionsThe present study, demonstrated the efficacy of MTX in controlling PR in seropositive and seronegative patients over a median of 43 months of treatment.