bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contrasting a reference cranberry genome to a crop wild relative provides insights into adaptation, domestication, and breeding
Authors: Kawash Joseph , Colt Kelly , Hartwick Nolan T. , Abramson Bradley W. , Vorsa Nicholi , Polashock James J. , Michael Todd P.
Published: June 2021

Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is a member of the Heath family (Ericaceae) and is a temperate low-growing woody perennial native to North America that is both economically important and has significant health benefits. While some native varieties are still grown today, breeding programs over the past 50 years have made significant contributions to improving disease resistance, fruit quality and yield. An initial genome sequence of an inbred line of the wild selection ‘Ben Lear,’ which is parent to multiple breeding programs, provided insight into the gene repertoire as well as a platform for molecular breeding. Recent breeding efforts have focused on leveraging the circumborealV. oxycoccos, which forms interspecific hybrids withV. macrocarpon, offering to bring in novel fruit chemistry and other desirable traits. Here we present an updated, chromosome-resolvedV. macrocarponreference genome, and compare it to a high-quality draft genome ofV. oxycoccos. Leveraging the chromosome resolved cranberry reference genome, we confirmed that the Ericaceae has undergone two whole genome duplications that are shared with blueberry and rhododendron. Leveraging resequencing data for ‘Ben Lear’ inbred lines, as well as several wild and elite selections, we identified common regions that are targets of improvement. These same syntenic regions inV. oxycoccos, were identified and represent environmental response and plant architecture genes. These data provide insight into early genomic selection in the domestication of a native North American berry crop.
Release of endogenous dynorphin opioids in the prefrontal cortex disrupts cognition
Authors: Abraham Antony D. , Casello Sanne M. , Schattauer Selena S. , Wong Brenden A. , Mizuno Grace O. , Mahe Karan , Tian Lin , Land Benjamin B. , Chavkin Charles
Published: June 2021

Following repeated opioid use, some dependent individuals experience persistent cognitive deficits that contribute to relapse of drug-taking behaviors, and one component of this response may be mediated by the endogenous dynorphin/kappa opioid system in neocortex. In mice, we find that acute morphine withdrawal evokes dynorphin release in the medial prefrontal cortex (PFC) and disrupts cognitive function by activation of local kappa opioid receptors (KORs). Immunohistochemical analyses using a phospho-KOR antibody confirmed that both withdrawal-induced and optically evoked dynorphin release activated KOR in PFC. Using a genetically encoded sensor based on inert KOR (kLight1.2a), we revealed the in vivo dynamics of endogenous dynorphin release in the PFC. Local activation of KOR in PFC produced multi-phasic disruptions of memory processing in an operant delayed alternation behavioral task, which manifest as reductions in response number and accuracy during early and late phases of an operant session. Local pretreatment in PFC with the selective KOR antagonist norbinaltorphimine (norBNI) blocked the disruptive effect of systemic KOR activation during both early and late phases of the session. The early, but not late phase disruption was blocked by viral excision of PFC KORs, suggesting an anatomically dissociable contribution of pre- and postsynaptic KORs. Naloxone-precipitated withdrawal in morphine-dependent mice or optical stimulation of pdynCre neurons using Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) disrupted delayed alternation performance, and the dynorphin-induced effect was blocked by local norBNI. Our findings describe a mechanism for control of cortical function during opioid dependence and suggest that KOR antagonism could promote abstinence.
The phosphatidylglycerol phosphate synthase PgsA utilizes a trifurcated amphipathic cavity for catalysis at the membrane-cytosol interface
Authors: Yang Bowei , Yao Hebang , Li Dianfan , Liu Zhenfeng
Published: June 2021

Phosphatidylglycerol is a crucial phospholipid found ubiquitously in biological membranes of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The phosphatidylglycerol phosphate (PGP) synthase (PgsA), a membrane-embedded enzyme, catalyzes the primary reaction of phosphatidylglycerol biosynthesis. Mutations in pgsA frequently correlate with daptomycin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus and other prevalent infectious pathogens. Here we report the structures of S. aureus PgsA (SaPgsA) captured at two distinct states of the catalytic process, with lipid substrate (cytidine diphosphate-diacylglycerol, CDP-DAG) or product (PGP) bound to the active site within a trifurcated amphipathic cavity. The hydrophilic head groups of CDP-DAG and PGP occupy two different pockets in the cavity, inducing local conformational changes. An elongated membrane-exposed surface groove accommodates the fatty acyl chains of CDP-DAG/PGP and opens a lateral portal for lipid entry/release. Remarkably, the daptomycin resistance-related mutations mostly cluster around the active site, causing reduction of enzymatic activity. Our results provide detailed mechanistic insights into the dynamic catalytic process of PgsA and structural frameworks beneficial for development of antimicrobial agents targeting PgsA from pathogenic bacteria.
Genetic diversity in chimpanzee transcriptomics does not represent wild populations
Authors: Shukla Navya , Shaban Bobbie , Romero Irene Gallego
Published: June 2021

Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) are a genetically diverse species, consisting of 4 highly distinct subspecies. As humans’ closest living relative they have been a key model organism in the study of human evolution, and comparisons of human and chimpanzee transcriptomes have been widely used to characterise differences in gene expression levels that could underlie the phenotypic differences between the two species. However, the subspecies from which these transcriptomic datasets have been derived is not recorded in metadata available in the public NCBI Sequence Read Archive (SRA). Furthermore, labelling of RNA-seq samples is for the most part inconsistent across studies, and the true number of individuals from whom transcriptomic data is available is difficult to ascertain. Thus we have evaluated genetic diversity at the subspecies and individual level in 486 public RNA-seq samples available in the SRA, spanning the vast majority of public chimpanzee transcriptomic data. Using multiple population genetics approaches we find that nearly all samples (96.6%) have some degree of Western chimpanzee ancestry. At the individual donor level, we identify multiple samples that have been repeatedly analysed across different studies, and identify a total of 135 genetically distinct individuals within our data, a number that falls to 89 when we exclude likely first and second-degree relatives. Altogether, our results show that current transcriptomic data from chimpanzees is capturing low levels of genetic diversity relative to what exists in wild chimpanzee populations. These findings provide important context to current comparative transcriptomics research involving chimpanzees.
Mutation in Abl kinase with altered drug binding kinetics indicates a novel mechanism of imatinib resistance
Authors: Lyczek Agatha , Berger Benedict Tilman , Rangwala Aziz M. , Paung YiTing , Tom Jessica , Philipose Hannah , Guo Jiaye , Albanese Steven K. , Robers Matthew B. , Knapp Stefan , Chodera John D. , Seeliger Markus A.
Published: June 2021

Protein kinase inhibitors are potent anti-cancer therapeutics (1). For example, the Bcr-Abl kinase inhibitor imatinib decreases mortality for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) by 80% (2, 3), but 22-41% of patients acquire resistance to imatinib (4). About 70% of relapsed patients harbor mutations in the Bcr-Abl kinase domain (5), in which more than a hundred different mutations have been identified (6–8). Some mutations are located near the imatinib binding site and cause resistance through altered interactions with the drug. However, many resistance mutations are located far from the drug binding site (9) and it remains unclear how these mutations confer resistance. Additionally, earlier studies on small sets of patient-derived imatinib resistance mutations indicated that some of these mutant proteins were in fact sensitive to imatinib in cellular and biochemical studies (10). Here, we surveyed the resistance of 94 patient-derived Abl kinase domain mutations annotated as disease-relevant or resistance-causing using an engagement assay in live cells. We found that only two-thirds of mutations weaken imatinib affinity by more than two-fold compared to Abl wild type. Surprisingly, one-third of mutations in Abl kinase domain still remain sensitive to imatinib and bind with similar or higher affinity than wild type. Intriguingly, we identified a clinical Abl mutation that binds imatinib with wild type-like affinity but dissociates from imatinib three times faster. Given the relevance of residence time for drug efficacy (11–14), mutations that alter binding kinetics could cause resistance in the non-equilibrium environment of the body where drug export and clearance play critical roles.

Significance

We performed the first in cell screen of imatinib binding against a library of Abl kinase mutants derived from patients with imatinib-resistant CML. The majority of mutations readily bind imatinib, posing the question of how these mutations cause resistance in patients. We identified a kinetic mutant that binds imatinib with wild type affinity but dissociates considerably faster from the mutant kinase. Using NMR and molecular dynamics, we found that this mutation increases the conformational dynamics of the mutant protein, linking conformational dynamics of the protein to drug dissociation. The results underline the importance of drug dissociation kinetics for drug efficacy and propose a novel kinetic resistance mechanism that may be targetable by altering drug treatment schedules.
TRIOBP promotes bidirectional radial stiffness gradients within the organ of Corti
Authors: Babahosseini Hesam , Belyantseva Inna A. , Yousaf Rizwan , Tona Risa , Hadi Shadan E. , Wilson Elizabeth , Kitajiri Shin-ichiro , Frolenkov Gregory I. , Friedman Thomas B. , Cartagena-Rivera Alexander X.
Published: June 2021

Hearing depends on complex mechanical properties of the inner ear sensory epithelium. Yet, the individual contributions of different cell types to the stiffness spectrum of the sensory epithelium have not been thoroughly investigated. Using sub-100 nanometer spatial resolution PeakForce Tapping Atomic Force Microscopy (PFT-AFM), we mapped the Young’s modulus (stiffness) of the apical surface of different cells of freshly-dissected cochlear epithelium from wild-type mice and mice lacking the F-actin bundling protein TRIOBP-5 or TRIOBP-4 and TRIOBP-5. Variants of the genes encoding human and mouse TRIOBP are associated with deafness. We show that TRIOBP deficiency affects formation of supporting cell apical phalangeal microfilaments and bundled cortical F-actin of hair cell cuticular plates, softening the apical surface of the sensory epithelium. Unexpectedly, high-resolution PFT-AFM-mapping also revealed previously unrecognized reticular lamina radial stiffness gradients of opposite orientations in wild-type supporting and hair cells. Deafness-associated TRIOBP deficiencies significantly modified these bidirectional radial stiffness gradients.
Oct4 primarily controls enhancer activity rather than accessibility
Authors: Xiong Le , Tolen Erik A. , Choi Jinmi , Caizzi Livia , Adachi Kenjiro , Lidschreiber Michael , Cramer Patrick , Schöler Hans R.
Published: June 2021

The transcription factor Oct4 is essential for maintaining stem cell pluripotency and for efficient cell reprogramming, but its functional roles are far from being understood. Here, we investigate the functions of Oct4 by rapidly depleting Oct4 from mouse embryonic stem cells and conducting a time-resolved multiomics analysis. Oct4 depletion leads to an immediate loss of its binding to putative enhancers that are accessible in chromatin. Loss of Oct4 is accompanied by a concomitant decrease in mRNA synthesis from putative target genes that are part of the transcriptional network that maintains pluripotency. Oct4 binding to enhancers does not correlate with chromatin accessibility, whereas Sox2 can apparently retain accessibility after Oct4 depletion even in the absence of eRNA synthesis. These results are consistent with the model that Sox2 primarily acts as a pioneer factor that renders enhancers accessible, whereas Oct4 acts primarily as a transcriptional activator that stimulates transcription of pluripotency enhancers and their target genes.
Residual errors in visuomotor adaptation persist despite extended motor preparation periods
Authors: Weightman Matthew , Brittain John-Stuart , Miall R. Chris , Jenkinson Ned
Published: June 2021

A consistent finding in sensorimotor adaptation is a persistent undershoot of full compensation, such that performance asymptotes with residual errors greater than seen at baseline. This behaviour has been attributed to limiting factors within the implicit adaptation system, which reaches a sub-optimal equilibrium between trial-by-trial learning and forgetting. However, recent research has suggested that allowing longer motor planning periods prior to movement eliminates these residual errors. The additional planning time allows required cognitive processes to be completed before movement onset, thus increasing accuracy. Here we looked to extend these findings by investigating the relationship between increased motor preparation time and the size of imposed visuomotor rotation (30°, 45° or 60°), with regards to the final asymptotic level of adaptation. We found that restricting preparation time to 0.35 seconds impaired adaptation for moderate and larger rotations, resulting in larger residual errors compared to groups with additional preparation time. However, we found that even extended preparation time failed to eliminate persistent errors, regardless of magnitude of cursor rotation. Thus, the asymptote of adaptation was significantly less than the degree of imposed rotation, for all experimental groups. Additionally, there was a positive relationship between asymptotic error and implicit retention. These data suggest that a prolonged motor preparation period is insufficient to reliably achieve complete adaptation and therefore our results provide support for the proposal that limitations within the implicit learning system contributes to asymptotic adaptation levels.

New & Noteworthy

Residual errors in sensorimotor adaptation are commonly attributed to an equilibrium between trial-by-trial learning and forgetting. Recent research suggested that allowing sufficient time for mental rotation eliminates these errors. In a number of experimental conditions, we show that while restricted motor preparation time does limit adaptation - consistent with mental rotation - extending preparation time fails to eliminate the residual errors in motor adaptation.
LncRNAs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae dodge the cell cycle arrest imposed by the ethanol stress
Authors: Lázari Lucas C. , Wolf Ivan R. , Schnepper Amanda Piveta , Valente Guilherme T.
Published: June 2021

Ethanol impairs many subsystems of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, including the cell cycle. Cyclins and damage checkpoints drive the cell cycle. Two ethanol-responsive lncRNAs in yeast interact with cell cycle proteins, and here we investigated the role of these RNAs on the ethanol-stressed cell cycle. Our network dynamic modeling showed that the higher and lower ethanol tolerant strains undergo a cell cycle arrest during the ethanol stress. However, lower tolerant phenotype arrest in a later phase leading to its faster population rebound after the stress relief. Two lncRNAs can skip the arrests mentioned. The in silico overexpression of lnc9136 of SEY6210 (a lower tolerant strain), and CRISPR-Cas9 partial deletions of this lncRNA, evidenced that the one induces a regular cell cycle even under ethanol stress; this lncRNA binds to Gin4 and Hsl1, driving the Swe1p, Clb1/2, and cell cycle. Moreover, the lnc10883 of BY4742 (a higher tolerant strain) interacts to the Mec1p and represses Bub1p, circumventing the DNA and spindle damage checkpoints keeping a normal cell cycle even under DNA damage. Overall, we present the first evidence of the direct roles of lncRNAs on cell cycle proteins, the dynamics of this system in different ethanol tolerant phenotypes, and a new cell cycle model.
Analysis at single-cell resolution identifies a stable mammalian tRNA-mRNA interface and increased translation efficiency in neurons
Authors: Gao William , Gallardo-Dodd Carlos J. , Kutter Claudia
Published: June 2021

The correlation between codon and anticodon pools influences the efficiency of translation, but whether differences exist in these pools across individual cells is unknown. We determined that codon usage and amino acid demand are highly stable across different cell types using single-cell RNA-sequencing atlases of adult mouse and fetal human. After demonstrating the robustness of ATAC-sequencing for analysis of tRNA gene usage, we quantified anticodon usage and amino acid supply in adult mouse and fetal human single-cell ATAC-seq atlases. We found that tRNA gene usage is overall coordinated across cell types, except in neurons which clustered separately from other cell types. Integration of these datasets revealed a strong and statistically significant correlation between amino acid supply and demand across almost all cell types. Neurons have an enhanced translation efficiency over other cell types, driven by an increased supply of tRNAAla (AGC) anticodons. This results in faster decoding of the Ala-GCC codon, as determined by cell-type specific ribosome profiling, and a reduction of tRNAAla (AGC) anticodon pools may be implicated in neurological pathologies. This study, the first such examination of codon usage, anticodon usage, and translation efficiency at single-cell resolution, identifies conserved features of translation elongation across mammalian cellular diversity and evolution.
Baicalein suppresses Tau fibrillization by sequestering oligomers
Authors: Sonawane Shweta Kishor , Balmik Abhishek Ankur , Boral Debjyoti , Ramasamy Sureshkumar , Chinnathambi Subashchandrabose
Published: June 2021

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by protein
misfolding, aggregation and accumulation in the brain. A large number of
molecules are being screened against these pathogenic proteins but the focus for
therapeutics is shifting towards the natural compounds as aggregation
inhibitors, mainly due to their minimum adverse effects. Baicalein is a natural
compound belonging to the class of flavonoids isolated from the Chinese herb
Scutellaria baicalensis. Here we applied
fluorescence, absorbance, microscopy, MALDI-TOF spectrophotometry and other
biochemical techniques to investigate the interaction between Tau and Baicalein
in vitro. We found the aggregation inhibitory
properties of Baicalein for the repeat Tau. Overall, the potential of Baicalein
in dissolving the preformed Tau oligomers as well as mature fibrils can be of
utmost importance in therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease.
Conditional gene expression reveals stage-specific functions of the unfolded protein response in theUstilago maydis/maize pathosystem
Authors: Schmitz Lara , Kronstad James W. , Heimel Kai
Published: June 2021

Ustilago maydisis a model organism to study biotrophic plant-pathogen interactions. Sexual and pathogenic development of the fungus are tightly connected since fusion of compatible haploid sporidia is prerequisite for infection of the host plant, maize (Zea mays). After plant penetration, the unfolded protein response (UPR) is activated and required for biotrophic growth. The UPR is continuously active throughout all stages of pathogenic developmentin planta. However, since development of UPR deletion mutants stops directly after plant penetration, the role of an active UPR at later stages of development has/could not be examined, yet. Here, we establish a gene expression system forU. maydisthat uses endogenous, conditionally active promoters to either induce or repress expression of a gene of interest during different stages of plant infection. Integration of the expression constructs into the native genomic locus and removal of resistance cassettes were required to obtain a wild type-like expression pattern. This indicates that genomic localization and chromatin structure are important for correct promoter activity and gene expression. By conditional expression of the central UPR regulator, Cib1, inU. maydis, we show that a functional UPR is required for continuous plant defense suppression after host infection and thatU. maydisrelies on a robust control system to prevent deleterious UPR hyperactivation.
Increasing rice productivity in Ghana: Do savings with rural and community banks matter?
Authors: Vukey Enoch Yao , Egyir Irene S. , Asiedu Edward , Kwapong Nana Afranaa
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper analysed the motives behind farmers' savings with Rural and Community Banks (RCBs) and the effect of these savings on rice yield in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta region of Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-stage sampling approach was used to draw a random sample of 222 rice farmers, and a structured questionnaire was employed to collect cross-sectional data. A Likert scale was used to rank the motive behind farmers' savings while the endogenous switching regression model was used to estimate the effect of savings on rice yield.

Findings

The results of the study showed that most farmers mobilise savings to enhance farm investment which is critical to increasing rice productivity. Improved labour and fertiliser use had a positive influence on rice yield, while farm size had an inverse relation with rice yield. Further, the findings show that savings with RCBs help mobilise the necessary finance to enhance rice productivity. In terms of the treatment effect of savings, the results indicate that farmers who patronise saving products of RCBs recorded a statistically significant average yield of 1.41 Mt/ha more than those not patronising saving products from any bank.

Practical implications

While the literature on agricultural finance focuses largely on credit, this study demonstrates that savings hold significant benefits for the development of agriculture through productivity gains. The importance of this demonstration is further shown by the fact that credit access depends on the ability to save in most developing countries.

Social implications

There is a need to educate farmers about the essence of patronising formal savings products.

Originality/value

This study represents the first attempt at linking farmers' savings to agricultural productivity using an econometric methodology in Ghana. The study serves as a foundation paper and for that matter will serve as a guide to future research on savings mobilisation and agricultural productivity nexus.
Challenges faced by youth social entrepreneurs in Malaysia: career transition to become a social entrepreneur
Authors: Che Nawi Nur Raihan , Arshad Mohd Mursyid , Krauss Steven Eric , Ismail Ismi Arif
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The practice of social entrepreneurship has grown rapidly around the world, including in Malaysia where it is still considered to be at an early stage. Nevertheless, little is known about the career transition among youth who choose careers as social entrepreneurs. The purpose of this study is to explore the challenges faced by youth social entrepreneurs who run social enterprises in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a qualitative approach to collect and analyse data to answer the research questions. Seven youth social entrepreneurs were interviewed until data saturation was met. An interview guide was created for the purposes of conducting the interviews. The interviews were recorded using a voice recorder. Data were transcribed verbatim and grouped in order to identify the codings, categories and themes.

Findings

The findings show the career transition to become a social entrepreneur, as well as the major challenges that youth social entrepreneurs face, which include acclimatising to the life and career of a social entrepreneur and not getting support from family.

Practical implications

The study findings are also significant for presenting valuable data on the experience of the developing social entrepreneur. The qualitative nature of the study provides valuable experiential insight into the lives and struggles of young social entrepreneurs in Malaysia. The findings will allow local authorities and social entrepreneurship regulatory agencies to design initiatives and plan actions intended to overcome the challenges.

Originality/value

This study makes an original contribution by showing that the process of career development as a social entrepreneur has given meaning to the informants. Despite presenting many challenges, social entrepreneurship has reinforced the role of youth social entrepreneurs, especially in relation to social responsibility.
Improving graduateness: addressing the gap between employer needs and graduate employability in Palestine
Authors: Nabulsi Nadine , McNally Beverley , Khoury Grace
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This research paper seeks to identify multiple stakeholder perceptions relating to the level of graduateness of a group of business school graduates in Palestine.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory mixed method approach was employed. Survey data provided the quantitative information that was analysed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS). Interviews of 1.5–2 h duration were conducted to gather the qualitative data. The study utilised an inductive thematic approach to analyse these data.

Findings

Employers were resolute in the view that despite the high level of youth unemployment in Palestine, they still had difficulty in sourcing suitably qualified graduates. Collaboration between employers and higher education providers is not of a level that supports the development of graduateness. The identified key skill shortages occurred in the soft skills area, for example, written and verbal communication, language and problem-solving skills, negotiation and conflict resolution.

Research limitations/implications

As an exploratory research study, there are opportunities for future research investigating more deeply the themes identified and the success or otherwise of the recommended initiatives.

Practical implications

This study has implications for both educationalists and policymakers, regarding the prioritisation of development funding and of policies and practices aimed at improving youth employment. There are implications for all stakeholders with regard to collaboration in curriculum development, provision of education, and training and development programmes targeting young people to ensure that they are work ready.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first to examine the skills gap between business schools' graduates and employment in Palestine.
Lawns and lemonade: are childpreneur activities gendered?
Authors: Sweida Gloria L. , Tallman Morgan D.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is threefold. The first is to explore how children engage in entrepreneurship by creating a comprehensive inventory of commercial activities in which children engage. The second is to examine the extent to which the activities and categories of activities are gendered. The third purpose is to explore if the breadth of entrepreneurial activities (i.e., balanced skillset) increases entrepreneurship chances in emerging adults.

Design/methodology/approach

A holistic approach was used to create an inventory of commercial activities in which children engage. The researchers engaged in seven iterations, including scholarly and Internet searches, think-aloud and pilot tests, before submitting the inventory of over 100 activities to 928 participants. The relationship between general experiences and business startup was analyzed using binary logistic regression with a subsample of emerging adults aged 18–29.

Findings

The results revealed that 61% of the 23 categories and 53% of the 121 activities were gendered. Girls and boys tend to gravitate to gender-stereotypical entrepreneurial endeavors. Males were more likely to engage in stereotypical male commercial activities outside of the home, such as yard work, farm work and painting structures. In contrast, females were more likely to engage in stereotypical female commercial activities inside the home or activities related to beauty, crafts or food. Results also revealed that a variety of entrepreneurial activities and a general versus specific college degree increased the odds of starting a business in emerging adults regardless of gender.

Originality/value

Research and viewpoints explaining the gendered construction of entrepreneurship have been widely discussed. However, little is known about early-age commercial activities and their gendered nature. To our knowledge, this is the first construction of a childpreneur inventory and a subsequent demonstration of a connection between childpreneur activities and gender. This study also builds on prior work with emerging adults and the jack of all trades theory by suggesting that pursuing a balanced skillset is something learned early in life. The results will be useful to other researchers in gender and entrepreneurship and support agencies that seek to encourage children's entrepreneurial aspirations.
Sources of finance for tech startups over its lifecycle: what determines their approach of sources and its success?
Authors: Singh Shivalik , Mungila Hillemane Bala Subrahmanya
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the factors determining the choice of sources of finance for a tech startup over its lifecycle.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts simple random sampling technique to choose 93 sample tech startups in Bangalore. Further, this study employs the primary data collection from the sampled startups under study through a semi-structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews with the founders/CEOs of these startups. Furthermore, it carries out binary logistic regression analysis to primarily examine the likelihood of a tech startup to approach and access a particular source of finance over its lifecycle.

Findings

Our results indicate that a tech startup's choice for a financial source varies with its lifecycle stage and financial requirements. We find that while in its early stage, a tech startup's choice of a financial source is limited to business angels (BA), in the growth stage, it approaches the institutional sources, viz. Venture Capital (VC), Corporate Venture Capital (CVC), Banks and Private Equity (PE) firms alternatively. Out of the three major categories of financial requirements: Human Capital (HC), Research Capital (RC) and Social Capital (SC), the requirement for HC and SC is predominantly funded by VCs, while the acquisition of RC is facilitated by early stage investors (BAs) as well as growth stage investors (CVC and PEs).

Research limitations/implications

The research implication of the study lies in bringing out the need to understand both the nature and the quantum of financial requirements of tech startups would influence the sources of finance it would approach and obtain finance for its operations and growth.

Practical implications

The major policy implication of the study refers to the need to promote the diverse sources of finance to meet the diverse needs of finance in different stages of a tech startup's lifecycle. Particularly in an emerging economy, where we do not see the emergence and growth of highly innovative tech startups, the need to promote adequate availability of RC is especially important.

Originality/value

This study makes a key contribution to the entrepreneurial finance literature by empirically investigating the factors determining a tech startup's propensity to approach and access a particular source of finance over its lifecycle.
A financial restatement, media attention and stock idiosyncratic risk in the Chinese stock market
Authors: Yin Haiyuan , Sun Meng
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to enrich the scope of the influence of media reports on the stock risk, and it also provides a path to support the research on the relationship between media reports and idiosyncratic risks in the stock market.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors select financial restatement samples of listed companies in China from Jan 2015 to Dec 2017 to explore the impact of the financial restatement on the idiosyncratic risk of stocks. Further, the financial restatement that has more media attention may play a more significant role in promoting the idiosyncratic risk.

Findings

The authors found that the financial restatement of listed companies has a significant positive effect on the idiosyncratic risk of stocks. Specifically, the idiosyncratic risk changed five months before the restatement. After the restatement, the idiosyncratic risk increased by 83.47 in five days then decreased slowly, which lasted about one year. The restatement caused by sensitive issues and legal issues has a greater impact on the idiosyncratic risk. Both current restatement and delayed restatements will increase the idiosyncratic risk of stocks, but the impact of the latter is higher than the former.

Research limitations/implications

Possible deficiencies in the paper are that the number of restatements caused by major accounting errors is low. Therefore, no regular conclusions were drawn on the impact of the financial restatement caused by major accounting errors.

Practical implications

The conclusions provide a basis for targeted supervisory measures on the restatements of listed companies. The increase in financial restatements is closely related to the lack of governance mechanisms in the stock market. For investors, although the mystery of idiosyncratic volatility exists significantly in the market, the company's valuation level will affect the relationship between the idiosyncratic risk and expected return. Investors should pay attention to the intrinsic value of the company and should not blindly pursue stocks with a low idiosyncratic risk.

Originality/value

These conclusions may enrich the scope of the influence of media reports on the stock risk and also provide a path to support the research on the relationship between media reports and idiosyncratic risks in the capital market.
Gendered brokerage and firm performance – An interlock analysis of the UK
Authors: Sarabi Yasaman , Smith Matthew , McGregor Heather , Christopoulos Dimitris
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Corporate success depends partially on the quality of knowledge accessible to the executive board. One route of access to such knowledge is the appointment of directors who already hold directorships with prominent other corporate actors. Such director appointments provide interlocks to a corporate knowledge ecosystem (Haunschild and Beckman, 1998). The purpose of this paper is to examine how linkages between companies belonging to different sectors impact firm performance and to examine how linkages created by female directors, as opposed to male directors, shape performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper investigates the interlocks created between UK FTSE 350 companies from 2010 to 2018. It draws on network analysis to map the roles that male and female directors play in linking firms with varying sector classifications. The paper provides an examination of the impact of these roles on firm performance, through a panel data regression analysis.

Findings

This paper finds that there is an increase of inter-industry brokers over the period, and that men are still dominant in both the network and creating inter-industry ties amongst companies. However, the role of women in establishing these ties appears to be changing, and women are more important when it comes to create inter-industry ties among key economic sectors.

Originality/value

This paper provides a novel approach to examine the interplay between gendered inter (and intra) sectoral linkages and firm performance. It provides an original application of the two-mode brokerage analysis framework proposed in Jasny and Lubell (2015).
Need for touch and online consumer decision making: the moderating role of emotional states
Authors: Zheng Lili , Bensebaa Faouzi
Published: June 2021

Purpose

With the growth of online shopping, during which consumers are not able to touch products, there is much for researchers and marketers to learn about the underlying role of the need for touch (NFT) in driving online shopping decisions. Consumers' emotional state prior to purchase is considered a situational variable that affects their attitude and behaviour. This study explores the effects of consumers' NFT and pre-purchase emotional states on their online decision-making behaviour, examining perceived quality, confidence in product judgment and intention to purchase.

Design/methodology/approach

A field experiment was conducted using a scenario presenting buying a sweater as a real purchase opportunity available to participants. A convenience sample of two hundred ninety-eight university students at a university in the southeast of France was used in this study. A 2 (NFT: high/low determined by a median split) × 2 (emotional states: high/low level) analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to further examine the interaction of NFT and emotional states in consumer decision making.

Findings

The results indicate that autotelic NFT and positive emotional states experienced before shopping have an impact on consumers' decisions in relation to perceived quality, confidence in product judgment and intention to purchase. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that instrumental vs autotelic NFT affects consumer decision making, with mixed support found for negative emotional states acting as possible moderators.

Originality/value

This study advances the NFT field and leads to insights regarding online consumer purchase decision making by exploring instrumental vs autotelic NFT and pre-purchase emotional states as antecedents of consumer decisions.
A reflective process to explore identity in an emerging wine territory: the example of British Columbia
Authors: Pesme Jacques-Olivier , Sugden Roger , Mooken Malida , Valania Marcela , Buschert Kim
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Identity is often used in wine territory narratives but its meaning is rarely explored with industry actors. This paper aims to present the development and application of a four-step iterative process for engaging an industry in a complex and deep reflection about its shared identity: understanding identity; identifying commonalities and differences; developing a shared narrative and sharing best practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have engaged with over 50 wineries between 2016 and 2018 on the identity of the British Columbia wine territory through workshops, interviews and other conversations. Complementary methods include documentary review and observations.

Findings

The work shows the applicability of the four-step process. Success depends on building relationships with and across the industry; creating independent, safe learning environments and facilitation by an independent party; allowing for feedback between the steps, continuous reflection and reiteration of steps and making the time for complexity.

Practical implications

The application of the process in British Columbia shows that success depends on building relationships with and across the industry; creating independent, safe learning environments and making the time for complexity.

Originality/value

The paper presents the application of a unique process for industry to explore the identity of a wine territory. It focuses on British Columbia, about which little has been written. Through the process, the industry can better understand identity, what it is, why it matters and how it impacts businesses. The paper’s insights can inspire researchers and industries in their thinking and practice about identity.
Handmade OK please: key criteria for purchasing craft items by Indian consumers
Authors: Koli Ajay Kumar
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the key criteria from the perspective of handmade, authenticity and sustainability for purchasing craft items by Indian consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory qualitative research was conducted on the buying behaviour of Assamese muga mekhela chador (MMC). Data were collected using purposive sampling and video-recorded focus group discussions (FGDs). Output transcripts were content-analysed using the R package RQDI.

Findings

Indian consumers largely define crafts as handmade. Results indicate the crucial role of craft design and price. Craft authenticity, craft knowledge and social identity evolved as the key criteria for buying crafts. State intervention in craft certification is demanded. Indian craft consumers lack awareness about sustainable consumption.

Originality/value

India is home to millions of craftspeople and craft buyers. Most of the earlier craft studies focused on the problems of craft production in India. This study contributes to the consumption literature, from the standpoints of authenticity and sustainability, which are often limited to Western consumers. Understanding its own domestic craft market will help Indian policymakers and organisations to reduce export dependency and to tap potential local craft demand.
Foreign bank and banking stability in Africa: does strong and weak corporate governance systems under different regulatory regimes matter?
Authors: Kusi Baah Aye , Agbloyor Elikplimi Komla , Simplice Asongu Anutechia , Abor Joshua
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of foreign bank assets (FBA) and (FBP) presence is examined on banking stability in the economies with strong and weak country-level corporate governance (CLCG) in Africa between 2006 and 2015.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a Prais–Winsten panel data model of 86 banks in about 30 African economies, findings on how FBA and presence influence banking stability in strong and weak corporate governance economies under different regulatory regimes are reported for the first in Africa.

Findings

The findings show that foreign bank presence (FBP) and assets promote banking stability. However, the positive effect of FBA and presence is enhanced in economies with strong CLCG, whereas the positive effect of FBA and presence is weakened in economies with weak CLCG. After introducing different regulatory regimes, it is observed that the enhancing effect of FBP and assets on banking stability in the full sample and economies with strong and weak CLCG systems is deepened or improved under the loan loss provision regulation regime. However, under the private and public sector-led financial transparency regulations, the reducing effect of FBP and assets on banking stability in economies with weak corporate governance systems is further dampened.

Practical implications

These findings show that the relationship between FBP and assets is deeply shaped by corporate governance systems and regulatory regimes in Africa. Hence, policymakers must build strong corporate governance and sound regulatory regimes to enhance how foreign bank operations promote banking stability.

Originality/value

This study presents first-time evidence on how FBA and presence influence banking stability under strong and weak governance systems while considering different regulatory regimes.
Post-pandemic responsible management education: an invitation for a conceptual and practice renewal and for a narrative change
Authors: Ramboarisata Lovasoa
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This essay makes the point that the corona crisis should motivate business schools and scholars to reflect on their interpretation of responsible management education (RME). It suggests both a conceptual and a practice renewal of RME, by respectively highlighting the relevance of the constructs organizational climate (OC) and professorial roles (PR) and calling for an enactment of business schools’ employer responsibility. It also argues that beyond mere techno-pedagogical and strategic developments, business schools’ post-pandemic challenges should encompass a narrative change.

Design/methodology/approach

Review of recent studies on the neo-liberalization of business schools and the implications of the latter on management educators and management education.

Findings

The corona crisis carries the risk of putting center stage and amplifying the entrepreneurial narrative in business schools. Such a narrative is deeply rooted in neoliberal assumptions. However, the corona crisis is also an opportunity to renew RME and to favour critical studies, encourage moral imagination and embark collectively on systemic activism.

Originality/value

Like other recent work, this paper reflects on what RME should mean and how business schools should set and fulfill their RME agenda in the aftermath of the corona crisis. To complement those former work, this paper proposes that the constructs of OC and PR be invited into the conceptualization of RME and insists that business schools acknowledge their employer responsibility.
New space property age: at the crossroads of space commons, commodities and competition
Authors: Lucas Rhimbassen Maria , Rapp Lucien
Published: June 2021

Purpose

In the absence of a clear property rights regime in outer space, commodification might bypass several legal considerations and instill a regime through customary practice, which could collide with international space law ethics, and thus, erode the corpus juris spatialis. The purpose of this paper is to find a way to prevent such an erosion.

Design/methodology/approach

Through an interdisciplinary review of the literature pertaining to space law, space property rights, economic goods, resources and commodities, this paper explores potential solutions to prevent further fragmentation of the corpus juris spatialis when confronted with the elusive transnational lex mercatoria dynamics and potential commodification of the space ecosystem.

Findings

This paper explores solutions to prevent this outcome through decentralized frameworks ranging from polycentric governance to a new “space antitrust” regime. Polycentric governance could prove very useful to address the plurality of space property rights and their complexity while space antitrust would not be precluded to intervene in a commoditized space market. Commodities benefited in the past from a certain antitrust immunity, however, due to globalization, technological development and deregulation, commodities have become more competitive, and therefore, the immunity is being gradually overturned.

Originality/value

This paper explores the benefits of unlocking antitrust potential forces into channeling, hand in hand with polycentricity, the development of the space ecosystem in light of international space law ethics. “Space antitrust” could become a discipline per se and better resonate with non-traditional stakeholders in the space sector in a context of commercialization and commodification of resources. Today, benefit-sharing causes debate among spacefaring nations in terms of property rights. However, it could be enforced through competition law dynamics.