bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Circadian rhythm shows potential for mRNA efficiency and self-organized division of labor in multinucleate cells
Authors: Zinn-Brooks Leif , Roper Marcus L.
Published: February 2021

Multinucleate cells occur in every biosphere and across the kingdoms of life, including in the human body as muscle cells and bone-forming cells. Data from filamentous fungi suggest that, even when bathed in a common cytoplasm, nuclei are capable of autonomous behaviors, including division. How does this potential for autonomy affect the organization of cellular processes between nuclei? Here we analyze a simplified model of circadian rhythm, a form of cellular oscillator, in a mathematical model of the filamentous fungusNeurospora crassa.Our results highlight the role played by mRNA-protein phase separation to keep mRNAs close to the nuclei from which they originate, while allowing proteins to diffuse freely between nuclei. Our modeling shows that syncytism allows for extreme mRNA efficiency — we demonstrate assembly of a robust oscillator with transcription levels 104-fold less than in comparable uninucleate cells. We also show self-organized division of the labor of mRNA production, with one nucleus in a two-nucleus syncytium producing at least twice as many mRNAs as the other in 30% of cycles. This division can occur spontaneously, but division of labor can also be controlled by regulating the amount of cytoplasmic volume available to each nucleus. Taken together, our results show the intriguing richness and potential for emergent organization among nuclei in multinucleate cells. They also highlight the role of previously studied mechanisms of cellular organization, including nuclear space control and localization of mRNAs through RNA-protein phase separation, in regulating nuclear coordination.

Author summary

Circadian rhythms are among the most researched cellular processes, but limited work has been done on how these rhythms are coordinated between nuclei in multinucleate cells. In this work, we analyze a mathematical model for circadian oscillations in a multinucleate cell, motivated by frequency mRNA and protein data from the filamentous fungusNeurospora crassa. Our results illuminate the importance of mRNA-protein phase separation, in which mRNAs are kept close to the nucleus in which they were transcribed, while proteins can diffuse freely across the cell. We demonstrate that this phase separation allows for a robust oscillator to be assembled with very low mRNA counts. We also investigate how the labor of transcribing mRNAs is divided between nuclei, both when nuclei are evenly spaced across the cell and when they are not. Division of this labor can be regulated by controlling the amount of cytoplasmic volume available to each nucleus. Our results show that there is potential for emergent organization and extreme mRNA efficiency in multinucleate cells.
SARS-CoV-2 ORF6 disturbs nucleocytoplasmic trafficking to advance the viral replication
Authors: Miyamoto Yoichi , Itoh Yumi , Suzuki Tatsuya , Tanaka Tomohisa , Sakai Yusuke , Koido Masaru , Hata Chiaki , Wang Cai-Xia , Otani Mayumi , Moriishi Kohji , Tachibana Taro , Kamatani Yoichiro , Yoneda Yoshihiro , Okamoto Toru , Oka Masahiro
Published: February 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. ORF6 is known to antagonize the interferon signaling by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of STAT1. Here we show that ORF6 acts as a virulence factor through two distinct strategies. First, ORF6 directly interacts with STAT1 in an IFN-independent manner to inhibit its nuclear translocation. Second, ORF6 directly binds to importin α1, which is a nuclear transport factor encoded byKPNA2, leading to a significant suppression of importin α1-mediated nuclear transport. Furthermore, we found thatKPNA2knockout enhances the viral replication, suggesting that importin α1 suppresses the viral propagation. Additionally, the analyses of gene expression data revealed that importin α1 levels decreased significantly in the lungs of older individuals. Taken together, SARS-CoV-2 ORF6 disrupts the nucleocytoplasmic trafficking to accelerate the viral replication, resulting in the disease progression, especially in older individuals.
Cleavage of Braun lipoprotein Lpp from the bacterial peptidoglycan by a paralog of L,D-transpeptidases, LdtF
Authors: Bahadur Raj , Chodisetti Pavan Kumar , Reddy Manjula
Published: February 2021

Gram-negative bacterial cell envelope is made up of an outer membrane (OM), an inner membrane (IM) that surrounds the cytoplasm, and a periplasmic space between the two membranes containing peptidoglycan (PG or murein). PG is an elastic polymer that forms a mesh-like sacculus around the IM protecting cells from turgor and environmental stress conditions. In several bacteria includingE. coli, the OM is tethered to PG by an abundant OM lipoprotein, Lpp (or Braun lipoprotein) that functions to maintain the structural and functional integrity of the cell envelope. Since its discovery Lpp has been studied extensively and although L,D-transpeptidases, the enzymes that catalyse the formation of PG–Lpp linkages have been earlier identified, it is not known how these linkages are modulated. Here, using genetic and biochemical approaches, we show that LdtF (formerlyyafK), a newly-identified paralog of L,D-transpeptidases inE. coliis a murein hydrolytic enzyme that catalyses cleavage of Lpp from the PG sacculus. LdtF also exhibits glycine-specific carboxypeptidase activity on muropeptides containing a terminal glycine residue. LdtF is earlier presumed to be an L,D-transpeptidase; however, our results show that it is indeed an L,D-endopeptidase that hydrolyses the products generated by the L,D-transpeptidases. To summarize, this study describes the discovery of a murein endopeptidase with a hitherto unknown catalytic specificity that removes the PG–Lpp cross-links suggesting a role for LdtF in regulation of PG-OM linkages to maintain the structural integrity of the bacterial cell envelope.

Significance statement

Bacterial cell walls contain a unique protective exoskeleton, peptidoglycan, which is a target of several clinically important antimicrobials. In Gram-negative bacteria, peptidoglycan is covered by an additional lipid layer, outer membrane that serves as permeability barrier against entry of toxic molecules. In some bacteria, an extremely abundant lipoprotein, Lpp staples outer membrane to peptidoglycan to maintain the structural integrity of the cell envelope. In this study, we identify a previously unknown peptidoglycan hydrolytic enzyme that cleaves Lpp from the peptidoglycan sacculus and show how the outer membrane-peptidoglycan linkages are modulated inEscherichia coli. Overall, this study helps in understanding the fundamental bacterial cell wall biology and in identification of alternate drug targets for development of new antimicrobials.
Evaluation of dsRNA delivery methods for targeting macrophage migration inhibitory factor MIF in RNAi-based aphid control
Authors: Liu Shaoshuai , Ladera-Carmona Maria Jose , Poranen Minna M. , van Bel Aart J.E. , Kogel Karl-Heinz , Imani Jafargholi
Published: February 2021

Macrophage migration inhibitory factors (MIF) are multifunctional proteins regulating major processes in mammals, including activation of innate immune responses. In invertebrates, MIF proteins participate in the modulation of host immune responses when secreted by parasitic organisms, such as aphids. In this study, we assessed the possibility to useMIFgenes as targets for RNA interference (RNAi)-based control of the grain aphidSitobion avenae(Sa) on barley (Hordeum vulgare). When nymphs were fed on artificial diet containing double-stranded (ds)RNAs (SaMIF-dsRNAs) that target sequences of the threeMIFgenesSaMIF1, SaMIF2andSaMIF3, they showed higher mortality rates and these rates correlated with reducedMIFtranscript levels as compared to the aphids feeding on artificial diet containing a control dsRNA (GFP-dsRNA). Comparison of different feeding strategies showed that nymphs’ survival was not altered when they fed from barley seedlings sprayed withSaMIF-dsRNAs, suggesting they did not effectively take up dsRNA from the sieve tubes of these plants. Furthermore, aphids’ survival was also not affected when the nymphs fed on leaves supplied with dsRNA via basal cut ends of barley leaves. Consistent with this finding, the use of sieve-tube-specific YFP-labeled Arabidopsis reporter lines confirmed that fluorescent 21 nt dsRNACy3supplied via petioles co-localized with xylem structures, but not with phloem tissue. Our results suggest thatMIFgenes are a potential target for insect control and also imply that application of naked dsRNA to plants for aphid control is inefficient. More efforts should be put into the development of effective dsRNA formulations.
Cancer cell-specific MHCII expression as a determinant of the immune infiltrate organization and function in the non-small cell lung cancer tumor microenvironment
Authors: Johnson Amber M. , Boland Jennifer M. , Wrobel Julia , Klezcko Emily K. , Weisner-Evans Mary , Heasley Lynn , Clambey Eric T. , Nemenoff Raphael A. , Schenk Erin L.
Published: February 2021

Introduction

In patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the prognostic significance of the tumor microenvironment (TME) immune composition has been demonstrated using single or dual-marker staining on sequential tissue sections. While these studies show that relative abundance and localization of immune cells are important parameters, deeper analyses of the NSCLC TME are necessary to refine the potential application of these findings to clinical care. Currently, the complex spatial relationships between cells of the NSCLC TME and potential drivers contributing to its immunologic composition remain unknown.

Methods

We employed multispectral quantitative imaging on the lung adenocarcinoma TME in 153 patients with resected tumors. On a single slide per patient, we evaluated the TME with markers for CD3, CD8, CD14, CD19, major histocompatibility complex II (MHCII), cytokeratin, and DAPI. Image analysis including tissue segmentation, phenotyping, and spatial localization were performed.

Results

Specimens where ≥5% of lung cancer cells expressed MHCII (MHCIIhiTME) demonstrated increased levels of CD4+and CD8+T cell and CD14+cell infiltration. In the MHCIIhiTME, the immune infiltrate was closer to cancer cells and expressed an activated phenotype. Morphologic image analysis revealed cancer cells in the MHCIIhiTME more frequently interfaced with CD4+and CD8+T cells. Patients with an MHCIIhiTME experienced improved overall survival (p=0.046).

Conclusions

Lung cancer cell-specific expression of MHCII associates with levels of immune cell infiltration, spatial localization, and activation status within the TME. This suggest cancer cell-specific expression of MHCII may represent a biomarker for the immune system’s recognition and activation against the tumor.
Repeated truncation of a modular antimicrobial peptide gene for neural context
Authors: Hanson M.A. , Lemaitre B.
Published: February 2021

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are host-encoded antibiotics that combat invading pathogens. These genes commonly encode multiple products as post-translationally cleaved polypeptides. Recent studies have highlighted roles for AMPs in neurological contexts suggesting functions for these defence molecules beyond infection. During our immune study characterizing the antimicrobial peptide geneBaramicin,we recovered multipleBaramicinparalogs inDrosophila melanogasterand other species, united by their N-terminal IM24 domain. Not all paralogs were immune-induced. Here, through careful dissection of theBaramicinfamily’s evolutionary history, we find that these non-immune paralogs result from repeated events of duplication and subsequent truncation of the coding sequence from an immune-inducible ancestor. These truncations leave only the IM24 domain as the prominent gene product. Surprisingly, using mutation and targeted gene silencing we demonstrate that two such genes are adapted for function in neural contexts inD. melanogaster.We also show enrichment in the head for independentBaramicingenes in other species. TheBaramicinevolutionary history reveals that the IM24Baramicindomain is not strictly useful in an immune context. We thus provide a case study for how an AMP-encoding gene might play dual roles in both immune and non-immune processes via its multiple peptide products. We reflect on these findings to highlight a blind spot in the way researchers approach AMP research in in vivo contexts.

Significance statement

Antimicrobial peptides are immune proteins recently implicated in neurological roles. To date little attention has been paid to the contributions of different gene products in this function. Here we show that an antimicrobial peptide gene encodes multiple products with either immune-specific or neurological roles.
Sex-specific glycosylation of secreted immunomodulatory proteins in the filarial nematodeBrugia malayi
Authors: Koussa Joseph , Vitrinel Burcu , Whitney Peter , Kasper Brian , Mahal Lara K. , Vogel Christine , lustigman Sara , Salehi-Ashtiani Kourosh , Ghedin Elodie
Published: February 2021

The extended persistence of filarial nematodes within a host suggests immunomodulatory mechanisms that allow the parasites to resist or evade the host immune response. There is increasing evidence for immunomodulatory glycans expressed by a diversity of parasitic worms. In this study, we integrate multiple layers of the host-parasite interface to investigate the glycome of a model filarial parasite,Brugia malayi. We report a significant overrepresentation of terminal GalNAc moieties in adult female worms coupled with an overall upregulation in O-glycosylation, T-antigen expression, and a bias for galactose containing glycans. Adult males preferentially displayed a bias for terminal GlcNAc containing glycans, and fucosylated epitopes. Subsequent proteomic analysis confirmed sex-biases in protein glycosylation and highlighted the sex-specific glycosylation of well characterized immunomodulators expressed and secreted byB. malayi. We identify sex-specific effectors at that interface and suggest approaches to selectively interfere with the parasitic life cycle and potentially control transmission.
merlinv4.0: an updated platform for the reconstruction of high-quality genome-scale metabolic models
Authors: Capela João , Lagoa Davide , Rodrigues Ruben , Cunha Emanuel , Cruz Fernando , Barbosa Ana , Bastos José , Lima Diogo , Ferreira Eugénio C. , Rocha Miguel , Dias Oscar
Published: February 2021

Genome-scale metabolic models have been recognised as useful tools for better understanding living organisms’ metabolism.merlin(https://www.merlin-sysbio.org/) is an open-source and user-friendly resource that hastens the models’ reconstruction process, conjugating manual and automatic procedures, while leveraging the user’s expertise with a curation-oriented graphical interface. An updated and redesigned version ofmerlinis herein presented. Since 2015, several features have been implemented inmerlin, along with deep changes in the software architecture, operational flow, and graphical interface. The current version (4.0) includes the implementation of novel algorithms and third-party tools for genome functional annotation, draft assembly, model refinement, and curation. Such updates increased the user base, resulting in multiple published works, including genome metabolic (re-)annotations and model reconstructions of multiple (lower and higher) eukaryotes and prokaryotes.merlinversion 4.0 is the only tool able to perform template based and non-template based draft reconstructions, while achieving competitive performance compared to state-of-the art tools both for well and less-studied organisms.
Cerebellar Dentate Connectivity Across Adulthood: A Large-Scale Resting State Functional Connectivity Investigation
Authors: Bernard Jessica A. , Ballard Hannah K. , Jackson T. Bryan
Published: February 2021

Cerebellar contributions to behavior in advanced age are of interest and importance, given its role in motor and cognitive performance. There are differences and declines in cerebellar structure in advanced age and cerebellar resting state connectivity is lower. However, the work on this area to date has focused on the cerebellar cortex. The deep cerebellar nuclei provide the primary cerebellar inputs and outputs to the cortex, as well as the spinal and vestibular systems. Dentate networks can be dissociated such that the dorsal region is associated with the motor cortex, while the ventral aspect is associated with the prefrontal cortex. However, whether dentato-thalamo-cortical networks differ across adulthood remains unknown. Here, using a large adult sample (n=590) from the Cambridge Center for Ageing and Neuroscience, we investigated dentate connectivity across adulthood. We replicated past work showing dissociable resting state networks in the dorsal and ventral aspects of the dentate. In both seeds, we demonstrated that connectivity is lower with advanced age, indicating that connectivity differences extend beyond the cerebellar cortex. Finally, we demonstrated sex differences in dentate connectivity. This expands our understanding of cerebellar circuitry in advanced age and underscores the potential importance of this structure in age-related performance differences.
Investigation of the temporal and spatial dynamics of muscular action potentials through optically pumped magnetometers
Authors: Broser Philip J. , Marquetand Justus , Middelmann Thomas , Sometti Davide , Braun Christoph
Published: February 2021

Aim

This study aims to simultaneously record the magnetic and electric components of the propagating muscular action potential.

Method

A single-subject study of the monosynaptic stretch reflex of the musculus rectus femoris was performed; the magnetic field generated by the muscular activity was recorded in all three spatial directions by five optically pumped magnetometers. In addition, the electric field was recorded by four invasive fine-wire needle electrodes. The magnetic and electric fields were compared, and modelling and simulations were performed to compare the magnetic field vectors with the underlying muscular anatomy of the rectus femoris muscle.

Results

The magnetomyography (MMG) signal can reliably be recorded following the stimulation of the monosynaptic stretch reflex. The MMG signal shows several phases of activity inside the muscle, the first of which is the propagating muscular action potential. As predicted by the finite wire model, the magnetic field vectors of the propagating muscular action potential are generated by the current flowing longitudinal to the muscle fiber. Based on the magnetic field vectors, it was possible to reconstruct the pinnation angle in the muscle. The later magnetic components are linked to the activated contractile apparatus.

Interpretation

MMG allows to analyze the muscle physiology from the propagating muscular action potential to the initiation of the contractile apparatus. At the same time this methods reveal information about muscle fiber direction and extend. With the development of high-resolution magnetic cameras, it will be possible to image the function and structure of any skeletal muscle with high precision. This method could be used in clinical medicine but also in sports and training science.

What this paper adds

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A robust technique for triggering a muscular action potential that can be recorded by MMG and needle EMG simultaneously

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The correlation of the MMG signal with the needle EMG signal

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A method for detecting the direction of the propagating muscular action potential

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A method for correlating the magnetic field vectors with the pinnation angle of the examined muscle
Recombination marks the evolutionary dynamics of a recently endogenized retrovirus
Authors: Yang Lei , Malhotra Raunaq , Chikhi Rayan , Elleder Daniel , Kaiser Theodora , Rong Jesse , Medvedev Paul , Poss Mary
Published: February 2021

All vertebrate genomes have been colonized by retroviruses along their evolutionary trajectory. While endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) can contribute important physiological functions to contemporary hosts, such benefits are attributed to long-term co-evolution of ERV and host because germline infections are rare and expansion is slow, because the host effectively silences them. The genomes of several outbred species including mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are currently being colonized by ERVs, which provides an opportunity to study ERV dynamics at a time when few are fixed. Because we have locus-specific data on the distribution of cervid endogenous retrovirus (CrERV) in populations of mule deer, in this study we determine the molecular evolutionary processes acting on CrERV at each locus in the context of phylogenetic origin, genome location, and population prevalence. A mule deer genome was de novo assembled from short and long insert mate pair reads and CrERV sequence generated at each locus. CrERV composition and diversity have recently measurably increased by horizontal acquisition of a new retrovirus lineage. This new lineage has further expanded CrERV burden and CrERV genomic diversity by activating and recombining with existing CrERV. Resulting inter-lineage recombinants endogenized and subsequently retrotransposed. CrERV loci are significantly closer to genes than expected if integration were random and gene proximity might explain the recent expansion by retrotransposition of one recombinant CrERV lineage. Thus, in mule deer, retroviral colonization is a dynamic period in the molecular evolution of CrERV that also provides a burst of genomic diversity to the host population.
Parallel evolution of a splicing program controlling neuronal excitability in flies and mammals
Authors: Torres-Méndez Antonio , Pop Sinziana , Bonnal Sophie , Almudi Isabel , Avola Alida , Roberts Ruairí J V , Paolantoni Chiara , Alcaina Ana , Martín-Anduaga Ane , Haussmann Irmgard U , Morin Violeta , Casares Fernando , Soller Matthias , Kadener Sebastian , Roignant Jean-Yves , Prieto-Godino Lucia , Irimia Manuel
Published: February 2021

Neurons draw on alternative splicing for their increased transcriptomic complexity throughout animal phylogeny. To delve into the mechanisms controlling the assembly and evolution of this regulatory layer, we characterized the neuronal microexon program inDrosophilaand compared it with that of mammals. We found that inDrosophila, this splicing program is restricted to neurons by the post-transcriptional processing of theenhancer of microexons(eMIC) domain inSrrm234by Elav and Fne. eMIC deficiency or misexpression leads to widespread neurological alterations largely emerging from impaired neuronal activity, as revealed by a combination of neuronal imaging experiments and cell-type-specific rescues. These defects are associated with the genome-wide skipping of short neural exons, which are strongly enriched in ion channels. Remarkably, we found no overlap of eMIC-regulated exons between flies and mice, illustrating how ancient post-transcriptional programs can evolve independently in different phyla to impact distinct cellular modules while maintaining cell-type specificity.
In situ single-cell activities of microbial populations revealed by spatial transcriptomics
Authors: Dar Daniel , Dar Nina , Cai Long , Newman Dianne K.
Published: February 2021

Microbial populations and communities are heterogeneous, yet capturing their diverse activities has proven challenging at the relevant spatiotemporal scales. Here we present par-seqFISH, a targeted transcriptome-imaging approach that records both gene-expression and spatial context within microscale assemblies at a single-cell and molecule resolution. We apply this approach to the opportunistic bacterial pathogen,Pseudomonas aeruginosa, analyzing ∼600,000 individuals across dozens of physiological conditions in planktonic and biofilm cultures. We explore the phenotypic landscape of this bacterium and identify metabolic and virulence related cell-states that emerge dynamically during growth. We chart the spatial context of biofilm-related processes including motility and kin-exclusion mechanisms and identify extensive and highly spatially-resolved metabolic heterogeneity. We find that distinct physiological states can co-exist within the same biofilm, just a few microns away, underscoring the importance of the microenvironment. Together, our results illustrate the complexity of microbial populations and present a new way of studying them at high-resolution.
Spatiospectral brain networks reflective of improvisational experience
Authors: Faller Josef , Goldman Andrew , Lin Yida , McIntosh James R. , Sajda Paul
Published: February 2021

Musical improvisers are trained to categorize certain musical structures into functional classes, which is thought to facilitate improvisation. Using a novel auditory oddball paradigm (Goldman et al., 2020) which enables us to disassociate a deviant (i.e. musical cord inversion) from a consistent functional class, we recorded scalp EEG from a group of musicians who spanned a range of improvisational and classically trained experience. Using a spatiospectral based inter and intra network connectivity analysis, we found that improvisers showed a variety of differences in connectivity within and between large-scale cortical networks compared to classically trained musicians, as a function of deviant type. Inter-network connectivity in the alpha band, for a time window leading up to the behavioural response, was strongly linked to improvisation experience, with the default mode network acting as a hub. Spatiospectral networks post response were substantially different between improvisers and classically trained musicians, with greater inter-network connectivity (specific to the alpha and beta bands) seen in improvisers whereas those with more classical training had largely reduced inter-network activity (mostly in the gamma band). More generally, we interpret our findings in the context of network-level correlates of expectation violation as a function of subject expertise, and we discuss how these may generalize to other and more ecologically valid scenarios.
Predictive visual control network for occlusion solution in human-following robot
Authors: Zou Juncheng
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new video prediction-based methodology to solve the manufactural occlusion problem, which causes the loss of input images and uncertain controller parameters for the robot visual servo control.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper has put forward a method that can simultaneously generate images and controller parameter increments. Then, this paper also introduced target segmentation and designed a new comprehensive loss. Finally, this paper combines offline training to generate images and online training to generate controller parameter increments.

Findings

The data set experiments to prove that this method is better than the other four methods, and it can better restore the occluded situation of the human body in six manufactural scenarios. The simulation experiment proves that it can simultaneously generate image and controller parameter variations to improve the position accuracy of tracking under occlusions in manufacture.

Originality/value

The proposed method can effectively solve the occlusion problem in visual servo control.
The impact of accounting disturbances on organizational micro-practices in the schools' sector in England
Authors: Green Stuart , Ferry Laurence
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper considers the nature and effect of accounting disturbances on organizational micro-practices in three secondary schools in England. A close application of a developed model of Habermasian colonization provides a framing for both the ways in which accounting is implicated in organizational change and the effect of accounting disturbances on organizational micro-practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative field studies at three secondary schools were used to gather empirical detail in the form of interview data and documentary evidence. A total of 24 semi-structured interviews were conducted with teachers and bursars.

Findings

Accounting disturbances that were constitutive-transactional in nature had the greatest influence on organizational micro-practices. Behavioural responses to accounting disturbances can be organizationally ambiguous, subtle and subject to change over time.

Research limitations/implications

More field studies are needed, and there is scope to develop a longitudinal perspective to better understand the impact of accounting disturbances over time.

Originality/value

By framing the processes of accounting change using a developed model of Habermasian colonization, contributions are provided by illuminating aspects of both the processes of accounting colonization and the impact of accounting on organizational micro-practices. The findings also add to prior appreciations of reciprocal colonization, creative transformation of accounting disturbances and how accounting can be enabling.
Building a training dataset for classification under a cost limitation
Authors: Chen Yen-Liang , Cheng Li-Chen , Zhang Yi-Jun
Published: February 2021

Purpose

A necessary preprocessing of document classification is to label some documents so that a classifier can be built based on which the remaining documents can be classified. Because each document differs in length and complexity, the cost of labeling each document is different. The purpose of this paper is to consider how to select a subset of documents for labeling with a limited budget so that the total cost of the spending does not exceed the budget limit, while at the same time building a classifier with the best classification results.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a framework is proposed to select the instances for labeling that integrate two clustering algorithms and two centroid selection methods. From the selected and labeled instances, five different classifiers were constructed with good classification accuracy to prove the superiority of the selected instances.

Findings

Experimental results show that this method can establish a training data set containing the most suitable data under the premise of considering the cost constraints. The data set considers both “data representativeness” and “data selection cost,” so that the training data labeled by experts can effectively establish a classifier with high accuracy.

Originality/value

No previous research has considered how to establish a training set with a cost limit when each document has a distinct labeling cost. This paper is the first attempt to resolve this issue.
Case-based classification model based on information diffusion and interval gray relational analysis
Authors: Yang Baohua , Jiang Junming , Zhao Jinshuai
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to construct a gray relational model based on information diffusion to avoid rank reversal when the available decision information is insufficient, or the decision objects vary.

Design/methodology/approach

Considering that the sample dependence of the ideal sequence selection in gray relational decision-making is based on case sampling, which causes the phenomenon of rank reversal, this study designs an ideal point diffusion method based on the development trend and distribution skewness of the sample information. In this method, a gray relational model for sample classification is constructed using a virtual-ideal sequence. Subsequently, an optimization model is established to obtain the criteria weights and classification radius values that minimize the deviation between the comprehensive relational degree of the classification object and the critical value.

Findings

The rank-reversal problem in gray relational models could drive decision-makers away from using this method. The results of this study demonstrate that the proposed gray relational model based on information diffusion and virtual-ideal sequencing can effectively avoid rank reversal. The method is applied to classify 31 brownfield redevelopment projects based on available interval gray information. The case analysis verifies the rationality and feasibility of the model.

Originality/value

This study proposes a robust method for ideal point choice when the decision information is limited or dynamic. This method can reduce the influence of ideal sequence changes in gray relational models on decision-making results considerably better than other approaches.
Does investment in innovation impact firm performance in emerging economies? An empirical investigation of the Indian food and agricultural manufacturing industry
Authors: R.L. Manogna , Mishra Aswini Kumar
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The study aims to analyze the impact of Research & Development (R&D) intensity on the firm’s performance, measured by growth of sales in the emerging market like India. Innovation strategy and its outcomes for firms may be different in developing countries as compared to developed countries. Thus, a study that focuses on the emerging economy like India, with a majority of the population dependent on agriculture, is of prime importance to the firm performance in the food and agricultural manufacturing industry. For this study, the broader focus will be on one widely recognised factor which may influence the growth rate of firms, i.e. investment in innovations which is in terms of R&D expenditure.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper investigates the relationship between the R&D efforts and growth of firms in the Indian food and agricultural manufacturing industry during 2001–2019. To empirically test the relationship between firm’s growth (FG) and R&D investments, system generalised method of moments technique has been used, hence enabling to avoid problems related to endogeneity and simultaneity.

Findings

The findings reveal that investments in innovations have a positive effect on the growth of firms in the Indian food and agricultural manufacturing industry. Investment in R&D also enables the firms to reap benefits from externalities present in the industry. Further analysis reveals that younger firms grow faster when they invest in R&D. More specifically, this paper finds evidence in the case of the food and agricultural industry that import of raw materials negatively affects the FG and export intensity positively affects the growth in the case of R&D firms.

Research limitations/implications

This study suggests that the government should encourage the industries to invest optimally in R&D projects by providing favourable fiscal treatments and R&D subsidies which are observed to have positive effects in various developed countries.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, the current paper is the first to analyse the impact of innovation in food and agricultural industry on firm’s performance in an emerging economy context with the latest data. This paper agrees that a government initiative to increase private R&D expenditure would have favourable effects on FG as growing investments in R&D lead to further growth of the firms.
Seeking asylum in Bristol: insights into psychological needs and resilience
Authors: Flothmann Charlotte , Josselin Daphne
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to share research findings on the lived experiences of asylum seekers in Bristol (UK), with a particular focus on psychological needs and sources of resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was designed following the principles of action research and was carried out in three phases involving nine co-researchers. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the resulting data, collected through semi-structured interviews.

Findings

The findings highlight challenges which are faced by asylum seekers after migrating to the UK and indicate how these do not allow for psychological needs to be met, undermining resilience. Co-researchers indicated that aspects of the asylum system were perceived as unfair, adding to existing losses and promoting fear. Strength was found through engaging with communities and religious practices.

Practical implications

The research suggests that asylum seekers feel misrepresented and misunderstood within the public realm and raises serious questions around the current asylum legislation. It offers practitioners insight into key determinants for psychological well-being from the perspective of asylum seekers, providing suggestions for sensitive and appropriate interventions.

Originality/value

The study offers original insights into asylum seekers’ experiences, with a specific focus on Bristol. The use of action research and the involvement of asylum seekers as co-researchers are also noteworthy, as collaborative research is scarce in this field.
Transition to social-ecological sustainability using the environmental fiscal reform
Authors: Gazzani Flavio
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the introduction of three specific fiscal flexible mechanisms such as VAT surcharges/discounts, surcharges on import/manufacture of risk substances and maturity land tax to implement a new environmental fiscal reform that aims to reduce pollutions and emissions and avoid a regressive impact on low-income households using a feedback system.

Design/methodology/approach

The idea behind this article is to explore alternative environmental taxation system that aims to foster the transition to social-ecological sustainability without affect negatively poor and low-income households. It looks at the potential of environmental fiscal reform in terms of environmental benefits and present in the first section, evidence of some economic regressive impact caused by environmental fiscal reform in European Union from previous empirical studies. The article then introduces of a feedback mechanism to create a repayment system, such as rebate or cash transfer to compensate the regressive effect of the levy being added to the consumer price affecting low-income households in a very short period and push consumers to buy alternative eco-friendly products and services and to stimulate the market to offer them.

Findings

Lowering VAT rate for green products and services has the potential to increase demand for sustainable products and services and stimulate green jobs. Surcharges on import and manufacture of risk substances play a significant role to discourage the import of hazardous and pollutant substances by putting price on them and push the industrial sector towards a medium and long-term transition. Lowering taxes rates for buildings in inner cities encourage improvements and renovations, while raising tax on peri-urban areas discourage land speculation in areas with higher grade of biodiversity. This fiscal mechanism indirectly will reduce private and public transport emissions caused by urban sprawling and travel costs, reduce public infrastructure costs for connecting suburban area to the inner city and reduce the loss of urban-edge farmland area that are vital for smart urban growth.

Originality/value

The previous studies on the economic impact of the on environmental fiscal reform analysis, have focused on environmental aspects, economic growth and employment, but little on the regressive impact in short and medium terms on least wealthy sections of society. The proposed feedback mechanism aims to reduce distortion and inequalities caused by surcharges on existing taxation to low-income using monetary repayment measures, especially for products and services with elastic demand and no substitutes.
Physical and climate change-related risk identification in valuation practice: an Australian perspective
Authors: Warren-Myers Georgia , Cradduck Lucy
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to investigate Australian property valuers' identification and consideration of physical risks to properties in valuation practice. The research further explores valuers' considerations of climate change-related risks.

Design/methodology/approach

The research approach comprised an online survey of Australian valuers who were members of the Australian Property Institute. The online survey included structured and unstructured questions to explore types and extent of risk investigations in valuation practice.

Findings

The analysis reflects that while valuers easily identified and engaged with physical risks, there is a lack of understanding of, and engagement with, climate change risks. This supports the need for better information sources and guidance to inform valuers of climate change risksper se, as well as the development of specific mechanisms for consideration of such risks to be included in valuation processes, practices and reports.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited by the small sample size achieved due to the timing of the survey deployment, which occurred during the first wave of COVID-19 lockdowns in Australia. Thus, the findings are not necessarily representative of the Australian valuation profession, but they do provide indications of current approaches to risk identification in practice and the need for more guidance in relation to climate change risks.

Practical implications

This research identifies that more support, guidance, information and tools, as well as awareness-raising, are required to enable valuers to accurately identify all risks affecting a property.

Originality/value

The research provides a snapshot of current understandings of physical risk identification in valuation practice. As investors and other organisations integrate and build up their analysis of climate risks to their portfolios and organisations, this research indicates that valuers also need to be aware of changing market assessment of physical and climate risks associated with property for consideration in valuation.
Managers' sexually-oriented behavior and firm performance: linking media reports to stock market reactions and legal risk
Authors: Baker Amy Nicole , King David , Nalick Michael , Tempio Melissa , Gupta Vishal K. , Pierce Charles A.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The goal of this study is to examine the association between managers' sexually-oriented behavior in publicly traded firms and subsequent stock market reactions. Both sexual harassment and nonharassing sexually-oriented behavior (i.e. workplace romance) are associated with negative shareholder reactions. The authors also examine factors that may alter the stock market reaction and those that may reduce the risk of lawsuit in sexual harassment cases.

Design/methodology/approach

Information about incidents of sexually-oriented behavior was collected from media reports and content coded. An event study with a stock market reaction was used to measure the impact of disclosed sexually-oriented behaviors. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between incident characteristics and sexual harassment lawsuits.

Findings

Disclosure of managers' sexually-oriented behavior is associated with a negative stock market reaction. Interestingly, the reaction was not more severe for sexual harassment disclosures compared to nonharassing behavior (i.e. workplace romance). Results also suggest that terminating a manager prior to disclosure of an event is negatively related to a harassment lawsuit.

Originality/value

The authors report this as the first study to focus on the stock market reaction of sexually-oriented harassing and nonharassing behavior of managers. This work complements research that documents the negative impact of sexual harassment on individuals by demonstrating these behaviors are associated with loss and risk at an organizational level.
Efficacy and safety of tildrakizumab in Japanese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: Results from a 64‐week phase 3 study (reSURFACE 1)
Authors: Igarashi Atsuyuki , Nakagawa Hidemi , Morita Akimichi , Okubo Yukari , Sano Shigetoshi , Imafuku Shinichi , Tada Yayoi , Honma Masaru , Mendelsohn Alan M. , Kawamura Masaki , Ohtsuki Mamitaro
Published: February 2021

Tildrakizumab is a high‐affinity, humanized immunoglobulin G1κ, anti‐interleukin‐23p19 monoclonal antibody recently approved in Japan for treatment of plaque psoriasis. We report results from Japanese patients treated with tildrakizumab in the multinational, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled reSURFACE 1 study (clinicaltrials.gov NCT01722331). Adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis were randomized (2:2:1) to receive subcutaneous tildrakizumab 100 or 200 mg or placebo every 12 weeks. Placebo recipients were rerandomized to tildrakizumab 100 or 200 mg at week 12. The global study coprimary endpoints were the proportions of patients achieving 75% improvement from baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75) and Physician Global Assessment (PGA) response (0/1 with ≥2 grade reduction from baseline) at week 12. Analyses included 158 Japanese patients randomized to tildrakizumab 100 (n = 64) or 200 mg (n = 62) or placebo (n = 32). Japanese patients had higher mean baseline body surface area involvement and PASI versus all reSURFACE 1 patients. At week 12, significantly more Japanese patients receiving tildrakizumab 100 and 200 mg versus placebo achieved PASI 75 (54.7% and 54.8% vs 6.3%, respectively, both nominal p < 0.001) and PGA 0/1 response (54.7% and 56.5% vs 9.4%, respectively, both nominal P < 0.001). Response rates increased over time with maximal efficacy after 22‐28 weeks; >80% of patients achieving PASI 75 or PASI 90 at week 28 and continuing tildrakizumab treatment at the same dose maintained response at week 64. From baseline to week 28, absolute PASI decreased from >12 in all patients to ≤2 in >40% and ≤3 in >50% of patients receiving tildrakizumab. Tildrakizumab was generally well tolerated with an adverse event profile similar to that of placebo. Tildrakizumab treatment was associated with durable efficacy in Japanese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis despite greater baseline disease severity versus the global reSURFACE 1 population.
The changes of respiratory microbiome between mild and severe asthma patients
Authors: Wang Qunzhi , Guo An , Sheng Meiling , Zhou Hua
Published: February 2021

Due to the increased number of patients suffering from asthma, the mechanism of this disease has been subject to much attention from the public and finding a cure for this disease is urgent. A changed abundance of the microbiome has been proven to play an important role in the genesis and development of asthma. In this study, the abundance and the function of the microbiome were studied. It was found that there were significant changes in the components and the function of the microbiome when asthma changed from mild to severe. This study could help us to better understand the relationship between asthma and the respiratory microbiome.