bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SynGAP Splice Variants Display Heterogeneous Spatio-Temporal Expression And Subcellular Distribution In The Developing Mammalian Brain
Authors: Gou Gemma , Roca-Fernandez Adriana , Kilinc Murat , Serrano Elena , Reig-Viader Rita , Araki Yoichi , Huganir Richard L. , de Quintana-Schmidt Cristian , Rumbaugh Gavin , Bayés Àlex
Published: June 2019

The Syngap1 gene is a major regulator of synapse biology and neural circuit function. Genetic variants linked to epilepsy and intellectual disability disrupt synaptic function and neural excitability. The SynGAP protein has been involved in multiple signaling pathways and can regulate small GTPases with very different functions. Yet, the molecular bases behind this pleiotropy are poorly understood. We hypothesize that different SynGAP isoforms will mediate different sets of functions and that deciphering their spatio-temporal expression and subcellular localization will accelerate our understanding of the multiple functions performed by SynGAP. Using antibodies that detect all isoforms of SynGAP, we found that its subcellular localization changed throughout postnatal development. Consistent with previous reports, SynGAP was enriched in the postsynaptic density in the mature forebrain. However, this was age-dependent and SynGAP was predominantly found in non-synaptic locations in a period of postnatal development highly sensitive to SynGAP levels. Furthermore, we identified different expression patterns in the spatial and temporal axes for different SynGAP isoforms. Particularly noticeable was the delayed expression of SynGAP α1 isoforms, which bind to PSD-95 at the postsynaptic density, in cortex and hippocampus during the first two weeks of postnatal development. The subcellular localization of SynGAP was also isoform-dependent. While, α1 isoforms were highly enriched in the postsynaptic density, other C-terminal isoforms were less enriched or even more abundant in non-synaptic locations, particularly during the postnatal period. Thus, the regulation of expression and subcellular distribution of SynGAP isoforms may contribute to isoform-specific regulation of small GTPases, explaining SynGAP pleiotropy.
Quantitation of vector uptake reveals non-Poissonian transfection dynamics in Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Carrasquilla Manuela , Sanderson Theo , Montandon Ruddy , Rayner Julian , Pance Alena , Lee Marcus
Published: June 2019

The recurrent emergence of drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum increases the urgency to genetically validate drug resistance mechanisms and identify new targets. Reverse genetics have facilitated genome-scale knockout screens in Plasmodium berghei and Toxoplasma gondii, in which pooled transfections of multiple vectors were critical to increasing scale and throughput. These approaches have not yet been implemented in P. falciparum, mainly because the extent to which pooled transfections can be performed in this species still remains unknown. Here we use next-generation sequencing to quantitate uptake of a pool of 94 barcoded vectors. The distribution of vectors in different transfections allowed us to estimate the number of barcodes and DNA molecules taken up by the parasite population. Dilution cloning showed that single transfected parasites routinely carry as many as seven episomal barcodes, revealing an intake of multiple vectors in a highly non-uniform fashion. Transfection of non-overlapping fluorescent proteins, which allowed us to follow the dynamics of the process, confirmed the tendency for parasites to take up multiple vectors from the early stages of transfection. This finding has important implications for how reverse genetics can be scaled in P. falciparum.
Astrocytes Contribute to Remote Memory Formation by Modulating Hippocampal-Cortical Communication During Learning
Authors: Kol Adi , Adamsky Adar , Groysman Maya , Kreisel Tirzah , London Michael , Goshen Inbal
Published: June 2019

The consolidation and retrieval of remote memories depend on the coordinated activity of the hippocampus and frontal cortices. However, the exact time at which these regions are recruited to support memory and the interactions between them are still debated. Astrocytes can sense and modify neuronal activity with great precision, but their role in cognitive function has not been extensively explored. To investigate the role of astrocytes in remote memory we expressed the Gi-coupled receptor hM4Di in CA1 astrocytes, allowing their manipulation by a designer drug. We discovered that astrocytic modulation during learning resulted in a specific impairment in remote, but not recent, memory recall, accompanied by decreased neuronal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) during retrieval. We revealed a massive recruitment of ACC-projecting neurons in CA1 during memory acquisition, accompanied by activation of ACC neurons. Astrocytic Gi activation disrupted CA3 to CA1 communication in-vivo, and reduced the downstream response in the ACC. This same manipulation in behaving mice induced a projection-specific inhibition of ACC-projecting CA1 neurons during learning, consequently preventing the recruitment of the ACC. Our findings suggest that the foundation of remote memory is established in the ACC during acquisition, engaging a distinct process from the one supporting consolidation of recent memory. Furthermore, the mechanism underlying remote memory involves projection-specific functions of astrocytes in regulating neuronal activity.
Dissociation of solid tumour tissues with cold active protease for single-cell RNA-seq minimizes conserved collagenase-associated stress responses
Authors: O’Flanagan Ciara H , Campbell Kieran R , Zhang Allen W , Kabeer Farhia , Lim Jamie LP , Biele Justina , Eirew Peter , Lai Daniel , McPherson Andrew , Kong Esther , Bates Cherie , Borkowski Kelly , Wiens Matt , Hopkins James , Hewitson Brittany , Ceglia Nicholas , Moore Richard , Mungall Andy J , McAlpine Jessica N ,   The CRUK IMAXT Grand Challenge Team, Shah Sohrab P , Aparicio Samuel
Published: June 2019

Background

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) is a powerful tool for studying complex biological systems, such as tumour heterogeneity and tissue microenvironments. However, the sources of technical and biological variation in primary solid tumour tissues and patient-derived mouse xenografts for scRNAseq, are not well understood. Here, we used low temperature (6°C) protease and collagenase (37°C) to identify the transcriptional signatures associated with tissue dissociation across a diverse scRNAseq dataset comprising 128,481 cells from patient cancer tissues, patient-derived breast cancer xenografts and cancer cell lines.

Results

We observe substantial variation in standard quality control (QC) metrics of cell viability across conditions and tissues. From FACS sorted populations gated for cell viability, we identify a sub-population of dead cells that would pass standard data filtering practices, and quantify the extent to which their transcriptomes differ from live cells. We identify a further subpopulation of transcriptomically “dying” cells that exhibit up-regulation of MHC class I transcripts, in contrast with live and fully dead cells. From the contrast between tissue protease dissociation at 37°C or 6°C, we observe that collagenase digestion results in a stress response. We derive a core gene set of 512 heat shock and stress response genes, includingFOSandJUN, induced by collagenase (37°C), which are minimized by dissociation with a cold active protease (6°C). While induction of these genes was highly conserved across all cell types, cell type-specific responses to collagenase digestion were observed in patient tissues. We observe that the yield of cancer and non-cancer cell types varies between tissues and dissociation methods.

Conclusions

The method and conditions of tumour dissociation influence cell yield and transcriptome state and are both tissue and cell type dependent. Interpretation of stress pathway expression differences in cancer single cell studies, including components of surface immune recognition such as MHC class I, may be especially confounded. We define a core set of 512 genes that can assist with identification of such effects in dissociated scRNA-seq experiments.
Dual Role of Cell-Cell Adhesion In Tumor Suppression and Proliferation Due to Collective Mechanosensing
Authors: Malmi-Kakkada Abdul N , Li Xin , Sinha Sumit , Thirumalai D.
Published: June 2019

It is known that mechanical interactions couple a cell to its neighbors, enabling a feedback loop to regulate tissue growth. However, the interplay between cell-cell adhesion strength, local cell density and force fluctuations in regulating cell proliferation is poorly understood. Here, we show that spatial variations in the tumor growth rates, which depend on the location of cells within tissue spheroids, are strongly influenced by cell-cell adhesion. As the strength of the cell-cell adhesion increases, intercellular pressure initially decreases, enabling dormant cells to more readily enter into a proliferative state. We identify an optimal cell-cell adhesion regime where pressure on a cell is a minimum, allowing for maximum proliferation. We use a theoretical model to validate this novel collective feedback mechanism coupling adhesion strength, local stress fluctuations and proliferation. Our results predict the existence of a non-monotonic proliferation behavior as a function of adhesion strength, consistent with experimental results. Several experimental implications of the proposed role of cell-cell adhesion in proliferation are quantified, making our model predictions amenable to further experimental scrutiny. We show that the mechanism of contact inhibition of proliferation, based on a pressure-adhesion feedback loop, serves as a unifying mechanism to understand the role of cell-cell adhesion in proliferation.
Inferring generation-interval distributions from contact-tracing data
Authors: Park Sang Woo , Champredon David , Dushoff Jonathan
Published: June 2019

Generation intervals, defined as the time between when an individual is infected and when that individual infects another person, link two key quantities that describe an epidemic: the reproductive number,, and the rate of exponential growth,r. Generation intervals are often measured through contact tracing by identifying who infected whom. We study how observed intervals differ from “intrinsic” intervals that could be estimated by tracing individual-level infectiousness, and identify both spatial and temporal effects, including censoring (due to observation time), and the effects of susceptible depletion at various spatial scales. Early in an epidemic, we expect the variation in the observed generation intervals to be mainly driven by the censoring and the population structure near the source of disease spread; therefore, we predict that correcting observed intervals for the effect of temporal censoring butnotfor spatial effects will provide a spatially informed “effective” generation-interval distribution, which will correctly linkrand. We develop and test statistical methods for temporal corrections of generation intervals, and confirm our prediction using individual-based simulations on an empirical network.
Trial by phylogenetics - Evaluating the Multi-Species Coalescent for phylogenetic inference on taxa with high levels of paralogy (Gonyaulacales, Dinophyceae)
Authors: Kretzschmar Anna Liza , Verma Arjun , Murray Shauna , Kahlke Tim , Fourment Mathieu , Darling Aaron E.
Published: June 2019

From publicly available next-gen sequencing datasets of non-model organisms, such as marine protists, arise opportunities to explore their evolutionary relationships. In this study we explored the effects that dataset and model selection have on the phylogenetic inference of the Gonyaulacales, single celled marine algae of the phylum Dinoflagellata with genomes that show extensive paralogy. We developed a method for identifying and extracting single copy genes from RNA-seq libraries and compared phylogenies inferred from these single copy genes with those inferred from commonly used genetic markers and phylogenetic methods. Comparison of two datasets and three different phylogenetic models showed that exclusive use of ribosomal DNA sequences, maximum likelihood and gene concatenation showed very different results to that obtained with the multi-species coalescent. The multi-species coalescent has recently been recognized as being robust to the inclusion of paralogs, including hidden paralogs present in single copy gene sets (pseudoorthologs). Comparisons of model fit strongly favored the multi-species coalescent for these data, over a concatenated alignment (single tree) model. Our findings suggest that the multi-species coalescent (inferred either via Maximum Likelihood or Bayesian Inference) should be considered for future phylogenetic studies of organisms where accurate selection of orthologs is difficult.
Single molecule mechanics resolves the earliest events in force generation by cardiac myosin
Authors: Woody Michael S. , Winkelmann Donald A. , Capitanio Marco , Ostap E. Michael , Goldman Yale E.
Published: June 2019

Key steps of cardiac mechanochemistry, including the force-generating working stroke and the release of phosphate (Pi), occur rapidly after myosin-actin attachment. An ultra-high-speed optical trap enabled direct observation of the timing and amplitude of the working stroke, which can occur within <200 μs of actin binding by β-cardiac myosin. The initial actomyosin state can sustain loads of at least 4.5 pN and proceeds directly to the stroke or detaches before releasing ATP hydrolysis products. The rates of these processes depend on the force. The time between binding and stroke is unaffected by 10 mM Pi which, along with other findings, indicates the stroke precedes phosphate release. After Pi release, Pi can rebind enabling reversal of the working stroke. Detecting these rapid events under physiological loads provides definitive indication of the dynamics by which actomyosin converts biochemical energy into mechanical work.
Establishing BARA: Biological Nitrogen Fixation for Future Agriculture
Authors: Khan Muhammad Salar , Koizumi Naoru , Olds James L.
Published: June 2019

The extensive use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers implicates a paradox. While fertilizers ensure the supply of a large amount of food, they cause negative environmental externalities including reduced biodiversity, eutrophic streams, and lakes. Moreover, such fertilizers may also result in a major public health hazard: increased antibiotic resistance. This Perspective discusses a critical role of perturbations in N cycle caused by excessive use of fertilizers and resulting implications as they relate to resistance genes and biodiversity in the biosphere. While there are solutions such as cover crops, these solutions are expensive and inconvenient for farmers. We advocate the use of biological fixation for staple crops—microbiome mediated natural supply of fixed N. This would involve engineering a microbiome that can be grown cheaply and at scale (less expensive than Haber-Bosch fertilizers). We also propose a practical framework of where and how research investments should be directed to make such a solution practical. We make three recommendations for decision makers to facilitate a successful trajectory for this solution. First, that future agricultural science seek to understand how biological fixation might be employed as a practical and efficient strategy. This effort would require that industries and government partner to establish a pre-competitive research laboratory equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technologies that conduct metagenomic experiments to reveal signature microbiomes. Second, the Department of Agriculture and state governments provide research and development (R & D) tax credits to biotech companies specifically geared towards R&D investments aimed at increasing the viability of biological fixation and microbiome engineering. Third, governments and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) coordinate Biological Advanced Research in Agriculture (BARA)—a global agricultural innovation initiative for investments and research in biological fixation and ethical, legal, and social implications of such innovation.
Local features determine Ty3 targeting frequency at RNA polymerase III transcription start sites
Authors: Patterson Kurt , Shavarebi Farbod , Magnan Christophe , Chang Ivan , Qi Xiaojie , Baldi Pierre , Bilanchone Virginia , Sandmeyer Suzanne B.
Published: June 2019

Retroelement integration into host genomes affects chromosome structure and function. A goal of a considerable number of investigations is to elucidate features influencing insertion site selection. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ty3 retrotransposon inserts proximal to the transcription start sites (TSS) of genes transcribed by RNA polymerase III (RNAP3). In this study, differential patterns of insertion were profiled genome-wide using a random barcode-tagged Ty3. Saturation transposition showed that tRNA genes (tDNAs) are targeted at widely different frequencies even within isoacceptor families. Ectopic expression of Ty3 integrase (IN) showed that it localized to targets independent of other Ty3 proteins and cDNA. IN, RNAP3, and transcription factor Brf1 were enriched at tDNA targets with high frequencies of transposition. To examine potential effects of cis-acting DNA features on transposition, targeting was tested on high-copy plasmids with restricted amounts of 5′ flanking sequence plus tDNA. Relative activity of targets was reconstituted in these constructions. Weighting of genomic insertions according to frequency identified an A/T-rich sequence followed by C as the dominant site of strand transfer. This site lies immediately adjacent to the adenines previously implicated in the RNAP3 TSS motif (CAA). In silico DNA structural analysis upstream of this motif showed that targets with elevated DNA curvature coincide with reduced integration. We propose that integration mediated by the Ty3 intasome complex (IN and cDNA) is subject to inputs from a combination of host factor occupancy and insertion site architecture, and that this results in the wide range of Ty3 targeting frequencies.
Catatonia in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and intellectual disability: a discussion of four cases
Authors: Dunstall Huw Morgan , Walton Catherine , Watkins Lance Vincent , Isaac Andrew Bhasker , El Tahir Mohamed
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Catatonia is increasingly recognised as a comorbid syndrome of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASDs). The assessment and management of individuals with comorbid ASD and intellectual disability (ID) adds a further dimension to this already complex presentation, with few cases identified in the literature. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents four cases of catatonia in individuals with comorbid ASD and ID. The diagnostic challenges, response to treatment and prognosis are discussed whilst comparing with the existing literature.

Findings

A high index of suspicion is required to recognise the subtle catatonic features seen in patients with ASD and ID. Clinicians should be particularly vigilant following stressful events in young adults. The assessment of catatonia in ASDs and ID requires a pragmatic approach given the lack of suitable diagnostic tools and difficulties completing investigations. Caution is advised when using rating scales as they are not validated in ID. The mainstay of treatment is lorazepam, although responses vary.

Originality/value

The discussion of these four cases strengthens the existing literature, and highlights the implications a comorbid diagnosis of ID has on the assessment and management of catatonia in ASDs.
Reducing antipsychotic medication in ID using QI methodology
Authors: Conway Rebecca Rose , Perera Bhathika , Courtenay Ken , Tsolakidis Spyros , Gopal Sheetal
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Research highlights that antipsychotic medications are prescribed more in people with Intellectual Disability (ID) without a diagnosis of severe mental illness. Despite non-pharmacological interventions recommended as alternatives, their application can be challenging due to heterogeneity of the patient group. The purpose of this paper is to discuss application of quality improvement (QI) methodology in adapting interventions, aiming to reduce challenging behaviour of people with ID, thereby reducing use of antipsychotic medication.

Design/methodology/approach

Two interventions were introduced as “tests of change”; an “Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) clinic” and “Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) clinic”. Process (Clinical Global Impression (CGI) and Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS)) and outcome measures (total antipsychotic use) were used to assess the interventions, with each being reviewed as per QI methodology guidelines.

Findings

There was an improvement in CGI scores for both interventions. MOAS scores reduced for those attending the ADHD clinic, resulting in reductions of antipsychotic medication. MOAS scores did not reduce for the PBS clinic, so there was no reduction in medication for this group.

Originality/value

Based on the introduction of pilot clinics, this paper provides a commentary on how QI interventions can be used to evaluate and adapt evidence-based interventions, in managing the needs of patients with ID. It further highlights the importance of the diagnosis of ADHD in patients with ID and challenging behaviour. Although PBS is recommended to manage challenging behaviour, this paper demonstrates the importance of continuous evaluation of behavioural interventions. There is currently no existing literature investigating use of QI methodology to reduce challenging behaviour in ID populations, emphasising scope for future research and service evaluation.
How shopping motives, store attributes and demographic factors influence store format choice in Vietnam
Authors: Evangelista Felicitas , Low Brian Koon , Nguyen Minh Thanh
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Despite huge investments within the modern trade arena, Vietnam remains a traditional trade retailing country. The purpose of this paper is to establish the combined effects of motivation, store attributes and demographic factors on the predictive outcome of store format choice in Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

A logistic regression model is used to determine the effect of these factors on the predictive outcome of traditional markets or supermarkets in purchasing non-food products or processed food products.

Findings

The dichotomy between what supermarkets and traditional markets have to offer is simple but effective. Utilitarian-motivated shoppers are more likely to shop at traditional markets. They emphasize the need to buy products quickly, find a good price, with less travel time and hence lower travel costs. Hedonistic shoppers are motivated by feelings of happiness; they shop to relieve stress and to keep up with trends. Significant difference in store choice also exists between older and higher income shoppers.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should examine the sociocultural dimensions of shopping at traditional stores by exploring how such shopping relates to, and is embedded in, the formation and changes of individual identity, especially in communities outside of Ho Chi Minh City where shoppers are almost entirely dependent on traditional stores.

Practical implications

Traditional stores have the benefit of convenient location and savings in both time and travel costs. These benefits are being eroded as supermarkets and transnational retail corporations establish new stores close to the traditional stores.

Social implications

Shopping at traditional markets is part of the social culture and is embedded in individuals’ identity formation, despite increasing urbanization and shoppers’ higher incomes.

Originality/value

This study comprehensively explores the interactions between store choice and motivation, store attributes and demographic factors, taking into account contemporary and contextually relevant factors.
Busy boards and earnings management – an Australian perspective
Authors: Tham Yeut Hong , Sultana Nigar , Singh Harjinder , Taplin Ross
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess whether multiple directorships have an influence on earnings management for Australian publicly listed firms. This paper attempts to determine whether boards with multiple directorships are effective monitors and are able to constrain earnings management activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts resource dependency theory on the relationship between multiple directorships and the extent of earnings management. Data analysis is based on publicly listed firms on Australian Stock Exchange utilising SIRCA database with a final pooled sample of 1,815 firm-year observations from 2008 to 2012.

Findings

Using different measures of multiple directorships, it is found that firms having board of directors with multiple directorships exhibit lower levels of earnings management. The results validate the applicability of resource dependency theory on the relationship between multiple directorships and the extent of earnings management suggesting that directors with multiple board seats by sharing experiences, skills, information and other resources limit the extent of earnings management by firms. Evidence also suggests that earnings management behaviour is more pronounced in larger firms compared to smaller firms and as predicted, industry audit specialists restrain earnings management activities.

Practical implications

This study introduces methodological enhancements to the literature as it measures the multiple directorships in a number of different ways. Firms may be encouraged to actively seek board members with diverse backgrounds, international exposure/experience and pertinent skill-sets with multiple board memberships. These benefits will assist firms to determine the optimal board composition that will enable it to function effectively.

Originality/value

Empirical studies on the association between multiple directorships and earnings management in Australia are scarce and this paper provides an update of the effect of multiple directorships on earnings quality in Australia.
The effect of trade and monetary policy indicators on the development of renewable energy in Latin America
Authors: Frutos-Bencze Dina , Avdiu Kujtim , Unger Stephan
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effect of monetary policy indicators on Latin America’s renewable energy development. The authors conduct several regressions as well as a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to unveil relationships among possible driving factors among others the current account balance, interest rates, money flow and energy trade balance for Latin America’s energy mix.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis was a two-part process. First, the authors used multiple regression to identify if monetary policy affects the development of renewable energy usage at all. To investigate the singular effects of each of the nine macro-economic variables and four energy indicators, collected from the World Bank (2017) database, several regressions were run where the authors regressed each economic indicator on each energy variable. Then, the authors conducted a principal component analysis with all 13 variables.

Findings

The authors found a significant relationship between the clean energy share and governmental spending boosting GDP as well as a significant relationship between governmental spending and the amount of foreign exchange reserves. Declining net energy imports indicate that countries in Latin America are getting more and more energy autonomous for the price of building up huge amounts of foreign exchange reserves.

Research limitations/implications

Renewable energy indicators are not always available for all Latin American countries. Data tend to be scattered. However, sources such as the International Renewable Energy Agency and the World Bank database can be complementary.

Practical implications

The understanding of the effects and impacts of some of the monetary policy related indicators can provide insights for improving renewable energy financing policies. In turn, such policies can have increased influence on renewable energy sustainability and potentially contribute to improving environmental policies.

Originality/value

The specific impact of the selected variables on renewable energy has not been studied. This study attempts to discern the impact of such variables to understand how they influence the renewable energy mix. The insights can in turn inform and modify existing policies and guidelines as well as advise new policy.
Building information modelling (BIM) and the CDM regulations interoperability framework
Authors: Mzyece Dingayo , Ndekugri Issaka E. , Ankrah Nii A.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Building information modelling (BIM) has received wide coverage within the research, academic and industry communities over the last decade. Yet, its degree of integration with various industry standards in the architecture, engineering and construction sector varies extensively. An exploratory research approach explores the interoperability between the construction design and management (CDM) regulations and BIM. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design comprised: a methodical “state-of-the-art” review of extant literature – exploring some 19 variables emerging from the literature review; detailed content analyses of the current CDM regime (CDM 2015); and conducting a “test” to map and determine the degree of interoperability between BIM and CDM. The study develops several meta-matrices and a framework for BIM and CDM interoperability.

Findings

New insight reveals that BIM provides a systematic approach for the discharge of CDM obligations. The framework developed is easily transferable into BIM common data environments (CDEs) and offers an expeditious discharge of CDM obligations.

Research limitations/implications

Some features of the developed BIM/CDM interoperability framework invite further tests to predicate the degree of discharge of CDM obligations. Duties related to provision of pre-construction information invite further research.

Originality/value

Little research provides insight into the interoperability of BIM and the CDM regulations. Therefore, this study contributes to the knowledge relating to the degree of interoperability of BIM in construction systems, processes and standards.
Design, develop and evaluate an open government data platform: a user-centred approach
Authors: Huang Ruhua , Wang Chunying , Zhang Xiaoyu , Wu Dan , Xie Qingwen
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of designing, developing and evaluating a prototype of an open government data (OGD) platform that provided user-centred experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the OGD lifecycle, an OGD prototype was created, which involved the system functionality, user interface, standard specification and security mechanism. The main functionalities of the system included data acquisition, data processing and data management. A usability test was conducted following the prototype implementation.

Findings

The usability test indicated that an OGD platform was desired to help the public to find, access, reuse and share government data effectively and efficiently. Functions, such as visualization, local download and digital watermark should be provided and integrated into the platform.

Originality/value

This paper provided a complete case study on the design of an OGD platform and a reference for information system developers to design such system in the future.
Social capital levels, gossip and employee performance in aviation and shipping companies in Israel
Authors: Ben-Hador Batia
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand better the organizational social capital (SC) levels and their impact on organizations by focusing on personal SC and intra-organizational SC as well as their different connections to organizational gossip and employee performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants in a field study included 617 employees from five Israeli organizations in the field of aviation and shipping. Levels of personal SC, intra-organizational SC, gossip and self-evaluated performance were measured, and connections between them detected.

Findings

The results indicate that intra-organizational SC is positively connected to employee performance, while personal SC is positively linked to gossip. Personal SC also leads to performance with the mediation of intra-organizational SC, although gossip was not found to be connected to performance.

Originality/value

The contributions of this study are both conceptual and practical. The distinction between organizational SC levels is refined, improving organizational research accuracy and facilitating a better grasp of the connections between SC and other variables. The scant research on organizational gossip has been expanded. From a practical perspective, clarification of the link between organizational SC and performance can be beneficial to employees and organizations.
Do environment, social and governance performance impact credit ratings: a study from India
Authors: Bhattacharya Sonali , Sharma Dipasha
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of environment, social and governance (ESG) disclosure on credit ratings of companies in India.

Design/methodology/approach

Firms under study are listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) 500 and represent almost 93 per cent of the total market capitalization on BSE. This study considers a sample of 122 firms from a population of 500 to examine the relationship between ESG scores and Credit Rating. The scope of this study is confined to those firms listed on the S&P BSE 500 which have made ESG disclosures and were rated by various credit rating agencies like Crisil, ICRA and CARE. Data were sourced from Bloomberg. Ratings were given in ascending order. In the first model, credit rating was used as predicted variable; ESG score as predictor variable and market capitalization, net debt to equity, and total debt to asset as control considering the ordered nature of dependent variable in the study, ordered logistic regression was applied. It was repeated taking individual scores on environment rating, social rating and governance rating as predictors. The authors further segregated the 122 selected firms into large, medium and low capital firms and assessed separate logistic regression models taking credit rating as the predicted variable and overall ESG score as the predictor.

Findings

It was found that overall ESG performance and performance of individual components (environment, social and financial variables such as market capitalization, and debt to equity ratio) had significant positive indicators of creditworthiness as measured through credit rating. Governance score had a positive and insignificant relation with credit rating. Market capitalization was observed to have significant direct relationship with credit worthiness. On the other hand, number of independent directors in companies showed significant inverse relationship with creditworthiness. ESG significantly impacted credit rating in the desired direction only for small- and middle-level firms; for large firms which already had higher credit rating, ESG showed no effect. It was also found that credit rating itself determined significantly the extent of overall ESG reporting and disclosure of its components.

Originality/value

This is unique study that covers the aspects of ESG reports and its impact on credit rating.
Undergraduate mobile phone use in the Caribbean
Authors: Ahmad Tashfeen
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a survey regarding undergraduate students’ mobile phone usage patterns and its implication for teaching and learning in the Caribbean higher education academic environment.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 144 students participated in the survey. The survey method utilized a structured questionnaire design comprising 24 items which was completed by students. A quantitative research methodology was used to analyze the data on student mobile phone usage patterns in an educational setting.

Findings

The results indicate that students find mobile phones to be an indispensable tool inside and outside the classroom environment. More interestingly, it revealed that despite unique socio-economic factors, students’ mobile phone adoption, usage and perception patterns in a developing country mirror those of their counterparts in developed states. This has profound implications for education policy in the region.

Originality/value

Little research has been done on students’ mobile phone use in the developing world context. Even less work has been done exploring mobile phone usage patterns of university students in the Caribbean region. Given the similarities with developed states, this paper shares ideas with university management and administration how they can incorporate mobile phone technology into their teaching methods, to enhance the learning experience in the Caribbean and the wider developing world context.
A competitive dynamics perspective on evolutionary game theory, agent-based modeling, and innovation in high-tech firms
Authors: Zhang Ruihan , Sun Bing
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine how high-tech firms should choose between independent research and development and technology introduction as well as to ascertain the effects of the three elements of competitive dynamics on the evolution of innovative behavior-based decisions and competitive results.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes the construction of an evolutionary game model and a multi-agent-based model of innovative behavior-based decisions by heterogeneous high-tech firms. The models are used to analyze the evolution path and evolutionarily stable strategy of innovative behavior-based decisions. In addition, multi-agent-based simulation is used to gain insight into the effects of competitive dynamics on the dynamic evolution of innovative behavior-based decisions.

Findings

This paper reveals four evolutionary equilibrium states of the innovation behavior-based decisions of high-tech firms. Based on the findings, these overall evolutionary trends are not affected by the timing of competitive market entry or the intensity of competition. In addition, simulated evidence is added that the timing of competitive market entry is an important factor affecting market-leading innovative strategies and dynamic competition results, and competition intensity is closely related to the evolutionary speed of innovation behavior-based decisions.

Originality/value

The key contribution of this paper is its new view of innovative behavior-based decisions from a competitive dynamics perspective. The new competitive dynamics-based framework for innovative behavior-based decisions of high-tech firms proposed in the paper can resolve the problem of obtaining a sustainable competitive advantage for high-tech firms in a competitive dynamics context.
The effects of recent austerity on environmental protection decisions
Authors: Onyango Vincent , Gazzola Paola , Wood Geoffrey
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish the evidence for, the why and how recent austerity policy atmosphere associated with the UK government affected environmental protection decisions within planning in Scotland.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative analysis based on perspectives gathered via questionnaire survey targeted at stakeholders involved in planning in Scotland was undertaken. The questionnaire responses were analysed thematically, supplemented by using statistical tests of significance and variance to show how responses differed across participants.

Findings

The evidence showed that austerity policy atmosphere resulted in a pervasive neoliberal imperative of resuscitating the economy; whilst producing subtle and adverse effects on environmental decisions. This was best understood within a neo-Gramscian perspective of hegemony, borrowed from the field of political economy of states.

Research limitations/implications

The gathered views were constrained within unknown biases that the participants may have had; and because the case study approach was not equipped to generalise the results beyond the study, more research testing cause-effect between the austerity and selected environmental parameters is needed, from various contexts.

Practical implications

Decision-making frameworks should explicitly acknowledge the unique pressures during austerity periods; and contemplate resilient decision-making frameworks that can withstand the hegemonic tendencies which prioritise economic goals above environmental ones.

Originality/value

Whilst the area of austerity’s impacts on the environment remains poorly evidenced, empirically, this seminal paper uses robust analysis to establish how the austerity policy atmosphere affects environmental decisions. This is insight into what may be happening in other similar situations outside Scotland, raising concern as to whether and how we should approach the challenge of hegemonic ideas.
Cumulative prospect theory and deferred annuities
Authors: Chen Anran , Haberman Steven , Thomas Stephen
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Although it has been proved theoretically that annuities can provide optimal consumption during one’s retirement period, retirees’ reluctance to purchase annuities is a long-standing puzzle. The purpose of this paper is to use behavioral model to analyze the low demand for immediate annuities.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ cumulative prospect theory (CPT), which contains both loss aversion and probability transformations, to analyze the annuity puzzle.

Findings

The authors show that CPT can explain the unattractiveness of immediate annuities. It also shows that retirees would be willing to buy a long-term deferred annuity at retirement. By considering each component from CPT in turn, the loss aversion is found to be the major reason that stops people from buying an annuity while the survival rate transformation is an important factor affecting the decision of when to receive annuity incomes.

Originality/value

This paper identifies CPT as one of the reasons for the low demand of immediate annuities. It further suggests that long-term deferred annuities could overcome behavioral obstacles and become popular among retirees.
Is integrated reporting transformative?
Authors: Rodríguez-Gutiérrez Pablo , Correa Carmen , Larrinaga Carlos
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to generate insights about the transformative potential of integrated reporting by exploring organisational adoption of non-financial reporting design archetypes available in the field.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the concept of design archetype, this study conducts an exploratory interpretative based on qualitative semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis. The study is based on the Spanish integrated reporting field.

Findings

This study reveals that IIRC framework lacks the transformative potential to become an environmental disturbance for corporate reporting practice. It explains how organisations, in their attempt to seek coherence with underlying interpretative schemes, change their structural arrangements (structure, processes and systems) to adopt sustainability and integrated reporting design archetypes available in the field. Though organisational differences are portrayed, the transition from a sustainability-reporting archetype to an integrated-reporting archetype does not seem to be easily achieved.

Research limitations/implications

Due to its exploratory nature, further investigation of the transformative potential of integrated reporting is needed to address intra-organisational factors such as internal stakeholder interests, organisational values, individual or collective agency to embed interpretative schemes into structural arrangements, and technical and managerial capabilities enabling action.

Practical implications

Findings inform practitioners and policymakers about the hindrances to integrated reporting implementation to be considered for prospective regulation and standardisation.

Social implications

The study reflects on the difficulties for both mainstreaming sustainability to influence decision-making and developing reporting archetypes coherent with integrated thinking.

Originality/value

By focusing on archetype design, the paper provides insights to assess the transformative potential of integrated reporting.
Health‐care resource use and current treatment of adult atopic dermatitis patients in Japan: A retrospective claims database analysis
Authors: Igarashi Atsuyuki , Fujita Hiroyuki , Arima Kazuhiko , Inoue Tomoyuki , Dorey Julie , Fukushima Ayako , Taguchi Yurie
Published: June 2019

The real‐world evidence on the profiles of patients suffering from atopic dermatitis (AD) in Japan is sparse. A retrospective claim database analysis was conducted to estimate the health‐care resource use (HCRU) and current AD treatment. Data from October 2013 to September 2016 were extracted from the JMDC (Tokyo, Japan) claims database. HCRU was assessed by a comparison of AD patients and matched non‐AD controls. A multivariate analysis was performed to estimate HCRU attributable to AD. AD patients (n = 39 893) have more claims of certain diagnoses such as rhinitis, viral and fungal infections, sleep disorders and conjunctivitis as well as higher HCRU (outpatient visits, prescriptions of AD‐related and non‐AD‐related medications, phototherapy, laboratory tests) than matched non‐AD controls (n = 39 893). Treatment pattern analysis included treatment‐naive patients (n = 8478) and previously treated AD patients (n = 30 109). Approximately 20% of previously treated patients were on the continuous systemic treatment during 18‐month follow up. Systemic corticosteroids were the most frequently used systemic treatments. Oral cyclosporin was less frequently used in both groups, but for the longest duration. Almost half of previously treated patients with oral cyclosporin continued treatment for more than 3 months. In conclusion, HCRU was higher in AD patients than non‐AD controls, indicating a high burden of the disease imposed on AD patients. Continuous administration of systemic treatment, such as oral cyclosporin, systemic corticosteroids and phototherapy, observed in AD patients sheds light on the difficulties of managing AD in Japanese clinical practise.
History sets the stage: Macroevolutionary influence on biotic interactions
Authors: Shefferson Richard P.
Published: June 2019

Evolutionary history has profound influences on ecological systems. Such influence is generally observed as phylogenetic signal, in which trait similarity is a function of evolutionary relationships, or phylogenetic niche conservatism, in which clades of species exhibit a single trait value. These patterns are observed so often in ecological research that the lack of phylogenetic influence on a system should be viewed as an exception to the rule.

This special feature showcases research at the cutting edge of phylogenetic analysis of biotic interactions. Eight papers address three dominant questions: (a) What determines which species associate with each other? (b) How does evolutionary history constrain adaptation in response to interactions? (c) How does evolutionary history influence community, ecosystem, and global ecological processes and patterns? The interactions studied include symbioses such the mycorrhiza and the lichen, plant–soil interactions and herbivory.

Synthesis: Phylogenetics presents important perspectives and tools to understand fundamental ecological processes. Among the most in need of research are geographic patterns in interaction strength and commonness, such as the latitudinal gradient in herbivory; the relationship between rapid evolution and evolutionary history, and the interaction of the two onto community and ecosystem processes and patterns; and the influence of evolutionary history on outcome in conservation problems and management.