bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Internal Neural Representations in Task-Switching Guided by Context Biases
Authors: Galella Santiago , Ardid Salva
Published: July 2023

Our brain can filter and integrate external information with internal representations to accomplish goal-directed behavior. The ability to switch between tasks effectively in response to context and external stimuli is a hallmark of cognitive control. Task switching occurs rapidly and efficiently, allowing us to perform multiple tasks with ease. Similarly, artificial intelligence can be tailored to exhibit multitask capabilities and achieve high performance across domains. In this study, we delve into neural representations learned by task-switching feedforward networks, which use task-specific biases for multitasking mediated by context inputs. Task-specific biases are learned by alternating the tasks the neural network learns during training. By using two-alternative choice tasks, we find that task-switching networks produce representations that resemble other multitasking paradigms, namely parallel networks in the early stages of processing and independent subnetworks in later stages. This transition in information processing is akin to that in the cortex. We then analyze the impact of inserting task contexts in different stages of processing, and the role of its location in the alignment between the task and the stimulus features. To confirm the generality of results, we display neural representations during task switching for different task and data sets. In summary, the use of context inputs improves the interpretability of feedforward neural networks for multitasking, setting the basis for studying architectures and tasks of higher complexity, including biological microcircuits in the brain carrying out context-dependent decision making.
Characterization of trade-offs between immunity and reproduction inAstrangia poculata
Authors: Villafranca Natalie , Changsut Isabella , Diaz de Villegas Sofia C. , Womack Haley R. , Fuess Lauren E.
Published: July 2023

Background

Living organisms face ubiquitous pathogenic threats and have consequently evolved immune systems to protect against potential invaders. However, many components of the immune system are physiologically costly to maintain and engage, often drawing resources away from other organismal processes such as growth and reproduction. Evidence from a diversity of systems has demonstrated that organisms use complex resource allocation mechanisms to manage competing needs and optimize fitness. However, understanding of resource allocation patterns is limited across taxa. Cnidarians, which include ecologically important organisms like hard corals, have been historically understudied in the context of resource allocations. Improving understanding of resource allocation-associated tradeoffs in cnidarians is critical for understanding future ecological dynamics in the face of rapid environmental change.

Methods

Here, we characterize trade-offs between constitutive immunity and reproduction in the facultatively symbiotic coral Astrangia poculata. Male colonies underwent ex situ spawning and sperm output was quantified. We then examined the effects of variable symbiont density and energetic budget on physiological traits, including immune activity and reproductive investment. Furthermore, we tested for potential trade-offs between immune activity and reproductive investment.

Results

We found limited effects of energetic budget on immune metrics; melanin production was significantly positively associated with energetic budget. However, we failed to document any associations between immunity and reproductive output which would be indicative of trade-offs, possibly due to experimental limitations. Our results provide a preliminary framework for future studies investigating immune trade-offs in cnidarians.
Interactions between climate change, urban infrastructure and mobility are driving dengue emergence in Vietnam
Authors: Gibb Rory , Colón-González Felipe J. , Lan Phan Trong , Huong Phan Thi , Nam Vu Sinh , Duoc Vu Trong , Hung Do Thai , Dong Nguyễn Thanh , Chien Vien Chinh , Trang Ly Thi Thuy , Quoc Do Kien , Hoa Tran Minh , Tai Nguyen Hữu , Hang Tran Thi , Tsarouchi Gina , Ainscoe Eleanor , Harpham Quillon , Hofmann Barbara , Lumbroso Darren , Brady Oliver J. , Lowe Rachel
Published: July 2023

Dengue is expanding globally, but how dengue emergence is shaped locally by interactions between climatic and socio-environmental factors is not well understood. Here, we investigate the drivers of dengue incidence and emergence in Vietnam, through analyzing 23-years of monthly district-level case data spanning a period of significant socioeconomic change (1998-2020). We show that urban infrastructure factors (sanitation, water supply and long-term urban growth) predict local spatial patterns of dengue incidence, while human mobility is a more influential driver in subtropical northern regions than the endemic south. Temperature is the dominant factor shaping dengue’s geographical distribution and dynamics, and using long-term reanalysis temperature data we show that recent warming (since 1950) has generally expanded transmission risk throughout Vietnam, and most strongly in current dengue emergence hotspots (e.g. southern central regions and Ha Noi). In contrast, effects of hydrometeorology are complex, multi-scalar and dependent on local context: risk increases under both short-term precipitation excess and long-term drought, but improvements in water supply largely mitigate drought-associated risks except under extreme conditions. Our findings challenge the assumption that dengue is an urban disease, instead suggesting that incidence peaks in transitional landscapes with intermediate infrastructure provision, and provide evidence that interactions between recent climate change and mobility have contributed to dengue’s ongoing expansion throughout Vietnam.
Multiclass risk models for ovarian malignancy: an illustration of prediction uncertainty due to the choice of algorithm
Authors: Ashleigh Ledger , Jolien Ceusters , Lil Valentin , Antonia Testa , VAN Holsbeke Caroline , Dorella Franchi , Tom Bourne , Wouter Froyman , Dirk Timmerman , VAN Calster Ben
Published: July 2023

OBJECTIVE

To compare performance and probability estimates of six algorithms to estimate the probabilities that an ovarian tumor is benign, borderline malignant, stage I primary invasive, stage II-IV primary invasive, or secondary metastatic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Models were developed on 5909 patients (recruited 1999-2012) and validated on 3199 patients (2012-2015). Nine clinical and ultrasound predictors were used. Outcome was based on histology following surgery within 120 days after the ultrasound examination. We developed models using multinomial logistic regression (MLR), Ridge MLR, random forest (RF), XGBoost, neural networks (NN), and support vector machines (SVM).

RESULTS

Benign tumors were most common (62%), secondary metastatic tumors least common (5%). XGBoost, RF, NN and MLR had similar performance: c-statistics for benign versus any type of malignant tumors were 0.92, multiclass c-statistics 0.54-0.55, average Estimated Calibration Indexes 0.03-0.07, and Net Benefits at the 10% malignancy risk threshold 0.33-0.34. Despite poorer discrimination and calibration performance for Ridge MLR and in particular SVM, Net Benefits were similar for all models. The estimated probabilities often differed strongly between models. For example, the probability of a benign tumor differed by more than 20 percentage points in 29% of the patients, and by more than 30 percentage points in 16% of the patients.

DISCUSSION

Several regression and machine learning models had very good and similar performance in terms of discrimination, calibration and clinical utility. Nevertheless, individual probabilities often varied substantially.

CONCLUSION

Machine learning did not outperform MLR. The choice of algorithm can strongly affect probabilities given to a patient.
Aub, Vasa and Armi localization to phase separated nuage is dispensable for piRNA biogenesis and transposon silencing inDrosophila
Authors: Ho Samantha , Rice Nicholas P , Yu Tianxiong , Weng Zhiping , Theurkauf William E
Published: July 2023

From nematodes to placental mammals, key components of the germline transposon silencing piRNAs pathway localize to phase separated perinuclear granules. InDrosophila,the PIWI protein Aub, DEAD box protein Vasa and helicase Armi localize to nuage granules and are required for ping-pong piRNA amplification and phased piRNA processing.DrosophilapiRNA mutants lead to genome instability and Chk2 kinase DNA damage signaling. By systematically analyzing piRNA pathway organization, small RNA production, and long RNA expression in single piRNA mutants and correspondingchk2/mnkdouble mutants, we show that Chk2 activation disrupts nuage localization of Aub and Vasa, and that the HP1 homolog Rhino, which drives piRNA precursor transcription, is required for Aub, Vasa, and Armi localization to nuage. However, these studies also show that ping-pong amplification and phased piRNA biogenesis are independent of nuage localization of Vasa, Aub and Armi. Dispersed cytoplasmic proteins thus appear to mediate these essential piRNA pathway functions.
Identification of Late Pleistocene and Holocene fossil lizards from Hall’s Cave and a primer on morphological variation in North American lizard skulls
Authors: Ledesma David T. , Scarpetta Simon G. , Jacisin John J. , Meza Antonio , Kemp Melissa E.
Published: July 2023

Fossil identification practices have a profound effect on our interpretation of the past because these identifications form the basis for downstream analyses. Therefore, well-supported fossil identifications are paramount for examining the impact of past environmental changes on populations and communities. Here we apply an apomorphic identification framework in a case study identifying fossil lizard remains from Hall’s Cave, a late Quaternary fossil site located in Central Texas, USA. We present images and descriptions of a broad comparative sample of North American lizard cranial elements and compile new and previously reported apomorphic characters for identifying fossil lizards. Our fossil identifications from Hall’s Cave resulted in a minimum of 11 lizard taxa, including five lizard taxa previously unknown from the site. Most of the identified fossil lizard taxa inhabit the area around Hall’s Cave today, but we reinforce the presence of an extirpated species complex of horned lizard. A main goal of this work is to establish a procedure for making well-supported fossil lizard identifications across North America. The data from this study will assist researchers endeavoring to identify fossil lizards, increasing the potential for novel discoveries related to North American lizards and facilitating more holistic views of ancient faunal assemblages.
Deep mutational scanning quantifies DNA binding and predicts clinical outcomes of PAX6 variants
Authors: McDonnell Alexander F , Plech Marcin , Livesey Benjamin J , Gerasimavicius Lukas , Owen Liusaidh J , Hall Hildegard Nikki , FitzPatrick David R , Marsh Joseph A , Kudla Grzegorz
Published: July 2023

Nonsense and missense mutations in the transcription factor PAX6 cause a wide range of eye development defects, including aniridia, microphthalmia and coloboma. To understand how changes of PAX6:DNA binding cause these phenotypes, we combined saturation mutagenesis of the paired domain of PAX6 with a yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) assay in which expression of a PAX6-GAL4 fusion gene drives antibiotic resistance. We quantified binding of more than 2,700 single amino-acid variants to two DNA sequence elements. Mutations in DNA-facing residues of the N-terminal subdomain and linker region were particularly detrimental, as were mutations to prolines and to negatively charged residues. Many variants caused molecular gain-of-function effects, including variants in position Ile71 that increased binding to the LE9 enhancer but decreased binding to a SELEX-derived binding site. Benchmarking against known patient variants and applying ACMG/AMP guidelines to variant classification, we obtained supporting to moderate evidence to suggest that 1,306 variants are likely benign, and 977, likely pathogenic. Our analysis shows that most pathogenic mutations in the paired domain of PAX6 can be explained simply by the effects of these mutations on PAX6:DNA association, and establishes Y1H as a generalisable assay for the interpretation of variant effects in transcription factors.
Genome-scale chromatin interaction dynamic measurements for key components of the RNA Pol II general transcription machinery
Authors: Kupkova Kristyna , Shetty Savera J. , Hoffman Elizabeth A. , Bekiranov Stefan , Auble David T.
Published: July 2023

Background

A great deal of work has revealed in structural detail the components of the machinery responsible for mRNA gene transcription initiation. These include the general transcription factors (GTFs), which assemble at promoters along with RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) to form a preinitiation complex (PIC) aided by the activities of cofactors and site-specific transcription factors (TFs). However, less well understood are thein vivoPIC assembly pathways and their kinetics, an understanding of which is vital for determining on a mechanistic level how rates ofin vivoRNA synthesis are established and how cofactors and TFs impact them.

Results

We used competition ChIP to obtain genome-scale estimates of the residence times for five GTFs: TBP, TFIIA, TFIIB, TFIIE and TFIIF in budding yeast. While many GTF-chromatin interactions were short-lived (< 1 min), there were numerous interactions with residence times in the several minutes range. Sets of genes with a shared function also shared similar patterns of GTF kinetic behavior. TFIIE, a GTF that enters the PIC late in the assembly process, had residence times correlated with RNA synthesis rates.

Conclusions

The datasets and results reported here provide kinetic information for most of the Pol II-driven genes in this organism and therefore offer a rich resource for exploring the mechanistic relationships between PIC assembly, gene regulation, and transcription. The relationships between gene function and GTF dynamics suggest that shared sets of TFs tune PIC assembly kinetics to ensure appropriate levels of expression.
Developmental regulation of zinc homeostasis in differentiating oligodendrocytes
Authors: Elitt Christopher M. , Ross Madeline M. , Wang Jianlin , Fahrni Christoph J. , Rosenberg Paul A.
Published: July 2023

Oligodendrocytes develop through well characterized stages and understanding pathways regulating their differentiation remains an active area of investigation. Zinc is required for the function of many enzymes, proteins and transcription factors, including those important in myelination and mitosis. Our previous studies using the ratiometric zinc sensor chromis-1 demonstrated a reduction in intracellular free zinc concentrations in mature oligodendrocytes compared with earlier stages (Bourassa et al., 2018). We performed a more detailed developmental study to better understand the temporal course of zinc homeostasis across the oligodendrocyte lineage. Using chromis-1, we found a transient increase in free zinc after developing oligodendrocytes were switched into differentiation medium. To gather other evidence for dynamic regulation of free zinc during oligodendrocyte development, qPCR was used to evaluate mRNA expression of the major zinc storage proteins metallothioneins (MTs), and metal regulatory transcription factor 1 (MTF-1) which controls expression of MTs. MT-1, MT-2 and MTF1 mRNAs were all increased several fold in mature oligodendrocytes compared to developing oligodendrocytes. To assess the depth of the zinc buffer, we assayed zinc release from intracellular stores using the oxidizing thiol reagent 2,2’-dithiodipyridine (DTDP). Exposure to DTDP resulted in a ∼100% increase in free zinc in developing oligodendrocytes but, paradoxically more modest ∼60% increase in mature oligodendrocytes despite the increased expression of MTs. These results suggest that zinc homeostasis is regulated during oligodendrocyte development, that oligodendrocytes are a useful model for studying zinc homeostasis in the central nervous system, and that regulation of zinc homeostasis may be important in oligodendrocyte differentiation.
Biofilm formation inZymoseptoria tritici
Authors: Tyzack Tegan E. , Hacker Christian , Thomas Graham , Fones Helen N.
Published: July 2023

Zymoseptoria triticiis an economically damaging fungal pathogen of wheat which is able to survive for long periods on the leaf surface. In this environment, the fungus is exposed to many stresses, including fluctuations in temperature, UV radiation, drying, and foliar fungicide applications. We observed biofilm-like cell aggregations on the surface of wheat leaves infected withZ. triticiin both compatible and non-compatible interactions. A literature search revealed few examples of plant pathogenic fungi forming biofilms, but demonstrated that such biofilms have a number of key characteristics, which are shared with other biofilmforming microbes. These include adhesion of cells to the substrate, production of extracellular matrix, altered gene expression and increased tolerance to various stresses. We used a combination of microscopy, qRT-PCR and stress tolerance assays to determine whether putativeZ. triticibiofilms possessed these diagnostic characteristics. We show thatZ. triticibiofilms resemble in form and function those formed by other filamentous and dimorphic fungi, producing extra-cellular matrix in which cells become embedded, creating layers of hyphal bundles and blastospores. These biofilms show increased tolerance to drying and high temperature. There is also isolate-dependent resistance to reactive oxygen stress and the fungicide carboxin. Taken together, these findings demonstrate thatZ. triticiis indeed able to produce genuine biofilms.
BacScan: An Unbiased and Genome-Wide Approach to Identify Bacterial Highly Immunogenic Proteins
Authors: Dong Junhua , Zhang Qian , Yang Jinyue , Zhao Yacan , Miao Zhuangxia , Pei Siyang , Qin Huan , Wen Guoyuan , Zhang Anding , Tao Pan
Published: July 2023

Bacterial pathogens are the second leading cause of death worldwide. However, the development of bacterial vaccines has been challenged by the presence of multiple serotypes and the lack of cross-protection between serotypes. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify protective antigens conserved across serotypes in order to develop a broadly protective vaccine. Here, we have developed an unbiased and genome-wide technique, BacScan, which uses bacterial-specific serum to rapidly identify highly conserved immunogenic proteins by combining phage display, immunoprecipitation, and next-generation sequencing. As a proof of concept, we identified 19 highly immunogenic proteins fromStreptococcus suiscore proteins. Immunoreactivity analysis of mouse, pig, and human sera indicated that 2 proteins could be the potential targets for the development of serological diagnostics. Eight proteins provided 20%-100% protection againstS. suischallenge in immunized animals, indicating the potential vaccine targets. BacScan can be applied to any bacterial pathogen and has the potential to accelerate the development of a broadly protective bacterial vaccine.

Teaser

A novel method to identify the highly conserved immunogenic bacterial proteins as targets for the development a broadly protective bacterial vaccine.
Orb2 enables rare-codon-enriched mRNA expression duringDrosophilaneuron differentiation
Authors: Stewart Rebeccah K , Nguyen Patrick , Laederach Alain , Volkan Pelin C , Sawyer Jessica K , Fox Donald T
Published: July 2023

Regulation of codon optimality is an increasingly appreciated layer of cell- and tissue-specific protein expression control. Here, we use codon-modified reporters to show that differentiation ofDrosophilaneural stem cells into neurons enables protein expression from rare-codon-enriched genes. From a candidate screen, we identify the cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding (CPEB) protein Orb2 as a positive regulator of rare-codon-dependent expression in neurons. Using RNA sequencing, we reveal that Orb2-upregulated mRNAs in the brain with abundant Orb2 binding sites have a rare-codon bias. From these Orb2-regulated mRNAs, we demonstrate that rare-codon enrichment is important for expression control and social behavior function of the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR). Our findings reveal a molecular mechanism by which neural stem cell differentiation shifts genetic code regulation to enable critical mRNA and protein expression.
Clinical practice guidelines to prevent hospital falls: protocol for a systematic review
Authors: McKercher Jonathan P. , Peiris Casey L. , Hill Anne-Marie , Morris Meg E.
Published: July 2023

Background

Hospital falls are a major global problem responsible for considerable morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Clinical practice guidelines for hospital falls prevention, facilitate the implementation of falls prevention research into practice, through the provision of evidence-based recommendations to mitigate the risk of falls. The review aims to identify, synthesise, appraise, and compare published clinical practice guidelines on hospital falls prevention.

Methods and analysis

The databases of MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, PEDro, Web of Science, Infobase of Clinical Practice Guidelines, and Epistemonikos will be searched for clinical practice guidelines published between 1993 and 2023. The quality of the guidelines will be evaluated using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation Global Rating Scale and Recommendation EXcellence tools. A thematic synthesis will be performed on the content of the included clinical practice guidelines. The synthesis findings will be graded using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation Confidence in Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research approach.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval is not required for the review. The review will be submitted for publication to a peer-reviewed journal.
The membrane-actin linkers ezrin, radixin, and moesin are dispensable for macrophage migration and cortex mechanics
Authors: Verdys Perrine , Barroso Javier Rey , Vermeil Joseph , Bergert Martin , Sanchez Thibaut , Métais Arnaud , Mangeat Thomas , Bellard Elisabeth , Bigot Claire , Girard Jean-Philippe , Maridonneau-Parini Isabelle , Vérollet Christel , Lagarrigue Frédéric , Diz-Muñoz Alba , Heuvingh Julien , Piel Matthieu , Roure Olivia Du , Cabec Véronique Le , Carréno Sébastien , Poincloux Renaud
Published: July 2023

The cellular actin cortex provides crucial mechanical support and plays critical roles in numerous functions, including cell division and migration. The proteins of the ERM family, ezrin, radixin, and moesin, are central to these processes by linking the plasma membrane to the actin cytoskeleton. To investigate the individual contributions of these three proteins to leukocyte migration, we generated single and triple ERM knock-out macrophages. Surprisingly, we found that even in the absence of ERMs, macrophages can still form the different actin structures promoting cell migration, such as filopodia, lamellipodia, podosomes, and ruffles. Furthermore we discovered that, unlike every other cell type previously investigated, the single or triple knock-out of ERMs does not affect macrophage migration in a large diversity of contexts. Finally, we demonstrated that the loss of ERMs in macrophages does not affect the mechanics of their actin cortex. These findings challenge the notion that ERMs are universally essential for cortex mechanics and cell migration and support the notion that the macrophage cortex may have diverged from that of other cells to allow for their adaptive cortical plasticity.
Agent-based modeling of the prostate tumor microenvironment uncovers spatial tumor growth constraints and immunomodulatory properties
Authors: van Genderen Maisa , Kneppers Jeroen , Zaalberg Anniek , Bekers Elise , Bergman Andries M , Zwart Wilbert , Eduati Federica
Published: July 2023

Inhibiting androgen receptor (AR) signaling through androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) reduces prostate cancer (PCa) growth in virtually all patients, but response is temporary, and resistance inevitably develops, ultimately leading to lethal castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in the development and progression of PCa. In addition to tumor cells, TME-resident macrophages and fibroblasts express AR and are therefore also affected by ADT. However, the interplay of different TME cell types in the development of CRPC remains largely unexplored.

To understand the complex stochastic nature of cell-cell interactions, we created a PCa-specific agent-based model (PCABM) based onin vitrocell proliferation data. PCa cells, fibroblasts, “pro-inflammatory” M1-like and “pro-tumor” M2-like polarized macrophages are modeled as agents from a simple set of validated base assumptions. PCABM allows us to simulate the effect of ADT on the interplay between various prostate TME cell types. The resultingin vitrogrowth patterns mimic human PCa.

Our PCABM can effectively model hormonal perturbations by ADT, in which PCABM suggests that CRPC arises in clusters of resistant cells, as is observed in multifocal PCa. In addition, fibroblasts compete for cellular space in the TME while simultaneously creating niches for tumor cells to proliferate in. Finally, PCABM predicts that ADT has immunomodulatory effects on macrophages that may enhance tumor survival. Taken together, these results suggest that AR plays a critical role in the cellular interplay and stochastic interactions in the TME that influence tumor cell behavior and CRPC development.
Electronics manufacturing entrepreneurs in a performance bonsai trap: the case of an emerging economy
Authors: Mishra Brajesh , Kumar Avanish , Mishra Ishaan
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The study explores the evolution of Indian domestic electronics manufacturing post-economic reforms and also investigates the lack of natural growth stages among Indian start-up/SME electronics manufactures.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical framework is inspired by Dawar and Frost's survival strategy theory that local companies may follow to overcome competitive threats from MNCs. The study adopts a qualitative methodology, more precisely, a phenomenological approach to walking through policy/regulatory reforms amid market distortions, technological gaps and colonial mindset from the perspective of Indian domestic electronics manufacturers. The study has adopted Gioia method of data analysis to inductively suggest a few research propositions.

Findings

The phenomenological approach revealed eight essential structure (essence) narratives to explore the complex issue that plague the industry: make in India, made in India, preferential market access strategy, equitable market access strategy, blue ocean strategy, competitive positioning strategy, technical capability and importance of policy/regulatory arbitrage.

Practical implications

The situation of Indian electronics manufacturing units is comparable to the bonsai tree situation, where natural evolution in business stages does not exist; they are born and die as start-ups/MSMEs. The study advocates for equitable market access by removing market distortions. The long-term solution may lie in making available locally manufactured products as a dependable alternative to the imported products or produced locally by MNC OEMs in terms of cost, quality, technology, volume, after-sale service and integrated supply chain.

Originality/value

While the favorable FDI policies, digital India and make-in India initiatives have strengthened domestic electronics production, it is yet to significantly impact India's position in global trade, including manufacturing and exports.
The contagious effect of economic policy uncertainty in the post-crisis period
Authors: Seker Onur
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the contagious effects of economic policy uncertainties in the USA on the economies of its important trading partners, such as Japan, Canada, Mexico and the Eurozone.

Design/methodology/approach

In the study using the uncertainty index created by Baker et al. (2016), the interaction between variables was analyzed with structural VAR (SVAR) models.

Findings

According to the results obtained from the analysis, economic policy uncertainties in the USA had significant effects on the economies of its high-volume trading partners. The internal debt crisis experienced in the Eurozone after the 2008 crisis caused the European Central Bank to respond to the economic policy uncertainties in the USA with contractionary monetary policies, unlike other countries. In addition to these results, Mexico, which has a more fragile economic structure than other countries in the analysis, was more impacted by increasing uncertainties, as expected.

Originality/value

The present study aimed to bring a new perspective to the literature by evaluating the contagiousness of local uncertainty in the globalizing world and the monetary policies implemented as a precaution against this situation on an empirical plane.
The effect of small-scale changes in wealth on risk attitudes: an experimental study
Authors: Almeida Sergio
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effects of prior small-scale changes to wealth on subsequent risky choices.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper opted for a laboratory experiment in which subjects perform two sequences of risky tasks. In between these two sets, the author transfers money for real for a randomly selected half of the subjects. Data on choices before and after the transfer of money are used to estimate risk attitudes and analyze whether the transfer of money affected attitudes to risk.

Findings

The author finds that the money gain does not change subjects' risk preferences – neither in a within- nor in a between-subject design. This suggests that individuals' risky choices are consistent with their constant absolute (CARA) risk aversion preferences, a result that supports a key assumption in recent literature on the calibration critique of decision theories and the view that individuals engage in narrow framing.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the relatively small transfer of money, the research results may lack generalizability.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for the reference-dependent and other theories that explain how prior outcomes affect risk-taking behavior in sequential problems.

Social implications

The results are relevant to the research community studying risk-taking behavior as the results shed new light on a well-known result put forward by a seminal paper by Thaler.

Originality/value

This paper fills in an identified gap in the literature which is the need to test the house-money effect in a more realistic setting (over repeated risk-elicitation tasks, with money given outside the lotteries and in a within-subject design).
IoT-based entrepreneurial opportunities in smart transportation: a multidimensional framework
Authors: Jami Pour Mona , Hosseinzadeh Mahnaz , Moradi Maryam
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The Internet of Things (IoT), as one of the new digital technologies, has created wide applications in various industries, and one of the most influential industries of this technology is the transportation industry. By integrating the IoT with the transportation industry, there will be dramatic changes in the industry, and it will provide many entrepreneurial opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop new businesses. Opportunity identification is at the heart of the entrepreneurial process, and entrepreneurs identify innovative goods or services to enter a new market by identifying, evaluating, and exploiting opportunities. Despite the desire of transportation managers to invest in the IoT and the increase in research in this area, limited research has focused on IoT-based entrepreneurial opportunities in the transportation industry. Therefore, the present study aims to identify IoT-based entrepreneurial opportunities in the transportation industry and examine their importance.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the research objective, the authors applied a mixed approach. First, adapting the lens of the industry value chain theory, a comprehensive literature review, besides a qualitative approach including semi-structured interviews with experts and thematic analysis, was conducted to identify the entrepreneurial opportunities. The identified opportunities were confirmed in the second stage using a quantitative survey method, including the Student t-test and factor analysis. Finally, the identified opportunities were weighted and ranked using the best worst method (BWM).

Findings

Entrepreneurial opportunities are classified into five main categories, including “smart vehicles”, “business partners/smart transportation supply side”, “supporting services”, “infrastructures”, and “smart transport management and control”. The infrastructures group of opportunities ranked the highest amongst the identified groups.

Originality/value

This study adds to the digital entrepreneurship opportunity recognition literature by addressing opportunities in a smart industry propelled by digital technologies, including developing new products or new applications of the available technologies. Additionally, inspired by the industry value chain theory, this article develops a framework including various digital entrepreneurial opportunity networks which are necessary to add value to any industry and, thus, could be applied by entrepreneurs to recognize opportunities for new intermediaries to enter other digital-based industries. Finally, the present study identifies the IoT-based entrepreneurial opportunities in the smart transportation industry and prioritizes them, providing practical insights regarding the creation of entrepreneurial ecosystems in the field of smart transportation for entrepreneurs and policymakers.
Do ICTs reduce inequalities in access to professional training in Cameroon?
Authors: Nzepang Fabrice , Atangana Siméon Serge , Nguenda Anya Saturnin Bertrand
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This work aims to assess the effects of information and communication technology (ICT) on inequalities in access to professional training (PT) in Cameroon.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used data from the fourth Cameroonian Household Survey (ECAM 4), the concentration index (CI) calculations and the Wagstaff et al. (2003) decomposition.

Findings

The preliminary results show that the CI calculations by groups of individuals reveal the existence of significant inequalities in favour of the poor. This is the case for all groups of individuals who use ICT tools, namely radio, internet, telephone and television. The results of the Wagstaff et al. (2003) decomposition reveal that an equitable distribution of income between those who use and those who do not use the telephone, radio and internet reduces inequalities in access to FP in favour of the poor.

Originality/value

Despite the wealth of literature devoted to the study of inequalities in access to education, the consideration of PT is still very marginal. In Cameroon, the literature devoted to the study of inequalities in access to PT is still almost non-existent, probably because of a low level of interest in the scientific community. However, as just seen, PT is a tool for combating unemployment, particularly in economies where the informal sector is important, insofar as the proportion of unemployed and inactive people is very low amongst the ones that have taken a PT course. Moreover, studies on the effects of ICT on inequalities in access to PT are still rare in the literature.
Employees' learning behavior in the context of AI collaboration: a perspective on the job demand-control model
Authors: Chen Aihui , Yang Tuo , Ma Jinfeng , Lu Yaobin
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Most studies have focused on the impact of the application of AI on management attributes, management decisions and management ethics. However, how job demand and job control in the context of AI collaboration determine employees' learning process and learning behaviors, as well as how AI collaboration moderates employees' learning process and learning behaviors, remains unknown. To answer these questions, the authors adopted a Job Demand-Control (JDC) model to explore the influencing factors of employee's individual learning behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used questionnaire survey in organizations using AI to collect data. Partial least squares (PLS) predict algorithm and SPSS were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Job demand and job control positively influence self-efficacy, self-efficacy positively influences learning goal orientation and learning goal orientation positively influences learning behavior. Learning goal orientation plays a mediating role between self-efficacy and learning behavior. Meanwhile, collaboration with AI positively moderates the impact of employees' job demand on self-efficacy and the impact of self-efficacy on learning behavior.

Originality/value

This study introduces self-efficacy as the outcome of JDC model, demonstrates the mediating role of learning goal orientation and introduces collaborative factors related to artificial intelligence. This study further enriches the theoretical system of human–AI interaction and expands the content of organizational learning theory.
Role of community trust in driving brand loyalty in large online B2B communities
Authors: Sethi Amit Rakesh , Dash Satyabhusan , Mishra Abhishek , Cyr Dianne
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Online customer communities have become a strategic tool for business-to-business (B2B) firms to drive collaboration among customers around the company’s products and services. This paper aims to argue that the three social capital dimensions, that is, structural, relational and cognitive, themselves driven by brand community trust, can affect brand loyalty for the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a survey to collect data and structural equation modeling to test the conceptual framework by collecting data from 214 participants across three online B2B communities operated by three technology firms in India.

Findings

Brand community trust is found to have a strong association with social network ties, identification and norm of reciprocity and shared vision. These three have concomitant effects on the quality of customer-to-customer (C2C) interactions. Such communication generates functional, emotional and social benefits, which, in turn, curate brand loyalty.

Practical implications

The authors’ findings guide community managers in leveraging such conversations in shaping customer loyalty for the corporate brand.

Originality/value

This work provides an integrated framework to explain the important role of C2C interactions in B2B online brand communities.
Changing learning paradigms: an interplay of Digital Taylorism and technostress on perceived employability
Authors: Duggal Harshleen Kaur , Khatri Puja , Thomas Asha , Pironti Marco
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Massive open online courses (MOOCs), a Taylorist attempt to automate instruction, help make course delivery more efficient, economical and better. As an implementation of Digital Taylorism Implementation (DTI), MOOCs enable individuals to obtain an occupation-oriented education, equipping them with knowledge and skills needed to stay employable. However, learning through online platforms can induce tremendous amounts of technology-related stress in learners such as complexity of platforms and fears of redundancy. Thus, the aim of this paper is to study how student perceptions of DTI and technostress (TS) influence their perceived employability (PE). The role of TS as a mediator between DTI and PE has also been studied.

Design/methodology/approach

Stratified sampling technique has been used to obtain data from 305 students from 6 universities. The effect of DTI and TS on PE, and the role of TS as a mediator, has been examined using the partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modelling approach with SMART PLS 4.0. software. Predictive relevance of the model has been studied using PLSPredict.

Findings

Results indicate that TS completely mediates the relationship between DTI and PE. The model has medium predictive relevance.

Practical implications

Learning outcomes from Digitally Taylored programs can be improved with certain reforms that bring the human touch to online learning.

Originality/value

This study extends Taylorism literature by linking DTI to PE of students via technostress as a mediator.
How source of product acquisition affects consumers' reliance on positive word-of-mouth: a mental imagery perspective
Authors: Chen Chunfeng , Zhang Depeng
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This research focuses on the role of product acquisition cues in positive word-of-mouth (PWOM) content on social media, comparing the characteristics of different sources of product acquisition (purchased vs. gifted) and exploring whether and how they affect consumers' reliance on word-of-mouth (WOM).

Design/methodology/approach

The research model was developed based on the mental imagery theory. Two offline experiments and two online experiments were used to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that, compared to the purchased source, the gifted source evokes more positive mental imagery and greater emotional attachment to the product, resulting in greater consumer reliance on PWOM. In addition, the effect of the source of product acquisition on reliance on PWOM was stronger for experiential (vs. material) products and for consumers with higher interdependent (vs. independent) self-construal.

Originality/value

This research highlights the role of product acquisition cues in PWOM in influencing consumers' evaluation of WOM, while also revealing the processes inherent in how consumers process information through mental imagery. The findings provide a more comprehensive understanding of the antecedents of reliance on WOM and offer new insights and recommendations for management practitioners.
How to promote open innovation in restricted situations? Digital transformation perspective
Authors: Jing Hao , Qu Guimin
Published: July 2023

Purpose

In the context of innovation-driven development strategy, open innovation has become an important way for enterprises to gain competitive advantages on the path of innovation and development. However, with the increasing competition, enterprises' open innovation is restricted by some constraints. How to promote open innovation in the restricted situations has become an existing research gap. Based on the perspective of digital transformation, this paper discusses how to promote the open innovation of enterprises under the restricted situations and find its breakthrough path, and analyzes the moderating effect of innovation persistence and political relevance.

Design/methodology/approach

Due to the complexity and confidentiality of military–civilian integration enterprises, they have become typical innovation-restricted enterprises. In this study, it selects a-share listed companies in the field of military–civilian integration in China in 2016–2020 as the research sample, and uses the two-way fixed-effect model to analyze the proposed variables. Finally, the robustness of the results in this paper is verified by a series of robustness tests and endogeneity tests.

Findings

The results show that digital transformation facilitates open innovation in military–civil integration enterprises, and that innovation persistence and political relevance positively moderate the relationship between the two. Further, digital transformation can promote open innovation in military–civil integration enterprises by easing the financing constraints and reducing information asymmetry. Innovation persistence has a more pronounced positive moderating effect among civilian-to-military and SMEs, and digital transformation of firms in the South has a negative effect on open innovation, but innovation persistence and political relevance dampen this negative effect.

Originality/value

Previous studies on the restrictions of open innovation or its dark side are mostly case studies and qualitative research. In contrast, the superiority and novelty of this study is in the form of a typical innovation-restricted enterprises “civil-military integration enterprise” as the research sample, based on the perspective of digital transformation, through empirical analysis method to explore how to better implementation of open innovation in the restricted situations. The findings of the study can not only enrich the application of digital transformation and open innovation theory, but also provide practical guidance for military–civil integration innovation in restricted situations.
Striking a balance? Finance perspectives on international business research
Authors: Müllner Jakob , Filatotchev Igor , Lindner Thomas
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to bridge the disciplinary divide between international finance and international business (IB) to realign academic research with business reality in which strategy and finance align to determine firms’ success or failures.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors discuss theoretical differences between the fields of international finance and IB strategy that caused the fields to develop in isolation with little fertilization across disciplines. The authors review scarce interdisciplinary contributions between the fields. Finally, the authors identify complementarities that suggest fruitful avenues for future research.

Findings

The authors find a persistent disconnect between finance and strategy/IB literature that can be explained by fundamentally different aims and assumptions about the markets. While finance theory seeks to explain typical effects under functioning markets, strategy and IB theories focus inherently on exceptional effects and market inefficiencies.

Research limitations/implications

The fundamental theoretical differences that isolate finance and strategy/IB create avenues for interdisciplinary research that harness the complementarities of the two disciplines. These include strategic aspects of capital structure, internal capital market inefficiencies, corporate governance, capital market liability of foreignness and institutional aspects of financial management.

Practical implications

With this paper, the authors not only bring academic researchers in finance and strategy closer to corporate practice. The theoretical discussion also challenges the functional blind spots of practitioners and encourages more holistic decision-making.

Social implications

Challenging market functioning and recognizing market inefficiencies using strategy and IB foundations connects financial economics with non-market topics such as environment, society and governance or impact investing.

Originality/value

The value and originality of the paper come from the qualitative, epistemological approach to study and analyse the divide between international finance and strategy/IB scholarship.